Never waste a good crisis has become the mantra of the Obama administration. This ideology was first echoed by President Obama’s White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel. Less than ten days after Obama was elected president, Emanuel went on the Sunday Morning talk shows and said, “Rule one: Never allow a crisis to go to waste. They are opportunities to do big things.” [Source]

This post is a take off on the above quote, but it is not, I repeat not, political!

I’m thinking about the idea that in every crisis, whether it’s a huge tragedy or a more mundane everyday kind of emergency, there is an opportunity for growth and a real chance to learn.

I’ve been thinking about this because a friend of mine died the other day, and I’ll be speaking at his memorial service Saturday morning. Of course when I heard about this I thought about my Father’s death about 10 months ago, and everything that’s happened since.

I’ve learned a lot since then.  I’ve learned a lot about God and how He works in and through our lives during times of pain and difficulty.  I’ve also learned a lot about myself, and how I wasn’t nearly as strong or secure in my eating habits as I thought I was.  The 48 or so pounds I’ve gained in the last year stand as mute and ugly testament to that!

Never waste a crisis is actually very good advice.  Don’t just go through but grow though it would be another way to say it.  But whatever cliche you want to use, the important thing is to make sure you do it!

The the real world, as opposed to the political one where this quote comes from, crisis are opportunities for God to do being things in and through us!  Time to grow big, step out in faith in a big way, make big changes in our lives and to let the world see Jesus living big in us!

That’s what being a witness is all about.  So, the next time tough times come your way, be sure not to waste them!

You can go here to see my page, and follow along if you wish too!

I’m late with this post – got so involved doing things last night I actually forgot to write a post!  Sorry!

I’m even more sorry to have to write this post, because I’m going to use a post from a Pastor and writer I respect a lot, as an example of how silly and even stupid teachings and notions can spread and lodge in our minds.  Below is a quote from Mark Batterson’s blog, the post is titled A Fresh Anointing.

I’m not sure any of us can even define the anointing. I think it’s unexplainable, undefinable, and uncontrollable. But I want it. I need it. And I can’t do anything without it. I’m not trying to get hyper-spiritual here. But you know when you have it and you know when you don’t. On one level, it’s not something you can man-u-facture. But I do think purity and humility are the keys to unlocking the anointing.

It’s posts like this that convince me that we in America are rapidly losing ,if we haven’t already lost, our capacity to think logically and reasonably about things. Here’s a few reasons why:

1. If you can’t define it, explain it or control it, why on earth would you want it?
2. How do you know you can’t do anything without it if you don’t know what it is?
3. How is it even remotely possible to know you have it, when you don’t know what it is?

Obviously if you can’t define or describe something accurately, then you can’t possibly know when you have it and when you don’t!

But what Mark wrote perfectly defines just about everything written and spoken about “the anointing” today. A few years ago when I wrote a spiritual growth campaign on the Holy Spirit, I did a lot of study about this. I listened to tapes, read books and articles, and they all did exactly what the above paragraph does.  In essence they all said you had to have “the anointing,” and many of the teachers and preachers were talking about how to get it, and not lose it, and get more of it.  But none of them ever defined what it is.

There’s a good reason for that. The reason they can’t define “the anointing” is this it doesn’t exist!

What? Oh it’s true – check out the verses that the entire “the anointing” concept are drawn from:

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit–just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:26-27 (NIV)

What is the anointing that John speaks of here.  I think that anyone who calmly and deeply reflects on and studies this passage will come to the conclusion that the anointing John is talking about is in fact the Holy Spirit. There is no “anointing” apart from His presence and His Power in our lives!

What really bothers me about this entire emphasis on “the anointing” is not only that it’s a misinterpretation of Scripture. and that an entire mountain of a doctrine is being built on two little verses (that does bother me of course) but that we are creating a thing, apart from God Himself, that we are now urging people to seek after.

We have created a new idol, and gimmick that unscrupulous false teachers (Mark Batterson isn’t one of those!) can and do use to make a whole lot of money.

It’s way past time to get a grip on the Bible, forsake this anointing nonsense, and focus on our Triune God, not made up things He supposedly gives us!

In an effort to improve the level of communication within our congregation, as well as increase our outreach on the internet, yesterday we set up accounts for KCC on both Twitter and Facebook.  Please check them out, and be sure to subscribe to our Twitter account so you can get the latest updates.  We won’t be tweeting very often, but we do intend to use it as a way to remind the church of what’s going on, issue last minute bulletins, etc.

