Pastor's Perspective - The Lighthouse

If I had a dollar for every time I used the term “If I had a dollar” I’d have a lot of dollars! Seriously, if I had a dollar for every time someone came into my office over the last six years and commented on my wall hanging, I’d have a sweet slush fund.

When we first came to FCC, my amazing wife helped me remodel my office (something I’m very ready to do again). We ventured over to Emeryville to the Mecca of affordable and contemporary furniture goodies and accessories – IKEA. There we found the print that I have looked at almost daily for over half a decade.

Practicing an open-door policy (except on my Tuesday sermon prep ‘cave days’), I enjoy the spontaneity of guests that drop in for a quick hug, “How’s it going?”, and prayer. Whether sitting or standing, guests always comment on at least one of two things – my many photographs of family and friends, and, the large print on my wall. “I love that. Is that a painting or a photograph? Did the guy in the picture survive? He looks so calm. I’d be scared to death. I think I’ve seen this print before. Really neat.” I have to admit, though it’s a fixture in my daily life as pastor, I still find myself looking at it with wonderment, especially the tiny figure standing near the railing. Tired of just nodding in agreement at my guest’s observations, I spent some time recently getting the cold hard facts. Thanks Google!

The debate of whether the image is a painting or photograph is now officially over. It is an actual photograph, taken by 58-year-old French photographer Jean Guichard. (Hey, wasn’t that Ricky Bobby’s nemesis?). Guichard is known internationally for his extensive interest in and collection of lighthouse images around the world. In 1989, in the middle of a fierce Atlantic tempest, he rented a helicopter and flew to photograph La Jument, a lighthouse built in 1911, 300 yards off of Ushant Island, off the coast of Brittany (northwestern France). Trapped in the lighthouse, along with several others, was operator Theodore Malgorne. Intrigued and thinking the sound was a rescue helicopter, Malgorne courageously opened the door and stepped outside near the railing. Seeing that it was not help, but instead a nosey photographer, he stepped back inside the lighthouse and closed the door just in time. A massive wave engulfed the 101-year old lighthouse, captured in seven sequential photographs worth checking out at www.alphapix.com/animvague.shtml#jument . To answer another guest question, the man was amazingly unharmed – but barely.

For years, I’ve thought, “That picture is a sermon. It’s a message my feeble words could never ever properly preach or convey.” It beautifully, but terrifyingly captures the ability to be shielded and safe in the midst of the worst tempest imaginable – an ever-present reality for many people I know, love and pastor.

Though I don’t think I could ever properly capture this image in a sermon, there is a Bible verse that captures Guichard’s famous frame perfectly – ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe’ – Proverbs 18:10.

Friends, the name of the Lord is Jesus Christ. Only He offers you true peace inside as everything around you is crashing.

In the photo, He isn’t the angry wave, the helpless Malgorne, or the voyeuristic Guichard.

Jesus is the lighthouse.

Is He yours?

Pastor's Perspective - No More Vuvuzelas!

THE FOLLOWING IS A SNEAK PREVIEW OF MY ARTICLE APPEARING IN THE DAILY REPUBLIC THIS SUNDAY:

Dear Mr. Obama,

My solution to the current oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico is a simple one. Melt every vuvuzela in South Africa into a heavy cap and lower over plume.

You’re welcome!

S. Kiefer
Northern California

Well, today is the big day! It’s the day when even the most nominal soccer fans will pull up a chair and adopt grass-stained terms like ‘pitch’, ‘boots’, ‘nil’ and ‘that’s a lovely ball’. Most will watch the standard popular television coverage, while conveniently assuring the Spanish coverage is one quick remote click away for the entertaining post-score “Goooooooaaaaaal!”. Likewise, sometime during the match, fathers nationwide will proudly remind their disinterested children of the time “daddy snuck one by the goalie” when he was about their age (Translation: He toe-balled a shot from point-blank range past another frightened child when the score was already out-of-hand.) Strap-on your shin guards kids, it’s the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup!

Growing up the grandson of an Adolf, and son of a Klaus, soccer was my earliest passion sport. Ample yellowing photos and Zapruder-quality footage evidence the fact that even while in a height-chair, soccer balls were being gently bounced off my soft-spot by happy (and slightly inebriated) German relatives. It worked! I played the sport all of my life with great pride, including high school and into my college years. My position of choice was goalkeeper. Why? I adored soccer, but I found something formidable and foul about it all – namely running! Plus, I liked wearing a different shirt than the rest of my roster mates. In the late 70’s I actually donned a London cabbie’s cap over my curly mullet (ie. ‘curllet’) while I played. I pray I’m in Heaven long before my children unearth the incriminating photos.

