Servelloism

I have known Pastor Marlene Yeo for 11 years now. It’s hard to believe we got connected through a postcard, but its true! Back in the day when we were pioneering the message of YOUTH CHURCH in the northeast, I sent out a postcard as an invitation to a conference we were doing on the subject. God had already been speaking to her about the idea and she was excited to see others moving in the same direction. Her first visit to Mount Zion was an instant connection in the spirit. In the last few years she has transitioned out of youth ministry, and now is involved in outreach to the homeless and the disenfranchised. She shared with our interns today about the amazing things that God is doing in their ministry over in Massachusetts. God’s is doing great tings in that neck of the woods and it’s great to see Marlene coming into a time of fulfillment of the reams God has placed on her heart.

If you have read my blog for any amount of time you know that I have talked frequently about Bill Hybels impact on my life personally. I say this because recently I have had a plethora (nice little vocabulary word I picked up from “the Three Amigos”, thank you El Guapo!) of emails regarding “Bill Hybels Repenting” for his strategy of expecting involvement in ministries to help mature people in their faith. This has in turn lead to the “Ah-Ha, we told you so!” for so many Willow Creek critics. First off, how many churches have had strategies for the spiritual maturity of their congregation that didn’t work. Uh,…a lot! So what’s the big deal? I mean the way people are talking about this you would think that every church in America has the ultimate strategy for maturing people. We do our best and adjust ourselves to what works. Besides, I think Lee Strobel is a good example of someone who was discipled under Willow. To be honest with you, I’m shocked by their survey. I would have thought involvement in ministries would have definitely been a vehicle to instigate spiritual growth in people’s lives. I’m really shocked at their findings! You know what? I respect Bill Hybels and Willow Creek even more now. Why? Because they have the humility to admit they are still learning themselves and are willing to make adjustments to accomplish their goals and not get stuck in a method from the past. I know SO MANY churches who use methods that I’m not sure ever worked and don’t ask any questions and never change anything because of love for the methodology more than the goal. You have to respect a church that has the eyes of the church world on them and have the courage to honestly care about their mission (spiritual maturity) more than their image. Their adjustment to make tough decisions to accomplish their goal is admirable. Then, to share it so other churches can learn from their findings…. that’s HUGE! Press on Willow Creek and thank you for the personal inspiration you’ve been to me!

I don’t have a lot of time this week to blog, but I thought I’d put up the highlight video from this past years Generation Conference (2007). It also a promo for 2008…Enjoy! and hopefully I’ll be back in a few days!

Yesterday was Veterans Day and I had a FULL schedule the last couple days and have not been able to blog. I want to say thank you to all the veterans out there past and present. Say a prayer today for all of our men in woman in uniform around the world! Here’s a couple of pictures from my recent trip to Normandy.



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John 12:2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him.
John 12:3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.
John 12:4 ¶ But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples—the one who would betray him—said,
John 12:5 “That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”
John 12:6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use.
John 12:7 ¶ Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial.
John 12:8 You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer.

I wish this was an isolated issue and not a general human problem. Isnt it true that sometimes the issue that we have is not the real issue. We think we mean what we say, bt do we really say what we mean. It must be great to be God. One thing i often say is God doesn’t hear our words he hears our heart. The above scripture is evidence of that. I am a reader and I like reading a lot of different perspectives. My reading led me to read a lot of the emergent church guys. While I dont want to name names because it would go against the whole spirit of what this blog is about, it seems apparent to me that some of the authors of these books are just simply ticked off church kids selling books to other ticked off church kids. I say this becasue I wonder where the reactionary theology will lead. The point: whenever I hear criticism of any kind (not all criticism is bad) the question has to be is the criticism motivated by LOVE or self-interst. To be honest, I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out most of the time. Just ask yourself: Where’s the love? By the way Love isnt always niceness…Love can be genuine concern thats manifest in a warning.

Lets get practical…
1. Does what I am writing/saying try to draw attention to me, whether indirectly or directly, or is it REALLY trying to draw attention to principle.
2. Is there a totally pure motivation to help others or am I trying to help myself.
3. Is what I am saying being motivated by Love or by Anger, bitterness, or pride.

I think its amazing how fickle we can be as humans. Like it or not, often it seems emotions mean more to us than principle and what is right. How we feel determines more of what we believe than actual truth. Why do I say this? I have had fun surfing through the blogosphere in the last year. Many blogs add wisdom, perspective and encouragement to me as an individual. However, I have also come across blogs that can be damaging, both to people as individuals and the church. Often I find myself wondering, who in the world hurt this individual so much that is causing them to be so angry. Opinions are good and I enjoy people’s perspectives, In fact I am learning to celebrate the individuality God has given each of us. We need outside perspectives. But how do we do that? How do you discern a different perspective or asimple negative spirit/attitude? For the next few days I’d like to write some things about what I believe about speaking my opinions and some dangers that I believe we need to look out for. As we move forward and there is anything anyone could add- i’d love to hear. As I end here’s a scripture that has been sticking out to me lately:

James 1:26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

By the way just because the Bible says tongue dont think it doesnt apply to blogs… just a thought!

I had to take my beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Bailey, to Cornell University Companion hospital for her to have surgery on her “good” eye. The fact of the matter she was already blind. She had a genetic disease common to Terriers called lens luxation. One eye had to be replaced with a prosthetic and we have been treating the other eye hoping or the best. Well, today she had to have surgery to have another prosthetic eye put in. The Doctors assure me Bailey will make out fine. Blindness is different for dogs than it is for humans, so they say. On the flip side, every time I go to Cornell I am amazed at the professionalism every animal is treated with. I can honestly say its hard to believe there would be a better hospital for animals anywhere. So…Here’s to Cornell University and their veterinary school!

I did a Blog a while back on the Theology for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Every time  I go to Cornell, although some may laugh, I see a manifestation of the nature of God in the way the hospital and its doctors treat the animals.

If you liked the last post I think you’ll like this one. Im not condoning violence, but I think everyone can take a joke. Here’s how to leave a Legacy!

Growing up on church sometimes you see some of the craziest things. People are people and we all go to extremes at one time or another. Have you ever had a cold and somebody says, ” I don’t recieve that.” Well, I think i already recieved it from my hacking, sneezing daughter. I say that somewhat sarcastically, but you know what… I believe in living in reality. Reality doesnt have to be the opposite of Faith. I believe we serve a REAL God with Real healing for Real sickness. Anywho, I got a kick out of this in light of a lot of background growing up in church. Check it out.

 Finally, the Yankees have made a good decision! All of my friends know of my continued disappointment with the Yankees strategic moves over the past 6 years. A great example: when they got “bionic man” Randy Johnson. The guy was like…old and had more artificial joints than Darth Vader. However this last move by the Yankees has me standing to my feet and applauding! I think Joe Girardi is the best replacement for the venerable Joe Torre. Don’t Get me wrong I love Donnie Baseball- I have an autograph in my office and everything, but I just dont think he would be the best choice for the managerial job…no matter how loved he is by the fans. Although I hate to see Joe Torre go, part of me thinks getting some fresh blood in their is the best thing for the team. I’m looking forward to 2008. Let’s pray Pettitte, Rivera, and Posada return. By the way Yankee fans, am I the only one who can care less about Alex Rodriguez departure. I’d take 98-99 Scott Brosious over 07 Rodriguez any day of the week. Call me crazy, but I think it would be better for the team. Anyways, we’ll see if that number 27 on Joe Girardi’s back turns out to be the Yankees 27th World Championship!