"No answer"

I had a great comment after talking about "what prayers God answers" yesterday. "Sometimes no answer, is the answer-NO". (Thanks Keith) It made me think about all the "no answer prayers" I have prayed as we started actionchurch... and how much I have learned from them.

When we first started promoting the idea of actionchurch I prayed for money to come in so we could buy equipment and rent a building. I "knew" what sound and lighting equipment costs...I "knew" we were going to need a lot of it...So I prayed for lots of money. No answer. Even though I have a background in "leading worship" (whatever that actually means) I knew that even I would be bored if I both sang and preached on Sunday mornings...so I prayed for a "worship band". No answer. I kept praying. No answer.

One Saturday I walked out of my "hair cuttery" that just happened to be next door to Fat Daddy's night club at the time and saw my "answer". I saw a place that we could rent on Sunday mornings and not have to purchase sound and lighting equipment. I was excited! I felt that I had very clearly had my prayers "answered". In spite of the weird looks I got from everyone I told about my "Fat Daddy's answer"...I immediately began to try to contact the club owners to let them know about my "great idea". No answer. I prayed that they would be receptive to the idea. No answer. I finally managed to personally talk to one of the owners. No answer. I was so sure the Fat Daddy's Nightclub was the "answer" for actionchurch that I persistently kept trying to rent it most of the summer of '07. No answer. Our first "Test Drive" service was four months away and we still had no venue, no band, no money, and no equipment.

I began to pray differently. I "confessed" that I had been wrong about the whole Fat Daddy's thing... (I might have had a couple of "cussing prayers" during this period:-) I prayed that God would forgive me and show me the "right place" and send the "right band" for actionchurch. No answer. I decided to try "just one more time". I don't believe in coincidence so I believe God allowed me to talk to the one person with the interest and the "juice" to make the Fat Daddy's deal happen- the owner's Mother. With her introduction and "blessing" we were able to reach an agreement to rent the club... It turned out to be absolutely the "right answer" for actionchurch.

I continued to pray for the "one band" to show up to play actionchurch on Sunday mornings. No Answer. That "No answer" has allowed us to be blessed by a great "house band" (ac all-stars) and so many other talented bands that play our Sunday services.

The list of "no answer" prayers in the past few years is long. As we began to outgrow Fat Daddy's I prayed that God would help us as we made the transition to multiple services on Sunday morning. No answer. Instead he sent Club 19 "to our rescue"... I'm praying right now that God will show us how to provide more seats for the people that continue to invite their friends on Sunday morning. (and more space for their kidz also!) I haven't received an answer yet. That's fine with me.

I've come to believe that life and leadership are far less about "figuring out" the right thing to do. Far less about coming to God with a "well thought out" answer to our "problems", and asking him to bless it...but much more about bringing our problems and opportunities to God and waiting for him to guide us. The thing that I pray for most now is courage and perseverance to act on his "answers". Especially "no answers".

Since this time last year actionchurch still wasn't meeting each Sunday, I'm looking forward to our first opportunity as a church to kick off the new year together!

A few things about Sunday:

• I'm convinced that the Sunday mornings between now and Easter will be the best we have ever experienced at actionchurch... don't miss it! (After Easter we plan to "suck" until summer :-) ...actually after Easter I will be saying that "this is going to be the greatest time ever...blah, blah, blah. I'm hardly an "impartial" judge.
• Texting is back! In 2009 you can text questions/comments anytime on Sunday Morning. If Josiah "approves" your question/comment and time permits it will go on the screens. (bring your "A" game...he's going to be tough!) If your text doesn't make it up to the screens I will attempt to answer it on the blog on "Txt Tuesdays".
• "Mythbusters" starts Sunday. I know the safe, expected, thing in January is to do a series on "Personal goals" and encourage you all to Pray more, read your Bible more, attend church more...etc, in 2009. Instead, we are going to question everything we thought we "knew" about prayer, the Bible, our "christian" nation, and the Church. We're gonna give you "experiments" to perform on your own. Hopefully we will completely "blow up" some myths of Christianity that keep us from living passionate, purposeful, meaningful lives.
• Chambered on stage Sunday...'nuff said!

