Recently, I have been studying the life of Abraham through the life of Joseph.  It has been a great study, even though I have heard and read these stories over and over again.  It is amazing how God’s word always has something new to teach you.  This time as I read the focus was about encountering God rather than experiencing the blessings of God (even though the blessings took place). 

The lives of these men and women are so prevalent to us today.  Like us, each had their struggles such as, marital issues, dysfunctional families, struggled with generational sins, celebrated birthdays, babies were born, experienced loneliness and lack of contentment, prosperity took place, called to leave their families to start a life in a new place, etc.  During all the craziness that went on in the lives of this family, God still showed up.  He showered them with His blessings, His steadfast love, His mercy, His protection, His faithfulness, His provision, His goodness, etc.  However, the most important thing is that they encountered God. 

As I read about the individuals who are the focus of these stories, I found my attention more on the women who were highlighted.   These women had encounters with God, yet, they did not allow these encounters to affect their lives for the long-term.  It saddened me to read about their dissatisfaction, their controlling habits, and their manipulations each allowed and acted out in their lives.  Their actions greatly affected those around them, especially the behavior of Leah and Rachel.   Granted these two women were thrust into a situation that was not ideal, however, this did not excuse their conduct.  Here we have two women, two sisters, who longed for what they did not have.  Leah desired her husband’s love, but was blessed with many sons were she found short-lived happiness.  To Leah, her sons were meant to force Jacob’s attachment to her.  Rachel had Jacob’s love, but she did not appreciate it and blamed him for not giving her the sons she thought would bring her happiness.  The focus of these two women was on the object or objects they wanted to acquire not on what it should have been.  Each woman wanted what they didn’t have and missed out what they did have; missing out on God Himself. 

How often do we desire the blessings from God or the things we want God to bless us with and ignore the encounters we have had with Him?  Take time out today to encounter Him, not what He can give you on a tangible level.  Believe me you will find that your encounters with Him are far more precious and long lasting. 

Read Genesis 29:31-Genesis 30:1-24 for Leah and Rachel’s story. 

Read Genesis 12-Genesis 50 for the whole story. 

This last week I’ve spent a lot of my time promoting a singles and couples conference that’s being hosted at our Lakeview location on February 6 and 7.  The singles portion of the conference teaches those attending how to get the relationship that they want.  The couple’s conference helps to enrich marriages and teaches couple’s how to better communicate with their spouse.  It’s been fun mixing up my schedule as I’ve woken up early to hit the Belmont and Fullerton EL tracks at 6:30AM to hand out promotional postcards as morning commuters leave for work.  It’s my hope that this opportunity will be what the community at large may be interested in attending.  The conference is funded by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Grant so the cost is reduced by a substantial amount.  I get excited when opportunities like this come around because it also gives my wife and I the opportunity to help enrich our marriage.

This conference is going to be one of two couple’s conferences that Rachel and I will be attending together over the next two months.  I’ve learned that communication is a key area that we continually need to develop and these types of conferences have helped us to grow in our friendship and understanding of each other over our last 4 and a half years of marriage.  I want to encourage those of you reading this to come out too.  These types of conferences help in building a healthier marriage and for those of you that are single it can offer key insights into how to find the relationship that you’ve been looking for.  If you are interested in registering for the conference I’ve included the details below.  I hope to see you there!

How to avoid falling in love with a jerk/ette                                     

Workshop for Singles - $10                                                                         

($200 value paid for by family bridges)                                                  

 

February 6 & 7                                                                                                  

Friday       6:30pm – 9:00pm                                                                         

Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm                                                                          

 

New Life Lakeview         

2958 N. Damen Ave.      

Chicago, IL 60618             

 

To Register:                       

Call Tina @ 773-838-9470

 

Facilitator:                                                                                                          

Juliet Caceres Ph.D.                                                                                       

 

Workbooks, Food and Childcare Included

 

 

Within Our Reach

Workshop for Couples - $15.00

($300 value paid for by family bridges)

