Today I bought a new Bible.

I have to been honest and say I feel a little like I am cheating on my old one.

My relationship with my Bible began 18 years ago.  It was actually a gift from a girl I was dating in High School…my bride loves that!  That Bible has traveled everywhere with me.  From Kentucky to Texas, from Illinois to Honduras, from Mexico to Arizona.  It was the Bible I studied memory verses out of for my classes in Bible college.  It was with me when I was up late writing an exegetical paper (fancy word for research paper in Bible college) that was due the next day.  In the last 18 years it has been rebound at least twice and needs to be rebound again.

Outside of my bride and my boy, my Bible would be the one thing I would run back into a burning building to save…that even includes our little dog.  Sorry Jasmine.

But today I had to buy a new Bible.  Because in a few weeks I, along with 20 other people, will be heading to Peru for a mission trip and I am afraid, my trusty old Bible just can’t make those journeys anymore.  I always tell people, never take anything on a mission trip you would be upset about if it didn’t make it back.

I would be upset if my Bible didn’t make it back.

So I bought a new one, but it doesn’t feel right.  The columns are off and the font is different.  I don’t know where different verses are in relation to the page.  The references are in a different place and it doesn’t have any of nuggets of wisdom I have jotted down over the last 18 years.

This is like a new relationship.  And like any new relationship it takes time to really get to know each other.

I tell you all this because my hope for you is that you would have this type of relationship with a Bible of your own.  For over 1500 of years the average believer had no access to a personal set of scriptures.  Even today millions of people have no scriptures written in their language.  What we take for granted billions of Christians through the centuries would have risk their lives to have.

Building this relationship takes time.  It takes dedication.  It takes perseverance.  But it is worth it.  Because the scriptures we get to read, hold and pray through…point us to a savior who gave up everything so that we could be in a relationship with him.

As my new Bible says in Psalm 119:81, “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.”

My prayer for you today is that you would feel the same and you would have a tattered Bible to prove it.

As Forrest Gump would say, “I am not a smart man”.  But I have been around long enough to have figured out the root problem in almost every difficult marriage.  If we were able to remove this one thing from our marriages I am guessing 90% of all divorces would cease immediately.

So what is it?

Selfishness.

Think about for a moment and I bet you will discover that most everything we fight about in our marriages stems from selfishness.  It doesn’t matter if we are talking about an affair or alcohol…hoarding money or hoarding time…lazy parenting or lasting unforgiveness it all stems from selfishness.

Which is why Philippians chapter 2 makes such a great teaching for anyone who is married.  It simply says this:  “Do nothing (that is no thing!) out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others (think especially that ONE specific other) better than yourself.”

Imagine how much better your relationship with your bride would be if she lived out this verse.  Imagine how much your better your relationship with you husband would be if he lived this out.

So how about this…why don’t you show them how?  Not tell them how, not teach them how…but show them how, by living out this command in front of them.

How about you do everything you can to remove the selfishness from your marriage…by removing it from yourself.

I have been thinking about this phrase for a couple of days.  We all know it as the primary reason given for the issuance of a “no fault” divorce.  But I can’t help but wonder, is it possible for 2 believers to be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus and have irreconcilable differences?

Because if it is possible, that scares me.

It scares me because part of Jesus’ mission was to reconcile what seemed to be irreconcilable.  Jesus came to reconcile us in our relationship with our Father in heaven.  And if any relationship seems irreconcilable it is that one.

Because He is holy…and we are not.

We are selfish…He is not.

He is all loving…we are not.

We are finite…He is not.

He is patient…we are not.

We are fallible…He is not.

He is blameless…we are not.

We are inconsistent…He is not.

He is all knowing…we are not.

We are liars…He is not.

He is all powerful…we are not.

I could go on and on…but you get the picture.  The chasm that must be crossed to reconcile me to God is greater than any between me and another person…because the differences are so pronounced.  So if you trust Jesus to reconcile your relationship with God…then you must trust that he can reconcile you with your estranged husband, children, sister, mother, boss, neighbor, wife, son, father….

The question is: are you as willing to offer grace to that person as your Heavenly Father is to you?

I was standing in the back of the sanctuary at the end of the first service when a lady walked in with her daughter.  They were whispering to each other looking around for a place to sit.  I walked over an politely told them…this service is just wrapping up and the second service will begin in a few minutes.

The lady turned to look at me and instantly we both had that look of…”don’t I know you from somewhere?”  She said, “Are you the pastor here?”

I said yeah…

She said, “Wow you look different when you shave.  I am (insert sons name here)’s mom.”

Then it dawned on me.

A few weeks ago Kelli and I had met this lady at the field while attending Levi’s under 5 soccer game.  We had a great time talking with her and her husband…and during that conversation we learned her family wasn’t attending church anywhere and we invited them to come to Prescott Christian.

And this week she took us up on it.

I am telling you this today because it was a reminder to me again of how powerful the simple act of a personal invitation is.  Most people are open to attending church with someone who invites them.  So here is my challenge…ASK someone to come with you.

