by Ginger Gann | Aug 15, 2017
A dozen-plus years ago, inspired by Ty Pennington, I convinced my sister to assist me with a little home makeover project. Obsessed with refurbishing the hard wood floors in my home, I couldn’t wait no longer.
After scrummaging around for capable tools, we began the job. First, we tore out a built-in buffet cabinet – along with a good amount of the plastered wall. Undaunted, we next removed the old vinyl flooring, uncovering the original wood beneath. However, this too proved more challenging than expected.
Armed with a crowbar, and other handy gadgets, covered head-to-toe in plaster dust, dirt and sweat, the two of us stepped back to survey the damage. We could see all the way through, down into the basement – it’s not too terribly bad. Okay… no, it is really, really bad! We managed to remove the vinyl along with the sub flooring to which it is attached!
Now, at this point you might think “WOW, she has one big mess on her hands.” However, the real mess hasn’t even shown up yet. The real mess is sitting in Owen Field, deeply engrossed in the 3rd quarter of the OU vs. Nebraska football game. The real mess doesn’t arrive until about 20 minutes later – when my husband picks up his Nokia 3310 in response to my call for help.
The short walk home from the stadium gave him just enough time to become totally aggravated, since he could hear the rumble of the cheering crowd behind him along the way. Rounding the corner from the dining room, he got a solid look at the goings-on in the kitchen ….
Wait for it – Boom!
Now you can go ahead and say it! I had one BIG mess on my hands!
Such good intentions! Such great expectations!
As I read the 18th chapter of John during my morning Bible study, this memory compels me to think about all of my big messes. Oh, I’ve had a few on my hands over a lifetime. Mostly resulting when my good intentions and great expectations have been derailed. How about you?
The disciples of Jesus probably think they had a mess on their hands, the night Jesus was arrested.
John tells us the disciple who betray Jesus has a squad of soldiers and police to accompany him when showing up at the olive grove. Jesus fully realizes all that is going to happen to him. Verse 5 says, “Stepping forward to meet them he asks, ‘Whom are you looking for?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. And as he said it, they all fell backwards to the ground! Peter grabs his sword and slashes off the right ear of Malchus, the High Priest’s servant.” Jesus reigns him in telling Peter in verse 11, “Put your sword away. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?”
Late in the third quarter of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Peter appears to be knee deep in a mess of his own. But actually, his big mess doesn’t truly arrive till after they arrest Jesus and take him away. A few of the disciples follow after Him. One, being Peter. The short walk to the court yard of the High Priest gives Peter just enough time to become completely and totally aggravated, since he can hear the rumble of the angry crowd behind him along the way.
Verse 17 says, “While Peter stood outside the gate… the girl watching at the gate, let Peter in. The girl asked Peter, ‘Aren’t you one of Jesus’ disciples?’”
Now wait for it … here it comes.
“No,” Peter said, “I am not!”
Boom!
There it is!
Now we can all say it together… “Peter has one big mess on his hands!”
I mean, really, think about this. Knowing Jesus, then knowing you have made a complete mess out of your relationship with Him has GOT to be the biggest mess of all.
Peter is asked this question twice more, by different people, and each time the answer is the same. “No, I don’t know Him!”
After hanging out with Jesus the Christ for three years, learning from him, witnessing miracles of all kinds by Him, loving Him and being loved right back –how can Peter grab his crowbar and proceed to pry himself away from the firm foundation to which he is attached.
Why would he do this?
In my opinion, for many of the same reasons we continue to do this today; fear, doubt, disappointment, anger, hurt, shame or regret.
When our great expectations are not met, when good intentions fail, when Jesus doesn’t behave according to our well devised plans, we too grab our crowbar –separate ourselves.
We deny Him through our:
- Speech
- Misplaced priorities
- Unforgiveness
- Pride
- Disobedience
- Idols
- Rebellion
In times like these, while sitting in the dusty mess of our testimony, we can certainly use a makeover of our own. Ty Pennington is good y’all, but he has nothing on Jesus when it comes to restoring and renovating our hearts.
After being arrested, Jesus is sentenced to death by the Jews, beaten, mocked, crucified, put to death and laid in a tomb. Right about here it definitely looks like, not only Peter, but the world has a big mess on its hand.
But, three days later after rising from the grave, John 20: 19-23 tells us Jesus completes His ministry. On this particular evening, the disciples are meeting behind locked doors, in fear of the Jewish leaders, when suddenly Jesus is standing there among them! After greeting them, He shows them His hands and side.