Twitter

Facebook

Monday seemed to be trying to tell me something, maybe you too for all I know.

First we had the news of the spreading of the Swine Flu across the entire globe. In spite of our medical technology, we seem pretty helpless to stop it from spreading, but happily there have been relatively few fatalities from it so far.

I heard on the news that GM (Government Motors) is going to close down it’s Pontiac brand after all these years, and put about 21,000 people out of work.

Then I got a phone call that my sister Monica was in a car accident.  Happily she’s fine even if the car isn’t!

And I got news that a friend of mine is probably dying after a long, heroic struggle again several diseases.

So what’s the common thread here?  There not a darn thing I or anyone else could do about any of these things!

We like to think of ourselves as advanced and in control, when in reality nature does what it darn well pleases, and leaves us to play catch up!

I have to remind myself over and over again, that God is in control – not me!  Because I’m not God!

Just a little reminder in case anyone else out there needs it too!

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Matthew 19:21-22 (NIV)

Yesterday in my sermon I talked a little  bit about being patient and enduring whatever happens to us, so that we’ll continue to serve God faithfully. It’s not easy to be a Christian, which is why the New Testament tells us over and over again to persevere and endure to the end.

Sound advice.  But how well do we carry that out today.

Not well at all, at least in the American church.

One of the greatest frustrations in American Christianity is people’s lack of real commitment. Oh sure, they say they are committed, and they probably believe they really are committed. But when things get tough, when the church does something they don’t like, or in a way they don’t like, what happens?

They are out the door and off to find another church where they’ll “be fed.”  Being “fed” in all too many cases means being agreed with, or having your butt kissed, whichever comes first!

Worst of all, they usually won’t say a word. You find out via the ever loving grape vine that they are gone!  Like wisps of smoke, they just disappear.  Makes you wonder how long they’ll stick it out where ever it is they end up doesn’t it?

The passage of Scripture above is all about this kind of behavior.  The young man was very religious, had obeyed the law as best he could and came to Jesus wanting to know more.  Sounds good doesn’t it?  Yes it does, till you look beneath the surface and find that what he really wanted was for Jesus to give him higher goals and tougher challenges in areas where he felt comfortable and wanted them!

When Jesus struck to the heart of the issue and exposed his secret sin (idolizing money) he was out the door. Doubtless searching for another Messiah who would be more reasonable, or did things in a way he could approve of.  Good luck with that one dude!

Real commitment to Christ is also being committed to the local church body He puts you in! How much better would not only our witness be, but how much deeper would our personal lives be, if we would settle down, stay put, work hard, be accountable and GROW TO BE LIKE CHRIST!

I guess this is my challenge for all of us this week – including me! Let me know how it goes!

Okay – it’s Friday and time to lighten up and give you some links!  I’ve got an interesting site, some news of note, and then of course some great blog posts. Enjoy.

News of Note:

Myanmar Junta Trying to Erase Non-Burman Identities - it’s been going on for a while now, and is getting worse.

Southern Baptist Convention – dying! Check out the bad news.

Interesting Site of the Week:

Institute for Nouthetic Studies Blog – check it out, interesting take on Christian counseling.

Blog Posts of Note:

No – something all Christians need to know how to say!

Gotta Love This Sign!

Cancel the Renewal - I can only say Amen to this one!

Thinking About Heaven on Earth Day - good stuff here.

Let The Gays Have Marriage – it’s not quite what it sounds like, and I believe this post is spot on and prophetic. Gay Marriage is going to happen in America, it’s just a matter of time.  And if that doesn’t convince us we’re not a Christian nation – I don’t know what will!

Why Do You Want To Go To Heaven? A new take on an old reality.

The Rebooting of Star Trek!

Oh – yeah!  Can’t wait!

Well last night was an interesting night in my small group, well, it was interesting for me anyway!  You see last night we did the first in our small group lessons that are drawn from my sermon series on Sunday morning, How To Live Like Jesus In A Messed Up World (it’s a series on Colossians).

I got this idea from Mark Driscoll and others, who talk about how important it is to link what you as the Lead Pastor are teaching to your small groups.  This is a way to help people apply what they are learning on Sunday morning, and who knows, they might actually remember some of it too! (BTW, I’m linking to Driscoll because he was the first one I heard talking about this, and I remember how excited I got a few years ago as I listened to him. So he gets the link!)

