Haven't blogged in awhile. I've been recording a song and writing some others. I am sick as dog right now....sore throat, sinus, cough....fun stuff....

I've got some thoughts ruminating about what I've been reading from John Eldridge's "Wild at Heart." They will have to wait for when I can think coherently....

Questions

Some people are afraid of questions. It's like they think God is going to freak out if they question something the Bible says, or something they have been taught about Him. I'm sorry. God is bigger than that. He is not afraid of your questions.

A lot of the questions that used to trouble me are really paradoxes. A paradox is a statement that seems absurd or self-contradictory but... turns out to be true. A paradox consists of two truths that, when laid side by side, appear to contradict. However, upon further reflection, they prove to be compatible. “While real contradictions are impossible to reconcile, paradoxes are merely difficult to reconcile.” These things just don't bother me like they used to...in fact, I see them as a necessary part of spiritual growth.

Check out some of G.K. Chesterton's writings. He was the king of paradox! Check out some paradoxes of the faith, then if you are interested read this article.

The humble are exalted. The exalted are humbled. “Those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14: 11)

Lose your life to find it. Find your life and lose it. “Those who find their life will lose it and those who lose themselves for my sake will find it.” (Matthew10:39)

Slavery leads to freedom. “Having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” (Rom. 6:18; cf. 1 Cor. 7:22)

The foolish are wise. “If any one among you think that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise.” (1 Corinthians 3:18; cf. 4:10)

The poor are rich. “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.” (James 2:5)

The weak are strong. “...for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Die to live. “...always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:10)

Give to receive. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

The first are last. The last, first. “The last shall be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:16; Mark 9:35)

For those who don't think Jesus is in the Pubs....check this out. God is doing some cool things these days...not that He ever stopped.

We had the small group leaders in our church over for some hang-out time and it was so interesting to listen. All of them are great folks! Each using their unique gifts and abilities to help people connect with each other and God. It was so interesting to listen and pick out the vocabulary that gives clues about their levels of spirituality. Many of them still look to the organizational church as the answer to spiritual growth ie. you just need to go to church and participate in the programs to grow spiritually....I'm just in a different place now....but, I'm glad people were patient with me when I was going through that phase. I'll be the first to admit that living in the tension between organizational church and relationship with Jesus is difficult.

Had a good conversation with Trish this afternoon....about trusting God, relationships and roles. There was a time, I am sad to say, that I would have gotten my self-worth from being a "Worship Leader" or a "Youth Leader." Who I was, was tied up in what I did. My role was a big part of who I was. I am realizing more each day that the roles we play really don't mean anything outside of the context of having a relationship with Jesus. If I am a stay-at-home dad, or a worship leader, or a janitor, or a pastor really shouldn't help or hinder my relationship with Jesus (that's easier to say than live out).

Upon some reflection, here is what I come up with...My recent spiritual struggles have come as the result of entering a new stage of faith. Realizing that "going to church" just doesn't cut it anymore; the roles that I placed my self-worth in just place me in a cycle of proving myself over and over again; keeping busy doing "church stuff" is far different from a vocation; the rules and rituals where much of my early faith was formed are shallow and empty.

So there is a process of dieing, of letting go of the old visions and dreams and letting God birth new ones. Because I believe that my relationship with God is paramount I am recommitting to some spritual practices that I've been neglecting. The fact is, that looking back, I can see a gradual drifting from the things that connected me with God in the first place. Because spirituality is not about rituals or rules, but relationship I am renewing my dedication to some of the "monastic" disciplines: prayer, silence, solitude, study, meditation, etc. Refocusing on Christ, opening myself to His ttransforming grace, trying to follow Jesus' example, listen to and obey the Spirit.

Kevin Reeves

For those of you who remember the guy who played drums on the keyboard better than most drummers can play drums for us at Highland Hope, check out Kevin Reeves website. Besides just being a good friend and an all-around awesome guy, he is one of the most talented guys I know. He is making a go of it in Nashville with some other Greenville College alumni. Spread the word....and if you need any music work done contact him!!! Check out his song "Shine."

www.lindseybricker.com is active and working!

Just register, logon and submit a new post. I look forward to reading all the good stuff about Lindsey!

