Real Church As a Community of Transformation

button bush

We all need more change, more transformation. Here's the good news logic:

1. Either you've arrived, or you need more change.
2. You have not arrived.
3. Therefore, you need more change.

Welcome to the kingdom of God, and the fellowship of the King. Real "church" is a community of transformation. 

Wesley Hill writes: "Anyone who joins such a community should know that it is a place of transformation, of discipline, of learning, and not merely a place to be comforted or indulged.” (From Wesley Hill, Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality,  p. 68)

Good-bye Consumer Market-Driven Church. 

Good night Starbucks in the Lobby Church. 

Sleep tight Show Business Church. 

Be pressed but not crushed, struck down but not destroyed.

***

My two books are...

Praying: Reflections on 40 Years of Solitary Conversations with God.

Leading the Presence-Driven Church

I am now writing...

How God Changes the Human Heart

Technology and Spiritual Formation

The Kindle Deal of the Day Is...

Rift Valley, in south central Kenya

Swipe Right: The Life-and-Death Power of Sex and Romance, by Levi Lusko.

Only... $1.99 for Kindle!

Look at the reviews...

Editorial Reviews

Review

I believe with my whole heart that Swipe Right is going to inspire and challenge you, and not only that, but could redirect the course of your life and relationships. You might not be in a relationship, or maybe you’ve had many, but no matter who you are, my husband wrote this book for you. The truth, hope, and humor that drip from these pages are incredible. It’s a book that needed to be written, my husband poured his heart into it, and I’m excited for all that God has for you as you read it. Buckle up. (―Jennie Lusko)

My friend Levi is an expert at presenting the raw truth in a relevant way. In Swipe Right he provides a refreshingly real approach to the new challenges our culture is facing concerning sex and intimacy. It’s a perspective I believe we need now more than ever. (―Steven Furtick Pastor, Elevation Church, and New York Times bestselling author)

One day, someday, there will be a day where you will need the down-to-earth wisdom in this book like you will oxygen. Because as Levi so aptly appropriates, our approach to sex and romance is of life-and-death importance---at least if you care at all about your soul, that hidden thing at the core of who we are that filters the way we experience everything we do in life and death, for better or for worse. And at the core of this book is a soul-watering desire to see yours be better, in a world that increasingly seems to be settling for worse. Levi makes the taboo seem candid, the old-school the new-school, and the difficult more than just possible but altogether life-saving. (―Joel Houston Songwriter, Hillsong United, and pastor, Hillsong NYC)

I love that Levi is bringing to light the life-and-death power of sex and romance for such a time as this. I have two daughters, and there is a new level of crazy lately in the world. You should thank God that this book is in your hands. Swipe Right is a timely, wonderful, prophetic, and needed message for our generation. (―Christine Caine Founder of the A21 Campaign and bestselling author of Unashamed)

Helpful. Timely. Needed. Swipe Right does what few dating books can: it calls us to a life of purity, fidelity, and honor, not in hopes of earning the perfect mate, but because we already have the hope of heaven and perfection of Jesus in our hearts. I am so grateful God has raised up Levi Lusko to be a voice of truth and grace-covered conviction for this generation. If you are wondering what God’s plans are for your love life, or leading those in search of his plan for theirs, you need this book. (―Louie Giglio Pastor of Passion City Church, founder of Passion Conferences, and author of The Comeback)

Sex is wonderful. Sex is powerful. According to Levi, while sex is the source of great pleasure, it has the potential to cause great pain. In Swipe Right Levi leverages his past as well as principles from the New Testament to help readers make better decisions and live with fewer regrets. (―Andy Stanley Pastor, North Point Community Church, and author of Deep and Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend)

When it comes to sex, dating, and marriage, most of us would agree things aren’t going well. We want something different, something better. Levi Lusko has written a game-changing book on pursuing the relationship God truly wants you to have. His book Swipe Right: The Life-and-Death Power of Sex and Romance is funny and engaging, while simultaneously practical and hard-hitting. It’s full of in-your-face truth that will empower you to love your future spouse in a healthy and God-honoring way. (―Craig Groeschel Pastor of Life.Church and author of From This Day Forward: Five Commitments to Fail Proof Your Marriage)

