geocaching

I heard about this thing called geocaching. there are over 800,000 hidden boxes around the world. There is a website called www.geocache.com that gives you the global coordinates to these boxes. It's kind of a treasure hunt for the whole family. When you find the box you are supposed to do 2 things...
1. Sign your name on a log... make your mark.
2. Takes a something out and put something back in.

It sounded interesting to me. so I typed in my address and set the search to search 6 miles from my address. I was amazed to find that there were over 100 of these hidden boxes around where I live. I took my son and a friend to seek out some geocaches. I was amazed to find several that were hidden in locations that I drive by just about every day. Josiah took out a toy and put some back in and we signed our name on the log. I was excited. We raced home to tell Candie and my friends wife. They endured my long story and when I was done Candie said... "Now listen to our story." She proceeded to tell me how her and our our friend patty met this homeless woman. She took her into Subway to buy her a meal and seized the opportunity to minister. Patty listened to this woman as she begin to tell her story..... then at just the right time, Patty shared Christ.

While I was searching for treasure and making my mark and depositing more than I was withdrawing.....Patty was doing the real thing. It's amazing the treasure we drive by and walk right by everyday. We are given the coordinates but never really get intentional about the search. We don't make much of a mark on people and sometimes we end up withdrawing more than we deposit. I learned something valuable that day....I want to go treasure hunting more often.

Deserving?...Uh....No.

I sat in a camp meeting service a couple of years ago and heard Tim Hill Preach. He had just been elected as secretary general for the church of God. As he preached, he talked about how he didn't know how he was chosen and why he was chosen... he was honored but he admitted that he was still shocked that he was chosen. I sat there and thought, "Come on!!! you know why you were chosen! It's no mystery!"
As i type this, I realize what he meant. Last Friday I was elected to the Ca/Nv State council for the Church of God. I was the 10th man chosen to serve my church on this council. Once I got past the exhilaration of being chosen, I began to look around and saw men that I began to imagine would do a better job than me. men who have pastored when I was in my mothers' womb. men who have sacrificed more. men who deserve it more. there was a touch of embarrassment. I had people congratulating me telling me "I deserve it"...... Thank you but..... deserve it?.... really? And Gram Bell doesn't? Bud mayabb doesn't? Rod Richie doesn't? E.N Cope doesn't? Johnny Taylor Doesn't? James Harper Doesn't? Any other man who has served faithfully doesn't? Thank you but I don't deserve anything. How did I get chosen?" I didn't pass out campaign buttons. I didn't run a smear campaign. I didn't accuse any other minister of having William Ayers in their living room when they were called into the ministry :) Why me?
My answer.... I still don't know. And as I read my last post that I posted a couple of months ago I have to remember that it is God that calls. I can spend the next 2 years with my head down in some sort of false humility or I can Trust Him and just do my job.

Grab it by the tail!!!

So God told Moses to throw down the stick that he had been carrying for 40 years on the ground.... the stick changed and became a snake. The next thing Moses does is run from it. How does a man run from something that he has grown so accustomed to after 40 years? Well Moses did it 40 years earlier when he ran from Egypt after 40 years of Egyptian living. God tells Moses pick it up! Moses grabs it by the tail and it becomes the thing that he was used to before it became so dangerous to him..... the same thing happened to Moses in Egypt! He grabbed it by the tail and it eventually became the place that offered no fear to him before.

It's sad how we tend to run from things that God has put under our authority. It changes shape, changes Characteristics, etc. and we find ourselves cowering to things that just a minute ago was firmly in our hand.

I have decided that I am going to respect those over me but I will not be intimidated.
I will have an open mind to God, but the voice of the enemy will not find an audience with me.
I will do what God tells me to without reminding God... 1. I am nobody... 2. What if they don't believe me?... 3. Don't you see my flaws?.... 4. are you sure?

I'm Tired!

Yeah I said it. I'm tired and weary. It's been over a month since I have posted and the couple of people who may have been reading these things may have moved on to more interesting reading than reading about the inner workings of my mind..... or lack of. Let me list some things...
1. spent a week at campmeeting
2. Cleaned the facilities after every campmeeting service.
3. My wife working part time and going to school part time.... how does that affect me???? If you know my awesome wife you understand.
4. Got real sick at campmeeting... spent 2 days in an old dormatory in bed.
5. developed an ear infection that left a ringing that I still have.
6. was camp director the next week at youth camp. Exhausting!!!

Your probably formulating your opinion and how you should word telling me what an idiot I was for doing all this.... you won't get much of an argument.

7. The last night of campmeeting, I got a call at 2:30 in the morning that precious Diego Flynn, the 1 year old who was sick from my church passed away.....spent the entire night and next day with the family watching them mourn as they hold his lifeless body in their arms.
8. performed his funeral and all of the things that goes along with it.
9. Dealt with finances
10. received other hospital calls
11. dealt with family issues.
12. Still a pastor, still a husband, still a dad, still a son, still a Christian... you get the point.
13. mix into all this dissapointment, frustration and other personal feelings.

This pales in comparison with what others have endured... but I can't help but look back over the past month in amazement of how my wife and I made it!
I had several people get in my face and my wifes face and tell us to slow down.... some of those people were well intentioned and knew what they were talking about... some minimalized, trivialized and conveyed an ignorance that says, "just leave things undone". God has heavenly angels (messsengers) and earthly angels (messengers). I want to list some earthly angels.... Shyrel O'Neal, Sean O'Neal, Jesse Rodriguez, Kelly Rodriguez, Delma Villareal, Loyd Wood, Mark Williams, Sandra Williams, David White, Alfonso and Emma Rodriguez, Amy Steenburg Fernie and Patty Portillo, Fide Ortiz...and most recently, Dan Maston(don't be offended if your name was not here this time) these are people that God sent to me at strategic times when I needed something. Tommorrow I'm preaching about the woman with the issue of blood... in the midst of "busyness", her world stopped as she touched the hem of His garment. I'm tired, yet I feel like have have touched his hem... the bleeding has stopped... and Jesus has stopped and is asking the proverbial question, "who touched me?". My touch gets his attention and His touch secures my healing. Yeah I'm still weary and yeah that 2 week vacation in a couple of weeks looks real good, but I can honstly say, "the bleeding has stopped". He is good!

