Video from our Christmas Eve service

New

I'm loving this series we're doing right now at Hub City called He will be called.... You can listen online here to the messages. It's a teaching series all about who Jesus is, what he is like and why it matters.

And it does matter. Jesus is more than a good teacher. He's more than a role model. He's more than some historical figure that reshaped the course of History. He's the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and as we'll see this week, the Prince of Peace.

But as I was getting ready for this week's sermon I was reminded of something that's a game changer about Jesus and for us.

Jesus came to make us new.

We need to be made new. At least I know I do. I need more than bandaids on my sin problems. I need more than good advice on how to navigate life. I need to be made new.

And so do you.

That's what's so incredible about this time of year. It reminds us that God stepped out of heaven, moved into our world, lived a sinless life among us, died and rose from the dead, to make us new. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come.

That is good news. That, like the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago, changes everything.

Levi's speaking debut!

It's too small a thing

I came across this verse out of Isaiah today.

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” - Isaiah 49:6

I LOVE this because this is exactly what God is saying to us at Hub City Church.

We are a little over three years old as a church. God is using us in Spartanburg. He's blessed Movies in the Park and the Garage Unsale. We've seen many lives rescued because of God's grace and mercy.

But if we just stayed where we are then it would be too small a thing. God has more in store for us.

That's why I am so amped about Hub City's first overseas missions partnership. I'll give you all the details next week, but I'll tease it by saying that God is going to use us, Hub City Church, to make a radical difference in one of the most needy places in the world.

I'll talk a bit about it at Sunday's Gathering, but I am so glad that God has called us to more than just Spartanburg. We get to be a light to the nations!

Love

All we need is love. Or at least that's what The Beatles used to sing.

It's also what Jesus said.

Jesus says that the most important commandments are to love God and love others.

In his letter to the Church at Ephesus Jesus holds it against them that they have forsaken their first love and admonishes them to return to love.

In John we're told that love for one another is the one thing that should characterize us as disciples.

With all this talk on love I'm left asking myself: How am I doing with loving others? How am I doing loving God? When people think of me do they think of someone who loves?

And let me ask you: How are you doing with love?

A lampstand

Last night I suggested to Nathan that he read through the first three chapters in Revelation for his daily Bible reading. I have been praying that God would reveal more of himself to Nathan and teach Nathan how he should live as a follower of Jesus, and there is so much in those three powerful chapters.

Well, this morning I had the thought that I should read those chapters with him so we can talk about it. So I read chapter 1 and something jumped out at me that I never really paid attention to before.

Jesus calls the seven churches the seven lampstands.

Think about a lampstand. It doesn't produce the light. It just holds the light and provides the best container for the light to do what the light does, which is dispel the darkness.

It got me thinking about Hub City. We aren't the light. We're just a container that holds the light and does our best to make sure that the light (which is Jesus) can shine as bright as possible so that darkness is eradicated.

I was hoping for God to speak to Nathan, and I know he will. But he used that to speak to me. Hub City: We are a lampstand. Let's do what lampstands are meant to do.

Why we do good

Have you noticed that it's pretty in-vogue to do good. I was at the gym yesterday and the Today Show was interviewing Richard Branson on his new book that talks about using your business to do good. Movie stars like Angelina Jolie are known for their goodwill work around the world.

It has me wondering: Why do people do good works?

I could be wrong because I can't see into someone's heart, but I think that a lot of people are doing good to earn favor with God, or "the gods", or Allah, or the "big man in the sky", or "you fill in the blank." They are trying to make sure their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds.

And while that's all fine and good because people are helped, the truth is, your good deeds will never, ever, outweigh your bad deeds. I don't care how much good Richard Branson or Brangelina or you ever do. You just can't be good enough.

That's what makes Christmas such a great reminder to all of us. God knew we would never be good enough so he sent his Son to earth. He came to live the perfect life that we couldn't live and pay the price we could never pay.

As a result of what Jesus did we can do good works, not to earn God's favor, but to show our love for the God who came to save us. In other words, we do good not to earn favor from God, but because we've been shown favor by God.

