The Shack

I was recently able to have dinner with Paul Young, author of The Shack.  Then the next night he spoke at our church.  I am impressed with how he just wanted to write a book for his kids and how this book in manuscript form, got into the hands of others and made an impression. An impression so big, that it became published and now is a best seller. 

I am also sad that “Christian” leaders and “church people” would find it in their hearts to criticize someone for having a book written that was only what he thought about how God deals with people’s hearts, but instead had to figure out a way to somehow convince their listeners and/or readers that he was a heretic and should somehow feel bad for writing something fictional. Even more sadder to find out people actually think/thought it was interruption of regular, “normal” church to invite him to speak at our church. Their distaste for it leaves them at a distance from loving God who uses all people to reach other people that we can’t or won’t.  Using our church to connect our community to it is a great thing. Inviting a best-selling author who wrote a book to his kids and it happens to get published, is a great thing. Not an interruption. 

I doubt I will ever get anything noteworthy, published, but if I ever did, I’d hate it if people critcized me for writing a fictional piece. But I am sure even the best of the best writers were criticized for their literary masterpieces.

tips for connecting with people

1.  When shopping at Home Depot, wear orange. People will approach you thinking you work there.

2. Watch for your neighbor to take out his garbage or return it to their home, then do the same, at the same time. Makes for great conversation.

3.  Stand at the bus stop with your kids. Especially if there are other parents there. This was the regular routine when we lived in Bothell. Great opportunity to engage your neighbors and invite them to church.

4.  Take in a baseball game. Doesn’t matter if you are rooting for either team on the field. Sit behind home plate or nearby, talk to elderly dads, they love the conversation.

5.  If you have a dog, take him/her for a walk in your neighborhood.  People engage people with pets. Especially where I live. We just don’t happen to have a dog.

6.  Become a merchandiser. You meet all store management. Make sure they know your name.  You will get to meet some great people who know a  whole lot of more people. 

7.  Give good customer comments and make sure you leave your name, number and phone number.  Instant access for them to connect with you.

8.  Go to the local park and play hoops. Someone is going to want to shoot with you. We did this all the time in college. Still works today. 

9.  Attend school functions. Show yourself friendly.  Wait for results.

10.  Invite everyone you meet to Easter Sunday service, this Easter.

Leaving the 99

I want to continue my storyline in regards to showing myself friendly to the elderly guy who walks daily by my house. (See previous http://charliereport.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/show-yourself-friendly/). I was walking through my paper route one morning and on occasion, I asked myself a “what if…” question. Like what if I had gone to Taiwan instead of Cambodia? Or what if I had never moved away from the Lewiston-Clarkston valley? As in never had moved.  Or what if I had gotten married right out of high school? Or what if I had never stopped working at Fred Meyer? (That would be 30 years instead of 20 years experience with Fred Meyer).  I know its not healthy to asked that question too many times but I usually go with the safe ones when asking myself “what if I could do so and so?”  This morning my “what if” took me to a dream that I have.  Its a ministry dream.

In this ministry dream I am a senior pastor at a growing church.  Now a disclaimer needs to be put in here and that disclaimer is that I actually know that I don’t really believe I would want to be a senior pastor at any church.  My dna say’s I am a good team player and a facilitator of someone else’s vision.  I have way more experience being an associate pastor and have absolutely no experience being a senior pastor and really have no desire to be one.  That said, I occasionally think about being one and I think that puts me in a “safe mode.” Meaning I am free to dream because I really don’t seem myself in that role. I think you get the picture.

So…  in my “what if” moment this morning I am the lead pastor at a growing church in, say, Vancouver, Washington, the place I want to die in if Jesus doesn’t come before I die.  I tell the congregants that Jesus tells the story about how a shepherd sees one sheep is gone and he does what most church people would not appreciate from their pastor, he left the 99 other sheep who were safe (on their way to Heaven) and went to find the lost one. I tell the congregants they are the 99 and I feel led by God to go find lost sheep.  And then get in my car and go connect with people in the community in search of people far from God. On my way out of the church doors, I grab a board member because if he can be an eye-witness to this “finding the one,” he might want to do the same thing. 

