Becoming Less - 250/150/50

Ever had that experience of sitting on a plane, sandwiched into the middle seat? You can only sit straight up with your feet in front of you, and your hands in your lap for so long before you’re just ready to open a door, and jump out into the wide, open, expanse of the blue sky you’re flying in.

Or course, that would be a flight that wouldn’t end well, at least not for you!

The last time I was in that situation I can remember pulling in my arms so they didn’t touch the guys next to me. I can remember pulling in my legs so I didn’t accidentally end up playing footsies with my new neighbors. I can remember the strain in my neck from trying to keep it upright while I tried to sleep. Although these were big guys, with big shoulders that were probably pretty comfortable!

I can remember thinking, “the only thing left to do is to literally shrink the size of my body”.

That was not an enjoyable flight.

We sometimes think of what Jesus is trying to do in our lives as a similar experience. We tend to think that what God is up to is squeezing the life out of us. With His expectations, & lists, & stuff He requires. It can all seem like He is just trying to take the enjoyment of life away from us. So, we tend to hold back & hold out for fear that if we give into Him too much we’ll be miserable. So, it’s easier to then hold onto life than to let it fully go into His hands.

The Paradox though, is that life done with God is the one pursuit where the more you lose your life the more you not only find life, but you gain more of God in the process. More encounter, more experience, more understanding, more…

In the Bible, in a book called John there is a verse that talks about us shrinking that He may grow.

John 3:30

“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”

Part of the reason we’re spending every Wednesday fasting together is to embrace the practice of becoming less by denying ourselves SO THAT we may gain more of Him and all that He has in store.

Let’s be in prayer together all day today for all that God has planned in each other’s lives & in our church. Praying for the 250 yet to find their life in God!!

250/150/50

If you weren't at church on September 25th then you HAVE TO catch up with us!

We shared the vision God has given us for this next 2 years and it was one of the most exciting Sundays we've had in a long time! If you missed it you can listen HERE - just click on the week of 9/25/2011, the title is "250/150/50".

After that Sunday we decided that we would pray and fast together each Wednesday as a way of asking God to do the miraculous among us & through us.
Today we kick off that fast & today as I pray with you, my prayer all day will be for God to freak us out as He leads us to greater impact than our church has ever known.

To fast, you simply need to give up food for the entire day or at least for one or more meals. I know many people that will give up eating until dinner for a day long fast. However you do it, remember to pray throughout the day for the vision and dream of 250/150/50.

Here's a verse that challenges me even when I feel hungry enough to eat my computer!

I Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

October Series At Paradox

Starting this October we'll be spending an entire month on Sunday mornings dedicated to work, and the mixed feelings we have about it!

Some of us love what we do, some of us hate what we do, many of us wonder if we're doing what we should be doing.

What do we do if we're in the wrong job, how do we make a change, how to we stay in a job we can' stand, does God care about how I feel about my job? If I break the copy machine how do I make it look like another employee did it?

Are all just some of the questions we'll be tackling. It's going to be a fun series with a lot of good advice from people learning to apply their faith to their work.

Check out HERE to read more.

Go HERE to watch out promo video.

Don't Miss It

This Sunday just might be one of the best experiences you'll have had yet at Paradox.

Seriously!

Especially if Paradox is your church, then you don't want to miss this Sunday.

Whatever you have to do, be there & be there on time. The whole morning is going to be powerful as we share & dream about the future of our church.

I can't wait for it, see you Sunday!

Another Man's Wife

Have you ever had the nerve or the audacity to criticize another man's wife? I know, it's a weird question.

Part of what makes it such a weird question is that the answer should be a resounding, and obvious NO!

There are just some things you know you should never do, some boundaries just don't need to be explained; they're understood. This, well, this is one of those things, one of those boundaries. Whether the husband is 80 pounds when all wet or Hulk Hogan, you just don't dog another man's wife; his treasure.

So let me ask you -- what does God call the church, it's His what???

