Welcome to Txt Tuesday…the day we we reply to all the incoming text messages that don’t get a response during the Sunday morning service.   You can text your questions/comments etc.  to the number on the screens any Sunday morning… 

Txt:   Why, when u follow, love and obey God in every area u can, does life go from bad 2 worse?   And often all u get from others is “I’ll pray 4 u”.

Don:  This question alone makes all the effort of taking incoming txt messages during the service worth it…what an honest and thoughtful question.  You might expect that I would question whether you were truly “following, loving and obeying  God in every area u can” if your life is going from bad to worse…But I absolutely believe you…I’ve personally experienced what you are describing.

Jesus said in John 16:33  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Throughout scripture you will find God saying “you will have trouble”, “you will experience hard times” , “you will experience loss”…but I will be with you…I will protect you…I will make sure that you are cared for.

The problem is, whenever we experience “hard times”…life going “from bad to worse” whenever we go to our friends they often either say “I’ll pray 4 u” or they may even wonder if you are sinning in some area.  Most want to help…they are just unable to deal with the reality that you are ”suffering” while doing all the right things.   (Think it’s a new thing?  Check out the book of Job)  It makes us wonder if God is “there”…if he cares for us.   Why is it that the more we desire to serve him- the more “trouble” we experience.   It seems “backwards”…shouldn’t you be rewarded for “doing the right thing”?  Don’t preachers talk about being “blessed by God”?   Where is that “Blessing”?

 God created life to be lived in “seasons”.  There are “seasons” of testing.   Times when our enemy (Satan) is doing everything in his power to discourage us from carrying out our desire to follow God.  Times when God “withholds” from rescuing us to build our strength and endurance.   Times when God is “silent”.  For Michele and I the past couple years have been like that.  We have devoted our lives to being obedient to God in starting actionchurch….yet we have never experienced more financial, physical, personal (etc)…pain and difficulty.  Many times we have wondered “Where is the blessing?”.  “If this is the right thing-why is everything so hard”?

The Great news is that every “season” of testing and trouble ends.  God does bless us.   And over the “long haul” there is nothing better than serving God. Michele and I feel very fortunate right now to be part of what God is doing at actionchurch.   But there are times…lots of times…when it just sucks.   When it doesn’t seem like anything is ever going to “turn out all right”.   The main thing is never to give up…to miss the pay off.  Here’s some verses from my favorite scripture to read during seasons of testing.  Psalms 37.  We will also be dealing with this exact “dilemma” in our upcoming sermon series about Joseph that starts in 4 weeks.

 ³ Trust in the Lord and do good.
      Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
 ⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
      and he will give you your heart’s desires.

 ⁵ Commit everything you do to the Lord.
      Trust him, and he will help you.
 ⁶ He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
      and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Psalms 37:3-6

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It’s Txt Tuesday…and it is “on like Donkey Kong” this week.  (I’m not even sure what that means…)   I loved the txt survey that Josiah did to find out which of the “four” valentines day cards all you ladies got…sounds like the men of actionchurch went “serious” this year.

Txt :   Will we do more things like the “Extreme Christmas Makeover” in the future?

Don:   Abso-freakin-lutely!   (Missed out on the action? -here’s a link to the Makeover.)   Since our core value is to give “no strings attached” as we grow larger and have more resources you will see more efforts like the makeover instead of less.  (We don’t “give” to attract new people to actionchurch…we attract more people to church so we can give “bigger”)   Our next big “push” as a church will come after Easter when we are going to do the RELAY FOR LIFE in an all-out actionchurch way!

Txt :  If the one that wronged u is not near, is it okay to do for a stranger or a non-profit in their behalf instead of giving to them?

Don:  I know this is in response to Jesus saying in Luke 6 that we should “turn the other cheek” and lend to those who will not repay us.  The unfortunate part about being “wronged” is that many times it cannot be “made right” (here on earth at least).  Many times we can’t even respond to the person who has wronged us in forgiveness and mercy due to distance, death etc.  The most important thing (since God is the one keeping score) is that we forgive in our heart…that we truly let that person “off the hook”.  If there is no way to let that person know…I think it would be perfectly fine to do for someone else.   If  however, you feel like you should pick up the phone and let someone know they are forgiven and loved…”no strings attached”…be obedient and do it…no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

Txt :   I got a card with “coupons” for things i want/need on a daily basis.  ie.  a day of doing whatever I want.

Don:  We asked women to txt in what kind of Valentines Day card they got…so this txt is from a woman.  An observation:   How come women’s “coupon” cards always are for things like shopping…or spending the day AWAY from the man?   Men’s cards with “coupons” usually are filled with coupons for “time together”…or “scrapbooking” as I like to call it…just sayin???

