Mark Roberts has a great post today regarding the return of Mardi Gras to New Orleans. Please note, this is not an insensitive or unsympathetic remark about the countless thousands of displaced citizens who lost their homes to Katrina. I have a friend who just returned from the Gulf Coast on a mission trip. I have another friend who has spent considerable time there over the last several months trying to help people put homes and lives back together.

No, this is not a comment about Katrina; it is a comment about the spirit of Mardi Gras. If you’ve ever been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras you will understand. I have not, but have read the stories and heard the reports. And given the debauchery of our sinful nature (see Ephesians 2:1-3), I think Roberts’ question is a good one.

Here’s what he says: “So here’s my concern for New Orleans. Will the return of Mardi Gras help the city come back to life, or will it help the city return to death?” Ironically, the roots of Mardi Gras are Christian. However, a sinful pagan world has taken it over, which, I think, makes the above question relevant.

Many are hoping that Mardi Gras will return life to New Orleans. Let’s not forget that real life, true life is not found in a party, but in a Person.

I read a great line last night from a new book by Lynne Baab. She says, “God is at work every minute of our days, yet we seldom notice.”

That’s one of those statements that makes you go, “Hmm.” At first glance we agree, “Yes, that’s true.” And we could pass right over it and not let it impact us. So stop – think about it. Is it true? Do you really believe it? What about today and where you are right now? Is God working? Can you see it? Do you sense it?

My faith says He is. And reality teaches me that the other half of that statement is also true – I too seldom notice it. Why? Because I am so focused on what I need to do, and what I need to accomplish, and where I fall short. I – me – me – I. And then I remember, “It’s not about me.”

“Forgive me, God, for failing to notice that it’s not about me – it’s about You. It’s about what YOU want to do, and what YOU want to accomplish, in me and through me, and that YOU will help me if I but look for you. Help me to see what you have already done and that I must simply join you in what you’re already doing. Open my eyes today – to YOU!”

Today’s story in USA Today about a church in Kansas who picket soldiers’ funerals with anti gay signs and messages serves as another reminder that the 21st century church, of which I am a part, has totally lost touch with its Founder.

The report states that church members have picketed military funerals holding signs with such messages as “Thank God for IEDs” and “God Hates Fag Enablers” Their belief is that God is punishing America for tolerating homosexuality.

While the pastor and his flock have a constitutional right to voice their opinions, no matter how bizarre, they don’t have a constitutional or a biblical right to be stupid. Yes, it’s true that God has stated that homosexual activity is considered sinful; so is adultery, so is lying, so is stealing, so is gossip, so is…you get my point. But they seem to want to picket only one sin (which perhaps is a discussion for another day).

It would seem that they haven’t read the entire Bible which, by the way, says that the world will recognize us as Christ-followers when they see how much love we have (John 13:35). And that we shouldn’t set ourselves up as judges for that has a way of boomeranging on us (Matthew 7:2).

Why is it that when “Christian groups” such as this speak publicly, Christianity, in general, and the Church, in particular, takes two steps backwards? To the folks in Kansas, I’ve got two words for you: New Testament.

Today’s USA Today article must have God going, “Hmmm.” Cory Burnell, of the Christian Exodus wants to make South Carolina the new Promised Land for Christians. That way they “would be able to pass laws that line up with their biblical principles and their interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.”

It was the logical choice, according to Burnell. South Carolina is conservative, home to almost a million Southern Baptists, as well as a prominent fundamentalist college (Bob Jones University). And it’s about as Republican red as you can possibly get. “Burnell’s plan,” according to USA Today, “is to recruit conservative Christians to move here [South Carolina] and tip the scales further right.”

I can just imagine the conversation in heaven as Jesus turns to his Father, “Didn’t I tell them to go into the entire world and make disciples of every nation?”

“Yes,” the Father replies.

“And didn’t I pray once that you would NOT take them out of the world?” Jesus asks.

“Yes Son, you did.”

“And didn’t I die for the entire world? Isn’t that what the Bible says?” Jesus continues.

“That’s how I wrote it,” says the Father.

“Then why did you tell them to go to South Carolina?”

“What makes you think I told them that?” asks the Father. “Just because someone says I said something doesn’t make it true, and it doesn’t mean I said it. Shouldn’t Pat Robertson be proof enough of that?”

“And another thing,” Jesus continues, “When did you become a Republican?”

At that point the Father looks at the Son with the look that only a father can give his son, and Jesus knows the conversation is over.

Hmmm.

In preparing for this week’s message I pulled a great book off the shelf in my office. George Hunter has written a must read book for anyone wanting to build a church to reach lost people in the 21st century.

In his book, Church for the Unchurched, he reminds us of the need for the 21st American church to speak to our culture in a relevant way. Hear his words clearly:

We are observing the emergence of entire congregations who are willing to be culturally flexible in order to reach people. These churches are dramatizing a truth that missionaries have known for decades: To reach non-Christian populations,  it is necessary for a church to become culturally indigenous to its ‘mission field’ – whether that field is Asia, Africa, Latin America, or Oceana, or in Europe or in North America. When a church employs the language, music, style, architecture, art forms, and other forms of the target population’s culture, Christianity has a fair chance to become contagious within their ranks. But when the church’s communication forms are alien to the host population, they may never perceive that Christianity’s God is for people like them.

So – the next time you wonder why your church uses contemporary music, or when someone asks, “Why don’t we do ministry the way we used to do it?” remind them that it’s not about you or me or us or our little holy huddle. It’s about reaching people who are far from God and we’ll never reach them if we don’t speak their language.

