some of you are taking the “virtually alone” challenge and switching off some gadgetry for a week. great! love to hear how that shakes out, what you learned, and what your new plan is for face to face time with God and with others.

use the comments section below to share your thoughts, challenges and insights.

let me know how life unplugged for a week looks for you.

this weekend at cedar ridge we begin our long anticipated series called Virtually Alone. for more than a year we have been working on this series.

we are spinning in a world of dizzying virtual communications right now-text messaging, facebook, cell phones, email, blogsites, chat, skype, and so much more. More ways than ever to communicate and connect. But many times the technology of communication leaves us isloated, distracted, and even alone. Are we living in the illusion of relationship when the reality is we are “Virtually Alone”? What does God’s word say about relationships in a virtual world? Could it be that we need to back up, slow down, and unplug some of the technology so we can connect face to face?

the choice of God for communicating the most important things ever-face to face. why didn’t he just wait until now when He could have gotten the word globally out in nano second through the genius of technology. sure seems like he picked a strange time to start a revolution. except that His revolution was relational. and his preferred method of communication: a really slick dvd, a mass email, a tantalizing fw:, a text, a full length feature film in 3D, HD, 1080pi…

nope.

his preferred method of communication was a person.

John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

we will explore the pitfalls and benefits of the virtual age in three weeks:

11.22 Virtually Alone | TXT ME
11.29 Virtually Alone | Face to Facebook
12.6 Virtually Alone | Twittered and Tattered

our staff has been noodling on best paths of growth at cedar ridge. how can we create ways to grow relationally and spiritually? the desire to help people (especially new people) go to next levels in relationship with people and relationship with God. small groups has always been a fundamental part of crcc. from the early days in a school where there were no other options other than meet in homes in small groups to now-groups are vital and the the growth fabric of the church. we talk about how gathering as a group should be more important than gathering for sunday worship. best scenario is be part of both. so afther hashing, whiteboarding, discussing, visiting, reading, and praying…we are ready for a new way.

this sunday, we will gathering up all group leaders at 9.00a and 11.15a to talk about the new way. but here is a sneak preview…

in january, we will be rolling out a whole smargasboard of GRO groups-study the bible 101, discover my strengths, the life and teachings of Jesus, a survey of the old testament, books of the bible study, marriage, parenting, mens, womens, financial peace, how to tell my story, and more. sounds good right?

we will be working on a trimester calendar for GRO groups. so the GRO groups that launch in January will last 12 weeks. this will give us a great focused time (december) to promote and help people find a group. and then everyone starts together. at the end of 12 weeks, you are out and you choose a new GRO group that will last for 12 weeks, and so on. in the course of a year, you can grow in three different areas-a bible study, marriage, discover my strengths. you would also have spent meaningful time with 36-40 different people instead of the same 8 or so in a typical ongoing group. you also have an easy on and off ramp into GRO groups.

and new people will have the red carpet rolled out to them. the sign ups will be simple-look over the catalog of groups and choose one by topic, teacher, or time. and each group will that new car smell every time they start. everybody loves new car smell. the group will be new each time-even if it is made up of long timer ridgers and new ridgers. so nobody will be the new kid in the class (remember that first day at school as the new kid? ouch). new relationships will be formed, helpful and interesting life topics will be covered. a better way to move along the spiritual GROwth path will be laid out with a simple way in.

there is more to this, obviously. like how big will GRO groups be? how will care happen for people if they are only together for 12 weeks? who will facilitate these GRO groups? how can child care happen? what GRO groups will be offered ever time and which ones will be occasional?

so come find out more this sunday.

and if you really want to dig into the details, you can pick up two different books: Activate by Nelson Searcy and Search to Belong: Rethinking intimacy, community and small groups by Joseph Myers.

