for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.....Romans 3:23, 24.
I encourage you to memorize the last part of above like you have the first part down pat. Then, realize that both parts together do not comprise the entire (one) significant and profound sentence.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US
Continual work on being wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove will always be necessary. We must work on being developed by the Spirit to form the likeness of Christ in our mentality; our spirituality. We want to approach each matter as Jesus does.
This is not easy, have you noticed? If we gain confidence, we are quite apt to slip into ego. If we improve in humility, we are threatened with becoming passive. Should we be blessed to realize significant changes can/should be made in the kingdom, we run the risk of slipping into arrogance. The Christ walk is not at 1-2-3 exercise and then, boom, you have it. It is a tedious work to develop the Jesus style.
A lot of trial and error takes place as one grows in the nature of Christ. This is important. Too, it is important to realize every one of us is found repeatedly in error while we go through the learning process. For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith....Romans 12:3.
Each of us is capable of realizing ways the church can improve. This is always a good thing unless we also develop a weed of superiority in the center of it.
This is not easy, have you noticed? If we gain confidence, we are quite apt to slip into ego. If we improve in humility, we are threatened with becoming passive. Should we be blessed to realize significant changes can/should be made in the kingdom, we run the risk of slipping into arrogance. The Christ walk is not at 1-2-3 exercise and then, boom, you have it. It is a tedious work to develop the Jesus style.
A lot of trial and error takes place as one grows in the nature of Christ. This is important. Too, it is important to realize every one of us is found repeatedly in error while we go through the learning process. For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith....Romans 12:3.
Each of us is capable of realizing ways the church can improve. This is always a good thing unless we also develop a weed of superiority in the center of it.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
BOOK, CHAPTERED, AND VERSED?
May I have your permission to ramble a bit about an idea? I desire more to get you to help me in my thinking than I do to get the grammatical structure in place. Does it bother any of you about our faith? I'm unsure of this which I write.
Have we book, chaptered, and versed ourselves out of mutual partnership with God? I mean have we failed to act because we couldn't find a backing text?
What was it that assured Elijah he could face down the 450 prophets of Baal? Where did he get the information to move forward on that project? Where did young David hear from God the permission to drag God's name into the Goliath episode?
Faith, once again, challenges us to know God; to walk with God in order to know some of the moves of aggressive courage to make for the cause of Christ. Yes, Noah was given precise instructions as to how to build the ark while the Great Commission is basically "Go" with little regulation.
I am wondering (and I simply love to ponder God's style and will) if we each move about in a Spirit connection too deep for words. I wonder if a lot happens in the kingdom because we "sense" from God to take action while there is nothing but faith to lay claim to any such direction.
Furthermore, due to such a respectful fear of getting some (or many) things wrong, I wonder if God's people have fundamentally shut down godly activity because they did not read, "Go to Japan". The many have, understand, made or are making such bold treks but I wonder if something is holding a great number of our people back because we have Chapter 11-ed them; we have book, chaptered, and versed them into freeze rather than action.
My point? I think there is more to faith for each of us. I'm just fascinated by it and would welcome your exploratory input.
Have we book, chaptered, and versed ourselves out of mutual partnership with God? I mean have we failed to act because we couldn't find a backing text?
What was it that assured Elijah he could face down the 450 prophets of Baal? Where did he get the information to move forward on that project? Where did young David hear from God the permission to drag God's name into the Goliath episode?
Faith, once again, challenges us to know God; to walk with God in order to know some of the moves of aggressive courage to make for the cause of Christ. Yes, Noah was given precise instructions as to how to build the ark while the Great Commission is basically "Go" with little regulation.
I am wondering (and I simply love to ponder God's style and will) if we each move about in a Spirit connection too deep for words. I wonder if a lot happens in the kingdom because we "sense" from God to take action while there is nothing but faith to lay claim to any such direction.
Furthermore, due to such a respectful fear of getting some (or many) things wrong, I wonder if God's people have fundamentally shut down godly activity because they did not read, "Go to Japan". The many have, understand, made or are making such bold treks but I wonder if something is holding a great number of our people back because we have Chapter 11-ed them; we have book, chaptered, and versed them into freeze rather than action.
My point? I think there is more to faith for each of us. I'm just fascinated by it and would welcome your exploratory input.
AMBITION: FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
I write to those early in their years of kingdom service. Some may be employed by the church. Others may not; but serve and sacrifice every bit as diligently. A lot goes on in the privacy of self which can provide some moments of delight while offer other times of shame. As simple as we believe ourselves to be on one side; we surely are complex on the other.
An important element of every servant is our ambition factor. James 3:13-18 speaks specifically about it. If selfish it is evil; demonic James specifies. If surrendered it is divine. And so we go about tossing the coin and jumping some of our hoops hoping/desiring/preferring to get it right.
Ambition can be tough to hold still. From one angle it can wreck a church because one begins to use his ambition to manipulate and restrict the rest. On the other hand we can be critical of any who don't possess it accusing such as lazy and lethargic.
Correct ambition must necessarily be couched in wisdom prayed for from here and delivered from heaven. It cannot be processed from any earthy philosophy or whim. Only from above will such be acceptable.
Oddly, when it is from above peace and productivity seem amazingly simple as well as unexplainable. I urge you to seek to place each ambition within the treasured wisdom sought in prayer. Sow life into your work by tilling your fields with prayer plows. Ambition is remarkable when authentic in motive and received from above.
An important element of every servant is our ambition factor. James 3:13-18 speaks specifically about it. If selfish it is evil; demonic James specifies. If surrendered it is divine. And so we go about tossing the coin and jumping some of our hoops hoping/desiring/preferring to get it right.
Ambition can be tough to hold still. From one angle it can wreck a church because one begins to use his ambition to manipulate and restrict the rest. On the other hand we can be critical of any who don't possess it accusing such as lazy and lethargic.
Correct ambition must necessarily be couched in wisdom prayed for from here and delivered from heaven. It cannot be processed from any earthy philosophy or whim. Only from above will such be acceptable.
Oddly, when it is from above peace and productivity seem amazingly simple as well as unexplainable. I urge you to seek to place each ambition within the treasured wisdom sought in prayer. Sow life into your work by tilling your fields with prayer plows. Ambition is remarkable when authentic in motive and received from above.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A BIG THING I'VE LEARNED FROM OUR ELDERS
Stemming back a few elderships ago to the present, I have been the beneficiary of their good mentorship; especially in the area of worry. My last few sets of leaders were each sober about their jobs but I could not help but notice how they did not fret.
This has affected me. I desperately needed to see leaders exemplify patience, peace, and calm when under stress. I did not come to town with such attributes. I needed to learn this. Their examples have reversed my temperament to a point we could all say at least I've improved!
I'm not saying they or I never gulp wondering how God will work some things out. Neither am I stating I work beside a group who find little to be bothered about. I am saying I continually notice myself not reacting as extremely to some incidents as I once did because I observe a group of men whom I regard as close friends talk and walk as if everything will be okay.
Each of us is blessed when we get to be around leaders who are so anchored in Christ that they can be fun to be around even when the going is bumpy.
This has affected me. I desperately needed to see leaders exemplify patience, peace, and calm when under stress. I did not come to town with such attributes. I needed to learn this. Their examples have reversed my temperament to a point we could all say at least I've improved!
I'm not saying they or I never gulp wondering how God will work some things out. Neither am I stating I work beside a group who find little to be bothered about. I am saying I continually notice myself not reacting as extremely to some incidents as I once did because I observe a group of men whom I regard as close friends talk and walk as if everything will be okay.
Each of us is blessed when we get to be around leaders who are so anchored in Christ that they can be fun to be around even when the going is bumpy.
Monday, February 16, 2009
AN IDEA IF YOU NEED ONE FOR SMALL GROUPS
From the start on this one I want to say this is merely an idea should you be a part of a struggling small group somewhere on the planet. I've been involved with many groups; maybe six or seven various ones have met in our home over the years. I love the concept and the value of small groups.
Occasionally I hear of some which are sagging in interest or attendance or both. About three years ago I had an idea and began a new group. When we gather we do one thing; we pray. We don't sing. We don't study. We don't view a film series. And nothing is amiss with any of the aforementioned. But I wanted to see what would happen if we prayed.
At first we had a few reluctant while others would not even attend though their spouses did. They were afraid. But we patiently continued and after awhile those distancing themselves began to gather round and eventually began to pray; men and women together.
We have been so blessed. Our group is not the best one or the most important one. But praying together has become a hunger to us. We pour over the needs and both cry and laugh with joy over the fruit.
If your groups ever hits a slight snag maybe a time of simple prayer together would give it a solid boost.
Occasionally I hear of some which are sagging in interest or attendance or both. About three years ago I had an idea and began a new group. When we gather we do one thing; we pray. We don't sing. We don't study. We don't view a film series. And nothing is amiss with any of the aforementioned. But I wanted to see what would happen if we prayed.
At first we had a few reluctant while others would not even attend though their spouses did. They were afraid. But we patiently continued and after awhile those distancing themselves began to gather round and eventually began to pray; men and women together.
We have been so blessed. Our group is not the best one or the most important one. But praying together has become a hunger to us. We pour over the needs and both cry and laugh with joy over the fruit.
If your groups ever hits a slight snag maybe a time of simple prayer together would give it a solid boost.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
WORKSHOP ROUNDUP COMING TO MEMORIAL
Last year we began the first annual Workshop Roundup at Memorial Drive. It was an event where we invited area Churches of Christ to come be a part of a pre-Tulsa Workshop evening. We didn't know what to expect. God packed the place! It was sooo fun!
In two weeks we are having the second annual event. Carl Harris of Collinsville, Bob Herndon of SouthBrooke, and Dan Langdon of the Open Door church in Broken Arrow will be the guest speakers. Others from area congregations will be involved in the leading of worship that evening.
At the conclusion of the evening the guests will have the opportunity to sign up for various works as it takes such a force to pull the workshop off. The evening is fun. The work is fun. Life in Christ is fabulous!
The world will know Him by our love. We want to do everything we can to build up the knowing factor which impacts the world! I hope to see many of you Sunday night, March 1, 6:00 at Workshop Roundup.
In two weeks we are having the second annual event. Carl Harris of Collinsville, Bob Herndon of SouthBrooke, and Dan Langdon of the Open Door church in Broken Arrow will be the guest speakers. Others from area congregations will be involved in the leading of worship that evening.
At the conclusion of the evening the guests will have the opportunity to sign up for various works as it takes such a force to pull the workshop off. The evening is fun. The work is fun. Life in Christ is fabulous!
The world will know Him by our love. We want to do everything we can to build up the knowing factor which impacts the world! I hope to see many of you Sunday night, March 1, 6:00 at Workshop Roundup.
I THINK ABOUT YOU CONSTANTLY
Be encouraged. There is more good stuff going on from you and more amazing wonder taking place around you than any of us could ever imagine. The brothers couldn't see it as they sold off Joseph to a den of thieves. Saul couldn't imagine it while trying to fit young David into his personal armor. There was no way Peter saw it coming when they went ahead against their whims and lowered the net on the other side of the boat.
God has more cooking than we can imagine stoves!
You make a different to the least suspecting. So much good is coming from you that I believe if you could see it you would faint from its magnitude. I think about you constantly while in reality I don't know 95% of those who read this blog. I simply believe by faith you are there and you are encouraged.
You realize I am not aware when/while one person reads this blog. That's my point; you are my point. I think about you constantly; wondering how to best encourage. By faith I believe you are. Such a belief system is reality and I would pass out if I could see when and where you sit and how much you needed to hear a message inspired by God.
You do more than you can imagine because He works in you. He said so...Eph. 3:20!
God has more cooking than we can imagine stoves!
You make a different to the least suspecting. So much good is coming from you that I believe if you could see it you would faint from its magnitude. I think about you constantly while in reality I don't know 95% of those who read this blog. I simply believe by faith you are there and you are encouraged.
You realize I am not aware when/while one person reads this blog. That's my point; you are my point. I think about you constantly; wondering how to best encourage. By faith I believe you are. Such a belief system is reality and I would pass out if I could see when and where you sit and how much you needed to hear a message inspired by God.
You do more than you can imagine because He works in you. He said so...Eph. 3:20!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
HOW I WILL IMPACT BASEBALL'S SPRING TRAINING
Should you not have noticed, I am a very influential sort. Oh yeah! I move in and out of circumstances and situations leaving a great trail of marvel behind. I did it in my recent trip to the Legends Camp at the Cardinals' Spring Training facilities in Jupiter, Florida.
Should you have missed it this is February 14th. Everyone knows the significance of such an American date. It is the opening of MLB's Spring Training. So guess who are reporting to the same clubhouse I was in? The St. Louis Cardinals.
And just how have I impacted these prime athletes as they report? Well, hang on and I'll tell you.
On my second day in camp I was dressed for the morning workouts and in the trainers room checking on teammates as well as the four trainers. One of my teammates had been hurt as he twisted his knee and evidently tore his ACLU.
While all were engaging in multiple conversations at a time, I was deep into the mix as well. Medical supplies; tape, tools, pills, etc. are scattered throughout the room available for treatment of sore muscles and assorted injuries. I walked over to the cabinet with the sunscreen on it. Several brands were there from which to choose. I was talking to some guys and grabbed a bottle of Flex-All; a muscle lotion which heats upon application.
As soon as my hand passed my nose I knew I had the wrong thing; but my hand applied the lotion anyway. Naturally, in trying to quickly rub it off I merely rubbed it in. Boy, it was hot.
I was afraid once I got in the sun I might really burn because my face was on fire.
The guys got a huge charge out of the incident. Word spread throughout the clubhouse about my mishap. The trainers worked on me twice before I headed to the field to apply a cooling treatment to my face. It felt much better.
The rest of the week the pros would call out, Hey Terry, is your face good and loose? Is that why you keep smiling; you're face it so loose?
So now on the white-board above the sunscreen cabinet for those reporting to camp are the words, "The Terry Rush Rule: Sunscreen is in the sunscreen bottles. Flex-All is not one of them."
Should you have missed it this is February 14th. Everyone knows the significance of such an American date. It is the opening of MLB's Spring Training. So guess who are reporting to the same clubhouse I was in? The St. Louis Cardinals.
And just how have I impacted these prime athletes as they report? Well, hang on and I'll tell you.
On my second day in camp I was dressed for the morning workouts and in the trainers room checking on teammates as well as the four trainers. One of my teammates had been hurt as he twisted his knee and evidently tore his ACLU.
While all were engaging in multiple conversations at a time, I was deep into the mix as well. Medical supplies; tape, tools, pills, etc. are scattered throughout the room available for treatment of sore muscles and assorted injuries. I walked over to the cabinet with the sunscreen on it. Several brands were there from which to choose. I was talking to some guys and grabbed a bottle of Flex-All; a muscle lotion which heats upon application.
As soon as my hand passed my nose I knew I had the wrong thing; but my hand applied the lotion anyway. Naturally, in trying to quickly rub it off I merely rubbed it in. Boy, it was hot.
I was afraid once I got in the sun I might really burn because my face was on fire.
The guys got a huge charge out of the incident. Word spread throughout the clubhouse about my mishap. The trainers worked on me twice before I headed to the field to apply a cooling treatment to my face. It felt much better.
The rest of the week the pros would call out, Hey Terry, is your face good and loose? Is that why you keep smiling; you're face it so loose?
So now on the white-board above the sunscreen cabinet for those reporting to camp are the words, "The Terry Rush Rule: Sunscreen is in the sunscreen bottles. Flex-All is not one of them."
