Going Deeper
This week I've felt a little "off." Things haven't been too busy at work and in general I haven't felt like I've contributed much to anyone. I've had periods of doubt about the effectiveness of any ministry I'm doing, and wondered if the organic church principles I believe in so strongly were actually going to bring the results I've dreamed of. I guess I was getting a little impatient with life in general.
Then the church that meets at our house gathered tonight and God totally renewed us. I've thought that things are going pretty well as we continue to take baby steps in learning how to live out the gospel in our little faith community. But I've also felt that we still weren't hitting on all cylinders. Tonight, through the honesty of God's people, we made some major progress in our journey of discovering what it means to "be" the church together. As usual, prayer was intense. God, through His Word, breathed new life into us as people shared from 2 Corinthians 7, then 1 Samuel 16 and Psalm 8. Jerri sang the 23rd Psalm and it was as if God Himself was singing over us. A vision was shared. Disappointments were addressed. And Julie masterfully provided insights that will take us to a new level in ministering to our children, sharing our spiritual gifts for the benefit of all, and creating a safer environment to share our lives even more deeply. Yes, God is leading and we are experiencing the headship of Jesus over His Church. Yes, we do have a long way to go, both individually and corporately. And yes, I am confident that God is, in fact, building His church, in all of its expressions, throughout our region.
The worship we experienced tonight was a welcome oasis in what had been a desert-like week. It sure is fun to drink deeply of God's love, and to press deeper into the great adventure of this amazing life of following Jesus.
1st Day of School
Last night, Seth was so excited about the first day of home school that he could hardly get to sleep! And the activites of today were everything he had hoped they would be. Kim is an amazing mother and gifted teacher, and it was good to see her enjoying the experience.
After taking some time off to rest a sore knee, it felt good to run again this morning. It also felt good to get up while it was still dark and make the most of the day. After our office meeting, I conducted a funeral and enjoyed the privilege of sharing a message of hope with the unusually large crowd that was gathered. I trust that God will continue to draw people to Himself and remind them of the truth of His love.
I came home after the funeral dinner to watch Seth & Shani while Kim took Virginia back to the doctor. We had hoped that she would no longer need to wear the neck brace, but after telling her she was lucky that she wasn't paralyzed, the doctor said she needed to wear it four more weeks. We had a good prayer time with her and I am confident that God will provide all the grace she needs as she continues to heal.
School was still in session when I got home, so I had a reading lesson and started boot camp, aka phys ed. We started out with push ups and sit-ups, then went for a walk and bike ride. The little angels are sound asleep now, and I'm sure that the activity helped! I look forward to what God has in store for all of us this year!
Highlights
It's been a busy week with lots of ministry opportunities, including some intense marriage counseling. It is exciting to see God doing what only He can do!
Kim took Virginia to the ER around 4 am Tuesday morning with severe abdominal pain. Turns out it was ultimately the side effect of pain medication and she's getting along pretty well. She only had to stay one night.
Wednesday morning we met with Mr. Keller, principal of Kenwood Elementary to let him know that we will be homeschooling Seth this year. The meeting went well and he was very helpful. We are growing more excited about the adventure this is going to be for all of us.
I got one accepted offer on a house I have listed, and one of my buyer clients also had an accepted offer this week.
The big news of the week is that my brother, Eddie, was appointed as a District Superintendent for the South Carolina District Church of the Nazarene. I am proud of him and confident that he will do a great job. Here is an article from the Nazarene News Network:
Eddie Estep appointed DS in South Carolina
Edward L. "Eddie" Estep was appointed to the office of district superintendent of the South Carolina District. The action was taken by Jurisdictional Superintendent Paul G. Cunningham with approval by the Board of General Superintendents and in consultation with the South Carolina District Advisory Council. The effective date is September 14.
Estep currently serves as senior pastor at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene in the Columbus suburb of Gahanna, Ohio.
Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene pastor Dwight M. Gunter II was elected district superintendent during the assembly, but in an emotional and prayerful decision, declined the opportunity. Cunningham then met with the District Advisory Council, who accepted the general superintendent's appointment of Estep.
Estep has served at Shepherd Church since May, 2000. He received the doctor of ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, a masters degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and the bachelor of arts in religion from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Prior to his call to the Shepherd church, he served Nazarene congregations in Ripley, West Virginia (1987-1991), and Maysville, Kentucky (1991-2000).
He has served on the Board of Trustees for Nazarene Bible College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He has also been a prominent leadership figure in his community. Estep was elected to the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene at the denomination's General Assembly in 2005.
Additionally, Estep has been a featured speaker in both college and seminary chapel services, and he has traveled to Peru, the Philippines, and Mexico on mission trips.
