Posting a quick blog before heading to bed for 3 reasons:
1. I haven't blogged in a few days. I wanted to tell you hello and I'm excited about some of the things I'll share here this week.
2. This morning rocked and I am thrilled about the new and renewed commitments that people made to Jesus today!
3. I've never posted a blog from my iPad...now I have. ;-)
Love you!!
As many of you know I am very close with my son, Noah and as a mother, I had been feeling a sense of uneasiness after Noah returned from his sabbatical. I kept sensing that God was doing a new work in his heart, and I was sure that I would know more as time went on.
One afternoon in March, I received a call from Noah inviting us to come over. He wanted to share what God was doing recently in their lives. In my heart I thought it might have something to do with a change regarding his role at CCF, but I had no idea what was about to be revealed. (The details of the calling have since been revealed, so I will skip that story.)
When I heard the words “South Africa” I couldn't believe my ears. This was a devastating announcement to me and I wasn't supportive or excited about this great revelation that Noah and Tricia were so thrilled about. I had a million questions and frankly, Noah had none of the answers. One thing we have learned is that God doesn't always give us the details when he asks us to follow Him. But I am Mom, and I wanted to know about the well-being and future of my Son and his family.
As the time was approaching for the announcement to be made to the church, I continued to seek the Lord for resolution regarding the call and move. As God often operates, I got no clear direction until the early morning hours of May 2nd-- the day of the announcement.
Early that morning, the Lord woke me up and this is what I received:
When you raise a child to go after God never be surprised what He will do. In 1998 I gave Noah back to God as he left for bible college knowing that he would probably never return. But God surprised me by allowing him to return and pastor my church. How amazing was that? So we served and were family together for six years. And then came this call. I didn't believe that the same God who brought my son home would now be sending him to South Africa. So the tears, anger and questioning began. But, that morning, I finally got it...
When you give something to God, you give it forever-- not to have any say so or control over what God chooses to do. He gave Noah back to me for a season and now I must release him with the same bittersweet joy that I felt in 1998 as we drove off the campus of Valley Forge Christian College, believing that God had an incredible ride ahead for our boy. Our hearts are now intertwined with two more people, Tricia and Davis, so releasing comes with new pain. But, praise God for what he is doing and his amazing and very personal plan for each of our lives.
As Loving Mother,
Pam Kaye
God is a speaking God! He is not just a God that has spoken, but one that is speaking to us today. Check these verses out.
John 10:27- "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
Psalm 33:6, 9- “The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.”
John 1:1- "In the beginning the WORD already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word WAS God."
John 6:63- "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very WORDS I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
Appearances in the Bible:
And then, I love this quotation from A.W. Tozer…powerful words:
“I believe that much of our religious unbelief is due to a wrong conception of and a wrong feeling for the scripture of Truth. A silent God suddenly began to speak in a book and when the book was finished lapsed back into silence again forever. Now we read the book as a record of what God said when he was for a brief time in a speaking mood. With notions like that in our heads how can we believe? The facts are that God is not silent, has never been silent. It is the nature of God to speak. The Bible is the inevitable outcome of God’s continuous speech. It is the infallible declaration of His mind for us to put into our familiar human words.”
Maybe if we called the trinity, the tripod, we would not debate it as much. Okay, bad idea. The tripod of hearing God is something I shared in a sermon last year, but it is becoming more and more real to me. Not sure I ever blogged it, so here goes.
“The Lord merely spoke , and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.” Psalm 33:6, 9
For 10 years, Catalyst has created moments that have left a mark on many leaders. I have attended one of the Catalyst One Day events and have known for almost a year that we would be taking a group to Catalyst this fall. This year's Catalyst Conference is October 6-8 in Atlanta at Gwinnett Arena. 13,000 leaders will gather together to grow and be inspired to Jesus. I have been hearing about Catalyst for the last number of years, and leaders I trust a lot are huge Catalyst fans!
This year’s speakers include: Andy Stanley, Seth Godin, Beth Moore, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Daniel Pink, Francis Chan, Christine Caine, Francis Chan, Perry Noble, Craig Groeschel, Gabe Lyons and many others.