Friday, February 13, 2009
WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM STRUGGLES
I'm constantly encouraging you and others of the value of struggles. Everything is a yes in our walk; even the things we don't want or like....II Cor. 1:18-20.
I haven't liked moments of skirmishes and battles in my work. But I can say I really needed them. While I haven't become calloused or insensitive, scuffles and strains are fundamental in constructing disciples. They were significant for Jesus' growth: although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered....Hebrews 5:8.
Some of the things I've learned (which don't make me look so good, but here are a few):
I haven't liked moments of skirmishes and battles in my work. But I can say I really needed them. While I haven't become calloused or insensitive, scuffles and strains are fundamental in constructing disciples. They were significant for Jesus' growth: although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered....Hebrews 5:8.
Some of the things I've learned (which don't make me look so good, but here are a few):
- Some I thought didn't like me came from my insecure imagination.
- Some of the most important people in my circle are those who don't think at all like me.
- When entering a full-blown crisis, God shows you a strength you possess that you had never needed until then and you are amazed at how sharply you can operate.
- It is a glorious time to be at the end of your rope with no more answers; no more plans.
- If one will wait for Him, we will encounter great surprises; we must not give up too soon.
- 90% of the time things aren't as bad as I assumed.
- Many more things will work out if I wait in prayer instead of reacting in ambition.
- God doesn't waste one crumb of our life; even what we don't want fits His success recipe.
- If we run from the hard times we will remain little thinkers; toddlers in faith.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A BASEBALL FRIEND
I don't know why but I have had Jimmy Piersall on my mind so much lately. I haven't been in touch with him for several years as time flies and paths have not crossed recently.
Do any of you remember the movie Fear Strikes Out with Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden? Perkins played a baseball player who lost his mind because his dad, Malden, put excruciating pressure upon him. It was a true story; Perkins was playing the role of Jimmy Piersall.
Jimmy was a fantastic talent. He played for the Indians, Red Sox, Senators, Mets, and Angels. During a couple of games with the Yankees he suffered a breakdown. Sadness covered the fans.
Jimmy was a tough man when I met him as one of my coaches in the camps I attend. For some reason he adopted me throughout the week. For one, I was named after Terry Moore who was Jimmy's hero. And, maybe a glimmer of talent showed through....not.
While he was a weathered man, I loved him. He said the best thing that happened to him in baseball was when he went nuts (his words) because until then no one had ever heard of him. In camp he declared we were all crazy but bragged he was the only one who had papers to prove it. I still laugh when I was a kid I saw him hit his 100th home run. He circled the bases while running backwards!
Our lives are so good; so rich. We don't just envision the future or relish the moment. We have so many memories in which we treasure. I encourage you to ponder some of the wonderful paths God has led you. Don't you love being who you get to be?
Do any of you remember the movie Fear Strikes Out with Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden? Perkins played a baseball player who lost his mind because his dad, Malden, put excruciating pressure upon him. It was a true story; Perkins was playing the role of Jimmy Piersall.
Jimmy was a fantastic talent. He played for the Indians, Red Sox, Senators, Mets, and Angels. During a couple of games with the Yankees he suffered a breakdown. Sadness covered the fans.
Jimmy was a tough man when I met him as one of my coaches in the camps I attend. For some reason he adopted me throughout the week. For one, I was named after Terry Moore who was Jimmy's hero. And, maybe a glimmer of talent showed through....not.
While he was a weathered man, I loved him. He said the best thing that happened to him in baseball was when he went nuts (his words) because until then no one had ever heard of him. In camp he declared we were all crazy but bragged he was the only one who had papers to prove it. I still laugh when I was a kid I saw him hit his 100th home run. He circled the bases while running backwards!
Our lives are so good; so rich. We don't just envision the future or relish the moment. We have so many memories in which we treasure. I encourage you to ponder some of the wonderful paths God has led you. Don't you love being who you get to be?
AGAINSTISM: A DEMONIC DOCTRINE
Churches suffer more from our inner circles than we do the drug dealers and crime lords. For thirty-five years of preaching ministry I have taken (as many of you have) quite a hammering. Of the graduates from my class, 82% have quit. This hasn't happened because of too many church suppers. Several remain servants in other capacities but in nearly all of these cases the church drove them from the pulpit.
The death toll is usually culminated in the name of Truth. Just a few of these battles encountered have been:
The death toll is usually culminated in the name of Truth. Just a few of these battles encountered have been:
- Truth against versions of the Bible other than KJV
- Truth against congregations offering a Mother's Day Out program for their communities
- Truth against the Holy Spirit working
- Truth against the divorced community
- Truth against several coming down front to comfort a responder to the invitation
- Truth against solos and duets and praise teams
- Truth against listening to those outside of our brand speak when we all read their books
On the list goes in a consistently positioned againstism.
The Truth is and always will be ultra-significant. I wonder why the againstism party cannot see the Truth that Jesus faced their crowd centuries ago. He was against the againstism group. Their reaction was what any good and faithful Truth Seeker would do.....they killed him in the name of Truth. The pattern continues. Truth is killed by those wielding the sword of Truth. These plot and plan and they get their way. Our cities and suburbs are strewn with deadened souls as they once sat among us; but againstism finally took its toll.
Such a lifestyle comes from a wisdom that is earthy; but not from above. It's backing is selfish arrogance. We all must avoid such dangerous doctrine: Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing...James 3:13-16.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
PRAY IT FORWARD
We possess a mighty instrument of power; prayer.
I was thinking today about my kids and recalling repeated times of prayer I spent with God over them. When they were in grade school I would thank God for the job interviews they each would one day have; maybe ten to fifteen years down the road.
I thanked Him that they were capable of having such an interview. I thanked Him for the training He had provided by that time in their lives. I talked to God about the rooms they would sit in and the individuals behind the desk as they would speak. I thanked Him that the interviews went so well. I thanked Him for keeping them from getting work which would not be good for them or the kingdom.
Things I pray forward now continue to be presented to God in the form of thankfulness. I thank Him for the success of the book I am writing, for the effectiveness of the Tulsa Workshop approaching, for the man who replaces me one day at Memorial Drive, and the new elders God eventually adds to the ones we now treasure.
Such prayers can go forward as far as we can imagine. I often thank Him for people and their works which have yet to be born. I praise God for conversions which have not yet taken place. Our imaginations are free to run wild as we pray it forward!
Praying forward is nothing new to our people. This note serves as an encouraging reminder to express great gratitude to God for things which have not yet happened; yet you believe they will.
Be encouraged. Make someone’s day by preparing the event with your unseen, unnoticed, and invisible prayers.....even years ahead of time.
I was thinking today about my kids and recalling repeated times of prayer I spent with God over them. When they were in grade school I would thank God for the job interviews they each would one day have; maybe ten to fifteen years down the road.
I thanked Him that they were capable of having such an interview. I thanked Him for the training He had provided by that time in their lives. I talked to God about the rooms they would sit in and the individuals behind the desk as they would speak. I thanked Him that the interviews went so well. I thanked Him for keeping them from getting work which would not be good for them or the kingdom.
Things I pray forward now continue to be presented to God in the form of thankfulness. I thank Him for the success of the book I am writing, for the effectiveness of the Tulsa Workshop approaching, for the man who replaces me one day at Memorial Drive, and the new elders God eventually adds to the ones we now treasure.
Such prayers can go forward as far as we can imagine. I often thank Him for people and their works which have yet to be born. I praise God for conversions which have not yet taken place. Our imaginations are free to run wild as we pray it forward!
Praying forward is nothing new to our people. This note serves as an encouraging reminder to express great gratitude to God for things which have not yet happened; yet you believe they will.
Be encouraged. Make someone’s day by preparing the event with your unseen, unnoticed, and invisible prayers.....even years ahead of time.
MIGHT WE EACH HAVE A COWARDLY SIDE?
Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.
Peter honestly thought he loved the Lord more than the other followers. He could see “them” failing but not himself. You know how the conversation continued. Jesus retorted, before the cock crows you shall deny me three times.
Peter could see it in others but had no awareness of his own weakness. We can see it in Peter but do we have awareness of our own?
Every servant must walk upon his or her own eggshells lest we, too, believe we are more committed to truth, more wise in perception, and more effective in work. We are all terribly marred by sin. We are cowards who tend to talk big in meetings. We are visionaries with spiritual glaucoma when it comes to evangelism.
Yes, Peter never dreamed he was as small-minded, small-committed to Jesus as everyone else. He was a brave imaginer in coward’s clothing. So it is with me…and you….and all.
Take on the great opportunities which lie in front of you with awareness it is not a wise thing to work critical of any other. Each of us will fold under pressure except by the grace and mercy of the One who strengthens.
Peter honestly thought he loved the Lord more than the other followers. He could see “them” failing but not himself. You know how the conversation continued. Jesus retorted, before the cock crows you shall deny me three times.
Peter could see it in others but had no awareness of his own weakness. We can see it in Peter but do we have awareness of our own?
Every servant must walk upon his or her own eggshells lest we, too, believe we are more committed to truth, more wise in perception, and more effective in work. We are all terribly marred by sin. We are cowards who tend to talk big in meetings. We are visionaries with spiritual glaucoma when it comes to evangelism.
Yes, Peter never dreamed he was as small-minded, small-committed to Jesus as everyone else. He was a brave imaginer in coward’s clothing. So it is with me…and you….and all.
Take on the great opportunities which lie in front of you with awareness it is not a wise thing to work critical of any other. Each of us will fold under pressure except by the grace and mercy of the One who strengthens.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
WHY SPIRITUALITY?
What is meant as spiritual? Why do we reference the process of following God as spirituality? Why is it we regard living and working with Him as a spiritual experience? I think it is because we connect with God in our minds.
Our minds are the base from which spiritual living is exercised. Do not be conformed to the things of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…Paul wrote in Romans 12.
How many times my mind has hosted the tennis tournament of spiritual warfare. How many times have I had to talk myself into life or out of defeat. For me the spiritual life is a constant tournament of excellent thinking. Perception and vision are two key coaches I want on my side.
Ministry and momentum’s success depends upon the willingness to venture into the spirituality of using the mind for fruitful kingdom harvest. He said He would do more than our minds could imagine….Eph. 3:20.
I can misread and misreact all of which will send the mind a-whirring in a downward spiral. Or, I can believe and hope which will cause my ascension into effective work. Spirituality lives in the recesses of our thought-files. The mind; it links to/draws from the Spirit forming spirituality.
Our minds are the base from which spiritual living is exercised. Do not be conformed to the things of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…Paul wrote in Romans 12.
How many times my mind has hosted the tennis tournament of spiritual warfare. How many times have I had to talk myself into life or out of defeat. For me the spiritual life is a constant tournament of excellent thinking. Perception and vision are two key coaches I want on my side.
Ministry and momentum’s success depends upon the willingness to venture into the spirituality of using the mind for fruitful kingdom harvest. He said He would do more than our minds could imagine….Eph. 3:20.
I can misread and misreact all of which will send the mind a-whirring in a downward spiral. Or, I can believe and hope which will cause my ascension into effective work. Spirituality lives in the recesses of our thought-files. The mind; it links to/draws from the Spirit forming spirituality.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
ANTISUPERNATURAL RATIONALISM
I was scanning a brotherhood paper early this morning. A statement was made I find profound. After railing against the leadership of Churches of Christ (belittling "change") the author pointed out that most of America's universities began as Christian schools (Harvard, etc.); yet declined in such emphasis due to being infiltrated "by German antisupernatural rationalism".
That is a stunning statement. I would imagine his research and evaluation is fairly accurate. But has he not noticed that Churches of Christ are declining because of American antisupernatural rationalism? Is he not aware that the very change he fights is a change for supernaturalism to be allowed among us? Is he oblivious to his promoting of the very element in our churches that he criticizes about the universities?
How can there ever be a venue for supernaturalism when the Holy Spirit is told to stay out? Such a move forces us into rationalism and such will always lead to......stagnation/no change.
That is a stunning statement. I would imagine his research and evaluation is fairly accurate. But has he not noticed that Churches of Christ are declining because of American antisupernatural rationalism? Is he not aware that the very change he fights is a change for supernaturalism to be allowed among us? Is he oblivious to his promoting of the very element in our churches that he criticizes about the universities?
How can there ever be a venue for supernaturalism when the Holy Spirit is told to stay out? Such a move forces us into rationalism and such will always lead to......stagnation/no change.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
SIT DOWN AND BE STILL
Tomorrow is another "Terry sit down" day. No sermon this week! These sorts of days are getting easier; but they still feel weird. Tomorrow is Baby Blessing Day where we honor '08's newborns during the sermon time. We will spend the morning praising God for and emphasizing the glory of children....especially our newer ones. In May we will have a similar morning where there is no sermon as we will honor the high school graduates on Senior Sunday.
The reason I write about this is for those of you who would feel this isn't right (skipping sermon time to honor people). Let me tell you why I think it is very right:
The reason I write about this is for those of you who would feel this isn't right (skipping sermon time to honor people). Let me tell you why I think it is very right:
- The sermon isn't the centerpiece of Sunday morning. Jesus is.
- It tests leaders like myself to learn to yield when we really don't prefer to in the beginning. This is very good for us to experience.
- The breaking of norm-form is good to cause worshippers to maintain a freshness in spirit rather than a dullness of routine.
- The process signals with firm attention how important various groups in our church family are.
- Such a move is good for those who feel this isn't according to the Bible. It requires them to find a church service in the Bible which reveals the pattern they/we think God enacted.
Now, "sit down and be still" is never an act I relish. I would rather keep moving. But days like what we anticipate tomorrow are clearly one of the reasons Memorial is alive. God moves in many facets. There will be those who prefer the sermon. It will be good for them to miss it. Others will be wishing we honored babies weekly to keep from hearing me.
Friday, February 06, 2009
SOMETHING AMAZING IS GOING ON
Something phenomenal is happening. I know what it is.....really. God's kingdom is activated and we are in it. I am hearing through the tech grapevine of riches taking place among us which are so abundant in report only God could be the author.
Three times in one day this week (Tuesday) people told me of exciting growth in their works. Each not knowing the conversation of the other (and each lived miles/states apart), their words rang with similarity when I asked what was causing such marvel; We've learned to get out of the way.
Today I was blessed by an email informing me of a gift coming in my direction which I sorely needed. I meet with fifteen preachers at random in my office in the early morning of the first day of the workshop in March. I spend an hour and a half listening/speaking to these good soldiers. Each year I always have a stack of books as encouragement to hand them.
But this year, funds are more careful and I had only one book to hand them until........until the email today stating of one's appreciation for being in that group year's back and he would be sending fifteen copies to give to this year's class. I marvel.
Later today I received a call from a colleague who is obsessed with reaching the Spanish community. He is more than ambitious and a visionary. He has the financial backing, the staff aligned, and the plans to establish Spanish speaking congregations throughout the Southwest. While I can't go into detail, this man actually has a plan in proportionate scale to the influx of the Spanish population. It is more than a dream; it is happening.
The magnetism of God seems stronger than I ever recall in my brief time in ministry. Why is that? I believe the patient and faithful teachings of friends like Albert Lemmons, Keith Roberts, Luther Gower, Randy Harris, and others have become actualized in our faith practice. I believe masses are praying more than ever. I am not implying no one prayed until my generation for I know better. I am saying I believe interest in prayer has even increased.
