Signing Off . . . For Now

Hey Friends: 

I try to always keep it real and here’s the deal. This blog hasn’t exactly been what I would consider a slam-dunk. Women’s Ministries started it about a year ago and our current stats indicate that a very small percentage of the population of women at Grace are tapping in. So we’re going to sign off for a few months and prayerfully evaluate the vision and our product. We definitely believe that social media is here to stay and we want to learn how to employ it to honor God and make His love known.

That said, we’d love to hear from you. If you have suggestions/comments about this blog or social media in general (facebook, Twitter, etc.) – what you’d like to see more of or less of or whatever– we want to know. 

You can leave your feedback here or email me: kemptonmeg@aol.com  or Penny Blum: pblum@gracewired.com 

Thanks so much for checking in and thanks for your comments. And a very special thank you to the amazing guest writers who have contributed the Feature Posts.

Signing off for now. Blessings, Meg

Are you making Him into your own image?

On Palm Sunday we took a look at the Triumphal Entry and how the people of the time missed seeing Jesus for who He is – the Messiah – because He didn’t fit their mold. Thing is, we do that today as well. We miss out on seeing Jesus. We fail to recognize Him in our life because we hold false images of who He is. These examples are on the handout we received:

False images of God

Problem Eliminator – If I choose God all my problems go away

Angry Judge – Bad things happen because I deserve it

Score Keeper-Places the good on one side of the scale and the bad on the other

Cares only about religious people – I have to clean myself up before I come to God

Whatever I want him to be – All roads lead to heaven Inaccessible Cosmic Force – Just playing around with my life

Task Master – The harder I work, the more God is pleased with me

Do you lean toward holding any of these false images of who God is? I think I thought of God as my Score Keeper for about 30 of my 46 years! It was exhausting! Thankfully, as I’ve gotten to know Him more, I’ve discovered that image is completely contrary to His character.

To recognize Jesus we need to know Him. And according to Jesus (John 8:20b) if we know Him, we know the Father also.

Are you getting to know Him more? Sunday’s homework assignment is to read through the Gospel of John. Each time you start to read, pray “Lord, help me to know you more.”

Amy Grant’s New Tune

I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of Amy Grant’s music but when I saw her in concert in January she introduced this song and I loved it! I’ve been waiting for it to be released so I could hear it again. This YouTube video is a little cheesy, but who cares? The song is great and the lyrics are beautiful. (You have to click twice, once on the arrow and a second time on Watch on YouTube.) Enjoy!

World Famous Detective Ponders Providence

My son is reading The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume One. Check out this excerpt he read to me the other day as narrated by Holmes’ trusted friend, Dr. Watson:

“The authorities are excellent at amassing facts, though they do not always use them to advantage. What a lovely thing a rose is!” 

He walked past the couch to the open window and held up the drooping stalk of a moss-rose, looking down at the dainty blend of crimson and green. It was a new phase of his character to me, for I had never before seen him show any keen interest in natural objects. 

“There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion,” said he, leaning with his back against the shutters. “It can be built up as an exact science by the reasoner. Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are all really necessary for our existence in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers.”

Percy Phelps and his nurse looked at Holmes during this demonstration with surprise and a good deal of disappointment written upon their faces. He had fallen into a reverie, with the moss-rose between his fingers. It had lasted some minutes before the young lady broke in upon it. 

I love that smack-dab in the middle of a Sherlock Holmes story, read by thousands, if not millions since the late 1800s, a fictional character takes time to meditate on the prospect of the care and goodness of God.

I can’t help but wonder how many people over the years paused, reread and thoughtfully considered the words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the detective series; it certainly made an impression on my son. I’m sure there have been readers who blew right by without taking any notice. But it’s cool to think that there could have been fans of Holmes (and fans to be) that felt inspired to learn more about God based on the example of the world’s most famous detective. I love that!

It’s a reminder to me, a person who loves surprises, that God displays the beauty of His goodness and extends invitations to seek Him out, by popping up in ways and in places beyond my expectations. Have you seen God’s goodness pop up in an unexpected way lately?

Feature Post

A Life Characterized By Prayer

By Martha Cimmarrusti

Meg’s blog post last week got me thinking about how I perceive Christians. The study findings she cited basically made Christians out to be judgmental, hypocritical homophobes. It got me thinking about the way I draw conclusions about others based on their behavior.