I wish this book had been around in 1970. I wish someone had handed it to a fifteen-year-old kid in West Texas. I wish someone had said to him, ‘Lucado, quit listening to the locker room lectures on sex. Listen to what God says.’ The book wasn’t around back then, but it is here today. And Levi Lusko has a good word, not just for fifteen-year-old boys but for all of us to suffer the consequences of a sex-saturated society. This is a good book. Study it, ponder it, and, if you know a fifteen-year-old, tell them to read it. (―Max Lucado New York Times bestselling author)

In a cultural climate that attempts to treat the sacred nature of relationship and sexual intimacy as casual, Levi Lusko has yielded his pen to God’s hand to share what is paramount on God’s heart. Swipe Right is the clarion call this generation needs in order to understand that God is not keeping you from a thing; he’s keeping you for a thing. The lie of the enemy is that we can easily recover from premature sexual intimacy without incident. A loving God knows otherwise. With love, balance, wit, and humor, Levi has crafted a book that will inform generations to come. This book isn’t about ceasing external behaviors that don’t honor God. It’s about living for God and loving God in a way where we honor his word---even regarding sex---when it is not convenient. And we do so because we love him! (―John Gray Associate teaching pastor, Lakewood Church, and author of I Am Number 8)

Thank God for people like Levi Lusko who are dedicated to bringing light to the issues that we all face. Swipe Right is an inspirational look at love, sex, and romance and highlights what our generation so often misses. I believe this resource will help many to understand the true power and true beauty God intends for us in these important areas of life. (―Ben Houston Pastor, Hillsong LA)

The world begs us to view sex and romance through the distorted lens it has created. But Levi boldly approaches these topics with truth, honesty, wit, and biblical wisdom to point us back to God’s original plan for us. I really believe we need the Swipe Right message now more than ever before. (―Lysa TerKeurst New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries)

Levi Lusko is in touch with a generation searching for truth and moral clarity. In Swipe Right he makes the case for sexual purity in a way which connects the culture with God’s principles for relationships. Every page is written with authenticity and saturated with grace and power. If you want to live a fulfilling life without regrets and experience a future with promise, this book is for you. (―Dr. Jack Graham Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, and author of Angels: Who They Are, What They Do, and Why It Matters)

I was raised in the home of a woman who married and divorced five times. I have seen firsthand the sadness and loneliness that comes as a result of turning from God’s plans for relationships. God has his hand on Levi Lusko, and I believe that the word of God which Levi points to in Swipe Right is a much-needed drink of water in a desert of heartache. (―Greg Laurie Pastor, Harvest Christian Fellowshipm and author of Tell Someone: You Can Share the Good News)

Thank you, Levi, for speaking so plainly and powerfully to what is wreaking havoc among so many today. To say that Swipe Right is an important book for all of us would be quite an understatement. We all relate to the pages of this book. This is a word for right now, a warning sign for the days and culture we are now living. I appreciate the direct and honest way Levi approaches the power of temptation, lust, romance, and love. As I read this book, I kept hearing the words of Jesus: “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy . . . but I have come that you might have life to the full.” May this book spur you on to a full, abundant life instead of one that is empty and stolen. This is more than just a book; it’s a life jacket! (―Chris Tomlin Grammy Award–winning musician and author of Good Good Father)

I believe that if you want to know God’s way, you must learn to follow people who know and live God’s Word. Levi has faithfully walked on this journey, wherever God has led him. Through amazing triumphs and devastating valleys. Relationship navigation doesn’t have to be the scavenger hunt so many people make it. Levi shows that God will light our way, if we allow him to. (―Carl Lentz Pastor, Hillsong NYC)

