Category "Uncategorized"

Flexible & Fruitful Not Brittle & Barren

Brian Dolleman - February 14, 2013 - Uncategorized

If you’ve been around grapevines at all, you know they have a certain “viney” quality about them (probably why we call them grapeVINES). I know, “viney” isn’t really a word. What I’m driving at is—they’re flexible.

At my parents house, when we would prune our grapevines, we often used the trimmed “branches” to make decorative wreaths.

Grapevines bend, adjust, move, yield… they are flexible.

Our grapevines were fruitful too. Actually, they still are.

It was 30 years ago that our family moved to the house with grapevines. We didn’t know how old the grapevines were when we got there, but they were mature and already producing fruit.

Now, 30 years later, they are still producing fruit.

Yea for homemade grape juice!

Did you know that grapevines can live and produce fruit for over 120 years? That’s impressive.

They are flexible and they are fruitful—pretty much the opposite of brittle and barren.

In John chapter 15, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” —John 15.5 NLT

The Message Bible puts it this way:

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you… the harvest is sure to be abundant.

Embracing our place in the Vine means we will be flexible and fruitful, not brittle and barren.

Grapevines do this quite naturally. Being flexible and fruitful is normative, not the exception.

I believe flexibility (bending, adjusting, moving, yielding) is key to fruitfulness.

Rigid, brittle, uptight, unmoving, stiff Christians will always struggle to produce more life (kingdom growth). And their efforts come across as forced, awkward, and weird.

On the other hand, flexible Christians are naturally fruitful. There’s nothing forced or weird about it.

This is just who we are. We are in Him. Our life and strength and source is in Christ.

Our job is simply to be in Him—to remain. Our job is to embrace our place in the Vine.

And as we live in Him, the harvest is sure to be abundant.

Imagine: bumper crops. Overflowing. More than can be contained.

That’s what I see for our church. I see flexible Christians who are naturally fruitful. I see bumper crops. I see challenges keeping up with the harvest. I see space limitations. I see much fruit.

Let’s do our job together. Let’s embrace our place in the Vine.

And in our place, we will be flexible and fruitful.

Big Ol’ Bags Of Holiness

Brian Dolleman - February 12, 2013 - Uncategorized

I like grapes. A lot.

My parents had grapevines—so I grew up harvesting grapes each year in September.

And I like vineyards. There’s just something beautiful / peaceful / romantic about them.

I’m pretty sure Jesus has a thing for vineyards too.

Jesus said,

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. —John 15.5 NLT

Several times in this passage, Jesus emphasizes his desire for us to produce fruit.

In fact, He even says,

(The Gardener) prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. (John 15.2 NLT)

So He wants us to be fruitful…

His plan is that we would bear MUCH fruit.

OK. Gotta ask the question though—what is fruit?

I know grapes and bananas, pears and pomegranates, raspberries and lychee.

And I know about those vegetable-fruits, you know—the vegetables that are technically classified as fruits…

Tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, peppers, okra, and potatoes.

But what I’m asking is:

What does Jesus mean when he says we ought to produce much fruit?

There are two ways of looking at “fruit” when we’re talking about Christians…

First, there’s the “fruit” of the Spirit (Galatians 5) – things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Another way to describe this would be “evidence” of God’s Spirit at work within you.

Is this what Jesus was talking about?

Was He saying something like this:

I want you to produce lots and lots of fruit. I want you to have tons of evidence to carry around. You need big ol’ bags stuffed full of holiness so everyone knows how good you are. The bigger your bags, the better!

Hmmmm. I don’t think so.

We do need the evidence of God’s Spirit (the fruit of the Spirit) in our lives for sure.

But the “vine and branches” teaching isn’t just about that.

The second kind of “fruit” has to do with reproduction…

Check out this definition of fruit:

In botany, a fruit is part of a flowering plant that derives from specific tissues of the flower, one or more ovaries, and in some cases accessory tissues. Fruits are the means by which these plants disseminate seeds.