February 6 & 7

Friday       6:30pm – 9:00pm

Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm

 

New Life Lakeview         

2958 N. Damen Ave.      

Chicago, IL 60618             

 

To Register:                       

Call Tina @ 773-838-9470

 

Facilitator:

Ken & Judy Kalina

I've seen this before but I always marvel at it when it happens.  There is a domino effect when you serve people, even quietly.  After Tyce and I shoveled some spots, my next door neighbor Raul did the same the next day.  Another neighbor routinely snowblows about 6 or 7 houses worth of sidewalk, including mine.  Another family shoveled out a spot and saved it but then thought better about it the next day and got rid of the spot savers.

And now, a week into heavy snowfall, only one person on our block has kept out any spot savers.  We've chucked those milk crate markers twice (in Christian love) and then parked in another "unsaved" spot.  We're trying to communicate that parking spots are for anyone.  I think our communication is pretty effective.

There's a culture of serving emerging which is being shaped by... serving.  This is a very powerful spiritual principle--serve before the culture values serving and watch people start to value and participate in serving in a deeper way.  Now certainly this is not foolproof--some people will refuse to change even if everyone else is serving.  But by and large, in every social sphere and group, I believe you can sow seeds of serving and watch others begin to sow them along with you bringing a harvest of good.

You've heard of WWJD.  How about HWJS?  How Would Jesus Shovel?

Shoveling is a big issue when you live in the city of Chicago in winter.  Right?

Here's what happens normally in our city:  A big snow falls--let's say 8 or 10 inches.  A few hours later a snow plow comes by and buries all the cars on the block.  A while after that, Joe Sixpack ambles out to his car and considers how long it will take to shovel out.  Realizing the job will likely give him a heart attack, he goes inside the house and recruits his kids to "help".  Two hours later, after a lot of sweat and yelling, the kids, with the "assistance of their dad" manage to shovel the car out. 

---

Now what happens next is the key--realizing that he never wants to shovel that much again (nevermind that the kids did all the work) he goes inside the house, puts the TV on the floor, grabs the entertainment center, takes it outside and throws it in the parkway snowdrift.  Next morning when he leaves, he puts the entertainment center in the street to clarify who's car gets to park there. 

Move that entertainment center at peril of your life.  A man may not have the energy to shovel another spot on the whole street, but rest assured he has the energy to chew out and pummel anyone who would flout his claim on the parking spot.

Which brings me to HWJS--How would Jesus shovel?  I've pondered this question for many winters having observed the above scenario so many times. One conclusion--I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't put his entertainment center in the street. 

I'm convinced that Jesus would just shovel.  Shovel the street here, shovel the street there.  Shovel spots today, shovel spots tomorrow.  Shovel as many spots as possible and hope that his neighbors park in the spots he shoveled. 

Why?  Its his basin and towel theology--the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life.  Serving people is a privilege.  My hope is to have this attitude and practice in my own shoveling.  I want to wear a snazzy HWJS bracelet just like the rest of you.

Yesterday Tyce and I shoveled some random spots.  It was fun to shovel together, to drop in a heap afterward and to see that more space for decent parking was available for everyone on the street.  So not only was I HWJSing but I'm training the young one.  Gold star on my chart, right?  Not so fast.

Fast forward to tonight.  I look out the window and one of the spots that I had shoveled yesterday is now marked with two chairs.  Some "nieghbor" (and I use that term loosely) claimed a spot that I shoveled--as if I had shoveled it just for them!  I mean its practically my spot.  I shoveled it.  I, er anyone, should be able to park there.  I mean I don't "mark my spot" like some people but I did the work.  The nerve.  I mean here I am trying to serve people, like Jesus, shoveling and then he just goes and takes advantage of my... 

Maybe I'm not ready for the bracelet yet. 

We had another West Humboldt Park launch team meeting this morning.  Things are moving forward.  Postcards will go out soon, building renovations are progressing, ministry teams are forming and preparing. 