Txt :  Don’s jacket is lovely today!

Don:  It was “lovely”…”dashing” even…I think we’ll stop right there for the week.

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 To all of you who sent something complimentary  about actionchurch or the sermon we really appreciate it…but I thought there was only one msg that needed response today…

Txt:  (in response to “why” Jesus brought his three friends up the mountain to see his “business meeting” at the transfiguration)   Maybe Jesus brought them us the mountain to show them just  how powerful he was so that they would be able to preach from knowledge and experience…

Don:  I understand this txt came in just as I was wrapping up…but whoever you are I think you are exactly right.  I absolutely believe that the “point” of following Jesus is not to (as Peter suggested) stay on the top of the mountain …but to follow Jesus down the mountain to where the “large crowds” of people needing help, healing, and teaching await!  That’s why we do actionchurch.  However, I think you have a really great insight into why it is important to experience those “spiritually explosive” moments…when we see and experience the power of Jesus…when we “hear” God speak…when we see miracles that we can never “explain away”- it certainly does give us confidence in the power of God so we can passionately share that with others.   Great insight- thank you “anonymous txter person”…you “brought it” on Sunday!

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Ok folks, it’ Txt Tuesday so let’s “keep the shiney side up and the dirty side down”…or something like that.

Txt: Wow this is totally relavent for me today.  wtg!!! makes scary sense.

Txt:Thanks for todays message it was really relevant for me and I’m sure many others.

Don:   We had several Txts like this Sunday (and even more conversations like this afterwards)…so what happened?  Was it the “greatest’ sermon ever…a “touch down pass” of preaching on Superbowl Sunday?  Nope, not at all.  It didn’t have to be.  Every single one of us need to be accepted…to be forgiven…to be given an opportunity to “start over”.  We all need someone to “go first” and forgive us not because we deserve it…not because we have proved that we are “cleaning ourselves up”…but as the scriptures say, “While we were still sinners”   I certainly do…in fact, only the mercy and forgiveness of God “allows” me to be able to stand up and tell “you all” about the mercy and forgiveness of God.  It’s “real” to me…because I have experienced it…and am experiencing it every day.

The “point” to experiencing Gods forgiveness and acceptance is not to become “religious” and proud of our “goodness”…it’s to “pass it on” to others who (like us) are struggling with the destructive forces of sin.  That’s why everyone is accepted at actionchurch (except for perfect people).  We’ve all either “been there”…or at least in my case…are “still there” in needing God’s forgiveness and mercy every day…

Txt:  When can we buy actionchurch gear?

Don:  Thanks for asking…I really appreciate the fact that people choose to “wear the cog”!   We should have new stickers and T’s out in time for spring.   If it were up to me I would “drape myself ” in actionchurch gear:-)   I would like to have everything from Tanks to T’s to socks to mugs to ac underwear…  We actually planned to have new gear available by now but we are trying to be very fiscally conservative right now.  T-shirts etc. are “upfront” costs that have to be paid before we can recoup anything from sales.   Because we are a “volunteer” church (no one is paid staff) and we were already a really “creatively cheap” organization (everything made of duct tape)  I believe we are positioned to weather tough financial times successfully.   We do realize though, that every dollar we receive was given by someone also living in tough financial times…so we are going to be generous to others…but really “make a buck stretch” when it comes to stuff we want for the church.

Thanks for being part of Txt Tuesday.  Look for more questions/comments here next Tuesday and live on the screens Sunday.

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Ok folks it’s Txt Tuesday so let’s let our fingers do the walkin’ and the txts do the talkin’.

We got overwhelmed with great txts about what worship “is” on Sunday morning.  Honestly I think some of the “personal definitions” people gave were better than the one I used…

Txt: Worship is spending time praising God. Whether by music, poems, or prayer, or dancing…It’s personal time letting  him know He is da Bomb!

Txt:  Worship is any action I take that places God in his rightful place and me in mine.

Txt:  It (worship) is an expression of your heart that only God can hear and only you and God understand.  Anything can be worship, it’s not any one act in itself.

Txt: (Worship is) Putting something or someone in the highest place in your life and it is manifested through your actions.

Txt: (Worship is) People gathered in small or large groups proclaiming their faith and rejoicing together trusting fully in God.

Txt:  I think everyone has their own style of worship.  God Made us all unique in our own way and we are all at different points in our lives so all styles can be different as long as it is from your heart.

Txt: (Worship is) Communication with God.

