Archive for August, 2007

Mid-Life Crisis

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 31 August 2007
in InDependence Church and My Life
. 3 Comments

I have referenced an early mid life crisis as playing a part in my decision to lose all rational thought, quit my job, move a couple of hundred miles to the second highest unchurched area in the country, with the 20th rated highest earners in the country and plant a church. There is a funny thing about a mid-life crisis…it usually comes with a cost. For some it is that sports car payment or maybe it is a boat payment. For others it may be an alimony payment because their mid-life crisis involved a new girlfriend. The important thing to consider, for those of you who haven’t reached it yet, is that the costs don’t hit you until the excitement has worn off.

I sit hear at 1:00 in the morning with no less excitement than the day I decided to leave the old life behind. But I have a clearer perspective now of what some of the costs really are. Some might say giving up the security of a job you were at for 12 years was costly. Some might say moving to an area that you are unfamiliar with was costly. Leaving all of your family and friends had a cost. Remember those are in the beginning of the mid-life crisis and just a part of the thrill.

Tonight was spent uncovering some new costs (Like the ‘Vette needs new tires and they are $500 each). I have completed a majority of the Baby Shower Registry and I hope to get it on the website early next week. For those of you that are not familiar with it, we are attempting to give contributors a place where they can designate how their donations are used. There are some items on that list that are less than I had budgeted and there are things on there that are more. The kickers are the things that weren’t in the budget at all. Things like a $10,000 trailer or $4,200 worth of pipe and drape to deaden some sound and cover some unpleasant things in the sanctuary.

Maybe like the guy with the girlfriend I was just hoping it would never catch up with me. To be honest I have known where this was heading for 4-6 weeks, but it is right now that I have came to the realization that I now have many thousands of new reasons to trust in God. Some of you just said “well dugh, of course you should trust in God!” That is one of the many nuances with this whole church planter thing. So much of time is spent on an island standing toe to toe with disaster that you can easily lose sight of who sent you to the island in the first place. You do battle day after day, fighting really hard, but at times losing site of what you are fighting for. Is it survival, is it dignity, is it your family, your future, your sponsoring denomination or maybe it is the lost souls of men and women that God has sent you to reach?

So for all of my friends and family who may be visiting this blog for the first time because I sent you an invitation to partner with us consider this… Before you visit our Financial Partnerships section on the website please take a few moments to sign up as a Prayer Partner. Make a commitment to seek God on our behalf and please stick to it. God is asking my family and I to write some big checks. Not ones for trailers and decorations but ones intended to extend the credit limits of our faith.

The checks you write out of your bank account will play a role in what we accomplish at InDependence, and will be greatly appreciated. But, the checks you write from you spiritual bank account will ensure that we don’t just create a great environment but that it is an environment where people can meet Jesus Christ, and for that we will be eternally grateful. Thanks for stopping by.

-odd-

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 26 August 2007
in Random Ramblings and The Word
. 1 Comment

In the Bible Peter writes that we are to be a peculiar people. Well its official, I want to continue to be odd. I am not 100% sure if when Peter wrote this in 1 Peter 2:9 that he would be including random acts of kindness as odd. Since moving to south Florida (even though I know this is a world wide epidemic) I have noticed that what once would have gotten you a sincere “Thank You” will now lead to looks of “You’re invading my space”. I find it sad that there has been enough bad seed planted that the world no longer looks for the flower but they look for the weed.

I have had my share of weeds in life, you know those people that are just out to steal the nutrients from your life and leave you barren and dry. But I still chose to believe that God has a remnant of flowers that can bring some real beauty to your life. People who understand the verse that says “it is more blessed to give” is not just talking about your money. Some have already bloomed while others just need some encouraging fertilizer to help them break through the weeds in their lives.

So what happens when you encounter weeds? Well the world would say just get some Roundup. Being I have had some recent involvement with some weeds the first thing I am going to NOT do is apologize for being a flower. I do not have to defend the beauty that I have in Jesus Christ. When Christ was being tried for His random acts of kindness He was silent. They wanted Him to justify why He was the way He was. Jesus Christ was justified by His Father and we are justified by Christ.

