SLOW DOWN...ROME WASN'T BURNT IN A DAY

Ah, that title isn't exactly right is it? However, I speak a word to all church leaders, all business leaders, all family leaders; slow down.

One of the things that made me sick in my early years was trying to keep up with the fickle demands of church members. So many wanted me to jump at their call at their convenience. Me? I hopped for I was a "good" minister who really cared.

Add to that I traveled a lot; too much for a young man. I was off inspiring the church to save the world. But one day I heard someone reference a very famous preacher among us and he said, "You know his kids left the church, right?" No. I was clueless....and it greatly disturbed me.

I made immediate changes. I cancelled workshop keynotes. I began to go to my kids' games regularly. My target was that when I get done with ministry there would also be my three in the mix. And....God has blessed.

This quote was sent today, "This is a difficult subject for me to write about, but over the years, the [Billy Graham Evangelistic Association] and the Team became my second family without my realizing it," Graham recalled in his autobiography, Just As I Am. "Ruth says those of us who were off traveling missed the best part of our lives—enjoying the children as they grew. She is probably right. I was too busy preaching all over the world.

"Only Ruth and the children can tell what those extended times of separation meant to them. For myself, as I look back, I now know that I came through all those years much the poorer both psychologically and emotionally. I missed so much by not being home to see the children grow and develop. The children must carry scars of those separations too."

Coincidentally, I visited with a friend just this week who is a preacher's kid. He spoke in resentment of how his dad was never around.

So listen, all of us who are leaders are highly conscientious about being responsible to those who pay our way. But we need to be encouraged to say the two-letter word very clearly--NO--when any press to get us to give them more favor than our children.

Yes, they will say ugly things about us. Furthermore, they won't be around when our grown children crater....for they truly care less. Our children are our responsibilities and we want to do the best we can. None of us are ideal at this role. But time spent in attentiveness is always a right thing to do.

KEEPING A PROPER PERSPECTIVE

It might be that one of my bigger gaffs in ministry is to assume I knew how to do church better; better than a neighboring congregation or better than another preacher, etc. I really did believe that if all would do church my way it would flow quite nicely. Big wrong!

Two men were praying in the temple; so says the Bible. One was spouting comparative excellence over the other standing a few feet away in prayer. The second one was simply full of admission; he wasn't much.

The Bible goes on to say the latter was accepted by God and the former rejected.

In our ambition to be good preachers, elders, or congregations, we must guard against a malfunctioning perspective that will leave us in the dust of all those others who make humble progress. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.

Regardless of who we are or who we think we are, humility is the narrow road and few seem to find it. Should ego prevail over what we study, who we know, where we serve, or how well we have done, at those moments we short-sheet our participation in the kingdom of God.

God can use all of us as long as we praise Him for the supply and the harvest. Jesus said he could do nothing without the Father....and neither can we. So it would be best if we not talk as if we can.

To Him be the glory.

GROWING IN CERTAINTY

The more we are around, the more God shows His hand.

I marvel.

I marvel at how much God is displaying His handiwork among us. So much wonder abounds that our conversations--whether verbal, twitter, email, or phone--cannot keep up. His work is too rapid-fire for efficient reporting.

If you want to turn a church around, resist complaining about how bad our culture is and begin telling about God working. If you want to see spirits resurrected, avoid measuring with what the eyes can see and begin talking about what the heart can believe.

Little people complain. The small in faith fret. I know. I lived at the end of those streets at the corner of Complaint and Fret. No longer. That address won't fly.

We want to discuss God working. We want to live at the corners of Faith and Hope. We believe....even when there are no signs of provision....we keep believing.

I am impressed. So many there are who believe God works. That number is growing. The discussion isn't regarding whether miracles have ceased. The winds have shifted. The topic is now that God does wonders among His very common people.

Tell your children God works....and then show them some of His quilts. See if they don't stay around the church in their later years because the lingo made faithful adjustment.

THE DAY LIZ PENCE ROARED

Liz Pence strode into Tulsa to roar....well really for three days....at the Tulsa Workshop. She is fantastic.

She is a typical wonder-story of God. Her messages are so freshly-spirited some want to call her Paulette resembling the passion of her counterpart; the apostle Paul. Liz is that persuasive.

Liz hasn't always roared with such presentation strength. Until most recently, she struggled mightily to deliver without wear and tear of her nerves. A friend observed her stressful efforts a few months back and offered a couple of ideas.

What is interesting about Liz is she is as moldable in the Spirit as she is convicting in her teachings. Liz is the true heart of a servant; she simply wants to do it kingdomly well.

John 3:8 insists one led by the Spirit is one who must be graciously moldable. If we are Spirit-filled we are to be flexible. Adjustments are for us to be as turning on a dime. Not all of us can do this well. I'm just now learning.

But Liz did it. She made necessary adjustments, came to Tulsa, and let out the most wonderful roar in the Spirit! She has always been fantastic and is becoming even more fantasticker!

And you...you will do well as will I to be like roaring Liz...to grow in the ability to change all we can from rigidity to pliability. This isn't easy. It is why it takes the Holy Spirit of God to work it into us.

Practice it. Try it. Begin to roar!

WORKSHOP...RAVE REVIEWS!

I don't know what to say or how to start. To say the workshop was wonderful would be like saying feeding the 5000 was wonderful. That just wouldn't quite do it.

Something is going on among God's people. There is a healthy stirring of His Spirit that has been building for several years now. Last year was evident. This year? More so.

