As some of you may know, we decided to go ahead and hold our service on Sunday morning even though the power in the business park where we're located was still out and most everyone in our church had power back on at home (I originally thought it'd be the exact opposite scenario - I figured the church would be with power and most of our I-90er's would come to church on Sunday to find some relief from the cold and darkness in their homes - funny how things happen sometimes). But even though it was dark, and REALLY cold, I'm so glad we still had church. I feel this way for many reasons, but most of all because I received this email later that night from someone in chuch who shared these thoughts:
I really was inspired by the way you pushed thru the elements and held a service today. When I left my house this morning I had a lot of troubles on my mind, but seeing everyone at I-90 I was recharged. The dark and cold, the message, and the people there really help me thru these times.
Isn't it awesome how God is always at work, even when we don't think "conditions" aren't up to par? The first century church didn't need spotlights, video equipment and bouncy houses to help people know and become like Jesus... all they needed was the power of the Holy Spirit at work in them. And the same is true for us today. Yes, we should utilize every tool we can to share the good news of the gospel with others, but when some of those "other" tools aren't available, the work doesn't have to cease... not by a long shot.
That's one thing I was reminded of while in the dark this past week. I was also reminded during our week of snow, ice and power outages of a few more simple, yet life-changing principles that I believe are very close to God's heart:
1. We are so extremely blessed here in the United States. Most of us have so much more than we need, and so much more than the rest of the world. This past week reminded me that I should always strive to live a simpler life - living on less and being less dependent on "things" so that I can be more generous toward others.
2. Helping others is more important than what's on my to-do list. As things got a little rougher outside, my family and I found ourselves more concerned with the safety and well-being of our neighbors than the "stuff" we needed to get done. One of the highlights of the week was trying to pull off anonymous driveway snow shovelings for our neighbors (it caught on and others got in on the act... pretty soon we found ourselves to be the recipients of such covert operations).
3. There's no greater responsiblity I have on this planet than investing in my wife and children. What a blessing to literally be cut off from a huge portion of my "normal" work due to snow and lack of power and subsequently get to spend time with my family that I otherwise wouldn't have. Marriage and parenting are by far the most important ministries God has given me.
Heck, I think we should have a power outage every year... but for only 24 hours at a time ;)
-Pastor Dave
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Jesus vs. Religion
There's a video that's going around the internet like wildfire, particularly over Facebook, called "Why I Hate Religion, but Love Jesus" (it literally went from hundreds to millions of views in just a few days).
As someone who speaks a lot in church about the gospel and how at its core Christianity is first and foremost about what Jesus has done for us rather than what we can do for Jesus (our first Easter series at I-90 a couple years ago was called "Losing My Religion"), I found this video very compelling and moving... filled with truth (when rightly interpreted) and inspiration. But I also know that when something becomes so big so fast, criticism (justified or not) is soon to follow. And since it has spread so fast and received amidst its wild popularity a lot of criticism as well (from both Christian and non-Christian viewpoints), I feel compelled to address it for those in the I-90 community (and whoever else might find some further insights helpful).
But rather than write a lengthy post of my own words on the subject, I'd like to share another blog post I came across today that shares what I believe to be a thorough and very helpful examination of this video (I do, however, plan to address this video directly and teach on its subject matter @ I-90 in a few weeks - it actually fits quite well with our current series). So, the first link below is to the video itself (in case you haven't seen it yet). The second link is to the blog post I referenced above. And the third link is to a follow-up blog post from the same author that shares excerpts from an email exchange that the author had with the creator of the video (an extremely gracious, God-honoring exchange in my opinion).
I hope this all proves to be helpful and ultimately works to advance God's Kingdom.
-Pastor Dave
Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus
Does Jesus Hate Religion? Kinda, Sorta, Not Really
Following Up on the Jesus/Religion Video
As someone who speaks a lot in church about the gospel and how at its core Christianity is first and foremost about what Jesus has done for us rather than what we can do for Jesus (our first Easter series at I-90 a couple years ago was called "Losing My Religion"), I found this video very compelling and moving... filled with truth (when rightly interpreted) and inspiration. But I also know that when something becomes so big so fast, criticism (justified or not) is soon to follow. And since it has spread so fast and received amidst its wild popularity a lot of criticism as well (from both Christian and non-Christian viewpoints), I feel compelled to address it for those in the I-90 community (and whoever else might find some further insights helpful).
But rather than write a lengthy post of my own words on the subject, I'd like to share another blog post I came across today that shares what I believe to be a thorough and very helpful examination of this video (I do, however, plan to address this video directly and teach on its subject matter @ I-90 in a few weeks - it actually fits quite well with our current series). So, the first link below is to the video itself (in case you haven't seen it yet). The second link is to the blog post I referenced above. And the third link is to a follow-up blog post from the same author that shares excerpts from an email exchange that the author had with the creator of the video (an extremely gracious, God-honoring exchange in my opinion).
