The Struggle of Faith

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"  He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:19-21

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"  He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. Luke 17:5-6

After the disciples failed attempt to drive a demon out of a young boy suffering from seizures, they came to Jesus to ask why.  His answer, "you have little faith."

How is your faith?  Are you finding success and victory in accomplishing the tasks God is calling you into?  Are you enduring the tests God brings your way? 

My wife Robin, and I,  pray together each night.  A couple of months back I prayed a prayer that brought concern to her.  In my prayer I asked God to increase my faith.  The look she gave me at the conclusion of our prayer, made me realize one thing.  I had just prayed a dangerous prayer!  "Do you realize what you just prayed?" she quipped.

My prayer was heart felt and sincere.  God is now answering.

Since that time, we have been tested as individuals and as a couple like never before.  It has been a struggle and a challenge. Through it we have realized the need to rely more on our Savior than ever before.  It has been a season of discovery. A time of realizing the amount of faith I have, and in what, and in whom, I have placed it.  It is growing, but is not yet where it should be.

Have you ever seen a mustard seed?  They are very small!  To be able to see the mountains and the the mulberry trees in life moved with a faith no larger than the size of a mustard seed, is to me both incredible, and convicting.  We all have our own mountains we face.  There are many staring down at me this very moment.  I am confident they will be moved.

To walk by faith is not easy, yet as we do, there is a peace that comes from God that cannot be achieved or experienced any other way.  I often find myself in moments of anxiousness.  As I release that anxiousness to God, and realize that He is in in control, the peace comes flooding in.  It is in those times, that the mountains move.

There are days in which I wish I had not prayed that prayer that night, yet I am glad I did.  It is in the stretching times that our story is written.  A story worth telling, so that others might be brought into God's story of living in and by faith.

How is your faith?

Does God Want Us Happy?

Does God want us to always be happy?  If so, why does He allow all the pain, negative circumstances, and trials in life?  I have been asked this many times.  I myself have wrestled with the notion.

John Piper does a masterful job of addressing this age old question.



What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Romans 8:31-31

I am thankful for a God like this.

An Innocent Man

It was now about the sixth hour and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent!"  Luke 23:44-47



No one likes to see an innocent man condemned to death. It is not fair. It is not just.

Of all those sentenced to death row in the US since 1973, 139 have been determined to be innocent, and subsequently released. The average number of years between being sentenced to death and exoneration is 9.8. Nearly 10 years of legal battles fought in order to prove the innocence of those wrongly accused. No one likes to see an innocent person suffer.

For the centurion that took part in the execution of Jesus, it took but a few hours for him to realize the innocence of this one that He had just helped put to death. Upon realizing His innocence, he “praised God.”

Jesus was innocent. He could have easily exonerated Himself. He chose not to. John the Baptist referred to Him as the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He was indeed an innocent lamb led quietly to slaughter for you and I.

Most on that day never realized His innocence. Some did. Today is much the same.  Most deny that He is the innocent lamb of God who endured unimaginable suffering, so that we might experience life. For those of us that do realize His innocence, we are left with the same response as the centurion … praise of God.

Yes, He was innocent and yet …

He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

To the Innocent Man I say, Thank you.

If you are reading this post via an RSS Reader and are unable to view the embedded video please click here.

Mad at a Myth

To night our church hosted a very cool event.  It was called Old Town Poetry Night.  Sherwood Coffee Company was packed, the coffee was flowing and so were the rhymes!  It was a night of great music provided by my friend, Sean Thomas, an open mic for local poets, and featured nationally renown poet Phil Long.

I was moved by one poem in particular.  A poem written and performed by Phil Long.  The poem, "Mad at a Myth" really left me wondering why it is that people get so mad at the One they consider but a myth.  A poem that points to the reality and power of the One so many call Savior.  A poem that clearly and creatively demonstrates that He is indeed far more than a mere myth.

One Million Arrows - Review

I have just read Julie Ferwerda's new book "One Million Arrows." I stand and applaud! It is a book that resonates with my heart on so many levels.  It resonates with both the father in me and the youth pastor in me.