To use Driscoll’s terminology, it’s linking your air war (preaching) with your ground war (small groups).  Being a military history nut I immediately took to his metaphor, and still think it’s very appropriate. I love the idea of tying what I’m preaching on Sundays to what my people are discussing and trying to live out during the week!

Since coming to KCC I’ve talked about doing this, but had to wait till now.  Why wait?  Well for one thing we didn’t have any small groups when I got here!  And I decided that doing 40 Days of Purpose was the best way to do a number of things here, including introducing small groups to our church life.

So if you’re still with me I imagine you are asking how it went?  If you are reading this and were there – I’m asking you to answer honestly in the comments okay?  Don’t let me down now!

I actually thought the discussion was good, and probably would have been better if more of our group had been here. But it was a good and thought provoking time I believe.  I found some errors in my Leaders Guide (sorry to the other leaders using it, I’ll try and do better next week!) and wish I had thought of some of the questions that came to mind as I was teaching when I wrote the lesson.

But for me that’s par for the course.  That’s why I preach off an outline.  I’ve always been a very extemporaneous speaker and teacher, and guess I always will be.

So I think we did pretty good for the first time at bat, and I expect to do better as time goes on.  (Now if I only had a large enough staff to write my material and proof read it too! OH well, you can’t have everything!)

PS – all of this will be available online at the church site very soon.  I’m not sure when but we’ll get it up there, and yes it will be free of charge and I promise you it’s worth every penny of it!

I received an e-mail from  Brian Henderson that contains the “offical reply” from Saddleback about Rick Warren’s recent misstatement about Prop 8 in California. As far as I know Rick himself hasn’t come forward and talked about this – I hope he will.  Until then this is as probably as much as your going to get on it.

It settles the issue for me. I just hope and pray he’s a lot more careful about how he says things in the future!

My thanks to Brian for this!

Hi Pastor Louie,
When Rick Warren’s proposition 8 comments about homosexuality made the mainstream media and subsequent conservative talk shows, I became concerned and sent Saddleback Church an email. Just today I received the following reply:

Thanks for your note.

I can only imagine the frustration you felt as you wrote this note.  Writing a note like this to a pastor takes you through a variety of different emotions.  You like many others wrote in and mentioned that Pastor Rick’s comments on Larry King confused you.  I understand, so it’s my hope this reply will help reaffirm your belief in Pastor Rick and settle this for you.

Throughout his pastoral ministry spanning nearly 30 years, Pastor Rick remains committed to the Biblical definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, for life — a position held by most fellow Evangelical pastors around the world.

When Pastor Rick told Larry King he never campaigned for California’s Proposition 8, he was referring to not participating in the official two-year organized advocacy effort specific to the ballot initiative in that state, based on his focus and leadership on other compassion issues. Because he’s a pastor, not an activist, in response to inquiries from church members, he issued an email and video message to his congregation days before the election confirming where he and Saddleback Church stood on this issue.

Pastor Rick also referenced a letter of apology, during the interview, he sent to gay leaders whom he knew personally.  This apology was not with respect to his statements or position on Proposition 8 nor the Biblical worldview on marriage.  Rather, he apologized for his comments in an earlier Beliefnet interview expressing his concern about expanding or redefining the definition of marriage beyond a husband-wife relationship, during which he unintentionally and regrettably gave the impression that consensual adult same sex relationships were equivalent to incest or pedophilia.

I hope this helped.

Thanks for asking,

David Chrzan
Chief of Staff
Saddleback Church

I found the video below over at CT, so thanks to them.  Now check it out and see what you think.  Below the video I have a few thoughts and questions.

Okay, that’s more than a little strange to me!

First off the kids is obviously imitating what he’s seen and heard in that church, which says a lot about them now doesn’t it?  I was also rather amazed at the way they responded to him, which of course just spurred him on to do more of the same.

It would be an easy cheap shot to say that this baby has about as much content in his message as most preachers do!  So I won’t say that! 

I think what disturbs me most about this is the fact the so-called adults in this video get all excited and worked up because the child says something that they think sounds like “in Jesus name.”  They even coach the child to say that, which he does as best he can, and the crowd goes wild!

How silly.  At his current age this child doesn’t know the difference between Jesus and banana! In fact I think the crowd is bananas for reacting to all this the way they do.  The child is saying nothing and doing nothing other than mimic the antics of the adults he’s seen on stage!

How sad is that?

It just adds to the image of Christians being downright stupid people, who are driven by their emotions, who have no intellect at all, and are dangerously unstable.

Just what we need right now in our culture right?

I have to go now, I have a headache.