This weekend I finally decided to tackle the two dripping shower faucets in our house. The one in the master bath has been dripping for almost two years, I only learned of the other drip a month or so ago. But after putting it off for far too long, I grabbed my wife and started taking apart the master bath shower faucet. I showed my lovely bride what I had learned a couple of months ago when I attempted to stop the leak in an effort to surprise my bride.
Several months ago, during a lull in work, I was sitting at home feeling my wife was disappointed in the lack of income, and felt maybe finally fixing the faucet would be a great surprise for her. However, after taking the faucet apart, I found there was no position on the knob that would completely shut off the drip. I theorized at the time we needed a completely new faucet. Knowing it was not in the budget at the time, I simply put everything back together and didn't discuss the findings with my wife.
This weekend, I attempted to show her the same issues I'd found during that previous attempt and, in the process, managed to almost flood the house. After successfully getting the water shut off at the street, I then pulled the entire faucet apart and located several O-rings that could be the source of the leak. We made a quick run to Home Depot, taking the faucet cartridge with us, and made an effort to identify the correct replacement O-rings from their selection.
Upon returning home, I replaced the O-rings on our shower faucet and turned the water back on at the street. There was still a leak, but it appeared to be less than before. We turned the water back off and proceeded to replace the same O-rings in the other bathroom. While tightening the faucet in the hall bath I thought maybe I could tighten the master bath faucet a little more, removing that leak. I went to the master bath with my channel locks and put some force into tightening the faucet. I felt it move; move too much, and had that "feeling," you know the one I'm talking about.
I told my wife I think I just broke this, so stand here as I turn on the water. I grabbed our youngest and had him call his mom on the phone while standing next to me as I went to the street to turn on our water again. I had just started opening the valve, when his mother had him tell me to turn the water off.
I went inside and sure enough, I had broken the solder connection inside the wall. Water would have been flowing inside our walls, causing a big mess had I not immediately turned off the main at the street.
So now an "under $5 repair" required a call to a plumber. I was not able to immediately connect with a plumber I've used in the past on the Hope Springs Church project, so I called a friend who may have connections with local plumbers for a name. He provided me with a friend he uses, and when I connected with the friend, I was told he could come out the next morning for $200. Ouch! Two hundred was more than I had anticipated, but we had just enough money in our account to purchase the new faucet, pay the plumber and put gas in the car for the week. God was providing for our needs!
Sunday morning my bride and I went to Home Depot and picked up the replacement faucet. On the way out of the store, I had the impression I should call my plumber friend one more time. Again, I received his voice message. However, before we left the parking lot, my plumber (Eric) called me back. I explained the problem and he said he could come by today and help for about $80. Awesome!
Eric came over around 1:30 on Sunday, replaced the master bath faucet, and then helped fix the mess I'd also made of the hall bath (I had put it back together incorrectly, causing it not to shut off). The final bill was $85!
So, not only had God made sure we had enough money on hand to pay for the parts and the initial plumber's price, He provided a better solution, allowing us to keep an additional $115 in our bank account!
Sometimes life is in the small things, and we need to celebrate them! Thank you God for providing and thank you Eric for helping us save money!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Double Standard?
I attend a mega church. It is the largest church in Lexington, Kentucky. I attended a mega church when I lived in Las Vegas. I like mega churches. They usually have the types of programs that are of interest to me. They have the best music in town (with such a large talent pool from which to draw, how could they not?). They are easy to "hide in" if I so choose, yet offer small groups where I can go deep and become genuine with a group of like minded people. I like mega churches.
So when a mega church decides they want to expand, they have outgrown their existing facilities and need to provide more room so more people can become a part of this, why is there so much push back?
The church I attend here in town recently announced they have received a budget of $30 million to purchase and build out a dilapidated former mall here in town. Immediately there were cries of outrage, in the paper, on the radio, and most likely from the pulpits of some of the smaller churches. How could they even consider spending so much? If this property becomes a church, the city (which is experiencing a budget crisis) will no longer be generating property tax revenue. Blah, blah, blah ...