Wow. Now we’re talking ovaries and seeds and stuff.

Jesus wants us to produce. Actually, He wants us to reproduce.

That’s right—through us, more people will have life in Him. The kingdom expands, the church grows.

There is a harvest, and it’s bumper crops.

Jesus assures us that as we live in him, we will produce much fruit. It’s natural. It just happens.

And just like there is a harvest season for grapes, NOW IS THE TIME for more lives to be added to God’s kingdom.

You have a saying, ‘Four more months and then the harvest.’ But I tell you, take a good look at the fields; the crops are now ripe and ready to be harvested! —John 4.35 GNT

PB Mini-Bytes: A Good Mix

Brian Dolleman - February 11, 2013 - Leadership Bites, Uncategorized

Ever have a soda with too much syrup or not enough syrup? If so, you had a bad mix. In today’s PB Mini-Bytes, we talk about having a good mix in communication—not too watered down, and not too syrupy. Listen and enjoy!

A Good Mix

Rise Up vs Rain Down (A Rant)

Brian Dolleman - February 7, 2013 - Uncategorized

I have my pet peeves when it comes to worship.

I’m sure you do too.

When I’m feeling rather peevish, I try to tell myself:

This (worship) isn’t about you. This is all about Him. This is TO Him and it is FOR Him.

Relax Dude. Remember: artistic license…

Things don’t have to be perfectly accurate and make complete sense in order for them to be beautiful.

The number of songs you’ve written and contributed to the body of Christ is exactly zero, so shut it.

I do think I’ve gotten better over the years. I used to be more rigid about it…

I would demand the changing of a song’s troublesome lyrics.

I had a rather extensive “banned” worship song list.

So, yeah. I think I’ve gotten a little better about it.

But I’m still super opinionated.

I have my list of things that really bother me in worship—things like:

#1. A worship set that is all gloomy and sad sounding.

#2. Worship that uses overly romantic imagery.

#3. Worship with lyrics that require an interpretation or leave us scratching our heads in confusion.

#4. Worship that only white people can appreciate (see #1 and #3).

#5. Worship that has us (the people) as the center of the focus and the hero of the story.

#6. Worship that rhymes “fire” with “desire” (just seems too easy).

#7. Worship that takes us backwards theologically.

Now, that last point leads me to today’s rant…

I’m tired of worship that begs for God to come, asks the Holy Spirit to rain down, and reinforces the notion if we cry, plead, and participate in a number of desperate antics—God just might show up once again.

I’m more of a “Rise up, Spirit of God in me” kind of guy than a “Holy Spirit rain down” dude.

Why? Because…

You are the temple of God and the Spirit of God lives in you. For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. (1 Corinthians 6.19 NLT, Luke 17.21 NKJV)

If we’re gonna have worship that doesn’t take us backwards theologically, I believe it will sound more like: “Rise up, Spirit of God in me” than “Holy Spirit rain down.”

I guess I just don’t want our worship to sound like some kind of rain dance.

Maybe I’m extra sensitive to the “rain down” thing because I’m from Seattle.

I don’t know.

Here’s what I do know: the Spirit of God lives in me, 100% of the time—and he’s not ever leaving me.

Jesus promised us that (John 14.16) – which is why I’m more of a “Rise up, Spirit of God in me” kind of guy than a “Holy Spirit rain down” dude.

Because It’s Easier To Just Compartmentalize

Brian Dolleman - February 6, 2013 - Uncategorized

Great cathedrals seem to be holy places…

Like God actually lives there.

When you step in, the beauty, size, and magnificence takes your breath away.

Your natural reaction is to move slowly, quietly, and with reverence.

Even the shape of the building pulls your attention heavenward.

Being in a cathedral causes us to be more mindful of God.

I guess that’s a pretty cool thing.

But it also can reinforce a compartmentalized view of God and his presence—that’s not so cool.

