This week I was surprised! I have a friend who is a pilot. He asked me to go to breakfast one day this week, so I agreed. He picked me up and as we were driving, he suggested the name of a restaurant for breakfast. I told him I was sure it would be fine but that I had never heard of it or never been there. It was at this point that he immediately turned the wheel of the car and swerved into the airport. He told me I had never heard of it because we were going to fly there. Now, I am very sensitive to things like this because I am very prone to motion sickness. Breakfast is so unappealing if you feel green. He was aware of this, though, and took great precautions to make sure that I wasn’t getting sick.
I have to tell you; it was great fun to do something so out of the ordinary like this! We took off and headed to a nearby city, about a 30 or 40 minute flight. Once we were in the air, I was reminded, as I am any time in an airplane, of how different things look from a “bird’s eye” view. This was even more fun, though, because it was sights with which I am quite familiar. As we flew over the terrain, I spotted one landmark after the other that I recognized. These were buildings, places, and locations, many of which I see daily from my car or driving down the street. Some of them were places where I shop or work or live in and around. It is completely different to see them from several thousand feet in the air.
As usual, I came away from this with a fresh perspective of how different God’s view of our lives is from our own. We get so used to or so caught up in our traffic patterns of life, or in seeing things around us, that we stop appreciating how special they are to us. While we become entangled with the affairs of this life, God must look down and oft times laugh at our preoccupation with the immediate. He sees so much more the plans for our lives. He sees the greater scheme while we putter down the road conditioned to our surroundings. As I was able to this week, I would encourage you to ask God to help you to see things differently. Maybe, you can even get a glimpse of your life from His perspective. I promise you, it is a completely different point of view than most of us see. It just might change your outlook of where you are today!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 05/21/2009
Well, this uncommon grace is easy to write. The last few days around Easter have been extraordinary at The Gathering. For those of you who have been at the last three services, you know what I mean. For those who missed one, or don’t know what I am talking about, we surrounded Easter with a series called HEALED! The premise is that the same power that existed in Christ, who brought life, hope, and healing wherever He went as He walked the earth as a man, still exists today. We listened to three extraordinary life experiences.
First, Jeff from our own church shared about a life of addiction. Alcohol, and ultimately drugs took their toll over decades of abuse that led to depression and self-destruction. Powerfully, God took over as Jeff reached up with whatever power he had left. God changed his life! For over three years now, he has been clean and sober. He has discovered the feeling of God’s peace and joy in the place of substitute highs and lows.
Easter brought Robin Giles to us from Brooklyn Tabernacle via Atlanta. What a beautiful lady and a beautiful spirit! Robin grew up in Ohio and suffered incredible abuse as a child. Her anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness led her to many self-destructive places. The incredible story of her deliverance, and the freedom of her granting forgiveness, led to a powerful journey of peace and the experience of grace.
The pinnacle was this past weekend. Wow, what an incredible story as Jonathan Ervin, a friend of mine from childhood, shared his journey. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, he could share with no one his confusing thoughts of same sex attraction. Through the highs and lows of his journey, he received the devastating news of his contraction of the HIV virus. Now in full blown AIDS, he is what his doctor describes as a walking miracle. He was told two years ago that he had six months to a year to live. He is the picture of health on the outside as God has protected his life and empowered him to share this absolutely incredible story of God’s redemption and forgiveness.
All of these stories stirred us deeply to know and appreciate the fact that God’s undeserved and unbelievable love knows no limits. No matter who you are. No matter where you have been. We all need healing. Because of a bloodstained cross. Because of an empty tomb…we can all be HEALED!
Experiencing Grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 04/23/2009
Last night, I met with some people to do a make-up class for our church’s Membership Class. I am blessed to be a part of those meetings as new people bring fresh perspectives. I take the time in this environment to explain to others what our church is about. The fact that we are different from the average church. We focus heavily on being the kind of hearts and the kind of people that Jesus would feel comfortable being around. In other words, not Pharisees. I am currently doing a series on the 5 Stupid Things Churches Do. To be honest, I had to think pretty hard to narrow it down to just 5. I have been around the church my whole life, and I have seen some pretty stupid things. The sad thing is that most people would agree with that. They poke fun at it, laugh at jokes about it, even talk about it in others’ churches. Yet, they seem to be completely blind to the practice of it in their own lives and/or church.