Why are so many amazing things going on? I think believers are praying for starters. Too, I think we believe God is active among us....and that's for another discussion down the road. Join in the fun; the kingdom of God is near.
Three times in one day this week (Tuesday) people told me of exciting growth in their works. Each not knowing the conversation of the other (and each lived miles/states apart), their words rang with similarity when I asked what was causing such marvel; We've learned to get out of the way.
Today I was blessed by an email informing me of a gift coming in my direction which I sorely needed. I meet with fifteen preachers at random in my office in the early morning of the first day of the workshop in March. I spend an hour and a half listening/speaking to these good soldiers. Each year I always have a stack of books as encouragement to hand them.
But this year, funds are more careful and I had only one book to hand them until........until the email today stating of one's appreciation for being in that group year's back and he would be sending fifteen copies to give to this year's class. I marvel.
Later today I received a call from a colleague who is obsessed with reaching the Spanish community. He is more than ambitious and a visionary. He has the financial backing, the staff aligned, and the plans to establish Spanish speaking congregations throughout the Southwest. While I can't go into detail, this man actually has a plan in proportionate scale to the influx of the Spanish population. It is more than a dream; it is happening.
The magnetism of God seems stronger than I ever recall in my brief time in ministry. Why is that? I believe the patient and faithful teachings of friends like Albert Lemmons, Keith Roberts, Luther Gower, Randy Harris, and others have become actualized in our faith practice. I believe masses are praying more than ever. I am not implying no one prayed until my generation for I know better. I am saying I believe interest in prayer has even increased.
Why are so many amazing things going on? I think believers are praying for starters. Too, I think we believe God is active among us....and that's for another discussion down the road. Join in the fun; the kingdom of God is near.
SAVIOUR. SELF. SAVIOUR. SELF. SAVIOUR. ?????
Even those among us who pay little attention can finish the sentence beginning with All have sinned and fall _____ __ ___ _____ __ ___. But how is it our people can recite this part in their sleep but don't have a clue as to the rest of the same sentence; being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith....Romans 3:23-25.
Training a people to know scripture the above way (partial truth) is painfully flawed. The entire brotherhood has this glaring contagion. We are in a deep hurt because we have innocently extracted portions of scripture to fit a point desired. It is true that all have fallen. It is also true the fallen are justified by the blood of Jesus.
Why do we not emphasize the last half of the good news sentence? I suppose basically we just don't realize it is there.
What happens when believing half of the above is we become dependent on self to get ourselves right with God. We believe Jesus is the Saviour but we turn to Self and see what we can do better. We toss back and forth as in a bad night's sleep accepting and rejecting His work on the cross because Self continues to pitch in with redemption effort. Jesus is the Saviour; the only one. Not Self.
Grace out-marches sin. Sin does not out-march grace. Because of poor memorization practices, we are not so sure.
Training a people to know scripture the above way (partial truth) is painfully flawed. The entire brotherhood has this glaring contagion. We are in a deep hurt because we have innocently extracted portions of scripture to fit a point desired. It is true that all have fallen. It is also true the fallen are justified by the blood of Jesus.
Why do we not emphasize the last half of the good news sentence? I suppose basically we just don't realize it is there.
What happens when believing half of the above is we become dependent on self to get ourselves right with God. We believe Jesus is the Saviour but we turn to Self and see what we can do better. We toss back and forth as in a bad night's sleep accepting and rejecting His work on the cross because Self continues to pitch in with redemption effort. Jesus is the Saviour; the only one. Not Self.
Grace out-marches sin. Sin does not out-march grace. Because of poor memorization practices, we are not so sure.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
CAN'T GET ALONG WITH US...OR WITHOUT US
Isn't there a song of some persuasion confessing, I can't get along without you? I heard a recent line of a song, If you don't leave me alone, I'll find somebody who will. Interesting.
Church autonomy has surely taken a beating. We don't do well at getting along together apart because we want to be apart together. I mean why do congregations who take the strongest and most rigid stance against divorce seem to be first in line to divorce other congregations? This is a mess; a complete unexplainable, disorientable mess.
Wouldn't it be better (even more Christ-like) if we liked the fact we are, in several ways, different? Wouldn't it be progress to recognize there really are some folks who need to worship differently and by the autonomous route, individuals can actually find such a family fit without condemning the rest?
Frankly, I think the church is growing more in this direction. Jesus is still having his way favorable way with his people. Not every liberal or conservative has bailed on the Bible way of doing things. I'm not certain as to just how important the owning of church buildings, the conducting of Bible classes, and the number of cups at communion should precisely be. But I do know one thing; mercy is a mighty big doctrine which no soul can choose to deliberately ignore.
Maybe we can make progress in being alike in allowing differences.
Church autonomy has surely taken a beating. We don't do well at getting along together apart because we want to be apart together. I mean why do congregations who take the strongest and most rigid stance against divorce seem to be first in line to divorce other congregations? This is a mess; a complete unexplainable, disorientable mess.
Wouldn't it be better (even more Christ-like) if we liked the fact we are, in several ways, different? Wouldn't it be progress to recognize there really are some folks who need to worship differently and by the autonomous route, individuals can actually find such a family fit without condemning the rest?
Frankly, I think the church is growing more in this direction. Jesus is still having his way favorable way with his people. Not every liberal or conservative has bailed on the Bible way of doing things. I'm not certain as to just how important the owning of church buildings, the conducting of Bible classes, and the number of cups at communion should precisely be. But I do know one thing; mercy is a mighty big doctrine which no soul can choose to deliberately ignore.
Maybe we can make progress in being alike in allowing differences.
STRONGLY HUMBLE
Not that the rest of our staff does not fit this detail, but our youth minister is a unique sort to work beside. Bobby Smith is 26 years old and possesses a spirit about him which I find impressive; he is strongly humble.
Bobby is not only our youth minister. He is also our preacher training intern. We are intentionally grooming him to be a pulpit minister one day.
Bobby is strong in that he is not a push-over because someone thinks he should move one way or another. He is strong in his ability to think, to act, and to react. I marvel at how wise he is in areas that I am not.
Too, his humility allows him to receive instruction and correction. His face reflects a heart which is eager to learn everyday.
Bobby Smith is a friend to many; including me. I believe he will do well in the kingdom because he has that spirit combination of strength and humility. This is but another servant of Christ whom we can see doing many things right.
Who might you know in your circle who is Strongly Humble?
Bobby is not only our youth minister. He is also our preacher training intern. We are intentionally grooming him to be a pulpit minister one day.
Bobby is strong in that he is not a push-over because someone thinks he should move one way or another. He is strong in his ability to think, to act, and to react. I marvel at how wise he is in areas that I am not.
Too, his humility allows him to receive instruction and correction. His face reflects a heart which is eager to learn everyday.
Bobby Smith is a friend to many; including me. I believe he will do well in the kingdom because he has that spirit combination of strength and humility. This is but another servant of Christ whom we can see doing many things right.
Who might you know in your circle who is Strongly Humble?
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
HO HUM. HO HUM. IT'S OFF TO CHURCH I GO
It might be good to take a little inventory; an attitude inventory. How are you doing with church life? Good? Not so good? Average?
In case you are letting your gusto for God slip, stop it! We are the light of the world. Not maybe. Not possibly. We are called to light up the world. Do it!
The Holy God broke from the Holy of Holies in the Temple when the curtain was torn at Jesus' crucifixion and He raced directly to our hearts. We are the temple of God! He says we never get old. He says we are not to lose heart. He says we are to live life abundantly.
Let a fresh wind of hope and marvel brush across your face. Awaken to the dawn of the Morning Star. Relate to the Living God in you as He reaches nations and generations through the very body people call you.
We are the most fantastic creatures on earth. Created by God and then inhabited by God we are not to be inhibited by God. He's got places to go and we are His wheels. He's got people to bless and we are His hands. He's got a world to reach and we are His vessels!
So.....live like it, act like it, love like it!
In case you are letting your gusto for God slip, stop it! We are the light of the world. Not maybe. Not possibly. We are called to light up the world. Do it!
The Holy God broke from the Holy of Holies in the Temple when the curtain was torn at Jesus' crucifixion and He raced directly to our hearts. We are the temple of God! He says we never get old. He says we are not to lose heart. He says we are to live life abundantly.
Let a fresh wind of hope and marvel brush across your face. Awaken to the dawn of the Morning Star. Relate to the Living God in you as He reaches nations and generations through the very body people call you.
We are the most fantastic creatures on earth. Created by God and then inhabited by God we are not to be inhibited by God. He's got places to go and we are His wheels. He's got people to bless and we are His hands. He's got a world to reach and we are His vessels!
So.....live like it, act like it, love like it!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
MORE ON ONE OF THE LAST BLOG'S COMMENTS
Anonymous said... (From a comment on the last post)
Thank you for a great post Mr. Rush. Would you mind please providing your experience / perspective on something (and anyone else that has advice for that matter)?Regarding [rather Pharisaical] detractors within one's congregation...those that are convinced of their rightness and your wrongness, and make it known, and somewhat antagonize you, proactively seeking to diminish you...what is an appropriate way to handle / respond?On the one hand, it seems rude and impersonal to simply ignore such folks. Yet, engaging them is most often fruitless, and only leads to endless controversy. And "agreeing to disagree" is rather trite, and often does not achieve the intended purpose anyway.Still, one feels the need to defend oneself at times, though must be guided by love and God's call in our own lives.While I know that adhering to God's principles will prevail, in one-on-one interactions, an appropriate response to such folks is sometimes difficult to muster. Please, some thoughts?
Dear Anonymous (Ah, that sounds so Ann Landers-ish),
Who among us doesn't find your question resonating? My experience would align more with your frustration than I would possess answers. This matter often faces any who desire to see the kingdom advance. I've succeeded occasionally and failed repeatedly in handling such people. To my own dismay, on occasion I have been found to be that person.
One of the things I noticed about Jesus is he would sometimes not answer a word. He had better things to do. At other times he would unload; remember the "Woe unto"s? A third option was he would take action anyway. My favorite is Mt. 12 where the scene was riddled with tension as he had been clearly told not to heal on the Sabbath. He looked at the withered hand, looked back at his accusers, looked back at the withered hand.....and bravely did the right thing. It was that move that motivated those trying to stop him to go away being devoted to designing a plot to kill him.
If we think we live in a less dangerous zone, we are mistaken. It is dangerous in the church to do the right thing. I would consider the following when determining when to respond:
Thank you for a great post Mr. Rush. Would you mind please providing your experience / perspective on something (and anyone else that has advice for that matter)?Regarding [rather Pharisaical] detractors within one's congregation...those that are convinced of their rightness and your wrongness, and make it known, and somewhat antagonize you, proactively seeking to diminish you...what is an appropriate way to handle / respond?On the one hand, it seems rude and impersonal to simply ignore such folks. Yet, engaging them is most often fruitless, and only leads to endless controversy. And "agreeing to disagree" is rather trite, and often does not achieve the intended purpose anyway.Still, one feels the need to defend oneself at times, though must be guided by love and God's call in our own lives.While I know that adhering to God's principles will prevail, in one-on-one interactions, an appropriate response to such folks is sometimes difficult to muster. Please, some thoughts?
Dear Anonymous (Ah, that sounds so Ann Landers-ish),
Who among us doesn't find your question resonating? My experience would align more with your frustration than I would possess answers. This matter often faces any who desire to see the kingdom advance. I've succeeded occasionally and failed repeatedly in handling such people. To my own dismay, on occasion I have been found to be that person.
One of the things I noticed about Jesus is he would sometimes not answer a word. He had better things to do. At other times he would unload; remember the "Woe unto"s? A third option was he would take action anyway. My favorite is Mt. 12 where the scene was riddled with tension as he had been clearly told not to heal on the Sabbath. He looked at the withered hand, looked back at his accusers, looked back at the withered hand.....and bravely did the right thing. It was that move that motivated those trying to stop him to go away being devoted to designing a plot to kill him.
If we think we live in a less dangerous zone, we are mistaken. It is dangerous in the church to do the right thing. I would consider the following when determining when to respond:
- Weigh and re-weigh if you are responding to God's truth or personal irritation. Romans 2:1-5 warns that often what we claim as violation, we are guilty of ourselves.
- Weigh who is being hurt by the present imposition: if you are then stay quiet. God will take care. But, if others are (like your teens) there may be need to stand against publicly.
- John 10:10 is a serious matter in today's church culture. The thief comes to steal. The Shepherd comes to give life. II Cor. 3:4-5 supports such; the Law kills and the Spirit gives life. Sometimes it really isn't a matter of better opinion vs crotchety stubbornness. It is a matter of life and death. At this point it is important to remember it may be your death which ushers life to the next (or even present) generation....II Cor. 4:12.
I appreciate very much your question, Anonymous. In all things be humble for God opposes the proud. Suffering is a huge part of kingdom life. Suffer accurately and skillfully...and prayerfully.
Monday, February 02, 2009
COMPARATIVE CHURCHES
Independence is a valued commodity. July 4th means a lot to Americans. This present era highly esteems independent thinking. Everywhere from Oprah to the Pope to Scientology to the Church to the coffee shop, independent thinking regarding the God-trail is discussed. I raise the question, Are common people concluding God based on His revelation or are we reaching spiritual formation via comparison and strong preferences?
The push-n-shove of religious opinions evidently will never die. Each group (including my own) is in danger of reaching shifting-sand based conclusions do to reactions to others rather than integretive research of the One. Does God have a chance among His own Creation? Or will we be tossed about by every wind of doctrine as we choose the hot-button religion of the moment's mood?
The word disciple (mathetes in the Greek) means a learner. William Barclay wrote, One of the greatest threats to real Christian life is what might be called static Christianity. Christianity is a process; not a system where one(s) establish their twelve best doctrines and spend the rest of their time on earth pushing and shoving others to buy into their preferences.
A disciple is a learner. It might do the church a lot of good if we preachers and teachers of long tenure would toss our yellowed and dog-eared notes in the trash and resolve to once again be learners. The truth is the church is, in some parts, possibly being held back because we do more demanding and defending than we do learning.
The riches of Christ are too awesome for any Christian to bail on the learning process. Guarding the flock has developed into Barney Fife-ing it. Anxious to blow the whistle at any scent of foul, those hungering for the Word find great struggle as church decrees are handed down as to what "we" are to believe.
I applaud all who are still learners. I do caution that truth is not necessarily what we like best or what seems most popular. Truth is based on the writings of God and only the learners will discover the freeing treasure hidden from all others.
The push-n-shove of religious opinions evidently will never die. Each group (including my own) is in danger of reaching shifting-sand based conclusions do to reactions to others rather than integretive research of the One. Does God have a chance among His own Creation? Or will we be tossed about by every wind of doctrine as we choose the hot-button religion of the moment's mood?
The word disciple (mathetes in the Greek) means a learner. William Barclay wrote, One of the greatest threats to real Christian life is what might be called static Christianity. Christianity is a process; not a system where one(s) establish their twelve best doctrines and spend the rest of their time on earth pushing and shoving others to buy into their preferences.
A disciple is a learner. It might do the church a lot of good if we preachers and teachers of long tenure would toss our yellowed and dog-eared notes in the trash and resolve to once again be learners. The truth is the church is, in some parts, possibly being held back because we do more demanding and defending than we do learning.
The riches of Christ are too awesome for any Christian to bail on the learning process. Guarding the flock has developed into Barney Fife-ing it. Anxious to blow the whistle at any scent of foul, those hungering for the Word find great struggle as church decrees are handed down as to what "we" are to believe.
