From Our Perspective

Book Review - Christians are Hate-Filled Hypocrites and Other Lies You’ve Been Told

2010-11-08T20:14:00.001-08:00

Just finished an interesting book titled, “Christians are Hate-Filled Hypocrites and Other Lies You’ve Been Told,” by Bradley Wright. Dr. Wright is a believer, holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin and is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut. I wonder if the author, when writing this book, was thinking of the phrase popularized by Mark Twain, about how there are "lies, damned lies, and statistics."

I highly recommend all believers read this book. It dispels a number of myths we’ve been told by the Christian and secular media, by Christian leaders, and by friends and colleagues.

Dr. Wright tactfully addresses several Barna studies and books that have been influential in addressing issues in the church. He does this by looking at much larger studies done over time that help get a handle on trends rather than small snapshot samplings. Here are some examples of his findings about Evangelical Christianity:

• We are more respected today than two decades ago. And the mixed attitudes from non Christians probably don't affect our mission.

• Growth in the church has risen from just under 20% in 1776 to over 60% today.

• Evangelical Christianity has had “strong growth in absolute numbers and steady in terms of percentages,” since the 70s.

• We have a lower divorce rates than nonbelievers.

• Christian belief and practices grows stronger with more education (secular). Go figure!

• “The percentage of young people who attend church has held steady over the past twenty years.”

• “Belief about God, Bible and heaven remain stable” with young evangelicals.

• “Prayer, evangelism and church attendance are up in recent decades” with young evangelicals.

• Our youth are doing well in the area of standing against sex, drugs, and stealing in both belief and behavior. Though they are having problems with fighting and everyday honesty.

Dr Wright concludes that, “here in America, Evangelical Christianity in particular and Christianity as a whole, is doing a pretty good job of being the church.” Wow! Juxtaposition that against the pervasive views espoused by Christian leaders, teachers and researchers who suggest we are going to hell in a hand basket. A close friend of Dr. Wright commented after reading the book, “I guess I don’t have to be embarrassed about being a Christian.” So why do we constantly drift towards believing the worst about the church and Christians? Perhaps it is because negativity sells and sticks like a tar baby.

Neither the author nor I are suggesting that Christians have arrived. But embracing untruths about ourselves does not advance the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Wright warns us to cautiously approach statistics. Over all the book was entertaining, kept my attention and was much more enjoyable than other statistical books I've read. Perhaps most importantly it has provided a sense of hope for the 21st century church and a desire to discern the times and the stats.

On Spiritual Holiday – The Grove Church

2009-08-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

The roots of The Grove church start in the fall of 2000 when a group of high school and junior high kids met in the backyard of a Tempe home for worship and prayer. They quickly outgrow the home as parents and friends joined. After several nomadic growth moves this band of 200 in 2002 secured their current 20 acre site.

By 2006, after herculean sacrifices by this band of Jesus followers, they took possession of a three building campus of 30,000 sq feet. And the morning we attended they announced the purchase of an additional 2 ½ acres for parking. Hum, maybe Barack, Bernanke and Wall Street could learn from these young spiritual entrepreneurs.

Getting into and out of the Grove is a bit of a challenge. Only half of a divided Gilbert Rd is usable and leaves only one way to enter and exit the church. At the speed that the City of Chandler moves it could be months before completion, so factor that into your drive.

The architecture of the worship center is multipurpose. Metal cages around the projectors and three point half circles were a dead giveaway. The stage area was unique from other churches we have visited. It sports a “Pier 1” look and feel. I’m guessing it might be their African mission mindedness. Lead pastor, Palmer Chinchen is the son of a missionary couple who started the African Bible Colleges (ABC). They also send teams from the church to this African mission.

The theme of this church is Love God, Grow Together and Serve the World.

Their doctrinal statement is standard evangelical mom and apple pie. They recognize two sacraments, water baptism and communion. The week we were there they didn’t serve communion; perhaps it is a monthly practice. A receptacle at the back of church is available for tithes and offerings. While one visit may not show how they walk out doctrine, their favorite books can give insight in how doctrine is assimilated.

Worship is loud, rock and very upbeat. The worship leader encouraged us to clap our hands while he demonstrated by clapping over his head. In the middle of the worship the leader had us read Romans 12:1,2 three times and ponder what we were reading. These scriptures would form the basis for Pastor Palmer’s sermon.

After the worship Pastor Palmer took his spot on the stage sitting beside and slightly behind a little round table. This Sunday he would introduce his twin brother who is still very active with ABC. They shared some touching stories of growing up in Africa. One in particular dealt with the native’s reaction to the young twin white boys. It seems twins are bad luck and the second born is considered very evil. Pastor Palmer is the second born. We all laughed along with the two brothers.

Sermons are topical rather than expository. The week we were there they began a new series, “A few things happened on the way to Jerusalem.” The sermon title was, “Your Brain on God.” It tied in with the Romans worship reading about renewing the mind to think after God’s thoughts. The Pastor first applied the gospel plow in Luke 4:16-18,21 & 24-30. He told personal stories of how God changed the way he thought which affected his anger issues. He illustrated how attitudes affect our outlook by reading from one of his children’s favorite books titled, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” Good illustration. We could all track with his emphases on Jesus the healer of my moods and wrong attitudes. The sermon ended in Philippines 4:4-9 on how we need to think in Christ. He then concluded with practical advice: watch your diet and exercise, be a lifelong learner, hang out with friends, do less for self and more for others, pray and meditate on the scriptures.

If you are looking for upbeat worship, practical sermons and a young church, give The Grove a try.

On Spiritual Holiday - Grace Chapel

2009-08-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

For more than twenty years, Grace Chapel has ministered in south Scottsdale. Pastors Richard and Becky Casteel founded this church after serving in two churches of the same name in Tucson and Springfield, Missouri. While each of these churches was founded as non-denominational, they all now belong to the Foursquare Church. Pastor Richard serves on the denomination's Board of Directors.

The worship at Grace Chapel was very upbeat even though the worship team appeared to have more 40-somethings that 20-somethings. (In fact, the congregation as whole had an unusual and winsome spread of ages, from very young children to the elderly.) Quite a few parents had their children with them during the worship service. And, communion was served the week we attended.

The Gifts of the Spirit were in evident throughout the service. People spoke in tongues, gave words of knowledge, and nearly half of the congregation responded to an alter call. A gentlemen approached us during the alter call time and gave us an accurate and encouraging prophesy.

The pastors took time to pray for several different young men and women going on missions trips this summer through organizations affiliated and not affiliated with the denomination.

A missionary to Africa was the guest speaker the week we attended. His sermon was a call for God's people to "Get Ready" for the work the Lord was about to do. It was impassioned and free-flowing.

According to its website, "[t]he mission of Grace Chapel is to increase the worship of God by making more and better disciples. Therefore, we work together to go near and far with the Gospel message and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ." This goal was clearly evident in the worship service and through the programs of the church, which included bible studies, prayer meetings, a Celebrate Recovery ministry, and youth meetings.

If you're looking for a church that spreads the Gospel, makes disciples, and still experiences the vibrant work of the Holy Spirit, give Grace Chapel a try.

On Spiritual Holiday - Genesis Christian Church

2009-06-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

Genesis Christian Church (GCC) began in February of 2008 with 188 people. They desire to be a place of new beginnings, for people to have a brand-new start with God. The church is located just east of Gilbert on Guadalupe Rd. It is situated on a long narrow piece of property so parking is in the rear. Visible from the outside but not on the inside is a beautiful display of stained glass windows. Though we would have opted for its visibility on the inside, it is an amazing blessing for this new church plant to have their own facility.

The main sanctuary looks like it could hold 400. There was close to 200 the day we attended. Seating is spacious, positioned so you need not make contortions as you pass the stationary seated isle saints to sit in the middle. Although the building is over 10 years old, the choice of new wall colors, carpet and seating were warm, inviting and updated appropriately.

Genesis is a sister church of Spring of Life Christian Church (SLCC). SLCC is a sister church of Central Christian Church located in East Mesa. See our blog on Central Christian.

Before attending I had called and left a message to find out if children were welcomed in the service. This is a must have for us and speaks volumes of a church’s response to a biblical world view toward family. Pastor Tim personally called and assured me that children are welcomed in the service. They do have a child care and children's ministry for the grade school ages which begins after the corporate worship. I liked Pastor Tim’s favorite authors C. S. Lewis and John Stott. We overlooked his Seattle Mariners sports preference.

Pastor Tim Kelly went to Western Oregon State University where he played two years of college hoops. After graduating he had a desire to help students grow in their Christian faith. For the next ten years he worked with Campus Crusade for Christ in Colorado and Chile. Tim went on to graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry from Phoenix Theological Seminary. Pastor Tim started Genesis from the ground up. Tim and Lisa Kelly have 3 children ages 5 and under. Lisa is one of the worship leaders and you might recognize her; she is a local CBS News journalist.

Pastor Tim has a relaxed, no-pulpit style of teaching. The week we were there his sermon was on “The Way of the Resurrection,” taken from Mark 16.

Genesis strongly encourages attendees to be active in Growth Groups. These weekly small groups of 10 -12 people meet in homes and ...... study the Bible. Yes! And it is within this context that singles and couples alike have the opportunity to laugh, cry, grow in faith, ask the hard questions, and learn more about God in a loving environment.

Worship was contemporary, and upbeat, just the way the Lewis' like it, however at times it was difficult to know who on the stage was leading the worship, even on Easter Sunday when we visited. The worship was a blend of updated hymns and new songs and the environment lent itself to raising of hands. We sang five songs (Let the Praises Ring, Christ the Lord is Risen Today!, Amazing Grace / My chains are Gone, Jesus Paid it All and You Raise Me Up). The singing was followed by communion and a special musical number “The Way of the Resurrection,” by a classical violinist. We could remember all this because of a section in the bulletin informed us on what to expect in the service.

Along with a strong evangelical doctrinal statement they listed out their values. They noted such items as living generously, practicing prayer, experiencing grace (receiving it and giving it), honoring God (being wise stewards of everything He has given us, including our bodies), changing the culture, building healthy relationships (committed to working through conflict in marriage and friendships), impacting the world (partnering with God's work around the globe) and building up others (encouraging others and refraining from complaining or gossiping) observed by all believers. Great values to pursue; a foundation for a healthy church.

We always look for healthy signs in churches like community partnerships. GCC partners with Crisis Pregnancy Center for the Walk for Life, and Arizona Reservation Ministries , tutoring service for students and various foods drives. Another value that caught our eye is engagement in the culture or changing the culture. If the church shies away from the politically incorrect issues of our day and age then there is no hope for a moral reformation in our country.

