The Third Place

Here is an amzaing interview with Alan Hirsch and Ed Stetzer on being MISSIONAL - missionaries in our culture - and how to be better witnesses in the 'third place.'

1st- home

2nd- work

3rd- where we hang out

It is truly the only place our lives are void of unequal relationships: parent/child...boss/employee...etc....

SURE, we should be good Christians in the 1st and 2nd place...but in the 3rd place is where the rubber meets the road in the life of a Christ-follower....give a listen!

alos found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJTFP47L4Hw

Like a ton of bricks...

I was hit like a ton of bricks today....and I'm still processing it.

A fellow blogger wrote:

"The sin of our times is the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, and interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die." Dorothy Sayers

Random questions?

• Am I serving any cause higher than "myself"?
• Am I serving anything (other than myself) that i am willing to give my LIFE for?
• Am I serving anything higher than my own self-interests, my own immediate personal affairs (family, work, possessions)?

Scripture:
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last." MATT 20:16

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." PHIL 2:4

Questions for myself:

What am I willing to give up in order to reach the lost?
Do I unselfishly care about those who are lost and headed for HELL?
What will I risk in order to passionately communicate the good news of Jesus?
What have I risked for the cause of Christ?
Do I care enough about lost people going to hell that I will risk it ALL to reach them?
What do I still need to give up?
Where do I still need to DIE?

This reminds me of another quote that I refer to and think on often:

“Take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself.” Susanna Wesley (Letter, June 8, 1725)

Am I a Christ-follower2 = BE ONE and MAKE ONE.

Am I BEING? Am I still Chasing after God? Am I running after him?

Have I given God reason to be jealous of any other thing in my life that I give attention, time, money, and energy to?

Am I as desperate for God as I need to be?

Do I live like and talk like he truly is my everything?

God, help me to be BOLD and COURAGEOUS in my pursuit of you. I desire more of you! Please help me to walk humbly before you and RUN relentlessly toward you!

On Trillion

A friend sent this to me and I was amazed.

If you want to get a perspective one what 1 Trillion looks like...click HERE.

Regardless of your political bias or mine, It's unbelievable! I can't imagine why Bush took such a beating on his fiscal policies and the deficit when this new administration has out spent Bush's entire 8 years in less than one month.

In the words of Arsenal Hall.... "things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?"

I'm praying for our new President to get hold of that congress and get some new staff! OR he could just send me a pallet! :) (read the link for understanding)

This is me asking you to think and PLEASE pray for your leaders....

Bold Moves

Dear Fireside Family,

It is truly amazing to see God working. Together, we are experiencing amazing days of blessing and revival. Energized by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT, God’s people are making a difference through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.

Today, we find ourselves at the beginning of a very unique season. We are excited to see the church growing, we are excited about developing our Rt. 15 campus, and we have great hopes for the future. We are asking….

“How long will we be at Buckland Mills?” “When will Fireside build on Rt. 15?”

God’s people have been asking themselves questions like these for thousands of years!

“How long will we be in Egypt?” “When will we arrive in the Promise Land?”

God appointed leaders for these seasons. Consider Moses and Joshua. These two leaders, under the inspiration and direction of God himself, were commanded to lead His people forward; however the people they led responded in two VERY different ways…

Under Moses, a generation of people enjoyed moving out of Egypt, having new found freedom, and seeing a vision of the future. However, when it came time to step into the season God promised…in short…that generation choked.

Under Joshua, a new generation of people throws off the doubt and fears of the past and embrace the promise! In short, they embraced God’s promise and moved forward!

Key verses…

God’s word to Moses, on the threshold of crossing over into the promised land
Deuteronomy 1:21 Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

…after this, God’s people got scared rebelled and were cursed to wander in the desert!

Moses speaks words of experience and wisdom to Joshua (hoping they would not make the mistakes of their forefathers)
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous.”

God’s command Joshua
Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and courageous,”
Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and very courageous.”

Every season of growth at Fireside has required strength and courage. I am proud of our journey! We are a strong Church and a courageous people. Fireside has always exemplified the spirit of the Joshua generation.

