Family Chat 6-2-2013

Check out our Family Chat from 6-2-13!  Big news!

Boston Marathon Prayer Guide

Earlier this week, I met a man who ran the Boston Marathon.  I was at Starbucks when he walked in.  He was probably in his 60's.  Apparently he is a regular, because everyone began calling him by name.  It was his first day back from the race.  Whatever people were working on didn't matter at that point.  All eyes were on him.  We all had thousands of unanswered questions.  He told everyone he was fine and wasn't in danger at any point.  He said, "You know how I found out about it?  I ran past one water station, and everyone was on their knees praying.  I thought that was odd.  Then, I ran past the next water station, and everyone was on their knees praying.  I knew something bad happened."

I was very moved by his story.  Before he witnessed any of the carnage, the pain, the suffering, the evil...he witnessed love, compassion, and faith.  He saw light first and darkness second.

Prayer was the natural instinct of people who saw the effects of sin, and we should also respond to this tragedy in prayer.  Here are some ways you can pray for all those involved:

1.  Pray for the government.  As of this post, one suspect is dead and one still on the loose.  Pray for the suspect to be apprehended so justice can be served.  Also pray the government would trace this back to the source and stop future attacks before they happen.  God uses government to enforce justice and protect people.  Pray for God to help them and protect them.  

2.  Pray for the families of victims who died.  

Pray for Krystle Campbell's family.  Her parents went to the hospital thinking she was alive.  They walked into the room and found Krystle's friend alive.  The doctors informed them they had the two mixed-up.  

Pray for Martin Richard's parents, Bill and Denise, and his younger sister, Jane.  Martin was killed in the explosion, and his Mom and sister were seriously injured. 

   

Pray for Lu Lingzi's parents.  China's one-child-policy made Lu the only child in her house.  Her parents are heartbroken and their dreams are dashed.  

3.  Pray for the victims who are still recovering from major injuries.  

You can find a list of victims HERE.

"Pray without ceasing."  1 Thess. 5:17

"Weep with those who weep."  Romans 12:15

-Pastor Ryan  

Improving your prayer life

What grade would you give your prayer life?  Most believers are disappointed with the quality and effectiveness of this spiritual discipline.  How can your prayer life grow stronger than ever?  Three words will make your prayer life stronger and healthier than ever:

1.  FREQUENCY.  How frequently do you pray?  Once a day?  Once every other day?  Once in a while?  Try increasing the frequency of your prayers.  Pray several times each day.  I'm not talking about several, long, serious, deep prayers.  I'm talking about choosing to pray when you otherwise wouldn't have.  A brief prayer before a tough phone call, a family prayer before the kids head to school, a prayer of dedication at your desk before the work starts---find slots and insert prayers.

2.  INTENSITY.  How is the quality of your prayer life?  Are your prayers routine?  Predictable?  Heartless?  Try increasing the variety and intensity of your prayers.  Pray with passion and energy for a variety of crucial matters.  Here are some tools:  
Pray for Harvest churches around the world HERE
Pray for Harvest Senior Pastors HERE
Pray for the staff and leaders of Harvest Palos HERE 

3.  TIME.  How long do you pray for?  While most prayers are brief, try to work extended times of prayer into your week.  Carve out 15 minutes.  Carve out 30 minutes.  Carve out 60 minutes.  When you have a choice to surf the web or watch an extra episode of your favorite show, give that window to God instead.  Put on some worship music, open your Bible, kneel down, and pray.  Here are some ways to make that time meaningful:

Adoration: take time to tell God everything you love about Him.  Delight yourself in the Lord.
Confession: take time to tell God everything you don't like about yourself currently.  Confess your sins, be honest about your weaknesses and admit your need for grace (again).
Thanksgiving: take time to remember what God has done in your past.  Celebrate God-stories.  Visit the "trophy case" God filled, and thank Him for what He has accomplished in you and through you.
Supplication: ask God to meet all your needs.  Pray for your family, your marriage, your extended family, your neighbors, your coworkers, your government, your finances your worries, your ______________.  Just pray.
(Notice the first letters spell ACTS)

Challenge yourself starting today!

Discussing Homosexuality with Grace and Truth

In light of the cases our Supreme Court is currently considering, the already hot topic about homosexual marriage has been amplified a hundred-fold.  This week, I found myself instantly submerged in a wild ocean of disagreement on the matter.  Maybe you find yourself in the same predicament.  "What do I say?  And how do I say it?"  Here are some helpful recommendations:

First, a word to those who are really good at TRUTH but are struggling to find the right tone on the matter.  Understand that YOU ARE RIGHT.  The truth must be told, the truth is under fire, and our country can take a tragic turn if the truth is not heeded.  But, if all you bring to the conversation is the artillery of truth, if your spirit is harsh or abusive toward people who God created, you are driving people away from the cross.  Jesus was willing to speak with conviction and compassion to the woman at the well, and she was divorced 5 times and living with bachelor number 6!  Be careful that your zeal for truth doesn't drive you to pick up God's gavel, cloak yourself in God's robes and lead you to act and speak as only God can.  Be satisfied and content with God's judgment.  It is not your job to punish the sins of others, or subject them to humiliation or shame, or to condemn them.  Instead, give them hope.  Give them truth, and don't forget grace and kindness.  It was God' kindness toward you that led you to repentance.

