Grace SLO: Feed

The Gospel Coalition

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:36:00 GMT

Eavesdrop at the Gospel Coalition Conference with us

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:46:00 GMT

Several of our staff are enjoying the Gospel Coalition National Conference in Orlando, Florida this week. It is such a blessing to be here. Many thanks to the family of GraceSLO for graciously enabling us to be here. So far we've enjoyed expositions in the Gospel of Luke from John Piper, Colin Smith, Crawford Lorrits, D.A. Carson and Kevin DeYoung. Great stuff still to come over the next day.

I just learned that the audio and video from the sessions will not be posted for a while, but you can watch and listen to the live feed in real time here. . .

The Gospel Coalition Conference Live Stream

Resurrection Resources

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:13:00 GMT

How glorious to worship the Risen Christ in our Easter services yesterday. In my message I shared 7 reasons why I believe the resurrection of Jesus and why I think you should, too.

If you missed the message, here are my 7 reasons, but you're really going to have to listen to the message HERE to understand them . . .

1. The early dating of 1 Corinthians & Mark within 20-25 years after the death of Jesus.

2. No one - neither Greco-Romans nor Jews - in the first century was expecting the resurrection of Jesus, but His folllowers somehow embraced and believed it.

3. The empty tomb, along with the early existence of a concocted alternative explanation.

4. The women as first witnesses of the resurrection.

5. The credibility of the post-resurrection appearances: different people, different places, different times.

6. The initial disbelief of the apostles, their changed lives and their death as martyrs.

7. The explosive growth and impact of the Christian movement.

I also promised I'd post some addition resources here at Life Together. As promised, here they are.

4 great articles

Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus by Matt Perman
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/historical-evidence-for-the-resurrection

Evidence for the Resurrection of Christ by Peter Kreeft
http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics-more/resurrection-evidence.htm

The Resurrection of Jesus by William Lane Craig
http://www.reasonablefaith.org/the-resurrection-of-jesus

A Case for Resurrection by Tim Keller
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/25243-a-case-for-resurrection

2 great sites

www.reasonablefaith.org
A gaggle of apologetics resources from William Lane Craig

http://www.risenjesus.com/
Apologetics resources from Mice Licona

1 Free E-book

Raised?: Doubting the Resurrection
http://www.gospelcentereddiscipleship.com/raised/

1 great video

Evidence that Jesus Rose from the Dead (William Lane Craig)
http://www.reasonablefaith.org/media/Evidence-That-Jesus-Rose-From-The-Dead

2013 GraceSLO Missions Trips

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:45:00 GMT

GraceSLO is taking the Gospel to the world. Below are upcoming mission's opportunities. There are ways for us all to be involved. All can pray. Many can financially support. Some will go.

Once again, I'm leading a trip back to India in November. It's the last trip listed. I can't wait and I'm praying for God to build His team.

Mexico Missions Family Trip: June 10th - 15th

The Family Ministry of GraceSLO will be working with AMOR Ministries, whose main focus is to support and strengthen the local church in Mexico. We will be building homes for needy families in the Tijuana area that are in some way connected to a local church. We will also have an opportunity for evangelistic outreach in the community in which we will be building. This trip will allow you to be a servant to people who have no way of repaying you, except through their gratitude.

Team Leader: Pastor Ken Peet Contact: ken@graceslo.org

Age Group: Adults/Families with kids 10+ Status: Open Cost: $365

World Impact LA June 17th- 21st

The High School Ministry will be taking a group of students and staff to the inner-city of Los Angeles this summer to do service projects. They will serve in homeless outreaches, VBS with kids, and work projects for Impact missionaries. The team would appreciate prayer for unity and safety during travel and work projects, that God would use them to be an encouragement to the people they serve with and that God would advance the Gospel among those who hear the good news through the team’s actions and words.

Team Leader: Pastor Brandon Hall Contact: 805.543.2358 or brandon@graceslo.org

Age Group: High School Status: Open Cost: $250

Czech Republic July 22nd - August 7th

We will be reaching out to young people in the Czech Republic through an evangelical English camp. We will use our native English language as a bridge to build relationships and share Christ! We work with a ministry called Josiah Venture, whose vision is to be part of a movement of God among the youth of Eastern Europe that finds its home in the local church and transforms society. We will partner with a local church to reach the students in the town of Litvinov. It’s an amazing and growing experience as you share your testimonies of Christ’s love in real, fun, lasting way with students who often have never come in contact with the Gospel.

Team Leaders: Dave & Sharon Cumberland Contact: dcumberl@gmail.com

Age Group: College Status: Open Cost: $2,000

India October 13th- November 10th

We will be gathering in Delhi with teams from all over the world who are in partnership with Empart Ministries for the Encounter Conference. There will be 3 days in Delhi of prayer and fasting for Empart's work in India along with worship and teaching by Jossy Chacko, Founder & International Director. From there, teams will scatter across northern India to see Empart's various ministries first-hand. Our team will travel to Varanasi & Patna to support and encourage the church planters in training in the two transformation centers in these cities. We will have an extended time of ministry with our church planters in Patna.

Team Leader: Pastor Tim Theule Contact: tim@graceslo.org

Age Group: 18+ & High School students with parents

Status: Open, limited to 12 persons Cost: $3,100 commitment by May 1

Max McClean speaking Mark 1

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:49:00 GMT

Have you heard of Max McClean? He's a uniquely gifted guy who travels around quoting Scripture and other worthy stuff. He's currently doing a one man stage presentation of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters. I've heard it's incredble. I'd love to bring McClean to GraceSLO or the Pac for this or any show.

One of the things McClean has done is memorize and speak the whole Gospel of Mark. Since we've just jumped into our Meeting Jesus series in Mark, I thought you'd enjoy seeing and hearing it. I'd love to hear your impressions . . .

Update: Pastor Al just informed me (again) that Max McClean did an Easter Service back back in 1999 when GraceSLO was hosting Easter services at the Pac. I think I'd known this, but forgot. Before my time. So, lots of you have heard and seen Max. Share some impressions.

Mark 1:1-13

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:29:00 GMT

This last Sunday, we began our Spring series in Mark, entitled Meeting Jesus, with a look at Mark 1:1-13. In case you missed it you can LISTEN HERE.

And here's a couple of slides. . . .

This first one shows a quick pic of the structure of Mark. . . .

The second slide shows how the Mark 1:1-13 centers around the theme of the coming of the God-King/Suffering Servant . . .

Hope you can make a commitment to study God's Word in Mark's Gospel with us. This week we'll look at "His Call" in Mark 1:14-20.

guess where?

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:35:00 GMT

We have a great Ministry Staff team. We think together and strive together with one purpose: to see lives, families and our community transformed by the Gospel. I love these friends and feel so fortunate to serve the Lord and His people with them.

On the 2nd Tuesday of each month our Ministry Staff team enjoys lunch together. This Spring, we're letting our new Events Director, Julianna Cementina, pick the places. This is where she took us today. Any guesses where this is?

a new way to think about elders at GraceSLO

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:49:00 GMT

There's always a ton happening behind the scenes here at GraceSLO. I always love to share some of it when I have opportunity.

One of the things we've been working on recently is a new way to think about and classify elders at GraceSLO. After a history of "life-time elders", over the last couple of years, we've had several guys step off the governing team for different reasons . . .

After 45+ years of elder involvement, Leon Maksoudian asked to "retire" active and ongoing involvement in elder meetings. We've bestowed on him the title "Elder Emeritus."
Jim Jeffrey stepped aside from the governing team to focus his energies on missions as our Missions Team Chair.
Rick Ernstrom and Ron Johnston both stepped aside from the governing team for conflict of interest reasons as both men have family members who serve on our paid staff. We aim to avoid any appearance of nepotism, so we no longer allow elders to govern when familiy members serve on staff.
Ted Malley and Kendall Matina who have both enjoyed a sabbath rest this year after more than 6 years of active service on our governing team just informed us they are not ready to return to the governing team in order to give more time to their families at this time.

These situations have raised questions for us, . . .

What's the status and role of these guys who are
no longer serving on the governing team?

Are they still "elders" here at GraceSLO?

After months of process, discussion and prayer we believe we've answered these questions in a way that honors the history of GraceSLO, the teaching of the Bible and the Godliness of these faithful men.

From this point forward, we will recognize two classifications/categories of Elders here at GraceSLO . . . .

Governing Elders: board-sitting and invovled in the day to day business and shepherding decisions of the church

Non-Governing Elders: those who serve and shepherd the congregation in non-governing ways and roles

Non-Governing Elders will be recognized as Elders, be involved in worship services and other areas of the church as they desire and are available. All Elders will meet together at least a couple of times of year for fellowship and a discussion of GraceSLO vision. Elders will be considered elders at GraceSLO as long as they continue to meet the Biblical qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

We believe and hope this new way of thinking about Elders will foster and stimulate more leadership development here at GraceSLO. Our vision is that we might grow our elder team to 25+ where 10-12 serve as Governing Elders at any given time. After all. . .

It is a trustworthy statement:
if any man aspires to the office of overseer,
it is a fine work he desires to do.
--1 Timothy 3:1

We've also shortened the term for service on the governing team to 4-6 years with a required 1 year sabbatical sometime in the 4-6 year range. The Lead Pastor is an exception to this guideline and is considered a Governing Elder as long as he serves the church.

So, here's where we stand currently with Governing Elders and Non-Governing Elders. . . .

Non-Governing Elders

Jim Jeffrey
Ron Johnston
Leon Maksoudian
Ted Malley
Kenall Mattina
Rick Ernstrom

Governing Elders

Wayne Brown
Dave Burns
Scott Morton
Wayne Peterson
Steve Potratz
Todd Talley
Tim Theule
Donny Valliere

There are also two guys who are in our "elder pipeline" in the middle of our elder selection process and we hope to introduce them to the church family by late Spring. All new elders will serve on the governing team as their initiation into elder service at GraceSLO.

