Going All Out For Jesus

I love good theme parks. As a kid, the one I enjoyed the most was Disneyland out in California. More recently, my family and I really enjoyed going to Celebration City in Branson before it closed down last fall. We also enjoy others, like Worlds of Fun and Silver Dollar City.

I also remember a theme park that I did not enjoy much as a child. Some may recall Dogpatch USA in northern Arkansas. It's long been shuttered up, although a recent trip to Russelville revealed that the property is still there...unused.

What's the difference between the good ones and the bad ones? Investment.

With the parks that remain popular after many years, what you discover is that the ownership invests a lot of time and money to attract millions of visitors each year. In short, ownership goes all out in an effort to get you to come for a visit. That's a principle that often times we forget in our churches.

I've attended churches and even sat in meetings where it was obvious that the most important thing was not doing what we could to reach people for Jesus. Instead, the top priority tended to be the discovery of ways to not spend all of the church's money.

Now, we could go back and forth on the importance of saving for hard times, or certain projects. There's some merit in that, although even it is debatable. But, I personally know of churches who have building funds full of cash that won't be used anytime soon, if ever. And, the thought of transferring some of that money to needed projects and ministries is unthinkable if not nearly criminal.

Unfortunately, these churches are missing out on the theme park principle. Investment is probably the single most important thing that a church can do with it's people, finances and property.

Think of it this way. A theme park will spend millions each year to attract people just for a fun time. But, the message the church holds is much more important than theme park fun, and deserves that we give it our best all the time. We may not have millions of dollars to invest in our people and church facilities, but that doesn't mean we can't give our best. That doesn't mean that we can't take the money we have and invest it in ways to reach people with Jesus' message.

If I've convinced you of the need for investment, let me point you in a direction to invest. Statistics have proven over and over that the easiest group to reach for Jesus are children. The most difficult group is seniors. Yet, in some churches, money is poured into senior activities and pulled from childrens programs. I'm not saying that seniors don't deserve the Gospel. By all means, they do. But, if you look at the habits of people to become less interested in Christ as they get older, then logic dictates that you invest the most of what you have in the children of your community.

Here's one last way to look at this investment idea. It's short, and simple. It's the no-brainer of the discussion. It's the argument that ends the debate. I heard a pastor in South Carolina sum it up this way once: Jesus gave his all on the cross. We should desire to give our all back to Him.

Taking Responsibility For Your Actions

There's a lot of talk in Washington this week about Monday's Air Force One flyover of New York City, and all the panic that it created. The incident itself isn't really that big of deal, and only requires a simple apology from the president to the people of NYC. But, in D.C. today, we are enjoying every governmental agency denying any knowledge that AF1 was going for a photo-op over the Statue of Liberty. It would seem that from Obama down to the least secretary in the White House, no one wants to claim responsibility. It is definately pass-the-buck season in D.C.

I've been reading Andy Stanley's book "The Principle of the Path," and some of what I'm taking from that book made me think of the AF1 incident where no one wants to take responsibility. I'll give my review of the book later, but Andy talks a lot about how the decisions we make thoughout life have an impact on what happens later in our lives. So, an angle on that would include "responsibility."

As we listen to the talking heads and the governmental heads try to shirk responsibility, I wonder what would happen in our country if those at the top simply admitted they blew it. Maybe, just maybe, people would start to have respect for politicians and public leaders again.

Instead, we see leaders hard at work saving their appearance rather than admitting what everyone already knows. It's a clear case of "The Emperor's New Suit."

Prov 28:13 - Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Noticing Your Pastor Looks Like Someone Famous

You've no doubt heard it said that everyone has a double. I've even been told by a friend that they found my double somewhere on Facebook. But, what about when you're sitting in church and realize your pastor or someone on the stage looks like someone famous? For me, it started messing with my mind.


See, I attend North Point Church, and was sitting in on the Saturday night service this past weekend when it dawned on me that my pastor and friend, Tommy Sparger, looked like a celebrity. So, for several minutes I sat there with this realization, and missed part of the message while the thought messed with my mind.


So, who is Tommy's double? None other than Jan Michael Vincent. So, what do you think? And, do any of the people in your church look like celebrities?

