Messages About Purpose & Strategy (MAPS)

March 6 & 7, 2010

Larry Grine — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:47:00 GMT

We've all heard that repetition is the mother of learning. But have we heard it enough? If we don't review fundamentals, we tend to forget. That is why so many coaches emphasize the basics time and time again. They don't want to lose. In this week's Message About Purpose and Strategy, I'll repeat our fundamentals. They are found in our motto: Reaching, Connecting, Growing.

Reaching means that we don't just sit here. We go out. It is amazing to realize that people are actually waiting to be touched, to make friends, to learn about God's way of life. We reach out in the community to show people Jesus.

Connecting is crucial. Anyone we reach must be brought into relationships that matter. When you meet someone new, connect them to others. Introduce a new friend to your old friends. Build webs. Here at Dayspring, we want to link people into groups of various kinds to help people become participants, not just spectators.

Growing is important too. We are not to stay in the crib. Let's grow up spiritually. As we grow, we'll represent Jesus more accurately and attractively. I think people want to see what real Christianity looks like and we can show them. Let's grow to follow Jesus so closely that we lead others to follow as well. As we follow Jesus in becoming as he was, a lover of God and a lover of others, then we will follow him in doing what he did.

February 27 & 28, 2010

Larry Grine — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:21:00 GMT

I remember the first time I was in Portland. It wasn't for long. In fact, I got off a plane and got on another - that was it. But the ordeal makes a good story for this week's Message About Purpose and Strategy. I had officiated at a wedding in Wenatchee, WA on a Saturday and had to catch a plane through Seattle to San Diego in order to preach at my home church on Sunday. A storm delayed the flight and the people in Seattle said I was stuck there for the night unless I could run across the terminal to catch the last plane to Portland, and then connect home from there. I had only minutes to make it and one of the other passengers didn't wait for any more of an invitation, he took off running. I ran as fast as I could go with my clumsy garment bag and computer case. I didn't think I'd make it. What I needed was one of those moving sidewalks. Have you seen them in airports? You step on and continue to walk, but at a much faster pace than you could move on your own. I got to thinking about how much this illustrates what the Bible calls "walking in the Spirit." Why walk in your own strength? You can be moved along by an underlying source. When you're walking in the Spirit, you're still doing things - using your gifts, demonstrating faith, and confronting sin - but with new success. There is a fresh wind in your sails like having power beneath your feet. In contrast, life in the flesh is like struggling against the flow. It is like going up a down-escalator! For Dayspring to fulfill potential, Christians like you and I have to walk in the Spirit. That's the way to be sure you'll make it home.

February 20 & 21, 2010

Larry Grine — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:04:00 GMT

One of my meetings this week stood out from the rest. In fact, it was so cool, I'd call it a highlight for the month! For this week's Message About Purpose and Strategy, I'll tell you about what happened, while preserving the couple's anonymity. Their story reminds us of what we're doing here and the challenges that we face. I had not met this young husband and wife, and didn't really know why they had scheduled an appointment. Off the top of my head, I asked them, "What kind of marriage do you want?" In my mind, I was thinking that if I could get them envisioning what could be that we would be on the road to getting there. I was planning a meeting about planning, so to speak: how to get what you want out of your marriage - that kind of thing. Instead, God took the conversation to a different place and it was a joy to ride along with him! I should say that their answer brought joy to my heart. They said, "We want a fireproof marriage!" I asked if they had seen the movie by that name and they had and loved it (so did I). From there we began to talk about their desire to learn about God and find out how church could be of help to their family. It was a valuable revelation to me to learn that they had never attended Dayspring or any other church and that their families aren't involved anywhere either. They popped in almost like someone would walk into Lowes to get something needed. As we seek to serve God in the lives of others, let's recognize that many people are not from church-going backgrounds. They may not understand our Bible-speak. They don't know if they have to sign up, or join something, or pledge allegiance, or pay dues, or what. They are new and just looking. What do they see? Let's show them Jesus! We are his body!

February 13 & 14, 2010

Larry Grine — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:05:00 GMT

I'm in the habit of reading the news on line each day. Maybe you see the news on TV. When we tune in, it almost seems like we're watching a parade as the world passes by - and the pace is accelerating. Society's values are marching on in de-evolution toward disaster. As the culture changes, we are standing by with mouths agape. Like geophysicists measuring seismic activity, we're witnessing what amounts to a moral earthquake. Some questions come to mind: How did the ground shift so quickly? How can we clean up this mess; or is it even possible? And are we are in the same state as everyone else, shaken and battered, or are we distinctive and healthy enough to be of help? This week I came across a Bible verse that reminds us where we stand. For this week's Message About Purpose and Strategy, I'll share 1 Cor. 8:6 - "...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." No matter what changes around us and no matter how much our world is shaken, we live for God, our Father, who made all things through Jesus Christ. In him and for him, we live!

