upward & inward

In May, our Senior Pastor resigned after 18 years of serving at Central. This last week, our Pastor of Music and Worship Arts announced after serving 11 years that God had called him to serve in another church, in a different state.  I think many of us would go on record stating: "Enough change, already!" Many have, amid these announcements, approached me to ask whether I'm "going anywhere".  The short answer is that God has called us right here to help lead the church through this time of transition.  When God brought us here nearly five years ago, we had no idea that this transition would be a part of God's call. However, since then I've learned that while God doesn't always call the equipped, He always equips the called. Of course, the shorter answer is: change happens.  And, when it does, we set our anchors not in any leader or person but in the solid and eternal foundation of Christ Jesus Himself to hold us firm in the storm of uncertain

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. Judges 2:10-13 As I understand it, there are three primary duties of a United States citizen: Somehow serve the country, state, county, and/or city in which you live Vote in elections Serve on a jury This week, I had the opportunity to serve as a potential jury member. As with any government led activity, it was slow and tedious - and, I was glad to have followed the advice of my wife and brought something to read as I waited. While I was not seated as a juror, I did experience the jury selection process and learne

Way back in 2008, I posted some data that I simply don't hear or read about from the media - namely that oil companies make a lot of money AND pay hefty taxes. Well, as we hear and read that oil companies don't pay enough taxes, we need to understand these figures from Exxon: 2011 2010 2009 (millions of dollars) Income taxes $31,051 $21,561 $15,119 Effective income tax rate 46% 45% 47% Sales-based taxes 33,503 28,547 25,936 All other taxes and duties 43,544 39,127 37,571 Total $108,098 $89,235 $78,626 Wow. Remember, these are SEC documents not marketing fodder. This company really paid $108 Billion (with a 'B') in taxes in 2011. When Big Oil is demonized, we need to remember that in 2011 just one company paid this much in taxes as a result of a 46% income tax rate. What would your

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (NIV) Lately, I've been reminded, again and again, about "the Day". This is the Day we meet Jesus face to face - no longer " through a poor reflection as in a mirror " but really face to face. At the judgment seat of Christ, all words and actions (including this post) will be laid bare before the King of Kings. How does that thought grab you? It has reminded me to return to the basic question: what am I doing with what God has given me? I've written previously about being a man of God in what we do and how

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. Acts 15:36-38 When we look at this story, we are not told why John (also called Mark) left Paul and his companions (including Barnabas) in Pamphylia. He may have been tired, afraid, or frustrated. Knowing all that Paul went through during his adventures in ministry ( 2 Cor. 11 ), we might understand that. Or, maybe he had another valid ministry to move to. In other words, to John, the reason may have been valid and not deserving of Paul's label of desertion. It may be, judging by his desire to bring him alo