Running on Empty

from Pastor Lane

LifePoint is hosting a pictorial gallery throughout the month of July to heighten awareness of need and encourage our people through Summer Serve, a month long emphasis on serving through multiple Servant Projects. You can read more about that here. As I viewed the gallery Sunday morning and came to this picture, it struck way too close to home. A reminder of my empty tank that needs filling when gas prices are setting new records weekly—now that’s a great way to encourage people! Surely it heightens my awareness of need, much like an ice cube being used to identify a sensitive tooth or exposed nerve. How much more fun can this get?! This photo touches a nerve! But when I remain long enough to endure the initial shock, I am reminded how great a need this photo identifies. The benevolence requests LifePoint receives has doubled, tripled, maybe even quadrupled over the last three to four months. It reminds me of one all too common issue. People are hurting! While the practical pains of life are most evident (bills, food, medicine), these serve as reminders of the greater need that abounds, spiritual darkness.

When Jesus looked on crowds of people that gathered around him, he was filled with compassion and mercy (Matt. 9.36). Fully aware of and sensitive to their physical needs, as demonstrated in Scripture, Jesus was filled with compassion because of their spiritual emptiness. Matthew 9.36 describes them as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. This identifies not only the physical needs of people, but the spiritual needs of helplessness and hopelessness. The world is full of this spiritual emptiness. People we live and work and recreate next to every day are living on empty spiritually. Their hopes, dreams, and plans rest solely in themselves. They are unprepared to address eternity and subsequently ill-prepared to fully experience life in the present. The strength and hope of life is consumed in the here and now and all that this world can provide. Sadly, hope rests in whether or not they they have enough money to fill their gas tanks and no significant consideration is given to the weightier matters of life. Like sheep without a shepherd, people in spiritual emptiness live unsuspecting lives in a world whose only promise is to bring heartache and pain, suffering and loss, and all without any meaning. How helpless and hopeless life in the kingdom of darkness really is. But Christians have been transferred into the kingdom of light!

Christians exist in the perfect environment to complete the perfect mission of our heavenly Father. Serving in Jesus’ name makes an eternal difference! In serving we glorify God and direct the eyes, ears, and attention of people to him to show how he is our hope and our help. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46.1). Christians are the light of the world (Matt. 5.14). What better place for light to be than in darkness in order to do its work? Christ-follower, do not forget that when you are living in obedience unto God, you live for a divine purpose!

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. —2 Cor 4.5–6

Remember these simple truths in serving:

1. Don’t live your life on empty. Jesus came that we might have life to the full (John 10.10). Full life comes only through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Fill your heart, mind, and life with him every day. He does not intend for you to serve in your strength. He has ordained your life to be used as his instrument of hope and strength.
2. Be aware and look for opportunities to do good deeds unto others. Think simple and practical. You may have the opportunity to serve another person in a monumental way or you may not. But there is always an abundance of ways to serve others in simple, practical ways.
3. When you have the opportunity to do a good deed, be careful not to dismiss it as insignificant. You never work alone, and you never know when God will use the smallest of acts to ignite a wildfire of opportunity to share his love.
4. Be intentional with your deeds and considerate enough to inform others of why you are doing good deeds. “Jesus loves you” following a simple practical good deed does two things: 1) Reminds you of how God is using you every day to accomplish his will and mission on earth. 2) Communicates the true source that initiated the good deed, Jesus Christ, and directs any praise offered in response to him.

Christ-followers, as servants of Jesus Christ, let us serve in his name unto the glory of God the Father.

In the same way, let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. —Matt. 5.16

Summer Serve 2008

from Pastor Lane

“Summer Serve” is LifePoint’s church-wide emphasis on serving in Jesus’ name through the month of July. We are always working to equip and encourage all LifePointers to serve others in Jesus’ name! Serving is not a new idea for LifePointers. It has been said, “At LifePoint, that’s just what we do because that’s who we are.” Serving is important as we connect with people, build relationships, and show God’s love through practical expressions of good deeds. Christ-followers are the light of the world (Matt. 5.14), created in Christ Jesus to glorify God through good works (Eph. 2.10). Serving others in Jesus’ name through good deeds is how Christ-followers "shine our light" and glorify God in public (Matt 5.16). Join LifePoint this summer and grow your ethos as Servant!

Servant Projects are the connection environments that LifePoint uses to facilitate and organize opportunities to serve. There are several projects throughout the month to highlight need around us as well as encourage and equip you to participate:

• Project: See the Need Pictorial Gallery (July)

  The Creative Communication Team is hosting a pictorial gallery throughout the month that will feature an exposay of need in our world: from local and specific needs to more abstract representations of need. Need is not our motivation to serve but rather the object of our serving. This is an important distinctive for Christians. The love of Christ is our compelling fuel (2 Cor. 5.14). Christ has loved us, and we serve to show and share his love in the way he modeled for us (Mark 10.45). Serving others is the most practical expression of showing God's love for Christ-followers. When we see need in the world, we are compelled from within to serve—at the very least to address the need and acknowledge its burden on life, offer comfort, peace and hope in Christ, offer help in alleviating the burden by giving of self or resources and working to show and share how Christ meets every need in life to replace the weight of life’s burdens with his yoke that is light and gives rest to our souls.

• Project: Least of These Food Drive (Sundays in July)

  Least of These food pantry of Christian County is a LifePoint Church Project partner. July is the month designated to serve the hungry of this region by filling the pantry. As a Servant Project partner, Least of These is one way that LifePoint can serve people who are hungry and in need of food. Each week during the month of July we will have baskets at the front of the Worship Room. We ask you to bring food, goods, and items, as listed below, and place them in the baskets on Sunday as an act of worship. We will deliver them on Monday mornings to Least of These. Our goal is to deliver a ton of food and goods to the pantry. Least of These needs

  • cereal
  • pancake mix and syrup
  • macaroni and cheese
  • rice
  • dry beans
  • hamburger helper
  • canned soups
  • canned tuna
  • chili and stews
  • saltine crackers
  • tomato sauce
  • spaghetti sauce
  • pasta
  • peanut butter
  • jelly
  • toilet paper
  • shampoo
  • toothpaste
  • laundry detergent
• Project: CBCO Blood Drive (July 13; 8 AM to 1 PM)

  Summer is always a time of high demand for the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. LifePoint is glad to partner with them and make a convenient opportunity available for our people to give as able. Sunday, July 13, the bloodmobile will be parked outside LifePoint Church during our morning services. Plan to come early or stay late and donate blood if you are qualified and able.