If you are looking for a midsized church in order to plant yourself into the lives of a vibrant Christian Community, take a look at GCC and consider a new beginning at Genesis.

On Spiritual Holiday - Superstition Springs Community Church

2009-04-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you. To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) This scripture captures the mission of Superstition Springs Community Church (SSCC).

SCCC is a sister church to Cornerstone Church in Chandler. It was birthed out of Sun Valley Community Church in 1995 and they met at Highland High School for 10 years. In 2005 they hired Mark Connelly as lead pastor, moved into their present facilities and have since experienced phenomenal growth. Weekly they fill five services in their soon-to-be-replaced chapel that holds 400. We attended the 10:30AM service. Don’t be stylish late at this church because by 10:15 it was standing room only. SSCC is well on its way to becoming a mega church with all that entails.

We received a heads up about this church from a respected friend of ours. Glad he did and we would like to hear from you readers about other churches to attend and review.

SSCC not only has a rock solid grip on the Gospel for the soul put capably applies it outside their four walls by partnering locally with House of Refuge and their developed worldwide ministry of Vision Abolition.

Approaching the church at 4450 E. Elliot Rd in Gilbert we turned unto a temporary dirt road and made our way to the back to park. They are three weeks into construction of their new worship center. All along the way of our walk from the parking lot to the chapel we were greeted by serving members who stood out sporting light colored short sleeved pin stripped shirts embossed with service team logos much like you would see at a bowling alley. Interesting touch!

Lead pastor Mark Connelly preached. The Lewis family agreed that Mark resembles friend and Pastor Brian McKay at SGC. Obviously Brian is better looking, younger, and better at church announcements.

This Sunday Pastor Mark announced a new addition to the church’s family ministry, Gary Smalley of the Gary Smalley Relationship Center. Gary is best known as a teacher, counselor and writer of such well known books as, The Blessing, The Two Sides of Love, The Language of Love and 25 other award winning books.

Mark is a quite a dynamic preacher. We heard he worked for General Mills and felt the call to ministry later in life. He is another one of those guys who doesn’t use a pulpit, however he differs in that he moves over the entire stage during his message. His style and delivery easily engages the congregation and draws them into the sermon with humor, relevant stories and spot-on scriptures that cleanly pierce the heart.

His sermon this Sunday was on forgiveness. He started with things Jesus never taught about forgiveness. First, forgiveness is not having to feel good about a bad thing that happened. Second, forgiveness is not about forgetting what happened to you. Thirdly, it is not synonymous with trust, and finally, it is not the absence of consequence. He then unpacked the ground rules by showing in the scriptures that we follow Christ‘s example, we have the power and capacity to choose to forgive, and that because we have received underserved grace and limitless forgiveness, we do not keep records or wrongs.

The sermon ended with simple and clear application questions like; “Who do I avoid? Who makes me cringe when I see them? Who in my past do I no longer keep in touch with and why?" In addition a helpful little card was handed out with forgiveness exhortations and questions.

Worship was dynamic with a mix of contemporary songs and upbeat hymns. And it made it easy for the non musically inclined Lewis family to participate. The congregation worshiped uninhibitedly with enthusiastic singing and clapping and raising of hands.

The Sunday we attended 50 new believers were baptized, ten of which during our service. SSCC has a unique approach to baptism. After a brief time of worship one of the pastors came forward and introduced each new believer with their brief story. Then the congregation returned to worship. Off to the side of the stage, the ten were baptized and the experience was projected on the massive screen behind the worship team. What a powerful combination! The songs were so pertinent and it was a true worship experience. The most touching moment came when a family of five was baptized. First mom and dad went under; Then the pastor stepped to the side while the newly baptized couple led their children into this most consecrated Christian sacraments.

As we left the church we couldn’t help noticed Big League Dreams (BLD) with its eight replica baseball stadiums just to the north. In BLD one can live in his dream fantasy however in SSCC one can live in his dream reality to the Lord.

On Spiritual Holiday - Desert Springs Church

2009-04-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

Desert Springs Church located at 19620 S. McQueen in Chandler was started as an Assembly of God church plant back in 1997. They have been meeting in their own attractive and well functioning building for almost a year.

Parking was easy and there were plenty of friendly faces to greet us on our approach to the church doors. Once inside a youthful, early 30s, greeter struck up a conversation with us. She asked lots of conversation generators which prompted us to ask our fair share of questions. At one point our questions garnered an invite to meet and talk with Pastor Brad Davis. We found this man of God warm, engaging and easy to talk with.

Pastor Brad Davis and his lovely wife of over 20 years, Becky Davis, are motivated by their vision to “Touch a Generation for the Kingdom of God.” They are both graduates from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota where they met. Becky is a talented singer who led us in worship the morning we visited the church.

Their core values are expressed by being people who:
· are filled with passion for God,
· raise the bar,
· are unafraid to dream,
· refuse to settle,
· embrace today,
· leave it better than we found it and
· speak life.

Although striving to be relevant in today’s culture, at least in our first visit, the church is holding to the essentials of the Christian faith.

Their goal is to equip people through praise, relevant preaching, passionate times of prayer and allowing ample time in the service for the Holy Spirit to move.

We commend them on the last point of giving time and place to Spirit. Within their upbeat worship where the saints feel the liberty to raise or clap hands they punctuated with a pause, to listen for the Lord’s promptings, and “singing in the spirit.” And although the church is Pentecostal in its origin, we didn’t believe anyone accustomed to today’s contemporary worship style would feel uncomfortable worshiping with these dear saints.

Pastor Davis has a straight forward easy to listen to teaching style. He is topical rather than expository in his approach to the scriptures.

This particular Sunday we caught one of a five part series on marriage. Using a large flat screen console loaded with the Wii game of baseball he proceeded to demonstrate how this type of game only has meaning when you interact with another person, just like marriage.

In his sermon he walked the fine line between God hating divorce and yet not hating divorced people. He emphasized God’s grace and forgiveness. He supplied plenty of statistics on divorces damaging effects. Yet he did not disqualify the repentant from the kingdom of God. The service concluded with prayer up front for those with needs. Like all the churches we have visited thus far children are welcomed in the services. So if you are looking for community, relevant teaching and Holy Spirit friendly worship, give Desert Springs a chance.

Spiritual Holiday - Central Christian

2009-03-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

One church two campuses

Central Christian is an East Valley mega church. Founded in 1959 as a non denomination bible believing church it has grown to over 8000 members. Cal Jernigan has been the senior pastor since 1999. The primary campus is located at University and Lindsey in Mesa. We attended the newest campus which is located 10 miles due south on Lindsey and Germann.

You can’t miss the Gilbert Campus. Its architecture is a modern southwest motif that fits beautifully into the new Gilbert look. Once on campus we followed the signs to visitor parking and were able to park near the worship center. Plenty of smiling faces and warm welcoming greeted us upon our entry into the worship and visitor centers.

The campus buildings are spaciously laid out in community style. One visitor shared that it is like a village inside of a village. This hi-tech facility even has a kiosk in the middle of the campus to check children into the various activities and the visitor’s center has its share of PCs.

The church has numerous outlets for doing and receiving ministry for everyone in the family. There is something for all ages and stages. And children of all ages are welcome in the main service. There is no reason to be bored or uninvolved at this church.

Once in the worship center big guys will quickly notice how easily you can navigate down any row without bothering the seated saints. Tom especially loved the room. The squished feeling gets old quick.

We sat near the rear of the facility in order to see what would transpire during worship. Lights were subdued and two large projection screens at the front of the church afforded close ups of the worship team. The worship comes with a strobe and haze effect. The bulletin has a Surgeon General type of message informing you that the haze fluid is water based and safe for you and the environment. We chuckled! We must be getting old. Although the worship team is polished we found the complexity of the songs difficult for us to sing; we were tempted to spectate rather than participate in the worship. However, the post-message worship did draw some of the congregation out with expressions of raised hands.

After the worship, the youthful Corey Bullock, Gilbert Campus Pastor of evangelism, took to the stage to welcome all and to tactfully direct our minds to Jesus and the gospel of salvation. He then had us greet one another, which was followed by Communion. We were served at our seats with the bread which you dipped into the common juice container. Finally, in a low key manner the offering was taken.

As time for the sermon came, a large screen, the width of the stage, was lowered. Then Cal Jernigan, senior pastor, was projected live in HD from the Mesa Campus. As we stated previously in our blogs, projecting live is surprisingly easy to adjust to. The speaker is much easier to see. Being in HD, Pastor Jernigan, appeared crisp, clear and slightly bigger than life.

We liked his style, a melding of emerging church no pulpit and with the traditional podium approach. This was accomplished by positioning Pastor Jernigan beside a small, round, elevated, hip, Starbucks-type coffee table. Here he would stand or sit during the message with notes on table accomplishing an open inviting and relaxed approach. Wow! Tom could envision himself doing this – being free of the podium safety net and going emergent.

Pastor Jernigan’s sermon this Sunday was the last in a series of nine messages under the heading of “Repulsed – Confronting the Sins of the Church.” The specific topic of this message was, “The Sin of Presumption.”

Pastor Jernigan is a gifted, easy-to-listen-to speaker. Starting with the story of the freakish death of Steve Erwin the Australian Crocodile Hunter, he brought out how little of life we do control. He followed the story with a simple definition, “presumption is when we seek to assume the place of God in our lives.” He topically demonstrated the definition from Daniel, Acts and James. All this flowed seamlessly with the sermon outline provided in the bulletin. We were moved by the sermon with our souls running the gambit from encouragement to conviction.

The service was concluded with worship and a very effective HD video mosaic that pieced together all nine sin’s definitions covered by the former sermons. This church knows how to use technology to more powerfully proclaim the truth.

On Spiritual Holiday - Praxis

2009-03-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Think. Love. Live.

These are the three pillars of Praxis Church. And this three fold cord is amazingly strong.

Praxis, like the Second Mile, is a missional church networked with Acts 29. Both churches are vibrant with sound bible teaching. Praxis has more singles, while Second Mile is more geared to families; but both have all ages. Praxis also seems a little more open to the charismatic – though that is just our sense, and you would need to check with leadership to confirm.

Praxis has been around for a while and they are negotiating a permenant location. Currently they use two different churches for their meetings. Check their website for locations and time. We predict when they have their own place they will grow even more.