I know and believe Fireside’s attitude is that of the “JOSHUA GENERATION” …Just like Joshua and the People of Israel, Fireside is ready to step into our next season. We believe God for a bright future! In order to achieve this future, we must be bold and courageous.

NOW is the time for courage and now is the time for BOLD MOVES!

No doubt you have noticed some changes taking place. I want you to know your leaders have been making BOLD decisions to move us forward. We do NOT believe in change for the sake of ‘change.’ However, we do believe in change for the greater good of the cause of Christ and for the sake of staying ON MISSION. An example: moving to double services was a bold move that God blessed…so much so that we are now being forced into making more room for adults in our worship services. Flexibility, faith, and optimism are a must when the Spirit of God is moving. Vision and hard work are a must in our fast changing environment of ministry. REMEMBER: Our message NEVER changes; our God NEVER changes; BUT our methods and ministries will constantly change in order to keep in step with the Spirit of God at work! Just like the apostle Paul said, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

These and other BOLD MOVES will be necessary if we are to move forward, stay ON MISSION, and make our Rt. 15 campus a reality. We are and will continue to make BOLD moves in order to accomplish the following goals:

STAYING ON MISSION - MISSION begins today! MISSION is what we do every day as God’s people and as a Church to be and make Christ Followers. This never stops.

MOVING as quickly as possible to our Rt. 15 property. We can build and move to Rt. 15 when we see…
- sustained monthly attendance average of 500 people per week (sustained over an entire quarter)
- sustained monthly giving average of $40,000 (sustained over an entire quarter)
Today, we are almost half way to reaching these goals!!!

Accomplishing these goals will still require GREAT FAITH and BOLD MOVES!

This is a call to everyone at Fireside. Every partner, servant, ministry team, and leader to be strong and very courage with us as we move forward!
- GROW as a follower of Christ
- SERVE in a ministry
- INVITE New People
- CONNECT with New People already in the Church
- SHARE with others what God has done for you
- LEAD someone else to Christ and help them grow!

Let’s continue to build Fireside Church and not leave the blessing of an active campus on Rt. 15 to the next generation to build. Future generations are counting on us!

Deer In the Head Lights....

Okay, so I hit a deer...and I'm also in the mood to blog...so here it goes :)

The short story: She ran out in front of us, I hit her, and the SUV won...except of course the front grille and bumper are getting replaced. I went back and her neck was broken...a friend asked if I said a little prayer :) I did feel terribly and my kids were in shock, not that we hit a deer, but that she was actually dead...the rest of the trip home I had to answer a million questions about animals, death, and heaven. Think I'll just rent "All Dogs Go To Heaven" and we'll go from there :)

You know, a deer goes blind when it looks into head lights...just like we would if we were out in the dark of night and suddenly someone put a flashlight in our face....Kind of like how I felt when I got serious about being a Christ-follower. The Bible was hard to read, let alone understand...and then once the understanding started to creep in ... applying all that stuff to my actual life, behaviors, language, habits...yeah!....deer in the headlights is a good analogy for my early Christian experience.

What about today...in our lives, ministries, Churches, communities...is this how new Christians still feel...when they give their life to Jesus...read the Bible for the first time...are asked to start praying, etc?

The Light of God...who doesn't get shell shocked from looking into HIS awesome light? THANKFULLY He doesn't hit you with his SUV! - BUT - I have met quite a few people who went to "church" (little "c") and left feeling like they had been hit with the MAC TRUCK of judgment and hypocrisy. It's amazing anyone goes to Church anymore!

But what about those brave souls who dare to take a chance and step into the love of God?!

When we live in darkness for so long, coming into the light of God can be overwhelming:
Our hearts - that have been so hurt and ravaged by sin;
Our souls - so starved and hungry for something REAL, something alcohol drugs, and unhealthy relationships haven't been about to provide;
Our minds - that have been so numbed, blined, and desensitized;
Our eyes - that are blind to all LIFE can truly be;

...the LIGHT can be pretty overwhelming!

