Daily Caffeination 05/27/08

Keeping Pace

"I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize. . . ." -Philippians 3:14

I heard about one man who made some New Year's resolutions. In 2001, he said, "I will not get upset when Sam and Charlie make jokes about my baldness." In 2002, it was, "I won't get annoyed when Charlie and Sam kid me about my hairpiece." Then in 2003, "I will not lose my temper when Charlie and Sam laugh at me for wearing a girdle." In 2004, "I will not speak to Charlie and Sam anymore."

As the years passed, he changed his resolutions.

We adjust our resolutions as time passes because we are unable to keep them. But we don't need a New Year's resolution. We need a spiritual solution, and it is found in the pages of Scripture.

In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul helps us understand what our priorities should be. On more than one occasion, he used athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life. In this passage, he compares it to running a race. But we need to understand that it is not a 50-yard dash. It is a long-distance run. That is why we must pace ourselves.

It is not all that significant if you have held first place in a race for nine out of 10 laps. What matters is the 10th lap. Whoever crosses the finish line first is the winner.

The problem is that a lot of people have a yo-yo relationship with God: up and down. Either they are experiencing the ultimate spiritual high or they are down in the dumps.

We need spiritual consistency, and we need God's help to stay with it. If we want to win in the race of life, then we need to learn to pace ourselves.

Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 05/26/08

Hearing the Father Speak

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me." - John 10:27

An Englishman tells a true story of his encounter with a Muslim man while walking in the country. The Englishman wanted to share the gospel with this man but knew little of Muslim beliefs. The two men talked as they walked and agreed they would each share their beliefs with one another. The Muslim went first and dominated the time of sharing. The Englishman asked the Holy Spirit how to share his faith with the Muslim man. "Do you consider your god your father who speaks?" asked the Englishman.

"Certainly not," replied the Muslim man.

"That is one of the big differences between your god and my God. I consider my God as my Father who speaks to me personally."

"You cannot prove that," stated the Muslim man.

The Englishman again prayed to himself, "Lord, how do I prove this to this man?" A few moments later the two men began walking toward two young ladies on the other side of the road coming toward them. As they approached, the Englishman spoke to the ladies and made small conversation. He then said to one woman, "I believe you are a nurse, is that correct?"

The woman was startled that a man whom she had never met had just informed her of her occupation. "How would you know that? I have never met you before," she questioned.

He replied, "I asked my Father and He told me." The Muslim had his proof.

Many of us do not hear God's voice because we do not believe He speaks or desires to speak to us. In order to hear, we must listen. In order to listen, we must believe that He speaks. Ask the Lord today for a listening ear so that others might know that you have a heavenly Father who speaks.

Good Day but too Short...Daydream Day

We had a great day yesterday for our staff Daydream Day at the National Cathedral. The facilities of the National Cathedral is remarkable. A great place to go to dream and even get creative inspiration. It is also a great place to go meditate on God's Word and pray. Really enjoyed the opportunity to go and dream.

Unfortunately, I thought the day was just too short and towards the end rushed and felt a little cut off from really sharing some things God placed in my heart and mind. I wish I had more of an opportunity to go deeper and further into some dreams, desires and passions God has given me for personal ministry and for NCC overall.

Other than that, it was good to lay some things out on the table as we look forward to the future that God has for NCC. A great chance to talk about vision and reestablish God's heart for NCC and Washington, DC.

I believe God is going to take NCC to the next level...I am glad to be a part of what He is going to do and I love the team that I am able to do it with.

Daily Caffeination 05/23/08

Making Room for Jesus

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." -Luke 2:7

Imagine for a moment that it's your birthday and your friends and family have decided to throw you a party. It isn't just any party. It's a mega party. Everyone you know is there.

There are gifts galore and the largest cake you have ever seen. Your name is strung in lights outside the house. Pictures of you are on display. Songs with your name in them are playing in the background.

But there is just one small problem with your birthday party. Someone forgot to invite you.

At first, you think it is an oversight. You know they want you to be there. But when you arrive at the party, the music is so loud and everyone is so preoccupied that no one opens the door, even though you are pounding on it.