And how wonderful was their joy as they saw their Lord! He spoke to them again and said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and told them, “Receive the Holy Spirit…”
Peter probably is praying really hard for an extreme makeover about now, as he is convicted and compelled by the Holy Spirit. An extreme makeover (or should I say “do-over”) is exactly what Peter gets.
This is how it happened after His resurrection, when Jesus appears again to the disciples beside the Lake of Galilee. Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come too,” we all said. We did, but caught nothing all night. At dawn we saw a man standing on the beach but couldn’t see who he was. He called, “Any fish, boys?” “No,” we replied.
Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of them!” So we did, and couldn’t draw in the net because of the weight of the fish, there were so many! …Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said; and none of us dared ask him if he really was the Lord, for we were quite sure of it. Then Jesus went around serving us the bread and fish.
This was the third time Jesus had appeared to us since his return from the dead.
Here is where Jesus gets to work. He picks up His crowbar and walks over to Peter and begins to complete a little restoration project of His own.
Beginning in John 21:15, “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said to Him, ‘You know that I love You.’
“Feed My lambs,” He told him. Jesus ask two more times, and the answer is the same. “Yes, Lord!”
Peter is grieved that He asked him the third time. “Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. “I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”
With his heart, faith, and relationship restored once again, he follows Jesus.
Jesus’ renovation project separates Peter from the love of self and restores in him a heart after God’s own. Because of Peter’s love for Jesus, and through the power of the Holy Spirit within him, Peter gets it.
He understands when we pry ourselves away from Christ, no matter how big of a mess we make of our lives, Jesus is always there waiting to dust us off and bring us back into relationship with Him.
So if you are like Peter, or my sister and me, you too may have a mess on your hands right now. Jesus says “Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live” (John 14:3-4).
Go ahead give Him a call! Let Him start your personal restoration.
I can’t wait to see the extreme makeover Jesus has for you (and me)!
Can’t you just see it…? Ty and Jesus standing there together with big ol’ smiles on their faces, waiting to see our reaction?
Everybody shout “Move that bus!!”
Wait for it …
Amazing!
by Caleb Moore | Aug 10, 2017
If you ever happen to find yourself in the home of someone who practices the Muslim faith, look around and see if you can find a high shelf with a book perched on top. In many Muslim homes the Qur’an is considered a sacred book.
Traditionally, as a sign of respect for their scriptures, it is always kept on the highest shelf in the home so that it is above all other books. To them this book is sacred. The idea of certain things being sacred has a long history that is often forgotten in our current culture. In the Old Testament, there were sacred geographical areas, sacred buildings, sacred writings and sacred people.
I believe we don’t use the term “sacred” often enough anymore. As Christians, we believe that marriage is sacred, and it is for that reason we discourage the idea of divorcing or redefining what the term means.
We also believe that all life is sacred, which is why we fight against abortion and encourage adoption. The term “sacred” helps us communicate that we are not just against certain ideas, but that we believe things like life and marriage have a very important spiritual foundation to them.
However, it must be noted that we see even the church struggle with views on marriage and life, and perhaps that is because we have lost the sacredness when it comes to our Scriptures. Few things are to be as sacred to us as Gods word.
The term “sacred” can have several definitions, but it essentially means that something is set apart for the use of worship. In our everyday lives there are common objects and ideas, and there are also sacred objects and ideas.
Your body is a sacred object to be used for worship. Your Bible is not a sacred object, but it contains sacred words. Unlike Muslims, who put their book on a shelf as an act of respect, we are told to place the words of God on our hearts so that we might not sin against God.
I spend my days reading and studying God’s word, and I can testify that familiarity can breed contentment. This is why I have to daily remind myself that the words I am reading are not just words of advice but are the very thoughts of God.
I find that when I take a moment to remember that these words are sacred, then I slow down when I read and find myself fascinated by the thought that God not only loves me, but He wants to talk to me.
When I was in high school, I threw a wild party while my parents traveled abroad. In spite of my best efforts to clean the house and remove all signs of my rebellion before they returned, my father could tell what had transpired. I remember him explaining why my offense was so great. It wasn’t that I merely threw a party; it was the fact that I did it in a home that God had provided.
My dad saw our house as something more than bricks and mortar; he saw it as a sacred space. It was God’s house; He had merely loaned it to us. His words cut deep to my heart, and many years later I still apply that lesson to my life.