• Project: Ozark Race Days at Finley River Park (July 25–26)

  Race Days is a great way for LifePoint to serve our city and connect with people. LifePoint has taken a greater responsibility each year for serving the city in helping them to provide games, activities, crafts, and fun for children and parents that come to the festival. Our service allows us to serve and make greater connections with city officials and residents. This is our largest, single project of the summer. The Park Board has asked us to be responsible for all kid’s activities during the festival, which we are excited and happy to do. This, as always, will require an army of volunteers. Plan to participate as we call for people to serve.

  The LifePoint Band will also be playing on stage on Saturday afternoon. This is a great way for them to serve together and bless the city with some great tunes. Plan to come and support them as well while they play.

• Church Leadership Quarterly: Leading and Organizing an Army of Servants (July 22, 10 AM to 2 PM)

  Each quarter LifePoint hosts a training event for church planters, pastors, and leaders focused on encouraging and equipping for more effective leadership in the church and fulfilling the mission of the gospel. This quarterly session will focus on the biblical mandate to serve, testimonies of how serving transforms a church to transform a city, how to effectively organize people to serve both within the church and together as the church in the city, and a roundtable discussion to effective methodologies that are being used. LifePoint volunteers are needed to help facilitate the noon meal, and we would love to have you join us for the session.

Thanks for Serving Pregnancy Care Center, LifePoint!

from Pastor Lane

Thursday evening, May 29, about 40 LifePointers invaded the soon-to-be new Pregnancy Care Center facility on Primrose in Springfield and went to work. The response was incredible and the Center staff was overwhelmed. So many people showed up to serve that the staff had to scramble to find work for everyone. One of the staffers stated that this was the largest group that had shown up to work. Painting was the work of the evening and the majority of two floors (13,000 square feet) got fresh coats of paint.

What a great testimony to the praise of Jesus of the willingness of our people to serve! Transformed lives make a real difference! Pregnancy Care Center is a partner in the work of the gospel that LifePoint is passionate about and as your pastor I’m so thankful. You honor Jesus and make an incredible impact through your passion for serving.

When I tell people about LifePoint, I only explain it by simply saying, “That’s just what LifePoint does because that’s who we are!” Thank you, Jesus, for making such a difference in the lives of people at LifePoint. May we live, serve and share to make an eternal impact for your great namesake!

Principles to Guide Grace-Motivated Giving

from Pastor Lane

Giving to the Lord is a great blessing in the life of a Christ-follower. Scripture teaches and reminds of the measureless blessing of God to those who are faithful in giving their money to the Lord’s work. I want to share nine principles that Scripture teaches in order to guide giving by grace. Included with each principle are questions to help you discern the genuineness of this motivation. I pray that these principles encourage and guide you as you seek to glorify God in the giving of your money to his kingdom work.

1. Systematic. Giving should be on a regular, systematic basis: weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, etc. This is also in keeping with the biblical principle of first fruits; our first and best should be collected at the beginning of the week, set aside, and brought before God.

   Discern: Am I faithful to give regularly or do I only give when I feel like it? What systematic structure do I use for giving?

   On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum. —1 Cor. 16.1–2

2. Proportional. Giving should be according to one’s income, as you have been prospered and according to your ability.

   Discern: Do I give according to my income or only according to my feelings toward giving? How do I decide an amount to give?

   Each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income. —1 Cor. 16.2b

   They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. —2 Cor. 8.2–3

   The gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. —2 Cor. 8.12

3. Sacrificially generous. Give not only what you can afford to give, but beyond that, what you believe God would have you to give, trusting him for your provision by your gift.

   Discern: In what ways am I sacrificing in life in order to give generously? Am I willing to make intentional sacrifices in order to give beyond my ability? When have I done/will I do this?

   Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity…they gave…even beyond their ability. —2 Cor. 8.2–3

   I have received the gifts you sent…They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. —Phil. 4.17–18

4. Intentional. Giving to God should be an intentional response of worship to him, and not an afterthought or reaction.

   Discern: When/How do I decide what I will give? Through a systematic, financial budgeting plan? Sunday morning when I arrive?

   They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in the service to the saints. —2 Cor. 8.4

   For even when I was in Thessalonica you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. —Phil. 4.16

5. The motivation of love, equality among God’s people and blessing should guide all giving. This expresses a passion for God, a compassion for people, and a complete dependence upon his blessing in life.

   Discern: Do I give out of love for God and the gospel? Do I give because I desire to see God’s glory spread throughout the earth? Do I give because I trust and earnestly desire God’s blessing?

   For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. —2 Cor. 8.9

   Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. —2 Cor. 8.12–14

   Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. —2 Cor. 9.6, 10–11

6. Cheerfully. When one gives, it should be done with a cheerful spirit, full of joy.

   Discern: Do I experience real joy in giving or am I hesitant and regretful? Do I even think about my emotions in giving; whether it is a joy to me or not?

   Each man should give…not reluctantly…God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Cor. 9.7

   God loves (blesses) a cheerful and generous man. —Prov. 22.8

7. Voluntarily. Giving should be done as an act initiated by God’s grace and for his glory. One should not give because of coercion or manipulation or guilt.

   Discern: Do I give because I want to and am eager to find these opportunities? Do I feel like I give because I am coerced in some way?

   Each man should give what he has decided in his own heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. —2 Cor. 9.7

8. Excel in giving. As our relationship with Christ grows, so should our giving to him. As our income grows, our giving should grow as well. One should seek to excel in the amount as well as the proportion given.

   Discern: Have I excelled in my giving through the years? How? Has my giving grown in amount, frequency, maturity, etc?

   Just as you excel in everything…see that you also excel in the grace of giving. —2 Cor. 8.7

9. Promise of grace’s all-sufficiency. God sustains us through his grace. The more one grows in his grace, the more one comes to trust it for all things.