Then you actually see some people notice you and say something to each other. But they go back to their conversation without stopping to let you in.

What you don't realize is they have decided to just ignore you, assuming that you eventually will get tired of knocking and will go away.

How many people actually take time for Jesus? We often forget to make room in our schedules for Him.

Will you make room for the things of God? Even Christians can become so busy that we forget about Jesus. Is there room in your life for Him?

Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 05/22/08

God's Preparation for Moving Out

"In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys." - Genesis 30:43

Jacob left his homeland after suffering a broken relationship with Esau for stealing the family blessing. He went to work for his uncle Laban where he stayed for 20 years. It came time for him to leave, but he had no physical assets to show for those years under Laban. Laban had taken advantage of his nephew in every way. (In some ways, Jacob was reaping the seed he had sown his entire life as a manipulator and controller.) Nevertheless, God's hand was on Jacob, and He had plans to prosper him. However, Jacob had one problem - he had no resources of his own. For Jacob to launch out on his own, he would need resources. In those days, resources often meant large flocks of animals. God gave Jacob a dream that resulted in a strategy for creating wealth by multiplying his sheep. Even though Laban sought to thwart Jacob's efforts, God overcame the evil in Laban to allow Jacob to prosper.

There are many important lessons for us in this story. First, when God decides it is time to move you into a larger place of His calling, He has the ability to provide the resources you need to support the call. God gave Jacob a dream that resulted in a strategy never used before to build wealth. It was totally from God's hand. It was creative and new. God called Jacob to move out after he had demonstrated his faithfulness in 20 years of serving Laban. He learned to live under authority and served Laban faithfully, even though he knew he was being taken advantage of.

God will do the same for you and me. However, a word of caution: Be sure the strategy is born from above, and not from self-effort. The difficulty for most of us workplace believers is to learn the difference between the strategies born of God versus the strategy of self-effort.

Daily Caffeination 05/22/08

A Divine Departure

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." -Galatians 4:4-5

When we think of Christmas, we think of the arrival of Jesus: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given" (Isaiah 9:6). In reality, it was also a departure. For us, a Child was born. But for God the Father, a Son was given.

In heaven, the time had come for the departure of God's Son. We even have a record of Jesus' farewell words to the Father. He said, " 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, "Behold, I have come--in the volume of the book it is written of Me--to do Your will, O God" ' " (Hebrews 10:5--7).

Jesus literally went from the throne of heaven to a feeding trough. He went from the presence of angels to a stable of animals. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. Scripture sums it up well: "Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor . . ." (2 Corinthians 8:9).

No one who has ever lived has even remotely affected human history the way Jesus Christ has. He has been opposed, censored, banned, and criticized by every generation since His birth. Yet His influence continues unabated.

There has never been anyone like Jesus, because Jesus was not just a good man. He was the God-man who came and walked this earth. And that is what we should celebrate every day.

Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries

Daily Caffeination 05/20/08

Becoming a Mighty Man

"All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him." - 1 Samuel 22:2

Have you ever felt that you could accomplish a whole lot more if you had more talented people around you? Perhaps you are in an office and think that some of your fellow workers don't quite measure up. Imagine what David must have thought in the years following his anointing by the prophet Samuel as the next king of Israel. He spent the next many years running from King Saul. Now God was beginning to bring men to support David. But what kind of men? The down-and-out. God gave David not the elite or the sophisticated; He gave him those who were in debt and discontented with life. David turned those men into the best fighting men of their day. In fact, David never lost a battle during his entire reign as king of Israel-quite a feat for a bunch of no-name, lowlifes! Some of those men became an elite group known as David's Mighty Men. These were the elite of the elite, the Navy Seals, the Few Good Men, the Green Berets. Whatever you call them, they were exceptional warriors.

Jesus took a few men who weren't exactly the cream of the crop either. He built His life into these men, which resulted in 12 men who turned the world upside down. Are you one of God's mighty men or women? Are you investing your life to build other mighty men or women? David and Jesus set the example of what can be done when we invest in others. God does extraordinary things through men who have an extraordinary God. Ask God to use your life to be a mighty man or woman for a cause greater than yourself. He delights in such prayers.

