Bored?
I believe one of the greatest lies the evil one would like for us to buy into is that life is “all about us.” Nothing renders us more useless in this life than that lie. To make us believe that it’s all about our…
self-centered,
ego-driven,
materialistic needs.
When you make life all about yourself it doesn’t take long to get bored. And maybe it’s just me but it looks like a lot of Christians are bored these days.
There are 145 million kids waiting to be adopted and in our boredom we want to debate whether President Obama is Christian or not.
There are 26,000 kids that die everyday due to starvation and preventable diseases but you guys want to send me emails debating whether it was right or not for me to appear in a “secular” Taylor Swift video.
There were 200 women recently gang raped near the Congo and some of you are mad because you couldn’t find a parking spot at church yesterday.
There are 800,000 people this year who will be victim to the 7 billion dollar human trafficking industry and we want to use our time going after a church or pastor that does it differently than we think they should.
There is a battle raging inside of you each and every day. Fight back. Don’t twist the Gospel of Jesus Christ and try to make it about your self-serving life.
Stepping off my soapbox!
Pete
Pete,
Best post I think I have read here. Not that the others were not great, this one just hit home with me today. Thanks so much for your heart. And this comment comes from a guys who has never had the chance to meet you.
Jeremy
@jtharper76
I’d like to join Jeremy in thanking Pete for this post.
Unfortunately, I often confuse “THY will be done” with “MY will be done.”
Thanks for the reminder that we’re not called to SATISFY ourselves, but DIE to ourselves.
Dave
Thanks guys.
we come out of the womb selfish and self-serving. and unless we allow God’s Spirit to transform us, we will always suffer from this illness — crying like babies when we don’t get our way and only concerned with our own well-being.
is it fair to say that selfishness (or at least self-centeredness) is the root of all sin?
I would absolutely say that all sin can boil down to selfishness. It seems so simple when we look at it that way, but really, that seems to be about it. We want what we want when we want it and we don’t care about anything else. And in that, we sin.
Great post, Pete.
Thank you for this post! And thank you for making it real.
Thank you for saying this out loud! I went back & read the comments from Saturday, and when I hit the “anonymous” one, I had to grin…at that particular moment, the tower of Babel came to mind!
Keep doing what you’re doing – living Jesus out loud. There will always be SOMEONE who has something “constructive to say” (isn’t there always!) – I myself weigh the words (is there any truth?), consider the source, and then remember, some things just aren’t worth the stomach acid!
You have a wonderful week!!
I’m pretty sure I’ve shared this quote here before, but I think it fits:
“These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart.” – Yann Martel, Life of Pi
Amen.
Amazing isn’t it…we can be a bunch of whiny softies. Pressing in to have the Father’s heart today.
Amen! I knew I liked you. So grateful that there are pastors out there who will speak the truth, who encourage that truth in others and aren’t living on an ego-trip!
God is pretty awesome…once you get over yourself.
So true.
Perfect.
So are you sayin’ I gotta stop praying for God to help my football team beat yours?
Go Eagles!
Pray all you want Bob. I don’t think you guys have a chance.
Go Titans.
Great post.
Thanks for your message yesterday. Easily one of your best.
Many of us do focus on the trivial, don’t we? Thank you for the reminder that there’s a whole big world out there that, really, has nothing to do with ME. We all need to remember that.
Thank you for being real, being open. I, for one, think it was great that you were in the Taylor Swift video. It made me cool to my kids because I could brag that I “knew” the actors in the video.
Any time you do things that are out of the box, unfortunately, some “Christians” think that you should follow their rules for your life.
And I second Jessica
Have a great day Pete
Ouch! Humbled & guilty as charged! thanks for bringing me back to what it is all about.
PREACH.
It was because of your message yesterday, I have a better perspective about my online struggle with narcissism. Thanks for the challenge.
Oh boy did you hit the nail on the head. Shame on us.
So many people either lose focus or are focused on the the wrong things. Thanks for helping to refocus on the right things – the truly important.
It’s a daily struggle for me Jim.
You do have a way of succinctly putting things into proper perspective.
I love the perspective this post gives.
You only shared a few statistics and I think it helps put A LOT of things into perspective.
Unapologetically passionate about God! Love that about you, Perry Noble, and other pastors who are willing to “throw down”. This “staring at our belly button” epidemic has GOT to go! Thanks for pointing people to Jesus, because only there can perspective and truth be exposed.