I applaud all who are still learners. I do caution that truth is not necessarily what we like best or what seems most popular. Truth is based on the writings of God and only the learners will discover the freeing treasure hidden from all others.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT
Gathering for church on Sunday mornings is just not what it used to be. It is as if God has turned us upside down. There is the strangest sense of the Lion-getting-along-with-the-Lamb feeling. People of every age and bent.....get along.
I can't explain it. Years ago if we had a good Sunday I would try to see that it happened the next Sunday and it might be five or six months before another popped up. Now we can count on it Sunday after Sunday. It is a mystery of God; therefore, I can't explain it.
I go from one gathering to the next without trying to preserve the prior week's venue. We are able to enjoy God! We aren't nervous as to who doesn't like something. We assume if they don't like it they'll get over it.....but first and foremost.....we simply assume they'll like it!
J. D. Hatter was gifted today at doing the Lord's Supper. Tammy Bowers, Krista Magnusson, and Alice Coffman's trio added incredible grace to the message. There is a sweet joy and genuine enthusiasm for praising God; none like I ever dreamed as a kid.
I can't explain what God has going on at Memorial. I know a host of churches experience the same thing. I can't explain why we feel so blessed; we just do. I can't explain the grace going on because it is from God and Him alone.....and you know I can't explain Him!
I can't explain it. Years ago if we had a good Sunday I would try to see that it happened the next Sunday and it might be five or six months before another popped up. Now we can count on it Sunday after Sunday. It is a mystery of God; therefore, I can't explain it.
I go from one gathering to the next without trying to preserve the prior week's venue. We are able to enjoy God! We aren't nervous as to who doesn't like something. We assume if they don't like it they'll get over it.....but first and foremost.....we simply assume they'll like it!
J. D. Hatter was gifted today at doing the Lord's Supper. Tammy Bowers, Krista Magnusson, and Alice Coffman's trio added incredible grace to the message. There is a sweet joy and genuine enthusiasm for praising God; none like I ever dreamed as a kid.
I can't explain what God has going on at Memorial. I know a host of churches experience the same thing. I can't explain why we feel so blessed; we just do. I can't explain the grace going on because it is from God and Him alone.....and you know I can't explain Him!
WHY THE DIVISIVENESS?
Any religious group which does not believe the Holy Spirit is a vital part of their lives cannot possibly bear the fruit of the Spirit. Kindness and love, harmony and unity will not/cannot result from a people who blatantly turn their backs on the Holy Spirit of God.
And why is He rejected? Fear.
The opposite of love is not hate; it is fear.
Do not be surprised at the reckless division among us. If we have not the courage to admit God's Spirit is among us we have no alternative but to believe we are stuck with ourselves.
That can get ugly.
And why is He rejected? Fear.
The opposite of love is not hate; it is fear.
Do not be surprised at the reckless division among us. If we have not the courage to admit God's Spirit is among us we have no alternative but to believe we are stuck with ourselves.
That can get ugly.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
DON'T YOU LOVE RIGHT NOW?
My earlier days were certainly care-free in comparison to those battling health, family, or financial trauma. Yet, I had a knack for dismissing the present wonder in my life as I traded it for nervous fret and a misplaced need to be in control.
Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God, breathed new life into me. Be still is not exactly what Mr. Ants-in-his-pants found to be a lifestyle. But God does know how to move us throughout each day.
Who didn't like me today? Who did I offend today? Why doesn't the church wake up (and see it my way)? Yes, I could talk an ice cream cone into going sour. What's up with that?
I did not visualize by faith that God participates in my life. He is the "doer" of my life. He works in me; opens doors, fulfills missions, and accomplishes success when and if I will be still.
One reason this threw me for such a large loop in my beginning days of Christianity is because I heard so much emphasis upon works. It was denied that we were working our way to heaven; yet such is precisely how I took it. We weren't allowed to say God operated directly in a believer's life; so it really was up to us to start it, work it, and finish it. No wonder nervous days were enacted.
Learn to like right now. God works directly in a Christian's life. The Word teaches such. We can count on things going right when God is in charge. For us, things could be better and several could be worse. But God is the glory of the world and right now is the place we are called to shine.
Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God, breathed new life into me. Be still is not exactly what Mr. Ants-in-his-pants found to be a lifestyle. But God does know how to move us throughout each day.
Who didn't like me today? Who did I offend today? Why doesn't the church wake up (and see it my way)? Yes, I could talk an ice cream cone into going sour. What's up with that?
I did not visualize by faith that God participates in my life. He is the "doer" of my life. He works in me; opens doors, fulfills missions, and accomplishes success when and if I will be still.
One reason this threw me for such a large loop in my beginning days of Christianity is because I heard so much emphasis upon works. It was denied that we were working our way to heaven; yet such is precisely how I took it. We weren't allowed to say God operated directly in a believer's life; so it really was up to us to start it, work it, and finish it. No wonder nervous days were enacted.
Learn to like right now. God works directly in a Christian's life. The Word teaches such. We can count on things going right when God is in charge. For us, things could be better and several could be worse. But God is the glory of the world and right now is the place we are called to shine.
Friday, January 30, 2009
EVERY PERSON WANTS TO KNOW JESUS
Evangelism is too easy to let slide. Church attendance, Bible study, prayer, and not causing trouble can become the all-inclusive standard for believers. Reaching to others can find us awkward, hesitant, and timid. Yet, God did not give us a spirit of timidity.
A major thought-shift took place in my walk. I can't recall where or why. It could have been over a series of encounters. But, I believe every person we meet wants to know about Jesus. I'm not imagining this. It is a truth. People want to know.
They don't necessarily know how to tell us. They may not be aware of their personal spirit vacancy. But they do want to know him at some point(s) in their lives.
I saw it when visiting Jim MacArthur of Hawaii 5-0. I saw it in my neighbor, Becky Fulton. I saw it in a young single gal twenty-five years ago. I saw it in my Chiropractor's assistant. People want to know why this gap in their corporate person seems so absent of fulfillment.
I love the church. I am blessed God would find me and let me be in it. Our range for improvement continues to expand at a pace equal to our learning more about Him. I believe we are face to face with poor and rich who need Jesus, want to know him, and would be grateful to learn of him. People want to know.
Please if you can't study with them, invite them to class or to church. Church can be intimidating. Visitors are uncertain what will be required of them. Will they stand at the wrong time, stay seated at the wrong time, etc. So beware of your friends' intimidation.
Finally when you invite, offer the gesture without cornering them. Rather than ask them if they can go with you next Sunday, you might first offer, One of these days I wish you would consider bringing your family to our church. And, sit with us. Don't sit by yourself. I don't want you to be alone.
The main call in the blog is to re-awaken your senses to the truth that every hair-dresser, every cashier, every bank teller, and every client have moments (private moments) when they are wondering if this idea of God could be true. Your invitation could be just the move God uses to draw them to Him.
People want to know....every one of them!
A major thought-shift took place in my walk. I can't recall where or why. It could have been over a series of encounters. But, I believe every person we meet wants to know about Jesus. I'm not imagining this. It is a truth. People want to know.
They don't necessarily know how to tell us. They may not be aware of their personal spirit vacancy. But they do want to know him at some point(s) in their lives.
I saw it when visiting Jim MacArthur of Hawaii 5-0. I saw it in my neighbor, Becky Fulton. I saw it in a young single gal twenty-five years ago. I saw it in my Chiropractor's assistant. People want to know why this gap in their corporate person seems so absent of fulfillment.
I love the church. I am blessed God would find me and let me be in it. Our range for improvement continues to expand at a pace equal to our learning more about Him. I believe we are face to face with poor and rich who need Jesus, want to know him, and would be grateful to learn of him. People want to know.
Please if you can't study with them, invite them to class or to church. Church can be intimidating. Visitors are uncertain what will be required of them. Will they stand at the wrong time, stay seated at the wrong time, etc. So beware of your friends' intimidation.
Finally when you invite, offer the gesture without cornering them. Rather than ask them if they can go with you next Sunday, you might first offer, One of these days I wish you would consider bringing your family to our church. And, sit with us. Don't sit by yourself. I don't want you to be alone.
The main call in the blog is to re-awaken your senses to the truth that every hair-dresser, every cashier, every bank teller, and every client have moments (private moments) when they are wondering if this idea of God could be true. Your invitation could be just the move God uses to draw them to Him.
People want to know....every one of them!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
BRIGHT PLACES IN THE CHURCH
The church is gaining momentum in key areas. The battle of Divine vs Divisiveness appears to always be our Goliath. There is a reason for such a war; the world will know Jesus by our love for one another. As long as Satan disrupts our love the world will not know Jesus. Yet, consider some of the many things going on which indicates health and progress:
- There is a renewal for the Word. This has caused stress in the church as too many will no longer parrot that which they had been told came from the Word. There is a healthy multitude remaining hungry for the Bible to set us free. We are continuing to learn. We are not abandoning the Word; but are abandoning tradition which was told to be from the Bible, yet was not.
- There is hunger for His mystery. The "decent and in order" ruling of the body only remains true when when the Bible addresses it. It is no longer respected as the verse to kill any and every move some might make which disturbs others. For example, one can clap their hands, bounce on their toes when they sing, and applaud at a baptism because the Word has set us free to do such in great spiritual joy. For those who don't like it; they are free to refrain. This brings harmony.
- There is participation in worship. Worship is not a Sunday morning hour. It is a lifestyle. Oh how many praise God from their pews and then from their autos and then from their offices or other places of employment. Experiential worship is replacing rote recitals of church checklists.
I could go on and on. There is reason to be enthused over what the church/we are becoming! Add your ideas to this list. Why do you believe there to be many bright places in the church?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
WHO CAN DO THE JOB?
I've been thinking about you all today; wondering how your work is going and if you are feeling up to the task. I once thought the big boys knew stuff I didn't. But being around the brotherhood for a few years I have concluded there are no big boys. Even those we regard with envy are mere men and women in shells facing work they know they can't possibly complete. Kingdom life is too big for any solo heart.
Faith in the Holy Spirit working among us is what every successful servant has going. It is never due to personal cleverness or good breaks. We each are gifted to the extent others could be envious of something about us. But everyone I know is more ungifted in many things than they are gifted in a meager few.
What we do is watch for God to break into our day, our path, and do that stuff which causes others to shake their heads in wonder while we praise Him for His wonder.
When I moved to Memorial it had a few strong traits and more weak traits. There new preacher wished he wasn't as them.....but he was every bit equal. I marvel at how God would dare allow me to get to do what I do because I am one of the dumbest guys you'll ever meet. This fact caused me to hide in fear even while standing in public noticabilities.
For Memorial and their cowardly timid preacher, God broke in. Be of good cheer. He is willing to do it for you. Should you have an elder in you sight or a member in mind who needs to change, let me encourage you they are no weaker than yourself. The good news is God uses weak people; there are no other classifications in the kingdom. The sooner we each grasp this fact the sooner we can get our wings to fly in great force to do big work.
The work that gets done is God's; never mine. If He doesn't do it....it simply doesn't happen. This allows us room for ourselves and for others. We all fit. Yes, we deem some as unnecessary and God upsets our applecart wisdom by declaring they are even more important!
Who can do the job? The Holy Spirit can......in you. Afraid? Ah, I still find my knees knocking. But be encouraged.....so did Paul.....I came to you in weakness and fear with much trembling...I Cor. 2:3. Now wasn't Paul one of the bigger boys?
Faith in the Holy Spirit working among us is what every successful servant has going. It is never due to personal cleverness or good breaks. We each are gifted to the extent others could be envious of something about us. But everyone I know is more ungifted in many things than they are gifted in a meager few.
What we do is watch for God to break into our day, our path, and do that stuff which causes others to shake their heads in wonder while we praise Him for His wonder.
When I moved to Memorial it had a few strong traits and more weak traits. There new preacher wished he wasn't as them.....but he was every bit equal. I marvel at how God would dare allow me to get to do what I do because I am one of the dumbest guys you'll ever meet. This fact caused me to hide in fear even while standing in public noticabilities.
For Memorial and their cowardly timid preacher, God broke in. Be of good cheer. He is willing to do it for you. Should you have an elder in you sight or a member in mind who needs to change, let me encourage you they are no weaker than yourself. The good news is God uses weak people; there are no other classifications in the kingdom. The sooner we each grasp this fact the sooner we can get our wings to fly in great force to do big work.
The work that gets done is God's; never mine. If He doesn't do it....it simply doesn't happen. This allows us room for ourselves and for others. We all fit. Yes, we deem some as unnecessary and God upsets our applecart wisdom by declaring they are even more important!
Who can do the job? The Holy Spirit can......in you. Afraid? Ah, I still find my knees knocking. But be encouraged.....so did Paul.....I came to you in weakness and fear with much trembling...I Cor. 2:3. Now wasn't Paul one of the bigger boys?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
MAINSTREAM OR MAIN STREET?
A well-known figure among us warned me years ago I need to maintain a position in the middle of the road so people won't shoot at me. He wanted me to shift to the center of mainstream. I think that's an odd request noting the walk of Jesus seemed to fail to align upon this man's vision. We love to quote the verse advising against men-pleasers yet rail against those who don't please us.
Mainstream isn't in the Word. Yet, it is carefully sought by a host of claiming believers. Lukewarm is in the Word and we all know how that goes. Mediocrity and safety have become two of mainstream's icons. Don't look out of step. By all means don't become the C word; controversial.
Staying out of trouble is the goal of mainstream. Not too radical and not too anemic Baby Bear's porridge seems to fit in the church; just right. If we get communion just right, worship just right, and baptism just right mainstream regards us as in like Flynn. Dying for others, teaching others, giving to others, standing up for the whole truth, rescuing the injured, and freeing the imprisoned; this is optional to mainstream while central to Main Street.
I don't like trouble. I'm too big of a chicken to want it. Yet our Jesus certainly called us to Main Street where the weird, the disoriented, the poor, and the imprisoned walk. His was not a ballot cast by church attendance but rather a ditch where the wounded met the Healer. He has requested and required we do the same.
I find in the church blind roosters and hens whose feet and hands are lethargic with disinterest. They aren't in trouble; they are safe. The church has atrophied and can't help but decline. The trouble with this pattern is the mainstream Church of Christ has taken on characteristics of cowardice entirely different from what the Christ expects of us.
Main Street; that's where we want to set our sights. Live or die, we will try to walk in his shoes with the understanding we will take substantial hits. Jesus is not the agreeable politician many in churches wish to make him. He turned his back on mainstream and they ripped it with whips. If we think we will escape ridicule and attack we may be hiding in the stream rather than marching on the street.
Mainstream isn't in the Word. Yet, it is carefully sought by a host of claiming believers. Lukewarm is in the Word and we all know how that goes. Mediocrity and safety have become two of mainstream's icons. Don't look out of step. By all means don't become the C word; controversial.
Staying out of trouble is the goal of mainstream. Not too radical and not too anemic Baby Bear's porridge seems to fit in the church; just right. If we get communion just right, worship just right, and baptism just right mainstream regards us as in like Flynn. Dying for others, teaching others, giving to others, standing up for the whole truth, rescuing the injured, and freeing the imprisoned; this is optional to mainstream while central to Main Street.
I don't like trouble. I'm too big of a chicken to want it. Yet our Jesus certainly called us to Main Street where the weird, the disoriented, the poor, and the imprisoned walk. His was not a ballot cast by church attendance but rather a ditch where the wounded met the Healer. He has requested and required we do the same.
