Eat Food

Unhappy Meals. That's the title of an article I just stumbled across at the New York Times website. Apart from the fact that in my opinion the Times is the very best newspaper in the world today, albeit with a journalistic bias slightly different than my own, I love the way many of its journalists jump right to the bottom line.

Michael Pollan, who wrote that piece, begins with an incredibly succinct opening paragraph,

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

His second paragraph?

"That, more or less, is the short answer to the supposedly incredibly complicated and confusing question of what we humans should eat in order to be maximally healthy. I hate to give away the game right here at the beginning of a long essay, and I confess that I’m tempted to complicate matters in the interest of keeping things going for a few thousand more words. I’ll try to resist but will go ahead and add a couple more details to flesh out the advice. Like: A little meat won’t kill you, though it’s better approached as a side dish than as a main. And you’re much better off eating whole fresh foods than processed food products. That’s what I mean by the recommendation to eat “food.” Once, food was all you could eat, but today there are lots of other edible foodlike substances in the supermarket. These novel products of food science often come in packages festooned with health claims, which brings me to a related rule of thumb: if you’re concerned about your health, you should probably avoid food products that make health claims. Why? Because a health claim on a food product is a good indication that it’s not really food, and food is what you want to eat."

Not bad for a stab at summarizing an article that continues for ten more pages...!

Don't worry. I'm not about to go off on a food "rant." About the only thing I know for sure about nutrition and health is that I feel a whole lot better since I lost twenty pounds. The interesting thing, though? I haven't finished reading Michael's article, but I sure intend to. Prose like his has a way of "hooking" me, particularly if I am already interested in the author’s subject. With forty-seven staring me in the face next week and two small children at home to raise, I find myself increasingly motivated to learn everything I can about how to live a long and healthy life.

Coming across those great lines made me wonder, "What is the simplest, clearest thing I could say to someone I was speaking to about Jesus for the very first time? How could I draw them in to further conversation? What felt need could I speak to in their heart that would cause them to want to know more?”

Jesus was a master at great "one-liners." He seemed to know exactly what to say in every situation. Like when he spoke to the Samaritan woman by the well of Sychar.

If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.^[1]

I would have never thought of saying that. Or ever imagined it would be an effective approach. A single sentence, though, resulted in a conversation that changed a woman’s life and profoundly impacted an entire village.

Back in the village she told the people, “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” And they went out to see for themselves.^[2]

Jesus told his disciples very clearly what his secret was in such situations,

I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say.^[3]

I write these words sitting in a Starbucks near the place where my son is in speech therapy. Seated at the table across from me is a young couple I just met from Poland, a country I have visited many times. They are students down the street at UTD. We’ve exchanged a few pleasantries; I even dusted off the few phrases I know in their language. They are studying intensely, quietly, as I pray in my heart, “Father, give me the right words to say…”

Now it's time to pick up my son and head into the appointments I have for the day. Would you join me in breathing a prayer for this precious couple, that wherever they are on their spiritual journey, God would help them take the next step?

Thanks!

P.S. Just chatted some more and found out they are mathematics professors, not students. No wonder they are so serious...!

---

^[1]Eugene H. Peterson, The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2002), Jn 4:10.

^[2]Eugene H. Peterson, The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2002), Jn 4:28.

^[3]Eugene H. Peterson, The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2002), Jn 12:49.

A Local Church With A World Vision

It was wonderful to see so many of you in service this morning on Vision Sunday 2007! I have already received email asking for a "Cliff's Notes" version of the points I shared, so voilà...

Our Vision

To become a church like Antioch by walking people through the Discipleship Cycle (Bring, Heal, Train, Lead, and Send).

Becoming a church like Antioch is our DESTINY…

1. A church that touches many people and blesses many other churches.
2. A church filled with God’s presence and that celebrates the moving of His Spirit.
3. A church that loves God’s Word and tries to do everything it says.
4. A church that cares for the poor and hurting.
5. A church that welcomes all kinds of people, no matter their nationality, culture, language, skin color, religious background, or history of failure.
6. A church that wants everyone to know Jesus personally.
7. A church that helps people discover the reason they are alive, and that sends out many missionaries into every world all around the world.