In a time of relationships riddled with confusion and rattled by unnecessary heartbreak, I’m excited that Levi is sharing his scripturally founded wisdom with us. It’s my hope that whoever reads this will have their thoughts of the heart as seriously provoked as mine have been. Beyond Levi’s knowledge on the issues of relationships, his true heart for people is what drives him to help point us at not just the real and clear problems but the purely focused solution. (―Ryan Good Producer, writer, and entrepreneur)

Swipe Right isn’t just another book of how-not-tos but an honest, gritty, and real-time approach to navigating dating, sex, and romance with our souls and sanity intact. I’m so proud of my friend Levi Lusko for his bravery and courage, and for offering honest, biblically-based guidance on this subject when so many are trying to find their way in this ever-evolving dating and mating culture. (―Judah Smith Lead pastor, The City Church, and New York Times bestselling author of Jesus Is _____.)

About the Author

Levi Lusko is the pastor of Fresh Life Church, a multisite church in Montana, and the founder of Skull Church and the O2 Experience. He serves as host for Greg Laurie’s Harvest Crusades and travels internationally to speak at churches and conferences. He takes pleasure in small things like: black coffee, new shoes, and fast internet. He and his wife, Jennie, have four daughters, Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in heaven.

To Judge Without Understanding Is Foolish

Detroit Metro Airport

One evening, when we were younger, I came home from work and heard my sons talking with Linda. It sounded like they were arguing with her. I felt anger, strode into the living room, and took charge.

"Stop arguing with your mother!" I said, in a commanding voice.

All three of them stopped, looked at me, and one said, "You don't even know what we are talking about!"

That was true. I judged, without first understanding.

Judging without understanding is foolish. In all things worth knowing, understanding always precedes evaluating. This always takes more time. This is where we go slow. The relationship is ore important than the outcome.

The good doctor examines before diagnosing.

The auto mechanic diagnoses before estimating.

The builder surveys before constructing.

The counselor listens before helping.

The smart consumer researches before purchasing.

The lawyer studies before presenting.

The police officer investigates before citing.

Whoever is patient has great understanding,

but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Proverbs 14:29

Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,

but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

Proverbs 15:21

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,

and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17:27

By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding it is established.

Proverbs 24:23

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 4:7

***

My two books are...

Praying: Reflections on 40 Years of Solitary Conversations with God.

Leading the Presence-Driven Church

I am now writing...

How God Changes the Human Heart

Technology and Spiritual Formation

Steve Backlund Messages at Redeemer - Now Online

Worship art by N.G. in Redeemer sanctuary

We were so blessed at Redeemer to have Steve Backlund with us two weeks ago. Just today one of our church's leaders, who has been to many conferences, told me "The Backlund conference was the best one I have ever been to in my life." Could be, for me and Linda too!

One result is that we are joining, as a church family, Steve in his "30-Day Declarations experiment."

Here are Steve's five messages. 

Backlund #1, Friday night, June 18.

Backlund #2, Saturday morning, June 19.

Backlund #3, Saturday evening, June 19.

Backlund #4, Sunday morning, June 20.

Backlund #5, Sunday evening, June 20. 

#s 4 and 5 coming soon!

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Colorado Baker

See HERE.

For once, sanity rules.

See also HERE. 

The Presence of God - the Dominant Biblical Theme (The Presence-Driven Church)

"David Fitch Turned His Daily McDonald's Run into His Ministry"

For more on the presence of God see my recent book Leading the Presence-Driven Church.

Join Linda and I for Our Favorite Conference Ever!

Holy Spirit Renewal Conference JUNE 2018 from HSRM on Vimeo.

THIS is our FAVORITE CONFERENCE EVER! 

Linda and I have been attending for twenty-six years. 

This is more than another conference, it's a family. It has given us life-long friendships. 

We experience God's presence and power. Linda and I know our lives have been forever changed because of this five-day experience. 

Much of what we have learned about the Holy Spirit has been mediated to us through this conference. 

