Who stole my fruit?

/

Mark 4: 1-20 contains a parable of a seed sower. Seed is thrown out by the farmer and it falls on 4 different types of soil:

  1. The sidewalk
  2. Rocky ground with little soil
  3. Good soil (about to become bad because of thorns)
  4. Fertile soil
Let me zero in on something fascinating me right now. Pastor TC and I discussed this at length yesterday in our one on one meeting. The seed that ended up GROWING and then being choked out, fell on GOOD SOIL. It took root and started growing, but THORNS choked it out and ruined it.

To the crowd, Jesus simply said:

Mark 4:7- "Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain."

When he got the disciples alone, Jesus expounded on what he meant and said:

Mark 4:18-19- The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

Interesting that Jesus did not reveal the totality of what he meant to the "whole church", but rather a trusted few.

Let me get to my main point...

First of all, let me say that I have a bias. I believe that most Christians are unfortunately the 3rd soil type! They hear the message....and it gets choked out.

What stopped fruit from being produced in the 3rd type of soil (and essentially believers now)?
  1. Worries of this life
  2. Lure of wealth
  3. Desire for other things
This is a PROFOUND list! Take a moment. Think about each of these fruit robbers? Usually we want to know who stole something from us. In this case, it's what stole something from us? Worry? Wealth? Desire for more?

Does one of these apply to you? Or 2? Or 3?
Is it possible that if we were delivered from these 3 thorns that we begin reaping a "...huge harvest, thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what had been planted?" Mark 4:20

Read 2 chapters and call me in the morning...

/

When you are physically ill, you go to the Doctor. He looks at you, listens to you, asks questions, does some exploratory work, and then he tells you what is wrong and how to make it right. You have xyz sickness...take abc medicine for x amount of time, and then let's see how you're feeling.

Well, Jesus is often referred to as the Great Physician and in Isaiah we see that "by his stripes we are healed." It was evident in his earthly ministry, that Jesus was intensely focused on healing. That is a whole nutha' issue that has been bothering me. Why isn't physical healing more a part of our ministry today if it was such a huge component of Jesus's? Anyway...more on that later...
As a Pastor, I meet with a lot of people that need significant emotional and spiritual healing. And more and more, I see my role quiet similar to that of a Doctor. I listen, ask questions, examine symptoms, and then prescribe some things. Perhaps something like this:
  1. Take time twice a day to pray and cast all your cares upon God in prayer.
  2. Read the Bible for 30 minutes each day.
  3. Connect to a Small Group.
Once you have done those things for 4 weeks, let's meet again and see how you're doing! (sorry no spiritual quick fixes)
Here's what I am finding: if the doctor prescribes you medicine, you immediately get it filled and start taking it. If a Pastor prescribes you medicine, we are not as inclined to act as fast.
Look, I believe that some folks just need a prescription for a few steps that jump start their spiritual battery. I'm fully convinced that many people just do not know where to start. That's why we are here. If you know someone that needs this type of help, why don't you reach out and make some suggestions into their healing....which comes from the Lord!

Pray With Your Eyes Open

/

Over the last year I have noticed that I pray with my eyes open more often. Honestly, I am not really sure where he whole "bow your head and close your eyes" thingy came from, but I am approaching things differently these days.

I know that closing our eyes can block out distraction and show reverence (somehow). I get that (I think).
In China and many other places around the world, one's safety can be in jeopardy if they are "caught" praying. So they naturally pray with their eyes open.
But, the Bible says "Watch and Pray..." (Matthew 26:41)
Last night at Small Group, we were reading this: "Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers..." (Eph. 6:18)
Here's my point: Lately, I have been appreciating praying observantly! I want to see what God is doing. I want to watch him move.
We don't shut our eyes when we talk to anyone else. Can you imagine if we did?!?! Why do we do it to God?? How rude. ;-)
PS- Isn't the praying baby cute?

Breakout Churches

/

Last week, I read the book "Breakout Churches" by Thom Rainier. Loved it! A friend of mine recommended it and it could not have been more on time. This book is basically a carbon copy of Jim Collin's "Good to Great", but for churches.