We're excited about these new developments and are committed to growing our leadership at GraceSLO wilth a healthy intergenerational mix of Godly men. We hope, over the next couple of years, that the GraceSLO family comes to understand and fully embrace our elder categories and how the plurality of leadership functions at GraceSLO.

making Hume Lake affordable

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:30:00 GMT

Our leadership believes that God has and does use a week at Hume Lake to change students' lives. We've seen the impact over many years. However, the price of Hume has risen considerably over recent years to the point where the the real cost to get a kid to a week of camp this year is $550.

We know that's cost prohibitive for many families and especially for families with multiple kids.

The Elders have a heart to do what we can to get as many kids as possible to Hume this year and every year. Because God is financially blessing GraceSLO right now, we have the ability to help.

Here are the 3 things we've done to make Hume more affordable for all . . .

We designated our February Benevolent Fund offering (around $2500) for Hume Scholarships. A few times a year we designate this once-a-month offering to a special project or need. This seemed like an appropriate designation.
We designated $10k of surplus funds (a result of your faithful giving) to subsidize the cost of transportation and counselors for Hume. This effectively brought the cost of Hume down from $550 to $500 across the board for all families.
We developed the following discount and scholarship opportunities . . .

Scripture Memory Discount: $50 off
Memorize 1 John 4

Students will have three tries to say it.
Any translation may be used and you must say it in one sitting.
Only open to the first 50 people who memorize the scripture before May 5th.

*Scripture memory is required in order to apply for the other scholarships.

Multi-Sibling Discount: $50 off each additional student beyond the first (if needed)
2 Siblings -$50 (discount)
3 Siblings -$100 (discount)

Financial Need Scholarship: $50 - $200 off
You will need to fill out TWO financial aid forms: One to be submitted to Hume Lake and one to GraceSLO. Both are due by May 5th. We will let you know by June 5th.

Here's what all this means . . .

Any student can go to Hume for $450 instead of $550 this year, if they get on it and memorize some Scripture.
Families can send 2 kids to camp for $850 instead of $1000, or 3 kids for $1250, instead of $1500.
Families in need can get kids to camp for $250 to $400.

Why make discounts and scholarships dependent on Scipture memory?

This is the most frequently asked question that's come up as we've been communicating our Hume vision. It's a reasonable question. Here's why . . . we firmly believe that having a student memorize Scripture to earn a portion of the their camp cost provides at least 4 benefits for students . . .

It affirm's human dignity. Hand outs don't affirm human dignity. We believe providing dignity is important in all our helping ministries here at GraceSLO.
It teaches students the value of money and hard work. The REAL cost of camp is $550 for every student to get to camp. The congregation is shaing some of that burden. We think it's appropriate for students to also share some of that burden.
It's in-line with Gospel principles that encourage us to take responsibility, work hard and bear our own load (like 2 Thes. 3:6-13 for example).
It provides an opportunity for students to "hide God's Word in their hearts," which is always a good thing.

Keep in mind . . . we are not forcing students to memorize Scripture. They are, of course, free to pay full price for camp if they and their parents desire to do so. We are simply providing students an opportunity to earn a discount off the cost of camp.

(A personal note: When our kids go to any camp or costly church event (and they don't get to go to everything!), they are required to pay for at least 1/3 of the cost. When possible, we try to provide them opportunities to work around home, for which we will pay them a fair wage, when they are trying to get to camp. If we are not able to provide work and/or pay them, then they have to drum up work and funds in other ways. Why do we do this? The above "benefits" explain our rationale. Getting to camp, then, becomes a multi-dimensional developmental/training opportunity. Our kids really appreciate camp even more because they've had to shell out some of their own hard-earned cash. We highly recommend a similar approach for all GraceSLO families!)

We're totally excited about these ways to bring the cost of camp down for all and for those in need. We hope you are, too. Your faithful generous giving to the General Fund is making it possible. Every year is different and there are no guarantees that we'll be able to provide similar discounts and scholarships in future years. We'd like to, but that will depend on God's provision and blessing.

We're praying ahead for God to work in deep and life-changing ways in the lives of lots of students at Hume this year. Start praying with us.

And get your kids signed up for Hume ASAP!

Religious Liberty

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:44:00 GMT

If you are like me you have not thought near enough about religious liberty. Well, you and I better start! Because we are living in days when these freedoms which we've largely taken for granted are being increasingly challenged and undermined.

I confess I've not always been a huge Rick Warren fan, but I was pretty challenged by his recent comments regarding religious liberty which I heard on last week's edition of "The World and Everything in It". His comments were excerpted from a 90 minute interview at Georgetown University.

Please take a few minutes and at least listen to the shorter version.

Here's a link to the shorter audio, which I couldn't figure out how to embed. . .

March 2 World and Everything in It: Rick Warren on Religious Liberty

And here's the longer video . . .

60 years of faithful service

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:05:00 GMT

If you missed Sunday's 2013 Missions Dinner, you missed out. Among other things, we honored Ruth Salvador for 60 years of faithful service as a GraceSLO missionary. Ruth shared some reflections that moved all who were present. I was touched by Ruth's obvious commitment to the Scriptures and her clear clinging to the promises of God throughout her life and now in her present season. She was candid about her struggles and the challenge of aging.

To put this in perspective, Ruth Salvador has been serving as a GraceSLO missionary 16 years longer than I've been alive! That's totally humbling and inspiring.

Eric Flores, Lorraine Maksoudian, Jill Talley and others did an OUTSTANDING job creating this amazing vid celebrating Ruth's long service. She was totally surprised. . . and so was I! It captures some of the rich history and legacy of GraceSLO. . .

We also honored Ruth with a gift with which she can purchase a new computer to continue her ministry. A dear, Godly woman who demonstrates faithfulness to the end. She's not retiring, but finding new creative ways to serve the Lord and His people. I'm so grateful for Ruth's example in this flighty, non-committal world.

a mother's note to her son about his new iphone

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT

We talk A LOT in our family about managing/limiting/checking the encroach of technology in our lives. I'm passionate about this for my family and for the other families in our church. We know not what is happening to us as personal technologies take on bigger, more dominate, and more influential roles in our lives. I love technology, but I want to use it, not be used by it. The line is very fuzzy some time. We work hard to stick to our "5:00PM - 8:00PM tech free zone" in our home. It's not easy.

Are you thinking through these issues in your family?
What limits have you set for yourself and your kids?

My friend Josef sent me this letter from a mom to her son as she gave him his new iPhone for Christmas. (Originally posted HERE) Most of these same guidelines apply to our children as they begin to use their own mobile phones, but I love the idea of a written contract. If Apple itself has a "Terms of Use" agreement that we all users must agree to, why can't parents have one, too?

Josef suggested maybe guidelines should come in the iPhone box itself. . .

Dear Gregory,

Merry Christmas! You are now the proud owner of an iPhone.

You are a good & responsible 13 year old boy and you deserve this gift. But with the acceptance of this present comes rules and regulations. Please read through the following contract. I hope that you understand it is my job to raise you into a well rounded, healthy young man that can function in the world and co-exist with technology, not be ruled by it.

Failure to comply with the following list will result in termination of your iPhone ownership.

I love you madly & look forward to sharing several million text messages with you in the days to come.

1. It is my phone. I bought it. I pay for it. I am loaning it to you. Aren’t I the greatest?

2. I will always know the password.

3. If it rings, answer it. It is a phone. Say hello, use your manners. Do not ever ignore a phone call if the screen reads “Mom” or “Dad”. Not ever.

4. Hand the phone to one of your parents promptly at 7:30pm every school night & every weekend night at 9:00pm. It will be shut off for the night and turned on again at 7:30am. If you would not make a call to someone’s land line, wherein their parents may answer first, then do not call or text. Listen to those instincts and respect other families like we would like to be respected.

5. It does not go to school with you. Have a conversation with the people you text in person. It’s a life skill. *Half days, field trips and after school activities will require special consideration.

6. If it falls into the toilet, smashes on the ground, or vanishes into thin air, you are responsible for the replacement costs or repairs. Mow a lawn, babysit, stash some birthday money. It will happen, you should be prepared.

7. Do not use this technology to lie, fool, or deceive another human being. Do not involve yourself in conversations that are hurtful to others. Be a good friend first or stay out of the crossfire.

8. Do not text, email, or say anything through this device you would not say in person.

9. Do not text, email, or say anything to someone that you would not say out loud with their parents in the room. Censor yourself.

10. No porn. Search the web for information you would openly share with me. If you have a question about anything, ask a person – preferably me or your father.

11. Turn it off, silence it, put it away in public. Especially in a restaurant, at the movies, or while speaking with another human being. You are not a rude person; do not allow the iPhone to change that.

12. Do not send or receive pictures of your private parts or anyone else’s private parts. Don’t laugh. Someday you will be tempted to do this despite your high intelligence. It is risky and could ruin your teenage/college/adult life. It is always a bad idea. Cyberspace is vast and more powerful than you. And it is hard to make anything of this magnitude disappear – including a bad reputation.

13. Don’t take a zillion pictures and videos. There is no need to document everything. Live your experiences. They will be stored in your memory for eternity.

14. Leave your phone home sometimes and feel safe and secure in that decision. It is not alive or an extension of you. Learn to live without it. Be bigger and more powerful than FOMO – fear of missing out.

15. Download music that is new or classic or different than the millions of your peers that listen to the same exact stuff. Your generation has access to music like never before in history. Take advantage of that gift. Expand your horizons.

16. Play a game with words or puzzles or brain teasers every now and then.

17. Keep your eyes up. See the world happening around you. Stare out a window. Listen to the birds. Take a walk. Talk to a stranger. Wonder without Googling.

18. You will mess up. I will take away your phone. We will sit down and talk about it. We will start over again. You & I, we are always learning. I am on your team. We are in this together.