Worship on Sunday is vibrant and passionate. The worship band has incredible talent – even wowing our son-in-law who is a musician and is very discerning. And they impressed us as well – not only with their talent, but with their heart towards God and their ability to lead us into worship. And we worshipped with new songs, old songs and ancient songs. These young men led us from God of This City to a remix of the old Jesus People standard, I’ve Got Joy Like a River to Great is Thy Faithfulness. All in one service… and it was seamless… and fantastic.

And we were wowed by Pastor Justin Anderson sermon – both content and presentation. Pastor Justin, like the other missional pastors, doesn't use a podium. Scary! How do they do that? He preaches expositorily. The morning's text was Mark 1:14. For 45 minutes we listened attentively as Pastor Justin teased out this verse and provided ample application for today's living.

We loved the approach of looking at the verse in context. Pastor Justin took us back to verse one, reminding his hearers to take note of what these eye witnesses saw and heard. Often he stated we create our own Jesus that looks nothing like the eye witness account. So he went on to exhort that our goal is to understand what the eye witnesses say about Jesus, not necessarily what a professor might say about Jesus. Good advice! We remember from our college days the professors questioning everything like God, the Bible, and family, but never encouraging us to question them.

From verse 14 Justin talked about repentance, which he defined as changing direction when we "re wrong. Then he unpacked the idea of the Kingdom of God: It is more than fire insurance from hell or Sunday night church attendance. The Kingdom is gigantic. It covers all aspects of life, including family, work, school, community, country, the world. It covers attitudes, actions and beliefs. The cross was the turning point of all history. Pastor Justin highlighted this portion of the sermon talking about Act 17:6, 'these men who turned the world upside down.'

So after worshipping with this flock and listening to this young, animated, on-fire-for-Christ pastor, we could not help but think that this congregation was in capable hands.

The services allow children in the service – in fact they encourage parents to get their little ones for the closing song and weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper. This congregation is heavily young adults. The church is strategically and purposefully located in Tempe – and though most of the congregation is college/ young career age, there are some young families, some teenagers and even some of the more mature crowd.

But let’s move on to the second cord or pillar.

Praxis has small groups - called missional communities. We have not visited any of them, we were invited to attend - and they are not age segregated. In fact when I asked about it they were puzzled that anyone would want to divide up by age.

And, finally, the pièce de résistance: The Learn Pillar. Praxis has Live Training courses. One can sign up for a class on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, or perhaps both. The courses are oh so appetizing: Gospel Centered preaching – with lecture, discussion and practice. Hermeneutics, Church History, Foundations of Christian Theology (using Dr. Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology), New Testament Survey: Epistles, Biblical Marriage and a “Pop-In” class on the spiritual disciplines on each night. We were not only impressed, and hungry to sample these delightful offerings, but all of our (grown) children were equally intrigued. Wow – a church that is serious about equipping their people for the work of the ministry.

Are you hungry to LOVE God passionately, to LIVE in missional community and to LEARN. Head on down to Praxis and enjoy the feast.

Spiritual Holiday - City of Grace

2009-03-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

Thirty five years ago we attended Gospel Echoes Bible Church in northwest Phoenix which planted a church in Mesa in 1980. We then attended this fellowship from 1986 to 1995 as it changed names to Word of Grace. Work of Grace has now transformed to City of Grace under the leadership of Terry and Judith Crist. We still have a lot of friends there and so decided to visit a few weeks ago.

City of Grace meets in a large and well known facility near downtown Mesa. The spacious auditorium was only about half filled the Saturday night we visited, but the large worship band filed the auditorium with vibrant and enthusiastic music. Many talented singers and musicians on a variety of instruments were led by the outgoing worship leader, Daniel Stringer. This is classic and sophisticated charismatic music which encourages and inspires the listeners.

The congregation is very mixed – youth, families and a large number of mature saints. And it does seem to be a “city church” with a great socio-economic as well as racial mix.

The senior pastor Dr. Terry Crist has an easy to listen to style. Rather than expository teaching he is topical in his approach. He mixes plenty of scriptures that are consistent with the context with personal and practical and often humorous stories to make his point.

His message on our visit was, “Living with a Sense of Humility,” which is part of a series titled, “Live Like You are Dying.” The key passage was Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what the LORD requires of you. To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Pastor Crist did a good job of explaining that humility is not weakness but dependency on God.

In true fashion of the modern day missional minister, he delivers his message without a pulpit. This aids in connecting with the congregation. No pulpit, Wow! How do they do it? Judging from the congregation’s size, active involvement, cross generational and cultural makeup, Pastor Crist connects. The other claim to fame for this church family is Kurt Warner, quarterback for the NFL champion, Arizona Cardinals attends the church.

Afterward we spied the Pastor and his wife mingling with the people of the congregation. One can tell that they love the people and connect well, even in such a large church.

City of Grace seems to be a great place to be able to just blend into the crowd and grow in God… and it also seems to have a lot of programs and friendly people when you want to find and connect with a community.

Spiritual Holiday - Heritage of Faith Family Church

2009-03-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

Heritage of Faith Family Church (HFF) is a wonderfully unique church. It describes itself as a covenantal, multi-generational body of believers and a "family of families."

HHF was started on June 3rd 2007 in the living room of Dave and Valerie Monk. Although desirous to be a home church, it was hugely popular and quickly out grew the Monk's home and is now located at Greenfield Junior High, 101 S. Greenfield Rd in Gilbert. They have one Sunday service that starts at 10:30am.

Arriving at the church you quickly notice the vans and SUVs: usually a sign of families, large families. Approaching the church meeting area, the school cafeteria, you are warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by age integrated greeting teams. In addition to the adult greeters, the children and teens are not shy, but shake your hand and quickly involve you in conversation that makes you feel like you’ve met before.

Inside you will find the culture warm, casual and friendly. There is a sense of heritage here - while there were many casually dressed, there were also a few men in ties, a number of women in dresses, and children spruced up for church. No need to ask if children are welcome in this church; they are everywhere and well behaved, but not stifled. There are no nurseries or Sunday schools. That’s right! HHF encourages and expects parents to care and train their own. And this group is not nervous - babies and toddlers are in the back, making some, though surprisingly little, noise. There is patience with little ones, but also some wonderful modeling from the other more experienced families. And we saw many teens and other adults willing to step in and help those families with small children.

After the church service the motif of the area quickly morphs back into the cafeteria, just in time for you to partake of their potluck luncheon. These people love to eat, fellowship and get to know each other. Don’t be concerned if you didn’t bring a dish, they enjoy sharing from their abundance.

We liked the church's doctrinal statement, although they are not reformed. They are unabashedly charismatics who have found the balance of Paul’s exhortation of “doing all things decently and in order.” The music is upbeat, but conservative. Even the worship team was multigenerational - with teens and adults playing instruments and singing together. There were some hymns interspersed with the more modern choruses.

We also appreciated the balance they struck within the church government. They are led by a plurality of elders. The elders are primarily responsible for teaching, training, and shepherding of the congregation. New elders are recommended by the congregation and the elders and are voted in by the congregation. Preaching is mainly by the elders. They have a manifold approach in teaching style that traverses from expository to topical. Sermons run from raising godly children, to Christian courage, to studies on books of the bible such as 1 & 2 Timothy. At this time they do not have a full time pastor - but these godly, mature elders are doing a wonderful job teaching and leading the congregation.

Although this is a relatively small group of believers, they are involved in civic and faith ventures outside their church. They had sent a group to do missions work in Mexico, and had taught on supporting the Biblical view of marriage as between a man and a woman. Very healthy signs! We sensed no legalism, control, or doctrinal hobby horses but lots of empowerment, love of the scriptures, and fellowship. Although they announced from the pulpit that they are not a home school church, it seems that most people do. We met at least one single college student who attends because he likes to be around the families, and we noticed a few empty nesters as well. So if you like to be with families and people of all ages this could be a good place for you.

If we were rating this church as far as a safe and healthy place to raise a family and to participate in sharing the Heritage of Faith multigenerationally, we would give it four out of four thumbs up.

Spiritual Holiday - East Valley Bible Church

2009-03-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

Wow! We never would have thought that less than a mile from our home as the eagle flies is a bible teacher of the caliber of Tom Schrader.

East Valley Bible Church has been around since the mid 90’s. Its campus is situated on a 22 acre footprint. This large church has multiple Sunday services held in two different buildings. A couple of amenities there immediately caught our attention: The book store and adjoining free Wi-Fi coffee shop. We split a delicious nine grain chicken salad sandwich after our first church experience at EVBC. The only drawback on the coffee shop is its hours. It is closed Friday and Saturday. Dang! So Tom continues his early Friday morning Bruegger's walk and devotionals.

EVBC services have two venues. The Chapel provides a contemporary polished worship team with songs that we found somewhat difficult to sing, thereby tempting us to sit back and be entertained. Others in the congregation appeared to drift into the same temptation. In the Chapel you see and hear Tom Schrader live. Children are welcome in any of the services, but the Conference Center was the venue of choice for most parents.

The Unplugged worship found in the Conference Center (CC) provided upbeat, contemporary, and easy to sing uplifting choruses. Most of the congregation seemed to be actively involved in the worship.

The CC has Tom Schrader projected from the Chapel. What we thought would be a drawback actually is a plus. So rather than see an 8 inch high guy from the back of the chapel, Tom is colossus on the three big screens easily viewed anywhere and from behind anyone in that CC.
Whether you choose the Chapel or the CC, there are warm friendly people to greet and hand you a program as you near the doors. And if you are early enough, there is free coffee.

A couple of other items that stood out: NO offerings were taken. Now that takes faith! They did mention the offering receptacles at the front and rear of the facilities. Also communion is celebrated every week. It is always good to “remember.”

The other item, though a bit intangible is perceptible to one’s spirit within the very ethos of EVBC. It resonates through the sermons, people, and verity of clergy lead ministries: “liberty.” Tom alluded to it when unpacking 1 Sam 8:10-18 and noting how centralization can be destructive to the human spirit. He further developed the thought when attributing America’s greatness to “its system”. He stated that this system encourages individual freedom, entrepreneurism and puts fewer restrictions on the individual. And this is not only true with government, but also with all organizations. It was brought home to our weary spirits when he stated, “Take something as simple as EVBC. The more we centralize it the more we kill your spirit’s potentially for ministry.” EVBC is a place that not only believes in grace but practices it by empowering the saints for the work of the ministry.

Now we come to the main course. Personality wise and looks, Tom Schrader reminds us of a cross between our good friend Mark Lassiter and Frances Schaffer, minus the knickers. He is a smart, loquacious guy’s guy.

