Meet Tim Keller

Here is a Christian voice that you need to be listening to. Tim Keller is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Redeemer is 4,400 strong and had helped to plant nearly 100 churches... that is right... they have sent out leaders around the city and the world to start 100 new churches.

I used to think the gospel was just about getting people to heaven... then I heard Keller. I used to think social justice was for liberal churches and had nothing to do with the gospel... then I heard Keller. I used to think church planting was not necessary... then I heard Keller. I used to think Presbyterians were... well... Presbyterians... then I heard Keller.

You can enjoy a bunch of FREE teaching and articles here... from a voice you can trust. And if you want your world turned upside down by the simple story of the good samaritan... then read his book Ministries of Mercy.

"If you listen to one voice, you become a clone. If you listen to two voices, you become confused. If you listen to 10 voices, you get your own voice." -Tim Keller

A weekend in my web

Life is a web of relationships. That is why when considering who you will marry... you should consider the relationships that come with your spouse... because they will become part of your web. That is why when you lose a relationship or many... there is pain and loss... because part of your web is torn away.

So I'm continually weaving and re-weaving my web... and that was the theme of this past weekend.

On Friday Night I played poker with a bunch of my neighbors. I don't really know my neighbors all that well and it was only a $10 buy-in... so I jumped at the chance. I recently realized that most of my friends are Christians... what a shame. So I'm in the process of repenting of my sin, I am on the lookout for new friends. Will you pray for me.

On Saturday morning... I skyped my sister, Stephanie, who is spending the next year teaching English in Seoul, South Korea. I happened to be up at 6:15A, which is 7:15P, and randomly caught her for 45 minutes before she went out with friends. I have not had the chance to talk to her since she arrived about 3 weeks ago. It was great to catch up.

On Sunday morning... I enjoyed the preaching of my good friend Steve. They will post his message from Sunday here, soon. Steve is a gifted preacher and as funny as they come. He has also been a great friend and source of encouragement to me during my time of transition.

On Sunday night... I church hopped with some close couple friends. The place we visited blew my socks off. On your next free Sunday Night, you've gotta visit LifePoint Columbus up in Polaris. The vibe is young... the worship will blow you away... the preaching is solid... and the kids facilities rival COSI. Afterwards we went out for pizza and closed the joint down.

Just another weekend in my web.

Just Wonderin'

If you win and others lose, have you really won?

If you give a complement, do you have less of something?

... just wonderin'

Favorite Movie Clip(s)

I was tagged by Aaron for this one. I was happy to find some clips for Good Will Hunting... what, for me, has become one of the modern classic films. I think it is brilliantly written and ask some of the basic meaning of life questions while probing the issues of love... loss... purpose... and trust. Plus it throws in some good shots at spoiled rich kids. I could not choose just one clip and could not put the whole film here... so I whittled it down to 3 classic scenes. (Warning: Clips contain strong language)

Your Just a Kid


It's not your fault (sorry for the Chinese subtitles)


Bar Scene

Who is your church?

That's right... who not where? I read in a book once that "it is a theologically incorrect statement to say 'let's go to church'". As if the church is the building. The church is the people. It's a who question not a where question. It seems like a small step... but it seems to have huge implications.

I read somewhere else that some time around the Reformation the protestant church became defined as this... "the place where the the gospel is preached, the sacraments are distributed and discipline is enforced." I am for all those things, because they are biblical. But notice the phrase the place where. The shift was to "the place where" and away from "the people who"... and I think the results are devastating.

I think that we have a tendency to minimize our Christian life to faithfully "going to Church" on the weekends, trying to live a good life in between Sundays, and for the zealous inviting others to "go to Church" with us. But what if church is not a where question but a who question.

Even the Greek word translated church (ekklesia) literally means "the called out ones." The emphasis is on the people.

So...who is it that when you gather with them you are the church? Now that is a good question. Do you agree? How can you answer such a question? Well I think the bible helps us.

