Bible Complacency?

Many of us have taken our physical Bibles for granted. And who could blame us? We've had the Word of God in front of us since our birth. We pretty much have a Bible in every room - sometimes more than one. Thanks to the Gideons, there's a Bible in the top drawer of most every hotel in America.

Here's a thought... how cool would it be for an organization to get a Bible in every school and public building in America. I know, I know - separatation of church and state. We don't want to get God mixed up in our well run public offices and school systems. What a nightmare that would be. Whew - thanks for that protection America! (sorry, I digress)

This video is about 10 minutes in length. And you don't have to watch it all... but I'm guessing you will. See how this entire village responds as Bibles (in their entirety) are flown in for the first very first time in their language. Oh, that we would get back to this type of appreciation, respect, honor and consumption of the Word of God.

If you don't see the video above, CLICK HERE! It's worth it.

Acting on a Promise... The X Factor Devotional - Day Twenty Three - February 10, 2010

“Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.’ "
2 Chronicles 20:20

William Tyndale is perhaps the most important person in the illustrious history of the English Bible.  He was, in fact, the father of the modern English Bible.  His translation, first published in 1525, and used subsequently in virtually every other major translation for hundreds of years to follow, was the new standard for English expression.  By quoting the Bible, Shakespeare quotes Tyndale more than 5,000 times!

William Tyndale did not live an easy life.  He was hunted, persecuted, and eventually killed by those who considered his work evil.  Can you imagine?  Putting the Scriptures in a language common people could read?  Preposterous!  Yet he pursued this goal because he was motivated to communicate what he considered the “lost message of the church” — the message of faith.  Tyndale defined faith as “acting on the promises of God.”  It’s doubtful we could come up with a better definition.

Prayer Focus:  As you consider that phrase — acting on the promises of God — how are you exercising faith today?  What promises are you claiming, and how are you living out that reality?  For today, identify one specific promise of God that is especially important and significant.  Sit down right now, for real, and make a phone call or send an email to someone and share that promise.  Then, consider how you can act on that promise… to be a doer of the Word!

You + Bible + Prayer = Success... The X Factor Devotional - Day One - January 11, 2009

“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 119:133

There are at least two essentials to the Spirit-filled life – prayer and the Word of God.  As the old song says, “They go together, you can’t have one without the other.”  Prayer finds its very foundation in Scripture.  You could not pray with purpose, conviction, or direction without the revelation of God that you find in the Bible.  Therefore, you must study the Bible and be a person of prayer.

In Psalm 119, almost every verse refers to the Scriptures.  Verse 133 is a prayer for direction.  The Psalmist here pleads for guidance from the Word of God.

Have you ever considered that God desires to guide every step you take?  He desires to guide not only the big steps in your life, but even the mundane steps you take every day in the kitchen or your workplace.  He will also guide you to the friend who needs encouragement, the neighbor who needs Jesus, and the co-worker who needs a witness of God’s love.

Prayer Focus: Take a moment and thank God for where he has brought Impact thus far.  As we read the Bible and pray more and more… ask the Lord to continue to give Barry, the Elders and staff a heart for God and all He has in store for Impact… the “X” in the X Factor.  Pray for wisdom and discernment BEYOND our collective years and experience.  Thank God for His guidance in your steps as you read and pray, as well.

More Elephant Fun - Painting, Soccer, and More...

Like I said in my previous blog - these are the most talented elephants I have ever seen. But you know what? Now that I think of it... I don't think I know of any really smart elephants. I suppose I've never thought of 'talent' and 'elephant' in the same sentence.

One of the most amazing things I've ever seen is an elephant throwing darts to pop balloons. This elepha beat a girl in the audience in dart throwing... truly remarkable.

Elephant Throws Darts at Balloons - Wins vs Girl in Audience from Barry Smith     on Vimeo.

If you don't see the video - click here.

Watch this elephant score a goal against another elephant playing defense.

Elephant Scores Soccer Goal vs Another Elephant from Barry Smith     on Vimeo.

If you don't see the video - click here.

This elephant paints an amazing flower - this entire picture was done right in front of us in less than 10 minutes. I couldn't have done it.

Elephant Paints a Flower with Buds from Barry Smith     on Vimeo.

If you don't see video - click here.

Elephants Kick Soccer Ball in Thailand from Barry Smith on Vimeo.

If you don't see video - click here.

This last one are all of the elephants playing harmonicas and one even has a hoola hoop on his trunk. Outrageous... even a little dancing going on. Seriously - elephant dancing!

Elephants Play Harmonicas and Do Hoolahoop in Thailand from Barry Smith     on Vimeo.

If you don't see the video - click here

Here's the thing... if the trainers in Thailand can get these huge wild beasts to play soccer, paint, play harmonica and other entertaining shenanigans... why can't we get believers in America to consistently read their bible and pray? I know many of you read and pray your hearts out. But... overall... one of the biggest prayer requests I hear about is getting closer to God, praying more, reading their bible more.