Its a long story to reach this conclusion, but if I truly believe that Jesus Christ came to “seek and save the lost,” and that the ninety-nine (the “save” people) are safe, I should lead the way in reaching lost people.  Agree? or Disagree?

Praise You in this Storm

I was taking my kids to school this morning because I promised them that if they were good last night, I’d give them a free ride. Meaning they didn’t have to ride the bus. Well my son qualified but the daughters conduct was questionable so she got the free ride by default. Why leave one behind? On my way back from dropping them off, Casting Crowns song “Praise You in this Storm” came on the radio. I have always liked this song and there are words in it that mean more to me.  “Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand“ and being the emotional person that I am, the tears started falling down my face.  I was reminded of the passage in the Bible where it say’s something about no crying in Heaven.  I wonder how in the world I could not cry when I am in the presence of my Great God. Even as I write, my eyes well up with tears ready to drip over the edge.   “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”

I would love to say I am not going through any storm, but with the economy being the way it is and more closer to the point, yesterday I was informed that I lost 24 hours of work this week due to a project being cancelled. That’s a lot of lost and needed cash that was to come my way. So this song made me ponder. My pondering reminds me of where do I put my trust? In money or in God, who can provide for all my needs.  I choose the latter because no politician has ever knocked on my door and handed me cash.  But I’ve received financial benefits from all kinds of sources that could have only been provided by God.  (maybe someday I will share my ten best stories of Gods provision in time of need).  Today I praise God in this storm.

I’ve cut and pasted the lyrics to Casting Crowns song “Praise you in this Storm.” Enjoy.

Praise You In This Storm

Written by Mark Hall / Music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

If there ever were a test of our faith – if there ever were a test of the motives of our worship – it is when a storm rolls into our lives. We watched and prayed for a precious little girl named Erin Edwards struggle with a deadly disease for several years. The courage, the witness, and the worship of Erin’s mother Laurie inspired this song. Sometimes God calms our storms. Sometimes He chooses to ride them with us.
Romans 8:28 / 2 Corinthians. 4:16-18
Psalm 42:5 / Psalm 121:1-2
Job 1:20-21 / Daniel 3:16-18

2005 Club Zoo Music (BMI) / SWECS Music (BMI) (adm. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Word Music, LLC (ASCAP) / Banahama Tunes (ASCAP) (adm. by Word Music, LLC)
Lyrics
I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with You”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

CHORUS
I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with You”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

CHORUS

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
(repeat)

CHORUS
Though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw

Going to Church

It’s something I’ve done for many, many years. Go to church. I don’t remember ever not going to church, just like I have no concept of never not knowing God.  I’ve always felt like I’ve known God. I don’t have any periods in my life where this either an absence of God or of not knowing God. I asked God to come into my life at age seven, so before that time it could be said that I didn’t know God but I don’t remember, “not-knowing God.” I simply don’t. Just like I don’t know what its like to not go to church. I’ve always gone to church as far as I know. You’d have to ask my mom if there was ever a time I didn’t go to church. 
Here’s what I know about church and I will keep it simple. There are thousands of church buildings all over America and the World. People pass by them every day. Some pass many churches every single day. Some of those people who pass churches have never been inside one and have no idea what happens inside. To them, its just a “church” building. Nothing about them make them wonder, “I wonder what happens in there?” They just don’t think about them. They have “other things” to think about, especially on a Sunday when most churches and their parking lots are full of people and cars.  In the town that I grew up in, at the west end of town, there used to be a big billboard that read, “Welcome to Clarkston, the town of churches.” It’s still a town of churches, its just that a lot more people live here now and less go through any of their doors. What’s your take on “churches?”