I am excited to hear of the all of the Church plants popping up in Orange County.
Some believe we already have enough Churches to meet the needs of our County.
But the reality is, there are 3.2 million people living in our county and less than 10% of them are following Jesus Christ and being discipled in any type of Church.
In fact in the city of Tustin, in the heart of Orange County, they are more bridges (81) than Churches (27).
So as a Pastor, I am excited to welcome and support any Bible believing, authentic new community of Christ followers setting up shop in our area.
Here is great video done by Mars Hill OC as they begin the journey of Church planting in Orange County
New Matt Redman Worship, Piper & Rick Warren & Of Course Tim Keller
I am home this week, recovering from my eyelid surgery (new, scary photos to come soon!), so I have had some time to catch up on latest postings in the Christian blog/vimeo world. Here are (3) things I enjoyed watching and hope you do to:
I'm really excited about Matt Redman's new live worship album titled, "10,000 reasons."
It comes out July 12th.
Listen to Matt's heart behind the project below:
I love this recent John Piper interview of Rick Warren
And finally, Pastor Tim Keller's continued focus on Jesus Christ being the center of the scriptures (Old Testament and New Testament) is so powerful:
I'm really excited about Matt Redman's new live worship album titled, "10,000 reasons."
It comes out July 12th.
Listen to Matt's heart behind the project below:
I love this recent John Piper interview of Rick Warren
And finally, Pastor Tim Keller's continued focus on Jesus Christ being the center of the scriptures (Old Testament and New Testament) is so powerful:
True & Better from Peter Artemenko on Vimeo.
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan
Here is the trailer for a new book in the works by Francis Chan on Hell.
This clip is length, but really, really good.
Take some time to watch...
This clip is length, but really, really good.
Take some time to watch...
Eye Patch or Sunglasses?
My dear friend and mentor, Jim Astor send me this link a couple of days ago.
Best Eye Patches in Movie History
This help sway my decision if I should go eye patch or sunglasses for the next 6 weeks
while my eye is sewn shut!
Best Eye Patches in Movie History
This help sway my decision if I should go eye patch or sunglasses for the next 6 weeks
while my eye is sewn shut!
Processing Eye Surgery
Part II of our my skin cancer eyelid surgery was yesterday (Thursday).
Here are some observations:
-I have never been "put under" before...Wow anesthesia is powerful stuff!
-The reconstruction surgery for my eyelid took 2 1/2 hours! (I expect to look 10 yrs younger!)
-The recovery room nurse told Marie, I told her all about Marie's nursing job. I have no memory of this. I wonder what else I said, hahaha.
-Dr. Krantz, my eye doctor is a genius. I am so thankful to have been under his care.
-The entire staff at Kaiser is super professional and compassionate. I am so thankful to have insurance and to have Kaiser as our provider
-The entire process of 2 days of surgery was way more emotionally intense than I was anticipating
-I feel like I have a whole new view of how to pastorally care for people who go through surgery
-I am now skin cancer FREE on my eyelid...Thank you God!
-I never want to go in the sun again...seriously.
-Wearing a GIANT bandage over my eye and face is humbling
-A theme song of mine this week has been Jenn Johnson's song, "God I Look to You"
-I am still processing the fact that my left eye will be sewn shut for the next 6 weeks to heal
-I love that even when my eye can't see, I can still see God and His mighty hand
-Marie, my wife is such an incredible wife. I am so thankful for her.
-I am thankful for all of the texts, e-mails, calls and prayer that have been lifted up for my little eye and this process. I am kind of embarrassed by the attention, but so thankful for such a deep and loving community of family and friends
- My prayer is that I will make much of Jesus and his love and mercy and grace through this situation....All Glory to God!
Here are some observations:
-I have never been "put under" before...Wow anesthesia is powerful stuff!
-The reconstruction surgery for my eyelid took 2 1/2 hours! (I expect to look 10 yrs younger!)
-The recovery room nurse told Marie, I told her all about Marie's nursing job. I have no memory of this. I wonder what else I said, hahaha.
-Dr. Krantz, my eye doctor is a genius. I am so thankful to have been under his care.