Walking people through the Discipleship Cycle is our STRATEGY…

We want to BRING people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the fellowship of this local church, HEAL them everywhere they hurt, and TRAIN them to live according to biblical principles, so they will LEAD by serving others, as we SEND them to make disciples of all people everywhere.

Applying values such as these is our PHILOSOPHY…

• Integrity
• Relationships
• Diversity
• Excellence
• Creativity

I commit our leadership to…

1. Bring every area of our church life and ministry into conformity with our vision.
2. Help every member of our church take the next steps in the Discipleship Cycle.
3. Lead our people ever further into God’s Word, God’s presence, and God’s harvest.

I ask every person in our church family to…

1. SUPPORT this church with your prayers, attendance, finances, and words.
2. SERVE this church with your gifts, talents, and experiences.
3. GROW this church by inviting others to our services.

Hillcrest Women Website

Our new Women's Ministry Council is hard at work preparing for the Beth Moore simulcast in our Seminar Room on Saturday, February 24th. They have also already started working on a new website (blog) at: HillcrestWomen. It's in "beta" stage, but I encourage you to check it out, ladies!

Men's Fraternity Breakfast

We had a great men's breakfast this morning with 81 guys coming out for Bible study and biscuits...! The lesson was fantastic, dealing with how to raise sons that will be authentic men. (Below are a couple of photos. For more, go to the MenofLegacy blog.)

Next week, we switch back to our normal schedule of Friday mornings at 6:00am in the Seminar Room. See you there!

The Gospel Smile

One of the neat things that sometimes happens in cyberspace is the links that are made as one person comments on something someone else has posted in their blog. A few moments ago, a guy left a post on my leadership blog. When I clicked on his profile, I started a journey of discovery that led from blog to blog and then wound up at a great post entitled, The Gospel Smile on a blog called, Hungry and Thirsty.

Beth Moore - Out of the Pit simulcast

Saturday, February 24th, our new Women’s Ministry Council is hosting the Beth Moore, Get Out of the Pit – Straight Talk About God’s Deliverance simulcast here at Hillcrest Church. I encourage every one of you ladies to make plans now to attend and to bring every woman you can to this event. For more information, email Katherine Smith. (While you are at it, check out Katherine’s award-winning blog, Raising Five.)

Special Saturday Men's Breakfast

Over the past few months, several dozen men have gathered each Friday morning at 6:00am in our Seminar Room for the Quest for Authentic Manhood Bible study. This week, we have moved that meeting to Saturday morning, January 27th, at 8:30am in the Performing Arts Center so that more of our men can have an opportunity to experience Men’s Fraternity. Our Hillcrest Church Men’s Ministry is hosting this event and will be providing a full, hot breakfast for every man who attends! Don’t miss this chance to meet a lot of other guys in our church and learn some important principles about what is means to be a godly man in today’s world. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce one of your male friends, co-workers, or neighbors to Hillcrest!

Vision Sunday

We are off to a GREAT start this year at Hillcrest Church!

Last Sunday, we had a powerful move of the Holy Spirit. Over three hundred people came forward for the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and prayer for divine healing following Evangelist Billy Gibson’s message. If you were unable to attend, I encourage you to listen to Billy’s message online by clicking here or by subscribing to the Hillcrest audio podcast (click here).

This Sunday, January 28th at 10:30am, I am going to be sharing the vision God has given me for our congregation. I encourage you to do everything you possibly can to be present during this service. God has great things in store for us as a people. YOU have a part to play in helping us fulfill our destiny!

Leadership as seen through the eyes of a five year old

A few moments ago, our son ran into our bedroom, jumped up onto our bed, and asked me what I was reading.

"A book on leadership that will help Daddy be a better leader, so I can be a better pastor," I replied. "Do you know what a leader is?"

"Sure," he answered, "A leader is not selfish."

Astonished, and impressed, I continued, "What else?"

"A leader has a book."

"That's right! Leaders read books! What else?"

"A leader is an animal."

"An animal...?...!...?"

"Yes, a leader is a goat!"

"A goat...?...!...?"

"Yes, a goat that eats lots of grass!"

