As I sit in my house thinking through the message for this weekend, I wanted to pause and thank everyone for the cards, nice e-mails and encouragement for our family this week. 

Excited, albeit tired for the weekend.  Seeing people come to Christ and be spontaneously baptized is something that makes us see what matters.

Really seeing is believing.  When we see what matters, we believe in what we can't see.

I have come to the conclusion over and over again that life is so short (at best).  It is temporary, and yet it seems like we don't "see" what matters.  

James 4:14 was the first verse I memorized in my life.  It was in the wake of almost dying that I first learned how short life really is.   "...What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."  Not you are like a mist, you are a mist.  

The thing about a mist or some translations say a vapor is that when it is there it looks so "there" -  so permanent, so big.  Kind of like on cold mornings (we have alot of them now), you breathe, the breath seems too big and then it is gone, or vanishes.  What a vivid picture of how short life is.

Our lives are like that.  Here and gone.  Just ask my pop.  He lived 86 mostly really good years.  Married to one woman for 62 years.  Had a daughter and a couple super cool grandsons (that would be my brother and ...me.....).  He worked, retired, got the watch, etc.

NOW HE IS GONE.  A mist that appeared for a little while and now has vanished.  I shared last week I wasn't good.  Still miss him, but my focus has been on eternity.

We miss so much because we fail to look forward to eternity.  I want to do a series about Heaven.  Paul says in Colossians, "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power.   Colossians 3:1

He goes on to say, "Let Heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about the things down here on earth."  Colossians 3:2

I am pretty convinced we focus too much on this world, our lives, our pain, and our stuff.  Not bad things, just I think our attitudes are DIRECTLY connected to where we set our sights.  

For me, I am more convinced of Heaven than ever (good for a pastor to be convinced of Heaven...)

I am also more than ever anticipating "that place" where I am positive grandpa will greet me and say as only he did and could, "there is my John boy" . 

I think the more we can "authentically" let go of this world, the more realistically we can hold on to Heaven. 

I am also more desirous of living more focused on Heaven both personally and as a pastor.  If more decisions were made with Heaven in mind, it would recalibrate natural self-centeredness toward eternal things.

I am more convicted than ever before it is the main thing that matters.  We are salt and light, ambassadors and sons and daughters.  We have an obligation to Heaven to tell the world about the Lamb of God that came to take away the sins of the world.  We are reconciled to God and have been given the task of reconciliation.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:2, "...Your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you."

We are walking letters declaring God's love and grace.

My grandpa walked well and then left well.

You did good pop.  It is only a matter of the mist disappearing and I will see you.  Rest, you deserve it.

If you read this, please pray for the weekend.   

Just wanted to say thanks and share a few thoughts.

Peace to you.

JOHN

To my family and friends at Living Hope.

I am not sure how to begin this letter, except to say today is a hard and sad day.

My grandpa (affectionately known as POP to so many) took his last breath on this earth and breathed his first breath in Heaven.  Pop was my dad.  In the wake of my father dying, he raised me, he loved me, he was always there for me and he always spoke words of encouragement, always cared about others and always loved everyone.  Less than 24 hours ago, I sat in the living room where he died, reflecting, thanking God, and being frustrated with God.

I really am so sad even though I "know" in my head he is with Jesus, he is without pain, and he is with his wife of 63 years.  In my heart I am struggling to be ok.  Self-centered?  Definitely.  I miss him so, so, so much.  My heart hurts, and my life feels an emptiness that I have never felt before.  I am writing these words through tears, struggling to be ok.  I wish I could say things were good.

Truth.... THEY ARE.  For me, not so much, at least right now.  I really miss him and yet it has only been a bit over 24 hours.  I walked off a plane in PDX to see Michelle, David, Katie and Hannah with tears in their eyes.  I knew at that point things were not ok...  I owe it to you to tell you what is real and where I am at in my life.  You are simply the best church and I love you, Living Hope.  I miss him so much.  AND, as I sit and think, through all of the emotions I am pausing to thank God.  I thank God for saving my pop.  I T=thank God for never giving up on us.  I thank God for a church that loves people completely and unconditionally.  Life is so short and you really get what matters.  You are absolutely the best church, and next weekend I want to focus on how even in troubles we have an assurance of eternity.  It is the ultimate hope of our souls.