I am uber-excited to take a group from CCF. There are about 10 staff and ministry leaders that I can afford to pay for out of our budget. I wish I could pay for anyone who wants to go, but I aint got it like that. ;-)
If you wish to go and can pay your own way, let me or Jaye Lindo know by June 1 and we would LOVE to have you join us.
Last week I finished a book called "Stuff Christians Like." If you are lighthearted, enjoy laughing, appreciate sarcasm, and have been around the church for a number of years, you would find this book refreshing and hilarious. Blogger John Acuff began the site, Stuff Christians Like as a mock of the popular "Stuff White People Like." After blogging enough, he put the best content into a book.
I said that we would take some time to share some of the powerful ways that God has been at work in our family over the last few months. I love to be open in my communication. I'm not a very private person. As you can imagine, this last few months has been challenging--to hold all this stuff in until the appropriate time to share it.
I totally enjoy using social networking sites for building community, strengthening connections, communicating information and investing for God's kingdom! Although, I have caught some criticism for my usage (some think over-usage), I have stayed the course and continued to believe that if used right, social networks are a tool with massive potential for good. I keep watching it pay off over and over again!
Date: Thursday, May 27thTime: 7:00pmLocation: CCF Upper Room
Last night at our District Pastors meeting, we looked a Luke 4-- the story of Jesus being poorly received in his Hometown. On of the parallel accounts of this same story is in Mark 6. Here in the beginning of Mark 6, we see Jesus being treated very differently in his hood than he had in other towns. We see comments made such as:
They were basically saying, who does this guy think he is? He is just one of us. Surely, he can't do these things.
As you probably know from yesterday's announcement, posts and blog, God has called our family to respond to a call to join some church-planting initiatives South Africa. This discernment process has been a blast! Honestly. Scary, yes! But so fun to see God at work so clearly.
Tricia and I have been waiting for this day for several months...the day when we could freely share with you some huge things that God is doing in our lives! God has been up to some major things in our family throughout the last year. For quite some time now, we have sensed the Lord calling us into the next season of our life and ministry. This morning, the news was shared with our church.
In January 2011, our family will be relocating to Cape Town, South Africa! Yes, you read that right. Eastern Mennonite Missions (our church's mission sending organization) has invited us to be sent to link into a growing church-planting network called All Nations. You may remember Floyd McClung who spoke at CCF on January 31, 2010 (a snowy Sunday). Floyd and his wife Sally lead All Nations. All Nations is a family of communities, working together across the globe, partnering with the Holy Spirit to plant churches in homes, businesses or anywhere Jesus is not worshipped. All Nations desires to not only plant churches, but to initiate church-planting movements (video below). You can check out their website HERE.
The goal of this sending is that we will serve as a collaborative bridge between All Nations and Eastern Mennonite Missions—learning from one another about effective ways of transforming people for Christ. We will participate, learn, and communicate back to our network (Eastern Mennonite Missions, Lancaster Conference, Baltimore/Washington District, and CCF) about new ways of being and doing church.
Currently the plan is to spend six months in an intensive church-planting training called Church Planting Experience (CPx). Then we will reside in Cape Town for one to two years ministering to some of the poorest and most neglected an unreached of the city. Tricia is especially excited about the ways that we will be working with, rescuing, and caring for sick and abandoned children.
Serving and leading at Capital Christian Fellowship for the last six years has been an outstanding privilege and one of the greatest joys of our life. CCF will always hold a special place in our hearts. If we had it our way, we envisioned spending many years leading here. However, the Lord has a different plan for now…a call that has been revealed, strengthened, and one that we must obey.
It is one thing to talk about “living as Disciples,” it is another to do it. We hope that this transition will inspire many of you to new levels of possibility and faith. Over the last few years (more intensely in the last six months), God has strengthened and crystallized a call on our lives to rethink and imagine church in new and creative ways. Although the future is unclear, there is a strong and evident call into new territory and new vision for God’s Kingdom.