Interestingly, I had just returned from my friend, Cindy Halsted’s fortieth birthday party, where I met many people for the first time. Like a fly on the wall, I spent the weekend drawing conclusions about those I met based on their actions. In stark contrast to the points of skepticism held by young Outsiders that Meg shared, were the three men in their early twenties I encountered at the party.

The first thing I noticed about Ryan, Charlie and Curtis was how quick they were to pray for those around them. When I arrived at Cindy’s house, her home was filled with young people sharing stories about how Cindy had impacted their lives. For the last several years she’s been hosting a prayer and praise night for teenagers, so the first segment of the party was devoted to the younger generation.

Most of the students in attendance came to faith through the Halsted’s hospitality. Few could name exactly what it was that caused them to put their trust in Jesus, but they referenced conversations, prayers and encouragement they’d received spending time in Cindy’s home. What struck me when these college men got up to share was the emotion they freely displayed in front of the group of teenagers. Ryan’s eyes watered and his voice trembled as he shared the story of how Cindy led him to the Lord over Skype. 

Although the story of Ryan walking into his dorm room and interrupting a conversation Cindy was having with his roommate was an interesting introduction to the faith, what was most remarkable was the courage and boldness Ryan displayed in his interactions following his testimony. Almost immediately after Ryan finished sharing, he was praying with the kids in the room. Charlie and Curtis joined him, forming prayer huddles as needs were expressed and the question was asked over and over, “How can we pray for you?”

My first impression watching them pray, was that they were incredibly loving, compassionate and merciful. Over the course of the evening and following day, I must have seen them pray for twenty individuals, starting with a fifty year-old woman who was concerned about the health of her mother, and ending with a teenager struggling to live out her faith. It was as if everywhere they turned, a prayer meeting broke out. I had the distinct impression that this is what Jesus had in mind when he sent his disciples, to the confused, hurting, sick people in their neighborhoods with instructions to heal them and give them hope. 

I don’t know who the Fermi Project surveyed for their research, but it wasn’t anyone like Ryan, Charlie or Curtis. It’s very difficult to draw negative conclusions about someone who listens intently to others and then immediately prays for them.

That same kind of prayer happened Friday night, at the Prayer Night, led by Melissa Gray, at Grace Community Church. Women were healed, reconciled and encouraged as they heard the voice of the Father say, “I’ve missed you,” “I love you so much,” and “Come to me, and I will give you rest.” Perhaps prayer is the antidote for the negative images we sometimes portray.

If you are interested in learning more about prayer, I highly recommend The Prayer that Heals, by Francis McNutt. I have a few extra copies that I’d love to share with anyone who would like to read it. Just shoot me an email at Mcimma@mac.com, and I’d be happy to give you a copy.

Good word I read this morning . . .

“Personal transformation happens best in the context of a loving community that extends grace and truth. The Gospel of John proclaims: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the Glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14; emphasis ours). Personal transformation happens best when the person is offered a grace-filled environment.

When Jesus encountered Thomas’ doubt following his resurrection, he did not lash out in anger. He responded with grace (John 20:27). Judgment, criticism, guilt, or shame can produce short-term change, but meaningful, long-term, inside-out change is nurtured by grace. Creating an environment where an individual experiences acceptance in spite of failure allows personal transformation to take root.”

Jim Herrington, Robert Creech & Trisha Taylor

Let it sink in . . .

You definitely want to take a look at the groundbreaking research commissioned by the Fermi Project (a broad collective of innovators, social entrepreneurs, and church and society leaders working together to make positive contributions to culture). It reveals some startling, and perhaps heartbreaking, negative perceptions held about Christians by today’s 16 – 29 year old Outsiders. 

Just so you know, Outsiders is defined as those looking at the Christian faith from the outside, which includes agnostics, atheists, those affiliated with a faith other than Christianity (such as Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Mormonism, and so on) and other unchurched young adults.

The research results indicate that this group of young people places a very high value on being loyal to their friends and possess a strong need to belong, to be a part of something. Yet, they also fiercely pursue individualism. 

In addition, findings show that even though they esteem fair-mindedness and diversity, they are known to be irreverent and blunt. They don’t trust things that seem too perfect, accepting that life comes with its share of messiness and off-the-wall experiences and people. Plus, being skeptical of leadership, products and institutions is part of their generational coding. 

