“Incensed by a ‘no tresspassing’ sign, Jeff Deck launched a cross-country trip to right grammatical wrongs.

He enlisted a friend, Benjamin D. Herson, and together they got to work erasing errant quotation marks, rectifying misspellings and cutting unnecessary possessive apostrophes.

In 2 1/2 months, Herson and Deck traveled the perimeter of the country, exploring towns and cities in search of typos. They found 437 typos and were able to correct more than half of them.” (npr.org – August 26,2010)

Can you imagine someone devoting 10 weeks of their life to going around and pointing out other people’s mistakes? Actually, I can. In fact, some people seem to devote their whole lives to that endeavor. I’m sure you know a few. You may work with one, go to school with one, you may even live with one. Critics. There seems to be a limitless supply.

That’s why it is so important that as Christians we live our lives differently. In a critical world that loves to tear down, God calls us to encourage and build up. If you read the book of Acts it seems one of the main duties of early church leaders was encouragement. The apostles nicknamed Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, Barnabas (which means son of encouragement) and when John Mark bombed out on his first missions trip Barnabas picked him up and encouraged him to try again. “Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.” (Acts 15:32) “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them.” (Acts 16:40) “(Paul) traveled through (Macedonia), speaking many words of encouragement to the people.” (Acts 20:12) In fact, Hebrews 3:13 commands us to “encourage one another daily” and Hebrews 10:25 says one of the main reasons we need to come to church is to encourage each other.

So here’s my challenge to you this week: Instead of going around pointing out people’s mistakes, look for people doing things well and point that out. Thank them. Encourage them. Look for the good in others and compliment them. Make a special effort to encourage those who probably don’t get much encouragement. Make encouragement your mission this week at work, at school, at home. What a difference you will make.

THIS SUNDAY we will continue our “Don’t Just Hang in There” series by looking at how to “Value Grace Over Works.” Sometimes when we are going through a rough patch we tend to wonder if maybe God is punishing us for some wrong we did, or for something right that we didn’t do. When we think that way we show a lack of understanding of the relationship of grace that God offers us. Come and learn about the freedom of life in the grace of Christ.

“Hail! to the victors valiant. Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes. Hail! Hail! to Michigan…” Yes, it is almost that time again. As the pages of the summer calendar turn at a rapid pace I’m looking forward to fall and the start of college football season (maybe not so much the start of the Wolverines’ season, but that is another story). Fall is in some ways the best time of year in Michigan. The beauty of the leaves turning; apple cider and donuts; school starting; cool fall breezes and the first fire in the fireplace. There is a lot to look forward to and enjoy.

But what excites me most about fall is that ministry kicks up at Twin Oaks. In just a few weeks small groups; GEMS and Cadets Clubs; new Bible studies; and more will begin. Next week construction of the Kids’ Clubhouse begins which will provide more room for our ministries to grow. And with the arrival of our new student ministries pastor, Brandon Pearce, in a couple of weeks our youth groups will enjoy a whole new season of ministry and discipleship and we are all very thrilled about that.

Enjoy these last couple of weeks of summer. But please begin praying for and planning for this fall at Twin Oaks. I believe it may be the best ever. Plan to get involved and make the most of it for yourself and for the Kingdom of Christ. You’ll find in this update many opportunities to get involved and make a difference. Don’t miss out!

Chris and I got away up north for a couple of days recently. We borrowed a house on a lake from a couple of friends (I can’t tell you who they are or you might start hitting them up for some free lodging But it was nice to get away from phones, internet, and television – and just be forced to be still for awhile. In the quiet of that place, just sitting and reading and relaxing and rejuvenating, it clears your mind of clutter and lets you hear the whispers of God. I brought my camera and spent some time taking photos at the lake and late one night the following thoughts occurred to me.

I’m not a good photographer, but I love photography. I admire other people’s great photography. And I study it a little. I subscribe to a couple of photography magazines. I’ve taken a class. I don’t know if my photography skills are improving much but I’ve noticed that the more I learn about photography the more I appreciate it. And the more I notice the difference in morning light and evening light and mid-day light. The more I notice angles and colors – and even the character written on people’s faces. My interest in photography has heightened my appreciation of creation.

