WindSights

Every Day is a Gift!

2011-06-27T14:51:00.008-04:00

On May 20th, 2011 I had BRAIN SURGERY to remove a malignant form of brain cancer from the frontal lobe of my brain! The day before my beloved wife Kathy who is a nurse took me to the Emergency Room because I was having symptoms that concerned her (headache, disorientation, etc.) - and a few hours later they opened up my head like a can-opener!

The crazy thing is ... I felt better the day after surgery than I had in a month - and my physical recovery has been very good. I'm walking, talking, and enjoying time with my family. The reality is ... while the doctor thinks he got most of the tumor - there were areas of the tumor he could not completely remove - and the pathology report was sobering when it confirmed that my tumor was a Gioblastoma - Grade 4. We are following up with a focused treatment plan of radiation and chemotherapy to attempt to put any remnants of this cancer into remission.

As I have reflected on my experience with brain surgery and this cancer diagnosis - one of the the things that has become clear to me is:

EVERY DAY IS A GIFT!

I've officiated at funerals where a loved one unexpectedly died with no time to communicate things they really wanted to with their family. In my case, my diagnosis is sobering - but I've already had five weeks of time to tell stories, sing songs, take pictures, and say things to my family and others that a deeply important! (The picture at the beginning of this post was taken on June 25th at Lake Wawasee - five weeks after my surgery! The staples in my incision have given way to a little scar - but other than that and the short haircut the surgeon gave me - I look and act pretty "normal" for now!)

I feel like I've experienced my first healing already - surviving brain surgery - and I'm grateful! I'm planning to live a bit longer in this body - but someday it will fail me. I'm OK with that. I am not defined by my body. I am a child of God, made in His image - a spirit - and my journey is ultimately going to end up in His presence - where ultimate healing occurs! I'm in no hurry to get there - but I have a hope that will last forever! So either way, I win!

My commitment now, is to live every day for His glory - to honor my calling as a bond-servant of Jesus - and to honor my covenant marriage with my wife Kathy. By his grace, I plan to do that every day I have the breath of life in me!

Every Day is a Gift ... and I'm thankful!

Stan R. Buck

A Post-Script about This Blog:

I've called this blog "Windsights" because of my love for sailing and my realization that my role in life is to "adjust" to the presence of God's Spirit (pneuma - the "wind" of God). When I sail, I can't tell the wind which direction to blow, but when I "adjust" my sails to the wind - I have the power to move forward. So now, I'm doing some "adjusting" in my life - to respond to what God's Spirit is doing in me.

I may not post a lot more on this site. Prior to my surgery I was making a move to a new blog site: www.stanbuckonline.com Feel free to visit there as I plan to offer some more of the insights and lessons I'm learning from this experience.

I have also created a Caring Bridge site for family and friends to follow my medical journey. You can find that here! (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stanbuck)

St. Patrick Didn't Drink Green Beer!

2011-03-16T20:00:00.003-04:00

This week we will honor a great missionary ... in an odd way!

St. Patrick was so passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ that he returned to Ireland, where he had been captured into slavery as a youngster - you can learn about about his real story here.

Here is a guy that took risks - and boldly proclaimed the truth of God's amazing grace!

I still find it odd that a tradition has developed in our country to celebrate the life of a great missionary by consuming large quantities of green beer!

Now, I'm not trying to "kill the fun" of St. Patrick's Day - but I would encourage you to join me and "take some risks" to share the news of God's amazing grace with the people you are around on St. Patrick's Day! (Even if they've consumed large amounts of green beer!)

Let's go from "green" to "grace" this year!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Fat Tuesday

2011-03-08T22:08:00.003-05:00

Today is "Mardi Gras" (Fat Tuesday)

A lot of people are sinning today ... before "repenting" tomorrow. (Ash Wednesday)

This doesn't make sense to me. It made no sense to the Apostle Paul either:

Romans 6:1-2:

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"

Instead of "sinning more" to be "forgiven more" - I wonder ...

... what would happen if we served more, gave more, lived more?