February 6 & 7, 2010

Larry Grine — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:30:00 GMT

My son saved his money and bought a car. It isn't the kind of car a teen wants to drive, but it only cost $1,000 and it gets him to school, swim practice, youth group, Young Life, and so on. And it usually gets him home as well, but not this week. The Buick stayed in the church parking lot and he came home without it, saying it was making a "really bad noise." What could that be? The cause could be any number of things. Just as I was sitting down to write this week's Message About Purpose and Strategy I realized that I needed to go diagnose the difficulty. As I opened the hood, I thought of how much is involved in making a car work, and how all the systems are interconnected. It is the same in the Christian life. A couple just asked me how they could grow in their relationship. And a single mother just expressed frustration, even fear, over the situation with her son. A lot of things need to go right for relationships to work. And when something goes wrong, the problem is likely to cause other problems. In the case of the car, the torn serpentine belt was related to the loose pulley wheel on the water pump. It was sliding off the shaft and scraping the motor mount (hence, the loud noise). The car was also overheating and leaking coolant through the water pump. All the parts that are required to make a car work are connected. If my son wants his car to go anywhere, he needs to see those connections and leave nothing out. If we want to glorify God in our relationships and make ministry work in our church, we need to see the interconnections and give attention to detail. Cars need fuel, spark, and air, all in the right amounts with the right timing. I could see some of what was wrong with the car, but needed the help of a friend to fully understand the issues. Is there something missing in your Christian life - God's Word, prayer, fellowship, mission, obedience? Is something broken? Everything ties together. One loose part will do more than make a bad noise; you can get stuck. Bring a friend along side to help you diagnose what needs to be done to run more smoothly and make progress.

January 30 & 31, 2010

Larry Grine — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:29:00 GMT

Through the ages, great writers have captured and communicated reality with words. Their bite-sized quotes give us succinct snapshots of how people think. Sometimes what has been written about Christianity stings those of us within the church. For instance, Mark Twain wrote, "If Christ were here now, there is one thing he would not be - a Christian." When the world thinks of the church, they often focus on our inconsistency and hypocrisy. Bertrand Russell wrote, "The problem with Jesus is that he had disciples." And an old French proverb says, "He who is near the church is often far from God." These indictments make me ask if we are really following Christ in a way that leads others to follow.

In today's Message About Purpose and Strategy I want to provide a reminder that only those following Christ can lead others to follow him. When Jesus gave the Great Commission (recorded in Matt. 28:18-20), he told his disciples to make disciples. We need to recognize that it takes a disciple to make a disciple. As we think of what we do here and why we do it, it is crucial to consider if our attitudes and actions contribute to the negative feelings people have about Christians, or if our lives are consistent with our profession of faith. Let's recommit ourselves to follow Jesus passionately, accurately, and attractively.

January 23 & 24, 2010

Larry Grine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:00:00 GMT

I'll go ahead and tattle on myself before John does. I did something stupid after the elders meeting on Thursday morning. I was rushing to get to a breakfast appointment and I ran out of gas. Motivated by the desire to be on time and faithful to my promise, I was so late that I missed the opportunity completely. (I ended up re- scheduling and I paid for the guy's lunch - do you think that made up for my mistake? I don't think so. It doesn't work that way.) I had time to make a few calls as I sat in the cold truck on the side of the freeway. I confessed my mistake to John and to my wife. Annie asked me if I hadn't noticed that the gas gauge was low. I admitted that I had been aware of it all week but kept telling myself I could go a little farther, even when the needle was significantly below the ominous "E." Passion is great, but so is planning. I often say in these Messages About Purpose and Strategy that we exist to glorify God by leading people to follow Christ. We get all enthusiastic about doing this and that as fast as we can, all in fulfillment of the Great Commission to make disciples, but we risk running out of gas if we do not plan ahead. We can't keep up the pace without refueling now and then. So, what are your gauges saying right now? Have you been neglecting the obvious? Without monitoring our tank, we turn the risk of failure into a reality. More can be less. Faster can be slower. Sooner can be later. If you neglect to fill your tank, you won't get to where you want to go. Refuel for the long haul by stopping to meet with God. Without him, progress will come to an embarrassing stop.