I find in the church blind roosters and hens whose feet and hands are lethargic with disinterest. They aren't in trouble; they are safe. The church has atrophied and can't help but decline. The trouble with this pattern is the mainstream Church of Christ has taken on characteristics of cowardice entirely different from what the Christ expects of us.
Main Street; that's where we want to set our sights. Live or die, we will try to walk in his shoes with the understanding we will take substantial hits. Jesus is not the agreeable politician many in churches wish to make him. He turned his back on mainstream and they ripped it with whips. If we think we will escape ridicule and attack we may be hiding in the stream rather than marching on the street.
Monday, January 26, 2009
FIERCE DETERMINATION
Jesus nearly broke, recall? He became so burdened the Garden scene almost heard a referee's whistle blowing a divine time-out. Jesus' knees seemed to buckle; yet he arighted his balance and persevered through the greatest brutality known to mankind. He would not quit.
If you think you are a follower of Christ and will receive some form of excuse from your Father in order to skip the rough days.....think again. The kingdom of God is the funnest place on earth. It is also the meanest. I love being in the church. But I don't love the cross parts. They are brutal.
We must consider the fierce determination it will take to see ourselves through to the end. It is right that we weigh deep and stressful moments for the purpose which they serve. Such days bless us to become more mature with each skirmish. Trouble is not our enemy. It is our tutor. Through stress we learn to endure.
I am saying to any Christian regardless of whether paid or volunteer in service, we tend to quit too soon. We must learn to last longer. I speak not of serving in an area and moving on to another with complete effort to serve from that point. I am addressing the temptation to quit; to call out as Jesus did and ask for a pass. He didn't and we can't. Others who need to meet him cannot afford for us to buckle under the stresses of kingdom service.
Fierce determination; it isn't a style but a heart of a fighter.
If you think you are a follower of Christ and will receive some form of excuse from your Father in order to skip the rough days.....think again. The kingdom of God is the funnest place on earth. It is also the meanest. I love being in the church. But I don't love the cross parts. They are brutal.
We must consider the fierce determination it will take to see ourselves through to the end. It is right that we weigh deep and stressful moments for the purpose which they serve. Such days bless us to become more mature with each skirmish. Trouble is not our enemy. It is our tutor. Through stress we learn to endure.
I am saying to any Christian regardless of whether paid or volunteer in service, we tend to quit too soon. We must learn to last longer. I speak not of serving in an area and moving on to another with complete effort to serve from that point. I am addressing the temptation to quit; to call out as Jesus did and ask for a pass. He didn't and we can't. Others who need to meet him cannot afford for us to buckle under the stresses of kingdom service.
Fierce determination; it isn't a style but a heart of a fighter.
THE LIGHT OF A CHRISTIAN
Yesterday I was in baseball chapel at the Cardinals' Spring Training facility in Jupiter, Florida. I made many new friends again this trip; one of my closest ones is former catching star Mike Matheny. Besides being one of our coaches, he was the chapel speaker.
We were sitting in an open air picnic area with a roof above at 7:00 a.m. The weather was fascinatingly warm and still. Maybe forty gathered for this chapel service. As Mike spoke about relevant spiritual matters something began to evolve but could be seen only from the seat I was in. Mike was clueless. It was 7:00 a.m. and the sun was rising directly (I mean squarely) behind Mike's head. As he first spoke I could hear him but could not see his face. His head was nothing but a shadow.
As time passed the sun rose just a bit which left Mike's face still shadowed; yet now streams of brilliant light flowed from the top of his head and down over the center of his body. These beams danced as if they were bright neon strings atop metered frets on a guitar tied at the top like a necktie. As they moved downward over his body, the beams widened. I could hear him, but could not see him for the brilliance overtaking him.
The scene appeared as a painting one would see in a Christian book store or possibly imagined in Revelations. Mike continued to speak with no awareness of the scene unfolding in front of my eyes.
When all was over I shared with him what I had just experienced:
We were sitting in an open air picnic area with a roof above at 7:00 a.m. The weather was fascinatingly warm and still. Maybe forty gathered for this chapel service. As Mike spoke about relevant spiritual matters something began to evolve but could be seen only from the seat I was in. Mike was clueless. It was 7:00 a.m. and the sun was rising directly (I mean squarely) behind Mike's head. As he first spoke I could hear him but could not see his face. His head was nothing but a shadow.
As time passed the sun rose just a bit which left Mike's face still shadowed; yet now streams of brilliant light flowed from the top of his head and down over the center of his body. These beams danced as if they were bright neon strings atop metered frets on a guitar tied at the top like a necktie. As they moved downward over his body, the beams widened. I could hear him, but could not see him for the brilliance overtaking him.
The scene appeared as a painting one would see in a Christian book store or possibly imagined in Revelations. Mike continued to speak with no awareness of the scene unfolding in front of my eyes.
When all was over I shared with him what I had just experienced:
- God is always doing with us beautiful things when we are completely unaware. Mike had no idea of the scene appearing before me.
- God does more with our efforts than we will ever calculate.
- We carry a message from God and it goes so much better when we are out of the picture so the hearers can think of Him.
- We carry such a strong light. We must believe it is true even when we cannot imagine how brightly He is shining. Over us is the beauty of the Spirit Light. We must be encouraged of His radiance descending from our presence. Others can see it; but we can't.
The message was equally good. Yet, the scene was one so amazing it could not have been planned by man's orchestration. So keep pedaling in God's kingdom, my friend. He is doing more with and through you than you would ever guess! Keep the whole world shining!
Friday, January 23, 2009
WHAT A CATCH?????
So.....I was playing third base and a foul ball cleared the fence. Not to give up, I dashed for the gate, opened the gate, raced past the stands full of cheering/adoring fans, keeping my eye on the white sphere I made one heroic catch slamming into the nearby port-a-potty for the out!!!!!
Or......maybe not??????
Thursday, January 22, 2009
FROM BASEBALL CAMP IN FLORIDA
Day one of baseball camp is over. The good news is I am walking on my own without crutches or life-support.
It was a good day of working into players' lives. Too easy. Counseling and sharing the life of Christ is a natural part of each day.
We had a baseball player's draft today and I believe I was selected 80th. I would have really felt badly to think I was 81st! I didn't get a hit....but I didn't get hit either!
I got to visit with my friend Rick Ankiel. It is always good to visit with him and I see him at every camp as he is working out early.
Our team lost today 3-2. However, we were the last ones picked and to lose that closely is like winning....in a way. Everything is a yes because our team seems destined to make the other teams feel good about themselves!
It was a good day of working into players' lives. Too easy. Counseling and sharing the life of Christ is a natural part of each day.
We had a baseball player's draft today and I believe I was selected 80th. I would have really felt badly to think I was 81st! I didn't get a hit....but I didn't get hit either!
I got to visit with my friend Rick Ankiel. It is always good to visit with him and I see him at every camp as he is working out early.
Our team lost today 3-2. However, we were the last ones picked and to lose that closely is like winning....in a way. Everything is a yes because our team seems destined to make the other teams feel good about themselves!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
AMERICA'S NEW DAY
I love the thrill of days like this one. The inauguration ceremonies were filled with hearts of extreme jubilation as President Obama was sworn in. I just watched with keen interest President Bush's welcome back speech from Midland, Texas. The baton has been passed with beauty and grace of which much of America could only wish our media possessed.
Today is a great time of renewal as well as thanksgiving. We can find reason to be proud of the incomer and the outgoer if we so choose. I think we so choose.
Any president, or any political system for that matter, clearly carries influential weight. Let it not be forgotten the big picture is controlled by the Big Picture Maker. It is the believer in God facing the unbeliever of God which finds the fundamental battle lines being drawn. Lest we forget our responsibility, I remind us to be a nation packed with hope because Jesus is the renewal Standard day by day.
He is the bright hope. Policy will trickle down from Washington. We will high-five over some decisions and cringe at others. But Jesus is the beacon of light which tempts humanity to hope beyond all measure.
Celebrate and celebrate great big! We can be impressed with our God in the very center of our country's transition. May we honor those honored while we reflect the greater light...I mean the Greatest Light!
Today is a great time of renewal as well as thanksgiving. We can find reason to be proud of the incomer and the outgoer if we so choose. I think we so choose.
Any president, or any political system for that matter, clearly carries influential weight. Let it not be forgotten the big picture is controlled by the Big Picture Maker. It is the believer in God facing the unbeliever of God which finds the fundamental battle lines being drawn. Lest we forget our responsibility, I remind us to be a nation packed with hope because Jesus is the renewal Standard day by day.
He is the bright hope. Policy will trickle down from Washington. We will high-five over some decisions and cringe at others. But Jesus is the beacon of light which tempts humanity to hope beyond all measure.
Celebrate and celebrate great big! We can be impressed with our God in the very center of our country's transition. May we honor those honored while we reflect the greater light...I mean the Greatest Light!
THE TULSA WORKSHOP...GET READY!
It is only January, but March is coming. Bring a car load, a van load, a bus load, or a plane load to Tulsa!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxB4awzIjxM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxB4awzIjxM
Monday, January 19, 2009
NOT EVERYTHING IS FUNNY
I like comedy. Funny slants on life in general strike a good chord with many. But some things aren't funny; especially slavery. Today is Martin Luther King Day. It reminds me of God's work. Stories like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King stir my heart.
Today I reflect on my good friend, African-Amercian, Curt Flood. This St. Louis Cardinal center-fielder of the 1960s was my boyhood idol. During my tenure Curt and I became as brothers until his death about ten years ago. Curt, you might recall, refused to be traded from the Cardinals to the Phillies as he regarded such a move as the sentiment of slavery.
In 1985 Curt and I had been in Cardinal camp together; he as one of the former pros and me as a fat old man not good enough to be a professional ballplayer. The week of camp was over and I had boarded the plane for Atlanta headed eventually for Tulsa. Curt walked onto the the plane.
During the flight I approached his seat and the person next to him offered to trade me places. I was delighted. I had something on my heart. I wanted to talk to Curt about slavery. He had endured much of the racial bias during the 40s, 50s, and 60s. I told him I wanted to know about it because I was concerned about the slavery going on in churches. He said he sensed such from me and we built a brotherly relationship that concluded with me participating at his funeral. I sat on stage in a huge church in Los Angeles with ten black men. Jesse Jackson sat three to my left.
Some things aren't funny. Slavery in the church is the lowest. Where the blacks had to deal with "Whites" and "Coloreds" at every turn, some believers have to deal with "No Clapping" "No raising of hands" type of imprisoning doctrine. While on the surface this seems anemic enough, the insistence in the church that this is illegal and is breaking the law, the results of such trivial stances build cases for the killing of the spirit which violates God's will.
I've laughed at many things. But one thing which will go forgotten or unnoticed is how many bullies I have had to battle in the name of freedom for the children as well as the unchurched in our midst. Legalism isn't funny. It is unholy, ungodly, and unbelievably stifling. It kills hope and life and great dreams.
For each of us, may we learn to enjoy the love and glory God places in our paths. May we realize that in our profession of faith, slavery doesn't belong to blacks....or whites. Jesus died to set us free. He meant it. For any band of leaders to curb the spirit of a faithful people out of bias and fear has simply over-stated their importance and over-stepped their bounds.
Praise be to God for those soldiers among us who will not let the blood of the cross be buried amidst the rubble of fearful and imposing slavery. We will not stand for it.....ever!
Today I reflect on my good friend, African-Amercian, Curt Flood. This St. Louis Cardinal center-fielder of the 1960s was my boyhood idol. During my tenure Curt and I became as brothers until his death about ten years ago. Curt, you might recall, refused to be traded from the Cardinals to the Phillies as he regarded such a move as the sentiment of slavery.
In 1985 Curt and I had been in Cardinal camp together; he as one of the former pros and me as a fat old man not good enough to be a professional ballplayer. The week of camp was over and I had boarded the plane for Atlanta headed eventually for Tulsa. Curt walked onto the the plane.
During the flight I approached his seat and the person next to him offered to trade me places. I was delighted. I had something on my heart. I wanted to talk to Curt about slavery. He had endured much of the racial bias during the 40s, 50s, and 60s. I told him I wanted to know about it because I was concerned about the slavery going on in churches. He said he sensed such from me and we built a brotherly relationship that concluded with me participating at his funeral. I sat on stage in a huge church in Los Angeles with ten black men. Jesse Jackson sat three to my left.
Some things aren't funny. Slavery in the church is the lowest. Where the blacks had to deal with "Whites" and "Coloreds" at every turn, some believers have to deal with "No Clapping" "No raising of hands" type of imprisoning doctrine. While on the surface this seems anemic enough, the insistence in the church that this is illegal and is breaking the law, the results of such trivial stances build cases for the killing of the spirit which violates God's will.
I've laughed at many things. But one thing which will go forgotten or unnoticed is how many bullies I have had to battle in the name of freedom for the children as well as the unchurched in our midst. Legalism isn't funny. It is unholy, ungodly, and unbelievably stifling. It kills hope and life and great dreams.
For each of us, may we learn to enjoy the love and glory God places in our paths. May we realize that in our profession of faith, slavery doesn't belong to blacks....or whites. Jesus died to set us free. He meant it. For any band of leaders to curb the spirit of a faithful people out of bias and fear has simply over-stated their importance and over-stepped their bounds.
Praise be to God for those soldiers among us who will not let the blood of the cross be buried amidst the rubble of fearful and imposing slavery. We will not stand for it.....ever!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
BASEBALL EVANGELISM: MISSION OR TOY?
Who in the world would think of going to a baseball camp believing it would be a tool of evangelism impact? I would. I thought it from day one and it keeps producing. I leave for another camp soon.
Bottom line: has anyone been baptized due to this effort? Well, I will share just a smidge of what I know. As far as I can tell the first baptism came in October the first year, 1984. My shortstop's wife wanted to come to chapel at the hotel in St. Louis with a bunch from Memorial in August. She was baptized two months later. We baptized the camp's after-dinner speaker about six years into the camp.
I got an idea to develop a film to reach unbelievers by interviewing celebs which included two baseball stars, Curt Flood and Al Hrabosky. At that time we produced High Hope for the Human Heart. People were baptized all over America as a result. Joe Almanza was converting friends like crazy through the use of that film.
Due to my experience in that filming, I was asked to host a nationally broadcast television talk- show, CrossView. In three years' time, God converted hundreds and hundreds.
A state prison in Texas had me come in to play ball and then speak to the inmates. 300 inmates gathered after the game. I preached a sermon, You Need to Know This Man Named Jesus. Of the 300 in attendance, how many would you guess were baptized? 61. It was such a sea of African-American men responding I could not find any of my teammates. All of these men didn't sit to fill out cards; they wanted to stand and tell me their stories....one at a time. What a thrilling scene!
Even this week I have seen doors continue to open. Baseball Evangelism is one of the oddest mission concepts I have ever heard of. But it has opened doors to hearts just as I had guessed....only more.
This morning as I was working out at the gym I started talking to the lady on the treadmill beside me. I told her I was going to the Cardinal camp soon as I have a ministry with the Cardinals. That statement is like a pop opener to a Pepsi. Out comes the immediate interest.
She wanted to know more. I talked to her for four miles! She is trying to find a church and had a million questions....well, maybe twelve. She wants to help serve at the food pantry. She wants to get my book Empowering the Ordinary as she feels she has a hole in her heart for God and needs study direction. She will be visiting us.
Baseball Evangelism....it keeps opening doors. People are converted to Christ. It is a mission; not a toy.....but I must admit....it surely is fun!
