The Life and Times From Below

This past Sunday, I asked my friends at Calvary Ridge to research some of the the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled and then share why it was so important for them to be completed. This is the place where we will discuss it.

If you have any thoughts to share, feel free. Our faith is a discussion in process with the final word being given to God and his word.

Also, if you were a part of Calvary Ridge services on Dec 7 and created your own prophecy, tell us what it was and how you’re doing on fulfilling it. Remember, Christmas doesn’t have to be hopeless. We can share the hope of original life through Jesus!

So I went to have lunch with my junior high students today. We’ve been planning it for a while. In connection with it, our students wanted to do some servant evangelism in their school. So I bought 100 candy bars and stuff and attached connection cards to it.

I gave the candy to our students the night before so that I would not bring it in with me or hand any out. Our kids brought it and our kids handed it out. I ate lunch with students and just talked about life.

After I got back to the office, I received a phone call from the principal. He accused me of misleading him when I asked to have lunch with my students. He told me that what I had done was totally inappropriate and he doesn’t like to be taken advantage of.

Throughout the conversation, I defended my position that I called prior to coming for lunch. I had notes from parents saying I could have lunch with them. I signed in at the office before I came. I ate lunch with my kids, talked with my kids, and left the building.

After he realized that I wasn’t budging, he told me he had to go and hung up. Well, I wasn’t quite done on the situation. So I sent him this email.

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Mr Komperda -

I want to send a follow-up note apologizing again. Neither Calvary Ridge’s nor my intention was to cause problems within the school or hurt our relationship with the school system. We have actually been staunch supporters since even before I came here. My jr. high kids simply wanted to share God’s kindness with their friends and I applaud them for that.

In no way did we desire to cause a disruption in the cafeteria. I was there and there was no disruption. Kids were not rioting or running around trying to get candy. It appeared as a normal lunch break. One of my students simply went from table to table and gave away a few candy bars and bags of Skittles, which I did not bring with me.

My plan from the get go was to eat lunch with my students on their playing field. That is exactly what I did. Other students who are not connected with my church did sit with me during lunch. At no point did I invite other students to sit at the table I was at. If they were not to sit with me, I was not aware of that and apologize.

My conversation was limited to how school was going, who liked who, and what kinds of activities they were into. I, personally, never identified myself as a pastor. I never once mentioned Jesus, the Church, or God except when I asked God to bless my corndog, roll, and chocolate milk.

My personal assumption is that someone in the school had issue with it and you did the right thing by following up with me. I want to reiterate that nothing illegal was done. Nothing even wrong was done. I will say, that if North Ridgeville Middle School has a written policy that students cannot pass out candy during lunch inviting friends to hang out with them, I apologize and our students were wrong for doing it. If it is a written policy, our students will not do it again.

I want to say that my intention was never to mislead you and that I never did. I asked for permission to have lunch with my students. I asked parents to fill out permission slips to do so and as far as my understanding, they did. I ate lunch with my students, talked with my students and some of their friends and then left the building.

I do ask that you do not punish my students or my church for doing no wrong. If you are willing, I would like to discuss this further. Feel free to respond to this email, contact me at 440.539.8401, or setup a meeting in the near future.

I hope to partner with North Ridgeville Middle School in the future.
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Thankfully not all of our schools are like this, but recognize that the Church is less and less welcome in the world. But that’s a GOOD THING!

In the history of the Church even to today, Christianity has always grown when it’s not wanted. When it’s persecuted, it grows. When it’s unwelcome, it grows, When it’s pushed to the fringe, it grows.

Am I unhappy about this situation? Not really. In one sense, if you’re not causing waves, you’re not doing anything that matters. On the other hand, I just hope this doesn’t trickle down to my students in a negative fashion.

Pray for us and for my city’s schools. God wants to break through!

What do you think about this?

Two days ago, my friend, Tom Fox, received a phone call from his family at 5am. His nephew’s house had caught on fire. His nephew, Greg, and niece, Casey, escaped, but their 3 year old daughter did not. Greg and Casey are now fighting for their lives in the hospital and are completely unaware that they have lost their child. This family will need the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the support of His people to make it through this difficult time. I encourage you to join me and my church in praying for them.

Within the next 3 weeks, I will officially be a dad. I’m scared, anxious, excited, nervous, and amazed all at the same time. I am so filled with hope as to what my son’s life will become. I have had dreams of what he’ll be like. I have looked forward to the times that we will share together. I long to see what my son will accomplish with his life!

I cannot even imagine having all of that hope, all of those dreams stolen from me in a moment’s time. I don’t understand what these parents will be going through in the coming months and I hope I never do.

I guess I just need to share my sorrow that I’m experiencing with Tom and his family. As my friend asked me for words of comfort, I had none. As I looked inside myself for guidance and direction, I found none. Why not? Why am I so empty in such a profound time of need? Because I am not the source of comfort, guidance, and direction. Only God is.

It may seem trite in difficult times, but God is the only one who can bring meaning and purpose to purposeless and meaningless things. I hope that as we each encounter the profoundly robbing moments of life, we will fall into the arms of the One who can comfort.

This past Sunday, I preached on the idea of what a Christ follower’s purpose is. The focus is taken from Acts 1:6-8 and Matthew 28:19-20. This video is a followup to that message. I encourage you to listen to the message before you watch the video (it will make more sense). Go here to listen to it. It’s entitled “Your Mission, Should You Choose…” from the series “Mission Possible.”

I hope that we will embrace our purpose because I know we will change the world.

For the last few days I have been reading Matthew 5:21-26. It’s good. I know that in the past I have glossed over Jesus’ words and gotten the basic idea: “anger is equivalent to murder,” “don’t worship God with a hard heart toward another,” and “don’t go to court.”

As I have been rolling over these words of my Rabbi again and again, I am beginning to realize a more fulfilled understanding to this command (”I have not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it”). The subtitle in my Bible says “Jesus Teaches about Anger.” How limiting?!?

As I read and understand this, Jesus is actually talking about relationships. Not that anger doesn’t have anything to do with his message, but to say that “Jesus Teaches about Anger” can be misleading. Murder robs a person of their identity. Anger does the same thing. Calling people by slanderous names does the same thing. Slighting someone and not looking to reconcile leaves people feeling hurt and worthless.

Jesus isn’t just talking about anger; he’s talking about nurturing, developing, and maintaining healthy relationships. As you read this section, how does this change you perception on anger and unforgiveness? Don’t rob people of their identity. Build them. Encourage them. Inspire them with dreams. Help them reach their God-designed potential!