The Grand Opening on March 29th is now less than 79 days away.  That also means in 79 days we'll be releasing a number of people from Lakeview and Lincoln Park to go serve at WHP.  Praying for the hand of God over all this.  Excited about doors of opportunity.

Our new semester for small groups starts in just a few weeks.  The planning is over, leaders have chosen their studies, the brochures are fresh from the copier, and our leaders are praying and gearing up for the upcoming weeks.  Now all we need is YOU. 

I am always excited when we a launch a new semester of small groups because I can’t wait to see who goes to what group and to hear how life is happening for my church family.  Right now some of you are looking at the listing of groups trying to make the decision as to the group you plan to attend.  While others of you are saying, I just do not have time to be in a small group.   Yet, I encourage you to make the time.   God desires for us to be in relationships with one another.

God calls us to be in community with one another.   In Acts 2:42-47 speaks of the new believers doing life together being a part of the body of Christ.  Ephesians 4:3 tells us that it takes both God’s power and our effort to produce a loving Christian community.   A small group provides an opportunity for people to find authentic community and deeper relationships that lead to a closer walk with God through Christ.   There is just no and, if’s or buts, we are to stay connected to one another.   So I encourage you this semester to find a group to part of if you haven’t already.  This coming Sunday, check out your New Life location’s small group brochure and commit to a group for the next 10 weeks.  You will be glad you did. 

Here are 12 reasons to ponder from an article I read by Richard J. Krejcir as to Why You Should Join a Small Group. 

1. Small groups are the perfect place to understand and practice authentic relationships to feel apart of God’s family.
2. Small groups are the perfect place to practice our call to be discipled and make disciples
3. Small groups are the perfect place for Spiritual growth to make His truth come to life in our lives (Matt. 28:18-20).
4. Small groups are the perfect place to understand the Bible and heartfelt prayer and put it into action.
5. Small groups are the perfect place to unwind, release your stress and reprioritize your life.
6. Small groups are the perfect place to have our needs met and dealt with and fulfill those burdens in others is in a stable community. In this way we can handle stress, crisis, changes and the pressures of life better.
7. Small groups are the perfect place to be in study of His Word and to be in prayer, we do this individually but we are also to do it in community.
8. Small groups are the perfect place to welcome your friends into the church and introduce them to Christ.
9. Small groups are the perfect place to develop our skills, leadership and ministry so we can be better servants of our Lord.
10. Small groups are the perfect place to understand how to share Christ with loved ones and coworkers.
11. Small groups are the perfect place to deepen your understanding and practice of worship.
12. Small groups are the perfect place to put into practice the teaching you are receiving from your church, radio, web and your personal devotions. Remember the phrase ”one another” is used over 50 times in the New Testament to describe our relationship to other believers. So, small groups are the perfect place to be with one another!

Jim Tomberlin is a leader who is on the front edge of multi-site church trends.  He recently posted an entry at MondayMorningInsight.com. 

I'll comment briefly on each of his trend items...