I hope this all proves to be helpful and ultimately works to advance God's Kingdom.
-Pastor Dave
Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus
Does Jesus Hate Religion? Kinda, Sorta, Not Really
Following Up on the Jesus/Religion Video
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
When it's time to change...
Well, if it's one thing that doesn't seem to change around here, it's that we're always changing! January in particular will be a big month of change for us, and we'll make sure to give as much head's up as possible throughout the month via the blog, Facebook, Twitter and our weekly e-newsletter so you can be prepared for things when they happen (and so you're not too suprised when you walk in on a Sunday morning!)
A lof of these changes will have to do with how we utilize the facilities we've been blessed with, and you’re going to already see some of those changes this Sunday! Specifically, when you walk in on Sunday you'll notice the orientation of the adult auditorium has been changed... the stage and screen will be on the far end of the room rather than along the side wall next to KidzBounce. This will allow us to better utilize the size of the room and create better flow between the parking lot, adult auditorium and our children's areas (more to come on this goal in the weeks ahead).
So, if you like change, you’re going to love the next few weeks here @ I-90! If you’re not a big change person, rest assured, the really important stuff – like the fact there will be awesome people there on Sundays and it will all be about Jesus (not to mention there will still be good coffee and treats) – will be staying the same.
I also want you to know that we don't make changes for change sake. While our mission and values are unchanging, how we accomplish that mission and create an engaging culture around our values is something we're always open to changing in order to be effective as possible for God growing God's Kingdom.
Thanks for being on the journey with us!
-Pastor Dave
A lof of these changes will have to do with how we utilize the facilities we've been blessed with, and you’re going to already see some of those changes this Sunday! Specifically, when you walk in on Sunday you'll notice the orientation of the adult auditorium has been changed... the stage and screen will be on the far end of the room rather than along the side wall next to KidzBounce. This will allow us to better utilize the size of the room and create better flow between the parking lot, adult auditorium and our children's areas (more to come on this goal in the weeks ahead).
So, if you like change, you’re going to love the next few weeks here @ I-90! If you’re not a big change person, rest assured, the really important stuff – like the fact there will be awesome people there on Sundays and it will all be about Jesus (not to mention there will still be good coffee and treats) – will be staying the same.
I also want you to know that we don't make changes for change sake. While our mission and values are unchanging, how we accomplish that mission and create an engaging culture around our values is something we're always open to changing in order to be effective as possible for God growing God's Kingdom.
Thanks for being on the journey with us!
-Pastor Dave
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Christmas in the New Year
As I spoke about at I-90 on New Year's Day, I'm convinced the best resolution you and I can make this year might have more to do with asking than doing. Because one of the keys to having a great 2012, or any new year for that matter, is living wisely. And the amazing thing about wisdom is that the bible says all we have to do in order to get it is to ask for it. It's like a Christmas gift God offers to you all year round.
James 1:5 says: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ANY OF YOU. No prerequisites. No doing. We just have to ask. And this is such good news because the quality of our year is by and large the sum total of the decisions we make. And let's face it - we often don't know the right decision to make. But God knows. It's called wisdom. And, just in case any of us missed this, let me say it again: wisdom is something God promises to give to any of us who ask him for it.
But, actually, there is one prerequisite for receiving wisdom from God. You have to believe this promise is true. James says in his very next breath: But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-7).
This is faith. Trusting that God will follow through on His promises, and therefore taking him up on his challenge - asking Him to make you wise. This kind of faith is a journey - a daily practice of coming to God through prayer and the study of His Word so that when those decisions and choices emerge where you need wisdom, you'll find He's already given you the wisdom and all you have to do is use it. It's not an ignore God for days and weeks and then when a big decision hits you cry out, "God, give me the answer!" How many of us know that strategy never seems to work too well? The reason it doesn't is because when we approach God in that way aren't really exercising faith when we ask - we're just hoping God might come through for us when we don't know what to do. But as we seek God throughout our days, asking Him to make us wise, when those times of decision come... when those moments arise when we need help to distinguish between right and wrong... we'll find He has already made us wise. And then we just have to simply use what He's already given us.
Here's to living wise - for Jesus' sake - in 2012.
-Dave
James 1:5 says: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ANY OF YOU. No prerequisites. No doing. We just have to ask. And this is such good news because the quality of our year is by and large the sum total of the decisions we make. And let's face it - we often don't know the right decision to make. But God knows. It's called wisdom. And, just in case any of us missed this, let me say it again: wisdom is something God promises to give to any of us who ask him for it.
But, actually, there is one prerequisite for receiving wisdom from God. You have to believe this promise is true. James says in his very next breath: But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-7).