(w)rapper...

Yeah, I'm a "wrapper"...(not that kind, although I do "rock the mike like a vandal") I'm the wrapper at our house. I wrap up the Christmas gifts. I actually enjoy it. I like to make each gift look great...I like to be creative with the packaging to preserve the "surprise". (I'm so glad I'm not saying this on stage...because I'm sure Josiah would have some comment about that "mental image".)

I was thinking yesterday as I "wrapping" though, that Michele and "Grandpa" actually purchased 95% of the gifts. (She actually purchases 100% of the gifts that people actually enjoy each year ...including hers!) Someone else did most of the work...found the "perfect" gift...stood in the check out line...made the purchase. I'm just lucky enough to get to "wrap it up" and put it under the tree...'cause I HATE shopping!

I've been thinking that I am a "wrapper" on Sunday mornings at actionchurch as well. I don't "create" the truths I get to "wrap up and put under the tree" each Sunday. I just get to create a little "surprise" with my "wrapping". I don't actually do the things that are making actionchurch the great "gift" to our community that it is becoming each week...you do! You create the atmosphere, fill (and set up) the chairs, play the music, make the coffee, welcome the guests, design the graphics, teach the "kidz", tell your friends, pay the rent, set up the signs, ..."run the show". Thanks for letting me "wrap it up" each week...it's an honor...and a real pleasure.

When "Santa falls off the Roof"

I've heard from so many of you this week. You've been telling me your story of "when Santa fell off the roof" in your life....when dramatic "incidents and accidents" changed everything in your life...when you were faced with a choice to either respond in faith (and trust that God knew what he was doing) or in fear (and run away). Thanks so much for sharing!

So for all of you out there wondering if God has a plan...if you're facing a disaster, or an opportunity to see God do something incredible...here's a little encouragement (courtesy of "The Santa Clause").

Go ahead..."climb the ladder", "put on the Suit", trust God and "fly away".

(the "scary" part)

Go through the "changes"...face the doubters...follow through.

(this part is the "toughest")

God designed you from the very beginning...a unique plan...to serve him by serving others!

(the very best part...)

Where ever you are at in this "story" know that you are not alone...don't give up...don't lose faith..no matter how dark your circumstances seem. You were born for this!

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God. 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:34-38 NLT

Introduction- vs -Information

Recently something has occurred to me about what is happening at actionchurch. Every person in our growing crowd is there because someone introduced them to our gathering. They didn't read and informational brochure (there aren't any), they didn't see or hear an "information packed" advertisement about us (there haven't been any since our launch in February). Call it "word of mouth"...call it "viral marketing"... one thing is sure, there is huge power in people introducing their friends and family to something...or someone. Our world is flooded with "information" but "introduction" is still the most powerful method of change.

I've come to trust the power of introduction over information to not only bring people to actionchurch...but to communicate the good news of Jesus to them. People who are thirsty don't need "information" about the chemical properties of water...they need a drink. People involved in a car accident don't need a physics lecture about momentum and inertia...they need someone to pull them from the wreckage and tend to their injuries. People who come to actionchurch don't necessarily need more "information" about God...they need to be introduced to the one who created them...loves them beyond their understanding...and sees possibilities for their future they could never imagine. I've come to trust less in my ability to "explain" God and the Bible...less in communicating a "formula" for salvation...and more in the Spirit of God to change hearts and lives. It's about introduction...not information.

Thanks to all of you who introduce your friends and family to a "church for people who don't like church". A place that "everyone is accepted, and anything is possible". Your introduction is more powerful than you may ever know!

At the movies (Christmas edition) Starts Sunday.