The church is the people who:
(1) study the bible together (Acts 2:42)
(2) spend time together (Acts 2:42)
(3) eat together (Acts 2:42)
(4) pray together (Acts 2:42)
(5) love one another (Rom 12:10)
(6) support each other financially and physically (Rom 12:13)
(7) restore each other (Gal 6:1)
(8) support each other in tough times (Gal 6:2)
(9) bless their city (Prov 11:10,11)
(10) care for the poor and oppressed (Matt 25:31-40)
(11) tell the world about Jesus (Acts 1:8)

I'm sure you can add to my list... so, who is your church?

A moment of silence...

Rumors

I heard a rumor about me on Sunday night. I was talking with a local friend who checks up on me once in a while. It was clear to me that this rumor grew from a lack of information about why I made some decisions. And in that vacuum of information, some had tried to fill in the blanks... thus birthing the rumor. I could tell that he was troubled... by what he had heard... and didn't even want to share it with me. I gave him the freedom to share what was troubling him and he did. It really was a harmless thing... and did not bother me... but it was not true. So I was able put him at ease about the situation and we both ended the conversation better.

Rumors... can be damaging can't they. Before I try to get all philosophical on rumors... let me interject a favorite '80's tune called "Rumors" by the Timex Social Club. Enjoy...



OK, back to the serious....

The power of rumors is tied to the power of words. Words can give life... or take life. Words can be used as agents for the gospel or against the gospel. In the gospel, King Jesus defeats the power of Satan through his substitutionary death and victorious resurrection. In doing so he inaugurates his reign over all things and begins... in part... a process of restoring all of creation to its pre-Eden wholeness and perfection (biblically shalom). At the appointed time... His reign will fully come.

As his ambassadors and agents of this good news, the church (those who gain citizenship into this kingdom through faith) is to live redemptively in these last days... in all that we do. The churches existence as a community of the redeemed is a foretaste of the future shalom that will wash over all things. When shalom exists... things are knit together as they should fit... as they were designed to fit... not frail and frayed... not disordered and dissected.

Our words, too, can express shalom or disturb it. Our words when truthful and righteous and godly can affirm and do the work of bringing shalom in communities and individuals and families. When our words are truthless and rumorful... we can tear apart individuals and families and communities.

The Church is the place where the wholeness of life (shalom) should be most fully evident. Our speech... our disagreeing... our demeanor... our attitudes... our community life... is to be a foretaste to the world of what life is like when Jesus reigns in our hearts... in our homes... and in our communities.

So practically how should we deal with rumors? Reject them... they are probably not true. Instead personally seek out the individuals involved... because truth is most often discovered in healthy, face-to-face dialogue. With truth in hand you will actually escape the trouble that comes from the destructive power of rumors. Reject + Dialogue = Truth.

The righteous man is rescued from trouble,
and it comes on the wicked instead.
With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.
Proverbs 11:8-9

Missional Hip-Hop

I was over at the Resurgence at bumped into a great 15 minute interview on being missional. The specific topic is how to redeem the hip-hop culture. And while you might not give a rip about that specifically... we can all learn missional principles that will apply to our own local, sub-cultures.

The interview is with the Ambassador... who was a classmate of mine at Dallas Theological Seminary. I think we took some Greek and Bible Study Methods together. My man Duce is a crazy-smart, theologically astute brother, who can flat out rhyme. It was hilarious being in class with Duce wearing baggy pants, construction boots and walking with a swagger.

Duce is both an ambassador of Christ to the hip-hop culture... and an ambassador of hip-hop to the church culture. Both are important roles... I think... in the kingdom ministry of the church... being God's agents of reconciliation as he redeems all things (Col 1:20).

17 years to GRACE

Grace is experienced in relationships. It is not something coldly received off a shelf or in a letter. It is personal. It is intimate. It is most alive when face-to-face. Here is a true story of grace....

In the summer of 1990 something happened in my church that became quite a traumatic experience in my life. It didn't exactly happen to me... just around me... but it had a huge impact upon my life. At the end of that summer I went off to college and slowly stuffed the experience further in the back of my mind. It was not resolved... the situation had not improved... damage was done... but life went on.

Then a few years ago I quite randomly bumped into one of the individuals who was at the epicenter of that situation. Immediately my life's story turned back to that unfinished chapter... and with it all the hurt and confusion and misunderstanding came to the surface. I was quite ignorant as to many of the facts about the original situation... but was quite in touch with how they had affected me. I did not know what to do... so I avoided this individual... and tried to avoid dealing with the situation... content to leave that chapter of my life in the suspense of an unresolved conflict...

