MoviePastor.com: Church, Culture, Christ

Even the dust and dirt matters

I work on an army base installing computers.  The building we are working is under renovation and has had a lot of work done.  Over the course of several months the server room we work in that houses a couple hundred classified and unclassified computers and network equipment had gotten really cluttered with junk from our work and dirt from the construction.  There were empty boxes everywhere, junk piles of computer parts, tools lying around, cable ties that had been cut, velcro that was wadded up, half empty bags of screws, cables lying around, empty water bottles, random CD's...  It was a complete mess.  We just kept moving the junk around and working around it.  Occasionally a box would get moved out or someone would throw away something.  Work was getting done - but it was messy.

We got word the other day that the Colonel in charge of the program was coming for an inspection.  Previously our focus had been install the computers and worry about everything else later.  Suddenly the focus became clean up the mess and make it look good too.  Literally the whole crew, some 10-15 engineers, stopped what they were doing and started carting out trash, putting away tools, boxing up parts, sweeping floors, mopping floors, wiping down surfaces to remove dust.  The little things mattered to us - because we knew they mattered to the Colonel.  After about 4 hours (40-60 man hours) of cleaning we had the place spic and span and ready for inspection.

The Colonel came but didn't inspect our room. I was a little bummed but the place looks great!  Now we even budget into our time every week some clean up time that includes sweeping and vacuuming.  We want it to look great for the Colonel whenever he shows up - and its a nicer place to work.  In fact, due to the de-cluttering, more work gets done.

As I thought about this I thought about how someone with a higher rank is coming one day for a surprise inspection.  He is The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  When He comes He is looking for his Church to be ready for inspection - a church without spot or blemish.  What will He find when He comes?  Will we be ready?  Will we pass inspection?  Have we let things get cluttered because maybe his coming seems delayed?  Maybe we are just busy doing what we think is important.  Perhaps there is just a little dirt, some grime, or dust built up in the cracks someplace?  He is coming you know.  It could be today.  Are you ready?  What do you need to clean up?

2 Peter 3:10-11 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.

OnePrayer Thoughts

For the last couple of days I have not been just praying more - but with more focus I guess you would say.  This series is stirring in me a desire to connect with God in a deeper way.  As I was praying yesterday for instance - I was suddenly keenly aware of how blessed I am.  Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for something - but as I was praying I was blown away by how blessed I really am.  From my family to the job I have to the place I live to the ministry I get to do and the people I get to know.  I cannot get over how merciful God is to me.   Here is a snippet of my prayer:

God...in spite of a tight budget - I am rich beyond compare and live in a house I don't deserve and have more junk than I need - thank you God.
... in spite of aches and being tired - I got out of bed and went to work...Thank you God!
... while I see the pain of unfaithfulness every day my wife has been faithful to me (and I to her) for almost 26 years!  THANK YOU GOD!
... I met a man who has children he cant even remember exactly how old they are because he doesn't have a relationship with them - and I have two incredible kids who call me all the time and share even trivial things with me and always say "I love you daddy" - THANK YOU GOD!
... The church I lead isnt a mega church or nationally recognized - but I minister to and with some of the most interesting, compassionate, and coolest people on the earth and we do freakin cool things EVERY SUNDAY ! - Thank you GOD!!!
... even though I work bi-vocationally and travel more than I'd like  - I not only got a job recently - but I got one that is really easy - pays more than I have ever made in my life - pays overtime that I have not had since I was working fast food - and is helping pay off medical bills and pay for college - again Im rich and blessed beyond measure - thank you God

and finally

even though I suck most of the time - did things in the past that would make a sailor blush and still mess up pretty much every day - Jesus Christ died on a cross and forgave me of my sin and every day empowers me to live a life that counts and makes a difference in the world - and I will never die - but spend eternity with Him in Kingdom called heaven that will be beyond anything I can think or imagine.

THANK YOU GOD!!!!

...

Falling off the wagon

So this week I really tried to deal with my food addiction.  Honestly I am more addicted than I thought.  I started out the week with great intentions and kept finding opportunities to fall jump off the wagon.  I would do good for breakfast and lunch - then eat too much dinner.  I'd eat a good light low fat meal - and follow it up with junk food.  I would leave half my food one meal - then eat too much - the next. Overall I sucked at dealing with my food addiction this week.

Some observations:

• I eat way too fast.
• I eat and do other things at the same time too often
• When I am no longer hungry I eat till Im full - or over full.
• I would rather eat carb laden food than anything
• I eat out WAY too much.
• When I am bored I will eat.
• When I come home - I look in the refrigerator even when Im not hungry
• I do NOT drink enough water

So there you go.  If you are with me in this journey and did good this week - I am glad for you.  If you struggled like me, know you aren't alone.  If you emailed me or commented then know I prayed for you this week.

Breaking Free from MY addiction

I had to do a lot of personal introspection as I thought about my own addictions this week.  I kind of laughed off some of my addictions this morning - blogging, email, television.  I justify them as downtime, ministry and the like.  Some of that is valid.  One addiction I cant justify however and I must overcome is a food addiction.  I could rationalize that I dont weigh 300 pounds so Im probably OK.  Over the past couple of years I have dropped about 20 pounds by making small adjustments and I could just stop here and say thats about all I can do.