   Discern: Where do I not trust God’s all sufficient grace in my life? How am I not resting in it daily? Where does money have a hold on my heart and life as an idol of worship that I must denounce?

   And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all time, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. —2 Cor. 9.8

   And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. —Phil. 4.19

In all, our motivation for giving is love for Jesus. We cannot make him love us more or less through our giving, but we come to love him more as we practice giving more to him. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give” can be difficult. This is not an open excusal for people to just give whatever they want, but rather a principle teaching how to give by grace. Too many Christians take no time with their ‘hearts full of Christ’ to decide what to give, but only rather what their pocket book says is allowable to give, without too much effect. What we fail to realize is that when we give in this way, we have shown ourselves to have given from our heart for Christ, or rather the lack thereof. Without utilizing these principles to guide our giving, it is unlikely that we will honor God with our wealth and give by grace.

Money & Identity: Moving Beyond Obligation to Grace

from Pastor Lane

Money…it makes people do funny, stupid, and unbelievable things…not unlike this video of the Flying Lizards illustrates.

Why do we hold such a strong desire for money? I love the answer that James MacDonald gives: “Because we believe money can do things that only God can do.” The truth is, money is only temporal and cannot sustain our needs. “Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Prov. 11.4). Nevertheless we continue to put our hope in it, believing that it will make us happy, content, appreciated, feel better about self or accepted by others.

When money is esteemed as providing for life what only God can provide: provision, security, safety, purpose, etc. we place our hope in it and establish our identity and value in life by it. Proverbs 18.11 says, “The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.” When do I know that my hope is in money? When I think more highly toward those with money because I see that their house is nicer, their clothes are newer, their car is better, their luxuries are more abundant, and in all of these things I cannot help but think how much better my life would be…not with all of them, for that would be greedy…but maybe with only a few of them.

When must I confess that my identity is wrapped up in my wealth? I must confess this when I think less highly of those that do not, or at least do not seem to, have money. My thoughts toward others that may, or at least seem to, have less are not as high in respect. I may even have a thought of pity toward them because their clothes are not as nice, their car or house is not as new. I must confess this when I’m hesitant to let my kids play with theirs or to bring them too close in my life. Sure, the excuses that I put forth to avoid awkward situations are sound reasons that make complete sense. But the deeper thoughts of motivation rest with other perceptions.

When can I be sure that my trust is in my bank account? When I have the opportunity to give it away, even some of it, for purposes that I know to be God-ordained and yet I cannot let it go. I’m willing to give some, but not enough to in any way endanger my security, my safety, or my separation from the part of the world that I want nothing to do with.

The Christ-follower as Disciple & Missioner: Part IV

by Pastor Lane

Last Sunday I recommended a book to help if you needed an aide to begin to understand the importance of disciplines in your life or how to begin this disciplined life…or maybe just an encouragement to begin again in a disciplined practice. Here are three links to books that I would strongly recommend you read regarding this matter:

• The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Once a Christ-follower understands what it means to be a disciple, being a missioner is the natural development. A missioner is actively engaged in making disciples of all people of the world. As missioner, Christ-followers transfer the value of transformational grace to other people. Several components are inherent in this life as missioner. In order to share the gospel, one must be able to articulate the gospel message correctly and effectively. This is in order to invest in the life of another person. Our understanding of the gospel will grow throughout our life, but an initial understanding is all that is required in order to begin sharing it. One must learn to live missionally in order to prioritize sharing the gospel. This means that life should be lived with margin, leaving space in schedule, finances, energy, resources in order to intentionally focus on building relationships with people. A third practice that must be engaged in is studying and understanding culture in order to engage it. When we study the habits and practices of people in the world, we come to understand the idols and strongholds that people have in their lives that blind them or harden their hearts to God and the gospel. When a Christ-follower knows these idols and strongholds, they can communicate the gospel as it address the deepest needs of people and impact their lives with the power of its truth.

What a beautiful plan that we, Christ-followers, get to participate in. I challenge you this week…who are you developing a genuine relationship with in order to share the gospel?

The Christ-follower as Disciple & Missioner: Part III

by Pastor Lane

Transformation impacts life through biblical thinking. Not a pattern of thinking that reflects the wisdom of man, but one that has learned the wisdom of God. Sin corrupts our mind by evil knowledge, thoughts, patterns of thinking and human/worldly wisdom and rationale. Consider Romans 8.5–7a regarding the mind:

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. the sinful mind is hostile to God.

When one is transformed by the righteousness of Christ into Christ-likeness, it occurs by the renewing of the mind.
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. —Rom. 12.2b

Transformation impacts life by understanding how the gospel transforms a life from within to daily practice. When one receives Christ (conversion), a growing awareness of God’s holiness and of the flesh and sinfulness emerges. The gospel shows how my sin has been atoned for by Jesus’ blood, Jesus’ righteousness has been attributed to me and how I am to live in freedom through forgiveness. People often look at mature Christians and falsely believe they no longer struggle with temptation, that their sinfulness is in some way less severe or that they have just overcome sinfulness. Maturity in the Christian life is learning to apply the gospel, recognize the temptation that lead to sinfulness and battles it at its core. The closer you get to root of sin in life, the more intense the battle with it becomes. The practice of sinning/committal of sins is the fruit of a root sin in life. If you wait to battle it until it begins to show itself in action, victory is near impossible. Sin must be killed at its core. Maturity in the Christian life is the gospel growing our awareness of God and self, understanding how Jesus’ righteousness has given victory over our sin and living, by faith, in the victory that he has given.

Transformation impacts life by disciplined participation. Personal participation in relationship with Jesus is essential to transformational growth. Essential personal disciplines include Bible reading, memorization and meditation, prayer, giving, fasting, confession, and witnessing. These disciplines build our relationship with Jesus. Journaling is also an important discipline as I use it to enhance and guide my prayer and Bible time. Community participation is essential to growth. Essential community disciplines include church membership (connecting with a local body of Christ/church), worship, tithing, study, fellowship and serving.