How to be close to God

We know this, but you can't be relationally close to someone if you never spend time with them.

It's the same way with God. To be close to him you must spend time with him.

But how? Where do you start?

I'll share something that's helped me through the years. Reading through the Psalms does more for my relationship with God than anything else. Most of the Psalms are prayers. At the same time they are words from God and about God. That means that as I read a Psalm I can both talk to God and hear from God at the same time. They are conversational.

And it's easy to discipline yourself to read through the Psalms. You can read a Psalm a day. Or, I like to read 5 Psalms a day. Doing that takes you through the entire book in a month. And it's amazing how different Psalms express my heart at different times.

For example, today is December 2 and so I read Psalms 6-10. I needed Psalm 6 and 8 today. I needed to pray them. I needed to hear from God through them.

So if you want to be close to God I suggest you head to the Psalms.

Advent Reading Guide

Not sure why I haven't posted this yet, but I'm encouraging Hub City to spend some time this Christmas season focusing on Jesus. This Advent Reading Guide is a great place to start.

Advent Reading Guide 2011:

Nov. 27 – Philippians 2:5-11
Nov. 28 – Ephesians 2:13-22
Nov. 29 – Colossians 1:13-20
Nov. 30 – Hebrews 4:14-16
Dec. 1 – 1 John 5:1-12
Dec. 2 – Revelation 1:12-18
Dec. 3 – Revelation 22:7-21
Dec. 4 - Isaiah 9:2-7
Dec. 5 - Isaiah 40:1-5
Dec. 6 - Isaiah 40:9-11
Dec. 7 - Genesis 3:8-15
Dec. 8 - Genesis 15:1-6
Dec. 9 - Deuteronomy 18:15-19
Dec. 10 - Psalms 89:1-8
Dec. 11 - Isaiah 11:1-10
Dec. 12 - Zechariah 6:12-13
Dec. 13 - Micah 5:2-5a
Dec. 14 - Malachi 3:1-6
Dec. 15 - Isaiah 52:7-10
Dec. 16 - Isaiah 7:10-14
Dec. 17 - Mark 1:1-3
Dec. 18 - John 1:1-8
Dec. 19 - John 1:9-18
Dec. 20 – Luke 1:5-25
Dec. 21 – Luke 1:26-45
Dec. 22 – Matthew 1:18-25
Dec. 23 – Luke 1:46-67
Dec 24 – Luke 2:1-20
Dec 25 - John 3:16-21

Hub City Readers

What have you been reading lately?

I love reading. Seriously. I love it. I didn't used to be this way, but I've become a voracious reader. Leaders are readers. Readers are learners. I want to learn all that I can. And I want the same for you.

That's why I'm stoked about a group that's been started at Hub City by Clay Chapman called Hub City Readers. This is a group of people who are passionate about reading books that will help them learn and think through their faith.

This month they'll be reading through I don't have enough faith to be an Atheist. This looks like a fantastic book.

I wanted to spread the word for anyone who wants to join them. Contact Clay for more info.

Say Thank You

I don't know what it is that has me thinking about this lately (maybe I'm subconsciously looking for it), but I see a serious lack of gratitude in our culture. And that scares me. A lack of gratitude is dangerous. Here's why saying thank you is so important:

• Being grateful breaks the sense of entitlement that we're prone to have as Americans.
• Being grateful keeps jealousy and envy from gaining a foothold in our lives.
• Being grateful is actually God's will for your life. Read 1 Thess. 5:18.

I know we just celebrated Thanksgiving, but gratitude should be more than a once a year thing. It should be a regular part of our life. We should say Thank You often. We should write thank you notes, and texts and emails.

Who can you say thank you to this week?

Invite Cards are IN!!!

Grab a handful on Sunday @ Hub City's gathering and start inviting!

Meaningful

Occasionally I read Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest. Today's reading was so profound to me that I had to share it. Enjoy.

