JOHNNYROBERTS.TV

Unchurched...

I love Ben's blog.  Maybe some day we'll have a chance to sit down for a cup of coffee, but until then I'll just keep tracking his blog and sending you the nuggets.  Although what he's posted today seems obvious the big picture is that we cannot put people into "universal" groupings.  Loving others enough to reach out to them with the gospel includes loving them enough to get to know them as an individual.  Flush the idea that it's the churches job "get people saved".  It's your calling as soon as you accept the gift of salvation.  Jesus made it pretty simple in the Great Commission.  Matthew 18:18-20  Look around you... they're all around and possibly you've never even seen them.  Curious minds desperate for the truth you hold.

Deep Sea Fishers of Men

There are differences between the unchurched. Some of them haven't attended anywhere, but had praying grandmothers or grew up in places where Christianity was part of the fabric of the community, so they at least took their hat off during prayer before high school football games. But then there are unchurched folks who have had no connection with anything Christian, let alone evangelical. They hang crystals and spirit catchers in their front windows, drive cars with "coexist" written on their bumper stickers, and think church-goers are like militia members. "The Unchurched" cannot possibly be a universal term.

There are differences between the unchurched. Some of them haven't attended anywhere, but had praying grandmothers or grew up in places where Christianity was part of the fabric of the community, so they at least took their hat off during prayer before high school football games. But then there are unchurched folks who have had no connection with anything Christian, let alone evangelical. They hang crystals and spirit catchers in their front windows, drive cars with "coexist" written on their bumper stickers, and think church-goers are like militia members. "The Unchurched" cannot possibly be a universal term.

What a woman...

Allison, Chelsey, and Luke are rolling in tonight around 7:00pm.  They've been on a TEN day mission trip to Toronto.  Out of the country means little phone time when you're cheap so I haven't got to talk to them much at all.  The timing is really interesting because this is the longest amount of time we have been apart in our, on August 10th, TWENTY-TWO years of marriage.  The timing is even more interesting because in the last month or so, as we have been in transition from CBC to TheBOD, several people have mentioned that they appreciate our witness as a couple.  They want to know how it happened, happens, works.  I must confess that trying to answer it here and now would never do it justice.  Even given time and space I probably don't have the words or understanding to tell the story.  I also confess that this many people asking in this short window of time scares the crap out of me.  Of course it's only been in the last couple of years, literally the last couple of years, that my mom would agree that she had raised some fine boys.  Before that she'd kind-of shrug it off and indicate that the jury was still out.  Maybe the grandkids are swinging the vote.  Anyway I come by it honest when I get a little nervous accepting appreciation for my marriage, my kids, or even my accomplishments. 

So what's the answer?  I wish it were so simple.  There are so many factors.  I can tell you this.  We trust each other COMPLETELY.  We keep no secrets.  Even when the truth hurts we keep no secrets.    She has loved me with an unconditional love.  If you've been around me much at all you know that I'm, well, less than perfect but she has loved me anyway.  I have tried to love her the same.  No strings attached.  A marriage of grace and love.  Maybe it works because the ingredients are the foundation of our faith.  I suspect she's why it works.  I suspect that Jesus is why it works.  It still scares me to talk about it because it means so much to me.  I never want to take it for granted or assume it will always be there.  Losing it, losing her, would tear my soul.  Life did not taste as good this week with her being away.  I'm counting the minutes and sitting by the phone.  May you know such love.  May your children and your children's children know such love.  Find it, cling to it, protect it and fight for it.  It is the picture of our relationship with Christ.  May you know that love as well.  Better go I think I hear the phone.....   

Be TheBOD...

We received this note of thanks and wanted to forward it on to you guys.  Thanks for putting flesh on the ministry.  Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to this family.

Welcome Sarah Jones....