Standing Up For What You Believe

This past week has drawn a lot of attention to the gay-marriage movement, and a woman who voiced her support against it. Carrie Prejean, the reigning Miss California and runner-up in last Sunday's Miss USA pageant, has been the lightning rod for the homosexual community as they have bashed her for holding Christian-based, family values. If you've missed any of the discussion, be sure to read the posts from Tuesday and Thursday.

This week, we have seen a lot of supporters of the gay marriage movement call Miss Prejean just about every vile name in the book. That only intensified when she commented to interviewers that her beliefs were based on her faith in Jesus.

To her credit, Carrie has not fired back in the same manner. The world would have immediately retaliated by equalling the muck-throwing, but not Carrie. She has not only held up the integrity of a beauty pageant winner/contestant, but more importantly, she has lived out Jesus' words. And, so long as she maintains her integrity, she will survive this battle.

So, what can Carrie expect now? Two things. First, the Christian community will no doubt attempt to turn her into the newest spokeperson and conference speaker. The opportunities should start rolling in before long, and her story would serve as inspiration to all Christians facing tremendous pressure from the world.

However, there is a danger in going this route. Right now, Carrie is very relavent to society. Her face is in the public spotlight. Her beliefs are splattered across the public viewing screen. But, to turn her post-pageant career exclusively to the Christian world would eventually make her relavent only to Christians, and that may not be the best thing for her or us.

At the moment, she has the attention of the world. People want to know why she believes what she does. The world is asking why she would throw away the thing she worked hardest for all because of her religious beliefs. The world has a genuine interest in Carrie Prejean. To turn away from the world's interest would hurt everyone.

The second thing Carrie can expect is that her opponents will continue to degrade her publicly. The fight began with a voiced repulsion at Miss Prejean's comments at the Miss USA pageant. The media then tried to get her to lower herself into name-calling, but she refused to play along.

If the media and vocal liberals continue their expected pattern, I anticipate they will begin digging into her past in an effort to defame her (see: Sarah Palin). If that fails, they will try to make her irrelavent, likely by ignoring her and hoping she goes away quickly.

All that being said, I think we as Christians have a duty to vocally and prayerfully support Carrie Prejean. Most of us have never held the public spotlight, and therefore do not fully understand the amount of pressure and lonliness that comes when we're being attacked for our beliefs. Right now, she needs to know she has a bunch of friends who view her as a hero, and she needs to know that we'll support her viewpoint to our questioning friends.

One last thing I would like to point out. Carrie has said that she was praying that she would not be asked the same-sex marriage question. However, God allowed her to face that test of faith. Tomorrow, you may face a similar situation where you'll have to make the decision to stand up for your faith, or cave to the pressure and sacrifice your beliefs for comfort, fame or fortune. Here's the ultimate deal...some day we will all kneel before God, and discover that the fame, fortune and creature comforts of this world pale in comparison to an Almighty God.

So, when you're faced with the questions on your faith, consider the eternal consequences.

Shots Across the Bow

I think most Christians knew it was just a matter of time before American society degraded to the point that Christianity would become a dirty word. I don't think most people ever thought it would happen so quickly, so soon.

But, American Christians are getting their first real taste of persecution. Oh, there has been a growing tide of public opinion against a certain type of Christian that ignores the world around them, and shows no care for people desperately in need of Jesus. It doesn't take many rotten apples to spoil the experience of those who aren't Christ followers, and develop a nasty stereotype for Christianity.

This post is a followup to Tuesday's regarding the debate surrounding Miss California's comments at Sunday's Miss USA pageant, where she stated her support for marriage to be defined as between one man and one woman. In some circles, she is being destroyed because of her pro-family stand. But, not to be left out of the fuss is Christianity, which is getting some blame for her views.

Five years ago, I don't think most Christians would have ever imagined they'd see a day where Christian beliefs would be attacked so openly or in such a nasty fashion. Yes, persecution has come to America, and it's only gaining steam.

Jesus and the New Testament writers had a lot to say about persecution. Jesus warned us it was coming, and told us to be wise around those who would destroy us for our beliefs. And, in an indirect way, he encouraged us to prepare ourselves for persecution lest we run at the first sign of trouble.