But the truth is I am still too heavy and its because I am addicted to food.  Weight is not my problem - food is.  I eat to feel good, I eat when I am bored, when I watch TV, to have fun etc.  And when I eat - I eat too fast - and too much - and the wrong things.  I love food!  I love good food.  I love bad food.  I love lots of food.  I really need to weigh in under 200lb and ideally I would be less than 190.  I haven't seen that since college.  But its time to get it under control.

This is not just a physical problem like I taught this morning.  It is a spiritual issue and I have to deal with it.  The bible says you cannot serve two masters. Food has me mastered.  I should eat to live - not live to eat.  Confessing this - to my church - to myself - to my family - to my blog readers is risky - because I have struggled with this my entire life - and there is a good chance I will fail miserably.  But I am going to try to make some lifestyle changes.

I am not going on diet to lose weight.  Dieting is temporary - and I need to make a permanent change.   It starts with changing my mind.  My body is a temple - and I no longer want to be a mega-church.  I want to honor God with the way that I eat - and I want to be healthy so that I can enjoy my grandkids who will be here tomorrow.  Pray for me as I try and get this under control.  I have stopped a lot of addictions (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, porn) cold turkey and never looked back.  Food is different.  You can't stop eating (for long.)  I know my enemies - my flesh and the devil - will attack hard and there will be a hundred reasons I wont want to do this.  But I have to.  I owe it to God, to my family, to my church and to myself.  Satan has no power over me - there is no weapon formed against me that can prosper - and I can do all things through Christ - even this.

Maybe you have an addiction you struggle with that I can pray for you about.  Let me know here or in private and I will pray for you as you pray for me.

I'll keep you posted on my progress - and if you would like to join me in this shoot me a line and we'll keep each other accountable.

Your Junk

I saw this car the other day in a parking lot at Home Depot or something. 

I thought good grief - what a pig!  It made me think about all the junk people carry around with them.  The past that hurts, the unforgiveness that messes up relationships, the addictions that keep them from being what God wants them to be.  We all have some junk - and its not all in the trunk.  Some of is right where everyone can see it.

I also thought about something else.  This car is pretty bad - but if you got in my car or truck you might think - what a pig!  I have my own junk I carry around - past hurts, unforgiveness, addictions...excess baggage.  My junk just may be hidden better because of years in the ministry.  Its easy to look at this car and think mine is OK - but is it?  What junk do I have that I need to clean out as I am on this Journey with Christ?  What junk do you need to get rid of?

is He enough?

Here is a question i've been asking myself and a few of my friends lately.  Is Jesus Enough for me?  Am I satisfied that in Christ I have everything I need?  Or do I need want Jesus + something else?  Do I want Jesus + my health?  Do I want Jesus + a nice income?  Do I want Jesus + a nice home with 2 cars?  Do I want Jesus + ______Fill-in-the-blank______

For a church planter the question really drives home when you ask it this way.  If your church never got any bigger would you be satisfied that were saved and going to heaven and Jesus is all that matters?  Not that we shouldn't strive to reach people for Christ and give everything we have to see God's mission accomplished - but its still God's mission right? 

I think I went through a period where it wasn't enough enough to have Jesus (or rather for Jesus to have me) but that I wanted Jesus plus a growing church.  I will go so far as to say there were probably days when I wanted a growing church and Jesus wasn't even in the equation. Come on church planter - admit you have been there!

All of us church planters and pastors want "success."  We don't go into this to fall on our butts as miserable failures.  But is it success if you have a growing Church and Jesus is not King of your life?  Is it failure if Jesus is King and you have done your best to serve him and your church doesn't achieve "recognition?"  (that word right that may be at the root of a lot of church problems - probably deserves another blog post)

Think of it this way - if Jesus is the bridegroom - and the church is the bride - and I am part of the bride but my focus is on the bride and not the bridegroom - isn't that just self gratification? (I have another word here in mind but you can fill in the blank)

Is Jesus enough for you?

Things I have been leashed up to

After Perry's sessions today at Unleash I am recharged and I am going to have to unleash some things.  It will take me a while to digest and process everything that God was speaking to me about but here are a few quick things that God is unleashing me to think about