A Dream

At the risk of appearing like I ripped off martin Luther king Jr., This is part of a messsage I preached last Sunday.

I have a dream…
• I have a dream of a church that has a passion for Jesus and a passion for people.
• I have a dream of a church that sees people saved on a regular basis
• Who sees every guest and every visitor as an honor to have them.
• Where everyone takes ownership in what’s going on and where no one sees themselves as the owner of the church.
• Where love and compassion drive what we do.
• Where guests aren’t treated like they have leprosy nor have a hidden agenda for being here.
• Where we all can put aside our own insecurities and fear of failure and reach out to people who need community.
• Where family is loved and appreciated but never placed above the heart of God for the lost.
• Where there is no favoritism or partiality toward certain people and apathy and indifference toward others.
• Where we all live what we say in the church house and at our own house.
• Where a visitor can come and not feel like their on some foreign soil or feel like their crashing a family reunion.
• Where every single person is greeted with a friendly hello and a handshake.
• Where everyone sees their own worth and understands that words, expressions, body language, and attitudes matter…. As well as the lack of.
• Where shame is instantly felt when we knowingly disregard someone.
• Where everyone is on time and ready to minister.
• Where though we take vacations, we don’t take vacations from giving.
• Where we recognize those among us who serve and we see what we can do to help.
• Where we look for opportunities to encourage.
• Where everyone knows everyone’s name within the first 2 weeks of their first Sunday with us.
• Where theirs as much energy put into our youth as into our adults.
• Where nursery work is viewed as ministry and not baby sitting.
• Where every event has a purpose and if you say your going to be there, your there and where we take responsibility in remembering what’s going on.
• Where prayer is going on.
• Where fasting is going on
• Where true fellowship is going on.
• I have a dream of a church where preachers are called and where men and women dream dreams and see visions.
• Where integrity and character are being developed by everyone.
• Where we start looking for excuses for being here instead of making them for why were not here.
• Where we don’t give up on people.
• Where we see that the spirit that unites us is thicker than flesh and blood.
• I dream of a church that desires the presence of God so much that TV’s get turned off, where bibles get dusted off, where alters get cleared off and where the flesh comes off.
• Where heaven is always in our sights and where hell strikes such terror that we can’t help to do what we got to do to pluck souls from it.
• I dream of a church where the balcony is not just used to film services and collect dust bunnies.
• I dream of a church where I am asking for volunteers to become parking lot attendants.
• I dream of a church where the pastor or the CE director doesn’t have to pass around one more sign up sheet for nursery workers.
• I dream of a church that will not put one more limitation on God.
• I dream of a church were its people put into practice and remember what was preached and taught.
• Where God is the first person we call.
• Where His presence is revered, so cherished, so respected that we are either compelled to worship or to leave.
• Where we never ask the question again “whether this church is right for them.”
• Where we aren’t afraid of the prophetic word and where we aren’t gun-shy to speak in tongues and where those who don’t agree with it realize they are sitting in a Pentecostal church.
• Where our relationships are such a precious commodity that we place value in investing into them regularly.
• Where peoples motives aren’t questioned.
• Where there’s no jealousy toward someone who’s being used by the Lord.
• Where conviction grips us instead of the compulsion to dismiss the word and the presence of the Lord.
• I dream of a church where people don’t need to be begged to meet deadlines to pay deposits or get involved or to show up.
• I dream of a church where people don’t disregard what the pastor speaking because they think everything’s fine.
• I dream of a church where I get asked, “when the next revival”, when’s the next water baptism service? When’s camp meeting?”
• I dream of a church where the American dream is replaced with the God dream.
• I dream of a church that can be a beacon of hope to those that need it.
• I dream of a church that is gossip free, partiality free and jealousy free.
• I dream of a church that doesn’t just protects it’s own but offers the same protection to the stranger.
• I dream of a church that has the faces burned in their minds of those we have dealt with unkindly.
• I dream of a church were instead of placing the burden of acceptance on the visitor that we bear that burden.
• I dream of a church that I get to preach to an unsaved sinner every week…hopefully not the same one!
• Where no one gets put on a pedestal and no one is kicked off of one.
• I dream of a church where its people use love, tact and diplomacy.
• I dream of a church where room I made for peoples gifts.
• I dream of a church absent of insecurities but are reminded that it is God that has called me.
• I dream of a church that is quick to discern when the enemy is working and is quick to kick him out in the name of Jesus.
• I dream of a church who invokes the Name of Jesus over their problems instead of invoking their own remedies that haven’t worked up to this point anyway.
• I dream of a church that doesn’t make excuses for sin.
• I dream of a church that surrounds those who come to the alter to pray on Sundays.
• I dream of a church that realizes it’s potential
• Who understands it crucial role in our history and our society.
• I dream of a church full of people that have the audacity to invite someone to Heritage.
• I dream of a church that doesn’t need phylacteries or long religious robes or other outward things to justify themselves but glories in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

I agape U?

In one of the greatest Superbowls ever played, the Dallas Cowboys were beaten by the pittsburg steelers. One of the key players for the Steelers was Lynn Swann. Swann was asked how did the Steelers beat the favored Cowboys. Swann said that "both teams were presented with oportunities to make great plays... we simply seized more of them." We like to choose the opportunities we want to sieze. Like I stated in one of my other posts, we like to be the one that chooses who we show kindness to and who we want to love. I have found that much of the love that we exhibit is simply "Phileo" love...The love that is "Brotherly". This is the kind of love that we choose. We choose the people that look like us, who sound like us , who believe like us and who is easy to love. I have found myself loving people around me because it is easy. What is hard is the "Agape" love.....the love that God loves with. I kid myself when I treat other christians with love and call it agape (though at times it is)... no it's not! Agape is when I love a person who has nothing to offer me... they may even treat me rude. The love that Paul talks about in the love chapter of 1 Corinthians is rarely exhibited and misunderstood....in my opinion. We miss opportunities to win people to the kingdom because we can't get over ourselves. Even in our good intentions we can still market the church for the people we want..... I may be kicking a dead horse but I think we might win if we pay attention to the opportunites that present themselves.