A little slice of "elf culture" to get you in the mood for Sunday as we kick of our "At The Movies" (Christmas edition) series with the movie "Elf".

Remember "Singing is just like talking...except it's louder and longer and you move your voice up and down". Enjoy...

"Myths" anyone?

We're working on a series for after the first of the year called "Mythbusters", where we will explore questions about things that people say are "true" about God and the Bible.

Anyone have any "myths" they would like to submit for us to explore? Things that people say about God/Bible that you're not really sure are actually True? Things that many people believe but don't seem "quite right" to you? Sound off... your "myth" may wind up being used in the Sermon Series.

"Relevant"

We talk a lot about "current events" at actionchurch. I want to be a "relevant" church and not just ignore what is happening in the culture around us. I can't tell you the times that I have sat through sermons from a "verse by verse study of the book of Philemon" that completely ignored some horrific event that had just happened. Meanwhile every one in the congregation was praying that the sermon would end soon so they could talk about "what was really going on".

I don't believe for a moment that church should be "Seminary on Sunday Morning" ...or a "history lesson". God is not retired! The Bible is not a book about "cool stuff God used to do"! God is still at work in our world today.

Some "current" stuff I just can't bring myself to talk about...I know the Phillies won the world series...I just can't "make myself" care about baseball. (Sorry Phillies fan) I have purposely not talked much about the Presidential election because good people on both sides are so divided about the candidates. This Sunday as we wrap up the "In God we Trust?" series I will break that silence. I'm not going to "endorse" a candidate. (like anyone would listen to me anyway...) I'm not going to "urge you all to vote". I'm going to talk about politics in the way Jesus talked about the Romans...with an understanding that there is a power at work that is so much greater than Political, Economic, or even Military power! So many people missed the point of Jesus when he was here, because they expected him to "save them" from the tyranny of the Romans...he did...just not they way they hoped he would. Long after the Roman empire crumbled the kingdom revolution that Jesus started is still around...

It's not about money, it's not about politics...it's about who you can Trust. More to come Sunday morning, 11am @ club 19.

More questions/comments from Sunday...

Here's some more questions that were sent in during the sermon Sunday via txt msg. I will try to get to more of the questions live this week. We experimented with this format this summer and plan to make Sunday mornings more interactive (via txting) on a more regular basis in the future... I love the questions and comments, keep them coming.

Q. If you trust God but stop caring about what happens to you is that ok?
A. I'm not sure exactly sure I get a good "read" on this question...I wish I had a follow up. In a large sense we are to trust God with everything...and not worry about our self. That doesn't mean we should walk around with a "deathwish"...stepping out in front of buses unnecessarily because we "trust God to take care of us".

Q. Tv preachers sometimes talk down about society...why?

A. That's how (some of them) make a living. "Look at all these evil people in the "world"...we can stop it...we're professionals...just send your checks to..." People like to hear about how bad the sins are that they are NOT committing...that kind of preaching gets "amens" in churches...and checks in the mail. ...not a lot else is accomplished in my opinion.

Q. How can we be sure we are trusting enough in God?

A. I don't think any of us (myself in particular) trust "enough" in God. If we really truly completely "believed" he was all powerful...and had our best interests at heart...we really wouldn't worry about anything. The key is to listen for God's direction...ask him questions...check out how he has interacted with ordinary people throughout the ages in the Bible. If we do that...and put it into action by trusting God to guide us and provide for us in our lives...even in small ways...we'll experience God at work in our world...and our trust and faith will grow.

Q. How do we get God as our savior-get 2 Heaven?

A. Follow Jesus. What does that mean? Give up on your way of living...your standards...your goals...and ask Jesus to show you his way of living...his standards...his goals. Accept his death on the cross as payment for your sins...and begin a new life as part of his Kingdom plan for earth. A good first step is to tell someone else about your decision. Baptism is the way of "going public" with your decision.