According to the study, here are the most common points of skepticism toward Christianity raised by Outsiders aged 16 – 29:

Hypocritical. Outsiders consider Christians hypocritical and they are skeptical of our morally superior attitudes. They say Christians pretend to be something unreal, conveying a polished image that isn’t accurate. Christians think the church is only a place for virtuous and morally pure people.

Too focused on getting converts. Outsiders wonder if we genuinely care about them. They feel like targets more than people. They question our motives when we try to help them “get saved,” despite the fact that many of them have already “tried” Jesus and experienced church before. 

Antihomosexual. Outsiders say that Christians are bigoted and show disdain for gays and lesbians. They say Christians are fixated on curing homosexuals and on leveraging political solutions against them. 

Sheltered. Christians are thought of as old-fashioned, boring, and out of touch with reality. Outsiders say we do not respond to reality in appropriately complex ways, preferring simplistic solutions and answers. We are not willing to deal with the grit and grime of people’s lives.

Too political. Another common perception of Christians is that we are overly motivated by a political agenda and that we promote and represent politically conservative interests and issues. Conservative Christians are often thought of as right-wingers. 

Judgmental. Outsiders think of Christians as quick to judge others. They say we are not honest about our attitudes and perspectives about other people. They doubt that we really love people as we say we do. 

Let that sink in for a good, long minute (or more).

These points of skepticism wreck me. I mean three of my four kids fall within the age range of the subjects of this research.  They’re my kids’ peers. This group also includes the sweet couple that lives across the street from me. Based on this research these young people are not being drawn to Jesus by the Christian examples they’re encountering. 

While it’s important to remember that the Outsiders’ points of skepticism are based on perceptions and not necessarily reality, it’s vital for us to pay attention to the mindset of Outsiders and to respond in a Christlike manner.

The good thing is negative perceptions can be reversed one person at a time – and that’s up to us Christ followers. 

Want to take a more in-depth look at the six critical perceptions mentioned above, and even more importantly, explore a biblical vision for how Christians should be known? Want to engage Outsiders with the life-changing Jesus instead of an unattractive version of Him? Then a good place to start is to read UnChristian by David Kinnaman with a listening heart. I’m reading it right now.

Are You Listening?

Do you have a friend who dominates the conversation? Are you that friend to God?

In his book, The Walk, Michael Card writes about developing a lifestyle of listening. He notes that God speaks to us through His Word, through the silence of prayer and through the poem of our life.

According to Card, if God is speaking the only thing that matters is listening. (Check out Luke 9:35)

I’m thinking that those are words to live by!

Here’s my summarization of his points:

When it comes to the Word, God’s clearest and most authoritative voice, we must learn to allow the other Person to speak. Have you ever found yourself finishing someone else’s sentences? We can actually do that very thing when we’re reading the Bible. Particularly if a passage is familiar to us.

Plus, we often miss out on hearing God when we read the Word only for proof texts. For example, Jesus’ crucifixion becomes a necessary piece of the puzzle for redemption instead of a heartbreaking moment of transformation. And parables become codes to break and leave behind instead of stories in which we can imaginatively participate.

Developing a listening lifestyle means keeping your mind as quiet as possible when you’re reading the Bible and letting Scripture say what it has to say. We need to allow God to finish His own sentences and tell His own stories!

When it comes to prayer, we must learn to allow the Other to speak. When we pray do we dominate the conversation? Think about it. Who has the more worthwhile things to say? We must become thoughtful and faithful listeners, positioning ourselves quietly before God, the One who speaks in the silence of our heart.

If you usually approach your prayer life with a list, instead try starting your prayer time by simply praying the Lord’s prayer and spend the rest of the time listening and allowing God to guide your thoughts and the conversation.

When it comes to the poem of our life, (Ephesians 2:10 tells us we’re God’s masterpieces or in other words His poetry.) listening to the parables of Jesus is a great way to learn to listen to God through our life. In His parables, Jesus draws us in and invites us to identify with one or more of its characters, giving us opportunity to experience more of Him and gain a greater understanding of how he’s writing our own story (our poem).

Thing is, like parables, our lives often lack closure – but not to worry. This is an invitation to listen closely to Jesus and follow His lead, day by day, as He creates our poem.