Another church, one of the 10 fastest growing churches in America in 2009, located in Fullerton, California is in a very similar predicament. For 40 years this church has been on the same location. Two years ago their long-time pastor chose to retire. The search group settled on a great replacement, a man with experience growing churches while encouraging them to grow deep in their faith. Within months of the new pastor's first sermon, the church had grown from 1,500 to nearly 2,000 in weekend attenders.
Today, less than two short years into pastor Gene's ministry with the church, they are averaging over 4,000 each weekend.
The church was already in a building campaign when Gene was called. Due to the incredible growth, however, leadership has realized due to issues associated with being land-locked, construction costs, etc. it would not be prudent for them to invest in their current facility. They are seeking a new facility, one with a large laundry list of needs, while attempting to sell their existing facility.
What has been the response? How can we spend so much? Why don't we use the money for the poor and needy?
Here's the deal people:
-Both of these churches have terrific ministries to the poor.
-Both of these churches spend large sums of money in their local communities, providing services and meeting needs rather than standing idly by and letting the government help.
-Both of these churches are following the great commission, not watering down the truth, but holding firm to the gospel of Christ, meeting people where they are and showing them the path to salvation.
-Both of these churches have strong programs both in their community, in their states, in America, and internationally where the least, lost, and last are being served.
-Both of these churches realize that if they expand and reach more people, they will have even more influence in their current ministries and possibly be able to take on even more ministry opportunities.
I realize there will always be a double standard when it comes to churches. People will generally go for the "holier than thou" when it comes to large sums of money. It happened in Jesus' time:
So when a mega church decides they want to expand, they have outgrown their existing facilities and need to provide more room so more people can become a part of this, why is there so much push back?
The church I attend here in town recently announced they have received a budget of $30 million to purchase and build out a dilapidated former mall here in town. Immediately there were cries of outrage, in the paper, on the radio, and most likely from the pulpits of some of the smaller churches. How could they even consider spending so much? If this property becomes a church, the city (which is experiencing a budget crisis) will no longer be generating property tax revenue. Blah, blah, blah ...
Another church, one of the 10 fastest growing churches in America in 2009, located in Fullerton, California is in a very similar predicament. For 40 years this church has been on the same location. Two years ago their long-time pastor chose to retire. The search group settled on a great replacement, a man with experience growing churches while encouraging them to grow deep in their faith. Within months of the new pastor's first sermon, the church had grown from 1,500 to nearly 2,000 in weekend attenders.
Today, less than two short years into pastor Gene's ministry with the church, they are averaging over 4,000 each weekend.
The church was already in a building campaign when Gene was called. Due to the incredible growth, however, leadership has realized due to issues associated with being land-locked, construction costs, etc. it would not be prudent for them to invest in their current facility. They are seeking a new facility, one with a large laundry list of needs, while attempting to sell their existing facility.
What has been the response? How can we spend so much? Why don't we use the money for the poor and needy?
Here's the deal people:
-Both of these churches have terrific ministries to the poor.
-Both of these churches spend large sums of money in their local communities, providing services and meeting needs rather than standing idly by and letting the government help.
-Both of these churches are following the great commission, not watering down the truth, but holding firm to the gospel of Christ, meeting people where they are and showing them the path to salvation.
-Both of these churches have strong programs both in their community, in their states, in America, and internationally where the least, lost, and last are being served.
-Both of these churches realize that if they expand and reach more people, they will have even more influence in their current ministries and possibly be able to take on even more ministry opportunities.
I realize there will always be a double standard when it comes to churches. People will generally go for the "holier than thou" when it comes to large sums of money. It happened in Jesus' time:
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." (Matthew 26:6-13, New International Version)
Rather than worry about the money being spent, people in Jesus' time, and people of today, need to focus on the ministry. If the ministry is following the great commission, then we should celebrate their success, not condemn them! However, if the ministry is simply building an empire, we need to then get on our knees and ask God to intervene.