Tomorrow we begin a Spiritual Journey of WONDER: 40 Days of Generosity!

Join us! (www.40DaysofWonder.com)

A 40-Day Spiritual Journey

2011-03-06T23:54:00.006-05:00

We are preparing for a 40-day spiritual journey at Sonrise. We believe God is going to do a great thing in our midst. Our journey begins this week on Ash Wednesday (March 9, 2011) and will continue through Palm Sunday (April 17, 2011).

You can learn more about this journey and subscribe to daily blog posts here.

Join us ...

“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."

- Matthew 3:3 (NIV)

When God transforms a person, he often does it over 40 days:

- Noah had his life transformed by 40 days of rain.

- Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai.

- Joshua& Caleb were changed by 40 days in the Promised Land.

- The city of Ninevah was transformed by 40 days of repentance.

- Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.

- The Disciples spent 40 days with Jesus after his resurrection.

What about you?

Wonder what God could do in these 40 Days to transform your life?

"Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Then you will know what God wants you to do’” – Romans 12:2

www.40DaysofWonder.com

The Budget Picture

2011-02-25T12:06:00.003-05:00

I've previously posted my thoughts about "Government Math"

Here is a picture of what the proposed federal budget looks like:

For a detailed explanation of this graph - go here.

I'm still praying for our President and our nation's leaders! There will be a lot of "noise" in the coming days about this issue - and a lot of "heat" in the rhetoric. I'm praying there will also be some "light" in the discussions.

We need a sustainable plan to steward our resources wisely as a nation! (This is true at every level: federal, state, local, & PERSONAL!)

President's Day Prayer

2011-02-21T13:26:00.002-05:00

On this "President's Day" we see on the news that Libya is "on fire" ... US citizens are being held by Somalian pirates ... a government "contractor" is being held in Pakistan being charged with murder ... Congress is dealing with significant budget challenges ... and those are only a few of the things we know - our President is expected to deal with each. I disagree with President Obama's policies on many fronts ... but it must be an overwhelming job on days like this ... what can I do today that would be constructive? I could give my opinion or complain but one of the best things I can do is obey scripture and pray! So I will ...

LORD JESUS,

I pray for President Obama to have wisdom from your Spirit. Give him courage to lead ... wise counsel from those surrounding them ... protect him and his family ... surround him with your amazing grace! AMEN!

1 Timothy 2: 1-10 (The Message)

"The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned:that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus,who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out.This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashionsbut doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it."

The Problem with Government Math

2011-02-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

Government Math doesn't work!

In coming days there will be much discussion and debate about the "budget" for OUR government, and since I help "fund" this budget personally (along with any of the rest of you that pay taxes), I would really like to know that the people proposing and approving this government budget were good at math. Apparently there are not!

Our president's new budget proposes a "freeze" on spending that went UP by 20% last year. That means this proposal is that we continue to spend 20% more than we did just two years ago - which only adds more to our "deficit" and our national debt! Though a bit dated, this video illustrates well the problem with this kind of thinking!

These numbers only add up to more problems ... not more solutions!

WE are spending ourselves into a crisis! Somebody, please take the credit cards away! We need leaders who will lead! WE must be prepared to demand less of government, not more.

Some apparently believe the way to "solve" this is to raise taxes even higher. I propose we spend less! If there was any evidence that additional tax revenue would be carefully and efficiently managed by OUR government, I might be "open" to that - but I see no such evidence!

I am prepared to take less in entitlements (Social Security, Medicare, Etc.). I understand we can't live on money we don't have! If our elected leaders don't get that, I suggest we elect others who do. (In the meantime, let's require government officials to take "Math 101" again!)

It's time for leaders to lead! PLEASE!

The World Changed Today (02-11-2011)

2011-02-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

The world changed today!

This date: 02-11-2011 will be a memorable one for the Egyptian people heard the words they were longing to hear for the last several weeks ... and some for the last 30 years ... their dictator was leaving power.

The results of this action are still unclear. Whatever they are, they will change the Middle East ... and the rest of the world!

