Pray for University Baptist Church, Family of Kyle Lake

I received this e-mail this morning from the mother of one of my former youth students that goes to University Baptist Church in Waco, TX. The church has a big impact on the students at Baylor University. My favorite worship leader, David Crowder is the worship leader at UBC.

"Jason, Please pray for Shea. He witnessed his pastor at UBC get
electrocuted during a baptism ceremony at church this morning. Shea was and
is very close to his church and the staff. Kyle was baptizing someone this
morning at church and screamed for help. They rushed him to the hospital
and Shea just got back for there and Kyle died. He has twin baby boys and a
three year old girl. Kyle was 32. Thank you Jason, you mean the world to
Shea. Shelley"

This is such a bizarre tragedy. Keep these folks in your prayers!

UBC Website Link on Kyle's Death

CNN Article

A Challenge

So, today I read the following verse...

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."

That verse comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:11. As Christians, we are called to be a source of encouragement for each other. "Encourage one another...build each other up." These words make me think, "How much encouraging and building up do I do?"

You know, for me anyway, it's a whole lot easier to use words of discouragement and tear others down. So, today, I'm challenging myself to be a source of encouragement for those around me.

And, that could be hard! Because sometimes I find myself around people that I find it much easier to tear down...Maybe you all can join me in working hard to encourage and build up those around you.

Mmm! Mmm! Good!

Last night, Emily and I were running short on time before something began. So, we decided to have McDonald's for dinner. I know, I know...that is so unhealthy for all of us (especially the little new life growing inside of Emily). But, it was easy...and it's what sounded good to Emily! However bad it may be, I must say two things about the McDonald's experience.

One- It was extremely tasty! McDonald's french fries are so good! There's something in their deep fying oil...there's got to be because I just can't stop eating those fries!

Two- The new McDonald's on McGalliard is pretty stinkin' cool! Two drive thru options make for extra speedy service. And, the inside looks really nice too!

Having said that...I know we won't be having McDonald's in the near future. Tonight will probably be pasta or chicken and veggies at home! 

When I Don't Know What to Pray

During my morning prayer time, I came across an encouraging and familiar passage of Scripture and a comment that really struck a chord in my heart. You see, sometimes when I pause to pray I'm at a loss...I can go through the motions and pray the typical things...But, sometimes there is this longing in me to pray for something more. Yet, I find myself struggling to put words to what's stirring inside of me. Often, I get frustrated and move on to something else. I know that's not the right thing...but, it's what I'm most likely to do when in that situation.

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27)

There was a statement regarding this passage of Scripture on the Sacred Space website. It said,

"The dialogue with God continues even when our mind and heart are weary."

A Perfect Pint

It's a cold, gray day...The kind of day that makes you think to yourself, "Self, wouldn't it be awesome to be sitting next to the fireplace at the Heorot with a perfectly poured pint of Guinness?" The answer is "Yes!" The only problem is that my schedule doesn't permit this to happen today...But, there's always tomorrow! 

Worship & Prayer

I've always been a firm believer that worship is not something we do...it's something we are. And, as I think about the many Scriptures that tell us to be devoted, faithful, constant in prayer, I'm overcome with the thought that prayer is to be like worship...it's not something we do...it's something we are.

Here's a piece from Kimball's Emerging Worship that caught my attention:

"The New Testament is full of emerging worship. Jesus shook up everything! He taught us that worship is not attached to a location or space. Instead, true worship is done in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Jesus taught that God does not look for specific acts or rituals of worship. The heart behind the worship matters most to him. Immediately after Jesus' ascension a new form of worship was birthed when the Spirit indwelled believers (Acts 2). The Spirit was no longer in the physical sacred space of the temple, but in believers. Our bodies became the temple where the Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 6:19). Our entire lives are now spiritual acts of worship (Romans 12:1-2). We don't go to a certain place - we worship God with all we do!"

Worship is to be a constant thing. Prayer is to be a constant thing! How are you going about this in your daily life?

Doing Good...Prayer

This morning, I strolled over to our prayer garden. It's sort of cold and wet this morning...So, in all honesty, I didn't stay out there very long...pretty much just snapped a shot of the praying angel and headed inside.

As we've been working through this preaching series on prayer, I've really been wondering how many people are taking this whole thing to heart...how many people are truly spending significant time in prayer each day...how many people have increased the role of prayer in their daily lives...how much have I devoted myself to prayer during this time...how many will continue to faithfully pray when we are finished with this series??? These are just some of the thoughts that have gone through my mind.