2 thessalonians 1:3 “…your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.”

how far is too far in using secular illustrations and references in a worship gathering? is there a line where trying to connect with the skeptic is detrimental to the believer? the simple answer is yes, there is a line. so where is the line?

we have three principles for sunday teaching at cedar ridge. three principles that serve as building blocks for preparation of messages and also as evaluators for the message. they are: true to God, true to life, true to me.

true to God: 2 timothy 2:5 says “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 1 timothy 3:16 says “all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” if my goal is to be used by God to teach His ways, then i want to start with making sure that what i teach is true to God. so the creation of messages begins with study and prayer over a central scripture. what is going on? who is the author? who is the audience? what is the cultural/political climate? what issue, in particular is the scripture meant to address? what was meant to be the outcome? how do these principles line up with the rest of the God’s story in the bible? what original language words might bring more understanding to this scripture? this is the exegetical study of God’s word. if my goal is to preach His word, i would really like to be true to God-what He intended, what He was saying, and what He wants to communicate now in light of that scripture. and the first question in evaluating the teaching is “was it true to God?”. did the message line up with the rest of scripture and God’s principles?

true to life: Jesus told stories. He told lots of stories-stories about life. he told stories about coins, sheep, treasure, farming, debtor’s prison, building houses, and more. and most of the time, the stories were a direct connection to something happening in culture. when he told the parable of scattering seeds he was in an agricultural area. when he was talking to fisherman, he used fishing metaphors. he often referenced things in culture to bring the application of the teaching into the world they/we live in. i really believe that most people listen from story to story. a well told and story illustrates multiple layers of truth and discovery. when people heard Jesus teach and brought to their everyday life it was powerful. using stories showed that he was in touch and aware of what was happening. a real life example made it obvious as to how to live out the thing he was teaching. at cedar ridge this is really important. we are trying to do both of those things-be aware and in touch with the culture and provide real world examples of living the life of a Christ follower. an example, ephesians 5:31-33 says “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. “This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” the tv show jon and kate plus 8 is a great cultural reference. jon and kate have been a fantastic negative examples of this passage, they are what not to do. you can watch any episode and see that kate doesn’t respect jon. she cuts him off, she rolls her eyes, she turns her body away from him, she challenges his stories and conclusions, she even reframes his words when he is explaining his emotions. she has no respect for him. and now we know why, to some degree, jon hasn’t cared for her in a loving way. he may have been unfaithful, he has to be dragged into doing projects, and he ignores her. and on top of that their lives are on tv. which begs the question which is more important to them: a marriage and a family or being on tv? this is a great way to unpack this verse-it plays out what it looks like to abandon love and respect in marriage and it provides the negative examples to examine my own life (get to that in a minute). but here is the catch: should i be watching jon and kate plus 8 in the first place? should i encourage people to watch jon and kate plus 8? the show promotes selfish ambition, broken relationships, and dysfunction. to be honest, my faith is not in jeopardy if i watch the show. i see the affront to God’s ways and can use them to teach His principles. and i am not promoting the show if i use it as an illustration. especially if i use it in such a negative light. and if by using the illustration, the the truth of God convicts someone about their loveless and disrespectful marriage, then God is honored.

true to me: when peter preaches in the second chapter of acts, the people take the message to heart, it obviously hits them where they live. and the bible puts it like this, “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”. that is the goal of teaching: to start with what is true to God and then then connect that with what is true in life and move to the heart-this is true to me and my life and i need to do something about it. the bible calls it repenting-turning and going a new direction. those are the three lenses for teaching. and so anything that moves the teaching toward what is true to God, what is true to life, and what is true to me…that is what we want to use to teach. so a monty python video might be appropriate one sunday and inappropriate another sunday. a reference to mtv’s nitro circus could be be a perfect illustration one sunday and completely inappropriate the next. a story about a prostitute could be the very best way to illustrate God’s truth about forgiveness (as is the case in story of hosea).

how far is too far?

when the story or illustration is used for shock value alone-that is too far. when the reference ignores the truth of the passage-that is too far. when the video is used to get a laugh instead of teach a truth or connect with someone-that is too far. essentially when the example is not considering what is true to God, what is true to life, or what is true to me-that is too far.

what do you think are some examples of how far is too far? and why?

imagine a weekend, just friday from 6p to sunday at 1p where we lived like an ethiopian. in ethiopia, the per capita annual income is $800. here in the us, it is $47,000. that means that we in the us have $128 a day, every day, 365 days a year. an ethiopian has $2.20 a day total income. imagine living off a food ration of rice and meal equivalent to 2 measuring cups. picture you and your family circled up in the less than 300 square feet of total living space. leave the car parked in the garage. shut everything electrical down at 8pm. and purify all your drinking and hygiene water. we will call it a “reality check”. for roughly 36 hours live the reality of a huge percentage of the world. and then here is the nearly inconceivable part-do it all without grumbling or complaining. that is what the bible says-do everything without grumbling… philippians 2.14.