The Christ-follower as Disciple & Missioner: Part II

by Pastor Lane

As a disciple, we are transformed by God’s grace through self-denial, sacrificed and suffering to grow in authenticity of Christ-likeness. Transformation impacts life through authentic living. Established in Christ’s righteousness, authenticity is the way we begin to live when we trust that Christ has imputed his righteousness upon us. A disciple learns to live in the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ Jesus. Not by any other form of righteousness that comes through good works, good thinking, intentions, or otherwise. The gospel reveals righteousness from God to us, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last (Rom. 1.17). God made him who knew no sin to become sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5.21). God’s grace frees us from living in our own self-righteousness or worldly righteousness to rest in Jesus’ righteousness that comes through faith.

There are several killers to this authentic living that we must beware of. An unrepentant spirit can kill authentic living by hardening one’s heart toward God and allowing sin to blind them and deceive. Perfectionism takes ones fear of being wrong or ‘not perfect’ and causes them to build in standards, other than God truth, to live by. Controlling tendencies, a fear of losing control or being controlling toward others, can lead a person to manipulate and rationalize sin in life in an effort to practice ‘sin management.’ Discontentment kills authentic living by living to please others and working to make others think more highly of us than we think about ourselves. It can also cause us to be ungrateful or greedy, consumed with wanting more in life. Contentment is too often believed to be related to material possession. Paul says that contentment is to be learned in every situation, regardless of the circumstances (Phil. 4.11) “but godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6.6). Legalism kills authentic living as it bases righteousness on an adherence to a set of rules, striving to make one feel better about themselves and appear better before other people. It establishes a pseudo-righteousness based on one’s set of rules or legalisms. Inevitably it can begin to impose that same set of rules onto others. Authenticity killers are anything that creates a righteousness based on something other than God’s righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus alone.

The Christ-follower As Disciple & Missioner: Part I

by Pastor Lane

The Great Commission calls Christ-followers to make disciples (Matt. 28.18–20). God’s grace empowers a life to fully experience the gospel of Jesus Christ every day and extend that grace to others. This is the ethos of the Christian life, to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God (disciple) and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people (missioner).

A clear understanding of the biblical definition of disciple is important to embrace what it means to follow Christ. Several passages guide our teaching and show that a disciple is marked by three distinctives: self-denial, sacrifice, and suffering.

If any man would come after me, he must deny himself, take us his cross daily and follow me. —Luke 9.23

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. —Phil.1.29

Self-denial is essential because without it we will impose our will upon our way and not follow Christ. We cannot follow Christ without first denying self. No man can serve two masters (Matt. 6.24). Until you know that you are not your own master, you will not follow Christ as your master. Sacrifice is essential because we will always default to self-preservation and pursue the poshest comforts of life. Jesus modeled a life of sacrifice in all things. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us (1 John 3.16). Suffering is essential because it produces perseverance that develops Christ-like character that results in hope. And hope in Christ never disappoints (Rom. 5.3–5). Jesus was made perfect through suffering (Heb. 2.10), and when we suffer for Christ’s sake we are to rejoice that we have been counted worthy to suffer for his name (1 Pet. 4.13).

The Christ-follower as Worshipper & Servant

The Great Commandment (Matt. 22.36–40) calls every Christ-follower to be a lover of God and a lover of others. The gospel of Jesus Christ empowers a life to fully experience God’s grace every day and extend that grace to others. This is the ethos of the Christian life, to love God and love others. The challenge arises when one tries to define “how” to love. Love can be a nebulous verb proving difficult to show in real actions and measure in tangible terms if only considered from the world’s point of view. Thanks be unto God! He has not left us to our own imagination or compassions. He has given the supreme example of love in Christ Jesus. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins(1 John 4.9–10). God’s love shown by demonstration is the heart of the Gospel. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5.8).

Several striking truths show the supremacy of God’s love. First, love is an action because God, the One who is love (1 John 4.16), establishes this through his expression. Second, the value of God’s love is supreme because he gave his only begotten son in order to express it (John 3.16). Third, the measure of God’s love is supreme because Jesus fully emptied himself (Phil. 2.6–8) in order to demonstrate the Father’s love. Fourth, the extent of God’s love is supreme because in the atoning sacrifice through Jesus Christ he has given new life and saved to the uttermost from the curse and condemnation of sin. Finally, the effectiveness of God’s love is supreme because it compels those who have received it to share his message and ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5.14f).

Christ-followers, in considering your life as a Worshipper (love God) and Servant (love others), you must first know who God is and understand what he has done. He has revealed himself that we might know him. Here are a couple of practical ways to grow your ethos as a worshipper and servant this year. First, read his Word, the Bible. Bible reading guides are a great help. I encourage you to go to print a copy of the file we’ve created to guide you through the Bible in ‘08 or use one of the plans offered at NavPress.com.

Second, communicate with God in regular time of prayer. Let your prayer be guided by God’s revelation of his character and attributes in his Word. Pray his Word back to him and over your life. Prayer is a way of expressing love to God and also loving others by faithful prayers for them. I encourage you to be sure you are signed up for the LifePoint prayer network that comes out every week. You can join the Prayer Network or access this week's prayer list on LifePoint Online. Prayer in our community of Christ-followers is an essential strength and unity-building discipline for us as a community to be faithful to.

Third, show your love to God in the greatest demonstration he has given to his children, obedience (1 John 5.3). Sin wars against the soul of every person but God’s grace gives victory. Is there a sin that haunts you, a temptation that besets you? Repent, receive God’s forgiveness and trust in God’s grace to obey his Word. His grace is greater than our sin (Rom. 5.20).

Fourth, show your love for God by loving others. Loving others as an expression of loving God is not only obedience to his command (1 John 3.23, 4.21) but also transfers the supreme value of relationship with God to other people. When we love God by loving others, we testify of the great worth his love has been unto us. When we love others sacrificially and generously we bear witness of how God has sacrificially and generously loved us first. We are servants of God expressing his love to others as it compels us. We serve to meet needs in His name and for his glory that others might experience first-hand the love of God.

Christ-follower, how will you live the love of God in your life? Who will you share the love of God?