I know that over the years the church has tried to "simplify" that process by making it much more complicated. There are prayers...accrostics...diagrams..."roads"...and series of questions. None of them are "wrong", but together I think they may have "skewed" the idea of Salvation into something you "believe", "know", or "have an emotional response about" that will somehow "get you into heaven". I can't find anything in scripture about "asking Jesus to come into your heart", but I do find thousands of references to people who believed that Jesus was the Son of God...and turned their lives upside down to be part of his movement. Heaven is a wonderful "by product" of following Jesus (as are God's protection and blessing). It would be foolish to think that you can receive the pension plan, salary and benefits of working at Harley Davidson by just filling out an application and never showing up for work... I think it is equally foolish and presumptuous to think that we are entitled to eternity in heaven, and God's blessing and care here on earth, just by saying a prayer and walking away to live completely as we did before. Does that make our salvation about our "works" (what we do for God)? Nope...because God doesn't "need" us to do anything for him...we aren't "qualified" for the position...but he loves us and accepts us into his kingdom anyway.

Faith is not a "superpower..."

I had some great comments and questions sent in during the sermon about trusting God, Faith, and belief. Since they all hinged around the same thought...I thought I'd take a moment and address them here.

The big Question: Jesus said if we had the faith of a "mustard seed" we could command mountains to move... Moses parted the red sea with his shepherds staff... Elijah trusted God and had the faith to bring down fire from heaven... The apostles in the New Testament healed people... So the "TV Preachers" say that if we believe enough...we can have it all. Can I "believe enough", or have enough faith for God to give me a sweet "MTV cribs style" house and a fleet of Bentleys? Why not? Jesus said if I had faith I could move mountains...why couldn't I just use my "Faith and belief" to get some sweet stuff for the crib?

Here's why I called that idea "a bunch of Crap" yesterday. If you notice in every instance in the scriptures where people did amazing things "by faith"...they were always responding to God's command, and having enough faith in him to do what he said...to be part of his plan...and then amazing, miraculous things happened. Never once do we see in scriptures an instance of people using "faith" or "belief" to somehow "force" God to get them "stuff". In fact one of the ways Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, (read it) was to try to entice him to use his power to turn rocks into bread because Jesus hadn't eaten in 40 days...Jesus refused. Faith or belief is not something that we can "concentrate" and produce results like Hiro stopping time on Heroes. It's not a "power". It's not an "ability". It's a decision to trust God...even when all odds are against you...and do what he says...even when (and most of the time it does) look idiotic or futile. Faith is a decision that grows based on trust. We trust God in small things...we see him work...our faith grows...we trust him in larger areas...he shows up...our faith grows...and so on.

I believe faith is real. I fact, I believe we observed some of the results of it yesterday. I think it is God's plan for everyone in York county (and the world) to hear the Good News of Jesus...even those who don't feel they "fit in" to a "normal church". Because people believed God, they acted in faith...they used their talents...they donate their time, their equipment, their knowledge, their toys. Because they believed God and had faith in his plan, we all got to go to church in an unbelievable environment yesterday. 'Way better than a 8 month old church "deserves" or could expect. In the midst of a failing economy, with no "fund raising drive", no "capital campaign", no mortgage, we just moved into a great new larger venue. The "kicker" is that our expenses at Club 19 are actually considerably lower than before. That's the way faith and belief work... Ordinary people believe God and attempt extraordinary things for him...

Could we use that same "faith" and "belief" to get us all Hummers and 60 inch flat screens? I'm thinkin' not so much...

In God we Trust?

I think the new series starting Sunday may be the most timely teaching we have ever done...I say "we" because Josiah and I started discussing the idea for "In God we Trust?" in late August/early September. (I think the series artwork is his best yet!)

At the time I had no idea the financial/political/cultural/turmoil and uncertainty we would be facing now...I just had this feeling that we were "missing something". It seemed at the time (and still does) that everyone was looking for answers...no one really trusts anyone else anymore...and all of our "solutions" and "hopes" seemed to depend on everything but our creator.