January 16 & 17, 2010

Larry Grine — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:27:00 GMT

In this week's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I'll share a way to look at what we do here. One way to define a Christian is as a follower of Christ. That is both simple and biblical. But, in what ways do we follow Christ? To follow someone is to go where they lead. Think that over. Another way to follow someone is to do what the person does. Amazingly, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these..." (John 14:12). He also said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). What did Jesus do here? He made disciples! As his followers, we are to do the same (Matt. 28:19). In fact, making disciples proves our discipleship (John 15:8 - "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.") As we consider what we do here and why we do it, it is crucial to consider if our attitudes and actions contribute to the fulfillment of the Great Commission to make disciples. Everything must be aligned that way - to follow Jesus in a way that leads others to follow Jesus.

January 9 & 10, 2010

Larry Grine — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:50:00 GMT

I love how being active here at Dayspring means that we are each part of something bigger than ourselves. We have a calling to bring glory to God by how we live. As we follow Christ, we draw others to him as well. In this week's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I'll share a simple word picture that clarifies our role. Just as there are people employed in trying to reach those who have not yet claimed their inheritance, we get to help people grasp what is theirs in Christ! So many people are missing out. Let's let them know what is available so they can claim all the riches available to them. We have good news to announce. Eph. 1:18 - "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

January 2 & 3, 2010

Larry Grine — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:49:00 GMT

As a kid, I'd prepare a Christmas list every year, just to make sure my parents knew what I wanted. I'm not greedy for the same things now, but what I do want costs much more than a few toys from Sears. In this week's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I'll share a few things on my wish list for the coming year. I'm typing this on New Year's Eve and I think I'll hit send before I edit whatever pours out of my heart through my fingertips into this laptop. What do I want for 2010? I want revival. I want Dayspring members to so passionately follow God that people in this valley can't help but to wonder what makes us different. And I want us to be different - not conformed to our consumer culture, always demanding our own way and wallowing in illegitimate feelings of entitlement like so many crybabies. I want the God of creation to be honored by what happens here in our hearts and minds and lives and neighborhoods and offices and so on. I want us, and I know it must start with me, to be so committed to the authority of God's Word, so totally focused on Jesus, so reliant upon the leading of the Spirit, and so radical in our sacrificial obedience, that we turn our towns upside-down with a level of love not seen in the past decade. That's what I want for the New Year. Though the cost of discipleship is high, please join me in making this dream come true!

December 26 & 27, 2009

Larry Grine — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:40:00 GMT

I reheated some leftover soup for lunch on Wed- nesday. As the microwave in the copy room dinged, I wasn't quite feeling sorry for myself, but the prospect of sipping some bland soup alone in my office staring at a computer screen that had been refusing to yield brilliant ideas didn't float my boat. Had the soup been any less interesting or my deadlines any closer, I could've silently sighed, "what did I do to deserve this?" For this Christmas week's Message About Purpose and Strategy, I'll share what happened next and how I felt about it. Carrying my Tupperware, I was met in the hallway by Sue Hood, our church secretary. She had a problem and asked for help. "Larry, my lunch came with chip and salsa, can you take care of this?" I thought it was too good to be true. Maybe the chips would be stale or the salsa container small? But no! The blessing was abundant! No sooner had I sat at my desk to accept her challenge and chips, but I heard Sue talking to someone in the outer office. I caught only one phrase, "Tell him it was too hot for me." Sue then came into my office with a second, even larger bag of chips and a second container of salsa from another restaurant! Tamra Burleson apparently needed my help as well! One thought leapt to my mind: "What did I do to deserve this?" The answer, which has surfaced time and time again in our Sunday evening study of Romans in the young adult Rooted service, is that we have done nothing to deserve God's love! He has shown amazing grace - unexpected and underserved. The overlapping surprises reminded me of the many abundant blessings I don't deserve. At the very top of the list is God's original Christmas gift of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 2 Cor. 9:15 - "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift." Have a Merry Christmas!

