Great Commission Resurgence

At the conclusion of the first full day of the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention a few things stand clear. We, as God's people with the distinct history of being Gospel-centered, can be a rude bunch. However, by in large, there is a genuine desire to be faithful to the name of Christ and to making His name known. The single most talked about topic this year is the Great Commission Resurgence. This document put forth by Dr. Johnny Hunt, SBC President, is a call to Southern Baptists to return to the heart of the Gospel. To read more go to
http://www.greatcommissionresurgence.com/.
I have read the document, listened to the discussions and most importantly prayed about it's point and purpose and I have to say that I am in complete and full agreement with it. Let me encourage you to read it for yourself, pray about it and ask any questions you might have.
For some this may seem distracting and off point. The fact is our denomination, and often times, our churches, have been distracted and off point for years. You need not look any further than the sobering data released this morning from LifeWay Research that states if we, as a convention, continue the trend we've been on for the last 50 years, we will be a convention with less than half of what we are today, for evidence of our loss of focus.
It is my hope, and prayer, that the Great Commission Resurgence will be a rally cry that our convention, churches, ministers and members can get behind. Not so we can be bigger churches and build bigger buildings, not so we can be a more positive influence in the communiy, not so we can win "our" political point of view in the public discorce, but so we can be Kingdom focused in ALL that we do. And as a result of glorfying God with our re-focus, we can be all that God desires us to be in our families, our churches, our communities, our regions, and around the world.
Will you join me in committing to this Great Commission Resurgence?

Show Me What I'm Looking For

Have you ever had a song "haunt" you? I first heard Carolina Liar's song, "Show Me What I'm Looking For" a few weeks ago. From the first moment I heard the lyrics, they pierced me to the core. While I admit to knowing little to nothing about the artists that comprise the band, the song is nonetheless a powerful, soul-searching song that, in my opinion, is a desperate cry to God Himself. Look at the lyrics:

Wait, I’m wrong
Should have done better than this
Please, I’ll be strong
I’m finding it hard to resist
So show me what I’m looking for
CHORUS
Save me, I’m lost 
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you 
I’ll pay any cost 
Save me from being confused 
Show me what I’m looking for 
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord
Don’t let go
I’ve wanted this far too long
Mistakes become regrets
I’ve learned to love abuse
Please show me what I’m looking for
CHORUS
Save me, I’m lost 
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you 
I’ll pay any cost 
Save me from being confused 
Show me what I’m looking for 
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
CHORUS
Save me, I’m lost
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you
I’ll pay any cost
Just save me from being confused
Wait, I’m wrong
I can’t do better than this
I’ll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord

I find the chorus especially haunting:

Save me, I’m lost 
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you 
I’ll pay any cost 
Save me from being confused 
Show me what I’m looking for 
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord

Again, not knowing a single thing about the group or their intentions in writing the song, I find that these lyrics speak to the heart of a generation of people who are lost and are desperatley looking for and longing for meaning. They know they're lost, they are willing to pay any cost so they can find some authentic purpose to life. In this song, they even cry out to the "lord" that they've been waiting for him.

I hope this song continues to haunt me and that God will use it in my life as a reminder of the people in my path everyday who are quietly living their lives, while on the inside the are screaming these lyrics to the top of their lungs. I pray God will allow me to shine the light of Jesus on these so they won't have to be lost anymore.

Stories

I'm excited about our Summer Sermon Series, "Stories" that will begin this Sunday, June 14. "Stories" will explore the stories that Jesus used, parables, to teach his listeners and us today. Through the use of the power of stories Jesus shared great truths and significant theology. The interesting thing about stories is the power that they have on us. We remember stories. In the 21st century we experience stories best through media - namely tv, movies and even music. Think of the latest movie you've seen and the story that it told. I recently watched Schindlers list for the very first time. I will never forget the story of this man and the people he sought to save from the vicious evil that was Hitler. The powerful images, while difficult to watch at times, are seared in my mind and make more real to me the reality of the enslavement, torture and senseless deaths of millions of Jews.
While we have been conditioned to expereicne most of our stories through media, God has long used the power of stories to tell His great truths. The fact is, virtually every one of Jesus' parables are known by even those with a limited knowledge of the Bible.
I am hopefull that through this series we will each discover not only the truth of Jesus' teaching but also the truth of the story God is wanting to write on our hearts and through our lives.