Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely defeat of  the french at the battle of Puebla on May 5, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin.  Although it is not the date of Mexican Independence, as many think, it is a day to celebrate the heritage and pride of the Mexico.

Picture this scene:  The Israelites are getting ready to cross the Jordan River and enter the promised land.  Forty years earlier the Israelites had been faced with the same situation and they chose to not enter the land out of fear.  After wondering the wilderness (desert) for 40 years, time had come to cross the river and take the land.  Moses was dead and Joshua was not in charge. 

I can only imagine the excitement and anticipation that the people must have felt the night before crossing the Jordan and taking the possession of the land that had been promised for hundreds of years.  The day finally arrives and the people cross the Jordan.  The water of the Jordan part and the Israelites cross on dry land.  Once those who are carrying the ark of the covenant hit the opposite side of the Jordan, the waters begin to flow again.

After the Israelites had crossed, the 12 men who had been selected to carry a stone each across the Jordan and represented the 12 tribes set up a monument of stones just s God had instructed Joshua to do and Joshua instructed the tribes to do.  The stones were to be a visual reminder of the goodness of God; a reminder of what God had done for His people.  Joshua said that when the children asked what the stones meant, the families were to tell the children what God had done for them.

God is continuing to work in lives today.  He is always at work in people’s lives.  As Christians, it is our job to help direct people to where God is at work. We should be a light that shines brightly for God.  When our children ask what God is doing in our lives, we should be able to tell them all the great things that God has done, what God is doing, and what God will do.  To know where God is at work, we must be focused on Him.  When we are focused on God’s activity in the world, His heartbeat becomes our heartbeat; His will our will; His desires, our desires.  What do the stones mean? They mean that God is an active God who cares about and loves people!

     I’m going to something that I’ve not had to do since graduate school.  I’m going to review a few books that I read during my blogging sabbatical.  I’m not a professional book critic and I’m not doing this because I have a desire to dissect a book to its bare skeletal framework.  I’m doing this because, for the three of you that read this blog, I want you to know that there are some really great books out there right now.  These books are thought provoking and offer the reader a chance to engage the author in thought rather than simply flipping on the TV and watching a show.  Obviously I cannot review ever new book that comes on the market (I’ll let the pros do that).  I’ve picked these books because I think that they present topics that are relevant to where I’m at in life right now.  These books are book that I have looked at in the bookstore for several weeks.  Each time I looked at these books I had the thought of buying them, but something stopped me (mainly money).  The first book I’m going to review is entitled Franchising McChurch: Feeding Our Obsession with Easy Christianity, by Thomas White and John M. Yeats.  Both White and Yeats are professors at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth , TX.  While their areas of expertise differ (Thomas is an Associate Professor of Church History and Yeats is the VP of Student Service and Communication and an Associate Professor of Systematic Theology) the two work well in presenting a glance into the such issues as

• “the blurry line between entertainment and evangelism”
• “a marketing approach to ministry”
• “the warped yardstick for measuring church growth”
• “feel good messages that avoid truth”

The book begins by staring the story of the Dick and Mac McDonald who owned a small burger shop in San Bernardino, Ca in the 1950’s.   The McDonald brothers made milkshakes and used an invention called the multimixer.  A guy selling multimixers, by the name of Ray Kroc found out that the McDonald’s used eight multimixers at their burger shop and he had to go meet them.  The rest is history; McDonald’s was born.  The thing about McDonald’s franchising is that you come to expect certain things.  You can eat at a Mickey D’s in a terminal at LAX and the fries will be look, taste and small as a McDonald’s in Brooklyn, NY.  The shakes, the Big Macs, and the items on the dollar menu will taste the same in Dallas as they do in Sioux Falls, SD.

Thomas and Yeats’approach in the book deals with the  danger of “franchising” the local church and thus taking away from the individual work of a church; the work that God has specifically designed for the people in the community where the church is located?  The writers explore the various topics.  Chapter One really stuck with me (not because it was simply chapter one).  This chapter dealt with efficiantcy vs. effectiveness.  Aspects of an efficient churches can be both positive and negative.  Positive in that the efficient use of space can aid people as they move from a time of Bible study into a cooperate worship service.  Traffic flow, parking, helpful directional signs all provide a positive for an efficient church.  Thomas and Yeats write:

“Efficient organizations work toward obtaining results.  Their production  results that reflect the aims, goals and mission of the organization.  The difference is that where the effective organization works together as a whole to achieve the stated goal, the efficient organization strives for rapid obtainment of the goals, sometimes at the expense of the totality of the organization.” 