-The entire staff at Kaiser is super professional and compassionate. I am so thankful to have insurance and to have Kaiser as our provider
-The entire process of 2 days of surgery was way more emotionally intense than I was anticipating
-I feel like I have a whole new view of how to pastorally care for people who go through surgery
-I am now skin cancer FREE on my eyelid...Thank you God!
-I never want to go in the sun again...seriously.
-Wearing a GIANT bandage over my eye and face is humbling
-A theme song of mine this week has been Jenn Johnson's song, "God I Look to You"
-I am still processing the fact that my left eye will be sewn shut for the next 6 weeks to heal
-I love that even when my eye can't see, I can still see God and His mighty hand
-Marie, my wife is such an incredible wife. I am so thankful for her.
-I am thankful for all of the texts, e-mails, calls and prayer that have been lifted up for my little eye and this process. I am kind of embarrassed by the attention, but so thankful for such a deep and loving community of family and friends
- My prayer is that I will make much of Jesus and his love and mercy and grace through this situation....All Glory to God!
Eye Candy
I have had an interesting subplot to my life journey occuring this Spring. About 6 weeks ago, I went into the Doctor's office because of a recurring stye on my left eyelid. When the Doctor examined it, he thought it looked suspiciously like skin cancer, so he sent me to a eye Doctor, who sent me to another eye Doctor who determined through a biopsy that yes I did indeed have skin cancer on my eyelid. The good news is, if you had to pick a skin cancer to have, the one on my eyelid is your first choice, basil cell carcinoma. It is a slow growing skin cancer and surgery achieves a 98% success rate in removing it.
So that is why I found myself today at 8am on a Wednesday, laying on a table, having a team of amazing Doctor's and assistants take out the basil cell from my eye. After 3 hours and 5 layers removed (TMI?), I was deemed skin cancer free! Thank you Lord.
But my journey is not yet complete. Tomorrow (Thursday), I go in for eyelid reconstruction (glorified way of saying plastic surgery) and the prospects of having my eye sewn shut from anywhere from a week to a month in order for it to heal.
I would appreciate your prayers for tomorrow's surgery.
Pray they would be able to even reconstruct my eyelid without sewing it shut for any length of time!
Pray that I would be wise in knowing how to rest and depend on God during this time.
Pray for pregnant Marie and the kids as they undertake more responsibilities with me down for the count.
More updates to come...
Yet I can joyfully say no matter what, God is truly faithful.
Christians Belong in the Midst of Enemies
"Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. In the end all his disciples abandoned him. On the cross he was all alone, surrounded by criminals and the jeering crowds. He had come for the express purpose of bringing peace to the enemies of God.
Christians, too, belong not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the midst of enemies. There they find their mission, their work."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, p 27
(taken from Clayfire Curator Blog)
Christians, too, belong not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the midst of enemies. There they find their mission, their work."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, p 27
(taken from Clayfire Curator Blog)
May 21 2011 - End of the World?
Harold Camping has been getting a lot of press for his outlandish statements about the end of the world occurring this Saturday evening (beginning at 6pm).
Here are some good web articles and resources to read in regards to Camping and how to engage people when talking about the Return of Christ.
A Conversation with Harold Camping (New Yorker)
Time Will Tell: An Open Letter to Harold Camping
"A Response to Harold Camping's False Teachings" by Dr. Robert Godfrey, President of Westminster Seminary
"The False Teachings of Harold Camping" by Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
All though Camping is wrong on his May 21st prediction, we do know from reading the Bible that Jesus will return at some point. For more on this thought,
check out my sermon at Calvary Church from January 02, 2011.
+ Sermon Notes
+Sermon Slides
Here are some good web articles and resources to read in regards to Camping and how to engage people when talking about the Return of Christ.
A Conversation with Harold Camping (New Yorker)
Time Will Tell: An Open Letter to Harold Camping
"A Response to Harold Camping's False Teachings" by Dr. Robert Godfrey, President of Westminster Seminary
"The False Teachings of Harold Camping" by Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
All though Camping is wrong on his May 21st prediction, we do know from reading the Bible that Jesus will return at some point. For more on this thought,
check out my sermon at Calvary Church from January 02, 2011.