Txt:  Worship: being able to praise God in any way you see fit.  Whether its a service, music, or a gathering.  It’s being able to openly praise God and being comfortable in your relationship with him.

Txt:  (Worship is) a type of song to a worship feel, but I can worship God when I’m working on my car or just chillin at home with my sketch book.

Txt:  Worship is way more that a simple definition, anything that is done to glorify God can be a form of worship.

Txt: The act or actions in which your heart is completely and fully in a state of awe in the fullness of Christ.

Txt:I think worship is any form of Praise to God.  And Where is Don’s jacket today?

Don:   So there it is…twelve personal definitions of Worship…all different…all pointing to one thing-honoring and pleasing God!  I thought I would post them without “comment” because I think the diversity and the depth of the definitions say more about all of the ways that we can worship God far better than I can…but of course I still want to say something anyway.

God is looking for Worshipers who worship him in “spirit and in truth” I think one of the most important things to remember about worship is that while we must continue to diligently search for the “truth”  part of the worship “equation”…there is simply no way for us to Judge the “spirit” part of it.   We can learn from scripture things that are simply not allowed as “True” worship…for example God is pretty clear that he does not want us to sacrifice our children to him..whew.  But we have no way of knowing what people’s motives or “spirit” is…we simply must leave that up to God to Judge.  Worship in “he Church” is very diverse…very unique from service to service…and I’m pretty sure God is happy about that as long as our hearts are honoring him.

As for the txts about my “missing” Jacket and “unnatural” love of argyle…you’ll just have to show up next week.  I MAY have a Jacket made completely of argyle…

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Okay, It’s Txt Tuesday folks so let’s “kick the tires and light the fires”.

txt:  Is brown the new denim?

Don:   No actually brown is the new black…black is the new blue…and anything argyle is awesome!   Josiah?

txt:   I agree with what u say and often start this conversation with friends- yet still inaction reigns!  What is the solution over this chasm of theory to action? 

Don:  Wow…you really managed to say a lot in a few short words.  You are absolutely right, just talking about how we are losing “market share” won’t make it stop.  I’m sure the auto makers had more than one “meeting” or seminar over the years about how to “beat the imports”…yet here we are in “bail-out-ville”.  The positive thing that I see happening now is that at least the church (and some automakers) are no longer “blaming the customers”…and are starting to look inward out how bloated and “inefficient” we have become.   (Multi-million dollar dealerships with no customers and multi-million dollar churches with empty chairs look a lot alike to me.)  Truthfully…I don’t think the hope of changing the tide for Christianity comes as much from the (corporate) church…as much as from individuals.  Want to change your neighbor’s bad opinion about “Christians”… treat them with love, mercy, forgiveness and kindness.  It can change one person at a time.  I see the role of the church is to inspire and focus their attenders to “put the teachings of Jesus into action!”

txt:   We need a modern day Christian Heroes month!

Don:   I agree…the heroes that can start fires with their hands and fly and…oh wait…that’s just a show on NBC.  Seriously though, I think the “backlash” that has happened against “Saints” by protestants has harmed us in many ways.  We certainly shouldn’t worship other humans…but the fact that we put a leather cover on the Bible and called God’s work on earth “finished”…added to the fact that we are afraid to really honor those who have done great things in the kingdom, because they might become a “Saint”…leaves a lot of people thinking that God only “moved” in “Bible times”.   Because of that I think church in America  has become a lot like the “Renaissance Fair”…a place that you dress up to go learn about “Ye olden tymes”…and then drive away in your SUV to a world that has nothing to do with what you just witnessed…

txt:  If God loves us why is American Idol still on?

Don:  It’s BECAUSE God loves us that American Idol is still on my friend:-)  Yea he has even blessed us with another Judge…Judge Kara.   How do you feel that your auditiontxt, just went?

txt: The separation between God and state is a blended line and it always has been BUT the more desperate America becomes for “peace” the more we artificially grasp for religion as a way out…

Don:  …religion…AND Government.   I think as Christians we have put ourselves in a “bind” because over the years we have “used” legislation to “enforce” our morals…and now people put more confidence in Government legislation than God…or Morality.  For example,  I’m pretty sure what makes “HOLY’ Matrimony a “binding covenant” has more to do with being before God, than getting a certificate from the state of PA.  Yet because we have “used” legislation to bolster and uphold marriage, most people believe that “preserving the sanctity of marriage” comes from fighting for legislation…instead of actually honoring the covenant they made before God in marriage…yeesh, what a mess we make when we get out of the “salvation” business and get into the “legislation” business.

txt:  Don’s jacket is nice today.

