I'm sitting in a nasty, smoky room in Western Pennsylvania.

I'm sitting in a nasty, smoky room in Western Pennsylvania. In two hours, I'll be doing a presentation for a group of doctors. Then I'm headed back to the family again. I missed them exceptionally on this trip for some reason. I've never appreciated them or my family at Ridgeview more than I do right now.

I had a couple of interesting things happen on the way up. It was crazy getting out of Nashville yesterday because the national Panera Bread Convention had just wrapped up. It was the first time I've ever been on a flight where literally EVERY single seat was sold and occupied. The guy to the right of me on my first flight was really nice. He was flying to Chicago for this weekend's marathon. That should have prepared me for what greeted me at Midway airport in Chicago. Forty thousand plus runners coming in yesterday and I think they all arrived within a two hour window at Midway.

From Chicago (where we were delayed by about 30 minutes for a plane malfunction) we skipped over to Pittsburgh. The man to my left was pretty quiet most of the trip until I finally got him to talk near the end. Some cool stories. Another Christ follower, I learned, who seemed to have a genuine interest in other people once you got him to open up. He even walked me through the airport to the car rental place to make sure I knew where I was going. The guy on my right should have been charged extra because he was trying to occupy his seat and half of mine. But we managed survive.

So, I get to this hotel that's supposed to be this really nice conference center. They place me in this room (after scaring me to death and telling me they had no record of a conference being held here this weekend). It's a smoking room. They had no non-smoking left. I called two other hotels in the area. All booked up. Something to do with several class reunions, weddings and a ton of construction workers working on road projects nearby. Anyway, because smoke messes my eyes and nose up something fierce, I spent an extra long time at Applebee's. Because I was alone, I sat at the bar and watched the playoffs. The bar, interestingly enough, was smoke-free (explain that to me). I got more than my fill of people-watching in (one of my favorite hobbies). I listened to them tell their stories and regale each other with their special talents (drunk people talk really loud--louder with each drink). The bartenders were obviously friends with some guy at the end and they were comparing notes on who was drunk when and who had done the stupidest thing (there's something to write home to mom about). Another older couple was obviously regulars. She whined and complained about health care most of the night. Said she couldn't understand how a President could win the Nobel Peace Prize after only eleven days in office (he was sworn in on January 20th and the deadline for nominations was on February 1st. Come on people. Tell me this thing wasn't rigged from the beginning. I even said "amen" out loud as I listened to her go on and on about how the Peace Prize would never be the same again).

Anyway, enough recalling. Just thought I'd share about my glamorous life on the road this weekend. Took a sleep aid so I could get through the night with the smoke. Went to bed at 10 and up by 6. Can't wait to be home with my family tonight. There's no place like it...

Be careful what yardstick you use to measure success.

Be careful what yardstick you use to measure success. I've been thinking about that in recent days, especially after visiting with a fellow minister and dear friend of mine last week. He serves in an area where some of the ministers are very territorial in their approach to ministry. They measure their success based on largeness of ministry rather than the legitimacy of what they do. In fact, that's a dangerous wave that is sweeping through many areas of church life these days. If it's big and flashy and has large numbers to show, then it must be God. By the same token, if it's growing slowly or tucked away where no one sees, there must be something wrong.

But it's a trap that we can all fall into. We start to measure our successes and failures (along with those of others) by external values and features that may or may not be accurate in their judgment. You remember the story of Moses in Numbers 20 where the people are roaming through the desert and they are complaining (yet again) that they are thirsty? Moses is led by God to a rock in the desert where God says speak to the rock and you will get the water you need. Moses, taking matters into his own hands, strikes the rock. This is an act of disobedience that God would later punish him for by telling him he would never enter the Promised Land. Despite his poor choices, though, the miracle of fresh water still occurred and the people were blessed.

The lessons we learn? God sometimes moves in spite of us, not because of us and not every external sign proves that we have it right on the inside. Right now, I can think of dozens of friends and partners in ministry who serve faithfully in out of the way places and are not "rock stars" on the speaking tour--yet I would defy anyone to challenge the integrity and legitimacy of what they do. I know faithful dads and moms (some in our church) who have done everything they can to raise their kids well, yet they watch as their kids still make poor choices.

Maybe that's why God moved Paul to write in 2 Corinthians "judge no man according to the flesh." Only God knows our hearts and He alone can determine the faithfulness of what we do. So what's the answer? Where do we find our legitimacy? What better place to find it than the same place that the Son of God found it? He said, "My food is to do the will of my Father in Heaven." In other words, the legitimacy of my ministry and who I am is found in Him not the external measures of our culture.

The story at the end of Numbers 13 is one of my favorites.