But God had another plan. Earlier this summer I once again bumped into that same individual... but something in me was different. My life experience encouraged me to pursue closure to this situation. So I didn't not avoid the individual... in fact I did just the opposite... I initiated conversation. Nothing was solved... but the ice was broken.

Then a few months later when I again bumped into this individual (are you seeing a pattern) I asked for a breakfast meeting. We met and I... for the first time opened the pages of my life back to the summer of 1990 and invited the individual to walk through the situation with me.

I needed to understand the situation more fully... and he needed to walk me through it. I needed to ask some questions... and he needed to delicately answer. I need to hear an apology... and he needed to receive my forgiveness. But most of all... we both needed to experience grace. We needed to understand one another to lovingly help each other move on with life... a progress that could only happen in the midst of grace. So after 17 years we did... we experienced grace.

That day our relationship was reconciled (2 Cor 5:18) and as two men who have been forgiven much by our heavenly father ... we were able to grant one another a much smaller degree of forgiveness(Matt 18:21-35).

I've come to believe that my life is a story... about redemption. The characters and the tragedies and the conflicts allow for the master storyteller to work out his redemption in my story... and to ultimately redeem my story. And redemption involves the often painful, face-to-face discussions in which grace is worked out.

Labor Day Weekend retreat

My short blog hiatus... coincided with my family's weekend hiatus. We joined 9 other couples for a long weekend of camping.

It was great to unplug from TV and air conditioning and many of the distractions of busy suburban life and just spend time together... living.

We played alot... and ate some... and talked alot... and slept some... and refereed (our kids) alot... and refereed (the adults) some. In addition to unstructured camping life we all joined together for a communal meal one night... a kids church service on Sunday... a "traditional German" birthday party... and a trip to the beach.

These getaways really are great for relationships... they allow you to reconnect with some that have become distant... and they allow others the quality time to begin and grow. Quality time is quantity time... and shared experiences - like camping - are the fertile soil for such quality time.

We found that the secret of camping... was sharing an RV with our friends (the Garwicks - just to our left in the pic)!!! Much thanks to Matt & Jamele (2nd family from the left) who organized this getaway.

The Elephant in the Church

It's been quite enlightening following the blog brainstorm over at Mark Batterson's blog about his upcoming series... The Elephant in the Church. The comments are pouring in with things that people always think but never say about the church. Check it out!

Stories & Memory

My oldest Caden, (who survived the first and second day of pre-school just fine)... is really interested in family stories. Before I kiss him goodnight he often wants me to tell or re-tell a family story. He'll say... "Daddy... tell me a story about you and Uncle Matt" or "tell me the story of when I ate peanut butter and you had to call the Rescue Heroes". They are typically short 3 minute vignettes about growing up or a particularly memorable experience.

I've built up a repertoire of about 12 true, family stories that we regularly tell. Sometimes a new memory pops in my mind and I introduce a new story. Each story tells a unique tale... or has its own moral... or shows how a different part of life can be explored. I like the ritual, because there is power in these stories. They are historical and at the same time Caden and I are connected to them. They bond us together not only in the moment of re-telling... but in re-experiencing... together, the memory of the past.

And it gets me thinking about the Power of Memory. Isn't it amazing how much we remember... and to think that God made us that way. God gave us memory. We remember people and places and songs and smells and experiences... some conjure up good emotions and others bad. Some memories we would like to forget... but... they are an integral part of our story.

God explains at least a couple of reasons why he embedded us with memory... the ability to remember our story. And he often encourages the people of God to remember certain things... because forgetfulness can be sinfully foolish. So here are a couple of things that God tells his people to remember...