It is my hope that you can agree to these terms. Most of the lessons listed here do not just apply to the iPhone, but to life. You are growing up in a fast and ever changing world. It is exciting and enticing. Keep it simple every chance you get. Trust your powerful mind and giant heart above any machine. I love you. I hope you enjoy your awesome new iPhone. Merry Christmas!

xoxoxo

Mom

I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and personal questions. If you're not sitting down with your kids and talking about this stuff, why aren't you? It's not too late to "reel it in" and reclaim some of the ground you may have given away to early or too easily. Be a parent. Your kids will thank you for it later.

And as you practice engaged Biblical parenting, make connecting with your kids your #1 priority. Connection before correction. Relationship before rules. Bonding before boundaries. Love before limits. Rules, boundaries and limits are absolutely necessary, but relationship, bonding and love must come first.

C.S. Lewis on using your brain

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:29:00 GMT

This winter, I've had the immense joy of leading some men through C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. It's been a while since I've feasted on this rich classic. I was surprised at how many men hadn't ever read it. Have you read it? If not, get to it!

Last week, we discussed the chapter on Cardinal Virtues (part 3, chapter 3) and, as usual, it was packed with gems. I really loved this one on "prudence" which happens to explain my commitment to gathering men for prayer and good reads on Thursdays at 6:00 AM. (The study is open to all men. You are welcome.)

Prudence means practical common sense, taking the trouble to think out what you are doing and what is likely to come of it. Nowadays most people hardly think of Prudence as one of the "virtues." In fact, because Christ said we could only get into His world by being like children, many Christians have the idea that, provided you are "good," it does not matter being a fool. But that is a misunderstanding. In the first place, most children show plenty of "prudence" about doing the things they are really interested in, and think them out quite sensibly.

In the second place, as St. Paul points out, Christ never meant that we were to remain children in intelligence: on the contrary, He told us to be not only "as harmless as doves," but also "as wise as serpents." He wants a child's heart, but a grown-up's head. He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are; but He also wants every bit of intelligence we have to be alert at its job, and in first-class fighting trim. The fact that you are giving money to a charity does not mean that you need not try to find out whether that charity is a fraud or not. The fact that what you are thinking about is God Himself (for example, when you are praying) does not mean that you can be content with the same babyish ideas which you had when you were a five-year-old.

It is, of course, quite true that God will not love you any the less, or have less use for you, if you happen to have been born with a very second-rate brain. He has room for people with very little sense, but He wants every one to use what sense they have. The proper motto is not "Be good, sweet maid, and let who can be clever," but "Be good, sweet maid, and don't forget that this involves being as clever as you can." God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than of any other slackers. If you are thinking of becoming a Christian, I warn you you are embarking on something which is going to take the whole of you, brains and all. But, fortunately, it works the other way round. Anyone who is honestly trying to be a Christian will soon find his intelligence being sharpened: one of the reasons why it needs no special education to be a Christian is that Christianity is an education itself. That is why an uneducated believer like Bunyan was able to write a book that has astonished the whole world.

"Christianity is an education itself!" I wholeheartedly agree. I long for our church to be at a place where tough questions are asked, discussed and answered. I want the young people and newcomers of our church to know that Christianity can handle their questions and provides the best, though sometime incomplete, answers to the questions we all ask.

Let's not be content with "babyish ideas we had when we were five year olds." He wants "a child's heart, but a grown up's head."

getting our heads around Genesis

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:46:00 GMT

In last week's message (LISTEN HERE) and the week before (LISTEN HERE), we referenced this chart that summarizes our long study of Genesis. . . .

The life of Joseph is a story within the larger Jacob story within the larger Genesis story within the larger Biblical story within thre larger story of history.

The Bible is not a book of rules and not a book of virtures. The Bible is one story: God's story of Gospel Promise. Genesis is the beginning of that story. The story climaxes in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the story looks forward to the coming again of Jesus to renew and reconcilie all creation. Our stories are a part of God's larger story.

This is how we must learn to read the Bible. It takes time and work.

reflections on Lance

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:30:00 GMT

I haven't made the time to watch Oprah's interview with Lance Armstrong. I've heard a few snippets, but not enough to draw too many conclusions. Is this true repentance and brokenness or just another public relations ploy? Hard to say. Time will tell. I just know the guy was in deep and his sins have found him out . . . as they almost always do. Consequences will be ongoing, far reaching, and long lasting.

Ed Stetzer reflects on 4 things Christians can learn from the Lance Armstrong Debacle. I thought these were a couple thought-provoking quotes . . .

"Sin will take you further than you want to go,
keep you longer than you want to stay
and cost you more than you want to pay."

Even a cursory reading of the news reveals it's true. We overinflate the benefits and underestimate the costs of sin . . . every time.

What we cover, God will uncover.
What we uncover, God will cover.

The first refers to God's judgment where all our lives will be exposed, but the reality is, most of the time, what we cover is uncovered by God before judgment. Just ask Lance. Thank God for for His glorious Gospel in Christ that makes the covering of our sin possible.

Repentance and brokenness is the only true prescription for forgiveness, grace and freedom. If you've got some deep, dark secret, come to the light and come to Christ.

FAQs about the Sanctity of Human Life

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:08:00 GMT

Awesome Sanctity of Life Sunday yesterday together! LISTEN HERE In my introduction to the morning, I walked through this material, which was also included in the outline. In case you missed the service, I wanted you to see and think about this issue, too.

What is the "Sanctity of Human Life?"

The "Sanctity of Human Life" is the Biblical teaching that all human life is sacred, precious, valuable and worthy of our protection and care.

Why is the Sanctity of Human Life affirmed and taught here at GraceSLO?

First, because the Bible teaches the Sanctity of Human Life.
Second, because we believe the Sanctity of Human Life is a foundational and profoundly practical issue that informs how we view, treat and care for our own lives and the lives of everyone around us.
Third, we believe this is an "issue of our time" as the dignity of human life is being undermined and attacked in more and more ways.
Fourth, we're committed to equipping God's people to think and live Biblically. In the church, Biblical principles cannot be assumed, they must be passionately and clearly taught.

What is the Biblical basis for the Sanctity of Human Life?

The Sanctity of Human Life is rooted in these twin Biblical truths . . .

God alone is the author, creator and Lord of life.
(Genesis 1, Ex. 4:11, Ps. 100:3, Acts 17:24-25)
Humankind alone, among all creation, is made in the image of God.
(Genesis 1:26, Gen. 9:6, Ps. 139:13-16)

Who does the issue of the Sanctity of Human Life impact?

The Sanctity of Human Life affects all of us at every stage of our lives, but more specifically the truth that life is sacred impacts how we view and treat those who often cannot speak for themselves or care for themselves . . .

the unborn
orphans
the exploited and impoverished
those with special needs
the elderly

What practical issues does the Sanctity of Human Life inform?

The Sanctity of Human Life informs how we think about and respond to a growing list of complex issues including, but not limited to . . .

abortion
abortificient birth control
genetic screening
pre-natal gene therapy
embryonic stem cell research
human trafficking and slavery,
genocide
suicide
euthanasia

I also shared the following statistics which all illustrate the undermining of the Sanctity of Human Life in our culture and world. . .

50,000,000 legal abortions have been performed in the U.S. since the Roe vs. Wade decision 40 years ago.
9 out 10 babies diagnosed with Down's Syndrome in the U.S. are aborted.
2,500,000 people are victims of forced labor, including sexual exploitation, around the world today.
80% of elderly folks who live in assisted care facilities never receive any visitors . . no family, no friends, nobody.

At GraceSLO we want to be a voice for life. We believe the Sanctity of Human Life is not a political issue, but a moral and Biblical issue. It's why we encourage, support and celebrate adoption and foster care among our church family. It's why we visit and care for the elderly in our congregation. It's why we celebrate the mixing of ages in our worship. It's why we feed, shelter and give to meet the needs of the poor in our community.

sanctity of human life in 4 minutes

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:23:00 GMT

the sanctity of life & the will to live

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 09:53:00 GMT

As Sanctity of Life Sunday quickly approaches, two stories grabbed my attention today as I was trolling my news . . .

The first is this NBC story of 45 year old deaf twins in Belgium who were eauthanized at their own request this December. . .

Their doctor, David Dofour, told Belgium’s RTL Television over the weekend that the two men had been losing their eyesight for several years and soon would have been completely blind. The prospect of being blind as well as deaf was unbearable to them, he said.

Contrast that hopelessness with the faith-filled hope of this interview with Joni Earickson Tada (Part 1, Part 2) who has been living as a quadrapelic for 45 years since a diving accident she suffered as a teenager. Or you can just watch the interview below. . .

Here are some questions that moved me. . . .

As you’re lying in that hospital bed, did you have suicidal thoughts?

When first injured I was overwhelmed with the prospect of being paralyzed for the rest of my life. I used to lie in bed and wrench my head back and forth violently on the pillow hoping to break my neck up at some higher level and pass out. I was hoping that when I was strong enough to sit up in a wheelchair, they’d give me a power wheelchair so I could careen off a high curb and kill myself that way. But a person can only live with that kind of despair for so long. And thankfully, Christian friends of mine were praying. Eventually God used those prayers to turn my despair Godward. It’s in the Psalms: “Why are you downcast, oh my soul. Put your trust in God.” God began to bring back to my mind and memory those verses of Scripture that I had memorized.

If at that time there had been an assisted suicide law, would you have asked someone to kill you?

Oh my goodness, yes. When I was depressed in the early part of my hospitalization, I begged my girlfriends to bring in their mothers’ sleeping pills, their fathers’ razors, anything. I’m grateful there was no physician-assisted suicide law around back then. I would have tried very hard to mount some court challenge to change the definition of terminal illness so that it might include spinal cord injury. I would have done anything to put me out of my misery. I was so miserable. That was 45 years ago, though. What a different world we live in now, because there really are people with disabilities trying to change the court definitions of “terminal illness” in states like Oregon and Washington. At our ministry we’re working hard to prevent that from happening and to give hope in Christ, so these people, like me, will find a way out of depression.

Does depression still ensnare you at times? Are you happy?