There will always be false prophets. There will always be self-serving preachers. There will always be men and women who claim to be from God but are not. The only test is the one offered by Jesus,
Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. (Matthew 7:15-20, New Living Translation)
The only test of a person, or a church, is the way they act. Those that are serving others, opening free clinics for the poor, going into the community in mass on work days, giving a cup of water in Jesus' name; those churches need to be celebrated, even when they invest $30 million or $40 million on new facilities. It is only through providing the facilities to minister to people they will be able to continue to produce good fruit!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Love Your Neighbor As Yourself
A friend posted an interview with Francis Chan on his blog recently, so I watched the video, What's Next for Francis Chan. It is a discussion about what Francis is doing now that he is leaving Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley and moving towards launching a new work in the inner city of Los Angeles.
I was moved by Francis' words about learning that as American's we are focused too much on ourselves and on obtaining more "stuff," in part because that is where my lovely bride and I have come in our journey. I was so impressed by the words Francis shared, I emailed the link to my wife. Last night over dinner, we discussed what she had seen.
Not knowing who Francis Chan was, my wife was not as impressed as I was at his commitment to begin to focus living on less so he could be generous with more. My bride decided to look for more sermons and videos by Francis and ran across the following link, Lessons From Uganda. This sermon, more than the video my friend had posted, moved my wife to tears. She asked me to listen, so this morning I played the audio track while eating breakfast. Immediately, I had to post a blog.
In Lessons From Uganda, Francis demonstrates true religion, as described in James 1:27, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." (New Living Translation) Mr. Chan then ties that with the greatest commandment:
Francis talks about the pleasure of supporting four orphaned children, a family of kids who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, in Uganda. He tells of the pleasure of meeting them, spending time with them, buying them clothes, food and pizza. He shares that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)! His prayer is the joy he and the team that accompanied him to Uganda experienced will permeate the rest of the Cornerstone family and they will become a church that truly demonstrates true religion.
It breaks my heart there are so few churches today who desire to demonstrate true religion. You may hear them say, I am loving my neighbor, why do you think we get together all the time in this place? We come together and encourage each other.
However, if you read the corresponding passage of love God, love your neighbor from Luke you will notice Jesus is asked, "Who is my neighbor?" In response, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan.
If you remember the story, it is a stranger from another land, a land filled with people who are despised by the Jews, who demonstrates himself a neighbor. It wasn't the two religious men, it was the "enemy." I conclude that our neighbor then is anyone we see who is in need; the homeless man (or woman, or children) on the street. Yes, that dirty person who is going to take your money and buy alcohol or drugs. That is your neighbor. How does loving them as yourself look, practically speaking?
Wait, what are you saying? I'm saying the same thing as Francis Chan, the same thing as Jon Weece (Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky), the same thing as Jesus. If you want to experience the joy of true religion, if you want to find the abundance Jesus promises in John 10:10 (the inspiration for this blog's title), you have to love God and then love people. But just loving people isn't enough. You have to love them as yourself.
And that is the hard part. Loving people, especially if we consider throwing a few dollars at them love, is something American's have demonstrated an ability to do. But to get dirty with them, to step into their lives and become a part of that scene, to truly show strangers the same level of love I show myself (whom I deny nothing); that is hard.
But Francis has found in doing so, he has found so much! Francis ended his Lessons From Uganda with another Jesus quote, one I find appropriate as well to challenge you today:
Will you join me, my lovely bride, Francis Chan, Jon Weece, and so many others in this journey?
I was moved by Francis' words about learning that as American's we are focused too much on ourselves and on obtaining more "stuff," in part because that is where my lovely bride and I have come in our journey. I was so impressed by the words Francis shared, I emailed the link to my wife. Last night over dinner, we discussed what she had seen.