I'm looking forward to talking about what we can actually trust God to do. I'm looking forward to your questions and comments coming in via text msg. What I will not be doing is endorsing political parties or candidates...giving Dave Ramsey style financial advice... or pontificating about how to "stop the gay whales from smoking in public". It ain't about politics...it ain't about money...it's about who you can trust.

See ya Sunday at Club 19...bring a friend and your phone.

Kitchen Nightmares...

'Anybody elso out there watching Kitchen Nightmares? Even though each week the "plot" is highly predictable...I love watching the show.

If you've missed it, each week goes "a little something like this"... A failing restaurant invites Chef Gordon Ramsey to "makeover" their greasy spoon... Even though they are obviously failing they still think that they are "pretty much doing everything right". They blame the customers for not eating at their lousy restaurant. Enter Gordon Ramsey... Chef Ramsey tastes the food and rules it disgusting. He pokes around in their filthy kitchens and freezers and generally hurls (censored for tv) curses at them for being such "filthy pigs". The owners and staff resist at first but finally come to the realization that however painful the truth is...if they do not face it and accept Chef Ramsey's profanity laden help...they will fail. Humility ensues...changes are made...Kitchens and cupboards are opened and cleaned...the restaurant is "made over" and relaunched...in the end the grateful owners and chefs end up hugging Ramsey and thanking him for saving their restaurant...and their lives.

I think God works a lot like Chef Ramsey...minus the profanity?! We cry out to him from our filthy messed up lives...we resist his truth at first because it's painful...it's shocking when he reveals our "filthy kitchens" and our "disgusting freezers". It's much easier to blame others for our sins... In the end we make a choice. We chose to either send the "Almighty Chef" away...and continue to struggle on our own. Or, we invite him in...make the changes in our lives he suggests...allow him to help us clean up the filth we have accumulated in our lives. We end up thanking him for coming and saving us... That's what undeserved Grace is all about.

So that's what I "learned" from Kitchen Nightmares....that...and to NEVER eat in a restaurant again...

God's will....

I'm in the midst of finishing the sermon for Sunday about being "unsure"...and at the same time considering some really exciting (but also "scary") possibilities for actionchurch... These two things have definitely got my mind full of questions about "God's will"...

• Can we be absolutely sure of God's plan at any point in time?
• Is God's Plan for us "one master plan" or is it more flexible like GPS? (basically an infinite number of routes to an end...provided you chose to follow the map from where ever you are...?)
• Is there "one" perfect plan for us...and then many "secondary" plans that are the result of our "missing" the original plan???
• How can we be sure...?

Google has 403,000 listings for "knowing God's will" and I'm pretty sure that's not nearly enough! Anyone who is a follower of Jesus will be unsure at some point about exactly what God's plan...or the much more ominous sounding "God's Will" is.

The Good news is that "God Specializes in using unlikely, unsure people to do undeniable acts of greatness!" Stay tuned for more on Sunday.

17 Gideon replied, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me. Judges 6:17

"authority"...

One final thought from the "txt msg" series. This series has been making me think a lot about the future of "preaching". I think we are just beginning to tap the power (as are other churches) of using media to make Sunday Mornings "interactive"... Frankly, though I think the whole dynamic of "preaching" is changing. We live in a world where any local "joe" can write his own review of a new book on amazon...where a stay at home mom can become the "authority" on an issue by writing her own wikipedia entry and starting a website. I think the days of the "learned pastor" coming "down from the mountain" of seminary education and being the "final authority" on scripture are coming to an end... People are less likely to except the "authoritarian preacher" when (if the church has wi-fi) they could pull up more information than a single seminary degree can provide on their laptop...

I know this transformation scares a lot of religious leaders...what will happen to biblical truth?...we can't exactly "wiki" the gospel and re-write it in any way we chose... we can't exactly put the parts of the Bible we may not like up for an "online vote"... However, I actually think the future for "preaching" looks bright.