Thank you for SPEAKING OUT so many times we just go with the flow of “our” lives and never think “For God so loved the WORLD…” I read the article about the women and children raped in the Congo and it brought me to tears when I thought about when was the last time I prayed for Africa – if we can’t go and help – then we must PRAY
I am almost always moved to tears by a Crosspoint sermon so I expected them. I didn’t expect so many. Prior to Nashville I was a counselor for abused and troubled teens. To say their stories were heartbreaking wouldn’t do it justice. There were nights I would stare up at the vast sky from the porch of the cabin (without electricity) while the kids slept and just raged internally or sobbed for the world of hurt they grew up in. It was never a question of how could God let it happen. I struggled with how a parent could do that to their own child or how could not one person in that teen’s life have done something? How did they get to be 16 without a single teacher, coach, pastor or whomever stepping in? I found that it’s one thing to know that these realities exist in this world… it’s another to stare it eye to eye because it’s worse than you imagined and now you have to work to change it. I love that I got to bring even a little goodness and light into their lives but it hurt so badly when I got burnt out and had to step back.
Praying for you Andie.
alrighty…who spit in your wheaties this morning?
good one – good one – good one!!!!
I had the fortunate experience of attending the “Restore Honor” rally in DC this weekend with my mom. That crowd of several hundred thousand was not bored! To hear that many people singing Amazing Grace…. the presence of God was so massive – CHILLS! At that moment, the petty squabbles of life were simply gone for everyone there.
Thank you! I am learning that when we learn and live an untwisted Gospel, and when we let our hearts be broken and changed that life comes alive. We realize we have to act, because that is the Gospel. As I have really come to understand that my neighbors and my community need to see Christ and he needs me to act for that to happen…I don’t have time to be bored because there is so much to do, and I can’t sit on the sidelines waiting for my turn any longer.
this topic is near and dear to me. thanks so much for this post and the awesome message you preached yesterday.
Our lives just aren’t meant to be lived with ourselves at the center. Thanks for sharing this. And I for one thought it was awesome you were all in a secular video.
Thanks for the kick in the pants that we all need from time to time – and sometimes more often than we care to admit.
Ok, looking at the title of my latest blog post, and with regard to your post…it makes me look “bad”…lol. I just want to clarify that what I desire that isn’t materialistic but costs money, is to adopt. My current lack of funds, huge student loan, and only being a supply teacher with not many hours really puts a damper on that. So, if anyone reads my post, keep that in mind.
Amen.
Stands like this are why I thank God I sit under your authority at CrossPoint.
I kinda like your soapbox
Thanks for calling ‘us’ out. Plus amazing people (believers) have so much free time to find so much fault. Another sign we are off mission.
Thank you for the reminder… I think you should stay up on that soap box a little longer!
I’ve been hearing you preach since your Wednesday night services (9 yrs ago?) and yesterday’s sermon, this message, makes my Top 5 Paster Pete Sermon list.
me too. can’t believe it has been 9 years since those wednesday night sermons.
Thanks Britt. It’s one I’m passionate about. Can’t believe you guys have had to put up with me for 9 years.
Preach it!
Great message yesterday! This really hit home with me. I am shocked that people would challenge you about being in a Taylor Swift video… I would have called you out if it was a Justin Bieber video… now that would have just been wrong!
Oh I haven’t told you about the Bieber video I’m going to be in?????
What a great message. You can jump on a soapbox anytime. In these days of chaos, we need to keep hearing and remembering the truths
I think when getting on a soapbox is called for its good to hear someone do it. I like that you do it with love, and without demeaning those of us who needed to hear it.
Pete -
I just wanted to let you know that I mentioned you and your blog on my blog today. Thanks for being a man who doesn’t compromise and a Godly example.
amen.
the longer I am a Christian, the worse I realize the battle is. Within me.
Amen! Preach it!
Quoting Rick Warren: “It’s not about you!” (Purpose Driven Life, sentence #1).
It’s hard for people to hear the truth when they’re caught up in the noise.
AMEN.
When I have my runnins with disappointment and/or discouragement or misunderstandings or especially being misunderstood. (which is just about everyday). For comfort, I remember back to the truths that GOD first reveled to me through his word. One of them being that none of us were created for ourselves, not one, JESUS being the perfect example of that.
Take alook at- Mark 3:5, 8:12, 9:19. Even Jesus himself had these same feelings of disappointment.
My point is don’t let the negative rule you, keep trying to spread love. If you wave at someone and they don’t wave back keep on waving. If you say hello and they don’t say hello back keep saying hello. If you smile at someone so on and so on. Do not let others hinder your faith. If you do, it is your own lack of faith that is the causes it.