Secondly, I am NOT going to give up my beauty by returning the attacks. We have to recognize that God loves weeds too. I know it is tough to love the weeds but if you love God then you have to love what he loves.

Third, I am going to pray that God will help the weed see through their own existence to realize that it is a lot more fun to be a flower. In our self absorbed world it is so simple to think since the whole world revolves around us then when one bad thing happens the whole world must be out to get me. So God may send you flowers to brighten up your life and help you in some way but all you do is try to destroy the peddles of their goodness so they look just like you.

Flowers…when this happens don’t worry, because when Jesus Christ gives you the heart of a flower no matter what attack the weeds put on you, you will always blossom again as long as you focus on what God called you to be. You are meant to be different, odd, peculiar, a flower in a sea of weeds. So fertilize yourself in prayer and in the word and don’t let the weeds get you down. A day of Roundup is coming so we need to bring the beauty of Jesus Christ to as many weed gardens as possible.

Mastering the Fundamentals

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 23 August 2007
in Random Ramblings
. 0 Comments

As we enter into one of my favorite seasons of the year, not fall, but football season I thought it would be good to reflect on the teachings of one of the NFL’s greatest coaches Vince Lombardi. His famous opening statement at the beginning of summer training camp was “Gentlemen, this is football.” Such attention to detail was the characteristic of his teams. He knew that mastering the basic fundamental of blocking and tackling would lead to great triumph. Along with the basics of football he also focused on such qualities as character, determination, commitment, and sacrifice.

Lombardi would often ask, “Unless a man believes in himself and puts everything he has into it - his mind, his body, his heart - what’s life worth to him?” For anyone who was tempted to give up the fight in the middle of the battle, he would remind them, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”

Whether you are on the gridiron or just in the grind these words can inspire us. It is inevitable that we will face setbacks and that we will have our faith put to the test, but will you get back up? Will you practice the spiritual fundamentals needed to take you to great victories, such as prayer and Bible study? So this season, just as we spend time going to stadiums, let’s also remember to go to our prayer closets. It is there that we won’t find the roar of the crowd but that still small voice that will be the only cheerleader we need to get us through the game that we call “life”.

Don’t Worry…Be Happy!

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 21 August 2007
in The Word
. 0 Comments

“Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NCV)

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

The Priciple: Do not worry.

Practicing it: Don’t let anxiety or stress over life’s problems rob you of peace. Every day, take a few minutes to give your concerns to God, and ask Him to comfort you with the incredible peace that only He can give.

God’s word is always on time and I needed these verses this morning. I thought you might need a reminder of this common passage of scripture too.

Ten Ways to Become a Good Friend

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 19 August 2007
in Random Ramblings
. 0 Comments

10. Offer to house sit for neighbors.
9. Attend special occassions when invited.
8. Learn to serve others with a good attitude.
7. Remember how it feels to be a newcomer.
6. Practice exercising patience toward others.
5. Pray for healthy relationships in life.
4. Take the high road and forgive an offense.
3. Be observant and offer your help when needed.
2. Ask others for their regular prayer support.
And the number one way to become a good friend…
1. Encourage people in their walk with God.

Masterful Choreography

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 16 August 2007
in Random Ramblings
. 1 Comment

I just want to remind people today that God is in control. God took time yesterday to remind me of that and I wanted to do the same. Even if it seems like there is no way out or you feel that you are heading in the opposite direction of the vision He has placed in your heart, just hold on. I am as guilty as everybody in asking God “How are you going to work this out?” The mere fact that I am asking is a sign of doubt so I am currently slapping myself on the wrist and asking forgiveness.

Even though our flesh can see no method to the madness or light at the end of the tunnel, if we are following the Spirit, we are headed in the right direction. Trust me, God is already working in the background to get you to your solution, your destiny, and to the place of vision that He has given you. He is already surrounding you with the resources and people to bring it all to fruition.