I know that people don't come to actionchurch to listen to a bobble head like me because of my great education... I clearly state most weeks that I am "some guy you met in the bar" who has never been to seminary. Every week I just try to "do my homework" on a "life question" and present some new possibilities from God's word for it's solution... I don't see my job on Sunday morning as being a final "authority"... but as someone who serves by doing the scriptural "research and development" for the topic...Preaching becomes an act of service...not a show of "dominance"... Something "old" is "new" again.

42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.

Mark 10:42-43

"Leftover" questions from "txt msg"...

I've had these questions in Tupperware in the freezer since yesterday so they still should be "good". As I say on Sunday...I'm not an "expert" on anything but 80's metal and latex paint, but I will do the dangerous act of saying what I think... These are the answers I would have given if I would have had time during the sermon...if you disagree feel free to sound off in the comments.

Q. If God says we should love one another how can he also say that we shouldn't like gay people?

A. God says that we are to love our "neighbors" as ourselves...gay, straight, or "evil mac user" we should treat everyone with kindness and love...no exceptions! I think one of the saddest comments on the church in society today is that we are known for "being judgemental and mean to gay people".

Q. How do u share the greatest story ever with someone who doesn't believe when Christians have distorted it for so many years?

A. Live it! Love them... Admit that we as "Christians" are "wrong" at times...don't argue!

Q. Why does God take away people that we love and need at such a young age?

A. Wow, I wish I had a good answer for that...the "faith" part of my brain wants to say that the Bible says that there is a "time to live and a time to die" and we all have the opportunity to live eternally...so maybe it only seems to us that God is "taking our loved ones away" HOWEVER, the part of me that has a child and has experienced loss of loved ones would think that was a "crappy un-helpful answer"...so sorry, I am out! I honestly don't know.

Q. If you desecrate your body with tattoos will it keep you from getting into heaven?

A. It may keep you from getting into a Jewish cemetery...but not heaven. And "sorry" we will have new bodies in heaven so that sponge bob tattoo you have will not be with you for all eternity. There is scripture where God told the Israelites not to cut themselves or tattoo themselves (go there) ...but if you notice the verse before it says also not to cut the "corners" of your hair or trim your beard...so unless you look like ZZ top I don't want to hear about it!

Q. Can a Christian have a relationship with a "non-believer"?

A. Of course...Christians should have friendly loving relationships with those outside our faith. The Bible warns about entering into business or marriage relationships with "non-believers".... It's hard enough to sustain a marriage or business relationship with someone with your same core values and moral code...It's nearly impossible when you don't agree your faith. The Bible does teach though that if we become a follower of Jesus and our spouse is not yet a "Christian" we are not to leave them...but instead to live a life that would cause them to want to be a follower of Jesus also. (That means no early morning "bullhorn preaching" telling your spouse that they are "going to hell!)

Q. Can u lose your salvation?

A. Wow, this should be a post by itself... "My answer"...my belief is that you can not "lose" your salvation...you can not do something and "oops" I lost my salvation...but I do think you can choose to turn your back on Jesus and walk away from the faith. In the end God is the Judge and his people will continue to argue about whether a person that clearly is no longer a follower of Jesus "lost his salvation" or "was never 'saved' in the first place". I think all those arguments come out of us not being able to see into peoples hearts like God can... for more thoughts on this check out the parable of the sower that Jesus told. (go there)

Final Question: Don, how do I get my hair like yours?

A. Men's wigs!

Simple answers are hard to find...

One of the most frequent questions people have is "What does God want me to do with my life?" I've been working all week trying to come up with a "simple" answer from scripture...

I can see why both those inside and "outside" of our faith are confused about what it is to be a "Christian". We tend to talk about being a follower of Jesus in may facets: from the "mechanics" of being forgiven, to our various ideas of christian "lifestyle", to various ways of "serving God". When you add the political and religious aspects that have crept into Christianity it all gets very muddled and confusing.