He and his wife, Diane, have two children, Joshua, a student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and Jeffrey, who is in high school.
On the church's web site, Estep says the following about his experience at Shepherd: "I enjoy preaching and leadership, but what I most enjoy … is seeing what God is doing in all our lives. I often say that God didn't bring me here for the impact I would have on Shepherd; He brought me here for the impact Shepherd would have on me. Like so many others, I have experienced God's grace through this great staff and through this great church family."--BGS, NCN News
Catching Up
Friday afternoon Chris & I rode the motorcycles to Napoleon to meet with Russ & Cindy, house church leaders who live near Defiance. To say that it was encouraging is a major understatement. Russ is a fatherly figure and spoke great truth to me as he got in my face about the importance of putting my relationship with Jesus above all else in my life. It was a timely and very appropriate word, and I thank God for speaking through Russ.
Friday night we had a bonfire at Dilbones and relaxed with friends. It was especially good to see Dave & Beth.
I worked Saturday in our Perrysburg office and spent a couple of hours reading Acts and praying. It was an awesome morning! I also had a very meaningful conversation with another realtor for whom I've been praying. In the afternoon, we went to my broker's cottage at Devil's Lake, MI. I got to play with Seth & Shani, ride a jet ski and kneeboard. The weather was perfect and it was fun to hang out with my colleagues and their families. We left that party early to attend a barn dance for international students at BGSU. It was sponsored by Global Connections and I enjoyed seeing my friend Julie doing the kind of ministry she does best. We had more good food and fun, and took advantage of the great opportunity to meet new friends and share God's love.
Sunday morning I worshiped with the Falcons and Scott Pennington, the main chaplain, did a good job with the message. I got to eat brunch with the team then met my family at City Park, where Kim was participating in a Life Transformation Group with two other ladies from our church. I worked from 1:00 till about 7:30 with a new client and then met a friend who is going through a difficult time and needed some counsel. It was a long but very good day.
Today was also long but very good - special family time, productive realty work (got an accepted offer and a new listing today), cut some firewood, and celebrated Virginia's 77th birthday.
Leadership
I received a call from Chad Gilligan yesterday. He's the pastor of a large Assembly of God Church (Calvary Assembly) in Toledo and I had the privilege of spending some time with him on a mission trip to Uruguay. He had an extra ticket to the Willow Creek Leadership Summit Simulcast at Cedar Creek Church in Perrysburg so I got to get in on a couple of sessions today.
I've heard Bill Hybles speak before and, as usual, he said a lot of great things about leadership. After his message we had a break and I ran into a youth pastor friend, Jim Oberlander. We had a nice talk and I was moved when he asked to pray for me. God used him to bless my life today.
The second session was kind of frustrating for me. Though the speaker had tremendous credentials, he was saying things about the church that I had a hard time with. The major difficulty I had with him was that he was a huge proponent of the pastor having all the answers for the the church, and acting with confidence even when he/she didn't have a clue. That seems both dishonest and far too much responsibility for any person other than the true Head of the Church, Jesus. It's hard to be critical of someone whose church baptized 5,000 people last year, but I believe thinking critically is a responsible thing to do.
I had a cool evening as Julie C, Tony, Barb C and I helped a lady move. Seth went along, too. Mary was ready for the move and very grateful for our help. We ended up inviting her to check out our weekly gathering and she seemed pretty interested. After the move, Kim & Shani met us at Julie's for some refreshments and great conversation.
While we were driving, Tony took the time to teach Seth a couple of things about how responsible young men conduct themselves, and Seth listened very attentively. I am so thankful for Tony's love and interest in helping us see our children reach their potential! In those conversations, I got a great picture of what real leadership is all about. It's not about accolades and book deals and speaking engagements. Real leadership is motivated by pure love and happens in everyday life more than special events. Thanks, Tony and Jim, for showing me what it means to lead like Jesus!
Time to Listen
We took Seth & Shani to Cedar Point yesterday for our annual trip and had a wonderful time. It was hot, but pretty comfortable. It was fun to watch them and listen to them enjoying the rides and to simply spend time together as a family. We got home late, so I was pretty tired when I got up this morning. That's probably one of the reasons why I didn't feel like I had a very productive day today.
I'm now spending a few hours a week at our office in Perrysburg and we don't have much happening there yet. One very positive thing that happened while I was in P'burg today was an opportunity to have a really good conversation with another agent, and to hear about her life with Jesus. What a great blessing! I'm glad I wasn't "too busy" to take time to build that relationship! I learned a lot by simply listening.