Effective churches strive to accomplish the work of God in their communities without making efficiency the ruling aspect of the congregation.  Is there a place for efficiency in the church?  Yes; when dealing with budgets, schedules and individuals.  Efficiency should not; however, be the rule when dealing with development of spiritual maturity.  I believe that it you should have a picture or idea of what you desire your congragation to look like spiritually.  When I design a program or event in my ministry, I ask myself if this program or event will help people grow to be more spiritually mature.  I have a goal to help parents and children become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.  I have to realize that the goal is not to move families from one program to another and in affect, work efficiently.   I’ll take working effectively any day of the week.

I think that Thomas and Yeats delivered a super-sized home run with this book. The topics of discussion were well thought out and were written in such a way as to allow the reader to think through various points of view.  In no way did Thomas and Yeats bash any particular church, rather they presented concern over some perceived weakness and problems in church methodology; they simply opened the lines of communication for a debate.  This book is very appropriate in this day in church history.  At the end of each chapter there is a summery of main thoughts and questions that can be helpful though provokers.  For a great book review that takes a differant approach to the book other than the one I’m offering, read the book review by Tim Rogers.

It’s been some time since I last posted on this blog.  During my blogging sabbatical some great things have happened in my life.  Here’s a brief synopsis of a few…

1.  Two weeks ago  I was  able to baptize my little girl.  It was one of the most moving experiencing in my life.  To see her growing in her love, obedience and knowledge of God is incredible.  I think the crown accomplishment of a parent is to see their child come to an understand of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to commit his or her life to God.

2.  Our family celebrated my youngest sons 1st Birthday (thanks Eema for cleaning him up after he destroyed the cake!)

3.   Our Children’s Ministry has witnessed 10 children commit their live to Christ.  God is so good. he’s definitely at work in our children’s ministry.

4.  I Started P90X with my friend.  It’s intense!  The first few days I couldn’t life my arms, no joke; it tore me up!  I’ve missed some days and during a layoff, you can sure tell that you’ve missed. 

5.  I had the chance to read 4 four books in the past few weeks.  I often go on reading marathons, where I read several book  in a short time. 

6.  I started painting my kids playhouse (the trim work is still incomplete)

7.  I stained my deck!

8.  Started cleaning out the garage ( this is a big deal!)

9.  Enjoyed many events and ministry opportunities at church.

I know that these things might not mean much to you but they have been great.  The time I have take off from blogging has been great, but I’m ready to write again.

On my bookshelves are several pictures of my children.  Yesterday, as I was finishing up my afternoon duties getting ready to head home,  I looked at a all of the pictures.  Some of the pictures were fairly recent, others were taken long ago .  I looked at a picture of my younger son.  He looked so little, he didn’t look the same today as he did in that picture.  I looked at a picture of  my little girl.  She was so small.  This morning I dropped her off at school.  I looked at my older son, when did he get so big?  In one of the pictures I have of him, his hands are so tiny that he can hardly grasp a football, now he puts on his shoulder pads and plows into me!

Those pictures made me think about time.  We all have time, yet as quickly as time comes, it passes.  I’m now experiencing what people have been telling me for years, “Don’t blink, your kids will grow up and be gone before you know it.”  We cannot control time.  All of our best efforts, economic bailouts, and intelligent creations cannot add one second to our lives.  Time will come and time will go. Although we cannot control time, we can control how we send our time; what we do with time; how we spend our time.  Make each day count.  Live a life that is pleasing to God with the time that he has given you.

My daughter and I strolled out of the house to chilling winds and freezing temperature this morning all so she could to make it to school to eat breakfast.  Being in kindergarten, every day for my daughter is full of new and exciting experiences.  There have been days where it has been tough to get my daughter started for school, but not this week she has discovered school breakfast.

She wakes up excited to get to school so she can eat breakfast at school.  The school breakfast program is great program and one my daughter thinks is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  She is excited to get to school, she’s hungry for some food.  I thought out the series of events that transpired this morning as I drove to work.  My daughter had a strong desire to make it to school to eat breakfast.  It’s new, it’s exciting, it’s SCHOOL BREAKFAST!

I am reminded of what God spoke to the churches at Ephesus in the book of Revelation.  In Revelation 2:1-7we read that Ephesus was a good church and did many things well, they had however, forgotten their first love.  What once was exciting and great was now mundane and done out of habit.  My daughter’s experience with school breakfast is fresh, exciting, and new.  She desires to arrive early at school to enjoy breakfast.  Time will tell if this is simply a phase,  a new routine or a fresh experience each day. 

Many believers approach their walk with God like my daughter approaches school breakfast; with excitement, anticipation and eagerness.  Still other believers approach their walk with God as a mundane chore, daily routine or lifeless activity.  Believers  in the later category have lost their first love.

On the drive to work I asked myself, Am I hungry an excited to meet with God each day the way my daughter is hungry and excited to go to school breakfast?  Am I like the church at Ephesus?  I want to awake each morning hungry for God and excited to meet Him!  I hope you feel the same way!