Tom’s title is Pastor of Teaching which appropriately acknowledges this man’s gifting. He is reformed, expository in teaching style and has no apparent doctrinal hobby horses. Praise the Lord! In addition he does not narrowly focus the gospel, but sees it from a kingdom prospective where God plants and uses his saints in their capacity from housewife, to businessman to statesman. In this scenario the church can speak to the conscience of government, business, education and family.

The three sermons we’ve now heard demonstrate Schrader’s amazing ability to layer the scriptures. These are the types of sermons you can listen to over again, and discover something new each time. His expository approach gets you immediately into the history, the players, the thinking, the desires and the specifics of what God was saying in that day. When appropriate, principles are drawn from the text and teased out and presented in gems to live by. The sermons are full of Tom’s earthy humor, conviction and faith. In three different sermons we heard more practical advice on raising children than might be heard in a decade from other pulpits.

Definitely this church will be among the top contenders vying for our association at the end of our spiritual holiday.

On Spiritual Holiday - C at QC & 2nd Mile

2009-02-16T20:10:00.000-08:00

The Web Site was so promising…. And we had heard a few months ago that it was a good church. So we made the 28 mile trek from our house in Gilbert to visit The Church at Queen Creek. Unfortunately it was not there. Note to churches: update your websites so new people can find where you are meeting.

Though we missed that church, we knew we could make if for the second service at Second Mile Church. Second Mile was as good the second time around.

This week rather than having a God Story we were encouraged to break up into small groups of two to four for prayer. We were led to first Thank God, then to pray for others, then to pray that we would grow closer to the Lord and then for the Christians and churches in the Valley. While Colene really likes this, Tom is somewhat uncomfortable with that kind of activity.

The sermon continued in the series on Mark. And again the preaching was substantive, interesting and faith inspiring. And we saw alot of familiar faces: Jenni & Peter, Evie & Joe, Matt & Holly, and Chris D.

On Spiritual Holiday - The Second Mile Church

2009-02-13T07:58:00.000-08:00

Definition of Holiday:

1. Holy Day: a day set aside for special religious observance
2. A day on which one is exempt from work
3. (chiefly British) Vacation: often used in the phrase on holiday

Tom and Colene are on a spiritual holiday - visiting churches in the East Valley. You are invited to share our experiences as we mark our trek on the blog.

A worship experience, just like a dining experience is more than just the food (or sermon) that is served. It includes the service (staff), the other dinners, the physical comfort, the available menu options, the style, and the ambiance created by music and pacing of the event.

As we twisted through the ASU Polytechnical campus turning at the clear and easy to read signs for the Second Mile Church, Tom wondered aloud if there was cheese at the end of this maze. To our delight, there was!

Greeters in the parking lot let us know that we were indeed at the right spot. More greeters offered us materials and a free book at the information table. The flyers "What We Believe" and "Getting Acquainted" were clear, full of just enough information and directed us to the church website for more. And who could resist getting the gift of John Piper's book, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. More greeters offered coffee and donuts as we entered the building. And all these greeters were discreet - we felt welcomed, but not overwhelmed or assailed.

This brand new church plant by East Valley Bible Church is clearly a Missional Church. More explanation here.

Though the majority of the church is young people, there is a good mix - some well past 60, some in their prime, many in their 30's and 20’s, and some teens, children and babies. While they have children's ministry from birth to 5th grade, all ages are welcome in the main meeting.

The worship was vibrant, loud and passionate. The songs were God directed and scripturally sound. The worship leaders were just that - talented musicians who led us in worship rather than providing a performance. Rather than a full band, the instruments were limited to just a guitar and bass - but they were played well and the music filled the room.

A unique (to us) regular feature is "God Stories." Every Sunday you get to hear "one person's story of God's transforming power." Our week a salt-of-the-earth Cowboy from Queen Creek shared. It was great to hear a normal person talk about his faith in an unscripted manner. And the Pastor gently and deftly interviewed him - keeping the story moving and on point while letting us see the cowboy’s distinct personality and heart.

Missional churches have an interesting blend of the ancient and the contemporary. One of the ancient things they did was have the congregation stand for a formal reading of the Bible together: A great way to incarnate respect for the Word of God. And we read the text that the preacher was going to address: Mark 4:1-34.

On to the main course. I am amazed when a man can preach with no podium and such few notes. Delivery by this pastor was very good –he was engaging, interactive with the congregation and presented a verse by verse exposition of the Bible. The presentation was easy enough for a non-Christian or a new believer, and yet had some great fresh morsels for the more seasoned Christians. The pastor explained the hard verse (10-11) and he did a good job. He did not give a cliché or go for the “cheap shot”; and he did not hobby horse any particular pet doctrine. He encouraged faith – and ended with the thought that fruit is not action but desire –desire to know God, to follow Him.

We ended with communion, singing an updated version of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, and a benediction.

The Second Mile Church is definitely worth a second visit!

Political wisdom for 2008

2008-09-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

No Regrets - Homeschooling in Arizona

2008-09-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

The following is an article written for the Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) Journal, 2nd quarter 2008 publication. Because of space restrictions, I had to shorten stories and drop many others. As I have time, remember and am motivated the tales will be updated. I’m grateful for the four ladies God brought into my life. They are beautiful, gracious, exciting, talented and lovers of God. As for my two sons-in-law, who I’m proud of, they definitely married up. I did too.

In 1976, Colene and I read the life changing book, How Shall We then Live, by Dr. Frances Schaeffer. The book deals with the impacts of secular and Christian worldviews. It explained historically how music, philosophy, theology and science influenced thinking and behavior from the Roman Empire up through the Beatles. It prophetically depicted the impacts of these two competing worldviews on the “life issues.” We were now committed; if ever we had children, they would receive an education from a Christian worldview.

At that point in time, home schooling children never crossed my mind, which is interesting considering that in the early 70’s Colene and I attended a weekly college Bible study in the home of a longtime home school family, the Lloyds. They were homeschooling in the 60’s--very dangerous times to buck the government monopoly on education.

The Lloyd family greatly impacted us. They expressed a love for God that translated into love of family and a warm open hospitality to all their visitors. In their home, there were shelves everywhere and all abundantly stocked with books. Their children were kind, fun, smart and conversant on many subjects and with any age group. It was here that the home school seed was first planted.

After the birth of our first daughter, Heather, in 1979, we found ourselves volunteering on Sunday morning in our church’s nursery. There, we met another incredible pioneering home school family and founders of Christian Home Educators of Arizona, John and Christina Ramsey. All this time, Colene was taking note of these and other pioneering families. I remained oblivious to the option of home schooling. I knew my children would have an education from a Christian worldview and the only place that could happen, I thought, was at a Christian school.

Four things influenced a shift in my awareness and consideration of home schooling. The first was Heather’s experience at a prestigious Christian school. In kindergarten, all was well. Heather’s teacher taught phonics and Heather was reading. However, in first grade, she lost the ability to read. The school had made a policy change, dropping phonics for a “look-say” reading method. What ever happened to God, country and phonics?

Second, Heather’s high energy landed her at the back of the class where she would be less disruptive. It seemed every five minutes Heather needed to stand and circle her desk. Heather, a kinesthetic learner, would retain this trait for some years. Thank God this happened before the onslaught of Ritalin!

The third reason dealt with Heather’s exposure to inappropriate behavior from her peers. Many were already mindful and expressive of the distinctions between designer and regular dress. The materialism with a fashion focus was age inappropriate.

Finally, I had done the math on the cost of three daughters in private school, a private school that had failed to otherwise impress me. So when Colene suggested we consider home schooling, I was ready. I had no anxiety about Colene’s ability to teach; my only concern was, “Would she survive being ‘Home Alone’ with the children?”

Like other home school families, we wrestled with what our school would look like. We purchased little surplus school desks. We did the morning flag salute. Four-year-old Bethany would go into hysterics as two-year-old Evie dropped and dragged the American flag around the house. We quickly learned that the formal school structure was stressful to mom and kids. So rather than creating a school in the home, we gravitated to a home where we learned. Colene soon came across many wonderful resources, including the KONOS curriculum, which was a godsend for our kinesthetic daughter, complemented multilevel teaching for a family of three, and fit with our un-schooling philosophy.

Heather, our first born, was the experimental child. Our successes and failures were appropriately passed or withheld from her siblings. However, our philosophy of a home where we learn as a way of life was a blessing to all the girls. For several more years, Heather continued to circle her desk while reciting her math tables or taking a test. Likewise, rather than lectures about boats, Heather made a boat. Rather than reading about Bedouins, she became one and migrated about the house. Only home lends itself to this type of learning modality.

Heather would go on to excel at ASU. I still recall waiting that first week to see how our “sheltered” home school child would fair in a classroom of three hundred. She was not intimidated. Our theories held true! Heather was shocked at the number of students who ditched class, or who would not seek teacher help after class. After a first semester science class, she asked the professor a question derived from his lecture. He responded that the question would not be on the test. Inquisitively, she asked, “But what is the answer?” Puzzled, the professor asked where she attended high school. “Home schooled,” was the response. He smiled and commented, “That explains it.” Heather later became one of the youngest undergrad research and teaching assistants in the biology department, and was graduated summa cum laude with a BA degree in biology.

Home schooling also gave us an opportunity to work with our children on non-academic areas of development. Early on, our second daughter, Bethany, battled shyness and a speech impediment. In a family Sunday school class we helped start, we constantly prodded her to meet the new families. She overcame her timidity during her mid-teens, as evident by her involvement in the YMCA Youth & Government program and her political activity in the Republican Party. She could pull together fifty kids at a moment’s notice and equip them to rally around a candidate or policy position. She was in big demand with East Valley legislators.

But it would be in her senior year of high school that she achieved near mythical status in the home school community. Frustrated by her lack of access to scholarships at ASU, she wrote a bill addressing the inequality during a mock legislative project. Her novel approach was to allow SAT or ACT testing to count towards Regent Scholarships at the three state universities. After a lively dinner discussion and seeing the bill’s merits, I directed the bill to AFHE and the Center for Arizona Policy. The bill gained immediate traction with Senate President Ken Bennett and Fox 10 Evening News’ Kim Posey. The legislation passed unanimously and was promptly dubbed “Bethany’s Law.” Although it became law too late to help Bethany, she later found other scholarships and graduated with top honors with dual degrees in English literature and political science.

It is one thing to pass and another thing to implement law. Bethany’s Law instructed the Board of Regents to establish an equitable inclusive policy for granting scholarships to home schooled students. The Center for Arizona Policy’s attorney Haddon Tucker was assigned to see that shenanigans were minimized and implementation went forth smoothly. Haddon’s bulldog determination achieved very workable guidelines. I’m told that the first recipient of a scholarship under the new law was Martin Sector. Coincidentally, Martin and his family were active in our “Family Sunday School.”

