Heart Check - If You've Got One This Will Move It!

Pastor's Perspective - Ephesians 2:1-10 Personified

I, Steve Kiefer, was absolutely dead – a corpse – from birth - ‘dead on arrival’. I was separated from a holy God – and I absolutely deserved it. There was a time when I chased after the empty promises and hollow illusions of the world. I gladly and unashamedly followed the enemy of my soul without resistance – the same fallen angel who is hunting, trapping, capturing , destroying and using countless people all around me. I used to really love the world and all it deceptively offered; proving that love, by satisfying my endless appetites - fueled by my fallen nature. What was wrong with me? My core was broken! The deep-down me hated God and His ways; therefore, I exalted my will and desires above His and thought only of myself, giving the devil free-reign over my mind, making every dimension of my thinking putrid and toxic. Simply put, I was my own god. But, the true God who sees everything, saw what a mess I really was. He knew that I offered Him nothing of intrinsic worth. All of the raw material that was me was hopelessly and helplessly unusable. He was my enemy, and I was His. But something happened - His love. His love for an archenemy, in His fathomless mercy, knowing I was dead and rotting, resuscitated me through Jesus! His grace alone lifted me up from my casket and stood me on my feet for the very first time. But it didn’t stop there! After raising me from the realm of spiritual death, He gave me a seat at His family table – right next to Jesus – all because of Jesus – so that throughout all eternity He could overwhelm me lavishly and continuously with unmerited kindness thanks all to my seatmate! I didn’t deserve even one breath of this new life. I still don’t. I offered Him nothing. I still offer Him nothing but fear, worry and inconsistence. Praise my name! Even my needy quivering hand of faith was all His doing. I couldn’t even receive His grace without Him providing me the hand of faith to accept it! It was all Him and none of me. It still is. He made me alive through grace – period. I didn’t earn it. Dead people offer nothing to anybody! Instead, it was all a gift – all Him. I can take no credit for it. If I could contribute to any of it, knowing me, I’d draw attention to my measly part. That’s why He did it all! All I can really do is thank Him for it. To take even a sliver of merit is to vandalize His gift and discredit the power of His cross. So, now that I am alive, my plate is wonderfully and scandalously full. Now that His resurrection life has overpowered me, I now have the rich, humble, responsibility and privilege of being part of His glorious resuscitation in others. He raised me up not just to be raised up! No. He raised me up on purpose and for a purpose – His praise in my life, family, community and generation. Admittedly, all of this is beautifully new to me – but He knew about it from timelessness past. He knew that my life would now serve a grander purpose and mission – not the exaltation of the dead god that was me – but instead the exaltation of the life-giver Himself – Jesus Christ.

Shisasari Orphan Project - Kenya

Pastor's Perspective - He Wants His Church Back!

The older my 11-year-old son Sam gets, the more he continues to grab my heart and dredge deeper depths of joy in my life. He’s simply one great kid! Recently he made me think deeply about something several state lines away.

Last month on our 23-day trek across the United States and back, we stopped for a few days in San Antonio, Texas where we camped. My wife Michelle, a dedicated home schooling mom, had taught our four youngest about the Alamo in recent months, so we seized the opportunity to experience it in-person. We were not disappointed!

We began the drizzly day driving downtown and watching a very moving and well-produced IMAX production of the historic event, something I recommend everyone does before touring the actual site. I thought I had an understanding of the battle for the Alamo, but after watching the dramatic feature, I had known little. After the short film, you literally walk out of the mall exit downstairs and there it is!

The site is well-staffed, maintained and manicured. Likewise, unanticipated, it carries a high degree of reverence. It was after all - a church! Therefore, no hats, photos or loud disruptive noises.

For those unfamiliar with the story, the Alamo was a mission which in 1836 during a 13-day siege was defended by a relative few against a much larger Mexican army led by the determined General Santa Anna. Those few gallant defenders included James Bowie, William Travis and Davy Crockett. Ultimately the Mexican forces prevailed and the mission was recaptured by Mexico. However, the immense courage of the Alamo defenders inspired Sam Houston and his men to lead a campaign that ultimately took back the Alamo and won Texas its freedom.

After the movie and tour, we went back to the mall to let the kids meander through the gift shop. Lily bought a rubber Bowie knife (that’s our girl!), and Sam bought a toy replica rifle from the Alamo era. (Side note: For those reading and bristling, they’re our kids and we’ll mess them up any way we want!)

Later, back at the campsite, as I was trying-out my propane grill, the kids were running around the camper playing with their new weapons. I would count to ten as they hid, then, they would find each other and take each other’s lives – great fun for a ministry family on the road!

As Sam was running by me huffing and puffing, clearly enjoying shooting his sisters, I stopped him to ask, “Hey Sam, which one are you? General Travis or Davy Crockett?” His response almost made me drop my spatula! “I’m General Santa Anna!” he answered.

“What? Dude! Santa Anna was the ‘bad guy’!”