Meeting

Went to a youth camp planning meeting with the state youth director and his secretary. We discussed schedules, staff and theme. I came away from the meeting like a lot of meetings like this feeling the burden of youth camp, feeling the honor of being part and feeling the excitement of anticipation. I am also amazed at the amount of work it is and the details that many people do not realize that goes into facilitating events like this. I always had the perspective of someone showing up on day 1 of the event to work and serve. It was only within the last 3 and a half years that I have seen the pressure that is on the state youth director and the board in dealing with lethargic leaders, changing culture of kids who don't value "Camp", the cost, the liability issues that come with events this size (the liability and legal issues have grown, ie. background checks, insurance, etc.), half hearted attempts by some who don't see the effort behind the scenes. Above all this, there's the pressure of helping make camp an impacting time for the kids. In helping with Winterfest, teen talent, youth camp and other state functions, I have grown to love and respect our leaders. The experience has helped me as I lead the church I pastor in the things that we are doing now.

As a pastor, It is difficult dealing with people who follow from a distance and are quick to criticize motives, effort, methods and strategies (doesn't happen very often). As I have followed the direction of the state youth director, I have tried to apply what I desire to see in people who follow me. We all have to follow someone, we are all accountable to someone. I can't complain about nobody following me if I struggle in following those over me in the Lord. I have seen our state youth director exercise tremendous patience, restraint and Godly character in dealing with all these issues.

From "Diapers" to "Depends"

I spent Saturday night with the youth of our church at a youth rally in Tulare... What am I doing? I'm not a youth pastor anymore! I had the best time laughing and having a great time with the kids. Today I met Loyd Wood at his home and rode with him to the rest home where he goes every Monday morning to sing with the old timers. he had been inviting me to go with him but I kept putting him off. I went today and it was one of the biggest blessings I have received in a long time. I got to speak for a few moments to the people. I spoke a word entitled, "Turn or burn!!!".....kidding..... "the Lord is my shepherd". I only spoke for about 7 minutes but it was the singing and interaction with the people who don't get a lot of attention from the church and outsiders that was the best.

From teens to 90 year old's... what an honor. You know what I learned out of this? It is easy to pursue people who look like us, talk like us, live like us, etc. We tend to pursue and surround ourselves with people WE choose. Why is it that we go after the "cool" factor? We pursue the generation or the people that have the most to offer.... completely ignoring people that have the rest of their lives ahead of them and the people that are literally the closest to eternity.

It seems as though we can be quite selective in who we go after.

When Jesus died, Joseph of aramathea begged for the body of Jesus... I have always heard that "beggars can't be choosers". as a Christian who is begging for the Body, it seems as though at times I have been a "Chooser". Joseph didn't beg for the head or the arms or the eyes or the feet or the most important parts.....but he begged for the BODY. As a "Beggar" I don't have time to be a "chooser". The people who need Christ the most may not be the most "Chic" or they may not own a big black Bible and they may not even have a taste for Starbucks but they are members nonetheless who need some people begging for them.

Lakers Vs. Celtics

I thought I would get spiritual and pose the question... Is it possible that the Lakers could play the Celtics in the NBA Finals? Wouldn't that be awesome. I know, I know gone are the Days of "showtime", Bird hitting the "3's" Danny ainge crying like a baby, Kareem hitting the skyhook, Rambis dunking with his trademark glasses, Red Aurebach smoking his stoggie, Pat Riley pacing the bench, Magic being Magic... but wouldn't it be a clasic match-up? It would remind me of when my dads friend Ken would come over and him and my dad would watch the game after I had to go to bed and they would keep me up from all of their yelling at the screen...Oh those were the days. Kobe and the crew look good and Garnett and his gang of wanna-be Celtics are on a collision course with history.... I think I just found my message for Sunday morning!

I'm a MUTT

I recently bought a book entitled. "Why we are not emergent...by two guys who should be." written by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck (both in their 30's). I saw the title and it peaked my interest because it has seemed as though there are two categories of churches out there... "Traditional" and "Emergent". Some would deny this, but what I have read and heard, there are underlying philosophies that drive both types of churches. I would admit that I have been limited on my understanding of the emergent church and have drawn my own conclusions and have been judgemental. I thought this book would help me as I have tried to put in words what I have sensed from the movement. It has been like nailing jello to the wall for me. After reading the book I came away with mixed thoughts on how these guys painted the picture of the "Emerging church". They took some really absurd comments from some of the men that have been at the forefront of the emergent. Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Leonard sweet, Ermin McManus and others who were all quoted in the book and critiqued. They have some beliefs and philosophies that I don't particularly subscribe to. Then it hit me... I have made some pretty stupid comments before... you have made some pretty "boneheaded" comments.... we all have had beliefs and opinions that may have not been biblical.

I came away from the book realizing that I am a "MUTT". If you know anything about dogs... a dog that has several breeds is considered a mutt. I realized that I am a bit "emergent" and a bit "traditional". There are those that pride themselves in being "Pure bred" and in the process try to reject a majority of what the other is. I have been judgemental of those who have a genuine desire to be genuine with people (emergent) and I have been judgemental of people who desire to never forget where they came from (traditional). I have seen the emergent attempt to "create" the right atmosphere (God's job) and I have seen the quirky mannerisms of people still trapped in the 50's, 60's & 70's who live like Christianity began in that era. I know a woman who was so steeped in tradition that she went dumpster diving trying to retrieve the old pulpit that my former pastor trashed after he constructed a new one.... that's tradition gone bad!