Funny how alittle bid of negative can over shadow all the positive.
There will always be the Sauls (1 Sam 18:5-11) and the Michals (2 Sam 6:16) of this world, but keep doing what is good and right.
Remember the only persons view that you should be concerned, worried, troubled, distressed, uneasy, apprehensive, or agitated about is GODs.
Thats true freedom.
Great post! Yesterday’s message certainly opened my eyes.
Short, sweet and directly to the point. Thank you for taking the time to get on your soapbox and put these things into perspective.
Not soapbox… PULPIT. BIG difference.
http://jonwellman.wordpress.com – Not a Camouflaged Soul
Awesome! Sick of self serving, stationary, fake Christian world as well.
Your post led me to contemplate how people making their faith all about themselves is a learned outcome of churches that center around pleasing people’s every whim. If the music, lighting, small groups, etc. are constantly geared toward being relevant and acceptable to the whims of those who might attend services, they have no reason to learn to adapt and bear with people who do things in a way they find less than satisfying. In fact, as we plant church after church in a more convenient place with a more convenient and palatable message, we condition the Body of Christ to walk away and start over whenever things aren’t going just as they like them. No wonder we find ourselves knee-deep in spiritual brats…
Hope you’re not getting stuck in the discouragement and the crap you’re obviously getting at the moment.
Your impact is huge. You’re allowing God to use you in new and powerful ways all the time.
I hope you find ways to not take the obvious personal attacks against you personally. Even though people are physically going after you, they are spiritually going after the one who sent you. And he doesn’t need defending.
Hope you find ways to be encouraged today.
Well said. Thank you.
Thank you! Thank you so much for this message! Being in church leadership it is our responsiblility to love others and to teach them an sometimes it’s hard to find that line. You so elegantly put things in perspective here. If we could use our time to ONLY love people, preach Gods Word and work to further His kingdom we would have such a larger effect on society. But we have to spend so much time defending actions, justify what we say or do that it often gets in the way real work.
Thanks again for jumping on your box!!
Pete, shame on you for not living in a Christian ghetto where everyone wears Carman t-shirts (btw, I heart Carman so no personal dig there,lol). Seriously, keep walking through the doors God opens to you share Christ in word and deed.
Some Christians are not content with the standards God Himself has set up for how we ought to live our lives. Instead, they tout their own brand of legalism that brings death, contradicting the very Life they claim lives in them. Ridiculous.
amen and amen! i am really loving audrey assad’s song “show me” right now. it talks about wanting to learn how to die. in the stage of life i am and in the circumstance i am living because of the sinful choices of the man i love, i hope the Lord teaches me how to die completely to myself and take on Him everyday. . .when i do that, i am never bored and my focus ‘magically’ ends up in the right place . . .
You go Pastor P!
Wait, you were in a Taylor Swift video? Sinner.
Seriously…
Great post. I wish we hung out more.
We really should hang more.
unbelievable post!
Pete! Love this post! I think you should get more angry e-mails if you had said you turned down the opportunity to be in a Taylor Swift video.
A great followup post would be on how you deal with the haters that have too much time on their hands to hate. Do you or how to do respond?
Much love!
Chris
Word.
This post is awesome, and your message yesterday was even better!! (Sorry, sometimes you just can’t beat the real deal.
)
These facts and your sermon led to an outdoors discussion yesterday that ultimately led to one of the most exhilarating moments in the three of our young-Christian lives when we were asked by a stranger “Why would anyone want to follow Jesus?” (blogged about it…) SO stinkin awesome and this soapbox of yours only aided the discussion…
So thank you!
Your message was so powerful……I keep getting embarrassed that you keep calling out my name from the stage …… (oh, really, you didn’t say my name….that wasn’t you, huh?!?) …. stay on that soapbox! I need you! S
Thank you for sharing this today. As a Christian and a minister I have great difficulty at times understanding the things people make important to get upset about. As you have pointed out there are many things that are worth much more of our time. I adopted a 11 year old boy from Ukraine a couple years ago and all though adopting an older child is not easy it has many wonderful things that go along with it as well. I love that he is a part of our family! Once a child reaches the age of 5 the chance of them being adopted dramatically drops so I would encourage people to not only pray about adopting a child but also an older child (5 yrs or older).
A to the MEN!!! VERY well said.
Excellent post Pete.
PS – Thought the video was great…and I don’t even like country music!
Well said friend.
Word – thanks for the perspective.