One of the couples who was there was so excited. They talked about their son coming to our church for the last couple of months. They told us that he hadn’t been in any church for any reason for 25 years! He missed the other weekend and he said, “I really hate that I missed church. I really do like this church.” Wow, what a great celebration. Sunday morning, another mother stopped me and, grinning from ear to ear, told me how her son, who has been quite far from God, commented to her how much he loves our church. Finally, yet one more mother came up to tell me that her son hasn’t missed the last four weeks after being out of church for years. He left the church when a pastor scorned him for his tattoo.
Here’s what I am saying. I am so glad to be in a place where the spirit is such that people like this feel welcome and accepted. That’s it. They feel accepted. Not judged, or rejected, or scorned by a bunch of hypocrites doing stupid stuff. Playing church games and putting plastic around those games is about “us” and not about God’s Kingdom. The truth of this is that God is using different. And a different group of people are responding. Come to think of it…it is kind of like reading the Bible!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 03/19/2009
This morning, our staff started the day with prayer together. We prayed for a Divine appointment that would take place. After talking with one of our staff members, God answered our prayer! One of the ladies in our church had a former neighbor, a young lady reach out to her for help. While this young woman is an amazing story, she has spent the last year of her life virtually alone. Abandoned by her mother and father, she has lived where she could. She has continued to go to school and will graduate in a couple of months. She has also held down a job for most of that past year. Again… this is a seventeen-year-old young lady we are talking about. Still, all of this rejection and pain took its toll. After a trip to the hospital, out of the blue she called the lady in our church. Again, the only connection is that they were neighbors a while back. She said she didn’t know where else to turn.
As usual, God is in the mix. The lady called our church and asked if we could help. We accompanied them this afternoon to a shelter for young women. This is a very nice place only about a year old. Without our connection to them, she would have been on the waiting list for weeks to even get an appointment. Instead, she met with the director this afternoon. After a brief interview, they discussed a walk through. Only a few steps into the common area, another young lady cried out the name of this teenager and asked, “Is it really you?” It was this girl’s cousin. They hadn’t seen each other in years. They walked further into beautiful dormitory rooms with kitchens and linens on the bed. She was told that they would have to check availability.
The phone call was placed and you guessed it… they had only one room available. What you probably didn’t guess was that it was a suite room with a private bath. Now, that’s what I call sweet! (sorry J) This young lady went from being homeless today to being cradled by God! He put her in a suite! As we loved on her today in His name, she was able to see how awesome God moments can be! I am absolutely convinced that this happens every time that we care for these that God cares about. Wow! Matthew 25:40 (Msg) “Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’”
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 02/27/2009
Romans 2 tells us that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. Interestingly, most Christians seem to buy into the logic that condemnation does the trick. With hypocritical scowls of superiority and self-righteousness, we condemn others to put them into their place. Ironically, when God shows patience and kindness that leads us to a different way of life, it is to put us in a better place!
This past week, I have had the opportunity on three separate occasions to talk to three separate individuals who have experienced the most amazing turnaround in their lives. Each of them has commented that they are overwhelmed by the way that God never gave up on them. One was away from God for twenty-five years. One has endured a life of abuse and self-defeat. One has traveled a road of a prodigal…but all have come home! Amazingly, it was the need to fall into their loving Father’s arms. I couldn’t help but think, why is John Ortberg so on target when he asks, “Why is it that sinners ran to Jesus and today they run from His followers.” Perhaps it is a lack of kindness. Perhaps it is the hypocrisy of their condemnation. All I know is that it was a joy to sit with these friends and have them share with me those precious moments of being restored to God!
He has shown me extraordinary kindness. I can never repay His mercy and His forgiveness. I can never match His faithful and amazing love. But I do know this…I want to be like my heavenly Dad! His kindness and patience with me lead me back to Him, and I only hope that I can have a few more of those types of conversations!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 02/20/2009
It is amazing how much influence the economy has on us. When times are good, people seem to be in a better mood. Economists even rate our mood with a consumer confidence index. We feel more invincible when the economy is humming. So, it only makes sense that when the economy is like it is today, people are insecure, moody, afraid, and downright irritable at times. The sun still comes up the same every day and life goes on, but the way we make that journey seems to ebb and flow with the rise and fall of our circumstances.
