To the congregation & leadership of NewLife Community Church:
This
letter is to inform you that I am resigning as the pastor of NewLife
Community Church. This was not an easy choice for us to make. It was
with much prayer & many tears that we came to this decision. Shari
& I believe that God is calling us to seek a new place to serve
Him... and that He will lead us just as He will lead this church that we
have loved for the past nine years.
I want to say "thank you" once again for the way the folks here at
NewLife have been so supportive of both me & my family - you have
walked with us through joy & through pain... and you will continue
to hold a very special place in our hearts. Thank you for the privilege
of being your pastor these past nine years.
We moved from the one in
Beaverton, Oregon, when I was five years old. My memories of that house
are pretty much vague & snapshot-driven. (I can't tell now how much
of what I remember is because it's a part of my actual memories or
because I've sat with my family looking at pictures & slides and
heard the stories. I expect this will only get worse the older I get.)
From Oregon, we came to the house in Placentia, California (Orange
County) and that was the house where I spent my next 13 years -
elementary school, junior high, high school... and even a couple of
summers home from college. The memories there are much sharper - whether
we're talking about the weird texture of the green carpet that was
there when we moved in or the big rock fountain that the previous owner
had built on the backyard patio.
In particular, I have strong memories of Christmas. With my Grandma
& Grandpa Jackson and my Aunt Nancy all living in the L.A. area, as
well as my sister & I being the only two grandkids, our house became
the natural place to celebrate the holiday. Over time, certain
traditions became a normal part of Christmas Day:
my sister & I being able to open one present before everyone
else arrived... which was new clothes to wear for the day (and for
pictures)
Aunt Nancy taking LOTS of pictures
Mom making wassail (a heavily sugared hot cider concoction)
Grandma Jackson getting on the floor with me to play the new board game I'd received (yes, even then...)
eating ham for Christmas lunch (because my dad doesn't particularly like turkey)
Before all that happened, though, there was the waking up part. (Those
of you with kids have some idea what's coming.) My sister & I would
wake up early - sometimes an hour or two earlier than normal. Mom &
Dad gave us strict instructions not to come down the hall...
OK, wait a minute. If this story is going to make any sense, you need
to know the layout of the house on Tweed Street. It was a classic
Southern California subdivision house, with one long hall way running
lengthwise through the middle. On the "public" end of the house, the
hallway opened up into the living room. (Those of you whose parents
didn't actually let you live or play in the "living" room, raise your
hands. I'm right there with you.) As you traversed the hallway, you
passed the entry hall on the right, the master bedroom on the left
(right across from the den/aka "Dad's home office"), before you finally
reached the end of the hall. You could go left to get my (messy) bedroom
or right to get to my sister's (Barbie-filled) bedroom.
Now, back to the Christmas instructions from our parents. On
Christmas Eve, we'd sit in the living room next to the fireplace (with
our oh-so-70s gas logs) and read the Christmas story together. (As Liz
& I got older, we would insist on reading it in multiple versions,
which may explain the origins of why I preach using so many different
translations!) As they put us to bed, we were instructed that we were
NOT to come down the hallway past their bedroom door before they got
up... and that we were not to get up before (and here my memory is a bit
fuzzy) 7 am.
So, each Christmas morning, my sister & I would wake up long
before the appointed time and end up in her bedroom, excited &
speculating on what presents were sitting under the tree. We could peek
around the corner and look down the length of the house... because at
the living room end of the hallway was where our Christmas tree was set
up. In the darkness, we could see the lights and the presents freshly
wrapped under the tree - and the anticipation was overwhelming!
Eventually, the clock would tick over (slowly) to 7 am - we watched
it a little like the characters in the film HIGH NOON (or, for you who
hale from the 80s, THREE O'CLOCK HIGH)... and then we would run down the
hall to my parents bedroom and the joy of Christmas morning would
begin.
Rich Mullins captured that feeling perfectly in his wonderful
Christmas song (which actually wasn't recorded for a Christmas album),
"You Gotta Get Up".