Do you have a friend who dominates the conversation? Are you that friend to God?

What Motivates You?

I was having my hair done last week when I stumbled upon an article in Cosmo (Or was it in Vogue? Honestly, I don’t remember.) on the subject of jealousy. When I’m in an office or a salon I try to read magazines I probably wouldn’t purchase because it helps me gain perspective beyond my bubble.

The author of this article took an angle that surprised me. She encouraged her readers to embrace jealousy; to employ it as a motivator to gain the possessions you desire, achieve the results you want and even secure the relationships you long for. 

According to the author, if you’re jealous of or green with envy over your sister’s new house, your colleague’s promotion or your friend’s fiancé, for example, you should lock in on those emotions and use them as inspiration to propel you to acquire or accomplish your personal ambitions.

The article also cites various experts as credible sources who profess the benefits, both physiological and emotional, of jealousy as a driving force for motivation.

I’ve got to tell you, as I read the article I felt an inner tension in my spirit. Part of me wanted to rationalize the merits of the approach the article suggested. I mean, being motivated is good and admirable, right?

Yet another part of me wanted to resist its argument in favor of jealousy. I mean, being jealous of others isn’t good and admirable, right?

I’m curious, how does this sit with you? Do you think it’s a good thing to embrace jealousy as a means for motivation?

An Honest Look

I’ve really enjoyed the historical profiles that have been presented each Sunday this month to celebrate African American History. What astounds me is that many of the atrocities that have been shared took place within my lifetime – not hundreds of years ago. 

Some of the stories are familiar and some are new to me. In either case they stir something in my heart and compel me to take an honest look within at the prejudices, racial or otherwise, that I have.

I remember ever so clearly the first time I bumped into the prejudices in my heart.

I was five and I was walking home from kindergarten. I heard someone behind me call my name and when I turned around James Butler planted a kiss smack dab on my lips. I was shocked and embarrassed and I ran the two blocks home as fast as I could.

I didn’t tell my parents, any of my six siblings or anyone else about that kiss. I never spoke another word to James Butler and after kindergarten I transferred to a parochial school and our paths never again crossed.

Here’s the thing.  James Butler is African American. 

Here’s the sad thing. As a young, white girl I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was wrong for me to be kissed by someone black.

Looking back, it grieves me immensely that my five year old heart would have formed such ugly judgments.

Growing up in the 60s and 70s in Muskegon MI, a racially divided community at the time, I brushed up against racial injustice and its fallout on various levels – including in my Christian schools. How sad.

Keeping it real, I still bump into prejudices, judgments, preconceived notions and the like, concerning people and circumstances, that linger unwanted and unwelcome in my heart. And I’m so grateful that God keeps giving me opportunities to take an honest look within and to rely on Him to change me from the inside out.

Over the years I’ve often wondered about James Butler. (I did a facebook search but didn’t find him.) I don’t know if he would even remember me or that he kissed me. But one thing’s for certain, I will never forget him.

Do you ever bump into the prejudices in your heart?

Face-lift or Heart-change?

I’m currently reading Mark Batterson’s newest book, Primal; A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity. Batterson is one of my favorite authors and bloggers. He’s pastor of National Community Church in DC, a church that has four locations. Three are in movie theaters at Metro stops, one being Union Station, the most visited landmark in DC. The fourth is in Ebenezer’s Coffee House, which is owned and operated by the church and is the largest coffee shop on Capitol Hill. NCC’s strategic vision is to do church in the middle of the marketplace where diverse paths cross. Next time I’m in DC I definitely want to visit NCC . 

Anyway, here’s what I highlighted in Primal and can’t stop thinking about:

 It is a sad commentary and sadder irony that Christians are often viewed as heartless. And I think it’s because we’ve engaged our culture mind-first instead of heart-first. Let me explain. I believe that Scripture is the inspired Word of God, right down to the jot and tittle. That means that even word sequence is significant. But minds often remain closed to truth until hearts have been opened by compassion. There is certainly a place for logical, left-brained explanations of faith. But compassion is the ultimate apologetic. There is no defense against it. 

Now let me personalize the problem. The problem isn’t Christianity at large. The problem is you and me. The problem is that we’re not great at the Great Commandment. Or in terms of the heart, we’re not as compassionate as we could be or should be. That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news: Although you may be part of the problem, you can become part of the solution. You can change the face of Christianity, but it will require more than a face-lift. It starts with a change of heart.