Don:  I think we should just end there, thank you…

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Ok, its Tuesday so let’s get right to it.  Here’s the txts that didn’t make it up on the screen due to time constraints…etc.

txt:  You can also get the Bible on your iPhone-if you’re cool enough to have one.

me:   very true…but just mean for taunting me for being iPhone-less!   Even if you are one of the “apple cult” you make a good point…the Bible is soooo accessible to us.

txt:   what do we do with the naug hammie library?

me:   Not sure what that is…I even googled it just now which I couldn’t have done live…I probably would have made a “smart”  comment about only whispering in it so as not to piss off the naug hammie librarians.  Seriously though, if it is (as I suspect) a library of “extra-biblical” writings…my position is that we don’t actually “do” what is in the Bible as we know it…instead we spend too much time in my opinion learning “Bible Trivia”…”extra books” won’t help us in that respect…

txt: ?. aldrich wrote: “for many Christians, their Bible knowledge goes far beyond their willingness to obey.”

me:  yes!   I think that’s true of most of us… we don’t need more information…we need a transformation!

txt: U have the key- it’s not only what u have but how u use it.  People misuse tools often then blame the tools, makers of the tools etc.

me:  Exactly…it seems pretty “simple” if you think of the Bible as a “tool” that God has graciously allowed us access to in the last few hundred years.  Unfortunately far more people think of it (even if they don’t say this) as some sort of “magic” book…so they are trying to find the “magic” verse to fix their problems…the right “confession” to magically give them what they want/need.   When people put their faith in the “book” instead of the one that the book was written about…it always leads to disapointment.  God is not a “Genie in a bottle”.  That’s Christina Aguilara…

txt:  i think it may be a problem with the ones  who “know” the Bible because they tend to judge too quickly and forget where they came from and the mistakes they have made.

me:  Great point.  Another area where I think the analogy of “Bible knowledge” being like money works really well.  When people have a lot of money but remember “where they came from” they tend to want to use it to help others…  (think Pursuit of Happyness).   When people have a lot of money and think it makes them “better” than everyone else…it actually destroys them.  (And makes them into huge Jerks!)

txt:   When is actionchurch going to do have a study on the tribe of Judha.

me:  We’ll get to that as soon as we have “mastered” all the teachings of Jesus like “love your neighbor”…”turn the other cheek”…”the first will be last”…    I’m guessing…hmm…let me look at my calender…how about NEVER!

txt:  How do you get others to believe that things work out with GOD without having bad influences affect them?

me: I’m afraid my answer is going to frustrate you a bit…  You can’t.  You can’t stop people from succumbing to bad influences.  You can love them…pray for them…share the truth with them if they are interested..but you can’t “keep” anyone from doing the wrong thing.  God’s Spirit is a very powerful force…but even the Spirit allows people to chose.  God’s plan of free will sounds great…until you watch someone you care about use that “freedom” to destroy themselves.

Over and out…I love hearing from everyone! See ya next week. 

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Q: Do u think that sometimes our prayers aren’t answered because our suffering can create in us a compassionate heart more sensitive to the suffering of others?

Me: Excellent point… absolutely. There are many examples in scripture of God allowing people to suffer for a time. (Job, Joseph, David, Daniel…etc.) Almost every “great” story in the Bible includes (unfortunately for us sometimes) suffering. I think that’s why God commands us to “bear each others burdens” to be compassionate and loving to each other…because suffering is simply unavoidable…but at least we can hold each other up as we go through life.

Q. Do your parents support the direction you have gone with actionchurch?

Me: I’m pretty sure this question comes because I mentioned that my dad is a (recently retired) baptist minister. At first my parents were honestly pretty horrified when I first told them we were going to be starting a church in a bar. As Midwest baptists they get pretty offended if someone tossed a beer can on the church lawn… In August they came out from Missouri and attended a service at Fat Daddy’s (with a metal band that day) and have been very supportive ever since. I guess what speaks most is that they now give financially every month to actionchurch even though they are retired and far from wealthy. I love and appreciate them both…and often ask my dad questions during the week about areas of the scriptures I am unsure about.

Q. How do you pray? Do you just pray to God like you are talking to a friend?

Me: Exactly! Only God is the very best friend you could have…one that won’t leave you…betray you…one that you can tell anything, because he already knows. Make no mistake God is absolutely to be “feared”…but he allows us to approach him boldly…not as cowering subjects, but as sons, daughters…”friends”. I hope lots of you are praying Honest, Humble, Hopeful prayers this week!

We just had the three questions this week…I hope to have more next week and see some of them on the screens. Thanks!

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