First, my hat's off to my two colleagues and friends, Jason Thornton and Shane Coffman. They knew workshop ropes beforehand. Now they know deeper interruption and ache and distraction that goes on when in this role that most would never assume. Because these two are so extremely capable I was able to sit back for 365 full days and enjoy being brimmed full of pride in these two. They didn't let us down. I respect both and esteem them highly.

A positive difference in the workshop is the shift from taking on the works of the church from the flesh to engaging in the many opportunities via Spirit involvement. Class teacher after class teacher came to town to say the very same thing; "Listen to what God is doing where I live." The workshop was all about God.

McLaughlin, Frase, and Cope.......three strong keynotes, three arousing messages...all about God working.

For the first time in years, all of our booths were sold out. Our main problem is due to having left the huge QuikTrip Center due to cost, our classrooms are not large enough in some cases to accommodate the crowds. Thus, we have work to do.

Next year's theme is "LET THE CHAINS FALL AWAY". Randy Harris, Rick Atchley and I will be evening keynoters. Dusty Rush, Jason Thornton, and Jonathan Storment will be the 11:00 a.m. keynoters.

Finally, after being involved in the workshop for so long I can tell it isn't losing momentum. Here are a few comments I heard as I moved about the reunion:

1. "I would die without this workshop" (a preacher from Enid)
2. "My deacon and I stayed up to 2:30 this morning dreaming about our work back home." (a preacher here for the first time)
3. "I've seen people here that I haven't seen here in 30 years."
4. "I don't know what's going on here. I've been gone about ten years. But everyone is so much kinder to each other. They seem happier."
5. "We have to have a gathering like this to just hear of possibilities. I love this workshop."
6. (sobbing uncontrolably) "I've been an elder for 31 years. I've been here the last six. I need this event so much. Don't ever quit."
7. "We've had more traffic through booths this year than last."

SHE CALLED IT HER BLESSING FROM GOD

I have this dear friend named Joneal Kirby. We are never in touch throughout any year. Our only relationship is when coming across one another at a workshop here and there. Yet, we share one of those intimate bonds in the Spirit as dear friends that you just wouldn't trade anything in the world for it.

Joneal is one of those gals gifted in beauty. She simply is very pretty...and she can't help it.

As we talked at her booth at the workshop yesterday, I noticed something new. She has a fresh 4" scar on her right cheek. I started to avoid the discussion, but I love her so I inquired. "What's this about?"

"This?" "Oh, that's my blessing from God."

Three weeks ago a surgeon removed a cancerous tumor from the middle of her pretty face. And do you know what? Joneal is still beautiful....really.

But what I love most about our conversation is what I love most about my friend. Her faith in God is stronger than her awareness of her make-up arrangement. She praised God with her life before this occasion. Now she uses this to praise Him even more.

That's what I love about what's going on in the kingdom right now. His children are ever-learning to give Him praise for ALL things.

She called her new scar embedded upon her cheek her a blessing from God. Jesus told Thomas his new scars in the center of each hand was his blessing from God. Be encouraged....visible scars are a believer's faith tatoo!

Joneal, my friend, your scar is a blessing to me from God. Thanks for sharing it.

HOUSTON....WE HAVE LIFT OFF!

The Tulsa Workshop officially opened last night. The only reason I am writing an article today is I'm to meet with 15 preachers in 20 minutes for an Early Bird special in my office.

Last night was huge!

Don McLaughlin was as good as ever and with good reason. All he did was report on God working. I've said it before and will say it again, there is magic in simply telling about what God is doing among His people.

Don's message was thrilling and inspiring as it was filled with God's continued handiwork.

Here we go into a full day! Hurray for us!

WHEN GOD TALKS TO US

Experiencing God is a relatively new thing for several in the Churches of Christ. While we have been sincere in our approach, we have chosen to steer clear of anything which could toss us into the salad bowl of questionable position. In other words, we have chosen a doctrine of safety which was never authorized by scripture.

As we wade into the deep waters of the kingdom there will be gigantic opportunities to need to weigh what we know of God against what we have secretly vowed to always believe. Whether we like it, our vows will always be challenged by God Himself.

One of the things we have learned not to say is "God talks to me". This could be viewed as an imaginary radical who can't prove what he or she claims. Thus we toss God out with the bath water and rely only on some of those verses we see in print with flesh eyes; but cannot dare allow ourselves to view by faith with eyes of the heart...Eph. 1:18

God talks with me. He works with me. He promised He would.

I heard Jim Cymbala reference God talking to Him when he shaves. Same here. Often He has things to say to me as soon as I awaken and I haven't begun to think about anything...He shows up. This morning was no exception.

As soon as I realized I was awake, He was giving me His ideas about something I was preparing for Saturday's class at the workshop. It was something in scripture I had never thought of. I didn't think of it on my own for I didn't know it. He spoke the ideas to me.

Why we are so gun-shy about this...I get. We don't want to appear to be.....believers. We want to have a respectable building to attend while we complain to the religious community it isn't the church (people are) and we are quick to correct any who would reference our preachers as reverend.

But to acknowledge we experience God is simply over the edge for some. It seems hocusly pocus so we reign in any hint of actually carrying on any interaction with the invisible world and the invisible God.

Jas. 1:5 declares if we lack wisdom go to the invisible bank of heaven and ask for some. Jas. 3:13-18 says the Teller will send it right on down. Ah, how we trip up on looking respectably Christian without the involvement of the Christ. A very strange doctrine we have forged which never came from God nor the Word He sent down.

God talks to us. Mock it if you like. If you don't believe He does....then, for you, I doubt He does.