Batterson goes on to say that when we give our heart fully to God, He gives His heart to us. When our heart breaks for the things that break the heart of God that’s what it looks like to love God with all our heart.

Okay, let’s get personal. How are you doing with the Great Commandment? Are you as compassionate as you could be or should be?

Let’s get even more personal. Have you given your heart fully to God? If not, you can right now. Stop reading this blog and have a conversation with Him. Your words aren’t important, just the heart behind them. God hears your heart. Give Him your heart and ask Him to give you His — and compassion will become the driving force of your life.

Thoughts on Batterson’s quote?

Valentine’s Weekend Feature Post

Tom & Heather Halpin

A Wife With Huge Impact – One Man’s Story

By Tom Halpin

I’ve been married to Heather for 22 years now; we were married at the tender age of 19. Back then we used to say to each other “Sure we’re 19 but we’re not AVERAGE 19 year olds. We’re mature.” We often laugh about that now. What were we thinking? As a former Grace pastor would say “its oxygen deprivation to the brain” that causes irrational behavior when you’re in love. 

Our relationship has been one of peaks and valleys and, although it’s mostly gotten better over time, we still have stormy seasons. But, overall, we’d both agree that our marriage is strong, buoyed by our deep love for one another and Christ as our foundation. 

Without getting into all of our ups and downs, I want to share one story that had a huge impact on me during a difficult decision 6 years ago. At the time I had a job working as a merchandising manager for a Fortune 1000 company. It was a good job and I was doing well. I was trying to position myself to become a VP Sales for a medium-sized manufacturing company and had made a few job moves to round out my experience.

However, the culture I was working in was cut-throat, the hours were horrific and I was miserable. God was using this situation to stir something within me and that something seemed to be starting my own business. My dream was to perhaps become self-employed but I didn’t know what that would look like and, frankly, I was scared. Scared of losing our house, our retirement savings and everything else.

Heather would say, “So what if we lose our house? We’ll move into an apartment.” She believed in me. She’d say, “Tom, whatever you touch turns to gold.” She really believed in me!

I explained to her that I knew of several talented people that had started businesses and failed, sometimes digging a huge financial hole for themselves and their families. So I prayed diligently with Heather to confirm what I thought God might be telling me and that went on for the better part of a year. Heather was journaling and we’d talk and we’d pray. We didn’t give God a deadline, we simply were committed to praying until God gave both of us a clear direction. Finally, He spoke clearly to both of us and it was time to start my own gig. 

My entire career had been in sales and marketing and, as a result, I had the opportunity to meet many manufacturers’ representatives. One day Heather and I were on a walk and I was talking about the reps that I dealt with and she said “That’s what you should do. Be a rep.” I abruptly  dismissed her comment and said something to the effect of, “Honey, You know nothing about my business and how could you possibly know what that entails or speak with any wisdom on the subject?”

But about five minutes later I said “My gosh, you’re right.” It’s funny how women have uncanny insights into our lives as men. I attribute it to God’s design. The same is true for our inability to listen as men. (Or is it just this man?) So I got to know the ins and outs of the rep business and decided to start my own firm. 

In October 2003 I tendered my resignation and left officially in Jan 2004 to start my own business. Interestingly enough, I had nothing in my ‘pipeline’ and when I say nothing, I mean nothing. I didn’t have lots of clients lined up and I had no firm commitments. So 2004 was a rough year, which I expected. My total 2004 income was 1/4 of what I’d been paid the previous year as an employee. I had several deals fall through that could have made my year and many moments where I said “Lord, what am I doing? Should I throw in the towel?”

Through it all, never once did Heather doubt me, the dream or suggest I call it quits. She believed in me, often more than I believed in myself. We would talk, pray and press on. During the first 2 years, I had several ‘should I pull the plug’ moments. Every time, Heather talked me off of the ledge.

Fast forward 6 years and the business has been a success and a great experience. God has shown Himself to me in a personal way and taught me that sometimes we need to step into our fear and insecurities and wait for Him to show up. If we don’t, how can we grow? The biggest lesson for me is that we, as people, really lose the opportunity to experience God personally by structuring so much safeness into our lives.