(1) Remember how you screwed up: The people of God are prone to wander away from God and from obedience to Him. So we are commanded to remember how we and those before us did such wandering... and faced the consequences. (Deut 9:7-12)

(2) Remember how God showed up: God is constantly redeeming... and rescuing his people when they least expect it. He is constantly saving people from themselves and the consequences of their rebellious, hard-hearted stupidity. (Deut 8:17-20)

(3) Remember who you were: We are naturally natural. Not interested in God. Faithless. Following our own way. Cut off from God. Strangers and aliens to the promises of God. (Eph 2:11-12)

(4) Remember who you are: When we cast off our self-reliance and receive the obedience of Christ we become new people. We become truly... spiritually alive. We have life... new life. (Eph 2:13-16; 2 Cor 5:17)

Some might argue that this is living in the past. That would be paralysis. But our lives are a story... and memory of our mistakes and others can have a profoundly positive impact upon our future. Remembering God's grace and goodness and activity on our behalf... can empower us to press on in truth and love.... so did I tell about the time that we fed Caden peanut butter?

The distracted church...

When in Huntington, I preached at the Crew and I had a blast. My message was titled "When the church becomes a distraction to Jesus." My burden is that churches often focus excessively on quality or size of their weekend service... to the detriment of creating a space where Jesus is on display. The issue is all about your heart and your motivation. But the result of giving in to these distractions can be spiritually disastrous.

I stumbled across a section of scripture where God warns his people against such distracting idolatry... Exodus 20:24-26. And I think it is a word from God that applies to the church today. Exodus 20:24b should be what the church is all about... In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. Here are my notes.



















By the way... check out the write-up about my family that showed up in the Sunday morning bulletin. Only Josh could get away with this in church. I love this guy!

The Crew in Review

Well I just landed back in Columbus after a great weekend in Huntington, WV. You might be saying... what... how is that possible? Well let me explain. The reason is... I had great company. I spent my time with the people of Crew Community Church.

Marshall University currently keeps Huntington on the map. It has its own story of redemption that is currently being told on the silver screen. If you haven't seen We are Marshall yet. Buy the DVD when it comes out. I took a few pics... so let me break down for you, why I enjoyed my time with the Crew.



















The leadership: Crew publicly launched in September 2006. At the epicenter is Josh Perry (lead pastor), his lovely wife Sarah and three kiddoes (Daniel, Jack and Allie). Josh and Sarah are an infectiously joyful and loving couple. They are the type of people that you like being with... that you want to join up with... and that you trust. They love one another. They love their kids. They love the people at Crew. And they love the city of Huntington. They were great hosts and really made us feel like part of the family.



















The people: The church is really the people. They own no building. They have no offices. They are a gathering of people who are following Christ, or considering Christ and are connected to one another.

The people are friendly and welcoming. They love to eat and laugh and live the good life that God offers through Christ. Some are new believers. Some come because their old church sent them out to serve. Others are coming back to church after being burned by church.

We had the chance to attend their BBQ and Baptism on Sunday night. Three people were baptized. One of the elders even baptized his own brother and his sister-in-law. It was a celebration... Crew style.



















The space: The Crew does not have a building. They out grew the living room that they started in and the classroom at Marshall that they moved to... and now meet for Sunday worship at the Renaissance Theater. It is right off the edge of the Marshall campus and is just blocks from the heart of Huntington.

The Renaissance is the old Huntington High School and has the nostalgic feel of the classic high school auditorium.... complete with balcony. There is plenty of room for growth in this space... with the freedom to pick up and move the gathering somewhere else as the Lord leads.



















The vision: The first word that I think of when I think of Crew is... grace. It is truly a place where a wide variety of people can feel at home and accepted. The typical rules and external expectations of church just don't hold water at the crew. The focus is on the heart... and that is grace.

The church has embraced a God-sized vision... to make the name of Jesus famous in Huntington by helping to rebuild the city. They want to rebuild individuals by introducing them to Christ... but they also want to literally lift the hope of the city. Huntington needs hope... and the Crew has hope in Jesus. They have a Nehemiah-type of vision to restore and redeem their city... to bless their city... and to give the credit to Jesus.

Thank you Perry's and people of the Crew... I'm following your story and praying for your progress.

Caden Hits a Milestone

My oldest, Caden, is headed to his first day of pre-school tomorrow. It's the next milestone in his 4 year old life.

He doesn't want to mess this up... because he knows any miscues at pre-school will go on his permanent record and might jeopardize his chance to become an astronaut or a Rescue Hero.

In celebration of this next big step we shipped Griffey off to Grandma's... took him swimming... took him out for ice cream... and we'll take him out to breakfast in the morning. You don't think we are spoiling him do you? Hey... I'm all about celebrating life.

