Crossroads Celebration Church

Well I have had my first week of being a limo driver. Got the license a few weeks ago. It took two attempts though. I flunked before I got out of the DOT parking lot the first time. Not a good enough stop.Anyway, the past few days has been the debates in Iowa for presidential candidates. I have been through security and seen some of the candidates up close. But mostly I have been driving the support for the candidates and a radio and tv personality that was in town the same day as the Republican debate. What’s interesting is fame. Some people think they are pretty important. Self-induced I believe. “Hi, my name’s ___________”. And I just gave them the blank deer in the headlights look. I didn’t know who he was. What’s really good to see is some of the candidates (I did watch all 90 minutes of the debate last night) being as humble as they can. I think the media (and the world has bought into it) has made fame a terrible thing. We used to respect the rights of the movie stars and the politicians and big wigs of the world. Now we terrorize them with photographers hanging out at there private locations. And admittedly some of the celebs have liked the limelight. But my point is FAME has taken an ugly turn for the worst in our world. So my attempt this week is simply to serve. I may know the client in the back of the limo and I may not, but the person is a person and deserves my respect, even if I don’t agree with their politics or religion or whatever. It’s not just the job of serving, but it’s spiritual. God has called us to serve. Jesus set the example with a towel and basin of water and asked us to go and wash people’s feet. Wouldn’t that be a hoot if a washed the feet of my client’s. But I am, not just in opening the door for them or driving them where they need to go, but by respect and honoring who they are – fame or no fame. Who are you serving? And why are you serving them? Is it just a job or is it a higher calling?

Yesterday’s study in God’s Word said that Nehemiah returned and discovered that the Levites had not been given what was due them. And then I read about Barnabas which means “Son of Encouragement”. I started to pray and my list of thanks to God went on and on. I asked God’s blessings on countless people who in just the past few months have been my source of strength and support. Some I haven’t shared my appreciation with and a few I have.

There are people helping start our church that volunteer countless hours and are deeply devoted to this new ministry, for which I could not do without. And then there are even the little things that happen. One lady brings bars every week and her husband, even though he doesn’t come to church, makes sure that she has the chocolate chips for those bars. Why, because he really does care.

The list is endless of those who make a difference in our lives, but the question remains, do we appreciate them and do we show them that appreciation? I watched a motivational video this morning about an eighty something, retired teacher who got a letter of appreciation from a student, obviously years after their school year together. The story indicated it was the only thanks she ever had all of her years teaching, and that she would read his letter every day until she died.

What a difference one word of thanks or appreciation it would make in a persons life. This is Pastor Appreciation month. I went back to a church I served 12 years ago and got a shock. I lady that was always totally opposite of me on most subjects and on the opposite end of the theological scale from me, said the most amazing thing to me. She said, “I am so glad that you continue to be a minister.” That was so meaningful to me. Hallmark couldn’t have said anything better.

I’m not searching for someone to send me a card this month because I’m a pastor, but I just want people to stop and see what all kinds of people do to impact their lives and to not ignore it, but simply say, “thanks”.

For the lady who makes bars for our church and her husband who gets the chocolate chips around – Thank you! For the people who have dedicated Saturday mornings to going out with door hangers around the neighborhood – Thank you! For those who set up and tear down week after week the things to run a church in a school setting – Thank you! For the guy who takes the pastor out for breakfast and a walk (just to keep me healthy) – Thank you! For those who don’t go to our church, but pray for us and send us a check in the mail – Thank you!

For anyone, anywhere who does the work of God’s Kingdom – THANK YOU!

No he didn’t die. Nor did he move away. Actually I don’t know what happened to him. He was the best student in class. He was on time, every time. He got perfect scores on every quiz and there were plenty of those. Last week he was absent. I thought he was just sick, several others were missing due to illness. But today his name was off the roster of students.
I was impressed with this young man and I wanted to get to know him more. He wasn’t going to be a project of “are you saved” kind of stuff. I just wanted to be friendly!

It’s been that kind of year for me. Losing friends. Major changes in my life this year for spiritual reasons have really tested my friendships. I found out some who I thought were friends, have failed me. But then there have been those who have stuck by me in some of the toughest of times. Sounds like God purifying us and getting rid of the dross, like refining gold or silver. And then there have been the opportunities to develop new friends.