We can't process it all. So, like the deer, we either stand and stare, or we run in circles just trying to escape, not knowing which way to go. Been there - Done that!

As a someone who wears the name of Jesus, I want to be more sensitive to those just beginning the journey!

As for the Church (with a BIG "C") ...we need to tap on the brakes a bit and make sure we aren't running over the people who have worked up the courage to give God a chance...first, second, or third...whatever it may be.

We need to be a PLACE and a PEOPLE of Grace. Let's stop mounting scopes on the hoods of our 'spiritual' SUV's. Instead, let's start helping people as they get use to the light...I once was blind, too .... but now I can see. I can see how to help others, not condemn them! The next time you see someone caught in the "Headlights" ... Bear with one another, allow room for one another’s faults, forgive each other (Colossians 3:13) ... instead of running each other over!

...and NO, I wasn't txt'ing when I hit that poor dear! :)

The other day, my son and I were relaxing on the couch and he wanted to watch "Extra Ordinary Gentlemen," the movie. So there we were, hanging out on the couch, watching the tube, and I was having to answer a million questions about everything...you know how that goes..."Who is that?" "Why are they trying to shoot at them?" "Daddy can we buy some of that monster potion...?" etc...

So we near the end and my attention drifted to taking out the trash and a few other things...but not my son, he stayed plastered to the TV seeing how it was going to end.

When it was over I asked him, "Did they win?" (meaning the league, the good guys)

He said, 'yeah, dad. Two guys died, but they didn't put a sign up for the bad guy."

I was like, "what is he talking about?" Then I realized what the last scene was...it ended with the good guys standing around the grave of Allan Quartermaine, who had died. In my son's mind, they put a sign up (a cross) for the good guy, but nothing for the bad guy (who wasn't shown again in the move after his unfortunate demise).

I do love the way a child's mind works, but in reality, isn't that true? We typically celebrate lives worth celebrating....of the millions of people who have lived and died on planet earth..."mostly"... the legacy of good men and women have lasted through the generations of human history and still speak to us today.

In reality, there is only one sign. The Cross is our sign. Jesus even said this in Matt. 12:39...he was basically saying to that generation and everyone one since...I AM THE SIGN! Follow me! I AM HERE!

What sign will be put up (or not) for you when you die?

Will people remember you? ...How?

Will you leave a mark?...a legacy?

Live a life of love...make Christ your 'sign' now, so when you are gone JESUS, your sign, will still remain...

Be one of the 'good guys' so people put up a sign for you...!

The BEST book I've RE-read in a long time...

Spurgeon once taught his students to be "masters of your library."

It was an encouragement for pastors to be students and experts on their own resources. I thought it was simply a stewardship thing...but I have discovered much more than that.

In November, I decided to go through my library and RE-read some of my books.

I had no expectation that I was going to 'master' my library. However, I did realize I was in a new season of my life and ministry. What I read in the past I processed on a much lower level and through less experience. I read and absorbed what I could for that season.

Now, I am in a new season. I want to re-read some very good resources from my past and hopefully absorb more and hear from these authors on a whole new level. I started in with Unlearning Church...WOW!

It's gonna take much more time to process...but this is the best book I have RE-read so far. My pile now looks higher than ever now, though, I could lessen it by 50% if I pull all the Maxwell stuff :)

Unlearning Church...get it...read it...POWERFUL!

Are you Content?

The world is full of people who are not content. It's part of our American way of life. Rarely do we celebrate "individuality," rather we have build billion-dollar industries on celebrating and creating "celebrity." It goes something like this, from a business perspective: If I can elevate this one athlete or actress, then everyone will want to be like them; then multitudes will collectively spend millions trying to dress like, be like, and live like this person.

In my community, I see this all the time. People aimlessly chasing after everything this world 'elevates' and 'celebrates.' Parents who have self-image issues themselves, living with no real sense of purpose or meaningful "aim" in life pushing their kids just as aimlessly in every direction possible, hoping that just "one more thing" will make them feel content, make them feel special, create some self-worth, make them feel complete...

