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I remember back when I worked in the Church of the Nazarene, and began my journey toward ordination.  I was asked if I was seeking ordination as an “Elder” or as a “Deacon”.  I asked what the difference was.  “An Elder is someone who feels called to preach.”  I definitely felt/feel called to preach, and enjoy the opportunities I get in my ministry.  I get to preach on a regular basis to our youth, but once in a while I also get to preach in our general Sunday morning services.  I figured it’d be fun to share a few with my reading audience…so you know I enjoy speaking as well as writing. 🙂  I believe God uses it also, in my own life as well…

1. Learning from Covenant – Be Blameless – Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 – March 4, 2012

2. Learning from Covenant – Live Long & Prosper – Exodus 20:1-17 – March 11, 2012

3. Who Are We? – We Are Confident – 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 – June 17, 2012

Or if you’re in a hurry, here’s a boiled down sermon from Jan, 2011 with some funk to it.

And here’s a “Spoken Word” I wrote as a benediction for my recent June 17th message.
“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says…” (James 1:22)

It’s a phrase heard in homes around the world on a regular basis.  Not quite a phrase really, but a word. A word that can speak volumes, or simply be a moment of wanting.  From a very young age, our kids learn the word “MINE!”.  It takes different forms as they age, and becomes a longer sentence, but it’s meaning can still be a very powerful thing.

Our role as parents, is not just to help our kids grow into “grownups” someday.  It’s not even about helping our kids to achieve the “American Dream” or become “successful”.  One of the most important roles we live out as parents, is to help our children to follow Christ.  To live in a way that they bring His healing, New Life, freedom, and Love.  In a world where adults are often seen yelling “MINE!” just as loudly as the 3 year old in my house – this can often prove difficult.

Nevertheless, as we live it as parents, we find our children inclined to follow us.  In the everyday outpouring of our lives for others.  In our living as a part of communities, extended families, and adopting others into our lives, grafting those God Loves into our families and homes just as we ourselves have been grafted into being sons and daughters of His.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

This is no easy task.  In James, we are told that “no man can tame the tongue”, and yet we’re called to honor Him with our words.  The illustration James uses talks about a salt-water steam not being able to produce fresh-water.  It’s the same with our humility and Love for others.  This is not merely talking about the actions and words that come out from us.  This is talking about examining our “source”.  Where do we “receive life”?  What do we wake up each morning, declaring as our goal?  What would make today “successful” in your book?

As we allow our lives to be shaped by God’s Love for Others in such a way that these sorts of things take priority, we may find that others are following in our footsteps.  Yes, there will still be times where we have to sit our children in “Time Out”, and enforced moments of sharing…but our lives speak much louder than our parenting techniques – as they grow into who God is calling them to be…

A couple weeks ago I decided to give up my Facebook. (kinda)

Yes, if you look around you’ll find a youth ministry page I’ve set up, where I can post statuses, ministry updates, and stay connected with people I know through official ministry connections.  I may even end up in a picture from time to time.

But as for my personal page, it was time to let go.  I’m not saying it’s for everyone – but for me, it’s been a great move.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus gives us a great story about what happens when He’s around.  Things are brought into the light, and seen for what they truly are.  In the case noted, people who claimed they live for Jesus are seen as a different group from those who actually live for Him.  Things that advertise their inherent “goodness” or separated from those things that are actually Good.

I think that many of us “feed the goats” in our lives on a regular basis, simply because they’re hungry little things, and often so darn cute/persistent.  You see, Facebook wasn’t evil.  It never showed up on my doorstep, secretly plotting to subvert the health of my life.  But as seen in the picture here, goats can often force the truly important things, such as my own children and family, to the background.

This happened in the form of always being “on”, even simply in the background of my mind.  I’m the kind of person who checks the mail on the way into the house, even if it’s been brought in already.  Having e-mail is hard enough.  I’d get a “fix” every time I had opportunity to click the little red notification of a new comment, like, or message.

I’m a relational “Type A” personality.  I love to be social, and usually that’s been tempered by the fact that I have “downtime” on a regular basis.  But thanks to the book of faces, I had access to connect with others at any time of day or night.  Time that, even though I don’t always claim it, I need once in while to myself to stay balanced.

Maybe the goats take different forms in your life.  My wife can wrangle Facebook down and hogtie it just fine.  What else might it be?  Perhaps it’s a hobby, a habit, or a routine part of your day.  Sometimes it’s outright unhealthy.  But other times, it’s just a hungry persistent “thing” that pops up on a regular basis, taking away something or claiming an undeserved spot among the things we value.

Whatever it may be, may God be with you as you choose purposefully to stop feeding the goats this week…and may you find yourself with a bit more to offer those things that have purpose in the Kingdom as a result…