I believe this year has reminded me of the 99 and one principle. Jesus told a parable in Luke about one lost sheep and how there were 99 others. He left the 99 just to go find the one. It’s that important. The Free Methodist church which I joined this year in my spiritual turmoil has as their theme for the next four years, “One More Soul”. We may have 99 friends, but there is always one, that is special and needs to be brought back home.

Today I contacted two friends that I have missed, this student and another friend. Yes, they are that important to me. I know we cannot control peoples lives and sometimes separation might be the best for everyone, but sometimes you just have to make sure it’s time to part. Maybe there were hurts that were felt or needs unmet, so one has to dare to risk and make the effort for the ONE!

Standing at the Crossroads of friends and decisions and life,
Mark

What a stitch. I had more fun last night than I have had in months. Ever been in a photo booth? I haven’t. I always walked by them in the malls and arcades. Never spent my quarters on any of that stuff.
Anyway, we bought a new iMac computer. I’m learning lots of new things, but last night my son pointed out that this fascinating machine has a photo booth. Seven of us, my family of four and another family of three gathered in my little office, not much bigger than a photo booth and we took pictures. Not just any pictures, outrageously goofy and silly pictures. We took cartoon like pictures and ones where our faces are distorted by mirrors. Big noses and little necks and well you get the idea.
We were busting out loud, laughing and having a good time. Clean fun.

I always knew that God had a sense of humor, when He created the giraffe and the playtypus and well when he created me. Not that I’m funny looking, but that he created laughter and smiles and having a good time. That’s just one of the many reasons I love my God. How about you? Why do you love God?
Just lighten up! Life is gooooooooood! God is Greaaaat!

Well it is officially fall. It was at 4 am last Sunday. Were you up then to greet it? Neither was I.
But I do greet fall with a passion. It is my favorite season. I love the start of school, the crunch of leaves under my feet and the crunch of football pads and helmets.
We have little league football practice in our back yard. It’s fun to watch. I’m not sure the kids are big enough to carry the helmet, pads and ball. I’m not sure they are even 40 lbs wet themselves!
I am anxious to see how our trees in our new yard are going to color. My most favorite part of fall is the color of the trees. I love the reds and oranges and yellows and even the browns. I’m sure there is some scientific reason for the change, but for me it’s all about God doing awesome things for his own reason. I’m also thrilled that we have a God who created the seasons and the beauty that we find in each.
Oh by the way, God also loves football. He may not pick sides, but he loves the players and the coaches and the waterboy and the cheerleadeers and the fans and he loves to see us have fun. He may not answer your prayer about your team winning, but he will hear you.
The next few weeks you can find me out in the season. I’m going canoeing to see the colors in a new way. And in the old way’s I’ll be dragging my feet through the leaves, have a little fall bonfire and roast some hotdogs and dream about hayrack rides and big ol’ harvest moons.
Have a blessed fall and know that God is your biggest fan! He’s cheering you on to run all the way in for a touchdown. You think that’s something – just wait until you get to heaven, then you will hear the biggest roar ever.

Standing at the Crossroads,
Mark

One of my previous blogs I talked about titles of pastor or church planter. Well I added a new title this week – Professor. I am now teaching “Ethics” to 26 students at DMACC. I had high school students coming in as well taking preparatory college credits. I believe I may have been more nervous coming in as they might have been. The books weren’t in the bookstore according to some of the students. I had to learn to use the college website to create powerpoint lessons for class and for the students to log in to review the notes. I am not that computer savvy.

Needless to say we have two classes underway and tomorrow is our third class and I think I am ready.

What was cool was to have students talk to me after class and we spent some time just getting to know each other. I believe that is what is going to make the difference in class, is not the curriculum, but the relationship.

Whether you are starting kindergarten or the parent of a kindergarten student or starting high school or college or starting to teach – may you be blessed by the season and the freshness of a new year or a new start. I’m 46 and I still get excited about buying school clothes and pens and paper and stuff. What an awesome time of year. I hope you are as excited about newness as I am. I know that everyday I can start fresh with God – what a blessing that is.

See you in class!