Over the past year I have tried to "nail the Jello to the wall" trying to place a moniker on me and the church I am a part of. I have seen shades of of what some would classify as "Emergent" and shades of what some would call "Tradition". What stands in the center creating these shades is Christ. I am not out to create a "type" of church or to re-invent something that Christ did right the first time (even if I call it "Getting back to what he meant"). I have seen some "Emergents" do things with "maverick spirits" who were more riddled with rebellion than James Dean... but I have also seen some who were doing it with a pure love for Jesus who were doing it with sincerity that made more of an impact in one day than some traditionalist would do in a year... if at all. I have seen some "traditionalists" who were so stiff necked that if Jesus walked by they would never know it... but Ohhhh they got the lingo down... ohhh they had their "Holy Huddles"..... but then I have seen some who would rather die than to water down the gospel and did what they did not to spite anyone and was still attractive toward those who were looking for a relationship with Christ... while some emergents were having coffee, they were praying people into the Kingdom.

What could you call Jon Goats? maybe a "mutt". There are other "mutts" out there that don't need the novelty of one of these titles to justify who they are. Simply being Christian is good enough. I have never read a book that was so "against" something that ended up helping me realize that it's not all bad.

Connect with the culture yet maintain standards. Speak with relevance yet live biblically. Be transparent. Realize your not perfect but don't use it as a licence.

I once took a personality test....you know the ones that tell you if your more like a lion or a golden retriever, etc. After taking the test I remember thinking, "yup that makes sense... that's me!" Without telling myself I want to be a golden retriever! I want to be a golden retriever! I want to be a golden retriever!" I realized that title simply assessed who I am, that title helped me understand who I was. I don't ever want to find myself telling myself, "I want to be emergent! I want to be emergent, I want to be emergent!" OR " I want to be traditional, I want to be traditional, I want to be traditional". It's at that point that I am no longer genuine.

Built For Life

This weekend was the Kingsburg "car Show". it's usually this time of year where you see classic cars driving down the streets of Kingsburg. The car show is a beautiful experience seeing all the cars and attention to detail these guys put in their cars. As I was driving through Kingsburg the other day I seen several classic cars and then it hit me.... Why do you not see these classic cars on the road more often?.... when was the last time you seen a tricked-out camaro just driving through town? When was the last time you seen a guy driving a 57 Chevy down the road. Why is it that the only time you see these cars is either at a car show or being pulled on a trailer or only occasionally down the road. All that attention to be sitting in a garage only to be brought out during special occasions.

God has placed careful attention on our lives. He has been mindful of every detail. Yet for some people, the only time they come out of the "garage" is on Sunday or when their around other show cars.....er.....Christians. God didn't create me and make the investment just to show up all dazzling on Sunday and then get back in the garage until the next big "Show". How practical is a show car anyway? My cousin and his wife recently bought a Honda Mini van. Man, they could open their sliding doors with their key chain. They had DVD's on every seat. They even felt comfortable getting the floor a little messy. As crazy as it may sound, I would take that practical minivan any day over the Camaro. Yeah the Camaro might get the attention, but the van is designed for everyday life. My faith might get messy at times and I may even look like a dork driving down the road.... but it's built for life!

It's not the Nike Swoosh that stinks!!

We went to my in-laws house a couple of months ago. we got our kids out of the van and walked inside. After a few minutes, we smelled something horrible. My mother-in-law smelled it, my wife smelled it and my kids smelled it. After several minutes of them trying to determine where the smell was coming from, I decided to join in the investigation. I got on my hands and knees and let my sniffer go to work...(I knew being a goat would come in handy one day!). I quickly found the culprit. I picked up my daughter Madisens shoe and said, "Found it!" There was dog poop stuck on the bottom of her shoe. What my daughter said next was utterly profound... she said.... "Somebody Pooped on my shoe!!!!!"

Unbelievable!

Being the preacher that I am, I quickly made the spiritual application....here goes.... Isn't it funny how we do like Maddie and go our own way, we forsake the proverbial "side walk" that God provides, we end up stepping in it, we smell it wherever we go and we have the audacity to declare that "someone has pooped on my shoe!!!" Nobody has pooped on my shoe!

I understand that there are circumstances that we go through that we didn't ask for... however, there are those times that it is US who has decided we know a better way, a better short-cut, a better path, a better method... we end up stepping in "it" and no matter what we do, that essence follows us.

How dare I question others or even God when things aren't fresh but rather poopy. Nobody did me wrong! Nobody made those decisions for me. Nobody twisted my arm. Nobody forced me to ______________ (fill in the blank). I stepped in it...I I I. Nobody pooped on my show. And I bet nobody pooped on yours either.

Taken for Granted

I have been reminded that 2 of my best friends that I have known for a long time are currently in places and seasons in their lives that are really challenging and difficult right now. As I read and hear from these two guys, I am reminded of the "Ebb and Flow", the "Seasons" and the "Valleys" we go through. It also reminds me of how good I have it right now. The window of opportunity was opened for me about 4 weeks for me and my family to move ( if it was God's plan). I prayed, fasted and questioned EVERYTHING. after gut-wrenching preparation to possibly leave, God gave Candie and I undeniable clarity that Heritage, Reedley, Kingsburg, Dinuba and my 80 year old friend in Visalia are the people he has called us to. Since we closed the window and said "thank you very much but no thank you", God has been blowing me away. Heritage is growing, expecting, being positioned, being rejuvenated and is moving forward to make impact on our world. With everything He is doing, I have been finding myself groaning in the Spirit for my 2 friends and their families.