Standing together with Christ,
Noah, Tricia and Davis Kaye
Questions about Alcohol come up quite a bit in conversations with folks. As a Pastor, people often wonder what I think. What matters most is not what I think, but what the Bible says. A few months back I linked to this on Facebook, but wanted to put it on my blog too. This is compiled by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I think that this is a good handling of a tough topic.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
Historically, God’s people have greatly enjoyed alcohol. In the European world one of the most Christian drinks was beer. Saint Gall was a missionary to the Celts and renowned brewer. After Charlemagne’s reign the church became Europe’s exclusive brewer. When a young woman was to get married, her church made special bridal ale for her, from which we derive our word bridal. Pastor John Calvin’s annual salary package included upwards of 250 gallons of wine to be enjoyed by he and his guests. Martin Luther explained the entire reformation as “…while I sat still and drank beer with Philip and Amsdorf, God dealt the papacy a mighty blow.” Luther’s wife Catherine was a skilled brewer and his love letters to her when they were apart lamented his inability to drink her beer. When the Puritan’s landed on Plymouth Rock the first permanent building they erected was the brewery.
In America at the turn of the 20th century some denominations began to condemn alcohol as sinful and the Methodist pastor Dr. Thomas Welch created the very “Christian” Welch’s grape juice to replace communion wine in 1869. While drunkenness is clearly prohibited in Scripture, drinking all together is not.
ALL BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIANS AGREE THAT DRUNKENNESS IS A SIN.
The Bible is abundantly clear that drunkenness is a sin (Deuteronomy 21:20; Ecclesiastes 10:17; Matthew 24:29; Luke 12:45; 21:34; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3).
The matter is so serious that in the Old Testament no priest was to drink alcohol while performing their duties (Leviticus 10:9; Ezekiel 44:21) though they could consume while not working (Numbers 18:12, 27, 30) and no king was to drink while judging law (Proverbs 31:4-5). In the New Testament an elder/pastor cannot be a drunkard (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7), and no drunkard will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10; Galatians 5:21).
Sins associated with drunkenness include incest (Genesis 19:32-35), violence (Proverbs 4:17); adultery (Revelation 17:2); mockery and brawling (Proverbs 20:1); poverty (Proverbs 21:17); late night and early morning drinking (Isaiah 5:11-12); hallucinations (Isaiah 28:7); legendary antics (Isaiah 5:22); murder (2 Samuel 11:13), gluttony and poverty (Proverbs 23:20-21); vomiting (Jeremiah 25:27, 48:26; Isaiah 19:14); staggering (Jeremiah 25:27; Psalm 107:27; Job 12:25); madness (Jeremiah 51:7), loudness combined with laughter and then prolonged sleep (Jeremiah 51:39; nakedness (Habakkuk 2:15; Lamentations 4:21); sloth (Joel 1:5); escapism (Hosea 4:11); depression (Luke 21:34); and staying up all night (1 Thessalonians 5:7).
PROHIBITIONISTS WRONGLY TEACH THAT ALL DRINKING IS A SIN AND THAT ALCOHOL ITSELF IS AN EVIL
Psalm 104:14-15 "He God makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.”
John 2:1-11 is clear that Jesus’ first miracle was turning over 100 gallons of water into wine at a wedding party.
Matthew 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
ABSTENTIONISTS WRONGLY TEACH THAT DRINKING IS NOT SINFUL BUT THAT ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD AVOID DRINKING OUT OF LOVE FOR OTHERS AND A DESIRE TO NOT CAUSE ANYONE TO STUMBLE
Hosea 2:8 "She has not acknowledged that I [God] was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold-which they used for Baal."
1 Timothy 4:1-5 "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
MODERATIONISTS RIGHTLY TEACH THAT DRINKING IS NOT A SIN AND THAT CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE MUST GUIDE EACH PERSON (Romans 14)
Wine is spoken of as both good and bad in the same verses (1 Samuel 1:14, 24; 25:18, 37; Joel 1:5,10).
Apart from good feasting, alcohol in Scripture is rightly used for communion (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18), medicinal purposes (Proverbs 31:6; 1 Timothy 5:23), and Old Testament worship (Numbers 28:14).
Proverbs 3:9-10 "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
Ecclesiastes 9:7 "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart."