+ Sermon Notes
+Sermon Slides
Repost: 10 Simple Things Good Pastors Say
Jared Wilson, a Pastor from Vermont has a blog that has quickly become a favorite of mine in 2011. Below is his blog post from May 18th, reposted here...
1. Please forgive me.
Better than "I'm sorry," which can often be followed with an "if" or a "but," these words indicate a humble heart. Bad pastors hide their faults behind the cloak of their authority, practice self-defense against all charges, and basically pretend. Good pastors know they're sinners and admit it.
2. You're right.
Good pastors know they're not always (not usually?) the smartest, most "spiritual" person in the room. They are zealous to give credit and acknowledge achievement and intelligence, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it encourages and empowers others.
3. You're wrong.
Bad pastors chicken out when it comes to calling people on sin or biblical ignorance. Good pastors brave potential conflict and hurt feelings and say "You're wrong" in gentle but firm ways when necessary.
4. Jesus loves you.
Why did we stop saying this? I think because it became cliche. I'd love to see a recovery of the art of "Jesus loves you." Strategically said at times of others' admissions of failure, sin, or trouble, "Jesus loves you" is a fantastic way to speak the gospel into people's lives.
5. I love you.
I think one reason we stopped saying "Jesus loves you" to people is because we don't really love them ourselves. Might as well save the hypocrisy, eh? But good pastors lay their lives down for the sheep. Telling people you love them is a reminder to them and to you that sacrificial love is your calling.
6. Me too.
Next to "Grace is true" (see below), these might be the most important words in pastoral counseling. Bad pastors trade regularly in "Not me." In the pulpit and in the office, bad pastors set themselves apart from their congregations with tales of adventure, spirituality, and personal holiness. In the pulpit and in the office, good pastors talk of sin and trials and utter ineptitude and say, "Me too." I have seen entire countenances change when I've said some variation of "Me too."
7. Any time.
Of course you don't mean it literally. But you kinda do. Good pastors are available.
8. Thank you.
Bad pastors think they're owed. Good pastors know everything is a gift.
9. Grace is true.
I think deep down we all want to hear "You're approved" (see below), which is why we find "Grace is true" such a radical statement. You probably won't use the words, of course. But good pastors take the opportunity to glorify God by "talking up" his amazing grace every chance they get. Just 30 minutes ago, my writing of this post got interrupted by a visitor who wanted to talk about works and grace. I relished the chance to confirm his suspicion that grace is true. Bad pastors may say grace is true but the context of their teaching and the expectations in their leadership say "Your works must be this high to ride this ride." I know some of my friends hate it when "gospel" is used as a verb, but I just have to say it: Good pastors gospel their people. :-)
10. You're approved.
Everyone wants to believe they have what it takes, which is why it's such a bummer to hear the first half of the gospel and learn we really don't. Don't leave your people hanging. Be a good news pastor. Bad pastors beat their people up with their failures. Bad pastors are always disappointed. Good pastors know grace is true and Jesus is Lord, so they are ready to challenge every self-despairing soul with the wonderful truth that in Christ we are approved by God. Good pastors tell people they do have what it takes when they have Jesus' righteousness. Do you trust Jesus? You're all set, then.
1. Please forgive me.
Better than "I'm sorry," which can often be followed with an "if" or a "but," these words indicate a humble heart. Bad pastors hide their faults behind the cloak of their authority, practice self-defense against all charges, and basically pretend. Good pastors know they're sinners and admit it.
2. You're right.
Good pastors know they're not always (not usually?) the smartest, most "spiritual" person in the room. They are zealous to give credit and acknowledge achievement and intelligence, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it encourages and empowers others.
3. You're wrong.
Bad pastors chicken out when it comes to calling people on sin or biblical ignorance. Good pastors brave potential conflict and hurt feelings and say "You're wrong" in gentle but firm ways when necessary.
4. Jesus loves you.
Why did we stop saying this? I think because it became cliche. I'd love to see a recovery of the art of "Jesus loves you." Strategically said at times of others' admissions of failure, sin, or trouble, "Jesus loves you" is a fantastic way to speak the gospel into people's lives.
