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.

Pastor's Perspective - Lily's Store

This morning I woke up in a place other than the place I fell asleep. Can you say, "Whoa!" Predictably I fell asleep in my bedroom, but woke up in 'Lily's Store'. One more time.....Whoooooaaaaaaa. (Cue the creepy keys and enter Rod Serling). Seriously, Chelle and I got a good laugh over the whole thing, and the Lord reminded me of some good stuff I'm passing along to you. (Remember the whole freely received, freely give thing?)

To me the large room in the back of our house where my bed, dressers, nightstands, lamps and skivies are kept is called "My Bedroom". Tracking me so far? Its a place to relax, unwind and let down my (continually greying) hair. Its familiar and kinda cozy. However, to our youngest child Lily its a totally different place - it's her satellite office to play - her imaginary store.

In Hebrews 13:14 and 1 Peter 2:11 we are reminded as Christians that this world is not our home. To quote the grand old finger-snapping hymn, "We're justa passin through"! However, like my bedroom, for many of us its become comfy, predictable, comforting and relaxing; when to God it's something quite different. Its a passin through place where He unashamedly calls us aliens, foreigners, strangers and ambassadors. While sometimes through complacency we see the world as a bedroom, to Him its Lily's Store - something quite different.

One of my favorite titles as a modern-day follower of Christ is 'ambassador'. Though I'm not the best toy in the Happy Meal, I do know that ambassadors are foreign representatives. They live in a strange place very different from their homeland; yet they are serving in an alien culture quite intentionally as aliens. Likewise they serve in a place called an embassy. An embassy is a representative culture in a foreign place that retains the identity of the kingdom in which it was sent. Still with me? Though only a relative few faithfully serve as ambassadors, each represents an entire kingdom, king, population, and way of living. Each is in a foreign territory temporarily. Each speaks a different language, lives uniquely, and recognizes a different sovereign. An embassy is a place where people find help, identity and safety on foreign soil. Ready for this? Believer, you're the ambassador, and the Church is the embassy in which we serve! Each of us is on Kingdom assignment, serving faithfully an undetermined term known only by our King. The cool news is, when our time of service is finished, He'll bring us home and reward our selfless ambassadorship.

So in conclusion, remember your ambassadorship. Now is not our time to sleep and treat this world as our bedroom. This world is not your home. Its an amazing opportunity on our way home. You represent so much more than you could ever imagine. You represent a literal everlasting Kingdom led by a literal benevolent King - Jesus the living Christ!

By the way, I think I'll keep the sign on our door as a good daily reminder. If you stop by, Lily's currently running a 'Clearance Sale'!

Pastor's Perspective - Freely Give!

I think Jesus would have a blog. I'll explain.

Yesterday I had a great day with Dad! Over the course of several hours I read all of 'Matthew' and spent quality time with Him talking about life. As I was enjoying the first gospel I was struck especially by chapter 10, where Jesus sends out His followers to preach, heal, raise the dead and drive out demons. In verse 8 Jesus says something so simple, yet so impacting - "Freely you have received, freely give." The simplicity of that statement rocked me and simultaneously reminded me.

I fell in love with the person, reality and power of Jesus in 1991, when in a valley place in my life He overwhelmed me "freely" with His love, compassion, comfort, hope and direction. Using "real people", He touched me, changed me, marked me. As we began this new walk togther I was humbled that God would choose to use a highly imperfect man like me while I was still in the getting-up process. Yet He showed me quickly that being used for His glory was extraordinarily simple - What Jesus did for you, do for others - What you received, give away - What you learn, share! "Freely you have received, freely give" - the not-so-secret key to happiness.

As preachers, we have ample opportunities to share with others regularly what God has given us through His Word, experiences and opportunities. However, not everybody has that grand opportunity. Until now! Now through blogging all people can freely share with others the truths that God has freely given them. Life is a gift to share - and blogs are effective vehicles to that end.

What has God given you that others can benefit from? What is the Father currently teaching you that may help a fellow traveler on the way? What experience has the Lord held your hand through that might encourage someone bearing a heavy load today? All of us have something to give away!

Yep, I think Jesus would have a blog. Your thoughts?

Pastor's Perspective - There's Nothing Like Family!

Dear FCC Family & Friends,

This past Saturday I had the beautiful opportunity to officiate a child dedication in Vallejo. A sweet young couple in the church went all-out and threw a big party in honor of God's kindness shown through His gift of their baby boy. As a pastor, I'm always honored to participate in the lives and histories of others. Oftentimes we as clergy are there when new life comes into the world, when spiritual new life begins, when marital life begins, and when lives leave this world for the next. Its a beautiful and humbling thing indeed.

I know that its dangerous to encapsulate an entire people in one sentiment, but I'm going to do it any way. I love all people; but, I've got to get something off my chest. Ready? Here goes. I ABSOULTELY LOVE FILIPINO PEOPLE! Ahhhh. That felt great! Why you might ask. Because its just downright true. In my four years of ministry here in NorCal, my love, admiration and appreciation for this beloved community has only increased. Let me explain my statement based on several personal observations:

My Filipino brothers & sisters love:

God - Such humble, serving, abiding faith is a priceless gem to FCC.
Each Other (Family)- They seek out opportunities to be together and serve one another in joy.
To Laugh - Smiles and joking are never in short supply.
To Eat - Enough food? Are you kidding me?!
To Sing - Karaoke rocks!

Saturday (and countless other times) I left that gathering so blessed by the spirit of humility and hospitality so beautifully manifested in the Filipino community. Elders were respected. People laughed. All ages were present,deeply enjoying each other. God was honored. Food and smiles were everywhere. Pictures were snapped. Songs were sung. Gifts were given. Life was celebrated. Culture was embraced. Everone showed up. Everyone belonged. Everyone pitched in. Did I mention food was everywhere?!

Again, I know its dangerous to make such broadstroke statements about an entire culture & people. Sure there's always a few bad eggs. But, I see in the Flipino spirit what I read about in my Bible - love for God and family - authentic love - something so rare in our generation and society.

I'm sincerely grateful for my Filipino brothers & sisters at FCC. If our Savior tarries and the good Lord allows, I look forward to many more years of making warm memories, eating a ridiculous amount of lumpia,and belting out #107 together! I love you dearly.

In the Fight,

Steve