What Is Ministry All About?

Sitting here, reading the book of Ezekiel, I ask the question, “What is ministry all about?” Ezekiel is a man of God. Like Moses, Noah, David, and others who have come before him, he has been called by God to a specific task. Yet, Ezekiel’s task is unique to himself. We observe Ezekiel eating food cooked in cow manure, shaving his head with a sword, burning his hair, lying on his side for an entire year, and prophesying to Israel over their sins. The hand dealt Ezekiel is much different from the hand dealt to others in scripture. As I sit here, I ask the age old question “What does it take to have a successful ministry?” Like those before me, I desire to watch God transform lives and touch hearts for him. However, as I type these words, I sit in my office, enjoying my job, my lifestyle, and the comfort of fulltime ministry in Oklahoma. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t desire things to change. I’m happy to have an office (never had one before) and it’s nice to enjoy the conveniences of modern life. Still, I look at Ezekiel and wonder if I am missing something here. Maybe, doing ministry should involve a lot more sacrifice and a lot less “sitting.” So, this is the discussion, debate, and dilemma. What do you think?

Fireproof

Sunday night I went with a group of married couples to see Fireproof. I have to say that this is one film that truly inspired and challenged me. I know, the acting had a few weak points, but Christian couples really should watch this film together.

Don’t Forget About The Miracles

Last Wednesday night, we came together as a body to pray for the needs of several at the Lakeview congregation. As we began praying, I felt a deep sorrow in my stomach to know that there were so many among us in need. Sometimes the storm just seems too great and our lives get tossed and turned from every direction. Like a boat at sea, we take on more than we can handle and sense the uncomfortable feeling of drowning under the weight of the world. We believe God can get us through it, and know he has before, but question his willingness or desire to do so in this particular situation. In these moments we ask the question in prayer, “God, do you care if we drown?” Last Wednesday night, swamped with pain and heartache, we prayed those same words. Little did we know that as we were praying (or maybe sooner), God was calming our storms. Sure, there are times I pray and don’t see answers. Sometimes I pray days, weeks, and even years without knowing what God is doing. However, sometimes God sees fit to show me instantly and powerfully that he is still there, still in my boat, still caring, and still calming storms. He reminds me, “Don’t forget about the miracles, Chris.” So, we remember the miracles, not because we expect every storm to be calmed in this way, but rather to remember that God still can calm storms. You see, sometimes in believing God actually can calm storms, we find the strength we need to get through them.

Heaven Without Golf Courses or Chocolate

So, the question this week is, “Would you be content if Heaven was simply about being in God’s presence and nothing else?” I grew up believing that Heaven was some type of glorious Disneyland where all of the rides were free, all of the food was chocolate, and the entire atmosphere was filled with giggling, running, and jumping. However, the more I read scripture, the more convinced I am that Heaven is not these things. Rather, it is a place where people find joy in being in God’s presence. I once heard it said that “some people have such a view of Heaven that if God actually showed up, they would be annoyed.” So, Heaven with God, a place of happiness or misery?

What Does Jesus Really Want?

What does Jesus really want? Religious perfection or perfected relationships? Does he desire that we’ve dotted all our “I’s” and crossed all our “T’s” or does he want a broken spirit and a contrite heart? Is he searching for me to get all that I can out of Sunday, or does he want me to be all that I can to someone? These are the questions we ask as a church. Challenging? You’d better believe it! Still, there must be a balance between what we do and how we do it. Finding the key is a difficult task.