I pledge my allegiance to....

I sure don't want to add to the entourage of political commentary lately, but there are a few things I must get off my chest after a time of silent observation of the various networks covering the presidential nominee process.

Concerning Obama and his pastor's sermons:  I am appalled at the assumption from the media that people who attend church regularly obviously must check their ability to think on their own at the door each week in order to always agree with their pastor's sermon content.  As if attending a church automatically means that you must agree with everything and everyone within that church.  The media, who want us Jesus freaks to be so tolerant of other opinions, cannot themselves imagine someone attending a church for twenty years to say that they don't agree with certain doctrine or social opinions of their church leaders.  Christians are not ignorant people who agree with everything they hear behind their church pulpits.  I applaud the people in our congregation who let me know after service, "Pastor, I just don't agree with you on this particular subject..."  We even say often how important it is to agree to disagree on certain subjects.  I tell folks all the time to "test" everything they hear from me or other teachers according to the Word of God.  People should never agree with everything their pastor says, and for the media to assume that they do is to reveal their own ignorance and small view of Christians.

Concerning party politics:  As a conservative non-partisan man myself, I cannot stand the way in which you have no voice in this country without choosing a party affiliation in order to help get someone you prefer on the ticket.  Independent non-partisan folk are left with the left overs so to speak.  Whomever partisan politics deems worthy to be on the ticket becomes what the rest of us have to work with.  Voting for anyone else becomes a wasted vote because most of America continues to submit to the assumption that there are two camps in which every American lives in, much the same way people are Catholic or Protestant, its not that there are no other choices, its just that no other label will have a loud enough voice.  I'm glad that God is not Republican or Democrat.  Nor is He a Catholic or Protestant.  It might shock some folks to find out that He's not an American.  God is love!  Now there's a party to belong to and a nation to call home!  God did not even create us to function within a democracy.  God intended theocracy, a world in which He ruled and reigned in the hearts and lives of his creation.  But we have always been prone to demand by majority vote our own Saul that we can pledge our allegiance to and place our trust in.  What did our forefathers say about America?  "One nation.... under who?"  They didn't say "One nation divided by two parties, or more if you want them as long as you understand they'll never be heard because the majority always knows best, under a higher power that we cannot name so that we don't exclude or offend anyone...."

I love my country.  America has been blessed big time.  We need to prayerfully seek God's direction in this presidential race.  We must make a choice, cast our vote, based on what God sees, not man.  People should not vote by party affiliation only.  I hear people say concerning their candidate, "Well we have no other choice, the most important thing is that there is a Democrat/Republican in office."  They don't take the time to see (through prayer & discernment) what God sees and then we all have to live with the majorities choice, because we must remember that history proves that the majority always gets it right, right?    

Signs & Wonders: Is Technology Robbing Us?

What if Moses had a cellular powered laptop, web cam and wireless Internet as he camped out on Mount Sinai?  As God placed the original set of ten commandments on a much less theatrical e-file, Moses could have backed it up on a memory stick, or instantly emailed it to the entire Israeli population.  The web cam and email could have kept him fully informed of the actions of the Israelites down below, communicating often with Aaron.  But then again, God wouldn't have had Moses' full attention!  Aaron could have inquired with Moses about what he should do with the people's request to build their own god to worship since Moses and God were taking too long.  The element of surprise would have come via email rather than eye site as Moses came down from the mountain.  The laptop probably wouldn't have been thrown down like the tablets were, but even if it was, Moses backed up the file and the original work of God would have been restored.  But it all would have also not been quite so miraculous, spontaneous and monumental.  Technology would have potentially ruined the moment, motive and impact.

What if Jesus and his disciples had cell phones while on a hillside just out of town when 5000 people got hungry?  First of all, now days there would have for sure been a McDonald's and a Starbucks near by, but even if there wasn't, Peter could have ordered up a thousand pizza's to be delivered, buy one get one free.  Perhaps one of the 5000 owned the chain and donated the pizza's for a much needed tax break to Jesus' non-profit ministry corporation.  I could see Judas writing the man a donation receipt as cardboard boxes full of pizza are handed out to the crowd.  But we would have never read about the feeding of the 5000, let alone a little boy giving up his lunch, because technology and franchising would have stolen the moment making it much less of a miracle than it actually was.

What if even one of the Israelites owned and knew how to use a GPS system on their smart phone the moment they left Egypt......

What if Noah was a scientist who knew how to clone the animals with the use of a simple DNA sample......

What if satellite was world wide, and well schooled meteorologists saw a large storm coming in enough time to forecast it proving Noah to be right before the big storm hit.....

What if CNN and Fox News were covering the Philistine and Israeli conflict and as the entire world saw their every move, Saul succumbed to believe in peace at any cost and signed a treaty with Goliath.....

What if Jonah had the option to fly to Tarsus instead of going by boat......

What if Jonah had the option of hiring someone in Nineveh to set up a satellite feed location in a public building (multi-campus) so he could deliver the message God gave him for them, avoiding and evading the need to go their himself since he didn't particularly like the place nor the people.....

What if planned parenthood abortion services were legal and available down the street from Mary's place.....

What if Jesus' disciples were able to use the court system, legal assistance and the Constitution to organize a movement to release Jesus from death row......

What if Peter's video feature on his smart phone caught the appearance of Jesus after his resurrection as he walked through a wall and ate with his disciples, and all the footage was readily available on YouTube..... sure blows Jesus' promise, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe....." 

And many ask, "Where are the miracles today like the one's in the Bible days?"

Just thinking....

practicing what I preach....