Now, I am not making light of the realities of tough times. Job insecurity or even job loss can be very stressful. Even Christians, who know that our security is not in a job or our money, still know the realities of this uncertain world. If you can’t pay your mortgage because you lose your job, well…you know it starts a process that is neither good or pleasant. So, while some spiritualize away the pressures of this life, they are very real. How is a Christ follower supposed to get through this up and down, topsy-turvy world we live in, and still trust in God? Where is the balance between faith and physical reality? After all, I know great Christians who still get sick and even die. Hard working, honest, and industrious believers have lost their jobs and incomes, too. And while we turn in those times to God where others may not, we still feel the pressures of life as fully as our non-believing counterparts.
I believe the trick to this is to break out of “circumstantial perspective.” In other words, we tend to judge God’s faithfulness, answer to prayers, ability to effect change, etc. on a sliding scale. We are pleased with Him when He allows our lives to be comfortable and consistently make sense. We are displeased (even though most self-respecting Christians would never speak this out loud J) whenever our world doesn’t line up with our current set of circumstances. Faith + Faithfulness + Service = Prosperity and Blessing! Or so we surmise. Truth be told, if God never gave me another thing, He doesn’t owe me anything. Graciously, He doesn’t leave me alone…but He could. It will help me…it will help all of us to take our eyes off our current “circumstantial perspective” and see that God is bigger than my problems, this economy, my job, my relationships, etc. Choose joy today in the fact that He is in the journey with you. And, oh yeah, when things turn around…don’t forget He is there, too!
Experiencing grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 01/29/2009
Currently, we are in a series around here called GPS. GPS systems are changing the way that we live our lives. It is amazing that we can engage a GPS signal, and it can tell us with amazing accuracy exactly where we are. We can program a desired destination, and it will guide us with precision to our desired location. For our particular view, we are acknowledging that a God Positioning System is inside each Christ follower. We have to possess the good sense to turn it on and tune it in, but when we do…wow. With laser precision, God is able to communicate to us just exactly “where we are” in life’s journey. He also can then communicate to us how we should proceed to our desired destination. In other words, He guides our journey.
Now, we can choose to go offline. We can choose our own path. We can ignore biblical guidelines, thwart spiritual authority, and choose what appears to be the more obvious route. However, when we do this, we are taking charge instead of following the lead of His voice. This is not a good thing. We have taken a look at how this leads us into dangerous territory and entangles us with “unsafe people.” The reason I bring this up today in Uncommon Grace is that there is a huge principle which has jumped at me through developing this study. I dealt with it this past weekend. It is the heartbeat of our church and the story of our journey.
Jesus was a “safe” person. While He was the embodiment of truth, He never beat people up with it. While He was the display of God’s holiness, He was a harbor of healing to those who didn’t quite measure up. He was an encourager to those who were down. He picked them up; He never piled on. He was a healer who did no harm. Matthew 11:19 (NLT) “And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by what results from it." I put it in red so you would know He said it! It is amazing how much damage has been done in His name by people who claim to represent Him. His ire was given to those who could parse the law, not those who broke it. While Jesus never partook of the sin of the people of His day, they were strangely drawn to Him. They felt compassion and comfort in His presence. They were drawn to something different in Him that offered them hope and the prospect of a better way. While sinners ran from the scorn of the religious Al Qaeda assailants, they ran to Jesus and found shelter under His wing. Do broken people run to you…or do they run from you? The answer to that question determines whether you are a “safe” person or not. It also determines whether you are reflecting Jesus in your life or simply in your language. Followers of Christ determine to bring the healing heart of God to this world and ‘do no harm’ along the way!