Life is so much simpler when we realize its not about us. Thanks for the reminder and for having the example to back it up, too. Blessings!
RK
I like Pete on a soapbox. Do it again!!!
Preach on brother!
I think I just heard echoes of John the Baptist. And I liked it.
“Run in such a way as to get the prize!”
3 Booyahs for you today!!!
Not a bad soapbox to stand on.
God bless you, Pastor Pete! Jesus was condemned for how He did things too! That just means you must be doing something very right!!!
Great comments Pete and right on the money.
There seems to be a Satan-driven trend to render Christians ineffective by moving our eyes from the prize of lives of impact for the kingdom of God, refocusing them on the insignificant, legalistic and judgmental minutia of lives that have brought into the World’s marketing.
When God presented my wife and I with His purpose for our lives to provide diapers to children in need, regardless of spiritual status, it was a truly intimidating. As a business owner and long time secular business person I tend to be somewhat cynical and my comment to my wife was ‘how do we prevent people from scamming us?’ To which she replied, “that’s between them and God. God has instructed us to provide, not judge.” The impact that http://www.diaperlove.org is having has brought ever improving clarity to me as to what’s important and in reality how limited and simple what’s important truly is.
I encourage you to stay on the box and keep yelling what needs to be heard. Shame on all of us for thinking anything beyond “what’s next to make a difference through actionable example for the glory of our Savior?”
BTW, I don’t attend your church so I’m okay with the parking situation.
Recently conducted a Bible study using Nancy DeMoss’ “Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free”. Lie #40 was “It is all about me.”
Since that study, our ladies have used a simple phrase to call each other out when we see the ugly behavior stirring up … we just say “okay 40″ or “hey 40″… it is a subtle check for us… because it’s not about us – it’s about Jesus.
Thanks for the post, loved it.
Sounds like a great study.
Each of us thinks to ourselves “I wish I could do something about that”. Then we get fooled by “I can’t make a difference” or “I can’t do it all”. Each of us do make a difference every day, our choices determine whether that difference is positive or negative on others. Not one of us can do it all, but God didn’t ask us to do it all, He asked us to Love. If we listen He will direct us to the way we should do love. For my family, we are choosing to become foster parents to some of those millions without parents. That’s what we can do, not everything, but that, and it will make a difference. Each of us can love, there’s no excuse not to.
Amen and God Bless you!
amen
thank you. seriously.
WHOOOO WHEEEE!!!! Make the man’s soapbox bigger! I may just join him! As far as I’m concerned, you can camp out on that soapbox for awhile Pastor Pete!
Good preachin! I like straight forward and to the point!!!
Great post Pete. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Good post to help us selfish ones think about those who truly hurt in the world.
Step back up on the soapbox when the time comes again.
Pete,
You are right that we are selfish and must fight constantly against that. However, since you were admittedly on the soap-box, tell me this… which of the travesties that you listed as opportunities for us were addressed by your participation in the video?
I am not saying your participation was wrong but if you are going to preach to me that my every waking thought and effort must be directed towards the ‘project du jour’ then I expect you will have a well-reasoned response to my query.
Peace Out,
Carl
Carl,
I did not read Pete’s post as preaching that “every waking thought and effort must be directed towards the ‘project du jour.’”
My take on what he said was that rather than focusing our energies on the video in which he and his family participated, whether or not we can find a parking space at church, etc., etc., etc., perhaps there are many more important things with which we could concern ourselves, several of which he sites in his post.
I’ll go with what Dawn said Carl. I just think we need to pick out battles bro.
I feel no need to defend my families participation in the video. We’re good with it, the people we are accountable are good with it. We’re all good.
Great post and great message yesterday…one of the best I have heard. Still soaking it in. Thanks for your passion and drive to make a difference in this world, and for being willing to speak out (OUT LOUD!) Love ya bro!
I just printed this off because I want to re-read it every time I go to complain about something I don’t like. 26,000 kids dying every day from starving and preventable diseases, yet I complain that the chicken my husband just grilled doesn’t taste good!!
I should do the same thing Iris.
There is nothing wrong with questioning decisions made by your leadership be it related to church, politics, work or even your child’s school. I would agree that in the scope of the problems in the world that you shouldn’t get hung up on small stuff.
awesome post!
all i’ve got for this is a huge smile.
Dave Ramsey calls those types of people
2 percenters. The ones that want to complain about everything!
No worries…you made a wonderful memory with your family.
And I liked the video!
Feel free to get back on that soapbox whenever the Spirit moves you, Pete. Thanks!