I found out later that Haddon’s father was Michael Tucker, pastor of Bethany Community Church (BCC). BCC was instrumental in AFHE’s success in those financially strapped early days by hosting our home school conventions for several years. Also BCC was home to Bethany Home Educators, one of the largest support groups in the state. In1989 when Colene and served as its directors we were over 200 families in size. It was good natured Pastor Tucker who fastened to the sanctuary door on opening convention day the famous home school graduation cartoon. This became my signature slide for all my presentations. The Tucker family was a blessing to home education.

Colene and I also learned how home schooling provided a flexible educational environment. In first grade, our youngest daughter, Evie, was at a kindergarten level in reading but a third grade level in math. She could easily conceptualize objects in her head, which won her the honor of putting together my Home Depot treasures like barbeques and other sundry items. Evie caught up and then surpassed grade-level in reading in her teen years. She continued to gravitate towards math, mastering the most advanced supplemental classes at the community college before she graduated from high school.

Colene was the quintessential home educator. I was not. I never felt comfortable teaching the three R’s. However, what was lacking in aptitude was made up through passionate lobbying and public relations on behalf of home educators. In those days, the public was not familiar with home schooling and some legislators thought we were weird. Representative Bev Herman once asked me, “How many home schoolers drink blood and do animal sacrifice?” Wow! The public relations arm of AFHE was born. And as I provided House and Senate testimony and media interviews the children were there learning the ropes.

In the early days it was difficult to find home school families willing to let the press into their homes. As a result, the Lewis family became the face of home schooling in Arizona. Colene and I taught the children how to develop and deliver talking points and what not to say. Our television debut was 12 News Live with Bill Blannon. The family went on to appear on everything from secular talk, religious, country and hard rock radio stations to home and studio television shows, newspapers and magazines. Strangely enough the hard rock and county radio stations treated us kinder than some of the Christian stations.

For as long as we’ve been home schooling we have attended the bi-yearly SRP Political Picnic. This by far was the biggest and best of the political type event in Arizona. It would always attract the best of the gubernatorial, US Congress & Senate, Arizona legislative, city, county and statewide candidates. It was perfect for lobbying across multiple office jurisdictions. I still remember seeing Kent Johnson and Matt Salmon kneeling in conversation for the better part of an hour. It looked like the stereotypical evangelist leading the wanton sinner to Christ. In actuality Matt was converted that day to a strong support of home education. We also used it as a tool to instruct our children on how to interview political candidates, a skill that would benefit them in years to come. Ever year we had the girls prepare their own questions to ask the candidates. We wanted them to talk to democrats and republicans. I still remember when ten year old Bethany approached Representatives Art Hamilton and Tom Patterson. She asked them their positions on abortion and home schooling. She then followed with “should kids in public school be allowed to pray?” Without missing a beat she followed with, “should public school kids be allowed to curse?”

I pushed the media option still further and in September of 1993 AFHE started a weekly radio broadcast. It was called “The Home School Option.” It ran every Saturday from 8:30am - 9:00am on1280 KHEP. AFHE board member Joel Buller was the MC. We dropped several months later because of huge amount of work – it was burning out Joel.

The girls’ media education extended to the historic home school protest march in 1992, which was our response to Senator Lela Alston’s chicanery. She would not allow open debate of her bad home school law. The day of the march, Tuesday May 26, was providential. With no other news stories to occupy the press, all the major Valley television networks carried the protest. Eleven-year-old Heather and mom did a classic impromptu TV interview covering the main home school talking points. Dad was on a bull horn rallying the troops. Conveniently, Governor Symington’s helicopter landed just outside the protest area. As he strolled through our protest, Kent Johnson, the AFHE lobbyist, approached and explained our plight. The governor assured us that day that, he would protect home schooling. And thus, our event put home schooling on the public and legislative radar and got positive attention from the Governor. Positive legal change was finally in the air. A few weeks later Governor Symington would make good on his word, vetoing the ill prepared Alston bill which snuck into the closing hours of the Legislative session.

The following year, our family stood next to Governor Symington when he signed the Gary-Richardson-sponsored HB 2262 into law. HB 2262 was a study in God’s providence. The session started slow. Our issues were getting confused and diluted by a number of other voices from around the state. However, late one day, Representative Lisa Graham rushed out of her office and seeing only Charles Dresser, the AFHE lobbyist in training, explained we have only a little time to craft a home school law. So with brief phone consultation with Kent Johnson, and no distracting voices, Charles and Symington’s folks drafted HB 2262

This bill’s impact would be enormous. It eliminated teacher testing and moved student testing from annual to every three years while also granting a choice of test with no government evaluation of its results. This was a mega shift away from the government control of the former law. It would pave the way for the historic passing of SB 1348 in 1995. This Senator John Huppenthal sponsored bill would eliminate the remaining vestige of home school testing. What a stark contrast to the jailing of Apache Junction parent, Tom Sicard in 1991 over student testing. This last legislative triumph won Arizona the Home School Legal Defense Association’s honor of the “Best Home School Law in the Nation.”

In 1993 Colene introduced through AFHE the first and what would be an annual extravaganza, the statewide home school graduation. Our first one was held at our convention site and during the same time frame. That year it was the Orangewood Church of the Nazarene. Our commencement speakers were Cal Thomas and Jessica Hulcy. Over the years the commencement speakers would be congressmen, educators, policy group CEOs and Marilyn Quayle, wife of Vice president Dan Quayle. However, Bethany, winner of the speech meet in 1999 would upstage the VP’s wife with her comparison of professional and home educators. She encouraged the homeschool students to be proud that their parents were their teachers, quipping that, “professionals built the Titanic while amateurs built the Ark.” Two years later Evie would uphold the tradition, and give the graduation speech. And in 2008 Colene would be invited to give the commencement speech.

Heather’s high school graduation in 1997 would prove to be another tipping point experience for AFHE. Our commencement speaker was Representative Art Hamilton. What was unique about Representative Hamilton was not that he was African American, but that he was a democrat. We were approached by a number of home educators asking why a democrat. We explained that Representative Hamilton is pro-life and pro home school. In addition it helped with the bi-partisan image we wanted for home schooling. That night one gracious African American grandparent told me it was by far the best God, student and family honoring graduation he ever attended. Evidently, in his day he had seen a number of graduations.

Another landmark year for AFHE was 1996. We successfully championed HB 1348, which allowed home school participation in interscholastic high school competition. Initially AFHE did not support home school and interscholastic competitions. We had philosophic conflicts on the board with the concept. However we were drawn in when a home schooler in the Bradshaw Mountain High School district was prevented from trying out for the baseball team. The family then looked to their legislative representative for adjudication. Since a legislative solution would open the home school law we got involved. We wanted to safeguard the integrity of our law.

The most difficult part of this process was working with the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA). They lobby hard, have money and were downright mean-spirited. My first meeting at their headquarters was reminiscent of a board room meeting in a Tom Clancy novel, complete with pounding fist and in your face intimidation.

To the AIA the integrity of all interscholastic competition was at stake. They just knew that public school jocks with academic issues would circumvent the system by becoming home schoolers. They saw schools using it as a recruiting mechanism for star players living in another district. You know what, they were probably right. However this was not compelling enough to deny the rights of home schoolers. We finally broke through the stalemate with the simple concept that no school could contract with a private agency that forbids home school participation. Brilliant! With the threat to their pocket book consensus was much easier to come by.

It took an additional three years to iron out the language to satisfy AFHE and the Arizona Interscholastic Association. During that time, I taught Evie how to play the great game of golf. Although Gilbert High refused Evie’s request to try out, Dobson High welcomed her with open arms. We found out later that Gilbert High had to forfeit matches because of lack of players and that their coach desperately wanted Evie on his team. Evie would make full use of the new law and her new skill by lettering four years. After high school, Evie’s math and conceptual ability landed her a full ride scholarship (courtesy of Bethany’s Law) to the School of Engineering at ASU where she graduated with highest honors.

Where is the family today? Colene works with law students as the Director of the Blackstone Alumni program at the Alliance Defense Fund. She loves her four grandchildren and baby-sits or--should I say--schools them as often as our kids request. In addition, she still finds time to counsel and speak on home schooling.

Heather is happily married with three boys below the age of four. She blogs about early child development and runs a successful Internet baby carrier business. Bethany is happily married, graduated from law school, passed the California bar and recently home birthed a beautiful baby girl. Evie is a successful civil engineer working for the Salt River Project, enjoys soccer, loves gourmet cooking and traveling.

I still manage a department at the Salt River Project, instruct others in golf, play / spoil grandkids, speak or write when asked, and encourage families, friends, and church to follow the natural and Biblical order of age integration whenever I get a chance. Colene and I now refer to ourselves as “Open Nesters.” Since the kids left, we open our home to families, friends, missionaries and guests. And enjoy rousing conversations with them about politics, theology, philosophy, law and any other topic of the day.

But in spite of God’s evident grace in our lives, the big question is, in the final analysis, at the end of our days, how should we evaluate success? Is it Stanford, Iowa, SAT or ACT test results? Is it scholarships, prestigious universities, GPAs, and professional achievement? These measures are important. Yet, I never want to forget the more subjective, relational measures. Measure such as: enduring friendships; loyalty to family, church, country and community and active involvement in those institutions; a vibrant, infectious Christian faith that attracts people to the Savior; integrity in all we do both on and off the job; fond childhood memories; independence of thought while valuing cooperation; contentment in life amidst the radical materialism of our age; an enthusiastic expectation of good in life; and, finally a desire to achieve everything God intended for us. As a father, I am most proud of these accomplishments on my daughters’ “resumes of life.” And, as Colene and I reflect upon the past, we can confidentially say, “We have no regrets.” Home schooling is still the best education money can’t buy.

Much to Think About

2008-08-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

Martyn Lloyd Jones and Romans 6

I just finished reviewing my read of Martyn Lloyd Jones’s book Romans 6 – The New Man. It is by far the best treatise on Romans 6 I have every read, and an easy read to boot.

This is a must read for those desiring not only forgiveness of sin but deliverance from the power of sin. The simple approach Mr. Jones takes in revealing our union with Christ will no doubt set us on the path of God focus rather than self discovery (probing and analyzing of ones sins). This results in service to the Savior rather than rather than paralyses through analysis of sin.