Sam looked at me and with great resolve replied, “Dad, he just wanted his church back.”

As he ran off to assassinate another sister, I thought about his response – “he just wanted his church back.”

Friends, Jesus Christ just wants His church back!

When we get our eyes off of Him and lose our hunger for His presence – the church becomes something He never intended.

This weekend I will be starting a new 8-week message series titled ‘Undercover Boss’. Over the course of the next two months we at First Christian will be going through Revelation 2-3, identifying seven characteristics Christ is specifically looking for in His church. I hope you’ll join us!

Remember the Alamo! And don’t forget also - Jesus Christ wants His church back.

Pastor's Perspective - Welcome to the Club!

Groucho Marx once said, “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.”

Recently I joined a club that I never thought I’d ever be a member.

I became a camper!

Growing up in suburban Tampa, my family didn’t camp. Dad was a German immigrant who crashed after a hard days work. The last thing he wanted to do was pack up his young family and deal with tow hitches and skeeters! Kiefers were ‘city folks’. I’m pretty sure we still are! Though we pride ourselves on being chameleon-like; having lived and ministered in rural settings; admittedly, we instantaneously develop copious flop sweat if there isn’t a Starbucks within a half mile!

My wife Michelle grew up camping and loves it. Within the last few years she has taken our four youngest on short camping excursions locally. Unknown to me, she had been praying and shopping for a great deal on a camper. God, being the amazingly generous Father He is, heard a humble home-school mom’s petition and literally dropped the perfect camper for our family at a sweetheart deal in our laps. The only catch was – the camper was in Florida!

Not to be outdone by a little insignificant and minute thing like geography, we loaded up our minvan with maps, snacks and youngins and drove 3,000 miles to the Sunshine State and picked up our camper. We then camped our way back across America over the course of 23 days – the family trip of a life-time.

Our primary motivation in all of it is to make memories with our children while there is still time – a rapidly fleeting commodity.

After crossing 12 state lines, we Kiefers can attest to two things: We live in a big country. We live in a beautiful country! From the desertscapes of the Mojave, to the vast scenes of Arizona and New Mexico, to the lush pastureland of Oklahoma, the rolling hills of Mississippi, to the mossy treelines of Florida – God is a very creative Artist!

We literally just got home. While the memories are still so plentiful and fresh, I wanted to share one special one with you.

During the majority of our cross country trip we utilized our vast national interstate system. Personally, there is a certain comfort and peace that accompanies big multi-lane driving. First you can go faster. Second you know that gas stations and rest areas will be conveniently and predictably available. Third, you don’t have to think much. Just engage the cruise control and go. Fourth, signs are everywhere.

While traveling recently, we decided to leave the safety of the interstate and transverse New Mexico and Arizona on a much smaller highway to save time and gasoline. Personally the thought of exiting the predictable safety of what we had experienced for over 5,000 miles was a bit daunting. What if we broke down? How far apart were gas stations? Would our diversion from the populated interstate potentially provoke potty break panic?!

Friends, the best travel day we experienced the whole trip was the day we left the big road and chose the smaller one! We saw things that were awe-inspiring. We engaged the journey at a whole different and more enjoyable level. The ride became more intimate, the scenes more vivid and detailed. Yes, there were more twists, climbs, descents, stop & goes, and less conveniences; however, the narrow road gave our journey a heightened and maximized sense of adventure.

Jesus once said during His earthly journey, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”(Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)

The Son of God, through Scripture, gave all of us the GPS directions we need to experience a full and abundant life – the life He personally gave up to offer us.

Tragically, many choose the most populated thoroughfare this old world would have you travel. Most chose the wide high-speed interstate. It’s a way that offers convenience and many self-pleasing choices – a seemingly safer road. However, Jesus tells us that there is a better road! He is that less traveled road that relatively few venture. He is that way – the only way that leads to the abundant life you were born to live! Admittedly the authentic Christian life has many twists, climbs and stops. Yes the life of a believer is not always convenient. It’s not a predictably easy road. However, I can tell you from experience – it’s the ride of a lifetime! To fail to exit off the interstate and choose the narrow is to miss what real life is all about.

Despite what you have ascertained or have been taught, not all roads lead to Heaven. Jesus made it abundantly clear – He exclusively is that narrow gate and road – the only road that leads to life eternally with God (John 10:10; 14:6)

So, my question is simple.

What road are you on?



I wonder if my camper is too wide for the Starbucks drive thru?

Pastor's Perspective - Birthday Admiration

Who would have ever believed that my kid sister’s closest ‘church friend’ would be my partner for life?

I’ve always admired her.