Bottom line: has anyone been baptized due to this effort? Well, I will share just a smidge of what I know. As far as I can tell the first baptism came in October the first year, 1984. My shortstop's wife wanted to come to chapel at the hotel in St. Louis with a bunch from Memorial in August. She was baptized two months later. We baptized the camp's after-dinner speaker about six years into the camp.
I got an idea to develop a film to reach unbelievers by interviewing celebs which included two baseball stars, Curt Flood and Al Hrabosky. At that time we produced High Hope for the Human Heart. People were baptized all over America as a result. Joe Almanza was converting friends like crazy through the use of that film.
Due to my experience in that filming, I was asked to host a nationally broadcast television talk- show, CrossView. In three years' time, God converted hundreds and hundreds.
A state prison in Texas had me come in to play ball and then speak to the inmates. 300 inmates gathered after the game. I preached a sermon, You Need to Know This Man Named Jesus. Of the 300 in attendance, how many would you guess were baptized? 61. It was such a sea of African-American men responding I could not find any of my teammates. All of these men didn't sit to fill out cards; they wanted to stand and tell me their stories....one at a time. What a thrilling scene!
Even this week I have seen doors continue to open. Baseball Evangelism is one of the oddest mission concepts I have ever heard of. But it has opened doors to hearts just as I had guessed....only more.
This morning as I was working out at the gym I started talking to the lady on the treadmill beside me. I told her I was going to the Cardinal camp soon as I have a ministry with the Cardinals. That statement is like a pop opener to a Pepsi. Out comes the immediate interest.
She wanted to know more. I talked to her for four miles! She is trying to find a church and had a million questions....well, maybe twelve. She wants to help serve at the food pantry. She wants to get my book Empowering the Ordinary as she feels she has a hole in her heart for God and needs study direction. She will be visiting us.
Baseball Evangelism....it keeps opening doors. People are converted to Christ. It is a mission; not a toy.....but I must admit....it surely is fun!
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS (part II)
Phil, Tim, and Lee, thank you for your comments. Lee, yours does have a funny ring to it, huh? Mary and I were discussing this last night with David and Lisa. Something came up in our discussion which might fit this one.
Heather Thornton recently introduced the concept of a University of Financial Peace class beginning soon at Memorial. At first the class was going to be in the Memorial Room. Then it grew so much they took over the Rainbow Room forcing PowerSurge to move to A-2. Now the class has grown so that they have also bled over into A-2 forcing PowerSurge to move again to the auditorium….plus….after overloading the class with more participants than allowed, she is now building a waiting list for a future class!
What’s the deal? It is this: we give God glory for this and nothing else. God causes blessings! The more we speak of God working around here, the more He does. It is clearly noticeable. So it is with our preaching and teaching possibly?
Do the speakers who have something to say find an unusual backing and participation from the Living Lord? Is it that those who fill our hearts with life from the Word are found to be full of God themselves…Eph. 3:19? Could it be that from earthiness there are gifted speakers both believers and non, yet those who believe God works seem to find coming from their mouths a new range of depth and purpose of Life?
From experience, I think there is something to this. I once preached lessons and outlines. I knew how to craft such a series of comments. Now I make concentrated effort to hear His voice. And, when I do the sermon lives. When I don’t, I take up the time with Bible information but what seems to be missing is the quickness of the Holy Spirit. The more we accentuate the Spirit working among us, the more He seems to be willing to do His work.
Could it be that the Holy Spirit is the freshness to the Bread of Life? And, if we are not anticipatory of His involvement then we simply offer stale bread to the flock?
What thinketh ye?
Heather Thornton recently introduced the concept of a University of Financial Peace class beginning soon at Memorial. At first the class was going to be in the Memorial Room. Then it grew so much they took over the Rainbow Room forcing PowerSurge to move to A-2. Now the class has grown so that they have also bled over into A-2 forcing PowerSurge to move again to the auditorium….plus….after overloading the class with more participants than allowed, she is now building a waiting list for a future class!
What’s the deal? It is this: we give God glory for this and nothing else. God causes blessings! The more we speak of God working around here, the more He does. It is clearly noticeable. So it is with our preaching and teaching possibly?
Do the speakers who have something to say find an unusual backing and participation from the Living Lord? Is it that those who fill our hearts with life from the Word are found to be full of God themselves…Eph. 3:19? Could it be that from earthiness there are gifted speakers both believers and non, yet those who believe God works seem to find coming from their mouths a new range of depth and purpose of Life?
From experience, I think there is something to this. I once preached lessons and outlines. I knew how to craft such a series of comments. Now I make concentrated effort to hear His voice. And, when I do the sermon lives. When I don’t, I take up the time with Bible information but what seems to be missing is the quickness of the Holy Spirit. The more we accentuate the Spirit working among us, the more He seems to be willing to do His work.
Could it be that the Holy Spirit is the freshness to the Bread of Life? And, if we are not anticipatory of His involvement then we simply offer stale bread to the flock?
What thinketh ye?
Friday, January 16, 2009
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS
I’m intrigued by a question of which I haven’t the answer. I wonder if you might.
Why do some speakers connect and others don’t? Another way, why do speakers sometimes connect and at other times the same speaker doesn’t.
I’ve pondered this for a long time. If I could figure it out, I could bottle it possibly? I see smart guys and less smart guys both totally wasting the audience’s time. Words are said…many words….but meaning isn’t said and interest fades.
When a teacher or preacher truly connects to where the hearer gets it, what is going on? Is it style? Personality? Spirit? Passion? Enthusiasm? Humility? Confidence?
My desire is to work with my usual handful of preachers who meet in my office on Thursday morning of the Tulsa Workshop. I want to encourage them to do what they can to connect with deep meaning with their listeners, but I don’t know what it is.
I weigh my favorite speakers and their styles are far from similarity in many areas. What do you think makes a presenter effective? I really want to know.
Why do some speakers connect and others don’t? Another way, why do speakers sometimes connect and at other times the same speaker doesn’t.
I’ve pondered this for a long time. If I could figure it out, I could bottle it possibly? I see smart guys and less smart guys both totally wasting the audience’s time. Words are said…many words….but meaning isn’t said and interest fades.
When a teacher or preacher truly connects to where the hearer gets it, what is going on? Is it style? Personality? Spirit? Passion? Enthusiasm? Humility? Confidence?
My desire is to work with my usual handful of preachers who meet in my office on Thursday morning of the Tulsa Workshop. I want to encourage them to do what they can to connect with deep meaning with their listeners, but I don’t know what it is.
I weigh my favorite speakers and their styles are far from similarity in many areas. What do you think makes a presenter effective? I really want to know.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
DOCTRINE OR JESUS?
Surely everyone feels the spiritual tug to align themselves with some others. The all-too-familiar pendulum starts to swing and we are urged to pick our poison by stopping it on our view of truth. Some criticize saying there is error because believers have left doctrine for Jesus.
I think that to be a rather strange assessment. It is Jesus who shifts the doctrine. As I see it we do not have either or; doctrine or Jesus, but we have the right doctrine because of Jesus. Isn't that right? Didn't he speak of specifics? Love others. Be merciful. Don't lay up for yourselves treasures except in heaven. Seek first the kingdom of God. On and on he went.....still goes.
Are these not doctrines he anticipates to be among those of us who follow him? It seems to me that doctrine is important because he emphasized it. What might be the rub is there were favorite hang-ups some churches/members had in the past that didn't come from the Bible and were never expressed by Jesus. If these are the ones being pendulumized then ah......this explains the disturbance.
By the way, it is a doctrine of Jesus to cause disturbance. He will separate father from son; mother from daughter. Pendulum watchers imply the right place is in the middle. Wrong. The virgin birth isn't a middle concept. The cross is not a middle-of-the-road event. The resurrection did not please the middle-of-the-roaders.
Nope, the wisdom of the pendulum is a faulty source. Stick with Jesus. He will give you doctrine from above. Doctrine definitely matters because Jesus taught it. And make clear note, what Jesus did and taught was extreme. It was never mediocre nor middle-ground safety.
I think that to be a rather strange assessment. It is Jesus who shifts the doctrine. As I see it we do not have either or; doctrine or Jesus, but we have the right doctrine because of Jesus. Isn't that right? Didn't he speak of specifics? Love others. Be merciful. Don't lay up for yourselves treasures except in heaven. Seek first the kingdom of God. On and on he went.....still goes.
Are these not doctrines he anticipates to be among those of us who follow him? It seems to me that doctrine is important because he emphasized it. What might be the rub is there were favorite hang-ups some churches/members had in the past that didn't come from the Bible and were never expressed by Jesus. If these are the ones being pendulumized then ah......this explains the disturbance.
By the way, it is a doctrine of Jesus to cause disturbance. He will separate father from son; mother from daughter. Pendulum watchers imply the right place is in the middle. Wrong. The virgin birth isn't a middle concept. The cross is not a middle-of-the-road event. The resurrection did not please the middle-of-the-roaders.
Nope, the wisdom of the pendulum is a faulty source. Stick with Jesus. He will give you doctrine from above. Doctrine definitely matters because Jesus taught it. And make clear note, what Jesus did and taught was extreme. It was never mediocre nor middle-ground safety.
THE NIGHT A CELEBRITY SPOKE AT MEMORIAL
I enjoy the paths God takes us. We work with such a broad range from the homeless and hungry to the movie stars and sports figures. Next week I head out for my 26th year at the Cardinal camp in Jupiter, Florida. I get to be in the wonderful mix of interacting with a homeless person on a street corner or an actor named Kelcy Grammer. All have similar celebrations as well as pains.
Last night a celebrity spoke at Memorial Drive. His name is Ron Babbitt. He is on staff at the Contact church here in Tulsa. He shared for forty continuous minutes about God working through plain people to plain people making both God's celebrities.
I could never be as good as Ron. He simply is Jesus to his community. While I wonder if he ever gets tired; he seems tireless.
Let me tell you how far off base I am. When his class was over (he is so supportive of my work) I headed back to my office to give him a complimentary copy of our new 100% Natural Evangelism DVD. Then I smiled inside. What would he need with my DVD? Ron is more aggressive in reaching out than I could ever imagine being.
I will not soon forget the compelling example of this man simply being Jesus to his community. Some might have tended to scald us for our lack of outreach; but he even had the nature of Jesus to be careful with us while he spoke of the outrageous works of God.
A celebrity spoke at Memorial Drive last night. He is one of us!
Last night a celebrity spoke at Memorial Drive. His name is Ron Babbitt. He is on staff at the Contact church here in Tulsa. He shared for forty continuous minutes about God working through plain people to plain people making both God's celebrities.
I could never be as good as Ron. He simply is Jesus to his community. While I wonder if he ever gets tired; he seems tireless.
Let me tell you how far off base I am. When his class was over (he is so supportive of my work) I headed back to my office to give him a complimentary copy of our new 100% Natural Evangelism DVD. Then I smiled inside. What would he need with my DVD? Ron is more aggressive in reaching out than I could ever imagine being.
I will not soon forget the compelling example of this man simply being Jesus to his community. Some might have tended to scald us for our lack of outreach; but he even had the nature of Jesus to be careful with us while he spoke of the outrageous works of God.
A celebrity spoke at Memorial Drive last night. He is one of us!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
HOW TO BE IN MINISTRY 35 YEARS AND STILL LIKE IT
Leaders of any slant, segment, and brand are prone to find the hill steeper as years pass by. When this happens, spirits tend to weaken and leadership slips meaning followship suffers.
I encourage you about your leadership.
I encourage you about your leadership.
- DEVELOP CLOSE FRIENDS who will allow you to make enormous mistakes and yet love you just the same.
- LEARN TO SAY "NO" even when the weak in the church believe you are the answer-all to every dilemma. You are not; He is, and they will kill you if you don't train them better.
- CHANGE YOUR PRAYER LIFE by learning to tell Him "Thank You" more than offering up your shopping list.
- TRUST HIM WHEN YOU CAN'T ANALYZE HOW He will work. His ways are not our ways, yet we set out trying to convince Him of the reverse. Trust Him more than yourself.
- ASSUME YOU ARE FLAWED which will cause you to seek His grace and mercy for yourself while allowing room for it in others.
- STAY ENTHUSED OVER THE SMALL STUFF because too many need to see someone is happy about air, eyesight, and dental floss. Appreciate life.....right now!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
OUR GOD....HOW AMAZING
Our God is an awesome God. One could break out into song over it. I've had a day where His workings connected or overlapped in ways which I guard in my heart as kingdom treasure.
My last thing today was to visit Mary moments ago in the hospital. Mary is fairly new at Memorial. A couple met her at the food pantry one Tuesday evening months ago. They began bringing her to church on Sundays and it wasn't long until David baptized her into Christ.
This lady could be classed as poor as far as material wealth is measured. But I visited a saint this afternoon. There she was sitting on the edge of her hospital bed; hair a mess and all teeth missing....delightfully happy. Mary lives with gratitude.
She began telling me about the first time she became homeless. She shared her gratitude for Todd Box of the Contact church who gave her great encouragement. When I prayed with her I mentioned to God that we owe Him for all He does for us day by day.
When I ended the prayer Mary said, That's right! We owe Jesus everything. There ain't a day goes by but what we don't owe him everything. There was something about that toothless statement which was perfectly powerful. What a picture of a poor lady sitting in satisfactory gratitude over Jesus. She is rich.....and, for one, I know it.
This is ministry at its meaningful delight, I think.
My last thing today was to visit Mary moments ago in the hospital. Mary is fairly new at Memorial. A couple met her at the food pantry one Tuesday evening months ago. They began bringing her to church on Sundays and it wasn't long until David baptized her into Christ.
This lady could be classed as poor as far as material wealth is measured. But I visited a saint this afternoon. There she was sitting on the edge of her hospital bed; hair a mess and all teeth missing....delightfully happy. Mary lives with gratitude.
She began telling me about the first time she became homeless. She shared her gratitude for Todd Box of the Contact church who gave her great encouragement. When I prayed with her I mentioned to God that we owe Him for all He does for us day by day.
When I ended the prayer Mary said, That's right! We owe Jesus everything. There ain't a day goes by but what we don't owe him everything. There was something about that toothless statement which was perfectly powerful. What a picture of a poor lady sitting in satisfactory gratitude over Jesus. She is rich.....and, for one, I know it.
This is ministry at its meaningful delight, I think.
Monday, January 12, 2009
MORE THAN CONQUERERS
America surely needs the kingdom of God as much as ever. We live in a world of deeply pained where the saving grace of Jesus is both necessary yet ignored. Christianity is finding itself in a most awkward yet blessed state; rejected.
The days of friendly confines where churches dismissed at Sunday noon to have a picnic under the shade of the Oak trees is slipping away. Believers are going to find ourselves being increasingly pressured by opponents who are vocal and nasty. It will not be a matter of where we stand. Such religious lameness with be purified only to wonderfully force us to determine rather will we hold fast to our commitment to the name of Jesus. This is coming in America.
I watched Oprah for fifteen long minutes today. I like her; especially when she works on health issues as well as displaying extreme and admirable generosity. But theologian, Oprah is not. I sense she is reacting to a negative childhood which had its betrayals and pains...including a closed-minded belief system with a Christian name tied to it. Millions of us carry similar baggage.....some left the church while others stayed in it.