I can remember the day in October, 1981 when Egypt's previous president, Anwar Sadat was assassinated. (I was on my honeymoon with Kathy!) This happened only a few short years after Sadat made peace with Israel. His successor was Hosni Mubarak!

Now that Mr. Mubarak has left power, the question is, who will lead Egypt into the future. Will it be a peace-maker or a war-monger? Will it be a rational person or a radical extremist? Will there be democratic rule or military dictatorship? We don't know ... but I'm confident that our God is still sovereign. (These events have not surprised God!)

Whoever is leading Egypt now, and in the future - I am praying for them, that is what the Bible tells me to do:

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men–the testimony given in its proper time." - 1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NIV)

I am praying for God's Kingdom to come ... for God's will to be done! (For Egypt and for US!)

Snow What?

2011-02-01T22:22:00.002-05:00

It's the first day of February and we are in the middle of a blizzard in northern Indiana. The wind is howling, the snow is blowing, and everything is getting cancelled! This is a "rite of passage" in this part of the world ... winter storms that have kids (and teachers) praying for school cancellations!

On my Facebook account I posted a question for some of my "older" friends to consider, "Where were you in the Blizzard of '78?" Those of us over 40 remember it fondly - though it was quite a disruptive winter storm that basically shut down communities for a whole week. After literally "digging out" from under the snow - drifts that were at points 8-10 feet high blocking doorways and burying cars in the driveway - we ended up "walking" to the grocery store because driving was not an option on the drifted roads.

Perhaps this "blizzard" will be a memory like that for a new generation. The ability to "predict" this is certainly much improved from 30-some years ago. It is still amazing to see the impact of a winter snow storm ... it is both inspiring and humbling!

... I am humbled by the way "nature" can bring all the power of modern society to a standstill!

... and I'm inspired by what God can do with a gathering of snowflakes moved by the power of the wind!

LORD,

May the "wind" of your Spirit move us to make the kind of impact a these "flakes" are tonight!

SRB

My Daily Tweet

2011-01-27T20:48:00.004-05:00

Last year I started a Twitter account @stanbuck and occasionally I'll post a "tweet" - which is limited to 140 characters, so if I have a succinct thought from my little mind I'll occasionally share it for the whole world to see. (Well ... at least the 63 people who are "following" me on Twitter can see it!)

This year I am trying to read through the Psalms & Proverbs. I'm doing this on a "sort-of-daily" basis on my iPhone thanks to youversion.com - which offers helpful reading plans with an online Bible that is available FREE for smart phones and on the internet. Some days, I find a great pithy verse from my reading of Scripture and I can "retweet" it on my Twitter account!

Technology is fun ... God's Word is eternal ... so I'm having some "eternal fun" mixing scripture and my thoughts in my "occasional-daily" tweet - here's what I posted today ...

stanbuck Stan Buck

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." My reflection matters more than my complexion!http://bible.us/Prov27.19.NIV

13 hours ago Favorite Reply Delete

LORD,

May the reflection of my heart shine the light of your face!

SRB

Deleting a Facebook Fight

2011-01-26T22:51:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I have the urge to "say" something about politics - I try to hold back, but sometimes I just can't help myself!

So today I decided to "post" my thoughts on Facebook about the State of the Union address this week - and the responses in the media. I was "proud" of my "point" - but what I was not prepared for the "discussion" that broke out in the comments under mine!

The first few replies were thoughtful and worthwhile - from a friend who I respect. But then an old acquaintance with an "ax to grind" decided to add some fuel to the fire - making some incendiary statements and then the first friend replied to the second friend and they were at each other's input ... and a fight broke out on my Facebook page!

I decided to take action ... so I removed the inflammatory comments and replies. I basically "deleted the fight!"

Wow ... I wish it was that easy to solve disagreements in real life!

(Especially after I say things I wish I hadn't said!)

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."

- Proverbs 15:1-2 (NIV)

(A delete key is helpful too!)

The Urgency of Now (Dr. King's Dream)

2011-01-17T06:30:00.002-05:00

As a nation today we mark the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his courageous principled leadership of the civil rights movement in our country. At the core of "The Dream" was the heart of a pastor who was deeply thoughtful and filled with passionate conviction.

