Our arrival into town looked more like a carnival caravan than the arrival of the parson. This is the actual photo of the day our “things” arrived. A friend called to warn that the Conestoga Wagon, followed by a parade of clucking chickens, tired children and our loyal dog Jack (a striking resemblance to Old Yeller) was a little too ‘country’ to go unnoticed in the Big City. I was embarrassed. Though I still occasionally take the wagon out for a spin, things have changed.

We began our first days by asking the question, “How do we…” “How do we get to church?” “How do we get to our home?” “How do I get off of 465?” “How do we…?”

One year into our time together, we are now asking the same question as a church, “How do we reach and disciple 10,000?” How can we live a missional life to impact lives here and around the world? How will we live out our faith so that the verse found in Revelation rings true:

“After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands.” Revelation 7:9

Join me as we ask this question, “How do we?”

Sunday’s big idea: Reconciliation with your heavenly father should result in reconciliation with your earthly father. Taken from the life of Jacob, he was reconciled with God at Bethel and then further at Peniel in Genesis 28 and 32.

Esau and Jacob were also reconciled with their father at Hebron, Genesis 35:27, as they returned to the ancestral burial place. My prayer is that you will be reconciled to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. I also hope that this reconciliation would also lead to healing between sons and fathers.

I shared this video on Sunday. It was taken at my father’s grave. I spent most of my life estranged from my alcoholic father, but by God’s grace I was able to reconcile with him. Praise the Lord.

A full day of ministry was topped off with a full night of NBA playoff basketball, and yes it all happened in Indianapolis.  All the fans at last night’s game were given a Pacer’s shirt, “Gold Swagger.”  I was glad to wear the shirt and I might even have been hip enough to know what the message meant–buy gold, right?

Seventeen thousand fans and all wearing the yellow color of the Pacers, all except the team, who wore white. There were also a few Heat Fans that were as welcome as Patriot fans or as Jehovah Witnesses at the Southern Baptist Convention.  All together with one message and one purpose–win.

I will avoid the obvious application of unity nor will I suggest that each worshipper on Sunday be given a shirt with the message, “Northside swagger.”  Really!?  My only real point is to be reminded that I’m thankful to be called to this city.  Thankful. “I will give you thanks with all my heart, ” Psalm 138:1.

Leigh Anne and I were talking just this week of how grateful we are to be in Indianapolis and to be serving at Northside.  Now as I near my word count goal of 200, don’t worry I will not be wearing my “swagger” shirt on Sunday, but I hope to see you there!!

Good night,

Go Pacers,

Yeah God!

I couldn’t resist commenting on this church sign. I understood the meaning, as I was listening to my Christian station on the way to LifeWay to order the latest book from Holman Publishers, “How to confuse and insult your community with church signs!”   If I were pre-Christian what message does this sign convey to me?  Is this sign encouraging proper protection from the sun’s harmful rays?  We have had some really warm-to-hot days with UV rays having their raisin-like effect on our epidermis.  There is the hint of bad news of some nature.  Should I be concerned that they misspelled “sun?”

Our language and words often are directed toward a church culture all the while we live in a post-Christian, pagan culture.  My vocabulary is filled with words like “born again,” “fellowship,” “lost,” “Hey, fella you just ran a red light.”  I might as well be speaking Klingon to my neighbors.  My words, our words, like the church signs that are sparsely scattered across our city, confuse more than guide.

The gospel is simple and direct and wonderful.  Our words, my words should be selected with the hearer in mind.

 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. ” John 3:16-17 (HCSB)

is a rare but not completely extinct question from my daughters.  They know that there was a lot of history between their father and his biological father.  They are more familiar with the stories of hurt, and addiction.  What I realized is that I had not shared often with them the story of reconciliation.

The story of Jacob is the story of wounds and healing all the while moving forward in the will of God.  We are spending some teaching time between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day seeing how Jacob reconciled with his father, his brother and his children.  All the relationships in Jacob’s life needed help.

There is no difference today.  Some of the most godly and impressive men and women I know are torn-up emotionally about one or more of these relationships.  A wounded relationship with a father, sibling rivalry, or a prodigal son.  There is hope.  Jacob shows not only the failure but also the power of reconciliation by the power of God.