The portion of today's program was rehearsing the recent statements by Rev. Ed Bacon of Seattle that gays are blessed to be gay by God. Their exchange (Rev/Oprah) was smug under the guise of openness to truth. The irony is their intolerance of their assumed intolerant. It is one message of scripture to love your neighbor which very much includes every gay person. Christianity could use great improvement in applying this command. It is in the same package that same sex desires is not God's will nor blessing. Oprah dug at the "right-wingers" (her terminology) as if our position is stupid and way behind in understanding of God.
Christianity is being forced by a darkness hovering the world to shine brighter than ever. Our petty in-fighting will ultimately and rightly die in the mud of fear and ignorance. Voices of brand-name church competition along with which version one reads will wilt in the face of issues which matter. We will find ourselves pressed from more opponents we thought possible only to find our faith ignited like a torch for the cause of Christ which we haven't gained thus far through conventional church practices. We like what we are doing, I like what we are doing, but a new era of faith is approaching.
Get your people ready. Train them for combat. Persecution is coming from the cynic and the the religious airhead alike. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ for handing the American church her greatest threats in decades. We will work to keep from being swayed by the popular talking heads of fame as well as the undermining threats of religious imposition. We will note the approach of current waves slamming the nature and name of Jesus; but we will not go away. Neither will we hide. Finally....church....finally the mission field is rushing at us and we are forced to throw up our hands in praise of God as we say to our opponents, "You found us and have cornered us. Are you ready to surrender?"
Do not forget Jesus arrested the entire world.....from the cross so powerfully.....as he more than conquered.
The days of friendly confines where churches dismissed at Sunday noon to have a picnic under the shade of the Oak trees is slipping away. Believers are going to find ourselves being increasingly pressured by opponents who are vocal and nasty. It will not be a matter of where we stand. Such religious lameness with be purified only to wonderfully force us to determine rather will we hold fast to our commitment to the name of Jesus. This is coming in America.
I watched Oprah for fifteen long minutes today. I like her; especially when she works on health issues as well as displaying extreme and admirable generosity. But theologian, Oprah is not. I sense she is reacting to a negative childhood which had its betrayals and pains...including a closed-minded belief system with a Christian name tied to it. Millions of us carry similar baggage.....some left the church while others stayed in it.
The portion of today's program was rehearsing the recent statements by Rev. Ed Bacon of Seattle that gays are blessed to be gay by God. Their exchange (Rev/Oprah) was smug under the guise of openness to truth. The irony is their intolerance of their assumed intolerant. It is one message of scripture to love your neighbor which very much includes every gay person. Christianity could use great improvement in applying this command. It is in the same package that same sex desires is not God's will nor blessing. Oprah dug at the "right-wingers" (her terminology) as if our position is stupid and way behind in understanding of God.
Christianity is being forced by a darkness hovering the world to shine brighter than ever. Our petty in-fighting will ultimately and rightly die in the mud of fear and ignorance. Voices of brand-name church competition along with which version one reads will wilt in the face of issues which matter. We will find ourselves pressed from more opponents we thought possible only to find our faith ignited like a torch for the cause of Christ which we haven't gained thus far through conventional church practices. We like what we are doing, I like what we are doing, but a new era of faith is approaching.
Get your people ready. Train them for combat. Persecution is coming from the cynic and the the religious airhead alike. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ for handing the American church her greatest threats in decades. We will work to keep from being swayed by the popular talking heads of fame as well as the undermining threats of religious imposition. We will note the approach of current waves slamming the nature and name of Jesus; but we will not go away. Neither will we hide. Finally....church....finally the mission field is rushing at us and we are forced to throw up our hands in praise of God as we say to our opponents, "You found us and have cornered us. Are you ready to surrender?"
Do not forget Jesus arrested the entire world.....from the cross so powerfully.....as he more than conquered.
QUIRKS: I'M JUST RIDICULOUS
Do any of you do weird stuff in the name of organization or management that really make no sense? For instance, I must have the digital reading of the volume to the TV numbers to be even like 20 or 22 or 28 or 30. I never set it on an odd number. Who knows why? It just seems to sound better that way!
I sit in a room on purpose and never realized it until just recently of my strange patterns. In Bible classes I sit on the outer edge of the seats as I don't want to be noticed. I know...odd because I act up all of the time which certainly causes notice.
An hour later in the worship assembly I intentionally...mandatorily a law to my own self...sit in the center so I can be as close to everyone (the whole group en mass) as possible. Yet, at airports, I sit always on the edge of the rows of seats. A few months back Mary and I sat over against the wall at church and I felt far removed from those on the other side of the auditorium.
On Monday mornings the elders and staff meet at 6:30 surrounding a long table. For years I sat at the end of the table nearest the door. But I decided that was the head of the table so I moved to the other end to remind myself during our meetings that as opinions and power are valued, I am at the foot. No one would know (until now) that I have a method for sitting in a room.
So I'm weird! What quirky thing do you do that makes sense to you....and nobody else?
I sit in a room on purpose and never realized it until just recently of my strange patterns. In Bible classes I sit on the outer edge of the seats as I don't want to be noticed. I know...odd because I act up all of the time which certainly causes notice.
An hour later in the worship assembly I intentionally...mandatorily a law to my own self...sit in the center so I can be as close to everyone (the whole group en mass) as possible. Yet, at airports, I sit always on the edge of the rows of seats. A few months back Mary and I sat over against the wall at church and I felt far removed from those on the other side of the auditorium.
On Monday mornings the elders and staff meet at 6:30 surrounding a long table. For years I sat at the end of the table nearest the door. But I decided that was the head of the table so I moved to the other end to remind myself during our meetings that as opinions and power are valued, I am at the foot. No one would know (until now) that I have a method for sitting in a room.
So I'm weird! What quirky thing do you do that makes sense to you....and nobody else?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A SPECIAL TIME AT HIGHLAND OAKS
I ventured away from Tulsa for the weekend due to Highland Oaks inviting me to preach at both of their campuses this morning. I flew to Dallas yesterday morning and spent a few hours with John and Carolyn Taylor, our dear friends who converted Mary and me in 1970. It is always a big deal to me to visit with them and their awesome kids.
Chris and Liz Moore picked me up at the Taylor's house in the afternoon and became my weekend shuttle team. What a special couple they are to my heart. I love them big time!
I preached at Plano and then Dallas this morning and was fascinated by running into friends I had not seen in years (like John Mullican) and, too, making so many new friends like Christopher and Pam Green. My niece and her family visited the Plano services and it was special to see them.
Rob Pine showed up at the Dallas segment. He is an elder at Saturn Road and God is doing phenomenal things with him and his wife. We converted them as they were our next door neighbors in Quincy, IL.
I really enjoy speaking around the nation. I am inspired at watching so many become so enamoured with the word that God works. It is fascinating, huh? Basically, I tell churches how it ought to be done, give them examples of my failure at it, and then reveal how God worked anyway. The story just keeps going.
Thank you Dallas-ites, Plano-ites, and Highland Oakies! I had a wonderful and memorable time being with you this weekend!
Chris and Liz Moore picked me up at the Taylor's house in the afternoon and became my weekend shuttle team. What a special couple they are to my heart. I love them big time!
I preached at Plano and then Dallas this morning and was fascinated by running into friends I had not seen in years (like John Mullican) and, too, making so many new friends like Christopher and Pam Green. My niece and her family visited the Plano services and it was special to see them.
Rob Pine showed up at the Dallas segment. He is an elder at Saturn Road and God is doing phenomenal things with him and his wife. We converted them as they were our next door neighbors in Quincy, IL.
I really enjoy speaking around the nation. I am inspired at watching so many become so enamoured with the word that God works. It is fascinating, huh? Basically, I tell churches how it ought to be done, give them examples of my failure at it, and then reveal how God worked anyway. The story just keeps going.
Thank you Dallas-ites, Plano-ites, and Highland Oakies! I had a wonderful and memorable time being with you this weekend!
Friday, January 09, 2009
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT
Panic nearly breaks out if the Holy Spirit is mentioned. We can talk about God the Father and Jesus the Son all we want. Of those matters, any discussion leaves the believer feeling on solid ground. But bring up the Holy Spirit and rumors, panic, and fear break out like hives in the strawberry patch. The Holy Spirit spooks the church.
Why? Why is it that the only relationship any modern has with the Father and Son is via spirit form and yet suffocating dread forms at the sheer mention of the Spirit.
Here’s my take. The Holy Spirit will never do anything contrary to the Word for He guided the writers in putting the books in print. The issue is control. Man likes to impose his self-assumed intelligence. Too, he hasn’t been fond of those who make radical and mistaken claims of the Holy Spirit. So the best and safest route has been, not to seek the truth but, to eliminate any and all present-day involvement with Him. The Holy Spirit has been tossed out of the baptism water.
Man has wanted to reduce the Holy Spirit concept to both discussability and manageability. The Holy Spirit, therefore, is restricted to man’s highest manageability. Anyone who can give book, chapter, and verse that He works directly in believers today is often labeled as a radical…..and radically wrong at that.
What happens is members and congregations become tied up in inadequate knots which give no joy, purpose, or hope. People, very good people, go to church like they are in prison. Yet, the fruit of the Spirit is one of those areas I yearn for all to experience. While there is no law against love, joy, and peace, the very church He birthed on Pentecost has made it illegal for Him to participate.
The church needs to repent of being afraid of Him. False spirits? The Word teaches such. But not everything of the spirit-world is false. Blocking Him out is to practice another form of falsehood. May we be open to what He said about Himself and let Him work with us, in us, and through us.....just as He promised.
Why? Why is it that the only relationship any modern has with the Father and Son is via spirit form and yet suffocating dread forms at the sheer mention of the Spirit.
Here’s my take. The Holy Spirit will never do anything contrary to the Word for He guided the writers in putting the books in print. The issue is control. Man likes to impose his self-assumed intelligence. Too, he hasn’t been fond of those who make radical and mistaken claims of the Holy Spirit. So the best and safest route has been, not to seek the truth but, to eliminate any and all present-day involvement with Him. The Holy Spirit has been tossed out of the baptism water.
Man has wanted to reduce the Holy Spirit concept to both discussability and manageability. The Holy Spirit, therefore, is restricted to man’s highest manageability. Anyone who can give book, chapter, and verse that He works directly in believers today is often labeled as a radical…..and radically wrong at that.
What happens is members and congregations become tied up in inadequate knots which give no joy, purpose, or hope. People, very good people, go to church like they are in prison. Yet, the fruit of the Spirit is one of those areas I yearn for all to experience. While there is no law against love, joy, and peace, the very church He birthed on Pentecost has made it illegal for Him to participate.
The church needs to repent of being afraid of Him. False spirits? The Word teaches such. But not everything of the spirit-world is false. Blocking Him out is to practice another form of falsehood. May we be open to what He said about Himself and let Him work with us, in us, and through us.....just as He promised.
THE TULSA WORKSHOP
The dates for our annual Tulsa Workshop, where thousands attend to be re-energized and renewed, is March 26-28, 2009.
You can check for pertinent information like housing, hotels, etc. at www.tulsaworkshop.org.
Why not rent a booth or two to share your ministry efforts and needs?
If you would like a free two-minute DVD to share with your congregation, email your mailing address to me at trush@memorialdrive.org.
Plan on bringing a van or bus load!
You can check for pertinent information like housing, hotels, etc. at www.tulsaworkshop.org.
Why not rent a booth or two to share your ministry efforts and needs?
If you would like a free two-minute DVD to share with your congregation, email your mailing address to me at trush@memorialdrive.org.
Plan on bringing a van or bus load!
Thursday, January 08, 2009
WRONG: YOU CAN COUNT ON IT
The religious in my circle are groomed to fear being wrong. No one in their right mind would prefer to be anything but right, of course. But this trained fear costs the church countless good works as well as an enormous amount of souls which could have been reached but instead will be lost without a word of hope.
Being wrong frightens those professing to believe in Christ so much that to do nothing, at least, mistakenly satisfies their fear of doing something and getting it wrong. Which wrong is worse; trying and failing or never trying?
It is a great responsibility to move from passivity to activity. But dear friends, responsibility is our great charge. I don't know of any leader among us who has not failed as much as he has succeeded. I think I may have failed more. Of course we don't like this. But the greatest failure, in my mind, is to have the power tools of God at our disposal and refuse to move onto the court and get into the game. That's cowardly and the Word says the cowardly will be lost.
Love is the ultimate. The opposite of love is not hate; it is fear. Being afraid and being in the kingdom is a contradiction. We may get many things wrong; but we must make concerted effort to try. Get it wrong? You can count on it....and you can count on God to use you anyway.
Being wrong frightens those professing to believe in Christ so much that to do nothing, at least, mistakenly satisfies their fear of doing something and getting it wrong. Which wrong is worse; trying and failing or never trying?
It is a great responsibility to move from passivity to activity. But dear friends, responsibility is our great charge. I don't know of any leader among us who has not failed as much as he has succeeded. I think I may have failed more. Of course we don't like this. But the greatest failure, in my mind, is to have the power tools of God at our disposal and refuse to move onto the court and get into the game. That's cowardly and the Word says the cowardly will be lost.
Love is the ultimate. The opposite of love is not hate; it is fear. Being afraid and being in the kingdom is a contradiction. We may get many things wrong; but we must make concerted effort to try. Get it wrong? You can count on it....and you can count on God to use you anyway.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
UNCONSCIOUS DISHONESTY
Churches are always challenged to keep the writings of the Bible fresh on all hearts. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Without much thought “We go by the Bible” rolls off of the tongues of numerous church brands who are divided from other denominations, divided inter-denominationally, and divided among themselves within their own congregations. One thing this should tell us is to possibly adjust the phrase to “We want to go by the Bible” or “We try to go by the Bible”.
I think it odd that we miss this with casual assumption we (whoever “we” happen to be) have cornered the market on truth. Some will raise the question, Are you saying we can’t know the truth? My response is of course as the Bible says we can know it. I am saying we don’t…not all of it.
Why can we not recall quickly the Pharisees who had the same attitude and, uniquely the same problem? They always assumed they knew the truth. They paraded their knowledge, their loyalty, and their behavior. Yet, they wouldn’t know the truth if He were standing in front of them!
I remind us of such unawareness about ourselves. We can get so ingrained, even hooked, on our biased traditions that we defend it as if it were God’s truth. This leads well-meaning folks to become unconsciously dishonest. Parroting the Word while omitting the parts we don’t want and adding in parts reflective of our religious preference is dishonest.
Churches will be inspired by the Inspired. Any serious student of the Bible cares what it says. I urge us to approach the Bible as learners and well before we become defenders.
I think it odd that we miss this with casual assumption we (whoever “we” happen to be) have cornered the market on truth. Some will raise the question, Are you saying we can’t know the truth? My response is of course as the Bible says we can know it. I am saying we don’t…not all of it.
Why can we not recall quickly the Pharisees who had the same attitude and, uniquely the same problem? They always assumed they knew the truth. They paraded their knowledge, their loyalty, and their behavior. Yet, they wouldn’t know the truth if He were standing in front of them!
I remind us of such unawareness about ourselves. We can get so ingrained, even hooked, on our biased traditions that we defend it as if it were God’s truth. This leads well-meaning folks to become unconsciously dishonest. Parroting the Word while omitting the parts we don’t want and adding in parts reflective of our religious preference is dishonest.
Churches will be inspired by the Inspired. Any serious student of the Bible cares what it says. I urge us to approach the Bible as learners and well before we become defenders.
THE GOOD NEWS IS......
