Allison Park Church Updates

Q1 - Do Animals Go To Heaven?

Caitlyn Nahas listed this question as a comment on the blog a few weeks ago.  This is the first in a series of attempts at answers in our GOD QUESTIONS SERIES.  For the next two months, I will be speaking on GOD QUESTIONS during the weekend service.

I will also attempt to answer some questions on the blog.  Feel free to leave a question on the comments section of this post.

Q.  Do Animals Go To Heaven When They Die?

Great question!  One that I get fairly often actually.

• The simple answer is that animals do not have a soul so they don't have the capacity for eternal life. 
• Genesis 1:26 says that human beings are unique from the rest of creation.  We are made in the image of God with an indestructible soul.  The Bible never says that about anything else.
• Psalm 49:20 says this, "a man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish."  So riches are only temporary just liked animals are temporary.

I will add, however, one possibility, based on God's unlimited power.  The basic fact is that animals die and their existence ends with their death.

But God does have the ability to do whatever he wants.  And heaven is a place designed for us.  It would be conceivable for God to re-create or replicate an animal that you loved to be with you in heaven.  He loves you.  He cares about what is important to you.  So it is within his power to do something to that effect.

Please don't get me wrong.  Fluffy does not need to be saved to get to heaven.  Fluffy does not have an eternal soul.  But God could replicate Fluffy for your pleasure in heaven if He so chooses.

I guess that's one we will have to wait to find out.

Read List For June

This was a tough month to hit the goal.  I am shooting for 6-7 books per month to hit the overall annual goal of 75 this year.  I was not feeling well for about 2 weeks of this month and it was hard to concentrate.

But I did still hit six books.  Here's what I read this month:

1. Character Matters:  Nine Essential Traits You Need To Succeed.  by Mark Rutland.  Mark is the president of Southeastern University.  He is a fantastic leader and has really turned around the Christian university he leads.  I was challenged by his reinforcement of character in a culture that is often deficient in these areas.
2. Love The Way To Victory.  by Kenneth E. Hagin.  This book was so incredibly balanced.  Hagin talks about how love is the motivation for God doing miracles.  He also talks about how the lack of love can be a barrier to God's work.  I highly recommend it.
3. The Holiness Of God.  by R.C. Sproul.  I wrote a post about this book as I was reading it.  Sproul has a very in depth view of God's nature and the wonder of His Holiness.
4. Ten Secrets For the Man In The Mirror:  Startling Ideas About True Happiness.  by Patrick Morley.  Morley is one of the best authors on the life of the Christian man.  A very good quick read.
5. Now, More Than Ever:  A Passionate Call For Commitment.  by Ron Hembree.  I am not sure how you order this book...probably through CTVN.  I have never read anything by Ron before.  It was very enjoyable reading.
6. Making Ripples.  by Mike Breaux.  Very quick read about how your life can make an impact on many others when it is lived well.

Innovative Leaders

I had really hoped to be able to attend Mark Batterson's Buzz Conference this year.  Our own Roundtable fell on the same week. 

I always appreciate those who attend and blog their notes.  Here are the notes from a session that Craig Groeschel did during Buzz:  Four Characteristics Of Innovative Leaders.

Wii Fun

Last night we had Johannes and Maria Amritzer over to our house for dinner.  They are in town for the  Pastor's Roundtable that we hosted on Tuesday and Wednesday.  They have their two children, Adam (5) and Alicia (7) with them.

So their children and our children were in our basement playing games together, and having fun with the Nintendo Wii.

On the Wii you can make characters that look like you.  So they decided to make a Wii version of Johannes.  Actually, my son Caleb (9) was the designer.  It was his idea.  You can see his version of Wii Johannes here.

It was a lot of fun, sharing stories, playing games, and just relaxing.  Johannes and Maria have become such good friends.  We love them very much.

Andre van Zyl

Andre van zyl Is a powerful prophetic evangelist from South Africa. Andre spoke on the power of speaking truths into a persons life.

Amazing Vision

I have been asked to serve on the Board of Advisors for Mission SOS.  What an honor!!!

This morning we met with Johannes and Peter to discuss the future of SOS.  During this meeting Johannes shared the larger dream that Mission SOS is based upon.

1.  To speed the coming of Jesus by sharing the gospel with unreached people groups.

Jesus said this would be the central sign of his return:  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.  Matthew 24:14

2.  To restore the original church of the book of Acts both in function and in geography.

• Mission SOS has a high emphasis on practicing the book of Acts in every way, miracles, healings, true generosity and community, church planting, reaching the unreached...and so much more.
• Geographically, the region of Palestine, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southern Europe was the place where the early church was born.  Now it is the place most in need of the gospel.

At this time, Mission SOS has planted about 340 churches around the world.  In fact, in Namalu, Uganda, there are already 6 new churches that have been planted since our trip in April.

So the trip we invested in saw 6000 who responded to the gospel, with 40 follow-up workers going out into the villages every day, and now with six new churches established.  They expect maybe 10 more to be planted before its all over!

Welcome Nick Poole

This weekend, we will introduce Nick Poole to the APC family.  Nick is joining the team to champion our investement in church planting and in our local Catalyst Group (which consists of about 15 local churches).

I first met Nick at Central Bible College, where he served as the student body president.  He invited me to speak at the Leadership Retreat that he had planned.  Nick is a local boy.  His dad pastors in Beaver Falls, PA.  He has just completed two years as youth pastor in Irwin, PA.

