I love my Mac Airbook, and i-phone. I love the technology, I love how they look and perform (when they do). The only thing that frustrates me is when I need the phone the most, the battery is almost always dead. Happens to me a lot, especially when I am traveling. I get settled into my seat with no distractions, and then right in the middle of writing I notice I don't have a full charge and the battery bar is flashing. A battery without a power source is limited in its ability to serve my needs, and eventually useless in its purpose.
I think so often that is the truth about our spiritual lives.
Let me be really clear. This series has shown me so so much about me. I can be like that phone. I run out of power to love the person who hurt me or forgive the one who betrayed me. I forget my "purpose" when it matters most. When God needs me to step up and "perform" the most, I have this tendency to shut down. He is the middle of telling the story of His love to a broken and messed up world, and has chosen to use fallible humans like Ted Haggard (oh ya and each of us) to tell about His redemptive plan to rescue each of us.
With one more week in the series, I gotta say I am both physically and spiritually exhausted. Worth it? NO QUESTION. Frustrating? Marginally. If you know me, you know I don't do well with controversy and conflict. I think it’s because from a human perspective, I internalize things too much. BUT, the more I read the Gospel, the more I realize that the true Gospel message and mission causes people to be uncomfortably challenged to live a life that is about loving people. A life that will bless those who hurt us. A life that radically extends grace to people like Ted Haggard (not to mention each of us).
The Bible says that "love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7
Here is this church that got so much right and missed the entire point of the gospel. The Gospel of Jesus is powerful and is good. The Gospel is simply love. We know this in our minds, but rarely does it transform our hearts. God so loved the world, HE GAVE. Jesus said the most important thing in life (our mission) is LOVE.
If Jesus twittered, He could seriously put the entire message of the Bible and the Mission of his life in less than the maximum allowed 140 characters per post. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, & mind & love others as yourself.” Mark 12:29-31
As we move past the Ted and Gayle Haggard interview, I want to share a few things on my heart that I don’t want to forget.
First. Living Hope. Thank you so much for always risking to reach. It is what Jesus did. It is what we have to do. I have gotten comments in the form of emails, facebook messages and twitter messages for the past couple of weeks. The vast majority of comments were overwhelmingly positive. Pastors and leaders from various countries and others have commented over and over.
One youth pastor in one of the largest churches in North America twittered this: "just watched the Haggard video... nicely done! You made the church look good."
Isn't that our goal, to make God look good to the watching world? When I told him "thanks" and then shared how we had received some criticism he replied, "Criticism? I thought it was genius and you were godly and tender and taught "church". I wish we would have them at Saddleback."
Another person from China wrote these two comments: "Very touching for the interview of Pastor Ted.Thanks!"
"I have been praying for Pastor Ted and his family since I heard the news. Glad to hear the latest news of him. Love never fails."
Her last statement is what prompted these thoughts, and my second observation to the critics out there which is:
Instead of spending so much time judging Ted, or me, or probably your family, please take the plank out of your own eye. You are so loved by God, but my guess is because of pain from the past or fear of the future you are missing life.
Jesus came to give us abundant life. The power of the gospel in our lives will be found in the reality of how we show Christ love to those around us.
I got an email today that really caused me to think: "I just have a bad feeling about Ted, and I think he's "on the take," with the church. Yes, we forgive him, but he has to live with the consequences of his decisions, and paying for his family to have a vacation isn't part of it. I think it would be more loving to have him humbly accept his new life, and pursue an honest living."
First of all I want to say, aren't you glad we don't get the consequences of our sins? Jesus paid for our sins past, present and future. Second, you didn't pay for the Haggard vacation. God's grace worked in the hearts of people who wanted to bless their family. Third, what does it mean to "accept" his new life and pursue a honest living? Honestly that one sentence carries so much judgment.
We are entitled to our opinions. That is what makes America what she is. My issue isn't freedom of speech it is understanding the Gospel message, and living its message out in our day to day lives.
I am not Ted's judge, I cannot promise he won't fail (can't promise I won't either). What I am is a Christ follower, who has been saved by God's grace and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. What I am is Jesus' ambassador, and have been given the task of reconciliation. I am His witness and I am His friend. I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I that live, but He that lives through me. I have no option. I (we) must do what Jesus did. He loved people who did not deserve it. He restored people who did not earn it and He used broken people to share the most precious and powerful message the world has ever known.