In recent years I have experienced a giant shift in my thinking in terms of the way I pastor students. I have come to understand that it is not the churches responsibility to raise kids to be fully devoted followers of Jesus.  It's the God given responsibility of parents.  Read more of my thoughts here in an article I wrote for Life In Student Ministry.  Julie does a fantastic job of bringing to light the importance of this matter.

She writes, "When we take to heart that the home - not the church, not the youth programs, not the Christian school - is the Great Commission Training Center, the lives of our kids are truly impacted soul deep."  How true that is.  It breaks my heart each time I think of students, both current and past, that have walked away from a love relationship with Christ, simply because they have not seen it in their parents.  Christianity equates to one thing for them.  Hypocrisy.

The book is filled with stories of families that have taken seriously their call to raise not just good kids, but kids that will make a radical difference for the Kingdom of God.  Along with the stories come a host of practical ideas that can be implemented in the raising of our children.

If we as parents are to take seriously the call on our lives to raise world changing kids then it will require a radical commitment on our part.  No longer can we rely on the 40 to 50 hours of Biblical education/training a child will receive in a typical year from the Church, rather we must embrace the 2,500 hours a year God has given to us to raise our children.

"No longer can our lives and schedules revolve around sports, entertainment, amusements, busyness, or a host of other 'good' or even 'good enough' activities.  They must revolve around best, through getting to know God very personally, glorifying and enjoying Him, and then bringing His Good News to others."

If you are a parent, or one that works with parents, get your hands on this book!  Click here or on the image above, for more on this book, along with ordering info.

One Million Arrows

I have recently been asked by speaker, author, Julie Ferwerda to read and review her new book, "One Million Arrows."  It's an excellent work on the importance of raising our children to live out the purpose and mission God has for them.  I'm still working my way through, so stay tuned for the review.

In the meantime check out this short video for more insight on the the book.  You may even see a family you recognize!

30 Hour Famine

On February 26-27, I, my students, and thousands of others worldwide will be participating in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine.



This will be the 15th year I have led a group through this amazing event.  It's purpose is simple.  To get a taste of what hunger feels like, and raise funds for, and awareness of, the hungry and needy in our world.  It's in Matthew 25:31-36 that we read Jesus' words instructing us to meet the needs of the lonely, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned, and that in doing so, we minister to Him.  It is our desire to do that very thing.

Would you please consider joining us?  Would you please pray that God multiplies our efforts to show His love and heart to the needy in our world?  Would you also pray that our hearts would be broken and drawn in closer to His?

Would you also please consider giving to this strategic effort?  You may click here to be taken to my secure online giving site.  This year your giving will even be multiplied by 10 due to a generous government matching grant!

Here's a brief look at a past famine.

The Butterfly Circus

If you can give 20 minutes of your time, please view this short film. Joshua Weigel, the director and also actor who played Chris, the youth pastor in To Save A Life, has produced a film that does a masterful job of portraying the beauty of hope and grace.

It is for good reason this film won the 2009 Doorpost Film Project. You will be stunned by the artistry of the film, but even more you will be left with much to think about, particularly the truth of how God delights in taking the ashes of broken lives and turn them into something beautiful, to be used for His glory.



I would love your thoughts on the film. Please feel free to comment.

Music of Possibility

It's easy for one to say, "I want to be all that I can be."  It's another thing to truly live it. Each of us has been given one life to live, and along with that, great opportunity to fulfill the purpose God has for our lives.  Here is the story of two guys who understand that.  May it inspire you as it has me.



Makes me think of the words of Paul found in Philippians 4:11-13...

I am not saying this because I am need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can  do everything through him who gives me strength.

May we be content with, and more than that, thrive in, the circumstances God has us in.

I Am A Chair

Oregon is where I make my home. It's a great place with lots of wonderful people. It is also considered to be one of the least churched states in the nation. I often wonder why.

There are churches all over the place in our state. Most are not full. Again, I often wonder why.

I am challenged by this video.


I am a chair from buckheadchurch on Vimeo.


