The Harvest really is Plentiful

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mike
on November 3, 2008
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I just got back from a week in Ecuador, where a team from our church is helping to start a church in a city near Quito. I won’t take the time to recite all of the miracles and answers to prayer we experienced in that one week, but one thing became abundantly clear to me over and over again. What Jesus said in Luke 10:2 is as true today as it was in 30AD.

“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2, NIV)

As my team of three moved from store to store in this bustling commercial center, we just talked with people about the needs of their lives and of the city. Again and again we found people ready to bare their souls to complete strangers, people ready to discuss their views on the Bible and hear truths from the Bible. We found people very open to us when we said we wanted to pray for them. We found a lot of people who wanted to explore for themselves, the claims of Jesus Christ.

Truly, the harvest is big and it is close to ready…but we didn’t make it very far down that sidewalk because…there just wasn’t enough time or enough people.

The reality of what Jesus said hit me harder this week than any time in my life. Oh, if just had more workers. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said, “That’s what you need, and that’s what you need to pray for.”

And Your Team was the Winner???

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on October 15, 2008
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I got to fulfill a life-long dream last weekend. I was there. Yes, indeed. I was at the Cotton Bowl to see UT and OU. Right in the middle of 92,000 people. From the time I was a little boy, I’ve always wanted to go to that game. Always. So thanks to a good friend, there I was.

And the game was a barn burner. I wasn’t really worried about who won. I just wanted them to play the whole game. Hey, for that matter, I wouldn’t have been disappointed with overtime! But what a game.

Then I met my family at the fair, and after a few hours of stirring around like thickened mud in a 5 gallon bucket (along with 92,000+ people) we decided to call it a day, and headed home. We took the bus to the Trinity Rail. We had to wait for the rail because the Trinity only comes once every other day, so by the time we got on…suffice it to say, “It was crowded.” Standing room only for me. Thankfully, Mary Beth and Shelby got seats, nearby, but not together. You get the picture?

Then it got REALLY CROWDED!!! About 6 people (I think 3 couples, but I’m not for sure.) got on just before the train left, and it might as well have been 60 more people. Why? Well, it wasn’t that they were avid Longhorns. They were: complete with burnt orange shirts, and little bevo face paintings on the girls. It wouldn’t have been any better or worse had they been Sooners. It wasn’t that they smelled. At least they were about the same as the rest of us fair goers, but that’s a bit too personal I suppose.

The problem? They were drunk. And mad. Very mad. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they were on the train instead of on the highway. They freely shared that this was part of the motivation for the train. “You might get a PI, but at least you won’t get a DWI,” one man advised me. I had to think for a minute because the only PI that came to my mind was a Private Investigator, but at last, without me having to ask, my jurisprudence hemisphere connected.

Now, being around drunk people cannot be the favorite past time for anyone, can it? But that wasn’t really the heart of the problem, either, to be honest. At one point one man told me that he had been drinking since 5pm the night before with only about an hour of sleep all night. So, what did all this “Party Hearty!” do for them? Not much.

Somewhere along the way, one of the couples had experienced a severe falling out with each other. The woman, who had been terribly offended by her husband’s words to her and about her, refused to even look at him. She kept her back to him, and if dry ice had been on the train, it wouldn’t have produced much more smoke than the steam that was coming out of her ears, if you know what I mean.

He, on the other hand, kept the verbal assault on overdrive. Barbs. Hand Grenades. Bombs. Insults. Insinuations. You get the point. Talk about a miserable ride. And I was just sharing the same air space as him. At least I wasn’t sharing a life with him. (or her) Pleasant? Anything but.

That’s what drinking does for you, if you want to see the “rest of the story.” Great ads. Pretty people. Less Filling. Life Ruining.

There’s a better life. Win or lose the game. It’s in following Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life. Living by His Word. Obeying Him. Putting Him as number one in your life. If He’s number one, all the other numbers just fall into place.

The Way of Wisdom

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mike
on October 7, 2008
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Well I have certainly had plenty of feedback from the message on Sunday about God’s will. Some liked it. Some didn’t. I suppose that’s always the way it is, but it is a little more emotional when it comes to things like God’s will because it touches on a very important part of our lives, and one in which we’ve all had some pain.