Key takeaways for me:
  • Vision is found when 3 things intersect: The passions of the leaders, the gifts and passion of the congregation and the needs of the community.
  • I feel that God is saying that we are in a preparation time. It is a parallel journey for CCF and it’s people. I am seeing it all over the place. A time of intense spiritual growth, calling and preparation for the powerful future he intends. This hard work will take discipleship and TIME!
  • God is wanting to give me personal long term perspective that will allow me to lead incrementally and patiently.
  • When dealing with difficult decisions, remember: closure, compassion and communication. Beat the lies of the rumor mill with the publicity of the truth.
  • It is a lie to believe that we can just put some catchy slogan on the wall and people will follow it.
  • I think that we should feel and know vision long before we write it. It is birthed out of the good work of the Holy Spirit in this community of faith!
  • We need to create a culture of permission and a climate of openness.
  • We are not reaching our potential. There is so much more.
  • Do we discover vision? Or does vision discover us?
  • Everything takes time! The kind of transition and call to anointed ministry that I am sensing the Lord has for CCF will not be grown into in a short time. It will take years!
  • Everything we do needs to be for the church of JESUS and IT’S future. Considering the church and the community we are in, it needs to outlive us...what we plant may be reaped by the next generation.
  • No more rushing!!! Beware of dates and deadlines right now. But seek passionately, and reject any scent of complacency.
  • CCF: What do we do? Why do we do it? How do we do it?
  • No church can ever carry out ALL the passions of its leaders.
  • Vision is dynamic.
  • It is better for a vision to be lived out and not written, then written and not lived out.
There was so much more...lemme stop.

Where should I start reading the Bible?

/

It is amazing how many people have been asking me this recently. Where do I begin reading the Bible? What books should I begin with? Heck, 15 minutes ago, I had this exact conversation with 2 of the ladies that clean our facility. This question shows me that there is progress being made. YES!!!!

Here is my advice for what it's worth. If you are NOT currently reading the Bible on a regular basis (I define that by 5 or more days a week), then I would do this:
  1. Get up 3o minutes earlier than you normally do and go to a quiet comfortable chair in your house.
  2. Open up a version of the Bible that you can understand. (The Message or the New Living Translation are my favorite.)
  3. Read Psalms. Helps you deal with and relate to LIFE and GOD!
  4. Read Proverbs. Helps you relate to LIFE and PEOPLE!
  5. Read Mark. Helps you see what Jesus was up to and committed to in his time on earth!
  6. Underline things that speak to you and write questions in the margins or a journal.
  7. Repeat.
  8. Repeat again.
  9. Repeat again.
Come back and ask me for a next step in a year or two! Seriously. The journey of discipleship and learning scripture cannot be measured in months. It takes years. There are no shortcuts to growing in your faith! Welcome aboard.
From Pastor Noah, A sinner in need of a savior and a man who is a mess without the alignment of the Word every day!

It Is Time!

/

It is time for you to stop living your life to make everyone accept you.


It is time for you to stop trying to appease everyone’s feelings.


It is time for you to stop hiding behind the mask.


It is time for you to stop acting like you are happy when you know you need prayer.


It is time for you to stop playing games with the Lord and really approach His throne in sincerity.


It is time for you to be who God formed, created and called you to be.


It is time for you to walk in the promises of God.


It is time for you to stop allowing people to walk over you.


It is time for you to stand up and be responsible.


It is time for you to stop agonizing over things you cannot control or change.


It is time for you to stop crying over people you cannot change.


It is time for you to declare and decree your blessings.


It is time for you to go forth and stop waiting on people who do not want to go with you.


It is time for you to be who God wants you to be and not what everyone else desires to make you.


(I got this in an email this week and I thought it was pretty inspiring.)

The Finger of God

/

Why are you worried? There is power in the very FINGER OF GOD!!

The Bible blows me away with some of the things that it shows us about God. Here is one of those cool things that I have recently appreciated as I read it in scripture. Then, our Worship Leader (My Brother, Caleb) read a passage Sunday during worship that reminded me of it!

