Pastor's Perspective - Just Trying to Help

True confession: I’ve got a bit of a weird sense of humor. I’ll own that. That’s why I was genuinely tickled by a recent news story I read online. The reason I found it humorous is because it involved an embarrassing problem that could potentially happen to any one of us, an innocent airline passenger, and a sequence of events that played-out vividly in the theater of the mind – mine!

Apparently, en route from Ashville, North Carolina to LaGuardia Airport in New York, the captain of a Chatauqua Airlines plane needed to take an unanticipated bathroom break. Fellow human beings, these things happen, right? However, what was not anticipated was that he would get stuck in the lavatory! The door jammed, leaving the embarrassed and frustrated aviator in the crammed space, while the plane was in a holding pattern high above the destination airport. Desperately he began beating his fist on the lav door. That’s when our innocent passenger entered the scene. Hearing the loud thumping, the kind-hearted passenger got up and went to the sky john to somehow help. Through the door, he was instructed by the panic-stricken captain to alert the other crew members, which he promptly did. Did I mention that this traveling ‘good Samaritan’, according to the news source, had a heavy foreign accent?! So, when he tried physically and verbally to gain entrance into the cockpit to tell the other crew members what was happening, well, let’s just say, that’s when ‘in-flight entertainment’ went to a whole new level.

Now, like you, I live in a post 9-11 world. Unauthorized cockpit entrance stories are not even remotely humorous. But, you’ve got to admit, an esteemed decorated captain accidently stuck in the john because he just had a bad ‘Field Hand Special’ at the Ashville Regional Airport is funny! Then to add to it, the guy that tries to help him needs stinkin sub-titles! Again, admittedly, I’ve got a weird sense of humor.

Have you ever tried to help someone out and it didn’t turn out so well?

I’ll never forget. In the summer of 1974 while on vacation with my grandparents in Germany, I had such an experience. Being a dopey eleven-year-old kid from suburban Tampa, Florida, I had no idea that some people on the planet were actually employed to operate elevators. See where this is going? While in a downtown high rise Karlsruhe department store, I entered the elevator to go up several stories to rejoin my family. As I entered, so did an elderly woman. Growing up in the south, manners were well-engrained into my cranium by eleven. So, I asked her what floor. She looked at me a bit confused, said the floor number in broken English and I pressed the number obediently. Mom and Dad back in the states would have been supremely proud. Did I mention that there was another elderly fellow already in the elevator, sitting on a stool, right by the floors panel? The split second I pressed the number he was on me like a hobo on a ham sandwich! He lambasted me for vier (English translation: four) floors! Although I wasn’t fluent in German, some words I clearly recognized – and let’s say, they weren’t encouraging. He screamed at me like a rabid drill sergeant with jock itch for what seemed like an eternity. When the elevator doors finally opened, I ran out as fast as I could. In that moment, I didn’t care what floor I was on! I ran and jumped into my Oma’s hug while still hearing Helmut Von Nastyschmidtt screaming in the distance.

Sometimes, even our kindest, most well-intentioned efforts can go bad, can’t they?

The gospel narratives tell us repeatedly that Jesus was always being confronted and assaulted by the unyielding self-righteous of His day for the good things He did for others. The hyper-religious leaders of His day simply didn’t get Him. They longed for a Messiah who would be a blue-blood, an iconic regal, a military strategist who would break their chains of cruel Roman oppression and look really great on a coin! Instead, Isaiah tells us that Jesus had a very ‘average guy’ appearance. He was a good old boy construction worker from ‘one stop-light’ Nazareth. He had a very scandalous family tree, and his birth account would have been sealed information. Instead of glad-handing the movers and shakers of society for personal gain, Jesus chose to hang-out with drunks, food junkies, hookers and marginalized people with highly checkered pasts – and presents! In other words, Jesus put the needs of people over protocol.

As mentioned, though some recognized His Lordship, many with great religious influence rejected Him and His consistent heart of selflessness. He was a square peg in a round space, and for folks like that, we rarely have much use. Openly mocked, despised and rejected, Jesus refused to acquiesce to shallow self-absorbed expectations. He just kept on doing good – even when it got Him in trouble.

Why?

Because people matter most. Jesus died for people – not rules.

He was simply more interested and invested in pleasing His Father, than bending to religiosity – the kind that elevates rules and religious facades above the needs of real everyday people created in God’s image.

Friends in Solano County, not every attempt to help others, no matter how heartfelt, will turn out the way you want it to. If you step out and reach out to do good, it’s only a matter of time before you’re misunderstood. Even some you’re attempting to assist will bite your hand. If you’re doing benevolent and selfless things for gratitude; ticker tape parades are few and far between. However, Jesus commands and modeled that despite potential misunderstanding, rejection and ingratitude along the way – help anyway!