I thought Christmas Day would never come But it's here at last so mom and dad the waiting's finally done And you gotta get up ~ you gotta get up ~ you gotta get up It's Christmas morning
Last night I heard reindeers on my roof Well you may think I'm exaggerating but I swear I'm tellin' you the truth And you gotta get up ~ you gotta get up ~ you gotta get up It's Christmas morning
Did my sister get a baby doll? Did my brother get his bike? Did I get that red wagon, the kind that makes you fly? Oh I hope there'll be peace on earth I know there's good will toward men On account of that Baby born in Bethlehem
Mom and Daddy stayed up too late last night Oh I guess they got carried away in the Christmas candlelight And you gotta get up ~ you gotta get up ~ you gotta get up It's Christmas morning
Rich Mullins, "You Gotta Get Up (Christmas Song)" - from his album A LITURGY, A LEGACY & A RAGAMUFFIN BAND
As I listened to that song again this morning, a number of thoughts ran through my head:
The
details aren't quite right - I don't have a brother & I don't ever
remember asking for a red wagon - but the song feels emotionally right
on. That's exactly what Christmas morning felt like growing up.
I, too, hope there will be peace on earth - not only the ending of
wars & rumors of war but also peace for those who are hurting &
grieving, whether because of a horrible tragedy like the shootings in
Newtown, CT, or the simple struggles of caring for loved ones suffering
with sickness.
Along with Rich, I know that there's good will toward men (and
women!)... that Baby born in a manger & honored by shepherds was the
Messiah - and rescued not only His people (the Jews) but also was (and
is!) a Light to the nations - the rest of the world. His death on the
cross paid for our sins, regardless of where we were born or how we have
chosen to live.
All we have to do to receive the incredible gift of His salvation is
run into His arms - to call Him Savior & Lord, believing that it's
by His death we are saved from our sins, and by His resurrection that we
never have to fear death.
It's time for us to stop peeking around the corner at the wonder of
His grace and run into the living room - our lives! - and enjoy the
bountiful gifts of salvation and the presence of His Holy Spirit and a
peace that passes understanding. You don't have to wait for the clock to
tick over to Christmas morning, you can start running right now.
You gotta get up... don't just sit there, waiting. Run to Jesus.
Quote of the Week
It
is impossible to conceive how different things would have turned out if
that birth had not happened whenever, wherever, however it did … for
millions of people who have lived since, the birth of Jesus made
possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of
living it. It is a truth that, for twenty centuries, there have been
untold numbers of men and women who, in untold numbers of ways, have
been so grasped by the child who was born, so caught up in the message
he taught and the life he lived, that they have found themselves
profoundly changed by their relationship with him.
Imagine for just a moment that you are attending a birthday party - your own birthday party. The people who are hosting the party have gone all out - there are decorations everywhere and the table is groaning under the weight of so much delicious food. And the guests are in a festive mood - in fact, some of them have a cheerful spirit you don't see in them at any other time.
There are songs sung - some that even specifically mention the events around your birth. On the table in the entry hall, there's a miniature diorama of the night you were born. (Yes, I'll admit the party is starting to sound a little creepy - but I'm guessing you've figured out my metaphor by now.)
Then it comes time to open presents... and it turns out that the guests have been incredibly generous - to each other. After all the wrapping paper is torn and the bows untied, after all the "oohs" and "ahhs" and "that's just what I wanted" are said - the guests look up and realize that there is no pile of wrapping paper around you, no gifts next to you.
This can all too easily be our Christmas celebration... acknowledging Jesus but never giving Him gifts. Throwing a tremendous party for the One who gave His life for us... and relegating Him to the role of a cameo appearance.
So, what would be on Jesus' Christmas list? Well, I'm thinking He wouldn't spend a great deal of time circling items in the Sears Wish Book catalog (reference for my generation) or browsing through the Cyber Monday deals on Amazon (reference for a younger generation). Instead, I think He would want us to give Him:
our treasure... in other words, our money & possessions (2 Corinthians 8:7)
The question I'm having to ask myself is "what kind of birthday party am I throwing for Jesus?" it's an uncomfortable question - but one well worth my time, thought & prayer.
The Current Situation
While it has been awesome to see NewLife folks jump into NewLifeKids (and see us touching new kids with the Gospel), November has been a tough month financially for us here at NewLife. We took in just over $6000 into our general fund... which is $________ below our expenses for the month and substantially below the roughly $10k/month we need to average over the year.