Today in Seth Godin's blog he cited this quote from Dr. King:

"We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood -- it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, "Too late."

May we all join Dr. King with a sense of "the fierce urgency of now" to do justice, love mercy and walk humble with our God! (Micah 6:8)

SRB

The Me I Want to Be - on Another Unique Day (1/11/11)

2011-01-11T21:32:00.004-05:00

Today is another unique day (1/11/11) ...

... a good day to be the "me" I was created by God to be!

This past Sunday we started a series of messages at Sonrise on "The Me I Want to Be." Scott Greene did a masterful job of leading off our new series with this message. (You can also listen to this on iTunes by searching "Sonrise Church Fort Wayne")

The premise of this series is that each one of us is created as a unique individual - with unique ways to grow in our relationship with God and with others. In fact, one of the goals for this series is ... becoming God's best version of you!

As John Ortberg notes in his book, "The Me I Want to Be" there are some counterfeit "me's" we sometimes choose:

the "me" I pretend to be
the "me" I think I should be
the "me" other people want me to be
the "me" I'm afraid God wants
the "me" that fails to be

But the best version of me is ...

the "me" I'm meant to be!

I look forward to teaching the second week of this series at our Fort Wayne Southwest Campus this Sunday.

Come grow with us!

Learning at Disney World

2011-01-05T16:27:00.004-05:00

We're spending two days at Walt Disney World for Kathy's Nursing Educator's Conference. While she is here learning, I'm doing some learning as well ... from Disney!

Several years ago we brought our kids here when they were young. All I remember is that it cost a lot!

To be honest, these days I'm less interested in the "rides" and the "attractions" that folks pay hundreds of dollars to experience - I'm more intrigued by the operational side of this place! I'm amazed at the planning that went into the development of Walt Disney World! The waterways connect with the hotels that connect with the attractions. The roadways and the infrastructure all work very well - because they were well planned!

This is a leadership lesson for me! The way to "get ahead" is to "think ahead!" It takes effort to make a plan work - but before it can work well, it takes some good thinking and planning!

So ... I'm resolved in this new year to "think ahead" more - so that I can "get ahead" more!

(I'm posting some of my other "Leadership Lessons" from Disney on my Leading UP blog here!)

A Unique Day (1/1/11)

2011-01-01T21:38:00.006-05:00

Today is a unique day ... 1/1/11 ... there won't be another one like this for 100 years!

So ... I spent this day with my best friend, my life partner, the love of my life!

In 1981 I said, "I DO" to this wonderful woman! This year we will celebrate 30 years of marriage together.

So ... what do you think I said when she asked today, "Do you think we should go shopping?"

I said what I said 30 years ago, "Yes honey, I DO!" (And we did!)

Every day is unique ... and my plan is to enjoy each one as much as I can in this new year!

Lessons from this Past Year

2010-12-31T15:57:00.005-05:00

As the sun gets ready to set on 2010, I'm taking some time to reflect on the highlights, lowlights, and lessons learned. I like to do this on the last week of the year, reviewing my journal and my calendar to reflect and renew my focus for the year to come!

We recently recorded this podcast of some reflections on this year at Sonrise Church with my partner in ministry, Scott Greene.

I have great memories from this past year - my 50th on this planet - it was a good year!

Here are some of the HIGHLIGHTS:

- Generous Response of our Church to "Help Heal Haiti" (January)

- My 50th Birthday! (March)

- Development of my "Pastor Coaching" Ministry (June) & Kathy's Teaching Career! (August)

- A Dream Realized at the Lake (September)

- Launch of Fort Wayne North Campus & "Over a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (November)

Here are some of the LOWLIGHTS:

- Haiti Earthquake (January)

- Driving to Out of Town Meetings (Too Many Weeks this Year)

- Tough Decisions that go with Leadership (All Year)

- Dealing with the Challenges of Change (September)

- Trading my beloved Sailboat - for a smaller one! (November)

Here are some of the LESSONS LEARNED:

- In the midst of "obstacles" there are some GREAT "opportunities" if you look for them!