I am one of the fortunate men that have an encouraging wife. I admit that I sometimes feel like one of her elementary school students that she is trying to ‘pump up.’ Instead of receiving her words of encouragement, I’d often say, “Honey, your belief in me is like my mom telling me that I’m handsome. What else are you going to say?” Instead of receiving the love, I sabotage it. Or explain it away with thoughts like, “She loves me therefore she lacks objectivity in who I really am or what I am realistically capable of doing.” But, even then, I love it! I need her to believe in me. I cannot imagine having a negative wife that was tearing me down. That would make for a miserable existence.

The picture I am trying to illustrate is the importance of wives believing in and encouraging their husbands. Yes, we men may give off a vibe of invincibility and bravado, but we are human. We, too, have our moments of self doubt and fear. Sometimes I feel like a little kid thinking, “How did I end up with all of this responsibility? College tuition, mortgage, etc.” One friend of mine said, “A six pack of beer and a cardboard box sounds appealing sometimes” (speaking to the pressures of providing, being a father, husband et al).

So my encouragement to wives is to never underestimate the impact you have on your husband. Heather’s belief in me has been like a warm blanket on a cool, damp night when I’ve had challenging times or questioned my abilities. More importantly, much of who and where I am today is directly related to how Heather has spoken into my life.

Did I also mention that she led me to Christ? Maybe that’s another entry for another time.

 (If you’re interested in writing a Feature Post, please contact me: kemptonmeg@aol.com.)

Killer Keyboards

These days most of us own at least one keyboard. It’s a standard feature on Blackberries, Droids, iPhones, Netbooks, PCs etc. 

The question is: Do we own a killer keyboard?

In case you’re thinking I’m using killer as slang for excellent or awesome as in: Dude, this is a killer cheeseburger!  I’m not. 

I’m using killer the old fashioned way. To describe someone or something that’s brutally destructive. 

Here’s what I’m talking about friends. Using our keyboard to launch electronic messages laced with loaded language.

If that’s how we employ our keyboard then it’s quite possibly a killer.

These messages laced with loaded language can come in the form of a quick tweet, a brief text message, a facebook post or a lengthy email.

Sometimes we type these messages using ALL CAPS or bold font (OR BOTH) to emphasize our annoyance, or worse, belittle its recipient(s).

Sometimes these messages contain gossip or slander.

Sometimes these messages communicate criticism under the guise of concern.

Sometimes we circulate these messages to multiple people in hopes of building ourselves a coalition.

Almost all the time these messages possess a condescending tone that’s destructive.

And without exception loaded language is hurtful.

Let me be clear. I’m not suggesting there’s never cause to have to say something that could be painful to hear or that there’s never a time for a hard conversation with someone. There is! Reality is healthy communication demands honesty. But the approach makes all the difference.

And let me keep it real.  I’ve owned a killer keyboard – I’ve used it as a weapon. And, thankfully, (albeit painfully) I’ve learned a few lessons that I now use as a filter.

Lesson #1 – Don’t send a message to anyone or post your stand on anything without asking God if your words honor Him.

Lesson #2 – Don’t hide behind your keyboard. If you need to communicate something potentially hurtful to someone, care enough to say it in person.

Lesson #3 – Don’t send a nmessage without considering the possible fallout. If your message isn’t something you’d want every person who knows you to read because you’re afraid of what they might think of you if they did – scrap it and start over.

Lesson #4 – Don’t gossip. Period. Electronically or otherwise.

As I said, these days most of us own multiple keyboards. But they needn’t be killer keyboards.

If we consider that in 2009 over one trillion text messages were sent in the US alone and that presently over 1 billion tweets are sent per month and more than 2 million emails are sent every second (Did you know that if facebook was a country it would be the fourth largest in the world?), it’s evidence that our capacity to communicate electronically is almost limitless.

Just imagine the awesome impact we could have if we used the communication mediums available to us to honor God and to build people up.

I’m wondering – if Jesus was on earth in our time – would Matthew 12:34  read: For out of the overflow of our heart our keyboard speaks.

(If someone came to mind as you read this — someone who might have been hurt by a message you sent — why not give that person a call?)

A repeat of the song Ed sang on Sunday.

God Rocks!

I’m so glad God gives us second chances. I’ve had to cash mine in countless times! Most recently was last week.

I’ll give you a little back story. 

