You got Churched!!!

I just finished reading Matthew Paul Turner’s book, Churched. He tells the story of his childhood growing up in a fundamentalist Baptist church and school. First, I have to tell the author something. You better be glad you are older than me and beat me to this book, because if you didn’t write it I would have!

I related to almost every story in this book. I felt the uneasiness Turner feels growing up trying to “win” souls for Jesus all the while trying to live the perfect life so we won’t be punished. (In Turner’s case, hoping his mom wouldn’t die in a car accident because he sinned)

Stories from his school days also echoed my experiences. I still remember the time in 2nd grade when I cheated on the spelling test bonus word. It was “firefighter.” I knew I had all the other ones correct, but wasn’t sure on this one. So I slid my spelling word list out of my book and looked at how to spell “firefighter.” I got a 105 on the test. I took my sheet, with smiley faced sticker attached, to my mom who was waiting in the car to pick me up. For some reason, I still have no idea why but I imagine it had to do with God killing us all on the way home, I told her that I cheated. That didn’t go over well. The next day, I was crying in my teachers arms telling her that I had cheated on the word “firefighter.” My 105 was crossed out and I only got a 100. My sticker was also taken away.

This book had me laughing out loud at some of the experiences the author had. Everyone’s journey is different, but I felt a connection with this story. I vividly remember the “wheat and the tear” preachers that came through my church and knew it was time for the entire congregation to get saved again. I remember the music minister calling a meeting with me to tell me that I wasn’t allowed to hang out at youth group hangouts at his house because he could tell by looking at me that I wasn’t living "right."

As you can tell, this book took me down memory road, but it also allowed me to get a better sense of my own journey. How I got to where I am and how thankful I am that I found out who God really is to me. Also, the style of writing in this book draws you in from page 1 and you can clearly picture every situation that is presented. It was a nice break from the usual Christian(ish) books that we tend to find ourselves reading.

From burning CD’s for Jesus (I’m still happy I burned New Kids on the Block) to walking door to door to tell people they are going to hell, Turner goes from the a mess of rules and regulations to falling in love with Jesus. I recommend this book to anyone, but especially for those who grow up “Churched.” It offers a humorous look into one person’s childhood and transition from a “God of Punishment” to a “God of Love.”

Also, even though I have yet to met the author, I do go to church with him and that's always pretty cool. I still can't believe Pete doesn't have highlights...

Support my boy Pete!

Pete Wilson is a friend of mine who is off to India for 10 days. He will be blogging from India, so while we pray for wisdom, safety and guidance, we can also keep tabs on him by clicking the link below.

Pete, I pray that God does whatever is necessary to bring you closer to him therefore allowing more love to shine through you in India.

My man crush

I am coming clean. It is time. I have a man crush on Pete Wilson.

Many of my friends have been aware of this ever since I started attending Cross Point Community Church several months ago and are probably planning an intervention soon, but I can’t help it.

Yes, he has great hair, dresses really well, loves LOST, has a beautiful wife and 3 of the cutest kids around, (he’s also taller than Keith Urban) but the real reason I have this man crush is that he is real.

We just finished a series at Cross Point called “Paralyzed: Frozen By Fear” and it was life changing for many.

Pete went first and shared his struggles and fears in his life. Something I have never seen a pastor do. He is not the pastor of the church that is on a pedestal. He is human. He is not a “preacher,” he is a friend. Because he went first, many were able to go second.

A man went home after learning about the fear of insignificance and burned $6,000 worth of pot, hundreds of people surrendered their fears by writing them on a card and placing them before the cross, and for me personally it has challenged me daily.

What is my fear? What is my wound?

I was taught to never say your fears aloud because the devil will hear it and attack you with it. So, I never did. Now if find myself not only writing my fear on a card and placing it at the foot of a cross, but also publishing it on the internet for the world to see.

I fear never sharing my life with someone else. Singleness.

I fear having my heart broken again.

I fear missing my purpose in life.

What I have learned through this series is that we are not wired for fear. We are wired for faith. I believe that God sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins and rose 3 days later. I believe by accepting that sacrifice into my heart, I will spend eternity in heaven with God.

So why do many of us trust God with our eternity, but not tomorrow?

Why am I so concerned about my fears? The answer is simple. I believe I control it. It seems logical to me that I would be responsible for my purpose in life and finding the woman of my dreams.

My fear problem is a faith problem.

One of the most common phrases in the Bible is “do not fear” and most of the time it is followed up with “for I am with you.” (ex. Isaiah 41:10)

So now that I know what my fear is and that my fear is a faith problem, what do I do about it?

Matthew 6:25-34.

Romans 12:2.

Unless I surrender my fears to God, I will continue to fear it.

It’s time for a transfer. Western Union style.

From: Me

To: God

Subject: My fears.

Price: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33

So there it is. For all to see. Except they are no longer my fears, they are now my surrendered fears. It might take a daily transfer for years, but those fears will no longer establish the limits of my life. No longer will they keep me average.

I was wired for faith, not fear. No longer will I be paralyzed.

I encourage anyone who is struggling with any kind of fear to go to www.CrossPoint.tv and check out the series. This entry came from my notes during the series.

I am crossing my fingers that the next series is not about “The dangers of a man crush”.

That would be tragic.