Pastor's Perspective - Dude, Your Mic is On!

Dude, your mic is on!

Recently an unidentified Southwest Airlines pilot on a flight from Austin to San Diego began ranting to his co-pilot about flight attendants he had flown with on recent flights. With beep-worthy expletives, he unashamedly bashed fellow in-flight employees regarding their age, sexual orientation and weight. His foul-mouthed tirade was heard all over Texas air space due to a stuck-open mic! For over two minutes, Houston air traffic controllers could not communicate with other planes, because this captain’s rant dominated the radio frequency. A Southwest official stated that he was “deeply saddened” by the pilot’s “inexcusable language”, and that the pilot was currently grounded without pay.

This recent news story is a reminder that as humans - all of our mics are on!

Whether we want them to or not, people are listening to us. They are listening intentionally or unintentionally to every word we say. Not only do they hear every verb and noun, they also hear every exclamation mark and attitude behind it.

It is proven that careless words can initiate illness, destroy the best of relationships, distort personalities and even cause war. A Ginsu knife is not the only thing that slices and dices!

The Bible says many things about our words . We are told that the power of life and death are in our words. We read that the words we use are the overflow of what we allow in our heart. That our words are fickle, praising God one moment and cursing His children the next. James tells us that the tongue’s potential damage is immeasurable and untamable, and that it is a fire demonically fueled.

Knowing that our mics are stuck open, is there anything we can do to prevent regrettable red-faced situations?

My best advice is to deal with your words before them go public!

Before a revealing and potentially damaging sentence is spoken, it is an internalized thought. While it is still in the deep recesses of your cranium, ask yourself three important questions:

Is what I’m about to say verifiably true? (Or is it just gossip or hearsay?)

Is what I’m about to share needful? (Does this person really need to hear this?)

Is what I’m about to share kind and edifying? (Will this lift-up or tear-down?)

If what you are about to say fails to fit cleanly through even one of those question-filters, my best advice - swallow it!

Remember, each of us with the fruit of the Spirit called ‘self-control’ have the ability to run this 3-question checklist, no matter how emotionally stirred-up we might be in the moment.

Friends, it’s better to swallow it than be grounded by it. Just ask a certain pilot.

Pastor's Perspective - Nothing Even Comes Close

I was so blessed this morning to read this Facebook entry by our Tricia Isayi, co-founder of Operation Orphans International – “We spent the day yesterday packing boxes of clothes for Kenya. We completely filled eight boxes with 50 pounds of clothes. The orphan kids in Shisasari are going to be the best dressed!!! We still have medical supplies and new dresses, shorts, and shirts. Thanks for all of these blessings.”

Bill Hybels in his book ‘Courageous Leadership’ conveys the following powerful truths – “The local church is the hope of the world…Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness…There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right…No other organization on earth is like the church. Nothing even comes close.”

Over the course of the last several months, women and children attending two congregations 3,000 miles apart, have been serving selflessly in tandem to sew new clothes for approximately 250 HIV-affected orphans 10,000 miles away in remote western Kenya. The wonderful ladies of First Christian Church in Wauchula, Florida (onefamilyonefocus.com), my former ministry, joined our vision and efforts here at First Christian Church in Suisun City, California, and the result is just another priceless example of what God can do through His Bride for ‘the least of these’. These beautiful dresses and shorts sets will be personally delivered by our team of fifteen next month – all compliments of Jesus.

Huge thanks goes to everyone who sat smiling behind a sewing machine from sea to shining sea, motivated by the thought of smiling orphans and a smiling Savior. There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Nothing even comes close!

Pastor's Perspective - Grab a Blanket!

Is it me, or are we seeing a spike in influential people doing foolish things on the national stage? From current congressmen, to former governors and presidential candidates, to star entertainers, to mega-church pastors, and sports heroes, there is no famine of over-exposed celebrities falling into our headlines. It seemed at one time people ascended into the national spotlight, but nowadays the descending get water cooler prominence from sea to shining sea.

Since Eden we’ve all fallen – no exceptions. Simply put, fallen people fall. Some fall very loudly and publically. In a highly-connected society where we’re all carrying cameras disguised as mobile phones, documented falleness is everywhere around us. It is the stuff of checkout line magazines and sensationalized television. The saddest indictment is not that fallen people fall; the saddest indictment and commentary is that we like it! There is something fallen in us that enjoys other people falling – especially those who enjoy a certain slice of celebrity.

What is it? Do we somehow feel justified in our own falleness by the carnal publicized missteps of others? Does it make us feel like we’re somehow better, or at least, as good as? To quote the prophet Frank, regrets, we’ve had a few. So why do we relish in the downward spiral of others and engage in rock-throwing? As Christians, how should we respond and react to such head-wagging headlines?

