Chaos

Truth is, if life is smooth and has no chaos it is boring at best and meaningless at worst. Not to say that for life to have meaning it must be a state of madness all day every day. In fact, routine and the mundane are what keep us grounded and should be the base rythm of our lives.

However, there will and needs to be some chaos existent if we are to live effective lives of purpose. Relationships bring an element of chaos. We are relational beings and designed to to build and maintain relationships. This is a messy process as emotions, opinions personality, and an abundance of other factors jump int ot he equation. As we mature and grow and lead others to the same (relationship) there will be issues at times and full on chaos at others.

As we read through the sacred text of God's Word we see chaos time and again in the lives of those following God's plan. We also see it in those who did not follow His plan. The difference is always the end result.

Life is full of chaos. Soon as we think we've got it all figured out and under control, BAM, we get nailed with something we didn't see coming. God's plan adds a whole other element to it. One of the chief reasons that His plan adds so much chaos is that it si often conflicts with human desire and understanding. God's will always requires faith and involves risk. By nature and definition, risk and faith are catalysts of chaos when mixed in with human characteritics.

The key is to learn to embrace and live in the chaos and to know when it is of God and when it is man-made. We must also know when and how to disengage.

More to come on this issue...

What seems to bring the most chaos in to your life?

Challenge

Today we had a missionary guest couple as part of our missions convention. Jim & Meg Thacker are missionaries to Burundi in Africa. Jim's blog is here. Jim & Meg have pioneered the missions work in that country that was so devastated by war. In the last 4 years they have seen 47 churches planted and 23 buildings built; amazing!

As they prepare to head back to Burundi next year, they are trying to raise enough money to build 20 more church buildings. This will take about $150,000. He is looking for 300 people/churches to give a one time gift of $500 to accomplish this. To me that is a no-brainer. Capital City for sure will be part of that challenge.

We took it a step further today.

I presented to the people at the end of the service and challenged individual families to accept the challenge and give $500. So far 7 families have stepped up and there will be more as the week goes on. That is incredible!

The "experts" say that in this economy, you can't raise money and people have nothing to give. God's economy doesn't work the way that man's does. There is money available when the cause is worthwhile and significant. More importantly, God always provides! When we believe in something and have a passion and heart for it, there is no problem going against the "experts" and wisdom of man and trusting God. It was easy to present this challenge today. There is no more worthwhile cause than building churches in strategic areas to help reach people who are far from God. More than that, many of the people groups in that part of Africa are completely unreached to this point.I know not everyone can step up to this challenge in this way, but many can.

It will be thrilling to see what God does through this! Hang on, He is just getting started!

Sunday Thoughts on Monday

I have gotten away from doing a Sunday wrap up post. However, I wanted to do one this week. I know I am writing this on Monday afternoon, but it's still focused on Sunday.

Sunday started very early as I was awake before 6 am. There was a spiritual tension building for the day. That tension is not anything new. I know it well. I'm glad I do. Every pastor should be familiar with it. The tension should always be there, though there are days when it is stronger than others. This was one of the stronger ones.

We had a great time of praise with music led by my favorite leader. She happens to be quite beautiful too! :) (for those who weren't there, I am talking about my wife of course.)

The board presented myself and the pastoral staff with a very generous gift for pastor appreciation. We have a tremendous group of men who serve our church as board members. It is a privilege to work with them. On behalf of the staff and my family, Thank you everyone for the kind words and expressions. It is truly our honor to serve God at Capital City.

Sunday kicked off our missions convention. I love this event! This is when we get to cast vision for our partnerships with missions around the world. It is also when we get to highlight and tell the wonderful stories of what God is doing. We'll take faith promises in two weeks. A good friend and missionary to eastern Africa will be with us on November 1. We are showing the documentary "Beyond the Gates" about Jim Elliot and his friends who gave their lives in Ecuador 50 years ago. We will wrap all of it up with a banquet on the 8th.