Professor Mark

My daughter and I just came off the disc golf course at Heritage Park in Ankeny, Iowa. It was a beautiful day, the course was busy and I was feeling great. In fifteen holes (baskets) I had played 2 under par. I wish I could do that good at regular golf, but maybe this is the sport for me.

I have never been an athlete, though I have tried out for many sports. In my forties I have been coming into my own. I love bicycling, canoeing and have enjoyed golf, but this disc golf has become my favorite. It’s free – that’s a bonus. I get a good walk in and am building up my arm strength with disc throws. The main thing, is that it connects me with my 22 year old son and 20 year old daughter. It seems disc golf is a sport for college age people. I’ve never taken my kids fishing and they didn’t take to bicycling or golf, so this has been great to get outdoors, get some exercise and spend quality time with my young adult children.

The bible says we should excel. “Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8.7 I believe it can be good and healthy to excel at sports, but I think for life, it is even more important to excel at relationships and eternal matters.

What sport do you play? What do you excel at? How goes your relationship with those closest to you? Do you excel at your faith?

Monday I realized just how lucky I have it. I was driving down the road in my truck listening to 107.1 in Des Moines and a song came on. It was a song that we had just sung in worship the day before. In fact we had sung it for the past three Sundays because it was new to us. It was a song that I had heard earlier this summer and felt some kind of connection to it. I loved the words, but the first time I heard it, someone was singing it and just about crucified it. Then I heard it on the radio within 24 hours and heard how it was supposed to be sung. What a beautiful song.

I am lucky because it feels good to sing songs in worship that Monday through the rest of the week, I can sing again and again, every time the radio station is playing it. I can continue my worship throughout the week, it doesn’t have to end after that hour on Sunday morning.

What are your favorite Christian songs on the radio? Are you singing them in worship at your church?

Some songs can’t be sung by the average person, because a musician has a certain style that can’t be replicated or the vocal range is too difficult. I just love the ones that get your toe tapping, get you to singing, and allows you to praise God while you are driving down the road.

I am so grateful for this time and place that has so many wonderful contemporary Christian songs are being played on radio stations! Sing a new song, it feels good!

I was out for a walk this morning. God was so good. I woke up at 5 am this morning which was unusual for me, prayed for a couple delivering their first baby, prayed for a cousin with health issues, rejoiced over an opportunity yesterday that may turn into a part time job for me and make some connections I really wanted to make with a new church I am planting.

So as I was walking, I was thinking about what my job title should be for a new church plant pastor. Right now the website says, “Senior Pastor” while our worship leader has a cool title, “Worship Architect”. I want something cool too, not just another senior pastor.

I was thinking about being called “Planter” [now a visual of the peanut guy did come to mind with top hat and cane] but “Planter” seemed appropriate and not just church planter, but “God Planter” – planting God into people’s hearts. Or maybe “people planter” – planting people into a new church setting, especially the unchurched, the disenfranchised with church.

I already knew that my first Sunday sermon was going to be from Ecclesiastes 11. Don’t wait for perfect conditions or you will never get anything done. Don’t wait to start reading your bible, or don’t wait to go to church, or don’t wait to start a church – cause it may never get done. Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow – perhaps they all will.

So what do you think about title’s for church pastors? I was at a church plant conference where the “senior pastor” called himself the “head muckity-muck”. For the moment I really feel like a “Planter”. Throw some good suggestions my way, I want a cool title, not just “senior pastor.”

Some say it’s a mid-life crisis, some say “Good Luck with that!”, but I feel a deeper connection with God in this whole process.

I am 46 years old and I have walked away from things I have known all those years, left a secure job and benefits. For the first time I have bought a house and now must deal with realities of home ownership. All of this because I am standing at the crossroads of feeling like there is something better out there, because I need a major change in my life and because I want to be closer to God.

Have you ever had that feeling? Something big stirring in your soul and you want to go explore what it is. It is really scarry to take such a leap of faith and yet there is definitely something very affirming in the process.

Let me share a quote with you and see what you think. “Go stand at the crossroads and discover the right route for your souls.” That’s my life right now. Is it yours? We probably are all looking for a little something to change in our lives, but perhaps if we are honest it might be a bigger change. I am confident God is going to do something big in this for me and I wonder if you might feel the same. Are you willing to join in is such a journey?

Let’s stand at the crossroads and discover the right route for our souls.