The Discipline of Reading

As I begin a new message series tomorrow about spiritual disciplines - I have been thinking really hard about the disciplines I practice.  Beyond the spiritual disciplines of studying God's Word, prayer, quiet time, worship, etc - there are some disciplines outside that realm that are important.  We might even call them spiritual disciplines, because at the heart every discipline is spiritual in some way.  These other disciplines might include excercise, flossing your teeth, or making sure to spend quality time with the family every day.

One discipline I have taken a harder look at recently is reading.  Two of the most well known pastors in America are very high on reading.  In a podcast I was recently listening to of Rick Warren, he shared that he read his way out of every slump in ministry that he had ever been in.  Bill Hybels says, "Great leaders read frequently.  They read voraciously. They read classics and new releases. They soak up lessons from the military, from academia, from politics, from nongovernmental organizations, and from church leaders who are leading well.  They refuse to let themselves off the hook in this regard, because they now all great leaders read."

As part of a senior pastors' network and trying to learn as much as I can about leading the church, I have been doing a lot of reading lately.  It has been a blessing to me.  There are so many good books out there.  I wish I had more time to devote to reading them.

I am going to try something new on this blog.  I have made it a goal to read two books a month and then write a review of each one.  I often find that I will read a book and then put it on the bookshelf and there it will stay.  In an effort to help me better apply what I learn in these books, I want to take a few moments and to write some of the insights I was able to gain from reading the books.  Maybe it will give you a few ideas as well.

Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough

This Sunday we kick off a brand new message called Holy Habits, Wholly Living. It is about the spiritual habits (disciplines) that help us listen to God and connect with him in a deeper way. In one week, we will be entering into the holy season of Lent. Lent is a time of reflection and repentance. It is a time for us to listen to the voice of God. So it is an appropriate time to begin this new message series. (Ash Wednesday Worship will be hosted at Lord of Life on Wednesday, February 25)

The first message in this series will be a message on fasting. Fasting is not a discipline that we often talk about or practice. We live in a culture that encourages us to indulge ourselves and to never deprive ourselves of anything our heart desires. So fasting is incredibly counter-culture experience that many of us have failed to practice.

But Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:16, "When you fast . . ." He didn't say if you fast. He said when you fast. Jesus expected his followers to engage in this practice of fasting. It was not optional. He knew that it is as important for the spiritual growth of his followers as prayer, worship, and Bible study.

So I want to invite you to come on Sunday and learn about this ancient discipline of fasting. During this time, I will also challenge us as a church to engage in a Lenten fast in anticipation of spiritual breakthrough and revival.

It may be something new to many of you that you have never done before. But I am confident you will discover a blessing. I pray you will discover fasting is not so much about what you give up, but about what you gain and are able to give to God. You will be surprised.

Warm Sunny Florida

Could not have picked a more perfect week to come to Florida. It is cold, rainy, and icky back in Illinois. We've had beautiful weather, plus lots of fun.

Politics and Church

Note: I will be on vacation next week. There will be no “Weekly Email” until I return the following week.

Politics are difficult to talk about in Church. Politics are something that often divide us, yet when we come together as a Church we seek to be united. Politics are not the only thing - there are many forces in this world that seek to tear us apart. That is why it is so important for us to follow Jesus’ example to practice grace and forgiveness and that we seek to listen and understand one another more than we seek to preach to each other.

There is no doubt with the transition in the Presidency of the United States, there has been a change in regards to many controversial policies. As a church we must affirm the truth, but speak it in love. We must affirm our creator God as the author and sustainer of life and that he alone holds the right to give it and take it away. We affirm that he is the author and creator of marriage and that his design in Genesis was for marriage to be between one man and one woman.

In a recent statement, Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, the President of our Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, stated on abortion:

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), since its inception, has steadfastly proclaimed the miracle of human life from conception until natural death. As we march with other concerned Americans, we underscore our belief that Christ Jesus sanctified all human life by His birth, life, death, and resurrection for all mankind.

In regards to same sex marriage:

We pray that all people, especially men and women properly united as husbands and wives, will honor God's divinely ordained relationship of marriage. We do so with the deep conviction that God intends marriage to be a picture of the relationship that exists between Christ and His bride, the Church. And we pray that all husbands and wives will give thanks to God for the blessings of marriage—loving, honoring, and cherishing one another, even as Christ does the Church.

Regardless if you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, or whatever – we are blessed to live in a nation that offers the privilege of freedom of speech. We are blessed to be able to have a voice that can be heard.

