Quiz for Christ Followers:
Greatest Commandment is....___________
Second Greatest Commandment is...____________
(Hint: matthew 22:34-39)
Chances are that if you have been a Christ follower for a year or more, you probably got that one right. Good job. A+
Here's a second quiz that bothered me today: What spiritual discipline should be the highest priority for Christ followers? Should there be a priority list? Are some more important than others?
As I read the Bible in the book of Acts today, I think there might be a right answer to this...and if life-application is the grading curve, I think I've flunked this quiz.
It's not uncommon to get excited about the "Acts 2 church" and desire to mimic their devotion "to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (2:42). But these disciplines, being lumped together, don't really provide a priority list for us...or do they? Turn back a chapter and we get some clarity:
Acts Chapter One Scenario: Jesus has ascended into heaven...has instructed the believers to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit...and then we read the FIRST discipline, the FIRST priority, the FIRST activity of the Christ followers:
"All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers." Acts 1:14
The first activity the people of God committed themselves to was prayer. It was the foundation for all that had happened, all that was happening, and all that was about to happen.
You may enjoy the discipline of Theological Study, of Community, etc. But I believe that what really matters in the end is a devotion to prayer that will align, illuminate, and cultivate the other activities to their utmost potential and purpose.
What priority is prayer in your life? Me? It's lumped into all the disciplines & activities of a believer, but I'm more convinced than ever to re-prioiritze, re-position, and renew my commitment to prayer.
So, what do you think? Is that a fair assessment? Is the activity of prayer MORE important than other activities and disciplines? Do you think spiritual priorities exist, or should we just lump them all together?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Portland Marathon: Nerd Watches, Honeybuckets, & a Downpour
Running a marathon isn't an event - it's a journey. 6 months of daily runs, sacrificed Saturdays, and an emotional rollercoaster all converge into a race that takes place in a single morning. Because of this, what happens on that single day unleashes all the emotions and hopes that have stockpiled over this extended season.
Today was that day, and the journey didn't disappoint. Details started getting interesting earlier this week, when the weather report predicted heavy rainfall for today's race, and for once - the weatherman actually got it right. We were soaked to the bone before the gun ever went off, and the rain never stopped. Perhaps the best movie themed title for today's race could be: "A River Runs Through It."
The most unexpected surprise happened last night when my Garmin 305 GPS Watch (aka Nerd Watch - thanks Jenn...) stopped working for the first time ever. No charge. No hope. No backup. For those of you who are not runners, this may seem meaningless, but trust me - running a marathon is all about keeping the right pace. Strike one.
I thought I could use my new iPod nano, which has a stopwatch, but with all the rain, the touchscreen didn't work. Strike two. Never fear, my third plan was to run with the pace group from the Red Lizard Running Club. They have runners hold up signs with a goal time on it, and then pace everyone to finish in that time. I looked and looked for the 4hour pace group, but I was in the wrong starting gate, so there was no one to pace me. Strike three. For an added bonus strike, I thought I could just look at the posted times at the mile markers and adjust my pace, but the marathon didn't a single time clock until the finish line. Looking back, I started out way too fast, but without a watch, I just tried to keep an even pace.
Everything seemed fine during the run, until my bladder almost exploded around mile 19. I had hoped to just get to the finish, but couldn't wait any longer and had to stop at the honeybucket. Nothing like letting minutes and seconds passing by while hanging out in a smelly, green, closet. I lost about a minute, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!
I didn't use my headphones until mile 21. I need some extra motivation, and I had pre-made a 3+ hour playlist. Unfortunately, my nano somehow got stuck on repeat to the ONE chill song that was on the playlist...which I ended up listening to over and over again for the last HOUR of my race.
The too-fast first half drained me the last half, and it was all I could do to keep running the last couple miles. My jog turned into a shuffle, but strangely enough I was in good spirits heading to the finish line. I crossed the finish completely unaware of what my time was, fairly certain I didn't break 4 hours as I had hoped. The final results came in: 4 hours, 41 seconds. I missed it by a Honeybucket.
Overall, I was very happy with the results. I still P.R.'d by four minutes in pretty nasty conditions. It still amazes me that its even possible to run 26.2 miles. It takes me to my absolute depths, it reveals my ultimate pain threshold, and allows me to celebrate a feat that few experience.