(Haiti Earthquake - Generous Response, Market Lows - Big Returns)

- Leadership is most important and most dynamic in the midst of difficulties!

(The "Tough Calls" that led to growth in Sonrise Church and with "Jesus in Haiti Ministries" )

- Great growth can emerge when we deal well with "game changing" circumstances!

( Jesus in Haiti Ministries "explosive growth", Multi-Site Development)

- Multiplication is more dynamic than addition!

(Multi-Site Ministry & Multiplying Leaders, Pastor Coaching)

- Equipping others is fulfilling and fun!

(Pastor Coaching & Ministry Staff Equipping, Kathy's Teaching Career)

I'm thankful for this past year - and the lessons I've learned in the last twelve months! I look forward to the new year and the new lessons God will teach me!

My Girls

2010-12-31T13:52:00.004-05:00

Kathy and I have enjoyed the last few days with our grown daughters at the beach - but today I took them each to the airport to head home. I miss them already!

While my kids are gone from my home - they will always be very close to my heart!

Here's a picture of "My Girls" ...

(I get to spend the rest of my life with the one in the middle!)

Indiana Earthquake!

2010-12-30T13:50:00.003-05:00

Reports indicate an EARTHQUAKE shook Indiana early this morning! This is not something folks in our part of the world are used to! While this may "shake" some folks, it may be one more chance to direct our praise to the God of creation ...

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

may the Lord rejoice in his works—

he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,

who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

as I rejoice in the Lord.

But may sinners vanish from the earth

and the wicked be no more.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Praise the Lord.

- Psalm 104:31-35 (NIV)

Perhaps the Lord is "looking" over my home state today!

FREE Christmas

2010-12-26T14:37:00.001-05:00

This December at Sonrise we decided to make it our goal this to FREE Christmas ...

We wanted to FREE this "holy day" from being simply materialistic shopping holiday!
We also wanted to proclaim the FREE gift of God's grace to as many people as possible!

One of the ways we did that is we held a total of eight Christmas Eve Candlelight Services in three locations! Another thing we decided to do was take a FREE Christmas Offering to help others experience the freedom of God's Amazing Grace ...

I'm thrilled to say that 1,678 people joined us to worship the King who was born at CHRISTmas! (That was a 40% increase over the previous year!)
I'm even more thrilled that over $40,000 was given to help provide "clean water" around the world, assist with benevolent needs in our own community, and to multiply our outreach efforts! (This will all "over & above" our other ministry giving!)

I'm proud of our church ... and I'm humbled to serve as one of it's pastors!

I will NOT be home for Christmas!

2010-12-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

I love the song - and I love being home - but I will NOT be home for Christmas this year!

We just finished eight Christmas Eve services in three locations - with nearly 1,700 people sharing the light of Christ! It was a great night - even though it made for a long day!

We are "hitting the road" on Christmas Day to connect with our family in Florida for some family fun in the sun! I'm looking forward to time with my favorite people in the world!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Making Friends is Worthwhile

2010-12-23T22:24:00.004-05:00

I've been "making friends" today on Facebook ... I have not typically "asked" people to be my friend online, but have simply responded to others! Today I decided to just be friendly and ask several people to "accept" me as friends ... and they did! I made nearly 20 "friends" today!

Facebook is mocked by some, but it has become a great means of social networking for so many. I've "reconnected" with old high school friends, stayed in touch with good friends who live hundreds of miles away, and been able to respond to the needs and prayers of friends literally around the world! What a great privilege!

I find it remarkable that Facebook has created thousands of jobs for people and a nice business profit simply by encouraging people to be friends! (Though ironically the founder of this enterprise appears to have alienated some of his friends in the process ... interestingly portrayed in the movie, "The Social Network")

Friendship is a good thing. Those who've responded to the grace of God through Christ and sought to obey his commands are even called "friends of God" (see John 15:14-17). That's a good friendship to have!

