Pastor's Perspective - A Greater Freedom

"My job was to do one thing, which I was honored to do, as an American and as a father," ... "I wanted those young women to be able to come home.” – Former President Bill Clinton

Earlier this week as I was preparing for the day, I watched the live coverage of the homecoming of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, two Americans captured, tried, and sentenced by the North Korean government. For 140-days they became unlikely pawns in an international propaganda war between our country and one bent on rogue behavior. As the door of their shimmering jetliner opened, both women quickly descended the stairs into the open arms of their elated families. Talk about a feel good scene. Don’t we all just love happy endings?

After many tears and hugs, former president Bill Clinton regally walked down the jet stairs. In a 20-hour whirlwind trip, he had met with the North Koreans and brokered the journalists’ release – the hero of their freedom. During her brief emotion-filled statement, Laura Ling spoke of their shock and joy at going from a state of despair and hopelessness into a meeting attended by the former Commander and Chief. According to Ling, the minute she saw and met him, she knew that everything would be okay.

Again, we as Americans love happy endings. In a cinematic-saturated culture, we like it when the bad guy gets his, the Death Star and the great white shark explodes, and the good guy gets the pretty girl, riding away in a convertible while Joe Cocker belts out the chorus. We absolutely dig it! I dig it, and dug it earlier this week. As image-bearers of God, some things actually survived the Fall, namely our sense of justice and resolution.

As I enjoyed the scene being played-out in a Burbank airliner hanger, I was soberly reminded of the greatest rescue ever recorded. Think about it.

At one time, every member of the human family was held justifiably captive, by our own rebellious nature. Each one of us lived in a state of perpetual despair and hopelessness, powerless to liberate ourselves from the iron bars our sins warranted. Unlike Ling and Lee, we were absolutely guilty of treason and mutiny against a holy God. Then, just when we thought all was lost, someone left the peace and splendor of his home faraway and perfectly brokered our release – sinlessness for sin – righteousness for unrighteousness.

Wouldn’t it have been the epitome of foolishness, for Ling and Lee, after seeing and meeting Clinton to say, “No, we’re fine where we’re at. Thanks any way. We’re cool”? Instead, they were overjoyed and overwhelmed that their rescuer would come from so far away, such a powerful individual whom they had never met.

Through the person of Jesus Christ, the hero of our freedom, God the Father has liberated us.

Why?

Because as a father, He wanted us to be able to come home.

Pastor's Perspective - Kids and Church

Some kids will do anything to get out of church!

I confess that last night I had a bit of a chuckle after reading an online news story – after the fact of course. Apparently a 7-year-old boy in Utah led the police on a car chase, all in an effort to avoid going to church! After witnesses saw a child driving a Dodge Intrepid, they called the authorities who followed him at speeds up to 40 mph. Finally the boy stopped in a driveway and ran inside a home. According to the Associated Press, when the boy’s father confronted him later about his reckless behavior, the boy explained that he simply didn’t want to go to church that morning.

Several years ago back in Florida I preached a message called, ‘Dying to Get Out of Church’. The Bible text I used was the account of the Apostle Paul raising a kid named Eutychus back to life (Acts 20:7-12). Apparently the time-pressed apostle was doing a ‘Smokey & the Bandit’ message – a long way to go and a short time to get there! A young man named Eutychus was becoming groggier and groggier as he sat in the window listening. Finally he couldn’t fight slumber any longer and fell from the 3-story ledge to his death. Paul, not missing a beat, simply paused his message, marched downstairs, threw himself on the child and through God’s miraculous power, raised the boy back to life! This dramatic event proved to have little effect, as Paul just continued preaching until sunrise.

Some kids will do anything to get out of church!

I’m always saddened when someone tells me that their kids don’t like coming to church. This statement usually tells me that the child is not being intentionally and creatively reached, has made few friends, or is seeing hypocrisy or lack of ‘church’ zeal in his parents. Gratefully, I rarely if ever hear that! I’m so very blessed to pastor a congregation that makes student and children’s ministry a high priority. Where some might only pacify and warehouse kids while their parents get all the focus and creative attention, FCC is not one of those places. We value the wonderful opportunity God has given us to introduce young people to Christ at the level they can comprehend and engage Him. From our loving Nursery Ministry, to Kingdom Kids, to Awana, to Impact Student Ministries, all are fun and creative avenues led by highly dedicated leaders and volunteers trying to make positive first impressions. Our goal is for each child to know that they are unconditionally loved by their Creator, that following Jesus Christ daily is key, that the Bible is their reliable life-long guide, and that each tender life has a God-sized plan accompanying it.