Who cares if a sinner goes to Hell?  My pastor brought the State of the Church address the other night and presented several interesting points.  the text that he used was Revelation 20:11-15.  He stated that 82% of Southern Baptist Church baptize 12 people or less a year.  There were four statements that stood out in his message.

1. Fields are much less receptive.
2. Leaders aren’t personally evangelistic.
3. There are many lost people in the church.
4. A small number of churches have evangelistic efforts.

Those four statements were profound, but there was one statement that left me searching my heart.  “We’re not bothered by lostness“.  The reality of that statement hit me like a ton of bricks.  Do you and I look at our community an weep over the lostness as Jesus did when He look out over Jerusalem?  Do you and I make the most of every encounter that we have people?  Do you and I make every attempt to reach out to neighbors?  Do you and I share our love of Christ with others?  I’m afraid that when the rubber meets the road, We’re not bothered by lostness.  Who cares if a sinner goes to Hell?  I should and so should you!

Ten things God won’t ask:

1…God won’t ask what kind of car you drove; He’ll ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

2…God won’t ask the square footage of your house, He’ll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

 3…God won’t ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He’ll ask how many you helped to clothe.

 4…God won’t ask what your highest salary was, He’ll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

 5…God won’t ask what your job title was, He’ll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

 6…God won’t ask how many friends you had, He’ll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

 7…God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived, He’ll ask how you treated your neighbors.

 8…God won’t ask about the color of your skin, He’ll ask about the content of your character.

 9…God won’t ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, He’ll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

10…God won’t ask how many people you forwarded this to, He’ll ask if you were ashamed to pass it on to your friends

I came across this story today.  It is long, but worth the read. 

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.

 

Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door.

 

This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked. “Just a minute,” answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

 

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.

 

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

 

“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

 

“It’s nothing,” I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.”

 “Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said.

 

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?” “It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly.   “Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice,”

 

I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. “I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I don’t have very long.” I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

 

“What route would you like me to take?” I asked.

 

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

 

Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

 

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.”

 

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.  They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

 

“How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse. “Nothing,” I said.

“You have to make a living,” she answered.

“There are other passengers,” I responded.

 

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought.

 

For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.  What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

 

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life. We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments . But great moments often catch us unaware- beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

The word bailout has been a hot topic word in the minds of millions of Americans over the past few months.  It seems that you cannot turn on the news, read the paper or listen to the radio without hearing something about a bailout.  There is no part of the country that isn’t affected in one way or another by the recent bailouts.  From banks to automakers, it seems that everyone is looking for a bailout.

I’ve not written a post in quite a while, partly because I’ve been busy, but mostly because I’ve not had a whole to say.  Today however, I was thinking about the recent government bailouts.  What exactly is a bailout?  A bailout is some type of assistance (it may or may not be monetary) that helps someone or some group.  When playing sports, teammates bail each other out all the time.  When you or I are playing basketball and you or I take a bad shot and that shot is rebounded and put back in the basket, you or I have just been bailed out.  When a football player misses a block and the running back improvises and gains yardage, the running back has just bailed the tackle out.  A bailout is like a giving someone a redo or break, allowing them to regroup and start again.  The main thing about a bailout is that someone has to pay for the bailout.  Bailouts aren’t free. 

In thinking about bailouts today during my quiet time, I began to realize that I’ve been bailed out many times.  Many times I’ve done things that have not gone the way that I intended for them to go.   Unlike monetary bailouts that keep popping up from Washington; my bailout has come from God; the creator, redeemer, sustainer of all things.  My bailouts have come in the form of forgiveness and second chances.  My bailout cost God;  it cost Him is son, Jesus Christ’s life.

I thank God for his willingness to bail me out; to help me and give me a second chance.  Each time I’m given a bailout, I’m given a chance to restructure and change the way I live my life.  Life is full of choices.  In a sense, life is a series of choices-there are good (wise) choices and there are bad (foolish) choices.  There is one common denominator associated with a bailout-greed.  People overspend, buying what they cannot afford, lending institutions dump and buy bad loans.  CEO’s and big time company officials warp the truth of their companies financial viability. My bailout is normal given after I have been greedy.  I’ve not sought God and His direction for my life, I’ve sinned.  Take some time today and praise God for the bailout  He has given you.  If you’ve not committed your life to God, there is no better time than today.  Here’s how to receive a bailout.

1. Admit that you are a sinner.  You have done things that have hurt God and you need to be forgiven.  Repent and turn from your sin. Romans 3:23
2. Believe that Jesus is the son of God and that He dies and was raised from the dead for you.   He loves you and desires to have an everlasting relationship with you. Romans 6:23, John 3:16
3. Confess and commit your life to God though His son, Jesus Christ. Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9