Mark's blog | Christ Community Church

Can non-Christians hear from God?

I'll never forget my neighbor Tim asking me this question through the rolled down window of his black pickup truck in front of my house at 441 Candlewood Ct. He was not a Christian, but God was at work in his life in a big way. We had hundreds of spiritual conversations, and Tim always wanted to know what the Bible said about life-issues like this one. So what is the answer? In short, the answer is "Yes". He does it in the 21st century, and he did it in the Bible. Here are some examples:

1) The classic example is that of Saul/Paul in Acts 9 (and 26). Paul was an enemy of Christ and even got knocked off of his horse with a voice from heaven.
2) King Nebuchadnezzar heard from God in dramatic ways throughout the book of Daniel, especially chapter 4.
3) King Belteshazzar literally saw the handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5.
4) All twelve of the disciples were non-Christians when they were called by Christ.
5) Every person who hears the good news of Jesus is hearing God's message (although indirectly) from one of God's messenger
6) You could easily make an argument that every person hears the call of God before he/she turns to God and comes to faith. As a matter of fact, it is impossible to become a Christian unless God is communicating somehow.

God certainly speaks to those who are listening. Somebody who is not a Christian, but has an open heart toward God has a chance of hearing. It is very possible, very real, and can change your life if you listen!

Labels: CCC, King David

Hearing from God

Are you trying to make a hard decision? Trying to discern what God might have for you in your life? Trying to live for him, willing to do anything, but wanting to hear from God to know just what to do? Yesterday, I talked about hearing from God. It was a contrast of Saul's spiritual deafness with David's keen hearing - primarily from 1 Samuel 23 (who ever studies that?) Saul engaged in a downward spiral of deafness - from anointed man of God, to tone deafness, to hard of hearing to stone-deaf. What was the difference between his life and David's in terms of their engagement with God? Here is a bullet-point review for those who were there.If you were not there, you may want to catch the full version at http://vimeo.com/6820617.

How to go Spiritually deaf (like Saul)
1) Disobey God - I Sam 13 & 15
2) Cut off Godly influence - 1 Sam 22
3) Don't even ask God - 1 Sam 23
4) Confuse allies with enemies - 1 Sam 23 and Ephesians 4:30-31
5) Spiritualize Circumstances to your advantage 1 Sam 23
6) Mess with the dark side - 1 Sam 28

How to Hear God (like David)
1) Have a relationship with God - 1 Samuel 16- 2 Samuel (whole book)
2) Cultivate a rich Biblical literacy - Psalm 119, Psalms written by David
3) Seek Godly counsel - 1 Samuel 23: 3 and 16
4) Obey what you know - Bible and Promptings - 1 Samuel 23
5) Practice, Practice, Practice - Throughout 1 and 2 Samuel

A life of hearing from God is way, way better than one where we ask God to justify or bless our plans. He wants us to be integrated with his life and plans for this world. It is not always the safest way. It is never the easiest way. It is a life of risk and danger and adventure. But it is good because God is in control - why not take some time to step away from the computer and listen to him now?

Labels: CCC, King David, Sermon

Logo-fied

This week, I have been on a listening tour- Six major stops so far. The idea is to simply listen to ideas, concerns, and questions of the congregation and build open doors of communication. So far it has been great. Lots of people love our church! One question has come up twice that has surprised me - and it might be of general interest, so I thought i would do a little blog about it. It relates to the CCC logo.

If you have not been around more than five years, you probably don't even remember the old Logo. It is a drawing of our most predominant architectural feature of the building at the old mill campus - our triumphant spire with the cross at the top. One person asked "Why did we feel the need to change the old logo?" There are at least four reasons that I can think of.

1) The logo looks dated to a former era, artistically and graphically.
2) The logo had fallen into general disuse.
3) The logo emphasized the idea that the church is a building. Biblically, the church is the people - as well as the movement and impact of those people.
4) The logo features the Old Mill Campus building. Now that we are a multisite church, we needed a logo that could be used anywhere.

The new logo (really about 6 months old now) features the name of our church and the three "C"s in concentric circles. Someone else wondered "What does this logo mean?"