If God is using this church to work in your life why wouldn’t you want to share that with someone God has placed in your circle of influence?

So invite someone to come with you.  And if they say no…invite them again next week.  Tell them you will come pick them up…and actually BRING them with you.  Tell them you will buy them lunch afterwards.  Do all that you can to get them here…because we serve a God that has never given up on us–therefore we should never give up on others.

There is nothing more impactful than a personal invite…so invest in the people God has put in your life and leverage that relationship to invite them into an environment where they can connect with Jesus.  Invest and Invite.  That is God’s plan to change the world.

Wanna join him?

Reading through 2 Timothy yesterday and was hit with two thoughts.

In 2 Timothy 3 Paul describes some characteristics of godless people and two jumped off the page at me.  It is something I see way too often around me and often times in me.

The first one is found in verse 5…its people “who have a form of Godliness but deny its power.”  They may go to church read their bible and even pray…but their life doesn’t look as if the power of the living God is alive in them.  This one scares me because I see this so often in myself.  I try know the right things, and believe the right things, and even try and do the right things…but sometimes I wonder my life puts on display the power of God that is alive in me.

The second one is found in verse 7…”always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.”

This one is HUGE in church world right now.  With the proliferation of blogs and twitter, magazines and newsletters, books and DVDs, TV sermons and small groups…the fact that you can go online right now and hear/watch sermons from almost any pulpit in America and many from around the world…we have the capacity to learn more scriptural knowledge than ever before.  But the question is…does knowing more translate to being more like Christ?

Paul says these people are “always learning…” always reading, listening, participating…but “they never acknowledge the truth.”  The may learn it but it doesn’t change them.

As James put it…”do not merely listen to the word (always learning) and so deceive yourselves (thinking learning something is enough) Do what it says (acknowledge the truth by putting it into practice.)

If you aren’t putting it into practice you are deceiving yourself.

Do you have a form of Godliness but live powerless?

Are you someone who is always looking for the next great teaching, lesson, sermon, book, blog, tweet, but never seem to be transform by them?

These are two of the many things Paul said to Timothy in 2 Tim. 3 that stood out to me.  Which ones stand out to you?

Ran across this video of some girls outside of a Lady GAGA concert.  They are a part of the Westboro baptist church and have made this parody of her song “Poker Face”

I Peter 3:15 says, “but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer for the reason for the hope tha tyou have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”

Do you think the actions of these girls fulfills this commandment?

How would you have responded?

What would you have done instead?

This weekend we finished up a series on 1 Peter.  Throughout the letter Peter is talking to Christians undergoing great persecution …simply because they are followers of Jesus.  For most of us this doesn’t translate very well.  No doubt we go through hard times and difficult situations, but rarely are they solely tied to the fact that we are followers of Jesus.  But today I was reminded again that we are the exception.

Blasphemy accused Christian brothers shot dead in Faisalabad

Faisalabad: July 19, 2010. (PCP) Muslim extremists shot dead Rahid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel in broad daylight in front of hundreds of people in district courts compound in Faisalabad today.
There were rumors and reports on July 18, 2010, that both of Christian brothers are free to go home from Civil Lines Police Station Faisalabad where they were detained on July 4, 2010, under blasphemy charges on complaint of one Muslim businessman of Railway Bazar because police told friends of Rashid and Sajjid that there is no proof found against them which may extend their detention.
Today, investigation officer Mohammad Hussian produced Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel before Judge in District Courts where he testified that police have investigated allegations leveled against them but found no proof that they may be charged under blasphemy.
Police investigating officer Mohammad Hussian told court that complainant Mohammad Khuram Shehzad lodged FIR alleging Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel producing a handwritten leaflet which he stressed is defiling Prophet Mohammad but police have report of Handwriting expert that pamphlet handwriting presented by Mohammad Khuram not match with handwriting of accused Christian brothers. Police further submitted that they have nothing to investigate against them and find no proof to remand them in custody.
The court ordered to send Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel to Judicial custody till next date to issue further orders.
As there were rumors that Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel are found innocent and will be released, the extremists Muslims reached in District Courts Faisalabad and were waiting for them to come out of court house.
As Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel were walking towards district courts custody cell with police, the unidentified gunmen opened fire and Rashid Emmanuel felt on ground.
Sajjid Emmanuel stepped to safe his brother but gunmen shot him down too. When police tried to fire back on gunmen, they also came under attack and Inspector Mohammad Hussain felt down on ground.
In minutes, masked gunmen fled from scene, till medical aid reach, Rashid Emmanuel died on spot while Sajjid Emmanuel and police officer were rushed to hospital, where they were pronounced dead till our posting this sad incident.
The leaders of Christian Lawyers Foundation CLF, Rao Naveed Zafar Bhatti Advocate reported that adequate security was not in district court which made easy for killers to fled from scene.
Pastor Rashid Emmanuel was 32 years of age and running a Ministry while his brother Sajjid Emmanuel was helping him in Lords word.
.According to PCP reports, a blasphemy case was registered on 1st July, 2010, under section 295- C PPC, against Rashid Emanuel and Sajid Emanuel of 30 years of age who were residents of Street No.5 Daud Nagar, Faisalabad, Pakistan and arrested by police on July 4, 2010.
Muhammad Khuram Shezad merchant of Railway Bazar, Faisalabad, had complained that his servant told him that both Christian accused were distributing pamphlets in open bazar which is desecrating Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and their numbers are under the writing of the Pamphlet. He went to PS and told fabricated story to police to charge 2 Christian young men under blasphemy.
The Muslims took out a procession on July 10, 2010, when they burnt tires and pelted stones on Catholic Church Warispura Faisalabad. The mob threatened that if these brothers are not executed according to Muslim law, the mob will exact revenge not only on them, but the entire Christian community.
Mr. Khalid Gill, Chairman Christian Lawyers Foundation CLF, have strongly condemned target killing of Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel.
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have condemned brutal daylight murder of Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel and termed it heinous crime against humanity.
Nazir Bhatti urged Punjab government to adopt necessary security measure of Christians and arrest killers to punish under law.
“We demand government and President of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law by executive order to end genocide of Christians in Pakistan pretext to blasphemy law and other discriminatory laws” said Nazir Bhatti