Lastly, the above story reminds us that if you live long enough, sometimes you’re the alert rescuer, and sometimes just when you think you’re the captain, you get caught with your pants down! Let both experiences and extremes soften your heart and humble you to the plights of many in our beloved community. God will honor your desire and endeavors to help. Keep trying. Keep reaching. People matter most!

As a closing note (no extra charge), if you’re ever in a high-rise downtown department store in Karlsruhe, Germany, and you need to move between floors – use the escalator.

Pastor's Perspective - Way to 'Go'!

Last Thursday evening during our annual Congregational Meeting, I was able to share a list of things we accomplished so far in 2011 through God’s immeasurable kindness. If you weren’t able to join us, here is a sampling of the list I shared.

We celebrated our 33rd years as a community of faith.
We ordained 5 new deacons into our faithful and expanding leadership team.
We launched ‘Go’ a revolution of motion & contagious obedience.
Vacation Bible School was highly successful.
Twenty-seven middle school girls and their mothers went to the Revolve conference in southern California.
Awana celebrated its 4th years at FCC.
Celebrate Recovery celebrated its 5th year.
Pie Club celebrated its 7th year.
Derrick Iglesia took the reigns as our new Youth Pastor and re-launched the youth group as ‘Zombie Initiative’.
The church sent Derrick and Tim Boyer to the National Youth Workers Convention.
We had, for the very first time, two ‘Art of Marriage’ events at FCC.
Seventy-eight women from the church went to Women of Faith last month.
Our Alyson Barret said yes to ‘go’ and went to serve in Cambodia.
Our Nicky Peterson likewise said yes and moved to San Francisco to help launch a new work there – New Community.
Our Mark Asprey said yes to ‘go’ and will leave us on January 4th to serve full-time in western Kenya.
We’ve had 19 baptisms YTD.
Special events include: Sewing dresses & shorts for Kenya, a fresh water fundraiser by Candy Hanratty, Low Country Boil fundraiser, car washes, Spaghetti Feed for the Homeless Ministry.
The Homeless Ministry expanded by now going weekly to the local city parks and camps. This ministry fed and ministered to hundreds throughout the year, and collected and distributed 512 blankets.
The after-school program for middle high students in conjunction with Suisun City picked up speed through new leaders and donations – officially launching soon.
30 Hour Famine was a huge success led by Tim Boyer.
LIFE (our Homeschool ministry) tripled in size.
Natalie Cross stepped up to lead our women’s ministry under the new name ‘Sisterhood’. The launch was a rousing success.
FCC participated in the National Night Out.
Celebrate Recovery represented Christ and FCC at the Suisun Marina greeting people and distributing water.
Our new Giggle ministry launched.
‘Family Sunday’ was instituted the last weekend of every month.
Our Church Beautification Day was a hit late last month.
The annual Harvest Festival, led by Jeanette Kleeman, was highly successful again this year.
FCC worked in conjunction with The Leaven through participation from Mark Asprey & Grace Agbalog.
The annual Church Picnic, led by Kelli Chiolero, at Lake Solano Park was great fun.
Twelve from FCC flew to Kenya and completed multiple projects including fresh water. 2,268 first-time decisions for Christ documented.
We have sent $31,477 YTD to missions.
Mac Young took over the management of The Fourth Watch.
Numerous CR step studies were completed and continue to take place weekly.
Wayne King unveiled our Christmas 2011 endeavor – ‘Go Without’ – so others won’t have to.
We unveiled our new updated church website thanks to Jeramy Sossaman.

With over 50 days remaining in 2011, we as a church family have much to celebrate and be grateful for, with much still ahead.

Way to ‘go’!

Pastor's Perspective - What God Can Do!

Last Christmas-time, we at First Christian decided to do something new - something together - something that reflected the true message of the season. Instead of buying each other gifts we didn't really want or need, we pooled that money together as a church family and decided to use it for the glory of Christ somewhere else. Knowing that our 250+ HIV orphans in Shisisari, Kenya were drinking filthy water that was making them sick, broke our hearts. We knew we had to do something - anything. So we sent them a gift they couldn't give themselves - fresh water!

Through the support and generosity of many inside and outside the church, we were able to not only fund a desperately needed fresh water project in Africa, but we were also able to send an FCC delegation over to work on it, complete it and dedicate it in a community-wide ceremony for the renown of the true Living Water - Jesus.

The photos above are proof and a simple and humble sampling of what God can do through one church family hungry to make a difference.

Matthew 25:40

go.