5. I love you.
I think one reason we stopped saying "Jesus loves you" to people is because we don't really love them ourselves. Might as well save the hypocrisy, eh? But good pastors lay their lives down for the sheep. Telling people you love them is a reminder to them and to you that sacrificial love is your calling.
6. Me too.
Next to "Grace is true" (see below), these might be the most important words in pastoral counseling. Bad pastors trade regularly in "Not me." In the pulpit and in the office, bad pastors set themselves apart from their congregations with tales of adventure, spirituality, and personal holiness. In the pulpit and in the office, good pastors talk of sin and trials and utter ineptitude and say, "Me too." I have seen entire countenances change when I've said some variation of "Me too."
7. Any time.
Of course you don't mean it literally. But you kinda do. Good pastors are available.
8. Thank you.
Bad pastors think they're owed. Good pastors know everything is a gift.
9. Grace is true.
I think deep down we all want to hear "You're approved" (see below), which is why we find "Grace is true" such a radical statement. You probably won't use the words, of course. But good pastors take the opportunity to glorify God by "talking up" his amazing grace every chance they get. Just 30 minutes ago, my writing of this post got interrupted by a visitor who wanted to talk about works and grace. I relished the chance to confirm his suspicion that grace is true. Bad pastors may say grace is true but the context of their teaching and the expectations in their leadership say "Your works must be this high to ride this ride." I know some of my friends hate it when "gospel" is used as a verb, but I just have to say it: Good pastors gospel their people. :-)
10. You're approved.
Everyone wants to believe they have what it takes, which is why it's such a bummer to hear the first half of the gospel and learn we really don't. Don't leave your people hanging. Be a good news pastor. Bad pastors beat their people up with their failures. Bad pastors are always disappointed. Good pastors know grace is true and Jesus is Lord, so they are ready to challenge every self-despairing soul with the wonderful truth that in Christ we are approved by God. Good pastors tell people they do have what it takes when they have Jesus' righteousness. Do you trust Jesus? You're all set, then.
My John 1:19-34 Sermon on Video
Thanks to Tim Gold and our Communications Team at Calvary Church Santa Ana, we are now able to present each week's sermon on Video. Here is my Sermon from our May 15, 2011 Elevation service at Calvary titled, "Who Are You?" It is part of our larger series on the Gospel of John titled, "Life Changing Questions."
We looked at:
I. Who is John the Baptizer? (John 1:19-26)
II. Who is Jesus? (John 1:27-34)
III. Who Are You? (John 3:22-36)
I hope this passage and sermon challenges and encourages you and much as it did to me!
We looked at:
I. Who is John the Baptizer? (John 1:19-26)
II. Who is Jesus? (John 1:27-34)
III. Who Are You? (John 3:22-36)
I hope this passage and sermon challenges and encourages you and much as it did to me!
Untitled from Calvary Arts & Media on Vimeo.
Boston Red Sox Star and Psalm 27
On Monday night, Adrian Gonzalez, the star first basemen for the Boston Red Sox had a walk-off double to win the game for the Red Sox over the visiting Baltimore Orioles.A reporter (Rob Bradford) asked him what his key to success has been this season as a new member of the team. I love Adrian's response, which I have copied below.
I had a chance to meet Adrian last year when he played with San Diego Padres through my buddy Jeff McKee from Trinity Bats, so In know Adrian's response below is the real deal. Here is what he said:
"The way I am is I work hard in preparation, and then the rest is up to God," Gonzalez explained. "God doesn't care if I get a hit or strike out. He just cares my attitude is right and my focus is in the right place with him. For me, it's have fun, enjoy the moment every time. If I strike out, put my helmet down, put my bat down and go to the next at-bat."
Gonzalez then pauses the conversation and starts looking for a better way to explain his approach. He's looking for a baseball bat. The Sox' No. 3 hitter can't find one of his own, but does discover a reasonable replacement, the same model as his own but made by a different company as the 'Trinity' brand he uses.
He points to the spot on bat, just underneath the player's name, that reads 'C271L,' the variation of bat that identifies what the hitter is working with.
"On mine," Gonzalez said, "it says 'PS 27:1.' Psalm 27:1. That's my favorite Bible verse. For me it's like, I have nothing to fear. I have nothing to be afraid of. Let God do his work and enjoy the moment and have fun with it."