Admittedly, at 47 I’m a bit of a snobby soccer purist. I believe there are some nuances in the game that make Pele rumble! To me, soccer balls should still be patchy and black & white. No rings or fancy ovals – patches! Soccer cleats should only be one color – black. All other colors are an abomination – especially fluorescent tangerine sherbet. Likewise, goalkeeper shirts are supposed to be long-sleeved, and their shorts are to also be long, not Walt Frazier thigh-huggers. Lastly, from the stands, only the following four sounds are permissible: cheering, booing, whistling and singing. Horns of any type are red-card offenses! Personally, after today’s big match, I will miss those vuvuzela stadium horns like I miss a carbuncle lancing. The constant annoying droning might be an effective and more humane water-boarding alternative. After watching (listening to) my first match back on June 11, I voluntarily called the FBI and confessed my part in helping hide DB Cooper!

Okay Steve, you’re a pastor. Say something religious and profound.

Admittedly, when I hear those loud bee swarm horns, I’m soberly reminded of a challenging verse the Apostle Paul shared a long time ago – ‘If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal’ (1 Corinthians 13:1). My interpretation the last month would be something like this – ‘Steve, being a local pastor, preaching well, leading a growing congregation, and writing (semi-cogent) articles for the ‘Daily Republic’ are as meaningless and annoying as a blasting vuvuzela, if you don’t genuinely love people from your heart.’

Jesus shared and modeled that dazzle doesn’t win the day. Isaiah tells us that there was nothing physically magnetic about him (53:2). He was born and grew up in relative obscurity, a labor worker’s kid. His lifestyle for majesty was meager at best. Even in death, his tomb had all the ownership of rented bowling shoes. According to our competitive contemporary high-gloss standards, there was nothing dazzling about the lamb of God. However, what set Him apart and stratospherically above was his limitless supply of unbridled unconditional love! Simply put - Nobody loved the way Jesus loved. And for those in this day and age who take his ambassadorship seriously, no other quality or standard will suffice. Jesus said, “By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). According to Jesus, love is our undeniable family resemblance and greatest evidence of his power and presence - not the highly-spiritualized trappings of the eyes and flesh.

The prophet Burt (Bacharach) said it best, ‘What the world needs now is love sweet love.’ This is the local clarion call and focus of many ministries in Solano County starting today as they kick-off the Fairfield-Suisun Cities of Love campaign; a refreshing ecumenical endeavor to simply love and serve the community in which the Lord has kindly and divinely placed us.

In closing, the Old Testament foretold about the Messiah (Christ) that, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out..” (Isaiah 42:3). Just as in Jesus’ day, Solano County does not lack for bruised and smoldering people. Countless are bruised by hurts, habits and hang-ups – barely hanging on. Others are smoldering wicks, living in the reality of deep regret, remembering when their lives glowed with greater hope. Prophecy predicted it and Christ modeled it, by refusing to snap-off hanging reed lives and extinguishing dying ember realities. Instead, with action and effort he loved people right where they were, and changed their lives immeasurably forever.

As modern-day subjects of such a compassionate King, our mandate is to simply love people authentically with the heart and zeal of the Savior who first loved us – anything else is a droning vuvuzela powered by hot air.

It Starts with Us...ME!

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. - Proverbs 14:34

As we talked about on Sunday, the church is the only hope for America. We must be the restorers of the breech through our return to righteousness. True national revival must begin in the body of Christ! We must see our vital role in restoration as more than mere church attendance. We must do 2 Chronicles 7:14. Our revival begins and happens as each of us experience the freedom only Jesus Christ offers. Its hard to help others when we are trapped beneath the rubble of accepted unrighteousness living.

As we get free individually, the church gets free. As the church gets free, it moves, changes and flavors lives, communities, states, and ultimately a nation. Therefore, the first step is taking a long honest look at the person in the mirror.

Remember, its not about government - its about the church. We've been waiting on Washington DC to change and do something; when the Bible tells us that Washington DC is waiting on us!

1stchristianchurch.org

Pastor's Perspective - 'Peace, Peace'

They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious, 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:14

In this verse God was expressing to the prophet Jeremiah His extreme displeasure with the religious leaders of that day. These shepherds preached a sugar-coated message - light on sin. Instead of leading the people with the black & white mandates of God, they instead followed the people and preached only the ear-tickling and non-offensive version. As Israel's great Shepherd, it burdened God that His undershepherds were not communicating and policing His holy standards. Therefore, His flock was lost, scattered and sick - and their leaders were to blame.

As a modern-day undershepherd, I'm appalled by colleagues who preach only 'Peace, peace,' when our churches and society are under spiritual assault and in turmoil. I see more preachers trying to be hip than holy; riding the wave of every evangelical fad ripping their way. And just like in Jeremiah's day, the sheep suffer and the Great Shepherd seethes.

Friends, whether it's 'cool' or not, there is still a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. There is good news to be shared; however, what makes the good news good news is its contrast with bad news. Jesus preached on the subject of sin - shouldnt we?

As church leaders in a seeker-friendly craze, let's refuse to forget that God has spoken - and He didnt stutter! Its not about the number on your attendance chart; its instead about courageous leadership sharing and living the truth consistently in love.

Remember, leaders who follow sheep stink. Just look at their shoes! Let's instead strive for 'beautiful feet' (Romans 10:15).