Shallow and Profound

Text Size: Zoom In

Nov

22

2011

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God —1 Corinthians 10:31

Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound. We sometimes refuse to be shallow, not out of our deep devotion to God but because we wish to impress other people with the fact that we are not shallow. This is a sure sign of spiritual pride. We must be careful, for this is how contempt for others is produced in our lives. And it causes us to be a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than we are. Beware of posing as a profound person— God became a baby.

To be shallow is not a sign of being sinful, nor is shallowness an indication that there is no depth to your life at all— the ocean has a shore. Even the shallow things of life, such as eating and drinking, walking and talking, are ordained by God. These are all things our Lord did. He did them as the Son of God, and He said, “A disciple is not above his teacher . . .” (Matthew 10:24).

We are safeguarded by the shallow things of life. We have to live the surface, commonsense life in a commonsense way. Then when God gives us the deeper things, they are obviously separated from the shallow concerns. Never show the depth of your life to anyone but God. We are so nauseatingly serious, so desperately interested in our own character and reputation, we refuse to behave like Christians in the shallow concerns of life.

Make a determination to take no one seriously except God. You may find that the first person you must be the most critical with, as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.

Significant Adults

I don't think there is an greater responsibility than that of being a parent. It's also one of the hardest, if not the hardest job on the planet.

That's why we need help.

My kids need more than me. They need other significant adults in their life who they can look up to, learn from, lean on and model their lives after.

When I think about the things that shaped my life growing up I always think of people. I think of Greg, Eddie, Jerry, and people who's faces I remember by who's names have left me. These adults invested in me. They took time to acknowledge me. They made a difference in my life.

I want to be that kind of adult in the lives of the kids around me. I want my kids to have those kind of adults in their lives.

So here's my challenge: If you are a grown up, step it up. You can make a difference. If you're a part of the Hub City Church family, step it up. We need you caring for, shepherding and loving on the kids in our church.

In fact, I think some of you need to step up and lead a children's ministry for kids in first through fourth grade. There are others of you who need to step up and lead a small group for our tweens and teens. They need you. We as parents need you. Be a significant adult.

Torn - a review

This is a book that needed to be written and needs to be read.

Most books written on "trusting God when life leaves you in pieces" are difficult to read. They are long, and while they have good content it's as much of a struggle reading through them as it is working through the struggles of life. Not so with Jud Wilhite's book.

Torn read more like a devotional for me. It is extremely accessible and helpful.

I know some people who are going through a difficult time right now who I'll be giving a copy of this book to.

Two things worth noting stuck out to me. First, we all ask the "why" question when bad things happen, but that's not all that helpful. The best thing to figure out is "who?" This points us back to the God who, despite our circumstances, is in control. Second, I saw the story of Elijah in a completely new way. We love the scene where he calls down fire from heaven and shows off in front of the prophets of Baal. We want God to show up like that in our lives. But right after that, when Elijah is running for his life, God shows up in the smallness of a whisper. That has been more like my experience with God. I think if we're always looking for the "fire from heaven" we'll miss the "still small voice," which means we'll miss God.

Teachers... Thank You!

Today was "eat with your kid day" at Nathan's school. Let me tell you, lunch with a table full of fifth graders is always an adventure. I tried to get Nathan to let me wear my Halloween costume, but he resisted that idea.

Liz and I tried to make it special by bringing Nathan Sonic. I splurged and got him a grown-up Bacon Double Cheeseburger. He ate so much he almost vomited. Good times.

But while visiting his school I was reminded of how thankful I am for the teachers and coaches that invest in my kids. Can you imagine having a class full of fifth graders every day for 180 days a year that you are responsible for? Teachers are special. (Political rant: We need to pay teachers way more than we do. It's not an option. Figure it out and do it.)

So for teachers who've had or have an Everette boy, Thank You!

Leveraging Halloween

Halloween is one of those holidays that freaks people out. Actually, it's usually the Christians that freak out. Some boycott the event all together. Some create and participate in alternative "Fall Festivals", "Trunk or Treats", and the like.

But what if we decided to leverage Halloween for the good of the Kingdom.

Halloween is the one time of the year that you have gobs of people streaming to your door and you have the opportunity to serve them. It might possibly be the easiest way to be salt and light in our community.

