There’s a great story in today’s devotional from The Grace Awakening. It’s about what Chuck Swindoll did with his father’s car when he had got his license and his dad tossed him the keys to go out solo for the first time. Let me paraphrase the incident for those who didn’t get the book yet (sorry there was a glitch with the second order – they are definitely on their way here as I type!).

He tells how, once he was out on the open road by himself, he started wondering what the car would do. He was calculating how far he could go in the two hours he had been given the use of the vehicle if he drove at 100mph. Loads of crazy thoughts, but he did none of them. Why, when there was no one there to hold him back? Here’s what he says -

My relationship with my dad was so strong that I couldn’t, even though I had a license and nobody was in the car to restrain me. Over a period of time there had developed a sense of trust, a deep love relationship that held me in restraint.

Living in grace rather than under legalism means having such an awesome respect for the Lord that we voluntarily hold back as we apply self-control. Our faith is not about rules, it’s about having a meaningful relationship with Jesus and with other people too.

Here’s how I reckon most people seem to view Christians -

Intolerant
Self-righteous
Judgmental
Hypocritical
Anti-most things in life
Narrow-minded
Closed-minded
Self-absorbed

So next time someone asks me if I’m a Christian, I think I’ll say no. You see I’m more than ready to stand up and be counted for what I believe a Christian to be. But if their perception is totally different, I’m certainly not inclined to suggest I fall within their definition of the term.

Just say No sounds a good plan!

When this morning’s service started I was sitting in Starbucks in Selden, drinking an overpriced grande latte made with skimmed milk. It was interesting to see the world beginning to make its way to this relatively new American institution so early on a Sunday and fascinating to see one of the alternatives people have chosen rather than go to church.

Now, if you’re wondering why I was there, it was because I was staying out of the way to set things up for the video introduction to today’s message in our Caffeinated Christianity series. Those who were there will know that I am not speaking in riddles, but for those who wonder what I’m talking about, remeber what the Bible says – If thou snoozest, thou losest!

The Starbucks story is truly amazing – over 10,000 stores all over the world – making the simple cup of coffee into something special. I shared a bit (probably a bit too much) about the company’s phenomenal growth today, comparing it to the fact that while they have turned people on to coffee, the church has succeeded in turning people off to Christianity.

I commented that in the eyes of most people Starbucks rocks and Christianity stinks. I was going to say “sucks”, but I’m not sure if you’re allowed to use that word in church.

Whatever words we use, we have a long way to go in portraying a better picture of Christianity. Maybe a good starting point would be if we could just forget about calling ourselves Christians for a while and get on with living like Jesus instead.

It was a relief to finally get off the plane last night and walk out into the chilly New York air, checking to ensure my car was still where I had left it in the long-term parking lot at JFK. It’s always good to get home.

But on the drive back to Coram, something happened that makes home even better. I had been travelling since 3.30am and it was now 7.30pm, so I had heard no news all day. What a surprise to learn that South Dakota lawmakers had passed a bill to outlaw all abortions in the state except for when the mother’s life is at risk.

Could it be possible that the slaughter of the innocents will finally be ended? Is there the prospect that this nation will take steps to protect the most vulnerable members of society – the unborn? Will the greatest stain on the conscience of America over the past 33 years at last be addressed? It seems that way and if getting back to Gill and everyone else I love was not enough – which of course it was – that piece of news made my day.

There will be an almighty battle in months to come. I certainly don’t have all the answers. But I do know that killing babies is wrong.

Governor Mike Rounds is having his legal team check every aspect of the bill, but has already announced that he is “inclined” to sign it into law.

Yesterday this great nation took one small step to becoming greater. It’s good to be home!

I love the four results of getting a good grasp on grace that Charles Swindoll describes in The Grace Awakening Devotional for today. (By the way, our apologies to those who were unable to get a copy on Sunday. We ran out, but will have plenty more this weekend so that everyone can use this 30 day devotional alongside our Sunday messages on Grace over the next few weeks).

Here are the outcomes he describes -

1. You can expect to gain a greater appreciation for God’s gifts to you and others.

2. You can expect to spend less time and energy critical of and concerned about others’ choices.

3. You can expect to become more tolerant and less judgmental.

4. You can expect to take a giant step toward maturity.

Grace is so fundamental to every aspect of our lives that it’s not surprising that it’s the major issue people get blinded to. To hold them back from grace is to rob them of success and effectiveness.