Not knowing who Francis Chan was, my wife was not as impressed as I was at his commitment to begin to focus living on less so he could be generous with more. My bride decided to look for more sermons and videos by Francis and ran across the following link, Lessons From Uganda. This sermon, more than the video my friend had posted, moved my wife to tears. She asked me to listen, so this morning I played the audio track while eating breakfast. Immediately, I had to post a blog.
In Lessons From Uganda, Francis demonstrates true religion, as described in James 1:27, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." (New Living Translation) Mr. Chan then ties that with the greatest commandment:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:36-40, New International Version)Francis then challenges his congregation to put themselves into the text from Matthew. What does loving your neighbor as yourself look like, practically speaking? How do I live that way on a daily basis?
Francis talks about the pleasure of supporting four orphaned children, a family of kids who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, in Uganda. He tells of the pleasure of meeting them, spending time with them, buying them clothes, food and pizza. He shares that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)! His prayer is the joy he and the team that accompanied him to Uganda experienced will permeate the rest of the Cornerstone family and they will become a church that truly demonstrates true religion.
It breaks my heart there are so few churches today who desire to demonstrate true religion. You may hear them say, I am loving my neighbor, why do you think we get together all the time in this place? We come together and encourage each other.
However, if you read the corresponding passage of love God, love your neighbor from Luke you will notice Jesus is asked, "Who is my neighbor?" In response, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan.
If you remember the story, it is a stranger from another land, a land filled with people who are despised by the Jews, who demonstrates himself a neighbor. It wasn't the two religious men, it was the "enemy." I conclude that our neighbor then is anyone we see who is in need; the homeless man (or woman, or children) on the street. Yes, that dirty person who is going to take your money and buy alcohol or drugs. That is your neighbor. How does loving them as yourself look, practically speaking?
Wait, what are you saying? I'm saying the same thing as Francis Chan, the same thing as Jon Weece (Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky), the same thing as Jesus. If you want to experience the joy of true religion, if you want to find the abundance Jesus promises in John 10:10 (the inspiration for this blog's title), you have to love God and then love people. But just loving people isn't enough. You have to love them as yourself.
And that is the hard part. Loving people, especially if we consider throwing a few dollars at them love, is something American's have demonstrated an ability to do. But to get dirty with them, to step into their lives and become a part of that scene, to truly show strangers the same level of love I show myself (whom I deny nothing); that is hard.
But Francis has found in doing so, he has found so much! Francis ended his Lessons From Uganda with another Jesus quote, one I find appropriate as well to challenge you today:
"Jesus said to all of them, "If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me. Those who want to save their lives will give up true life. But those who give up their lives for me will have true life. It is worthless to have the whole world if they themselves are destroyed or lost." (Luke 9: 23-25, New Century Version)How are you doing in following the greatest commandment? What things do you need to rearrange in your life so you are honestly loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself; in such as manner as to be holding nothing back? I believe Jesus, and I believe Francis Chan; if you love in this way, if you practice true religion as God the father has defined, you will find abundant life!
Will you join me, my lovely bride, Francis Chan, Jon Weece, and so many others in this journey?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
God Provides
Being out on the road for almost three weeks in August did a number on our finances. Having not worked very much earlier in the year, we had exhausted our reserves. However, when I'm on the road, I need to be able to eat. I do my best to keep my meals costs limited, but $20 to $25 dollars a day is pretty much a requirement.
Unfortunately, not all hotels provide breakfast. When I get to stay at one that does, my daily expenses are lowered. This is a good thing. Unfortunately, of the hotels I used on the last trip, only 1 of 3 provided breakfast. At the rest, I used their resident Starbucks, adding $5 to $8 to my daily needs.
In addition, I had some expenses I had to pick up, gas in three rental cars, the cost of one of the rental cars, and some job site supplies. It all added up.