December 19 & 20, 2009

Larry Grine — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:11:00 GMT

A few weeks ago I quoted an old blues guitar- playing friend of mine from my pre-Dayspring days. His words about what makes churches healthy fit well as one of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy. Now I'm reaching back to input from an even older friend, this one a surfer from my college days. I asked him about reviving our hearts and he sent me something along these lines: Remember the parable of the guy who found a treasure hidden in a field and who went and sold everything he had and bought that field? God's kingdom is of supreme value. Everything else is details. We should focus on what is ahead of us. He said, "Our forgetfulness of Heaven is like hoping God will make our lives better by helping us make better mud pies in our ghetto while we are ignoring that across town there is a beautiful beach with 4-6 foot waves with an offshore breeze." We need to lift our eyes to what God has for us. It is beyond imagination.

December 12 & 13, 2009

Larry Grine — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Merry Christmas!

We hear these words often these days, but what makes Christmas so merry is the reason God the Father sent his Son here. In this week's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I want to remind you of some familiar verses that clarify the good news about Jesus as God's perfect Christmas present. Get your Bible out and follow along. This exercise will help you grasp God's amazing grace and it will also equip you to share what makes Christmas so merry!

Why did Jesus come here? See Mt. 1:21.

How did he do that? He died in our place (Is. 53:3-6).

What does this show? See Rom. 5:8. Next, look up John 1:29.

Now, answer this: if Jesus takes away the sin of the world, where does he put it? See 1 Pet. 2:24. See also 1 Pet 1:18,19 and 3:18.

These verses explain why Jesus was born here for us.

December 5 & 6, 2009

Larry Grine — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:59:00 GMT

Unless your have had your head buried like an ostrich, you've been inundated this week with news about Tiger Woods, the previously squeaky clean golfing superstar. Suddenly, more than his car seems to be wrecked. I've been trying to avoid the media coverage concerning his "transgressions," but it has been headlining everyday. In this week's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I don't really want to chime in on the Tigergate scandal. Instead I want to make an observation about our world that should influence our ministry mindset. Isn't it amazing how our culture seems so focused on the lifestyles of the rich and famous? We follow the lives of celebrities with intense fascination. They have no privacy. Paparazzi document their every move. Commentators are quick to judge their appearance, actions, and values. Who is best dressed? Who is cheating on whom? Who is getting divorced? Who is in and who is out? I'm convinced this atrocious addiction to media reports is an example of the emptiness of modern mundane life. People seek to enter the lives of the stars because they have no life of their own. There is really only one person who deserves such focus. The only one worth celebrating is Jesus himself. Recognize, as you seek to serve him, that many people are living boring irrelevant lives of silent desperation. We can help our world "get a life" - the life of Christ!

November 28 & 29, 2009

Larry Grine — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:45:00 GMT

What does a healthy church look like? In last week's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I quoted an old friend who had something important to say about this topic. Today I'll quote directly from Luke, the author of the Book of Acts, who has something to add to the discussion.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

These early Christians were devoted to the teaching of God's Word. They were also connected relationally. The community of believers shared their lives and the life of Christ. I can't help but to notice that verse 42 says they were also devoted to prayer. Somehow, I think this must have been a key to their worship, sacrificial giving, unity and enormous growth.

Like these early Christians, we want to be in awe over what God is doing in our midst. There is no greater miracle than the changed lives of those who place their trust in Christ. If you are in a group of any kind here at Dayspring, make prayer a regular part of your gathering. Whether you are on a committee, serve in a ministry, participate in a Bible study, or meet with others for support, please join your hearts in group prayer that God will turn our world upside down through the way he leads us to faithfully follow Christ.

November 21 & 22, 2009

Larry Grine — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:29:00 GMT

An old blues guitar-playing friend of mine from northern San Diego Country recently moved to Eugene and we have reconnected. Since the time we were in the same church, over 15 years ago, he's lived several other places and has played in a variety of worship bands. I asked him what he's learned about what makes churches healthy. In this installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I want to quote him. My friend Chris first commented on what keeps churches from getting healthy.

"What seems to be the disconnect is a slow transition into a "gimmie" attitude toward the church - a cultural shift that the people coming to church are expecting something in return: let me receive great worship, let me receive a "feel good" message, let me experience great kids programs, but don't make me work, don't make me open my Bible. Contrast that with a lifestyle and church environment of coming to give worship, to give my gifts, to demonstrate my hunger for knowing the deep things of God. Where is the contagious joy, vivacious life and abundant strength of the Christian in the walk? Do we not want to be a people that are consistently asked what is it about you that makes you so strong, happy, fun and vibrant all the time? There are a lot of Christian folks out there who feel the need to be so spiritually constipated and dowdy that they look like they have been sucking on lemons all day. Transformation is makes people come alive and it is the living church that is blessed and grows abundantly."

