The following is a repost of one of the most popular posts on this site. I thought of it as I was reflecting on the Christmas story this morning. If there were a parking lot at the manger….

Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas.

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If Jesus built a parking lot for his congregation, he would probably copy one of this spot from a church I recently served.

The property at Cypress Creek is adjacent to our the County Courthouse. That affords the church benefits like: folks leaving the courthouse needing prayer, 24/7 security, & lots of free additional Sunday parking.

But maybe best benefit of all is this parking spot that they get to use (from the County lot).

In all of my travels with executive search work, I have never run across a better reserved spot in a church. For about two years, I parked right next to it every Sunday, and laughed about every time.

I’m tempted to put up signs “reserved for prostitutes,” and another for “sinners,” just to round things out…

Honestly, if Jesus had a parking lot in his church, I believe this sign would be there. There wouldn’t be a sign reserving a spot for the Pastor, or anyone important. There would be a reservation for the unwelcome.

The church is supposed to be a place that doesn’t just tolerate new faces and people with baggage, but actually reserves a place for them. Are you reserving a place for the tax collector in your church? In your heart? Got a better picture that paints the idea? Share it with me and join the conversation.

What if Steve Jobs had been normal?

What if he had settled into a regular job? What if he hadn’t asked the questions he kept asking to make computers and technology better?

What if he had believed the constant message that the world gives to “settle down,” “not rock the boat,” and “be content with the status quo?”

We would all have computers that are as exciting as pleated khakis. We might even still be on flip phones.

I’m glad he didn’t settle. I’m glad he believed in a bigger future and stepped into a bigger destiny.

But….

What if there are other Steve Jobs out there that are settling? What if there are bigger futures that aren’t being lived? Bigger destinies that aren’t being realized?

What if that’s you?

Dream a bigger dream for your life.

God already has.

And He’s waiting for you to step into it.

You are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (1 Peter 2:9-10, The Message)

When we buried Jack, we were laying to rest a guy who had lived through a lot of conflicted situations at his church. Really tense situations.

At his funeral, one fellow at the center of (and instigator of) the conflicts asked to speak. Nervously, we granted the request. I’m glad we did.

He stood up and delivered.

“You know, we went through a lot together as a church. And I would like to have a lot of those days back. But one thing about Jack was sure. No matter how heated the discussion, no matter how terrible the situation,

Jack was never a part of the problem, and always a part of the solution.”

In all my years of leading churches and funerals, I’ve never heard a finer eulogy.

When they bury you, will they say you were a part of the problem, or the solution?

I’m going to try to live on the solution side.

The way I see it, that’s the side of the Empty Tomb.



Are you ready for some football?

Last Thursday, the last two Super Bowl Champions squared off in the opening game of the NFL season. I’m betting ratings were off the charts.

Last Sunday afternoon, countless hours will be spent on the couch, counting up fantasy football points, eating junk food, and celebrating.

And all for a season that is only sixteen games long. No other major league sport has a season with fewer games. No other sport brings in more money. Have you ever considered that? I wonder if we like football so much because it points us to giant battles.

If you’re like me, you love a clash of the titans. And if you recognize that in your own heart, you will be thrilled to see that God’s story is a story of epic battle, with a grand and glorious outcome.

Too often growing up, I thought that religion was boring, but never adventurous. I thought of Jesus as a nice guy, but never a strong guy. I thought of my choices in life as decisions with some consequences, but never as turning points in a battle for my future.

Nothing could be farther from the reality of God and His work in the world. There’s a battle going on. And the Hero and Victor is on your side. Get to know Him in a new way this year, and watch your faith become more of an adventure than you have ever known before.

As we stand on the cusp of the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, I thought I would repost this illustration about the US flag, faith, and undying hope:

If you have ever been to a veteran’s funeral, you have probably seen the casket draped in a United States Flag. I remember presiding over both of my grandfathers’ funerals and watching the servicemen carefully remove, fold, and present the flag to grandmothers at each service.

I often wondered, why do we keep the flag? Why not let the fallen soldier take it with him to his grave? Many times people send mementos to accompany the departed. Whether it was enormous treasures for Pharaohs in Egypt, or horses buried with departed generals, or even a stuffed animal with a deceased child, we have a history of burying belongings with the dead. So why not the flag for the fallen soldier?

Some years back, a friend of mine explained it to me. “We don’t bury the flag, because we believe that even though the soldier has fallen, the flag still flies.”

What a great message to have in mind as we remember the tragedy of 9/11 and celebrate the fact that our flag still flies.

And can’t you see the parallels to the Gospel?

The soldier may have fallen, but the flag still flies. We may suffer losses that are here and now, but the everlasting cause is won. It may seem like Good Friday to you on a day of mourning, but those who know the Savior know that Sunday is coming.

Take a minute today and remember the day that the we were attacked. Thank God for those who have laid down their life to preserve our national freedom. And let that theme guide you to reflect on and give thanks for the God-man who laid down His life to preserve our eternal freedom.

No matter how dark it seems now, the flag of that eternal freedom will never be buried. It will fly in the Heavens for eternity, alongside all of those who have chosen to follow the Way of the freedom giver named Jesus.