Amen!
Whoah! Someone blow out that fire under Pete Wilson’s butt! Wow! You go boyee!
Holy Hannah! I haven’t been by in a sweet forever and look at all the excitement I missed!!
Honestly, though….TRIPLE LOVED THIS.
taylor swift video? Cooool….
And the post…fantastic. Just today, as I was preparing a worship set I came across this line: “distraction costs us how we seek Your face”. Along with boredom, I also believe distraction is a huge lie the enemy likes to use…at least we have seen that here on the east coast. And the thing is, he uses “distractions” that are so subtle so people don’t even realize it. From our busy careers to our cluttered family schedules that accommodates God at our own convenience …It has become harder and harder to see people live out “seek the kingdom of god first…”
Again…great post!
Right on Raquel – distraction is major!
Well said, Pete, very well said.
This is a great song to illustrate the point:
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=79969
Written by Craig Carothers
Sorry.. please ignore that link.. I reposted the one below.
Sorry wrong link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKdmp0kEWTo
Written by Craig Carothers.
Holly and I were very upset that you took part in the Taylor Swift video…and didn’t get us involved!
Pete, the “public eye” is the most unforgiving place. Opinions are cheap, as I prove daily.
Keep fighting the good fight (but enough fighting with Brandi)
Man I miss you guys! Don’t have a single Packers player on my fantasy team this year. Totally bummed.
I think you should get on that soapboxa little more often, personally!
Amen, amen, and amen, Pete. Having just come home from holidays tonight, this is exactly what I needed to start the “new” year off with a bang. Thanks!
i was going to say that maybe we don’t pay attention to those issues you listed because they are removed from us, but I realized that’s precisely our problem – that we distanced ourselves from them.
Hey Pete, I met you when you came to speak a few weeks ago at Faith Promise in Knoxville. (I shared with you about reading your book while at the beach and how it prepared me for my son’s arrest,etc…) Anyway, I am a hair stylist and I hear so many ridiculous and self-centered conversations and statements, like the ones you pointed out,that I just sometimes can’t believe my ears! This subject you are discussing has really been on my mind this week! This may sound strange coming from a hairdresser but people spend way too much time staring at themselves in the mirror and worrying that they have a new wrinkle that needs some Botox! On the other hand, I just did a client’s hair today that just got back from a mission trip in Haiti and she shared with me something that put so much in perspective. In Haiti she heard/saw a truck that played music and she thought it was an ice cream truck but it was a truck that sold water. Children were running to it like it was ice cream. This made me think about how my own kids whine when I make them drink water because “they don’t like it”. We should thank God every time we turn on a faucet or crawl into our comfy/warm beds becuse we could be living in a tent city! By-the-way the pic you posted of the people reading your book on a beach in Haiti were some of my friends from FP. The girl second from the right is my best friend Tracie and that is my copy of Plan B she is holding! I made her take it with her. Anyway, thanks for letting me share! Be blessed!
Loving your soapbox!!!
Preach it Bro!
Seriously some wise words in this post! I wonder sometimes if those who criticize the most are the ones who totally disregard the “go into all the world…”. I am grateful for people who live their confession of faith wherever they are and who make the most opportunities placed before them. Life is to be lived outside the box. Wholly committed to Him who gives us breath and if it means to sharing life and living faith with a singer and a film crew – Awesome! Imagine all the people who can be touched through their gifts!
Your honesty and example make me want to live in TN! Thanks for being real!
Denise
Awesome!
Totally agree. I have had those same thoughts recently. I have been challenging myself to do better. I recently wrote a post that expresses some of my thoughts.
http://interiorgal.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!935A0AFECFAD7983!257.entry
If you don’t stop being so awesome all the time I am going to have to find an excuse to move to Nashville so we can join Crosspoint.
Just had this conversation with some of my team as we deal some these same type of issues. Jesus definitely showed us, told us and reminds us to stay focused on what matters. It reminds me to be sure that I’m keeping myself in-check and being grateful, gracious, humble, respectful, kind and accountable for my opportunities to serve…
Stay on your soapbox then Pete. Love your comments!
Very useful post. Bookmarked. Thanks for it!
yo soy deprimida …
Have a nice day
SuperSonic
Once heard Tony Campolo (sp) tell a story similar to this – he told at a convention that thousands of children die everyday due to starvation and none of you give a damn. Then he said, “what’s even sadder is that you’re more appalled that I said ‘damn’ than you are that thousand of children are dying”. Ouch.