In My Skin

Goliath is yelling, the soldiers are afraid, young David volunteers and King Saul offers his armor to David... why....it obviously wasn't working for him.... David tried it on but it didn't feel right so he took it off and killed the giant anyway!!...how? Why is it that we even "try" on the armor of someone else? Why did I even try the armor of my former pastor when I became pastor? I'm not talking about the armor of the Lord in Ephesians... I'm talking about trying to operate in other peoples strengths, gifts and methods. Why do I allow my life to accept these unnecessary "Attachments"? Am I comfortable in my own skin? Do I really trust that God has called ME? Do I need to look like "Saul" to feel like I'm engaged in the battle? David took off those things that weighed him down and took up the stones and the sling and his rod. I don't blame the "Saul's" in my life....it was me that even attempted to live in other people's stuff. When I trust in attachments, I'm saying, "What God has given me isn't good enough". Even though I feel a bit exposed, I'm fired up! I don't have time trying to adapt to methods and functions that havn't even been proven to work anyway... (If Saul's armor could get the job done why was it laying off to the side and why was Goliath still breathing?) Take the armor off! Take the armor off! Take the armor off!

Goliath watch OUT!

@ the Hospital

I spent a few hours at the Childrens hospital with a couple of friends from Church. Their daughter Annika was having surgery on her leg today. As I spent some time with them, I was reminded how blessed I am. Erik and Virginia were understandably concerned for their daughter, yet we enjoyed each others company. Erik bought me lunch and we had a priceless conversation. I also got to talk with Virginia's mom. Momma Rodriguez has always shown me a tremendous amount of love... however, There is a huge language barrier, yet she understood when I mentioned that 12 of her 12 children serve Jesus.... what a blessed woman.... man, I have 3 kids and my biggest prayer is that all three know Jesus... she has 12! With tears in her eyes and her face pointed to heaven she told me how she prayed for her wayward sons... her sons and their families are now serving Christ. I am blessed to be exposed to such works of God. As a pastor, one of the perks is being able to have exclusive access in peoples lives...weddings, funerals, baptisms, dedications, and simply sharing moments in hospital waiting rooms... there was no better place for me to be today.

My 2 Cents

So the other day I flipped on the TV and was rolling through the channels and stumbled on a famous "Christian" TV channel. Just my luck, they were having their "Spring Share-A-Thon" (AKA their time of the year where they bring in the "Big dogs" to convince us to give an offering....errr.....sow a seed into their ministry). The guy on the screen looked me in the eye and told me he heard God say I was to sow a $1000 seed because 1000 represents the millennial reign of Jesus. I promptly turned the TV off. A few minutes later, out of a morbid curiosity I turned the praise-a-thon back on....another preacher looked me in the eye telling me I needed to sow $40 a month because 40 represents the years of wilderness wanderings (yeah! I want that!) and the 40 days Jesus fasted....I promptly turned it off again. Call me stupid, but I turned it on later and another guy was trying to convince me to give $240 a month because 24 represents the hours that God can turn my situation around...(24 Hrs.?.....good night!!! an aspirin works Faster!!!!)

I told my wife, as God being my witness, "the first man that preaches that God told him that I am supposed to give 2 Penny's.... I'm calling up TBN and cutting a check right then and there!" After all, wasn't it the little old lady who drew the attention of Jesus when she gave 2 Penny's? Why can't my 2 Penny's represent something? Why does it always have to be extravagant in man's estimation?

I post this partly in jest, however, It got me to think about a couple of things.
1. Is it this type of spiritual arrogance that represents our church to people who might be curious about Christianity? They may be too timid to enter a church building or even a small group so they flip on one of these channels and that is what is supposed to represent us? (Scary!!!! no wonder masses of people are tripping over each other trying distance themselves from mainline Christianity.)
2. Is it possible to hide behind, "Thus saith the Lord!"?

I don't like the thought of being jerked around by a guy or an organization that is out for something to gain... and I don't mean my soul either! (read my last post to read the other side). When speaking for God, I have learned that it is no small thing. Whether I'm preaching behind a lectern, counseling a young couple or prophesying over someone, it is not up to me to conjure up something that I have created in my mind of what I want to see happen for someone else. It can be potentially devastating.

Oh wait... the preacher on the TV is telling me what my $1200 represents! Gotta go.

THE DIRTY TRICK

I like being in relationships that have no hidden agendas. If I feel like I'm being patronized, used, abused, or set-up I probably won't be itching to be around that person very much. I think we all have been around people where you knew that your sole purpose was to fulfill some sort of role in that persons plan. When considering my calling and purpose in life, my calling is clear.... "Make disciples." In those two words, there are volumes of things to consider.

One thing that I have been thinking about recently is how do I develop a relationship with someone, have no strings attached, show love, show acceptance, all the while not having a hidden agenda... then drop JESUS on them?

The more I think about it, the more it seems like a dirty trick. No doubt, the days are over where we get dudded up in the suit and tie and go door to door handing out tracks and asking the cheesy question, "do you know Jesus?" The truth is that I DO have an agenda and if we would admit it, If we are called to be servants of Christ and we take his commission serious, we can view it however we want but it is an agenda. We may re-market it as "Mission" or "Missional" but it can be the same thing. Agendas don't always have to be devious in nature. At times, I have found myself repackaging Jesus to be palatable and tasteful in kind of the same way that the Israelites repackaged Jehovah as a golden calf....He's great to look at... easy to worship.... he's comparable to the other gods and most of all... not offensive..... but isn't the gospel the most offensive message out there? Yeah its the "Good News" but it's an offensive message that tells me that I have "sinned and fallen short" and that I couldn't do anything about it but Jesus came to live a sinless life that I couldn't and died on a cross all bloodied and broken and if I don't accept what He did for ME then I'm lost in my sins, forever separated from my creator and will suffer forever in a lake of fire.... are you serious? that's either offensive or the greatest news I've heard all day.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God


I'll admit that it may be a big turn-off if you go through that whole scenario when you first meet a person, however as a Christian who has this ministry of reconciliation, I HAVE to..... I repeat.... I HAVE to arrive at that conclusion with my friends, relatives and anyone else that I care to minister to at some point. The trick is, when do I drop that truth on them? too early and you show your cards and you come across as a person with some sort of religious agenda..... too late and you come across as a disingenuous, smooth-talker with a hidden agenda all along.... or just love people, be their friend, show kindness and acceptance and never share that truth and miss the point all together. I know, "show" Christ and "be" Christ... but even that can be inadequate. "American Idol" is being more Christlike than a lot of American churches with their special about helping starving, hurting people in third world countries.

