I saw so many people working to make our neighborhood more beautiful. My back ached from picking up trash on the Saturday in April that we served Wichita, but my heart was full. Thank you to all who served.

My greatest thanks is to our Lord who has prepared a place for us in that house not made with hands. A home more beautiful than anything we have seen or can imagine. A thank you to Brother Rick for his message from the pulpit. The job I have is helping children who have experienced problems that are certainly increased by weak families and lack of a moral compass. May our message for strong families bless our church family and the community that surrounds us. Thank you, Brother Scott, for the message and the opportunity to honor those couples who have more than 50 years of marriage. We can see the truth of God’s word and our message from the pulpit of perseverance that our 13 couples give us as living examples. Each year I attend the graduation of Derby High School where I work but I have a deeper appreciation for our graduating seniors and the young people you serve, Brother Grant. Thank you to Brother Eric and his thoughtful gifts and presentations of Bibles to our new babies at RiverWalk.  We have exciting events awaiting these babies and our future members who will be served by our New Nursery.  Also I have been impressed by the suggestions of our Nursery committee that will lead to a better and safer place for members and visitors.

May is a beautiful month with many happy and wonderful things happening at RiverWalk. I hope to see you this month at church and in our community. This also an invitation to visitors to join us in our Walk (Following in the Foot Steps of Jesus).

It’s been a year…twelve months…365 days…an amazing year for our church family…

In mid-March of 2009 the congregation voted on a name change for what had been known as Central Church of Christ. We chose to become RiverWalk Church of Christ.

We began talking about an aggressive strategy of ministry outside the walls and significant building renovations that would require a major capital campaign.

On May 31st we celebrated our “new beginning” as RiverWalk Church of Christ with a day of worship and fellowship.

By August we were committed to a capital campaign which became known as “Now Is The Time.”

For several weeks a large group of RiverWalk members gave their time, energy, and creativity to this campaign.

We identified a new vision for our ministry from this downtown location: a church compelled to demonstrate the boundless love of God through words and actions.

The campaign steering team spent a challenging evening in October wrestling with a campaign goal that would represent both faith and some sense of reality…not always easy to do!

The three-tiered goal for “Now Is The Time” became $800,000, $1 million, and $1.25 million; all three goals seemed a real stretch, given the state of the economy.

We prayed…and prayed…and prayed…continuing to seek God’s direction for where ministry outside the walls might take us.

Momentum was building through the fall months as we continued to talk and pray about what God might do through this congregation.

Ephesians 3:20, 21 became our spiritual rallying cry…Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

At an all-church dinner in mid-November we were amazed and exhilirated to learn that early commitments to “Now Is The Time” totaled over $580,000! To God be the glory!

We continued to talk and pray about how God was working in the hearts and lives of RiverWalk families, pointing to our commitment Sunday on December 13.

On that commitment Sunday we celebrated when the total commitments were announced: over $981,000, committed over three years.

We stepped back to reflect, grateful for such incredible generosity, and in awe of what God was doing among us. 

Working teams have been formed to help implement the different pieces of our “Now Is The Time” projects. While nothing “visible” has surfaced, a lot of work is going on behind the scenes.

And then came last Sunday…an update regarding our campaign projects, and continued encouragement to pray for God’s direction…and the closing comment: “By the way, our campaign commitments are now over $1 million!”

Amazing…incredible…remarkable…immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine…and we continue to stand in awe and say, “To God be the glory, great things He has done!”

It’s been a year…

For almost thirty years, India and Bangladesh have argued over control of a tiny rock island in the Bay of Bengal. Well, the argument has been settled…I guess. According to an article from the AP, New Moore Island in the Sunderbans has disappeared. Just gone. Rising sea levels have resolved the dispute between the two countries by submerging the island. Apparently no one had lived on this island for many years, so no human beings were displaced. And it isn’t the first island in this area to simply disappear in this way. The purpose of this post is not to weigh in on how global warming may or may not have contributed to the disappearance of this small land mass. As I read this news story, I began thinking about what it might say regarding our personal disuptes and disagreements.

Here is one idea. These two countries were arguing over rocks…okay, I’m sure they saw it as more than that. But from a great distance, that’s how it seems to me. Arguing over rocks. No one lived on this island; there weren’t  any permanent structures built on  it. How many of the disagreements we have with others–spouse, co-workers, family, church members, etc.–are over small, insigificant issues? How often do we argue over “rocks,” and not over things that really matter?

Here is another idea. Is it possible that as we often argue over insignificant things, something important is overlooked? Two countries were locked in this big debate over who controls a pile of rocks, but somehow missed the point that a roughly 4 square mile land mass was slowly disappearing. A husband and wife constantly argue over the small stuff, and every night their children are watching and listening to this barrage of negativity… perhaps thinking that this is how marriage is supposed to be. A church gets tied up in knots over carpet color or worship order or a dozen other trivial pursuits, losing sight of its mission in the community. While we argue over “rocks,” the island is going under 

Are you experiencing any disagreements over “rocks” that prevent you from becoming the person God wants you to be?