This morning, I came across a passage from Galatians that may be familiar to some of you. It says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:9-10).

This passage reminded me that one of the "good" things I can be "doing" is praying for others...friends, family, people in the church, people outside the church, random people. Prayer is vital! We all need to be praying. Sometimes we get tripped up in thinking of "good" we can do for all people. If you come up empty on some kind of "deed" you can do, then pray! And, if you do come up with a "deed" you should still pray! Pray, pray, pray!

Thoughts On Worship

Last night, I was browsing through a book by Dan Kimball called Emerging Worship. There were several statements that caught my attention (actually, they re-caught my attention as I had already underlined them...but I don't think "re-caught" is actually a word...but it is now). I'll share some of those now...and maybe some more in the days to come.

"Most people view the weekend worship service as a place where we go to get service done to us by 'getting out tanks filled up' at the service station. It's a place where someone will give a sermon and serve us with our weekly sustenance...We need to recognize that going to a worship service is not about us, the worshippers. It is not about God's service to us. It is purely our offering of service and worship to God - offering our lives, offering our prayers, offering our praise, offering our confessions, offering our finances, offering out service to others in the church body...In the New Testament, the English word 'service' is used to speak of an act of giving, not receiving."

You know, I've actually heard people say, "I'm here to get filled up so I can make it through the week." As I read Kimball's thoughts, I was reminded that this is not what it's about. Yeah, often times when we worship together we leave encouraged, built up, strengthened in our faith. But, the point of our worship...together on Sunday mornings and each day as we go our separate ways...is to glorify God.

1 Corinthians 14:26-33 gives a picture of what worship should be...a gathering of the Body where each one has a part, each one has something to offer. I'm going to use Peterson's Message paraphrase.

"So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three's the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you're saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you're also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches - no exceptions."

What do you bring when you gather with the Body of Christ for worship? Are you "prepared" when you come to worship on Sunday mornings?

Sunday Morning...

Here I sit in the office on another Sunday morning...

I woke up just before 6am this morning, which in my opinion is way too early for anyone to wake up on a Sunday morning (whether or not you work at or attend a church).

I turned on the morning news, ground up some coffee beans, threw them in the brewer, popped in some toast, and sat back and just sort of collected myself...As I said, it was way too early.

The coffee was excellent! The toast was okay. The news, well, it was the news.

As I walked into the church, I just sort of felt like I'd rather be someplace else. You ever feel that way about church? Isn't it awful? I feel guilty about having those sort of thoughts about Sunday morning worship. But, that's how I feel this morning.

Don't get me wrong. I love the church. I love worshipping together as the Body of Christ on Sunday mornings. It's just...sometimes I just feel like staying at home or going to another church in another town where I can worship as someone who is not on the pastoral staff.

Maybe I just haven't had enough coffee yet...

This morning we continue our series on prayer. I'm not sure what Rusty has planned for the sermon. But, I know that people will leave encouraged and called to prayer. I think that's my big issue this morning...I need to pray!

Espresso, Coffee, Farmland

On our way to Greenville today, we stopped off in Farmland at the Main Street Coffee Company for a quick cup of coffee (decaf in Em's case...a double chocolate raspberry biscotti too). The owner was there and we stuck up a conversation about coffee, his wonderful business, and more. He also views Starbuck's as the devil! So, he immediately had my attention. Emily mentioned that I worked in a coffeehouse (the green room in Elkhart). He wanted my opinion on his espresso blend. So, he whipped up a couple of shots and we sipped them. It was honestly some of the best espresso I've ever had. He roasts all of his own coffee and espresso in the back of the coffee shop. It's worth the trip to Farmland to enjoy a bit of coffee! And, you can walk across the street to the General Store and get some great candy too! So, the Main Street Coffee Company has won my business. I'll be stopping back tomorrow on our way home!

Who Do You Pray For?

Yesterday, I wrote about praying for strangers. Today, I've been dwelling on a verse a read during my devotions.

"We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers." (1 Thessalonians 1:2)

Paul is just opening up his letter to the Thessalonian believers. But, he makes sure to let them know that he is thankful for them and "continually" lifts them up in prayer. This got me thinking...

Who am I "continually" mentioning in my prayers? Of course, I always pray for Emily, my family, my church...you know, the typical stuff. But, am I consistently praying for other believers...whether they are near or far?