God is so powerful, that even his finger has more ability than we could conjure up in our whole body! Check this out:

Exodus 8:19 says: "The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God."


Exodus 31:18 says: "When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God."

Deuteronomy 9:10 says: "The LORD gave me two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God..."

Isaiah 40:12 says: "Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?"

Psalm 8:3 says: "When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place..."

Luke 11:20 says: "But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you."

I believe that there is healing and hope in even the finger of God!

Intimacy with Jesus = Everything

/

Every day, I am more convinced that increased intimacy with Jesus = everything!

I believe that:
  • The closer you get to God, the more joy you have.
  • The closer you get to God, the more clarity you have.
  • The closer you get to God, the more confidence you have.
  • The closer you get to God, the more humility you have.
  • The closer you get to God, the stronger you become.
  • The closer you get to God, the more anointing you have.
  • The closer you get to God, the more honest you become.
  • The closer you get to God, the better parent you become.
  • The closer you get to God, the better spouse you become.
  • The closer you get to God, the better friend you become.
  • The closer you get to God, the more peace you attain.
  • The closer you get to God, the more he expects of you.
  • The closer you get to God, the more you realize how messed you are.
  • The closer you get to God, the more you realize how far you still have to go.
  • The closer you get to God, the easier it is to handle attacks.
  • The closer you get to God, the more clear your future becomes.
  • The closer you get to God, the more you obey him.
  • The closer you get to God, the more you hear him.
  • The closer you get to God, the more you love him.
  • The closer you get to God, the more you realize how much more HE LOVES YOU than you ever knew before!
Some of you are really, really far from God right now and need to just be honest and admit it. Trust me, you are not in the minority!
So, how do I get closer to God?
  1. Read the Bible every day!! Start with a version you like and a book that makes sense! I recommend the New Living or the Message. And Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs, Mark, and John! Hang out there for a year or something.
  2. Pray. Talk to God. Tell Him what you think, feel wonder, and worry about. And tell him what you appreciate and love about him!
Do those 2 things everyday for 6 months, and I bet you the house I am typing from that you will be a different person.

Validation

/

We all need it. We all want it. Some of us need it more than others. Others of us look for it in incessantly in other people. It’s called validation.


I had the opportunity to speak at my father’s church in Georgia on Mother’s Day (Dusty Takle, not me). After I finished, I found myself needing to hear that I did a good job. I asked my Dad, “Did you get any feedback? Any response?”


What was I looking for? Validation.


We all love the attaboys and our egos being a little inflated…..for the Kingdom, of course. Ahem. But, at what point in our ministry do we minister to people for the sake of the Kingdom alone? And, at what point do we realize that the only person who can truly validate us is Jesus Christ?


If we are serving in ministry or otherwise, Jesus Christ has already validated us. If we never hear another “Amazing message!” or “Great job!” again, can we accept God’s validation and stop searching for man’s? When do we say it’s not about me? Not even the tiniest part is about me. It’s about the Kingdom. I must decrease. He must increase. We don’t need any one else to tell us who we are. Pastor Craig has said often, “You are not who people say you are. You are who God says you are.”


We are His children called according to His purpose.


I think that’s validation enough.


Do you struggle with needing validation from others?


-Dusty Takle

(Recently read this on the LifeChurch Swerve Blog. I thought that it was well done and wanted to share it. I think that encouragement is very important, but we mix "encouragement" up with "validation" and "pride" too often. Jesus, give us the humility and the confidence you had!)

Three Things Giving Should Be...

/

At CCF we believe biblical giving is systematic, proportional and significant. We talk about money at CCF because stewardship is part of discipleship. And our mission involves making disciples.

Systematic
It's systematic in that we want our people to decide how often they're going to give and then to give, without the church always having to plead for it. In the same way that they pay their mortgage, rent and car loan on a regular basis, they should give faithfully and regularly to the church. In other words, biblical giving is consistent giving. If people are paid once a month, we suggest that they give once a month; if they are paid weekly, they could give weekly, as the Lord blesses them. The important point isn't so much when to give but that giving should be a regular habit. That way, we don't have to waste precious time in a worship service pleading for funds that our people should be giving on a regular basis without being asked.