I am pretty average height, which is not a bad thing. It was troubling as a teenager when I believed that a couple more inches might have helped me land a spot on the basketball team. More height, longer arms…who knows?

I thought about my average length arms (32 inches, in case you are interested) as my daily Bible reading took me to Numbers 11 recently. The children of Israel were complaining about a lack of variety in their diet. They were growing tired of the manna God provided daily; they demanded meat. Moses took their complaint to the Lord, who agreed to this menu change. Moses responded to this as though he would be the one expected to deliver on this new menu item: “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?” (Numbers 11:21,22)

Moses is scratching his head as to how he is going to fulfill this promise. He knew his human resources were limited. I don’t know if God was amused or annoyed, but the divine response is classic: “Is the Lord’s arm too short?” (11:23)

I’m too much like Moses, putting limits on what God can or cannot do. When faced with a challenge I immediately think about what I lack in the way of resources to overcome the obstacle. In my mind, God is reduced to my size–average height, limited ability, already stretched in too many directions. I think and act as though I believe God’s arms are too short.

Moses–and Israel–needed another reminder of God’s power, which soon came in the form of a “quail storm.” Before the “storm” subsided, the people were walking around in three feet of quail for as far as they could walk in any direction (11:31).

I don’t know what you are up against today, but I would encourage you to think about the question: “Is the Lord’s arm too short?” Don’t get trapped into seeing your options from only your limited perspective. God’s arms are plenty long enough to take on whatever you are  facing.

My arms are average length…God’s are not!

If you haven’t read the entry before this one (written earlier today), please do so.
By “Apostolic” leadership, Reggie means–the kind of leadership that will be functional and effective in our “present future” just as it was in the 1st century. The leadership of Jesus that he used to develop his apostles into effective ambassadors resulted in “turning the world upside down” in a very few years. The 21st century in which we live is much like the 1st century in which they lived, so maybe we need to go back to that kind of leadership. How did it happen? What characteristics did they have that so effectively spread the Kingdom?
They were Visional–They didn’t say “come to us” they went to the people. They welcomed all sorts of people into the kingdom. They were committed to the vision of “taking the world for Christ.”
They were Kingdom people–They were all about impacting the world (their communities) for Jesus. They became (as Paul said) “all things to all men so that by all possible means” they might save some.
They were Team players–They did ministry together. Paul didn’t go to the various places he went, alone. He partnered with Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Timothy and Titus among others. Some of the worst times of his life came when he was forced to be alone.
They were Developers–They understood the importance of their role as “equippers.” (Ephesians 4:12) They knew they couldn’t do it all and if the kingdom was to expand others had to be trained.
They were Genuinely spiritual–They didn’t just believe “in God” they believed God. When people saw them they understood that “these men had been with Jesus.”
They were Missional–They believed that the world could be taken for Jesus and gave themselves to that mission. They didn’t get bogged down with “club” duties. (Acts 6:4)
Can you see the need for this kind of leadership? Are you willing to become this kind of leader or follow this kind of leadership? If we are serious about “Kingdom business” then these are characteristics of leadership that will be evident.

Well, I got caught up in other “ministry” last week and didn’t continue this blog, so I’ll recap last week’s session and then do another entry for tonight.
Reggie contends that if we continue to “plan for the future” as we always have we’ll keep getting the same results we’ve been getting, which have not been (the old plans) successful in expanding the Kingdom of God (fewer and fewer people are coming to church). Plans often fail because we use the past to make our plans instead of looking to the future. Instead of planning (like we’ve always done it) we need to prepare for the future. God has already done the planning for us. Jeremiah 29:11. We may not know what is coming in the future but there are things we can do to be prepared for ministry in this “present future.” Reggie suggested and commented on the following five (5) characteristics of preparation.
Vision–The ability to see what the next chapter looks like. Vision should rise from the congregation (not from the preacher/minister/elders). It’s keeping our eyes open so we can observe what’s happening around us in our culture and in so doing be effective in ministry.
Values–These are the behaviors that support the vision. It’s not enough to say that values are “what we believe.” How we act/what we do is really what we believe.
Results/Scorecarding–This is how we measure how we’re doing. Preparation takes a new method of “keeping score.” Those who are preparing for the future realize that how many come to the building for services, Bible classes, church activities, how much money is given, etc. are not really an accurate way to measure kingdom growth. Maybe we should look more at how many people are involved in community service, how many people were helped this week, how many folks were encouraged in the name of Jesus, etc. to assess how we’re doing.
Strengths–What we bring to the table. So often planning begins around our weaknesses. Where did we mess up and how can we fix it. Why not look at where we are strong and how we can use those strengths to benefit the kingdom?
Learnings–There will always be things we don’t know how to do that are needed to expand the Kingdom. We need to find out the thing or things that our community most needs and then dedicate time and resources to equip ourselves in how to do those things. Each of these characteristics of a preparation modality are focused on partnering with God to expand His kingdom. Since God already knows the plans he has for us, shouldn’t we be prepared to take advantage of those plans when the opportunities arrive?

