Since When Did This Become "The American Way"

We have become a nation of whiners!!! When did it become American to complain about everything and do nothing to change it? Let me offer a few observations:

1. The NEW Facebook. OMG, the complaints about that. The "I Hate the New Facebook" groups and the "Bring Back the Old Facebook" groups...Pa-Lease! You don't like it? I see a few options: 1.) shut up. 2.) don't use it. 3.) launch your own version of social networking.

2. The government. Here we go again...can't seem to find anybody that voted for Obama. The "stimulus" package is less than stimulating. Whaddya expect?! I see a few options: 1.) shut up. 2.) vote the bums out. 3.) move, like to a "better" country.

3. The church. (ruh-roh, is this where I offend?!) We grumble about the church...does too much of this and not enough of that. The messages are too long or too deep or too shallow or too boring. We don't do enough outreach or we don't take care of those who are already here. We don't do enough of this and that or when you do this and that, it doesn't fit my schedule. Hey, we're not in a perfect world! I see a few options: 1.) shut up. 2.) work to change it and do your part. 3.) start your own "perfect" church.

This concludes my whining for the day. Thanks for listening!

Dear Contact First Name,

So I gets this email today that starts out: "Dear contact first name..." How personal! I know I want to respond to this right away!

Which reminds me of the message series we're in at Cornerstone called "Where Everybody Knows Your Name." That's the kind of church we want to be. I believe that the days of the megachurch are over and that the next generation is going to be earnestly seeking to belong in a true sense of community. And that is our vision for Cornerstone.

But we live in a world where this isn't always the case. I went to a small college, worked for a small manufacturing company, prefer pastoring a "smaller" church, have a small amount of hair and even a smaller brain. I guess I just value small. It is in the smaller more communal settings where I never have to be addressed as "contact first name..."

Oh yeah, and if you're wondering. That picture has nothing to do with my blog.

Blabbermouth!

OK...guilty as charged. I talk. I like to talk. I talk a lot! But I think I know why...because that is how I think! I can't think by myself. My brain has this thingy in it that disconnects it unless my mouth is moving and I'm listening to somebody and I'm doing something all at the same time.

So you may say I'm weird. Go ahead, I'll wait.




But the point isn't how we think, but THAT we think. My hope is that with a great wife, some great friends, a great staff, some great leadership, and an awesome God, that I'm able to do some awesome thinking. And I hope and trust that there is fruit from those thoughts!

Just When I Needed You Most...

I love that song. Makes me cry every time, and I love to cry! I'm a lachrymaniac! Anywho, I got a call this morning from an old friend. I haven't talked to her in a long time...maybe a year or two. She's in trouble. She has just spiraled in the last while...drinking, arrests, got fired from her jobs...she has hit bottom.

Why she called me, I'm not sure. But she said that she basically has nobody left. All of her recent friends are a bad influence and she needs to end those relationships. All of her old friendships, her Christian ones, are gone. Now she is alone.

So I shared with her one of my favorite stories from the Bible...Mark 2:1-6. The bottom line is that she is paralyzed. She knows she needs to get to Jesus, but is too paralyzed to get there. She needs friends on the corners of her mat to carry her there...at any cost. I want to be one of those friends...

Christians brothers and sisters, Jesus never, ever leaves us. Never. For any reason. He never gives up. So why do we sometimes give up on people just when they need us most? Not that they really need us, but they may need us to carry them to Jesus feet...

I'm SO busy!

OK...reality check. If you're blogging about how busy you are, you're not that busy. If you're updating your facebook status to say that you have SO much to do or whatever, you obviously don't.

A wise man (namely me!) once said if you're truly busy, you're too busy to update your facebook status about how busy you are.

Now I gotta go because I have SO much to do...

To tell you the truth...

Why do we use that expression? It's almost as if we are admitting that we don't tell the truth, which probably isn't far from the truth. I am just astounded at how much we (and by we, I unfortunately mean "Christians") lie. I was at a conference last week where the presenter was giving illustrations to make his point. He was talking about one of the churches he had served early in his career, before he had become a famous author. My friend had his book and was comparing the "facts" given in the book to the "facts" he was sharing in the story. Um, not even close.

And it isn't just at some conference in some far away land, it hits home right here at Cornerstone. Lies and untruths abound in our casual conversations, let alone when we're under stress. I have really been convicted of just how much this is a problem in our lives.

Tonight, the people called Cornerstone will gather for a time of prayer. I'm claiming the words of Psalm 139:23-24...that God would search our hearts and remove the unclean from us...especially the lies and deceit. I'm praying that He replaces is with truth, His truth, truth who has a name, Jesus.

