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Piper talks about what may be the root of the attitude we find in many churches today. These thoughts led me to do the very painful act of self-examination.

Many of you have heard of Church Online by now. If you haven’t you must check out LifeChurch.TV’s internet campus which now has over 30 experience times. America had always been the country with the most people on Church Online, but in recent months India actually had more people attending than any other country.

One could say that’s not a very big deal, I mean, it is a country with over a billion people. So of course a lot of people will check out Church Online, but the reach of technology goes so far beyond that. Here is one specific instance just to give you an idea.

I heard about a great number of people from Rajasthan being involved in Church Online.  The stats I got said they were estimating about 300 people, and that is a low estimation. Rajasthan is a state in norther Indian with a border shared by Pakistan. 89 percent of people in Rahasthan are Hindu and 8 percent are Muslim, Jains Sikhs each make up less than 2 percent of the population. Now you do the math…How many Christians could there possibly be in this state of 54 million people?

More importantly, places like Rajasthan are extremely closed off to the gospel. My friend, Sujith Jacob, was quick to point out that you would never be able to gather 300 people in this place to tell them about Christ. However, Church Online is clearly reaching into the darkest places with the light and love of Christ.

I’m writing this post today, because I had a conversation recently about how foolish the idea of Church Online is, and that we have gone too far in trying to be cool that we are making a mockery of the church. My response….I think avenues like Church Online are allowing us to be the church in this century like never before.

And don’t forget to pray for all those places where the light can now invade and cast out the darkness.

So, I went out to lunch with my team on Monday this week and I did something that I never thought I would do. I have confessed my actions, and although I am not proud of what I did I believe that I found absolution.

I didn’t key the car parked too close to me in the parking lot (mainly because it was my co-workers car). I didn’t order a water and fill my cup with Sprite (you people hack me off) I didn’t eat somewhere where the wings are really good (actually they’re not that good, but this is the classic excuse everyone uses).  I didn’t dine and ditch or leave without leaving a tip (cause my boss paid for it). I didn’t do anything that your probably expecting. I gave into peer pressure on that fateful Monday….and…..I…. ate a veggie burger. (someone go find me some sackcloth and ashes)

So my first experience with a burger made of beans… it didn’t taste horrible. A burger made of meat makes me a little sleepy by the afternoon, but not the bean burger. I couldn’t be sleepy because I was too focused on trying to find a snack since I was starving an hour after lunch. I really am trying to eat healthy and be healthy and so on. We’ll see how it goes.

The staff of LifeChurch.TV participated in a 21 day fast at the beginning of 2010. Fasting has always been a very personal experience for me, but I’ve never done it for such an extended period of time.

As I began my time of fasting one thing was continually revealed to me. I could not get away from it. “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

I’ve read this scripture a hundred times, but I was compelled to really evaluate how much I have LIVED on the word of God. In the past year and a half I believe my love and passion for the scriptures has waned. I wish I could tell you why, but I can’t. It crushes my heart to admit that the truth is,  maybe I would only immerse myself in God’s word so I could teach it to others and not so God could speak to me.  I fear many pastors run into this wall.

I have been invigorated by God’s word this month. I pray that it will continue to come to life in me so that I may find life in it.

We have at our fingertips a most powerful and most under-utilized weapon. Check out YouVersion.com for a number of Bible reading plans to choose from, and get started today.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double‑edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Be Blessed

Have you ever been stuck in traffic and cursed at the car in front of you? I know I’ve done it. Once, a news helicopter flew over while I was cursing the Chevy Malibu sitting in front of me in park. I eventually took the exit and found another way home, but later as I watched the news footage from the helicopter I found out there was a huge accident about two miles ahead of where I was. That was two miles ahead, but all I could see was the car right in front of me.

We do this a lot don’t we? Maybe not cursing the car stuck in front of us, but we certainly curse situations. Sometimes we curse God. However all we see is what is right in front of us. All we see is the relationship that didn’t go as planned, the sickness we didn’t expect, losing a loved one too soon, losing a job we loved, and so on. But God sees what’s going on two miles ahead. He is sovereign and His providential will is working in our lives daily.

I know today it seems like that thing will be the end of you, but it’s not the whole story. You just don’t have the best view.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I had a conversation with some peers recently concerning how much we rely on our gifts instead of our character.

We posed the question “Why do we focus more on our gifts than our character?”

I believe there is a desire for acceptance and affirmation within everyone of us, whether we like to admit it or not. A person’s character is sometimes very internal. In fact, the true character of a man or woman may be something that nobody ever sees. You can easily present a fake self-image before people which inflates the perceived quality of your character.

Now, your gifts are a different story. These are on constant display for all the world to see, therefore we lean heavily on our gifts. I mean really, in the end it’s about looking good in front of people right? I have to hash out my character in private. I can convince people that I’m honest and trustworthy without really being either. However, if I want them to think that I’m an eloquent speaker or a talented musician I actually have to be up to par. So I work on these things. I practice a sermon for 4 hours and pray for thirty minutes. I rehearse what I’m going to tell people, and do something completely different. (I believe Jesus’ metaphor of white-washed graves is on the spot here.)