As a community and nation, we need to learn contentment…being happy with who we are, who our kids are, and where they are in life at this moment…RIGHT NOW. Instead of asking "what's next," or "hey, let's sign up for this,"… take inventory of this moment.

Many are so busy with the 'next thing' they completely miss out on the joy of the 'NOW thing.'

The past is history, the future a mystery, but this moment, right now, is a gift, that is why it is called the “present.”

I believe that being driven and ambitious is better than being lazy...but when we push to hard...when we are so busy driving that we push God into the passengers-seat, or even worse, into the trunk, look out! After all, that's where the athletic gear goes; you may end up leaving God in the garage or along side of the road somewhere, metaphorically speaking... :)

I myself have fallen into this trap. In my own life I have have battled with the 10th commandment..."do not covet". The battle wasn’t with my neighbors wife or donkey...but the general tendency to allow my eyes and heart to get captured or at the least, intrigued, by what others have or do. Thankfully, in the past year God has really humbled me and helped me get back to having a thankful heart and being more content. I am continually learning what it means to be content with my life, my family, and my calling. I am learning to be happy with myself and content in my own skin

It is my prayer that I will be able to learn and continually grow in this area of contentment. I want to pursue the things that lead my family and me closer to God and each other. Closer to the future He has planned for us, not one manipulated my frantic, expensive, and haphazard career or athletic goose-chases. In my desire to give my kids the best of everything, I am rethinking the old mantra, “give them the world.” I really do want to give my kids, my wife, and those I influence everything…but that means I can only give them one thing… CHRIST…He is the beginning and the end, He is everything. He places value on everyone - even “the least of these.” He will always accept us just the way we are, and he loves us way to much to leave us that way. He has a hope and a future for all who follow him! ...what better dream or legacy can I give to my family than this.

Pushing your kids too hard...check this out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4556235/page/2/

From KORN to REBORN

A famous rock star / junky / single dad meets Jesus...this is a MUST WATCH!




Here is the link to the CNN story...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c5yFa0nemg

My Buddy Jesus

When you really get down to it, READ the Gospels, dig in, and really learn about Jesus, it's amazing what you discover. Even after studying the Word for nearly 20 years, I discover new things all the time. Old stories with new perspective. Ancient truths with relevant application. It's amazing to be a Christ-followers. There is something new to discover every day if you are willing to look for it...even if it means having to dig a little deeper.

In recent days, I have been challenging myself to think out of the box. To stretch my mental perceptions and even my misconceptions about who Jesus is, particularly, who He is to me. I also have been challenging myself in this same area as it relates to the Church, also.

It's funny how each of us have our on mental image of Jesus. We all tend to have a 'type' of Jesus in our minds. The funny thing is most of us tend to create a Jesus in our minds that is exactly like us! How do you know if you've done this? It's easy...in the word's of Alan Hirsch (ancient paths) "You know you have created your own personal version of Jesus (one that is like you) when he hates the people you hate." Now most people know Jesus doesn't hate any person or anything but sin, but you get the point...

I truly believe the Jesus of the Bible would NOT fit into most of our Christian world-views. He would NOT fit in our Churches, he would NOT fit into our hobbies, and HE most certainly would NOT fit into our lifestyles. It's obvious by the way most people who call themselves "Christians" live today. Many don't REALLY allow Him into their lives....every part....every habit...every bad attitude.

We have forgotten a basic reality of Jesus...that He is a revolutionary. Just like He came that day to the temple to 'clean house,' He comes to 'clean house" in our lives. We CANNOT control or manipulate Jesus. We cannot put a leash on him, take him for a walk, and lead him where we want him to go.

Everywhere Jesus went he stirred people up and ultimately his revolutionary attitude got him murdered by false accusers after being betrayed by one of his closest confidantes. Jesus is a 'wild man,' a revolutionary...I wonder if we would even let him teach in our Children's Sunday school class?

For most, we we don't know this Jesus. We are content for him to live "in" the 'church building' (little "c" was on purpose, that's for another blog) but we don't invite him home with us...to be a part of us...let alone to allow him into the drivers seat of our lives.