We had a worship service for the youth tonight. Lots of young people wanting to take some steps in their journey. I said, and I repeat: It is not about rules, or rituals, but about relationship. There are lots of people who "don't drink, don't smoke and don't chew"; there are a lot of people who "go to church" religiously. But, the real deal is found in having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Getting to know Him and His purpose for your life, which is being like Him!

Mat 7:21-23 "Knowing the correct password--saying 'Master, Master,' for instance--isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience--doing what my Father wills. I can see it now--at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

Mat 7:24-28 "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit--but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."

When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this.

Lindsey's Blog is almost ready!!!

My friend Blue is setting up a Blog for the family and friends of Lindsey to post their thoughts, memories and prayers. This will be a cool a way to permanently honor her in cyberspace. Stay tuned and I'll let you know when it is ready....

HE IS RISEN!!!!

The Disciples, surrounded by darkness, despair and hopelessness buried a friend on Good Friday. By Sunday everything had changed. Jesus, the Messiah, had risen from the dead! The tomb was empty! There was hope! There was life! There was a future!

The tone of Easter in the Highland, IL area is a little different this year. On Good Friday we buried a friend....but, today there is hope, there is life, there is a future! Lindsey's tomb is not empty, but one day it will be! Today is not about Lindsey, but in the context of the Resurrection of Jesus we can celebrate herfuture hope, and ours too!

The ramifications of the empty tomb don't just lay in the future! We have the possiblity of a new life HERE AND NOW! Our old life is gone, the life of rules, and law, and gritting your teeth to be "good." Jesus has taught a new way to live and backed it up by the power of the Resurrection!

Eph 4:22-24
Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything--and I do mean everything--connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life--a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

Participate in the Resurrection lifestyle today and everyday!!!!!

Gal 5:22-23
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

KINGDOM LIFE BABY!

Thanks for all of the prayers! Our community is dealing with this whole thing as best we can. The wake was last night. Lindsey looked beautiful, like she was sleeping. There were picture collages everywhere. It took us 2 1/2 hours to see her and the family. The line was out the funeral home and half way down the block.

The funeral is today. Pray that we will make it through the song we are singing. Pray for all of the students that are torn to pieces right now. Pray for the family that has lost so much, and gained so much at the same time. Pray that Spirit moves in a miraculous way....

The joyful part of this is that Lindsey was such and awesome kid that love the Lord! She is with Him, worshipping Him with elders, feeling no pain, never to cry a tear again, bathed in the Glory of the Lord, casting her crown before His feet, eating from the Tree of Life...


Before the Throne it was like a clear crystal sea. Prowling around the Throne were Four Animals, all eyes. Eyes to look ahead, eyes to look behind.
Rev 4:7 The first Animal like a lion, the second like an ox, the third with a human face, the fourth like an eagle in flight.
Rev 4:8 The Four Animals were winged, each with six wings. They were all eyes, seeing around and within. And they chanted night and day, never taking a break: Holy, holy, holy Is God our Master, Sovereign-Strong, THE WAS, THE IS, THE COMING.
Rev 4:9 Every time the Animals gave glory and honor and thanks to the One Seated on the Throne--the age-after-age Living One--
Rev 4:10 the Twenty-four Elders would fall prostrate before the One Seated on the Throne. They worshiped the age-after-age Living One. They threw their crowns at the foot of the Throne, chanting,
Rev 4:11 Worthy, O Master! Yes, our God! Take the glory! the honor! the power! You created it all; It was created because you wanted it.

Then the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb,
Rev 22:2 right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations.
Rev 22:3 Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service--worshiping,
Rev 22:4 they'll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God.
Rev 22:5 Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age.

Kids are listening to their parents—Their parents' music, that is

'Bout time they wisened up!

Lindsey's showing is Thursday and the funeral is Friday. Here is the newspaper article. Lindsey's mom asked me to sing "I Can Only Imagine." I am praying to get through it. I am working on a song too. Lindsey was a dancer and singer...Lindsey's mom told me the other night that she knows where she is, but is having a hard time letting her go. I think that's a great way to look at it.