Friendship is "worthwhile" - worth the time, money, or effort spent; of value or importance (Webster's Dictionary) To the investors of Facebook, it has been VERY worthwhile! To the rest of us ... it is too!

I'm thankful to be called a "friend of God" and I'm grateful to be called a "friend" by 497 people on Facebook ... soon that may be 500! Zowie! (Would you like to be my friend?)

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."

- 1 John 4:7 (NIV)

Don't Ask ... Don't Tell ... Don't Repent!

2010-12-22T20:41:00.006-05:00

Today many in our nation are rejoicing that it is now finally the "law of the land" that "gay" individuals will be able to serve openly in the United States military.

I guess this day was inevitable and the days which follow will most likely be inevitable as well - with increased "acceptance" of homosexual lifestyles we will all soon be expected to embrace "gay marriage" along with other "gay rights."

Apparently this is now supported by "public opinion" - and it has been duly voted on by our elected leaders and signed into law by our nation's president.

It appears that I am now in the minority ... so be it. My position is "politically incorrect," but I would rather be right before God than man. I believe I am a compassionate and caring person - but today I am deeply grieved. We have moved from "Don't Ask ... Don't Tell" to "Don't Repent!"

While I certainly believe that ALL PERSONS are created equal, I do not agree that all behaviors are good, nor are they constitutional "rights." I also believe that all persons have divine value and worth, including those who identify themselves as "homosexual" persons. I am simply not convinced that a "homosexual lifestyle" is God's design or desire - and I believe we have today in our nation ignored God's best way - the way of Jesus, who was full of "grace AND truth." (see John 1:14)

The "grace" of God emphasizes that forgiveness is free and complete. The "truth" of God emphasizes that God's way is holy and righteous. I believe "grace" requires that I treat all people with compassion and respect. I believe that "truth" requires that I honestly offer my best understanding of what is holy and righteous.

Yes, I have friends who are "gay" - and I care about them - enough to be graceful in speaking truth. Some of my "gay" friends have confided with me about their own unhappiness with their "lifestyle." Am I to withhold my best counsel from those who I believe are suffering as the result of a popular myth?

Is it wrong for me to warn someone of that which I believe is bound to harm them?

Even if I were an evolutionist, I would have trouble believing homosexuality is "normal" - because it is incapable of natural survival. As a Christian, I simply can not reconcile the natural or the Biblical contradictions with a "practicing homosexual lifestyle." I don't have a need to "punish" anyone who is "gay" - but I also don't believe I should be expected to "support" this lifestyle which is incompatible with both my understanding of the created order and holy living.

I understand that many believe they have been "born" with this sexual preference. I don't believe that makes it true or right. In fact, I think there are as many or more who are "born" with a tendency to be adulterous in their sexual behavior but I believe this is a destructive behavior, dare I say ... sinful. Today in our nation, we have "legally" embraced what I understand to be sin ... on the eve of the Advent Celebration of our Savior.

History is not without precedent in these matters (Genesis 18-19). Nations and cities have endorsed these "rights" before - only to discover they were wrong. They paid a great price for their error. I wonder how long that will take US.

I pray for God's grace and truth to dwell among us in these days.

"And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus-who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you."

- 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NLT)

For Further Consideration See:

John 8:31-32, Romans 1:16-32, 2 Corinthians 13:7-9, 1 John 1:8, 2 John 1:3

WinterTime

2010-12-20T15:24:00.002-05:00

Winter officially begins tomorrow - but it feels like it has been here for a while already! This year it snowed in northern Indiana on December 1st and the ground has been covered and cold with the white stuff since then! At least it will be a "White Christmas" which is nicely sentimental!

The Good News is this ... though winter is just beginning, tomorrow is also the SHORTEST DAY of the year! (Which means it is also the LONGEST NIGHT!) These days the sun doesn't come up until about 8am and goes down about 5pm - and I don't really like waking up before the sun or staying up much after it goes down!

So where's the GOOD NEWS in that? It's right here ...

Tomorrow the earth begins to tilt the other direction!!