The best part of my day was the gathering of the church that meets at our house. It was a special night because we invited the staff of the local Campus Crusade (Cru) to join us. We had a great meal (as usual) and spent some quality time praying for one another after we discussed the places God is sending us to advance His kingdom. Good stuff. I often find myself wishing I could spend more time with so many quality people in our community like Michael & Teresa, Rob & Amy, Steve & Sandy, and especially with the people in our church. I've said before that the quality of our lives is directly proportionate to the quality of our relationships. I beleive that now more than ever and am blessed to be living a very enjoyable life!
Today's N-Cite: The more I listen the more I learn. God, please teach me to be more attentive to relationships so that I can be a better listener.
1 Year
One year ago today I resigned at BG Naz. In some ways it feels like yesterday. In other ways it feels like a lifetime ago. I've reflected a lot over the last few days. I am more certain than ever about a few core issues of life and at the same time less certain about more things in general. For example, I continue to be certain about:
- My need of and love for Jesus
- The call of God on my life to proclaim His Word
- The priceless gift of family and friends and my need of them
- The conquering nature of love
About today...
This morning I was blessed to speak to several members of the BGSU football team. Training camp started this week and for the next two Sundays we will be worshiping together. Awesome! Please pray for the Christians on the team to influence their teammates and coaches for Christ.
I had a good open house this afternoon with several visitors. I hope this property sells quickly!
Our neighborhood's annual summer picnic was tonight. Chris and the band (Exit 179) provided the first-ever live music at the summer party and they were a big hit. It was special for two of my relational worlds to come together tonight.
All in all it's been a remarkable year. I am extremely grateful for everyone I have had the privilege of sharing this journey with in the past. I'm overwhelmingly blessed by the people in my life today, and I am filled with great expectation for the future. As my pastor in Youngstown used to say, "The future is as bright as the promises of God." I see why Huey Lewis felt the need to wear shades!
Who's Right?
I'm reading "God's Politics: Why the Right is Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It." Great book. Very challenging. I'm also reading the blogs of others and am convinced that many times I have spoken with great conviction and zeal about subjects of which I had very little knowlege. That reminds me of a poem my friend Bob Versteeg introduced me to several years ago. Whether it's religion or politics, the moral of this story is certainly applicable:
John Godfrey Saxe's ( 1816-1887) version of the famous Indian legend:
It was six men of Indostan, to learning much inclined, who went to see the Elephant(though all of them were blind), that each by observation might satisfy his mind.
The First approach'd the elephant, and happening to fall against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl:"God bless me! but the elephant is very like a wall!"
The Second, feeling of the tusk, cried, -"Ho! what have we here so very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear, this wonder of an elephant is very like a spear!"
The Third approach'd the animal, and happening to take the squirming trunk within his hands, thus boldly up and spake:"I see," -quoth he- "the elephant is very like a snake!"
The Fourth reached out an eager hand, and felt about the knee: "What most this wondrous beast is like is mighty plain," -quoth he,-"'Tis clear enough the elephant is very like a tree!"
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, said- "E'en the blindest man can tell what this resembles most; deny the fact who can, this marvel of an elephant is very like a fan!"
The Sixth no sooner had begun about the beast to grope, then, seizing on the swinging tail that fell within his scope,"I see," -quoth he,- "the elephant is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Indostan disputed loud and long, each in his own opinion exceeding stiff and strong, though each was partly in the right, and all were in the wrong!
MORAL:
So, oft in theologic wars the disputants rail on in utter ignorance of what each other mean, and prate about an Elephant not one of them has seen!
One of the great things about my experiences this summer is that I've had the opportunity to see many expressions of the body of Christ - Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Assemblies of God, Brethren, Church of Christ, and of course organic church. Each of our views is like one of these blind men and I'm excited to be learning more and more about the multi-faceted beauty called the Church.
I think we have yet to see the fullest expression of the Body of Christ. Therefore...
1Co 12:7ff from The Message
Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!
The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues.
All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.
You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts--limbs, organs, cells--but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ.
By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain--his Spirit--where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves--labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free--are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive.
I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together.
If Foot said, "I'm not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don't belong to this body," would that make it so? If Ear said, "I'm not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don't deserve a place on the head," would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it.
But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster.
What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own.
Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, "Get lost; I don't need you"? Or, Head telling Foot, "You're fired; your job has been phased out"? As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way--the "lower" the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it's a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons.
If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn't you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair? The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts we see and the parts we don't. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.
You are Christ's body--that's who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your "part" mean anything.
You're familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his "body": apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, organizers, those who pray in tongues. But it's obvious by now, isn't it, that Christ's church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? It's not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker,
not all Healer, not all Prayer in Tongues, not all Interpreter of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called "important" parts. But now I want to lay out a far better way for you... - 1 Corinthians 13...
1Co 14:1 Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it--because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth.