A TALK WITH LYNN ANDERSON

I had a nice visit with Lynn today. He is battling cancer big-time. I would imagine a great number of friends keep snail-mail, email, facebook, and phone lines hopping.

He is such a joy. While having been very ill for the past few weeks, it isn't so bad at the moment.

He told me he would like for me to pray for two things:
1. His ability to speak at Pepperdine in May.
2. And, his ability to face what may be coming at him health-wise.

I pondered those two questions. Upon further discussion I told him I would only be able to pray for the second; not the first. He wanted to know why not the first. Because, I said, you and I are speaking at the same time. We both laughed. Then he told me in that case he might pray that I get sick!

Lynn is a good man; a great friend to many. I shared with him he would either get well or he would die and be well. He laughed at the truth of such a comment.

When you think of it, remember Carolyn and him.

ELDERS: SHEPHERDS OR CHURCH AUTHORITARIANS?

Tim and I were driving down the street yesterday discussing our Monday morning meetings; staff with elders from 6:30 to 8:00 (or whenever Jason takes a breath and we can all dart out the door). Tim remarked at our elders being so rich.

Rich they are and; thus, rich we are as a church. Our four are so incredible it makes me think of God's "joy inexpressible". How can you define joy inexpressible. How can one describe the flourishing leadership of these men....especially when they are basically unaware of it.

We love our shepherds for they are neither pale wimps nor deputy sheriffs for Jesus. They don't rule by command; but they lead by humble partnership. The church doesn't live in the wings waiting on permission from the elders. The elders don't like and don't want that role.

Who decides the Bible class material for the adults and the children? Not the elders. They never see it. Who scans the songs for worship and the notes for the sermons? Not the elders; it isn't their job.

Who looks our members in the eye to listen to their latest med need or their most recent celebration? The shepherds do. Who sends emails to the church staff with boosting encouragement? The shepherds do. Who visibly doesn't panic in times of trial? Who permeates the flock with attentive eyes and supportive hugs? Our elders.

Elders of old once worked from the office of control. Too many still live there for they just know best....their mistaken opinion. What divides a shepherd from an authoritarian? I think it is whether one wants to be a learner of the Word or a preserver of it.

The former hungers for God to fill his heart and shoes. The latter lives a picky life of irritation and bossy-buttness that keeps the cowardly in the church content and safe while frustrating those who wish to live in the freedom of the Spirit.

For all elders, hear me say we believe in God's ordained role for quality men. Whether you like it, you set the tone of your congregation: living in constant fear or thriving in glorious appreciation. Your heart sets the beat for the church's heart.

Give His flock room to explode in wonders!

DON'T BE DISHEARTENED

The kingdom of God is the funnest thing on earth. It is equally treacherous. While we are engaged in works that bring dead things to life, we are also involved in a system that requires us to die to ourselves day after day after day. We will do better in our work as we can remember the latter.

Don't be discouraged when things don't go right. Either someone has a better idea or God is using this temporary disappointment to train us to endure....or both.

I've been full of good ideas over the years. Truthfully I've been just as full of baloney. Dreamers are sometimes better at imagining than instigating the success of the imagination. Don't quit dreaming for God and for people. I'm not running dry of bright ideas.

However, I am learning through experience to sow seed in confidence and wait on God for the crop. If not careful we will tend to microwave our dreams; see them crop up immediately.

I've learned to plant seed just as He said; then water and till. I love God-surprises and when He causes works to bear fruit five and twenty-five years later? Well....it is back to the fun again!

We will always be challenged to believe all of the Bible. Ours isn't the call to be liberal or conservative for both groups include the cowards and the doubters. Ours is to believe God when everything in front of our eyes would tend to disbelieve.

Don't be disheartened about anything. God works. We believe......and that is our work...John 6:29.

WEEK OF WORKSHOP!

This is it! The big week! What we have all been waiting for! The Tulsa Workshop!

I've already received a letter complaining of the name change; that Soul Winning has been removed.

Be encouraged, while the words Soul and Winning are legally removed from the title, the emphasis has not been lifted a gnat's size. Consider the new name, The Tulsa Workshop (Inspiring the Church to See the World with the Eyes of Jesus). What could be more international than "World", more motivational to go than "Inspiring" and more sensitive to lost souls than "the Eyes of Jesus"?

Through the years I receive many complaints that "Soul Winning" or "Evangelism" isn't listed in more classes. There is a reason. Everything we do, my opinion, is for the purpose of soul winning; I am an evangelist and evangelism is how I think.

My three kids are in ministry; Wendy is a secretary for the North Atlanta Church of Christ, Dusty is the pulpit guy at the University Church in Conway, Arkansas, and Tim is a missionary in Guadalajara. What would you guess was one of the greatest impacts in their young upbringing at the workshop? Acappella concerts!

Sermons from Cline Paden and Mid McKnight? Soul winning classes at the workshop by Jimmy Allen or Charles Hodge? No, the Acappella concerts and church camps and sleepovers and stuff teens do. But the body combined in all of its actions and events count as grooming all of our people to be soul winners.

The lectures at ACU and Pepperdine are soul winning events while little label signals such. The refreshment of the Word, worship, and fellowship at these places are very much evangelistic and soul winning.

So this is the week of workshop! Let not your hearts be troubled. Good things will go on from children's Bible Hour, to classes for the deaf, to motivational sermons by hyper preachers....and all of it will contribute to the winning of wonderful people presently buried in darkness.

This is a privileged week and I am thrilled, still, to be a part of an event that has both Jesus and the world in mind.

SO MUCH WONDER GOING ON

I am grateful to be in the kingdom of God. It is fascinating to watch Him....to expect Him....to work.