"After Me"

So I'm driving back from the gym this morning and I come to this four way stop sign. Some dude in a luxury car seems to think that he got there first even though I was the clear winner in the race. As I pulled out in front of him, I said loudly "after me, bub."

And then it happened...you know, conviction? God says "Brett, since when is it about you?" I find myself using and I and me statements a lot, and yet God said that the greatest of all shall be the servant. I should have let the guy go, my turn or not. I should be placing the needs of others above my own, but I don't always. Lord, thank you for your forgiveness and thanks for your conviction. May I use it for your glory!!!

Back by Popular Demand!!!

Wow..somebody anonymously asked me to blog, so away I go.


First, happy Ash Wednesday (I think....)

Second, I'm going to North Carolina for a few days for a conference. I'll be back Saturday night so I'll be preaching Sunday. Sorry. My message is:

Third, I love winter but please pray for Spring. I want to ride my bike. I did get accepted into the very first round of motorcycle safety school so I'll be able to get my license by early April! Then no more permit restrictions. Woohoo!

See You in Kilt

So I have this Blackberry with a modified QWERTY keyboard. (Mom: don't even ask, you'll never understand.) So I'm texting or emailing somebody and they say when is the mission trip this year? I TRY to respond "July." Seems simple, right? I mean that's why we have these things like Blackberrys, right? To make life simpler and better and happier an' 'at? Oh, but no! My QWERTY keyboard brings up Kilt as the first option. Now c'mon. How often do you use Kilt in a sentence?!? Can't we make July the first choice in the line of possible options?

I'm telling you, as soon as I redesign those rear seatbelts in my parents' '77 Impala, then redesign my lamppost cover so I don't lose the screws in the @%&*$*!! flowerbed when I replace the bulb, THEN I'm fixing this QWERTY quirk.

As they say in my family..."Why must I be tested?!"

Unfacebooked

I just "unfriended" a facebook friend. For those of you still stuck in the dark ages (of last year) (read: MOM), facebook is a free "social networking" website that allows people to interact. It's kinda like being at a party online. You can "talk" to people, share photos or play silly party games. You can also choose who you want to be in your online party by making them your facebook "friend."

So today, I uninvited someone. I guess you could say I asked him to leave my party. Why? Because he is just so arrogant. He is forever talking about himself and has all the answers. The real "know-it-all" type. Drive me CRAZY!!!

So then I think, what about me? Maybe his arrogance is so annoying to me because it reminds me of my own? I hope not. And if I am, then Lord I am asking you to take that from me and replace it with only you. May I become less so that you can become more. May "my party" be about you.

Steeler Mania!

I was watching the game and I am sitting there with a blood pressure reading of roughly 800/500 and I'm wondering WHY? Why do I care so much? It's only a game! What difference does it all make? And yet, I'm so psyched I could barely sleep Sunday night. It is unbelievable how we get caught up in the energy of it all. At any rate, congrats to the Stillers and Lord, might my passion for you be as captivating and contagious!

"Shop Supplies"

So I takes my car to the garage to fix the windshield washers. They're not working. If you live in or near Picksburgh you know how mucho importante it is to have such a luxury on a vehicle. Well the first time I take it in, they "fix" it by heating the nozzles with a hair dryer to thaw them. And they charge me like $88 dollars. Thanks, but coulda done it without you. So a few days later I take it back and have them replace the pump and motor like I told them in the first place. Then they charge me like $123.

Now that's not the issue. It's that little part of the bill that says "shop supplies" and they tack on $5 or $10 to it. I don't have an issue with them having to buy supplies for the shop, JUST INCREASE YOUR HOURLY LABOR RATE!!!!!! Why charge me $65 per hour for the "labor rate" and then what essentially amounts to another $5 per hour "shop supplies"? I have an idea. Just charge me $70 per hour.

It's like the lawn mowing service a previous church I was at contracted with. They charged a certain amount to "mow the lawn" and then an additional "gas surcharge." I'm sorry, but that just gives me gas. Just charge me more to "mow the lawn," enough to cover your "gas" expenses. OK? Thanks...it will certainly make my life more pleasant and, well, I'll just think you're more honest!

While You Were Sleeping...

