Buffet

I absolutely love buffets. The choices! The food! All you can eat! You know, as I think about it, I usually only get just a few things off any buffet. I really don't like most of what is there, but I do like the all you can eat aspect. Buffet's are usually expensive, but I often brag that I get my money's worth in sheer volume (if you could see me you would know why). I like basic, simple foods. I really don't understand how others eat all that stuff offered on buffets, but I understand that there are so many ways to fill up, that whatever they eat is OK with me.

How many people do you know who feel the same way about their salvation? How many times hae you heard, "Well that's fine for you, but I believe..." Too often we encourage these beliefs in the name of religious tolerance or because we are afraid of being labeled as closed minded, or a bigot, or pious, or of thinking of ourselves as superior to others. Jesus said very plainly, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6. Anyone who preaches any salvation other than through Jesus is just wrong. Remember the exhortation of Paul to the Corinthians, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2. For Christians, there simply is no debate. Paul encourages the Ephesians by reminding them that "there is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Eph 4:4-6.

Salvation is simple, not a smorgasborg - but it is still "all you can eat". Stuff yourself on the Truth!

Let's Play 2

"It's a great day for a ball game; let's play two!" Ah, the immortal words of Ernie Banks. I often wish I could be at the ballpark watching a double header (have I mentioned before that Baseball is the greatest sport in the world?). Better yet, I could play a double header in softball every day. There is nothing like the warmth of the sun on your face, the feel of the grass beneath your feet, the smell of the leather mitt and taste of the dirt after a head first slide! I could spend all day at the ballpark...(if it weren't for the pesky sunburn).

Can we say the same about our worship services? I was having a conversation with a co-worker who told me emphatically that she wanted the rapture to come so she could "watch it". "I just want to stay here on earth just so I can watch, don't you?" she asked. I quickly informed her that when Jesus returns, I want to be one of the first to meet him. In her misguided idea about the end, she let me know that she wouldn't mind staying around for the "1000 year reign". When I asked why, she replied, "I don't want to do to 'church' all the time." Her idea of Heaven is that we will sit in "church" for eternity. She let me know that 45 minutes was about all she could take.

How do we feel about worship? Do we feel it is boring, a chore to attend, or at the least, an inconvenience? Perhaps we should stop focusing on ourselves and marvel at the presence of an ever-loving God, who was willing to give up everthing for us.

When Jesus returns, I don't want to be caught unprepared. I used to love baseball practice. I could use that time to relax. I got to hit the ball more than I ever could in a game. I got to field every 3rd or 4th ball hit. I got to have fun. It takes practice for anything we do to become second nature. Perhaps we should look at our worship services as practice for Heaven, when we will forever worship God. I like the words of Mercy Me's "I can only Imagine".

I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by Your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see when Your face is before me. I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine.

I can only imagine when that day comes and I find myself standing in the Son. I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship You. I can only imagine.

I hope you enjoy your worship to God. I know I do.

"Let's play two!"

What if you were dying?

What would you do if you found out that you were dying and had only a short time to live? I was riding with a dear friend the other day, and he wanted me to hear a particular song that touched his heart. It is a country song by Tim McGraw titled "Live Like You Were Dying". The song talks about a man in his early 40's who found out he was dying and how his life changed dramatically. The chorus states:

"I went skydiving, I went rocky mountain climbing, I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu. And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'. And he said some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dyin'."

My friend is going through some really troubling times and has had to re-evaluate his life and priorities. He finds this song to be encouraging and I understood that it challenged him to go out and do all the things he always wanted to do but never has. At first glance, I found the song to encourage and promote selfishness and self-centeredness, but as I look at the song, verse 2 mentions being the husband and friend he should have always been, and he began to think about eternity.

How would you live if you knew you were dying? Would you treat your family or friends any differently? Would you be more generous with your things and monies? Would you contribute more to your congregation or charity? Would you buy more things - or less? What would you do with your time? Would you work more, go to the movies more, go skydiving or bull riding? Would you reach out to those you were always afraid you would offend and tell them of Jesus? Would you spend more time with your kids and spouse and less with Raymond, Survivors, and the American Idol hopefuls? Would you keep your house cleaner, or would you leave the dishes and visit your friend in the hospital?