You see, the Jesus of the Bible is much more palatable to us when we can confine him to some sort of box, some sort of belief system, or some kind of label. When we make the Son of God quantifiable, he becomes easily processed...we can dice him up any way we want, package him, and add him to our lives in doses that fit neatly into the recipe we want for our life.

The truth is, we like to control Jesus. We like him to be our "buddy", as illustrated in the 'bobble head' Jesus. We love 'our' version of Jesus. He likes the things we like, agrees with us...he is just like you...yeah, you know, your 'buddy' Jesus. The one throwing you the "Peace and Love" sign from your dashboard...

Even in the Church, we have domesticated Jesus. We have confined him to felt boards, coloring pages, one wafer, and a teaspoon of juice...and that's never enough for me! Now don't get me wrong, I love the juice and wafer, but that's not what I mean. What I mean is that the domesticated Jesus of most Christian Churches leaves me feeling empty...like there is something more...like I want more. We have taken the Son of God, a revolutionary, and made him our buddy...and when we dumb him down we lose the centrality of Christ in our worship, in our lives, and in society...the watered down version of the 'bobble head' Jesus leaves people just as hungry and disappointed as we ourselves get to be (if we are honest)...wanting more...wanting something real...something that touches us in the deepest parts of our being!

It is time to recapture that absolute centrality of Jesus in HIS own movement! People in the world (un-churched) like the people 'kicked out' and thrown back into the world (de-churched) see most churches as "un-Christian" because we don't look like Jesus! We don't love like Jesus! Josh McDowell said years ago, "if people could see the love of Jesus in the Church, you would NOT be able to build churches big enough or fast enough." How true...Just like you can't house a movement inside of man made walls, you CAN'T domestic Jesus, or box him in, or sell him!

It's time for us to REBOOT! We must reboot back to Jesus; we must recalibrate the way we view our Lord, the King of Kings, and our savior!

There is a powerful song by Downhere called "How Many Kings"...the chorus goes like this...

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

...an amazing series of questions to begin to reboot our mind back to the Jesus of the Bible. He's the one who hammers the religious and self-righteous, but is GENTLE with the sinners. Jesus reserves his hardest language for the Pharisees (religious people). He is the one who stands between the stones and the woman caught in adultery. He is the one unafraid to cross racial barriers and ask for a drink from the Samaritan woman. He is the one who was willing to go and have supper with a tax collector, a heathen of the heathen. Anyone who opens the door of their heart to Jesus...HE WILL COME IN and spent time with you. Just remember you can't change Jesus...it is Jesus who will transform you and revolutionize every part of your life. He is demanding and marvelous at the same time. He captures our hearts and imaginations while challenging the status-quo and complacency in our lives. When Jesus steps into our lives he causes a revolution. It demands a lifestyle change. We walk in the way of the Cross. He lays his life down to start the revolution. So we must be ready to "die to self" (self-centeredness, selfishness, etc) if we are going to continue His work.

I pray that we will be disturbed constantly by Jesus! I pray you will place Jesus back into the CENTER of your lives, churches, work places, homes, and relationships. I pray you will be challenged to rethink, reprioritize, and rediscover Jesus....Galatians 2:20...in you!

Does what you do and how you live represent the REAL JESUS?

Jail Time?

I've heard multiple people say: "the best thing that could happen to the Church in America is to put all the paid clergy in jail."
Well, as harsh as it sounds, I actually think they're right. We have forgotten that Jesus lives in all of us who believe and that he wants to live through all who are His. We all have gifts and abilities. We are all treasures and valuable assets in God's eyes. The power is with the people at the grass-roots. Elections, world civ class, American History…they all teach us of revolution and change that comes about when “we the people” are empowered or take back their intrinsic right to be “we the people.”