Martyn Lloyd Jones was a medical doctor who in 1927 became the minister of a Welsh Presbyterian Church. In 1938 he moved to London and shared the ministry of Westminster Chapel in Buckingham Gate with Dr. G. Campbell Morgan who retired then in 1943. Mr. Jones continued in this ministry until 1968 when the call of God led him in a wider preaching and writing ministry up until his death in 1981.

I have listed a number of quotes from his book that give the flavor of how he handles this great Christian doctrine of union with Christ which is bedrock for any understanding and experience of biblical sanctification.

UNION WITH CHRIST
There is nothing, perhaps, in the whole range and realm of doctrine which, if properly understood, give greater assurance, greater comfort, and greater hope that this doctrine of our union with Christ. P30

Christians are not merely forgiven because of what Christ has done for us, we have been united to Christ, we are joined to Christ, we are indeed ‘in Christ’ – ‘in Christ Jesus’. P115

You are no longer in Adam, you are in Christ; and if you are in Him, what is true of Him is true of you. You realize it progressively, but it is true now. P40

A Christian is a person who has undergone a great change p206

SANCTIFICATION
Christians are to remind ourselves of who and what we are. We are ‘children of the Heavenly King’. We are members of the household of God’. We are the children of God. It is only as we remember this, and live accordingly, proud of our name and of our calling, that we shall not only live the righteous life, but we shall be advancing ‘unto holiness.’ Our hearts will become cleaner and cleaner and cleaner, and purer and purer, and so will our lives.” P269

Concerning holiness and sanctification – we must never start with ourselves and our problems. We are all so subjective, we are always thinking about ourselves, examining ourselves, and feeling our spiritual pulse. That is the wrong approach p176

The New Testament method and way of sanctification, therefore, is to get us to realize our position and standing, and to act accordingly. ….. It does not tell us what we can become. No, no, its message is ‘Be what you are.’ P262

“The New Testament pattern of teaching and preaching about sanctification is to bring us to realize that we have been set free, that we have become enslaved unto God. Stop feeling your spiritual pulse, and commiserating with yourself. Stop waiting for some marvelous deliverance that will put everything right without you doing anything at all. We read, ‘The truth shall make you free’; and the truth that makes you free is the realization of who you are and what you are.” P295

We must just take the bare Word of God, believe it, submit to it, and act upon it. P121

SIN
We are no longer in the territory of sin, we are no longer under the governing power of sin; sin no longer controls us, sin no longer controls our destiny. P22

The first thing that is absolutely essential to our being delivered from sin and to our realizing that we are not to continue in sin, is that we should realize the truth about ourselves (in Christ)… p112
We are dead indeed unto sin, to its realm, its rule, its reign, its power. I may be conscience of its activity in my body but I am not under its dominion. P130

“Every Christian by definition has already been set free from sin.” P290

“Sin in the Christian is no longer our master, it is just a nuisance.” P291
“When the Christian sins, he sins because he has just been foolish enough to listen to a voice to which he does not need to listen at all.” P291

CHRIST FOCUS VS. SELF FOCUS
What the New Testament tells you to do always, in the first instance, is to forget yourself altogether – to forget all your problems, your temptations, your difficulties, everything else; to forget yourself and look at the Lord Jesus Christ. P98

You do not need a hospital, or a clinic, you need this instruction, this information, this command, ‘Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ out Lord’. P189

The main trouble with the Christian Church today is that she is too much like a clinic, too much like a hospital; that is why the great world is going to hell outside! We are all suffering…. Feeling our own pulses and talking about ourselves, and our moods and subjective states (our sins). ……. Forget yourself and your temporary troubles and ills for the moment:” fight in the army. It is not a clinic you need; you must realize that we are in a barracks, and that we are involved in a mighty campaign. P174

“… if we thought of God and our relationship to Him, and our consequent duty, instead of thinking so much about ourselves and our problems, our moods and states, our temptations and battles and difficulties, our whole attitude and practice would be changed.” P293

“Do not talk so much about the weakness of the flesh, or about the strength of temptation. Realize who and what we are (in Christ), realize that your very body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.” P294

EVANGELIZATION / WORSHIP & THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD
I argue, therefore, that we are not evangelizing truly unless we present this truth (Union with Christ) – that in salvation we are not merely forgiven and not only justified; the doctrine of salvation includes the basic truth that we were in Adam but are now in Christ, that we are taken out of that one position and put into another. That is primitive evangelism, that is one of the basic elements in the presentation of the gospel; and therefore if we do not give it due emphasis we are not evangelizing truly. P38

It is almost impossible to find hymns that bring out this great doctrine of our union with Christ, and our position in Him. We are so subjective that we miss this glorious truth, this objective truth, this great thing that has happened outside us – our position. P44

If we do not interpret this phrase (Rom 6:2) in such away as to expose ourselves the charge of antinomianism, we are not expounding it correctly. P18

God is Faithful

2008-08-17T16:47:00.000-07:00

Recently Colene set us to the task of cleaning out our attic. That’s twelve years of accumulation of STUFF from this house and STUFF carried over from 13 years in Ahwatukee. The next hour I spent crouched in the attic handing down countless boxes. Thirty one of the boxes were costumes from our KONOS Homeschool days. This represented 60% of the STUFF in the attic. However during this process I discovered a long lost box of Lewis relative family photos. These pictures go back over 80 years, included a number of pictures of my mother and myself as a young child. Wow what a find. I could hardly wait to pour over the photos and documents.

An hour into the photos and papers I came across one well worn 5 x 9 manila envelop. It turned out that this envelope was populated by my mother. It contained a number of items important to her. There were two letters: one from Aunt Stella, and one written by me a few years after my salvation in 1972. There was a 5th grade award for mom’s perfect attendance that year, and a junior high promotion certificate.

In addition, there was her marriage certificate, a romantic telegram from my father, newspaper clippings of my teen golf and bowling exploits, a curl cut from my head at the age of three and my discharge paper from the hospital after my birth. The name on the discharge paper was Boy Lewis. Mom told me stories that my dad wanted to initially name me Breck after the shampoo dad sold. This would have been a tough name to carry especially after Rush Limbaugh’s relentless parody of John Edwards as the “Breck Girl.”

But of all the items in the envelope, Aunt Stella’s letter would prove to be a god sent shedding light on a nagging fear about my mother.

Aunt Stella and her husband Raleigh were saved in the 30’s under the ministry of Amy Semple McPherson. Aunt Stella had the heart of an evangelist. Anyone who spent more than a minute with her would be warmly and tactfully introduced to the Savior.

Over the years after becoming a Christian I constantly shared with my family. I was deeply burdened for all of them. It wasn’t unusual for me to spend hours in fervent tearful prayers on their behalf. I led Grandma Lewis and my dad to the Lord. However, even though I was close to my mother she would prove to be the hardest to win.

I constantly witnessed to her, I took her to church, Gospel Echoes. I took her to Kathryn Kuhlman crusades. Mom was even miraculously healed of cancer while awaiting surgery. The hospital staff apologized to her when her pre surgery x-rays did not show the malignancy that had appeared just days before. After that point when I talked with her about the love of Jesus she would weep.

My mother’s would not be so fortunate with her next hospital stay several years later. While in the hospital with a liver condition she slipped and hit her head and lost consciousness. In her catatonic state I talked, shared and prayed with her. After several heroic surgeries by the best surgeons at St Joseph’s Hospital mom passed on. Adding to the grief of losing mom was the nagging doubt about her eternal state, a doubt that has plagued me these 24 years since her passing.

I don’t know why I began reading Stella’s letter to mom the other night. However while reading I came across this portion of text on page 2 that read “I was so happy that you accepted the Lord that morning when I was talking to you on the phone.” That night the day dawned on 24 years of questioning. Think about it, the answer was always close at hand, in the attic, right above the garage where I daily parked my car.

God is faithful. Doesn’t His Word say; it is a lamb for a household (Exodus 12:3) and Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. (Acts 16:31)

Marvelous Justification

2008-08-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

As marvelous, beautiful, life changing, essential, God exalting and foundational as justification by faith is, it is merely our introduction into the grace of God.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Wow! No wonder Paul prays for the Ephesians “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Eph 1:17).

Since justification is the introduction it behooves us to not stop at the foot of the cross but to press on into Romans 6, & 8 and sanctification and life in the Spirit.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book The New Man (an Exposition of Romans chapter 6) states, “There is nothing, perhaps, in the whole range and realm of doctrine which, if properly understood, give greater assurance, greater comfort, and greater hope that this doctrine of our union with Christ. P30

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES …… and Jack Nicklaus

2008-08-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

On the subject of the age integration it is amazing that even the world of sports can get the drift before the church.

Jack Nicklaus had the following observation

“Sports today are not a pretty thing. There are problems more off the field than on the field week after week after week. I don't think we've had that [in golf, because] I think it's the nature of the sport and the way the kids grow up. Kids are forced to be involved with adults at an early age. To go play a golf course, you have to mix in with older people. You have to learn how to behave at an early age or they never get there.”

Timeless Thought from Martin Luther

2008-07-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

I recently ran across a quote by Martin Luther. The first time I heard the citation was from an old friend, Kent Johnson, director of Legislative Affairs for Arizona Families for Home Education in the early 90s. It impacted me then and it impacts me now.

Kent was a seminarian and spokesperson/debater for the pro life movement. He used this quote in reference to those ministers who would not make a stand for the unborn child but simply stated their call was to “preach the Gospel.” I would add along with standing for the unborn, that today we need to stand for the definition of marriage.

"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

Twenty-one Benefits of Speaking in Tongues

2008-05-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

1. We glorify and exalt God
Acts 2:11 Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the “mighty deeds of God." Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.

2. We speak to God
1 Corinthians 14:2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. What a privilege to have one on one with God.

3. It is another way to sing
1 Corinthians 14:15 …. I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. “O for a thousand tongues to sing My great redeemer's praise,” Right on, John Wesley!

4. It is another way to pray
1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit … When you know not how to pray with your understanding pray with your spirit.

5. We enter into praying in the Holy Spirit
Praying in the spirit and with the Spirit can be one and the same faith building experience since Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:15, I will pray with the spirit and again in 1 Corinthians 6:17 he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. And finally we are instructed in Jude 1:20 to build ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.

6. Its a way to bless
1Corinthians 14:16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? Paul says one who speaks in tongues blesses. The issue in this verse is that the “ungifted” non interpreter doesn’t know when or why to say amen.

7. We give thanks well
1 Corinthians 14: 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. Even though the ungifted is not edified by hearing uninterrupted tongues Paul points out that the gifted still gives thanks well.

