Fellowship of the King

We've started a new series at the River on Sunday nights called The
Fellowship of the King. We will be exploring a unique group of people in the 1st century and discover how with God's grace they not only transformed the entire Roman Empire but the whole world as well. I was reminded of this fellowship concept while watching the Lord of the Rings triology. (yes, I do realize how much of my life I spent watching those movies and yes, I do know there are better uses of my time) The Fellowship was a unique group brought together for a unique purpose. Pastor Keith Missel, lead pastor at Friendship Church, wrote this summary of the fellowship.

"The fellowship of the Ring is made up of individuals of distinct origin and ridiculous diversity that exceed any of our ethnic or social differences: four hobbits, tiny beings with large, hairy, shoeless feet—Frodo Baggins and his friends Merry, Sam, and Pippin; two men, warriors of the first rank always dressed for battle —Boromir of Gondor and Aragon, son of Arathorn II, King of Gondor, one wizard, Gandalf the ancient nemesis of evil and a repository of wisdom and supernatural power; an elf, Legolas, from a fair race of archers of the forest with pointed ears; and a dwarf, Gimli, a stout hairy, axe-wielding creature from the dark chambers under the mountains.
The nine members of the fellowship bore few affinities. However, the nine very different individuals were BOUND TOGETHER BY THEIR GREAT MISSION to defeat the forces of darkness and save Middle–Earth. As a result they became inseparable and their covenant indissoluble.
Such can be OUR FELLOWSHIP when we PRIORITIZE OUR MISSION and PARTNERSHIP IN the gospel."

I hope you will be able to join us as we look into the book of Acts and the record of what God did in and through the 1st century believers in Christ

To Save a Life Movie

I had the opportunity to preview this movie over a month ago and I was very impressed. I think the content of the movie may be for high school students (specifically) and older. The message of the movie resonates with the passion of my life - rescuing high school students. I highly recommend you see this movie.

http://tosavealifemovie.com/win.php

Bloodmoney movie

While Naomi and I were in Chicago last week we were approached by volunteers from Planned Parenthood on 2 separate occasions. Each time we were approached were asked if, "we could spare some time in support of Planned Parenthood" at which Naomi and I responded in unison, "NO WAY!" We walked away after the first time discussing how us spending one second of support for planned parenthood was the biggest joke of all time. Support the killing of unborn defenseless children all in the name of convenience, selfishness and financial gain. You've got to be kidding. NO way! Not a chance. By the second time I could feel my blood boiling, BOILING! I was thankful there wasn't a third.

3 summers ago I had the opportunity to visit Auschwitz in Poland. I have spent a great deal of time studying history, specifically Jewish history as well as the history of World War 2. After all that I knew going into Auschwitz I was still stunned. It was MASSIVE. I could not believe how large it was. It was well organized. It looked efficient. UGH. I don't know if I'll ever recover from it. 60 years ago the Germans argued that the Jews were less than human. Therefore they were justified in killing over 6 million Jews. 30 years later the United States justified killing children because they did not consider them to be human. The death toll around the world due to abortion makes World War 2 look like a footnote is the history of murder.

I did not have one second to spare in support of Planned Parenthood last week. I do, however, have many opportunities in direct opposition of Planned Parenthood to direct people toward the truth about abortion. I recently came across a movie that has yet to be released called, "Bloodmoney". I am intrigued to see what this movie reveals about the truth and I'm hopeful if helps turn the tide against abortion in our country.

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

Pride can be a national sin as well.

A quote from Abraham Lincoln from a speech given in 1863.

We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

The consequences of pride can be felt on an individual level as well as on a national level.

A Neglected Theology

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

The theology of suffering still eludes many within the Body of Christ.  This neglect seems to be localized within the United States but has spread to many other countries with the rise of the "prosperity gospel".  It is natural for men to pursue their own self interests.  However, there seems to be less and less distinction from the natural ways of the world and what should be the salt and light of the Church.  The desires, goals, values of the church should be radically different from the world that surrounds it.  

I know I am often prone to comfort and indifference.  I can sense the hypocrisy as I type on the laptop and the T.V. plays for noise in the background.  I go out of my way to avoid pain or conflict.  I find myself often claiming my rights to what I feel I deserve.  I've felt the pressure of churches who are typically more interested in numerical growth than real authentic spiritual growth that challenges people to Go and Make Disciples.  These attitudes and values have infiltrated the church like a virus.  I thank God that Friendship is often making choices to do the right/righteous thing which is often not the popular thing.

The reason I posted this link was to remind myself and anyone else who cares to watch it of the importance of "brokenness" or what the speaker calls anguish.  If we pursue comfort, our own rights, and embrace a consumerism what will our churches look like in the end.  This is a theme I have been trying to drill into our students over the past 24 months.  Brokenness over our sin and brokenness over those who are lost and desperate without a Savior.  This is the beginning of calling.  This is the beginning of selfless service.  This is the foundation for the grace and forgiveness that needs to be extended.  This is what motivates young people to deny self and pray desperate prayers for their friends.  We don't need better music, better dramas, or better multimedia we desperately need the desperate prayers of broken students.   

The Christy Nockels song Hosanna says, "break our hearts for what breaks Yours"  I couldn't agree more.  I believe this to be the most dangerous prayer a young Christian can pray.

Pray that we as a church accurately teach and model this theology in our church.

Dawkins Delusion

I thought this was spot on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QERyh9YYEis&feature=PlayList&p=EA2D863160AFCFDE&index=13

No Choice?!

I am discovering that in spite of me reorganizing my life to line up with my final 30 days there are a number of things that are out of my control.  Certainly the way people treat me or respond to me is out of my control.  I also realized that there are a number of my choices that are not really a choice at all.  There are things that I have to do during my final 30 days.  If I do not do these things I will limit my choices and goals in other areas of my life.  I have to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, drive the speed limit, brush my teeth and a number of other things.  You could argue that some of these things I don't have to do but as I said before, if I do not do these things they will limit my freedom in other areas of life.  I spent some time today reflecting on God's boundaries for my life.  When God says to do one thing in His Word or to avoid another He is actually providing me a path that leads to the MOST FREEDOM in my life.  

God's Word says If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  John 8:31b-32 (NIV)

We are often resistant to the "requirements" that life, someone else and often God puts in our life.  The truth is that if we realize that these things ADD to even our final days will discover the LIFE that God has for us EACH DAY.