I think it’s kinda funny that my church lacks all the cool cathedral qualities.

It’s not beautiful or big or magnificent in any way.

It doesn’t cause people to move slowly or quietly or with reverence.

We have a preschool that operates through the week here. Things get all messy and dirty.

We even had a stray cat sneak in and stay for a few days. We discovered this because of “evidence.”

I don’t think anyone has the impression that God lives in the NWLife Church building.

A cat, maybe. God? No.

And that’s OK. Why? Because of what the Bible says:

God does not live in houses built by human hands. (Acts 7.48)

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you. (1 Cor. 6.19)

Indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17.21)

God doesn’t live in man-made structures, temples, church buildings, or cathedrals.

His Spirit lives in us.

But we often function as if God lives in churches and cathedrals—and not in us.

Why? Because it’s easier to just compartmentalize.

On Sunday, we go to the “God box” and get a spiritual tune-up. We confess and repent for all the bad stuff we participated in since the last time we did church. We get filled up and pumped up—ready for another week or two out in the world without God. Then we say goodbye to the box we have for God until next time…

Extra-credit people have “devotion time” – another box for us to meet with God in.

So, what about all the rest of the time?

Where is God then?

Where is God when we’re road-raging?

Where is God when we’re having too much to drink / too much to eat?

Where is God when we’re mocking and judging another one of his kids?

Where is God when we’re fighting with our spouse?

Where is God when we’re cheating on our taxes?

I know this: He’s not taking a nap on a row of comfy green chairs at NWLife Church, waiting for Sunday to roll around so He can hear about how everyone’s week went.

He’s not in a box. He is in you, He is with you.

Great. This means He’s with me when I’m sinning?

That’s kind of a hard pill to swallow—which is why it’s easier to just compartmentalize and think of God as being in the boxes we have for him.

I’m not criticizing going to church or having devotions (spending time reading your Bible and praying). Those things have significant purpose—and the Bible tells us to never quit doing them (see Hebrews 10.25, 1 Thessalonians 5.17, James 1.22).

Here’s what I am saying:

God is with you every moment, everywhere, all the time, in the good and in the bad, when you’ve got it together and when you’re falling apart, when you haven’t sinned yet since your last confession and when you are sinning…

His Spirit will never leave you (John 14.16).

God doesn’t stay in our boxes because we have the Spirit of God with us constantly.

This means we have life WITH God—not just compartments of life where we keep Him or meet with Him.

That Moment When You Realize Someone Is In The Room

Brian Dolleman - February 5, 2013 - Uncategorized

I bet you’ve done that thing where you’re in a public bathroom with a friend, carrying on a conversation through the stalls…

And when you open your stall door, you discover that your friend has already gone—and you’ve been talking for an unknown length of time to a complete stranger (who looks slightly confused and rather amused).

Here’s another one:

I bet you’ve done that thing where you walk into the family room or living room of your house, and you KNOW that nobody else is home…

You’re not concerned with things like social etiquette or proper attire. You might scratch yourself or make certain sounds—and not even think twice about it.

Then, somebody says “Well hello there” with a smirk on their face. A family member IS at home and has been sitting on the couch the whole time. In that moment, you have a mini heart attack, almost swear, drop something—then quickly think about what they might have seen or heard from you.

Here’s the point:

You’ve been wrong before about someone’s presence—whether they are with you or not with you—and you will be wrong again.

Now, let’s talk about God’s presence—the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit… You know him, because he lives with you now.” (John 14.16-17 NLT)

News flash about the Holy Spirit: He will NEVER leave you.

That’s not coming from me, that’s coming from Jesus.

Here’s what the Apostle Paul had to say about it:

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6.19 NLT)

God’s Spirit lives IN YOU and He will never leave you—whether you’re “feeling it” or not.

Sometimes we say things like “Whoa, the Holy Spirit is all up in this joint!” because we had a particularly powerful worship experience and we’re really “feeling it.”