We will do a baptism, people will be saved, God will be glorified and we will thank God together.  Thank you to the weekend team that yet again changed to see change.  I am resting this week, trying to grieve (beginning to understand that word).  I am eagerly waiting to see you all next week.  We will gather to celebrate 12 years of changed lives and to look forward to the next season of ONLY GOD ministry.

Your pastor and friend,

John

As we continue in the series HOPE, I am so excited that it is serving people well.

I have heard so many stories of HOPE this weekend.  I was encouraged to see people leave after services with a sense of hope to continue trusting God.

Romans 5:1-5 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

The unbreakable path to HOPE is through suffering.  Paul says we rejoice in our sufferings.  You see the word rejoice three times in this chapter.  Rejoicing in our salvation, rejoicing in our suffering and rejoicing (vs 11) in God.

REJOICE IN SUFFERING.  Sounds completely counter intuitive, doesn't it?  Notice Paul doesn't say rejoice because of your sufferings?  Rejoicing 'in' is a completely different level of maturity in our faith.  It is a place so many never get to, but in that place begins a work in your heart that transforms YOU and then the world around you.  

Suffering leads to perseverance, or I would say panic.  Panic takes us down a different path where we attempt to control stuff and really end up HOPELESS and operating in our flesh (at least).  To persevere means to stand up under the pressure. 

When we panic, we go for control and then gossip, slander, malice, worry, fear and complaining can set it.  Remember.... TO BLAME IS to....  you know. 

Perseverance, according to Paul, leads us to character.  We learned this weekend that Paul is the only one who uses this word 7 different times in the Greek New Testament.  It is 'proven character' versus 'potential character'.  IT MEANS reliable and tested.  We know that a faith not tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.  

Character...

Character ultimately leads us to biblical and God-centered HOPE.  Paul says something SO GOOD.  HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT US.  As I learn about this, I am realizing the ways in the last 20 years of following God where I ended up at the dead end of disappointment.  We have to begin again.  We have to re-trace our steps and pursue HOPE.

Interestingly, Paul writes to the church at Rome before he ever saw them.  He wrote this in A.D. 57, when the emperor Nero was in power.  He was on the list of bad dudes.  He was killing Christians for sport, trying to stop the spread of Christianity.  Aren't you glad for Paul's words?  

Paul knew something we forget.  His story wasn't really 'his' story.  He knew God was working powerfully and he trusted in what he couldn't see.

He wrote in Philippians, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.."  Philippians 1:29

Paul saw suffering through a different set of eyes.  Granted...to suffer FOR HIM...   Granted, as if it is a certificate or gift.  Amazing!

This series, we will continue to learn together, grow together, hope together and be better TOGETHER!!

Bring someone this weekend to a service.  (Maybe not so much 11:00 AM..... in a building that holds 550 seats, we had over 1000 in the building.... crowded?  You tell me.)  Bring them!  EVERYONE NEEDS HOPE.  It is what will carry us in and through these times.   

I heard over and over this is one of the most timely series we have ever done.  All I can say is ONLY GOD.  Really good teams.  

Worship was off the hook.  The choir was incredible.  Thanks to everyone.

OK.  The bad news.

THE HOPE MOBILE BROKE DOWN on the way to one of the campuses.

All is well now.  Back on the road heading to more campuses this weekend.

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, YOU SHOULD SHARE YOUR STORY OF HOPE.

Hopeful stories inspire hope in us.

Tell your story.  Tell people about this God who has promised to give you HOPE and A FUTURE.  The God who wants to bless.  The God who is waiting.

Tell them!

JOHN BISHOP (why did I put my last name on my own blog?)

Sometimes hope is found in remembering!  I have been sick all week.  Really weird, but I guess it is going around.  I was thinking of this verse;

The Bible says in Psalm 37:4, "Take delight in the LORD and He will give you your heart's desires."