Join us Sunday as we look at the teaching found in Genesis about Jacob and Isaac.

Those were the words of the woman who would be my mother. If she had said no, then my brother and I would have headed into a scary and unknown future. Our biological father was losing his battle with alcoholism and could not function as a dad. My biological mother had long ago been off the scene and out of my life. Of the two most important women in my life, niether of which were my biological mother.

First, my maternal aunt and her husband took two boys into their family at a time they could not afford nor prepared for a family total that would move from five to seven. With a hurredly packed suitcase and less than fifty dollars in their pocket they left for Florida to begin a series of events that would change my life forever. Because of her sacrifice, her unconditional love and example of Christian life I say, “let her works praise her…” Proverbs 31:31.

Leigh Anne is without doubt, the most impressive mother I have ever watched. Second to her faith and because of her faith, she believed that she was called to be a mother. Recently, she accepted a teaching position at Heritage Christian School. What is unusal about this is that for some 40ish years (I nearly messed-up big time) she did not have a paid profession. Her calling was being a mother. She witnessed fellow college grads and sorority sisters promote in their careers while she was eating happy meals at McDonalds. She has no 401K because she was taking the kids to school, practice, sleepovers and parent/teacher conferences. Because she held high the standard of her fist calling I say, “let her works praise her….” Proverbs 31:31.

In Praise of a Capable Wife

That moment when you hear a song and you are immediately put into worship. I love that moment. We have focused on the vision to reach and disciple 10,000, but what if we begin with 10,000 reasons to praise Him!

1. Life
2. Salvation
3. My wife
4. Meredith
5. Caroline
6. Mom and Dad
7. Brothers and sisters
8. My church family, whom I love
9. Call to ministry
10. Our staff
11. Brothers in Christ
12. Friends
13. Interns
14. Indy
15. The morning
16. Dogs
17. Krispy cream
18. Green turn arrows….
19.
20.

What about your list?

[Chorus]

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
Lord, I’ll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
I’ll worship Your holy name

We brought to a conclusion our emphasis on Big God, Big Need and Big Vision with a Big decision. Perhaps this wasn’t the end but the beginning. I was reminded this weekend that…

…our Lord is still putting dreams and visions within the hearts of His people,
…you really can learn something from a guy from Kentucky (thanks Dan),
…church members really do want to do great things,
…it is not just a new day for the Colts, but also for our church,
…God honors Gospel centered dreaming and planning,
…the Colts are depending on Luck but we are trusting in God who has commissioned His people to reach a city,
…the members of a church really do want to help set the vision and direction of the church,
…we have much work to do as we make dreams into plans.

Dan challenged us from Acts 17 with these words,

“When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too,” (Acts 17:6 HCSB)

Although I enjoyed running the OneAmerica 500 Mini-marathon with Christian brothers, I am most excited about today at Northside.  Join us for small groups 9:00 and 10:30 for worship and AGAIN today a 5:00.

Enjoy this photo, notice I wasn’t wearing my medal, because I’m so humble!!!!

Runners have a pre-race day ritual including certain foods, rest, equipment, etc. My pre-race day ritual consists of checking on the tylenol supply, showing Leigh Anne where the life insurance policy can be found and eating large amounts of food from any eatery that I drive past.

I am excited about my run in the 500 mini-marathon in Indy! Registration for the race closed weeks ago at 35,000! I will be one of 35,000 runners and walkers. That is the population of many rural counties or the of a medium size city. Running with 35,000 puts our challenge to reach and disciple 10,000 in perspective. Consider:

1. Over 80% have not heard a clear presentation of the Gospel.
2. There are 65,000 people within three mile radius of Northside.
3. If 35,000 can come together to punish themselves for 13.1 miles, how much more important is our goal to impact 10,000 lives with the Gospel?

As I run the race tomorrow 8 out of 10 people that pass me, 8 out of 10 who are around me that I could touch, have no eternal hope or personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As I run tomorrow truly…

“Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest.” (John 4:35 HCSB)