So how can you leverage Halloween by serving and blessing those little scary monsters that knock on your door tonight?

First off, make sure you give out good stuff. Don't be the person that gives out toothbrushes, fruit, or a religious tract. Give out good candy. If you have the money buy the big candy bars. No one gives them out anymore and all the kids will love you.

One thing I encouraged Hub City folks to do is to take a postcard/invite from our church and tape a piece of good candy to it and hand it out with a handful of other candy. Who knows, God might just use that. It's a way for our church to leverage Halloween.

Finally, say something nice about every kid that comes to your door. Bless them. Let God shine his love through you.

My hope is that we, as Christians, will stop being known for what we're against, but for what we're for, and that our service to others will be so radical that those outside the faith will see our good deeds and come to know Jesus.

Two Levi funnies

So, Levi (my 5 year old) does the Pledge of Allegiance at school every day. He saw an American flag today and started reciting the Pledge. But he added four words: "You may be seated." His principal says that after they recite it, so it's now a new part of the Pledge.

This other funny has to do with Levi too. Some nice people gave our boys some clothes. Today Levi had on a new pair of jeans that was a part of the clothing gift. As I was picking him up from school I thought they looked a bit peculiar. Turns out they are skinny jeans. My kid looks like a Christian Hipster. (BTW: I think skinny jeans are ridiculous... just sayin')

A healthy church

One of my passions is that Hub City Church would be a healthy church. I think we are, but I also think that staying healthy requires continual work.

This article is a great warning to us.

Church health is a whole body issue. Meaning, each part must do its part for us to stay healthy.

"That" guy

Have you read through the book of Jeremiah? I'm journaling my way through it right now, something that I don't normally do, but felt like I needed to do. It's been so good.

Many things amaze me about Jeremiah. The dude was probably clinically depressed. He spoke what God wanted him to speak and didn't seem to get any results. In today's reading he takes on a false prophet and basically tells him, "You are not from God. You are not speaking the words of God. You're a liar."

Hananiah (the false prophet) was speaking on behalf of God, but wasn't speaking the truth from God.

I'm not sure why that jumped out of the page at me this morning except to be reminded of the fact that everyone who speaks on behalf of God isn't necessarily speaking the truth from God.

I don't want to be that guy. I don't want to listen to that guy.

But that guy is everywhere. May God give us wisdom and discernment to know the truth.

Unwilling to serve

Today thousands of local churches are dying because of Christians unwilling to serve. They sit on the sidelines ... and the Body suffers. @RWToolbox

I saw that quote this morning. It is so true. I wish it weren't.

It makes us an embarrassment to God. We make him look bad.

Jesus came not to be served but to serve. As his followers that should be our mantra as well.

So, how are you going to serve today? How can you serve at work? How can you serve your family? How can you serve the person who serves you your lunch? How can you serve your boss? How can you serve your roommate?

Let us be known as a people who is in the game for the good of the body and the good of the world. It happens when we serve.

Time for a change

I know that this idea isn't original with me, but I think one of our biggest problems in the American church world is what we hold up as models of success. Think about it: What comes to mind when you think of a successful church?

What comes to my mind is a huge church. The guys that are leading huge churches are the ones who get book deals, speaking gigs and church-world press. We celebrate what they are doing. We look to them to learn. They are the epitome of success as we've defined it.

I think it time we change what we think of as successful. I think it's time to change what we celebrate.

I was reading in Jeremiah today and he preached for 23 years with absolutely no result. That's not the kind of resume that's going to get you invited to Catalyst to speak. From our perspective Jeremiah is pretty much a failure.

But I' pretty sure that from God's perspective Jeremiah was a success. And here's why: He was faithful to his call.

I'm not saying that a huge church isn't successful. I just think we need to celebrate more than large groups of people. We need to celebrate faithfulness and obedience.

It starts with us

I read this today and thought, If everyone in our country acted this way then we wouldn't be seeing the Occupy Wallstreet protests. But we don't need to wait for it to start with them. It needs to start with us.