Somehow, I think that's the way most leaders are. We may understand some things about leadership, but no matter how much we learn, there always seem to be things we do not grasp.

Here's the good news: No matter how much we still need to know, Jesus is willing to coach us. He is the greatest leader who has ever lived. No one else has ever influenced over one billion leaders and followers on a daily basis two thousand years after his death. No other leader, I mean absolutely no other leader can answer all our questions on the subject.

The Holy Spirit gave us this precious promise through the apostle James in his epistle,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault..." (James 1:5)

When it comes to leadership, the most important thing is not what you know, but who you know!

Life in Deep Ellum

Earlier this evening, I stopped by an open house at a church downtown called Deep Ellum Church. They are dedicating their beautiful new facility tomorrow called Life in Deep Ellum. It is a "...community cultural center built for the artistic, social, economic, and spiritual benefit of Deep Ellum and the residents that live there..." with a lot of neat stuff happening under one roof. Pastor Tony Fundaro and his wife, Hannah greatly impressed me. I want to encourage you to check out their websites and do all you can to help!

Calling all Moms...! Gotta read this blog...!

One of the interesting things that has happened since I entered the "blogosphere," as it is sometimes called, is that I have discovered some of the blogs written by people in our church. A great example of that is "RaisingFive" by our very own Katherine Smith. It's a great read ... and an award winner to boot! Way to go, Katherine! The sidebar on her blog includes a lot of links to other blogs you ladies will enjoy.

Her husband, Dennis, by the way, maintains "MenofLegacy," a great blog for guys.

If you know of any others in our church who share their thoughts online, be sure to email me their url.

The next 72 hours...!

I woke up at about 4:30am this morning with a fresh conviction in my heart regarding the importance of the last three of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. If you have not yet participated in our fast this year, I urge you to prayerfully consider doing so for some period of time and in some way during the next 72 hours. I believe today, tomorrow, and Saturday are going to be key days in prayer to unlock our destiny and break bondages in our lives. I also urge you to attend at least one of our 7pm evening prayer sessions tonight through Saturday in the main worship center on our Hillcrest Church campus.

Let’s believe God together for great things…and for a deep encounter with His healing presence and power this Sunday as we welcome the ministry of Evangelist Billy Gibson and his wife, Marsha. While Billy recently ministered on a series of Wednesday nights in our Chapel of the Holy Spirit, many lives were deeply touched.

Remember, this is a Year of Jubilee for Hillcrest Church…!

Pastor Mark

P.S. For more information on fasting, click on "Fasting" link in the right column of this blog to be taken to a summary of such posts here.

P.P.S A little earlier today, I stumbled onto the last part of a video interview on the subject of fasting this morning with Pastor Jentzen Franklin of Free Chapel Church in Gainesville, Georgia. When I read Pastor Franklin’s book, Fasting: The Private Discipline That Brings Public Rewards, many, many months ago, it powerfully impacted my life. From what I understand, the interview I saw this morning will be aired again tonight at 10pm Dallas time on the Daystar Television Network. If you do not have Daystar’s channel on your television, you can watch it live via the internet by clicking here. Beginning tomorrow, it should also be posted in a video archive here.

Jubilee - Lost Inheritances Restored

Sometimes following a service, people in the audience ask me for copies of my notes and research regarding the topic I have addressed in my message. I recently set up another blog where I can post these kinds of things without taking up too much space here. To check it out, click on Sermon Seeds.

New blog format

The server I use to host this blog (blogger.com) just upgraded my blog to their new format this morning. The “look and feel” of this page may change a bit over the next few days while I figure out the new programming language they have implemented, so please be patient with me while I fiddle around with it a bit. The new system does have several advantages to it that will enable me to post more regularly, so it should be worth the effort. It will even allow me to post from my cell phone, including photos! That should be fun when I travel to Peru next month for a Pastor’s Conference.

Last night, we had a great time at the family game night in the Performing Arts Center, with lots of requests to do it again, soon. I’ll try to post some photos soon.

It’s a cold, wet, rainy day here in Dallas, with a major ice-storm moving in upon the city, but a blessed day anyway…!

Blessings!