This is faith. Trusting that God will follow through on His promises, and therefore taking him up on his challenge - asking Him to make you wise. This kind of faith is a journey - a daily practice of coming to God through prayer and the study of His Word so that when those decisions and choices emerge where you need wisdom, you'll find He's already given you the wisdom and all you have to do is use it. It's not an ignore God for days and weeks and then when a big decision hits you cry out, "God, give me the answer!" How many of us know that strategy never seems to work too well? The reason it doesn't is because when we approach God in that way aren't really exercising faith when we ask - we're just hoping God might come through for us when we don't know what to do. But as we seek God throughout our days, asking Him to make us wise, when those times of decision come... when those moments arise when we need help to distinguish between right and wrong... we'll find He has already made us wise. And then we just have to simply use what He's already given us.
Here's to living wise - for Jesus' sake - in 2012.
-Dave
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Overcoming the "inevitables" of Christmas
Yesterday I was talking with a group of people (none of whom attended I-90, or any church as far as I know) and everyone was talking about the stress of the holidays. "I'm not ready of for the holidays." "Things are just too busy right now." "Christmas is like a wedding for one of your children - the day of the event is fun, but the whole thing just leaves you tired and broke." "When you were a kid it was just fun and magical, now you almost can't wait for the whole thing to be over with."
Isn't it interesting that the older we get the more we anticipate the "inevitables" of the season rather than the magic of the season? Stress, busyness, financial frustrations... those are things many of us start thinking about come mid-November rather than a building excitement over a season that was originally meant to commemorate one of the most joyous, life-changing events in all of world history.
But I'm convinced it doesn't have to be that way. That's why this month we're doing a series called "Christmas 2.0" and looking at how we all can have an upgraded, more meaningful experience this Christmas. I hope you'll come this Sunday and check it out - because if you're like me, the "inevitables" of the season are just as real this year as they've ever been...
-Pastor Dave
Isn't it interesting that the older we get the more we anticipate the "inevitables" of the season rather than the magic of the season? Stress, busyness, financial frustrations... those are things many of us start thinking about come mid-November rather than a building excitement over a season that was originally meant to commemorate one of the most joyous, life-changing events in all of world history.
But I'm convinced it doesn't have to be that way. That's why this month we're doing a series called "Christmas 2.0" and looking at how we all can have an upgraded, more meaningful experience this Christmas. I hope you'll come this Sunday and check it out - because if you're like me, the "inevitables" of the season are just as real this year as they've ever been...
-Pastor Dave
Thursday, December 1, 2011
My lake jump goes viral!
Last Sunday we showed a video of me FINALLY making good on my promise that I would jump into a freezing cold lake in my bathing suit if we hit our goal for last year's Christmas Giving Challenge. Everyone got a good laugh watching me freeze my tail off in the snow ;) (you can see the original video here).
But after posting the video online, a national TV/internet news organization found it and called me up saying they wanted to do a story on it! Within a couple hours they had interviewed me via Skype and ran the story the next day (it aired on channel 7 here in the Seattle area on Wednesday morning).
Here's the story on their website: www.rightthisminute.com/story/pastor-dave-jumps-freezing-lake.
I think the point was to still get some laughs in at my expense, but at least I got a quote in there about the amazing work our partners at Vine Maple Place do for homeless parents and their children!
And btw - this year's Giving Challenge is now on! Our goal is $15,000 and all give funds will go towards the work of Vine Maple Place. Learn how to donate to the challenge here. Let's give big this year and make a significant difference in the lives of those in desperate need.
-Pastor Dave
But after posting the video online, a national TV/internet news organization found it and called me up saying they wanted to do a story on it! Within a couple hours they had interviewed me via Skype and ran the story the next day (it aired on channel 7 here in the Seattle area on Wednesday morning).
Here's the story on their website: www.rightthisminute.com/story/pastor-dave-jumps-freezing-lake.
I think the point was to still get some laughs in at my expense, but at least I got a quote in there about the amazing work our partners at Vine Maple Place do for homeless parents and their children!
And btw - this year's Giving Challenge is now on! Our goal is $15,000 and all give funds will go towards the work of Vine Maple Place. Learn how to donate to the challenge here. Let's give big this year and make a significant difference in the lives of those in desperate need.
-Pastor Dave
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Bible Reflections - Part 8
Reading in the Old Testament about the various kings of Israel and Judah is a fascinating exercise. Their character, decision-making, leadership... if nothing else, it's very compelling history to digest. But if you're familiar at all with the Old Testament, you also know that the role these kings played in Israel's history had major implications for the spiritual direction of the entire nation and the people's relationship to God. And as you probably know, when it came to the vast majority of these kings, the people were not led in the right direction.
