What Happened to the Power?

The rhapsody was rapturous as LifeStyle Praise Band belted-out one of my very favorite songs, (Glorious Day by Casting Crowns), during one of the largest Celebration Services of the year, on Easter Sunday no less, at Cornerstone. The congregation was moved, as the powerful song built to a worshipful crescendo when the unthinkable (and unplanned-for) happened, the power went out. A myriad of questions and thoughts went through my mind in a manner of seconds, such as, "A Powerless Resurrection Service?”, "Really, on Easter Sunday?", and "Why, Why, Why?!!"

Thankfully, the Worship Band didn't miss a beat, as they continued with the two acoustic guitars taking the lead and LifeStyle bravely kept singing without the benefit of the Sound System. Meanwhile, the tech, media and usher teams scrambled in a frantic fire drill trying desperately to find the culprit and get the power back on in short order. In a matter of minutes, the blown breaker was reset and order (and power) restored.

It was one of a Pastors' worst nightmares -- a blown Breaker right in the middle of church. Not the worst -- I've seen worse and no, I won't divulge what they are (at least not today). Suffice it to say, it was bad enough and to top it off it was on EASTER SUNDAY! I mean, c'mon, Easter Sunday?! Easter is the big church day of the year. The day that you are trying to reach the crowd of CEO's, (Christmas Easter Only) in the audience. It's the day you want to make an impression on the guests -- a favorable impression, that is. It's the day you want everything to be perfect.

Life's like that.

Everything seems to be going great -- you're in the middle of your moment, the celebration is on, and then, out of left field, something happens. You get unplugged. Something or someone blows your breaker. Next thing you know, you’re disconnected.

Your reaction and subsequent actions in those moments of life will determine your success or failure – moving forward or backward.

So what are you to do in those moments of life?

Here are a few suggestions:

1) Re-Connect Quickly.
When you experience a blow-out on the road of life that drains you and threatens to get you off-course, as quickly as you can, go to the Power Source and reconnect. The Bible encourages Christians to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). Jesus is the Christian’s source of power and strength. Disconnecting from Him is the worst thing that can happen to you.

2) Find the Culprit and Eradicate it.
Whatever is “blowing your breaker” needs to be removed or changed in your life. If not, it will continue to happen, over and over again. You can’t just reconnect and expect everything to be fine – you must deal with the issue that keeps zapping and sapping you.

3) Add a Surge Protector to the Line.
Get some good and Godly people in your life that can help you keep the power flowing, in spite of life’s ups and downs. Proverbs 11:14 says “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Good advice for all of us.

So, one of my worst nightmares on Easter Sunday turned into a great illustration for my Easter sermon, “Follow.” The end result was positive with several people choosing to follow Jesus and many more reconnecting with Him. What could have been a curse, instead became a blessing.

When life deals you lemons, you can get sour or you can make lemonade.

Easter Sunday at Cornerstone ended up being as your “outage” can…
powerfully refreshing.

Drama, Dreams & The Music Man

It's a clear and beautiful Thursday winter morning. As I sit here in the kitchen sipping my cup of tea, my mind is still filled with, and fueled by, the thoughts of the great Service we enjoyed last night at C3. We are presently in the middle of a series based on Kevin Gerald's book entitled "Forces that Form Your Future" and the session last night was on "the Power of a Dream." We learned why dreams are important, how dreams need to be nurtured, and what to do when facing "dream thieves." it was a powerful evening at Cornerstone.

Upon returning home and getting ready for bed, I turned on the tv and began flipping through the channels. I ended up landing right in the middle of "The Music Man," the 1962 classic featuring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones, which may be my all-time favorite in a genre that I'm not really into -- musicals. This is one of those rare gems of a film that puts a smile on my face every time I see it. Robert Preston was at the top of his game portraying "professor" Harold Hill. Surprising that he did not get a Best Actor nomination with his performance. As a side note, the movie was nominated for Best Picture that year, though neither it, nor, another one of my all-time favorites, "To Kill a Mockingbird," won that year -- thanks to the epic "Lawrence of Arabia."

Back to the story. "The Music Man" is a wonderful tale about a con man by the name of Harold Hill, who comes to the conservative town of River City intending to cheat the community with his oft-played scam of offering to equip and train a boy's marching band, then skip town with the money (since he has no music skill anyway). However, while running his scam, he ends up falling for the beautiful town librarian which provides the conflict in the story. Does he take the money and run, or does he stay and face the music?

In the movie, the "Professor's" charismatic, musical scam, actually brings hope, life and vitality to the people of River City. We know it's a con-game, but is that all it is? In the latter part of the film, there is a great scene where Robert Preston, the con man, is on a bridge waiting for his love-interest, Shirley Jones. He looks down into the water and a marching band appears -- which he begins to lead. We now get to see what most people in the film could not see -- Harold Hill's DREAM. What was driving him, down deep inside, was the dream of having a band and leading a band! We realize that Hill wasn't a terrible person after all -- just a dreamer who had lost his way. The wonderful story ends with the redemption and reclamation of Harold Hill and his dream!

What about the story of your life? What about your dreams? Have they been forsaken, forgotten, or lost? God has planted dreams of a better future and a brighter tomorrow in the human heart that need to be embraced and nurtured. In the Bible, it took Joseph years of challenging obstacles before he realized his dream. Don't let life's challenges cause you to let go of your dreams. Don't be hindered by doubt, fear, and time. Keep believing in the God who believes in you! Keep the dream alive -- you can still make beautiful music after all!