I can either be truly "Missional" or simply playing a dirty trick.

Just Jesus

• When Adam and eve were compelled to eat the forbidden fruit, Jesus told Satan get behind me!
• Abel’s blood cried for justice, Jesus blood demanded forgiveness
• Noah’s purpose was to save and preserve his seven family members; Jesus came to save the world!
• When Abraham was called the friend of God, Jesus was the son of God
• Isaac was spared his fathers knife, Jesus’ father went through with it.
• Jacob pretended to be his brother to steal his birthright; Jesus became one of us to give us our birthright.
• Joseph was a man with dreams; Jesus is the one who gives dreams.
• Joseph overcame a pit, prison and palace, Jesus overcame death, hell and the grave.
• When Moses told God he couldn’t speak and that someone else should be picked, Jesus stood in the synagogue and boldly professed "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
• While Joshua was rolling back rivers, Jesus is busy rolling back our sins!
• Rahab gave salvation through her window; Jesus said I am the door!
• Elijah ran with fear from Jezebel, Jesus told Pilate; the only reason you have authority is because my father gave it to you.
• Elijah told God to take his life because he was done; Jesus said I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last! In other words, “I was around before you got here and I will still be here when you’re gone!”
• Samson killed several thousand philistines at his death; Jesus defeated death, hell and the grave at his!
• Gideon tore down his fathers idols in the cover of night, Jesus was hanging on a cross and noon!
• Job said I know that my redeemer lives…Jesus says, “That’s ME!”
• When Jonah was called to preach to Nineveh but ran from God because he had no compassion on them, Jesus disrobed of his heavenly garments and came in the flesh to dwell among us!
• Jonah had to confront a fish but it had to give him up after three days, Jesus had to confront death, but death had to give him up after 3 days.
• Nehemiah built up walls, Jesus spent his time tearing down walls between us and our heavenly father.
• Samuels’s horn of oil ran dry; Jesus remains the anointed one today!
• David cut the hem of Saul’s garment; Jesus had people clinging to his hem.
• David had mighty men who sacrificed their blood for a cup of cold water for him; Jesus was betrayed with a kiss and was abandoned by his.
• David couldn’t build the temple because he had blood on his hands… Jesus could build the temple because he had blood on his hands…. And on his feet… and on his head… and on his back… and on his side.
• When Solomon built a temple only to be destroyed forever, Jesus raised his temple in three days.
• When Isaiah said woe is me for I am undone… Jesus victoriously yelled on the cross, “I’m done!”
• When Jeremiah said the word was like a fire shut up in his bones, The bible says that Jesus is the word.
• Daniel’s life was threatened with Lions, Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah
• Ezekiel prophesied over dry bones, Jesus prophesied over dead lives.
• At Ezekiel’s word, bones came together… at Jesus word, lives come together
• While the disciples were arguing over who would be greatest in the kingdom, the greatest was busy putting on a towel to wash their feet.
• Though Pilate put his seal on Jesus tomb, Jesus busted out in 3 days.
• When Saul was breathing murderous threats against the church all Jesus had to do was show up on the road and Paul crumbled like a dry leaf

• The government is on His shoulder.
• You see… His name is
• Wonderful,
• Counselor,
• Mighty God,
• Everlasting Father,
• Prince of Peace.
• He’s the rose of Sharon on the mountain and the lily of the valley.
• He’s the bright and the morning star.
• He’s the fairest of 10,000 to my soul
• He’s the bishop of my soul
• His name is like the fragrance after the rain.
• He is the famous one
• The lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world
• He’s the same yesterday, today and forever
• He’s faithful
• He’s provider
• He’s the author and the finisher of my faith
• forgiver
• My righteousness
• My banner that I take into battle
• My physician
• My helper
• My best friend
• My Lord
• My Master
• My shield
• My defense
• Because of him A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; But it shall not come near me.

• The lifter of my head
• My comforter
• King of kings and Lord of lords
• My judge
• My joy
• He is my strength
• My strong tower
• My fortress
• Refuge
He’s unstoppable
• Satan did everything he could to prevent him coming.
• He brought debauchery, but Noah built a boat and he still came.
• He tried to steal Abraham's promise, but Isaac was born and Jesus still came.
• Pharaoh tried killing off Israel but God sent a deliver by the name of Moses and Jesus still came.
• Tall walled cites threatened the survival of Israel’s future, but those walls came tumbling down and Jesus still came.
• He tried raising up a wicked king and Queen, but Elijah had a showdown on Mount Carmel and Jesus still came.
• A giant thought that he could embarrass Gods people, but now his head and body are buried in two separate locations and Jesus still came.
• Herod tried to prevent his birth but he still came.
• The Pharisees, priests and al of Israel thought they could get rid of him yet he still lives!
• Hitler thought he could extinguish his people, but they still live and Jesus still lives.
• Congress tried to keep Prayer and Jesus out of Schools, Prayer is still there, Jesus is still there and he is still at the right hand of the father.
• Osama bin laden and Mahmoud akmadinijad and some of the Middle East have vowed to exterminate Israel and all Christians. I have read the back of the book… I know what happens…. They all lose and Jesus is going to rapture his church, he going to come back and rule on the earth 1000 years then were all going to heaven.
• He’s unstoppable

• He gives new names
He turned Abram into Abraham
Sarai into Sarah
Jacob into Israel
Cephas into peter
Saul into Paul

The Pharisees were intimidated by him and the teachers of the law were jealous of him


• In the temple he the jachin and Boaz pillar which means by His strength he will establish!
• he’s the brazen alter that consumes what I offer
• He’s the laver that cleanses me
• He’s the steps that get me there
• He’s the door that leads me in
• He’s the menorah that puts light into my life.
• He’s the table of showbread that sustains me.
• He’s the alter of incense that bring sweetness to my life.
• He’s the veil, the only thing that stands between me and presence of the father.
• He is that mercy seat and the Shekinah glory of god!