When You Give, You Are Performing a Service by Rick Warren You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion … your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) What an amazing verse! God makes you rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion, which will result in thanksgiving to God. God doesn’t bless you to be greedy; he blesses you so you can be generous. God doesn’t give you things so you can pile them up. When you let go of what’s in your hand, it’s now empty to receive greater blessings from God. God’s giving to you is based on your attitude. That’s why it’s so important to live with an attitude of gratitude and to be content with what you have. The Bible says, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV). When you give, you are performing a service. To serve and to give is the same thing. It’s two actions of love. You can’t love without serving and giving. Your service leads to expressions of thanksgiving to God and to contentment. Take a moment to pray and express your gratitude to God. Ask him to show you the way to contentment. Then, ask him to bless you so you can be a blessing to others.

Sit quietly

Blaise Pascal wrote, All of man's miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone.

I love that.

Rain

I love rainy days. I'm not saying I want to move to Seattle or anything, but a rainy day every once in a while is nice.

Something about the switch-up in the weather makes me use a different part of my brain. Rainy days make me reflective and introspective. That's good every once in a while. Too much of it though and I'd probably be clinically depressed.

Not sure why I'm blogging about this, but I did. If you're in the Upstate today then enjoy the rain.

What are you scared of?

This is a great post by my friend Shawn Lovejoy.

“Do not be afraid.”

It’s the most common command in the Bible. Why would that be so? Because you and I are often so afraid!

We’re afraid of being laid off. We’re afraid of being fired.We’re afraid of the future. We’re afraid of bankruptcy. We’re afraid of not measuring up. We are afraid of failure. We’re afraid of controversy. We’re afraid of not being liked. We’re afraid of criticism. We’re afraid of REALLY being known. We’re afraid of asking for help. We’re afraid to DO what we know needs to be DONE.

But why is fear such a big deal? Because fear is the number one reason we don’t obey God. Fear is the number one reason we won’t take that big step of faith.

Can you hear it? God’s trying to tell you something: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

We’re only afraid when we think we’re alone. We’re not alone. God is WITH US!

Stories

I love learning people's stories. We all have a story and when I learn your story it makes me happy.

This past Wednesday, at our morning Hub Group, I learned the story of someone at Hub City Church. It was incredible. I hope to share it one Sunday.

But if I wouldn't have been in a Hub Group with that person I probably would have never learned their story.

Be honest, you want people to know your story, don't you. But that's not going to happen if your not in a context to have your story heard. If you're a Hub City Slicker then get in a Hub Group.

Knowing one another's stories helps me love people better. Knowing stories helps me empathize more. When you know my story and I know your story we become more human to one another. Knowing one another's stories is essential to making disciples.

If I don't know your story yet, I look forward to hearing it.

Possibly traumatic

Well, tomorrow, Thursday, Nathan has to have 4 teeth pulled to get ready for spacing and braces in his mouth. Sounds fun, doesn't it. I think it might be a bit traumatic, so if you could pray for him...

On another note, I'll be selling a kidney to pay for the braces, so if you need one...

Just a bit of your time

I want something from you. It's a bit of your time. Would you consider giving some of your time each week to pray for Hub City Church, Spartanburg and the world?

You can give 10 minutes a week or 10 minutes a day. You choose.

If you give us some of your time, we'll give you some things to pray for. If you're interested please email Lauren Rogers.

Here's why this is important: What God is doing, what he wants to do, what he's planted in our hearts is too big for us. We need God to show up and do something supernatural. Prayer is essential to us seeing a movement of God that is so overwhelming and surprising that it is reminiscent of the first church in Acts when everyone was filled with awe at what God was doing.

Prayer preceded every great awakening and revival in the history of the church. As we're going to see this coming Sunday at Hub City, four months of prayer prepared the way for Nehemiah to have overwhelming favor with the King of Persia and made it possible for him to accomplish in 52 days what hadn't been accomplished n 150 years.

That's why we're asking for just a bit of your time.

Money and Sex

I figured the title would get your attention. The sad thing is that you didn't need my title for either of those things to get your attention. They already have your attention... and maybe more.