The verse reads thusly: "The Lord [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Gonzalez became a born-again Christian eight years ago, and it has been four years since he first started having the Trinity Bat Company engrave the verse on his bats. It is what the slugger knows. It guided him in the ninth inning Monday night, and it has guided him in each of the new experiences thrown his way as a new member of the Red Sox."
Why 20 Atheists Showed Up At Our Bible Study This Week
Over the past year of so, I have built a friendship with a local Atheist named Bruce. Every other month or so we meet at Starbucks and discuss our beliefs. An idea came up as we met about how interesting it would be to transfer our coffee house discussions to a public format and invite people from both his Atheist group and my Christian group to sit in and listen to our discussion.
So this past Tuesday night we put our idea to action as I invited my friend Bruce, who describes himself as an "Agnostic Atheist" to come to our Young Adult Gathering at Calvary and discuss Christianity and Atheism with me as part of our "Reasons for God" lecture series.
Bruce graciously invited 20 of his closest Atheist/Skeptic friends to join us!
I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. Both the Atheists group and our Christian group were really kind and civil to each other and Bruce and I really enjoyed the way the discussion progressed throughout the night in both expected and unexpected ways.
Many of the Atheists commented that it had been years since they had been in a Church, and I felt so humbled and honored that they would take the time and courage to show up on a random Tuesday night to our Church. I had the honor to clearly present the Gospel to everyone in attendance and I know that God was and is working to soften hearts.
We began our discussion by defining exactly what we believe as a Christian (Matt) and as an Atheist (Bruce). Then we spent the rest of the evening framing our discussion around the following...
{10 Questions for Bruce - Helping Christians Understand Atheists}
Q1: Tell us about your background, did you grow up with any belief system as a child, teen, young adult? If you did have some type of belief system, what was it and what was your experience with it?
Q2: Tell us about your conversion from being an “agnostic” to becoming a devoted atheist?
Q3: Who were some of your influences? Was there a moment when you “converted or become beyond convinced that God did not exist?”
Q4: What would it take for you to become convinced that God DOES exist?
Q5: Tell us what you appreciate about Christianity?
Q6: Tell us about your grievances with Christianity?
Q7: What are your thoughts about Jesus?
Q8: Do public expressions of religion bother you? Is so, why?
Q9: What is the primary motivation for an Atheist to have morals?
Q10: Why do you have such an issue with God’s benevolence (goodness). Why is God’s benevolence (Or lack of benevolence) such a sticking point to your unbelief in God?
7 Statements from Matt...Helping Atheists Understand Christians
1) As Christians we don’t hate Atheists or wish for there demise. Jesus commands us to love our neighbor (even those we disagree with /example- Good Samaritan story) and calls us to love our enemies (ie The beatitudes)
2) We respect your courage to stand up for what you believe, even if you feel like you are in the minority. Ironically, Devoted Christians also feel like the minority in our society and also need courage to stand up for what we believe.
3) Non-Believers in Christianity think that Christianity is all about:
A) Rules
B) Or Church Buildings
C) Or leaving your brain at the door
D) Or having all your fun taken away
But these Things are not what Christianity is about. Christianity is about Jesus Christ. Mark’s Gospel in the New Testament begins, “the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ.”
Christianity is the only religion that says, “Jesus accepts you, so in response follow him.” Every other religion says, “clean up your act and God will accept you.”
4) Christians do have minds and apply reasoning to come to and maintain a belief in God (ie Natural Revelation, Historical Evidence, Life Transformation evidence, Biblical ethics evidence). Saying Christians are mindless and believe only in superstition is a false caricature and only hurtful in supporting your desire to be respected.
5) As Christians, believing Jesus is the only way to God and all other ways (including unbelief led to Eternal Separation from God in Hell) isn’t arrogant intolerance, but instead simply faithfulness to what Jesus said and taught.
6) To say Atheism is the same as Christianity (minus one belief…) cannot be categorically true. Your unbelief in the Christian faith is not the same as my unbelief in the Muslim faith. You say, “No one needed to put the world here,” The Muslims say "Allah created the world." Christians say "the Triune God created it." These statements contradict each other in different ways.