• Dream big! Joel said old men will dream dreams.  My dreams should be nightmarish for God.  I want to dream things that only God can get credit for.  Up till now Im pretty sure anyone with half a brain, an RSS reader, some money and a few church planting books could have done what i've done.
• Spend money! - My God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  If He orders it, its his bill.  We ain't taking it with us and there are no rainy days in heaven!  Big dreams vision requires big money.
• Be Holy!  As I listened to Perry and watched him - I was convinced of his anointing.  He drinks the koolaid!  He walks with God!  I have no doubt.  NewSpring is not an accident.  It is God's favor on His man in Anderson, SC!  God said be holy as I am holy.  I have a lot of reconstruction to do.
• Pack Heat!  Seriously there are things in my life I've always wanted to do - but never have out of fear or insecurity. As Perry talked about guns, I got to thinking about it along these lines.   I have always wanted to own a hand gun and know how to handle it and have fun using it - but I have convinced myself not to get one   Words like danger, flesh wound, accident, and death keep me from doing the proper things to safely own a gun.  The gun is no big deal really - but I'll bet good money that there are other things I ABSOLUTELY SHOULD do but dont because I am insecure in those areas too.  God has not given me the spirit of fear - but of POWER, love and a sound mind. 
• Be Me! I've blogged about this before but I am not Perry or any one else.  And honestly - I don't want to be.  I am exactly who God called and I am 100% sure of that calling and I need to be obedient to the call, not try to emulate anyone else on the planet. I may have a stutter like Moses, be afraid like Gideon and be a horrible communicator like Paul was - but that places me in some pretty good company.  If I was any good at this God wouldnt have called me.  He chooses foolish things to confound the wise!  I can be a fool for Jesus
• Don't settle!  I love our leaders and volunteers.  I love our church and what we do.  But I have often settled for good when the job calls for great.  This isn't just among my flock  This is about me.  Too often I have done something good and stopped.  Too often I have looked at something people are doing and said "thats pretty good!"  I cant settle for good.  I cant let those around me deliver good.  I must do the very best that I can and encourage and expect the very best across the board.  Cain settled for good.  Thats NOT worship and God is NOT satisfied with good.  He deserves and even demands the BEST.

More to come.  Still processing and digesting. 

The Mirror

Today I looked in the mirror and I was shocked at what I saw.  To my horror the face staring back at me wasn't

• Steven Furtick - 28 Year old pastor of maybe the fastest growing church in America who seems to have the wisdom of someone twice his age with the confidence of a seasoned Marine Corp Veteran.  The person staring back at me is 47 and makes a lot of mistakes and is constantly second guessing himself.
• Ed Young - Pastor of Fellowship Church and perhaps one of the most creative communicators in the world.  The person staring back at me has to preach from a transcript and gets tongue tied a lot.  I tried to preach a sermon like Ed and I sounded dorky.
• Gary Lamb - Pastor of Revolution Church who has over 1000 people meeting in a theater and is about to go Multi-Site.  Gary has a Rock Star like personality and might be the Chris Rock of preachers.  The person staring back at me has about 150 people on a good day and no one knows who I am.  I steal Gary's jokes sometimes.
• Craig Groeshel - Anointed Pastor of Lifechurch.tv who practically invented multi-site church and probably has the most creative and innovative staff on the planet.  I think Lifechurch secretly invented the internet to reach people for Jesus and let Al Gore take credit for it.  The person staring back at me sometimes appears green with envy over the amazing video content they have. 
• Perry Noble - Lead Pastor at NewSpring in Anderson CS.  Perry is a funny, humble, confident, passionate preacher and in a small town was used by God to grow a BIG church - and he has Tony Morgan on his staff and made up a title for him.  I have good guys on staff but they dont get paid much and our titles suck and none of them have famous blogs, and they haven't written books.  I live in a small town and lead a small church and we wont be hosting a conference - but we are going to NewSpring
• Rob Bell - Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids.  I think Rob may actually have conversations with God where he asks "What does this mean?" and God tells him.  There may be a burning bush in his yard.  His gift of communication and helping people understand Yahweh/Jehovah/Jesus is mind boggling.  I did preach a couple of his sermons and even brought a goat on stage as an illustration.  I would have never come up with that on my own.
• Mark Driscoll - Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle.  Mark was once known as the "cussing pastor" and while that might have made a lot of angry youth pastors happy its not who Mark is.  Mark is an apostle in seattle and probably the most intelligent pastor in america - and can even make people laugh when he talks about nose hair and then get them to love Jesus.  I am preaching through Ruth and listen to his sermons but I cant preach his stuff cause Im not very smart and the only cuss words I say are "suck" and "freakin".
• Chris Elrod - Chris has the smallest megachurch in the world.  He can blog about something someone else said and then get interviewed by newstations across america.  He got famous being a comedian but I never heard of him till he became a pastor.  But he's dang funny and whipped my tail in football.  Im never funny but I know when im being made fun of and I like it when Chris makes fun of me.  The truth is ever time he posts something on his blog I think "I wish I'd said that"

The face staring back at me is me.  Dave Anderson, Husband to Dana who proves that ugly guys really do get the pretty girls, father to Jordan and Lara, Grand Dad before his time to Kristyn and Madisyn, and Pastor to a small church with big dreams to change the world in Decatur Alabama.  I am 48, fat, not very smart, just short of ugly, lack confidence, have less and less gray hair every year - but  - I am blessed by God in ways I cant understand and called by God do something I am not capable of doing. Sometimes I wonder why He did that because all these other guys are so much better at it than me.  But I am fearfully and wonderfully made and even though I think I suck at most everything - God doesn't think that at all and believes that I can make a difference in the world - and thats pretty cool so every day I load the water pistol and charge the gates of hell with my friends at Crosspoint. 

Im glad Im me and not those other guys!