Money and sex are the two biggest idols in our culture. They may be the two biggest idols in the world.

I know that when you hear the word idol you think of a little statue, or Ryan Seacrest, but an idol is really anything that takes the place of God in our lives.

How do I know that money and sex are the two biggest idols in our culture?

They are the two things that people have the hardest time surrendering over to God.

Here's a test: Does your view of money and sex line up with what the Bible teaches about those things? Or do you get mad when someone (ie. "me") tries to teach what the Bible says about those things? If you got mad at me for suggesting that God wants you to handle money and treat sex in a way that is different from how you handle money and treat sex, then you probably have an idol.

I believe that if the church would rid itself of the idols of money and sex that our influence would exponentially increase and we might possibly see the greatest awaking that the world has ever experience. I think that's motivation enough to get rid of our idols.

How to have "The Talk"

I read this on Vince's blog today. It's great advice. I thought it's worth reading.

"The Talk"

I've now had the privilege of having "the talk" with each of my kids. The experts suggest having it when your kids turn 8, we waited with each till they were 10. I think I'm pretty good at it, so I thought I'd share an outline of what I say to maybe help other parents who have this in their future. Here goes:

1. First, I ask, we're going to talk about sex, so tell me what you think sex is and what you know about it.
2. I explain that mom and I know all about sex, and so you can tell us anything you hear about it, or ask us anything about it...
3. Then, I say, I'm going to explain what sex is, but first let's talk about marriage. Because God gave sex as something that is amazing and beautiful and powerful for married people to share.
4. Marriage is So important to God.
5. God wants a husband and wife to have a relationship with each other like they have with no one else. He wants them to have intimacy - to be closer with each other than any other two people AND He wants them to have children together.
6. So what is sex? Then I tell about boy parts, girl parts, how they fit together, etc. (With my kids at least, this is where you get looks of shock, and interesting questions.)
7. Why does God give sex? Well, remember what God wants for married people? First, intimacy. And sex gives married people intimacy. In fact, the Bible says when people have sex they become "one flesh" - it's like they're so close they almost become one person. It's like relational super glue. (I also explain here that sex feels good, allows the two people to share special feelings that they don't get to share with anyone else, etc.)
8. And second, for them to be able to have children and be parents. Sex is how people have babies. Then I explain how that works. Daddy juice + Mommy egg = baby! (I also explain here that sex doesn't always produce babies, but it always can...)
9. So ... sex is an awesome, perfect, beautiful gift god gives to married people.
10. But there's a problem. Sometimes people take that gift for married people, and they use it outside of marriage.
11. Why is that a problem? Well, remember what sex does? Well, the problem is that it does it for people who aren't married too.
12. Sex gives two people intimacy, like they become one. And it does the same for unmarried people. The problem is that those two people then break up and go their separate ways, and it's like they ripped a piece of the other one off and take it with them. (I explain that in a little more detail, some illustrations, and I talk about the pain it causes people, and how it creates problems in marriage later - which it always does.)
13. Sex allows people to have babies. And so when two unmarried people have sex they can also have a baby. And that's not what they want, and think about that... (More details.)
14. So sex outside of marriage creates all kinds of problems. Inside of marriage it's awesome. (I use fire as an illustration - fire is a needed and amazing thing, but where fire is in the wrong place it is destructive...)
15. Then I talk about puberty. Body starts changing (I explain, or mom did for our daughter), God is moving you towards the point where you can get married (if you want and He leads you to it) and you can have that kind of intimacy and have babies.
16. Puberty is also when you start to get attracted to the opposite sex, temptations start to come to move towards sex, or have sex, before marriage. But remember that's not what God intended it for, it leads to problems and is destructive.
17. So wait for marriage.
18. And inside marriage, it is amazing, beautiful, etc., etc.
19. Questions?
20. Then I explain that we'll have this same talk (with a few added details each time) every six months...

A three-word prayer

I want to invite you to do something.

I want to invite you to pray a three-word prayer.

Lord, Surprise Us.

