Pastor's Perspective - Called Out

I'm calling you out. Let me clarify that. Jesus is calling you out.

The word in the original language for church is 'ekklesia' - the 'called out' ones. Sadly, church for many has become a religious club of sorts, a place where we meet regularly with others who hold a similar worldview and dress code, go through a few rituals, pay our dues and leave with a sense of obligation and appeasement met. Tragically the word 'church' has been minimized to a structure, an earthly address. However, the church, according the the Bible, is something far different. It is a community of 'real people' who have been by God's grace 'called out' of something.

This past weekend we at FCC were overwhelmingly blessed to receive the powerful yet tender ministry of Bronwen Healy from Australia. I encourage you to listen to her testimony on our website. As Bronwen explained, as a heroin-addicted prostitute, God reached done into the pit of hell and pulled her out of a nightmare existence. Similarly, years ago God yanked me out of a jail cell life marked by hopelessness, shame, guilt, disillusionment,and powerless religion.

However, as Christ builds His 'ekklesia' He doesn't just call us out of something. In other words, He doesn't just leave the baby in the incubator. Praise the Lord, He simultaneously is calling each of us us into something! That something is a new abundant sin-liberated life. That something is an existence of hope and heavenly purpose. That something is a new mission and focus that focuses on God by touching others. That something is an escape from mediocrity and mere daily survival. That something is a call to divine dreams. That something is a community marked by worship, encouragement, equipping, unconditional love and acceptance. That something is an adventure of a lifetime that simply cannot be overlooked and missed.

Because I love you, let me ask you two honest questions -

What is God calling you out of today? You know the answer. Give voice to it. Talk to Him about it. Hint: He already knows all about it and loves you any way. Next, confess it to a trusted friend of faith.

What is God calling you into today? Likewise, you know the answer, even if its a bit foggy. Sure, it's kinda scary, but give voice to it any way, ie. "go public" - it's the first bold step toward your dream and destiny.

Friends, Jesus is calling you out; out of the destructive, mundane, unfulfilling and lifeless - the road most travel.

Friends, Jesus is calling you in to something; something grander, mysterious, revolutionary, satisfying, alive - a narrow less-traveled road - a new level- a place closer to Him.

Friends, its not enough to just be called out. Half is just half!

What is God calling you to?

I dare you to respond.

You're being called out.

Pastor's Perspective - Go for Gold!

Have you been watching the Olympics?

Admittedly the Summer Games are my favorite. Growing up in humid central Florida as a very active child and teen, I can relate to running, throwing, swimming, wrestling and a plethora of other things kids do competitively. The Winter Games are entertaining, but Tampa has never been synonymous with luging and curling! As a matter of fact, the only time I saw ice there was in 1979 during a freak "dusting" that got us Kiefer kids out of one day of school.

More than the actual competition is my admiration for the preparation each athlete has endured to be in Beijing this summer. The countless hours in the pool, on the track, in the weight room before the sun even rose each day. The attention to form, fitness, nutrition and overall discipline. The ability to subject oneself to the harshest circumstances to refine and build year after year for literally ten seconds on a sprint track or three minutes in a pool. The internal drive to push yourself beyond normal physiological limits to become optimal. To trust your relay mates to train and execute as vigorously as you. The Olympics are about dreams becoming realities, hard work becoming victory, discipline and tests becoming medal gold.

The Apostle Paul toward the end of his journey shared many familiar Olympic images about his life and ministry. He shared that his race was coming to an end and that he was anticipating a glorious award ceremony. Likewise he shared that everyone is called to life's race, and that spiritual discipline was necessary to finish strong and ultimately win - that tests make us stronger.

In the midst of his many daunting tests Job said - "..When he (God) has tested me, I will come forth as gold" (Job 23:10b). James augments this idea with a challenge - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2-3).

Friends, you and I are both called to an amazing race called life. Our course can oftentimes takes us through harsh and unanticipated circumstances. Admittedly, our race is not for the faint of heart. Our race is not a sprint, but a marathon. Our race is about team, not individualism. Our course is not for those who start well, but for those who finish well. Our race has a distance known only to the race coordinator. Our race has a common destination - the One who issues rewards!

My prayer for you is that you will come forth as gold. See you on the medal stand!

I love you!

Steve

Pastor's Perspective - Where's Jesus?

I read this Associated Press report over coffee this morning:

An Israeli couple going on a European vacation remembered to take their duty-free shopping and their 18 suitcases, but forgot their 3-year-old daughter at the airport, police said Monday. The couple and their five children were late for a charter flight to Paris Sunday and made a mad dash to the gate. In the confusion, their daughter got lost.A police spokesman said a policeman found her wandering in the duty-free area at Ben-Gurion airport, Israel's bustling main international air portal. He said the officer alerted airline staff, but the flight had already taken off.Israeli media said the parents were an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple but did not give their names.Rosenfeld said the parents were unaware they had boarded the aircraft with only four children instead of five until they were informed by cabin staff after 40 minutes in the air.The child, accompanied by an airline staffer, took the next flight to Paris where she was safely reunited with her parents.

Naturally this story reminded me of another story recorded in Luke 2:41-49 where another Jewish couple forgot a child. Mary and Joseph were excellent parents of impeccable character, yet, even they forgot what was most important - Jesus - in their lives and family.

In the ever-accelerating fastlane of life, we all can sometimes forget what's most important in our lives. As humans we can easily get disoriented by life's storms and circumstances - so many bases to cover, so many fires to extinguish. Yet, throughout it all, we can must never lose sight of the Savior.

Where's Jesus in your life? Is He in your heart, at your side, on your mind, on your lips? If not, its never too late to turn around. He's easy to find. He has not gone anywhere. He's right where you left Him. No guilt or rebukes - just sloppy kisses, bear hugs and forgiveness.

Here's to happy reunions!

I love you,

Steve

Pastor's Perspective - Esau & Jacob

This week I’ve been having the best time reconnecting with my younger brother Mark. He and his wife Joy have been visiting us from Brooksville, Florida (near Tampa) where Mark serves as a captain in the Hillsborough County Fire Department. Neither have ever been to California before, so we’ve been having a ball showing them the local high-interest sites.

Growing up in Tampa, Mark and I were very different. He was Esau. I was Jacob. He was a straight-haired brunette with dark eyes, while I was moppy-headed with blue peepers. He was a ‘daddy’s boy’, while I was a ‘mamma’s boy’. His subscription was to ‘Field & Stream’, while mine was to ‘GQ’. He liked to fish and hunt, while I was very content with a good book. He was a builder, while I was a dreamer. He used a table saw, while I preferred a good Mont Blanc pen. Funny how the Lord makes us so different.

From adolescence our connectivity was family, church involvement, humor (he’s got a great one!), sports, music and of course, interest in girls. One of my earliest recollections of Mark was his very tender heart toward God, one he still has. If anybody coulda-shoulda been the pastor in the family, it was him. He and Joy married young, had kids young, and with God’s kindness raised three wonderful kids – each currently enrolled in three different colleges along the eastern seaboard. Now that’s a prayer request!

Like ol’ Esau and Jacob, Mark and I have spent many years a bit disconnected, busy raising our families and building our careers. But also like the famous twins in Genesis, we’ve had some memorable reconnection time that I’m absolutely cherishing. No longer are we greasy-faced teens testing how loud the stereo could get and how fast the Camaro could run. We’re in our 40’s now. Our experiences (good and bad) have led us to common ground – a place where once obvious differences have faded away and we now see each other as men. Our mountain top ascents and valley excursions have given us a renewed love and respect for one another – and somehow I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that our heavenly Father is pleased with it all.