And, it is situated in a stunning, vast, beautiful Wisconsin setting. 

IT'S COMING - YAY! 

Why not join us and many others? Watch the video for contact details. 

Blessings!

Click here for Green Lake Conference Center website 10 REASONS TO GO TO THE HOLY SPIRIT RENEWAL CONFERENCE: 1.  God's presence is there 2.  God's power is at work  3.  Faith gets enlarged 4.  Strongholds are broken 5.  Worship is anointed 6.  Healings happen 7.  Deeper understanding of the Spirit-filled life is gained  8.  Revival, Renewal, Restoration, Refreshment, Rest, Recreation 9.  Kids love it, teens love it, adults love it, pastors love it 10. It's a family...! Go here for information / Register is open  Share with your friends HOLY SPIRIT RENEWAL MINISTRIES

Prayer and Potato Chips

Monroe, MI

There was a man in our church named Floyd. Floyd died several years ago. It was my privilege to do his funeral. When I met with Floyd’s wife, Grace, she shared something I had never heard before. 

“Floyd,” she said, “was a thankful person who was always thanking God for what he had been given.” 

Floyd had not come from a wealthy family. As I heard about him and his thankful heart, it reminded me of my mother who, as a young girl, sometimes received only an orange for a Christmas present, and cherished and savored it, and was thankful. 

How deep did Floyd’s heart of thanks run? “Whenever we had snacks, like potato chips,” said Grace, “Floyd would stop, bow his head, and thank God as the bag of chips was passed to him.” 

“You’re kidding me, right?” I said. “Floyd would give thanks, in front of everyone, for potato chips?!!” 

“Yes. He was grateful to God for anything that came his way.” 

I thought: I’m not that thankful. I take too many things for granted. “For granted” - to expect someone, or something, to be always available to serve you in some way without thanks or recognition; to value someone, or something, too lightly. 

To “take something for granted” - to expect something to be available all the time, and forget that you have not earned it. 

A “for granted” attitude presumes. A “for granted” attitude has a sense of entitlement. Like: “I am entitled to these potato chips.” 

“For granted” - to fail to appreciate the value of something. 

“Entitlement” - the belief that one is deserving of certain privileges. Like: “I deserve these potato chips.” 

Floyd, it seems, had no sense of entitlement, as if God owed him something. He didn’t take provision, in any form, for granted. From that framework, giving thanks logically follows. And, in yet another “great reversal,” God is deserving of, and entitled to, our praise and thanksgiving. God, for Floyd, was not some cosmic butler whose task was to wait on him, and make sure he was satisfied with the service. 

The apostle Paul instructed us to “always give thanks for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”418 “For everything” is all-inclusive. Nothing exists outside the realm of “for everything.” Everything is a gift from God, even my very life, even my eyes as I read this, and my breath as I inhale. If I gave thanks for everything, my gratitude would be unceasing. 

If I realized how God-dependent I actually am, I would stop now and say, “Thank you.” And then, in my next breath, I would say it again.

- John Piippo, Praying: Reflections on 40 Years of Solitary Conversations with God (Kindle Locations 3589-3612). WestBow Press. Kindle Edition. 

Thirty Day Declaration Experiment - June 2018

For the month of June at Redeemer we are doing Steve and Wendy Backlund's Thirty Day Declaration Experiment. 

June 1- June 30. 

Go here to sign up - http://ignitinghope.com/30-day-declarations-experiment/.

AND... I'll preach and teach on this, this coming Sunday at Redeemer. Philippians 4:8-9:

...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable

—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

—think about such things. 

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, 

or seen in me—put it into practice. 

And the God of peace will be with you.

In Praying, Remember

Tiger Swallowtail, Yellow springs, Ohio

(From John Piippo, Praying: Reflections on 40 Years of Solitary Conversations with God, Chapter 13, "Praying and Remembering.")

