A View From Within

You did what?

Sunday worship experience went well in San Diego. The Filipino men's worship team sang with gusto. The church's worship leader and his team brought music that inspired. The meal was a mixture of ethnic food. Sitting at the table enjoying lunch was a young man. His first words were "I am a recovering drug addict and I found Christ's love expressed in this church". Nothing unusual, except for additional information later. The pastor arrives early at church, opens the door and allow this homeless man to shower before the worship service begin. I wondered, how many of our churches would open the door of their facilities for a homeless believer to "clean up" before attending worship. This congregation is remarkable. There are Hispanic, Filipino, Messianic, and Korean congregations meeting in the facilities. Sharing Christ's blessings with a multiethnic community is a passion for this small congregation. I was pleased and blessed.

Amazing

Today I attended graduation exercises at California Baptist University. Over the past 2 years I have read a book on blogging by Hugh Hewitt, a conservative commentator. I never thought I would have the opportunity to meet this author. Today, I did! It was a remarkable experience. Hugh spoke with passion, compassion and great insight to the graduating students. His words of wisdom will long be remembered by all.

As we left the graduation, I went looking for him. I knew that the opportunity might not happen, with so many people around. I saw him crossing the campus and called his name. He stopped and spent a few moments with me. As we talked, our world became smaller. One of his friends is my son's mentor. This was a divine appointment. I encourage you to find leaders around you and learn from them. You will see great things taking place in your life.

Twelve hours earlier I met Joni Erickson Tada. What a great week-end the Father gave me. Both of these famous believers were so humble and encouraging that I remembered Paul's words "...they refreshed my soul". Thanks Hugh and Joni for making my week-end a blessed one.

New Hope Community Church

The conference call with a small group of leaders from New Hope Community Church in El Monte was brief. It was the end of a great day as I shared and prayed for this group of leaders as they prepared to intensity their efforts to storm the gates of hell to rescue the lost. I encouraged the group, as is my habit, to remember their assignment and not get distracted.

El Monte is a growing suburb of Los Angeles. As a young pastor in the 1960's-70's I remember the church as a lighthouse  for others. Years has taken its toll, but there is a new vitality taking place. The arrival of Gil and Eva De La Rosa has brought new vibrancy to this family of believers. They are experiencing spiritual renewal and an evangelistic fervor is growing. Leaders are taking their place at the forefront. This body of believers have a passion to reach the lost and make disciples. Like so many of our churches in California, they are not "watching the parade go by", but are engaging new strategies, approaches, connections to reach their Jerusalem. My call was to remind them to stay focused on the task. I am excited at the possibilities and pray God will raise up hundreds of believers to continue the task of telling the story of Christ and His redeeming power.

Every day there are opportunities and opposition but we must not falter on the road. New Hope Community is bringing a fresh wave of hope to their community. Every church in our family can do the same. I encourage all of us to renew our commitment to Christ and re-discover the joy of evangelism by leading at least one person to Christ this week. The call is "hope is alive in Christ".

Persist

Two years ago I joined millions in discovering a new communication process called "The Blog". Like everything in life, sometimes a new way of doing things bring out opportunists who are malicious. One of the first reactions I had was from friends who said that nothing good can come of this process, because people were using it to destroy others. It is true that there are malicious people, but I have also found new insights into the human character of good people.

I read Seth Godin, a respected blogger often. He writes short blogs. Recently he wrote on "the forces of mediocrity"...I quote part of it "There's a myth that all you need to do is outline your vision and prove it's right—then, quite suddenly, people will line up and support you.

In fact, the opposite is true. Remarkable visions and genuine insight are always met with resistance. And when you start to make progress, your efforts are met with even more resistance. Products, services, career paths... whatever it is, the forces for mediocrity will align to stop you, forgiving no errors and never backing down until it's over.

If it were any other way, it would be easy. And if it were any other way, everyone would do it and your work would ultimately be devalued. The yin and yang are clear: without people pushing against your quest to do something worth talking about, it's unlikely it would be worth the journey. Persist."

The last word in his blog caught my eyes "Persist." It reminded me of Paul's words "...but I press on..." Philippians 3:12 As Christians we are encouraged to press on and continue to insist that the only answer to our problems is a personal relationship with Christ. Pressing on is not easy, but at the end of the day, when changes are brought about in the lives of people, it is quite rewarding to know that we did not quit close to the finish line. The word for today is "persist".

Exciting News

Do you ever get tired of the news? I do. It seems to me that often the news is quite negative and every source is trying to out do the competitor. I have been thinking...how about a place where we can share the great news of what is taking place in our churches (baptisms, life changing experiences, ministry opportunities, and unusual ways of reaching the lost). Is there a place for such news? Can we create a positive force among believers where the power of the Gospel will overcome all the "stuff" on the road? I believe we have the ability to do it.