Daily Caffeination 05/19/08

Being a Person Under Authority

..."I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." - Matthew 8:10

The centurion came to Jesus and told Him of his servant who was paralyzed and in terrible suffering. He came to Jesus because he believed He could heal him. He told Jesus of the matter, and Jesus was willing to come with the centurion. But the centurion would not have it. He knew that Jesus, being under the authority of Heaven itself, did not have to see the servant to help him. The centurion understood authority. He understood that he himself had certain rights that his position granted him to have power over situations and people. He also was a man under authority. The centurion understood Jesus' position and what power that position held in Heaven - the power to heal his servant if He chose to exercise that authority.

When Jesus saw that the centurion understood this principle of authority and that He did not have to visit the servant to heal him, He acknowledged the centurion's faith. Jesus knew it took great faith to understand authority and whether He had the authority to do what was being asked.

God has placed a system of authority in our world that requires faith to operate under its boundaries: fathers over sons and daughters, employers over employees, government leaders over the people, church leaders over church members. These are authority structures God has placed in our lives to protect and guide us to His will. Some confuse position with worthiness or qualifications of that position. It is the position that God works through. The fact that an authority may not be a Christian may have no bearing on whether God can work through him as your authority. It is only when that authority counsels against a biblical mandate that we should not follow that person's guidance. The hand of the king is in the hand of God.

Today, we find few who understand this system of authority God has ordained. It requires great faith to operate in this realm. Yet Jesus said that when we understand this, we demonstrate the kind of faith that He rarely sees. Be a person of rare faith. See the authorities placed in your life as those God is using to protect you.

Friday Prayer

Every Friday, I look forward to coming into the office for our Friday morning prayer time with the staff that works on the main level of 205, Pastor Heather, John Hasler, Bekah Kitterman, Lisa Overman, and myself.

This time on Fridays are very intentional as we pursue and seek the face of God together. It is not only an opportunity to be intentional, but vulnerable and open with each other. It requires us to dismantle individualism, learning to trust each other, and come together for the common goal of seeking God. I also think this time propels further towards the realization of the kingdom of God.
Each one of us comes from very different and unique backgrounds, we view life and culture through different lenses and we all have had very unique experiences in life.

I value each one on the team but there is absolutely a sense of genuineness with the five of us that I absolutely love and appreciate.

I love these Friday prayers!!!!

Daily Caffeination 05/16/08

Destruction in Disguise

"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good." -Romans 12:9

One of the first things I remember taking place when I committed my life to Jesus Christ was the erosion of bitterness and anger and the growth of a love I had not known before. Years of bitterness and anger that had been building up just began to dissolve.

If we claim to be followers of Christ and harbor bitterness or hatred in our hearts toward someone, there is something very wrong. John was very distinct when he wrote, "If someone says, 'I love God,' but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen?" (1 John 4:20).

John was saying, that if we have hatred in our hearts toward fellow members of the body of Christ, fellow Christians, there is something wrong in our spiritual lives.

Maybe someone has wronged or hurt you. Yet you are to love. You are to forgive. You are not to avenge yourself.

Here is why: that bitterness and hatred will do more harm to you than the person to whom you are directing it. It will eat you up inside. It will destroy your life. It will hinder your time of prayer with God.

It will hinder your worship. It will, for all practical purposes, act as an obstacle in the relationship God wants to have with you.

There is no room for hatred in the heart of a child of God. There is no room for bitterness. There is no room for prejudice.

God wants our love to be honest, and He wants it to be without hypocrisy.

Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries

A Few Things I am Enjoying Right Now

Let me just say right off...I am totally enjoying life in general. I love where God has Lora and me. We have totally been blessed beyond all measure. I am so grateful for where God has us and what He is doing in our lives and the opportunities He has given us.

With that said.

I am enjoying the idea that I am going to be a dad. Wow that is a huge responsibility but I am looking forward to November. The little baby growing inside Lora is such a blessing, I am already enjoying the times I am praying over him or her and being able to talk to him or her. I am looking forward to be a positive spiritual influence and investing values in my child's life so they can form their own personal faith and believe in Christ.