Proportional
Proportional giving teaches that if God has blessed you with much financially, then you should give much financially. If he's just blessed you a little financially, then you should just give a little. And if God has not blessed you financially at all, then you should give out of other gifts that he has blessed you with! Generosity is still a defining part of who we are called to be, regardless of income.

Significant and Meaningful
Biblical giving is sacrificial. It should change your lifestyle. If we give a convenient gift that can be given without much thought - without any prayer - if we can reach into our wallet or purse or write a check and it doesn't really change anything in terms of our values or our lifestyle, then it doesn't meet the criteria of being meaningful or significant.

Our Church Financial Situation

/

Capital Christian Fellowship is in a difficult place, financially right now. Giving is not equivalent to budget. We do not bring in on Sunday mornings (partners and attendees are our income) what we need to operate the church. That was not a serious problem when there was money in the bank to supplement the shortage. It is a problem when there isn't. That is where we will be very soon.

I wouldn't normally use my blog for this type of thing, but I believe that this is a time to do so. I want to publicly share where we are (which we have done at Church) and ask you to consider helping in some small way. Everything helps!
  1. Would you be willing to pray for CCF and for it's partners and attendees to see the biblical importance of giving? There are many people in our church who give nominally or not at all. If that changed, we would likely never be in this place again.
  2. Would you be willing to pray for financial blessing and outpouring for this ministry?
  3. Would you be willing to pray for me, the Staff and the Board of CCF to lead with God's wisdom, grace and confidence in the days ahead? This is a discipleship issue. And in many cases, people do not give because we do not disciple! We just assume stuff. As a young Pastor, I need to hear from God on how to disciple people best in Biblical giving...regardless of this economy. If anything, this is the time TO do it. Not, the time to avoid it.
  4. Might you pray for our Executive Board that meets all day long this Saturday to tackle these issues and likely make some tough decisions? We need the Lord!
  5. If you consider CCF your church, we hope that you will ask the Lord whether you are doing what HE is calling you to do as it relates to your financial commitment to your church. And then act.
  6. If you are doing your part, would you be willing to encourage and disciple at least one other person toward doing theirs? If half the givers, reached one giver, things would drastically change.
  7. If you wish to give NOW, you can hop on the homepage of our website, click the blue E-giving link and make a donation or set up recurring donations. JUST CLICK HERE!

Thanks for anything and everything that you may do to enhance this ministry! This church IS making a difference!

Courageous Discerners

/

Some people have the gift of discernment. Or at the very least, they are incredibly intuitive. They are a gift to the church. But, this is no easy gift to steward.

Some people are really courageous and willing to say hard things and do tough things. We need them too…especially in leadership in the church! Willingness to do and say what is right is not easy, especially when you look up and realize how alone you are afterwards.

But, here is a rare but powerful combination:


Courageous Discerners!

....People who hear from God and see intuitively and spiritually into people and situations.

....And THEN, have the courage to share what they are hearing.

THAT, my friends is a powerful combination. We need people like this in the church.

Are you seeing yourself here anywhere?

Pure Wisdom!

/

Sunday afternoon, Noah gets alone time for football and personal time while my babies sleep. Reading some blogs today, I saw this on Mark Batterson's Blog and wanted to share it. Mark wrote:


I absolutely loved Chuck Swindoll. Pure wisdom! He shared ten life and leadership lessons.

1. It's lonely to lead
2. It's dangerous to succeed
3. It's hardest at home
4. It's essential to be real
5. It's painful to obey
6. Brokenness and failure are necessary
7. My attitude is more important than my actions
8. Integrity eclipse image
9. God's way is always better than my way
10. Christlikeness begins and ends with humility

God is...

/

God is eternal. He antedates time and is wholly independent of it. Time began in Him and will end in Him. To it He pays no tribute and from it He suffers no change.