Share with me your ideas? I am waiting!

Do you have...?

I read a proverb which said "We must always have old memories and young hopes." Everyone one of us have old memories. They often suddenly awaken in our minds and bring back different feelings: rejections, hurts,  betrayals, etc. Some of these come when you least expect it. An attitude of moving on with life will often relieve these old memories.

The second part of the proverb suggest we must have young hopes. As a Christian I have complete hope in Christ, and continue to dream about tomorrow. I often meet people who want to return to yesterday. Recently a speaker said that if this was the 1950's we would be ready to move forward. The reality is that yesterday will not return, so we must have hope in life and the future. I am excited with the opportunities before us and will continue to move with speed to impact our world for Christ.

What about you? Do you have old memories, which you celebrate, and young hopes to look forward to? I hope you will not allow anyone to rain on your rainbow, but remember that "the future is as bright as the promises of God."

Passion

I am often asked about my passion. Every one of us have a passion. At times we do not want to admit it, yet the reality is that everyone have a passion. Over the years I have had a passion to see people have a personal relationship with Christ.

California is one of the greatest missions field in the world, which is why I love my assignment from the Lord. As I seek to share Christ, there are many sidebar issues I have to deal with. Issues come in many different envelopes. I began to think about this recently and found myself praying for directions. It seems like every issue facing our culture fly by my desk. I have disciplined myself to stay focused on my calling to be an ambassador for Christ to those who do not have a relationship with God. I often hear from believers that they believe in sharing the Gospel, but time and issues keep them from sharing.

Passion is one of the elements moving us to the place of sharing Christ with a lost world. How passionate are you about reaching the lost? At the recent On Target Evangelism Conference sponsored by CSBC's Healthy Church Group, Randy McWhorter Group Leader, every speaker was on target. The testimonies were great. I was amazed at the impact of the Journey, a new congregation in New York city pastored by Nelson Searcy. Thousands have been impacted with the Gospel through the ministry of this and other congregations. Listening to Nelson and the other pastors, a passion for the lost came across clearly. I pray we will continue to have a passion to see "every man and woman, boy and girl to hear the gospel and respond."   

Investing

The real estate and stock markets are in a tailspin. News from around the world indicate we are entering into a time of uncertainty. I was reflecting on the uncertain environment in which we live. As you drive your car, there is no guarantee you will reach your destination. As you begin a new job, there is no way to know how long you will be employed. Marriage, in our culture, is under intense attack and many are discouraged.

Reading the stock market numbers at times is confusing for me, yet I believe in investment, especially  in people, organizations and the future. This past week-end I spoke at the Mount Carmel Holy Assembly Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Pastor Daryl Beard is the pastor. This was my 10th annual visit to this church on the eve of celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. The congregation is full of life, with many young people attending, and the music was inspirational.

This congregations believe in investing in the lives of young people and their future. The church has a large number of young people who are in colleges and universities all over the United States. The church provides  a  scholarship for many of these, investing in the future of the community  and church. I am proud of their accomplishment.  They were not content to pray for the students, but wanted to have an investment in their lives. Many of these young students will impact greatly our world. Do you remember those who invested in you? I do and I am thankful for their prayers, support and friendship over these years.

A New Year

The excitement of Christmas is behind us. I love the freshness and challenge of a new year. There is no way we can go back to 2007 and correct the problems behind us. Many mistakes were made. Our words created suspicion between individuals, and for many, the pain will remain for a long time. As I begin this new year, my life verse are the words of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, "I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men". (1 Cor. 16:17-18 NIV)

Three names, mentioned by Paul, were of such help to his ministry, he reflected on them in this last chapter of 1 Corinthians. As I read the passage, the words "For they have refreshed my spirit and yours" gripped my heart and I desire to be such an encourager, that many souls will be refreshed from my words and ministry in this new year. Let me encourage you to speak refreshing words to every one you come in contact with, and do not permit others to influence you to the contrary.

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

Compassion

It is hard to imagine a life lived without compassion. Often I reflect on the many around us in need of the compassion of Christ's followers. Christians are a caring, compassionate people, expressed in so many ways. The world view us through the response we provide in caring, providing shelter, feeding those in distress. I am amazed at the response to the firestorm in California. Many Southern Baptists responded from across the nation. Their prayers, financial support and presence provided compassionate comfort to those affected. We are grateful. One of the report I read from the clean up on an Indian Reservation expressed gratefulness for the Bible given to an elderly lady and how she has been reading it every day. Only eternity will tell the number of lives touched and transformed.

As we approach the Christmas season, I pray the compassion of Christ will be reflected in everything we do. He had compassion. Let us do our part for the world to see a compassionate people filled with love for the lost, willing to bring the light of Christ in this dark period of many lives.