The Big question is what is it to be a "Christian"?... What does God want from us as followers of Jesus?... Simple answers are simply the hardest to find...

"txt msg" questions...

It was a lot of fun to respond to questions that people sent in via text message during the sermon last week. I am really looking forward to some great questions this week as we discuss a topic that it seems so many people are curious about... the Supernatural: angels and demons.

Josiah and I are already discussing how things we learn from doing this series can be used in future Sunday mornings at actionchurch...maybe more "text your questions/comments"segments in future sermons...or, live audience polls/ or surveys... or, text this number to "vote that Don never wear that t-shirt in public again". I'm excited about the possibilities (except maybe for the whole "vote Don off the island" thing).

Thanks to all of you who sent in questions and comments... Here's a couple we didn't get to:

Q: action church rocks!!! (thanks)

Q: is ur gut God speaking? (I think it can be...I am "wrong" about so many things...but sometimes I "know" in my gut that something is right... I think God absolutely created and uses our "gut")

Q: if you pray how do u know u r forgiven? (it's about faith...I don't fully understand electronic banking...I can't "see" my bill being paid when I swipe my debit card at Lowes... but they let me leave the store with my new "stuff". I don't fully understand why God says Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is payment for my sins...but he says because of Jesus my account can be paid in full. It's simply a leap to faith to pray and believe that God has forgiven us...)

WKHTWTO!

I'm too old to know any of the cool "text lingo" so I'm making up my own. WKHTWTO! (Who knows how this will turn out!) In an effort to make Sunday mornings more interactive for the next three weeks we will be taking questions during the sermon via text message. The questions will appear on the screens while I am speaking and I will (attempt) to answer them. I'm really excited about this...I think it could be a way to make church more interactive...I don't really know how to completely "prepare" for sunday...and I think I may get "heckled". This may be the most exciting series ever at actionchurch-or a huge disaster. But, as Mark Batterson says-"Everything is an Experiment!"

"txt msg" will be three weeks-three different topics. This week's topic is "Does God still speak?"..."How can we know it's "him"? "What should we listen for"? Got questions...bring em'. Should be fun...

The "Good Life"..

This week is the final "episode" of actionchurch "at the movies." We're gonna be screening "The Bucket List". This movie was actually the last one to "make the list" for the series because at first I was not really that enthused about it's "message"... At first glance (and for the first hour+) it seems like the "point" is that the only things that make life worth living is adventure...travel...jumping out of airplanes...visiting the pyramids. (Sounds like a lot of fun...it just doesn't fit into most of our lives...)

But what about the 99.9% of the "rest" of most of our lives that are not filled with adventure...excitement...not "picture postcard" worthy? Is it possible to "live the good life" on a day to day basis? Without a private jet and a chauffeur? When the most adventurous thing you've done lately is try something different on the menu at the Olive Garden?

I'm gonna be exploring these questions on Sunday. I hope it brings some new answers...and some new questions!

...not "selling" anything.

I had a couple of "young people" (saying that makes me sound like an old-timer I know...) knock on the door last night. The first thing out of their mouth after "hello" was to tell me that they were not "selling anything" or taking donations. They proceeded to tell me that they were part of a program teaching young people "poise" and "life experience" by sending them door to door to talk to people... At the end of their "presentation" they asked if I would "grade" their presentation by ordering some magazines...the more magazines I ordered, the higher the "score" they would get for their "presentation..." I offered them cold drinks and gave them some "life experience" by telling them no sale!

I hate stuff like that! I hate sales pitches and ploys... I'm a sucker for door to door sales so if they would have been half way "straight" with me I might have bought something. (That's why Michele hates when I answer the door.) I never want to do this sort of "bait and switch" at actionchurch. We certainly are never going to "pressure" anyone. Everyone is welcome whether they are a skeptic or "believer"...but we are about influencing people to become followers of Jesus...no "tricks"..."no ploys"...no apologies.