You Matter: Make a Difference

Have you ever caught yourself saying..."DO I REALLY MATTER?" The reality is that more often than not we find ourselves living this way. We go around consumed with the small portion of this world known as "my life". I love the questions that begin with "what if"... By nature I am one who is energized by this question.

The "what if" question that I have been contemplating on lately is "WHAT IF EACH PERSON SAW THEMSELVES CAPABLE OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE". Can you imagine if you and a group of friends decided that you were going to make a difference in your community. You could feed a family for a week, provide clothing for someone who can't afford it, hire someone out of work to do work around your house, care for a child who is not loved, adopt a child, foster a child, volunteer with local agencies...the possibilities are endless.

Our church, ExponentialChurch.tv is starting an initiative called "You Matter". We want everyone in our community to realize that they matter to us and God. We also want to instill in others that they matter in making a difference.

"You Matter" is designed to help people come together to make a difference through pooling energy and resources. When several come together for a common good much can be done. "You Matter" is also designed because as individuals we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.

As you go through your day, stop focusing on "my life" and begin looking at the lives around you that you are able to touch. Get involved in your community and world. Remember, "YOU MATTER SO GO OUT A MAKE A DIFFERENCE". Volunteer, serve, start something but by all means...stop living the "me life".

Michael Jackson, New Kids On The Block: A BLAST FROM THE PAST

Last night we were driving back late from Ocean City, MD. The end of the trip ended with us playing some of the music that was popular in our younger years. We played Michael Jackson's Thriller and Beat it. We played some of the popular boy bands, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the block. We also listened to some of the popular religious music from the day. To our amazement our kids laughed hysterically at the icons of the day. As we listened, we realized that they are much different than today, for good reason. They sounded "funny", "old fashioned" and "ridiculous". As we looked back, these oldies went out, at least for most of us.

As I thought about that this morning, I realized that other things are "going out" that shouldn't be. No more do we see people who are compassionate, seeking justice for the oppressed and loving mercy. As I look around at the community around me, I see opportunity to participate and practice the values that should never go out. This week as we begin our week, how we will we practice justice, mercy and compassion. Is there a person who needs help? It's our job to help. Is there someone who is being abused? It's our job to help. Is there someone who is being judged? It's our job to show love and acceptance

I would recommend reading a book, "A Hole in Our Gospel". This book transformed the way I look at the world around me. It caused me to to look at compassion, social justice and mercy ministries as my responsibility. At ExponentialChurch.tv this will be our first LifeGroup series. I believe part of our living/worshipping well must include our active participation. Don't let these values go out of style like the music of our past.

FIRST TIME!!!!!

My wife and I were able to spend the weekend in Philadelphia...It was a weekend of firsts. This was the first time I had a true Philly Cheese Steak, the first time to see the liberty bell and the liberty hall and the first time in Philly. For my wife she had those firsts as well as one other, the first time to ride the subway.

She was nervous as we went down the tunnel under the street, she was nervous as we stood underground waiting for a train that was going fast, and she was nervous about some of the people around us. What created this fear...things she has heard and things that she has seen on tv. For Tammie, the subway was not an awful place where everyone was out to get her, but rather a place that got us from one place to the other for our weekend away.

This is similar to what happens when many people think about Christ. They are fearful of what they have seen, extremist being unloving to others with different views, people standing around judging them because the don't belong, and fighting and bickering over issues that don't matter for eternity.

How we live often reveals to those around us what reality is. Are we showing that following Christ is not what they expect but rather a life that is given to something greater.

Think about what your friends think of Christ and the church, what are you doing to show them it is worth having.

Blessed to Be a Blessing

This morning I was challenged to look at Genesis 12 in light of missional living. As I read, it reminded me of one of the most profound experiences in my life. The picture above was taken on a trip that I lead to live out my life the way Christ desired. While in Haiti, I realized that I was blessed despite my income level and net worth (or lack of). I love the challenge that God gave to Abraham. "I will bless you so that you may be blessing." When I read that, it again challenged me in my view of my relationship with Christ.

I am living in the greatest economic crisis that I remember. I don't have a lot of money to give, I don't have a huge investment to start a business or non profit to help others, BUT I AM STILL BLESSED.

I have a home that I can invite people too and share with them hope. I have a loving family who can give hope to a family in crisis. I have enough food to feed an extra person, I have enough room for someone to spend the night, I have been given life experience that I can share with someone in need.

I am blessed. I am blessed beyond what I can comprehend. The question is not am blessed but rather am I a blessing. As you look at the picture above, ask yourself what blessing do I have that I can in turn use to be a blessing. Make this a priority on your journey....BE A BLESSING!!!

Comment and share how you have had opportunity to be blessing....

NO HOT WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME TO THE REST OF THE WORLD

This past friday night the hot water heater in our house fried the thermostat. This produces no hot water. Saturday and Sunday I stood in a freezing cold shower, lathering up with soap and then as quickly as possible rinsing off.

The cold water took my breath away...it made me miserable. We did what most families would do...WE COMPLAINED.

It was then that we remembered that most of the world struggles daily to get clean water just to drink. They don't have the luxury of turning a faucet or opening the refrigerator and having more clean water than we could even know how to use. Their existence is based around going daily to the well...sometimes an hour journey...just to have fresh water to drink.

As I began to think about the issue with my hot water...I realized that my issue with the water heater would be a blessing to most people in the world. As I got back in the cold shower, I was a little more thankful that at least I had clean water to drink, wash and rinse.

Often if we look at our struggles through the eyes of someone else...it may be a blessing and we don't even realize it.

The next step is not to just realize that we are blessed, but to use the blessings we have to serve others. As you take a shower the next time...contemplate on how you can use your blessing to serve others...let me know what you end up doing.

It's Been One Week

It is hard to believe that we have been in harrisburg, PA for a full week. As we have settled in, let me give you a recap of our week.

* Sore muscles from loading the trucks in 100 degree heat in Van Wert, Ohio. (Thanks to all who helped)

* Cramps as we sit all day driving to Harrisburg

* Overwhelmed by people helping unload the truck in Harrisburg

* Moving furnitre and unpacking

* Grocery Shopping and finding our way as we make 20 trips to the various stores...

* Relaxing by the pool...(it's not all work and no play)

* Learning the culture of a new area

* First exponential church.tv staff meeting

***LOVING HARRISBURG AN SEEING IT AS OUR MISSION FIELD

Our family has loved our first week in Harrisburg. As we go places (the grocery store, mall, lowes, farmers market)we see around us people who need a relationship with Christ. Keep us in your prayers as we seek to bring "up there, down here."

REFORMATION

Yesterday at Calvary Church one of the greatest statements I have heard was quoted. "The church should reform and always be reforming" (1500's) As a leader, I am always looking at how the church should reform, the question is what is the guide for the reformation of the church. The guides people use are results, feelings, tradition and the list could go on and on.

As a leader, I want to make sure that the transformation that takes place in based on the principles found in the Word of God.

As we begin this week on a journey of reforming the way church is done, I want to make sure that we evaluate the reformation we are participating in by the World.