I remember the day my sister Julie introduced me to her. Our two congregations in south Tampa were separated by a narrow road. After service one Sunday, as my family and I stood outside talking with friends slowly migrating toward our vehicles to leave, Julie walked up with a couple of gregarious teenagers I had never met before. These teens were actively involved in the church across the street. Julie had become involved in their strong and growing youth group and had made deep connections with some of them personally. Since our churches dismissed at the same time on Sundays, Julie saw an opportunity to introduce a few of her closest new friends to her family. Miraculously, one of those teens would eventually grow up and become my wife. I remember her being very young, very pretty and very friendly. I loved her speaking voice immediately! Admittedly, being ten years her senior, there was no ‘love at first sight’, but instead something better, more foundational - admiration. Most apparent, I knew from our first meeting that Michelle was a person with authentic faith in Jesus Christ - still her most admirable quality.

The next time I saw her was at an Easter production. Westshore Christian Church was known for their wonderfully creative home-grown holiday musical productions. With Julie’s growing involvement in their church, I received an invitation to attend to see her perform. Naturally I wanted to be the supportive big brother. It was sometime during that very moving production, the pretty bubbly teen Julie introduced me to, in full biblical garb, took center stage and sang a solo that deeply touched the entire audience – especially me. I found very quickly that I loved her singing voice as well! But most cherishing, the heart I discovered behind the voice sparked even deeper admiration.

Over the next several months Julie and Tommy, Michelle’s older brother, became an item. With love in the air, our families began to intermingle more and more, meaning Michelle would come over and spend time with Julie. There was never any kind of romantic connection between us, just a growing kinship. She was way too young, and I was her best friend’s much older and very worldly brother. When I discovered she had a secret crush on me, I openly tried to embarrass her about it – but again nothing serious.

Years later, like many of us, I found myself in one of the darkest challenging seasons in my life. With a heart full of shame, I became reclusive and joyless. I was living back in my parent’s home, disillusioned and distant. Though I worked hard daily, every night I retreated into the self-imposed loneliness I believed I deserved. I had let down God, my family, my friends, and myself. Then it all changed.

One Saturday night during that humbling season, my parents told me that a party for Michelle Hartman was being thrown by her family and that it would be good for me to get out of the house and at least make a showing. With initial hesitation I agreed to go. When I walked into the party, it’s almost like the scales fell off of my eyes! When I saw her I no longer saw a young girl, but a woman who was captivating to me in every way. That night our journey together began – initially down the aisle, from sea to shining sea, and over exhilarating mountain tops and through dark deep valleys. Yet, through it all, Michelle has proven repeatedly that that same young girl – my kid sister’s friend from long ago – is still worthy of my fullest admiration.

Happy Birthday Chelle!

Your husband adores you.

Pastor's Perspective - The Power of 'Who'

Can I make a true confession?

This world is losing its hold on me.

I know. That sounds kind of religious. Something Paul would say, right?

But I mean it.

I just celebrated my forty-ninth year on the planet, and my sites are on what’s next. The more trips around the sun I take, the more headlines I read, the more tragedy and heartache I experience as a man and pastor, the more I realize there must be more – more than this. I’m grateful that through Christ - there is!

I’m not depressed. I promise! I’m just over it. I’ve found firsthand that this world offers me nothing but confusion, chaos, randomness, disillusionment and questions.

As a member of the clergy, the most common question I’m asked is ‘why’ ‘Steve, why did this happen to me?’ ‘Why me?’ ‘Why now?’

God made each of us ‘meaning machines’. We want to know why. We claw for sense. We strive for understanding, for our reason to be satisfied, for the puzzle pieces to neatly fit together. Yet, this life offers very little to quench our thirst for real answers.

Job, a character synonymous with suffering in the Bible, spends chapter-after-chapter asking the question ‘why’

It’s simply what we do. We want to know why. Something to make sense. Something or someone to delegate blame.

Let me ask you a question.

Even if you knew all of the ‘why’s, would it really take the pain away?

Really?

Would it change anything? The pain persists. The consequences remain. Yes, maybe a churning black cloud dissipates, but, the storm and its effects persist.

After all of Job’s many ‘why's, God swiftly reminded him that the greatest question to satisfy in times of trouble is not ‘why’ - but instead ‘who’

God makes it abundantly clear that His thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). To truly and completely understand God’s ‘whys’ would require you to possess the very mind of God – an utter impossibility.

Throughout Scripture, the Lord never guarantees to scratch our ‘why’ itches; however, He offers us something supremely greater – Himself! - His unconditional love and eternal friendship – no matter how harsh the season.

Let’s face it. When the walls cave in – ‘why’ offers mere forensics; but ‘who’ brings peace and hope, no matter how challenging the hour.

So, in the strains and pains of this fleeting life, take a moment and ask the ‘why’ Again, it’s normal to do so. The Father knows our need for meaning. However, while treading the frigid towering waves of life, remember that your greatest need is not ‘why’ the storm is happening – but instead for a hand of help – a hand that can hold you firmly – a hand that refuses to let you go under.

‘Why’ is predictable, but ‘Who’ makes all the difference!


*This post inspired by my reading of the highly recommended book ‘Torn’ by Jud Wilhite.