In order to make due, I used money that would have otherwise gone to pay our utilities. No, this is not a fiscally sound idea, but it was necessary this time out. I arrived home on Thursday evening, and the phone and electric were scheduled to be shut off on Monday. Over the weekend, my lovely bride and I went through our finances in an effort to find the money for these two bills that had reached critical need.
As He has done so many times over the last five years, God stepped in to provide. By shifting funds from one account to another, we were able to pay the phone and electric bills, holding off the disconnect. We currently only have $4 in one account, $5 in each of two other accounts, and $11 in savings; but we have a phone, Internet, and electricity.
Today is payday for my lovely bride, and the money will be used for food, gas in the vehicles, pay our water bill (today is the last day before that is disconnected) and gas utility bill. That should be sufficient to get us through another week until she is paid again.
I have a local job next week, so out-of-pocket expenses should be at a minimum. I am also waiting on payment for my time and expenses for the jobs in August, so cash is on the way.
It never ceases to amaze me how close we come to the edge before God jumps in with a miracle. After five years of finding Him to rarely be early, but never late; I still am in awe each time He shows up. That's a good thing, I imagine. I'd hate to wake up one day having taken God for granted. I always want to sit in wonder at His greatness, His love, and His generosity.
Where is God showing up in your life? Are you recognizing His presence and presents in your life, or are you simply taking the blessings He offers for granted? Find something in your life that is there because of God and take the time today to thank Him. You'll be glad you did!
Unfortunately, not all hotels provide breakfast. When I get to stay at one that does, my daily expenses are lowered. This is a good thing. Unfortunately, of the hotels I used on the last trip, only 1 of 3 provided breakfast. At the rest, I used their resident Starbucks, adding $5 to $8 to my daily needs.
In addition, I had some expenses I had to pick up, gas in three rental cars, the cost of one of the rental cars, and some job site supplies. It all added up.
In order to make due, I used money that would have otherwise gone to pay our utilities. No, this is not a fiscally sound idea, but it was necessary this time out. I arrived home on Thursday evening, and the phone and electric were scheduled to be shut off on Monday. Over the weekend, my lovely bride and I went through our finances in an effort to find the money for these two bills that had reached critical need.
As He has done so many times over the last five years, God stepped in to provide. By shifting funds from one account to another, we were able to pay the phone and electric bills, holding off the disconnect. We currently only have $4 in one account, $5 in each of two other accounts, and $11 in savings; but we have a phone, Internet, and electricity.
Today is payday for my lovely bride, and the money will be used for food, gas in the vehicles, pay our water bill (today is the last day before that is disconnected) and gas utility bill. That should be sufficient to get us through another week until she is paid again.
I have a local job next week, so out-of-pocket expenses should be at a minimum. I am also waiting on payment for my time and expenses for the jobs in August, so cash is on the way.
It never ceases to amaze me how close we come to the edge before God jumps in with a miracle. After five years of finding Him to rarely be early, but never late; I still am in awe each time He shows up. That's a good thing, I imagine. I'd hate to wake up one day having taken God for granted. I always want to sit in wonder at His greatness, His love, and His generosity.
Where is God showing up in your life? Are you recognizing His presence and presents in your life, or are you simply taking the blessings He offers for granted? Find something in your life that is there because of God and take the time today to thank Him. You'll be glad you did!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Living a Public Life
There has been a lot of press lately about people losing jobs or receiving some disciplinary action due to Facebook and/or Twitter posts. I'm sure the same could be said about their blog posts, too.
It is unavoidable that if you live your life in the public forum, you can face consequences by those who feel the information you've shared should not have been public.
That is why when I post about jobs, I only say the city, have not said the company name (although those who are close to me know it, and once or twice the company name has been posted by someone else on my Facebook page in response to a status update), and make every effort to share my joys and passions of my job while trying to keep some anonymity for others.
My wife has taken another approach. She simply does not have a Facebook or Twitter account, nor does she blog. In fact, she has asked me to never post pictures on my Facebook that include her. She's asked the same of our three sons, but they have ignored her request.