So, what are Christians to do in face of the growing persecution? I have a few ideas:

• As referenced in the parable of the sower, those who have studied the Bible and know what it really says will be able to withstand the persecutions, and provide a wise response to the attackers.
• Remember that Jesus forewarned us that we would face great opposition, even greater than what He faced.
• Rejoice in the Lord always. Peter and John remembered the words of Jesus when they were flogged for preaching in Jesus' name, and they rejoiced over being found worthy to face persecution for their Lord.
• Expect it to get worse before it gets better. If you check into history, the stoning of Stephen was just the first in a long line of Christians slaughtered for the cause of Christ.
• Know that Christianity has never spread faster than when faced with persecution. It's one of God's paradoxes. You would think people would flee from the ideology being persecuted, but they flock to Christianity. The church grew like a wildfire through dry brush in a strong wind during the days that Rome was blaming Christians for their problems. Many Christians lost their lives for their beliefs, but the numbers of those that believed in Jesus grew to the point that the society that tried to destroy them became Christian itself. There's something peculiar about a person that won't sell out his core beliefs when faced with death. That's gets the attention of the world.
• Finally, understand that God opens unexpected doors of opportunity during persecutions. The early church had grown comfortable in Jerusalem. They weren't really fulfilling Christ's command to take the Gospel into the world. But, Acts 8 changed everything. Persecution sent the believers scrambling to outlying towns where they took their faith with them. I love the story of Phillip, because he is the first Christian missionary, and his faith brought Jesus to Samaria, fulfilling part of the Great Commission.

Today, the church is facing persecution in America like never before. Now is the time to be wise. Now is the time to share our faith, not just our opinions. God is beginning to move in the church in a mighty way. Our doors of opportunity are opening now. Are you ready to charge through them to win people to Christ?

The Religion of Green

Today is Earth Day, the 39th annual Earth Day, in fact. All around the world, people are doing what they can to protect the Earth from themselves. Massive clean-up efforts are taking place today, speeches against global warming (or the new catch-phrase "climate change") are occurring, and the public in general is being made to feel bad about destroying the planet.

By now, you have probably figured out that I am not a fan of Earth Day. In fact, Earth Day frightens me. Here's why.

I have a scientist's mind, having been a fan of science since high school. That essentially means that I don't just buy into claims regarding a topic. I want proof. Solid proof. And, that's just something the folks behind Earth Day cannot provide. Why? Because there is no solid proof that the climate is changing. If anything, it's acting NORMAL.

Adding to the concern is the movement to destroy certain industries deemed climate-unfriendly, while getting the public to buy into products that supposedly save the environment. Meanwhile, what you don't fully understand is that the same proponents of this new green initiative also have financial interests in getting you to buy into their bad science. You've heard the adage "follow the money trail." That definately applies here. And, there's a lot of money to be had if the government starts handing it out for "green" initiatives.

But, there is something even bigger here that has caught my attention. The green movement has almost taken on a life of its own. It is almost becoming religion-like. Environmentalism in our world has taken a new spin. It's no longer the fringe group trying to prevent the extinction of an owl out west. It has now hit the mainstream, with people blindly accepting the propaganda as fact, then attempting to draw their friends into going "green." The feel of it seems very similar to the cults that worship Mother Earth.

Now, that being said, where does Christianity fit into the mix? I think we have to go back to Genesis 1 & 9. In the beginning, God created everything, then created man as the custodian. It was man's responsibility to care for God's creation. That includes keeping it clean from pollutants that destory life. That's all from Genesis 1. Genesis 9 is kinda of a do-over between God and Noah. The partnership is a little different, but much remained from the original God/Adam deal. So, ultimately, Christians (and mankind for that matter) have a responsibility to clean up after themselves.

However, that does not include the acceptance of false data to support a movement that threatens the way of life that was created or enabled by God. Today, we have legislative and governmental efforts to place God-created gases, coal and other natural resources on green-unfriendly lists. So now, the very by-products of life that God created may someday soon be determined to be bad for the Earth that God created. This movement is growing quickly, and time is running out to put clamps on it.

I would encourage you on this Earth Day, to actually listen to the message from the green proponents. Then, take the time to see if it holds real scientific water.