Singing With The Angels (Lindsey's Song)

I’ve got so many questions
Every one comes back to why?
There’s so much that I can’t understand
An emptiness that words can’t describe

Chorus:
Knowing where you are
I find the strength to let you go
Cause your singing with the angels
And dancing with the Lord

I'll hold your memories close
I'll trust the promises are true
I'll let your spirit fly
I know one day I'll be with You

Bridge:
Oh, you'll never cry again
Now you fully understand
The only thing there really is to know...

Sounds of hell

I never want to hear the sounds I heard today again. "Slim chance." "You have a choice to make." "Her heart is not beating on it's own." The wailing and weeping of high school students, who have lost their 2nd friend in one year, as the principal announces on the intercom that their friend has died. That sound sends shivers down my spine!

I am numb. I've been with the family and at the high school all day. This sucks. No answers to all of the questions being asked. We are opening up the church building tonight for anyone who wants to hang out, talk, grieve...

I just don't know how to explain to my little girls that the friend they thanked for singing such a beautiful song yesterday is dead today.

Thank you for your prayers concerning Lindsey. She has gone to be with the Lord. The family is going to need constant prayer. Their names are Bob, Jamie, Tyler,Kristin, Sawyer and Bailey. Pray also for our community. Roger and some of our other friends are up at the school helping the kids deal with their grief. Please pray for all.. There are no answers. There is no understanding. This is almost too much to bare.

Thanks for lifting all up. Trish

PLEASE PRAY FOR LINDSEY BRICKER! She is one of our youth and she and her brother were rear ended on the way to school today and she has been given a slim chance. They believe she broke her neck and was having internal bleeding and is now on her way to surgery. She is an amazing young woman and is very loved. She is 15.. Brother Tyler is having neck pain and is beating himself up really badly even though it isn't his fault. Father God, we humbly lift this situation up to you. You are the great physician and healer. We are asking for a miracle. In Jesus Name.......

Subtle Arrogance

In the past few weeks I’ve participated in, or read some disturbing conversations with people that claim to be on a “different spiritual plane” than the rest of us, and therefore are more mature. Mind you, these are good folks who are on a deep spiritual journey, and are misunderstood by some people. I write this just as much for my own benefit because I struggle with some of these issues too. The bottom line is: Maturity is found just as much in what we do, as it is in what we believe.

There is large chasm between what the Church is and what God would like the Church to be. I struggle with this big-time. I’m an Idealist through and through. I also tend toward pessimism. I can make Swiss cheese out of any plan you give me. God has been working on me in this area and here is what I’ve found: Maturity is found in how you deal with the gap between the ideal and the reality. I have a choice. I can whine, moan and bitch about every little thing that falls short of the ideal, or I can do something to change it. That doesn’t mean I won’t ever critique, or discern the problems, but it does mean that once I discern the problem I will do something constructive about it. It doesn’t mean that I won’t deconstruct things that need to be deconstructed, but it does mean that I will attempt to construct something after the deconstruction (What did I just say?).

There is a difference between critiquing something, or someone, and believing that your way is the only way. If you believe that you’ve been made privy to some “hidden knowledge,” that is great (maybe). Crusading against everyone who has a different point of view, or is not as “enlightened” is not a sign of maturity. There are constructive ways and destructive ways to challenge people, and I am seeing a lot of destruction from people that claim to be mature. Maturity is found in “growing in grace and knowledge,” “rebuking with patience,” and humility. Maybe maturity is found in the gentleness and patience we use with those who are not as “spiritually mature” as we are.

There is a subtle arrogance that can creep into our conversations and decision-making processes that reveals our true maturity, or lack of it. Yes, I see things differently. It doesn’t mean that everyone else is wrong. People are in different places on their journey. If God is leading you to believe that you, or your group, are the sole proprietors of truth it’s time to take a humility check. If you’re boasting about “how God revealed to you how little you really know about Him,” it’s still boasting.

Lastly, I think maturity is found in service. Isolating ourselves from the larger body of Christ because “they don’t get it” just reveals our immaturity. Is there a time to separate and try something “new.”? Hell, yeah. But, that doesn’t mean we should let spiritual arrogance keep us from fellowshipping with, encouraging, and teaching those who choose to do church a traditional way, or from those who we perceive as less mature.