Experiencing Grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 01/22/2009
It seems like such a heavy time. The economy is wobbling along. People are feeling the crunch of lost jobs, lost savings, lost retirements, and lost confidence. Uncertainty in the housing market and financial sectors have threatened our economic security. Uncertainly leads to uneasiness. What is strange about this, though, is how much our attitudes are shaped by our perspective. Somehow, when things are better economically, we feel invincible and confident. When the world wobbles, we feel threatened. Don’t get me wrong; I understand it. Having watched years of squirreled away retirement savings literally disappear has not been easy for me to swallow either. It’s just that there is a paradox in this. James tells us that our over-confidence in good times is foolish. Paul tells us that our worry in bad times is foolish as well. We live in a broken world that ebbs and flows. Our confidence is not tied to the market, whether on Wall Street, Main Street, or housing. Our confidence is in God who is solid and never changes.
Hold on to Him right now. Let’s right our perspectives and look above the current tough times. Look to His strong arms that hold us steady no matter what swirls around us. It is times like these…when we are squeezed, that we find out what is inside us. Anybody can exhibit trust in God while the good times roll. How about now? Can we trust Him even when it seems gloomy? He has no problem with the economy, or a lost job, or difficult issues. The only problem He has is independent children. So, look up…literally. Get a new view of His place in your life today. I think you will find it will steady you when you feel overwhelmed. Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT) “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. [12] I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”
Experiencing Grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 01/16/2009
God is amazing. There is really no reason that He should involve Himself in the affairs of men…but He does. After all, this ole world is completely broken. Yeah, there are some pretty awesome things about His world. Creation can take your breath away. Life itself is a gift and should be enjoyed to the fullest. Yet, give us enough time, and as human beings we will find some way to mess it up. God could have easily walked away totally exasperated long ago. But, He didn’t. He still is patient with us, pursues us, and longs to invest relationship in us.
One of His most gracious gifts is to give us a fresh new beginning. Thank God for a New Year! It allows us to set new directions, establish new goals, and start fresh with our objectives for life. Lamentations 3:22-25 (NLT) says, “The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him.’” This year as He gives us the ability to let go of the past, to put down the last year…I would encourage you to pick up the challenge of experiencing the freshness of His plans for your life this year. A New Year, a clean slate, a new beginning, a fresh start. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity and place our hope, our trust, and our anticipation for this coming year in Him!
Experiencing Grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 01/09/2009
These are crazy times we are living in! We live with uncertainty of our future every day of our lives. We don’t know if an accident or an illness will alter our long-term plans. You know: “The best laid plans of mice and men…” Well, it seems as if that feeling is on steroids lately. Everybody has been caught in this episode. It began a few months back with the crisis in the housing markets. A pattern of constant growth had made us accustomed to that just being the way it is. Then, as the housing crash grew, the problem reached to the banking system. The domino had been pushed. Wall Street began a free fall, once untouchable companies are no longer in business, and the major car companies are begging for bailouts. As a result, millions of Americans have lost retirement and investment funds. Jobs are being lost, and our economy is in a full-blown recession.
Most people seem at best uneasy, and at worst afraid of the future. Certainly none of us know where all of this is going. So, what are we to do? Are Christ-followers no different than others around us who are like mice in a maze trying to figure our way out? The only way we get through this successfully is to gain a higher perspective. While it is true that we have no greater knowledge or insight than anybody else as to where all this economic uncertainty is going, we do know where all this is ultimately going. The answer to that is exactly where God wants it to go! We do have a choice. We can learn through trials and adversity that our source and our supply is not in a 401k, a government bailout, or even our own job security. Our source, our supply, our sustainer is God Himself, and nothing has caught Him off guard. He has it all under control…you, me, the universe… He’s got it. So, we can worry ourselves, fill our minds with stress and develop ulcers, or we can place our trust in Him.
Dave Ramsey was speaking in terms of finances and the current market, but something he said has a lot to say to this application as well. He said, “The only way you get hurt on a roller coaster ride is if you try to stand up and get off in the middle of the ride.” He’s right! You may face some hair-pin curves, and some ups and downs, but God will get you where you need to be as long as you don’t try to take matters into your own hands. Trust Him…it is the only secure place to be!!!
Experiencing Grace,
John
posted by The Gathering's Leadership on 12/11/2008
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