We are in a wonder-full time right now at Memorial Drive. The area around our property is decaying. Businesses and churches have opted to move into a nicer, safer part of town. Streets in our vicinity are good for the wheel alignment business. They are so rough they have put the rumble-seat back into all cars that travel them.

Everywhere we turn slack and sloppiness is seen on the increase. Neighbors are letting their houses and lawns suffer from lack of attention. Incomes in the area slide while attendees at the nearby casinos increase.

And yet...and yet...our people are naturally engaged in such a social climate of need. The work at nearby Lindbergh elementary gives just the right place for some of our members to engage their faith wares. Others find great opportunity to serve in the food pantry. They don't just hand out bags of groceries. These servants sit in private with every person who passes through to check on their needs and pray over/with them.

More and more are sitting with us on Sunday mornings and now serve beside us in community projects. We are called to be at the right place at the right time. Few among us are disengaged. From the wealthy to the middle class to the poor among us...everyone is so excited to be used by God that He be glorified for His work among us!

I can't explain what's happening to and for and with this congregation. It is remarkable. Nothing would be possible apart from God. We have no earthly heroes or icons. We simply have people that believe Him; whether the going is good or bad, we believe He calls us to His work.

So much wonder is going on. I don't know how God does that....but I pray He won't cut us off or shut us out. This is what we've dreamed about...and I really believe He is just getting us started.

SO YOU AREN'T IDEAL

So you realize every day you are not ideal.

Take a good stab at it. Who do you think is ideal?

Mike Cope?

Nope.

Randy Harris?

Ah, nope.

Jeannine Reese?

Nope.

Keith Lancaster? Rick Atchley? Truitt Adair?

Nope. Nope. Nope.

No one is ideal. Only Jesus is. So how do we function? We pool our gifts and pray He use us.

I met with a man this morning borderline homeless. In a few more days, I would guess such is his destination. I've helped him a couple of times in recent months with gas money.

He can't find work. He's a humble sort. I believe his story.

When he sat in my office this morning I listened to his case. When he finished I told him two things:

1. I would give him the money he needed. I had more than he needed in my billfold and it was tucked in there for such an occasion.

2. I told him I wanted him to know something. I wanted him to know that I could see he was a valuable man. I expressed that when one can't find work and then they have to go into a church to scrape up money, one is possibly going to assume themselves useless.

I went on to tell him it didn't matter if he ever showed back up at this church but I wanted him to get to some church so that the unique gift God had buried in him could be shared. I told him God's people need him.

Be encouraged. None of us are ideal. Our flaws glare at times. But we have the God-element in us enough to see the value in one another and in strangers. Speak up. People who are down on themselves need to run into others who see that some sense of goodness remains in them.

ACCEPTED? REJECTED? WHICH AM I...REALLY?

There is a zone of my world that keeps me perpetually stirred as well as confused. Because I want to be liked, it mostly makes me so sad.

It happened again yesterday. I went to a funeral of a dear friend. I left so yo-yoed.

At funerals I always encounter dear friends who left Memorial so upset with me they could no longer worship with me. While they had their circle of sympathetic friends, I was left holding the message of total and stinging rejection; "I was so bad they could no longer accept nor tolerate me." Their message was clear to any who wanted to listen to their laundry list of my failures.

But at funerals...now...I appear to delight them?

Which am I? Am I wicked or am I wonderful? I've received both messages from the same people in strong terms.

I really like it that they "seem" to like me, but my history can't decipher if such is a front because of their stark distancing themselves years earlier. This really confuses me. I don't know if I am visiting a regained friend or a pseudo friend who is simply acting the part for public display.

Any of you feel these pangs? I don't' feel critical of any of these. I feel awkward every time. Which one are they really talking to; the rejected me or the accepted me?

I'm sure that many of you who have mastered maturity can easily see through this screen door. I nearly make myself believe I can....until I run into them again. I love them a lot or I wouldn't care, I guess. I really loved them when they were at this congregation. But, they made their harsh statements years ago and I still don't know how to read them now.

BLINDSIDED BELIEVERS

Christians walk on a rug which is constantly being pulled out from under them. This is designed to keep believers staggering near the center-line of unbelief. For example, consider how the carnal world has warped God's forceful theme of giving. It is mocked on purpose to influence others to no longer believe in one of God's greatest truths. The world is robbed because giving has been so ingenuously maligned.

There is another truth we have lost. Once again we are blindsided by giving such assumption credence. That truth being given away to darkness is whether God does speak to His people directly. He very much does; but so many want to claim this as a modern-day hoax.

What? God talks to you? If you believe He does, have you ever been tempted to keep that little twist to yourself? Mockery abounds...in the blindsided church.

Yes. God speaks to me. I seek Him and He answers. Why else would I pray? Is it not silly to go through the motions of Christian prayer with the understanding He isn't going to respond? When there is no communication between two, there is no relationship. For those who are in the church simply as Hell insurance, this non-speaking relationship is quite adequate. Yet, for those of us engaged in His work, we no longer accept the lie that God has been mute for 2000 years.

His Bible says we are co-laborers with Him. How does that work without talking? Sign language? We do the talking and He serves us and our motions in silence?

Didn't James urge God's children to seek wisdom; to ask for it? Didn't he also write that such wisdom will be delivered coming down from heaven? Wouldn't wisdom out of heaven be answers to our questions?

How does He sound? While I'm no expert, I am an experiencer of His voice. The best I can describe it is He gives me ideas; His ideas. He is steady with the supply. I once built my messages on my own research steam. Now, and for a long time, I have continued my diligent study of the Word and coupled it with seeking direction from Him.

