Pastor's Perspective - Altar-ed Minds

Do you have an altar-ed mind?

Recently I have taken a beautiful leisurely excursion down the winding river that is the unforgettable book of Genesis. The leisurely part has been my slow and intentional desire to enjoy the text like a great linen napkin meal – one appreciated bite at a time, complimented and seasoned with enjoyable dialogue. In other words, I’m thoroughly enjoying and appreciating being in the moment, and the rich privilege of having the book’s sovereign Underwriter explaining it to me.

Admittedly, as any reader of the Bible’s first book would agree, although Genesis can be read slowly, it’s hardly a tube-friendly slow-moving river. From creation to the curse to the covenant, it’s a true white knuckle ride – honest and un-sanitized for our jaw-dropping pleasure, as God establishes a people – His people.

Of particular interest to me has been the topic of altars, and the motivation behind building them. As you know, an altar was a platform or elevated place in which a sacrifice was offered to God. The first documented one was built by Noah after the Flood. The next several ones were built by the great patriarch Abraham, after he either heard God’s clear direction for his life, or, in celebratory response to a promise the Lord faithfully kept. Later his son and grandson, Isaac and Jacob would build altars for similar reasons. Later by God’s divine direction to Moses, altars would become a permanent fixture within the tabernacle and the temples. As a necessary instrument of the Old Testament sacrificial system, altars would serve as amazingly insightful foreshadowing of the One who would ultimately be the accepted propitiation for the sinful mutiny of mankind – Jesus the Christ.

As mentioned, in Genesis specifically, these physical altars served in beautiful ways. First and foremost, they were expressions of worship and sincere gratitude to the Lord for His loving kindness. But secondly, they were reminders for His people. How brilliant and how elementary! His covenant people deliberately surrounded themselves with memorials – object lessons to share with generations to follow.

As Americans, and more specifically, as American Christians, we do at best a minimal job in this area. The ancient Jews were masterful! We could and should learn from them in this area. Not only did they erect physical reminders of divine touch-points, they celebrated everything, and loved doing it. They knew something we oftentimes forget, that doing life God’s way is highly pleasurable and party-worthy. From annual festivals to benchmark celebrations of maturity within each family, people were reminded and affirmed in beautiful, meaningful and life-guiding ways.

So, I’m challenging you to identify in your life altar places and altar people. In other words, where were you when you heard the message of God’s amazing grace? That’s an altar place! Who lovingly led you to Jesus? That’s an altar person! Friends, I believe that like ancient altars, stopping and remembering these places, encounters, moments and people will fuel the fire of your worship and consume you even more as a living sacrifice. Reminder: We’re not worshiping places or people! God has spoken very clearly on the topic of idolatry. Instead, we’re stopping, remembering, and identifying the fingerprints of God.

I’ll go first. My first altar place was Weeki Wachee Christian Camp (FL), where I gave my heart to Christ in 1977 at the age of 14. Another altar place was Michelle’s and my first house together as newlyweds in Tampa where I know the Lord called me into full-time ministry one day in spring 1994. I view First Christian Church (Suisun) as my most recent altar place; a place God divinely brought me and my family, three thousand miles from family and familiar. Altar people include former ministers and mentors, dearly loyal family and friends, and my wonderful wife .

Do you have an altar-ed mind?

I challenge you to get one!

Pastor's Perspective - Kashi Take Me Away

When and where did it all fall apart? Maybe it was always falling apart, but I was too busy to notice. Maybe it was never all together!

The “it” I’m referring to is my 46-year-old bod. Now before I get down on myself too much, there is some photographic evidence floating around out there that at one time your pastor actually looked pretty good. In one yellowing photo, seen and openly mocked recently by my community group, I am sitting with my dad. Allow the theater of the mind to enrapture you now. Your spiritual leader with a small waist, tan muscular soccer legs, a curlet (curly mullet), a sparse greasy little Ralph Macchio moustache, and a brontosaurus quietly grazing the background. Ah, those were the days. Then the ice age, or maybe the ice cream age!

Reminds me of the husband who asked his wife what she liked best about him. “Is it my firm, trim, athletic, body?” She replied, “Dear, it’s your sense of humor”!

Or how about the husband who was trying to squeeze himself into an old pair of blue jeans? Wondering if his weight gain was noticeable to anybody else, he asked his wife, “Honey, do these jeans make me look like the side of the house?” “No dear, not at all,” she replied, “Our house isn’t blue.”

Recently I went to my doctor with severe knee pains. He told me that my left knee had the beginning stages of arthritis, and I had re aggravated an old injury in my right. When I asked for a second opinion he told me I was ugly too!

So, recently I jumped on the good health love train. Twice a day I (choke) gulp down a (deplorable) delicious bowl of Kashi cereal with raisins and dried cranberries. Likewise, I’m drinking enough water to put out the Santa Barbara fires, taking vitamins, keeping a food journal, and have subbed-out Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups for organic granola bars. Mmm. How do I feel? Deprived and bitter! Thanks for asking.