It seems technology has once again taken society into a place where things are moving so quickly, people simply do not have either the time nor the ability to contemplate consequences of their use of the technology. I recently heard an executive from Google state it will become commonplace for people to legally change their names when moving from childhood to adulthood, simply so they can escape the public persona they've created online.
In a world where Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sights have become marketing tools for companies and individuals; where people are often able to either find a job, or lose a job, because of a status update or tweet; where everything some people do is played out in a public forum; isn't it strange we are still so isolated? I have 283 friends on Facebook, follow 58 people on Twitter and have 67 Twitter followers, yet many times I feel isolated. Sure there are people out there who know what I post online, but do they know the real me? Will they pick up the phone at 3 AM when I'm in crisis because of some bad news I've just received? Do my Facebook and Twitter friends have "refrigerator rights?"
Unfortunately, the answer is no. I honestly have very few face-to-face friends who I've offered refrigerator rights. So living a public life, having Facebook and Twitter accounts, posting on a blog regularly, having published a book; none of these things provide true friendship, true camaraderie. It is only through a deep relationship with God, only through seeking His will for my life each day, only as a result of my daily time in His word and through prayer that I find truth. That time is the most valuable of my daily pursuit. Time with God, time with my lovely bride, time with our youngest (the only son still living at home); those things will determine how satisfying my life will be.
Everything else, all the public posts, the 140 character updates, the blog ramblings; those things are a part of who I am, they are not who I am.
Are you living a public life that is a lie? Are you "hiding" in public, afraid to go deep with someone God has placed in your life? Are you running from God and not spending time with Him? Find out what really matters, everything else will become more focused!
It is unavoidable that if you live your life in the public forum, you can face consequences by those who feel the information you've shared should not have been public.
That is why when I post about jobs, I only say the city, have not said the company name (although those who are close to me know it, and once or twice the company name has been posted by someone else on my Facebook page in response to a status update), and make every effort to share my joys and passions of my job while trying to keep some anonymity for others.
My wife has taken another approach. She simply does not have a Facebook or Twitter account, nor does she blog. In fact, she has asked me to never post pictures on my Facebook that include her. She's asked the same of our three sons, but they have ignored her request.
It seems technology has once again taken society into a place where things are moving so quickly, people simply do not have either the time nor the ability to contemplate consequences of their use of the technology. I recently heard an executive from Google state it will become commonplace for people to legally change their names when moving from childhood to adulthood, simply so they can escape the public persona they've created online.
In a world where Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sights have become marketing tools for companies and individuals; where people are often able to either find a job, or lose a job, because of a status update or tweet; where everything some people do is played out in a public forum; isn't it strange we are still so isolated? I have 283 friends on Facebook, follow 58 people on Twitter and have 67 Twitter followers, yet many times I feel isolated. Sure there are people out there who know what I post online, but do they know the real me? Will they pick up the phone at 3 AM when I'm in crisis because of some bad news I've just received? Do my Facebook and Twitter friends have "refrigerator rights?"
Unfortunately, the answer is no. I honestly have very few face-to-face friends who I've offered refrigerator rights. So living a public life, having Facebook and Twitter accounts, posting on a blog regularly, having published a book; none of these things provide true friendship, true camaraderie. It is only through a deep relationship with God, only through seeking His will for my life each day, only as a result of my daily time in His word and through prayer that I find truth. That time is the most valuable of my daily pursuit. Time with God, time with my lovely bride, time with our youngest (the only son still living at home); those things will determine how satisfying my life will be.
Everything else, all the public posts, the 140 character updates, the blog ramblings; those things are a part of who I am, they are not who I am.
Are you living a public life that is a lie? Are you "hiding" in public, afraid to go deep with someone God has placed in your life? Are you running from God and not spending time with Him? Find out what really matters, everything else will become more focused!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