I’m also not a great theologian, but I love God. I’ve studied about Him a lot. Talked to Him a lot. Talked about Him a lot. Hopefully my transformation into His likeness is improving, but the thing is the more I learn about Him, the more I know about Him, the more I observe Him, the more I appreciate and love Him. And the more I notice the beauty of life. I notice His love that is all around us. I see Him in an old couple holding hands or hear Him in a baby’s laughter. I sense His power when looking at a thundercloud, and His tenderness in a petal of grass. His mystery in the sound of a light wind rustling the leaves of a tree. My interest in God (my relationship with Christ) has heightened my appreciation of all aspects of life.

Jesus said “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” (John 10:10 CEV) And we can only have life to the fullest when we have that relationship with Him. The more we invest in that relationship – the more we study Him, and worship Him, and serve Him, and love Him, the more we begin to appreciate all that He is and does and blesses us with. And the more we can appreciate life, in all of its fullness. Invest fully in Christ, and experience life to the fullest.

THIS SUNDAY we will continue our “Don’t Just ‘Hang in There’” series talking about how to “Walk the Path of Forgiveness”. People who just hang in there avoid confrontation, distance themselves from those who’ve offended them; and hold onto the hurt and become bitter. God calls us to a different path. Only by walking the path to forgiveness can we have peace and life to the fullest. Come Sunday to find out how. And bring a friend.

God is great!!! And you are pretty special too! I really appreciated Louie Giglio’s reminder last Sunday that “I am not, but I know I AM”. I hope you have carried that truth with you this week and let it remind you that God is in control. That He who holds the universe together will hold you together as well.

As I’ve read so many emails and cards of encouragement this week it has struck me once again what a special place Twin Oaks is. This is such a tough time for so many as the economy has turned lives upside down and the statewide stress becomes personal stress and chips away at our strength. It is a tough time for churches too and ours is no exception. But I see such a resiliency here and such a focus on devoting ourselves to whatever pleases the heart of God. And it makes me confident that we can weather any storm. We have grown so much in our ministries to the forgotten and hurting and hungry in the past couple of years, both locally and in places like Haiti and Cambodia, and I believe it has purified the soul of our church. I thought of you when I came across this passage this week:

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:9-11)

Thank you for being the church that you are. Thank you for seeking the heart of God and devoting yourselves to the things that bring a smile to His face. Thank you for keeping the focus on the great “I AM” and not on all of us “I am nots”. God is great!!! And you are pretty special too.

I’ve lost respect for some of the spammers that fill my junk email account. They are getting lazy. Today I received the following:

You have been awarded $1,500,000.00 in the Royal Dutch Shell. Send
Name:………
Address/Tel:….
Occupation:…..

That’s it. No sob story about an orphanage in Nigeria that I can fund with this fortune. No mention of the sender having terminal cancer and wanting to make sure that her multi-million dollar estate ends up in good Christian hands. Nothing about how I’m the lucky winner of a massive drawing and their legal team just needs to get some information (and a good faith deposit) before they can send me my winnings. Nothing but “You won $1.5 million. Send us your info.” How can they expect to get results with such a pitiful, pedestrian effort? I have no respect for criminals who don’t invest any energy into their crime.

On a related note: Jesus has no respect for Christians who don’t invest any energy into their faith. In Revelation 3 He said: “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit.” (Revelation 3:15-16 – MSG) Ouch! Tell us how you really feel, Jesus. Well, He did. Over and over. Back in Matthew 16:24 “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” Notice He didn’t say: “If you want to follow me, just give me an occasional hour on Sunday morning and we’ll call it good”. He said “It’s all or nothing. I’m asking for your whole life, not a slice of the pie.” And I think that we’ve too often lost sight of what it means to follow Jesus. We’ve underestimated that kind of commitment He calls us to. Too many Christians are content with a lazy, pedestrian effort in their walk with Christ. But Jesus has no respect for that. No wonder they don’t experience the power of God in their lives.

But notice back in Revelation 3 Jesus follows the “hot or cold” condemnation with an invitation filled with grace. He said: “I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Jesus tells us He is willing to forgive the spiritual laziness of our past, IF we will just fully open our hearts to Him and let Him take over. If we will give Him our WHOLE heart in complete, passionate devotion. Does Jesus have your whole heart? Is your level of commitment something He can respect? Or do you need to make a fresh commitment to fully follow Christ with reckless abandon – nothing held back? If so, do it NOW. It is a new day.