I think it’s time for a revolution here in America. I want it to start at the top, but sadly enough it isn’t and won't. Even in my small microcosm of Christendom (The Wesleyan Church) we struggle in this area. We'll institutionalize anything and anyone until we've marginalized everthing and everyone...but with our dying breath preserve the institution and cronies. We breed students and people for CEO-like positions and celebrate and reward all who succeed by our definitions of success, not Christ’s. According to our measuring rods, Christ would have been a numerical and statistical failure by age 33. Our view of Jesus is so 'not Jesus,' but I'll blog about that later, (look for 'my buddy Jesus' - coming soon).

In essence, we have created this whole class of “CEO pastors' in the Church when Scripture gives no clear sanction for this. We are not taught in the NT to turn over everything to the 'pastors'...what about the apostles? the prophets? the evangelists? and the teachers? ...what about them? Aren't they valuable as leaders? We have alienated, minimized, and suffocated the life out of the Church by the not valuing every part equally. Just as a body, we need every part. The foot can’t tell the big toe to get lost…without the big toe, you don’t have a foot worth standing on…no, seriously…the big toe is very important. Look it up.
Honestly, these days I'm even wondering if I, myself, am a pastor. That's what they call me, but is that me? I am alive to Experience and Display the Revolutionary love of God, my Dad. As long as I can do that and as long as I can be me, you can call me anything you want to…fine by me…but if push comes to shove, and I have to chose one title…you better call me HIS!

It’s is time to unleash the people of God! If putting the pastor’s in jail works, sure! Why not? Just think about it...everywhere this has happened (in recent history even) the Church has flourished. When the Gospel has been forced underground, the average “Joe-the-Christian” has flourished, people where discipled and the Church exploded! Even in communist China they can't stop the wildfire of the Gospel, even under threat of imprisonment, torture, or death. I find it ironic that in the NT and even in our modern world when the paid clergy are put in chains for the Gospel, the chains fall off the people of God, and the Gospel flourishes.

Now, don't freak out. I'm not in jail nor does this mean jail all the staff. It does, however, put things in perspective for us who are staff or desiring a paid ministry position of any type. We have a responsibility to know our people, believe in our people, empower our people, trust our people, and celebrate our people. I am asking God for special wisdom to help me do this more.
God is working in our leadership team in a mighty way right now, and I can’t tell you how much ‘anticipatory’ excitement I have! I am already excited about what is going to happen when this same fire for people is passed from our leadership to our people - the grass roots of our faith community - called Fireside. The town we are closest to is Haymarket…I wonder what God is planning…. putting a Fireside, next to a Haymarket? Hmmmm….

I’ll let you ponder that as I go get some matches. Blessings.

Life and Ministry in ADD (attention deficit)

Before ADD and ADHD were every legitimized by psychologists and physicians, I was the epitome of over-activity! :) Sure there are stories from mom, notes from teachers preserved on old report cards, and even observations of friends as recent as...today, but to gain true insights into 'me' there is no clearer mirror I can look into than that of my son. While neither of us are officially diagnosed :) ... it's kind of surreal to see my younger-self on a daily basis.



I often challenge people to STOP and LOOK into the mirror - the 'mirror of scripture' for introspection, not the literal mirror..... This is the clearest most telling mirror could ever look into. It keeps us honest and humble, while refreshing us at the same time!



I've decided to change the name of my blog to "Life and Ministry in ADD" because it's just going to be a random spattering of thoughts on life, leadership, theology, and ministry. The time and frequency of my posts will be just as random as it's name.



I'm not that into myself and I realize that you could benefit MUCH more from the thoughts of the greats like Hirsch, Stetzer, Maxwell, Spurgeon, Wesley, Lewis...and the like, so I won't be offended if you don't follow along. I hope this blog will spark some thought, create some healthy conversation, explore the modern theological and cultural tensions that exist in Christianity, AND just be fun and insightful.



Blessings! DREAM God's dream for you life and settle for nothing less than God's best!!!

Incarnation to Habitation

Galatians 2:20

"...Jesus Christ lives in me!"



The difficulty many Christians have is moving from Christmas to Christ. Traveling from Bethlehem to Pentecost. From the Manger-side to the Fire-side.



