The Good News in Cleveland

When the rubber meets the road, the Christian will do everything to remain in control. Trusting God is great and all, as long as it means I don't have to stop relying on myself! In one week, I learned about my need for a dental operation beyond my budget, all that I owe the IRS for self-employment (even though I live below the poverty line), and that my computer with every sermon note, recording, PowerPoint, and graphic design has been lost in a “catastrophic hard drive failure,” as the repairmen called it. I won’t bore this record with the other miscellaneous mini-crises. I write this down, not mainly to complain, embarrass myself, or insinuate that I am underpaid by the Boss. I write this as the words from a Christian mentor creep into my mind. He recently asked me about identity; these were timely remarks. I paraphrase: "If you were to take away everything by which you identify yourself - that you're an American, a minister, well-educated, employed, somewhat urban, etc....

I want to give a shout out Ronald! I have known him for nearly my entire time in Cleveland. He has shown undeniable spiritual growth and faithfulness in following Jesus; the dude has not missed church or discipleship for probably two years. A big moment in his story came this past week as he was interviewed and hired to work at Camp Patmos, his first official job. Ronald is leading by setting an example for other teens within the church. He'd be the first to admit that he has a long way to go, but I am proud of Ronald's willingness and teachability as we figure out what it looks like to be a young man in Cleveland who follows Jesus.

Pastor Ken is teaching about Joseph at the Winton Manor. The telling of these stories may have become rote in churches, but residents at the Winton are hearing it for the first time. On Tuesday, one lady interjected, "I guess blood is not thicker that water or money in that family... They sold their own brother into slavery?" When Pastor Ken concurred, this woman was raw and real in her assertion: "That's bull..." Albeit unorthodox, it was a light bulb moment. Pastor Ken added, "And you know what? Later, when Joseph had the opportunity to really make them pay, he forgave his brothers." The lady was shocked, and the room was at unrest. Clearly God must have done a serious work in Joseph because the natural man could never forgive such an offense. This astonishes our culture because, without Jesus, we have a lot more in common with the brothers than with Joseph. Our great need of forgiveness must be met before we can extend great forgiveness to others. T...

It's been a strange past few weeks for the ministry. Ten of our teens have relocated out of the neighborhood because they felt threatened. This is somewhat discouraging because many of these were being discipled and growing spiritually. They had been there since we began reaching into Detroit-Shoreway in summer 2016, and several of our Shoreway ministries were designed to minister to them. For the first time since it began, Man Time was looking bleak. It was a good time hanging out with Ronald, now 19-years old and applying to work at Camp Patmos; he's grown up with us ever since we met him downtown years ago. It was just him, me, and Jesse today. I came back to the church after driving Ronald home to the east side and bumped into a kid that I'd only recently met. We ended up talking and hooping for an our an a half! I was thankful to have that window of time open which would not have been so had Man Time been better attended. Afterwards, I went home to find a separate ye...

Jesus gave everything to the glory of God alone. Reformers defined such a purpose with the mantra "Soli Deo gloria." Jesus was perfect, yet people hated Him. Those who should have loved Him turned against Him and away from Him. He was on a mission and did not get sidetracked by peripheral resistance. Jesus seems to confront sin and be silent otherwise in the face of His opposition. He doesn’t seem to be a big complainer, gossiper, or worrier! He views everything in light of the will of His Father; nothing he does strays from His commitment to glorify the Father. It gives me needed peace to know that my life mission as an imitator of Jesus is soli Deo gloria. I must remember this to dismiss renegade thoughts such as “I wonder what she is saying about me” and “I don’t think he likes me.” It simplifies, clarifies, mobilizes. Soli Deo gloria means that I’m giving the best I can to bring Him glory. The thought and prayer of it helps me to work hard, to fight through difficul...

It's better to do a few things highly effectively than "survive" an over-committed schedule. We've made 2018 the year to streamline. Jesus is made known when we are marked by life and purpose rather than a perpetuated crisis mode. Life and purpose rightly point people to the One who has overcome the world. I am learning to set boundaries and say "no" - even to several good things - so that the things that I have been called to do might be done effectively: Worship leading (Shoreway or downtown weekly and Faith weekly) Preaching & teaching (Shoreway every other week, downtown every other month, & second hour every week) Discipleship/mentorship relationships (including appointments Tuesdays & Thursdays) Man Time (and for my wife, Girls' Night) "Yes" is easily and often said, in ministry or otherwise. I've got worship nights, City Life clubs, social events, and at an unfortunate distance, friends - not to mention gainful e...

I'm growing familiar with one the greatest weaknesses of our society, especially in its next generation: entitlement. It's the idea that we indisputably deserve something we didn't earn. Not only does it produce weak families, plunging motivation levels, dim futures, etc., entitlement has emerged as a major barrier to belief and sanctification because it runs in direct contrast to the gospel. The Bible says that we only deserve the death we did earn, but Jesus came to give us something didn't deserve. The only thing we're entitled to is death (Romans 6:23). Entitlement shackles us from understanding and embracing grace (getting something we don't deserve, Jesus' perfect life and death in our place) and the gratitude living which follows. That's what makes the Jesus follower different; he or she is marked by gratitude rather than entitlement! This was our message at our Shoreway Thankstaking, an event for our teens and their families in early December. It...