I graduated in 2004 from Western Seminary and my Masters Degree thesis or project in Bible Literature was to understand Biblical restoration. I studied a lot of the failures in the Bible and realized I was in good company. I noticed the broken people God used and was inspired to allow this same God to use my life. I looked at Peter and how he failed more miserably than most of us ever will and yet Jesus restored him. That is always the goal of Jesus and has to be our mission. 50 days after he failed, Peter spoke one of the most quoted and powerful sermons ever preached in history. Thousands came to faith as a result. What if Jesus had said, “Peter you can't serve?” Or “Peter you have to wait 5 years?”
WE ARE SO MESSED UP IN WHAT IT MEANS TO RESTORE THE ONES WHO HAVE FAILED.
We have to come back to the power, purity and simplicity of the gospel. Galatians 6:1 says, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."
Restoration is the goal and gentle is the way.
The power that will change the world most is love. It is who God is and what God does. The reality is when it fails it causes the church to not reflect Jesus, but rather religion.
I could list all of the negative and criticizing comments, but there is not much point in it. I just think we have to all search our hearts, ask how much Jesus loved, how did he treat those that failed and then ask why do we do different?
The fact is, we have all sinned.
The Bible says "God is love". It says in Romans chapter 5, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8
His great love is the power of God. While we were in the depth of our stupid choices, God died FOR US.
OK. Most of this blog is for those who profess Christ but refuse to live like Christ and love people. I have no certain person in mind.
The Haggard interview has been watched over 2900 times in just a week. I think the world wants to be loved. When I originally called Ted in February, I was certain it was from God asking me/us to step out and love him and his family. They have felt a deep sense of God's presence and the love of Christ in and through your lives.
That's it. When love fails, the gospel fails and our purpose begins to fade.
My friends, to the extent you stay "plugged" into the power of God's love in your life, will be to the extent that same love can flow THROUGH YOU!
Lots of things fail, but love never does.
If you have a comment, and you are not anonymous, we will post it.
John
Thank you everyone for your support. I wanted to follow up the weekend with some thoughts, and have included here a short video I filmed between services, and a link where you can watch the weekend service online.
I believe our primary goal is to restore broken people to Christ and to fellowship. If when we get to Heaven and learn that we have played any part in the restoration of the Haggards to their God-given purpose, then I am grateful to have been part of it. (Thankfully) we know that God has always chosen, and continues to choose broken men and women to fulfill his mission here on earth.
Our heroes in the Bible are great examples of God's annointing prevailing in spite of human failing. The most interesting thing is that every sermon preached, every book written and every song sung has been (except Jesus) at the hands of a broken person.
I have learned more than ever the polarizing affect of sin. Sin always takes you further than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay and causes more pain than you are willing to pay. That is the truth of sin, and as we learned all weekend, the truth of Ted's story. He is someone who failed, has repented and who is in the process of restoration. That is the way I see it. It is the way the Word of God says it. The comments and emotions around this decision are unprecedented.
Jesus always challenged people to love, and I think that at the end of the day we are called simply to show love and extend grace. The power of the real gospel is that TRUTH COLLIDES WITH GRACE. God in His great wisdom and impeccable timing will take care of the rest.
Take time if you can to watch the interview - it has been healing for so many, Ted and Gayle included.
Thank you for your support and your willingness to risk to show grace to friends who matter to the heart of God. I really love their family and am committed to praying for them. I hope you will join me in this GRACE REVOLUTION.
The unfortunate truth is we are good at wanting grace and terrible at giving grace. I have learned alot during this series and am really excited to talk about BIBLICAL RESTORATION this weekend. Jesus had alot to say about it. So please love people and risk to reach them for Christ. People respond to the power of the gospel, especially when you don't have to talk alot.
You are the best church in the world and I am the most broken and blessed pastor that I know of.
See ya this weekend.
John
PS
Be in prayer; the Haggards are leaving their Oregon coast beach vacation today and flying home.
I am ending this day with a short blog to share my heart a little.