—Pastor Lane

Worry—Just a Few More Thoughts

In Luke 12.22–34, Jesus teaches about worry in life—not to have it. Interestingly, there is no allowance for worry in Jesus’ words. He does not condemn a person for being tempted to worry but says in no uncertain terms, “Do not worry.”

Not worrying is such a difficult concept for us to grasp or practice because it is so natural. This is the very issue; it is natural to worry. Jesus is saying that our lives, when rescued and transferred to God's kingdom (Col. 1.13), are no longer to be ruled by the natural but by the supernatural. We have a new king on the throne! Worry is the result of being consumed by the world. Peace is the promised blessing of being consumed with God’s kingdom.(John 14.27). As with other sins in our life, we’ve become much too comfortable with worry, and we rationalize it as acceptable. When we become consumed with the world, we become overwhelmed and this weight bears itself out in many different forms in life.

Worry is essentially synonymous with anxiety, but it can produce other results such as depression, stress, lack of focus, inability to concentrate, and any other number of maladies that our world is reeling from today. (This is not to belittle any of these conditions. I take them very seriously because though I do not fully understand all of them. I know great people who genuinely suffer from them.) I’m no psychologist and do not pretend to reduce the complexities of the human psyche to one simple answer.

I do, however, believe that God’s Word is fully trustworthy in all matters of life on earth. The gospel does not reduce the complexities of this world but rather addresses each one fully. I wonder what conditions, diseases, illnesses, or disorders would be removed if we took seriously the words of Jesus and practiced a life of repenting from the sin of worry instead of denying its sinfulness in our life. What could be if we began to live fully trusting in the “more” of life that he promised: more of his truth enlightening our minds and hearts, more of his kindness and mercy drawing us to him in repentance and faith, more of his grace forgiving us from the burdensome weight of our sin, more of his Spirit-power leading our every step. What if Christ-followers believed that Jesus’ redemption covered every area of life instead of just settling for the labels our world offers as exits of excuse. Even if a condition, disease, illness, disorder, or otherwise remained beyond our comprehension as many do, it would bear greater eternal glory unto God! For his grace is sufficient and in our weakness he is made strong (2 Cor. 12.9)!

Jesus said, “Life is more.” More of life not only in amount or volume or any form that we could produce and measure in our ability, but more of life in depth of soul, mind, and spirit as Holy Spirit searches and tries us. More of life that Jesus speaks of as Holy Spirit consumes and empowers the Christ-follower to think in the knowledge of God’s truth; discern by God’s wisdom; and act, speak, and live in such a way that the more was so all-consuming it pervaded every facet of life.

Our only hope for this life of more is not an answer found on earth, but in Jesus, who has come to give life abundantly(John 10.10). Life in Jesus is God’s kingdom as our first pursuit and full consumption. In the regular, daily practices of life, our first must be given to him. In the surprises of life that hit us, our first must be fully consumed with him. In all, he must in ever-increasing measure, consume us more and more as he purges the natural (sinful, earthly nature) from us and replaces it with the supernatural (God’s kingdom).

First pursuit of God’s kingdom is not to make light of or dismiss the cares and concerns of this world. It means that we are not dominated by and do not live in bondage to the consumption of this world—our worries! We trust in the ultimate, eternal source, Jesus. First pursuit of God’s kingdom is trusting that all our needs in this world are perfectly met in Jesus. The world and all of its cares, concerns, and values creates worry. Jesus and his kingdom gives peace. To know God’s peace in our lives mandates that we must be consumed with God’s kingdom for our lives! When we trust that the real more of life is found in Jesus, worry will only remind us to consume our life more with him. The way we live should reflect the complete care we receive from our Father. As a matter of fact it does, whether that reflection is as it should be or not. When worry strikes us, it should only serve to remind us to treasure Jesus so our hearts and minds will be set upon him and our life consumed with him.

Have you heard these words from Jesus for your life today? “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12.32).

—Pastor Lane

Thank You from Pastor Lane

Christin and I thank you for your generosity and gracious words of encouragement to us. What a blessing to serve the Lord among LifePoint! Your words of encouragement, your gifts of generosity and your support of love are great blessings to us not only at this time of year, but throughout the year as well. I pray God continues to richly bless LifePoint as a gospel-centered community of faith. I pray God continues to strategically use LifePoint in his kingdom mission. I pray God continues to reveal his glory among us in power and in might as he transforms lives. May this thanksgiving season be a blessed time for you and your family. ay you know God’s richest blessings on your life.

—Pastor Lane

God Works in Mysterious Ways

I love stories…especially when they are like the one I heard this week. LifePoint has been preparing for our fall land offering over the last three weeks. A couple of times a year LifePoint sets aside a week to receive a special offering to pay toward the balance on our land. One couple in preparing for their offering wrote their check, placed it in a LifePoint offering envelope and placed it in a stack with others bills that they would be paying. Inadvertently the envelope got picked up and placed in the mail with other bills.

The next day when it was realized a call was placed to the local post office to inquire about the envelope. The post office said that it had been sent to the Springfield office. A call was placed to the Springfield office to try and track down the envelope. After describing the envelope as a LifePoint Church offering envelope that had no stamp and no address on it, the postal employee simply said, “Yes, but we knew that LifePoint Church was in Ozark so we forwarded the envelope and delivered to the church.”

And yes…they did deliver the envelope with the offering enclosed in time for the special offering Sunday. I cannot say for sure that God altered the course of history by directing that envelope to LifePoint. What I can say is this…the facts shows that an envelope with “no address” and “no stamp” processed through two post offices and was successfully delivered to its intended recipient on time. I can say, “I don’t have to say it…that just happened!” Sunday was a great day and the offering was a blessing. What a blessing to have the opportunity to participate by giving toward the land. I pray you will join us in this great work the Lord is leading us in.

Over 100 people came out on Sunday evening to participate in our prayerwalk on the land. It was a great time of joining together on the property to pray…for the future, for our development, and for our master planning process as we begin. Continue to pray as we move forward with this. The elders will bring a report and ask for your input soon. Let’s continue to seek the Lord in all as we take steps to follow all that he is doing among us. And next time you have a moment to stop and pray…drive out in front of the property and offer a prayer for all that God desires to accomplish through LifePoint.