Yesterday, I spoke out of Romans 10 and Philippians 2. Our theme for this coming year of missions is "Every Way." Jesus did whatever needed to be done to accomplish the work of God. We need to have the same attitude. We must be willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill the great commission. People are living and dying without hope all around us and around the world. We have the hope and peace and answer they need in Christ. "How can they believe if they have not heard?"

There was a tremendous response at the end of the service. Several indicated a move to commitment without reservation. One person took the step of accepting Christ into their life! That is what it is all about for us.

In the middle of our convention we also have two community connection opportunities. For Halloween we have homes throughout the community handing out candy bars and hot chocolate along with an invite to CapCity where three lucky guests will receive a gift card. On Saturday, November 7 we are hosting a tailgate party around the OSU @ Penn State game.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do in these next two weeks!

Coming Up

Let me tell you, I am PUMPED up about what is next for Capital City Church!

Today is a vision planning/focus day for me and already (10 am) I am ready to jump up and get going on these things!

Here's a few of the things that have me so excited right now:

• THIS SUNDAY! I have great expectations for every Sunday, that is never more true than it is for the next one coming up. This Sunday, we launch our missions convention. I love this event as we dream and prepare for how God wants to use us to touch souls around the world.
• The rest of missions convention - Sunday, November 1 missionary Jim Thacker from Burundi will be with us. Wednesday, November 4 we will be watching the powerful missions documentary "Beyond the Gates." Sunday, November 8 we wrap it all up with a banquet and we are going to be announcing the 2010 missions trip!
• The 2010 missions trip! It's quite difficult for me to not spill the beans on this trip right now!
• TAILGATE PARTY - Saturday, November 7 we will be hosting a community wide tailgate party in out parking lot. OSU plays @ Penn State that day and we will have big screen TVs games for kids, cornhole, and of course, lots of food!
• Our new Saturday night service! This will be launching early in 2010. Again, I want to share everything that is in the works for this, but it is not time yet.
• Christmas Eve service - I love this event. It is one of my favorite traditions at Christmas. We will have a candlelight service with carols, stories, and family coming together to celebrate the birth of Christ.

These are some of what has me charged up and I just wanted to let you in on it.

Bible Study

A couple of weeks ago I preached a message on reading the Bible. Due to the electric going out and operator error on my laptop, the message was not recorded. Here is a quick breakdown from that message.

We have all heard it said that we need to read the Bible. Too often that is all that is said. I know I was never really taught how until I was an adult and I grew up in church. I was taught to memorize and even bribed to do so with trophies, candy, etc. But, I was not really taught how.

It's amazing the positive response I get when I bring up this subject and start talking about it. People are hungry to know how to have an effective pattern and life of reading the Bible.

The thing is, it is simple. There are no secret tricks. There's no insider information only given to Reverends. God hasn't made it complicated. He gave us the Word in written form and then provides the Holy Spirit to guide us through and reveal the applicable truth us.

The Bible is called the "Living Word" because it is always applicable and transcends time and culture. For us to have a truly vibrant spiritual walk with God, the Bible must be a significant element in our lives.

Here is a quick run down of how to read the Bible effectively:

• Get a translation you can understand. All English versions are translations of the original. What is important is that you are reading and that it is understandable to you. I even recommend using multiple translations in deep study to get the full essence of what is written.
  

• Pray, ask God to make His Word clear and applicable to your life.
  

• Start with Jesus. It’s all about Him. The books of Mark & John in the Bible are great for reading His story.
  

• Have a plan. Use a study Bible or get a devotional journal or book, pick a topic, study a person’s life in the Bible, whatever, just have a plan of what you are going to read. Random does not work long term and you will get frustrated.
  

• Journal your reading. Get a notebook or journal and write down your thoughts each day while and after reading. This will help you to think on what you have read as well as have a record of what you hear God’s Spirit say to you through the Bible. I have found this to be the best way to process what I have read and keep track of what God speaks to me through His Word.
  

• Have a set time. Know when you are going to read each day. Make it an appointment on your calendar if that’s what it takes. Guard this time.