Pastor's Perspective - Remembering Jonathan

Today marks the birthday of a dear brother who left us way too soon – Jonathan Booker.

For the many of you reading this who perhaps didn’t have the privilege of knowing ‘JB’, he was a true one-of-a-kind! He was a devoted husband to his sweet wife Viola. He was a dedicated father to his children Victor and Jasmia. He was a caring friend and a zealous follower of Jesus Christ. He was funny, energetic, gregarious, outspoken, hardworking, responsible, ambitious, loving and lovable. He was a treasure to us all and we all miss him. He would have been 31 today.

Yesterday I had the honor of officiating Estalita Tapnio Cross’s funeral service here at FCC. ‘Lita’ was the precious mother of Bart Cross, a cherished partner in the church. Lita, 64, was visiting and helping an ill brother in the Philippines, when she was violently attacked and senselessly killed over her purse. Simply put, Lita was a wonderful person. The building was packed yesterday with many who had been profoundly touched by her life and grief-stricken by her shocking death.

As I think about Jonathan today and Lita yesterday, I’m reminded of the brevity and uncertainty of life. I’m reminded that we live in a fallen, violent and unpredictable world. Tomorrow is a hope that comes with absolutely no guarantees. None of us are immune to the realities of evil. The good die young and bad things happen to them along the way. Death comes to the ones we label ‘good’ – the ones we categorize under ‘bad’ – the poor – the mighty and affluent – the despised – the young – the aged. Someone once said, ‘Death is an equal opportunity reality’ – and it is.

Yet, in the midst of the heart-breaking losses and jaw-dropping suddenlies, we can have hope! Because God the Father intentionally allowed something terribly-bad to happen to His Son, we all have access to a living hope. That through putting our faith in the completed redemptive work of Christ and His cross, we can have a hope and peaceful assurance that transcends the very worst scenarios this life can throw our way.

I was able to share yesterday that recently I took seven different flights to get to Kenya and back. On each flight someone stood in front of me and pointed to the closest door in the “unlikely event” the plane descends against the pilot’s will. Likewise, the closest and most reliable door available to me was in written form in the seat pocket in front of me.

Friends, like those flights, God is saying through a person (me) and God has said it clearly in written form (the Bible) that there is only one door that leads to everlasting life in His presence. In John 10 Jesus told us that He is that door. In John 14 He told us He is that way – the only way.

In conclusion, honestly speaking, if my plane is descending, I’m moving to that door! In a world that has fallen and continues to rapidly descending around us, isn’t it prudent to move toward that door?

Have you found that proven age-old door? His name is Jesus.

Knowing Jonathan the way I did, I think he’d want you to know that today.

Pastor's Perspective - The Sky is Falling

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

A minister from ministries-gone-by humorously posted on his Facebook wall this morning, “If the satellite falls on me today I want you all to know I love you!”

The space junk he was referring to is the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), a dead, six and a half ton, school bus-size satellite that is hurtling toward us as I peck this! Scientists stated earlier this week that it would totally avoid North America, and now they’ve retracted their statement. So, good luck out there fellow earthlings!

For a few other grey hairs out there, this news story takes us back to 1979 when Skylab met its fiery demise over remote parts of South Africa and western Australia. I still remember the ‘Skylab is Falling’ t-shirts and well-publicized panic. My guess is that UARS will make an even more uneventful re-entry.

Let me ask you a question.

Do you know Chicken Little people?

Perhaps you’re a chronic ‘the sky is falling’ peeper.

Our culture, and sadly our church directories don’t lack ‘Negative Nellys’; those whose glasses are perpetually half empty and blinded to silver linings. Eyore Syndrome is pandemic!

Friends, of all the people on this garden planet, we as Christians should be the most optimistic! We have Jesus! Through His cross we get immeasurably more than we could ever dream of, ask for and certainly deserve. We are loved unconditionally be the greatest Father and most powerful monarch in existence. We are filled and sealed for salvation with and by His Spirit. We are viewed not by our filthiness and incompatibility, but now through the perfect righteousness of our Redeemer. Through an empty tomb, our archenemy named death is a defeated foe. Through His grace we are recipients of a living hope! All this - then Heaven.

So as beloved subjects of the kingdom, let’s lift our heads and eyes from the doom and gloom this world tries to sell us, and see the bigger exciting picture above us. Let’s look to the skies for Jesus! Anything else is a bunch of junk.

Pastor's Perspective - Dog Days

LOST DOG: Male hound. Three legs. Blind in one eye. Left ear partially chewed-off. No tail. Parts of coat missing. Answers to the name ‘Lucky’!