—Pastor Lane

Community Part III: To One Another

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us (1 John 3.23). Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thes 5.11). But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Heb 3.13). Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph 4.2, 32).

The New Testament continues throughout to give a picture of what it means to live in community “together” with one another to accomplish mission. These verses are representative of all that Christ-followers are instructed to be and do with one another. This kind of expression toward one another never just happens, but requires intentionality and faithfulness.

Love for one another is the identifying trait of a Christ-follower, but it can be difficult. We do not often think of love as difficult, but the extent to which we love is never truly known until it is tested. In order for a real love for one another to develop, it must be nurtured and grown. It is easy to say we love one another, especially when we first meet or in the early days of building a relationship when our “best face” is put forward. But life has a way of bringing challenges and struggles. How well we stand with one another and how much we are willing to endure alongside one another in the struggles and challenges of life will be determined by the depth of our love. After all, if we do not love one another in those times when we become “unlovable,” did we really love one another before?

When you look at marriage, it is interesting to look at a couple that has recently been married and one that has faithfully been married 50+ or 60+ years. In both there is a true love for one another. The difference though is that one is tested and has stood through time and the other is developing to stand through time. The definitions of love in each case are very different. The young couple understands love as a healthy infatuation with one another. The older couple understands love as a strong commitment to one another. Neither is wrong. When I first got married I was wholly infatuated with my wife. Fourteen and a half years later I remain infatuated, but our marriage is no longer primarily defined in this way. We have learned what it means to live to love one another, to love through commitment.

Loving one another in the church is best understood through the relationship of marriage. Learning to live to love one another…living to love and learn one another…loving to learn and live with one another, Jesus has called us to a great expression of his goodness and grace among us. May the gospel build a strong community that loves one another at LifePoint.

Encouragement is no secondary matter. In the book of Acts when a report would return to the Apostles of the gospel reaching a new people, immediately they would send one of their own to confirm that it was the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Once this was confirmed, the Bible says that they would encourage (Acts 11.23) one another to remain true. Encouragement is essential to remaining true to the gospel in our lives. We have assurance from God in his Word and by Holy Spirit. We need also to have encouragement from his people. God has put other Christ-followers in our life for a purpose and one of those purposes is encouragement. People who know you best are able to encourage you most.

Community is vital, to build unity, accomplish mission and love one another. Community Group is vital to the health and strength of LifePoint. This is a great time to get connected with a group. I encourage every adult to connect with a group. Look at the community group list and consider your schedule. Which group would be best for you? Several new groups will form in October, be ready to connect with one of them. Contact Micah Osborne, Director of Connections, and let him help you connect today. For the love of the gospel and the encouragement it brings…

—Pastor Lane

Community Part II: To Accomplish Mission

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. --Acts 2.42–47

When I read and study the book of Acts, I’m blown away to think of all that was taking place. I know how exciting the last three years of church planting have been for me, my family and all those that are now called LifePoint. Planting a church is a rush…or at least it has been in my experience. What must it have been like in the days, weeks and months following Pentecost. We are given an incredible insight into the pattern of the Apostles and the new disciples. I like to think of this pattern as a rhythm…an ethos of how followers of Jesus lived after Pentecost. One danger inherent in reading this passage is to idealize it and make it a ‘pipe-dream reality’ for today. The simplicity of it is amazing and the focus of it empowering. In order for LifePoint to accomplish her mission, we must understand the role of community. Follow me here through these verses…

They devoted themselves…Now this IS worth getting excited about. I love it when people devote themselves to the Gospel through LifePoint. Devoting oneself to anything shows a great commitment, a discipline to it. The disciples devoted themselves to these things not because it was part of a routine, but rather because it was the essentials of their faith. Life is full of that which we are ‘devoted to’. When we devote ourselves to a matter/cause, we give our affections & desires (heart), thoughts (mind), time, energy, money, every part of our life to it. Our problem today is not a lack of devotion. Our great fault is that we have elevated too many ‘causes’ to a level worthy of our devotion. Our grand problem is that we devote ourselves to everything and nothing is left to be hallowed. Devotion to Jesus reflects a change of heart and life. Devotion sets a high standard for how we should participate in the life of a community of Christ-followers and creates a high desire to be faithful. I don’t desire to fill a person’s schedule with more church. I do want to help people fill their lives with that which matters, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a great challenge to teach and encourage devotion. I’m encouraged when I think of all the people at LifePoint who have devoted themselves. You’re invited to join us…

They focused on essentials; the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This is very refreshing. We live in “Churchville,” as some would call it, in southwest Missouri. Don’t get me wrong, I love this part of the country and thank God every day for calling me here. However, I’m not naïve to my culture. When “church” is mentioned most people think of a location, building or a ‘style.’ Church represents so much more than the description given in Acts 2.42. I wish this were a good thing, but sadly it’s because so many secondary matters have become essential to defining “church” while the essentials of the Gospel have become burdensome to doing church. I believe following Christ, while not easy, is much simpler than most people in “Churchville” have made it and often looks very little alike. This is a typical tendency for people. We love to create standards that make us feel better about our spirituality but have no real power to impact us for the Gospel. How powerful the rhythm of a community of Christ-followers when they celebrate the essentials of the Gospel in all they do. Let’s not be naïve about another aspect of our culture in southwest Missouri, locals are more and more the minority. We live in a fast-changing culture of people from all over the country and world. We don’t have time to champion all the secondary matters of Churchville. We must remain radically focused on the essentials of the Gospel. Community Group is a great environment to do this and a great opportunity for adults to experience what this looks like among a group of Christ-followers.

Committed to one another…All the believers were together. Participation is key to commitment. Together has such powerful implications for the church. If every person is to do their part in together, participation must happen. Church “disconnected from people” is not a Biblical teaching or example. At LifePoint we are taking an aggressive strategy this year to connect adults in Community Group. Why? Together matters and Community Group is the best environment to grow together among our people. Community Group is the primary point of connection for adults. People need to connect with LifePoint in gathered worship experiences on Sunday and in community together during the week. There is far too little room in this blog to fully explain the benefits, but the fullest implication and application of the word ‘fellowship’ will only occur in Community Group. Let us help you connect with a group this week and discover all that together means.