So, my challenge to you is to bring your young ones to church regularly, support specialized children’s and youth ministry, volunteer selflessly, and thank those who labor with your child’s salvation and spiritual maturity at heart.

My guarantee is, your child won’t fall asleep, and, you won’t have to hide your car keys!

Drama Camp Talent Show – Friday, July 31 at 6PM
Vacation Bible School – Monday, August 3rd thru Friday, August 7th – nightly
Awana Club – Continuing September 2009
Kingdom Kids – Every Sunday morning during both services (9 & 11AM)
Impact Student Ministries – Every Wednesday (Sr High) & Thursday (Jr High) and every Sunday morning

Pastor's Perspective - Just One Promise

Fifteen years ago God called me into the full-time ministry.

For the first thirty years of my existence, I had no idea what the Lord wanted me to do with my life; but the summer of 1994 He made it abundantly clear. I remember the first few days after the calling. I was filled with relief and excitement yes, but also with some fear and anxiety.

For the hundreds who have heard my testimony over the years, I share that Michelle and I were newlyweds, only six months married. We had just bought our little “dream house”, had good jobs, lived close to family and friends, were extremely active in our home church, and were excited to start a family. Then one day, like any other day, God made an unanticipated, strong and sudden impression in me that set me on this white-knuckle ride of faith.

As mentioned, there were many fears and anxieties initially, like telling and leaving our family and friends (ie. ‘going public’), quitting our jobs, selling our house, college tuition and living expenses, and the toll this new chapter would have on a brand-new marriage.

One day while reading my Bible, I read something Jesus shared - a promise - “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). I remember being seized by that verse, unable to read on. Following God’s voice for us meant giving up ever single one of those things! Taking my open Bible to Michelle, I read it to her and said, “We either believe what Jesus promised here or we don’t. And if we don’t, we shouldn’t go into the full-time ministry.” My beautiful bride shook her head in agreement, and our adventure of releasing and expecting began.

I share this with you my readers, not to paint myself as some spiritual superhero. I am far from that. Though I’m a pastor, I’m a man who faces challenges and struggles like everyone else. The reason I shared a chapter of my story with you is because of something I have tested repeatedly and have found to be true - Jesus never fails! He made good on every single one of those things we surrendered to follow Him. By far the hardest part was parting with our family. Listen, the family we said goodbye to venturing into the unknown, God over the years has multiplied a hundred-fold all around the planet! How about that dream house we put on the market? God has literally given us houses and other supernatural housing opportunities since saying “yes” to Him! Everything we put in His hand, came back – multiplied and way better than anything we initially gave Him.

So what am I saying?

Friends, Matthew 19:29 is just one small verse of promise in the Bible, among thousands of such promises! Take it from me, His Word is strong and reliable. You can trust Him. He will not and cannot let you fall. Jesus never fails!

So when it comes to life, the choice is ultimately ours, ‘Will we stand on the promises, or sit on the premises?’ One is boring and fruitless, but the other is an adventure of a lifetime!

Pastor's Perspective - White Panel Vans

I’ve seen a lot of white panel vans in my sixteen years of ministry. They are the discrete modes of transportation funeral homes and coroners use to transport the deceased. Countless times I have been with grieving families in their homes, waiting for the white panel van to show up and take their loved ones away. The personnel change; always professional and empathetic. But one thing is predictable, that white panel van.

Yesterday my wife and I watched the live news coverage of the death of Michael Jackson. Admittedly, I wasn’t a big fan. Michelle saw him in concert on his Victory Tour in 1984. She and another 11-year-old friend rode a bus 4 hours to see him and his brothers perform at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. She still has the concert t-shirt! Although I wasn’t a fan, I can hardly refute his impact on the music world. My earliest recollections of him were as a child watching him on American Bandstand. Later I was intrigued by his reemergence as an artist through his earliest albums and groundbreaking videos. Admittedly, in later years, I found his behavior and appearance eclipsed any great appreciation I had for his music.

Yesterday, with LA news choppers circling overhead, the sheet-shrouded body of Michael Jackson was loaded into a white panel van.