Here is the trouble with this. Perception is fleeting, but character is permanent. The crowds will cheer for you one day, and be sick of you the next day. Your boss will call you the best and brightest one year, and tell you to start exploring your options the next year, but the true mark of who you are, your character, remains steadfast.  You won’t always be the hippest, coolest, latest, brightest thing, but you will always be who you really are in the depths of your spirit.

Mold your character. Work toward honesty and integrity. Put others first and live for the pleasure and approval of God, no one else.

My cousin passed away a few days ago. He lives in India, and everything happened very quickly. My family is grieving and that is understandable. God created us for relationship and when our loved ones die those relationships end, there is a real sense of loss and sorrow.

My heart has been troubled the last few days. Yes, I’m mourning the loss in my family, but death comes to us all, I know there is no such thing as an unexpected death. God is sovereign and we live for His glory. In death the Christ follower glorifies God for eternity so I believe our mission doesn’t change much for our eternal soul. My heart is not troubled by death.

My pain comes in knowing my cousin went to church his whole life. He was active in church at the time he died. However, I don’t believe he was a follower of Christ. If we believe in the brevity of life then we must believe in the urgency of the gospel. Don’t waste opportunities with the ones you love. The price you pay in discomfort or embarrassment, even momentarily interrupted relationships is worth the treasure of Christ. He is all.

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14 (NASB)

A lot can be reflected in a person’s attitude. Some choose to wear their emotions on their sleeve, others prefer to process emotionally more internally. I don’t think either way is wrong or right, and that’s not what I want to write about this morning.

Humility is defined as the quality or condition of being humble; having a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank etc.

Often, a “bad” attitude can be traced to a lack of humility. What we sum up as an angry or mean person is usually not a humble person.

Someone who is incessantly rude is more concerned with their own needs and wants, and they don’t want to consider the needs of others. They are selfish, because they consider themselves more important than everyone else.

Someone who consistently responds to adversity in anger is probably angry because things are not going their way. Again, no one else matters in this situation it’s all about self….selfish….thinking you are more important than everyone else or lacking humility.

Some people have a bad attitude because they are having a bad day. Here’s the newsflash EVERYONE HAS BAD DAYS!!! So what leads some to believe that their bad day or adverse circumstance gives them the right to be rude and disagreeable with everyone around them? It’s the mindset that Mr. or Miss bad attitude is the center of the universe. If I’m having a bad day everyone better have a bad day. It’s all about self….selfish…you feel like you are more important than everyone else.

A lack of humility is the root of the world view for those people who take themselves way too seriously. Man, you know who I’m talking about. They can’t take a joke or a fun comment. They have a permanent stick…well…somewhere. Who do you think you are? I don’t know you! (I threw in two not humble sentences for irony. I was told good writers use irony… So I’m using irony, though I’m not a good writer… That’s ironic)

Seriously though, we are called to stand for our beliefs. We live in a world where the values of Christians are criticized and mocked constantly, but believers shouldn’t let that put a chip on our shoulders. Be strong in your beliefs and stand up for yourself, but don’t take yourself so seriously that you cease to be humble. Don’t confuse confidence with cockiness, that’s about putting yourself above others. Don’t be so focused on getting your way that you grow angry at the first instance of adversity. Don’t be so caught up in your own world that you miss the moments to rejoice with those who rejoice. In this new year make an effort to get over yourself and think of others.

 To Jayson John From Jayson John

A friend who works with me sent me a link to this video. I thought it might help some of you with your New Year’s resolutions.

Many people who I know are facing chaos in their lives today. It seems that I’m receiving daily phone calls and e-mails about a different tragedy. Yesterday I received one such phone call, and I don’t know if it’s just that the pain of our sheep is beginning to be overwhelming or if the confusion that may often accompany these circumstances is becoming overwhelming….whatever it is, I felt overwhelmed.

In reading Acts 3:13-18(NIV) Peter is speaking to the people of Israel during his second sermon (remember the first one resulted in 3,000 receiving the word and being baptized). As Peter goes through the things the people of Israel were responsible for, “..Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned.”, “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.”, “You put to death the prince of life.”….I imagine the chaos.

Pilate stands ready to release either a murderer or Jesus in whom he has found no fault….and the crowd screams for Barabbas. It’s utter chaos, nothing makes sense. Nothing is right. Everything is wrong. The situation is completely out of control.

But then Peter says in verse 18, “But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” I had a moment when I read this passage and it dawned on me what those closest to Jesus had endured during this time. They experienced the chaos of the crucifixion first hand. Their whole world had fallen apart. But now Peter says God was in control the whole time. He knew what he was doing all along. In the midst of complete chaos was providence.

If you are enduring trials that seem as they might overtake you I urge you to look to the cross. Just as God’s mighty hand was in complete control then He is sovereign in your life now.

Trust  Believe  Know