Take it from the elephants of Thailand... anything is possible with the right trainer. Hmmm... seems like I've heard that before... maybe a scripture??? The trainer is...

Dog Ate My Shirt: A Spiritual Lesson?

Ok - so last night, as I always do, I took my shirt off before getting into bed and threw it in a pile on the floor. My socks, jeans, etc go in that same pile that is always transferred to the wash the next morning.

No big deal, right? It's what I have always done. No one's around to see the laundry lying there... after all, everyone is asleep.

But we got this stinkin' dog. Cute? Yes. But it's a stinkin' puppy that chews stuff... chews EVERYTHING!

So back to this shirt - it's not my favorite... but it's in the top 3-5. And, it happens to be one of the most expensive shirts I own. This morning - you guessed it... the collar has a HUGE gaping hole in it. Ruined.

Here's the point... my wife has warned me over and over NOT to leave stuff on the floor. But I don't I don't l like that. This is 'my' house. I should be able to put clothes on the floor. I should be able to do that small thing in my own house.

YES - I can do that. But it will have consequences. And I will NOT like the consequences.

Interestingly enough - God has some things He's said to us in His word. Things that could apply to me wanting to throw my shirt on the floor. Sure, I can do those things - but they have consequences. And I will NOT like those consequences.

God is full of grace. We ARE forgiven. But we may face consequences for our actions. This weekend - let's make decisions that have positive consequences...

Sacramento Bee - Fox 40 News - "Am I Being Painted As The Bad Guy?"

The Sacramento Bee ran an article this morning on pastors who use other pastors' messages as a source for ideas and content in their own preaching. This is something I've always done. It's no secret. No big deal. Nothing to be ashamed of... right?

Well, according to some of the Bee readers, you'd think I was a bad guy - that's for sure. And even the article... it has an unwritten bent that kinda makes me (and several thousand other pastors) out to be the rebels. You can read the article here.

To add to this seemingly benign FRONT PAGE article of the Bee... Fox 40 News called this morning and wants to do an on-camera interview tomorrow. Seriously? Is this really that big of a deal... well... except for the 5000 pastors who took "The Pastor's Pledge," promising to use the Bible as their primary sermon source?

WHOA! Wait a second. Who says that I'm not already using the Bible as my primary sermon source? Let's think about that for a moment. If Pastor Joe Schmoe was one of the elite and uber spiritual 5000 pastors who took the pledge - and he wrote a sermon with his primary source as the Bible... and then I wanted to preach it a year later... does that mean the sermon is no longer a Bible based sermon? Did somehow the Source get changed in that message?

Why can't I find a pastor who uses the Bible as his primary source and then utilize that great Biblical CONCEPT while tweaking it to fit my personality with personal stories and illustrations?

Seems like I should be able to be in the 'Bible Source Club' too. In fact, if you read this article - I think I'm already qualified to be one of the 5000 along with Pastor Schmoe. :) Additionally, the whole "Pastor's Pledge" was started by www.sermoncentral.com - a leading provider of sermons and sermon resources as a way to encourage pastors to focus on the Bible as they consult other resources for inspiration in communicating as effectively as possible.

What do you think... should I do the Fox 40 News interview... or am I being painted as the bad guy here? Comment below if you like.

Nehemiah Message Series

It's interesting... I was concerned about having a 12-week verse by verse series through Nehemiah for several reasons.

First of all, that's a long time - will we be able to keep everyone's interest?

Second, it's not an overly exciting title, "One Nation Under God: Indivisible" - awesome concept, but, again, not overly seeker sensitive. (By the way, if you missed any of them - you can go here to catch up.)

Third, we typically have 2-4 week series. Occasionally, we'll have a 6 week series. So this kinda goes against the flow of what we're used to at Impact.

Last, it's Summer time. So many head out for vacations and/or take the opportunity to get away for a weekend or a Sunday... and we typically see a strong downturn in attendance... especially in May and June.

All I've got to say is... WOW! Were we ever wrong. Attendance has soared through the beginning of Summer and our first 4 weeks of this series. In fact, they are at all time highs compared to previous years of the same month with around 25-30% growth recently.

It's true that not everyone gets excited about a verse by verse study of a book of the Bible. Plus, Impact is known for it's innovative and often provocative series. However, this will be the 8th book of the Bible that we've gone through in 9 years. Here is the list:

John - May 2000 - Apr 2001
1 Timothy - Feb 2002 - Jun 2002
Acts 1-5 - Jul 2003 - Oct 2003
Jonah - Nov 2003
Philippians - Sep - Oct 2004
Acts 16-28 - Jun - Aug 2005
James - Jun - Aug 2006
NONE - 2007
Colossians - Jan - Feb 2008
Nehemiah - May - Aug 2009

What do you think? Balanced? Too much? Not enough?