I had coffee with an old friend this morning. Two thoughts came to me as I walked away from that encounter. First, I was struck by the growth in this friend’s life. We hadn’t seen each other in a couple of years and as we chatted and got “caught up” I noticed a perspective that had obviously matured over this period of time.

I’m grateful for the growth in my friend’s life. I walked away, however, asking the question, “I wonder if he sees any growth in my life?” I don’t ask it in any kind of macho comparative way; I just hope that obvious growth is evident in my life. It reminds me of the passion I have to grow deeper in my walk with Christ, to grow broader in my outlook and perspective, and to grow capably in my skills and chosen profession.

The second thought was also of gratitude. My friend thanked me for the impact I have had on his life (he used to work for me) over the years and particularly during the time we worked together. How cool is it to look back and realize that you impacted someone (for the better, I might add)? This begs the question, “Who am I impacting right now?”

The thought for the day is this: I must grow and I must help others grow. That should keep me busy for a while.

It’s a strategy. We announced it last Sunday at New Heights Christian Fellowship. Here it is:

1. INVEST in a relationship with a non-believer.
2. INVITE them to a relevant and seeker-safe environment.
3. INTRODUCE them to Christ.
4. CULTIVATE Christ-like character.
5. CONNECT with community.
6. COMMIT to servant ministry.
7. CHOOSE a life of stewardship.

In the days to come we’ll talk more and often about this strategy. We believe our mission is to “develop this present generation into fully devoted followers of Christ.” The above strategy is the key to accomplishing the mission.

Here’s the thing about our strategy…

It’s simple. There’s nothing complex about it.

It’s memorable. That is, it’s easy to remember. Seven simple words.

It’s explainable. If someone asks you about New Heights or our strategy, it’s fairly easy to explain.

It’s doable. It involves natural and normal behavior like investing in a friendship, inviting them to a church service or an outreach event, and telling them what Jesus Christ has done for you. The last part of the strategy involves some discipline but who of us couldn’t benefit from that?

It’s transferable. No matter where you are in your walk with Christ or in your journey of seeking him, or how long you’ve been at New Heights, you can pick up the mantle (strategy) and walk on.

It’s powerful. It helps us focus and where there is focus, there is power; power in one’s outlook, passion, effort, and effectiveness. This strategy is the grid through which all of our activities are planned at New Heights. Focused activity is powerful activity. That’s our operational goal.

It’s impossible. Yes, with God, all things are possible, the Scripture says (Matthew 19:26). Without him, it can’t be done; especially when you realize that it’s absolutely the hardest way in the world to do church. (That would explain why so few churches are this involved in the process.)

It’s a simple strategy, but here’s the question: What will you do with it? Will you be involved in it? Will you employ it? Can you become a vital part of New Heights’ endeavor to develop this present generation into fully devoted followers of Christ?

I think you can. Will you?

I really, really believe that the Church is the hope of the world. In fact, it’s the ONLY hope of the world. It’s not education; you can’t educate away man’s sinful nature. It’s not medicine; there is no physical cure to the problem of sinful behavior. It’s not politics or government; just watch the news or read a newspaper. It should be fairly obvious by now that government can’t solve its own problems, let alone the problems of the world. Business and science can’t do it either.

Only the power of Jesus Christ can solve the problem of man’s sinfulness. And there’s only one institution that offers the life-changing message of Jesus Christ – the Church. That was the Master’s business. Therefore, the Church BETTER be about the Master’s business. Is it? Is it even on our radar screens?

I’m just wondering. In 1999, literally one half of American churches did not report one convert. Fifty percent of American churches could not pinpoint a moment when a person gave his or her life to Jesus Christ. I wonder what our Boss would say about this.

Today’s post is about “fixing things.” I ran into issues last night while trying to use my computer. The diagnostics investigation revealed that I had not updated my operating system and needed to install what they called a service pack. I tried but didn’t have the necessary disks in my possession so I had to wait until I went to my office this morning.

Once I found everything I needed the installation and update went fine and here we are. Interesting, isn’t it? That our computers really are like our lives. No, I’m not elevating technology to the level of humanness…BUT…do we not need to update our own lives from time to time? Don’t we get behind? Are we not out of tune with what’s going on around us, not to mention not in tune with the One who created us and leads us?

So – will you take the time this weekend to shut off the noise and activity and update your own life? Let me suggest a couple of tools. One is the Bible. Consider it your operator’s manual; it’s full of instructions to help update your life and make it operable again. Forget the rules and regulations stuff – look at it as a love letter from God himself. Think of it as a divine GPS system.

Second, there’s a great book by Gordon MacDonald titled, Ordering Your Private World. It’s on my list to read every January – to get my life back in shape, to re-calibrate my thinking, to “update” me and make me function properly in my profession, my family, and my life.

Think about it – and do some maintenance this weekend.

I’m sitting at my desk wondering about what to write. As I look at my wall I see a framed apron with the slogan, “Here to Serve.” What would happen if everyone in the Body of Christ actually lived their life that way? What would happen if we listened to the Christ who said, “I am among you as one who serves?” Would it not transform the way the world relates to the Church?

How sad that the Church of Jesus Christ is known more for what it’s against, what it shouts about, what it tries to put down, and what it judges as wrong or insignificant. What would happen if we were known for what we supported, what we aided, what we promoted, what we lifted up instead. Too often we scream, “What’s wrong with the world?” when things don’t progress the way we perceive that they should.

Would it not make more sense for us look inward and ask, “What’s wrong with us?”