1) The three C's stand for the three "Cs" of Christ Community Church.
2) The concentric circles simulate a ripple of water representing the flow of impact of one life/one church to broader and broader circles of influence.
3) The circles also remind us of Jesus final command to the church in Acts 1:8. "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth." Those three arenas are the concentric circles of impact that the church is to have - an immediate influence, a strong local influence, and a global influence. The book of Acts follows this pattern (chaper 1-7 in Jerusalem, 8 in Judea and Samaria, 9-28 to the ends of the earth!) Our dream is to have kingdom impact at the local church level, in our city and around the world. (Complicated, I know...but kinda cool I think!)

I am so grateful for the team that created this strong improvement for our church! It is good to be in a church that is full of excellent people of all kinds of gifts, using them for the sake of the kingdom. Yeah!

Labels: CCC

knee-wreckage

Last night, Kelle, Josiah and I went for a walk. Our District Superintendent (also my boss) Randy Burg, is a neighbor. His house is on a corner lot, making it easy to see in his first-floor sliding-glass back door. It was dark out, and I could see three of the Burgs in the kitchen just waiting for someone to sneak up and scare the B'jeebers out of them!

Josiah and I crept up behind the deck, stole silently across the wood, jumped at just the right moment and AAARGH! The Burgs just about jumped out of their skin...and I was rolling on the deck.

You see, that AAARGH was not just a scream of scariness, it was also a scream of pain as my knee crunched under my 6'3" frame. I rolled on the ground - laughing at the Burg's reaction and wallowing in pain.

Randy was quick to point out "Aaah, sin does have it's consequences!"

One Church, One Message, ONE VENUE?

I am getting ready for Sunday. It is going to be a special experience. All of the talents of CCC musicians and vocalists will be combined in a worship BONANZA! We are going to PACK THE HOUSE on Sunday in the Sanctuary. The Access, Traditions, Connections, and Sarpy congregations will squeeze together to create a great worship enviornment. We'll be like sardines, and we'll make a joyful noise to God together.

Prepare to meet people you never knew. Prepare to meet God. Prepare to add a new word to your Biblical vocabulary (Ziklag!), Prepare to be comforted and challenged. God loves you...and we're going to worship him together on Sunday!

Remembered

We are all greiving at church this week. Last Friday morning, Drew Billings, the sanctuary tech guy, age 26, died in his sleep. I still don't know what the cause was, but the buzz around here is interesting.

He was here Wednesday and Thursday night doing rehearsals for Sunday. It seems as though every person here heard a wisecrack from Drew. Sometimes sarcastic, sometimes self deprecating, sometimes creating charaicatures of situations that make you crack a smile...but always funny.

A last impression is very important. Drew did not know that Thursday was his last impression, but you know what people remember? Joy, hope, humor, other-centeredness, transcending situations to help people.

You never know what your last day will be. What will you be remembered for? What if that day was today? What would you like to be remembered for?

The memorial Service is Wednesday at 11. Trust me, it will reflect the Joy and Hope and humor of Jesus that was so attractive in Drew.

Leadership Challenges

I can't resist putting another quote out here from 'The Anointing'. The book looks at the anointing of God for leadership on Saul (Yesterday's leader), David (Tomorrow's Leader) and Samuel (Today's Leader) at the juncture of 1 Sam 16-30 when Saul is declining, David is waiting, and Samuel is taking a risk on David. No matter who you are, leadership is hard. Here's the Quote:

"I sometimes wonder which is more painful: being yesterday's man or woman, today's man or woman, or tomorrow's man or waoman. Yesterday's man endures the pain of irrelevance, having know hwat it was to be used of God. And yet if he thinks he is still under the same anointing he once had, he still suffers by knowing in his heart of hearts that he is struggling with great effort to convince himself and others that he is still on the cutting edge of what God is doing today.

"The pain of being tomorrow's man or waman is that you have to wiat -- sometime much longer than you thought. The preparation is hard, God having to mold and shape you for your usefulness at the proper time. "How long, O Lord?", you cry as David did (Ps. 13:1). We are never quite prepared for the rigid disciplining God puts us through for the calling He has destined for us.

"the pain of being today's man or woman largely comes from the degree of courage required with the job. We never feel up to it. "Who is up to equal to such a task?" (2 Cor 2:16)...God seems to love putting today's servant in the most awkward situations."

