Memorial Day

Andy Rooney remembers (after a brief commercial).

Facing the Giants

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life has taken his gifts of strategic thinking and communication to the next level. When I read his first book, The Purpose Driven Church, years ago I thought to myself, "This is so simple, why hasn't anyone else written this book?" The book truly added no new information to the existing studies of church growth, but what it did do was take the information and made it simple, practical, and doable. Likewise, he is the first to admit that the information in his mega-bestselling book The Purpose Driven Life was nothing new, yet he was able to put the information in a way that it sold more copies than nearly any other book in history.

The genius of Rick Warren is his ability to take complex problems and abstract ideas and turn them into simple and measurable action plans. This is why Riverside is embracing his vision of The P.E.A.C.E. Plan to combat the five Global Giants of our world. And, yes, we do believe it is the church's responsibility to address the giants of Spiritual Emptiness, Self-Serving Leadership, Extreme Poverty, Pandemic Disease and Rampant Illiteracy. To think that it is government's job alone to deal with these ills and the church's job is only to care about "saving souls for heaven" is to forget that Jesus healed a lot of sick people, comforted the poor and afflicted, exposed injustices, and provoked the wealthy and powerful to have compassion for the weak and helpless.

Anyone who gains such visibility and is audacious enough to create such a plan is going to be the target of criticism, and Rick Warren gets more than his share of that. But I am glad that he is using his gifts to help our generation of Christians and churches face these global giants as God enables us.

Tell me, what do you think of the P.E.A.C.E. plan?

Affluenza

This has been a record breaking year for people who have been infected with influenza. But there is another virus sweeping the country that is even more dangerous than the flu. Please read the following article to find out if you are suffering from affluenza.

"It's not your typical virus, but rather a highly contagious disease of epidemic overconsumption, and the symptoms include compulsive shopping, high debt, overwork, inability to delay gratification, a sense of entitlement, obsession with externals and "having it all," wastefulness, and stress. The disease is called afflueza... (click here to read the rest of this excellent article).

Michael Dungan is a Christian financial planner who wrote the book, "Prodigal Sons and & Material Girls: How Not to Be Your Child's ATM." He helps people to "do" money in ways that honor their values. His simple philosophy of "share, save, spend" helps adults and their children find the antidote to hyper-consumption. Here is another brief article from Physicians Money Digest that does a good job of putting Dungan's ideas into practical advice for someone suffering from affluenza. Read especially the information at the end of the article.

Jesus said where our treasure is our hearts will follow. He also said we cannot serve both God and Money. Is it possible to be a sincere Christian if one is infected with "affluenza?" Do you think it could ever be labeled a true "disease"?

Tell me what you think.

Real Financial Heroes

Sometimes humor gets the message across better than the direct approach. I laughed out loud at these videos - especially the second one! Thanks, Libby.

It all goes back in the box?

It all goes back in the box. But where does the box come from, and where does it end up?

In response to the man who asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance, Jesus warned the man to, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." (Luke 12.15) Then Jesus went on to tell the story about the landowner who built bigger and bigger barns only to discover that his dream of a luxurious retirement was cut short. The point of the story, according to Jesus, was this is how it is for those who store up things for themselves but are not rich toward God.

Do we have enough stuff? How much is enough? Is there never any end to this rat race? Do you ever wonder how we get all our stuff and where it ends up? And, why does it seem we have to keep buying more and more? The image below is a link to an interesting website that has been getting a lot of play. The brief film on the website is simplistic, but it will provoke you to think about the consequences of our consumer culture in a global economy.

He's Baaaak!

Beginning this Sunday we are starting a six-week series called, "Slaying the Monster of More." Four years ago we addressed this topic, but the monster is wreaking havoc more than ever. While we go through this series I intend to use this blog to dive deeper into the issues with those who are interested.

Pass this on to your friends and invite them to come with you. Here are a couple teaser videos.

Luke Twenty-Four, final reading.

Here we are on the last day of Lent and the last journal entry from the Gospel of Luke. I hope it has been a good exercise for you. I am curious about how effective this has been so I added a couple survey questions on the right. Many of you have not been commenting within the blog entries but you've been reading along. Would you please take a minute and answer the questions for me?

Now that we've completed the Luke journal, I hope to expand the nature and subject matter of this blog so we can keep the conversation going. Thanks for all of you who had added your comments along the way. Traci, you get the prize for being the most consistent commenter. We've enjoyed your emotion and honesty. I hope to hear from more of you as I try to spark greater conversation in the future entries.

Reading: Luke 24.36-53

Scriptures: Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." - Luke 24.45-49

Observations: Jesus' final words launched his followers into their future. He gave them their core mission and the message that was to be preached. But his words included a promise too. Jesus was not going to send them into the future alone, they were to receive power from on high for the task before them, and they were to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the promised Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts picks up where the Gospel of Luke ends. Luke's sequel takes the story from Jerusalem to the corners of the Roman Empire.

Apply: Luke's story of Jesus that began with an angel's visit to the young virgin mother ends with him ascending into heaven after promising to send the Holy Spirit to his followers. But truly, it was not the end at all. The story of Jesus is still a living story that is continuing to be written though the actions of his followers, who are His presence on earth today.

So I ask myself: How am I adding to His story? Where will I take Jesus that he has yet to go? Am I continuing to be open to the Holy Spirit's presence and power for the mission he has for my life?

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for fulfilling the mission the Father had for you. And thank you for those who came after you and fulfilled the mission you had for them. As you were sent, so you sent your followers. Now I understand that the baton has been passed to my generation. May I carry it in a way that accurately reflects your grace and displays your sacrificial love for this broken world.