He is a really great guy and very gifted in many ways.

Most of Nick's ministry will happen outside of APC and in the churches and communities of focus.  Here's some of the things he will be doing:

1. Recruiting Staff for each of our daughter churches (and churches connected to our Catalyst Group).
2. Resourcing these pastors and churches with tools ands helps to support what they do.
3. Coordinating large common outreaches like CityReach07.
4. Planning and improving our Monthly Pastor's Meetings and coordinating events like our Annual Pastor's Roundtable.
5. Helping administratively in the launching of new churches.  This year we plan to launch church plant #7 and there are more plants on the horizon over the next few years.

As things develop, I will explain more fully.  I believe Nick will be key to our vision to BUILD A MOVEMENT here in the Pittsburgh region to introduce people to the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

More Roundtable Notes

Again Nick Poole took some good notes from some of the sessions at our Pastor's Roundtable.  You can read my session here and another teaching from Johannes here.

Brad Leach did an amazing teaching on Jeremiah 29 (Living As Missionaries In An Ungodly World).  We will try to podcast this message very soon.  This was one of the best sessions of the Roundtable.  You can read the basic thoughts here.

Top 25 Multiplying Churches

Now this is a list that one day I would love for Allison Park Church to make.  Outreach Magazine has come out with it's list of Top 25 Multiplying Churches.

This year we hope to launch church plant number seven.  We also are working with several other multi-church networks to launch a national organization to see more churches planted and leaders reproduced.

This is New Testament ministry at its best.  I admire these top 25.  I want to be like them. 

I love what Rick Warren says, 'you can tell the greatness of a church not by its seating capacity but by its sending capacity.'

What Do You Want?

Last night, Johannes spoke to our Pastor's Roundtable.  He talked about getting a vision from God for your life.  He used a very unique passage of scripture, Genesis 30, which describes Jacob using very unique means to build his flocks.

Jacob was working for his father-in-law, Laban.  They agreed that all of the speckled, spotted, or darkened sheep would be Jacob's.  To Laban those sheep were worthless.

So God designed to give Jacob the speckled, spotted, and darkened sheep.  Jacob got that vision.  He saw what God wanted to give him.  He began to long for those spotted sheep.  Laban found little value in them.  Jacob saw them as his destiny.

• Johannes told us that this is the request he has made of God: 'Give me the ones that no one else wants.  Give me the speckled, spotted, and darkened ones.'
• Then he related stories of the people who are now his leaders.  They were drug addicts, street kids, outcasts.  Now they are part of the tribe of Mission SOS.  They are the heros of his ministry.
• Johannes also shared his calling.  God has called him to go to the places where no one else wants to go and to reach the totally unreached peoples of the earth.

So the application for us is this:

• What do you want from God?  Better yet, what is it that God wants to give you? 
• Who are the people that you are called to reach?  Which are the speckled, spotted, and darkened ones that make your heart race when you think about them?
• Where are you called?  God has a place for you to serve.  Who is it that God wants you to love and reach out to?

I have answers for these questions, personally.  Knowing these answers makes you settled and content in your life and calling.  What are they for me and for Allison Park Church?

• The speckled and spotted ONES for me are the hurting, forgotten, and disconnected from God who live primarily in the North Hills.
• There is also a calling on my life and on APC to plant churches in the blighted and depressed communities in this region and in the inner-city of Pittsburgh. (Ambridge, Lawrenceville, Sharpsburg, etc)
• The people I feel most drawn to are the church planters, staff pastors, elders, and small group leaders who are willing to share this vision with me.
• And recently, God has added to my vision in two ways:  1) I have a passion for church planters who want to reach their own city in the USA; and 2) I have a deep desire to own the same unreached people groups that Johannes is trying to reach.

So if you are wondering, where am I called?  Who am I called to reach?  Begin to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you.  Consider the ONES that no one else wants to reach out to and own them as your mission.

And if you are part of APC or the APC family of churches, then just join in on the vision that God has given our church family.  Own it as your own. 

Let's go after the speckled and spotted together.

Pastor's Roundtable-Tues

On Tuesday and Wednesday we are hosting our third annual Pastor's Roundtable.  We have had almost 100 pastors and leaders from various places around the country.

Nick Poole took some good notes on the Tuesday morning and afternoon sessions.  You can read what was taught by Johannes Amritzer and Ron Johnson...here.

God Questions Series

This weekend I am going to launch into the summer series we are calling GOD QUESTIONS.  My plan is to approach each of these topics uniquely.

Typically, answers to theological questions in a systematic, point by point way.  There is nothing wrong with that approach.  But most often the Bible addresses issues like this through the lens of an individual life.

So we will do some character studies from the Bible, studying individuals who have faced the very questions we are facing today.

Several things we will do to make sure you get your question addressed:

1. The weekend message will be focused on these questions.
2. You can purchase the GOD QUESTIONS book in the Concourse.  This is a 40 day devotional guide.  It does a tremendous job of doing an overview of so many of the questions people have about their faith.
3. On the blog I will be tackling some of the issues we may not have time for on the weekends.
4. Finally, starting on Wednesday night, July 11th--I will be making myself available for a one hour roundtable session for anyone who wants to attend.  We will meet from 6-7pm (prior to the Worship Gatherings), every Wednesday through the series.  We will call that one hour session ASK PASTOR JEFF.  Just show up and ask away.  I will do my best to search the Bible with you to discover an answer.