The Hebrew word for "delight" is the word ANAG.  It is a beautiful word that means "to become soft or pliable, delicate with enjoyment".  

When we allow God to be the desire of our heart, His dreams become our dreams.  Another way to think about this... The more you see what God wants. the more you will want what God sees.

Every time (only twice) I have been to Australia something happens in my heart that is not completely explainable.  Reflecting over the last few weeks and simply thanking God.  In the midst of simple exhaustion and a stupid cold, I wanted to thank God for the opportunity to go to Australia.  The churches over there covered everything, and we as a family are better because we went.  Also, I wanted to thank LH.  My first love is to be with the church God birthed 12 years ago.  I love speaking to pastors and encouraging them.  It is a pasion of my heart.  Interesting thing, you cannot outgive God.  We traveled thousands of miles to serve and felt completely loved, encouraged and served.  

DESIRE IS CRAVING ENOUGH TO SACRIFICE FOR.  Often our desires are not completely lined up with what God wants, so we get disappointed.  

One of the dreams of my life was to speak at Hillsong Church.

I have always had a dream to one day go to Hillsong Church.  God not only gave me that gift, but allowed me to speak there.  What are the odds?  I spoke at Hillsong 4 different times in two days and btw all different messages.  They are a church that is literally and quite profoundly impacting the globe.  They celebrate 25 years of ministry this month.  I want to say that Brian Houston is the real deal.  He is an amazing leader.  Watching leaders lead and learning from them is something I really love to do.  Watching their team and feeling a "part", was a gift our family will remember for along time.  The teams at Hillsong (as at all the churches) were off the hook.  I was able to spend a few hours with Brian and Joel A'Bell.  Not to name drop (which I guess I already did), but sincerely to see the heart of great leaders inspires me.  To preach a message and see Brian taking notes in the front row says alot about his heart.  If you have not, you really should visit their website.  They have campuses in several parts of the world.  They get unity, they get reaching the world, they get God's heart and they are living their dream.  Not just Sydney, but alot of Australia is better because when you see what God wants, you eventually want what God sees.  God sees people who matter to Him.  Thanks Hillsong Church.   

Check out the video in this blog.  It is from their latest recording and is called THIS IS OUR GOD.  I requested it after each message.  It says it all and it shows the heart of this church.  We have used it in our worship the last couple weekends.

In addition I spoke at 2 different state pastor conferences.  We will upload the talks at some point.  I wanted to share with you how God has encouraged my heart and allowed me to see one of the dreams of my life fulfilled.  

In HOPING, serving and remembering is part of the process.  Be encouraged, Church. 

Listen to the rest of Psalm 37:

"Commit everything you do to the LORD (Yahweh).  Trust Him, and he will help you.  Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act!"  Psalm 37:5, 7

Interruptions in our lives are always God's way of invitations to His life.   Let's save that thought for another blog.

Dream BIG!!

John

See you this weekend.   I am going to talk about the JOURNEY TOWARD HOPE.  Bring someone.  Pray that my cold goes away, and pray for my grandpa who is out of the hospital today but will go into a hospice situation.  Been talking to him alot about eternity.   

I read an article in Leadership magazine today, written by John Ortberg, called HOLDING OUT HOPE.  REALLY GOOD.

It so appropriately fits the series we are in, and I think the place many of us are at right now, in a time of uncertainty, worry and even despair.

Here are some of my favorite thoughts from his writing...

Several years ago I spent a couple of hours with a newly minted seminarian our church was thinking about hiring.  We talked about why he wanted to do church ministry, about the dreams he cherished about how he might serve God.  Toward the end of the conversation, he turned to me and said,  “I just hope I’m able to last in the ministry as long as you have.”

 I was, at that time, in my mid-forties.

 I have often returned to that conversation in my mind.  In particular I ponder, what is it that enables a person to last (and even flourish) in church ministry?

It's not their giftedness, although effective ministry always requires alignment with spiritual gifts.  It's not education, although theologically reflective leaders are sorely needed nowadays.  It's not resources or connections or IQ or support systems, though all those are good things.  What makes an enduring and healthy ministry possible?