7) You talk a lot about your frustration with what you feel is “imposed” Christianity in the public square (ie 10 commandments in city council chambers, Christian slogans in public schools etc). What is the difference between imposed morality, imposed religion or imposed secular thought? Why is your preferred imposition better for our society than any other belief system?
So this past Tuesday night we put our idea to action as I invited my friend Bruce, who describes himself as an "Agnostic Atheist" to come to our Young Adult Gathering at Calvary and discuss Christianity and Atheism with me as part of our "Reasons for God" lecture series.
Bruce graciously invited 20 of his closest Atheist/Skeptic friends to join us!
I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. Both the Atheists group and our Christian group were really kind and civil to each other and Bruce and I really enjoyed the way the discussion progressed throughout the night in both expected and unexpected ways.
Many of the Atheists commented that it had been years since they had been in a Church, and I felt so humbled and honored that they would take the time and courage to show up on a random Tuesday night to our Church. I had the honor to clearly present the Gospel to everyone in attendance and I know that God was and is working to soften hearts.
We began our discussion by defining exactly what we believe as a Christian (Matt) and as an Atheist (Bruce). Then we spent the rest of the evening framing our discussion around the following...
{10 Questions for Bruce - Helping Christians Understand Atheists}
Q1: Tell us about your background, did you grow up with any belief system as a child, teen, young adult? If you did have some type of belief system, what was it and what was your experience with it?
Q2: Tell us about your conversion from being an “agnostic” to becoming a devoted atheist?
Q3: Who were some of your influences? Was there a moment when you “converted or become beyond convinced that God did not exist?”
Q4: What would it take for you to become convinced that God DOES exist?
Q5: Tell us what you appreciate about Christianity?
Q6: Tell us about your grievances with Christianity?
Q7: What are your thoughts about Jesus?
Q8: Do public expressions of religion bother you? Is so, why?
Q9: What is the primary motivation for an Atheist to have morals?
Q10: Why do you have such an issue with God’s benevolence (goodness). Why is God’s benevolence (Or lack of benevolence) such a sticking point to your unbelief in God?
7 Statements from Matt...Helping Atheists Understand Christians
1) As Christians we don’t hate Atheists or wish for there demise. Jesus commands us to love our neighbor (even those we disagree with /example- Good Samaritan story) and calls us to love our enemies (ie The beatitudes)
2) We respect your courage to stand up for what you believe, even if you feel like you are in the minority. Ironically, Devoted Christians also feel like the minority in our society and also need courage to stand up for what we believe.
3) Non-Believers in Christianity think that Christianity is all about:
A) Rules
B) Or Church Buildings
C) Or leaving your brain at the door
D) Or having all your fun taken away
But these Things are not what Christianity is about. Christianity is about Jesus Christ. Mark’s Gospel in the New Testament begins, “the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ.”
Christianity is the only religion that says, “Jesus accepts you, so in response follow him.” Every other religion says, “clean up your act and God will accept you.”
4) Christians do have minds and apply reasoning to come to and maintain a belief in God (ie Natural Revelation, Historical Evidence, Life Transformation evidence, Biblical ethics evidence). Saying Christians are mindless and believe only in superstition is a false caricature and only hurtful in supporting your desire to be respected.
5) As Christians, believing Jesus is the only way to God and all other ways (including unbelief led to Eternal Separation from God in Hell) isn’t arrogant intolerance, but instead simply faithfulness to what Jesus said and taught.
6) To say Atheism is the same as Christianity (minus one belief…) cannot be categorically true. Your unbelief in the Christian faith is not the same as my unbelief in the Muslim faith. You say, “No one needed to put the world here,” The Muslims say "Allah created the world." Christians say "the Triune God created it." These statements contradict each other in different ways.
7) You talk a lot about your frustration with what you feel is “imposed” Christianity in the public square (ie 10 commandments in city council chambers, Christian slogans in public schools etc). What is the difference between imposed morality, imposed religion or imposed secular thought? Why is your preferred imposition better for our society than any other belief system?
(At the end of our hour and a half long discussion, Bruce and I embraced as friends)
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