• He’s my city of refuge
• And he’s the horns of the alter that I can hold onto to be safe from harm.

• He’s the cornerstone and the capstone

• He’s the rock that water gushed out of for Moses
• And he is the rock of David’s salvation.
• He’s the rock that we can hide in
• He’s the rock that we can stand on
• He’s the rock that we can build on
• And he’s the rock that sunk into Goliaths forehead.


• He is the vine and I’m the branch
• He is the way
• He’s the fourth man in the fire
• He’s the king of the Jews and king of the gentiles
• He’s too beautiful for comprehension, to marvelous for words.
• One man said that “Jesus was either a lunatic or exactly who he said he was.”

His name is above all names
• His name is so powerful that it will compel every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He is Lord…whether they like it or not.

• Mohammad, Buddha, Joseph smith, Charles Russell, Charles Darwin, Madelyn Murray O’Hare, bin laden, Hitler, Stalin, Marx, Hussein, akmadinijad, and everybody else will cower down at his presence and at his word.
Gandhi once said he once almost became a Christian…. My best friend’s grandfather once told me that “almost only counts with throwing horseshoes and hand grenades.”
• He either wants all of you or none of you.
• Lukewarmness turns his stomach.
• He warned his disciples of the cost and of the cross they would have to carry.
• He will not share you!

• You can find the remains of
• Buddha
• Confucius
• Gandhi
• Mohammad
• Joseph smith
• Charles Russell
• But Jesus is at the right hand of the father.

• While the Jehovah's witnesses are knocking on doors, Jesus says ‘behold I knock on the door of your heart today!”
• While Muslims are committing suicide for 70 virgins in heaven…Jesus says he’s coming for a virgin bride without spot or wrinkle.
• While denominations fight over whether once saved always saved, what’s the trinity? What are tongues? When should you baptize and can you drink or not, Jesus says, come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

• What good thing can come out of Nazareth???? Jesus.
• Who is this son of the carpenter??? Its Jesus
• Who is this that speaks with such authority???? It’s Jesus
• Who is this who healed many but chose not to save himself from the cross? Jesus
• Who is this king of Glory? The Lord strong in battle?
• The day of his birth commanded a choir of angels.
• On the 8th day he received the name that is above all names.
• At 12 years old he was astounding the doctors and teachers of the law
• The winds and the waves had to obey him.
• The ocean became a sidewalk for him.
• The man took a nap during a hurricane
• He cursed a fig tree because it didn’t bear fruit and it died.
• He could make 2 fish and 5 loaves feed the bellies of 5000 grown men.
• He could turn water into the finest vintage of wine.
• You have heard of wedding crashers…. Jesus was a funeral crasher. Funerals tuned into reunions when he was around.
• Jesus could create a new eye ball with his spit.
• He could make angry, religious men drop their rocks and walk away.
• He could reattach ears
• And make dumb men talk again
• He could make contagious lepers enter society again and make maniacs sit in their right mind.
• He made a disciple out of an employee of the Jerusalem IRS.
• People climbed sycamore trees, busted through roofs and fought through crowds to get one moment with him.
• He had the guts to restore his father’s house into a house of prayer.

• The nails in his hands restored my ability to produce
• The nails in his feet restored my ability to walk
• The crown of thorns on his head took away the curse.
• The stripes on his back secured my healing
• And the sword in his side that poured out blood and water birthed his church.
.

• From whence comes my help?
o My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
o He will not allow my foot to be moved; He who keeps me will not slumber.
o Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
o The LORD is my keeper; The LORD is my shade at my right hand.
o The sun shall not strike me by day, Nor the moon by night.
o The LORD shall preserve me from all evil; He shall preserve my soul.
o The LORD shall preserve my going out and my coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

• He’s my shepherd so I’m not in want
• He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters so can drink easily.
• He restores my soul when it’s weary; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake not mine.
• though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because He is with me; His rod and His staff, they comfort me even though it hurts a little at times.
• He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies so they have to watch me be blessed; He anoints my head with oil; He makes My cup run over.

• He’s royal enough to command worship from wise men and accessible enough for shepherds.

• He couldn’t be born in a palace because he wouldn’t have been accessible to everyone!

How could I not do what I do for him?

He is the reason I do what I do

I'm What ?!?

What's the difference between being "over-zealous" and "Passionate"? I have been accused and hailed as both. See if you can follow me..... There have been times that I have had an idea or a vision or a purpose that I shared with other people. The ones who liked it said..."Wow, Your passionate Jon!" I have also heard others say... "well you might be overzealous." Which is it? This doesn't just end with me. I have heard people make statements that I deemed "way too over-zealous" then I hear someone else turn around and deem and anoint the person as being "passionate". I have had terrible ideas and there has been no doubt that I have been overzealous... but who decides that. I have had my passion severely dampened by people who seen things differently and were hyper-spiritual, who seemed to have a firmer grasp on spiritual reality, who sought to bring me back to earth with "sensible criticism". Though God has always provided me with people who's sole purpose in life was to keep me in reality (at least it seemed that way at the time)... is it possible that this is one of those rare subjects that can be "subjective"? Was Simon Peter passionate or overzealous when he walked on Water? some might say...."Overzealous!!! he sunk!!!!" I say, or rather ask, "when have you ever walked on water?" Nobody ever accused him of being overzealous when he preached on the day of Pentecost except for the people who couldn't spiritually discern and simply surmised that he and the others were "Drunk". I believe Only God knows whether we are purely driven by passion for Him or are we driven by a zeal that is delusional. I have seen delusional people proclaimed as being "passionate".

Let's make a deal....just because an idea or a vision or a mission seems ridiculous or motivated by impure motives, can we not do the easy thing and label each other as over-zealous?

Why? Why? Why?

