See below...

Crazy leadership tactic...
Click here to read this week's article for April 7, 2011.  (sorry for the confusion)

[The following is from March 31, 2011]
After last Sunday’s mega-message, in which we explored some controversial passages in the New Testament about women in the church, I heard some troubling feedback. In short, the feedback was this: “Mark, if we can’t simply read the Bible and understand it without all kinds of background information, then what’s the point of reading it at all?” To which I immediately think, “That’s NOT what I meant!” But it’s a fair question. Let me try to address it.

• First, the vast majority of what we read in the Bible requires no further explanation. Things like, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” “In your anger do not sin,” “Worship the Lord with gladness,” “Flee sexual immorality,” “Share with God’s people who are in need,” “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,” just to name a few examples.
• Second, there is power in God’s word. When we open the book, we open our lives to God’s Spirit. You can actually trust God to help you learn and grow as you’re reading, even if you don’t understand everything! As a life-long student of Scripture, I can honestly say that I continually learn and grow from my regular, personal Bible reading, which I do without any outside resources.
• Third, there truly ARE some difficult passages that we need help with. One of the reasons we have difficulty is that the Bible was written thousands of years ago in a language and culture that we’re completely ignorant of. Think of it this way: most of us can’t even explain the culture and events that led to the First World War, which was less than 100 years ago! Or imagine someone trying to understand Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech if they knew nothing about the history of race relations in America. Sometimes we simply HAVE to learn the context surrounding the conversation. We talked extensively about overcoming these difficulties in our series, “Making Sense of the Bible,” from January of this year. If you missed that series, check out the podcasts. If you want to go further, sign up the next time we offer our workshop, “Dig Deeper.” There we provide even more help on how to study and learn and grow in the area of personal Bible study.

So please don’t let the difficult passages discourage you from pursuing the most effective tool known for personal spiritual development. And if you want to learn more about the topic we dealt with over the last two weeks, be sure to let us know. You can click here and type the phrase, “biblical equality,” in the subject line. We’ll add your name to the list and let you know the details of that discussion group when we get them finalized.

Are you leading, or simply managing?

Check out Seth Godin's insights on leadership. And for crying out loud, join us for the Chic-Fil-A Leadercast on May 6th.

Exclusive interview with Seth Godin from GiANT Impact on Vimeo.

You can register here.

Ever feel developmentally challenged?

Have you ever visited a future construction site? Where the only thing visible is a picture or a sign, instead of the reality? Like this picture, which I took earlier this week.















That stake says, “future home of something great!” I’ve walked past sign post #38 for the last few years. The sign hasn’t changed. And there’s not been any construction or development. It’s a bit “developmentally challenged.” It’s not “becoming” anything.
When we understand and respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow him, God puts a stake in the soil of our lives. “Restoration project under construction. Future home of something great!” And he begins working (see Philippians 1:6). But sometimes our lives can look like the same stake, year after year. We can get stuck, distracted, or sidetracked. We can get developmentally challenged. Which is why we’re exploring the work God desires to do IN us: transforming us into people of HOPE. If you’ve missed the current series—Becoming-- get the podcasts from our web site or from iTunes. And I hope you can join us this Sunday as Danny Cahill helps us understand “Becoming Healthy From The Inside Out.” And my prayer is that the stake that God has driven into the soil of your life will begin to give way to the glorious life he has in store for you. Are you “becoming”?

Do your friendships define your life?

I don't know what this speaker believes about God, but what she believes about connections and courage agree with what I read in the pages of the Bible.

Take a few minutes to watch this, video, then jump in with your thoughts below.



Post your comments or thoughts below

What stage are you in?

I first found out about Dan Kimball by reading his book, "They Like Jesus But Not the Church." It's a VERY good read.

Just recently I came across Dan's comments on the stages we all go through with "the church." (It's from Leadership Network's, "The Nines" event.) Watch it, and let me know what stage you think you're in. Love to hear your thoughts on this one.

A Modern Day Rescue Story

As I write this, the 33 Chilean miners are being brought to the surface. The news outlets are at a fever pitch to show the rescue – and the reunion – of these courageous men who’ve been trapped for over two months. International resources and ingenuity have flowed nonstop into the amazing effort to bring back the 33 men who were once feared lost. More after the jump...

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Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

I cannot fathom what those men must have endured. First, the initial terrifying weeks of waiting and wondering. Would they be found? Or would they perish in the mine? Then, the news that their rescue would take months. And how about the families on the surface? What must it have been like for them? Watching their faces, their anticipation prior to the reunion is beyond description. Their loved ones who were once feared lost have been found!
But their story reminds me of our story. Because many years earlier, someone else poured nonstop resources and ingenuity into a rescue plan. And the people who were trapped with no way to save themselves…well, that would be me. And you. Listen to Jesus’ own comments:

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10)

Jesus embarked on the most incredible rescue mission in the history of mankind. And he was looking for you and me. Honestly, I don’t want to think of myself as lost. Neither do you. It’s not very flattering. But can you imagine if, when the rescue pod opened in the mine, some of the miners said, “No thanks…we’re not lost.” We’d say, “You’re not dealing with reality, friend.” Similarly, every man, woman, and child is lost from God’s perspective. Jesus’ life and mission are stark testimony to that fact. He shows up and says, “You’ve been trapped in a broken world of sin. I’m here to set you free. Follow me.”

The picture Jesus paints is that our Heavenly Father is waiting at the top of the mine shaft. And when we’re lifted to freedom by faith in the person and work of Jesus, the celebration is beyond description! At last, those who were lost have been found!

When it was discovered that the miners were alive and needed rescue, everyone determined to do whatever it took to bring them to the surface. Followers of Jesus know that all around us are people who are lost from God’s family. What are you willing to do to help re-unite them to their heavenly Father? How many days will it be until they’re brought to the surface? What will you do to bring them to the rescue pod which is Jesus Christ?

Super short but intense sermon

This lady covers a LOT of ground in less than two minutes. What do you think?