God is immutable. He has never changed and can never change in any smallest measure. To change, He would need to go from better to worse or from worse to better. He cannot do either, for being perfect He cannot become more perfect, and if He were to become less perfect, He would be less than God.


God is omniscient; He knows in one free and effortless act all matter, all spirit, all relationships, all events. He has no past and He has no future. He is….and none of the limiting and qualifying terms used of creatures can apply to Him.


Love and mercy and righteousness are His, and holiness so ineffable that no comparisons or figures will avail to express it.


-A.W. Tozer, Pursuit of God

Parental Favoritism

/

At this point, I am still a Father of one. So, let me hurry up and write this blog post. (No, we are not....but pray that we will... in God's timing.)

I always learn a tremendous amount from the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. There are many lessons that he can teach us. Here is one that I wanted to share. It comes from Genesis 37.

"Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat. When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him—they wouldn't even speak to him." -Gen. 37:3-4

Are you a parent? Are you an honest parent? Then honestly examine whether you have a "favorite". Because, your true inner feelings are telegraphed and evident...your kids will know!

Here's the most important reality as I see it:

Parental Favoritism hurts the "the favorite", the ones who aren't, and even the parents in the long run. Everyone loses.
If this applies to you or anyone you know...then, think about it and pray about it.

Philosophy of Digital Discipleship, Post 4

/

Social networking cannot replace face to face relationships, but it certainly should enhance them! That, in a sentence is my take on how relationships and social networking should intersect.

That said, let me bullet a few random (current) thoughts on community, connection and the online social scene. In no particular order...
  1. I CANNOT believe how Facebook has enhanced the relationships in our church (among those on it). There is so much less catch-up to play on Sunday. We know about the exam, the doctor's appointment and the sick kid, and we can check in and pick up from there. I would love to know how many times the words "hey, I saw that on facebook this week" are stated around here on a Sunday morning. (Approx. 1/3 of our Sunday attendance is on Facebook.)
  2. Relationally speaking ... I think that social networking networks need to always be seen as "in addition to" not "instead of". God intends that people engage their senses in relationship. Need some touch! In addition, if body language is such a huge part of communication, we are missing loads of the message online.
  3. Also, no one can be "friends" (in life) with everyone, but you sure can be "friends" (online) with a lot of people. There just are not enough hours in the day. In those cases, it is either be FB friends, or have no connection at all. I choose the former most of the time. You never know what the Lord may be preparing.

I think that the challenge to all of us that hang out online is to find creative and healthy ways for this medium to enhance relationships, produce healthy and life giving connections that honor Jesus. As with anything in life, we need to protect against misuse and find balance.

Next (and finally), I plan to write about excessive use, addiction, and learning some tricks that I have found help one spend less time, for more results.

A Fall Weekend in Lancaster County

/

Church retreats have been something that CCF has done and valued through the years. Anticipating that we would have one this year, we reserved our place at Black Rock Retreat for this October 23-25. However, it has become increasingly apparent that many cannot afford it. As a result, we decided to make it an unofficial getaway weekend as opposed to an official retreat.

The weekend is available to any persons, couples or families that wish to go and have the time and resources available to go. There ARE rooms available and Lancaster County is a beautiful place to spend a fall weekend.


The dates are Friday, October 23rd-Sunday, October 25th.

If you and your family wish to go spend that weekend at the retreat center in Quarryville, PA and the surrounding area, please submit your full payment (which reserves your room) to CCF by Sunday, October 18th. You may place it in the offering or offering box in the lobby. Please attach a note with the names and ages of those you are paying for.

The cost is: $150 per adults (13-up), $75 for children 5-12, and $0 for ages 0-4 (which includes 2 nights, 5 meals and the use of the entire facility). Make the check payable to Capital Christian Fellowship.

Tricia, Davis and I and several other families still plan to go and I think that we will all really enjoy the relationship building that will happen.

Wanna Join Us?

(You can find out more about Black Rock Retreat Center at www.brr.org. )