The details of my race can be seen with cool graphics, if you'd like to see how I compared to the other marathoners. I'm pretty sure they don't give out trophies for coming in two thousand eighteenth place, but I'll have to find out.
After recovery, we headed to Claim Jumper to reclaim part (or all) of the 3000+ calories we burned earlier in the day.
Special thanks to the Portland Marathon Clinic for giving me a reason to run on Saturday, and my wife for putting up with my quirky requests - not just on race day, but during this whole experience.
Overall a journey with no regrets, lots of twists, and a finish worth fighting for.
Today was that day, and the journey didn't disappoint. Details started getting interesting earlier this week, when the weather report predicted heavy rainfall for today's race, and for once - the weatherman actually got it right. We were soaked to the bone before the gun ever went off, and the rain never stopped. Perhaps the best movie themed title for today's race could be: "A River Runs Through It."
The most unexpected surprise happened last night when my Garmin 305 GPS Watch (aka Nerd Watch - thanks Jenn...) stopped working for the first time ever. No charge. No hope. No backup. For those of you who are not runners, this may seem meaningless, but trust me - running a marathon is all about keeping the right pace. Strike one.
I thought I could use my new iPod nano, which has a stopwatch, but with all the rain, the touchscreen didn't work. Strike two. Never fear, my third plan was to run with the pace group from the Red Lizard Running Club. They have runners hold up signs with a goal time on it, and then pace everyone to finish in that time. I looked and looked for the 4hour pace group, but I was in the wrong starting gate, so there was no one to pace me. Strike three. For an added bonus strike, I thought I could just look at the posted times at the mile markers and adjust my pace, but the marathon didn't a single time clock until the finish line. Looking back, I started out way too fast, but without a watch, I just tried to keep an even pace.Everything seemed fine during the run, until my bladder almost exploded around mile 19. I had hoped to just get to the finish, but couldn't wait any longer and had to stop at the honeybucket. Nothing like letting minutes and seconds passing by while hanging out in a smelly, green, closet. I lost about a minute, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!I didn't use my headphones until mile 21. I need some extra motivation, and I had pre-made a 3+ hour playlist. Unfortunately, my nano somehow got stuck on repeat to the ONE chill song that was on the playlist...which I ended up listening to over and over again for the last HOUR of my race.
The too-fast first half drained me the last half, and it was all I could do to keep running the last couple miles. My jog turned into a shuffle, but strangely enough I was in good spirits heading to the finish line. I crossed the finish completely unaware of what my time was, fairly certain I didn't break 4 hours as I had hoped. The final results came in: 4 hours, 41 seconds. I missed it by a Honeybucket.
Overall, I was very happy with the results. I still P.R.'d by four minutes in pretty nasty conditions. It still amazes me that its even possible to run 26.2 miles. It takes me to my absolute depths, it reveals my ultimate pain threshold, and allows me to celebrate a feat that few experience.The details of my race can be seen with cool graphics, if you'd like to see how I compared to the other marathoners. I'm pretty sure they don't give out trophies for coming in two thousand eighteenth place, but I'll have to find out.
After recovery, we headed to Claim Jumper to reclaim part (or all) of the 3000+ calories we burned earlier in the day.Special thanks to the Portland Marathon Clinic for giving me a reason to run on Saturday, and my wife for putting up with my quirky requests - not just on race day, but during this whole experience.
Overall a journey with no regrets, lots of twists, and a finish worth fighting for.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sobering Success: a small hopecity story
Last night we had our first ever public pre-launch gathering for hopecity church. It was a tremendous night. We currently have about 30 people on our launch team, but there was about 50 people who showed up to Papaccino's cafe in the heart of Woodstock to hear the hopecity story and consider joining our team. We had no marketing, just people inviting people. It was great to see our team so energized to see God move in our midst.
We had laughter, a few tears, and renewed hope. We bragged about Jesus and his love for our city. We tipped our barista over $100.00 for serving us for 2 hours, and people visiting from the community were extremely open and friendly about the idea of a new church coming to this area of SE Portland - despite it being one of the most unchurched areas of our very unchurched city.
