• I am still dreaming about a church that effectively reaches people far from God!  I am dreaming about reaching those that have never been in church and those that left church years ago for one reason or another!
• I am still dreaming about being a church for those already following Jesus but have grown weary of being a part of churches that have given up on reaching people outside the church and simply keeping those on the inside happy!
• I am still dreaming about reaching thousands and thousands of people and always struggling to keep up with baptizing those who have turned to follow Jesus!
• I am still dreaming about being a church that has to have multiple services on Sunday to accommodate all the people God is reaching through us!
• I am still dreaming about beginning new campuses in nearby communities that need a church passionate about reaching people far from God!
• I am still dreaming about being a church-planting church that is consistently launching new churches locally, nationally and across the globe!
• I am still dreaming about being a pastor of a church that consistently invests into young leaders that plant churches and have impact in communities locally and globally.
• I am still dreaming about being the godly leader and example to a faith community that models leadership, marriage, parenting and godly living God’s way!
• I am still dreaming about being at a location for the long haul for the maximum influence and missional impact!
• I am still dreaming about living for the glory of God and the good of people!

What are you dreaming about?

This Old House
 
Hebrews 10:35-36
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
 
This past Saturday morning I was sitting in the den with my husband drinking my coffee and watching This Old House.  As I watched they discussed all the plans for restoring a home in Roxbury, Boston, they showed the house in its current state which was terrible, it looked as if it had caught on fire at some point and had clearly been abandoned for quite a while as the windows and doors were all boarded up.  The drawings looked awesome, I was anxious to see how in the world they were going to make this dilapidated old house new again.  Norm Abrams is like a magician where these things are concerned!!!   As the show went on they talked about how they had to pour new footings and how the foundation was going to have to be re poured, they were putting up supports so that the floor joists wouldn’t collapse when they removed the old foundation and poured the new one.  There was all sorts of stuff that I didn’t exactly understand going on and quite frankly the house still looked terrible!  I finally looked at my husband and said “at this point I think I would just say forget it and go buy a whole new house!”  You see, I am more of an HGTV girl.  I like to repaint, buy some new accessories and voila a pretty new room!
 
At my church we have been doing a series on “Staying in Love” and as the day wore on I thought about that statement and I started thinking about my own marriage, and about friends that we have that are struggling.  My heart ached for them and I felt the need to thank God for the fact that in my own marriage He was our “Norm”, He was willing to put in the effort to rebuild our foundation, He was willing to work a miracle in our marriage and restore it.  You see when I look at my husband today, I see an amazing, Godly man, he is strong, smart handsome, caring, loving.  We have a wonderful relationship and I can’t imagine my life without him.  Not all that long ago though I didn’t see any of that, my marriage was that sad broken down house that needed more work than I could do but God was ready and able to restore us.  When I look at our marriage today I see something close to that artists rendering that they showed at the beginning of the show.  It is new and beautiful but it still has the character that you only see in and old restored home.  I know that we still have to do the work that it takes s to keep up our marriage.  Just like an old  home, once that home has been restored, there will be cracks in the plaster that must be repaired, eventually they will have to put on a new roof or repaint, having a beautiful home takes work but it is worth it.  In my marriage I have to keep my selfishness in check, I have to put Lee’s needs/feelings before mine.  I have to choose to hear his side rather than shouting mine.  I have to over look his faults and remind myself of my own sometimes.  I have to forgive as I have been forgiven even when Lee is wrong and some Saturday mornings I have to watch This Old House instead of HGTV.  You see having a good marriage takes hard work and sacrifice too but the rewards amazing!
 
I thank God that He restores what everyone else has given up on, that He specialized in resurrecting that which was dead!  If you are struggling in your marriage you have the very creator of marriage on your side, God sees what is possible if you will just submit to Him and allow Him to work with and through you.  Trust Him, after all, He is the expert!

PROFILE OF THE LUKEWARM

Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe ‘good Christians’ do, so they go. (Isaiah 29:13)

Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church… as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? (1 Chron 21:24, Luke 21:1-4)

Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives. (Luke 6:26, Rev 3:1, Matt 23:5-7)

Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don’t genuinely hate sin and aren’t truly for it; they’re merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. (John 10:10, Rom 6:1-2)

Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for ‘extreme’ Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call ‘radical’ what Jesus expected of all his followers. (James 1:22, James 4:17, Matt 21:28-31)

Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbours, co-workers or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. (Matt 10:32-33)

Lukewarm people gauge their morality or ‘goodness’ by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren’t as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. (Luke 18:11-12)

Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their money and their thoughts, but He isn’t allowed to control their lives. (Luke 9:57-62)

Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul and strength. They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of devotion isn’t really possible for the average person; it’s only for pastors, missionaries and radicals. (Matt 22:37-38)

Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love of others is typically focussed on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached. (Matt 5:43-47, Luke 14:13-14)

Lukewarm people will serve God and others, but there are limits to how far they will go, or how much time, money and energy they are willing to give. (Luke 18:21-25)

Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focussed on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule and next month’s vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they consider the life to come. Regarding this, C. S. Lewis wrote, ‘If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.’ (Phil 3:18-20, Col 3:2)

Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. They are quick to point out, ‘Jesus never said money is the root of all evil, only the love of money is.’ Untold numbers of lukewarm people feel ‘called’ to minister to the rich; very few feel ‘called’ to minister to the poor. (Matt 25: 34, 40, Isaiah 58:6-7)

Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the base minimum, to be ‘good enough’ without it requiring too much of them. They ask, ‘How far can I go before it’s considered a sin?’ instead of ‘How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit?’ They ask,….’ (1 Chron 29:14, Matt 13:44-46)

Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and taking risks for God. (1 Tim 6:17-18, Matt 10:28)

Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don’t have to trust God if something unexpected happens – they have their saving account. They don’t need God to help them – they have their retirement plan in place. They don’t genuinely seek out what life God would have them live – they have life figured and mapped out. They don’t depend on God on a daily basis – their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn’t look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God. (Luke 12:16-21, Amos 6:1)

Lukewarm people probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren’t very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitised lives with holiness, but that couldn’t be more wrong. (Matt 23:25-28, Matt 7:21)

Nico Smith, like most Afrikaners of his era in South Africa, grew up drinking a doctrine of white superiority with his mother’s milk.  When the 1948 elections brought the Afrikaner Nationalists to power, nineteen-year-old Nico took to the streets to celebrate the arrival of government sponsored apartheid. 

In his thirties, as an influential figure within the Dutch Reformed Church, Nico was recruited to join the elite fraternity known as the Broederbond.  This group connected many of the most powerful members of society in a secretive brotherhood, working behind the scenes to advance the Afrikaner political and ideological agenda.  These connections soon propelled Nico into a respected professorial position at Stellenbosch University. 

But on a visit to Switzerland in 1963, Nico met the great theologian Karl Barth.  Near the end of his visit, Dr. Barth approached Nico and inquired politely,  “May I ask you a personal question?” Nico nodded.  He viewed conversing with the famed Christian thinker as a high privilege. 

“Are you free to preach the Gospel in South Africa?”  asked Barth. 

“Yes, of course I am.”  Nico replied pleasantly.  “Freedom of religion.”

Barth shook his head.  “That’s not the kind of freedom I am asking about.  Are you free in yourself?”  If you come across things in the Bible that are contrary to what your family and friends believe, will you preach it?”

Nico shrugged.  “I’ve never come across something like that.”

The elderly theologian would not be dissuaded.  “Are you so free that even if you come across things in the Bible which are contrary to what your government is doing—that you will preach it?”

A crimson blotch rose on Nico’s cheek, and he looked away.  It was an awkward question, and he did not feel he had an adequate answer. 

Nico was soon safely back in South Africa, but Barth’s questions had somehow managed to travel with him.  They lodged in his thoughts and stuck, like seed-carrying burrs caught in one’s sock—not growing, but certainly not comfortable either. 

It was a full ten years later at a meeting of the Broederbond that the revolution Barth had gently seeded finally took root.  As Nico pondered the attitudes and actions of his associates, the answer to Barth’s question sprang into his mind: I’m not free!  He stood and walked out of the meeting. 

Nico knew that quitting the Broederbond was social suicide. 

As best, he could hope to step away without drawing much notice.  He would live quietly, keeping a healthy separation between his newfound Christian convictions and political issues.  For several years he did.  But the questions would not be so easily satisfied.

When the government bulldozed a group of black squatter homes on the outskirts of town, some of Nico’s students asked him what the Christian response should be.  More questions.  As he pondered the answer, he realized he could remain silent no longer.  Nico drafted an official criticism of the government action and offered it for publication.  There was now no going back. 

A political firestorm began to envelope Nico.  With little else to do, Nico sought guidance in prayer.  As if in answer, the next Monday morning a telegram arrived from the black township of Mamelodi.  The residents were asking that Nico become their pastor. 

“God, no, I didn’t ask for this,” lamented Nico.  Emotion surged over him, and he began t cry right in front of the postman.  As he waited for his wife Ellen’s return, Nico began to hope that she would reject the idea, giving him an easy out with God.

Ellen, however, provided him no excuses.  “Nico, you realize that we’ll have to go,” she said after reading the telegram.  The decision was made. 

In the face of staggering social and even physical risks, Nico and Ellen left the university at Stellenbosch and filled the pastorship of the Mamelodi parish.  Initially, they lived in a white suburb within driving distance of the township and commuted to the church.  In time, however, they realized they could not truly minister to the people of Mamelodi without drawing nearer.  A short while later, Nico and Ellen became the first whites under apartheid to receive official permission to live in a black area—the only white residents in a township of 300,000 people. 

Nico and Ellen Smith’s labors continue to bring healing to a torn nation. The seeds of their transformation were little more than a few simple questions.

I spent the morning in a classroom with high school students watching as the towers crumbled and life as we know it transformed before our eyes.  We talk, cried and comforted each other and other day-to-day issues did not matter in light of what we observed on that morning. 