To be honest, I felt like our congregation was asleep yesterday. I've been feeling like the church has been in a general state of malaise and unsure what to do about it. So I've been listening to this song by Casting Crowns called "While You Were Sleeping." It draws the parallels around how Bethlehem was asleep when Jesus was born, Jerusalem was asleep when Jesus was crucified, and we're asleep for His return. In Romans 12:11, God implores us to never lack in our spiritual zeal but develop our fervor for Him through patience, joyful faith, prayer, and service to Him. In this week while Pittsburgh prepares to celebrate its 6th Super Bowl victory, zeal and fervor are not in scarce commodity. So how is it that our spiritual fervor is? Anyone care to weigh in? How can we shed this and come alive in Jesus?!?!

"A Little Good News"

You know I always have at least one song stuck in my head. Lately, it's been Anne Murray's "A Little Good News." You prolly know the song about how she is sick and tired of bad news and stuff. Anywho, I love the song and the message. Last week, America found a new, true hero. The pilot of the "Miracle on the Hudson" is truly a hero. Your average American Joe just doing his job and not looking for glory or cash does a great thing. That rocks. This is the kind of person we need to be holding up to our nation's young people! Thanks Sulley for bringing this nation a little good news for a change. And yes, Mr. News Media, you can keep talking about it all you want...I promise I'll never get tired of that story!

Who Cares?

So I'm mostly on facebook now which is why I don't post here much. But I am finding it to be somewhat annoying that people use their facebook status to garner sympathy. Saying things like "my life sucks" and putting it all out there for the world to see is questionable. And I began thinking about why we do this.

I have come to the conclusion that it is because people really don't care much about anything or anybody other than themselves. So we resort to almost psychotic methods to gather attention or to coerce people into "caring" about us. I had a phone conversation not too long ago where somebody called "to see how I was doing" but it became apparent during the conversation that they really did not care. They were calling out of obligation perhaps, or guilt. I'm not sure. But when I began to open up about myself and my life, there was a clear shutting down on the other end. When these things happen, we resort to saying "why me" on our facebook status.

Well, God cares. I know He does. And He has called us to care. So I'm praying for the strength to take a greater interest in those God has put into my life and less worried about my self. Because I know He is!

Results!

So I was having lunch yesterday with a few friends who are in ministry in their own right, albeit not pastoral ministry. We were talking about the frustrations of not seeing results. I've said this before, but it is foundational to who I am: I love to work with my hands. I believe the reason is because I love to see results. I like to be able to step back and see what I've accomplished. Now in ministry, that is not always very tangible or attainable, and it can be very frustrating. It is not that I don't see results from my life's calling, it is just that those results are not as obvious as if I clean up the garage!

Now maybe the problem here is that I've relegated ministry to things that are too far removed from direct, life-transforming activities with people. Maybe this whole idea of "the church" leads to a false sense of godliness when in reality God desires not a "church" but people who are radically changed. I'm pretty sure that Jesus was able to put His head on the pillow (read: stone!) at night and tangibly enumerate His results for the day.

What say you?

Happy New Year!

May 2009 be filled with more of Him and less of us!

New Years Resolutions

I've been thinking about my New Years resolutions and I decided to post them here so you can hold me accountable!

1. Gain and maintain 25 pounds.

2. Raise my cholesterol 30 points.

3. Exercise less.

4. Pray and read the Bible less.

5. Complain more.

6. Spend less time with Carla.

There you are. This year, for once, I know I can keep these!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I'm thankful to God for each of you!

False gods

Well America, it has happened. I'm not sure why we haven't listened. He made it pretty clear...that His desire is to be first and foremost...that He is the one, true God. But we didn't listen. We slowly, like sheep, have gone astray. And we have put our trust in a false god, which, true to God's words has let us down.

What false god, you ask? Money. We have always kinda known, but we ignored the warnings. Now everything that we thought would bring us happiness and security is flittering away by the day. Our 401k's are dwindling, jobs are evaporating, savings are disappearing, and we wonder where our god has gone.

Welp, I have great news. We have a God who is real, who never changes, and who is forever faithful. He will never leave us, and He'll never forsake us. He is here for us..in this life and in the life to come. He desires to walk with us and give us true peace, hope, love, and security.

So church, c'mon now. Let's wake up and share a secret we have kept hidden for too long, except to ourselves. We know the one, true God!!!

Facebook Killed the Blogging Star

I have been thinking about a post by this title for some time now. The truth of the matter is, I have been thinking about it ever since Chris Kindle told me he was going to blog about this and I stole his idea! I have been on facebook for sometime now and I must admit that my blogging contributions have waned considerably since that time. There are so few precious moments available each day to mindless and pointless internet interaction, and facebook just seems to be even more mindless and pointless than blogging! So, I spend most of my creative energies there. Don't fret if you're not a facebooker, however. You know how us guys are...we get bored of things very quickly. And it just may be that when I tire of facebook, I'll be back here more frequently!