Sarah Jones, a 2006 graduate of Cameron Univerity, has joined TheBOD.TV team.  She has a degree in Vocal Education, was a Muldrow High School graduate (we won't hold that against her!), and has recently served as Brian Mills' assistent.  Brian is the Student Pastor at the Grand Family Church.  Sarah will be working as my administrative assistant so maybe we will get organized!  She is very talented and already making big contributions.  Let her know how much you appreciate her and her willingness to serve in ministry at TheBOD.  Sarah wants to express to you guys how excited she is about being a part of TheBOD.  You can reach her at grncollarhipygrl@yahoo.com or during the day at 918-427-0442.  She will set up shop at the pharmacy for now so you can find her there most days during the week.  Welcome aboard Sarah.  Hang on....and DON'T BLINK... WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF SOMETHING REMARKABLE.

You really let me down....

I can honestly say I have NEVER, and I mean NEVER, experienced anything like what I've already experienced in planting TheBOD.  Tony Mccollum, another church planting blogger, posted this today.  He gives a loose quote of a pod-cast by Rick Warren.  He writes:

Being a leader means that someone is always going to be disappointed in me.  As a leader, I must come to terms with that.  Being a leader means learning how to deal with the disappointment of others.

I can already see that ministry is not for the faint of heart.  It's misery for people pleaser's.  I've seen so many pastors crushed under the weight of trying to keep everyone happy.  It's an impossible task and doesn't honor God.  Our efforts should be focused solely on pleasing Him and revealing His Glory.  In doing that we fall in love with Him and when that happens a beautiful thing begins to happen.  We begin to fall in love with His children.  With those he loves whether they are a Christ follower or a Pre-Christ follower.  When we love them we will extend grace to them.  There is one problem.... I'm not really very good at it.  I'm working on it.  I'm chasing after Him and trying to understand true grace the best I can.   Just about the time I think I'm headed in the right direction... BAM... grace goes out the window and I'm pounding someone into submission.  It's insane. 

Yep, I've got a long ways to go... So get ready BOD'ers I am going to disappoint you.  I will let you down.  We will disagree.  I will make mistakes.  I will be too busy.  I will ignore you.  I'll say something to hurt you.  Oh, I won't do it on purpose but unfortunately I will fail you.  I'm guessing you will do the same for me.  It will be in those moments that we define who we are, not when everything is all hunky dory and happy in BODville.  It will be in those moments when you and I will have to decide if we truly recognize the grace that has been poured out on us.  It will be in those moments that we decide if we are going to give grace as freely as it has been given to us.  I long for a community of grace.  I long for a body of believers who's hope lies not in our own ability to live by grace but live in utter dependence on Jesus Christ who WILL NEVER LET US DOWN.

Community Bible Church

OK, I'm a little slow to post about this but it's taken me a few days to process everything.  I also feel that maybe my words will fail to do justice to my true feelings and experience.  This past Sunday was my final day to help lead worship at Community Bible Church of Fort Smith.  If I could sum up the time in a single word it would have to be grace.  I've never known it so much as I've known it through doing life with those at Community Bible Church.  I won't try to address everything in this post but I must say thanks.  Thanks to Ed  for extending to me so much grace.  For teaching me by example what it really is to walk by and extend grace to others. 

To Kevin T, I cannot express enough how much I've appreciated your heart of service.  To putting up with my crazy ideas, listening to my gripes, and allowing me to make mistakes. 

(Sorry guys I couldn't resist using the dorky pictures from the website)

Thanks to all of the staff for loving and supporting my family.  For the hospital waiting room waits.  I could go on and on but this also is best summed up with the word grace. 

Our last day in Fort Smith was a tremendous experience.  KT shucked the corn on... you guessed it... GRACE.  The commissioning was so great.  Even a hug from KT, so you know he means it!  And to you Community.  You guys were so on board.  We really experienced some great worship and the presence of God.  It is a day I will always remember and cherish.  Thank you.