I can’t help but wonder what eternity held for the over 3000 people that perished on that day. 

What was their relationship with God on that day?  Had they ever connected to a church?  What type of an experience did they have when they went to church?  Was there a dynamic, relevant, Jesus-centered, Bible-focused church within a reasonable distance to them that would have reached out to them with the love of God?

Starting churches matters!  People perish everyday that matter to God and God is still using the local church as the primary delivery method of the gospel! 

That is why Church at the Grove matters and why we started this church 3 years ago! 

Happy Birthday Church at the Grove!

We have worked together to complete a complete Home Makeover on a home in our Walnut Grove community! 

We have witnessed almost 100 people turn to follow Jesus as a result of God’s work through Church at the Grove! 

We have serve countless meals to Youth Middle School teachers, Walnut Grove High School teachers, Walnut Grove Elementary School teachers, Athletic Teams, Foster kids and families and many more groups. 

We have Loved Loganville!

We have baptized around 75 people!

We have had part in planting over a dozen churches in 3 years! 

We started with about 50 people, Launched with 183 and now average over 300 people in attendance in our Sunday gatherings. 

We will have over 100 adults in Community Groups this fall!

Our students have packed and served lunches in Monroe, loved and ministered to children in backyard Bible Clubs, helped clean up after Katrina in Mississippi, served people in New Orleans and reached out to their friends on Wednesdays at the CLC!

We initiated and facilitated a complete Home Makeover for a family in Walnut Grove that now attends Church at the Grove! 

We have partnered close to 100 children with local heros and helped make their Christmas something to remember!

We soon will take part in sending two families across the globe to help people find their way back to God through Jesus.  We look for partnerships to carry Jesus across the globe!

We have partnered with a local organization “Resurrecting Hope” to help make a difference in the lives of the homeless at the Atlanta Union Mission. 

We have loved and supported local Teachers and Educators in our community.

We have consulted and provided leadership to numerous church planters and leaders locally and nationally. 

We have only just STARTED! 

Don’t miss the next three years!

1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
⁷ For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

*He gave gifts to men:

Ephesians 3:7 (NIV)
⁷ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

*You are not superior to others.  You are simply leading through the gifts given to you by God.

*Pride is the root of all sinful leadership issues.  If you think you are above succumbing to leadership woes and sinful steps, you are in a position of pride.

Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
 

Last Thursday a home burned to the ground close to my subdivision and Hunter and I wished there was something we could do to help the people, but we had never met the family so we did not want to intrude.  So Sunday when you spoke about the Acts of Kindness my mind immediately went to that family.  On Monday I wrote a little note just telling them how sorry we were for their loss and left my name and number for them to contact b/c I had a few items I thought they might be able to use in getting back on their feet. 
 
Tuesday night I received a call from the son of the elderly woman who lived in the house expressing thanks for the letter.  I told him I would gather some items for her and am working with some other neighbors to get a good amount of items to them early next week.
 
I did not expect to be affected greatly by the acts of kindness I did for others through the next 40 days.  I felt that those were the things we SHOULD already be doing as Christians; seeing people as Jesus sees them and trying to act accordingly.  However this challenge as Russ called it did help me step out of my comfort area and help total strangers on a more intimate level. I have been blessed by helping others!
 
 If anyone wishes to help and show kindness to this family they can email me at kirstenwarr @ att.net or call me at 770-714-8421.  The woman who lost everything needs clothes size 16, kitchen items, bedding, canned and boxed food, furniture, esc…If you have any items you were planning on selling in a garage sale or give away please think of sharing them with this woman.  Thanks So Much!!!

Brian Peart is involved in the leadership of a Christian Mortgage Brokers Group and leads people all across the country in Bible Study each month via conference call technology. 

Check it out: 

http://seminoles.audioacrobat.com/download/ee26d5a3-0b89-0148-3569-6273cb8f96d2.mp3     

You can download it or play it. 

You can sign on to be a part of the 40 day “Act of Kindness” Challenge at ResurrectingHope.com  and you can post or email reports of your Acts of Kindness as well.

Here are some ideas to spur on your creativity:

• Pick up a neighbors newspaper and take it to their front door.
• Cut part or all of your neighbors grass.
• Pay for someone’s parking, meal, drink, toll etc in a drive-thru line.
• Allow someone to move ahead of you in a line at a store, bank or business.
• Take food or a meal to someone new in the neighborhood.
• Clean up litter in your neighborhood.
• Visit a nursing home or an assisted living center and make someone smile.
• Bake cookies or your favorite snack and take them to the local police or fire station or to the emergency room medical staff at your local hospital.
• Look for opportunities to open the door for someone or to help an elderly person with their packages.
• Write your child a special note and leave in their lunchbox or their room to be surprised.
• Tape the correct change to the front of a drink machine or newspaper box.
• Leave an extra amount for the tip at a restaurant.
• Leave a thank-you note for your mail carrier. 
• Send flowers or balloons to someone you are thankful for.

I will post some other new ideas throughout the next month or so.  Go be kind!