I thought about it this way...when was the last time I prayed for the people of Elkhart Trinity or Yorktown UMC? These are places I used to be a part of...but, sense I left, I haven't really given much thought to either place in my prayers.

Anyway, I think God is trying to lay the question, "Who do you pray for?" on my heart.

Praying for Strangers

I'm sitting outside the Blue Bottle in downtown Muncie. I came down here to write my newsletter article. I've been struggling to get a good focus going. It could be the lack of coffee in my system...It could be the conversations that I'm over-hearing as I sit, reading and writing.

The people at the table next to me are constantly talking about other people...slandering, gossiping, whatever you want to call it. We all do this...and it makes us feel a little better about ourselves, doesn't it? Well, until we get to the point where conviction starts kicking in and we feel guilty for talking about other people.

As I've been sitting here, I've felt the need to pray for these people. Though I don't know there names, I know they need prayer!

Who are you praying for today?

Get Together...And Pray

I love the book of Acts. I love reading about the early church
and the early believers. It's incredible to think of how much
the workings of the early church has impacted us today.

Anyway, I love the passage in Acts 2:42-47. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

When I read this passage, I wonder, "So, what happened?" People were devoted to getting together daily...to pray, to share meals, to worship God. Many of us struggle just to get together once a week. Many people look at this passage and say, "Well, that was a different time. The circumstances were different."

But, imagine what would happen if we took on this kind of devotion. People would be getting saved, needs would be met, the hungry fed, the homeless given shelter, the naked clothed...Think about it...How awesome would that be?

But, we're too busy for this kind of devotion. We've got bills to pay. We've got things to do. Maybe, one day, when we all get to heaven we'll know what this is like.

Give me a break. Let's do something. Let's get together. Let's pray. Let's see what God can do through the devotion of His people.

Let's Go Colts!

What an amazing game! During the first half, many diehard Colts fans were wondering what in the world was going on...Down 17-0, our amazing kicker missing a field goal, the offense looked like Yorktown High School. But, wouldn't you know it...Peyton and the boys got things going. I believe the defense was the big factor...producing huge turnovers.

I sat in the lap of luxury in the Indiana Convention Center Suite! Thanks Mom!!! Free food and drinks, a great view of the game!

The picture to the left was taken with my phone...which explains the poor quality and lack of zoom. However, the picture here was taken as the Colts were lining up for one of their big touchdowns! 6-0! Next week we have the Texans...don't count out the winless Texans...but, next Sunday, the Colts should be 7-0! Let's go Colts!!! 

Devoted to Prayer

At church yesterday, I gave a message called "Devoted to Prayer." In this message, I outlined several verses that call us, as believers, to be constant in prayer, faithful in prayer, and devoted to prayer. Then, I walked through several passages that show the results of being constant, faithful, and devoted in prayer. When we are devoted to prayer, God does amazing things. One of my favorite verses I shared yesterday was Colossians 4:2 which says, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." At the end of the message I asked the question, "What would happen if we were devoted to prayer?" I asked us to imagine what could happen in our lives, our families, our city, our schools/workplace, our world, our church if we would devote ourselves to prayer! I hope we will join together...I hope that we will be devoted to prayer...If we do this, we will see what God will do in our lives, our families, our community, our church, our world. Whatever you do today, pray!

Prayer & Waiting

"I pray to God - my life a prayer - and wait for what he'll say and do." (Psalm 130:5)

One of the hardest things for me in my prayer life is the whole waiting thing. It's not easy to wait...on anything...especially for answers to prayers.

By nature, I'm an impatient person. Honestly, I think a lot of us are impatient. We live in a society that wants bigger, better, and faster. We want immediate gratification...no one wants to wait for anything. If our service is slow at a restaurant, we complain and often leave less of a tip. If we have to wait in line at the store, we get a little moody. If traffic is jammed up and we can't drive as fast as we'd like, we get a bit of road rage. If our computer is running slowly, we like to swear at it and kick it. I haven't even started to skim the surface here.

And, when we pray, we want immediate action. We want God to fix, heal, move, act, change things now!

In my 30 years on this earth, I've started to learn that often times the periods of waiting are the times when God is in the process of fixing, healing, moving, acting, changing. We're too often set on exactly what we think should happen and when it should happen that we fail to see and hear what God is doing and saying to us.

Waiting can be difficult...But, it can be the most wonderful thing in the world!

Pray and wait...see what God will say and do! Seems like a pretty good idea!