But the Bible does tell us that there were a small handful of kings (mainly in the southern kingdom of Judah) who led well... at least to some degree. One such king was Hezekiah who I recently found myself regarding about in my daily bible reading plan. In 2 Kings 18 we read:
5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 6 He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. 7 And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.
In my estimation, there were only two other Old Testament kings that received this kind of commendation from God - David and Josiah. But like any of us, Hezekiah was still a fallible human being. And toward the end of his days sin is revealed in his life in what I found to be a very eye-opening way.
In 2 Kings 20 we read that the King of Babylon's son sends an envoy with a letter and gifts to Hezekiah because he had heard Hezekiah had been ill. But when the envoy comes, Hezekiah decides to show off a little (ok, a lot) by giving them a tour of all his personal treasures and riches that he kept in his storehouses. Well, God wasn't pleased with Hezekiah's pride and sends a message to him through the prophet Isaiah:
"Hear the word of the LORD: 17 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. 18 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Now, this is a powerful example of pride leading to a fall to be sure - Hezekiah's legacy was going to be severely damaged because of his sin. But it was Hezekiah's response to God's message, revealing further sin and corruption in Hezekiah's heart, that really struck me and gave me pause:
19 “The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”
Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime? Hezekiah was a righteous king - one of just a few we read about in the bible. Yet self-centeredness - the universal condition of every man and woman - still had a grip on his heart. Here God is telling him that his actions will lead to serious consequences for his children, yet he concludes that as far as he's concerned everything is still cool because he'll get to finish out his life in peace and comfort. WOW. Is that unbelievable or what?
But it got me thinking - what decisions am I making right now that will affect my kids negatively for years to come? More importantly, do I care more about the legacy I leave through my children than my own peace and comfort in my own lifetime? Or to say it another way, am I willing to obey God - no matter what that means for my life here on earth - in order that they would be given a godly legacy of blessing from God?
Now please don't hear me wrong on this - I believe the Bible is clear that every generation has a choice to turn to God and live the life that is truly life through knowing and following Jesus. The opportunity for grace and wholeness through Christ will be available to my children regardless of what I do here on earth. But our actions have consequences... for ourselves, and our loved ones. And I want to care more about my children and setting them up for spiritual and relational success than I do about my own wants and comforts. I've certainly got a long way to go, but I want to learn from one righteous king's mistakes and cry over my sin rather than feel at ease about it because all in all it won't cause all that much pain to me.
How about you?
-Pastor Dave
But the Bible does tell us that there were a small handful of kings (mainly in the southern kingdom of Judah) who led well... at least to some degree. One such king was Hezekiah who I recently found myself regarding about in my daily bible reading plan. In 2 Kings 18 we read:
5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 6 He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. 7 And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.
In my estimation, there were only two other Old Testament kings that received this kind of commendation from God - David and Josiah. But like any of us, Hezekiah was still a fallible human being. And toward the end of his days sin is revealed in his life in what I found to be a very eye-opening way.
In 2 Kings 20 we read that the King of Babylon's son sends an envoy with a letter and gifts to Hezekiah because he had heard Hezekiah had been ill. But when the envoy comes, Hezekiah decides to show off a little (ok, a lot) by giving them a tour of all his personal treasures and riches that he kept in his storehouses. Well, God wasn't pleased with Hezekiah's pride and sends a message to him through the prophet Isaiah:
"Hear the word of the LORD: 17 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. 18 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Now, this is a powerful example of pride leading to a fall to be sure - Hezekiah's legacy was going to be severely damaged because of his sin. But it was Hezekiah's response to God's message, revealing further sin and corruption in Hezekiah's heart, that really struck me and gave me pause:
19 “The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”
Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime? Hezekiah was a righteous king - one of just a few we read about in the bible. Yet self-centeredness - the universal condition of every man and woman - still had a grip on his heart. Here God is telling him that his actions will lead to serious consequences for his children, yet he concludes that as far as he's concerned everything is still cool because he'll get to finish out his life in peace and comfort. WOW. Is that unbelievable or what?
But it got me thinking - what decisions am I making right now that will affect my kids negatively for years to come? More importantly, do I care more about the legacy I leave through my children than my own peace and comfort in my own lifetime? Or to say it another way, am I willing to obey God - no matter what that means for my life here on earth - in order that they would be given a godly legacy of blessing from God?
Now please don't hear me wrong on this - I believe the Bible is clear that every generation has a choice to turn to God and live the life that is truly life through knowing and following Jesus. The opportunity for grace and wholeness through Christ will be available to my children regardless of what I do here on earth. But our actions have consequences... for ourselves, and our loved ones. And I want to care more about my children and setting them up for spiritual and relational success than I do about my own wants and comforts. I've certainly got a long way to go, but I want to learn from one righteous king's mistakes and cry over my sin rather than feel at ease about it because all in all it won't cause all that much pain to me.
How about you?
-Pastor Dave
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