Our All-Access Pass

Last night, my son, Zac and I went to the L.A. Auto Show. As we exited the parking structure, we were between the Convention Center (where the Auto Show was held) and the Staples Center. There was a huge line, about a block long, at the Staples Center. We found out that it was for a Katy Perry concert. As we walked further, I noticed a much shorter line at a smaller entrance. It was a VIP entrance and the sign said "All-Access Pass-holders Only". That got me thinking about something that my friend, pastor Phil Munsey, had shared about thanksgiving and it dawned on me that "Thanksgiving" is really our "All-Access Pass"!

The attitude and action of being thankful, gets you "in"...

1) It gets you INtimacy with God.

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." - Psalm 100:4

2) It brings you INfluence with man.

"Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone." - Colossians 4:6 (NLT)

3) It gives you INtuition for living life.

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. - Luke 10:21 (NLT)

You can be a VIP. Live life with an attitude of gratitude. Not just during this time of year, but every day. You will open your life to new opportunities and joys by simply living with a thankful heart.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." -Psalm 118:1

Happy Thanksgiving.

Dad's Photo Album

It is Thursday afternoon, April 28th, 2011. Once again, I am back with my Dad at his bedside during this final vigil. After staying with, and watching, him throughout the night, the morning-shift team, (consisting of my wife and mother), arrived and made me go get some sleep. It has been a long time since I have had a completely sleepless night – and those few hours of sleep this morning were refreshingly welcome.

As I sit here, I am looking at Dad’s collection of photo albums. One of them, in particular, has caught my interest. It is an album of “friends.” As I turn the over-filled pages, I see faces that I haven’t seen in years. Leo Upton, Sam Cagle, Winifred Black, Glen Harvey, Carl Adams, Gordon Mallory, James Larson, Terry Black, Jonathon Cupoli, Robert Bibb, Bob Baglin… and so many more. All of them, in this one book, are Ministers, Pastors and Missionaries. Some of whom have already passed-on before him.

The interesting thing to me, however, is that on every page, and most of the pictures, Dad has left a hand-written “Sticky-note Story” describing whom the photo is of, perhaps with the occasion or event noted, also. Out of dozens and dozens of photographs, a few of them have an even greater distinction, one that sets them apart from the rest. At the bottom of the sticky-note, Dad paid his highest compliment.

He simply wrote this one word: “FRIENDS.”

Afternoon & the Afterlife

The Sun is smiling today, in a cloudless sky of technicolor blue. Birds are chirping joyfully as the wind imposes it's will, gently, but insistently, upon the rustling branches of the trees. It is a beautiful Spring day -- being absorbed and appreciated from the Box Seats of Dad's room as I peer into the colorful world that is just beyond the glass in the peaceful confines of the backyard.

The bedroom blinds are open to the simple spectacle of nature that is unmatched by anything that can be produced by the hands of man. Dad has his head turned toward this great theater of life, featuring today's unique production, commercial-free, courtesy of the Creator. There is a far-away look in his eyes and eternity in his heart. He is still here, yet...

As I deeply exhale a cleansing breath, I realize this special place has a name.

It's called peace.

What a gift.


-Tim Smith

Torrance, California, on Thursday, April 28th at 3 O'clock in the afternoon.

Watching and Waiting

It's past one o'clock in the morning. I'm at my parent's house, sitting in my father's room. Gospel music is playing through his television which has the volume turned down. My wife is here as is my sister and mother -- they're all sleeping, worn-out. We are on an around the clock vigil for my 81 year-old father who is nearing the end of his life's journey on this earth. He has been on home care for the past couple of months and last week was put on hospice care.

There is a certain finality to "hospice" which emotionally hit home with me today as the nurse, quite matter-of-factly, apprised us that Dad would most likely pass tonight. That news affected all of us and turned today (actually yesterday, now) into an extremely taxing day for the entire family. A day of tears and laughter, singing and praying, worship and worry, memories and mysteries, faith and family -- a day unlike any other that I have experienced. I am just thankful for the grace of God, by which I stand.

So here I am, last man standing. Well, sitting, actually. Doing whatever is needed to help make Dad more comfortable. Praying constantly for him, talking to him and just basically loving on this great man who has "fought a good fight, and finished his course."

The closing of this chapter is near, as is the beginning of a new one... a glorified, eternal one. Heaven awaits.

This Church is for the Birds!

An amazing thing has been happening at our church this first week of 2011. Birds are trying to get in to the church. More specifically they are Ravens wanting to get in to our church.

The other day, my administrative assistant heard a knocking on the glass doors in our lobby and went out to see who it was and there were only birds. Yesterday it happened again, only this time she grabbed her camera and videoed the ravens knocking on the doors. You can see the video below.

There are several theories flying around about these occurrences, including the following...

1) The birds are trying to escape the extreme cold weather that we have been having this week in Southern California. (They are L.A. Birds who can't handle cold weather.)

2) The birds have heard about the massive bird die-offs that have happened this week in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Sweden. They are stressed about it and feel the urgency to go to church.

3) It’s God trying to get our attention, just as He did with His prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17, by sending the ravens in. (When the man of God thought he was all alone in his serving and worshiping of God, God let him know otherwise by sending the Ravens to sustain him. Hmmm.)

There are many questions remaining...
What do the birds know that we don’t? What are they after? Why are they so intent on coming into the church during a time when so many people are apathetic about coming to church? What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen raven?

Whatever the case, I find it interesting (and entertaining) that these Ravens keep trying to come to church at Cornerstone. Since this didn't happen on a Sunday, perhaps they are Early Birds. Maybe we will begin to see people flock into the church as well – that would certainly be a welcome sight at C3.

Some people think that church is for the birds. However, in this case, it seems the birds are for the church.