If you want to listen to the message, it will be posted on our website: www.fbcgrapevine.com on Wednesday. I’d be interested to hear back from you. James McDonald articulated much of what I have long believed about God’s will in his book The Way of Wisdom.

He dismisses the idea of God’s permissive will and perfect will, and instead focuses on God’s sovereign will and His moral will. Personally, I believe this is a much more Biblical approach. (That’s why I preached the sermon that way, I suppose!) However, others are not comfortable with the amount of freedom that they perceive.

If you have some input, I’d love to hear from you.

Tiger on the Loose…Lion King in the Pew

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mike
on September 18, 2008
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They try to slip these things by you, don’t they? Yesterday’s paper said there was a Tiger on the loose in Galveston County…and that there were reports (albeit disputed ones, according to my prayer partners) of a lion “holed up” in a Baptist Church.

Do they make these things up?

Well, it does make you wonder how it would be to walk into church knowing that there just might be a Lion wandering around, doesn’t it?

Sort of makes you feel justified in being late to church. I mean, there’s no need to take any chances! After all, there are reports of times in days gone by, when a Lion was known to show up at church unexpectedly.

But we know that if there is a lion holed up in a Baptist church in Galveston, it’s not THAT lion…Because the report says that the lion was “holed up…with its owner…” and THAT Lion who sometimes frequented churches in the past was the LION of Judah…and nobody owns Him.

Hunt for Red “Sox” October

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mike
on September 17, 2008
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They are making their move…and should win the East on their way to the ALCS and another World Series Championship… :)

Gotta love Art Briles, the new head coach of the Baylor Bears and the man who is perhaps single-handedly responsible for recruiting one of the most exciting athletes in the history of Baylor football. Namely: Robert Griffin. Briles was quoted in the Dallas Morning News the other day as saying, “We can’t just become a happy football team.” Sadly, I have a feeling that UConn will solve that problem Friday night. The Bears will be a good football team. They are far from that right now. (Hope I’m wrong, but does it say anything about the condition of Baylor football that they are now playing on Friday nights, a slot normally reserved for high school teams?)

Ok…here’s something to think about..

Ever thought about the connection between “Love Must Be Tough” (the concept discussed by Dr. James Dobson in his book by the same title) and the presentation of the gospel?

The main application of Dobson’s book is to romantic relationships. His premise is that we are attracted to what we do not possess and repulsed by what we feel trapped by. He’s no advocate of open marriage, hahaha…but he definitely understands the dynamics of romance.

So, I’ve been thinking…has the Christian church become so “smothering” with its desire to see people come to Christ, come to church, come to faith, come to anything…approach that we’ve made ourselves and the gospel out to be something akin to a spurned lover that the other person just can’t wait to get away from?

I don’t claim to know the answer. I’m just raising the question.

What would we think of a would-be mate who was so desperate to get married that he or she resorted to all the things that we are sometimes told we must in order to grab the atttention of the people in our nation? Of course the polar opposite is the mentality summed up by the classic, but classless, line: “They know where the doors are. They can come if they want.”

I’m not advocating that by any means. But I wonder if there isn’t something to learn about evangelism and human nature from re-examining some of the things Dobson says about romance and human nature.

What’s Wrong with the Mafia?

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on September 15, 2008
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After watching the Broncos, I just can’t help but wonder…

You see, when I was a little boy, my dad would always watch the Cowboys, and as long as they won, all was well with the Mowery world. But when they lost…especially when it was close or when there were some “Jackie Smith” drops the ball in the end zone plays, my dad would go into this rage about how, “This game is controlled by the mafia.” I never believed him…until…

With the clock ticking away in the 4th quarter today, Jay Cutler has his Broncos inside the 15 with a one point lead, only to throw it directly…not indirectly…but directly into the arms of a San Diego defender in the end zone. So much for the security touchdown. Everyone in the Western Hemisphere knew…we just knew…don’t ask me how we knew…but we ALL just knew that the Chargers would score a touchdown, and indeed they did.

It was then that the echos of my dad’s rants began to crescendo.

But…then…here come the Broncos.

And with now less than 2 minutes to go, Cutler has the Broncos once again, inside the 10 yard line, and poised to score the tying touchdown and send this game into OVERTIME. That’s when things got…REALLY REALLY crazy, right?