This series is going to be lots of fun.  Can't wait for the weekend.

The Power Of Community

This video is a MUST-SEE.  Andre and Naomi Van Zyl told me about this event which happened in Kruger National Park in South Africa.

A baby buffalo is attacked by a pride of lions.  The lions drag the buffalo and happen to fall into a pond during the chase.  While in the pond, trying to suffocate the baby buffalo, a crocodile emerges and grabs the buffalo's leg.

The lions and crock play tug of war with the baby for a few minutes.

Then the herd of buffalo return.  Several of them had run away during the initial attack.  They obviously went to get help.  They return in force and take on the lion pride.

The video is about 8 minutes long.  It is obviously taken by some tourists with a home video camera.  It is well worth the time.

It also is a great picture of how powerful it is to be part of a small group/church family.  When under attack, there is great power in community.

Thoughts On Hiring

Craig Groeschel has some great thoughts about HIRING PRINCIPLES on his blog, Swerve.  Three things to look for:  Passion, Performance,and  Potential.  And then a final 'P' we all need is Patience.

The Sound Of Abundance Of Rain

Last night, Andre Van Zyl did a teaching on how supernatural answers enter the realm of the natural.  He taught from 1 Kings 18.

Here's the context.  Ahab and Jezebel are the evil king and queen over Israel.  They are worshiping Baal instead of the true God.  Most of Israel had followed them into idolatry.

Elijah had given a 'word' that the true God would not let it rain.  It did not rain for over three years.  This was significant because Baal was considered as the one who controlled the rain.  So the lack of rain by Elijah's command was a sign of who was really God.

Then Elijah announces rain is coming. 

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”

• Elijah hears the sound of the rain before it began to rain.  It would have made senses for him to say...I smell the smell of rain, for you can often smell moisture in the air before a big rain.  He could have said...I see the signs of a big rain, by looking at the sky.  But the sky was clear and there was no moisture in the air.
• Elijah heard the sound by God's Word to Him.  He heard the rumblings of what God was about to do. 
• There are two realms in play:  the natural and the supernatural.  Miracles begin in the supernatural (in the heavens) and they eventually make their way into the natural.  Elijah heard what was already in existence in the supernatural.
• Elijah heard not only the sound of the rain but the size.  He knew it as an 'abundance'.  He heard the sound in the supernatural of a very heavy rain.
• So he told Ahab, 'Get ready.  Prepare to celebrate (eat and drink).  The drought is over and rain is coming.'  He said this before there were any visible signs of rain in the air.
• Then Elijah goes to pray.  He prays seven times.  After each prayer moment, he sends his servant to look at the sky.  After the first six times, the servant came back to report that NOTHING had happened.
• Often after God gives the promise, we think it is time to relax and just receive.  That is the time when the battle has just began.  We need to pray through until the promises makes its way from the supernatural into the natural.
• For a season as we pray and obey it seems as if all we get is NOTHING.  During the seasons of NOTHING we need to keep our ear tuned to what we heard from God.  We can't slip into blaming God, leadership, people, or circumstances.  We need to maintain the posture of prayer.
• On the seventh prayer, the servant returned with good news and bad news.  There is a cloud. That's the good news.  It's very small, about the size of a man's hand.  That's the bad news.  There is finally a sign but it is not enough.  And it looks very much like something man could do.
• God is not limited by small beginnings.  Often he begins his supernatural work with the smallest and most ordinary things.
• When the servant turned around to look at the sky, it had turned black with clouds and the winds had begun to blow.  The little man-sized cloud was pregnant.  It had come with friends.
• Finally the torrent of rains came.  What Elijah heard in the supernatural manifested itself in the natural. 

Sports + Values

Paul Grabill writes an interesting post today about scheduling decisions, sports, and other values.  He also provides a link to an article where a conflict arose between sports and church. 

What are your thoughts?

Driving Home

In a few minutes we leave for PA.  It was a great week with my family.  I am looking forward to having Andre Van Zyl with us this weekend.  It will not be dull, I can promise you that!

Next weekend I begin the GOD QUESTIONS SERIES.  If you haven't bought the book yet, you can pick one up this weekend. 

See ya soon.

The Look

Last night my family took me out to Appleby's for my birthday dinner.  They asked the staff to do the whole birthday song thing.   You know the routine.  They all come out clapping and singing the birthday song (same one as in Emperor's New Groove).

They surrounded our table.  Gave me a free ice cream sundae.

My kids took this picture of the moment.  They said it was the perfect combination face...1) I am going to kill you guys; and 2) I am trying to look like I am enjoying this.

All My Days

John Ortberg shared a message once called 'It All Goes Back In The Box'.  In the message, he compared life to a game of monopoly.  We live.  We try to succeed.  We gain properties, money.  We may even get Park Place and Boardwalk.

But after the game is over, it all goes back in the box.

Same is true for life.  No matter what we accomplish in this life, we can't take it with us into the next.  Eventually, it all goes back into the box.

Yesterday, I had a similar thought.  I was watching my two youngest boys build an elaborate sand castle.  They worked on it for over an hour.  They were very concerned about the towers, the moat, the walls.

And then the tide came in.

Today is my 43rd birthday.  As I was reading in my One-Year Bible this morning, on the date of June 21st is Psalm 139. 