I was born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. My parents moved to Rockford, Illinois, when I was a year old. That’s where I lived for the next twenty years. The streets of Rockford were my holy ground. Whenever I return to Rockford I like to walk in my old neighborhood. I’ve done this many times, carrying my journal and camera with me. 

We lived on a cul de sac. The address was 3012 20th Avenue. Our phone number was 399-7931. These particulars, minä muistan. ("I remember," in Finnish)

Adjacent to our house was 25th Street Park. I loved that park! I spent countless hours playing there with my friends. That was the late 1950s and 1960s. I have not forgotten. 

I am thankful for my childhood. I could not wait for school to end and summer to begin! I had fun, adventure, and growth in a world without the Web. We had TV, but only three stations. Reception depended on which way the antenna on the roof was pointing. My father had to climb on the roof to adjust the picture. 

I played from sun-up to sundown. I hear my mother’s voice calling me in the dark - “John, it’s time to come in!” 

As I walk down 20th Avenue, my five senses recall. My parents are dead, but I smell my mother’s cooking. We rarely ate out. For me that was no loss, since I’ll eat from my parents’ table any time. 

Mom loved to cook, and loved to watch us enjoy her creations. Her esteem came from providing and home-making. She taught me how to make mashed potatoes. I’ve never met a mashed potato that measured up to my mother’s. In her cooking I encountered Platonic Forms, by which all shadowy, insubstantial culinary efforts were judged. 

I walk to Rolling Green School, where I attended kindergarten through fourth grade. Then to Whitehead Elementary School, Jefferson Junior High School, and finally, to Rockford East High School. Whitehead and Jefferson were brand new when I was there. Now, they have aged. Everything here is older. I see the same trees, but they are bigger. My parents are buried in a cemetery a few miles from here. I am older.

One year my father brought home a small pine tree he dug up from the family farm in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He planted it at 3012 20th Avenue. It was so small I could jump over it. Now, sixty years later, it’s tall. I walk past, pluck a pine cone, and take it with me back to Michigan. One of these cones made it to my office. I left it there for years. On occasion I held it, and thought of my father and mother and family. It is good to do this. I will never forget where I have come from. 

Remembering is sweet for me. I know that’s not so for everyone, but it is for me. Therefore, I remember. 

I remember loving, hard-working parents. I remember how they looked after me, and fed me, and clothed me. I remember my mother taking me to a store named Goldblatt’s to buy a madras shirt and a pair of Levi’s jeans. I remember my father, every winter, making an ice rink in our back yard. I remember every square inch of that small yard that I mowed and played in. I remember my mother making “pasties” and fruit pies. 

I remember my father hitting baseballs to me in the park. I remember my neighborhood friends, and every crack in the sidewalk on 20th Avenue. I remember going to our Lutheran Church, and having my father as a Sunday School teacher. I remember the smell of the brand new ‘55 Chevy dad bought - two-toned green. I remember our pet dog “Candy.” I remember sharing a bedroom with my brother Mike. 

I do not forget. 

Spiritually, “remembering” is foundational. Remembering is core Judeo-Christian activity. This is not about “nostalgia.” I don’t dwell in the past, or long for a return to it. My many returns to walk in the old neighborhood are sacred. They are holy. “Holy” means: “set apart.” A tiny, mundane piece of earth becomes the center of the universe, the place where God manifests his glory and presence. 

Remembering, as essential covenant activity, is not really about the past. My memory-walk is a full-bodied eschatological event. To understand the future and to have hope, I must remember the past and where I came from. I am a hopeful person today because of my past, a childhood filled with days of expectancy. As I walk these earthly streets I think of the new heaven and new earth that is to come. It will be a safe, loving, playful, and adventurous place. My entire family will be there. I rejoice. 

I remember Christ, and what God, in Jesus, has given me. I remember the “rescue.” I remember what the Lord has done. The Lord has done great things for me, and I am filled with joy. 

Remembering creates expectation. Expectation concerns hope. Hope is future-oriented. 

As I pray, I remember the deeds of the Lord, in my life.