Helpful tips for TRUTH people:
-Always show respect in words and actions toward homosexuals and their supporters
-Never use derogatory words about homosexuals
-Always be willing to converse with a loving tone
-Always defend anyone who is being abused, assaulted or humiliated publicly  

Second, a word to those who are really good at GRACE, but are struggling to share the truth on the matter.  Understand that YOU ARE RIGHT.  The church has struggled to speak lovingly on this issue, and hateful hearts offend God and destroy relationships.  Real people deal with same sex attraction, and we must relate to them in a Christ-like manner.  But if all you bring to the conversation is loving acceptance, and you withhold even a part of the truth on the matter, you are leading people away from the cross.  Calvary is a bloody rock because sin is offensive to God.  Be careful you don't lead people to your own hill of redemption---a rose covered hill that offers all the grace and costs only half the truth.  How can you redeem or promise redemption with half the truth?  That makes you a new Messiah.  You cannot promise acceptance apart from atonement.  Augustine of Hippo said, "If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself."

Helpful tips for GRACE people: 
-Be willing to call it sin
-You can be compassionate without abandoning your convictions
-Always be ready to risk a relationship by sharing your convictions
-Always make Jesus feel loved by how you love others

Here are some helpful articles on the topic:
Albert Mohler's summary of the Supreme Court cases: CLICK HERE
Christianity Today's numerous articles on the topic (I haven't read them all): CLICK HERE
Justin Taylor's blog has a 60 minute podcast on the issue:  CLICK HERE

If you want to know what the Bible says about homosexuality, you can watch or listen to a sermon I preached on the matter here:

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

PRESS PLAY BELOW FOR VIDEO

Bring a Friend Surprises

When the church makes evangelism a priority, God goes to work. But how do we detect when God has actually done something? What proof do we have that God moved in a special way?
Of course all heaven celebrates when one sinner repents. The church celebrates on earth when people get baptized and tell their story. But there are more evidences of grace we can spot if we are looking. Here is what I saw over the past few weeks that encouraged me and alerted me to God's special activity:

1. More prayer for the lost. Paul provided us with an example to follow: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." (Romans 10:1 ESV) God generated more prayer for the lost over the past few weeks. At men's leader meetings, in small groups, at kitchen tables, in staff meetings---I heard more prayer, and it blessed my soul. When God's Spirit lays lost people on our hearts, it produces more prayer for the lost. This is evidence God is at work.

2. More sorrow and anguish for the lost. If we are going to effectively reach the world with the Gospel, we must see what God sees. When God's Spirit lays the anguish of eternity upon our hearts, making us feel burdened for some who are not saved, this is evidence of God's activity.
The apostle Paul lamented, "I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." (Romans 9:1-3 ESV) Wow. If he could give away his ticket to paradise, he would. I personally felt more sorrowful and heartbroken for some of my friends and family over the past few weeks, and I heard others expressing the same feelings. This is evidence God is at work.

3. More believers courageously inviting others to church. I heard many stories of believers taking risks leading up to last Sunday. Pastor Brandon invited his neighbors to church. A woman in our small group challenged herself to invite perfect strangers to church---someone at the grocery store, a waitress at the restaurant, etc. My wife invited a homeless woman. I invited a neighbor I grew up with who is going through a very tragic time. I also invited a few of the realtors we are working with on the facility search (they both showed up!). I was blessed to hear people reaching out and extending a friendly invitation to church. This is what it means to be on God's rescue team.

4. More people surprised by who came to church. One young woman accidentally invited her cousin to church a week early (before "bring a friend Sunday"). She sent me a Facebook message saying, "I thought last week you said it was bring a friend Sunday so I invited my cousin. He brought his entire family. They haven't been to church in a long time and not walking with God. There were 7 in my family & 9 all together. My uncle looked at me and said thank you & started crying and was so glad that they came this week. They will be back next week!!!! Praise God!!!!! He is changing lives." I was personally surprised after the first service last Sunday when a group of six people called me over. One of the women asked if I remembered her. It took a second, but then I realized she was my babysitter when I was growing up. She pointed to another woman and asked if I remembered her. I looked and said, "You were my gym teacher in elementary school!" I hadn't seen these people in over twenty years! God surprised my by who came to church.

While we want to see the final product of salvation, God shows His work through a process. He takes His time and involves His people. As we wait patiently to see what truly happened in the hearts of those who came to church last Sunday, let's rejoice at all that God has done leading up to a memorable service!