When I stumble badly then the doubters are ready with their mocking posters declaring God does not do as I say. More rug pulling. Satan has always tried to blind believers by accusing others in their failure.

So awaken to the truth of God based on God and not on human learners. God loves to engage with His people in the greatest show on earth....His kingdom. Try to avoid being blindsided by what you think is respectable and middle-of-the-road doctrine.

God has a voice and He uses it.

Listen.

WHAT IF YOU WONDERED IF YOU COULD?

I've always been a dreamer.

As a first-grader, my parents had little money from the 120 acre farm on which we lived. So I built from scrap lumber a homemade John Deere tractor. Oh, I guess I drove that tractor all over the county...in my mind. The teachers were always impressed as I came pulling into the school driveway on my imagined John Deere A. What astounded them about me....in my mind....was I was only six.

As a new Christian at age 22 I imagined standing before thousands to tell them about how the Bible really had seriously good news for all. I could envision the thrill of hearts exploding with thoughts of "I never knew that!"

Imagination is a wonderful thing. More wonderfully, it is a powerful factor in the Christian make-up. God is in on the concept. As a matter of fact He said that whatever we stir up in the imagination, He will trump! That' pretty impressive for we have the ability to imagine many glorious things.

So what if you were to wonder if you could do great things....greater things than He has allowed you to accomplish thus far? Could you walk across the street for a cup of coffee and buy a stranger his or hers? Or could you fly off to Uganda and build a village well? Could you write a book? Create a feature film? Pray for a stranger on a park bench?

Ah...you surely can wonder. Father says if you wonder He will do more even according to the power that is in us. God isn't half done with the remarkable. Brilliance and radiance and overjoy are poised for the showering upon us.

It is up to us to step into His way. What if you wondered if you could? I say explosive marvel would come about. Don't be held back by the things you see. Move by faith into the substance of things not seen. God is there....and so is your effective wonder!

"SUFFERING 101"........ENROLL NOW

"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation."

Just how difficult is it to serve in the kingdom of God? Painfully excruciating. Yet, suffering is so the style of Jesus and we followers that there is no alternative. We either endure or we quit.

Endurers become a source of salvation to others; right on schedule with Jesus' walk. Quitters sit; but they don't offer salvation to anyone from where they have plopped.

Recall Paul's shipwrecked, abandoned, and stranded tirade? What was he also if not a source of eternal salvation?

I had to enter the same process if I was to become a source. I've been threatened with being fired, written up, preached against, endured the murder of a family member, conducted a granddaughter's funeral, experienced my house being robbed nine times and my office about six, and failed personally and miserably at one effort after another. Yet, to endure such is to go to school.

Suffering 101 is that unique class that few are willing to elect. Too many abort the process by dropping out.

Suffering 101 is a kingdom necessity. Peter urged that we not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among us as if some strange thing were happening. Struggle isn't strange; it is essential.

If you want to develop a peace and calm you will most likely do it through the Jesus-trail....suffering. The good new is those who attend the course are used by God to offer eternal salvation to those nearby.

How exciting is that?

GIVE EVERYONE AN "A"

Benjamin Zander wrote, "Michelangelo is often quoted as having said that inside every block of stone or marble dwells a beautiful statue; one need only remove the excess material to reveal the work of art within. If we were to apply this visionary concept to education, it would be pointless to compare one child to another. Instead, all the energy would be focused on chipping away at the stone, getting rid of whatever is in the way of each child's developing skills, mastery and self-expression."

The reason Zander mentions this is he noticed the anxiety of his graduate students at the New England Conservatory. At the beginning of the semester he announced all students got an A. The results were nearly miraculous. The students responded to one who believed in them beyond performance. He had thrust them into a free world of possibility.

Has not God done the same for us? Has He not declared we all get an A for choosing Jesus as our Savior? Has God not been wonderfully clear He loved us before we were to the extent He sent His own son? Do we not get it? We've been saved, not on the basis of performance; but on the basis of the best tool of possibility...love.

So could it be we will see our world function in greater prosperity if we will give our spouses, children, public figures, and colleagues an A? What potential every region of society has if we can see past the unchiseled into the completed beautiful product called living beings. We are most blessed to get to be us. And we are each much better when hanging around those who apparently believe in us.

Have a good week by making someone else's even better. Give them an A....by simply believing into them what they can become.

TULSA WORKSHOP....NEXT WEEK!

We at Memorial Drive love March! I'm still thrilled to be a part of one of the high energy and impactive events on earth! It is too exciting!

Jason Thornton and Shane Coffman are directing the event this year. I have complete confidence in their eager leadership.

You'll note some new twists this year which I believe will be a big plus. For one, you'll note round tables with chairs on the floor of the Pavilion more conducive to class settings. A big move, though, is the initial gathering at the Pavilion on Wednesday night for the kickoff of the entire workshop.

Couple new speakers to the Tulsa scene like Al Maxey, Kim Pyles, Kyler Erwin, and others with Don McLaughlin, Rick Atchley, old Marvin Phillips, etc. and we've got a tremendous program on our hands.

I look forward to having First Day back in concert Friday evening. There is a special singing group Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights at 6:00 so get ready for singing great strong praises to God.

The workshop concludes Saturday afternoon at 5:00. And then....I really look forward to speaking alongside two of my heroes Sunday morning at our 9:00 a.m. (and only service that morning) assembly. They are great guys and I always love to listen in on what God is doing with their hearts. Their names? Dusty and Tim Rush!

See you in Tulsa!