Other times, we might feel distant and dry—wondering if God has lifted his Spirit from us.

But remember:

We’ve been wrong before about someone’s presence—whether they are with us or not with us—and we will be wrong again.

God’s Spirit lives IN YOU and He will never leave you—whether you’re “feeling it” or not.

I was a big U2 fan from junior high through college but never had the opportunity to go a concert. Then, a few years ago, my wife surprised me with U2 tickets.

During the concert, there were some moments when I got goosebumps and tears welled up in my eyes. Now, that’s the exact same response I have in church when I’m “feeling it” and “the Holy Spirit is all up in this joint.” Except, it wasn’t the Holy Spirit doing something special at the U2 concert. I was just being moved emotionally. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, I bet you’ve experienced something similar while at a concert or the theater.

I’m wanting to illustrate something you already know, but might need to be reminded of:

Your feelings will trick you.

“Feeling it” or “not feeling it” is never an accurate representation of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life. The Spirit of God is not coming and going, here and there, this way and that…

The Spirit of God lives IN you—when you’re feeling it and when you’re not; when you’re aware of His presence and when you’re not.

He abides. Lives. Dwells. 100% of the time God is with you. Get that settled right now in your heart and mind.

He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17.20-21 NKJV)

PB Mini-Bytes: Can You Laugh At It?

Brian Dolleman - February 4, 2013 - Leadership Bites, Uncategorized

In today’s PB Mini-Bytes, we talk about the recent Twitter trending topic #PastorAndRapperSimilarities & how many of them were true for us. Listen & enjoy!

Can You Laugh At It?

Friday Fun Plus Freebies!

Brian Dolleman - February 1, 2013 - Fun / Humor, Uncategorized

Another Friday (and it’s not even raining in Seattle). Let’s celebrate! Here are some freebies & fun stuff for ya…

#1. FREE KEYCHAIN—limited edition NWLife square black logo keychain.

This new NWLife keychain looks sharp (pictured at the bottom of the page). Be the first to comment on this blog post & I’ll send you one in an official NWLife stamped cotton bag (scroll down to the bottom of this page to comment).

#2. FREE BOOK—Dirty God: Jesus in the Trenches by Johnnie Moore.

I can’t stop Tweeting lines from this book. Love it. Be the first one to comment on this blog post & I’ll send you a copy (scroll down to the bottom of this page to comment).

#3. VIDEO—Super Bowl Reactions.

People share their thoughts on the results of a Super Bowl that hasn’t happened yet.

#4. VIDEO—Two Coach Harbaughs Battle it Out.

Yes, there is a man-tantrum in this video.

#5. VIDEO—Beatbox Battle With a Metronome.

This guy is the Georges St. Pierre of beatboxing. WARNING: Sorry for the language in the video…

#6. VIDEO—The Life of an Astronaut.

I love the faces in this video when something goes wrong.

#7. VIDEO—1964 VW Commercial.

How does the guy who operates the snow plow get to the snow plow?

See you next Friday for more fun & free stuff!

Like this post? You should also check out:

Friday Fun & Free Stuff Archive

How I Read “The Lord Is My Shepherd”

Brian Dolleman - January 31, 2013 - Uncategorized

This is how I read “The Lord is my Shepherd”

_____________________

Everything I’ve ever needed has been provided for me.
I have peace. I have rest.

I’m moving in the right direction,
because the Master is here—with me, guiding me.

Even when the way is clouded over—when it’s
dark, threatening, and depressing—I have nothing to fear.
I am protected, comforted, and encouraged.

I am honored and blessed, and people seem to notice.
Unlimited grace and unconditional love follow me wherever I go.

I am secure in my place, calm and confident.
I am home. I am family. This is where I belong.

And all of this is not because of me.
It’s all because of Him…

The Hero of my story.
My God, my shepherd.

—Psalm 23