Sunday we’re going to be looking at Taking The Grind Out Of Life as we continue this series under the title Caffeinated Christianity.

Grace is what gives your walk with God a buzz!

Looking forward to being back for that.

WARNING: My teaching style Sunday will be a first – not for traditionalists!!!

A couple of weeks ago someone asked me an excellent question that may well be in other people’s heads too. Why do missions in a Christian country like Scotland? Good question!

Here are a few rambling reasons as I sit here not sleeping because though the clock says it’s almost midnight, my body thinks I should be watching the end of World News Tonight, with the whole evening ahead of me.

1. Jesus told us to take the good news to the whole world.

2. Scotland is pretty much a godless nation despite its CHristian heritage.

3. Less than 5% of Scots attend church – probably far less have a real relationship with God.

4. Because the need and therefore the opportunity is greater here than in some traditional missions areas.

5. Whole nations in Africa are more Christian than this one.

6. Because Scotland is a place I care about and I would love for others to visit it, meet some great people and share Jesus here.

7. Because some remote areas will never really hear the freeing message of Jesus unless someone actually goes there.

Most of our missions activities as a church are in areas where no one else is working. There is very little happening in these villages I am in tonight. We would be continuing a pattern. Instead of being one among many voices we might be the only voice.

Anyway, sleep well and pray for Scotland!

Day 2 of this brief Scottish trip comes to an end this evening (we’re five hours ahead) with a meeting wih a number of people I am briefing about our thoughts for a missions trip this summer. I have known them all for years, so it will be good to see them and get their feedback. I have had a number of profitable meetings already and have two appointments tomorrow before returning home on Friday.

I am enjoying spending this time with the pastor of a good church in Milton Keynes, England, who is looking at joining with us together with a team from his church.

Billy Ritchie is 42 years old now, but he was around 12 when I first met him. He was a boy with a real heart for God and we became close friends back then. Modern church-speak would say I discipled him or mentored him. But we just hung out a lot and I took him to a number of places with me (kind of like Jesus did with people). He eventually went off to Bible school and into ministry hundreds of miles away. It’s great to see how God has used him and is continuing to bless others through this father of two who was a scrawny kid when our paths first crossed.

But I do believe there’s something wrong with the pattern of losing your best people to Bible Schools. I prefer hands-on training that develops into ministry in your home environment. Home grown leaders are the best kind and that pattern is developing more and more.

Some of the best churches in our country have pastors on staff with no formal training in theology, but with a passion for God and abilities to lead that have placed them at the forefront.

It’s one thing to see those who show promise succeed miles away, it’s another to harness their energy in the local church. That’s the best way to go!

So here I am in Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris on my way to Scotland. It’s morning here according to them but my body knows better than that. I might not be too familiar with the variety of croissants sitting temptingly across from me – but the French can’t fool me – it’s the middle of the night!

I’m excited about this trip and about the possibilities of bringing a missions team to Scotland in the summer. It’s great to be part of a church where missions is in our DNA.

I’ll be starting the next stage of the journey soon – just two hours from here to Aberdeen. By the time I reach my destinqtion my body will feel like it’s morning and that I have had one long sleepless night. Missions is fun – the traveling stinks!!!

Hope it didn’t show, but I was a little frustrated yesterday morning and it turned to being downright annoyed just before I left the movie theater.

I was frustrated because we had put so much effort into the start of our new series. We had the cappuccino and biscotti thing going well in the foyer, the stage done up with a great set looking like and expresso bar, bistro or whatever. We were all set to go – and then discovered the heat was not working in the main theater we use for service.

Of course the more observant among us would have noticed that from get-go, but trust me, when you’re moving hundreds of pounds of equipment into place you quickly work up a sweat all by yourself. So if the air’s chilly, it takes a while for that to actually sink in.

But what annoyed me was that on my way out I learned from a staff member that they had been trying to get the corporate office to authorize getting the heating fixed – for five days. The snow railroaded the final Sunday of our Win 4 Life series and there was nothing we could do about that. But to have the start of our new series messed up by negligence is totally unacceptable. Oh the joys of renting!

Anyway, I’m off to Scotland today, so I get chance to calm down! I’m going to be making the arrangements for our missions team to go over there in July and thankfully because of frequent flyer miles, the journey is not only free but it’s business class too. Should be comfortable – back Friday, but I’ll greet you from over there tomorrow!

Hasta Manana, Baby!