You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  Psalm 139:16

Two more thoughts:  I don't remember who the original author of the first quote is but the second is from Jim Elliot.

• Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.
• He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose,

Underappreciated Qualities

I just finished the book, The Holiness Of God, by R.C. Sproul.  His contention is that Holiness is probably the most misunderstood and under appreciated qualities of God.

So here are some thoughts about The Holy:

• The primary meaning of 'holy' is separate.  It comes from the root word, 'to cut'.
• If you could cut God open you would find He is good to the core.  Every ounce of His being is nothing but pure goodness and love.  He is incapable of evil.  He will always have nothing but good intentions toward you. 
• God will never wake up in a bad mood, or have an off day, or act in a random or hurtful way.  Because He is Holy, He is also Trustworthy.
• He is in a totally separate category from every other being.  Another way of saying 'holy' is to use the word 'other'.  There is no other being you can compare God to.  God is not like_________.  He is in a category all His own.
• Because God is utter Goodness and in a category all His own, He is also totally awesome to us.  When I use the word, 'awesome' I mean that which inspires awe and even terror.
• God's total purity is a consuming fire.  His nature is to oppose evil and destroy it wherever He encounters it. 
• Sproul likes an encounter with God to the feelings of terror one has when they feel they have seen a ghost.  There is an awareness of a person that is both mysterious and potentially dangerous.  Like John's reaction in Revelation chapter one.
• Since God is Holy, He would be Just to immediately judge and consume anything in the universe that is stained with sin, including you and me.
• God does not immediately destroy because He is also Mercy.  His mercy is not injustice it is non-justice.  God is never unjust.  But He delays justice to show mercy.
• The cross is the meeting of God's justice and mercy.  Through Jesus, He made a way for us to share in His Holiness.
• When we receive Jesus, God imputes holiness to us (declares us righteous).  God also deposits holiness in us through the Holy Spirit. 
• Through this process God invites us to be separate from the destructive evil of the world and to share in His Holiness.

Hope For Hurting Families part 2

Hope For Hurting Families 2  Pastor Chris Griffin finishes up the Hope for Hurting Families series with a powerful message and testimony of how God healed his family situation.

Harvest Cry Worship

Here's a short video recorded on my cell phone that shows Swedish worship in action. This was during the Harvest Cry we attended in May.

Harvest Cry Video

I found a new feature to add to the blog site.  In the top right hand corner you will see a video.  Click on it to see the worship team at Harvest Cry (Sweden) performing an African song.  I took the video using my cell phone camera, so the quality is not fantastic.

It does however give you a glimpse of Harvest Cry and of the Uganda Signs and Wonders Festival.

This song was one of the main numbers we did in our recent trip to Uganda.  Yes, I knew the motions and danced right along with the entire crowd.  It was a blast.

Chuck Norris Can!

Having a great time here in Florida.  One of the things I am enjoying is getting a little more into the lives of my kids.

My three teenagers are constantly cracking one-liners.  I guess Chuck Norris jokes have become the 'in' thing right now.  The basic spoof concept is that Chuck Norris can do anything.

Here are some of the one-liners.

• Chuck Norris once slammed a revolving door.
• Chuck Norris' tears can cure cancer.  Too bad he's never cried.
• When the boogey-man goes to sleep, he checks for Chuck Norris under his bed.
• Chuck Norris counted to infinity twice.
• There is no evolution, just a list of animals that Chuck Norris allows to live.
• Chuck Norris CAN believe it's not butter.

For more Chuck Norris fun, click here. 

Remember, humor is subjective.  You might not find this funny at all.  It took me a minute to catch on.  My kids think this is total hilarity.

PCO Launches Women's Home

Pittsburgh City Outreach has now launched their first Women's Recovery Home.  For over a year now, PCO has operated a Men's Home.  Fourteen guys are currently in the Men's Home.

Several recently graduated from the program.  I love seeing these guys come out of this process, free from drugs, with new vision for their life, smiling, joking, and serving others.

Now PCO has been given the opportunity to lease a home from a ministry that is called Margie's House (which previously had a desire to help women coming out of prison).  Now PCO and Margie's House are partnering together to provide a place for prostitutes and women bound by addiction as well.

The Home is located on the North Side of Pittsburgh and will accommodate up to eight at a time.   Looking forward to seeing what God will do through this ministry.

Nothing Replaces Time

Raining today here in Florida.  Up until this afternoon, we have had nothing but sun and fun.  Isn't it  true that what it comes to family relationships, nothing replaces time.

I have heard the question posed, 'which is more important?  Quality Time?  or Quantity Time?'

A good answer is that you can't get the first without the second.

Yesterday, we had a family football game on the beach.  It was me, Caleb, and Josh against David, Alissa, and Jonathan (Mel was the ref).   Pictured above is the winning team! (notice that I am not in the picture)

Finally, here is Jonathan enjoying the pool.  Last year when we were on vacation, I had just started this blog.  I remember writing about Jonathan 'training' as a swimmer.  He is so much fun to watch.

By God's Command

I am currently reading a great book by R.C. Sproul called The Holiness Of God.  I was inspired by the quote below...

The act of creation was the first event in history.  It also was the most dazzling.  The Supreme Architect gazed at His complex blueprint and shouted commands for the boundaries of the world to be set.  He spoke, and the seas were shut behind doors and the clouds were filled with dew.