Mildred Fister’s beauty parlor in Jefferson, Iowa, has an unusual rule. Mildred refuses to allow gossip. A columnist for the Des Moines Register reacted this way:

This is a beauty parlor, for goodness’ sake, one of those places women come to say things—loving, kind, unkind, and, sure, maybe downright nasty—about their friends and neighbors—whether it’s true or not.

It’s as basic in a beauty parlor as a blow dry. Isn’t it?

“Not here,” [Fister] says. There is absolutely no talking about other people in Mildred Fister’s shop. Talk about you and yours if you like… but in the meantime, no gossip.” (“John Carlson’s Iowa,” Des Moines Register (5-8-05)

I don’t know Mildred, but I like her kind. She’d be welcome here at Twin Oaks. We have the same policy here. It is in our membership covenant that every member agrees to when they join: “I will strengthen the unity of my church… by refusing to gossip.” It is a core value here. So much so that on those rare occasions when someone tries to share gossip in the church, members have been known to tell them “I don’t need to hear that. We don’t do that here at Twin Oaks.” We like to say about gossip: “If you aren’t part of the problem or part of the solution you don’t need to be part of the discussion.”

I’m afraid that sometimes churches have been as famous for gossip as beauty parlors. But not here. We strive to make Twin Oaks a gossip-free zone. To help us keep it that way let me make a few suggestions:

· If you have a concern about someone, talk to God first, and that person second. That’s biblical.

· If you feel it is a church matter, talk to an elder or pastor, not your friends.

· Please don’t use Facebook as a venue to air your relationship problems, especially when it involves fellow church members.

· If someone tries to share gossip with you, cut them off and tell them to cut it out.

I tell prospective members and newcomers in my 101 classes that Twin Oaks is one of the most gossip-free churches you’ll ever find. Thank you for making it that way. And thank you for helping us to keep it that way.

This weekend we celebrate our nation’s independence from England and we remember the bravery of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence who “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” mutually pledged “our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor” to the cause of freedom. Without the conviction and total commitment of these men to the good of others we would not have the nation and the freedoms we enjoy today. These men had a vision of a place called America. A land where people could live free and work hard to better their lives. And these 56 men were willing to sacrifice their finances, their reputations, and even their lives so that others could live free. Over 200 years later I wonder how many Americans appreciate what they did and would have been willing to commit their own lives, fortunes, and reputations for the freedom of people they had never met.

In a small way, these founding fathers remind me of a group of people who not all that long ago dreamed of a place called Twin Oaks – A church that anyone could come to and find freedom in Christ. A place where people could find freedom from sin; freedom from their past; freedom from legalism and man-made rules; and freedom from the self-righteous judgment of other Christians. Several years ago a small group of elders and couple of hundred members cared enough about the freedom of people they had not yet met that they were willing to sacrifice much of their meager “fortunes”; their reputations with those did not share their vision; and in many ways they committed their lives to this idea of a place where people could live free in Christ and breathe the fresh air of grace. Now more and more people find that freedom at Twin Oaks each year.

Here’s my question for you: How committed are you to the Kingdom of God and the vision of Twin Oaks and the cause of freedom in Christ? How passionate are you that many others continue to find that freedom here and around the world? Are you sold out to that cause? Are you willing to pledge your life, your finances, and what others think of you to see hundreds and thousands of people find freedom in Christ? If lost people were depending on you to open the doors to freedom and grace, would their dreams be realized?

This weekend I’d encourage you to thank God for our nation and its founders; thank God for the people who followed the vision God gave them of Twin Oaks; and evaluate your commitment level to the cause of helping people find freedom in Christ through the Kingdom and Twin Oaks. With each of us committed to that cause amazing things are in store for us.