It's hope.

It is an unforced, consistent conviction that somehow God is at work in the midst of our efforts, and that therefore they are not in vain. "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations" (Rom. 4:18).

Why is hope so central?...  When hope dies, motivation dies.  There is no longer any reason to try anything.  But once hope enters a marriage - or a church - anything is possible.  It's not some "don't worry, be happy" attitude, but a deep sense that with God we will prevail.

HOPE DETECTION

I've had to learn how to monitor some hope indicators to give me a kind of early detection system so I know when hope begins to run low.  One indicator is how I face the morning.  Clinical researchers say that mornings are generally the times when anxiety and depression are most likely to run the strongest.  There is a reason why the Scriptures say God's mercies are "new every morning."  When I find myself waking up feeling overwhelmed by the tasks to be done during the day, I know hope is running low.

Another indicator is what I think of as recovery time.  When a few weeks off don't recharge my batteries, I know hope is in short supply.  When my hope tank is full, I have energy for outside activities.  When my hope stash is dwindling, taking on anything new feels like a drain.  Also, I find that my emotional sensitivity in relationships tells me something.

HOPE BANDITS

I've also had to learn how to arrange my life so that I can keep filling up on hope.  Partly, this means I have to watch out for hope-killers.  No encounter with another human being is purely neutral on an emotional level.  Every conversation I have with someone either fills me with a little more hope or drains a little of it away.

HOPE DISPENSERS

I need to identify those who fill me with hope.  I think of my friend Kent.  Kent is a hope-giver to me because he does two things consistently.  He always speaks truth to me.  And he is always for me.

One of the most important practices I've had to learn is precisely that one: how to encourage myself in the Lord my God.  Hope "in the Lord".

Sometimes all I do when alone with God is to rehearse my inadequacies and problems.  So, as an act of discipline, sometimes I force myself to lay those aside.

I read passages that speak of God's love for me.  I go to settings where the beauty of creation will remind me of the goodness of God.  I listen to music I love.  I write down twenty blessings I'm grateful to God for.  I think about what will matter a million years from now.  My current burdens lose their weight.  I sleep.  I listen.  I shift my focus from what I'm hoping for, to who I'm hoping in. 

A friend of mine used to say that one day every circumstance, every situation we're hoping for is going to wear out, give out, fall apart, melt down, or go away.  When that happens, the question is about your deeper hope . . . about your foundational hope . . . it's about your fallback hope when all your other hopes are disappointed.

The whole testimony of the Scriptures points to this One Man, points to a God, not because he'll be able to give us this thing or that thing we were hoping for - because that's always going to give out eventually.  Instead it points to the One that we put our hope in.

ULTIMATE HOPE

Ultimately, I don't hope for some thing at all, but for some One.  I hope for the One who rose on the Third Day.

The Third Day is God's day.  The Third Day is the day when prisoners of Pharaoh get set free.  The Third Day is the day the mountains shake and rivers are parted and people go into the Promised Land.  The Third Day is the day a harem girl like Esther faces down a powerful king.  The Third Day is the day prophets like Jonah are dropped off at seaside ports by giant fish.

The Third Day is the day stones are rolled away.  The Third Day is the day a crucified carpenter came back to life.

You never know what God is going to do, because God is "God of the Third Day."

You never know what might happen on the Third Day.  I cling to that.  I put all my hope in a Third Day God.

I love that.  A third day God.  Isn't it really true that God always shows up?  Love it.

The thing about the third day is you have to WAIT until God shows up.

HOPE.  

Great article.  

JOHN

1996.  That was a good year.  Where would we be without the DVD player?  Created in Japan, in most homes in America...

Here are some other things about 1996...

Prices in 1996:
First class U.S. postage stamp cost 32 cents.
Average price nationally for all grades of gasoline per gallon was $1.28.
Average cost of new house $118,200.00.
Loaf of bread $1.15.
Minimum hourly wage raised To $5.15.

and here is my favorite...
A cell phone cost $600.  I owned one.  Wish I still had it.  Think the military.  Brick.  Big.