One of the many things I love about the Bible is its honesty. It shares inspiring acts of faith, and, it shares embarrassing episodes alike, reminding us that it is a book about real people for real people. One of those embarrassing episodes is found in the story of Noah. In Genesis we read that when there were only eight people on the entire planet, one of them had a regrettable red-faced moment! After being used by God to preserve mankind, following the great flood, Noah planted a vineyard. From his harvest he made wine, got drunk, and passed out naked in his tent. Personally, I have seen the ‘Noah and the Ark’ theme used in baby nurseries all across America; but I have never seen ‘Inebriated Noah’ in junior’s first bedroom!

The Almighty used a faithful human being to help save mankind; yet, Noah was fallen and did something regrettable, something embarrassing, something uncharacteristic. Can you relate? Do you have a similar story? Ever worn the lampshade?

One son saw his father in this less-than-patriarchal state on the tent floor, snickered, and went to announce it to his brothers. In essence he Facebooked it, Tweeted it, and made it story one in the ‘Mount Ararat Gazette’! He couldn’t wait to share with others the poor decision his father had made. Later, Noah pronounced a curse on him for attempting to augment an already bad situation.

When the other two brothers heard about their father’s condition, they deliberately took a blanket and backed into his tent and covered his nakedness, refusing to look at their dad in that disgraced state. They in turn were blessed by their father afterward.

Friends, we’ve all been Noah. Likewise, we’ve all been his discovering son. We all have things we’re proud of and not-so proud of in our pasts. Some things honored God. Many other things didn’t. We’ve also been the first one privy to juicy information about the poor choices of others.

In those moments when others are clearly guilty, exposed, caught, embarrassed and vulnerable, as Christians, let’s back into the tent! I’m not suggesting covering-up sin, but instead, not perpetuating it for the carnal appetite and satisfaction of others. Our sinfulness cost Jesus Christ His very life. Why would we want to celebrate it in others?

So, when prominent people fall, put down the bullhorn, pray for them and their families and grab a blanket!

Special 'Go' Opportunity

As many of you local Suisun City folks know, a tragic accident occurred in our community this past Monday. Lawrence Smith (41) lost his life. He left his wife of 15 years, Damaris, and five children, ranging in ages from 6-14. Needless to say, the family is devastated by this loss, and are mourning deeply for their beloved husband and father.

The Suisun Police Department, under the compassionate leadership of Chief Ed Dadisho, Commander Tim Mattos, and Chaplain Rick Stonestreet, want to provide more for this young struggling family than condolences. The police department wants to begin a program of loving and compassionate outreach to those in our community thrust in to these harsh situations, in junction with faith-based organizations like FCC.

Until we brainstorm and create this response, the family of Lawrence Smith is currently in need of acute care. This is where I’m counting on you!

If you are willing to provide and deliver a meal to this family, please email Chaplain Rick Stonestreet at the following email addresses: pstonestreet@sbcglobal.net, rickstonestreet@yahoo.com and pastor@cbcf.net. Chaplain Stonestreet is currently scheduling those willing to help by providing meals delivered by 5:45PM. **Special Note: Due to allergies, the meal cannot contain peanuts or seafood. You are welcome to purchase a meal from a restaurant or eatery, or prepare it yourself.

As Christ’s local ambassadors, let’s seize this opportunity to rise up and ‘Go’ for the glory of His name.

I LoveYou & I’m Proud of You FCC!


In the Fight,

Steve Kiefer
Lead Pastor
First Christian Church
1stchristianchurch.org

Pastor's Perspective - Smokey and the Bandit Conversion

Sometimes before I begin to teach/preach, and I have a lot of information to cover, I'll label it a 'Smokey and the Bandit teaching' - ie. I have a long way to go and a short time to get there!

I was thrilled to read this amazing conversion experience today shared by lead pastor Perry Noble at New Spring Church in South Carolina. This true life story from this past weekend only proves that God can not be limited to sweet and conventional evangelistic formulas only! This praise report proves that He'll use the 'foolish' things of the world to confound the wise. Enjoy!

I just received an email that absolutely blew me away…

This year for our Easter services one of my opening illustrations was taken from the movie “Smokey and the Bandit.” I talked about how in 1977 that I really wanted the Trans Am that was in that movie…and thought that if I could have it then I would never want anything else again.