I had never thought of our home as a sacred place before, but when I became a believer His word, all the things He had blessed me with took on a new purpose. It is because of Scripture that we know marriage, life and so many other things are set apart for use by God.
This week my prayer is that we will remember the sacred and place God’s word on the top shelf of our hearts.
by Ryan Smith | Aug 8, 2017
What is the Bible?
A collection of stories? A guidebook for life? A book of great quotes to help you achieve your best?
Let me ask the question another way: If someone considered the way you treat the Bible, what would they say the Bible is?
In truth, the Bible is a story. It is the story of Jesus.
Regretfully, I observe few people using the Bible primarily this way.
For many of us personally, and sadly from many of our pulpits, the Bible is not treated as a cohesive story but as a grab bag for inspiration. The grand, sweeping story of a cosmic love spurned, a King revealed, and a relationship restored in unfathomable detail has been reduced to a condiment.
I recently heard a pastor speak to his congregation about how they should persevere in pursuing their goals. He said they have to keep their eyes on the goal (said goal was never defined and is assumed to be relative) – believing they can achieve it.
To give weight to his words, the pastor stamped them with bible ink. “After all,” he said, “As Paul says in Colossians, ‘Let us run with endurance the race set before us.’”
Heads nodded. Point made.
So what’s wrong with that?
First of all, the quote is not from Colossians, it’s from Hebrews (and Paul’s authorship is debatable). Second, this betrays a view of Scripture that has permeated Christian culture to the degree that it largely goes unquestioned.
This view of Scripture sees the Bible not as a whole unit, but as a long list of proverbs. In essence, a proverb is a short saying that carries some degree of wisdom or a principle that speaks into life.
In this view, the New Testament gives us Jesus-proverbs where He, or some random disciple, gives us a word of encouragement for living. We abide by these statements or idioms as a means to follow Jesus into the life He has planned for us (or that we have planned for us).
The Old Testament is harder as a lot of its sentences are weird and about killing bulls. It is easier, we find, just to pull a quote from the Psalms, Proverbs (that’s a lay-up) or a quick saying we like from God.
Once we have tacked one of these proverbs or idioms on to our personal thought or strategy, we have stamped it with the God-stamp. God said it. It must be true.
The problem with treating the Scriptures as a treasure trove of removable quotes is that we have completely divorced these words from their meaning. Words divorced from meaning can be lethal.
Now you may be asking:
Does it really matter who said what to whom, why, or which book it’s in?
You’re just being legalistic and bookish.
It’s all the Bible, right?
Yes and no.
Question: what if I took a quote from Hitler’s Mein Kampf and used it in a love letter to my wife? Something like, “With you, my love, I have seen that ‘heaven itself can be presented to the people.’”
It seems lofty. It sounds good.
In reality, it’s a quote about using mind-washing propaganda to justify murdering Jews. That matters.
I am certainly not saying that quoting Scripture out of context is the same as committing genocide, but it should at least give us cause to consider the way we use words – particularly words of Scripture.
In applying Scripture and hearing it applied, do we understand the meaning beyond the words? Do we know the context enough to know not just the words, but why they are important – why they speak not specifically to our situation, but to the greater Gospel narrative as a whole?
In truth, each sentence of the Bible is part of a greater thought that may be telling a historical account or introducing the Law to new Gentile converts. The difference matters.
The danger with treating the Bible like a grab bag of proverbs is that God did not give us the Bible as a grab bag of proverbs. He gave it to us as letters, histories, poems and warnings because the message of God in the Gospel is greater than personal encouragement. The Gospel is greater than really trying to lose weight or manage a busy calendar. If that weren’t the case, then a bunch of quips about how “You can do it!” would suffice.
But “You can do it!” is not the Gospel.
Whether we take the Bible one verse at a time or one book at a time, we must know why the words we are reading matter. They matter because they point to the big story of God – the Gospel. They point to Jesus. If we use them to point to any other thing, we have made that thing an idol.
Using the words of the Bible to point to ourselves, our personal pursuits or even three happy hops to a better marriage or financial portfolio may seem harmless, but to do so ultimately strips the Bible’s words of their power and assigns them a much weaker purpose. It bends the words of God to serve the message of man.
The next time you read or hear a portion of Scripture, instead of asking what it means to you and your front-burner checklist, consider what it means in light of the Gospel.