Reggie McNeal contends that true spiritual formation is centered in “knowing Jesus” and not “knowing about Jesus” through the study of Scripture. Jesus spent three or so years with twelve selected followers (apostles) in an effort to train them to continue His work of reconciling the world back to the Father (they became his ambassadors just as we have, as followers of Jesus-2 Corinthians 5:18-20). In the process of this training, these men really got to “know” Jesus. If we are wanting to continue that reconciling work, then I believe we also have to know Jesus. And the great thing about knowing Jesus is that in knowing Him we get to experience “abundant life”–John 10:10. From the beginning of time (and even before) God’s plan was for believers to look like Jesus (be changed into His image–Romans 8:29). Paul labored to that end (Christ formed in you–Galatians 4:19). Discipleship, said Jesus, is all about becoming like your teacher (Matthew 10:25). So, how do we do this in 2010? We have numerous Bible study opportunities but these sessions are aimed at Bible knowledge and not transformation of behavior. They help us know “about” Jesus but not so much about knowing Him. Life doesn’t come from “diligently studying the scriptures” said Jesus (John 5:39) but from coming to Him. What have we missed in our efforts to bring people into a relationship with Jesus? What can we do to fix the problem?

In Genesis 18:14 the question is asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” The speaker is identified as the Lord. God paid a visit to Abraham and Sarah, disguised in human form. The purpose of the visit was to confirm the promise of a yet-to-be-born son to this aging couple. The promise had first been made years before but the crib remained empty; there was still no child. As the promise is reaffirmed yet another time, Sarah is in the next room. The Bible says she laughed when she heard the words–it seemed even less plausible now then when the promise had first been made. Was this some sort of  cruel cosmic joke?

The Divine Visitor heard her laugh, and asked the question, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

Maybe this qualifies as a rhetorical question–a question asked, but no response is really expected. A question where you assume everyone in the room knows the answer. Is anything too hard for the Lord?

As I read that question again this morning, the answer seemed obvious to me. Based on what I already know about Abraham and Sarah’s situation, of course the answer is a resounding “NO!” I read it as a rhetorical question. But further reflection reminds me that the answer isn’t as obvious when it’s MY life and MY doubt and MY questions and MY delayed dreams on the line.

We are just  a few days into this new year, but already you may be facing one of those “up against the wall” kind of situations. Or maybe it’s a carry-over from last year, and you are still trying to figure out when and how it will be resolved.  I don’t mean to make light of whatever it is you are up against, but can you imagine that, from God’s perspective, it’s about as tough to handle as flicking a fly off your wrist, or removing a piece of lint from your sweater? From my perspective it’s like scaling Mt. Everest; for God, not so much. Is anything too hard for the Lord?

For Abraham and Sarah, it won’t be much longer before they hear the first cry of a new-born son, at which point they might view this as a rhetorical question. But at the moment they’re not sure. They were still waiting on God to do what He said He would do.

The waiting rooms of life try our patience and test our faith. If you are in one of those waiting rooms right now, memorize the question: Is anything too hard for the Lord?

I’ve just read again from Reggie’s book, The Present Future, the chapter entitled, The Return to Spiritual Formation. For me, it is one of the most important chapters about spiritual formation and church education, that I’ve read. It certainly gives opportunity for a person in my position (adult education leader) to begin changing the direction of what we do at church in areas of education. This is one reason that we are going to view the DVD again in class tomorrow evening. I think it’s a God thing (I’ll tell you why later).
I’ve never done this before in 40 years of teaching Bible classes (use the same lesson two times in a row) but felt like there were too many good things said to digest in just one hearing. Come and enjoy the video Wednesday. I do have a few books for those who requested them, ask for one. I’ll highlight a few of the more important things Reggie says (in my opinion) in subsequent blogs. I’d really like some feedback from those of you who are in the class and/or have been following on this blog

It could be the best decision you make in this new year…though it might not seem that way at first. In fact, it could be awhile before you begin experiencing any of the benefits of completing this commitment. But if you make this decision, and follow through, I am confident that you will reach December 31 and look back at this commitment as a turning point for your life.

What is this potentially life-changing commitment?

Answer: Read through the Bible this year.

That answer might disappoint some–you were perhaps expecting something with more punch and pizazz. But developing the discipline of consistent Bible reading and reflecting could be the best decision you make in 2010.

If you want to grow spiritually, you need a steady diet of Scripture. There is no substitute. The poet, T.S. Eliot, once said, “Everything we eat has some effect upon us. It affects us during the process of assimilation and digestion; and I believe exactly the same is true of anything we read.” My interpretation: You are what you read. We need to be spending more time reading the Word of God.

I am committed to preparing and presenting Biblical messages throughout 2010 that will nourish us spiritually. However, every Christian needs to take responsibility for feeding themselves spiritually as well. Which means consistent time in God’s Word.

So what do you say? Will you make this commitment? Take the plunge? We have provided daily Bible reading guides; but there are plenty of other options available. If you are interested in checking them out, let me know. But decide now…we are only four days into the new year…it isn’t too late to get started…become more consistent in opening your Bible and reading it for yourself.

It could be the best decision you make in 2010!