Walking away, I'm very thankful...but I'm also sobered to the deep need of prayer. After a big event like that I'm more convinced than ever, that our strategies, plans, and efforts are absolutely ineffective in producing life-changing results UNLESS we run to God in prayer and intercession.
This week our team is stirring up our commitment to prayer. We must remind ourselves that:
We had laughter, a few tears, and renewed hope. We bragged about Jesus and his love for our city. We tipped our barista over $100.00 for serving us for 2 hours, and people visiting from the community were extremely open and friendly about the idea of a new church coming to this area of SE Portland - despite it being one of the most unchurched areas of our very unchurched city.
Walking away, I'm very thankful...but I'm also sobered to the deep need of prayer. After a big event like that I'm more convinced than ever, that our strategies, plans, and efforts are absolutely ineffective in producing life-changing results UNLESS we run to God in prayer and intercession.
This week our team is stirring up our commitment to prayer. We must remind ourselves that:
"Prayer is the primary role of church planters and their core team. Jesus taught that God provides the harvest and the workers in response to the prayers of the saints (Matt. 9:38). Neil Cole writes, “The more prayers we offer, the more workers we’ll see. The more workers raised up, the greater the harvest”. Prayer provides the wisdom and understanding necessary to deal with the monumental cultural shifts created by the advent of postmodernity. Busyness is an enemy to prayer, and church planters’ lives are replete with busy work. "
- THE PRAYER-DRIVEN CHURCH PLANT
A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary
The first Mon, Tues, & Wed of each month we are fasting and praying over these things:
- Mon: "Break up the fallow ground in SE Portland" (see Hosea 10:12-13)
- Tues: "Draw people...as we go to people." (See Luke 8:1) "Draw people...to the launch team." (See 1 Samuel 10:26; Numbers 11:17)
- Wed: "Open up the doors for financial provision, that we would be well-supplied" (See Phil 4:18-19)
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Why I haven't been blogging
I haven't blogged for months, and those that know me well know that I love to express ideas, insights, and thoughts. Here's the reason for my absence:
I'm in a season right now of reading more than writing...of listening more than talking.
As we prepare to plant hopecity church, I'd rather be a sponge soaking up wisdom, than a squirt gun spewing out insight.
To those I've been entrusted to lead - there's a lot of leading happening. A lot of faith, a lot of momentum, and a lot of anticipation. But in the bloggosphere I'd rather read than write.
The irony is that this will be changing in some ways. We are developing a hopecity communtiy blog that will update our progress, and share insights we have learned, promote events and families living in SE Portland.
As for this blog - I'll begin to post more about who is influencing me and how, and why they may be valuable to you...and every once in awhile I may post my own thoughts.
In a social media world where there is pressure to get our two-cents in, perhaps its time for voices to quiet down, and ears to open up.
- brian
I'm in a season right now of reading more than writing...of listening more than talking.
As we prepare to plant hopecity church, I'd rather be a sponge soaking up wisdom, than a squirt gun spewing out insight.
To those I've been entrusted to lead - there's a lot of leading happening. A lot of faith, a lot of momentum, and a lot of anticipation. But in the bloggosphere I'd rather read than write.
The irony is that this will be changing in some ways. We are developing a hopecity communtiy blog that will update our progress, and share insights we have learned, promote events and families living in SE Portland.
As for this blog - I'll begin to post more about who is influencing me and how, and why they may be valuable to you...and every once in awhile I may post my own thoughts.
In a social media world where there is pressure to get our two-cents in, perhaps its time for voices to quiet down, and ears to open up.
- brian
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Willing To Wait...Ready to Move
Numbers 10
21 And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out.22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out.
Are you sensing a shift...a change of direction...a new adventure? I think a lot of us are - but the key is to do nothing unless God moves first. There are a lot of selfish reasons to move...after all, it's exciting to do something new. There are a lot of selfish reasons to stay put...there is security and comfort in the known. That's why I like what the Israelite's did - they were ready to move in a moment's notice - but were willing to stay for life...it was all dependent upon the movement of God.
Be willing to wait...and ready to move.
21 And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out.22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out.