Last September I was at a VP3 retreat in Banff. One of our spiritual exercises was to take a walk, find a small rock and write our name and one other word on that rock. The word we’d write on our rock was to represent what we’d want the VP3 staff to be praying about for us. I guess every month or so the staff at VP3 dumps the rocks out on a table and uses them to pray for each person by name. I love that! 

Here’s the thing. Back in September when I returned from my walk and was asking God what word I should write on my rock I distinctly heard the word hear spoken to my heart. 

But here’s the absolutely crazy thing. I actually thought to myself nah, that’s kind of lame – I’ll write risk instead of hear.  And that’s exactly what I did. I wrote risk on my rock.

I ask you is the fact that I wrote risk instead of hear on my rock indicative of a person who desperately needs to be listening or what? I mean, hello!

Well as soon as I added my rock to the little pile of prayer rocks I regretted it – but even worse I didn’t do anything about it! Later, sometime after the retreat, I told God I was sorry for not listening to Him and I knew I was forgiven. But over the last several months I had thought about that stupid rock many times and how people are praying for me to take risks when what I need most is to hear.

Here’s the second chance part.

Last week I was at a VP3 group training seminar in Chicago. At the start of the first session to kick things off the facilitator asked each of us to introduce ourselves and offer a word that expressed what we’re hopeful for, for 2010.

Instantly my ears perked up and I knew this was my second chance. Yay God! Here I was once again with the VP3 folks and I could publicly confess how I botched up my rock in September and now officially declare my word to be hear. 

So when it was my turn to speak I shared my little saga, which was met with good natured laughter and a shared appreciation for second chances. Plus, I got a promise from my VP3 friends that upon their arrival back in South Dakota the word on my rock would be changed to hear.  They even sent me a picture of my edited rock – a visual reminder for me that God redeems and restores and sometimes it’s through second chances.

Moving forward more than anything I want to hear His voice. And now my rock has the word that God wanted on it in the first place. I love that!

Are you in need of a second chance? God’s waiting for you to ask Him for one.

You On Purpose

Highlights from the last two messages in the You On Purpose series.

Purity:

1. Admit the battle exists. (Romans 8:5-6)

2. Take every thought captive. (2 Cor 10:5)

3. Let the Spirit win. (Romans 8:8-9)

Friendship:

Want to have a friend like Jonathan? Start by being a friend like Jonathan — demonstrate the same characteristics of friendship.

1. Be attentive.

2. Be committed.

3. Be supportive.

4. Be giving.

Don’t forget to read 1Samuel 18-31 for the rest of the story!

Book Review

Your Own Jesus: A God Insistent on Making It Personal

“Now, what do I believe about that again?”  In one of the very first narratives of the book, Mark Hall, the author of “Your Own Jesus: a God Insistent on Making it Personal,” details a conversation with a former student ministry participant who has gone off to college.  The student tells Mark everyone around him questions everything “he has ever heard [Mark] say.”  The author writes “less than a year after leaving the cozy spiritual nest of our church group, where everyone shared the same beliefs and lingo, he was facing the white-hot furnace of a hostile universe and its ungodly worldviews.  And he folded like paper in fire.  He didn’t have his own Jesus.”

Mark Hall, the lead singer and songwriter for contemporary Christian band Casting Crowns, shares experiences from his almost two decades in ministry to illustrate the point that God desires a meaningful connection to us through intimate fellowship.  We cannot rely on someone else’s Jesus – on what we’ve seen and heard from family, friends or pastors.  As Max Lucado says in his introduction of the book, “Mark Hall doesn’t have any secrets or undiscovered formulas.  But he does have great insights and a wonderful way of sharing them.”

Mark Hall uses vivid illustrations such as the “dishrag,” an exercise he does with a group of youth workers, and concepts he calls “slow fade” and “God vision” to talk about the road from spiritual compromise to the wholeness and restoration that comes with embracing our very own Jesus. With just 6 chapters, video blogs and discussion questions for each chapter that facilitate self-assessment and group discussion, this book is a perfect study companion for an adult or teen small group.  It is also an awesome book for parents to read and then share with their teens and young adults. 

(This review was written by Kim Anderson. If you’re interested in writing for Beyond the Surface, please contact me: kemptonmeg@aol.com.)

Do You Believe?

Heart Check

 When I glanced at these picstures on the People of the Second Chance blog my first response was: Of course I’d help her. I mean, I’d help anyone who was being raped, right?