Faithful in Prayer

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
(Romans 12:12)

Can you imagine what the world would be like if more people were faithful in prayer? In our church, when we talk about people who "really pray," we are able to reduce the list down to a handful of people. Doesn't that strike you as odd? Shouldn't we all be people of prayer?

That's our desire...that our church would become a people, a church of prayer! That we would all be faithfully devoted to praying...

This Sunday's sermon is going to be focused on devoting ourselves to prayer and what happens as a result of God's people being faithfully devoted to prayer! I'm pretty excited about Sunday's worship services! I know God is going to do something awesome in the lives of His people!

Pray to the Father

This is the view from one of my favorite places to have quiet prayer time. I used to make it a regular practice of retreating to this spot to spend time talking and listening to God. But, too often, I get myself too busy to be able to make it out there.

Of course, we all know that the location of our prayer time doesn't matter. We can pray any time, any where.

But, looking at the life of Jesus, He often retreated to quiet places to pray. Sometimes we need that...a place where we can remove the distractions of the day and get serious with God.

I stumbled upon this verse today...it's from the Message translation..."If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help." (James 1:5). I don't know about you, but that's an encouraging word to me because I never know what I'm doing!

See You At The Crossroads

Bone Thugs n' Harmony was a great rap group! You may remember their hit, "Crossroads." Honestly, they kind of stunk...but got some fame from that song.

Well, today, I read that one of the guys has found the Lord and put out an album reflecting his new relationship with God.

You can read the article for yourself.

MTV Article on Bizzy

Praying from the Inside-Out

This morning as I've been praying, thinking about prayer, and brainstorming for Sunday's message, I've been thinking about the great need for getting our insides clean. I think you know what I mean...

Many of us are able to paint these beautiful pictures on the outside...like we've got it all together...that we're doing just fine. But, on the inside, there's all kinds of stuff going on.

Jesus addressed this stuff with the Pharisees. "When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, 'Now then, you Pharisees clean on the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you - be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.'" (Luke 11:37-41).

There's all kinds of stuff in this passage...legalistic religious rules being more important than the relationship lived out in faith...the inner condition of a person...generosity...etc. Read over that passage and see what God is trying to say to you. What speaks to me is the great need for we, as Christians, to stop trying to cover up our insides by being so "clean" on the outside.

As you pray today, be open and honest with God. Talk to Him about the condition of the inside of your cup and bowl.

Pray Daily

In doing some preparation for my sermon on prayer this upcoming Sunday, I came across this little cartoon. And, I thought to myself, "I've felt this way before!" God is easy to talk to...Of course, we need to remember to listen!

The Path to God...Prayer

This morning, I came across the following on prayer:

"We are never stationary on the path to God. Our prayer changes. Many many good people move from using well-rehearsed vocal prayers and pious reflections, to a more silent, wordless sort of presence: Be still and know that I am God. I will not have thy thoughts instead of thee. The old peasant, whom the Curé of Ars found spending hours in the church, explained it: I look at the good God and the good God looks at me. With our oldest friends we do not need to talk."

Today, I'm overcome by a great need and desire to pray. I don't know about you, but as I look at the world around me, I see an incredible need to pray. I also feel this desire in my heart to pray about the conflicts in my own life. We all face various things from day to day that we cannot push through unless we are praying. It may be a financial, spiritual, physical, mental, or emotional need that is captivating you today. "Take it to the Lord in prayer!"

As I was working through some of my own baggage this morning, I came across this familiar passage. It came at just the right time!

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12-13)

I need God to help me become content in "any and ever situation." I need to remember that "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Pray Like a Child

Looking at this picture of a child praying makes me think of the simplicity of prayer. In Matthew 6:5-15, where Jesus teaches us to pray...He shows us it's not to be some big production. We're to go off by ourselves and speak directly and simply, speaking our hearts and minds to God. I think that sometimes we complicate praying. We feel like we have to get the words just right. But, seeing this child praying, reminds me it's not about the right words...it's about the heart...it's about faith...it's about believing that the things we ask for will be answered...that God's will is going to be done...regardless of our words. Jesus warns us not to "babble on like pagans." I wonder if sometimes the church has been a barrier to prayer for Christians. When pastors pray on Sunday it sounds eloquent. When I pray on my own, it sounds nothing like a Sunday morning prayer. Some people hear a pastor or church leader pray and say, "Wow! That person really knows how to pray." Then, they feel like their prayers are somehow not as good. Prayer is talking to God. It's communicating with our heavenly Father. It's talking to a friend...to a loved one...like a child speaks to his parents. I don't know...I'm just babbling on and rambling...Just some thoughts prior to finishing my first cup of coffee for the day!