Dr. Jones Quote

In The Anointing, R.T. Kendall quotes the great preacher Dr. D. Martin Lloyd-Jones thus: "The worst thing that can happen to a man is to succeed before he is ready." Kendall adds "I have sincerely prayed that God will not bless me with great success until He sees that I am not taking myself too seriously....I'd ratehr NOT be greatly used at all than be given a greater anointing that I would abuse. God has withhed the success I ahve hoped for for my own good -- to keep me from being successful before I am ready."

Giving to God

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
-- 2 Corinthians 9:7

Giving financially to God's purposes is one of the greatest opportunities He has given us. People who give freely do so with great joy because they know that it gives them freedom from the love of stuff and materialism. God loves a cheerful giver because He knows that giving is one of the great things that sets the human heart aright. He knows that He will take care of us - we just need to be faithful!

Many CCC attenders have discovered the joy of giving as the Bible teaches: generously, joyfully and sacrificially. Most give on Sunday mornings when the offering plates are passed as an act of worship. Now, I'd like to introduce another key way you can give as God leads you: eTithe.

These days, many people pay their bills online. Carrying a checkbook or large amounts of cash can be a hassle. The opportunity to give at church may come and go - not because your heart is not in the right place, but because the mechanism does not work for you. I'd encourage anyone who does online bill paying to consider e-tithing. Here are a few reasons:

1) Consistency / The verse above encourages us to give what we decided in our heart with forethought and discipline. eTithing helps you to give what you have decided to give without missing a week/month.

2) Convenience / Once it is set up, you don't have to worry about remembering. Your faithfulness is automatic. You can also choose weekly, bimonthly, monthly or any pattern that makes sense for you.

3) Peace of mind / You can decide in advance what you would give and know that it happens without worry. God will be pleased with your heart of faithfulness and your desire to worship Him in the way you use the resources He has given you.

Thanks so much for your faithful giving to CCC. Your giving empowers ministry in the city and around the world. Thousands upon thousands of lives are different by Christ's power because you give. God is honored and we are grateful!

Want to sign up for eTithe? Click here.

The Anointing

I have been reading an excellent book this week: The Anointing by R.T. Kendall. It has been a long time since a book has gone past my "intellectual learning mode" deep into my heart like this one. The book is about Samuel (Today's Leader), Saul (Yesterdays leader) and David (Tomorrow's leader) as their roles play out in 1 Samuel 16-30, 15 years when David is anointed, but not yet king. It is a powerful look at the concept of anointing and the fresh filling of the spirit.

Here's one great quote:

"Yesterday's man or woman is one whose loss of fresh anointing is not generally apparent. A has-been in God's sight, such a person thrives with their natural skills, grace-gifts, strong personality and influential platform, an leads many people. But God has secretly decided to pass the greater anointing to tomorrow's man or woman. It could happen to any of us; it need not happen to any of us. One of the reasons I wroth this ook is to issua warning to those of us in leadership that we must not take our anointing for granted. God is a jealous God."

Nothing to do in Omaha

Yesterday, I was on facebook and Jay Castillo (video stud from our comm. department) was looking for stuff to do in Omaha that has nothing to do with the Old Market or the Zoo. So I filled his page. Omaha is a great place to live...a hidden jewel of the midwest. Here is a more complete list from Kelle and me about what to do in Omaha do when you are bored!