THE AWE AND SIMPLICITY OF HIS MYSTERY

What kind of garden would you like? Full of vegetables? Only flowers and shrubs? Mostly vegetables with a rim of flowers? So what will you have? Whatever you plant.

Life in the kingdom is about planting. We plant our future crops. The Bible says the result is what we plant; one doesn't plant corn and get cucumbers.

So what kind of garden do you wish to live? If friends, be a friend. Sow friendship. If you don't want friends, don't sow it because that is what you will get. Money? Give money away. Sow money. Health? Sow hours at the gym; you'll have better health.

So much of life is not dependent upon destiny nor coincidental breaks. It is based on a very simply principle; what we sow we reap.

Whether you would like peace, leadership, encouragement, or world vision, if you plant the seeds to such you will begin to see the garden of the same. While life in Christ is a hyper-mystery for us to stand in awe, there are many things we can anticipate if we will but note the simplicity of His mystery.

BREATHE LIFE INTO A FATIGUED HEART

Yes, we (okay, "are" should go right here...but I was "busy" and missed it) all busy. We are up to our eyeballs in busy. Our world is dizzy with calendarific appointments. And what person among you isn't short on hours for any week? We must work with care to operate at a pace in stride with God's opportunities. Otherwise, our own steam will soon evaporate and we will pull over to the side of the road to rust.

I love this work!

I just sent a note off to an elder inquiring about a young preacher as to the potential of being a possible fit with their congregation. I'm happy to do it.

Every week I gladly talk with young preachers around the nation and on foreign sites. I feel compelled to give them priority every where I can. And, I have good reason.

I received the same as a young man (and still do). I had men who were busier than me stop what they were doing to share nuggets of kingdom gold. Philip Yancey, Marvin Phillips, Max Lucado, and others have been nothing but encouraging to one who knew too little to be in this position.

When our family hit a tragedy, I called my friend Chuck Swindoll. He was in a board meeting and the receptionist properly declined my call. But when I told her who I was, she already knew from Chuck what was going on. She put me on hold and got him out of their meeting so we could talk. I haven't forgotten his courtesy. Just yesteday I received a two page letter from him advising me on important matters of kingdom life.

So when I learn of one of our soldiers wounded or killed (in spirit) in the line of fire, I am an ambulance driver. Nothing is more valuable to a preacher than the severe pain of hurt. But we all desperately need those who have been trained on the battlefields to stand with us while we bleed.

Jesus did it. He bled. He suffered. He died....and arose. Those like me who are back from the dead can only find it a privilege to cheer the young crop of proclaimers on! And....when I find one who's been charred by the fire, I know I'm dealing with one of God's real men!

I feel committed to these guys for busier than me found time/made time to reach back and breathe new life into a fatigued heart.

(Hmmm....calendarific didn't pass spellcheck. What's up with that?)

"GOD, WOULD YOU TELL ME HOW?"

The one question we deem most important goes unanswered. God goes silent on us.

How?

"God, would you tell me how I am to get through this trial, handle that mess, and endure those frustrations?"

More silence.

God doesn't tell us how; He just tells us He will.

God will take care of us. He gave us His Word....literally.

Look back over your span of God-involvement. How did He get you to this point? How did He arrange for so many right breaks? How did He surround you with such love? How did He pull off those blessings which, looking back, seem like they would never come about?

God goes silent on the "how" for if He were to tip His hand we would try to both mimic and market it. He can't trust us with the explanation of how; but He can trust us with the promise of hope.

He won't tell us how we are going to make the next ten days or ten years; but He is firm in His promise that we will be all right. Should you need a refresher course, read once more Romans 8:28-39. He knows. We win. No circumstances interfere.

MAYBE YOU MIGHT KNOW OF SOMEONE?

Referencing his younger sister who died a few days after birth, my six year old grandson Hayden passed by his mother with the following; "Hey, Mom. I've made something for Ana. You know of anybody going to heaven?"

PREACH CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED

When I graduated from preaching school I didn't believe there was enough material about Jesus to last six good sermons. That is a clear indicator of my enormous immaturity, wouldn't you say?

What is the message of preaching Christ and him crucified? Well it has eternal ramifications as well as perpetual information to be extracted from the most lively Word. But I think the basic message is one of hope.

When I preached in Kahoka for a year, Quincy for two and then moved to Memorial, hope was hardly in my vocabulary. I preached what I thought made me appear "solid" in other preachers' eyes. I wanted to fulfill the role of standing for something and being doctrinally respected.

How much I had to learn!

I wasn't preaching Jesus. I wasn't preaching hope. I was delivering frustration, aggravation, and gloom.

But Jesus changes all of that. We want to be among those who fill every member and visitor with the best news we can muster for their new week. They will hear enough trash and encounter enough pain without our starting their week off with such.

Fill your people...my friends...with good news for such is what we are all about!

TELL ME AGAIN WHAT GOD CAN'T DO

We have secure reason to hope.

One was a coward and schemer and (who would have believed this) he went on to be known as the father of our faith.

One was but a young boy still wet behind the ears and (who would have believed this) yet he faced the Giant when armies wouldn't...and won!

One was a virgin and (who would have believed this) she had God's son.

One was pronounced dead at the scene and (who would have believed this) he came back to life in three days....never to re-die.

One was a spit-fire rebel against the church and(who would have believed this) he became so convicted he was wrong he devoted himself to the cause of Christ so much he wrote more books than any other biblical author...old or new testament.

And just why all of this drama? To persuade us that our God is up for the dramatic! Don't fret. God knows how to get the LifeWork done...right where you live.