It is really showing up lately; I am falling behind in my work. I can’t figure what’s happening to me. It is now Wednesday and finally I got to the rest of Sunday’s emails. I can’t even keep up with the emails. Yesterday my day started at 6:30 a.m. and ended at 6:30 p.m. And…yesterday was my first day on blood pressure medicine. I’m medicated! It seems great things are going on either without me or in spite of me!
The good news is great things ARE going on!
Sunday I told Memorial Drive about an attorney (whom I didn't know) from another city calling me on Friday. She had been depressed and went to a psychologist for help. The counselor gave her my book, Empowering the Ordinary, and it changed her life. It changed so much she and her family are starting a new publishing company and are offering to rework/upgrade the book and promote it for free. Strange call, huh?
Too, I told the story (which is old hat to some having been here 31 years and fresh to many others who are new) in the same sermon of James MacArthur who played Dan Williams (Danno) on Hawaii 5-0. We became friends in the Denver airport 25 years ago and then he came to church here one Sunday morning. This past Sunday evening, just out of the blue, Jim emailed me. Weird.
I’ve recently finished a new manuscript for a book I’m quite excited about. My son-in-law is talking to me about going a different route from the publishing routine and developing an on-line download. As low-tech as I am, this has great possibilities.
The good news is great things ARE going on….for all of us!
My point is you. With all of this high-tech capacity, God insists that each day lasts a brief 24 hours. Do your best to keep in mind God is running the show and we are not. He knows how to get things done and how to cover the things we can’t/don’t get to. We are weak. He is not stumped!
The good news is great things ARE going on!
Sunday I told Memorial Drive about an attorney (whom I didn't know) from another city calling me on Friday. She had been depressed and went to a psychologist for help. The counselor gave her my book, Empowering the Ordinary, and it changed her life. It changed so much she and her family are starting a new publishing company and are offering to rework/upgrade the book and promote it for free. Strange call, huh?
Too, I told the story (which is old hat to some having been here 31 years and fresh to many others who are new) in the same sermon of James MacArthur who played Dan Williams (Danno) on Hawaii 5-0. We became friends in the Denver airport 25 years ago and then he came to church here one Sunday morning. This past Sunday evening, just out of the blue, Jim emailed me. Weird.
I’ve recently finished a new manuscript for a book I’m quite excited about. My son-in-law is talking to me about going a different route from the publishing routine and developing an on-line download. As low-tech as I am, this has great possibilities.
The good news is great things ARE going on….for all of us!
My point is you. With all of this high-tech capacity, God insists that each day lasts a brief 24 hours. Do your best to keep in mind God is running the show and we are not. He knows how to get things done and how to cover the things we can’t/don’t get to. We are weak. He is not stumped!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
TENSE DAYS
Be still and know that I am God.
PSALM 46:10
This sentence is not natural for me. I have had to suffer through learning of both its strength and truth. What a valuable statement for those of us who worry and fret over air and anything else in our path.
I don't know how the church, which claims to know all about God, can live so up-tightly and nervous. I'm amazed at how we continually dismiss His call. The words of Be still are translated Let go and relax. We simply need to do it.
Control is a big factor among Christians. It is a mistaken factor on the level of pride; but nonetheless, is a prominent characteristic we seem to polish and prize. Control is a mistake. We will do better to relax and let God run the course the way He has planned.
I'm far too skilled at ruining a good plan or plot He has going. I have that knack of doubting good moves into oblivion! If you want to make significant progress in your spiritual growth today, note the number of times God gives you opportunity to let Him take care of things....and then let Him.
Blessings as we move from tense days to peaceful ones.
PSALM 46:10
This sentence is not natural for me. I have had to suffer through learning of both its strength and truth. What a valuable statement for those of us who worry and fret over air and anything else in our path.
I don't know how the church, which claims to know all about God, can live so up-tightly and nervous. I'm amazed at how we continually dismiss His call. The words of Be still are translated Let go and relax. We simply need to do it.
Control is a big factor among Christians. It is a mistaken factor on the level of pride; but nonetheless, is a prominent characteristic we seem to polish and prize. Control is a mistake. We will do better to relax and let God run the course the way He has planned.
I'm far too skilled at ruining a good plan or plot He has going. I have that knack of doubting good moves into oblivion! If you want to make significant progress in your spiritual growth today, note the number of times God gives you opportunity to let Him take care of things....and then let Him.
Blessings as we move from tense days to peaceful ones.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
MANIPULATED BY GUILT
Recently a quite overbearing person subtly placed a burden on my shoulders. I recognized their unfair control tactic and I sent it back instantly. It made me think of many of you as I wonder how many times you encounter pressures to act when you don't have enough hours in the day to meet the demands. I especially think about those leading in smaller congregations where there aren't as many to help serve. However, I can tell you that in larger congregations while there are more to help do the serving, there are also more placing demands.
This was a tough hurdle for me to overcome because I am by nature a people-pleaser. I don't want anyone disliking me. Memorial has become an encouraging place to work because basically none of the leaders respond to guilt-manipulation. We pretty much don't/won't work under it.
I learned from jumping hoops to keep people pleased that one eventually reaches a hoop that is just too high. And, as soon as you miss it....they are unhappy and out. If you don't know by now, all those hoops you jumped for all those years no longer count. You'll be dropped like a hot potato. It took me a few times to realize what was happening; but I was in their good graces as long as I performed as they wanted. That's not a good relationship. That isn't a relationship. It is slavery.
The solution to this problem is Jesus. If the manipulated will trust Jesus more than their performance, those needing assistance will have more trust in Him than us. Too, if those who are manipulating will place trust in Jesus instead of a person they will find that as one among them can't serve the family well, someone else among the flock will as Jesus knows how to minister.
I am highly sympathetic to all who have compassionate hearts. You are a target of the selfish. I had to learn to say "No" when I meant "No" and stick to it regardless of insults. We are quite willing to offer sacrificial service but we cannot possibly be two places at once. That is precisely why he sent back his Spirit once he died on the cross. Through his Spirit he could be more places at one time. It remains true today. You are not the saviour of anyone. Jesus is. If any try to place such on your shoulders, hand it back rapidly. Jesus saves. Not you.
This was a tough hurdle for me to overcome because I am by nature a people-pleaser. I don't want anyone disliking me. Memorial has become an encouraging place to work because basically none of the leaders respond to guilt-manipulation. We pretty much don't/won't work under it.
I learned from jumping hoops to keep people pleased that one eventually reaches a hoop that is just too high. And, as soon as you miss it....they are unhappy and out. If you don't know by now, all those hoops you jumped for all those years no longer count. You'll be dropped like a hot potato. It took me a few times to realize what was happening; but I was in their good graces as long as I performed as they wanted. That's not a good relationship. That isn't a relationship. It is slavery.
The solution to this problem is Jesus. If the manipulated will trust Jesus more than their performance, those needing assistance will have more trust in Him than us. Too, if those who are manipulating will place trust in Jesus instead of a person they will find that as one among them can't serve the family well, someone else among the flock will as Jesus knows how to minister.
I am highly sympathetic to all who have compassionate hearts. You are a target of the selfish. I had to learn to say "No" when I meant "No" and stick to it regardless of insults. We are quite willing to offer sacrificial service but we cannot possibly be two places at once. That is precisely why he sent back his Spirit once he died on the cross. Through his Spirit he could be more places at one time. It remains true today. You are not the saviour of anyone. Jesus is. If any try to place such on your shoulders, hand it back rapidly. Jesus saves. Not you.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GARNETT: MY PERSPECTIVE
I have held great affection for Tulsa’s Garnett congregation since first learning of it in 1976. She has been a wonderfully bright lighthouse for thousands as we traveled up and down the rivers of kingdom experience. I will always be indebted for her fine and exquisite display of faith and vision. Marvin, Garnett’s first pulpit man, remains one of my dearest friends. How I have been blessed by his mentorship to me. Surely he is the guy who put the smile into our pulpits. Wade, the present and young minister, is also wonderfully important to my heart. His faith runs deep. He has my utmost respect.
Yet, it is no secret this beautiful congregation has encountered turbulent waters of her own. Indeed she has. Attendance and contribution have hit drastic decline. Critics point fingers of blame and make radical comments which wound and even sever the once undeniable bonds of both family and friendships. Hurt will linger in the air for years like smoke from a fire-damaged house.
Should you feel I’m rather raw and even insensitive to write of this matter, such is surely not my intention. It is the opposite. I desire to point out the God-act in the center of this painful development. I believe God is at work in His usual unnoticed style of perplexing human minds to accomplish divine good.
We have preached a lot from the Church of Christ book, Acts. Seldom do we address Acts 8:1-4 where the robust and mighty-in-example Jerusalem church was broken up. It was scattered to spread the church into other regions. The Jerusalem church probably never would have scattered into the other regions on her own. God broke it by way of persecution….and then converted the main persecutionist, Saul. (What a story and what a God!)
I learned this pattern from my elders. One of the reasons we experience peace and productivity at Memorial is because the shepherds allow those who are unhappy about issues here to move on without disturbance. They don’t chase after nor cater to dislikes for it is clear we can’t please everybody. They don’t carry ill-will toward any for not preferring the way we do things, but they gently refuse to hold court night after night in effort to appease the disgruntled. They strongly believe special ones leaving are called to do so by God to bless, richly bless, other congregations.
The spreading of believers has always been a mark of God’s methodic move in the early church. Why is it we applaud the results of Act 2 likeness among us, but criticize Acts 8 likeness among us as if some strange thing was happening? What’s going on at Garnett? My opinion is God is going on at Garnett. His ways have always been higher than ours and always will be.
Our possessiveness of His people damages our ability to see His glorious activity. God works! My brothers and sisters who left Garnett are valuable cells in His body elsewhere. Surely they have offered gifts and talents to other congregations (including some now at Memorial) which had not been displayed in such vigor before. My family remaining at Garnett has my complete and committed devotion. I believe in them. I admire them for their endurance. I count them as alive and thriving. It’s just that their present state looks a little more biblical than we tend to ponder.
Good for you Garnett! I salute you for where you have been, where you are, and where you are going! I will always be blessed by you!
Yet, it is no secret this beautiful congregation has encountered turbulent waters of her own. Indeed she has. Attendance and contribution have hit drastic decline. Critics point fingers of blame and make radical comments which wound and even sever the once undeniable bonds of both family and friendships. Hurt will linger in the air for years like smoke from a fire-damaged house.
Should you feel I’m rather raw and even insensitive to write of this matter, such is surely not my intention. It is the opposite. I desire to point out the God-act in the center of this painful development. I believe God is at work in His usual unnoticed style of perplexing human minds to accomplish divine good.
We have preached a lot from the Church of Christ book, Acts. Seldom do we address Acts 8:1-4 where the robust and mighty-in-example Jerusalem church was broken up. It was scattered to spread the church into other regions. The Jerusalem church probably never would have scattered into the other regions on her own. God broke it by way of persecution….and then converted the main persecutionist, Saul. (What a story and what a God!)
I learned this pattern from my elders. One of the reasons we experience peace and productivity at Memorial is because the shepherds allow those who are unhappy about issues here to move on without disturbance. They don’t chase after nor cater to dislikes for it is clear we can’t please everybody. They don’t carry ill-will toward any for not preferring the way we do things, but they gently refuse to hold court night after night in effort to appease the disgruntled. They strongly believe special ones leaving are called to do so by God to bless, richly bless, other congregations.
The spreading of believers has always been a mark of God’s methodic move in the early church. Why is it we applaud the results of Act 2 likeness among us, but criticize Acts 8 likeness among us as if some strange thing was happening? What’s going on at Garnett? My opinion is God is going on at Garnett. His ways have always been higher than ours and always will be.
Our possessiveness of His people damages our ability to see His glorious activity. God works! My brothers and sisters who left Garnett are valuable cells in His body elsewhere. Surely they have offered gifts and talents to other congregations (including some now at Memorial) which had not been displayed in such vigor before. My family remaining at Garnett has my complete and committed devotion. I believe in them. I admire them for their endurance. I count them as alive and thriving. It’s just that their present state looks a little more biblical than we tend to ponder.
Good for you Garnett! I salute you for where you have been, where you are, and where you are going! I will always be blessed by you!
Friday, January 02, 2009
MOCKERY OF ONE ANOTHER
While Christianity carries its most amazing traits, weeds of ill taste continue to grow. One is mockery. I have swapped places. Once I could be crowned a chief of the mocking tribe.
Reverend? Don't you know that isn't in the Bible?
Church? Don't you know it isn't the building, but the people?
Sanctuary? Don't you know it is simply the auditorium?
You saw God work in your life and you haven't even yet been baptized? I doubt it.
Yes, I could snub and sneer as good as any. But I was wrong. It is not my duty to sigh in disdain when my own puny knowledge of the immeasurable God should keep me in my place upon any subtle temptation to mock. Each of us is growing in Christ. Some have been indoctrinated in grace, others in works, others in baptism, others in expository study, and others in service. Each of us has gifts of faith, but we should never esteem ourselves as better than other believers for only God hands out the gifts....Romans 12:3.
The moment we are assuming dominance over another due to comparison of what they believe compared to what we believe, the Bible says we have entered the arena of lack of understanding....II Cor. 10:12.
We have many stable and valuable traits which, when endorsed and groomed by the living Lord, will prove to be blessings for and in our communities. Religious arrogance of who's right and who's wrong needs to be monitored with extreme care. I remind you of the two guys praying; one was right and one was wrong. The wrong one went home justified by God and the right one did not. It wasn't a tie....Luke 18:9-14.
Reverend? Don't you know that isn't in the Bible?
Church? Don't you know it isn't the building, but the people?
Sanctuary? Don't you know it is simply the auditorium?
You saw God work in your life and you haven't even yet been baptized? I doubt it.
Yes, I could snub and sneer as good as any. But I was wrong. It is not my duty to sigh in disdain when my own puny knowledge of the immeasurable God should keep me in my place upon any subtle temptation to mock. Each of us is growing in Christ. Some have been indoctrinated in grace, others in works, others in baptism, others in expository study, and others in service. Each of us has gifts of faith, but we should never esteem ourselves as better than other believers for only God hands out the gifts....Romans 12:3.
The moment we are assuming dominance over another due to comparison of what they believe compared to what we believe, the Bible says we have entered the arena of lack of understanding....II Cor. 10:12.
We have many stable and valuable traits which, when endorsed and groomed by the living Lord, will prove to be blessings for and in our communities. Religious arrogance of who's right and who's wrong needs to be monitored with extreme care. I remind you of the two guys praying; one was right and one was wrong. The wrong one went home justified by God and the right one did not. It wasn't a tie....Luke 18:9-14.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
GOD'S GRAND SCHEME: HOPE
I dwell in Possibility---
A fairer House than Prose---
More numerous of Windows---
Superior---for Doors---
Of Chambers as the Cedars---
Impregnable of Eye---
And for an Everlasting Roof---
The Gambrels of the Sky---
Of Visitors---the Fairest---
For Occupation---This---
The spreading wide my narrow Hands---
To gather Paradise---
Emily Dickinson
May our new year find us spreading wide our little hands to gather in the grandeur of God's marvelous Promises and lavish Presence!
A fairer House than Prose---
More numerous of Windows---
Superior---for Doors---
Of Chambers as the Cedars---
Impregnable of Eye---
And for an Everlasting Roof---
The Gambrels of the Sky---
Of Visitors---the Fairest---
For Occupation---This---
The spreading wide my narrow Hands---
To gather Paradise---
Emily Dickinson
May our new year find us spreading wide our little hands to gather in the grandeur of God's marvelous Promises and lavish Presence!
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