As I watched it, I was reminded of several things. First, how many times I witnessed that personally. But secondly, and most profoundly, was the commonality of death. As I watched the sheriff workers and coroner workers move swiftly, I was reminded that we all die – that death is the great equalizer of mankind. Think about it. Who else had been transported in that same white panel van? My guess is many homeless, ‘John Does’, gang-bangers, and the desperately poor. Yet, here was the ‘King of Pop’, a personality so titanic that third-world children sing his songs, and for a day all other world events were reshuffled to the back of the line (Iran, North Korea, Governor Sanford, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, national healthcare) – sharing the same discrete death accommodations as us ‘ever-day Joes’. Yep, death is the great equalizer.

Ecclesiastes 8:8 tells us that “No one has power over the day of his death.”, and the writer of Hebrews reminds us that, “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (9:27).

The story is told of an ambitious young law student who one day had a personal dialogue with God. The Lord asked the young man, “So, what are you going to do with your life?” The student replied, “I’m going to finish at the top of my law class!” The Lord asked, “Then what?” The student continued, “I’m going to set-out my shingle and make a lot of money!” The Lord asked, “Then what?” “Well, I’m going to find the prettiest girl I can and ask her to marry me. Then we’ll start a family!” Predictably the Lord countered, “Then what?” A bit flustered, the student responded, “I’ll retire and enjoy all the fruits of my labor.” “Then what?” After a long ponderous moment the young man looked up and said, “Well, I guess I’ll die.” The Lord, with love in His voice then asked His final question – “Then what?”

Friends, Michael Jackson’s death should force each of us to ask ourselves an honest question as the white panel van in your town waits for its next dispatch – “Then what?”

Pastor's Perspective - This Isn't It

This isn’t it.

Last night as I was dozing-off into my post-Conan slumber, I was reminded of the truth in that statement – ‘This isn’t it’. Somehow its resonation re-centered me and brought me no small infusion of peace.

Like all of you, sometimes my attention and focus gets diverted. The seen and the passing gets too much of me, rather than the unseen and eternal. I look at personal events, like the one I wrote about two blog postings ago, and wonder ‘why’. Similarly, I swim daily in the tank of church leadership, during a challenging time unprecedented in two thousand years of evangelicalism. Next, as a current events junkie, I read the headlines daily. My head has wagged repeatedly recently at the image of a young girl’s dying stare in a violent Tehran street, celebrities transcending justice, governors embarrassing their families and constituents, rogue nuclear dictators, misprioritized misspending by Teflon politicians, crashing and colliding planes, trains & automobiles, television commercials that make me run for the remote, and now, it’s apparently just too late for a certain Jon and a certain Kate! (What about the ‘Eight’ part?)

After serving as a missionary for forty years in Africa, Henry C. Morrison became sick and had to return to America. As his ocean liner docked in New York Harbor there was a great crowd gathered to welcome home another passenger on that same boat. Morrison watched as President Teddy Roosevelt received a grand welcome home party after his African safari. Resentment seized Henry Morrison and he turned to God in anger, "I have come back home after a lifetime of service to Christ and the church and there is no one, not even one person here to welcome me home." Then a still small voice came to Morrison and said, "You're not home yet."

Friends, this isn’t it. You’re not home yet.

The aging Apostle Peter identified the recipients of his first amazing epistle “aliens and strangers in the world.” As modern-day Christ followers, we can and must embrace those same titles and truths, and set our hearts and minds on eternal horizons – untouched by worldly vandalism.

Are you hanging on too tightly?
Have you put too much of your wellbeing in a president and economy?
Is this old world, with all it’s many upside down players and pieces, stealing your joy and robbing your hope?

Let me remind you friends - this isn’t it.

Better is coming, and it’ll all be worth it!

Pastor's Perspective - More Dads Needed

I’m grateful that I had a Dad.

Some might be saying, “Dufus, we all had a dad.” Of which my response is, “No we didn’t. We all had a father, but we all didn’t have dads. There’s a vast difference. And, it’s ‘Pastor Dufus’ to you!”

A father is someone who paid a minimal genetic cover charge to receive that title. Or, is someone who paid the cover, demands respect, and yet continues to pay the minimum when it comes to leading his family. Fathers are well-acquainted with terms like busyness, absence, disconnection and indifference. Sadly and tragically, the father population is rising and is at an all-time high, catalyzing most of the glaring breakdowns we see all around us. Although the economy and government are easy scapegoats for all that’s wrong, the biggest and truest culprit is the absentee Dad. More ominous than the swine flu is the pandemic of too many fathers and too few of what God intended – men being men.