James 4:14 says "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." What James is telling us is that we are dying. Our life here on earth is so brief that we should live each day as if we had only 6 months to live. I challenge you to hug your children each day. Show, don't just tell, your spouse that you love her or him every chance you get. Mow your neighbor's lawn, just because. Pray for your preacher and elders that they will be bold in advancing the Gospel. And worship each day like you were going to see God tomorrow!

It really works!

Tonight my family attended a baseball game in Lawrence between the Wichita State Shockers and the Kansas Jayhawks. I have a nephew who is a freshman catcher for WSU and we were hoping to get the chance to see him get into the game. He didn't get to play tonight, but what a game. The score went back and forth and after nine innings, and several pitchers for each team, the Shockers held on for an 11-9 win. (Have I ever mentioned that baseball is the GREATEST game in the world?!!)

During the game, we had a conversation with a fan behind us who knew every stat on every player on the team. It seemed to be the concensus of those around that the Shockers would be a real force to reckon with for the next couple of years because of all the talented freshmen on the team. Heather overheard him mention that WSU had one of the most talented freshman catchers he had ever seen, and she couldn't help but interrupt to let him know that Tyler was our nephew. He went on about how good this kid was, but what struck me was that he said, "...and he is a good kid too."

Oh, the power of living a life for Christ! Even though this fan did not know Tyler personally, Tyler made a lasting impression because of his committment to Jesus. We never know who will be watching and what influence we might have on those we work with, live with, school with, church with, and, yes, even those who just watch us from a distance. Paul told the Ephesians "Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Eph 5:15-16)

Last year Tyler hit the winning "walk off" home run in the 6A state baseball championships to give the Goddard Lions the state title. (Have I mentioned that I love baseball?) I have a T-shirt that reads "Baseball is my game...But Jesus is my life". I have always been proud of Tyler, however, I have never been as proud of my nephew as I was at that moment tonight. I think Tyler deserves that shirt more than I do. Thank you Tyler for reminding me that we are Christians 24/7.

What do you want on your tombstone?

Gary and Ruthann Souder, one of our elders and his wife, are teaching a Sunday morning class titled "Fantastic Families". These are the perfect people to teach this class as they have developed special bonds with their own families, and all their kids are powerful leaders in their congregations. What an example for the rest of us! During class last Sunday, Gary asked the question, "What do you want on your tombstone?"

Those of you who know me, know that I am a big sci-fi nut (as in crazy and often geeky, as my kids will testify). I enjoy almost everything sci-fi, from starships to fantasy to comic book heros. Some of my favorite shows are those like "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits", which show that actions have consequences. I also enjoy monster shows. I guess it is because I know it is not true, but yet I still enjoy seeing good triumph over evil. The other day I was watching an episode of "Buffy, the vampire slayer". As always, there was some impending apocalypse which Buffy and the gang had to stop, but this time Buffy sacrificed herself to save her friends, and the world. The closing scene showed her tombstone, which read, "She saved the world. A Lot." This brought me back to the question Gary asked in class, and made me think again. What epithet would I want to be remembered by when I am gone? There were many suggestions in class, usually centered around the family...fitting given the subject matter. However, I have always thought that there would be no greater honor than for those visiting my grave to read, "Here lies a servant"

"Servant" embodies so much. I speaks of an employee's relationship with his employer, a neighbor's relationship with his neighborhood. It tells a friend who he can count on. More importantly, it describes a father's relationship with his wife and children. It reminds me of who Jesus is. Matthew 20:28 says that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Philippians 2:7 tells us that he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. The very nature of the word speaks of humility and obedience (see Philippians 2:8), and, ultimately, sacrifice.

"Lord make me a servant, make me like You."

What do you want on your tombstone?

"He must increase, but I must decrease"

Each 4th Sunday of the month, we have a special praise and prayer time at Central. We call it "4th Sunday Praise Night." We use this time to vary from the "traditional" order of worship by having a shorter devotional style talk (5 to 15 minutes in length) by various talented men of the congregation instead of a sermon. We also take time to offer a few more prayers and read more scriptures than most of us are used to on a Sunday evening. The rest of the time we use to sing more praises, and often learn a new song or two. We use this format to try to reenergize Sunday evenings and, hopefully, encourage a few more than the solid core of the congregation to attend .