PRAYER AVENUES

Prayer is a major factor in the real grunt and grind of kingdom labor. I once thought that wasn't so; but I've changed my mind. We must pray. Otherwise, we are left to shoulder the work on our own. When that happens we burn out for the Father's business must be His business. We must connect to Him.

Two avenues are powerful assistants in my work---our work---at Memorial Drive. The prayer team at Brooklyn Tabernacle and the prayer team at Memorial Drive.

1. Brooklyn Tabernacle (www.brooklyntabernacle.org) is Jim Cymbala's church. They have a 24/7 prayer team. I often shoot them notes of requests for phases of God's work I am approaching.

2. Intercede4u (www.intercede4u@yahoo.com) is Mike Gardner's facilitation at Memorial. Mike is not an up-front guy as far as speaking in front of a class, etc. However, he is an out-front guy in his leadership skill to perpetually and consistently lead a host of members to be in prayer over people and their circumstances.

While you do what you can to pray, I encourage you to tap into such resources as these.

You might want to add your prayer resource via a comment on this post for readers to add to their support.

WHEN IT SEEMS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO HOPE

What should one do when it seems there just is no reason to hope?

Hope! And then hope some more!

We must never give up. Ah, yes we are free to give up on our own efforts and maneuverings, but we never need to give up on the hope in Christ.

I think it is correct to say that hope does not guarantee things go the way we calculate. It does promise God will work in any challenge which will prove to be glory to Him.

When Lazarus died, Martha and Mary were miffed at Jesus because he dallied. Their hope was he would save their brother. It never occurred to them he could raise him from the dead. How much more spectacular!

We often just don't get it. We think we drew the short straw and for some reason His magic just didn't work on our begging prayers. Ah, but His magic always works on our prayers; in our paths. We must see Martha and Mary's lack of vision for who their God was and then place us in their shoes. God knows our needs. Like Jesus hearing the news of Lazarus' death and waiting a couple of days, God hears the news. He knows the dire straights. And He will be activated...in His time on His terms.

When is seems there is little left of hope, think again! We have every reason to hope. God has never been stumped. He has never been out-matched. You can count on Him. You need to know that the worst failures are mirages. He will deliver and He proved it by the empty grave.

Read all about you....Romans 4:17-25!

I OWE JERRY RUSHFORD

About three years ago Jerry Rushford and the Pepperdine Lectures introduced me to what would become an incredibly special new kingdom partner and friend; Liz Pence. What a teacher of His Word!

Liz did a special seminar for us Saturday called Mind MakeOver. It was for both men and women. All were wowed!

What makes Liz so powerful is her lack of power. It is of God; not of her. Her story of abuse, mental illness, abandonment, and attempted suicide were all fruit of her atheistic darkness. But....a big word in her presentations....she was afforded the light of God to shine upon His light within her.

Today? Liz is a megaphone of "look at His glory" as we watch and listen. I don't know when I have listened to the multiple and convincing testimonies of Memorial's members as are being heard from Liz' presentations. She was riveting, effective, and starkly in line with the Powerful Word.

www.hoperevealed.com will lead you to her sight.

For now...we are wonderfully thrilled....and I owe Jerry Rushford!

BELIEF ISN'T JUST A WORD

The human terrain is remarkable. Who can encounter the abundant information about our make-up? The scientists and the philosophers continue to dig out brand new information which yet staggers our understanding.

Add to that the incredible format of a belief system. Faith is a strange bird. Life truly responds to this concept. What one believes is weirdly powerful. If one believes they will fail at an attempt; often such is the case. However, if success is believed, this too seems to be the actuality.

Therefore, we must check our belief system to see that we don't try to drive through life with the emergency brake on. Too, we are challenged to develop a belief system which can virtually operate under God's natural laws of His Holy Spirit.

Faith is convicted of things that aren't yet because it has an intentional hope in the unseen. This keeps a body ambitiously active.

Belief isn't just a word; it is a life pattern. What we believe often proves to come about; whether we think we can or we think we can't.....we are right.

IF THIS WOULD HELP YOUR CONGREGATION

I am wired to hope for your work. Some have so much wonder going on, they need little assistance. Others aren't sure if they'll ever escape the darkness which plagues their work. I address the latter.

That which is missing in all struggling works is, of course, the very thing needed; the Holy Spirit. Critics of the activity of the Holy Spirit are both doing dead works and are in great error.

We have all taken our shot at doing the work of God without the Spirit of God. We are frenzied like the 450 prophets of Baal with little fruit to show for it.

Here's what I would do to get a group started regarding the Holy Spirit. I would lead our people to study the Word about Him for He guided the writers. As aids to that study I would recommend three books:

1. Experiencing God by Blackaby and King
2. Empowering the Ordinary, my book
3. Forgotten God by Francis Chan

A mistake churches tend to make is application of effort without the leadership and the sustenance of God. We have taken on the task of the church to the extent that if God were to leave our churches we would look just the same. We have kept Him at bay.

This not only must change....it can....and it is. To believe the Holy Spirit works is not hocusly pocus. It is verified in the Bible. For those who have coasted many decades refusing to accept Holy Spirit activity, they have made a horrendous blunder. God wishes to work among His people. He does so in Spirit form.

May we keep this truth in front of all. The above tools will help if you need.

THE CHURCH'S JOY INHIBITOR

Joy is of the Holy Spirit. So why is there an absence of joy in so many religious circles; in so many individual believers? The absence of the Holy Spirit would be obvious; but why?