I want to encourage you to prayerfully look at how you are (or aren't) giving financially to support the cause of Christ here at NewLife. In this season where we manage to find the money to be generous to friends & family, we need to remember to "excel in the grace of giving" (2 Cor. 8:7) in order to make a God-sized dent here in Easton... to connect our community with a passionate new life in Christ!
Quote of the Week
How many there are … who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God.
I have no memory of being taught to say "thank you" and "please" by my
parents. Please note: that does not indicate a gaping hole in their role
as parents - I certainly learned to be polite. (I also learned to hold a
door open for people behind me, a skill/courtesy that seems to be a
lost art based on the surprised looks I get when I do it for people.)
However they did it - I suspect constant reminding & prompting,
based on my own experience as a parent - my mom & dad nurtured in me
an instinctive response not only to say the words ("thank you") but to
mean them as well. And for that lesson (as well as many other wonderful
things my parents instilled in me), I am thankful.
Being thankful to people who have done kind things for us is good -
it greases the wheels of polite society and enhances the enjoyment of
life. But being thankful to God as instructed in the Bible...
Do
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians
4:6, NIV)
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2, NIV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)
Since
we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and
please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. (Hebrews 12:28,
NLT)
...it's easy to read about - and much, much harder to do.
We need constant reminding & prompting - and because God truly is a loving Father, He gives it to us:
the Bible is shot through with encouragement to cultivate a thankful heart
He provides His church - filled with other people who are trying by
the power of the Spirit to live thankful, God-honoring lives and whose
counsel & friendship can help us do the same
He even made
thankfulness a part of our secular culture - oh, it may be dressed up
like a turkey, football games & a parade featuring giant inflatable
cartoon characters, but it is a yearly reminder that we need to stop in
our tracks and say "thank you"
So, you've been prodded. Take some time to say "thank you" to the One who has given more to you than you can possibly repay.
Suggestion: one way you could say "thank you" is to set up habits that allow God to keep reminding & prompting you:
take time each day to read your Bible
make it a priority to be at a worship service each week
join a small group Bible study
cultivate a prayerful heart
Quotes of the Week
If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. Frank A. Clark
The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart
sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will
find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! Henry Ward Beecher
You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a
mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be
satisfied if it were doubled. Charles Spurgeon
at this time each year we celebrate we gather together we ask You to bless us
and
in our better moments we say "thank you" for how You've already poured out Your love in our lives
our prayer this Thanksgiving is that we will not only say "thank you" but that we will
be a blessing
to those who are lonely & hurting to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones to those less fortunate than us
that in addition to enjoying good food & family we will enjoy being Your hands & feet
that we will be as much about "giving" as we are about "thanks"
Adultery & Leadership This
very honest post from Thom Rainer raises some important "Dancing in the
Minefield" type issues... and reminds us of the cost of breaking faith
with our spouses. (http://www.thomrainer.com/2012/11/adultery-and-leadership.php)
It’s somewhat surprising that the media is making a fuss
about the David Petraeus and Paula Broadwell affair. After all, adultery
is normative according to most media standards. This time, however,
there is the potential damage of compromising highly sensitive security
information. And there are the unanswered questions of “Who knew?” and
“When did they know?”
But the spectacle does raise the
question: What is the impact on a leader and his or her leadership when
he or she is involved in an affair? I have been disgusted as I heard
different pundits attempt to answer this question.
It’s Not a Private Matter
The
typical perspective regurgitated about the Petraeus and Broadwell
affair is that, outside of the security concerns, it’s really no big
deal. After all, it is argued, this relationship is a private matter
between two consenting adults.
That’s garbage.
It
is not a private matter. Their two spouses are undoubtedly wounded and
humiliated. Children are innocent victims who try to grasp with the
strains and perhaps destruction of the secure world they knew when all
was well with their parents. Other family and friends are hurt as well.
One
television commentator this week cheered the actions of adulterous men,
celebrating their testosterone levels and manhood. One is left to
wonder if he would cheer similar actions of his own wife, and celebrate
her own hormonal drives and femininity with other men.