If you are in ministry it will make you laugh.  But honestly its a little sad.   Is this the formula?  What do you think the church should look like?

Saw this on a friends blog…came from BeDeviant.com..

“Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Just recently I heard someone speaking about the abundance of pastors who are falling by the wayside due to burning out…due to stress, blowing up…due to moral failure, or giving in…because the just can’t deal with it anymore.

Sadly, for most pastors, their last day is not a good day.

I am thinking about this today because I just spent the morning with a Pastor who is ending well.
As many of you know Dr. Rodgers is retiring (sort of) at the end of this month.

I met Dr. Rodgers for the first time while interviewing for the Lead Pastor position here at PCC nearly 2 years ago.  From our first interactions with him, my wife and had, were blown away.  Here are just a few of the things I have learned about Dr. Rodgers over the past two years.
•    His humble heart and kind spirit have a way of making everyone feel important in his presence.
•    His unassuming demeanor masks the reality that he is often the wisest man in the room.  But he is.
•    He is more than willing to set aside what is best for him for what is best for the Kingdom.
•    He has the gift of encouragement.  I have never of him speak poorly of anyone.
•    His integrity is impeccable.  He is the same whenever and wherever you see him.
•    His marriage of 60+ years just might make it…
•    He heart is so bent toward helping people…he has a really hard time saying no.
•    His knowledge of scripture is so vast, I can only marvel at his depth of insight.
•    He has opinions about everything…but you would never know it.  Because unless you ask he will keep them to himself.

This list could go on for pages.

But let me wrap this up by saying this:  for the last 2 years it has been my great privilege to work alongside Dr. Rodgers.  I can only image some of the thoughts he must have been thinking, as an experienced Pastor of 60 years, watching me take my first swing in a Lead Pastor position.  But I can honestly say he has been a source of strength and encouragement for me since day one.  And for that I am eternally grateful.

Dr. Rodgers, Thank you.  Thank you for your lifelong contributions to the Kingdom.  Thank you for modeling how to love your bride while serving the bride of Christ.  Thank you for not giving up on the church when things got tough.  Thank you for your leadership that has changed the lives of thousands…literally all over the world.  Thank you for your kind words, heartfelt prayers, and humble heart.  Thank you most of all for showing me what it means to end well.

You are Loved.

Had some people asked to share this from my sermon a few weeks ago about heaven…so here it is…

So what is heaven going to be like?

I don’t think you have to go further than then Garden of Eden to find out.

If you lay the first couple chapters of your Bible next to the last couple chapters of your Bible…look at what you find…

Genesis                                                                                   Revelation

God made Heaven and Earth (1:1)           New Heaven New Earth (21:1)

God made light (1:3)                                   God gives light (22:5)

Two great lights (1:16)                               The light of God and the Lamb (21:23)

It was very good (1:31)                              There is nothing impure (21:27)

Tree of Life (2:9)                                        Tree of Life (22:2)

A river (2:10)                                               Crystal clear river (22:1-2)

Gold in the land (2:11-12)                          Pure Gold (21:18, 21)

God was there (3:8)                                    God is there (21:3)

The story of God is the story of Paradise lost and Paradise restored again.

Again check out the contrast…

Genesis                                                                    Revelation

Serpent deceived them (3:13)                 Devil cast into lake of Fire (20:10)

Forced to hide from God (3:8)                See Gods face (22:4)

God increases pain (3:16)                         no more pain (21:4)

Cursed is the Ground (3:17)                    no more curse (22:3)

Death enters (3:19)                                   Death exits (21:4)

Keep from tree of Life (3:24)                 Access to tree of life restored (22:13)

Adapted from Kenny Boles study:  Heaven:  What a Wonderful Place.  College Press