As much as I dislike the short cold days of winter ... I still do like the change of seasons!

(I just wish the winter season was a bit shorter and each of the others was a bit longer!)

Spring is only three months away! (Hope springs eternal, right?)

Trading Vehicles

2010-11-29T16:00:00.001-05:00

Today I officiated at the burial of one of my church members - I've known Doug for several years - a guy not much older than me, full of life - until cancer took a toll on his body.

As I prepared for his funeral service I felt prompted to share a passage from scripture about the treasure God has placed in these "jars of clay" we live in on this earth. I had watched Doug struggle in recent weeks with the cancer that was causing his body to waste away from within - and after fifty plus years I realize that my own body is wearing out gradually.

Prior to my brief message, I invited some family members to share some personal eulogies ("good words") about Doug. There were some sincere and touching words from his wife and his two grown children - a sign of true blessing. Then his brother-in-law humorously shared about how much Doug liked getting a new vehicle - and what was really happening is that Doug was "trading in" the vehicle he had been "riding" in for the last 59 years for a new model in heaven!

I love this analogy and it "fit" perfectly with the scripture I was planning to share. While I hope to get a lot more miles and a good number more years in my "earthly vehicle" these words of the Apostle Paul just ring so true for all of us in a time of reflection like this:

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all‑surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:6-18 (NIV - emphasis mine)

I've got to admit, I like "trading vehicles" as well! As I get older, I think I like it more than ever! It's exciting to get a new vehicle - and trade in an old one. Someday I too will get to make an eternal trade - for a vehicle that will never rust, never wear out, and never grow weary! Oddly, this is a comforting thought when so many things point to only what we can see and tell us to value what is temporary.

As a follower of Christ, we carry around in our bodies the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God!" Though outwardly we are "wasting away" - inwardly we are being renewed day by day! A day like this reminds me that we are fixing our eyes on what is unseen ... and eternal!

Thanks be to God!

Over a Thousand Tongues!

2010-11-08T23:00:00.004-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I wrote here about the dream I had when we started Sonrise Church - the dream to gather a thousand tongues to sing praise to our great God!

Well ... this past Sunday the dream became a reality for the first time on a "normal" Sunday! (Not impacted by Easter or Christmas "crowds.")

We had 1,017 people gathered on this first weekend in November at our three campuses of Sonrise! So we actually had "Over a Thousand Tongues to Sing" - seventeen over to be exact!

Again, the best part for me was that I wasn't even "in charge" at any of our sites! We had three great teams leading the praise, and three awesome preachers! I get to "lead" through others!

I'm very proud of our new North Fort Wayne Campus team led by Brandon Risch (Campus Pastor), Justin Sommer (Worship Leader) and Lauren Kirkland (Family Ministries). This Sunday was our "public launch" at Cedar Canyon Elementary School with 145 people! Great start team!

Our Roanoke Campus continues to grow and make an impact in their new location in partnership with Monson Chapel under the leadership of Randy Samuels (Campus Pastor), Brad Thomas (Worship Leader), and Diane Samuels (Family Ministries). This Sunday they had 85 people present, an increase of 60% over the same week last year!

In addition to these two new campuses, 787 people gathered to worship our great God at our our Southwest Fort Wayne Campus which was actually over 26% above the same week last year! We have a great team in place here, with Scott Greene (Campus Teaching Pastor), Jeremy Woodall (Worship Pastor), Mark Hammond (Youth Pastor), and Shandra Hathaway & Coliss Wallace (Family Ministries)!

For those who like to know more about the numbers ... we had a total increase of 342 people over the same week last year - a 50% increase from 2009 to 2011! This is another example of the power of being a "risk-taking mission and ministry." The more willing we are to take the risk to follow the promptings of God to reach new people, the more ministry we are able to do! That's amazing grace!

As we've "sent" folks to help start two new campuses in the last two years - the Holy Spirit has continued to send new people to join our first campus - and bless our efforts to "reach up to God, reach around one another, and reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus Christ!"

O, For Two Thousand Tongues to Sing of our Great Redeemer's Praise!