Are you sensing a shift...a change of direction...a new adventure? I think a lot of us are - but the key is to do nothing unless God moves first. There are a lot of selfish reasons to move...after all, it's exciting to do something new. There are a lot of selfish reasons to stay put...there is security and comfort in the known. That's why I like what the Israelite's did - they were ready to move in a moment's notice - but were willing to stay for life...it was all dependent upon the movement of God.
Be willing to wait...and ready to move.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
My Wife. A Proverbs 31 Paraphrase
I had the privilege today of reading Proverbs 31 in my Bible reading plan from youversion.com. In this chapter it describes an excellent wife...and it describes my wife Jenn. Here is my paraphrase of Proverbs 31:10-31
My wife is excellent.
She is far more precious than jewels.
As her husband my heart trusts in her,
and I will have no lack of gain.
She does me good and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She is productive and creative,
and she makes great sandwiches :)
She goes out of her way to provide
nurture and care for the household
Her strength comes from the Lord
and she seeks Him daily.
She is compassionate and longs
to do all she can for the helpless.
She is not afraid of the "what might be"
because she has seen the miracles of yesterday.
Strength and dignity are he clothing
She laughs at the time to come
She opens her mouth with wisdom
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks wel to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
Jenn,
Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
My wife, is an excellent woman.
My wife is excellent.
She is far more precious than jewels.
As her husband my heart trusts in her,
and I will have no lack of gain.
She does me good and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She is productive and creative,
and she makes great sandwiches :)
She goes out of her way to provide
nurture and care for the household
Her strength comes from the Lord
and she seeks Him daily.
She is compassionate and longs
to do all she can for the helpless.
She is not afraid of the "what might be"
because she has seen the miracles of yesterday.
Strength and dignity are he clothing
She laughs at the time to come
She opens her mouth with wisdom
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks wel to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
Jenn,
Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
My wife, is an excellent woman.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Confessions of a Portland Church Planter
Church planting is considered by many to be an insane calling. In fact 8 out of 10 church plants fail within two years. Lesson? Be called, be humble, and repent - a lot. We'll save the "calling" and "humble" posts for another time - this is all about repentance.
So - I've decided to start a blog series called "Confessions of a Portland Church Planter" to prepare me to be a useful instrument for God to use in the city of Portland as we prepare to launch hopecity church in 2011.
Confession #1. I've lived in the city of Portland for almost 11 years, and I have yet to have a Voodoo Doughnut. It's simply unacceptable and borderline sinful to call yourself a local and yet not know the world famous creative flavors of what some people liken to heaven on earth.
Not only is this a confessional...but it's a promise as well. By next Friday, I will have done due diligence and allowed my tastebuds to partake in what is long overdue. The only question is...which Voodoo shall I choose?
Here are a few options...
So - I've decided to start a blog series called "Confessions of a Portland Church Planter" to prepare me to be a useful instrument for God to use in the city of Portland as we prepare to launch hopecity church in 2011.
Confession #1. I've lived in the city of Portland for almost 11 years, and I have yet to have a Voodoo Doughnut. It's simply unacceptable and borderline sinful to call yourself a local and yet not know the world famous creative flavors of what some people liken to heaven on earth.
Not only is this a confessional...but it's a promise as well. By next Friday, I will have done due diligence and allowed my tastebuds to partake in what is long overdue. The only question is...which Voodoo shall I choose?
Here are a few options...
- Grape Ape: (raised doughnut with vanilla frosting and grape powder)
- Dirt: (raised doughnut covered with vanilla glaze and oreo cookies)
- Arnold Palmer: (cake doughnut covered with lemon and tea powder)
- Butter Fingering: (Devils food, vanilla, and crushed Butterfinger)
- Neapolitan: (chocolate doughnut with vanilla frosting and strawberry quick powder)
- Triple Chocolate Penetration: (chocolate doughnut, chocolate glaze, and cocoa-puffs)
- Voodoo Doughnut: (voodoo doll doughnut)
- Dirty Snowball: (chocolate cake doughnut covered with pink marshmallow glaze and surprise filling)
- The Memphis Mafia: (chocolate chips/banana/ peanutbutter/glaze big!)
- Portland Creme: (raised doughnut filled with creme and covered in chocolate with two eyes)
- Nyquil Glazed and pepto-bismol (currently on hold)
- VEGAN: (thats right, vegan doughnuts! assorted flavors, come in and eat many)
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