He bound the Pleiades and buckled the belt of Orion. He spoke again and the earth began to fill with orchards in full blood.  Blossoms burst forth like springtime in Mississippi.  The lavender hues of plum trees danced with the brilliances of azaleas and forsythia.

God spoke once more, and the waters teemed with living things.  The snail sneaked beneath the shadowy form of the stingray while the great marlin broke the surface of the water to promenade on the waves with his tail.  Again He spoke, and the roar of the lion was heard and the bleating of sheep.  Four-footed anumals, eight-legged spiders, and winged insects appearted. 

And God said, 'That's good!'

My Top 10 Podcasts

One of things I gain great benefit from is listening to messages on podcast every week.  Here are my Top 10 Favorites (in no particular order).

1. Andy Stanley - North Point Ministries.  Andy is an amazing communicator.  Yes, Charles Stanley is his dad.  Andy has a huge church also in Atlanta.
2. Phil Pringle - Christian City Church.  Pastors a great church in Sydney, Australia.  Great teacher on faith.  I enjoy his sense of humor.
3. Robert Morris - Gateway Church.  Author of The Blessed Life.  Good Bible teacher.
4. Bill Johnson - Bethel Church.  Author of When Heaven Invades Earth. Great teacher on flowing with the Spirit and believing for miracles.
5. John Ortberg - Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.  One of the best communicators alive.  Funny.  Penetrating.  I listen to John for fun.
6. Mark Batterson - National Community Church.  Author of In A Pit With A Lion.  Mark is very creative.  Pastors in DC.
7. Craig Groeschel - LifeChurch.TV.  Very innovative.  Author of Confessions Of A Pastor.
8. John Lindell - James River Assembly.  One of the best at expository Bible teaching.
9. Erwin Mcmanus - Mosaic.  Breathes passion into my soul.  One of the best apologists for Christianity in today's culture.
10. Brad Leach - Church Of The King.  Good friend.  Pastors in Detroit.  Excellent teacher.  Great insight on the heart of God.

What's a podcast?  You can download (most of the time for free) messages, programs, or other broadcasts over the Internet.  You can listen on your computer or through you iPod or MP3 player. 

If you don't already have iTunes on your computer.  You can download it for free here.

BTW--If you want to subscribe to the messages from Allison Park Church.  Click here.

Bursts Of Creativity

My family and I are on vacation this week in Florida.  Friday and Saturday we drove down (took about 21 hours) to just west of Panama City.

I have been out of town a lot the past three months (missions trip, harvest cry, vacation).  Normally, I take some time out of the pulpit in July and August.  This year, I will speak almost exclusively during those months because of being gone prior.

When I go away from my normal routine and travel, several great things happen:

• I get flooded with creative ideas.  Thoughts about upcoming messages.  Ways to improve ministry.  Clarity on how to handle staff and ministry situations.  Vision for the future.  Even though I have only been gone a few days, I have had so much good creativity and clarity already.
• Some of my staff don't like it when I go away because I come back full of ideas that translate into a lot of work to actually execute.  I think I have learned how to handle my own ''vision enthusiasm' a little better.  I lead any change process much slower and more paced than before.
• My being away also give opportunity for my staff to shine.  Supervisors get bolder.  People look to others instead of to me for guidance.  It is empowering in so many ways.
• Staff pastors get a chance to speak.  We have such a rich team.  Part of the vision of the church is to raise up leaders.  As I step out, others step up.  They grow.  They flourish.  I am very proud of each of the men and women on my team.

Due to the many thoughts running through my heart and mind, I will be blogging a lot this week. 

First thought...GOD IS AMAZING!  Don't you feel that everytime you stand by the ocean.  He is HUGE.  He is CREATIVE.  He is PERSONAL.  Wow! 

Father's Day Reflections

Forty-three Father's days ago...I was born.  My dad was pastoring a small church near Titusville, PA.  He spoke at morning service.  Mom went into labor.  Later that day, in Erie, PA--I took my first breath of H2O.  (no..my birthday is not today.  It's the 21st.  The date changes every year).

• I think I may have had the best dad ever:  godly character, great example, loved my mom, was faithful, attended my games (even traveled a long way to do so), apologized when wrong, introduced me to Jesus, invested in my future, and on and on I could go.
• What I just described is more of a rarity that the rule.  Many people have not had the honor of living under such a father.
• To whom much is given, much is required.  Ron Hembree reminded me of this about my dad when I was on CTVN last week.
• This is why I have a passion for raising up great children, both naturally and spiritually.  I am a natural father to five.  But I choose to be a spiritual father to many young leaders.  This is part of why I love church planting.  It is great format for fathering.
• If you didn't have a great father--you have an enormous promise to claim...Proverbs 68.   
• Thank God that becoming a Christ-follower also connects us with a Heavenly Father.  We are adopted into His family.  This is not just a spiritual concept.  You literally have a new family.  They people of God become your 'blood-relatives'.
• If you feel you missed a strong natural father or mother, pray that God will give you a spiritual mom or dad.  David Cartlege used to say, 'it's up to the son/daughter to seek out the father/mother spiritually.'  Find someone that you respect and ask them to disciple you.  Serve them.  Work for their success.  Own their problems.
• Often people don't find a spiritual father/mother because they go seeking something rather than giving something.  If you commit yourself to father/mother and work with them and for their success--there will be a bond formed between you.  Why?  Because there are so few who will set aside their own agenda and work for the success of another.  When you do this, you stand out like a shining star.