Say it louder! His BRIDE!!!!!!

So let me ask you again, you ever criticized another man's wife?

I have been a follower of Jesus for 30 years, and a pastor for nearly 15 years. So, I know as good as anyone what struggles and shortcomings the church has, but let me be clear in case I haven't been yet.

The Church is the BRIDE of the LIVING GOD!

I heard someone, no not just "someone", but another PASTOR recently say, "I am a Christian despite the church not because of it"

What kind of CRAP is that!

I'm not at all unfamiliar with people criticizing the church, and screaming out loud about every flaw the bride has. Frankly it's a lot easier to criticize than to create. Shamefully, too many Christians will always chose to criticize more than they help guard, build and develop the church. I also realize that many of these Christians will consider their viperous tongue to be "helpful" and to be their "building contribution" to the church instead of seeing their behavior for as shameful as it truly is. However, when the criticism moves beyond, "you're ugly" to "you're insignificant", man you just moved from crossing a line that shouldn't be crossed to picking a fight with God.

Unless you've never read the Bible, you can't deny the IMPORTANCE that God places on the presence, purpose & power of His bride in this world. She is the tool that He is using to be His body, and announce His kingdom until there are no more days left to announce it.

To my misguided, poison tongued, pastor peer, and to all others who call themselves "Christian" and yet share his sentiment, or just simply love to talk about the ugliness of Jesus Bride, let me be clear.

If you are truly a Christian then you ARE one BECAUSE OF the church. If you're a follower of Jesus then you can not deny that He has used some part of His bride in the process that has turned you so. From the martyrs on whose blood we stand, to the relationships you have had that loved you, shared with you, and have been the body of Jesus to you. How dare we, with the flip of a tongue, how dare we turn insignificant the very thing that Jesus created, died for, and is coming again to make blameless.

If my wife and I are fighting & even if she says or does something horrible to me. It makes no sense if in my anger & hurt I say to her, "I am a husband despite this marriage not because of it". Yet, this is exactly the reaction many Christians have in response to their hurt and disappointment with the church.

Some of you are probably thinking that I've just never been truly hurt by the church so what do I know. Actually, I have been hurt so deeply by the church that I will walk with a limp until Jesus return. BUT, I am also aware of the living God, and have met Him, and continue to experience Him BECAUSE OF His bride, the church.

Some of you are thinking, "man you're really angry", and my response to you is, YES!

Others of you might be cheering right now, well let's allow our cheer be clear. WE LOVE THE CHURCH, the bride of Christ, warts and all!! And we will guard her, love her, cherish her, and speak well of her from now to eternity.

In the bible in the book of Ezra, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the temple of God being rebuilt in Jerusalem. At the end of his decree he makes clear just how serious he is about building and protecting the temple by signing off with this...

Ezra 6:11

Furthermore, I decree that if anyone defies this edict, a beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. ¹² May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.

Sounds pretty harsh doesn’t it? I know that the temple is now the Christian and no longer a building, but the collection of us make up the church; the bride, the place where God now resides. Can we PLEASE stop tearing her apart by tearing her down! Yes, she still needs to be made perfect (because WE still need to be made perfect), and one day she will be. One day she will be dressed in white and presented to the Father by the Son. In the meantime, please choose to create over criticize.

250/150/50

250 / 150 / 50

Just start asking around...

15 Amazing Years!

Today I celebrate 15 years of marriage to my wonderful wife Nicole.

When I walked down stairs this morning & said to my son, "do you know that 15 years ago, on THIS day, mom & I got married". My son looked at me & said, "dad". Expecting a profound response from his eight year old brain I said, "yes son", to which He replied, "did we catch that skunk in the cage last night, oh yeah, & do we have any more cocoa puffs left!"

Although my son doesn't share my level of enthusiasm,

I would do it all over again with NO HESITATION.

So in love & so thankful to Jesus for the way my wife has been used by Him to change me more into the man He is making me to be.

Happy Anniversary Nicole!