Light the Darkness

Repurposing Your Resources

Here is the Download Repurposing Your Resources message from today at Indian Creek Community Church.  We had great crowds considering the weather, the chill factor was 10 degrees below zero. I proclaimed the congregation honorary Alaskans!  You know our weather policy--if it is Sunday we are open.  And that's not because I'm from Alaska, even though that part is true.  It is because we have the most important mission in the world, helping people find their way back to God.   

My favorite part of the message was the exercise we did in the third point.  I think it was an unforgettable moment.  People truly got it--you could see it in their eyes. If you weren't here I hope you'll read about it and perhaps repeat it in your setting. 

Now, we are praying about a full house for Christmas Eve and hundreds of decisions for Christ. 

Gary Kendall

Shift Contentment

This is the first message in the Life Shift series.  We called an audible to do this series this month.  This message was a challenge to write because it convicted me all the way through but I really like the final result.  I think God is speaking to us about how to shine during dark days.  He loves us and He is for us.  If you want the text here it is Download Shift_Contentment.doc  And please always remember to use the "f' in shift :)

Change

I continue to get requests from people to post the paper copy of my messages so here is today's message.   Download Change.doc  You can get the podcast tomorrow by Noon by going to the Indian Creek Website, click on "Resources" and then Media.  Chose the message you want to hear and you can either download it as a file or listen to streaming. 

I thought Brandon Michael did a great job today on his testimony.  I appreciate his honesty and transparency.  That is one of the reasons why he is making progress.  I praise God for His ability to meet us right where we are and lead us to a better place.  I'll talk to our Worship Arts team and pass on to you how to find that story either as an audio file or on YouTube.

Thanks for your prayers today.  God is at work and we want to cooperate fully.

Beyond Politics

I received a request for the two messages I gave in the Beyond Politics series.  The first one was titled, Beyond Politics, The Strength of One.   If you want that message you can click here Download the_strength_of_one_final.doc.  Essentially it was about what any one person could do who was passionate and completely committed to a purpose.  We certainly don't have to wait for the government, the city or the state to make a difference.  And when that kind of heart and effort is empowered by the Holy Spirit you have something awesome.

The second message in the series was delivered by Dr. John Perkins.  We titled it, The Strength of a Few.  You can listen to the mp3 by going to the Indian Creek website, click on Resources, then media and chose the message for September 14.  At it's essence Dr. Perkins told us how the suburban and the urban churches could better work together to change our culture in a lasting way.  Even a committed few can bring long lasting improvements in the systemic challenges created by racism.

The third message was one I gave last week titled, The Strength of More.  Here it is Download the_strength_of_more.doc.  The live interview went longer than I thought it would, but it was great, so I didn't get to the last half of the message.  So if you just listened live you might want to read. 

Jesus was Breast Fed

Now that's what I'm talking about!  No, not like--that's a good thing.  And no there won't be a picture with this post.  Belinda and I were driving down 119th St when I saw a bumper sticker that said, "Jesus was breast fed."  That is all it said.  I said, "What?"  Belinda said it had something to do with some "Christian" business that promotes breast feeding. 

Do you remember what I said in the message, "Download is_it_broken1.doc "  Christians do things like this that make the culture go, "oh, my god!"  That's not the way we want them to speak of God!  I don't know the group that made the bumper sticker but essentially they are trying to use Jesus to sell a product.  Belinda said, "Well He was!"  But so was Atilla the Hun.  Are "Christians" really this shallow?  When that happens we loose credibility BIG time!  Please, can we think first about Jesus and not about ourselves!

Can It be Different?

This series, Why Church?, has generated so much attention and conversation that I wanted to put Sunday's message up on my blog.  You can download it by clicking here Download can_it_be_different2.doc .  You can also go to the Indian Creek Community Church website to download the podcast.  Click on Worship Services.

It is interesting, the feedback was 100% that, yes, it is broken (the Church).  The ideas for how it could be different are all over the map.  But I love the heart behind the suggestions, it was a heart broken, a humble heart, for God's children outside of relationship with Him to come home. 

Let's keep talking.  The series continues this Sunday with What's Next for us at Indian Creek. 

Is It Broken?

Today's message was one of the more difficult messages I've delivered in some time.  It grieves me that we, in the church with the uppercase "C", have created the misperceptions that cause people to turn away from the church in record numbers.  I believe the bent we all have toward sin and selfishness is a huge reason behind the misperceptions.  However that fact has been there since the Garden and can't be an excuse we hide behind.  I've been in a mode of repentance and I invite you to join me before God asking that we become fruitful and useful again.