I don't want to diminish in any way the miraculous and incredible realities of the incarnation - God "with" us. His plan to rescue and redeem humanity by satisfying the requirements of the law by giving his son, the lamb of God, as sin offering in my place. Wow! Wonderful! Incredible! God with us...



But it doesn't stop there! Paul reminds us of a even greater truth. This truth is promised by Jesus, prayed for by Jesus in John 17, and made real in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit, the comforter, the counselor has been unleashed to convict the world of sin, and to apply/teach us the mysteries of God's word. He is God in the third person. He is not a ghost, an apparition, or feeling you get when your favorite song is sung in Church. He is God and He is here, now...with us? Yes. but there's more...



Because of the Holy Spirit, the incarnation gets personal. It becomes REAL TO YOU and I. Christmas exposes us to the reality of the incarnation...Pentecost exposes us to God's deepest most intimate desire...to live IN US, not simply 'with' us. God IN me...if I open the door of my heart and allow him permission, Christ lives IN me through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit! Not merely "incarnation," but "HABITATION!"



...from Bethlehem to Pentecost

...from the manger-side to the fire-side

...from incarnation to habitation



Take the journey and experience the power and presence of God IN us!



Can you imagine how this could revolutionize our lives, marriages, kids, ministries, work places, etc... if CHRIST lives IN me and THROUGH me I become a carrier - a transmitter - of the incarnation...NOT I, but CHRIST ... WOW!



OK, now my brain really hurts...thanks for letting me share...enjoy the pain. Feel the burn!

Me, wrestling with theology

These days I find myself less concerned with answers and more interested in wrestling with the right questions. This is how we help people grow, right? Asking them the right questions vs. telling them our version of the right answers? Letting them wrestle to the point of decision vs. asking them to ‘drinking the cool-aid’ and believe what someone wants them to believe.

Recently, I was challenged by a young 'Christian' couple who were looking for a new Church I know, this doesn't sound missional, but even missional churches are magnets for this stuff). I thought they had officially landed at Fireside....then the email came. "sorry, but our theology doesn't line up...blah, blah, blah...' It went something like that :).

Any way, what baffled me was how TULIP indoctrinated they were... 5 point Calvinist’s all the way. Please understand this wasn't the problem. It was their lack of missional purpose. They think there purpose is ...to guard the ‘TULIP’? To me I was shocked #1 they didn’t want to be a part of a going Church making a difference in our community and #2 though they seemed to have been discipled, it was obvious they where taught with definitive answers and not taught to question, wrestle, and have constructive conversations with others who may have different opinions on the ‘minor’ stuff. Can’t we disagree on some stuff, but still go for the Kingdom in unity for the sake of the lost? Shouldn’t we guard the MISSION of the Church more than a man-made, well-crafted, imperfect theology?

It amazes me how closed to the theological conversation 'christian' people (w/ a little 'c') really are.

Now I do lean Wesleyan - Armenian in theology (please keep reading), BUT when push comes to shove, I chose unity and love...and conversation without division. Here are the most important theological points for me...can I use an acronym? How about 5 points? Here goes...

J-E-S-U-S

In him we live and move...and find all our theology! Everything other than HIM is conversation and “Iron sharpening iron.” Questions, conversations, and different conclusions to other 'minor' things should never divide us. Where do we get off defining and 'confining' the indescribable, inconceivable, incomprehensible God of the Bible into points of theology, imperfect human statements and 'bricks' of thought which no one dare challenge, wrestle with, or question? For Wesleyan-Armenians and Calvinists alike....Come on! God contained in a little green/red/blue book? God contained in a TULIP?

The minute you find a box to put God in, He will bust out of it! He is GOD! We need to stop trying to define, tame, and domesticate Jesus! We need to turn him lost and let Him work…the good news…He is working and on the loose in spite of us!

In music there is a term we use – dissonance. It’s used when there are conflicting notes being played at the same time. However, when in the context of the proper chord structure or musical phrase it’s beautiful. The ‘tension’ allows a new layer, a new beauty, and new texture that makes sense, though a few notes are in conflict with each other.

May we learn to live with the dissonance (tension) and to serve side by side despite our difference. When we do this, we make beautiful Kingdom harmonies and textures.