I hope you are thinking through a greater understanding of community and its purpose for LifePoint. Next week I will finish working through this passage and consider some of the more practical details of Community Group in my blog. And by the way…if you have a great testimony to share from your Community Group, please send it to us at info@lifepointozark.com. We would love to hear it and share it!

--Pastor Lane

Community ... Together

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. —Acts 2.42–47

This is the kick-off week for a new season of Community Group ministry at LifePoint. Significant changes have been implemented to expand the ministry: new leaders, new groups, new locations, and a new strategy for connecting people more quickly and effectively. Strong community is vital for LifePoint to accomplish mission. Community Group is the key to this strength.

First, be clear of the relationship between community and mission. To use a phrase from a good friend, LifePoint is not a mission of community, but a community of mission. “Community” is not the mission of LifePoint, but it is the pathway to accomplishing our mission: leading people to be real Christ-followers in life…together. We must remain absolutely clear of this in order to understand the value of making community a high priority for every member and regular-attender at LifePoint. The value of active participation in a Community Group is great! Community Group…engages people through study of the Bible and the life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ...encourages people by connecting them with others whose lives are being impacted by the Gospel…equips people to participate in sharing the Gospel through missional living.

When a person actively participates in Community Group, the Gospel works in their life and grows them in authenticity (a buzzword heard so often that it may become worthless in meaning). Two concepts help to define real authenticity; transparency and vulnerability. Transparency is the willingness to open up your life to others and speak with an honest recognition of life, including joys and celebrations, weaknesses, brokenness or struggles. Vulnerability includes the willingness to trust others, open your life up and allow others to ‘speak into it’. It is encouraging to experience a group that is led by a spirit of authenticity, spreading from those who will lead in it to those who are more hesitant initially. Sin fights against us and condemns us in our weaknesses and brokenness, building pretense to put forth our best façade and so deflect the ‘magnetic attraction’ of authenticity. Thankfully, the grace of God is greater and the light of God’s truth is brighter, to overcome sin’s darkness and condemnation.

The cumulative impact of the Gospel through community is immeasurable and unimaginable. God uses the power of Holy Spirit and his Word along with encouragement from his people to nurture his work of grace in a disciple’s life. Over the next couple of weeks I want to consider more deeply the impact of the Gospel through community by taking a look at it in its infancy in Acts 2.42-47. Community does not begin with this passage in Acts, but we do begin to see the power of grace and redemption among God’s people that forms Biblical community.

I encourage you…connect with a Community Group this week. Check out the complete listing on our website or e-mail the office at info@lifepointozark.com and let us help you. Be an active participant in a strong community of transformation and help LifePoint move forward in mission. Because He Lives…

--Pastor Lane

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Photo by Chris Austin at LifePoint's 2006 Thanksgiving Celebrate LifePoint

Leadership is on my mind...in my heart.

I’ve just recently finished the first ever all-church leadership introduction forum for LifePoint Church. Under 3 years into our plant and we had 70+ people in attendance. I’m stoked about the group of phenomenal people that filled the room. Every area of the church and multiple levels of leadership were represented. I have to celebrate a great team of leaders called the Key Ministry leaders of LifePoint. They are the strategic leaders of ministry and environments at LifePoint and have worked tirelessly to assemble this group of front-line leadership. They are a huge blessing to the Elder Council and doing an incredible job of training and equipping people to minister.

Leadership was becoming a bottleneck for LifePoint. We have not had bad leadership, or even a lack of, but our previous model to raise up new leaders was no longer adequate. It all started several months ago when we began praying, planning and searching for a third full-time staff position for LifePoint. I knew this was our logical next step in development and no doubt, we desperately needed it. As we worked to create a process to accomplish this task there was a constant hesitation in my spirit. I was never fully sure why, but knew something was stirring. As we progressed through the interviewing process, I never sensed a peace from the Lord. The Lord began to turn my heart away from ‘candidates’ and toward engineering pathways. I had never considered this as a way to accomplish what we currently needed, but rather thought it would come later in our development. It seems I was wrong. The Lord began to give us favor with people and we caught some traction with the internship program. We are still in the early stages of fully developing what it will look like, but the Lord is using this to build a vision in me to not only raise up leaders in the church, but also to create an environment for leaders of churches to be raised up.

The one compelling factor that Jesus is using within me is his vision of the harvest. When I read how he looked upon the crowds of people and saw the harvest, I’m convicted that my expectation of harvest is nothing like his. I’ve sold his vision short. I’ve expected too little. I’ve been much too satisfied with a few when he has seen the multitudes ready to be harvested for the Kingdom of God. I’ve too often envisioned a harvest that I could achieve and not one that only the King could bring about. I’ve repented. I’m asking Jesus to show me his harvest…to see what He sees…to envision the harvest that he wants. I’m becoming consumed with the harvest. I’m praying for laborers. The Lord is answering my prayers. Pray with me.

I’m not completely sure all that will develop through the new ‘leadership farm system’ that we are creating, but I am positive that new leaders will be raised up for the fame of Jesus. I have three immediate goals in mind to guide me. I want to create a pathway whereby new leaders can constantly be identified, engaged and trained. I want to create a community of encouragement and equipping for leaders, where the Gospel is richly growing in people’s lives and the stories of redemption are ridiculously abundant. I want to create a culture where leadership is celebrated and aspired unto, where every person sees a new challenge and senses a fresh calling, a move of holy resonation that will require surrender, sacrifice and suffering in order to be honored to participate in the King’s harvest story…and they joyfully say “Yes”! Come…join the move of God called LifePoint.

--Pastor Lane

Church Planting in Joplin

Recently I drove to Joplin, MO, on Sunday afternoon to meet with our church plant there, Mystery Church. It was a great evening as Pastor Dennis, Jon Goings, and Andrea Penland went with me to lead worship. The church has been holding public services now for almost six months. It is so encouraging to see all that God is doing through this young church plant! Pastor Steev and his wife Ashley have been working hard since January 2006 to launch and are just beginning to see the fruits of much of their labor. The people were very encouraging. It was the first time I had the opportunity to meet with them and what a warm welcome we received. I was overwhelmed several times during the service as I began to think about the high honor of participating in God’s mission of planting churches. I know we haven’t conquered the world yet…but we are one church closer.