Another thing I am enjoying is the solo CDs by Jon Foreman (Switchfoot's lead singer). He has released 3 solo CDs so far Fall, Winter, and Spring. I love the songs and totally enjoy listening to them. Right now, this is about all that I listen to on my iPod. I woould highly recommend that you download it or buy the CDs as soon as possible.

I also am enjoying two books right now, the first is Making Vision Stick by Andy Stanley and Reimagining Evangelism by Rick Richardson. Both of these books are required reading. In a few days the staff here at NCC will taking a daydream day and Pastor Mark wants us to read this Making Vision Stick before we have this day of daydreaming about our personal ministries and about NCC.

Reimagining Evangelism is required for all the Zone Leaders by Pastor Heather. A great book that challenges you to invite people along with you on this spiritual journey and guide them along the way. Church needs to be about living together in authentic communities and relationships and not superficiality. At NCC, we want to people to get plugged into our small groups for genuine relationships and authentic communities so they can grow together on their spiritual journey. Small group is very important here at NCC and we see a great deal of life change and transformation take place through our small groups.

Finally, I am really glad I am getting back to the gym. I have really slacked off since October, however over the past few weeks I have been very intentional about getting up at 5:30 and going to the gym. I need to get back to discipling my body...in my opinion, too many Christians are good about doing their spiritual disciplines, but they fail in the area of disciplining their minds by not growing their mind through learning and reading, or disciplining the bodies through physical exercise and eating properly. I believe our it all ties together and you need to discipline those areas of your life.

A Simple Truth

Just thinking...I know that is a dangerous thing sometimes.

Psalm 16 - New Living Translation

¹ Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.

² I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
³ The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
⁴ Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.

⁵ Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
⁶ The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!

⁷ I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

⁹ No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
¹⁰ For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one^[c] to rot in the grave.
¹¹ You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.

What we are amplifying the most in our lives is what we are glorying with our lives.

In other words, what I am talking about the most? What am I most passionate and excited about? What is it that reflects from our lives? What are my actions and words saying? (By the way it is not an accident I put action first, it is very intentional.) What are our hearts fill with and fixed on?

David is such an inspiration for this. No matter what situation or circumstance David finds himself in, God's praise and His Glory is always coming out from his actions and his mouth.

The life that glorifies God is not easy, but it's not complicated either. We must turn be intentional as our attention to a loving, forgiving, merciful, graceful, powerful and awesome Lord of all. Allow His face to prompt our actions and words and satisfy our souls.

Daily Caffeination 08/15/08

Conformed or Transformed?

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do." -Romans 12:2

A flock of wild geese was flying south for the winter when one goose looked down and noticed a group of domestic geese by a little pond near a farm. He noticed they had plenty of grain to eat. Life seemed relatively nice for them.

So he flew down and hung out with these geese until spring and enjoyed the food that was there. He decided that he would rejoin his flight of geese when they went north again.

When spring came, he heard them overhead and flew up to join them, but he had grown a bit fat from all of the seed. Flying was difficult, so he decided to spend one more season on the farm and then rejoin the geese on their next winter migration.

When the geese flew south the following fall, the goose flapped his wings a little, but he just kept eating his grain. He had simply lost interest.

That is what happens in the subtle process of the world influencing our lives. It is not necessarily dramatic, nor does it usually happen overnight. It is gradual, causing erosion in our lives as we begin to lower our standards. Soon, the things of God become less appealing, and the things of this world become more appealing. After a while, we have no interest in the things of God.

We have a choice: either we will be conformed to this world, or we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It is one or the other.

The only question is, which way will you go?

Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries

Radical Hospitality

We are doing an experiment this summer after our Saturday evening service at Ebenezers where an NCCer will open their home to guests to come over and be a part of community, enjoy some food, and have the opportunity to experience radical hospitality. I am so excited about doing this a few times this summer. We have a core group NCCers who will personally invite guests to come out and connect.

The person who is leading the way with this sent me a link for a video on You Tube called The Tangible Kingdom. I love this. Check it out.