8. It is one of several signs of a believer
Mark 16:17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues….

9. It assures the skeptical
Acts 10:45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Peter before the leaders of the Jerusalem Church - Acts 11:15 "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. The circumcised believers who accompanied Peter and the skeptical Jerusalem church were convinced of God’s acceptance of the gentiles in Cornelius’ home because they were baptized in the Holy Spirit as evidenced by their speaking in tongues. This is similar to the Pentecostal believers of the late 1960s accepting Catholics and main line protestant believers because they were being baptized in the Holy Spirit evidenced by their speaking in tongues.

10. It is part of an effective evangelistic package
Acts 2:11 Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the “mighty deeds of God." Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. After gaining the Jewish Cretan and Arabs attention through the sign of tongues, Peter launched into his sermon and 3000 souls were saved.

11. It edifies and builds you up
1 Corinthians 14:4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…. We all need to be edified and built up in our faith anything else is self-sufficiency.

12. It is God’s desire
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts . Tongues is one of the gifts to be desired. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues…. God’s wish and desire is that we all speak in tongues.

13. We are one gift shy of being in position of edifying the church
1 Corinthians 14:12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. Not only does God want us to speak in tongues but also to interpret so we can bless others in the church.

14. It opens the door to the gift of interpretation
1 Corinthians 14:13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. God wants those with the prerequisite gift of tongues to also interpret.

15. It assists God’s admonition of not forbidding speaking in tongues
1 Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

16. It is one gift that the believer can turn on and off at will
1 Corinthians 14:15 I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. In the same way that Paul determined when he would pray or sing with his understanding / mind he also determined when he would pray or sing (in tongues) with his spirit.

17. It is evidence of fulfillment of prophesy
Acts 2:14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 "For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17 `AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,´ God says, `THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

18. It is evidence and witness to the resurrection
Acts 2:32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. Every time you pray and sing in tongues it is a reminder of the Lord’s resurrection. He is alive!

19. It yields to God our most unruly member
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

20. It is evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit
2 Tim 3:16 says all scripture is profitable for doctrine. Therefore theology informed by the Gospels, and the five accounts in Acts meets the requirements for doctrine on this subject. There are five occurrences in the Book of Acts; Act 2:1-4, Acts 8:5-7,12-21, Acts 9:17-20, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-6. In Acts2, 10 and 19 tongues was the clear first expression of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 8, Simon saw or heard something that made him willing to buy from Peter the ability to impart the Holy Spirit. Peter’s rebuke Simon stating, You have no part or portion in this matter (utterance)- Acts8:21. In Acts 9 when Paul was Baptized in the Holy Spirit we are only told of his miraculous healing, however we do know that Paul spoke, in tongues more than you all (1 Cor 14:18). All occurrence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is followed by a supernatural manifestation visible to all.

21. It tends to be a first expression gateway gift to all the other gifts
Following the reasoning of items 14 and 20 above we must walk before we run. Tongues appears to be the norm in our first gifting.

Not bad for the so called “least” of the gifts!

Confession

2008-04-04T16:24:00.000-07:00

The New Testament has much to say about the role of confession in the life of the believer. I did a simple search of the New American Standard version with my Bible software of every occurrence and variation of the word confess in the New Testament. I got 30 hits and 27 verses. This brings forth the questions; What are we to confess? What should be the emphasizes of our confession? What aspect of our confession should capture the affections of our mind, will and emotions.

An aggregate of the 30 occurrences broke down as follows. Five times it related to personal confession of sin. Four times it merely brought clarification. Three times it references Christ confessing us before the Father. Eighteen times it relate to some aspect of the believer confessing the Kingdom of God, Christ and / or the Gospel. The overwhelming emphases is God centered not man centered. It is more about Him and less about us.

Of the five occurrences of confession of sin, two are in the Gospels and are in preparation for the revealing of the Messiah. One is in Acts dealing with new believer’s initial commitment to Christ. One is in James in context of sin connected to physical healing. The final one in 1 John exhorts those inclined toward Gnosticism to confess, or rather to agree with God about acts in the flesh defined in scriptures as sin.

Also, I found it very interesting that no where in the writings of Paul does he ever state that we are to confess our sins. This should bring many questions to mind. What is the role of confession in forgiveness of the believer? How are we to progress in our sanctification? Is this an oversight on Paul’s part, or does Paul know and practice something we don’t understand.

Paul talks about knowing (we were crucified), reckoning (we are truly dead to sin) and presenting are bodies to God (through the Spirit’s power) for godly living. When accused of being soft on sin Paul recoils at the thought “How can dead men sin?” (my paraphrase). On the subject of sin the rest of his writing can be summed up “Stop Sinning!”

However what Paul does seem to stress in confession is that we acknowledge or confess all the benefit derived from being in Christ. Consider Philemon 6, “That the communication of your faith may be made effectual through the acknowledging of every good thing in you in the Lord.” Perhaps that type of confession should become a regular activity for us.

In Christ Confessions from Paul of The Benefits of The Gospel

Romans 5:1 we have peace with God
Romans 5:5 we have the Holy Spirit
Romans 5:9 we are saved from the God’s wrath
Romans 6:6 our sinful nature is immobilized
Romans 6:18 we are slave of righteousness.
Romans 7:6 we serve in newness of the Spirit
Romans 8:2 we are free from the law of sin and of death
Romans 8:37 we are overwhelmingly conquerors
Romans 8:9 we are in the Spirit
Romans 8:11 our bodies are quickened by the Spirit
Romans 8:16 we are children of God
Romans 8:28 for us all things to work together for good
Romans 10:11 we will not be disappointed
Romans 15:14 we are filled with all knowledge
1 Corinthians 1:5 we have enhanced speech and knowledge
1 Corinthians 1:7 we lack no spiritual gifts
1 Corinthians 1:8 we will be confirmed blameless
1 Corinthians 1:30 He is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption
1 Corinthians 2:16 we have the mind of Christ
1 Corinthians 3:22 all things belong to us
1 Corinthians 6:2 we will judge the world
1 Corinthians 12:7 we have the manifestation of the Spirit
1 Corinthians 14:26 each has a psalm, teaching, revelation, tongue, or an interpretation
2 Corinthians 2:14 we always triumph
2 Corinthians 5:17 we are a new creation
2 Corinthians 5:21 we are the righteousness of God
Ephesians 1:3 we are blessed with every spiritual blessing
Ephesians 1:4 we were chosen before time to be holy and blameless
Ephesians 1:5 we are predestined for adoption
Ephesians 1:7 we have redemption, and forgiveness
Ephesians 1:11 we are predestined for an inheritance
Ephesians 1:13 we are sealed with the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 2:5 we are made alive to God
Ephesians 2:6 we are seated now in heaven
Ephesians 2:10 we are His workmanship
Ephesians 2:13 we have been brought near to God
Ephesians 2:19 we are citizens of God's household
Ephesians 3:20 His power performs for us far beyond our thinking
Philippians 4:13 we can do all things through Christ
Colossians 1:13 we have been translated from domain of darkness, and transferred to His kingdom
Colossians 1:15 on our behalf He disarmed the demonic rulers and authorities
2 Timothy 1:7 we have not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound mind
Titus 2:11 His grace empowers us to deny ungodliness, worldly desires and to live godly

The Passing of a Great Man of God

2008-02-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

Recently Colene and I attended a memorial service for Pastor Charles McHatton . Dr. McHatton pastored the first church I attended after being saved. He also performed the marriage ceremony for Colene and me, and dedicated Heather, our oldest daughter. He had a profound impact on our lives.

During the service a number of pastors shared the impact he had on their lives. I remembered when most of these guys gave their hearts to Christ. Also I grew in grace and power with them through the church bible college we all attended.

Listening to them caused me to recount many of those early impact-full days. Some of those items that flooded my mind that evening were:

No matter what he preached, people always went forward for salvation. It seemed always more than a dozen.
Pastor McHatton was never soft on sin. His sayings such as “you can’t play fast and loose with God,” still ring in my heart and divert me from sin.
He was considered the Pastor’s Pastor. He counseled many pastors in the Valley.
At the downtown Phoenix 1st Baptist Church, which we rented for more than a year during construction of our building, I witnessed several occasions when people wondered in off the street moaning and pleading to be saved.
I heard prophetic words of such detail that husbands were singled out for ignoring their honey by putting off fixing a broken kitchen screen door. Church was scary. We always confessed our sins or anything resembling sin before entering the church doors. If God remembered our sins no more surely the Spirit would honor the promise.
I saw occult items brought and abandoned before the pastoral team. What a eerie, but liberating feeling we experienced as they were destroyed.
I saw demon possessed people attack the pastor on several occasions.
I saw demons cast out of people and their lives transformed.
I participated in casting out demons. Observation… In the Gospels and the book of Acts casting out demons was a given. My question is, where have all the demons gone? How would we explain this to the seekers and those predisposed to predictability and outcome control. What would our fully reformed brothers think of us?
The only supernatural things I did not personally experience my first three years as a Christian was raising the dead, and not succumbing to eating deadly things. Although surviving my diet as a young single man may cause me to reconsider that miracle.
Weekly people were healed of diseases and many were verifiable like healing of blind eyes and deaf ears. McHatton would always tell us “healing is the children’s bread”
Communion services not only brought historical understanding and enlightened remorse of sin but physical healing, prophetic direction and encouragement. It was a life changing experience for all.
Men were set apart, sometimes the least likely, through the prophetic word and laying on of hands.
I learned and experienced that spiritual gifts could be transferred / activated through the laying on of hands. Prophesy, word of knowledge and wisdom were activated in my life at that time through the hands of evangelist Ray Blumenfeld.
I remember one evening a group of young people including myself were being prayed for by brother Ray. There was such a force present like a mighty wind that it slid the people around me back and many fell to the ground. Being in the middle of this I knew it was not emotionalism but the presence of the Holy Spirit made tangible.
One evening while brother Ray was waxing eloquent he accidentally spit on a lady in the front roll. Without missing a beat he pulled his hanky wiped it off her and then, with great tongue in check, stated it was anointed.
Pastor McHatton prophesied over Colene and I during our wedding ceremony. The gist was we would be a light to families helping them raise their children during dark days. Colene and I wondered where this was coming from and thought that McHatton surely missed the mark that time. During our pre-marriage counseling we told him that neither of us desired children. We wanted to be totally dedicated to the Lord’s work. Who would have thought that a decade later Colene and I would embark on ministry to the home schooling community. The rest is history.
Water Baptism was done in church and was accompanied by prophesy, word of knowledge and wisdom and healings. A convert of mine from SRP was delivered from smoking while watching the water baptism of another.
Within this dynamic environment I was first introduced to reformed teaching through young Pastor Gary Kinnaman under the approving eye of Pastor McHatton.
Pastor McHatton and Gary Kinnaman were men of the word. They preached and taught systematically the great doctrines of the faith.
While at the altar during the finale of an evening service God spoke to me and pointed out my future wife in the crowd of 700 people. Before that evening was over two different men approached me with prophetic words confirming mine. …. And God did not neglect to talk to her.
During the revival heat of one evening meeting at the Baptist Church Brian Rudd, prison convert turned evangelist, singled me out of 700 people and asked if he knew me from prison. If that wasn’t embarrassing enough he further asked if I was “the guy who was in there for rape.” I assured him I was not that man. Without missing a beat he connected right back to his sermon. Wow, there went my courtship opportunities at that church. Good thing Colene was not present at that meeting. Anyway that night we all had a good laugh. Brian recognized he had many rough edges… he would explain it that it made it harder for him to slip out of God’s hand. I was never certain if that was a concession of weakness or an excuse for sin.