He enters the Bermuda Triangle, AREA 51, and the TWILIGHT Zone, all three at the same time…and lets the ball slip out of his hand. (”It’s the Empty Hand! The Empty Hand! Empty Hand!” we were repeatedly told by the CBS telecast crew… over and over and over and over… :) )

The Chargers pick up the fumble…all is well, I guess, in the Mafia world.

But wait! It’s ruled an incomplete pass? (What about the Empty hand?) Oh my word!

And then…wait…the call is overturned. It was a fumble…BUT…It was whistled dead? Broncos ball on the 10? (What on earth is wrong with the Mafia? Have they lost all control?) Boy, this is where I need my dad to help me understand these really tough situations.

Well, 2 plays later, the Broncos are in the end zone…and are ready to send it into overtime…wait…wait…what? They are going for the two point conversion? What???

OF course, they win. By now it is obvious to all: The mafia has completely lost control. This game is out of their control. It’s out of everyone’s control. It’s just in Cutler’s hands. (The Empty Hand! The Empty Hand!) and Shannahan’s brain. There’s only one Shanny, and no one is in his head. There’s too much football in there to fit anything else.

Why did he do that? My best guess, is the mafia’s internet was down, and Shanny knew it or…he had reservations at the Chop House, and didn’t want to be late. Either way, all is well in Bronco nation, even if there are obvious problems in the mafia. sorry, Dad.

With or without the mafia’s apparent disarray, sez here: Cowboys beat the Eagles in a close one tomorrow night. :)

Adversity or just Inconvenience?

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mike
on September 13, 2008
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Baylor’s Freshman Quarterback, Robert Griffin, put on quite a show Friday night in their surprisingly easy victory over Pac 10 patsy Washington State University. The teams agreed to play on Friday night in Waco, instead of Saturday night in order to avoid being drenched by the impact of Hurricane Ike.

Baylor played like a hurricane. Washington State played like they were afraid of a hurricane. The result? Baylor won 45-17, and Griffin put himself into the Baylor and Big 12 Record book for the first of, possibly many times. :)

(I saw him play in the Baylor Spring Game, and it was obvious then that this kid has some special abilities. He was the best athlete on the field that day, and for what it’s worth…I think he’s going to do for Baylor football what Chase Daniel has done for Missouri football. Although, I will not go so far as predicting a national championship for Baylor, a feat that is not out of the question for Missouri, look for Griffin’s career to lift Baylor out of the Big 12 cellar and make them a perennial bowl team.)

But records and impossible dreams aside, Friday’s game had a big, big lesson for us all.

No offense to Washington State coach Paul Wulff, but there’s a big difference between adversity and inconvenience. His team had to leave Pullman, WA earlier than planned, play on the same day that they landed in Waco, and they played the game with perhaps a little less preparation than normal. It was incovenient, without a doubt. But I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read in the Dallas Morning News that the coach had told his players before they left on Thursday, “It’s adversity. Learn how to deal with adversity.”

Adversity? They had a team breakfast at 6:45am on Thursday. My guess is they didn’t prepare it, serve it, pay for it, or clean it up themselves. My second guess is that they all had PLENTY to eat, which is an adversity about 50% of the rest of the world wouldn’t mind having.

They took a chartered Frontier flight at 9am and landed in Waco. (Not in DFW and put on a commuter flight or shuttle bus for 2 hours)

They had a hotel waiting for them in Waco when they arrived, and more food, of course.

Granted, they didn’t have a lot of time to relax or play video games, they did have to travel across the country, and the home team always has the “home field advantage.” I would be the first to admit that this certainly contributed to Baylor’s victory. But is that really adversity?

No. Adversity is when you get laid off and have a wife and kids to support. Adversity is when you aren’t sure whether the cancer treatments will preserve your mom’s life long enough for her to see you graduate. Adversity is when you have no money and must flee from a hurricane on public transit, not knowing if there will be anything left of your home when you return. Adversity is when your family disowns you because you become a Christian. Adversity is when you leave your family for 18 months to defend your nation and rebuild a country on the other side of the world.

But having a busy day is not adversity. Sorry. It’s inconvenient, yes. But adversity? No. Not even close.

No one loves sports more than me, but it’s just a game. Coaches are famous for telling athletes that the lessons they learn from athletics are lessons that relate to life. That’s true, but I wish coaches would teach student-athletes that they are going to deal with a lot more adversity than busy days and inconveniences.

