Mike Edmisten

Anybody get a speeding ticket lately? Just heard on the radio this morning that our beloved state of Ohio leads the nation in the number of speeding tickets issued each year. You would expect this distinction to be reserved for a more populous state, such as California, New York, etc. But when it comes to tickets, it’s all about the Buckeye State. We’re #1 baby!

We’re smack in the middle of our Q&A series of messages at ACC. We surveyed our church family, asking them to submit questions that they’ve been wrestling with. This Sunday we’re going to work through one question that was submitted: “Where was God at Virginia Tech?”

On April 16, the worst mass shooting in U.S. history occurred when a madman walked onto the VT campus and started indiscriminately shooting. Where was God while this was happening?

Just why is there pain and suffering and evil? If God is all-powerful and all-good, then why does he allow bad things to happen? It’s possibly the most challenging question in the Christian faith. We’re going to tackle it head on this Sunday through a very special and very different worship experience. You won’t want to miss it!

One thing that we value in our worship services is quality visual media. We don’t just use video projection for our songs. We use it for announcements, communion and offering, and to highlight points throughout the sermon. There’s almost nothing in our service that doesn’t tie in to something on our projection screen.

That’s not an accident. It’s intentional. And here’s why. (Thanks to Mark Batterson for highlighting this study on his blog.)

According to neurological research, the brain is able to process print on a page at a rate of approximately one hundred bits per second. But the brain can process a picture at approximately one billion bits per second. Mathematically speaking, a picture is literally worth ten million words!

Images are important because of the way the brain processes information. The brain recognizes and remembers shapes first, colors second and content third. It is the sequence of cognition.

We don’t just want our worship experiences to be memorable. We want them to be unforgettable. Image projection is just one way we hope to increase the take-home for everyone in attendance.

I’m currently reading a daily devotional book of selected writings from Oswald Chambers’ classic book My Utmost for His Highest. The wording in the book is a bit antiquated. The Scripture references come from the King James Version, which is not the version of the Bible I would normally use because I have difficulty understanding it. Even so, there is a depth and a richness in Chambers’ writings that challenges me.

Here’s a line from today’s reading that really got the wheels in my mind turning:

Never court anything other than the approval of God.

There are times when God’s approval is way down our list of priorities…even in the church. I’ve seen too many churches where…

-church growth is a lot less about introducing lost people to Jesus and a lot more about puffing up the pastor’s ego.

-financial giving is a lot less about offering sacrificial worship to God and a lot more about that new facility we want to build.

-a thriving youth ministry is a lot less about connecting students to God and a lot more about the youth minister keeping his job.

-the church’s mission as a whole is a lot less about honoring God and a lot more about keeping the right people happy.

And all the while, Oswald Chambers’ words are ringing in my ears:

Never court anything other than the approval of God.

The shift away from courting God’s approval is a subtle one. After all, evangelism, financial giving, a quality youth ministry, etc. are all spiritual issues. And who wouldn’t want their church to excel in these areas along with many others? But we’ve got to remember that it is possible to prostitute our spiritual success. It happens when our pursuit of spiritual success is motivated by anything other than seeking God’s approval.

Remember the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They were spiritual success stories in the eyes of their peers. They were spiritual failures in the eyes of Jesus. They were failures because their spirituality was put on display to win the approval of people instead of God. (See Matthew 6:1-18)

I have a few ministry colleagues around the country that I enjoy talking to, until the subject of church attendance comes up. I hate it when they ask me, “So, what’s the average attendance at your church?” I hate this question because when I answer it, they’re always quick to volunteer information about their average attendance. It seems that their numbers are inevitably higher than ours. It’s at this point that I just want to end the conversation because I feel inferior.

That whole exercise is stupid. Why do I feel inferior? Why do they feel superior? (And don’t get me wrong…while it’s far from a majority, there are a select few of them who actually do feel that way.) It’s because we’re pursuing a perceived success based upon human standards.

And Oswald Chambers reminds me:

Never court anything other than the approval of God.

I’m into Garfield. The cat, not the former president (although I’m sure he was a great guy). I have the Garfield comic strip emailed to me everyday. If you know anything about this fat cat, you know that he detests Mondays. Maybe you’re in that same boat. Mondays just aren’t your style. There are some weeks where I feel your pain. Not this week, though.

Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege of baptizing Michelle Wehrmeyer into Christ. It’s been great talking with Michelle and hearing about the road that brought her to Jesus. So awesome to see how God never gives up on any of us! Welcome to God’s family, Michelle!

A baptism will make your day…even if it’s a Monday!

My servant-heroes this week are the members of our seniors ministry. Many churches offer seniors ministries that basically involve older adults getting together for lunch. They’re a lot more of a fellowship and a lot less of a ministry. Our seniors group seems determined to change the tide.

Last week they took homemade pies to some of our local police and fire stations. Just a practical way to show Christ’s love and our gratitude to these people who have committed to protect us and our families.

And then some of our seniors (namely Nevin & Pat Reese, Mary Lou Riggenbach, Sharon Layman, and Eva Bright) took a trip to the Ronald McDonald House and baked brownies and other goodies for the families staying in that facility. These families have critically ill children who are receiving treatment in Children’s Hospital or another medical facility, so the potential for meaningful ministry is sky high.

Props to our seniors! You’re this week’s ACC servant-heroes.

What an awesome evening! Took my wife out for her birthday (see the two previous posts). We went to Red Lobster for some awesome crab legs. Crab legs are, without question, my favorite food on the planet. I’m pretty sure they’re Nicki’s fav, too.

Then it was on to Great American Ballpark. The game was a pitcher’s duel throughout. Very impressed with how Kyle Lohse pitched tonight. With no offense happening at all, he had to pitch well. And pitch well he did. One unearned run in seven innings. Awesome.

It was also very cool to see Josh Hamilton play in person. Man, I’m pulling for this guy!

The Reds were down 1-0 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. It’s all over, right? Wrong! Scott Hatteberg smoked a homerun over the right-centerfield wall. All tied up and going to extra innings!

Then in the bottom of the tenth, Brandon Phillips hit a bases loaded single to win the game.

I couldn’t have scripted this evening any better. Dinner was awesome. The Reds took home a thrilling late-game win. But best of all, I got to hang out with the birthday girl all night long.

Ok, so my previous post has people talking. A LOT! My phone has been ringing and my email inbox is getting slammed. Apparently people think I need to do something for Nicki to make up for revealing her age to the world. I agree. I will be taking her out tonight…to a Reds game!

Not only did I tell everyone her age, but I now get to go to a ballgame on her birthday.

I love my life.

I want to wish my wife, Nicki, a happy birthday. This is one of those “milestone” birthdays, but I’m smart enough to know that I shouldn’t tell you exactly which milestone it is. What kind of husband would I be if I told you that my sweet wife is turning 30 today? And I would never rub it in that I’m still 29. It wouldn’t be very nice of me to point out that my wife is now in her 30’s and I’m still in my 20’s. So, because I love my wife and because I’m such a good guy, I won’t tell you any of that. :o)