May we as Christ's Church see people as He see's them. May we be committed to loving people as He does. As we do ... may we run out chairs.

Enjoy The Ride

For me one of life’s greatest pleasures is a good roller coaster ride. I love that feeling of slowing heading up that first hill, heart racing with anticipation as to what will happen next, then rounding the top of the hill and off it goes! Whipping around corners, wind blowing through the hair, taking sudden dips twists and turns, and all at break neck speed. It’s one of those get in, sit down, and hold on experiences! There is nothing you can do to control the ride. All you can do is enjoy.

As the byline of my blog states “… enjoying the ride,” I have often looked at life in such a way. Life is indeed a ride. I have often said, “Just when you think you have life figured out, God takes you in a completely different direction.” 2009 has been one of those experiences. It has been a year in which God has literally asked me to sit down, hold on, and enjoy the ride.

It was at this time last year that Robin and I knew our life was about to take some unexpected twists and turns. By February the ride had begun. Due to leadership restructuring at the church in which we had served for 11 years, we found ourselves unemployed and without a church home. God had literally asked us to step out in faith and trust Him. He was asking us to trust Him to meet our needs, and place us where He could best use us.

If at the time you were to ask us if it were our desires to be facing such an uncertain future, I am sure no would have been our answer. Not knowing where God was going to take us, we sat down, held on, and off we went.

Over the next three months it was the promises of God, found in His Word, that kept us going. There were a couple of scriptures in particular that I clung to as reminders that my job was simply to trust Him, and not worry.

The first was Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

There were plenty of times in which I wanted to figure it all out, to in my limited understanding of what God was up to, figure out what He was doing and determine what was next for us. It never worked. Those three months were nothing less than a journey of trusting God and acknowledging that He knew exactly what He was doing with our lives.

The second scripture God used was Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As I sought to trust God during this time, I was reminded of the value of prayer and the peace that comes along with it. Being anxious about our future only brought about panic and stress. As we spent time seeking God in prayer, He filled our hearts with peace. Indeed a peace that transcends all understanding.

As we emerged from that three month period of wandering and wondering, God began to make it clear what was next for us, and that of course was to join the community of Rock Harbor. We now feel tremendously blessed by where God has placed us.

One year earlier we would have never dreamed of being where we are today. Had we not trusted God to guide us to this place, we would have not had the privilege of joining with such a fine group of people. We as well would not have had the opportunity to be a part of so many people’s lives and spiritual journeys.

There is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will.

As we approach 2010 we approach a year of unknowns. May it collectively be our hearts desire to sit down, buckle up, hold on, and enjoy the ride!

Love All

We all know Jesus performed great miracles during His time here on earth. He healed the sick, made the bind to see, and raised the dead. Because of His love for humanity, particularly the suffering and marginalized, He brought healing and restoration to the lives of many. He did these things for one reason. It was so people would experience Him for who He is, and as a result enter into relationship with Him.

Here's the beautiful thing about Jesus. Though being rich, He became poor, so that He could show love to the poor, the needy and the outcast (2 Corinthians 8:9). This Christmas and during the season of Advent, we have been given the challenge to Spend Less. Through the simple act of spending less we are able to show love, and enter into this week's theme ... Love All.

It's easy to fall victim to the line of thinking that says, I can't possibly have the same impact that Jesus did. May we not forget, it was Jesus who said in John 13:12, I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. Jesus has left this earth, and in doing so has given us the opportunity and responsibility, to now be His presence here. We are even told we will do even greater things!

The needs of people abound. The opportunities are limitless. May we be asking ourselves this week, how might Jesus use me to Love All? Don't let the great need overwhelm you, rather let it move you. You may not be able to change the whole world, but you can change the world of at least one person.

Here are a few activities our church will be engaging in this week. Might you join us?

• Sponsor a Compassion Child or give to World Vision through their gift catalog.
• Donate time or goods to a local charity.
• Pray for people in your home, community, and around the world.
• Put a gift for God under your tree. Put into practice what you have learned through the Advent Conspiracy.