1. I agree-multi-site is becoming common and "normal".  Many church planters are planting with a multi-site mindset from the beginning.  Its weird because when I came to New Life in 1999, I remember how "out there" multi-site church was.  How things have changed in 10 years.
2. We definitely operate out of this model.  I think its like "urban warfare" applied to the church world.  The church, like modern militaries, are forced to rethink their strategy now that the world is more than 50% urban.  The recast strategy is to employ smaller, more mobile units in both the military and the church world--fighting the battle from "house to house".
3. True for us and seeing this at several other churches around the country (Seacoast, Lifechurch, soon Mars Hill Seattle).
4. This seems to be somewhat true though I think multi-site represents a big break from denominational thinking.  Multi-site churches seem to have a much higher value on intra-church cooperation and define themselves more by agreement than by disagreement.
5. This may be true but it seems also true that many campus pastors, in my anectdotal research, are hired from within most often.  Sort of a UPS hiring model--promote from within for 80% of the jobs.
6. Most notably, www.theaterchurch.com, the website of National Community Church in DC.  Mark Batterson and Co are doing a lot of pioneering on this front.
7. Or as we call them, Restarts.  And the more we witness the decline of older insitutional churches, the more this trend will increase.
8. My parents attend a rural multi-site church--Thornapple Valley Church--and I love Pastor Jeff Arnett's vision and passion to grow great churches in the rural communities of Michigan.  For him, if it has a grocery store, its probably a little too urban.  But as he notes, not too many multi-site churches are working in truly rural areas yet so this area needs a strong dose of networking and resourcing.
9. Not a fan of the internet campus.  I don't believe you can call something that happens over the internet a church in the fullest sense.  You can't baptize and you can't celebrate communion together, two functional basics that happen in the gathered community.  I'm all for the video delivery of messages to real gatherings of people but not for the virtual gathering of people on different computers.  I think innovation goes too far with this one.
10. Personally, I think this format will have a backlash.  Live preaching will never go out of style because in a techno world, people long for "the real thing, baby" (thanks Pepsi for the tagline.)  And I have a concern about the growth of video as a means of delivery--the celebrity nature of mass distribution.  I do not believe fallen humanity is built to handle glory and celebrity is a form of glory.  Seems to lead to trouble.  Again, not fundamentally opposed to video delivery of teaching, but I think it should be used with caution. 

I am from a small town in the mountains of East Tennessee and lived there for the majority of my life.  I moved to Chicago 14 years ago, and as you might imagine there are some differences within the two communities.  Although there may be differences, there is one thing the two towns have in common, mice. 

Lately, I have had some pretty creepy experiences with mice.  Some of you may think, oh brother, its mice live with it.  But you see, I don’t think you have to or should have to live with those creepy little intruders.  I did not invite them into my home, my house is clean, and there is nothing for them in my home.  Plus there is a perfectly good field across the street.  (I mean they are called field mice for crying out loud.) 

Until recently I did not realize the phobia I had when it came to mice.   It all started with finding two dead mice in the same spot two weeks apart.  I thought is someone trying to drive me mad.  Then I did not have any sightings for some time.  However, about two or three months ago, four intruders decided that they were going to be resilient and hang around.   I had the Orkin man out three times in one month.  Yet, these little creatures would not leave.  It seemed to be immune to the poison and traps.  I was unable to feel comfortable in my home and had terrible time sleeping; the noise they make at night does not leave one feeling well rested. 

Anyway, I begin to pray and asked others to pray for these nasty intruders to be gone from my home.  I mean God can do anything and he does care about all things that take place in our lives.  However, He also uses things to teach us something.  As I begged God to take the nasty things away, send them to the field across the street, just remove those vermin’s from my home.    God begin to place on my heart the meaning of being thankful.  I began reading Philippians 4, reading again how we are to pray with thanksgiving and to learn to be content no matter the situation.   I found myself beginning to pray with a heart of thanksgiving, for the provision God had for me with where I lived, with my job, my friends who were praying for my situation, and for so much more.  As my prayer changed, I began to see things differently and began to be content in my situation.  I will say in no time the intruders were gone and have not returned.  I have been mice free for one month now.   Praise God.   He cares and he hears our cry. 

I leave you with this wonderful reminder from Philippians 4:4-7:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Its a blip on the radar of time, really.  And without a calendar you'd never even know when it happened.  But a new year is a big deal to us isn't it?  There's just something about our inner hunger for "new" (or "renew"?) that makes us love a new year. 

I think its a redemptive implant.  A leftover cry from our Eden self.  No matter how big our God-aversion, we want new like nobody's business and a new year gives us some new every year.  I believe new years are eternal signposts--things that awaken the Big story in our hearts, even if its only for a moment.

I have 3 phrases I'm entering this new year with.  They're not themes.  They're not catchy slogans.  They're not rules or resolutions.  They're just some phrases and words that have been banging around in my head and heart for the last while that I'm choosing to put on my HUD for 2009.

• Faith, hope and love
• Deeper
• the Mission of God

These phrases will be making guest appearances in my conversations, praying, teaching, writing and thinking as I head into this year.