It’s Not Endemic to All Great Leaders
I
have heard more than one pundit opine that uncontrolled sex drives are
just part of the nature of great leaders. They have such a great drive,
we are told, that it is only natural that such drives include unfettered
desires for sexual conquests. I even heard a commentator cite adultery
as a common characteristic of our great American presidents. The more
anemic presidents tended to be those who were faithful to their wives.
Adultery
is not a sign of strength. It is a sign of weakness. Adultery is not an
indicator of healthy adulthood. It’s an indicator of juvenile behavior.
Adultery is not a sign of self-controlled leaders. It’s a sign of
out-of-control leaders. Adultery is not the badge of great leadership.
It’s the badge of failed leadership.
It’s Not a Matter of Triumph
Ultimately
adultery is not a matter of triumph; it’s a matter of failed trust. An
adulterous man or woman once stood before God and human witnesses and
pledged his or her lifelong commitment to another person. Indeed he or
she entered the sanctity of marriage as a promise that neither would
ever break trust with the other.
Adultery is failed
trust; it is therefore failed leadership. How can we trust a leader who
failed to keep trust with the person to whom he or she has devoted his
or her life? How can we believe what that leader says when he has
deceived and lied to the person who is supposed to be closest to him?
Don’t
read me wrongly. Adultery is not unforgivable. I am reminded of an
adulterous woman about to be stoned to death only to see her life
spared. There was no one around without sin to cast the first stone
except Jesus. And He showed grace.
But please don’t
take adultery as lightly and with such frivolity as much of the media
and society. The breach of trust is indeed forgivable. But the
consequences are deep and far reaching. Great leaders keep trust at all
levels: in their friendships; in their business dealings; in their
organizations and, above all, in their marriages.
Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam...
And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva...
So tweasure your wuv...
Look, if you haven't seen The Princess Bride
- one of my top ten favorite movies of all time, by the way - there's
no way a quote on paper can do the wedding scene justice. Watch the video already!
Sadly, the complete cluelessness of the Impressive Clergyman (that's
actually his name in the script!) echoes what a lot of people feel
about church, God & marriage. Granted, his wedding sermon - a
stitched-together homily of phrases & ideas straight from the "love
means never having to say your sorry" playbook - isn't exactly
inspirational material. You could even get rid of the speech impediment
and it would fall flatter than a pancake. (Movie note: "love... never
sorry" is a movie reference that's likely to be lost on the younger
folks reading this piece - but it's from Love Story, which is possibly one of the worst movies ever made.)
But God has a lot more to say about marriage than that - and a lot
more meaningful things as well. Hopefully, you've found that to be true
over the last few weeks as we've talked about:
not giving up on marriage
May
the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of
the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5, NLT)
the starting point for a great marriage is each of you submitting to Jesus
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)
married couples should be best friends
His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song of Songs 5:16, ESV)
you need to speak AND hear the truth in your marriage
Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly].(Ephesians 4:15, AMP)
Jesus is the best example of what agape love looks like... and that applies to marriage!
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45, NIV)
And now, with those reminders firmly planted in your brain, a final "dancing in the minefield" request:
please put down this purple piece of paper and take a few minutes to ask God what your next right step is concerning marriage...
- for some of you, you need to choose to be married
- for others, you have sinful behaviors you need to repent of
- for still more, you need to express love in a Christ-like and God-honoring way
When you take the time to pray, make sure you take time to listen as
well... to allow God to speak and use His Holy Spirit to prod you to
make difficult but courageous choices to follow Him and honor your
spouse.
Quote of the Week
In sharp contrast with our culture, the Bible teaches that the essence
of marriage is a sacrificial commitment to the good of the other. That
means that love is more fundamentally action than emotion. But in
talking this way, there is a danger of falling into the opposite error
that characterized many ancient and traditional societies. It is
possible to see marriage as merely a social transaction, a way of doing
your duty to family, tribe and society. Traditional societies made the
family the ultimate value in life, and so marriage was a mere
transaction that helped your family's interest. By contrast,
contemporary Western societies make the individual's happiness the
ultimate value, and so marriage becomes primarily an experience of
romantic fulfillment. But the Bible sees God as the supreme good - not
the individual or the family - and that gives us a view of marriage that
intimately unites feelings and duty, passion and promise. That is
because at the heart of the Biblical idea of marriage is the covenant.