I make myself be happy. I make myself sing because I have to. The alternative is too frightening. My girlfriends will tell you, in the morning when I wake up, I know they’ll be coming into my bedroom to give me a bed bath, do my toileting routines, pull up my pants, put me in the wheelchair, feed me breakfast, and push me out the front door. I lie there thinking (gagging noise), “Oh God, I cannot face this. I’m so tired of this routine. My hip is killing me. I’m so weary. I don’t know how I’m going to make it to lunchtime. I have no energy for this day. God, I can’t do quadriplegia. But I can do all things through You as You strengthen me. So God, I have no smile for these girlfriends of mine who are going to come in here with a happy face. Can I please borrow Your smile? I need it, desperately. I need You.”

I hate the prospect of having to face the day with paralysis. I choose the Holy Spirit’s help because I don’t want to go down that grim, dark path to depression any more. That’s the biblical way to wake up in the morning, the only way to wake up in the morning. No wonder the Apostle Paul said, “Boast in your afflictions.” Don’t be ashamed of them. Don’t think you have to hide them and gussy yourself up before God in the morning so that He’ll be happy with you and see that you’re really believing in Him. No, no, no. Admit you can’t do this thing called life. Then cast yourself at the mercy of God and let Him show up through your weakness because that’s what He promises—2 Corinthians 12:9.

What you’re saying about hard mercy makes a lot of sense to Christians—but what about non-Christians who ask you to put together a good God with terrible occurrences? How do you talk with them about God’s sovereignty in your personal situation?

Always with what the Bible calls reasonable sweetness, savoring my conversation with salt. I get into an elevator with a bunch of people who see the lady in the wheelchair, smiling and humming “Amazing Grace.” They can connect the dots: lady in wheelchair singing “Amazing Grace.” It’s a compelling support for the gospel. If people want to get into discussion with me about the sovereignty of God, I will tell them front and center that God doesn’t like spinal cord injury. He takes no pleasure in multiple sclerosis or children born with spina bifida. John Piper talks about how God looks at suffering through two lenses. He looks at the isolated incident of suffering through a narrow lens and loathes it. His heart loathes it when you go through a divorce. His heart aches when you give birth to that child with multiple disabilities. He hates the isolated lens of suffering. But He delights in the wide-angle lens. He sees the mosaic. He sees how it all fits together into this incredible pattern for not only our good, but the good of all those around us, and for His glory. I’m grateful that God is sovereign. His fingers hold back a deluge of evil in this world. I’m grateful that He only allows to slip through His sovereign fingers that which He’s convinced will help our souls and fit us better for eternity.

That lady is courageous! I'm glad she's alive as a walking, breathing testimony to the sovereignty of God and the sanctity of lfie.

still in shock

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:07:00 GMT

I think I'm still in shock about what happened to Lou Giglio last week. . . . being invited to pray at President Obama's inauguration and then obviously being uninvited when it was discovered that he called homosexuality a sin in a message he preached some 20 years back.

Al Mohler has suggested this represents the emergence of a "New McCarthyism" . . .

The Presidential Inaugural Committee and the White House have now declared historic, biblical Christianity to be out of bounds, casting it off the inaugural program as an embarrassment. By its newly articulated standard, any preacher who holds to the faith of the church for the last 2,000 years is persona non grata.

(Mohler's whole post is very much worth reading! Will you take the time?)

What does this mean and where does it leave Christians who believe the historic Christian faith? How shall we now live as we are increasingly excluded from the public square and marginalized? The winds are very rapidly shifting. We would be naive to think otherwise.

What does it feel like to be a minority? I suspect we are on the verge of finding out. How easy it is to get angry, defensive, fearful, bitter and resentful.

But how, instead, can we be a kind, winsome witness when we're marginalized and despised and riduled? That is the question, it seems to me. One thing is sure. . . we need the perspective of the ages. . . . a good primer on Christian history. And we need to re-read our Bibles with fresh eyes. For the great majority of Christian history, God's people have been a marginalized, despised, suffering bunch. We ought not to expect any different. Jesus Himself told us. . .

This I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,because of this the world hates you. --Matthew 15:17-19

We read this article as a staff this week and discussed the power of Gospel community in these dark days. My great hope and prayer is that our Growth Groups are growing into bright lights of Gospel community in these dark days . . .

The joy of friendship culminates in feasting. People who live in genuine community enjoy gathering to celebrate the things they hold dear together. They eat and drink and sing and tell wonderful tales with laughter. Marriage, the fount of community, begins with joyful, community feasting. The community of Christ gathers regularly around a feast, the Lord’s Supper, which looks forward to the great wedding feast in glory when God’s promised good life is fulfilled.

But there is no truly good life on earth apart from communion with God in heaven. You cannot truly love your neighbor while hating God. To hate God is to idolize self, which in turn corrodes every human relationship. Of course, Christ is both the bridge between heaven and earth and the bond between man and neighbor. Loving relationships are what make life good. People who are wealthy and powerful but have shattered families and have no friends are miserable. The quality of one’s life can be measured by the quality of one’s love for others. Narcissists cannot be happy.

No human mind could invent the Gospel

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:58:00 GMT

It was fun to preach yesterday after a couple of weeks away. We continued our LIfe of Joseph series with a look at the God of Jacob in Genesis 48. (LISTEN HERE)

In the second hour, Pastor Al prayed a prayer adapted from an earlier Puritan prayer contained in a great collection of Puritan prayers entitled "The Valley of Vision." I really liked the prayer and asked him to send it to me this morning for posting here at Life Together. The second and third lines are what grabbed me. Its worth your contemplation on this Monday.

Blessed Lord Jesus,

No human mind could conceive or invent the gospel,

Acting in eternal grace, you are both its messenger and its message,

Lived out on earth through infinite compassion,

Applying your life to insult, injury, death – we are reminded of that insult, injury, death as we prepare to come to the Table this morning, given the visual reminder that you were nailed to a cross and your blood spilled to pay for our sin –

That we might be redeemed, ransomed, forgiven, freed.

We give thanks to You, Father, for putting your plan into place before the world began,

Eternal thanks to you, Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, for opening the way,

Praise everlasting to you, Holy Spirit, for applying this to our hearts, that we might believe and trust you.

It is because of the Gospel that we can come into the presence of Holy God approach the throne of grace with boldness and confidence. We worship this morning, but we also come with many needs. You know our frailties, our weakness, our brokenness, and I pray that you would meet each of us at our point of need: encourage the brokenhearted, comfort those who have experienced loss, meet the physical needs of those experiencing financial hardship, bring healing to the sick, and draw all of us closer to you, that we may all present our bodies as living sacrifices to you, holy and acceptable to you.

We pray for those who serve in different places around the world, and we especially pray for Mark Piester this morning and his work in reaching children in Russia with the Gospel. We pray that the recent Christmas celebrations and winter camp that he conducted resulted in many hearing and responding to the Gospel, and we pray that you would continue to be at work in those children; bless Mark in his ongoing work that many might hear the Gospel, believe and be discipled, for your namesake.

We pray for our country and our leaders at every level of government. We live in a difficult and dangerous time. May we not depend on the wisdom of men, but the wisdom that only comes from You. We pray for those who serve in government who know you as Savior and Lord, that you would protect them from sin and corruption and that you would use them to advance your will. And use us, Lord, where we are to be salt and light in our own communities.

Now, as we give offering and gifts this morning as an act of worship, bless and use these offerings to advance the Gospel, that your name would be exalted and praised.

(Adapted about the first third of “The Gospel Way” from The Valley of Vision,” p. 35, and used it as a springboard for the rest of the prayer.)

Pastor Brandon in Israel

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Pastor Brandon left on Monday night for a 2 week trip to Israel for a bunch of other Student Minsitry guys and gals. The trip was put together by Hume Lake and we all thought it would be a terrific "professional development" opportunity for Brandon. We're committed to helping our Pastors and Ministry Staff keep growing through new and stretching educational and missional opportunities.

You can follow a blog of a trip HERE, if you're interested.

I'm excited and just a bit envious about Brandon's opportunity, since I've never had an opportunity to go to Israel myself. I'm sure walking where Jesus walked will make the Bible come alive in unique ways for Brandon and hopefully through Brandon for the students he teaches.

Pray for Pastor Brandon (and his wife, Jenna, and son, Micah) as you think about it over these next couple of weeks.

2013 GraceSLO Priorities & Vision

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:37:00 GMT

Just before Christmas on Sunday, December 16, we took a few minutes in our worship services to look ahead to 2013. We think this is vital information for all who call GraceSLO home . . . and for those who are just exploring GraceSLO. In case you missed it, here's the brief audio and a few slides. . . .

Vision 2013 Audio

This first slide represents a picture of what we believe God is doing at GraceSLO right now and directions we want to keep moving. . .

Slide #2 shows ongoing ministries related to the "Serve & Welcome" direction, and, below the line, some new initiaitves.

Slide #3 shows the "Give & Go" direction. . . ongoing ministires above the line and 2013 projects below the line.

Slide#4 shows the "Connect & Grow" direction . . . with current and new priorities.

We hope you're as excited about the directions God is taking GraceSLO as we are. Thanks for your faithful service and giving to the Lord here at GraceSLO. God is using you to accomplish His work.

Gospel Generosity

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:54:00 GMT

I believe the Gospel really changes lives. The Gospel doesn't just JUSTIFY, it SANCTIFIES. Change happens as we increasingly internalize the finished work of Christ . . . as we more and more realize that our standing before God doesn't depend on what we do, but on what Jesus has done. As that happens, our lives are slowly, but really changed from the inside out.

One of the changes I believe the Gospel brings about in our lives is in the area of generosity. The Gospel makes us generous people. I think that's happening at GraceSLO. The Gospel is making us a generous people.

Here's what I shared just before last Sunday's Benevolent Fund offering . . . in case you missed it . . . and I've thrown in a few more stats . . .

Through your generous giving, the people of GraceSLO have, in just the last month, provided . . .

$11,265 for Hurricane Sandy relief through Samaritan's Purse and Calvary Presbyterian church in Allenwood, NJ
100 Thanksgiving bags for needy familes in our community. Here's a pic . . .