Paint your own pottery at "That Pottery Place" 78th and Dodge
Go to the cool breakfast dive "Dixie Quicks" featured on diners, drive-ins and dives. Leavenworth near 19th St. Try Oatmeal with ice cream!
Play Tennis at one of the gillion courts at the Koch Tennis center - 120th and Maple.
Go south to the Strategic Air Command in Bellevue. See if you can catch a glimpse of a Stealth Bomber!
Go bowling in the basement of Immaculate Conception Church - 2701 S. 25th St. You can rent 10 lanes for an hour for $75!
Borrow a BMX bike and hit the coolest track this side of the Missouri. Hefflinger park - 112th and Maple
Durham Muesum, bottom floor, coolest display on Omaha's history.
Eat fried chicken and sweet potato ice cream at Big Mama's kitchen - also featured on Diners, Drive ins and Dives. 3323 N 45th St. www.bigmamaskitchen.com
Horseback Riding at Mahoney state park (or mini-golf, or wave-pool, or camping, or hiking).
Engage in stimulating spiritual discussion with a Mormon at the Mormon Trail Center, 32nd and State.
Go to 24th and L on a Friday night. Eat good Mexican food, watch low-rider cars.
Take a bike tour of Zorinski. Three laps is 24 miles!
Catch a movie at flimstreams, first run independent films and international fare 14th and Webster...then go for a walk through the Gallup campus and across the Bob Kerry Bridge. Avoid casinos.
Take a drive to the Mid America motorplex in Pacific Junction IA. Catch a drag race! Root for Kent Lush if you can find him.
In late June, College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Thursday evenings June/July, go to Jazz on the Green - live free Jazz at the Joslyn art museum. 20th and Dodge.
Heck, just go to the Joslyn art museum. From classic renaissance paintings and sculpture gardens to amazing blown-glass sculptures.
Take a tour of the Hot-Shops and watch them blow glass - very cool...or hot! 13 and Nicholas, just north of Cuming/Nodo.
In Sept/Oct, try Vallas pumpkin patch and watch the pig races. Cheer for Wilbur!
Visit Amsterdam restaurant on 50th St. and eat curry fries or fries with Mayo...Dutch Style.
Play ultimate Frisbee at Memorial Park. Dodge near 55th.
Sachet on over to the Omaha Children's Museum (500 S. 20th St.) and work the giant ball machine.
Go to Lake Zorinski Sunday afternoon at 3pm to watch kayak-water-polo.
Go to Lake Zorinski at 6am weekdays. Crash the 'basic training' workout class.
Drive down 72nd street from Dodge going south. Ask for a free sample at every restaurant you can find.
In March, I think, road trip to Nebraska's Sand Hills to see the worlds largest migration of Sand-Hill Cranes. I hear its spectacular! Maybe next march!
Go to Ted's at Dodge and 132nd. Eat Buffalo.
Sneak to the top of the Woodman Tower. Throw watermelons, milk jugs, and gumball machines on the dock below. OK, don't REALLY do this, that would be vandalism! :(
Eat the best appetizer in town - Lobster Queso dip at Firebirds at Village Point.
Speaking of Village point, catch a free concert on Friday evenings when it is warm. Stop by the Apple store afterwards to mess with some IPhones.
Bring wax paper and zoom down the mega slides in the Gene Leahy Mall - 11th and Douglas (does anybody else think this is an insurance nightmare?)
Go to prospect hill cemetery - 33rd just South of Lake. Look for famous Omaha Names on headstones. Pay respects.
Go to a Friday night High School football game. The Millard Stadium on Q Street is always packed. The Omaha South Stadium is brand new, down in a pit, and has just undergone a state-of-the-art 8 million dollar renovation.
Golf at Indian Creek or Miracle Hill - Outstanding Public Golf at a reasonable price.
Drive to Waverly (between Omaha and Lincoln) and look around for a while. You'll really appreciate what you've got in Omaha after seeing Waverly!
Right near Mahoney State park, you can check out the Strategic Air and Space Museum OR the Lee Simmons Wildlife Safari Park....OOOHHH, do you think you'll see Lions? Nope...just a home where the Buffalo roam...and the deer and antelope play.
If you want to drive an hour, pick apples at the orchards in Nebraska city, home of Arbor Day. Visit Arbor Tree Farm while you're there.
Want to suggest more entries? Become my facebook friend and suggest some. Search for Mark AShton (yes, capitalize the S).

Who said there's nothing to do in Omaha?

This blog has moved!

Dear blog readers,

Christ Community Church has a new website. Hopefully you will find www.cccomaha.org to be useful for all things up and coming at CCC. One of the necessary changes was to move this blog. To continue to receive updates, please subscribe using the following link:

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Greg Nunamaker
Web Manager
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Can non-Christians hear from God?

Monday, September 28, 2009

Hearing from God

Friday, September 18, 2009

Logo-fied

knee-wreckage

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

One Church, One Message, ONE VENUE?

Monday, September 14, 2009

Remembered

Leadership Challenges

Friday, September 11, 2009

Dr. Jones Quote

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Giving to God

The Anointing

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Nothing to do in Omaha

Thursday, September 3, 2009

This blog has moved!