So today is Father's Day.  Today is a day to honor dad.  Even if dad doesn't deserve it? 

Yes.  The Bible never qualifies the decision to honor authority/parents by whether or not they deserve it.  Honor is given to the position, even when the person is unworthy.  Honor is also given for the person doing the honoring.  Your choice to honor builds mature character in you, and frees your heart from any lingering resentments.

I love how Gary Smalley describes honor.  It is like when you see something amazing and you declare...'Wow...Ahh...that was awesome!'  We esteem something.  We express value.  Today is a day to honor dad.  Let's do it with all our hearts.

Family Devotional Moments

One of the roles of a parent is the spiritual development and character training of their children.  This can be quite a difficult and intimidating prospect.  Often this is why parents tend to want to delegate spiritual training completely to the church. 

First, we feel inadequate about it.  There is a fear of being asked something we don't know how to answer.  We overcome that by the realization that our kids don't need a Biblical Answer-Person.  They need to feel their parents hunger for God and for the truth of the Scripture.

If you read Proverbs 2, you see Solomon reflecting on what his father David taught him.  The thing that most affected Solomon wasn't David's possession of all wisdom, but rather his pursuit of it. 

Share with your kids your desire to know God's Word.

Second, we feel inconsistent with it.  Life is busy.  Who has time to prepare a Bible lesson for your kids and teach it to them every night.  Sounds a bit unrealistic for most of us.

There has to be a two-pronged strategy with 'teaching moments':

1. Regular, Brief, and Fun - After a family meal--read a verse.  Talk about it for 60 seconds.  Ask, 'what does this verse mean to you.'  Laugh together.  Pray for each member of the family by name.  (in these family moments we often do a game...what I like about _________.  Each person in the family has to tell one thing they really like about ________.)  The goal here is to make spiritual conversations normal; to make Bible verses clear and memorable; and to have a good time with it.
2. The Teachable Moment - Sometimes the best format for spiritual conversations happens as you are doing life with one another.  Make an observation about creation.  Use a news item to reinforce a character lesson.  Talk about issues with school, friends, disappointments, successes.  Talk about your own life learnings. 

These are not planned they are prompted.  God prompts them by His Spirit.  Life prompts them by dishing up opportunities.  You see commercials all the time now encouraging parents to talk to their kids about drugs, etc.

Think about it.  This is what the Bible encourages:

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Deuteronomy 6:6-7

So if this part of parenting has been intimidating you lately.  Let me encourage you to get back into the game.  Summer provides lots of good family opportunities.  Use them well.

Tribute To Ruth Bell Graham

By now probably you have heard the news about the death of Billy Graham's wife.  If you would like to read more about her life and some tributes upon her passing...click here.

Homes Of Hope-India

My parents recently returned from a trip into India. My father was the speaker at the Annual Council for Pastors in the Calcutta region.

One of things they got to do was visit one of the Homes Of Hope run by a ministry called Project Rescue.  The women you see pictured here with my Mom and Missionary Faith Higgins, are all prostitutes that have been rescued.

Most of these ladies were lured into prostitution by a deceptive promise of being trained as a domestic servant.  Once trapped, they have no option but to remain.

The little girls pictured here are the children of these women.  Some have watched their moms die.  Most have seen many tragic situations.  These Homes are also places for these girls to live.

APC is giving, through our Generations Campaign, to help Project Rescue purchase additional property for a new Home for these women. 

Finally Feeling Better

For about a week I have been dealing off and on with some significant pain in my teeth and face.  Shooting pain.  Hard to sleep.

Today, I have felt the best yet.  My doctor diagnosed me as probably having experienced something called Trigeminal Neuralgia.  Never heard of it before.

Here's an excerpt from the description:  Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is not fatal, but it is universally considered to be the most painful affliction known to medical practice. 

Ouch!  No wonder I felt so laid out.  Tooth pain.  Sinus Pain.  Face Numbing.  No relief.  The pain can sometimes be so severe and unrelenting that they call this problem 'the suicide disease'.  (have I won your sympathy yet?)

Anyway, I seem to be past it.  And I am claiming full healing through the cross of Jesus Christ.  I always like the way David Cartlege explained dealing with problems and sickness.  He said, 'we need to understand the facts.  We don't want to deny reality.  But we also need to know and believe the truth.'

The facts are...I had a bout with Trigeminal Neuraligia.

The truth is...Jesus is the healer of my body.  By His stripes I am healed.  I am standing on this truth in Jesus name.

What are the facts about your life today? What is the truth that you are standing on for your breakthrough?

Life Planning Posts

Here are some excellent posts on managing the priorities of your life:

Mark Batterson On Pre-Decisions

Nick Poole On Organizing Your Day

Perry Noble On Purity Boundaries

Hope For Hurting Families P2

This weekend we will complete this two part series on the family.  It's always good to hear stories of how God can redeem and restore.  This weekend, we will share with you one of the most profound family restorations that has happened in the history of APC.

There will also be some great MAN STUFF for Father's Day.

Natural Joys

When you are a kid, there is nothing like 1) Christmas morning and 2) the last day of school.  This morning is the later in Hampton Township.

My kids are up.  They are smiling.  They are getting along with each other.  Compliments are flying back and forth.  Ready early.  Today they have a half day of school and are home to launch SUMMER VACATION.