Films released in 1996:
Independence Day
Twister
Mission: Impossible
Jerry Maguire
101 Dalmatians
 
The English Patient won the Academy Award for best picture.
Frasier won the Emmy Award for best comedy series.

Sports highlights in 1996:
The World Series was won by the New York Yankees.
Atlanta hosts the 100th anniversary of the Olympic Games.

A couple headlines in 1996:
Valujet crashes in Evergaldes…all 110 aboard are killed.
Jackson becomes the highest paid musician in history when she signs an $80 million deal with Virgin Records.

Deaths in 1996:
Ella Fitzgerald,
Gene Kelly
George Burns

Hit songs in 1996:
Grease Megamix - Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta
Macarena - Los Del Rio
Maria - Ricky Martin
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
 

A FEW THINGS THAT SOME OF US REMEMBER FROM 1996.

Another thing...

LIVING HOPE BEGAN IN 1996.  Specifically on this day November 3rd, 1996.

1 Peter 1:4 says we have been born to a living hope.  

Thinking about that verse.  That was the passage that became the verse that establshed the name of Living Hope. 

Thanking God and SO many people who have believed the story.  Lived the story and have told the story.  

Remembering today.  The grange, the high school, the mergers with Prairie Community, and with VCC (where I found Christ). 

12 years ago today a few people risked to reach people who matter to God. 

Happy Birthday Living Hope Church!

12 years ago our story began.  ONLY GOD knows what is next. 

JOHN

Love the new series.  Love being part of a team that is willing to change because of where God is leading and where people are at.  

HOPE.

Went super well.  So many people are feeling hopeless. 

We talked about how the CROSS is the ultimate sign and source of HOPE in our lives.

HOPELESSNESS is a pattern of thinking where individuals believe they are trapped in misery with no expectation of things getting better.

Hopelessness is real for so many and I think the operative word is TRAPPED.    

I have heard stories of people committing suicide, mostly because of financial things.  It is a real thing, but ultimately we can be overcomers.  In fact we are overcomers.

After Jesus talks to His disciples, shares what is about to happen, talks about abiding and before his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, he says one thing that we are looking at all weekend:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

One translation says "have courage".

So, according to Jesus trouble isn't an optional thing in our lives.  The optional and missing piece is peace.  He wants us to have peace and the path is overcoming.  To be an overcomer is critical.  We have to decide to be about the journey more than the destination.  We have to learn what it means to find God in the moment.  So often our faith is circumstantial faith.  Our faith ebbs and flows with how things go, when really it ought to be about Jesus alone.  Hoping for something is vastly different than hoping in someone.  Jesus is that someone.  He has a plan for your life.  

According to Scripture, an Overcomer is someone who has suffered well.  

An Overcomer is someone who is loyal to their calling despite severe testing.  It is crucial to understand and keep in the forefront of our minds that Overcomers are not defined by the outcome of their trial, but by the process!  An Overcomer undergoes painful situations knowing that they will endure their suffering through the love of Jesus Christ, even when facing grief, illness, divorce, addiction, parenting problems and any other kind of affliction.  An Overcomer remains faithful to God through his (or her) trial.  An Overcomer copes with problems knowing they are NOT alone in their struggles.  An Overcomer comes alongside others going through trials.  They use their experience to comfort and encourage others.

We are going to spend time talking about HOPE.   I don't think there could be a more timely topic.  

It is a good weekend.  I hope to see you.

If you are going through something, just know that you are loved by God.  At the cross that has been settled.  At the cross, you learn that God paints on a much bigger canvas.  We can't see all that He is doing or allowing, but you can be settled that HE IS IN CONTROL.  Complete control.  TRUST HIM.  We are here for you, so if there is something we can do, or something we can pray about, do not hesitate to call.    

You don't have to wait for the dust to settle.  God is already settled.  He knows.  That is enough.  

Bring friends, see you next weekend.

JOHN

PS

I have sleeping anger.  I love the extra hour and stayed up and then I woke up at 6:00 AM.  HATE THAT.  Pray that I can overcome my attitude about sleep.