How much does the Father know you? He breathes you in…
How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk
Faith in real life
Category Archives: commentary
Who’s your daddy?
When your dad is King…
“God is so in your face!”
I have been reading in Numbers as part of a daily Bible routine developed by the Moravian Church. When you read the Book of Numbers, you see God is one tough God. As Bart Simpson once said, after God stearnly told Noah that he especially wanted stink beetles on the ark, "Whoa, cool, God is so in your face!" (Episode 5F11, "Das Bus," directed by LIFEhouse's own Pete Michaels!)
Here are a few things that happen if you mess with God or God's leaders:
- Fire surrounds your camp (11:1-3)
- You get leprosy (12:9-10)
- Everyone dies (31:7) Now, I could try to be like a modern "enlightened" pastor and explain all of this away as "primitive legendary writings." I could ridicule your faith in a God who appears so psycho, like one of the host of atheist authors. Or it could cause me to pause for more than a moment before I say something foolish about God. An "in your face!" God is not to be taken so lightly…
- You get leprosy (12:9-10)
- Everyone dies (31:7) Now, I could try to be like a modern "enlightened" pastor and explain all of this away as "primitive legendary writings." I could ridicule your faith in a God who appears so psycho, like one of the host of atheist authors. Or it could cause me to pause for more than a moment before I say something foolish about God. An "in your face!" God is not to be taken so lightly…
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My other kids…
We had an amazing celebration last night for 11 young men and women who embody living Christian community. These are the graduates of LIFEhouse Christian Academy of Northridge, CA. These eighth graders are the last graduating class of First Lutheran School/ Lifehouse Christian School/ LIFEhouse Christian Academy, as we have completed our school ministry after 60 years. Thousands have been touched by the school, and God has been so faithful, especially in making it possible for us to finish out the year.
You will not hear finer speeches than those made by Olivia and Courtney. Heartfelt and, wow, so poised and gracious, this preacher beamed with pride! Having just returned after a week at camp in Yosemite with this class, along with Nancy, my wife, who is also their math and homeroom teacher, the joy and love that these students share with each other is still contagious and spreading. I spent a week with them last year on Catalina Island, and almost all of them are in our church's junior high ministry, so I know these kids about as well as any over the years. They are truly a blessing in every way! Can't wait to continue to be a part of their lives.
And, by the way, they did a great "All The Single Ladies" flash mob dance (even better than this one) on a crowded bus in Yosemite, and so what better way to end of the ceremony than with an encore! What more can you ask for?
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Lunch, Fresno style…
Alex ate a 4×4, chicken nuggets, wendy’s frostie, and drank a coke. I,
on the other hand, had a diet lunch- double/ double, fries, and
vanilla shake. Better have a hike today. Yosemite here we come!
on the other hand, had a diet lunch- double/ double, fries, and
vanilla shake. Better have a hike today. Yosemite here we come!
Here comes the blessing!
Steve Cockram, 3D ministries leader, called LIFEhouse leaders "outstanding!"
This is you Lorraine Brown, Coordinator extraordinary, Don and Sheryl Lautenschlager/ Duane and Barbara Cirks, hosts who are the most, Nancy Hanson and Char and Dick McGlone, hosts of warmth and joy, Megan Lee, gracious servant, T.C. Christopher, generous and behind the scenes, Rob Reed, Lead Worshipper and prophet, Vickie DeBlasio and all of Lorraine's "Army," you served invisibly, but visible were the results.
Just remember- blessings are coming your way!! (Luke 10:6)
3D Taster
What an amazing week we had hosting the 3D Ministries team and 40
participants from all over for a3D Taster Retreat. All you
LIFEhouser’s who helped were oustanding! Steve Cockram, 3D leader, was
blown away by you hospitality and leadership. Huge debts of gratitude go out from me to you! (PD) (individual thanks to come…)
participants from all over for a3D Taster Retreat. All you
LIFEhouser’s who helped were oustanding! Steve Cockram, 3D leader, was
blown away by you hospitality and leadership. Huge debts of gratitude go out from me to you! (PD) (individual thanks to come…)
You don’t even have to go to tryouts…
What does God want to accomplish by joining with you in new creation?
Why not check your excitement and anticipation “meter?” What is stirring you?
Someone who enjoys making things so much like your Dad in heaven isn’t likely to get all somber when it comes to creating new opportunities for you. Like a great divine screenwriter, God is getting goosebumps writing a new story with you in mind for a specific role.
Are you ready? What is is that stops you dead on and you say,
“That part has been written just for me.” ?
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Missy Rocks!
We had our last session of Impact!, our Middle School Confirmation program, last night. As always, we ended the night with an 18 foot long Banana Split. Delicious, yet, this time, a bit bittersweet.
You see, it was also a time to thank God for all He has done through our youth director, Missy Andrews. Missy "retired" from being our youth director for almost 20 years! The spiritual depth, energy and enthusiasm she has poured into the lives of young people for two decades has truly been amazing.
Missy will continue to find new opportunities to grow and follow God's call on her life. Wherever that leads, young people will continue to be called to a high standard in their lives, cheered on and encouraged all along the way. Yet, somehow, that Banana Split just didn't taste the same last night…
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my buddy, Mike…
Returning from a 3D ministries conference in South Carolina. My friend Mike from Aurora, Colorado is taking the same first leg to Atlanta of our flights back home. Mike is about as kind as a guy can be. "Gentle" could be used as a descriptor, but a guy doesn't generally want that word to be too definitive. Fortunately for Mike, he has Popeye forearms and a deep voice, so I'll bet people don't take advantage. Kind of a Ernest Hemingway look going, but I'll bet he looks good in a Santa outfit at Christmas, as well.
Thanks for a great couple of days, bud!Posted via email from how to be a christian without being a jerk!