This is a prayer I've prayed on and off for a few years. I read yesterday that it's a prayer that Mark Batterson's church has been praying for a while. That inspired me to invite you to join me in praying: Lord, surprise us.

I've got to admit. I am surprised by all that God is doing in and through Hub City Church right now. The past two week have been the most exciting in our three year history. God is changing lives. We are actually seeing our mission happening.

But God's not done. He has more that he wants to do in us and through us.

So I dare you to join me in praying: Lord, Surprise us.

Dug Down Deep - a review

I know that the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words Theology and Doctine is boring.

That shouldn't be the case. Ever. And that is what I absolutely loved about Joshua Harris' book Dug Down Deep.

Theology is the study of God. Doctrine is what we believe. What we believe about God matters. I think it matters more than ever before in the history of the church. Theology matters. Right doctrine matters.

The reason it matters isn't so that we can know all the right things. It matters because what we believe about God will determine how we act. If we have wrong beliefs then we'll have wrong behaviors. They go hand in hand.

Dug Down Deep is a very readable systematic theology. I needed to read this book. I have 98 hours of post-graduate theological education and I needed to read this book. I think you need to read it as well.

As a pastor I'm always looking for resources to suggest that would be educational, helpful and readable. This book fits those requirements. This is a book that I want everyone at Hub City Church to read. In fact, I think you should click this link and order it today.

An inconvenient truth

I came across this today. It is so true, and very much needs to be read and re-read.

Serving Even When It Is Inconvenient by Jon Walker As they went on their way, a man said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest.” (Luke 9:57-58 TEV) Jesus never calls us to blind obedience. As we follow him and become familiar with his character, we learn he is always waiting on the other side of our steps of faith. He forces us into a place where we must trust him and his promises, but he also tells us what to expect when we follow him (John 14:1-4). He wants us to count the cost of our commitment, because he knows it will demand every thing we have (Luke 14:28). In essence, Jesus warns us away from a romantic view of following him. He understands that when we volunteer to go anywhere at any time, our romanticism will wither when our commitment becomes inconvenient — or when it collides with the full cost of discipleship. Discipleship means we give up any thought that there will be bits and pieces of our lives that can remain unaffected by our relationship with Jesus. We can’t say “yes” to Jesus and expect to hold on to a portion of our independence. He demands it all. We no longer have the choice to serve only when and where it is convenient for us. “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest” (Luke 9:58 TEV). When we have a romantic view of discipleship, we may imagine ourselves giving up everything for Jesus as the world admires our faith and people express their heartfelt gratitude for our sacrificial service. But the cost of discipleship may bring the scorn of the world to your doorstep. When you follow Jesus and do the things he tells you to do, even fellow believers may think you’re throwing away your future to help people who can give you nothing in return. Discipleship may mean sacrificing for others who will have no appreciation for what you have done — much like Jesus was ridiculed as he died on a cross. The grace to go wherever Jesus tells us to go comes only through the call of Christ and the power of God infused into our being. Grace obligates us to obey Jesus, regardless of the circumstances or consequences. How much of your service to Jesus is based upon what is convenient for you, and how much of it is based upon you doing what Jesus has told you to do? Jesus loves you and plans his best for you. He brings no condemnation; he wants to turn you in the right direction.

The Church

It's probably because Hub City turns three years old this Sunday, but I've been thinking about God's church. And then I read this quote today:

Through a weak and insignificant people, God displayed his power to the nations. Joshua Harris

I. Love. That.

That is may heart's cry for Hub City. I passionately want God to display his power to the nations through us, a weak and insignificant people.

We have the incredible privilege of representing God to the world. We, the Church, are what God has chosen to show the world who He is and what He is like.

John Stott says, If the church is central to God's purpose, as seen in both history and the gospel, it must surely also be central to our lives. How can we take lightly what God takes so seriously? How dare we push to the circumference what God has placed at the centre?

That's why I'm passionate about Hub City. That's why I'm excited that our weak and insignificant church is turning three. That's why I believe we haven't even scratched the surface of our potential as the body of Christ.