I share the message because I believe it can be different.  I can hardly wait until next week.  I'm more comfortable talking about what we can do right.  But God has been reminding me that obedience is not about comfort or convenience.  There is a story He wants told so that we can be His reflection to the world.  We can get there and I believe we will.  Here is the link:  Download is_it_broken1.doc 

Thanks for your prayers and your sincere desire to be pleasing to God.

Here we Go!

Almost a year ago I began to get regular promptings about love and the need for more of it in my life, my family, our church and the world.  Who could argue with that, especially if you know me!  I need it more than anybody else!  But it was more than that.  I felt consumed with motivation that wouldn't turn off.  Often I felt overwhelmed by both the benefit of God's love and then great need for it all around us.  I felt like God was trying to tell me something, but what?

I knew the strength of this desire was more than a Sunday message or a blog.  It needed an expression that would cement the application of love into our lives in a lasting life changing way.  I was captured with the thought, what if each of us could be so transformed by the love of Jesus that we loved and lived like Him. I thought of people I know who have undergone a metamorphosis of passion, purpose and character that left them forever different.  Usually born out of desperation, inspiration or surrender they reached a new level where they went where Paul described, they were transformed into the likeness of Christ, 2 Corinthians 3:18. I'm definitely not talking about someone being so spiritual they are no earthly good.  I'm talking about someone so committed that they humbly live out the life of a servant wherever God places them.  It might mean living out the love of Christ at their work place, serving on an inner city mission or taking a trip to a remote place like China.  Or all of the above.

When I began to share this idea it grew wings.  We decided to marshal all of our resources, talents and time at Indian Creek to create a six week spiritual journey that we named, The Call to Love.  Belinda and I wrote 40 days of devotions.  We collaborated as a staff to focus our efforts with worship arts, communication, community life groups, all age levels, all ministries and our outreach teams.  In short--everyone!  Nancy Mitchell ran point on the project and we kick it off this Sunday, October 7.  Here we go!

Over the next 40 days or so you will find all the devotions here.  You can subscribe to this blog in the line underneath my picture then you will get the devos in your email.  Or you can pick up the devotional book this Sunday.  You can also put your hands on the "All In" wall at the West entrance.  Sign up for the Sacred Prayer Journey in the atrium and find out how God wired you to connect with Him.  You won't want to miss the excitement of The Call to Love.  Invite your family and friends.  If there is anything we can all agree on it is that we need more LOVE!

If we really get it I think this will rock the world, or at the least our world!

Finding Balance

I've enjoyed working on the message for this Sunday.  We are in a series titled, Fit for Life.  This is the final message and it is titled, Balance.  I don't think I've ever heard a message that unashamedly invites Christ followers to play, laugh and dance.  If you haven't either, I put a link to the message Download balance_final.doc

The concept is simple, joy is possible because we exercise faith, trust and hope.  We can relax and rejoice because God is in control and that means we don't have to be.  I like what Dallas Willard says about those who think God is against fun.  Failure to obtain a deeply satisfying life always has the effect of making sinful actions seem good.  Here lies the strength of temptation… normally our success in overcoming temptation would be easier if we are basically happy in our lives.  To cut off the joys and pleasures associated with our bodily lives and social existence as “unspiritual”, then can actually have the effect of weakening us in our efforts to do what is right. 

But the scripture that makes me smile the most is, Psalm 19:1-5, where the Psalmist says, the heavens make God known...and then he goes on to say that the sun, when it rises, comes out like the radiant bridegroom coming out of his wedding tent.  Essestially he is saying that God goes about His service to creation (to us) with a big smile on his face.  If that isn't a picture of joy, I don't know what is!  Aren't you glad God is a joyful God?  John Ortberg says, God is the most joyful being in the universe.

Could we write a different ending?

In the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, Matthew 25, Jesus makes an important point, be ready when the Bridegroom returns.  That is what we should read into the text.  However, do you see any comparisons between the five bridesmaids who were ready and the church today?  The five who were ready sent the five who weren't prepared away to go buy more oil.  While they were gone they missed the bridegroom.  What about sharing?  Do you suppose if they all pooled their oil that they would have had enough?  They operated from a competitive, scarcity mentality and they showed no remorse over those that missed out.

Do you suppose they could have written a different ending?  What about saying, we don't want anyone to miss out.  They could have said, we will share until we all run out and if we have to go we will go together. 

What about the Church today?  Do we operate with a competitive, scarcity mentality?  Are we willing to share in order to include more at the wedding supper of the Lamb?  Are we so worried about having what we want that we could send others away and feel justified thinking they got what they deserved? 

I've read this parable many times, lately it disturbs me.  I pray that God will break my heart for those who haven't prepared well for the Bridegroom.  I'm willing to share to see them included at the table.  What about you?