Post Modern Santa Claus

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mike
on September 3, 2008
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I’m a modern. I think when you grow up in the 60’s and 70’s, you are a modern until you are least 60 or 70. I think my kids are post modern.

Sally Morgenthaler says that the difference between this generation and every previous generation is that in the past, every younger generation started out different from the previous one and then became increasingly more like them, but today everyone under 40 is a postmodern and everyone over 40 is becoming more postmodern every day.

Anyone want to challenge that? I’d say, as much as I respect her, the jury may still be out on the accuracy of her assertion.

That being said, do you ever wonder how Santa Claus is going to fare in the post modern world?

I’m wondering now, how are my grandchildren going to perceive jolly old St. Nick?

I’ll tell you this, my fifteen year old daughter was humming the song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” this morning, and (don’t ask me why she was doing this in September) she sings, “He sees you when you’re sleeping; he knows when you’re awake…he knows…” and she stops and says, “Dad, that’s just creepy…really creepy…”

Santa Claus? Creepy?

I’m a modern.

Well, I’m not here to defend the guy, though he never failed to come through for me when I was a little guy.

But one thing I can tell you…for moderns, post moderns, and mud dogs: Jesus Christ knows you , knows your needs, knows your moods, knows your heart…and He knows just when to send the perfect gift…even if it’s September and not Christmas Eve.

Thanks, Lord! I love you!

Fearless Predictions about stuff that doesn’t matter…Sort of

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on September 2, 2008
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Sez here: Cowboys over the Browns. Cowboys go to and win the Super Bowl. Too many weapons…too many years. They are due, and…they are good.

Broncos over the Raiders. No Super Bowl predictions for the Broncos, but they will beat Oakland just because Shanahan will never forgive or forget.

Baylor over Northwestern State. This may be the only W of the year, but good things are ahead for the most feared team in the Big 12. Go Bears! (Contrary to what some believe, I am not going to be cruel to the Aggies for losing to Arkansas State. :) ) I’m not even going to mention it. :) :) :)

And for the last Fearless Prediction for the day: Missouri goes into the Big 12 Championship Game undefeated…avenges their losses last year to OU and plays for the BCS National Championship beating whoever dares to chase Chase Daniels. He’s that good. Missouri: National Champions.

Oh and By the way…Baylor Bears Men’s Basketball team WILL win the Big 12 championship this year…and it could well be the first of several in a row. :) Every one else (Kansas included) is in a race for 2nd place.

Any objections? Of course there would be none. Have a Great Day Everyone!

Hearing the Spirit

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on July 15, 2008
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I’ve had the privilege of going to Brazil several times now, and it is always an amazing experience. The people there are so kind, so hungry for the Lord, and so gracious, that it is very inspiring. I don’t speak Portguese or Spanish, but I studied Spanish when I was in college. (Probably many of you can relate, right?)

However, when I am down there, the vocabulary comes back to me, and I struggle through by speaking broken Spanish or Portuguese or something that is like a distant cousin to it. But every time I go, I think I get a little bit better (we’re talking inches not feet) at understanding it and speaking it. I usually stay about 2 weeks, and by the time I leave, I’m beginning to feel pretty good about my ability to communicate. And that’s how I remember myself. :)

Then when I return a few months later, I think, “Oh, I’ll be able to understand. I will remember.” But, I don’t. In fact, I notice that when I first arrive, I cannot understand anything! ZERO!!!

I hear, but have no idea what is being said.

But after a few days, my ear wakes up and the neurons start firing a little better, and I discover that I am understanding more and more. It never occurred to me until this last time that it is the same way when it comes to “hearing the Spirit.”

If you are not “trained” or accustomed to hearing the Spirit speak, then when He first starts speaking to you, you may have a bit of trouble understanding. You may even mis-interpret a few things. However, if you “stay immersed” in the Word and in the Spirit, you’ll discover that your ear does begin to hear and understand the language of the Spirit. And it is so exhilirating to realize that you are able to communicate with the Spirit and that the Holy Spirit of God…of God is communicating with you!

Think about this verse.

“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.” (Isaiah 50:4, NASB95)

Man, that’s what I want to be like. I want to hear the Spirit. I want to listen to God and know what He is saying. I want to have ears that hear.