The story at the end of Numbers 13 is one of my favorites. You may remember it. Moses has the people ready to take the promised land. He sends out 12 spies who check out this land across the Jordan River. When they return, ten of them give a very negative report. Every where they turn they are overwhelmed by the size of the people and the enormity of their cities. Yes, they saw great promise and abundance in the land but they don't see how in the world they can take it. But the other two spies gave a different report. The other two spies inspire me, especially Caleb.

Caleb stands in front of the Hebrew people and says, "We should go do what we came to do." He had seen the same things, set his eyes on the same giants, but his perspective was entirely different. Why? Because instead of powerful people, Caleb remembered a sea split in half by the power of His God. Instead of walled cities that would be obstacles, Caleb remembered how God's power had removed the biggest obstacle to their freedom--Pharaoh. He had seen manna fall from the sky, water come from a rock and fire lead them through the desert. Why in the world would he be afraid of a few pesky tribes of giants?

Our churches need some very bold, very courageous, very outspoken Calebs right now. Things look grim on the surface. A government that increasingly opposes Christianity. A culture that continues its slide into moral relativity. An economy whose weakness has struck at the heart of every one of our families.

What we need more than ever is bold women and men who have experienced the greatness of God first hand to become very vocal leaders in our churches. We need them to rise up in support of their pastors and quicken the hearts of the other believers. We need people who believe in the power of a God who is more than just capable--He is willing to pour out His power on us again. We just need a few good Calebs.

I guess you could say I was a little bit of a "nerd" in school.

I guess you could say I was a little bit of a "nerd" in school. (It's not true, I tell you, but you could say that if you want). I made straight "A's", mostly enjoyed school (except the getting up early part) and never really had to do much homework till I was in college. I even liked taking tests most of the time. That is, with the exception of one teacher I had in high school. He was a little "sly" with his testing. He always gave multiple choice tests which, on the surface, would seem pretty easy to take. Four answers. You've got a 25% chance of getting it right even if you didn't study. The problem was, his answers were never clear cut. There would be the traditional four choices but, on some occasions, there would be four, very good answers. The only thing separating them would be the spelling of a difficult scientific term or the number of days it would take for a scientific process to run its course. You really had to know your stuff when you took his test (guess that's why he made them that way, huh?)

I thought about him today as I was reading Deuteronomy 11:26. God says there, "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse..."

Can't get much easier than that, can you? Two, very clear options--a blessing and a curse. One choice to make, one fork in the road. We can either follow His plan and know the unmerited favor of a God who is outrageously benevolent or we can choose our way which leads to brokenness, frustration, discouragement, and death. Seems like such an easy test--a true no-brainer.

But most of us fail. Not just once or twice. We fail more often than not. God gives us clear cut direction from His word (His study guide, if you will) on how to take this test and "ace" it every time. We just can't seem to make the good choices. We want to make it more complex than it is.

Don't do it. Don't let culture or companions or confusion or chaos or selfishness (sorry, couldn't come up with another "c-word" there) keep you from seeing your way clearly. Take God's word at His word and use it to live life rightly. You'll come to know the unending, mind-boggling love of our God.

RIDGIES: please continue to pray for our staff retreat as it continues through Tuesday. I really value your prayers for the guys who lead RCC. And let me just say what an amazing group they are. I LOVE being at RCC and these guys are just one reason why.

What a great week it has been.

What a great week it has been. Lisa and I spent the first part of the week in Albemarle, NC with our new friends at Highlands Baptist Church. What a great place! We led a marriage retreat on Friday and Saturday and helped lead their revival meetings Sunday through Wednesday. It was such an incredible time worshipping and fellowshipping with these amazing people. By Monday, Lisa and I already felt like we were with family. If you are in that area of North Carolina as you read, there is a great church there in Albemarle that is worth the drive.

Paul, the pastor, has been a friend of mine for almost twenty years. What a blessing it is to be away from someone for such a long time (he led a marriage retreat for me back in 2002 or 2003) and still be able to pick up right where you left off. This was my first chance to meet his wife, Kristen, and there two kids. It was a wonderful time. To all my new friends at Highlands--we love you guys and will continue to pray for you as God brings you to our minds. If you are ever in Middle TN, we would love to have the chance to see you again.

I'm home...for a little while. Really missed being with my family at Ridgeview last Sunday but heard that Pastor Eddie did his usual great job stepping in in my absence. I'm back in the place God called me this Sunday as we continue "Discovering God's Will." Hope you have enjoyed this series and our times of worship. Then, next week, it's staff retreat and an appearance at a conference up in the Pittsburgh, PA area.

God is so good! He is richly blessing our times at RCC and these are some amazing days. I am truly blessed to be your pastor. Looking forward to an exciting announcement regarding our Next Generations Pastor in the next few weeks. Please continue to be in prayer. I'll see you Sunday.