So this week it's off to Van Buren for my final time there.  I love the VB group.  They really like to worship and I love the intimacy.  I love Community Bible Church and pray that God would bless your socks off guys.  I've said it several times in the past few weeks.  I believe that CBC's best days are yet to come.  I  believe you guys will continue to have regional impact and that we will see great things done for Christ's glory.  Don't Blink.... we are on the verge of something remarkable.    

The sign.....

Brian from LifeChurch.tv sent me the logo for use with network stuff today so I worked up the sign.  What do you think?  It will be 4ft x 10ft and lighted. 

Priorities...

A big thanks to Mark Driscoll for this post.  Guys... organize your life with the right priorities and tools for your sake, for your families sake, for your churches sake, for God's sake.  Don't blink... we're on the verge of something remarkable.

Mark writes:    

How can I better organize my life to reduce stress?

1. Accept the size of your plate and fill it.
2. Exercise.
3. Do not allow technology to be your Lord.
   
   1. Have two cell phones.
   2. Have two email accounts.
   3. Have someone schedule appointments and screen all email.
   4. Consider getting rid of your voicemail.
   5. Delete emails quickly.
   6. Have an assistant send you a daily items email.
   7. Use an out-of-office autoreply as needed.
4. Sabbath hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually.
5. Schedule your vacations first and block them out on your calendar.
6. Pick an acceptable release valve.
7. Appoint someone other than your wife as your lightning rod.
8. Spend most of your time training leaders.
9. Pay attention to what God is saying through your body and emotions.
10. Feel your emotions but do not allow them to drive you in a bad direction.
11. Do not worry yourself into a frenzy.
12. Work from conviction, not guilt.
13. Get a coach or a counselor.
14. Have a study and an office.
15. Schedule meetings rarely.
16. Say no, and keep saying no.
17. Get a wedding coordinator.
18. Carry a notebook at all times to jot thoughts and notes.
19. See your days as buckets to fill.
20. Consider regular medical massage.

The WIN.....

One of the great temptations in getting started with TheBOD is to GO BIG!  Don't get me wrong.  We will do everything we can, to reach as many as we can, as soon as we can.  BUT, we cannot sacrifice the long haul for some short-term feel good moments.  We will dream and think BIG but we will live in the details.  We will live in the lives of individuals.  TheBOD is not about growing a church, it's about leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.  That happens on a very small intimate scale.  Life-change takes place in the small group and one-on-one settings.  It takes place in the home when Mom is pouring into her child, on the way to the ballgame when real men talk about their spiritual lives, it happens at lunch after church as we wrestle with God's truth we've just heard.  Healthy organisms grow.  TheBOD will grow.  It's just that the growth is a by-product of being healthy.  Health is success.  When the Body of Christ functions the way it should, when it's healthy, incredible things will happen. 

Today Seth Godin reminds us on his blog that self-promotion, marketing, and hype are meaningless if you aren't taking care of business.  We are in the life business.  He who finds God finds life.  Sure we'll have t-shirts, banners, signs, and gimmicks, but never doubt that success is not in the numbers gathered.  Success lies in life-change.  The "WIN" is leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.  It's begun.  I'm seeing it.  It's exhilarating to watch.  Are you looking?

Fat Free....

I LOVE FOOD!  OK so there it is.  I love food.  Loving food is not the problem.  Eating when I'm tired, stressed, because it's time whether I'm hungry or not, eating too much, eating too often, eating junk, etc..... that's the problem.  Look at this meal.  SIX grams of fat.  Are you kidding me.  I can eat all of this food for six grams of fat and I'd rather have a double cheeseburger, large fry, apple pie and jumbo COKE.  But today I'm trying... unsweet tea with the pink stuff - who knows what the pink stuff is doing to my brain, Olean chips -who knows what the fake oil is doing to my guts, and a 6" club from Roland Subway #1.  I like Roland Subway #1 & #2 for that matter, because one of my favorite couples are part owners.  So here's to you Jeff and Debbie Bonner.  Thanks for helping keep my arteries clean and my waistline trim.  At least today... I'm trying.... how about you?