In Uncertain Times...

Remember Hebrews 13:8!!!

stress

How do you handle it? Carla and I, both for different reasons, have been under some stress lately. We have been talking together about how to, and not to, handle stress. We both long to just "let go and let God." But that is so much easier said than done. How do you just give it over to Him and get some sleep? How do you "cast your cares on Him" and walk by faith? Those are not rhetorical questions! Whaddya think?

Please help our outreach effort!

Carla and I have decided to reach out to help the Davidson family. They are really struggling with some family issues and so we've been looking for ways to help them out. After a lot of deep thought and prayer, we have decided to adopt one of the kids. They probably won't be moving in with us until January, but we've been working diligently to set up their own room in our garage. We are very excited, and we appreciate any financial help you might want to give to help us help the poor Davidson family. For the sake of anonymity, we won't share the first name here but it starts with an "H." Thanks for helping. We'll be sure to make certain that the money is only used to help this Davidson child in need. Below is a picture...please put this need on your fridge to remind you and you may make any contributions payable directly to us. Thank you.

Can I brag?

Our senior high student ministry, known as J-Walkers (Jesus-walkers...get it?) is making me mighty proud. For the past few years, our kids have been sitting around sharing in Bible studies and stuff about how to live a faithful Christian life. But we realized how selfish we were being...it became all about us.

So this year, we stepped out and decided that our youth ministry would consist of ministry to others. So every other Sunday afternoon, we load up and head to the streets of Beaver Falls to pick up trash, hang out with whomever we meet, serve a meal with the Salvation Army, and just love on people.

We have 12 of our high school students involved...which is almost all the high school students we have! You would think that young people wouldn't give up their snacks and games and comfort for this, but they have...BIG TIME. I am SO proud of them, and of their parents. This truly is Kingdom living...J-Walking, as it were. And as Jesus brother put it: "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."

That's IT! We're Changing Our Name!!!!

I have decided, after much thought and prayer of course, that Cornerstone Church is changing our name. We are now....drumroll please....

CORNERSTONE CHURCH 3100!

I got this inspiration from the toilet paper dispenser in Panera's restroom.

This is the GP "Never Out 3000". The name caught my eye because it has a number after it...a big number! This must be one incredible toilet paper dispenser.

So I thought, hey, that's it! Name our church with a big number! Cornerstone 3100!!! I'll keep you posted on how new marketing approach works, but I have big hopes!

See, I am doing a new thing!

God, in Isaiah 43:18-19: "Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

He is always about doing new things. So it stands to reason that if we are His people, we should be all about doing new things! The question is how. A friend of mine attended the Catalyst event in Atlanta last week. He came home charged up and ready to lead forward. He is 20 years old, and he told me that Andy Stanley said that the new generation must lead the new generation forward. He also told me that he realized that his next 10 years or so would be his most productive for the kingdom and he didn't want to waste it. Now Andy Stanley is 50 years old, and I am 43. If what Andy says is true, perhaps Andy and I need to step aside so that the next generation can step in. And I'm serious.

In our denomination, United Methodism, we value age and experience. Now, we value that all-the-while seeing that our youngest pastors are generally doing the most kingdom-influencing work. That effectiveness wanes with age. For real. So when are we going to step aside to let the younger generation lead?

I have always prayed about what God has in store for me next. My friend's comments have really forced me to pray about that afresh and anew. What about you?

I gotsta do stuff with my hands...

You know, I'm increasingly realizing how important it is for me to be able to work with my hands. I'm not very much of a thinker unless I'm doing something at the same time. Yesterday, I was just beat tired. I went home early and did some reading, took a little nap, and continued looking at our candidates for the Director of Operations. But it wasn't long before I was climbing the walls. I went out and changed the oil in both cars, mowed the lawn, redd up the garage (ode to Pittsburgh), and tore the bathroom sink drain apart and cleaned it so that it would drain properly. Then, and only then, did I feel refreshed. Then did I feel like I was able to think straight again. I guess I'm a just a hopeless kinesthetic!!!!

Monday, Monday

Is it just me? I hope so...I have the Monday blues. Last week was a pretty exhausting week, and although I had Saturday off, I am starting this week off in the doldrums. I need to spend some time at the foot of the cross today, and I need to allow the joy of the Lord to be my strength.