Running With God

Benediction

The prayer I spoke at the end of Sunday’s message (3/22/09) is a Franciscan Benediction. I first heard it in a message by Craig Groeschel, pastor of Lifechurch.tv in Oklahoma City. I’ve got to give credit to our worship pastor, Ted Kim, for thinking to use it this week. 

 

It is one of those prayers you’re afraid to pray because it is almost certain to be answered. I find myself wondering, “Do I really want this?” Though I may be reluctant, the answer is yes. 

 

Here it is so that you can pray it on your own.

 

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

 

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

 

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

 

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

 

Amen.

Working for Peace

Most of us have one of two responses to conflict. Some of us become hailstorms—we get loud and storm all over people. Others become turtles—we go into our shell and hope the storm passes. Neither of these approaches fit the biblical model.

 

Jesus said, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). I’m asking our congregation to join our leadership in working for peace. God’s promise is that there will be divine blessing for all who do.

 

Our work for peace began in earnest in January as members of the Task Force and a few other representatives of our church began a relationship with Peacemaker Ministries. Each of us completed an intake form and then participated in a conference call with Paul Cornwell. Paul is a Certified Christian Conciliator with Peacemaker Ministries with over 30 years of full time ministry experience.

 

Now that Paul has had an opportunity to diagnose some of the issues we’re facing, he will be sharing a prescription with us this week. The congregation is invited to hear first hand what is being proposed on Thursday, March 19, at 7 pm. Following the proposal, our elders and task force will determine our next steps.

 

I hope many of you can join us on Thursday. And I’m praying that our entire congregation will grasp what could happen as we build a culture of peace in our marriages, our families, our neighborhoods, and our church. This is a defining moment in the life our church with the potential for major transformation.

 

To learn more about Peacemaker Ministries, go to www.peacemaker.net

Welcome to runningwithgod.org

Welcome to runningwithgod.org. In the weeks ahead I hope to engage you in dialog in a way that is mutually beneficial. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open for blogging material in messages I share, books I read, ministries we’re developing, ideas I’m wrestling with, and images that capture my imagination.

As most of you know, I became the Interim Senior Pastor of South Park Church at the beginning of February. As I enter this new stage of the race God has marked out for me, I thought it would be helpful to reflect on how I got here.

In 2003, Becky and I were in Chicago for my first marathon. The day after the race, we visited my alma mater, Trinity International University, in Deerfield. We discovered a great program that would allow Becky to complete her degree. On the trip home, we decided to begin preparations for a move.

At the time I was serving as the pastor of a church plant in Bryan, OH (home to the manufacturers of Dum Dum suckers and Etch-a-Sketch). We announced to our church family that we would be leaving and began our search for a pastoral position in Chicagoland. Several weeks of effort produced no solid options.  

Then one of the couples from our church traveled to Chicago for a visit. When they attended Phantom of the Opera, they struck up a conversation with the people next to them. It was announced that the Floods were moving to Chicago with no definite plans for employment. The other couple remarked that their church had an opening on their staff. Phone numbers were exchanged and passed along to me.

I was astounded to read that Ron and Carma had met John Walton. I had read one of Dr. Walton’s textbooks in college and was currently using a second textbook of his to teach an online class. I wasted no time in calling. A few weeks later we found ourselves unpacking boxes in Park Ridge. That was July of 2004.

It is rather ironic that the role I accepted was that of INTERIM associate pastor. I held that title for over a year before the interim part was dropped. Now it has found its way back into my life. Yet I am very grateful to be running this race with you. The experiences I’ve had and the relationships I’ve developed in the last 4 ½ years have been great training to serve in my current role. And I’m sensing God’s pleasure in many ways.

Thank you for opening your hearts to our family. Please join us in prayer as we seek God’s direction for the next chapter of our lives and the life of our church. 

For some photos of the 2007 Chicago Marathon and 2008 Boston Marathon, go to http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=14062&id=1068602818

To learn more about Ryan Hall, the fastest American born marathoner ever and an authentic follower of Jesus, go to http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e593f8eba239bada1a0c