Psalm 104:14-15 "He [God] makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart."
Deuteronomy 14:26 The Old Testament tither was instructed by God: "Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice."
THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER
Everyone should act according to their conscience when it comes to alcohol consumption. Because of past sin, some who have had problems with alcohol may need to abstain for fear of stumbling into old sinful habits. For those who enjoy alcohol with biblical moderation, we recommend using discernment when providing hospitality for others who may have conscience or addiction issues. And in the future, we look forward to the day when our Lord and Savior will prepare for us a redeemed feast with wine:
"On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." - Isaiah 25:6-9
I really enjoy working with couples who are preparing to get married. This is that time of the year when we are preparing for summer weddings. I usually talk a tad more honestly with couples than they'd prefer. You're surprised, huh? I like it that way. It makes things more exciting. You know, every couple wants to hear their Pastor talk about sex! ;-)
Every year almost one million people die from malaria which is caused by a mosquito bite. 4 out of 5 of those deaths are in children under the age of 5. Malaria is a constant threat to millions of people in more than 40% of the countries of our world.
Today - April 25, 2010 is World Malaria Day. It is a day to celebrate the giant strides that have been made in those countries in the world that have successfully eradicated malaria, but it is also a day for deep reflection. This is because even today 2,000 children could lose their lives because of malaria, the same thing could happen tomorrow and the day after that.
Malaria can easily be prevented by using a a bed net which will keep the mosquitoes out. Many of the people who need to know this do not, and many of those who do know, do not have the resources needed to purchase a bed net.
This video below was shown in our service this morning and was created by Abiola Adelaja-Johnson, a dear Partner at CCF! You can learn more about her organization, the Remi Foundation, by CLICKING HERE! There are many ways that you can participate in this.
A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook yesterday and it stirred me:
“If I read the Bible for the first time, I would never conclude I needed to pray some prayer, but I would conclude I need to follow Jesus. If I read the Bible on a desert island, I’d never decide I needed to start a Sunday service, my priority would be discipleship." - Francis Chan
This just connected so deeply into some of the very questions I am wrestling with these days:
After preaching from my iPad for the last 2 Sunday, I have fielded a few questions and emails about it and what I think of it. Today, I am coming out of the iPad closet. Now that I have been using it for a few weeks, I thought I would share a review (been asked to by several folks now).
I am reading a book right now entitled "Stuff Christians Like". HILARIOUS is an understatement. If you need a good laugh, and are able to laugh at yourself, I recommend you read this one.
It tells of a radio station in Atlanta, called V103, the “People’s Station.” It’s a hip hop station that plays mostly Rap and R&B. The best part of V103 is their morning show. Everyday they do what they call an “Inspirational Vitamin.” They read a Bible verse and play a gospel song or a clip by a minister from Atlanta. The thing that is most interesting is how they wedge the Inspirational Vitamin into their normal programming.
What often happens is that right before they transition to the spiritual segment of the show they play some sort of booty song. Let’s say, at 6:25am they play “I’m 'n luv (wit a stripper).” Then they do the Bible segment and then they go right back to Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" at 6:35am . They essentially bookend the Inspirational Vitamin with booty-- following a fairly simple formula – Booty, God, Booty.
It’s easy to laugh at how insincere that Inspirational Vitamin seems to be when it’s sandwiched between 2 rap songs, but to do so could miss a bigger point. Maybe it is quite similar to what God hears when he is listening to the broadcast of our day:
Saturday night, out on the town. God is at home babysitting my stuff.
Sunday morning, back with God. We're tight. We're praying. We're BFF's!
Monday, back to work. God's in the car. Where I left my Bible.
It might not be as graphic or as neon, but the juxtaposition between who I am when I'm in "God Mode" and when I'm not is pretty substantial. Next time you transition between two parts of your day, ask yourself...did I just "Booty, God, Booty"?
How's that for an inspirational vitamin?
Lover & follower of Jesus, devoted to my wife Tricia & my kids, Davis, Lily & Graceson, serving & living in Africa as a man on mission for the Kingdom of God.