Mystery Church meets in an old historic Presbyterian church building in Webb City. They allow them to use the facility for free on Sunday nights. The building is a beautiful location that provides an inspiring setting. Voice and guitar echo as songs are sung. Prayers seem to linger more with the acoustics of the room. There was an interesting group of people from all walks of life that attended that evening. They were very engaged as I preached on God’s covenants. A gracious and welcoming spirit was evident. I realize that I did not know any of those people when I went that night, but that God is using us both for the work of the his great mission and sharing the gospel.

There are moments, and more would surely happen if I would slow down enough to take the time and think on it, when I am able to step out of the craziness of life and I become so overwhelmed with the reality of the great life God has given me. What a blessing to know so many great people in my life. I am so honored and humbled to pastor a church that has a heart to plant churches so the gospel can be preached and shared, served and shown. The faces of the people of LifePoint began to flash through my mind as I gave thanks to God. I was reminded that those are the people that God is using to help plant this church…and many, many, many more.

I love to preach the gospel…just to hear it and remember once again how it has radically changed my life…so others can hear it and receive it as well. Steev Inge, Pastor at Mystery Church, and his wife Ashley and children will be at LifePoint on Sunday, 12 August, sharing with us about the great work of God in Joplin. I encourage you to come and hear how God is planting a great seed in this area…and how we get to share in this story.

--Pastor Lane

P.S. Check out Mystery Church at www.mysterychurch.com

Mud Pit Belly Flop

My return from the annual event of the year has sparked much deep reflection and contemplation recently. The Redneck Olympics proved to be a complete success yet once again. As always, “Elbow” and “Freight Train” were leading the way by carrying the torch and lighting the ceremonial BBQ grill to begin the festivities. (I tell you, I tear up every time I see it.) Toilet seat horseshoes is surely not the crowning event, but it does have a way of bringing out the best to get the competition started. No doubt, a new day with new heroes emerges as Melvin, 4-time reigning pig’s feet bobbin champion, was soundly defeated for the second year in a row. (Time takes its toll on us all and moves on, does it not?) And just when one might think “yain’t gittin no gooder’n dis”, the apex of the summer arrives with the Mud Pit belly flop. That’s right folks, pure human lard colliding with that specially engineered red clay filled waterin’ hole. Wow…how does so much competition remain hidden in East Dublin? Next year I must insist that my wife go with me.

We celebrate some crazy things in life, don’t we? And we fail to celebrate some really important things as well. Celebration comes in many different forms, as I believe I have adequately proven from an extreme perspective. Often it’s simply that which we get most excited about or spend most of our energy and time participating in. Celebration is important because it most fully reflects that which is important to us, which we love or are passionate about. I love big and little celebrations; anniversaries, birthdays, friendship, good hits in pony league baseball, great drawings at the kitchen table, church family…the list could go on and on.

The Elders at LifePoint have recently been discussing the importance of celebration in our community because we recognize that it reflects our values and priorities. This October, LifePoint will celebrate its 3rd anniversary. What an incredible journey the last 3+ years have been…filled with incredible stories to celebrate of God’s grace, goodness, power and mission. The greatest way for LifePoint to celebrate all that God has done is the ‘re-investment’ of his blessing upon us into people’s lives and the life of our community of Christ-followers, returning his glory to Him. With a greater magnitude than compounding interest, “re-invested celebration” builds upon the faithfulness of God and launches into the promise of God to create a momentum and traction for a church to increase its capacity for impact with the Gospel in its culture.

As we prepare for the Fall season we are making significant shifts in leadership and ministry structure. As well, we are preparing to see significant steps in vision and mission accomplishment; from church planting to serving in Jesus’ name to future site development. I challenge you to prepare and join LifePoint. Take that ‘next step’ of participation with us. Get connected in a Community Group. Volunteer to serve on a Servant Team or in a Servant Project. Plan to engage people through a missional Impact. Celebrate all that God is growing in your life by ‘re-investing’ in the LifePoint community that is working to make a life-changing impact in the culture and world!

Disclaimer: The events described above in the first paragraph seem to be actual. However, in my defense I only saw them online…not in person. I know…you are relieved that your worst nightmares about your Pastor are not true. Rest well, they are not…for the most part.

--Pastor Lane

Maiden Voyage

I bought a canoe recently. It’s a sweet float. I’ve been researching and considering them for several months now and as I’ve considered the kind of boat I wanted, I tried to make sure it would provide all the things I wanted and needed in a boat. Most of all, it had to be a boat with a solid rationale that was good for the family so I could use that to convince my wife. Done. The day after I got home with it was the “maiden voyage”; that first float trip to confirm all my hard work. It was no disappointment. I managed to paddle about a mile up river, through a couple of smaller rapids and then turn the stern to head home. Overall the trip was a huge success as more water stayed on the outside of the boat than the inside.

Maiden voyages can be a scary venture. (Not that I want to make too much of my first canoe trip.) Most people remember the Titanic when they think of maiden voyage catastrophies. I was thinking more of the Swedish warship Vasa, which sank after only one mile into her maiden voyage. For now, I’m thinking more about this article that I am writing for the LifePoint Journal, our new blog. Honestly, I’ve avoided this as long as possible for several reasons. First, the name “blog”. I just don’t get it. Second, anytime I just start writing/talking about random subjects and expressing my humble opinion, I usually end up offending someone (albeit unintentionally) with my ‘mildly strong’ opinion. Third, I love humor and have learned to use it to enjoy life, deal with life and sometimes to simply survive. That said…I look for humor in everything. That said…not everyone agrees. Again, I find myself in trouble because someone didn’t like my humor. Fourth, and final, I’ve gotten used to being in trouble and it doesn’t bother me nearly as much as it used to.

I do hope that you will be encouraged through these journal entries. I’m sure they will give us a great opportunity to dialogue about life. As always, there will be an abundance of “Lane-guistics” to keep you guessing.

--Pastor Lane