Seek out the context of the verse and why it is important in the letter, or writing, it comes from. Seek the story the words are telling.
It will lead you to a much greater story. It will connect you to a much greater power.
It will lead you to THE story, THE way, THE truth, and THE life.
It will lead you to behold the Gospel and the surpassing beauty of Jesus Christ.
It will lead you to God through His word. Words can serve no higher purpose.
by admin | Aug 8, 2017
Each year at Falls Creek, there are several songs that stand out as anthems of the summer. Songs from years past, such as Blessed Be Your Name, Our God, Everlasting God and The Stand served to further contemporary worship in connecting modern audiences with the act of corporately worshiping our God.
This year, The Lion And The Lamb (CCLI# 7038281) worked its way to the top of Falls Creek’s most-played song list at twenty-one plays. In fact, The Lion And The Lamb was the only song to be played every single week this summer! I asked Cody Dunbar, worship pastor at Bethany, Council Road – who has led worship many weeks of Falls Creek – what it is that makes this song so popular today. His response:
“The Lion And The Lamb is one of my favorite new worship songs. It is rare today to find a solid upbeat song that has an easy melody and rich theology portrayed in lyric, while also filling the appetite of a modern musician. This song does all of those things. It’s a great song to put in the front of a worship set as a call to worship. You can lead it in a camp setting or on a Sunday morning, and it seems to translate and engage in both settings
I want to focus on three aspects that make this song not only a popular choice, but a good choice.
Easy: A Song All Can Sing
Dunbar mentioned above that The Lion And The Lamb has an easy melody, and he went on to say that it is an “easy song to modulate into different keys so the worship leader can be in his or her ‘wheelhouse’ vocally while not getting outside of what the congregation can handle in terms of pitch.”
As soon as those first notes are played, there is a consistent energy, from week to week, that overwhelms the Tabernacle. Students rise, and with excitement join together in proclaiming this rich anthem. With hands lifted high and smiles on faces, the sight of thousands of students proclaiming truth together is so extremely powerful, encouraging and important.
True: Theologically Rich
In addition to an easy melody, Dunbar mentioned that this song has a “rich theology portrayed in lyric.” The majority of songs our churches sing today are certainly theologically sound, but not always are they theologically rich. When I think of theologically-rich songs, I think of hymns and how they have shaped my theology today. Sadly, there are many songs that are taught and led in churches today that are catchy and fun, but incredibly shallow.
As I began dissecting lines and ideas from The Lion And The Lamb, I immediately noticed the theological richness of its composition. From the first line, “He’s coming on the clouds” (Mark 13:26, Rev. 1:7), to the truth found in the chorus that our God fights for us (Hos. 11:10, Rev. 5:5), each phrase and declaration echoes Biblical truth.
Hopeful: Our Savior Is Coming Back
The theological richness of The Lion And The Lamb allows the worshiper to declare truths of Christ’s return and His power over the enemy. As sinful creatures placing our hope in a Savior who not only promises that He will save those who call upon Him, but also One who fulfills His promises, the words of this song remind our deceitful hearts of the hope to come!
The Son of Man will return on clouds (Mark 13:26), king and kingdoms will bow down before Him (Phil. 2:9-11), our bondage will break (Rom. 6:6), and we declare His praise (Rev. 5:13), and no one can stop Him (Job 42:2)!
Our God is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5) who roars with power (Hos. 11:10) and fights for us (Ex. 14:14)! Every knee will bow before Him (Phil. 2:10). Our God is the worthy Lamb who was slain to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29, Rev. 5:12), and His blood breaks the chains cause by that sin (Psalm 107:14, Rom. 6:6)!
Open up the gates and prepare a way for the King of kings (Psalm 24:9, Isa. 40:3) because our God who comes to save (Luke 19:10) is here to set free those who are held captive by sin (Luke 4:18), and no one can stop Him (Job 42:2)!
Let us be ever thankful for songs that continue to edify the body of Christ through outward praise and inward hope.
by Hannah Hanzel | Aug 1, 2017
The theater. Kids excitedly grasping their parent’s arm with one hand and clutching their candy in the other. Couples selfie-ing and hand holding as teen girls giggle and stare. A Lone Viewer in the middle row and middle seat so as to give the best critique after the last credit has rolled. The matted carpet reflects the excitement of occupants as its electric colors wind up and down the long hall. Small dull light bulbs line the aisle and flicker with every passerby. Oh the smell, that glorious smell! Buttered popcorn. My favorite!