Adults don't seem to have those kinds of calendar-based euphorias as often.

Today I am pretty happy too though.  I have been in significant pain in my teeth and right sinus cavity,  The dentist diagnosed it as the results of imbalance in my bite and some grinding of my teeth at night.  So my upper teeth on the right side have been radiating pain up the right side of my face.

It has laid me out.  But today, I am feeling a bit better.  Nothing quite like relief from pain.  1) makes me thankful for my health; 2) and really motivated to pray for and emphathize with those who are physically suffering.

Wednesdays in the Fall

Hello to Jeff's readers!  This is Melodie.  Jeff is lying in bed with a severe toothache and asked me to fill in for him.  (Crazy how a tooth can radiate such intense pain to a whole side of your face, huh?!)

I wanted to make you aware of an upcoming new focus for APC on Wednesday nights that will begin this fall.  (I know, I know.  How can we even think about the fall when summer has just begun??!)

On September 12th we will begin to take a little different approach to Wednesday nights.  The women will be meeting in the sanctuary for a Bible Study with Beth Moore on the book of Daniel ( by dvd, of course).   For those of you who may not be familiar with Beth Moore, she is a nationally known Bible teacher. Whether you are a new in the faith or a mature believer, you will come away enriched!  We will then separate into small groups for discussion and prayer.  If you are not in a small group, this will be an easy way to jump in.

The men will be studying Mark Batterson's book In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day with the same type of format.

The choir will meet up in the prayer chapel and Celebrate Recovery will take place on the second floor.

Wednesday nights will have something awesome for each and every age group.  Mark your calendars!

Hope For Hurting Families

Hope For Hurting Familes This is the first message in the Hope For Hurting Families series on finding and sustaining a healing force in your life and family. 

Input Appreciated

In a few weeks I am going to launch into the GOD QUESTIONS series (begins June 30-July 1).  During that series I am going to attempt to deal with the tough questions about the Bible and the Christian faith.

Many of you have been a great help to me by listing additional questions both on this site and on my myspace blog site (I post on that blog for the younger generation).  Based on the feedback I have received already, it is obvious that this is going to be a popular and necessary series for people.

There is no way that I will be able to answer every question in the message series.  But I will try to address every issue as best I can.  How?

• On this blog I will write answers to some of the questions I don't have time to fully deal with during a weekend service.
• Every Wednesday night from 6-7pm--I am going to make myself available for an ASK PASTOR JEFF session.  That way people can just show up and ask whatever they would like and we can discuss it right there.

During the months of July-August Wednesday nights will be a Worship Gathering in the Sanctuary from 7-8pm.  So prior to that (6-7) I would really enjoy trying to tackle these questions together.

BTW--input from others is so valuable to a leader.  This past weekend I spoke on HOPE FOR HURTING FAMILIES.  The comments on the blog were very helpful to me.

I also received some suggestions from people who have walked through the fire after my message on Saturday night.  Because of their input, my messages on Sunday were even more clear and sensitive.

Thanks to all who prayed for me and advised me about this weekend's message.

Philosophy Of Worship P3

Before I left for Sweden, I did a few posts about values in worship.  In my discussions with my worship staff, we came up with seven values.  I have covered the first five previously.

1. God-Centered
2. Jesus-Enabled
3. Spirit-Led
4. Missionary-Minded
5. Willfully-Vocal

Now for the final two values:

6.  Acts-Balanced - what does that mean?  Well, one of our convictions is that the book of Acts should be the pattern for the church.  We should trace our values and expectations back to the original church.

So what was worship like in the book of Acts?  There were many things involved:  Fasting, prayer, supernatural gifts in operation, unity, water baptism, communion, giving to the needs of the poor, daily salvation, healing miracles, the declaration of Jesus, and so much more.

So often we think of worship solely from a 'music' perspective.  But worship is an overall atmosphere in a church.  Everything we do, we should do for the glory of God. 

We don't want to fall into the trap of thinking of worship-service as only what happens in a 60-90 minute church service.  I long for the full experience and atmosphere present in the church of the book of Acts.

7.  Glory-Expectant - Finally, as we worship we expect this worship to be interactive.  We expect that God will reveal Himself to us.  The Old Testament word for 'glory' is the word 'kabod', which means weighty, heavy, important.

We we expect that the tangible sense of His transforming presence will fall upon us as we seek Him.  Often that release of His presence feels almost like an invisible blanket that embraces our person and soul.  Wow.  What an amazing privilege to be in the presence of God.

This is the major aim of our worship--to reach the destination of intimate connection with Almighty God.

Hope For Hurting Families

This weekend's message will be about the very painful and difficult seasons when families are in crisis.  I have mixed emotions about the message this weekend.

On one hand, I feel very excited about the 'word' God has given to me from 1 Peter 2.  On the other hand, I realize what an emotionally heavy topic this is and I am feeling the weight of addressing this appropriately and with empathy and compassion.

Doesn't it sometimes seem that being a Christian is a disadvantage? 

I know that is a startling question.  But have you ever thought, especially when someone is doing you wrong, that it is unfair to have forgive, or love, or be patient with someone.  One spouse is out having a party and the other is left paying the bills and taking care of the kids.  Where's the justice in all that?