110 Turkeys for hungry families in our community
300 coats for needy, cold people in our community
100 Christmas gifts for babies of teen moms in our community
28 Christmas gifts for children from the homeless shelter in our community
hundreds of hours of time and energy to accomplish these mercy ministries

On top of all this "over and above" giving, our General Fund giving is now slightly above our budget year-to-date.

Isn't it exciting? Do you see what I mean? The Gospel makes a generous people! It's happening! Focus on the Gospel . . . drink in the Gospel . . . meditate on the Gospel . . . fix your eyes on Jesus . . . and watch what happens! Thank you for your generous giving to the work of the Gospel at GraceSLO. Let's excel still more. . . joyfully!

(By the way, Dori Iunker, our Children's Ministry Director, just shared that she's got 16 more children from the homeless shelter for whom gifts can be purchased. Grab a name from the tree on Sunday in the courtyard.)

Elders with Empart USA Director

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:02:00 GMT

I give thanks for our GraceSLO Elders. These guys are laying their lives out for the Lord and His people . . . teaching Covenant Membership and other classes, leading Growth Groups, shepherding the church family, leading in worship services, sitting on leadership teams and coming together for long, grueling meetings after their own long work days. Theirs is a commitment of time, energy, and emotion.

Last Thursday night we met for 4 hours to discuss a quite full agenda that included time with Brian Lockhart, the new Director of Empart USA.

(If you're new to GraceSLO, North India has the highest concentration of unreached peoples in the world. Empart is a church planting movement in North India through whom we support a Church Planter's Transformation Center. This Center trains 25 church planters at time in a live-in program and then sends them out to plant churches. This is our second year of financial partnership with Empart. I have had an opportunity to travel to India with others from GraceSLO on two occasions.)

Brian is a really neat guy, who just happened to attend Cal Poly. He flew in from Colorado just to spend time with our team. He had a friend Sam with him. You can see Sam and Brian in the pic above with our Elder team. Todd Talley couldn't make the meeting that night. Pastor Al who oversees our missions area is also present in the pic.

Because our partnership with Empart represents a significant investment for our church, our Elder Team feels a great stewardship responsibility. Aware that organizations can and do sometimes change, we're committed to continuing to do our "due diligence" through ongoing evaluation of Empart, its leadership and its finances. Our meeting with Brian was a part of this ongoing process. In other words, we want to avoid writing checks with our eyes closed. We want to be active and involved partners. Our continued and future investment depends on this ongoing evaluation.

Our elders are encouraged by the growth in the Empart USA organization, their record keeping and financial accountability. For now, we're excited about our ongoing partnership with Empart in North India.

I'm looking forward to taking another team from GraceSLO hopefully in November 2013. Want to be a part of the team?

Friday Fun: Its good to be alive!

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Our family has been singing this song this week and has had fun figuring out this video. . .

Every day you wake, every breath you take. . . He's given. Enjoy today!

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:21:00 GMT

At the end of the last Sunday's message (LISTEN HERE), I quoted from William Cowper's "God Moves in a Mysterious Way." Here's the full hymn text, if you're unfamilar with it. What a fantastic meditation on the Providence of God and our Life of Joseph themes!

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

The story of William Cowper is in some ways a sad one. He was friend and congregant of John Newton, the author of the most famous hymn in the English language . . . Amazing Grace. He was a man beset by depression and, some say, mental illness. Despite is own soul struggle, God used him to touch the souls of others and his impact endures.

John Piper tells the story of Cowper and Newton's friendship HERE. Well worth the listen. This story has greatly challenged me in my approach to pastoral ministry.

bye bye 890 AM

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:37:00 GMT

In case you didn't notice, 890AM, our local Christian talk station, quietly went off the air November 1, 2012. Logos Broadcasting Corporation, which also airs K-Life, has posted a letter explaining their decision at their website HERE.

What this means for GraceSLO is that our weekly radio program which aired Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings is now no more, as well. We're disappointed because the broadcast was both a service to ongoing and occasional shut-ins and an outreach to the local Central Coast Community. We are open to other broadcast opportunities.

In the meantime, all GraceSLO messages are still available here in our ever-growing website Resource Library and via our iTunes podcast.

And speaking of the podcast, how about a few people CLICK over there and leave some current reviews. The last reviews were left in 2006!

A Prayer about God Working in Hard Providences

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:04:00 GMT

Stumbled on to this fantastic prayer written by Scotty Smith and thought it was so applicable to the themes we're learning in "The Life of Joseph" . . . .

(CLICK HERE for messages you've missed!)

A Prayer about God Working in Hard Providences and Pain

Posted By Scotty Smith On October 17, 2012 @ 5:48 am In Prayer | No Comments

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer. 29:11

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

Heavenly Father, there’s simply no other god as merciful, gracious, and engaged as you. Your forbearance is immeasurable; your kindness is inexhaustible; your plans are irrepressible—though, sometimes, it doesn’t seem this way to us.

When your people received these words of encouragement from Jeremiah, they were in exile in Babylon—cut off from their homeland and all hope. How could they not feel bereft, bewildered, even betrayed by you? And there are times when our circumstances seem to say you don’t really care and aren’t really present…

Yet we know, by the truth and promises of your Word, that when you lead us into difficult seasons, it’s not to punish us but to prosper us; when you send hardships, it’s not to bring us harm but to give us hope; when you discipline us, it’s not to send us into the “doghouse” of your displeasure but to guarantee the wonder of our future.

It’s comforting to remember that you always know exactly what you are doing with your people, and everything else in the world. You know the plans you have for us—individually and corporately. There’s no happenstance in heaven. You don’t make up things as you go along. You’re not a God who reacts out of irritation, but one who always acts out of great affection. There are no coincidences, just providences. “Stuff” doesn’t just happen; sovereignty is always happening.

Father, this way of thinking would be utter madness if you never sent Jesus—a big-time spitting into the wind; the spin of all spins; delusional at best, demonic at worst. But Jesus is the “yes” to every promise you have made. His life, death, and resurrection have secured for us the riches of the gospel, a living hope and a most glorious future. Apart from Jesus there is only unimaginable hopelessness; but, because of Jesus, we have joy unspeakable.

So bring the truth, grace, and power of this gospel into our current situations, into our personal stories of pain, into the brokenness our local churches, and into the needs of our communities.

Turn our sighs into songs, our cynicism into servanthood, and our grumblings into the rumblings of a kingdom that has come and is coming in fullness. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ triumphant and compassionate name.

Article printed from Heavenward by Scotty Smith: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith

URL to article: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2012/10/17/a-prayer-about-god-working-in-hard-providences-and-pain/

reasons we're committed to simplifying at GraceSLO

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:12:00 GMT

On Tuesday of this week, our Ministry Staff met offsite to layout the GraceSLO 2013 All Church Calendar. I love being with our team, but I don't always enjoy these particular days. Because our staff is both good at what they do and passionate about what they do, it can be a challenge to look outside of our individual ministries and think about the big picture and the sheer volume of ministry we're creating here at GraceSLO. With some new staff who have never been a part of this process and to help us begin "on the same page," yesterday, I shared these 12 reasons we're committed to continuing to simplify . . .

As staff, we want to live and model sane, balanced lives and help others live sane, balanced lives.
People need to be spiritually led and fed. Leading and feeding involves helping folks determine time and focus priorities in the church. We are called and commanded to guide people toward spiritual growth.
We want to be relationship-driven, not program-driven.
We want to encourage, not undermine family time. Sometimes what we do in ministry actually undermines the family, instead of nurturing it.
We want to reduce competition with the elder-determined priority of Growth Groups, the most effective setting for spiritual growth, discipleship and assimilation.
We want to avoid projecting/teaching that spiritual busyness = following Christ.
We want to challenge spiritual consumerism. The local church is not a purveyor of religious services, it's a Gospel community.

We want to leave room for and encourage relationships with non-believers and community involvement.
We want to move people to service, not just event attendance.
We want to fight the tendency to measure our ministry success by the number of people at our ministry events. Event attendance does not equal discipleship.
We want to grow authentic Gospel community. Event-based ministry alone doesn't accomplish this. We believe Growth Groups are the most effective way to grow real Gospel community among 1000+ people.
We want a united, coherent ministry, not competition among our ministries.
There is a power in focus. Less is more. (Apple and In-n-Out are two models of simplicity and effectiveness.)

I'm not yet sure if we simplified our 2013 calendar or not. I know we didn't add much, but I'm still evaluating if we subtracted anything. It's excruciating to subtract. Everything we do is valuable and worthwhile. But sanity and shepherding requires that we subtract. Families must say "no" to great opportunities. Church families must do the same.

You need to know our leadership is thinking about and working on these issues. We want you to be thinking about these issues, too. For now, our first priority beyond Sunday morning worship service attendance for any and all who attend GraceSLO is connection with a Growth Group.

After our meeting yesterday, Judi Peet suggested a "sabbatical month" for our church. One month in the year where we didn't do anything but worship on Sundays together. I love that idea. It sounds inviting and delicious. I'd love two months!

What do you think about that idea?

Register to Vote

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:23:00 GMT

In Sunday's services, I mentioned that today, Tuesday, October 9 is the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming election.

(Someone corrected me afterwards and told me there's a later deadline if you don't want to receive everything by mail. Not sure about that, but I'll look into it.)

You can register to vote online HERE. Every election is an important election and this one is no different.

If you're new to GraceSLO, you may be curious about how we handle political matters in our church. . . .

Here's a message, I preached a while back entitled, "The Gospel & Your Politics" which addresses these issues.

Here at GraceSLO, we're focused on preaching and teaching the Gospel. We believe that is our primary and first calling as local church . . . . to preach the Gospel to believers and unbelievers week in and week out and whenever the church gathers. We're careful with any thing which threatens, confuses, or displaces this Gospel focus . . . including politics. This is in line with Paul's approach and priority in ministry. . .