Seriously, after just three weeks I already feel better. I look the same, but I know I’m putting better fuel in my tank. Maybe I finally realized some stuff. First, I’ll never throw the winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl, pitch a no-hitter at Fenway, win Mr. California, be a mic-spinning mascara’d rock star, or win the Boston Marathon. But, I can have something better – God’s good gift of high-octane energy for my active family and congregation. Second, I learned that it’s never too late. Reminds me of an album I dig! Third, my body came to me with a heavenly expectation of stewardship.

I’ve got an idea! Let’s outlive our enemies and really hack em’ off.

So let’s raise a glass of grapefruit juice and toast to shrinking love handles, splendid Splenda, and the perfect push-up!

Although, I must admit; at times, I do miss that darn brontosaurus.

Pastor's Perspective - INFUSION2

Next Saturday morning (Saturday, May 25th) we at First Christian have been given a golden opportunity – to selflessly serve our community - with no strings attached!

After a very successful INFUSION event back in September to commemorate our 30th year in the community, our FCC faithful have been asking for another high-impact follow-up event to help others – and thus INFUSION2 was born.

In recent weeks I have been thoroughly enjoying meeting and forging relationships with local city leaders. During our connections together I have expressed our strong desire as a community of faith to meet the needs of ‘real people’ just like ourselves. Their response has been overwhelmingly positive and receptive!

Our plan is to meet at 8:00A.M. for a big delicious breakfast. After getting ‘carbed-up’ we’ll dispatch by teams into the community to do a variety of things – including serving the elderly and disabled, trash pick-up and weed abatement at parks and bike trails, yard work at foreclosed and abandoned homes (to bless neighbors), and a variety of other opportunities. We’ll reconvene at noon back at the church building for a great lunch and to share praise reports!

To ensure that INFUSION2 is a big success, all of our FCC loyal are needed. We still need more team leaders, team workers, childcare workers and food preparation workers to sign-up at the church Welcome Center this Sunday. This will guarantee that we’re properly covered out in the field and back at the church building. Likewise, we are looking for the help of those who have own pick-up trucks and trailers.

We are focusing exclusively on the city of Suisun. Therefore, if you are aware of needs in that community, please contact the church office. Our ‘To Do’ list is still an exciting work in progress!

As a side note, this is a great way to invite and introduce your family and neighbors to our ministry at First Christian, and to show them that the passion and mission of our people lies outside our brick walls.

I’m looking so forward to sharing Christ’s love with you at INFUSION2 – not with megaphones and guilt, but instead with shovels, garbage bags and smiles.

In the Fight,

Steve Kiefer
www.1stchristianchurch.org

Pastor's Perspective - Git'n Figgy Wit It!

As you might already know, we at FCC take pride in identifying ourselves as ‘real people’. So, living up to that title, I’m going to attempt to remove any semblance of clergy piety and share with you a pet peeve that I have, and apparently need to jettison. Ready?

I deplore finding empty containers in the refrigerator, pantry, shower or bathroom vanity….(crickets)…. Drives me crazy!....(crickets)…Crazy!… There… I said it… Boy, I thought I’d feel better.

Michelle and I continue teaching our youngest ones to throw containers in the trash when they are empty. Why? Because it’s stratospherically frustrating to get your hopes up about something, reach for it, only to find the shell and packaging - no content within! All containers in that state just take up space. In essence, with empty toothpaste tubes, empty milk jugs, empty cereal boxes, empty shampoo containers, come empty promises and dreams (yes that last line was ridiculously melodramatic and an immediate ‘emotional leave of absence’ should follow).

In Mark 11, while Jesus and his posse were moseying out of Bethany, He saw breakfast in the distance - a fig tree. Maybe, it was the same way I occasionally see a statuesque ‘Cap’n Crunch’ box across the room some mornings when I wake up. Back to Jesus! In anticipation of getting His holy grub-on (Message), He approached the leafy tree only to find…leaves…no fruit! Could that be anything like the grotesque feel of that big wonderful pirate box of pure sugar not making a sound while I shake it? Jesus cursed it! Not, the ‘Cap’n Crunch’, the fig tree – and it withered and never bore fruit again.

So, what made Jesus so angry? I mean, its only figs, right? Well to Jesus it was more than breakfast. To Him the fig tree was a very moving metaphor into the fruitlessness of the nation of Israel and its devastating future. Over hundreds of years, He had gone to great and patient lengths to fill them up and replenish them, so that they might enjoy and represent His abiding covenant love for all the surrounding nations to see and embrace - only to find them – empty.

On a more personal and reflective note, I wonder if we ever feel empty in His hand - promising product and production, but offering little. In all of His care and patience, do we offer much more to Him than the space we utilize? Does He ever feel frustrated by all the pouring into us He does, that in return yields little fruitfulness? Suppose we ever look more available and useful on the outside, than we really are on the inside? Could our focus on ultra-religious appearances, over character, be His pet peeve?

Anybody else out there need to get more figgy wit me?

Pastor's Perspective - Speck-tators!