I love going to the theater. Some may see a grungy, dirty place where bed bugs live, but I see a glamorous scene where cinematography history is made. People from all walks of life come here and, for a moment, have one thing in common – a movie. Crafted and labored over for years, the movie takes us to a new place. Our destination could make us scream in horror, bite our nails in suspense, cry our eyes out, or roll on the floor laughing (not recommended for those of you that only picture bed bugs in the theater).
I’ve been to the theater many, many times. I can only think of a handful of times that I didn’t get popcorn. I can think of every time that I didn’t get popcorn and regretted it. My friends tease me because I refuse to share popcorn. They know they’ve made it big with me when, in the middle of the movie, I tilt my popcorn bag over for them to grab some. I don’t know why that is, it’s just one of my many quirks.
It wasn’t until recently that a friend jokingly asked me why I don’t share my popcorn. Naturally, I answered like a toddler and said that I don’t like sharing in general! My friends and I all laughed about it, but later it got me thinking about all the other things I selfishly keep to myself. My money, my time, my house, my food; the list goes on and on. There was one specific item on this list, however, that especially disturbed me – my Faith.
I live out my faith every day. I pray, I know all the Hillsong United lyrics by heart, I’ve seen “God’s Not Dead” a hundred times (AND texted all my contacts at the end of the movie as instructed). I have done multiple Beth Moore studies and gone on several international and domestic mission trips.
With all this under my belt, why is it that when I am here in Oklahoma City, where I live, I fail to share my faith? All the things listed above are great! But when my faith falls short of lifting glory to God and proclaiming Him everywhere I go… what kind of a faith do I truly have?
The Bible is so very clear in sharing my faith. I fall short of excuses when I examine what is said in the Scriptures:
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8).
“And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15).
The evidence is stacked against me. I’ve neglected to share my faith, despite the direct instruction from the very One who saved my life.
I often live as though my faith is a background plot unfolding while I further my own kingdom. Much like the theater setting, I sit in life amid throngs of people from all different walks of life. I know what’s going to happen at the end of the movie – a glorious return of the Prince, the Bride is rescued and the villain is destroyed. All the while, the people seated to my side are living in anticipation for the next best part of the film. They don’t know the ending. Some desperately Google in vain for the ending and for answers, while some sit carelessly, hardly even appreciating the movie.
Life may not even out as a theater experience, but the truth remains. I walk through daily life, past people who are just barely hanging on, despite their efforts, and I hold a hope that could shake up their world in a glorious way – remaining silent. No, there must be more.
God, “stir my heart with a noble theme.” Let conviction lay heavy on me, and let me not miss a moment of this amazing plot you are unfolding! Show me who is on my left and on my right that I may share your glory! From popcorn to faith, give me kindness and conviction.
by Caleb Gordon | Jul 26, 2017
How many of us, as we fired up our devices, had a stressful thought going through our minds?
You might even be reading this and saying to yourself, “I’m about to absolutely lose my ever-loving mind!”
Between bills, kids, work, school, church stuff and just life in general, we are stretched thin. The question I have for you today is not, “What are you going to do,” but rather, “Where are you going to turn?” And more specifically, WHO are you going to turn to?
I know for a lot of Christians, our verbal answer is JESUS! But when it’s 1:45 p.m. on a Tuesday and the floor drops out, our actions say otherwise. Many of us start scheming, planning and trying to figure out ways to make our circumstances go away.
I know because I’ve done this. I’m guilty of trying to HANDLE things. For many of us, we need to stop trying things and start trusting what God has already said about who we are and what we need to do.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:25-33).
Did you catch that? Jesus knows where you are at, and nothing that is going on in your world is catching Him off guard! He’s got your past, present and future. He is more powerful than we can even begin to comprehend.
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). He knows where you are, and HE CARES!!
You and I are fighting FROM VICTORY not FOR victory. Because Jesus has already won the war! The battle is over! JESUS WINS!
When Jesus enters your story it moves from a question mark to an exclamation point!
When Jesus steps into your timeline your past has been erased and your future is secure. There truly is no reason to worry.
Today, don’t wring your hands in stress and worry; rather, trust in What the word of God tells you. SEEK HIM FIRST! Look to Him, make your foundation the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST!
Worship today, because HE IS WORTHY to be praised and see where God takes you.