For I determined to know among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

--1 Corintihians 2:2

We want the Gospel to be crystal clear when people come to GraceSLO and we don't want people who come to our church to confuse the Gospel with nationalism or a particular political platform or agenda. Some of our leadership have VERY strong political convictions, but we recognize that Bible-believing Christians can hold varying political convictions. We believe Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and Independents can follow Christ and should come together to worship in the local church. When we come together, we come as followers and worshippers of Jesus Christ. When we gather, we come together as citizens of a heavenly kingdom, distinct from and transcending all earthly kingdoms. When we come together to worship, we lay aside our political labels and convictions at the door.

Despite our organizational boundaries, we believe political issues are extremely important issues for individual Christians. We encourage individual Christians to be involved in the political process of our free country, integrating their Biblical convictions as they go to the polls. We believe some Christians should run for office and affirm that as a legitimate and God-honoring vocational calling. Every election is an important election and Christians should be active, informed citizens.

Given our Gospel focus, we're careful with how we handle political issues in our church. Here's what GraceSLO does. . .

GraceSLO does encourage voter registration and voting.
GraceSLO does pray for elections in a general way.
GraceSLO does pray for political leaders of all political stripes.
GraceSLO does carefully address Biblical issues that happen also to be political issues (marriage and the sanctity of life/abortion are two examples).
GraceSLO does open our facilities as a community polling place.

Here's what GraceSLO does not do . . .

GraceSLO does not endorse political candidates.
GraceSLO does not hand out voter/election guides.
GraceSLO does not endorse political platforms.
GraceSLO does not permit political candidates to speak in GraceSLO ministry settings.
GraceSLO does not permit our congregational directory or database to be used for political purposes or campaigns.
GraceSLO does not permit ministry settings or small groups to be high jacked or overrun by political agendas or political passion. When we gather together, we gather to understand, process, apply and live the Gospel together. We want to be charitable and tolerant of one another and our differing political views.

We understand that some people wish we'd do more as a local church in the area of politics. We understand that some people wish we'd do less. We've tried to find a healthy balance that reflects our Gospel-focus.

Here's a message that has been helpful for our elders as we've thought through and discussed this issue. Its quite good and I couldn't agree more!

Fall Kick Off Video

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Here's a look back at our 2012 Fall Kick-Off. It was a great day together. Thanks Jack Hutchinson.

Preparing for Worship

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:02:00 GMT

Just getting to worship each Sunday is a challenge for some of us, especially if we have young children. Our family has found preparing ourselves and our kids for worship just a bit on Saturday night makes a big difference in getting out our door and to the church door on Sunday morning. Try just these 4 steps on Saturday evening. . .

1. Get kids to bed early on Saturday night. Not always possible, but we shoot for an early bedtime on Saturday.

2. Help kids pick out and layout clothes for Sunday morning. Works for us for every morning.

3. Plan breakfast for Sunday morning.

4. Pray along some of these lines. . .

Pray that God would prepare your own hearts to worship and that you would love one another on the way to worship.

Pray that God will be present in the preaching of God's Word and the gathering of God's people.
Pray for Sunday School Teachers and Pastors who will teach and open God's Word.
Pray that God will be exalted and His kingdom will be extended in our worship.
Pray for the salvation of lost people and the Gospel growth of found people.
Pray that God will give us ears to hear and feet to do His Word.
Pray that newcomers will feel welcome and that we will truly love one another as we worship.

I think a little goes a long way in terms of preparing for worship. These steps, even if you do just a couple, will help your family move toward worship together. It will highlight the priority and place of worshp in your week. You will be developing a worshipping mindset. Sunday mornings will go smoother.

And here's a great article that can help you enter into worship once you arrive at church. . . .

Oh, Behave! Conduct Worthy of the Gospel in Corporate Worship

Posted By David Mathis On September 19, 2012 @ 10:00 PM In Ministry | 43 Comments

Other Christians. Can't do corporate worship without them, and yet sometimes it feels like we can't really do corporate worship with them either.

How nice would it be if everyone would just mind their manners in weekend worship? So thinks our old self.

Let's admit it. We're tough on others, easy on ourselves. We assume others should give us the benefit of the doubt---which is the very thing we don't give to others.

She's the reason I'm distracted, the old self tells us.

If he weren't singing so loud---and so off key . . .

If they would just get off their iPads and smart phones. I'm sure they're all doing emails, or social media, rather than looking at the Bible text or taking notes.

We love to blame our neighbor, or the worship leader, for our inability to engage in corporate worship. But the deeper problem usually belongs to the one who is distracted. Few things are more hypocritical than showing up to a worship gathering of the Friend of Sinners and bellyaching that other sinners showed up too.

Checking Our Own Souls

If there is gospel etiquette for the gathered church, it starts with evaluating my heart, not their actions. Frustration with others' distracting behavior---whether in the pew in front of me, or on the stage---is deeper and more dangerous than the nonchalance or negligence that sidetracks others.

Of course, there are rare exceptions when someone really is totally out of line. Such as the guy who brought his own tambourine one week. But even in the occasional instance where someone's worship conduct is seriously out of bounds, what if we started by asking ourselves some hard questions?

If love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), might God be calling me to look past this distraction I perceive?
Am I really applying John 13:34-35 ("love one another") to fellow Christians in weekly corporate worship? If we can't apply John 13:34-35 when the church is gathered, are we really going to apply this elsewhere?

The principle of walking in line with the gospel (Galatians 2:14) in corporate worship looks like this: In grace consider others enough to refrain from distracting them, and extend grace to those who you find to be distracting. Here are a few suggestions for how to think well of and for others in corporate worship.

1. Arrive early.

Not only does early arrival keep you from distracting others by coming in late after the service has started, but it also enables you to greet others and extend to them a welcome as they arrive. Ain't no shame in coming early for some social time. God's happy when his children love each other.

Also, arriving early (rather than late) helps us remember that the whole service is worship, not just the sermon. Even though we'd never say it, sadly we sometimes function as if everything before the sermon is some added extra or just the warm up for the preaching. The worship really begins when the preacher ascends to his pulpit. It's fine if we miss the first few minutes of singing. No big loss.

2. Park far, sit close.

This is one practical way to count others more significant than yourselves, and look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). Parking far leaves the better spots in the lot for those arriving after you, and sitting close leaves the seats near the doors easily accessible.

3. Participate heartily.

"Heartily" is an attempt to communicate a balanced kind of engaged participation---not being a mere spectator and not being that guy singing with the out-of-control volume. The problem of over-participating speaks for itself (quite literally), but in regard to under-participating, note that you are actually robbing others of the value of corporate worship when you don't engage. Your presence is a part, and your voice is a part as well. The experience of corporate worship is enriched when all the attendees participate.

4. Smile.

I'm not counseling you to fake it or put on airs. Corporate worship is a time for gladness and excitement, not dourness and mere duty. Try to make the most of your morning ^[1] before attending corporate worship, and let your gladness be contagious. Like George Mueller, seek to get your soul happy in Jesus, and ask God for help to spill over some of your soul satisfaction on others.

5. Stay late and engage others.

Come on the look for people, transition Godward in the worship gathering, and leave on the look for others. Some of the most significant conversations in the life of the church happen immediately after worship gatherings. Relationally, this is one of the most strategic times during the week to be available and on the lookout for

new faces you can make feel welcomed
old faces you can connect with
hurting people you can comfort
happy people you can be encouraged by.

Sometimes you just gotta go after a service. We get it. That's okay. There are special events, or unusual demands, or seasons of life with small, antsy children. But if you're bouncing out the doors every week as soon as possible after the services ends (or even before it's over), you're at least not making the most of corporate worship.

6. Come to receive from God and give to others.

This is the banner over all the other charges. Come to corporate worship on the lookout for feeding on God and his grace, and on the lookout for giving grace to others. Come to be blessed by God, and to bless others. Receive from him, give to them.

We're prone to get this backwards. We come to worship thinking that we're somehow giving to God, and we subtly expect we'll be receiving from others. We desperately need to turn that pattern on its head.

The God we worship is one not "served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" (Acts 17:25). And when he came in the flesh, he did so "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). Beware coming to corporate worship to serve God. But by all means, come on the lookout to serve others. Worshiping God and building up others aren't mutually exclusive but come to their fullness together.

We give to one another as we together come to receive from God our soul's satisfaction. We kill both the vertical and horizontal of corporate worship when we come looking to give to God and receive from others.

Article printed from The Gospel Coalition Blog: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc

URL to article: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/09/19/oh-behave-conduct-worthy-of-the-gospel-in-corporate-worship/

URLs in this post:

[1] make the most of your morning: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/first-things-first-making-the-most-of-your-morning

Business People: check this guy out

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:11:00 GMT

I'm not sure why he's riding a trike, but do you know who this is?

Its David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby. I was truly inspired this morning in reading this recent Forbes article. . .

http://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2012/09/18/david-green-the-biblical-billionaire-backing-the-evangelical-movement/print/

A few thoughts. . .

I really appreciated the open, unbiased tone of the article. Thank you author, Brian Solomon.
I loved it that Forbes made space for an article like this. Thank you, Forbes.
We talk a lot about Christian athletes, but we don't talk enough about Christian business people. Because this is true, we are neglecting the calling/vocaton of business. I believe in the calling/vocation of business. My business friends need inspiring, challenging models like David Green.
This guy has given away an estimated $500 million. WOW! I loved his unappologetic, unashamed Gospel boldness. He's living for eternity and paying his starting employees $13/hour. That's challenging to me as I think about the employment side of our church. He's designed the company to be given away if dismantled or sold. WOW!

Any thoughts on your end?

Covenant Signings

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:31:00 GMT

Last Thursday, our elders spent nearly 4 hours putting the finishing touches on our Membership Class Manual & Materials in preparation for the launch of our first round of 5 membership classes this Sunday.

At the end of our time, we prayed together and signed our GraceSLO Covenant together. It was a special moment and one I'll remember for the rest of my life. Afterward, Steve Potratz remarked. . . .

"I remember 20 years ago a group of us meeting with Pastor Deane Keller
discussing and agreeing about our need for
Covenant Membership here at Grace.
How exciting it is to see it finally happen after all these long years."