Present to God

This morning, I read a thought on prayer that said the following on prayer:

In prayer, we are "aiming to become present to God as He is always present to us."

I found this to be a wonderful statement on prayer. To me, this definitely is a part of prayer. God is always present to us...He is around us and He is within us. However, I have to make a conscious effort to recognize this presence and express my desire to be open/present to Him.

This morning, as I prayed, I asked that He would give me the grace to be present to Him, to be attentive to Him, to listen and be obedient to Him and His leading.

Prayer

This month at Center Chapel, we are embarking on a month-long prayer journey. Our sermon series throughout the month is going to focus on prayer. We desire to be a church, a people of prayer. Hopefully, by encouraging...no, challenging our congregation to set aside time each day to pray it will form a habit. Not that prayer should be a "habit" or a "routine." But, it should be a regular part of the lives of those that are following Jesus. In the New Testament, we are challenged to pray without ceasing...prayer is to be at the very center of our daily lives. Yesterday, I saw a definition of prayer that really struck me...It said, "Prayer is the raising of the heart and mind to God." I pray and hope that the people of our church, and anyone that may stumble upon this blog, would make a "habit" of raising their hearts and minds to God.

Two Great Conversations

On Friday, I had two wonderful conversations! Both were totally unexpected and definitely God was in the moment.

My Friday routine is to get up, do some work around the house, and then head to downtown Muncie. The Blue Bottle is a regular stop...coffee and free wi-fi...it makes the day. After checking e-mail, reading the paper, and drinking an actually ton of coffee, I head over to the Heorot for a pint of the good stuff (Guinness) and a pizza.

This past Friday, I showed up to the Heorot earlier than usual (I was meeting Caleb there at 1:30pm). I was reading through Dallas Willard's book "The Spirit of the Disciplines" and jotting down some notes on prayer. While I was studying, a friend leaned over and said, "Hey, all the important stuff is the underlined stuff." I looked over and it was my good friend Hans.

Hans and I started talking about all kinds of things...his newborn son, Hanson, his wife, his business, some of the typical stuff. As we talked about my life, my wife, my work, etc...we started talking about church. Hans blew me away when he informed me he and his wife had been going to church for the last two years, that he helped out with the last church picnic, that he is really into his church. It was awesome...I've wondered about his spiritual life...and here I found out! It was great.

Then, as I went back to my studies, an older gentleman sat down next to me. He was a little rough around the edges...the kind of guy one might typically avoid when bellying up to the bar. He leaned over and asked what I was studying. So, I told him I was doing some reading on prayer. That sparked his interest and he asked what I did for a living. When I told him I worked at a church, he just smiled and chuckled a bit. He went on to share his life story with me...how he moved here from South Dakota for a woman, served in the Air Force, later divorced the woman and returned to South Dakota, 30 years later he remarried the woman and returned to Muncie, and he told me about his work in construction (he said his psychology degree just never panned out). We probably talked for forty-five minutes and it was an incredible conversation. We talked until Caleb arrived (Caleb enjoys the root beer at the Heorot. Who drinks root beer at the Heorot??? Caleb does! He's a good man).

As the man was preparing to leave, he interrupted my conversation with Caleb and said, "I want to shake your hand because you're the first down-to-earth pastor I've met." Wow! That blew me away...humbled me...made me glad that I had decided to read at the Heorot instead of the Blue Bottle.

The whole day reminded me of my need to be open to the opportunities God puts in front of me. Any other day, I probably would have buried my head in my book and avoided conversation. But, on this day, something nudged me to just be open to whatever God had in store for me and not to get caught up in my studies. Who knows what this week may bring?

Show Me How To Live

As I was driving to work this morning, I was listening to a little Audioslave. Now, for those of you not familiar with this group, they are sort of a "super-group," composed of members of Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden.

Anyway, there's not really a lot of spiritual content in the music of Audioslave...Unless, of course, you're like me and feel you can sometimes "redeem" things that weren't necessarily intended for spiritual purposes.

Listening to one of their songs, the lyrics hit me..."You gave me life, now, show me how to live." Think about that line...It's pretty powerful!

And so, this has become my prayer this morning..."God, You gave me life. Now, show me how to live."