Good Times

Recently I had the privilege to go to my 20 year high school class reunion. It was a blast! Seeing people that I have not seen in 20 years was amazing. It was kinda weird to hear of stories of people that I have known since elementary school with children. As a sign of growth – I had a chance to talk about life to people mere acquaintances in high school but now who are my peer’s in life and also, in some cases, my brother’s and sisters in Jesus.

It was completely amazing to hear the stories of people who have had the most amazing experiences in life. Some have seen the world, others survived death of a loved one, still other’s are cancer survivors, and most are in the adventure of raising a family. It was refreshing to me to put life on the shelf for a brief moment and to reminisce about childhood. It reminded me of Peter Pan’s Neverland. We had a chance to reflect on the memories of high school through the eyes of an adult. Now some of these memories were good and some bad – but they did have a part to play the mother’s, father’s, and adults that went to the reunion.

We also had a chance to remember those who are no longer with us. In high school we could not imagine any of our classmates entering into eternity, but several did. Like other classmates, our hearts had a moment to grieve the loss of our friends, wishing they were there with us at that banquet hall on M-59 and Milford Road.

The most encouraging aspect of the whole night was not seeing all our childhood friends but to hear their stories. To hear that they are pursuing their passions in life; coming to the understanding that nothing stood in the way of us as we pursued and continue to strive after what we are meant to do in life. Some of us are business owners, others are chefs, some teachers, others professors, some have the unique privilege to shape their children as stay at home parents, and some of us living out our Divine Calling in full time service to Jesus Christ. Whatever it was – we are not just in jobs to put food on the table, we are living life and reaching into the future with the heart and talents that our creator has given us.

Till next time Milford High School Redskins Class of 1989…

Journey

As I continue to think and discuss vision at Grace Church, I have come to the realization that vision is not the destination but the actual journey. Now, when I talk about vision I am talking about God’s desired future for His creation. This includes you and me as individuals and also us together as a community of faith.

I was reminded about this journey of vision when I had a chance to watch sailboats coming in and going out on Lake Michigan last week. As the boats where going out they were using their engines to go through the channel leading to the lake and when they hit the open waters, the engines were cut, the sails were tightened and then they moved by the power of the wind.

As the boats were coming in, they were filled with people. Most of which had smiles on their faces. They enjoyed their trip or journey – they had fun! Now, this is how I see vision is similar –

1. The wind is the Lord and there will be a time when we cut our engines and allow the Lord to lead us where He desires us to go.
2. The people on the boat is you and me. This is also the ministries of Grace Church. We are in the boat together being driven by the winds of the Holy Spirit. There is not one of us in a dingy of another boat – we are all in the same boat.
3. We should be enjoying the ride the Lord is taking us on. It should bring joy to our heart and a smile on our face. Knowing that He is Lord over His creation!

So, the next time you see a sail boat remember – God has a vision for you and there will come a time when you need to cut the engines and allow to be led by the Lord. When you do, it will bring you so much joy and excitement in life knowing that you are right where the Lord wants you to be at – enjoying the journey toward His desired future for us.

Vision

I am intrigued with this concept of vision. It is the difference between the status quo and excellence! For company that has a clear vision- they are focus and growing. For the company who does not have a clear vision – they muddle in mediocrity.

I was reminded of this during the Today Show this morning (July 13, 2009). They featured a company who’s vision was clear – “to caffeinated the world.” This company is the largest fast food chain in Canada surpassing McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s. This company is also the fasted growing fast food chain in the United States right now. I am speaking of Tim Hotons. In the 60’s Tim Horton was a Canadian hockey player who started this restaurant with this simple vision. He died in 1974, but the expansion of his vision continues in 2008. That is the power of vision!

Now translate this to a community of faith – a church. Vision is elusive in most churches in North America in the 21st Century. You can tell what churches that do have it. Look at the list to the right – these churches have vision and they stand out above the rest of the churches in this country. Sadly, most churches would rather remain in the status quo because this is a safe place to be. Frankly, churches need to be safe places they do not need to play it safe. Ironically, churches that play it safe are not really the safest places to be for a hurting world. Huge difference but definitely a defining mark in the life of a church.

This is also hitting a mark for me as I start to lead Grace Church in the vision process. My prayer is for wisdom and also that we continue to lean into excellence and that we stand out as we make a difference in the Downriver Community and beyond. God is up to something amazing – I am privileged to be a part of it. BTW – I write this while drinking an extra large, double cream, best coffee in the world. I am being Caffeinated, now lets have a vision to share Jesus.

Michael Jackson

OK – I can’t resist this. This has been in the media for a couple of weeks now. Jocko is all over the place. I will add that I have not really been a fan or am a fan. I am the product of the 80’s hair bands so Michael Jackson has really never appealed to me. But there is one thing that really rubbed my yesterday (the day of his memorial service).

On the local Christian radio station, the afternoon host took the opportunity to share his feelings about Michael Jackson negative side of his life. Now I did not necessarily disagree with the radio person, I just thought it was inappropriate and the timing was done horrible! This host even wanted his listeners to debate a youtube posing by a certain congressman. His question was whether or not this congressman was wrong or right or that his timing was on or off. After listening for about a half hour and then the radio host introducing the next segment of debate of this congressman – I turn the radio station. I thought the whole conversation was not appropriate for the day and was a 100% poor witness to somebody is a fan who happened to be surfing the radio and came across this conversation.

Here is the deal. If the radio host would have said, “there is so much surrounding the life and death of Michael Jackson that I do want to discuss. But for today, we are going talk about other issues and pick this conversation up tomorrow. We are doing this out of respect of the Jackson family on this day that they are laying their father, son, and brother to rest.” Then this radio host would have earned my respect and I would have tuned in and listened to the conversation. But instead he chose to discuss and debate the controversial issues surrounding Michael Jackson on the day that the Jackson family was burring him, has left me to lose respect for this leader in the Detroit Christian community. Now I do not know if he pressed the issue even more after I tuned out or not. I just thought that this was not good timing.

I am also not naive to think that he was the only radio or TV personality talking and debating the negative aspects of Michael Jackson on the day of his burial. I just think it was inappropriate for the day. I reinforce the fact that I am really not a fan – never have been and probably never will be. But I am respectful to families that are mourning a loss of some sort.

Bottom line and I will not talk about this anymore and this applicable to all of us. No matter how talented Michael Jackson was and how much good he did for the world or how much sin he needed forgiveness for – if Michael Jackson did repent and bow his heart and life to the leadership or Lordship of Jesus Christ, then he is not eternally separated from God the Father and Jesus Christ. But if he did not do these things while here on this earth, sorry to say this, but he is eternally separated from the Creator of the Universe. That’s the bottom line not only for Michael Jackson, but also for each of us to. Where are you spending eternity?