I was telling the rest of Ministry Staff about our time on Tuesday morning and sharing how disappointed I was that we hadn't taken a picture. All of a sudden, Dori Iunker, our Children's Ministry Director, said . . .

"When do we get to sign the Covenant?
How come you didn't do this with us?"

I replied. . .

"Let's do it right now."

And so we did. And this time, we snapped a picture . . . and a panoramic picture, no less, with Josh's new iPhone 5. (Please, just look past the messy desk.) I'll remember this moment, too!

Our curriculum and manual has been a labor of love . . . . a ton of work, but so fun to work on and revise together. If the GraceSLO family could only see the long hours, and painstaking debate over every word and phrase. You'll just have to trust me. Your elders care deeply for you, the family of GraceSLO.

Here's a pic of 125 copies of the 65 page manual . . . hot of the press . . . and before assembly . . . for the first round of classes. . . .

If, for some reason, you've totally missed our promo about the classes and you still want to jump in to this first round, there's still a bit of space in our two 10:45 AM classes. You can register HERE.

If this first round didn't work for you, consider Round 2, which begins on Sunday, October 28. You can register HERE.

Covenant Membership: jump in

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:39:00 GMT

Covenant Membership Classes at GraceSLO start Sunday, September 30, 2012.

Our 3 classes of 30 for the 9:00 AM hour are now full, but there is still room in the two 10:45 AM classes. You can register HERE.

Perhaps you're still unsure or nervous about Covenant Membership. That's ok. But check out this thoughtful perspective from David Powlison. . . . we couldn't agree more.

I'm convinced we underestimate the power, place and priority of the local church in God's plan of Gospel sanctification.

I've preached twice about the doctrine of the church this summer. If you're new to GraceSLO or thinking about coming or you missed these messages. . . take some time to listen. We want you to understand what the Bible teaches about the local church . . . and what we teach here at GraceSLO. Here are those messages. . .

"Church" out of James 5 preached on June 3, 2012

"The Gospel & Our Church Life" out of Philippians 2 preached on September 16, 2012

Bremen Town at Fall Kick-Off

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Our 2012 Fall Kick-Off is happening this Sunday, September 23, 10:00 AM at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo.

Hopefullly you are PRAYING.

Hopefully you are COMING.

Hopefully you are SERVING.

Hopefully you are INVITING.

At our 10:00 AM service, we'll kick-off our Fall Life of Joseph series. Lunch will be served at 11:30 AM. Games, fun and fellowship will follow. And then at 12:30 PM, Bremen Town, a local blues band from Atascadero will host an afternoon concert . . .

Our family stumbled on to Bremen Town playing at the Avila Barn this summer. We got some ice cream and planned to head out, but Bremen Town grabbed our attention and we sat on the grass. We were totally sucked in by these talented young people. We didn't want to leave, but eventually needed to, so we paid for a CD and kept listening in the car.

That was early in the summer. I have to tell you, we have listen to that CD innumerable times! Our family has completely fallen in love with this band! They begged me to see if we could get Bremen Town to play at our Fall Kick-Off and last week we locked them in.

Their music is a combination of gospel and blues . . . guitar, banjo, stand-up base, mandolin, and fiddle. Great harmonies and songs that totally grow on you. We can't wait to hear them again live this weekend. We hope you like them as much as we do.

Here's a sample of their music in advance. . . .

And here's a youtube video that gives a sense of their fun presence. . . .

re-aiming for the fall

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:05:00 GMT

The fall is upon us and it's always a HUGE opportunity for ministry at GraceSLO.

Yesterday, was a great Sunday with many college students back. Even with 200 away at Lake San Antonio it was a pretty crowded morning. The fall is going to full!

In yesterday's message, we took the opportunity to re-aim and consider again the kind of life together God desires for the local church. *

(If you were at the lake or missed it for some other reason, I want to encourage you to LISTEN HERE, so we can all be on the same page was we embrace the fall.)

We looked at Philippians 2 and saw 6 qualities that Paul desired and hoped for in the church at Philippi. These are things God desires for our fellowship as well . . . .

a UNITED life together (2:2)
a CARING life together (2:3-4)
a HUMBLE life together (2:3-8)
a WORKING-IT-OUT life together. (2:12-13)
a BRIGHT life together (2:14-15)
a JOYFUL life together (2:17-18)

I want what Paul wants! I'm praying and striving for these things in our church this fall. Join me.

listen with me

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Today is Friday. Every Friday I look forward to downloading the latest The World and Everything In It podcast.

I've shared repeatedly here at Life Together about my appreciation for World Magazine. And I think I've shared once before about World's new weekly podcast, "The World and Everything In It."

I'm just logging in to let you know I've been digging it more than ever in these months leading up to the election. I feel like I get news that I'm not getting from any other sources and from a Biblical perspective. Every time I listen, I think, "I wish our church family was listening to this each week." Susie has said, "You've got to get our church to listen to this!"

So, I'm pointing you toward it again!

You can sample HERE

You can subscribe in iTunes HERE.

Do me a favor . . . listen and tell me what you think!

Here's something I listened to. . . and I enjoyed . . . and was challenged by. . . as I was driving around town today. (Come on, just click over there and listen. Its less than 4 minutes long!)

Earthen Vessels

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Last Sunday, I preached on "The Gospel & Your Body" and we were reminded together of all the Bible says about our bodies and how markedly different these messages are from the messages our culture continually "preaches" to us about our bodies.

I was challenged in my thinking by Matthew Lee Anderson's Earthen Vessels: Why Our Bodies Matter to our Faith. Here are a few things I appreciated about this book. . . .

1. It's Gospel-centered . . . working from and around the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus's body.

Our Savior died to save and renew human bodies. Despite brokenness, disease, and decay, he has not nor will he ever forget the frame he knit together in our mother's womb. And the more we embed our minds, our hearts, our bodies, within the uniquely encompassing reality of his love, the more we will see our lives and our worlds transformed.

2. It's expansive in scope . . . here's the table of contents. . . .don't you want to read some of these chapters? Lee made me think in some fresh ways about the Gospel and my body.

3. It's well-written . . . I just enjoyed Lee's style and writing. He clearly loves words and I love them, too.

I've asked the GraceSLO library ladies to order it for our church library. Grab it when you have a chance.

"Lost in the MIddle": A few favs

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:18:00 GMT

Here are those promised favorite quotes from Paul Tripp's Lost in the Middle . . .

The Bible is a narrative, and because it's a narrative, it tells us everything we need to know about midlife concerns. The Bible is the great story of redemption that encompasses the stories of every human life. It is the overarching "everything" story. It is comprehensive in scope without being exhaustive in content. It gives us wisdom for everything without directly discussing every particular thing.

The great narrative of Word of God gives me everything I need to know about God, about myself, about the purpose and meaning of life, and about what is true, good, and beautiful. The Bible is the lens through which I look at all of life. In it I find the truths, values, goals and hopes that are meant to give shape and direction to my life. All these things are cords woven into the fabric of one grand and amazing story. It is God's story. He is the principal actor and the grand hero. Without his story, the doctrines, principles, commands and promises make no sense whatsoever.

In light of this story, every passage of Scripture reveals things about God, about people, about life in this fallen world, about redemption and eternity, which helps me understand whatever I am considering at the moment.

We all tend to fall into believing that what is, will always be. We tend to ignore the fact that everything, this side of God, is always changing and that all of creation is in a state of decay. We get lulled to sleep by our frenetic busyness, one day lapping upon another until huge chunks of time have passed. In the meantime, we have not noticed how much we, and the things around us, have changed. Then suddenly, something shocks us into the startling realization that we are way older than we thought and life has changed much more than we noticed. This realization and the disorientation that flows from it is what our culture calls a midlife crisis.

These two points--that our lives never work according to our plans and that we are always trying to figure out our lives-- effectively define and explain the "crisis" of midlife. The disorientation of midlife is the result of a powerful personal awareness and a powerful personal interpretation. . . . Whatever trouble midlife brings to us is essentially caused by the wrong thinking we bring to it. Suddenly we see things about ourselves that have been developing for years but went by unnoticed.

Each time we dread aging or mourn death, we are crying out for a Redeemer to defeat death forever. Aging, sickness and deterioration, and death preach the Gospel because they point to the utter futility of living a life that ends this way. Redemption makes thpe story rational again, because in defeating death, it gives to each redeemed one a story that ends the way it was meant to end---with life. Midlife struggles are dyed with all the life-and-death drama of the Gospel . These struggles are not weird or unnatural. They make sense. When you listen below the surface you will hear the horrible cries of the fall mixing with the awesome celebrations of eternity. In the dread of aging and death, the drama of redemption bubbles to the surface.

Amen! Let it be in my life. Lots more great stuff. A worthwhile read.

Lost in the Middle

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:28:00 GMT

Been a long time and a fun & full summer. I won't take the time/space to explain where I've been and what I've been doing, I'll just start blogging again.

Last Sunday, I preached on "The Gospel & Your Aging" where I discussed my recurrent mid-life crises and how the Gospel in Philippians 3 can help us age well and joyfully.

I mentioned, but didnt' really recommend Paul Tripp's book, Lost in the Middle. I meant to. I should have. I am now. Terrific book for anyone over 35. Love pretty much any thing by the Tripp brothers.

Parable has the hardcover HERE.

iTunes has the e-copy for cheap HERE.

I'll throw a quote or two up tomorrow to wet your whistle . . .

The Gospel & Your Smartphone" resources

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:37:00 GMT

Here's the recent Newsweek article that I referenced throughout Sunday's message, "The Gospel & Your Smartphone" . . .

Here's a quick vid with the author of the article. . . .

Here are the two books I recommended in the message. Both are thought provoking, Biblical and challenging. I recommend you squeeze them into your summer reading . . .

2012 4th of July Picnic

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:14:00 GMT

HT: Jack Hutchinson who put together the video.

this week

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 05:00:00 GMT

This is where our family is this week. . . .