It is important that as a church we use that voice to speak in behalf the 50 million children that have been aborted since Roe vs. Wade, who had no voice. It is important to speak in behalf of the many women who hide their voice in guilt and regret after having an abortion. It is important we speak in behalf of God’s design and plan for life and marriage. But we always do so with love!


There will be times when we disagree with our leaders and their policies. There will be times when we will grievously disagree with them. But no matter who holds “office” we pray for them as one whom God has established as an authority (Romans 13:1-2). There is not a politician on either side of the aisle who is perfectly free of blemish (whether is name is George W. Bush, John McCain, Barack Obama, Rod Blagojevich). It is sometimes easy to see the speck in the eyes of the other side without seeing the plank in our own.

In the end, we recognize our mission is to go and make disciples of all nations. Our mission is not to change politics, but to bring transformation to hearts and lives for Jesus Christ. When lives are changed, everything else will follow. We pray for REVIVAL in our nation and that we would truly be a nation that could say, “In GOD we trust!”

Who are you going to invite?

We are a go and tell church, not a wait and see church. Remember! We heard last Sunday that Jesus went into Galilee to preach the good news. He didn't wait for people to come to him. He did not take the passive approach, but took the initiative to go to them. This took boldness and courage, but he was going to live out loud the purpose and the mission that he came to this earth for.

The story in first chapter of Mark goes on to say that he invited Simon Peter and Andrew to come and follow him. A bit later he does the same with James and John. He extended the invitation to them to come and experience something more than fishing for fish, but to follow him and become fishers of men. Talk about going from the mediocre to something that was meaningful!

In the next couple of months, we want to give you the opportunity to go and invite. We have some exciting things on the horizon at Lord of Life. The first opportunity to extend an invitation will be on Saturday, February 21 when will be showing "Fireproof" the movie at Lord of Life. It is an excellent movie about "fireproofing" your marriage. This is an event for couples. The cost for Lord of Life couples is $20 and includes the movie, popcorn, drinks, and the Love Dare 40 Day Devotional Challenge Guide. However, the event is free to any friends you might invite.

Beyond that, not too far around the corner, is Easter. I want to encourage you today to start considering and praying for 3 other people to invite to Easter services. Start praying now for the opportunity you to ask them and for God to open their hearts to be open to the invitation.

I know we all have three people who we can invite. If you don't know who they are, ask that God will reveal them to you. I am sure that he will.

On Easter Sunday this year we will be extending a One Month to Live Challenge to everyone. We will challenge everyone in attendance on that day to live the next month as if it were their last. It is sure to transform the way we live an the way we gather as a church.

Whether it is extending an invitation, sharing the gospel, offering to pray for someone, extending an act of generosity or kindness to another person - ask yourself: "how can I go and tell?"

New License Plate

I need to get my driver's license renewed next week. I wonder if it will match our new license plates?

For Such a Time as This

I hope that you were encouraged this last weekend as much as I was. What a wonderful celebration. It was great to bring together the past, the present, and the future as we continue to look forever forward to Jesus.

In my weekly email this week, I wanted to affirm Pastor Rische’s message from last Sunday. I must say that I am honored, proud, and overwhelmed to build this church upon the foundation that was laid some 20 years ago.

Three important keys from Pastor Riche’s message (To Be a Congregation that is “Forever Forward” Takes Three Key Connections) for us to remember as we continue to move forever forward are that:

1) No one is going to be reached until God shows up. Jesus must be a part of everything we do. Fervent and persistent prayer are critical. We must first talk to God about the lost before we talk to the lost about God.

2) It’s “go and see” instead of “wait and see.” The people living in the Fox Valley do not exist to fill Lord of Life Church. Instead, the people of Lord of Life exist to fill the Fox Valley with Jesus Christ. Reaching others requires sacrifice, but the greater the sacrifice the greater the impact.

3) We need to work together as a team. We are not always going to agree with each other. Sometimes we might say or do something to offend one another. But we are the Church! God has forgiven us in an incredible way and so we practice forgiveness with each other. Our differences + unity = addition and multiplication. The opposite is that our differences + disunity = subtraction and division.

Time is precious and limited. And I believe that God has brought us to this place and this congregation for such a time as this. Today, I am more proud and excited to be the Pastor of Lord of Life than I have ever been.

If you would like to listen again to the message from last Sunday you can listen here:
http://www.lolchurch.net/tp40/page.asp?ID=64011