I pray we Christians (including Wesleyan-Armenians) wake up, open up, and catch up to the on going conversation. To my wonderful Calvinists friend's (you know who you are and I love you)...I pray you too will wake up and smell the 'tulip.' :)

E=MC2 - it's not rocket science

God's vision is for his people to ignite an Exponential Movement of Christ-followers2 in our community to touch the extreme corners of the globe!

The most natural thing for people and churches to do is turn inward, while at the same time talk about missions and outreach. If God's people don't stay focused on the harvest, we will miss the season of reaping souls for the Kingdom.

As a Church, we must be focused OUTWARD. We must understand God's heart to GO and exponentially work across our world, until Christ comes.

Here is a snap-shot of what I think E=MC2 looks like:

We must become….

EXPONENTIAL (adj.): “For our generations and the next!”

• A missionary, “sent,” people who are engaging culture, passionately communicating Christ to every man, woman, and Child; Every Person, Every Place, Any Price.

A MOVEMENT: “Forward March”

• Never complacent, willing to anticipate, pray, strategize, and launch into the next theater of battle for the Kingdom; knocking down the gates of hell by aggressively moving the Kingdom forward.

CHRIST-FOLLWERS2: “Be One and Make One”

• People who are saved by God’s grace, and called to be like Jesus; People fully -devoted to Christ, to the 2nd power! BE and MAKE! Be a Disciple + Make a Disciple = a Christ-follower2.

I pray we will all her the voice of God saying, who will I SEND, who will GO for us… if that is you, I challenge you to embrace E=MC2; After all, it's not rocket science!

- Allen

Takin' it to the streets!

This past weekend, the Fireside team hit the streets with thousands of on lookers in Haymarket, VA for the Haymarket Day Parade.

In our community, thousands upon thousands turn out for the parade, food, booths, fun, etc....It's our 5th year of participation. This year we were awarded a trophy for the best float, which was cool. Our people who worked so hard deserved that! BUT more importantly, we lifted up the name of Jesus in a very exciting and real way to folks. We sang and told of the hope of Jesus. We told people Fireside is taking 'it' - the Good news of Jesus - to the streets. The response was overwhelming.

As Christians, we forget that Christ has torn the veil and the MERCY of God has left the building! We need to do more to develop and multiply ourselves in this world and GET OFF OF OUR ....SEATS. We need to be just as concerned with MAKING DISCIPLES as we are with BEING DISCIPLES. A true disciple is a person who IS a disciple and IS MAKING other disciples of Jesus Christ. We must take this message to the streets. We must passionately communicate our stories, our joys, our struggles, our victories with others. How else will people see God if we don't live the good news, tell the good news, and passionately take it - the good news of Jesus Christ - to the streets!!!

I am proud of our Church family and how they continue to develop and exemplify their passion for God and those in their community. Way to go, Team! Let's keep takin' it to the streets!!

Randomness

Well, I thought I should right a note since I want to start a new habit…and I stink at new habits.

Today I had lunch with my daughter and son in their elementary school. We had a good time and I was very proud of my son for asking his teacher why they all couldn’t pray in the class. She told me and I was cracking up…She’s a Christian, so that's cool.

Joel is home! He and Jeffery came by today and it was soooo good to see Joel. I miss Joel and all the men of God missing in my life right now…Dennis, Mike M, Mike W, Joel, etc….college stinks for those of us here back home.

At Fireside, things are really hectic. Along with all or normal stuff (prep for Sunday’s, care, study, etc…), I have a wedding this weekend AND we are re-branding and prepping for a huge outreach during Haymarket days…Heather is exhausted and so am I…but it’s all good! Thanks to all the Fireside for their dedication and help in reaching every Man, Woman, and Child with the AWESEOME news of Christ!

I am so proud of our Church. The perseverance and determination of the people of God never cease to amaze me. God is working and he is moving ‘His Church’ forward. I’m just stoked to be a part of it.

Matt 17:18 – We’re Storming the Gates of Hell! … and making a difference!

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