We're at Campus by the Sea on Catalina Island where I'm teaching throughout the week on the life of Peter. It's been a busy time leading up to the week and I don't feel quite prepared, but I'm praying for a meaningful, restful week for all who come . . . and for our family, too.

If you think about it this week, please pray for our time. No blogging until at least July 1st. Don't forget about our July 4 picnic. Hope to see you there.

a quick reminder about designated giving

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 14:00:00 GMT

If you had the opportunity to attend or listen to our 2012 Annual Report, you heard a quick tidbit about designated giving. On behalf of the Financial Trustees and Elders, I wanted to remind you of this information here at Life Together.

The last thing we want to do is turn away your gift to the work of God at GraceSLO! At the same time, we're bound by IRS regulations as a non-profit organization to concuct our financial matters in certain approved ways. We want you to understand how our church works and our approach to these matters.

Here's a list of approved Designated Funds and a general description of what each is used for. Giving to these Funds means your gift is tax-deductible . . .

When it comes to the last category, "Special & Short Term Designated Funds", we will almost alwasy request and invite you to give to these trips and special projects when these funds are open. When the trip or project is complete, that fund will be closed out.

The reason we limit regular giving to these 4 ongoing accounts is to avoid everyone funding their own pet projects or just the things they’re passionate about. It really defeats the purpose of our budget, when everyone does “what’s right in their own eyes” and gives to what they want.

The reality is together we fund global missions through our general fund. Together we support our staff. Together we keep the lights on and our facility in good working condition . . . through our General Fund.

We want to remind you and encourage you to avoid writing other specific ministries in your check memo, beyond these approved funds. When you do, it creates fits and questions for our accountant. It also jeapordizes the tax-deductibility of your gift. This year, in an attempt to clean up things a bit, if we receive a check with an undesignated fund or ministry indicated in the memo, our accountant, Paula Richardson, will give a quick call to explain again how our Designated Funds work and ask you where you'd like to direct your gift.

If you wish to make a special gift beyond these approved accounts. . . . please contact one of our Elders and Financial Trustees and we can work with you individually. Again, the last thing we want to do is turn away your gift to the work of God here at GraceSLO.

Thanks for your faithful, cheerful giving to the ministry of GraceSLO. God is using you to change lives here!

the question of 1 Timothy 2:4?

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Here at GraceSLO, we joyfully affirm and teach the sovereignty of God in salvation and all things, for the exaltation of God's glory and the humbling of men and women. We believe this docrtrine is a cornerstone truth that shapes who we are and how we see the world. We want adults and our kids to wrestle with this issue so they learn to love it and rest in it.

As people grapple with this truth and its profound and far reaching implications, along the way, they inevitably ask "If God is soverign in salvation, then what do you do with I Timothy 2:4?"

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to besaved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I've been asked this question more times than I can count. Really.

Here's John Piper's answer, which also happens to be my answer. He's just more succinct, clear and articulate than I am!

God Desires All to Be Saved,
and Grants Repentance to Some

June 12, 2012 | by John Piper

Put two texts together, and see what you see.

“God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth(eis epignōsin alētheias)” (1 Timothy 2:4).

“God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth (eis epignōsin alētheias)” (2 Timothy 2:25).

Here’s what I see:

1. Though God desires all people to be saved, he “may perhaps grant repentance.” Which I think means that God’s desire for all to be saved does not lead him to save all. God has desires that do not reach the level of volition. They are restrained by other considerations — like his wisdom, which guides him to display his glory in the fullest way. He has his reasons for why he “may perhaps grant repentance” to some sinners, and not to others.

2. The “knowledge of the truth” is a gift of God. God “grants [i.e., gives] repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” Without the gift of repentance, we would not know the truth. This is evidently what 1 Timothy 2:4 means also: We must be “saved and [in that way] come to a knowledge of the truth.” Saved from our blindness to the truth.

3. Therefore the truth Paul has in mind is not truth that the natural man can see. But the natural man can see a lot of truth. Tens of thousands of truths are open to the natural mind. What truth can the natural man not see? The natural man cannot see the glory of Christ in the gospel. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

4. This is why God must “grant” what it takes to see the truth of the gospel. We are blind to it. And Satan keeps us that way. Until God “grants” repentance (metanoia) — the change of mind that can see and receive the truth of the gospel.

5. Therefore, our prayers for the unbelievers we love, and our evangelism, should be driven by this one and only hope for their salvation: “God may perhaps grant them repentance.” Since he alone has the power to overcome spiritual deadness and Satanic blindness, we lay hold in prayer and witness on the truth: “God may grant repentance.” That is our only hope.

So let us follow Paul: “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). And: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

Dads, what are your priorities?

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Father's Day is Sunday. I was challenged by this short Ted Talk. I need to be continually challenged. I hope you're challenged . . .

HT: Harold Emsheimer

What are your goals? How are you living? What would change in your life if you were in seat 1D? Why not change it now?

real community vs our "wish dreams"

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:00:00 GMT

In our wrap up of the book of James two weeks ago under the title "Church", we looked at some Deitrich Bonhoeffer quotes from Life Together. A few have requested I post them. Here they are. . . .

Here Bonhoeffer reminds us that in order to experience true Christian community we must first face our unrealistic, idealistic notions of community . . . our "wish dreams" . . . we must face our disillusionment . . .

Innumerable times a whole Christian community has broken down because it had sprung from a wish dream. The serious Christian, set down for the first time in a Christian community, is likely to bring with him a very definite idea of what Christian life together should be and try to realize it. But God’s grace  speedily shatters such dreams.

Just as surely as God desires to lead us to a knowledge  of genuine Christian fellowship, so surely must we be overwhelmed by a great disillusionment with others,  with Christians in general, and, if we are fortunate, with ourselves. By sheer grace,  God will not permit us to live even for  a brief period in a dream world.

The sooner this shock of disillusionment comes to an individual and to a community the better for both... He who loves his dream of community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions  may be ever so honest and earnest  and sacrificial.

Here Bonhoeffer reminds us that Christian community is more deeper and more mysterious than we can even fathom and centers around the Gospel of Jesus Christ. . . .

We belong to one another  only through and in Jesus Christ.  What does this mean? It means, first, that a Christian  needs others because of Jesus Christ. It means, second, that a Christian  comes to others only through Jesus Christ. It means, third, that in Jesus Christ  we have been chosen from eternity, accepted in time, and united for eternity.

we're not trying to insult you. . . really!

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:25:00 GMT

But we are trying to welcome newcomers!

In last Sunday's message entitled "The Gospel & Church Covenants" , I addressed the question, "Is using a written, signed covenant BIBLICAL?"

As I've interacted with folks in our church family over these issues, and I've continued musing, it's dawned on me . . .

Some who've been committed to GraceSLO for 20, 30, 40 . . . 80 years (yes, there are some!) feel INSULTED that now, all the sudden, we're asking them to sign a written covenant. After all, they've given, served and been committed for years and years. Why must they "sign" a piece of paper?

I totally get that! I understand that perspective.

But please consider our aim of helping newcomers quickly connect and commit to GraceSLO. Think about them, not you. Somewhere along the way you figured our church out and became committed. I'm so thankful you did! But I think you've forgotten what it feels like to come into a new church for the first time and what it takes to connect.

We want to make it clear what GraceSLO is about and how to connect/commit. We don't want people to have to figure it out. We want to show them the way. We believe a signed covenant is one part of a process to help newcomers connect and serve as soon as possible here at GraceSLO. A signed covenant "front loads" what we believe, what we're about and what it means to be committed to GraceSLO. It invites people to join us in these commitments and gives them a concrete way to do that. Without a signed covenant newcomers MIGHT commit to these things over time, but it might take a long time. And we'd never really know if and when they were committed. A signed covenant makes it clear and concrete and that's a really good thing.

So don't be insulted. We're not trying to insult you if you're already committed to GraceSLO. We're trying to welcome and quickly vet those who are not yet committed to GraceSLO. It wouldn't be practical to only have newcomers sign the covenant, so we're asking all to sign it.

If you're already committed to GraceSLO, it shouldn't be a big deal to express your commitment in this new way. It's a way for you lead the way in helping others commit.

Remember, the Gospel is the good news that God has committed Himself to us in Jesus Christ. God loves it when His people commit, recommit and pledge ourselves back to Him.

Let's not be conformed to this world in being afraid of commitments!

Life@GraceSLO | 06.07.12

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:44:00 GMT

Beloved Family of GraceSLO,

The turnout at last Sunday's Annual Report & Congregational Meeting was AMAZING. Thanks to all who set aside the time and made it a priority to come out. Many of you were unable to make it for a variety of reasons, but we want to make sure you have the opportunity to process all we shared about our GraceSLO financial position and Covenant Membership.

To that end, I want to point you to the following links:

In addition, we've created the following new pages on our website which contain the information from the PDF above . . .

Finally, I want to direct your attention to two messages I preached about Covenant Membership a little while ago. If you're struggling with the concept of Covenant Membership, please take the time to listen for the first time or again . . .

Our first 4 week Covenant Membership Class will kick off this Fall on Sunday, September 30. Between now and then , we encourage you to bring your questions, concerns and feedback to our Elders.

This Sunday we will begin our summer sermon series entitled, "The Gospel for Real Life", where we'll address all sorts of fun topics from "The Gospel & Your Smart Phone" to "The Gospel & Your Food." If the series title sounds familiar, it's because I preached a series of similar messages back in 2008.

The Gospel for Real Life. This summer we'll add to that collection.

This Sunday I'll tackle "The Gospel & Church Covenants" and address the question, "Is the concept of a signed covenant Biblical?" I know some of you are asking that question! Come study God's Word with us at 9 & 10:45 AM. Invite a friend.

It's a time of change at GraceSLO with staff transitions and the coming of Covenant Membership. That means it is a time for prayer at GraceSLO.

Join me, this summer, in praying for our unity in line with Philippians 2:2. . .

". . . Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." --Philippians 2:2

Hope to see you Sunday.

Because of & for the Gospel. . . Pastor Tim