One member of the family flies off into a rage or goes on a binge of some type.  Everyone else has to pick up the pieces.  As believers we feel some degree of pressure to do the right thing.  But often the right thing just seems so unfair.

This is the question I want to address this weekend.  Where is the hope in following Christ when my world is falling apart?  Why do the right thing?  What benefits do I gain by choosing to act like a Christian when the people around me are not?

Factors In Answered Prayer

Why are some prayers unanswered?  Mark 11:22-25 provides an interesting link between faith and forgiveness.

It is clear from these statements of Jesus that faith is necessary to breakthrough answers to prayer.  Faith is the atmosphere in which God operates.  Faith is the invisible wire through which we connect to the source of life which is Jesus Christ.

But then right after Jesus declares that faith moves mountains and obtains answers, he states, 'and when you stand praying, forgive!'

So faith connects us to the source.  Unforgiveness disconnects us from the source.

APC Simple Growth Process

I just completed a series of messages called, Extreme Makeover For The Soul.  In this series, I attempted to explain the simple process that we recommend for every believer to reach their fullest potential spiritually.

After reading the book, The Simple Church, I have been working with my pastors and elders to identify the core process of development for a person who attends Allison Park Church.  Here's what we have identified:

COMMIT - you grow more from what you put in that what you take out.

• To weekly corporate worship.
• To going through the Spiritual Breakthrough Process (Breakthrough Weekend, Water Baptism, Follow-up Course).

GROW - by getting planted in two types of regular relationships. 

• With God through personal devotions.
• With other believers in a small group.

FOCUS - choosing to PULL TOGETHER with your church family.

• By tithing and over and above giving toward missions.
• By participation with the church in the MONTHLY FOCUS. 

June is what we call MINISTRY MONTH and the focus is on serving others.  We did that specifically through Community Care Day, where all of our Small  Groups were mobilized to do acts of kindness and service projects.  Hundreds of us were involved in serving THE ONE.

July and August will be OUTREACH MONTHS and we will encourage people to get involved in some way to support outreaches like KIDS KABOOM or CITYREACH07.

I believe this process is going to help us fulfill our mission in the world: To love THE ONE who is hurting, forgotten, and disconnected from God and equip them to reach their FULL POTENTIAL in Christ.

Let's do it.

Habit-Making

Yesterday, I got back on track with my diet and exercise habits.  They say it takes 21 days to establish yourself in a positive habit or to break a bad one.

So I have set my sights on progress in this area in the next three weeks.  I am putting it in writing because it is good for my accountability.   Here are some lessons I have learned about initiating lasting personal change:

• Focus on progress not on perfection.  Celebrate when steps are taken.  Don't give up when a moment of failure occurs.
• Partner with someone toward the same goal.  Accountability makes us stronger.
• Set short-term goals that are realistic.  Celebrate when you reach a milestone.
• Push yourself to go further and do more than you thought you could.  Big goals motivate more than small ones.
• Build a sustainability plan into your regular schedule.  Make good advanced decisions about how the habit can become regular and consistent.  Stick to it.

How Change Happens

How Change Happens This is the third and final message from the Extreme Makeover for Your Soul series. This will give you the steps it takes to make a positive change in your life, and your walk with God.

Video From Namalu Festival

While I was in Sweden, I got a copy of the video report from our recent trip to Uganda.  You can watch it by clicking here...

Every time I watch this I start to cry.  God did so many wonderful things there.  The more time I have had since the Festival, the more I have began to realize the magnitude of what He did.

Baby Javan Is Born

Sunday afternoon, Javan Gordon was born into the world.  Javan is the son of Jim and Kate Gordon, and the grandson of Pastor Cal and Vicki Callahan.  Everyone is healthy and doing well.

During the 9am service, we received a call that Kate was having some difficulty with labor.  She had preeclampsia - a condition where the mother's blood pressure can become dangerously high.  Kate had been induced late Saturday evening and had not progressed in labor.  At about 10am the doctor told Kate that they would probably have to take the baby by C-section.  She gave Kate one hour to make progress.

After we received the call, I had Melodie lead in prayer during the communion service.  It was about 10:20 when the entire church was in prayer for Kate and Javan.  The family reported back to us that right at about that same time Kate's blood pressure lowered some.  At that same moment, she also began to progress in her labor.

She had been at one centimeter since Thursday.  She had remained at that stage until 10:20am on Sunday.  After we had prayed, she dialated to 3 centimeters (Mel arrived at the hospital at about 11am).  Kate eventually gave birth at 1:07pm.

Vicki said, 'it is obvious that the prayers worked!'  We thank God that Kate and Javan are doing well.  Keep them in your prayers during this week.

CTVN Appearances This Wk

Pastor Chris Griffin will be on CTVN tonight @7pm--on the Focus 4 program.  Chris will be talking about the 24/7 Prayer Chapel @ APC.

On Friday, I will be on the same program with Pastor Brian Bolt talking about his testimony and the ministry of Pittsburgh City Outreach.

Praying For Memorial Park

During our weekend services, we took time to pray for Memorial Park Presbyterian Church which is located just a few miles away from us on Duncan, Ave.  Pastor Dean had requested prayer support his church during this critical weekend.

We were more than happy to stand with them in prayer.  I believe they were very pleased with the unity expressed in their vote.  Over 90% agreed with 953 of their members standing together.

You can read more about it through several local news sources:

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
• Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
• KDKA (this includes a brief video)