Even if you can not see it just know in your heart today, tomorrow, and everyday after, that there is a moment where all of this is going to make sense. As 2Pac once said “Keep ya head up” and Barbara J. Winter once wrote “When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly.” Even better than those quotes, Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” this message is also given Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

What if God was too busy?

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 13 August 2007
in Random Ramblings
. 0 Comments

40% of America’s work force spends at least fifty hours per week on the job. This statistic doesn’t account for the commuting time, the time that you spend working at home, or even the time that you spend thinking about your job off the clock. This is one of the items that we are going to address in The Burned-out Parent session of our Parenting Seminar but I began to think what if God was too busy. We use the “I’m too busy” excuse all the time as it relates to our prayer time, our devotion time, our assembling together time and our meditating time. I wonder what would happen if God got too busy to remind the earth to rotate on its axis or to continue its orbit around the sun. Maybe He got too busy to tell the clouds to rain or our hearts to beat. What if?

I once preached a sermon called BUSY - Being Under Satan’s Yoke! As long as we are BUSY there is no way that we can become a spiritual force to be reckoned with. As long as we are BUSY we can not build strong families or relationships that stand great attacks. As long as we are BUSY taking care of ourselves than the rest of the world will have to continue fending for itself. God loves us enough that He always makes time for us…do you love Him enough to do the same?

You’re Killing Larry!

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 11 August 2007
in Parenting
. 0 Comments

These are the words of my three year old as my wife is slicing a cucumber to put in her salad. I just love the innocence of actually thinking that his mother might be harming one of the Veggie Tales. As we have been preparing for our Parenting That Works Seminar, God has given us some very funny moments to remind us what children are all about but he has also opened our eyes to tragic mistakes that we can make as parents which will have a devastating effect on or kids.

As we have worked to educate ourselves so that we can deliver the best possible lessons it has opened my eyes to the effects of media consumption. The amounts of media (television, radio, DVDs, video games, internet, IPods) that we in America consume each and every day are absurd. As adults we spend 60% of our waking hours centered on these items and yet we only spend an average of less than 6 minutes a day playing with our kids.

It is Saturday and summer break is almost over. I challenge you to take a break from work, take a break from chores, and take a break from the “idiot boxes” and play with your kids. Go to the pool, the park, or out on the boat. Take a walk, play catch, go to breakfast together. It is a day like today that has the potential to make memories that will last a lot longer than you will. Invest in your kids.

Spiritual Split-Personality Disorder

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 9 August 2007
in The Word
. 0 Comments

As Christ followers, we all suffer from it. This disorder has plagued us since the beginning of human history, afflicting men from Adam to Solomon to us. On one side we want to do all things pleasing to God. To follow the examples set by Christ and to be a living representative of whom He is to all humanity. This side is often represented by the little angel perched on our shoulder whispering in our ear.

Then in the opposite corner of our mind wearing death and destruction colored trunks is our natural inclination. This is often depicted by a cute little devil sitting on the opposite shoulder. As a point of warning, this devil is not cute and the more you listen to its’ direction the bigger it becomes in your live. This enemy feeds on your weaknesses and is hungry for your soul. He will do everything to destroy your life and everything in it.

Sure we can blame its’ presence on Adam and Eve but it is our responsibility to crucify the flesh daily. So with every decision these forces do battle within us. As we strive to please God, many times we end up face down in the mud, having been sucker punched by temptation yet again. It can be a vicious cycle which has too tight of a hold on many of us.

If you find yourself in the sin rut, Paul in his writing to the church at Galatia offers a way out: follow the Holy Spirit. In other words decide which voice you are going to listen to and put the other one on mute. Deliver a daily KO to your human nature and be willing to kick it while it is down to ensure that it doesn’t come back. God’s intended path does not revolve around whatever pleases us. So if we really want to follow God we had better lose ourselves and get caught up in what He is up to in our lives.

Check out these encouraging words in Galatians:

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law.” Galatians 5:16-18

Quote of the Month - August

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 7 August 2007
in Random Ramblings
. 0 Comments

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” - John Wooden