The parable of the lost coin in Luke 15 has grabbed my heart and attention like never before.  Nuzzled in between the parable's of the lost sheep and the lost son (prodigal), I have been moved by the effort the woman makes to find one lost coin out of ten.  Jesus' mention of the celebration once the coin was found, after such an effort, opened my eyes. Jesus identified it to the way in which angels rejoice when one lost person repents.  Yesterday, I ended my message by having ten people dump pennies down the isles of our church all the way to the front doors of the church. Then I asked everyone to take two handfuls of pennies home with them to remind them this week of the lost people around them and how much of an intentional effort we should make to value them with our actions.  Pennies have been devalued in our economic structure and culture, much in the same way the lost have been devalued in their current state by the church.  I reminded everyone that a coin does not lose its value just because it is lost, but the value of the coin cannot be realized and celebrated until it is found.  Lost people need to matter to us.  Captivated and convicted by this truth on Saturday night after much prayer and preparation for Sunday's message, I did something very uncommon for me - I decided to visit a few of the bars near our church.  I prayed that God would help me to see what he saw in people as I visited these establishments.  The conversations, pain and suffering that I witnessed first hand in those pubs, and in the streets and alleys around them overwhelmed me to the point of tears on more than one occasion that night.  I began to ask myself, "what if all these people and their painful personal issues decided to visit our church in the morning.... what would we offer them?"  A few haunting thoughts entered my head, "...a song or two... a short sermon on how to get your finances back in order... a superficial handshake?"  My mind continued to ponder.  I quickly came to a conclusion that I had arrived at many times before, "People need the Lord."  But something else surfaced in a fresh way that I had not paid attention to lately, "I need the Lord."  So many of us who claim to follow Christ forget too quickly our own daily need of our savior, causing us to come across better than those who are lost.  Much like every neglected or desired penny... they all have the same value... they just all need to be found.  Sitting in a bar late on Saturday night I began to thank God for "finding" me, and I prayed for those around me that they too would "be found."  I realized that like most followers of Christ, I walk past lost people everyday much in the same way we walk on, or over, pennies on the ground below us.  I found Jesus on Saturday night exactly where the Gospels tell us he would be... among the sinners.  He still hangs out with the lost.  He intentionally hunts them out and hangs with them, giving them opportunity to be found.  I picked up my two handful of pennies off the floor of the center isle Sunday morning, committing to never neglect the value of lost people ever again.  I committed to go beyond praying for the lost and risk becoming their friend.  I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me, "...Vaughn, give angels something to rejoice about today!"  To do this we must value lost people whether they become followers of Christ or not.  You don't have to tell someone you value them if you really value them, they just know because of your actions.  It is time to take action, to put legs on our faith.  If I am truly a follower of Christ - behind him like I should be - then I will end up where he is, hanging with who he hangs with.  His friends will be my friends.  His reputation will be my reputation.  His rumors will be my rumors.  His heart will be my heart. We've got to go there... simply because we should want to be where HE is!

Lord, I'm learning from you everyday how to see people through your eyes.  I'm also unlearning how to only value people if and when they believe.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit who so gently teaches and counsels me along the way.  I will never look at a sinner the same way as I have in the past after this past weekend.  The lost MUST be found.  There pain is simply too great.  Show me what more I can do, what more I can say, what more I can pray to make more of a significant impact in my community for your sake.  Forgive me for getting so caught up in the activity of doing church that I have neglected those outside the church, as if the ultimate goal is to get them to church.  Help me to love them more than that.  Help me to truly care and value the lost like you do.  Help me to be an example of someone who intentionally daily discerns the needs of the lost around me.  Help me to always make sure that I am in such a place that there are lost people around me.  Help me to be more of an influence in the world, than the world is influencing me. Like the woman searching diligently throughout her house for one lost coin, help me to diligently do the work of an evangelist, to learn to fish for men - for the sake of all those by your divine plan who are following me as I follow You - lead us to the lost, and may we be found faithful in the daily ministry of being your witness and giving angels something to dance about. 

what's up doc?

I just returned from a quick trip down to SoCal. I got to sneak in some time with Lachele, our eldest daughter. She's doing great, but I'm always tempted to sneak her into one of my bags and bring her back home to Spokane. I miss her big time. Her smile, her care free outlook on life and her seriously hard work ethic that is helping her soar through cosmetology school at one of the toughest schools known in the industry. She's doing all of this while working a lot of hours in the evenings on another job. The girl is on her feet all the time, and I've never heard her complain about it. I'm totally jealous of her apartment though in Newport Beach, what an awesome place to call home. It's incredible for the price. She's like her mom, she could find a good deal marooned on an island. Her pet rabbit is cool. Named "marshmellow" for her fluffy white coat. I only made one bad comment on my visit about "rabbit stew." It keeps her company, which is what a good pet should do. I can't wait to see Lachele again soon. I'll have to wait until April at our Regional Conference in Anaheim. It's incredible being such a blessed Dad. If I love my kids that much, imagine how much our heavenly Father loves us!

Father, wrap your arms around Lachele today for me. Watch over her as only you can do. Make her paths straight in front of her. Holy Spirit counsel her with every choice and guide her into all truth. May everyday she feel your unconditional love and acceptance that I have become so accustomed to. May all that she puts her hand to do prosper for your glory in her life. May she be a bright light in a very dark world. May she have continual favor among her peers, instructors and friends. Meet her every need, Lord. You are a great provider, and I praise you for that. Bless her relationship with Will and may they grow in their love for one another and for you. As she prays to you, I know you hear her and are willing to answer. Make your voice clearer and louder than all the other noise of the world. Be with her through the good and the bad. Bless my children Lord. Bless them big time. And may they be a blessing to all those around them for your name sake. In Jesus name, Amen!

Mi La conchita....