November 7 & 8, 2009

Larry Grine — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:26:00 GMT
This fall is beautiful. The changing trees seem more vibrant in their color than they were in the past. And I don't remember still being able to pick ripe tomatoes last November. As I walk through our garden, I think about how the whole year points toward the harvest. Getting the garden ready involves a lot of work every spring. We till the soil, rake the dirt into rows, lay out the drip irrigation system then test it, and finally plant the seeds. Then all summer long, we weed and water to nurture the plants along. Finally, we get what we were aiming at all along. The harvest reminds us what it is all about. We are reaping the fruit (and vegetables) of our efforts.

Last week I concluded our services talking about how this is a season of amazing harvest in our ministries. My son spoke up front of what he sees God doing in the youth ministry. We need to join God in his work by fueling the combine. The ministry has been arduous at times. Our leaders have rolled up their sleeves and gotten to work. But now the time is ripe!

I've been using these Messages About Purpose and Strategy to focus on the GO Fund Campaign. It's a plan to go beyond our fixed cost budget and support some wild harvesting here. Jesus directed his followers' attention to the fields, saying they are ripe for harvest (John 4). The GO Fund is a team effort to raise the resources necessary to reap this great spiritual harvest. Jesus also said that much is required from those who have been given much. Our ministry opportunities are ripe for the picking! Let's follow through with radical commitment, sincere sacrifice and passionate ministry effort. Everything is at stake!

October 24 & 25, 2009

Larry Grine — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:15:00 GMT
You've been hearing a lot about the GO Fund Campaign. In this installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I'll provide a succinct summary of what we're doing and why. In a nutshell, it is a plan to fill the gap between a bare-bones budget that is based on realistic income projections and the commitment needed in order to take hold of all God is calling us to be and do.

We live in reality and won't play pretend. A friend down south just told me that his house was appraised at only 40% of what he paid for it 5 years ago. We know that these are tough times yet we also know that God is giving us great opportunities for ministry. There is no denying the difficulty in this economy. But, as Christians, we live in God's economy!

I've got boys running cross country at Claggett Creek Middle School and McNary High School. When I go to see their races, I'm impressed with how much the young athletes stretch. They want to do their best and finish well.

If we want to run the race to win, we need to stretch as well.

Let's join together and GO beyond what is comfortable and convenient! For more information on the GO Fund Campaign, talk to one of the elders in the lobby this weekend.

1 Cor 9:24 - "Run in such a way as to get the prize."

Heb 12:1 - "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

October 17 & 18, 2009

Larry Grine — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:50:00 GMT
I received some good-natured trouble about saying in a recent service that I found a song by Aretha Franklin to be profoundly spiritual. It just didn't seem manly that I was so moved by a song called, "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman!" So, in this installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I'll try to counteract the impression of that story by sharing lyrics to a more masculine song that really helped me express my heart to Christ. It's by Matthew West. He sings,

I don't want to go through the motions. I don't want to go one more day without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't want to spend my whole life asking, "What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?"

These words describe the level of passion needed to get off of top-dead-center and get going. What a shame it would be to remain in one place and miss out on what could be ours if we just stretch out in obedience. The status quo is a place to leave behind as we take the risks to reach out. May God motivate and mobilize us to move forward.

October 10 & 11, 2009

Larry Grine — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:07:00 GMT
I told a recent meeting of church leaders that we are partners together in the most exciting work on earth: making disciples. We are reaching, connecting and growing for God's glory. This year our church is faced with both great financial challenges and great ministry opportunities. Our elders are leading us to go beyond mere survival and to thrive in the coming year.

In this installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I'll communicate a little more about what we are calling the GO Fund Campaign. You will hear even more about it in next weekend's services.

Every year churches have to grapple with whether to be realistic in setting their annul budget or to reflect faith. Your elders and pastors don't think of this as an either-or proposition. This year we must recognize reality but we must also to go beyond and stretch out to take hold of all God is calling us to be and do. We know that these are harsh times economically yet we also know that God is giving us great opportunities for ministry. In the name of good stewardship, the elders have developed the GO Campaign.

An important lesson jumps out at me from what Caleb said to the Israelites, recorded in Num 13. He encouraged the people by saying, "We can do what we should do!" The principle is that God empowers us to do what he calls us to do. And I believe that we should go beyond a bare-bones budget that is essentially all fixed costs. God is calling us to do more than merely survive. While going forward involves sacrifice, the cost is not so high when we each do our part.