Anyway, a family had been inviting a friend of theirs to NewSpring for three years and he finally came to a service last night. (Don’t EVER give up on people!!!) He did not pray to receive Christ during the service…HOWEVER…

On the way home he was listening to the radio and “East Bound & Down” by Jerry Reed (The theme song for “Smokey & the Bandit”) came on! When that happened he pulled his car over on the side of the road and surrendered his life to Christ!

Pastor's Perspective - Airtrafficsnoozeophobia

Do you have a fear of flying?

If you do, the official name for that fear is ‘aerophobia’. For many people this is a real challenge. However, just when you thought that phobia was daunting enough – now you can add ‘airtrafficsnoozeophobia’!

If like me you’re a fan of current events, you know that in recent weeks, several air traffic controllers throughout the United States have lost their positions for sleeping on the job. While planes filled with passengers circle over head, the personnel trained to guide them safely are using their radar screens as pillows.

All of us as ‘real people’ understand the reality of fatigue, fighting to stay awake when we need to be alert. However, in an area so vital to the wellbeing of so many, this regrettable rash of instances is drawing immediate (and yes embarrassing) national attention and governmental response, including not only the terminations of the dozing controllers themselves, but also higher-ups with the FAA.

I don’t know about you, but I sleep very well on planes. I’m not sure if the hum of the engines, the boredom of transcontinental flying, or the sweet and seldom opportunity to just sleep, make it part of what I do. Up until these recent news stories, I always just assumed that I was in good and competent hands. Though sitting in a seat seven miles up in the air traveling 500 mph is a rather odd dynamic I must admit, I always rest knowing that I will safely arrive at my destination. However, this is a vivid reminder that behind even state-of-the art aviation and science, stands….um…lies..humanity, in all its inconsistency and weakness.

The psalmist tells us in 121:4 that God never slumbers or sleeps. Put this way, He is always alert and available when we need him on our journey called life. When we’re taking off, He’s available. When we’re cruising along routinely and uneventfully, He’s there. When our life’s flight is in ‘landing phase’, He’s alert and present – never out of contact.

God conveyed this comforting truth through the prophet Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (33:3)

Isn’t it awesome to know that the Lord is always available to listen, to guide us, and to comfort us any time of the day or night?

Call to Him. He’ll always answer.

Pastor's Perspective - The Sweet Scent of Service

My very first impression of him?

Very pachydermy!

I’ll never forget meeting our youth pastor Chad Ward for the very first time. Michelle and I were flown out to northern California the summer of 2004 for our ‘try-out weekend’. We were driven directly from the Sacramento Airport to a gathering of church folks waiting to greet us, feed us and sweetly interrogate us. Chad was one of those people. He had come to the reception directly from his part-time job as an elephant trainer at (then) Marine World. As I shook his hand vigorously, a certain unmistakable scent rose from his uniform and permeated our meeting. Elephants never forget; and I’ll never forget meeting this kind and gregarious young man for the first time. Though a bit pungent at the very beginning, my impressions of Chad Ward have only grown sweeter over the years.

Throughout our time serving the Lord together, I have continued to grow in my love, admiration and appreciation for Chad. He is a deeply dedicated family man who loves God with the entirety of his heart. Long before FCC heard of this Florida boy, Chad and his wife Michela were serving faithfully here. In our tenure together, he has shown me continually that he is devoted to the young people of this congregation and its mission. Repeatedly he and his family have selflessly reached out to people in need with the kindness of Christ, without announcing it with trumpet blasts. Their humble consistency has inspired many and has made an indelible and immeasurable impact. For years he has taught and led students in fun and creative ways toward lives of devotion to Jesus Christ. Believe me, behind his contagious playfulness is a heart of steadfast dedication.

During the last year, Chad has been presented with many harsh and daunting personal challenges; things that would test the most faithful among us. Yet, Chad has persevered, and overcome, never letting go of God’s guiding hand; and in the process, setting a rich example for the church he so dearly loves.

Chad recently asked us as elders to find a replacement for him, so that he might dedicate himself more fully to his dear young family. So, we have been prayerfully seeking the Lord as church leaders to direct us into the next chapter of youth ministry here at FCC. We believe that there is someone even more dedicated to students here in the church - the Lord Himself. He will faithfully direct us in a way that will keep Chad’s dream for teens alive. In that we’re supremely confident.

Much to our joy, the Ward family will continue to worship and serve the Lord with us here at FCC. We’ll continue to utilize Chad’s passion, giftedness and experienced insight not only for the youth, but for the continued health of the Body.

So, to Chad, Michela, Noah, Naomi and Jonah, a grateful congregation says, “Thank you”, “We love you” and “Well done!” Your service has left a sweet scent.