Have you ever done something that you wondered whats the point? I am a minister, a pastor. Other people title it "lead pastor", "lead servant", "chief executive officer", group facilitator .....whatever ..... I'm a pastor and though it's considered spiritually, politically incorrect and even an abomination to some, this is "what I do for a living". I live for the impact! Some peoples idea of an impact is smiling, making friends, teaching, preaching, praying, fasting, caring, sacrificing....some would would lean more heavily on some of these than others. I have finally found my place and more importantly found Jesus in what I do....and I'm cool with it. Most of what I do hopefully makes an impact...that's why I really don't know why I invest time in this. Is it because I read other blogs and it seems to be the thing to do? Is there really anyone reading this? Can I get an amen? Hello?...........Cricket...............cricket............

It's funny, I hear about building relationships and community... yet the world seems to be more impersonal. I recently signed up for a texting plan with my cell phone provider because texting is faster and I don't have to talk to anyone and have my time spent. Here I sit hearing the plunk of the keys communicating with some guy named hewlitt packard. The professional pastor that seems to be extinct nowadays has been replaced with well-intentioned people who are crouched over a computer....I know I may be speaking out of pure ignorance. When I was young, baseball cards got real "BIG". People seen these very valuable cards from yesteryear, so they thought I'll be a baseball card collector so that my cards will be worth some money someday. The problem was that there were millions of people who had the same idea... thus cards are so common that there are very few worth anything...I fear that all the "takes" and opinions and discussions aren't really worth the "millions" we thought because...(sorry if this offends)...they are a dime a dozen. With the more blogs I read, the more my head begins to spin. So many takes on things, so many opinions, so many leaning to certain predispositions. No longer do we have to have a doctorate to be heard..all you have to have is a computer, a modem and a chip on your .....errrr...I mean.....an idea in your head and voila!!!!!!!!! you feel better about yourself... at least I do.

Hey, I like this! I may keep doing it.

Flat tire!

I went in to my office on Tuesday and listened to my messages on the answering machine. To my surprise there was a message from Costco telling me that my new tires were in.....I didn't order new tires! I instantly put 2 and 2 together and surmised that someone from church had seen my bald tires and decided to surprise me with new tires. I went to service on Wednesday night publicly thanking whoever it was that bought me 4 brand new tires. I even declared that God was taking care of me and that He knows exactly what I need. I woke up this morning to go to Costco to have my new tires put on. I dropped off the key and gave the guy my cell phone to let me know when he was done. As I was walking through Costco I received a phone call from the store."It can't already be done....could it?" The voice on the other end was somber... "Mr. Goats we need to speak to you in the tire department." I immediately went to the tire department and they informed me that the tires that were ordered were not for my car.... there had been a mistake. a person in my church had ordered some binders for their ministry about 6 months ago and they used the church ATM and used my contact information.....well, when they ordered their tires earlier this month....they changed the ATM but not the contact information. The man in the tire department apologized and then asked if he could have the other persons number so he could inform them that their tires were in. Needless to say, the ride home from Visalia was long, lonely and yes... even tearful. How and why could this happen? I didn't ask for this!!! There was nobody to blame....it was honestly no ones fault. My mind went to last night when I publicly declared that "God was good"! I felt a bit stupid. Then I took my own advise and practiced what I have preached so many times....I began to count my blessings and praise the Lord for what I DO have. I am not entitled to one thing regardless of what those prosperity preachers spew. I deserve hell. I deserve to be judged. but I'm not. I don't need tires to be reminded that my God is watching over me!

Crash or Splash?

I was reading in 1 Corinthians where Paul is talking about if I do all kinds of good stuff but don't have love, I have become a clanging cymbal. Being the professional, highly talented and profoundly skilled drummer that I am, I understood. Cymbals make a loud impression. I have found myself measuring my effectiveness in life by what I have been doing "Loudly" and visible. Cymbals don't resonate very long... just ask some people at my church what I preached 2 weeks ago and you'll get looks like that cat had just before I ran over it the other day... you get my point. Cymbals, when played out of context with the music and the song, can be the most offensive, obnoxious, annoying thing you will ever hear. I don't think Paul was diminishing doing good stuff, but done without love.... I can be real annoying and a big turn-off to people who have any inkling of becoming a christian.

I feel reborn

For some reason I feel like I've been reborn.
I feel like I have had God put a new freshness in me. I am excited. I just spoke to my state administrative bishop and told him that I see myself at Heritage for quite some time. My daughter turned 2 today and is going with momma to begin preschool tomorrow. I have the best wife, the cutest kids and I pastor a sometimes quiet yet always deadly (to the devil) church. I have seen God recently change the lives of people who have begun being a part of our church. God has caused me to rethink what is "church", why do we do what we do? For whom do we do what we do for. It is by the blood of Jesus that I am able to accomplish anything. One of my best friends is an 80 year old man named Loyd who's deceased wife was my 2nd grade teachers aid. I went through a season of deep soul searching concerning my vision and what I want to see God do with me, my family and my church. I see a church who has existed for 60 years turn to a group of people who see people who need to be loved and who see Jesus as their source. I see a church who doesn't lean on methods or empty formalities but see the power of Jesus as a life changing force. I see my family getting out of debt once and for all. I see a marriage that is burning with passion and I see children who love Christ and isn't afraid to tell people about it. I see some old relationships that I used to value be rekindled. I see God using me more outside the pulpit than in it. I see Jesus coming back real soon and I see an urgency rising up in me that acts like it!
I want to be real! I don't want to conform to the stereotypical image of a preacher... I want to function with an anointing that is genuine and undeniable. I want to spiritually reproduce myself and lead other to Jesus. I prayed with a woman in a tax office last week. She broke down and asked if I would pray for her. I put my arm around her and prayed for her right there. I walked out of there thinking..."man, I wished that happened more often!".....why can't it? Instead of using tomorrow to rearrange my office... I just might consider some new ways to get out there. The last time I checked, there wasn't anyone needing someone who cared hanging out in my office.