I hope you are having as great a week as I am. Opening up my email account each day is so encouraging. Monday I got an email informing me that I “Have Won £950.000.00 In Our M Benz Promo”. I didn’t calculate how much that is in dollars but I know it is over a million! So I’m feeling pretty rich today. (Don’t ask for any of it. It is all going to the church I got another email from Classmates.com telling me that “10 Tascosa High School grads found you”. I’m not sure why they were looking for me, or even who they are. There were about 1,000 in my graduating class and it was going to cost me $15 to find out who was looking for me – so I guess I’ll have to wonder. But it was really nice to hear that they went to the trouble to find me. So I’m feeling pretty loved today. And some lady sends me emails almost every day wanting to connect with me on Facebook and even offering to send me photos. The name doesn’t ring a bell but I have to admit, her persistence does make me feel pretty important.

I probably shouldn’t even share all of my good news with you because maybe you aren’t feeling quite as rich, loved, and important as I apparently am today (if not, you really should read your junk emails But maybe this will help: Philippians 4:19 promises: “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” So you are as rich as He is because he’ll take care of you out of his account. 1 John 3:1 tells you “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” Who loves you more than that! So you are greatly loved. And if you ever thing you aren’t important and don’t matter much in this world, just remember that “(You) are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God specifically chose you for some vital work in the kingdom. So you must be pretty important. Dwell on those things for awhile, and maybe you’ll realize that you are having as great a week as I am.

A college student fell into a cycle of classes, studying, working and sleeping. He didn’t realize how long he had neglected writing home until he received the following note: “Dear Son, Your mother and I enjoyed your last letter. Of course, we were much younger then, and more impressionable. Love, Dad.”

This Sunday is Father’s Day and maybe some of you dads out there are feeling a little neglected and unappreciated. Well, I want you to know that we appreciate you here at Twin Oaks. We have a great bunch of dads here who set the example for their kids and take the spiritual leadership of their family seriously. A lot of churches experience a big jump in attendance on Mother’s day (because moms guilt the husband and kids into coming to church on “her” day) and a big drop in attendance on Father’s Day (because dad says he wants to sleep in or go golfing on “his” day) We do alright here on Father’s Day because our dads actually like coming to church and want their kids to grow in Christ. So let me just say on behalf of the Twin Oaks kids and wives – thank you for being men of God.

THIS SUNDAY we will celebrate Father’s Day by giving free books to all of the men and talking about how King David’s negative example teaches us some positive lessons about how to deal with rebellious children. I know none of you have rebellious children so take notes for your friends who do (or better yet, invite them to come with you).

Every once in awhile sports transcends the game and teaches us some lessons about character. Sunday I talked about Armando Galarraga’s imperfect, perfect game and the grace with which he handled injustice (see the message, and the highlights, at www.twinoakschristian.com) The other big story last week was the passing of former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden. Christianity Today reported:

Hall of Famer John Wooden, who died Friday just four months shy of his 100th birthday, was most known as the greatest coach who ever lived, leading UCLA’s men’s basketball team to 10 national championships, including an astonishing seven straight from 1967 to 1973, a stretch that included 88 consecutive victories.

That’s how he’s most remembered. But perhaps he’ll be best remembered as a mentor, a friend, a loving husband and father, and a source of endless wisdom and grace to hundreds of players, thousands of coaches, and millions of fans and admirers through the decades and around the world. Wooden has long said that his wisdom came primarily from two sources—his earthly father, Joshua Wooden, and from his heavenly Father.

Wooden, a devout Christian, read his Bible daily. His favorite passage was 1 Corinthians 13—truths he has especially embraced since the death of Nellie, his wife of 53 years, on March 21, 1985. In the 25 years since, Wooden has written a love letter to Nellie on the 21st of every month, stacking them on the pillow on which she slept through the five-plus decades of their marriage.

Coach Wooden offered many proverbs on life. One of my favorites was: “”Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

We’re in the middle of a series of messages looking at what it was in David’s character that made him “A man after God’s own heart”. This week’s we’ll be looking at his “PASSION for the Presence of God”. David’s character was forged in the time He spent with God. He was hungry for God’s presence. THIS SUNDAY I challenge you to be in church and let God use that time to shape your character. Come and experience His presence and let Him speak to you and touch your heart and direct your path. Another “Woodenism” was: “Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.” God knows who you really are, and loves you anyway. But He also knows what He wants you to be. Come Sunday and let Him use that time to shape you into that person who captures His heart.