First. The decision to have Ted and Gayle was an absolute right thing. Thanks Living Hope for being that kind of church that is willing to always risk to talk about and live the Gospel. I love serving you and really want you to know that your risking matters. I was able to go with Ted and Gayle to the airport (with Michelle and our girls) and meet their family. Great ending to a really good weekend. We loved, we learned and we lived the gospel. The Haggard family was blessed and is now having their first family vacation since their crisis began almost 3 years ago. So simply thanks.
Second. I know because I am "there". This is the first Father's Day without your father around. I get it. My grandpa died last November and I haven't allowed my heart to feel all day until now.
Hydroplaning is a dangerous sport and I think it is a dangerous way to live and relate to God and to others. I just know for me Father's Day this year is met with mixed emotions. On one hand, I am so thankful for my "pop". He sacrificed for me and showed me so much about life. On the other hand, honestly I feel like I spent so many days focused on what I didn't have (a biological dad) that I missed what I did have. He never even told me that. He actually was the one I talked with the most about what I didn't have and yet the whole time the blessing of God for MY life was right in front of me. Here I am complaining to my grandpa and he was consoling me? How weird is that? Well rather, how self denying was that?
Maybe you are like me. Maybe you have spent alot of hours focused on what you did not have, which is true and fair, but in the process you missed God's provision for your life.
Please take time to pause. To cry if you need to. To yell at God if you need to. To thank God always and to SEE what Yahweh has provided for your life. So ofiten we miss God because we aren't looking for Him. We miss His provision because we are looking for our version of what we "want"
Let today be that day. Pause and call. Pause and e-mail. Pause and personally thank someone who has been there. Someone who has helped you. Someone who sacrificed because you matter.
Life is too short and today is all you have.
John
PS
Tonight I watched three (yes 3) chick flicks. One right after another. THREE. My wife is in bed, my girls want to move to number 4. Hmmmmm
As we began our new series "Who's to Judge" last week, I beleive God gave us profound revelation on the meaning and intent of Jesus' words in Matthew 7:1-5 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
So often the thing I judge someone about is the very thing that's inside my own heart. We talked about judgment as a warning light. That when I get the stirrings of judgment, I should step back and take the plank out of my own eye to examine myself first. Then I am more equipped to not only see their failures but to see them as a person made in the image of God.
Our goal is to help others, restore others, pray for others, and simply be better people. We are going to be people of the way or people of the cross. These are some of the hardest lessons we can learn that will change us the most.
This weekend we have with us Ted haggard and his wife. I will be picking them up at the airport in the next couple of hours. I'm excited as hundreds of leaders will gather Friday morning to hear them share at Leadership Uncensored. We anticipate over 70 churches will be represented, and our auditorium will be packed to capacity. If you have not registered, please do so here:
Next we have our weekend services which I am calling "Where Truth and Grace Collide". Please understand my heart; I feel clearly that God wanted us to do this. We will learn from Ted as we interview him and his wife Gayle. We will be asking your questions, and I know the truth of Gods word with collide with the Grace of God in all of our lives.
I want to say a couple things. First, if you are coming and plan on being disrespectful, please stay home. Second, every service will probably be different, and at the 1.30 service I am going to take text message questions from the audience.
It is a weekend you will not want to miss. Please be praying as the spiritual warfare has been more intense than most weekends.
Congratulations on your incredible achievement! We stand here so proud of your accomplishments, excited for your future and prayerful for you as you pursue your dreams.
As your Pastor and friend, we want to pause to commend you as you finish and encourage you as you begin. You are now on a journey of leading a legacy. A definition of legacy is "someone’s lasting contribution to the world". Your legacy is a result of what you have focused on in your life, and is the expression, through action, of your primary message.
Check out this verse: “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
I love this verse because it gives us a pattern to live by and I think a legacy that you can pursue. My prayer for you is that as you finish this part of your education, no matter where your future takes you, that you begin the lifelong process of leading a legacy that will change your generation.
It seems the more choices that get made in our lives, the more complexity sets in and then the tendency is for our faith to either slip or get complex. If I had one piece of advice to offer, it would be don't add Jesus to your lives. Don't do what so many do. Don't make Him one "piece" of your life. He is all that matters.