A young couple moved into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
“That laundry is not very clean,” she said. “She doesn’t even know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs a better laundry soap. Perhaps she’s just lazy.” Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see nice clean wash on the line. She said to her husband, “Look! She’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who finally taught her.” Without looking up from his newspaper the husband replied, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”

Friends, the One who washes us and makes us whiter than snow once asked, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5 NASB)

Just a little Windex wisdom for ‘real people’ like myself, who sometimes miss it.

Pastor's Perspective - Hawaiian Isles

Few people know that a precious chapter of my ministry training took place in Hawaiian Isles. Allow me to elaborate.

Two weeks ago my family and I had the most delightful time reconnecting with Jim and Sallie McKeown. They flew out to northern California to see the beautiful views and to see our kids! According to Jim, “The last time I was out here I saw the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge on my way to Korea. I wanted to come back some day and see the top side!”

Michelle and I first met Jim and Sallie when Emma was still a baby. Through my ‘father-in-the-faith’ Paul Neal, I heard about a large seasonal retirement community not far from our home called Hawaiian Isles. They were looking for a preacher to fill their pulpit every Sunday morning. I hadn’t prepared weekly sermons since serving a small church in inner-city Chattanooga during my last years of college; so the idea and challenge thrilled me. By God’s loving kindness, hundreds of senior saints from all over the United States and Canada took my young (and much smaller) family into their community and hearts. Our two years serving and forging deep friendships was God’s kiss on our lives and ministry. Playing ‘Monday morning quarterback’, I wouldn’t have been truly ready for my next ministry step if the Lord had not first led us to and through Hawaiian Isles. To Him and to the many dear folks who patiently sat (and slept) through my first messages there, I’m forever grateful.

Through the McKeown’s recent visit, I was reminded of something that I believe is biblical and thus very important to remember – that although we’re getting older, we don’t have to get old! One of the many things we love about them is that they are still so active, inquisitive and adventurous. Even in the face of physical challenges, they still get up and go, carrying wonderful senses of humor along the way. Throughout the Word we read about God using people in their golden years to accomplish great things in His name - Noah, Abraham, Moses to name a few. When many of their contemporaries were getting gold watches, these patriarchs were entering the workforce of faith!

Likewise, doesn’t it make sense that if God’s objective is to slowly transform each of us into the image of His Son, shouldn’t we look most like Jesus in our senior years? For the many seniors I know who have surrendered themselves daily and yearly to the Father’s slow meticulous molding process, congratulations! Well done. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. You are showing younger generations what a Spirit-shaped life truly looks like. That getting older doesn’t mean bitter, but better. Your legacies are priceless. And by the way, I know this pastor who someday wants to grow up, and be just like you!

Pastor's Perspective - With the Comfort We Received

Last Sunday morning, while we at First Christian were wrapping up our first service, Pastor Fred Winters was preaching his last sermon in Maryville, Illinois. While speaking to his congregation a lone gunman, 27, entered the sanctuary and approached the pulpit. The first shot struck the pastor’s Bible, sending what appeared to the audience to be confetti everywhere. The congregation initially thought it was a skit of some type. As the pastor turned away, the gunman chased him, shooting him twice. Two church members subdued the man as he attempted to flee, each suffering stab wounds. Pastor Winters died from his wounds.

This weekend, in the midst of their mourning, First Baptist Church of Maryville will welcome a guest preacher – Al Meredith from Wedgewood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

On September 15, 1999, a gunman walked into a youth prayer rally at Wedgewood and began a shooting rampage. Seven people – four teenagers, two seminary students and a children's choir director – were killed and seven others wounded.

Pastor Meredith said that although his church shooting was nearly a decade ago, “The memories came flooding back.” He continued, “I want them to know you get through this. You’ll never get over it, but the rest of God’s kingdom around the world is praying for you.” Later he explained the reason he will occupy the pulpit this Sunday – “They’re a flock without a shepherd.”

The Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthian believers, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

What storms have you been through in life? Too many to count? To hard to talk about?
Why did you go through those storms?
What storms are you currently in?
Why are you going through your current storms?

Friends, God never wastes our experiences – even the bad ones! He not only molds, refines and teaches us in our storms, but he deliberately uses storms to prepare our ministries for others in the future. What am I saying? Our storms are ultimately for others! He not only wants us to go through storms, He wants us to grow through storms. Why? So that we can use our past experiences and praise reports to bless and comfort others going through their rough weather seasons in life.

For my many friends and readers currently treading vigorously in the churning chin-high waves; for those boarding up windows and hunkering down, holding your families as close as possible; for those losing hope, wondering when the winds will finally cease and the battleship grey sky will be replaced by glorious sunshine again – Hang on! God is still on His throne! Storms come and storms go. Yours will eventually blow over. And through it all, remember – “I’m going through this for a reason. God is using my storm to prepare me to help someone else – perhaps several people –down the road.” Get a vision of yourself not only on the other side of your current storm, but helping someone else in God’s perfect timing. I think Pastor Al Meredith would agree.