I must admit that, although we have a worship committee help by offering suggested topics, I have often chosen topics and formats that I need to hear to encourage my soul and steady my walk with God, or topics which have encouraged me and which I want to share with my Brothers and Sisters. Many former topics have been based upon songs which encourage and convict me, such as "Who Am I", "The Voice of Truth", "Imagine", and "Take Me to the Cross".

This coming week, we will simply be focusing on John 3:30. The NIV states this verse this way: "He must become greater; I must become less." The Message reads: "This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines." I like the Contemporary English Version best: "Jesus must become more important, while I become less important." No matter what version you use, the message is the same--Jesus must become the center of your life. We will be using artwork from the Heartlight.org website, which simply expresses what John the Baptist was trying to convey. It has three simple images: cross > I. I have pasted this artwork as my wallpaper on my computer at work as a continual reminder to put Christ first in everything--especially at work.

How often do we try to draw attention to Jesus and away from ourselves? I know that being gracious in accepting a compliment is polite, but how commonplace has it become that athletes and actors and celebrities thank God for their accomplishments? Sometimes, I am put off by these acknowledgements because I see them as "fake" or "forced" or "not genuine". Perhaps I am just rationalizing to cover for my own inadequacies in giving God the glory in everthing. I think we need a constant reminder of how to be a servant to God instead of trying to make God our "genie". I have asked one of our elders, Jerry Myers, to do the talk this Sunday, not because he is an elder, or eloquent speaker, or a whiz at the original Greek, but because he embodies the very essence of what John the Baptist was trying to convey. I can't wait to hear what Brother Jerry has to say, to see him share his soul, his true nature, with us...again. Thanks be to God for wonderful examples of how to share ourselves, and God, with those around us.

Are Worship Styles Important?

I was listening to KLOVE this morning. The DJ's are in Nashville for the GMA Christian Music Awards (Dove Awards) this week and have had several of the artists on as guests for interviews. This morning, John and Sherry Rivers spoke with Chris Rice and Darlene Zschech. Both spoke about worship in profoundly different ways and it struck me how our worship today has evolved.

Chris Rice spoke of his song, "Untitled Hymn", and how the old Hymns shaped and forged his ideas of worship and helped strengthen his faith. He said that the old hymns were written by theologians and how their faith and beliefs were reflected in the hymns.
In contrast, Darlene Zschech, led worship on Sunday and the DJ's were commenting on the energy she showed as she "jumped around" the stage.

While the styles of worship, and the worship leaders, may have changed considerably over the years, one thing remains: We are commanded to worship our God in Spirit and Truth. Some today complain that worship has become too much "entertainment" with video presentations, praise teams, powerpoints, and even because of some of the "new songs" (newer or contemporary praise and worship songs and choruses). Others complain that worship is too "stuffy" because there is not enough "energy" in the service, or because of singing older hymns, long prayers and being too formal.

I believe that, at Central in Topeka, we have managed to blend these styles into a meaningful worship for the collective and corporate body. The best songs sung carry weighty, powerful, and profound stories of faith in and dependance on the God of grace and love. These songs convict me in my daily walk and encourage me to be a better child and servant of God. They remind me to be appreciative and grateful for all God has done for me and my family. Interestingly enough, the contemporary Christian songs on the radio do the same thing, especially those that tell a story, like "Untitled Hymn" by Chris Rice, "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns, "Fly Away" by FFH, "In Christ Alone" by Brian Littrell, "Live Out Loud" by Steven Curtis Chapman, and many, many others.

The important thing to remember, even in corporate worship, is that you are there to praise the God who created the universe, who walked on water, and who touched the sick and diseased. This is the same God who raised the dead, and, most importantly, promised to do the same for us.

Instead of focusing on what we think about the worship service, about how fast or slow or new or old the songs that are sung, or whether we see a video or someone prays for 10 minutes, I challenge everyone to focus on God and how we can best serve Him and reflect His glory to those around us, not just on Sunday morning, but every minute of every day.