Last Sunday I got the opportunity to preach both Sunday morning services at my church, and only the second time in two years I’ve preached in the services. I don’t nearly take as much time speaking to youth at one time as I need to fill on Sundays, so it’s definitely a different departure for me, especially in terms of preparation.
I based it off of Numbers 13, and how our perception can make all the difference when faced with a difficult situation. I relied heavily on a message delivered some months back by Steven Furtick, some a series called When Truth and Life Collide. I follow Steve and his church (Elevation in Charlotte, NC) and they’re doing some great things for the kingdom. He’s very pro sharing material, which I appreciate as a young pastor. I’m certain he doesn’t read my blog, but thank you Steven Furtick for how you are influencing people like me all over the world.
Anyhow, if you want to hear my message (yes, with a few mistakes – oh well, it takes practice, right?), you can listen to it here.
on July 31, 2007 by karlo
I’ve walked by this title a few times now in the video store, and it always looked interesting & a little odd. Bethany and I were looking for a good flick Sunday night and decided to go for it. If you don’t mind subtitles (it’s in Spanish), it’s a fantastic movie. Great story, good acting by people I have no idea about, and some cool moments. It’s definitely an R-rated movie – some language, violence, and a general darkness to it…more of a Spielberg R than a Tarantino R. Definitely on my list of favorite foreign & little known movies.
B+
on July 31, 2007 by karlo
I just had a Brian Regan moment, literally 3 minutes ago. It commenced like this:
(Karl dials a phone number)
(phone picks up)
“Hello?”
(Karl is unsure who it is)
“Is this…Ben?”
“No; this is his mom.”
I should have hung up then and pretended it never even happened…instead I identified myself and tried to fix the blunder. If this ever happens to you – just hang up. Trust me, it’s easier.
on July 27, 2007 by karlo
In uncategorized on July 24, 2007 by karlo
Posts will be spotty at best this week (why do I feel British saying that?). Bethany and I are at a week of Jr. High Camp with our good friend Jimmy Donaruma & his crew. Since we’re in the middle of Who-Knows-Where, Pennsylvania, I’ll write when I can. The only major annoyances so far are the internet situation and the fact a new online seminary class started for me yesterday. Remembering the internet thing, you can probably see my irritability. It is ok, however, because of a stocked leader’s lounge and guitar hero. Life is going to be quite fine, I think.
I’m trying to get my thoughts together on Second Life, how I feel about it. While it’s not huge in my area, it definitely seems like something that can easily catch on socially. When I think of it in terms of students, there is a Second Life for kids under 18, but nothing prevents them from joining the adult Second Life, which can have some pretty adult stuff in it. I’m captivated by LifeChurch.tv’s involvement in Second Life…finally the church is doing something that is on the cusp of where culture is going, rather than playing catch up. Anyone have any other leads on how the church is embracing (or not) Second Life and things like it?
on July 20, 2007 by karlo
In uncategorized on July 19, 2007 by karlo Tagged: quoting
“Why do they call you a senior pastor? Is it because you’re over 65?”
From a kid I know who didn’t grow up in church…I love it.
Last week I began teaching on spiritual gifts with my youth at the church. It’s been a while since we’ve hit the topic with force, and a number of them are at a point to be incredibly receptive to it, which is awesome. It’s brought back some questions about gifts/talents/passions in my own life though, too.
Something I’ve been wrestling with over the past few months has been my heart toward outreach & evangelism. When it come to the gift of evangelism, there are some people who just have it – they could share the gospel with my dog and she would come to Christ. It’s not one of my gifts, however – and that is ok! While we’re all called as the church to share the gospel, certain people have been gifted in that area. We’ve all been given different gifts for the purpose of glorifying God and building up others. What’s been a little confusing has been that I’ve been growing an enormous heart and passion for this. So now what? It almost seems odd that I could be gifted and passionate in different areas. Could God “gift” me in that area in the future? – sure, he’s God. Could it be a softening of my heart toward this to work with other people gifted in it? – why not.
There’s a part of me that wishes that my gifts and passions always matched up – but they don’t. I could get all bent out of shape about this, but I’m trying not to. Maybe this is a reminder that we are called to serve and can still serve outside of our gifting for the good of all. Maybe it’s opening me up to a new spiritual place with God. Whatever the reason, I’m settling on one thing – that I can either fight what God is doing in me and miss out on what’s in store, or stop complaining and follow the lead.
on July 17, 2007 by karlo
I’ve had a few days to begin processing all that happened at LIFE 2007 with my students. In honor of Perry and Gary, here is my first official mind dump…
- check the dvd player on your charter bus before leaving
- I forgot Orlando is stinking muggy in July
- 7500 students in one place focusing on Jesus is nothing short of awesome
- Francis Chan can bring it
- Challengers are sweet cars, even if I’m not a motor head
- I had some wicked good crab legs at the Crab House
- No good: my phone died in a thunderstorm while calling the bus to rescue us
- Good: at&t overnighted a new phone to me…good thing we pay for insurance
- Everyone needs to check out Trace Bundy
- Hotels that still charge you for internet service are LAME.
- Anyone that argues that church can’t be fun needs to expand their focus
- Church can be both entertaining and worshipful
- It was great connecting again with my friend Jason Ostrander and hanging out with Mike & Sarah
- Can’t wait to hit up a PSU football game in the fall with Tom & Jamie
- Space Mountain is still one of the best roller coasters in the world
on July 12, 2007 by karlo
The past few weeks in my quiet times have seemed to keep bringing me back to the topic of obedience. So often the “big question” for us in the church is “do you believe in Jesus?”. It’s more than that, though. The question goes deeper into “are you obedient to Jesus?“. I spent a good chunk of yesterday reading of the Israelites approaching the Promised Land in Numbers 13. God had promised the land to them (hence the name), but their perception of the people in the land effected their obedience to both Moses and God, resulting in wandering for 40 years until the next generation could inherit the land.
I think of obedience in the same category as devotion. You are either devoted to something or you’re not. I believe the same stands for obedience. When it comes to God’s lead on you, are you obedient to what he’s doing? What has struck me is that apathy is just as disobedient than saying no to God. Obedience requires an action response.
Where is God calling you right now to be obedient to him – your finances, your job, your desires, your time? My friend Jason Ostrander said last week about sacrifice – What is the one thing you feel you couldn’t live without? Maybe it’s that thing you need to offer to God as a sacrifice. So what is that thing that commands more of your attention than the Creator of the universe? What is that thing that shakes your obedience from God? Offer it up and see how your mind is blown.
on July 11, 2007 by karlo