Mark

Janet Sheats Memorial Service

I just received word a few moments ago that Janet Sheats passed away last night in Forth Worth. There will be a memorial service for her this coming Saturday, January 13th, at 2 pm, at the Christ Chapel Church in Fort Worth. The church is located at 3740 Birchman Avenue which is one block off the I-30 and Montgomery intersection.

Please keep the Sheats children, Shanda and Mo, as well as Mo's wife Trish and their children in your prayers.

Hillcrest Prayer Blog up and running

Pat Allen, our Prayer Ministry Director here at Hillcrest Church, has a new blog dedicated to all things concerning prayer at Hillcrest Church called PrayHillcrest. Check it out and send Pat an email with items you think she might like to post.

Be Encouraged....and Persevere...! Fast on...Fast on!

How is your fast going?

If you are drinking only water, for instance, have you sensed the changes taking place in your body? Are you needing to turn the heater up a bit higher in the car or to wear a bit warmer clothing as your body begins generating far less heat by burning far fewer calories? That is one of the things that took me by surprise the first time I went on an extended, water-only fast.

Has it been difficult or easy so far? My guess is you have found it more difficult than easy...Of course, fasting is never completely easy, but sometimes it does seem harder than others. My own personal experience this year has driven that truth home to my heart. In some respects, it has been more difficult for me to keep to my partial fast this year than it was for me to keep to a liquids only fast last year...!

I find that really amazing...

There may well be some physiological reason involved. I do know that drinking only water for extended periods of time last year purged my body of a lot of toxins and was a great boon to my health. After the third day, which I always find the hardest in a total fast, accompanied as it usually is by a headache (which I rarely ever experience otherwise), and feeling really, really lousy overall, once my digestive tract shut down, I felt really, really good. If I suddenly felt weak, an occasional glass of low-sodium variety V8 juice or a chicken buillion cube dissolved in a cup of boiling water did the trick. My sleep seemed much deeper and more peaceful; my mind felt exceptionally clear; my spirit became ever more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit; and even the rosacea on my face began clearing up.

I am about the farthest thing from an extreme health food nut you can imagine, but after seeing such dramatic changes in my own body last year, I am absolutely convinced the nutritionists have it right when they say fasting is good for your health. The ten pounds I kept off my waistline when it was over seemed like a little bonus from God thrown in on top of all the other benefits! (Smile!)

The funny thing is that it seemed much easier last year to forgo food entirely than it is for me this year to fast certain days, skip certain meals, and avoid certain kinds of food. Maybe that is because my digestive tract had completely shut down last time and my stomach had adopted to a completely new rhythmn, but I also think there was a spiritual dynamic involved.

You see, last year I sensed a very clear, inner conviction from the Lord that I should fast the entire time. In my own spirit it was something like a line drawn in the sand before my flesh and the devil, too. As I obeyed the Lord and stood firm on that line, I felt tremendous inner strength and resources from Him flowing into my being. This year, I undertook my fast simply out of a desire to seek the Lord more passionately and with greater focus during these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. After an initial period of water only, this year I felt a clear release in my spirit to begin eating certain things again at specific times, and to fast the rest of the time.

Comparing my two experiences, I have about come to the conclusion that it is easier for me to fast when I do so in response to what I perceive to be a clear directive from the Lord, than when I do so as part of my personal practice of biblical, spiritual disciplines, but, one thing is sure, both kinds of fasting have brought great blessing to my life. This year, I have particularly enjoyed drifting off to sleep with Max Maclean's reading of the NIV Bible playing through the ear plugs of the new Ipod the staff gave me for Christmas. What sweet, sweet times of spiritual communion I have already had, and what precious, fresh revelation from God's Word...! Wow...! Beginning each New Year with these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting have turned out to be like the line from that old soft drink commercial, "It's the pause that refreshes...!" Of course, the fact that so many precious people here in our church body are seeking God in a special way, and are undoubtedly whispering a few extra prayers on my behalf is bound to be helping a lot, too!

I would love to hear how it is going with you. Click on "Comments" at the end of this post and you will be taken to a window where you can share your thoughts and experiences during this spiritual journey we are taking together. There is no need to sign in or create a blogger identity unless you just want to. The system will let you post entries anonymously, if you wish.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings!

Pastor Mark