In those days Church was anything but “safe”. Although it was totally unpredictable, scary, and bombastic it was never dull. I would never think of missing a Sunday service. Even in its simple, unadulterated raw form it proved to be life changing and sustaining. This was evident at the memorial service which was full of grateful saints still involved in local churches, actively pursing Christ and impacting their world because of the ministry of Charles E. McHatton.

Although Colene and I have no desire to embrace that Pentecostal / charismatic culture of yesterday, we fondly remember and proudly acknowledge its positive impact on our lives and our children who we raised in its reflected glow. The church of today owes much to those pioneers of yesterday and would do well to remember that God is better felt than telt.” With today’s prosperous churches we may no longer need to say silver and gold have I none, but can we proclaim rise take up your bed and walk?

Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

2007-10-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Several quick observations of this incredible verse are: God commands us to walk in the Spirit. If it is commanded, it must be possible. If commanded and possible, then it is part of the normal Christian life and not the domain of a super class of saints. While walking in the Spirit sinning seems near impossible. Since a possibility of walking in the Spirit exists, the converse is also possible… walking in the flesh, or yielding to the prompting of the sin nature.

This is one of those verses we like reading and memorizing, but understanding and applying it often eludes us. Within its scope is a concept of sanctification so radical some would dare not even dream of it. However, it is a simple notion, visible throughout the writings of Paul, as clearly presented in Romans 6 & 8. It is the notion of the proactive (walking in the Spirit) rather than the reactive (sin and confess). It is preventative verses remedial sanctification. It is more mindful of the indwelling nature of God rather than indwelling sin. It beholds the “glory of the Lord” rather than the stench of the “old man.” Perhaps John was thinking about this when he said, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin” (1John 2:1).

Churchill on Capitalism

2007-10-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

Capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessing where as socialism is the equal sharing of the misery.

Winston Churchill

The Child Crises Center

2007-10-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

I recently arranged and attended a tour for the Bank of America at the Child Crises Center (CCC). About a dozen attended. Jackie of CCC did an excellent and compassioned tour. The first time I toured CCC deeply impacted me and this time for no different. My first tour brought me face to face with late night abandoned newborns. This time it was two and three year old little boys who desperately wanted / needed male attention. In less than 30 seconds I had one clutching my pants leg and another with arms up stretched. I picked up one little guy who hugged me and stroked my beard. These little guys desperately need and are starved for attention from men. Jackie said it is difficult to get men to volunteer for this area.

WaMu Shu Pork

2007-10-09T14:56:00.001-07:00

Recently I presented at a WaMu. Two weeks ago Kris assigned the Mesa group to me. At that time I asked about their business forte. I’ve seen these buildings and their logo around town and assumed they were an Asian restaurant chain similar to Pei Wei. I always meant to go in and peak at their menu. I was surprised to find out from Kris they are trendy banks, known as Washington Mutual. It seems I was the only one who had not seen a TV commercial about WaMu. However I was not the only to think they were an Asian Restaurant, Jackie from Child Crises Center thought the same. Anyway, the presentation went well and one of the managers specifically took a brochure so as to direct needy bank clientele to the Mesa United Way agencies.

Outstanding in My Field

2007-10-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

This is me outstanding in my field. I love the game of golf. Most Fridays, between 11:00am – 3:00pm, except during my Mesa United Way tour of duty you will find me at Mesa Golf Center located on East McKellips. It is a fantastic range and there is a great group of guys who operate the facility. Although I don’t play any more, I do practice weekly. I also enjoy teaching the game. Avid golfers struggle with my choice of practicing the game. I explain it this way: Some people like to target practice with guns others like to hunt and a few like to do both.

Golfing with Chavez

2007-10-08T19:40:00.000-07:00

This is my friend and teaching pro Greg Smith. Greg has got it right when it comes to his approach in teaching golf, but has a ‘60s mentality in his political leanings. He is politically passionate and ultra left wing ala Castro/Chavez. Recently Greg and I made a deal. I would watch his favorite movie Sicko if he would see a movie of my choice, The Passion of Christ. After Sicko we had plenty of discussion. Recently I email Greg with a 20/20 story and articles digging into the authenticity of Moore’s journalism. Greg was very respectful during and after The Passion. He had lots of questions about who the various individuals were represented in the movie and humbly encouraged my commentary during the movie.

Greg has a sincere love and compassion for the individual, who can sometime get chewed up in our system, but as I constantly remind him he just has the wrong gospel. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can truly set men free.

My Boss

2007-10-01T17:29:00.001-07:00

This is Kris Trojan. She is the Campaign Director for the Mesa United Way. When it comes to getting things done, Kris has the tenacity of a bulldog, a thorough knowledge of MUW affiliating agencies and supporting companies, and will move mountains to get thing accomplished. Kris loves her cat, gourmet cooking, wine tasting and her guy, Ray. Kris is fun to tease. After finishing our first week of training I asked her about getting my own secretary, office with a view and covered parking. She chuckled and handed me a number of accounts that need immediate attention.

Brother Adriel

2007-10-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

This is Adriel Armstrong. One day we were joking around and he referred to me as his Uncle Tom. We both paused for a few seconds while it dawned on us that we might want to choose another family title! Adriel, with that quick agile grin suggested Uncle Thomas. We settled on Brother Tom.

From that first day I saw him pray over his breakfast, Adriel has been a blessing to me. I came to find out he is an ordained minister in the Apostolic Faith church. They are fulllllllllllllllllllllllllll gospel folks. One day he asked about my prayer needs. I explained I could probably employ his service full time. However an area that has plagued me for years is a sleep disorder, insomnia. He took note and we went back to work duties. That evening I worked over to catch up on my assignments. When I walked outside into the triple digit weather Adriel was waiting there to pray for me. He was serious. So right there in the parking lot Adriel took hold of my hands and began to pray. Now I want to assure you that Adriel is not shy about his Christian faith, or as we would say at my church Sovereign Grace, he has no fear of man. For the next five minutes he prayed. Fervently and audible at a 100 yards, he prayed a prayer of faith. I have slept better since that day.

Brother Anthony

2007-10-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

This is Anthony Miller, one of the three other loaned executives. I told him my daughter is married to a Keith Miller. I suggested that maybe they are long lost kin. No way. How foolish of me. Keith is a Seattle Sea Hawk fan and Anthony is a diehard Chicago Bears fan.

The first day of training we were asked to share our background. Anthony sparked my interest when he said he likes talking politics and had made a major shift. Hmmm! I later learned that he is a fiscal conservative Republican. Although he didn’t say directly, his compassion for family, children, the unborn and opposition to gambling looks very socially conservative to me. I helped Anthony get in contact with his district Republicans and his state senator, John Huppenthal. They wasted no time in putting Anthony to work.

Anthony is very hardworking, office savvy, original and multidimensional in his thinking, entrepreneurial and a kind and compassionate person. He will continued to succeed in whatever he does in life.

Anthony just got the golf bug. There is no recovery from this contagion, you just have to practice and master it. We left work early one Friday and headed to the driving range. I worked on his golf game with him. He has got promise. I assured him since he is still in his thirties there is plenty of time to get ready for the senior tour.

The Building Where I Work

2007-09-29T20:28:00.000-07:00

This is the building where I work. I’m assigned here from August 13th – November 16th. Over the years I must have passed it hundreds of times and never took notice. I drove here the day before starting so as not to have a problem arriving on time during rush hour traffic.

One of my concerns about working for the Mesa United Way was the possibility they represent an agency that goes contrary to Christ’s teachings. So before volunteering I checked out to make sure there were no connections to agencies that destroy life or are destructive to the fabric of the traditional family. I also checked for what agencies were absent. That can sometimes tell more about the philosophic underpinnings of a group than what they do support. After a rigorous evaluation, I’m able to give my hardy approval of the MUW.

During my initial first week of training I learned the uniqueness of this organization. First, they are solely focused on the Mesa Community and its problems. Second, they are independent. They set their own agenda and their partnering agencies. Third, 100% of the donations go directly to the agencies and programs; none is siphoned off into administrative overhead. That’s because a number of leading companies in the Mesa area believe strongly enough in the MUW to underwrite that expense. Finally, they do comprehensive planning, evaluation and assessments on the health and human services needs of the community. Then under the direction of a group of volunteers from every walk of life in Mesa, the MUW distributes the monies for maximum long-term affect.

My Office

2007-09-29T19:57:00.001-07:00

This is the office area I share with three other loaned executives. It becomes very tight quarters when we are all there and begin to fill orders for campaign materials. The hardest thing for me is blocking out all the background conversations when talking on the phone or typing up my notes.

My Labor Day Morning

2007-09-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

What an exciting Labor Day for me. My reading has taken me from Colossians, to allergies caused by newsprint and ink, and, finally, to flushing toilets. Mr. Crapper’s claim to the flush toilette is disputed.

This site claims Sir John Harington in 1596 invented the flush toilet and not Mr. Crapper. I don't want to tell the Seattle Underground Tour folks because it will deprive them of a number of great one-liners. Perhaps the rumor of how we got the term john for a toilette should supplement the Mr. Crapper humor. Anyway, I'm sure my son-in-law Mr. Haupt could enjoy the humor. As for me it is 11:00AM and hot enough outside to go to the driving range.

PS. I'm allergic to newsprint. A google of the internet reveals others have the same problem. I experimented today reading my Wall Street with a breathing mask. It was better but trying to drink coffee is the pits. One site suggested putting the paper in a low heat oven for 20 minutes. I don't know how my lovely wife will handle this and what happens if / when I forget to take it out after the prescribe time. There is always the online subscription approach.