Years ago I read about a real-life ‘Lucky’ up in Clearlake. Fox News reported about an 8-month-old puppy who miraculously recovered after being hit by a car, shot by a police officer and stuck in a freezer for two hours!

Dosha, a carmel-colored pup, apparently was struck by a vehicle after escaping from her owner. Soon afterward, humane officer Bob MacDonald came upon the scene and attempted to end the canine’s suffering by using his revolver. She was then placed in an Animal Control freezer for two hours before someone discovered she was still alive!

Veterinarians treated the pooch who made a full recovery. Talk about a ‘dog day’!

The Apostle Paul was well-acquainted with dog days of his own. We wrote the Christians worshiping in ancient Corinth: “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:23b-28).

It never ceases to amaze me when Christian whine about being slightly inconvenienced, or scream in disillusionment when just a hint of personal persecution comes their way. Jesus Himself told us that if we truly represent Him in this life, we would receive scorn and rejection, just like He did. He told us that, “In this life you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He elaborated, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:10-11).

Now wait a minute! Trouble? Persecution? Insults? Lies? Surely that kind of negativity shouldn’t accompany a Christian’s life. We are called to peacefulness and contentment, right? Doesn’t the popular gospel of our day promise abundance, popularity, acceptance and trouble-free living? In other words, can’t we all just get along?!

The truth is, light is an affront to darkness. Truth is an enemy of deception. Salt is antagonistic to blandness. Life is an opponent of death. Therefore, if we are authentic modern-day advocates of light, truth, saltiness and life, we will make our share of enemies this side of Heaven.

Jesus Himself said, “I came not to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). His life and message were confrontational in a morally bankrupt society. As I share with my Suisun City congregation, “We will not mark-down the gospel in order to sell it!” The timeless Word of God and the people who live by it were never called to be socially pliable for the sake of just getting along. Like Jesus, we are called to truth and grace.

So the zillion dollar question du jour is – How well are you fitting in? In other words, are you receiving your fair share of rejection and scorn? Are you characterized where you live, work and play as an uncompromising and unashamed follower of Christ? For such individuals, ‘dog days’ are foretold and yes, guaranteed. But, Jesus reminds the faithfully consistent: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12). In other words, it’s not about here – it’s about there! It’s not about you – it’s about Me! It’ll all be worth it!

So fellow Christian, when you face opposition, stop your whining. Remember, Jesus can turn water into wine, but He can’t turn your whining into anything! None of us have come even close to the rejection He personally experienced for our redemption. So here’s my brotherly advice. The next time you’ve been run over, shot and shoved away for your faith, remember: You’re not ‘Lucky’ – according to Jesus you’re ‘Blessed’!

Pastor's Perspective - In the Crosshairs

Being a current events junkie, I got my fix this morning surfing the major news sites. Predictably, all gave the largest block letters to three stories – the battle for Libya, yesterday’s eastern seaboard earthquake, and a bad girl brewing up in the Caribbean named Irene. CBS News online featured this headline about the approaching hurricane today – ‘Irene now Category 3; U.S. in crosshairs’.

Personally I grew up and lived most of my life in Florida, a place very familiar with fierce hurricanes. I now live in earthquake country - California. Though neither meteorological or geological anomaly are particularly enjoyable, I would admit that earthquakes are preferable. Why? Because by the time you realize an earthquake is happening it’s almost over! On the other hand, for days and days back east, one is subjected to reports of approaching categorized doom! Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the advanced tracking technology, but waiting for catastrophic storms can be a bit unsettling.

Growing up with sand in my shoes, we all were well-trained in the drill. When a hurricane’s path was even remotely nearby people prepare. Plywood is bought to board-up windows. Bottled water is purchased, as are batteries and non-perishable food. Likewise, gas tanks are topped-off just in case a run to higher inland ground is necessary. Shelters are announced and manned. Schools and businesses stop, and ‘hurricane parties’ begin.

Today as I was sipping my Project 7 coffee, I was reminded that more people are talking about and aggressively preparing for Irene than the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scriptures, Christ, and angels all foretell that the Lord’s second advent will come suddenly, with no advanced notice from The Weather Channel. In the blink of an eye every human being will either rejoice or wail at the reality of His coming.

Are you preparing?

Are you preparing your life and the lives of those you live with, play with, and work with for that great and dreadful day?

For you personally, will His promised return be a glorious and welcomed fulfilled, or, a tragic and regretful interruption?

In the very last chapter of the Bible, Jesus tells us three very intentional times that He is ‘coming soon’. In other words, He wants you to be ready!

Something really big is brewing. Something greater than our highest expectations and worst nightmares is an approaching reality. Something historically unprecedented is coming our way as a planet. It’s an unavoidable biblical certainty. We’re in the crosshairs.