I stumbled into a conversation with some friends of mine the other day based on the popular Coexist stickers found on the back of so many cars.  The conversations followed loosely like this:

V: I can’t stand those Coexist stickers.  They are so annoying and are antithetical to the Christian message.

R: Really? Antithetical to the Christian message? Jesus didn’t speak of peace and loving your neighbor? I think Jesus would actually put that sticker on his K-Car (because Jesus is practical).

V: You don’t feel they promote the many paths to God theology?

R: Maybe but I’m not sure that was the intent.  Wasn’t it more religious tolerance and the idea that we should quit killing each other over religious ideals and ideologies.

V: Maybe, I don’t know it just feels like it’s pushing an agenda.

R: I don’t know if the bumper sticker is pushing the same agenda as the people putting it on their cars.

(the conversation continued but I’ll spare you the terrible strange and twisted turns it took – let’s just say somehow we ended up on the topic of ice cream versus frozen yogurt.  I have strange friends.)

So what do you think?  Do you find the Coexist campaign offensive the the Christian faith? In line with it’s teachings? or something else?  Here is some information on the Coexist foundation – the originators of the idea that has since seen many forms and more ideologies being considered within the Coexist logo (again maybe now its get’s offensive or maybe it’s still in line with the teachings of Jesus).

So i’m interested to know what you think.  Would you put one on your car and pull into your church parking lot week after week?  Do you think there is more behind it than just “let’s be happy and all get along?” Is it antithetical to the teaching of Jesus or would it fall in line to where He might wipe off a spot on his bumper and cruise around town in one (terrible metaphor by the way but you get the idea).

It was a little nerve-racking to step onto a foreign stage and lead a new faith family in worship. I arrived in Westminster on the Tuesday after Easter (having just lead a Palm Sunday production, holy week services, and Easter Sunday). The week leading up to my first time leading worship with WCON was a whirlwind to say the least. But when I stepped up for the first Saturday night together I felt strangely comfortable and at ease. I mean I have led worship all over the country each a first time together but this night was different. It wasn’t a calm derived from years of experience but a calm born out of a gentle confirmation that God had orchestrated this to be and this was His plan for this next chapter of my life.
3 baptisms for the weekend was also a great way to start off my tenure here at WCON. A celebration of life, new life, and new family. Before our first service Sunday morning started I took some time to pray for this new family as well as my old extended family back in Tennessee. As long as I can get out of the way, God is going to do great things here in Denver (as well as Tennessee).

All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises by Paul Baloche
You You Are God by Beach, Walker
God You Reign by Lincoln Brewster and Mia Fieldes
From the Inside Out by Joel Houston
My Jesus I Love Thee/Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus/You Are My King Medley (original arrangement)

Check out what other churches are doing at “Sunday Setlists” or TheWorshipCommunity.com.

Well I have been pretty quiet lately. Not because I forgot to blog but simply my life has been beyond crazy and I just haven’t been able to find the time. Part of the deal with accepting the position an my new church was for them to allow me to take a little longer to get there due to my commitment to our Easter season at my now former church. We had a big production planned for Palm Sunday (and the Saturday night before) and then Holy week services followed up by Easter then a Uhaul truck ride across country. It was a very busy time to say the least.

Because of the grace extended from my new church to allow me to stay longer than what they may have wanted and what would be normal in a situation like this, the timing made it so that I would have to work the first weekend. I spent the first two days in a Uhaul driving from Tennessee to Colorado, had staff meeting Wednesday morning and a special rehearsal Thursday night. In between all that I was learning all the things you need to know when starting at a new place, unpacking and setting up my office, trying to plan out services and meeting so many new people that I can’t keep names straight yet.

And now it is Saturday morning, only hours before my first worship service with my new faith family (and a few band member I will be meeting for the first time hours before service). I felt more underprepared for Thursday’s rehearsal than I have in a long while – afterward I felt much better but still a little scattered. Tonight and tomorrow morning are going to be great and I am just thankful to be a part. God has called me to begin a new chapter in the life of my family. While I know it won’t always be smooth and easy, I do know that God has prepared this way for us and we follow.

We have known about this move for a little while now. But it’s honestly just felt like talk. I have been so focused on rehearsing for our Easter Production that the new job talk has been just talk. It wasn’t till I got home from rehearsal last night that I had that first real moment. I saw the for sale sign in the front yard of what is honestly our dream house that we built. I pulled into the driveway, stopped short of pulling in the garage and audibly sighed as a multitude of thoughts ran through my head. Memories of living here for 9 years, thoughts of what’s to come, and fear of trying to sell a house. I’m sure I will have many more of these moments as time goes on.

We are excited about this new season in our life and so happy to join a faith family in Denver who wants to see their community know the Love of God. We are thankful for our time we have spent here with our friends and family. Even still a sign in the front yard floods the mind with every thought imaginable. The audible sigh was one of joy and sadness, excitement and bereavement.

It is hart to first identify the stirring in your heart. There is a number of different ideas that go through your head as to what it could be.

“Is there more I should be doing here?”
“Is God calling me on to another ministry?”
“Is God calling me out of ministry?”
“Is God suggesting we use more harmonium in worship?”
“Is God letting me that I shouldn’t have eaten 2 gas station burritos?”

I wasn’t looking for another job. I was very comfortable where I was. I was happy with a great job, a new house, good marriage, and wonderful ministry. And that is when it started, right when I was finally hitting my stride. I worked hard to convince myself that it was a stirring to do greater things where I was – to grow my ministry, to figure ways to better the situation in which I was serving. I spent most of my daily prayer just asking for guidance over and over. I kept asking God to identify that stirring inside me.
Keep Reading...

It’s easy to let things get in the way of our goals, our hopes, our dreams. When insurmountable odds are stacked against us we just as soon bow out than continue the course. Below is the true story of a group of children who wanted to play football. They saw what no one else did and persevered in the midst of unbelievable odds to achieve their goal (pun intended). Don’t let anything get in your way today. Be bold and go big. Always be winning.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35).

Sometimes I think we get too caught up in the almost militant mission to convert people.  We just assume this should be a light bulb moment rather than a process (remember even Saul’s conversion happened over a few days).

When that takes priority over loving people and walking with them, this (photo above) can become how we are seen and understood, how Christianity is seen and understood.  Proselytizing or providing for a hurting nation, not mutually exclusive sometimes a choice between the two needs to be made.

My prayer today is that we show God’s love by our response and our love.