But (and I’m ashamed to admit this) as I studied the pictures a bit more and realized it was some kind of promotion for the prevention of  prison rape, I could actually feel my heart respond by sliding into apathy mode. I mean, prisoners are criminals, right?

Then it was like a punch in the gut (or the heart) to come face to face with the prejudices I hold and the compassion I withhold. And my response was: Change me, God!  I mean, prisoners are people, right?

Aren’t all people created in the image of God and therefore entitled to be treated with dignity?

Is injustice ever okay?

Is rape and assault ever part of a just sentence? 

Statistics indicate that prisoners are subjected to sexual violence by fellow detainees and prison staff members at alarming rates. Thankfully, there are a number of organizations working to reform criminal justice systems in the US and internationally and there are opportunities for us to get involved.

Take a good, long look at the pictures. What is your heart telling you?

Listening Room

We gathered around the fire pit in Grace's parking lot

Last night at Listening Room we were invited to take an honest look at our life to see if we have any areas that might be holding us back from experiencing and embracing the freedom that God so graciously offers us.

Here’s the deal. Most of us have areas in our life that we close off from God. Areas that are controlled by something or someone. Areas that we keep secret from others. Areas that keep us awake at night. These areas can negatively effect our fellowship with God and damage our family, other relationships, our career and so on — leaving us feeling defeated.

But take heart! As Christ followers we don’t need to live lives controlled by anything or anyone. God has given us everything we need (2 Peter 1:3) for life and Jesus came to give us (John 10:10) abundant life. We just need to live a life dependent on Him.

At Listening Room we were given time to sit quietly with God and consider the list below for any personal areas of control. (It’s a list Doug and I put together so it probably goes without saying that each of us have wrestled with more than one — okayway more than one – personally. Just keeping it real.)

If you weren’t at Listening Room how about taking some time right now to look over the list and see if God has anything to show you. (Please keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive – it’s just meant to get us thinking.)

Worry- I obsess about the what ifs

Food- eating for me is often a form of comfort and I turn to food when I am lonely, anxious or upset

Money- The way I handle my money does not honor God; my spending habits are out of control –or – I hoard what I have

Exercise- I am consumed with the need to work out and my physical appearance/weight is an obsession for me.

Anger – I lose my temper often hurting those who I am close to

Bitterness – I find myself thinking a lot about the people in my life who have hurt or offended me

Sex – I spend time looking at pornography, fantasizing about inappropriate relationships, or am currently involved with someone who is not my spouse

Stealing – I find myself taking things that do not belong to me

Dishonesty – I often exaggerate or tell people things that are not true

Alcohol – When I am stressed I have a drink to relax or I drink too often; I have been drunk in recent months and drinking for me is a vice

Comparing- I obsessively compare myself to others

Drugs – I use prescriptions inappropriately or non prescription drugs to escape or avoid

Children – My identity is too wrapped up in my children

Vanity  – I think about my external appearance often and obsess about how I look

Career- I have neglected my family and my spiritual journey with God in order to be more successful at work

Marriage – I am consumed with thoughts of how my marriage doesn’t measure up to my ideal or my expectations

Family – I am obsessed with what others think of my family

Self Worth- I often doubt that I have value as a person

Jealousy- I think a lot about what others have achieved and I resent their success/ accomplishments

Image/Reputation- How I am perceived by others drives my thoughts and actions

Shame – The mistakes of my past dominate my thought life

Safety – I resist challenging situations/opportunities that could disrupt my lifestyle or the level of comfort I desire or am accustomed to

Perfection- I am consumed with unrealistic expectations of excellence for myself and I demand perfection from others

Recognition- I strive to be in the spotlight and to be admired by others.

After spending time quietly with God we were asked to write down any areas of control that He was prompting us to give over to Him. Then we were invited to crumple up that piece of paper and toss it in one of the baskets on the stage as a symbolic act of surrender. We were also invited to kneel and pray in the sanctuary – to confess, to give thanks and to ask God to help us depend on Him and take hold of the freedom He extends.

And before we left we gathered together around a fire pit in Grace’s parking lot and watched those pieces of paper go up in smoke. It was a great night of enjoying God!

A bonus about Listening Room is that you experience spiritual practices that are easy to put in place in your everyday life.