just think about what that weekend might mean to you, your children, your outlook.

in the news today: 2 billion more to be approved so we can trade our clunkers for new car debt bondage. 2 billion so we can drive newer, greener cars. i want my slice-how can i get my 4500 for my 1996 ford explorer? 8,000 for first time home buyers. everyone is entitled to an american mortgage. we so need a “reality check” instead of bailout check.

still listed in the top 10 highest income nations in the world. spending the 128 a day as fast as we can and meeting with bankers to find another few coins to acquire more. what did i give this last week that will make a difference in the reality of someone who doesn’t have the luxury of ending their “reality check” when the weekend is over? it is time i wrote some reality checks. how about you?

consider giving to www.liaint.org or any other organization that makes a difference daily in the lives of the poor.

consider giving to churches like www.cedarridge.cc that give a percentage of every dollar to community transforming missions.

and after you have done both of those, consider giving to the reality check project that will be creating a dvd led weekend experience, guiding people through the challenges and freedoms of living on so much less. comparing our life to an ethiopian counterpart for a weekend. challenging us to pray inside a new reality for the people in ethiopia and elsewhere. and waking up to new reality of the responsibility of the generosity that has been heaped on us.

we will be teaching the “reality check” message series this november. and look at blocking out november 6 and 7 a reality check weekend.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1.27

just now finding the space to think back over this year’s “what if the church…?” project/endeavor/chaos/beauty. 11 churches in kc surrendered their pulpits and taught the same messages for 3 weeks. 1600 people gave up their saturday to serve in the urban core. 9 urban organizations got countless to do items punched out. and 2600 people worshipped at theater in the park on wednesday. and box truck full of supplies went out to serve the city.

but what did God get out of it? that is tall question and even carries a presumptuous twinge in proposing an answer. but what do you think God got out of it? the people got exposed to great missions. the missions got contact with people who represent volunteers, churches, and future resources. the buildings got fixed, painted, cleaned, landscaped, and sheetrocked. the communities of kck and kcmo got visitors at least for a day. churches got to make a difference in the city. the city got more personal to everyone who served. but what did God get?

did God get resources for his ministries? nope, had that already. did God get a great concert? maybe, but no way it compares to the music of the heavenly realms. did God get pleasure from his word being taught? probably and now we might be getting warmer. Psalm 147 takes a stab at what pleases God…

⁷ Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make music to our God on the harp.

⁸ He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.

⁹ He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call.

¹⁰ His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;

so what does God get?

Psalm 147 verse 11 says

¹¹ the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love

of all the things that “what if” may have done for the people, the churches, and the city…

the one thing God may have gotten out of it is the attention of His children. anyone that served with a healthy sense of fear toward God, the kind of fear that a child has when they have a father that expects them to make wise, selfless choices and live to higher standards, probably put a smile on the Father’s face. anyone that served, taught, sang,  or played that did it all for audience of just 1-God, most likely got an affirming nod. and all the people that served and gave because they know the only hope of the city is God and His unfailing love, can sense the affirmation of the Father.

and what did God get again? He got what every father wants-the opportunity to tell a story about a time when His kids were being good.

He has showed 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

www.whatifthechurch.net

coming again in 2010.

i like cottage cheese. but i admit that cottage cheese is very strange thing. i could in no way run down the scientific process that turns some kind of dairy product into a curded side dish, salad, even pass for dessert if it had peaches or strawberries on it. but cottage cheese lives on the edge…of “mmmm good and that is putrid!” a couple days or degrees different and what was edible and good becomes rotten. as it gets cultured it gets better but then like prime beef it teeters on the culinary precipice of going from good to nasty, green and bad.

seems like there are a maersk frieghter full of pop thoughts and philosophies that teeter on the edge of good and bad. like “what feels good”. for sure God loaded us up with countless ways to experience good feelings and sensations, but for what reason? for the pursuit of Him or for the pursuit of more and more “what feels good”? another news network headliner  life operation system is “whatever works”. just check the results, if the bottom line is profitable then that must have been chicken dinner winner decisions that led us there. promote that guy, give him a book deal and send him out on the “i have the answer of the day” speaking trail. but what about when what works for me hurts somebody else? how do “they” matrix in to my bottom line success results? and how do you tally what actually works versus what made a bigger stack of  numbers? the one life os that is really getting facebook foddered and talk show twittered is “my God”. it is nice to finally have a customizable homepage, playlist, and gps even knows what i like and how i like to get there. so if i can just shape, trim, snip, maybe even add to-God- (sorry God for even writing that) that would be so sweet. i could worship that God. except that God would be radically and regularly disappointing.