In related news... we recently bought him some tinker toys. He opens up the box... pulls out the directions... and 20 minutes later he pops the above robot up on the table. That's my boy!

I'm off to Huntington...

I'm excited to be heading down to Huntington, WV today. I will be preaching at Crew Community Church right near the campus of Marshall University. My good friends from seminary Josh and Sarah Perry launched this church just over three years ago. They meet on Sundays at the Renaissance Theater. I've never been to a church that meets in a theater... now I'm speaking at one. I'm excited to see what Crew looks like up close and to have the opportunity to encourage them from the Word.

They put this little film together as an introduction to the Church. Please pray for the Crew as I try to encourage them in their efforts to transform their city.

My kinda church

Denny over at Joy in the Journey recently asked what kind of church are you looking for? It elicited some good feeback... I even popped off on a few desires. Then another friend Aaron pointed me to the below Mark Driscoll video.

And now I've settled in on my new answer... a two-fisted church. I have in the past few years begun to describe myself as theologically conservative and culturally liberal. Theologically conservative in view of the Bible and God and Christ and sin and salvation and ecclesiology (church structure). Culturally liberal in that you don't have rules (above the clear principles in Scripture) for every part of life that you lay on people like what to (or not to) wear, watch, listen to, eat, drink, etc. You allow people to utilize discernment to engage the culture for the purpose of displaying the beauty and transforming power of Christ.

Does the end justify the means?

I need some input here. I want your feedback.

I've always heard it said that... the ends do not justify the means. Similarly my coaches would say... it doesn't matter if you win or lose it is how you play the game. I've always taken this to mean that there are some rules of engagement to [whatever] and living by them is more important than do otherwise just to get a desired result. Is that true or am I whack?

In life... in business... in relationships... in marriage... in church... in school. Does it really matter how you play the game... how you conduct yourself... how you carry out your business?

Is this just an old-wives tale... is it common sense... or is it wise biblical advice that you pass down your sons and daughters.

Please share your stories (success and failure)... your metaphors... and your sage advice.

Expectations...

So I'm checking out companies like crazy in my job search. I appreciate it when a company is really upfront on who they are... who they are not... and what they are looking for. People who tell you honestly what you can expect from the organization. Unfortunately not all organizations have this process nailed down.

So I was quite impressed today when I saw a job posting that included the companies hiring strategy... called the 4C recruiting process: (here it is)

Competence: Does the candidate have the credentials, skills and experience needed?

Character: Does the candidate have the highest level of integrity to represent you and your organization?

Chemistry: Is there a true interpersonal connection between the candidate and team members?

Culture: Is there a true match between the candidate's professional/personal style that will enable him/her to be successful in the specific work environment?

Getting people who fit in these four categories is how you build a solid team!

Cleaning out my closet

In life you collect stuff... and some of it is stuffed in the back of the closet.

You grow up... you go to school... you date... you get a job... you move... you leave jobs... you get new jobs... you get married... you make friends... you lose friends.

All the experiences and relationships that are part of your story form you spiritually... both positive and negative. Some of the toughest... or most shameful... or most painful experiences often get stuffed in the back of the closet. And even though no one sees it... it can affect everything. And as "Em" says... I think we ALL have skeletons in our closet.

I've found that my personal and spiritual growth depends on my willingness to clean out the closet of my life from time to time. It is scary... It is painful... but the pain is the way to growth.

There is a healthy and an unhealthy way to react or respond to these personal demons. And while I don't have it all figured out... what I tend to need is some close and trusted friends who will help me shine the light of Christ into the dark recesses of closets of my life. To not just shine the light... but to help me clean it out and tidy up.

Em.... sing. (FYI: Eminem uses some colorful language to express his emotions. If you can't handle that... then don't watch it)

[NOTE: I do not condone the excessive use of filthy language and have a low tolerance for such language myself. I do not regularly expose myself to such potty-mouthed entertainment as simply a consumer... but try to engage it from a Christian worldview. Engagement is not always retreat. The theme of this song has captivated me from my first exposure to it... and I share it here with the greatest of caution and this extra note... thanks to my friend Sean]



God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:5b-7