It is complexity that brings apathy. When you keep things just about Jesus – you keep things simple. Instead of asking what would Jesus do, can I just say…do what He did! He always put people first. He always risked everything for God's Kingdom. He began a revolution that you have been chosen to be part of. You are marked by God to be used by God to change the world for God. Please don't be led away from your simple and pure devotion to Jesus.
We’re praying for you, we’re standing with you and we are believing in you, as you pursue God’s dream for your life.
John & Michelle Bishop
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
On June 20th and 21st, Pastor John Bishop will interview Ted and Gayle Haggard at Living Hope Church in Brush Prairie.
In November 2006, I along with the rest of America was shocked by the headlines, “Church forces out Haggard for sexually immoral conduct.” As the news unfolded, I watched Ted resign as pastor of his 14,000 member New Life Church, a church he started in his basement more than 20 years ago. Haggard also stepped down from his presidency of the National Association of Evangelicals, a group representing more that 45,000 churches with 30 million members.
This will be a “Ted Haggard Uncensored” no holds barred weekend where truth and grace will collide. It seems we are either really good at grace, or really good at truth. I think Jesus was good at both. The weekend will actually begin on Friday (June 19th) with a special time for pastors and leaders. I asked Ted if he was willing to be asked any question from pastors and leaders as they seek to understand. He was great with it. He told me, and I quote, “I want people to learn from my failures and mistakes.” I told him there will be lots of very open and real questions.
Questions matter. It is how Jesus taught much of the time he spent on earth. I have some questions for Ted. How did you navigate through so much criticism? How did you preach and at the same time be living a lie for so many years? What do you think your failures did to the image of Christianity? How has this affected “our” testimony? I also want to ask Ted what we can do to ruthlessly guard our hearts. How can we learn from his mistakes?
I also have questions for his wife Gayle. Why didn’t you quit? Being publicly disgraced, she stood WITH her husband. I want to ask her how she did that. And really, even more, why she did that.
Ted and Gayle have willingly said that they will both bare their hearts and share their story hoping it will help all of us in our own journey of brokenness.
I also have questions for Christians. On June 14th we will begin a 4 week series entitled “Who’s to judge?” It will be a series for everyone, but for Christ followers mostly.
Here is the reality. Most people do not attend church in our communities. Why? When you ask them, you will quickly find out it is because of how judgmental we are (or they think we are). Interestingly, they don’t have any issue with Jesus but they do have issues with the church He started. Aren’t we good at casting stones without understanding or knowing the whole situation? It seems we almost think it is our right to judge. As Christ followers we have to make judgments but there is big difference between making a judgment and being judgmental. Jesus said in Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge.” He uses an interesting Greek word here, “Kreno”. It means in essence “do not condemn.” If you are wondering…it is a command!
So can I ask those of us who profess we know Jesus and have committed our lives to following Him a few questions? Why do we judge people so much? Why do we think it is ok to judge? Ted perhaps has failed more than any of us ever has or will. Most people don’t realize that Ted has been through extensive counseling and a restoration process. (You can visit his website if you want. www.tedhaggard.com)
Does he need grace or judgment? I think it’s a delicate balance where we need to allow truth and grace to touch our hearts, our minds and hopefully our tongues.
Jesus was the most “right” person that ever has lived in history and yet always was about restoring. He accepted people, loved people and gave grace to people. He also told the truth to people and yet people loved Him.
I think in over 18 years of pastoring (13 years at the same church), I have learned that grace is dangerous. Grace is the easiest thing for us to say, the hardest thing for us to do and it changes things the most.
Before you judge, come and hear from Ted and Gayle. If you are expecting easy questions, you will be disappointed. If you come expecting a public trial and judgment, you will be disappointed. This will be a weekend where truth and grace collide. A weekend where we can show love and extend grace to a man…who yes has failed…but who hasn’t? A weekend where as a community we can hear their story, and hopefully learn lessons that will help us in our journey with God and with each other. This weekend (June 20th & 21st) will be one where we will bless the Haggard family. Why? Because they matter to God.
Final question…shouldn’t they matter to us?
John Bishop
For service times and information or to register for the June 19th event Ted Haggard Uncensored...please visit Living Hope's website at www.livinghopechurch.com