wouldn’t it be more mysterious, a bigger than life adventure, sometimes unpredictably scary to road trip with the deity God. God who opens His mouth and and unleashes better than sound bites that send me scrambling to write down and plagiarize as soon as i can. God who didn’t just make things, but contrived the processes that reproduce things. God who created adventure in the first place. God who isn’t cut and pasted by me. God who scribbled the original thought, art, philosophy, syllogisms, elements, standards, conundrums, and revelations on the board in the first place?

mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word. humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.  -proverbs 16.1-2

there is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.-proverbs 16.25

nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived,
can get the better of God.-proverbs 21.30 (msg)

so for the next three weeks at cedar ridge we will excavate some not so conventional wisdom from chapter 21 of proverbs in the original book of wisdom and mystery-the bible. we will see what it says about

what feels good-april 19

whatever works-april 26

my God-may 3

this week we launch a two week series called “just another sunday…?” is that true about easter? first blush answer is no. there is an awakening every easter. the first awakening is just waking up and going to church. there will be more people in pretty much every church on april 12 than at any other time. why do you think that is? and there will be high fives, knuckle bumps, hugs and “good to see ya” with lots of people that call that church their home but only get home every third weekend. so no way, easter is just another sunday, if nothing else there will be a great big homecoming at churches everywhere.

is easter just another sunday? second take is no again. it is a monster day in the religious calendar. Jesus goes from hero to hang him in a snap. crazy how fast the people leaped off the Jesus bandwagon. and Jesus dies-really bad ending for a super hero. Jesus comes back from being dead and makes good on every thing he ever said he would do. God stands his son in my place to take the bullet meant for me. in churchy words-it is resurrection sunday, the new day of atonement, and the passover of a lifetime.

is easter just another sunday? why not? isn’t worship every week really for the attention of the Father, the Son and Holy spirt that did all this? doesn’t everything in the bible point to, hinge on, and track back to the easter spectacle?

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” -John 11:25-26

on easter we will be there when three different people bumped into Jesus…after he came back from the dead. he asked mary “why are your crying?”. he asked cleopas “what things?”. and he asked peter “do you love me?”

why would he asked those things? and what would those questions do to change everything for those three people?

no way easter would ever be “just another sunday for those three or me or us.

everybody has their “that”s. so many churches and so many variations and styles. what is your that when you finish the phrase “i want to be part of a church like that…”?

what kind of church are you looking for? what kind of church do you want to be? a church that loves God, loves people, serves the world? hopefully yes. those are pretty much the big three at cedar ridge. but beyond that there is another list. we want a church that has a certain kind of teaching, music, building, location, coffee, thing for kids, things for parents, is friendly to me, authentic and other stuff like that.

so here is a deeper question. where do your thats come from? probably from one of two places: we look around and see other churches that have it going on. and we want that. or we just know what that is. it comes from inside.

but the problem with jonesing the “that’s” is that beyond the fundamentals, we are a church with a distinct personality and so are all those other great churches with their really cool thats. we weren’t designed to do all that they are doing and they weren’t designed to do what we can do. otherwise we are just in some kind of trendy competition. but that is so not what the bible says. in john 17, God demands one-ness and unity in his church. not competitive but complimentary. the other problem with copying the trendy next things in other churches is that we should know we can’t totally trust our sense of style. i mean somebody once thought that polyester leisure suits were stylin.

and the downside of feeling our thats…well some of us would change churches as often as we change moods. but that would rob us of community-long term, deeply invested relationships.

so where should the thats come from? how about from the One who designed the church to do and be all THAT it can. the book of acts is one story after another of the journey of the early church. God spelled a whole bunch of timelessly trendy things that a church like that should have on its list.

over the next 10 weeks we will be opening the windows and peeking in on the church in its earliest form-in the first 30 or so years after Jesus told peter, paul and a few others “go…and i will build a church like that.”

it is great time to jump into a small group. all our groups will be synced down into a study of the book of acts that is runing alongside the sunday messages.

one last thing, be honest, what are your thats? how have they changed over time? have some fun and drop them in the comments.