In contrast, a dad is something very special and unique. He is God’s blueprint creation for the human family and society. As a matter of fact, when His creature called ‘Dad’ is actively embracing, endorsed and executing his divine role within his family and town, wives have authentic wellbeing, kids feel secure physically and in identity, neighborhoods are strong, communities flourish, society is undergirded and the world becomes a better place to live.

My Dad came to this country when he was just a teenager. During his childhood and early teen years he lived in war-torn Germany. He remembers spending long days and nights with his mother and young sisters in crowded bunkers and shelters while his father fought. He would soothe his sisters to sleep with his harmonica playing while bombs fell overhead. After the war, my grandfather moved his young family to the country of the winning side – no small humble task – especially for a thick accented former enemy with the first name ‘Adolf’! By way of ship and Canada, my Dad started life in a brand-new land with a brand-new language. His advanced age but lack of formal education landed him in the class with the youngest students. He was a bit of a sideshow, a humiliated blonde-haired, blue-eyed teenager who rolled his ‘r’s’ scrunched into a miniscule grammar school desk. To make it in the new country and to help his family, he left school and worked hard relentless hours with his hands as an apprentice wood fixture maker – the same occupation in which he would retire fifty years later.

With many societal strikes against him, Klaus Adolf Kiefer, immigrant, made it his objective to be a great dad and family man. Independent of high literacy, high salaries, and even higher social benchmarks, Dad was magnificent in his simplicity. He loved his wife, loved his three kids, was a stellar neighbor, laughed openly and frequently, served his church, paid his taxes, maintained beautiful yet modest homes, helped coach his kids sports teams, spanked when necessary, hugged us, kissed us and told us he loved us every day, enjoyed a “cold one” and a bratwurst when he could, called all dogs “flea hounds” but really liked them, led wonderful family vacations, yelled at the TV screen on Sundays when his beloved Buccaneers ran bad plays (Yes, he yelled a lot!), had a contagious wry “every guy” sense of humor, hunted and fished, ignored food labels, earned promotions regularly, smooched Mom in front of us, loved ‘old skool’ country & western music (the twangy nasally kind), read only the sports page, loved any movie with a good car chase, never fretted a ‘beer belly’, was dependable as tomorrow morning, taught us the true cost of a dollar and what a full day’s work should look like, celebrated our smallest achievements with big proud unashamed tears, and most memorably for me, would work eleven hot hours on a table saw then come home and throw backyard pass routes to his boys, with his bushy moustache still white with sawdust.

Yep, I’m grateful that I had a Dad.

Lord, help me to be one.

The world needs a whole lot more of them.

Pastor's Perspective - Family Update

Michelle and I want thank you and our church eldership for giving us this personal time away to heal, after an unanticipated episode in our lives.

As most of you might know by now, Michelle required emergency surgery and hospitalization last week to stop and repair severe internal bleeding caused by a 10 week ectopic pregnancy. You might also know that we have dealt with infertility throughout our 15 years of marriage. Therefore, you can only imagine how surprising and saddening this was and has been for us. We would never choose to rewind the clock on our lives; fully confident that God has supernaturally hand-delivered each one of our precious children to us - a plan that was HIS and was pre-destined from the beginning of time. But we are still hurting and grieving this unexpected loss in our lives. Naturally we are also so VERY grateful to God for preserving her life. Her surgeon said we came dangerously close to a very different outcome – which is also another issue that we are attempting to process and work through. Such sadness comes from finally experiencing a doctor telling us words we always longed to hear – “You’re pregnant” - only to lose that precious life. Our confidence and joy is that our baby is safe in the care of Jesus, and that one day we will meet and enjoy our child together.

Thank you for your many prayers, calls and acts of kindness. You have proven once again that “family” is not just a word at FCC, but our treasured reality.

Thank you also to our dear Elders for covering my many duties and for giving me this time to care for Michelle during her recovery and to be that parental presence my children need after a scary and tumultuous time.

My plan is to return to the pulpit on Sunday, June 14th and continue the ‘Overcoming’ series. I believe I’m even better qualified now to share that topic with you. I love you all.

In the Fight,

Steve