I think it is pride. While Jesus did what he could to pull believers into a grateful pack, American churches have taken on a consumerism, brand name culture of their own and then spread it across other continents called mission fields. We have promoted a one-up-manship among the tribes of Christianity. Pride has been that trait we know God detests; yet we blindly accept as if such is a rather moot point among us.

It is huge!

I thought I was better than my religious competitors and even so among my own clique. I thought I knew best, believed best, and did church best. Not. For one thing my pride exposed me to be the failure I truly was.

Recall the two men praying in the temple; how the one thanked God he wasn't as low as that miserable other? That would be me....and many of us.

When we are arrogant enough to believe our worship, or doctrine, and our spirituality is better than another, we have slipped into a deep and dangerous and dark hole. When we cannot appreciate another's stance different from ours, we are short-sheeting the kingdom breadth and width.

The disciples questioned Jesus on this regarding others who didn't follow precisely as they. His response was if they were not against them they were for them. Our prideful controlling nature resists the allowance of others being all right without being just like us.

A terrific joy release is to let other believers do what they can to grow in the Christ while we do the same thing. He will change us for the improvement of joy if we will relax, see the blessings (however few we think they are), and trust our God to run His show instead of us.

A MOST AMAZING GOD-THING HAPPENED TODAY

I just have to share this. A most amazing thing happened to me this morning. It's one of those things you hear happen to others, wished it happened to us, and it did!

I drove my car to work.

I went for breakfast with David Combs.

I stood in line at the bank and waited my turn...a long time.

I filled up the car.

I took coffee by Lindbergh elementary school for the secretaries.

I brought a coffee back for our secretary.

What's so amazing?

I did it all by myself! I had the energy, the balance, the money, and the mental capacity to pull this off. Not everyone can. Ask the stroke victim, or the blind, or the nursing home resident. I did all of this by myself!

They day may come when I'm unable. So today I celebrate able! I backed out of my own driveway early this morning....and boyee am I having a good time! When I turn 98 and can't do some of this stuff, I will not wish I had noticed it when I could....I already did! I noticed me doing this.

How about your day? Ah, phenomenal as well?

HOW TO WEIGH OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE

Students of the Word are subject (expected) to change along the way. Growth insists change necessary. When a child grows many things change; hair style, length of limbs, and weight are just a few. Other things don't; two eyes, two ears, one nose, etc.

Growing in the kingdom requires learners to sort between the changeables and the unchangeables. While the Word doesn't change, it will change any who read it.

One of the things one may want to consider is to responsibly separate scripture from method. Methods will always change; yet some will claim a method to be scripture. For example, some would believe Wednesday night church is God's establishment when such is merely a method of mid-week assembly.

Too (and this may be more important), we will do well to weigh the spirit of the change innovators. It is not unusual for various ones to have new ideas. Some might even be radical. But should any have an attitude of arrogance or superiority, be on guard.

Remember the two praying in the temple? One was so pleased that he was not stupid like the other. When one is grateful they see doctrine or scripture application better than a neighbor, inaccurate spirituality looms.

Some things will change. Change is at the core of the kingdom. Making adjustment from smug assumption of superiority is never an element of godly kingdom work. Avoid failure by refusing to hop onto an illegitimate band wagon. Be wise in making changes from the spirit of humility rather than conquerability.

A MOST FORTUNATE DESIGN

I am very grateful for the way God has designed a believer's life. He plants us amidst the body; the church. We are not a conglomeration of islands trying to unite. We are individuals blended into the growing formation of Jesus still on earth.

When I'm with my elders, I'm a part of the works of Memorial. When I'm with our staff, I'm still in the loop....a meaningful, important loop. When I'm with area ministers, again, I'm drawn into the fascination of getting to be a part of a movement of God that really makes a difference.

See, when I began in ministry it was an individual deal. I was programmed (I'd been trained in a preaching school pressure cooker) to perform ministerial acts. Well....when you are aware you are not much to begin with, it makes it difficult to get much momentum going.

But a thing that changed for me was to realize a most fortunate design of God. I am in a productive community called the church. I am connected to believers who...well...believe! I'm connected to the ministerial artist of the past and all of the believers of the now!

We aren't in the kingdom solo. We are in it via duets, trios, quartets and entire choruses. We are a part of a gigantic movement....not just of our tribe but connected in meaning as well as in search of truth with many other believing units.

We win together. We suffer together. We heal together. We are a part of a body...not a part of many bodies. We are productive, we are useful, we are successful....because of a most fortunate design.

EXCITED ABOUT THE CAUSE OF CHRIST...BUT

I was born into ministry with self-imposed conditions. I intended to preach intensely, but I didn't want to get my hands dirty. I believed God's message but to my surprise to myself I was a great respecter of persons. I choose my inner circle carefully. To no surprise they liked me and liked how I did church.

There was a kind I didn't care for. I wasn't rude to them. I simply had easy ways out to avoid them. They never knew it as far as I knew. While I thought I loved people I was a religious snob.

I thought I could do without the poor. I thought I could do without the unfriendly. I thought I could do without the critics. I thought I could do without the organized. On my list went....without being aware I even had such a concept.

My biggest mistake was I assumed them to be of no use to me or the rest of the church. I think God mentioned that in one of His letters to me; how He figures I will esteem some as significant and others as not so much. I now know He tried to lead me to realize even the least were a secret part of His intrinsic design.

I've broadened my base of acceptance assuming I will always have light years to grow. It is a marvelous thing, though, to note how much wonder God has buried within every person I know. He uses every one and every thing....including the crumbs like me.

BE SURE. BELIEVE SURE.

God is working.

He has all situations within view.

He knows how to live through every dilemma.

He knows how to get you through your treachery or your uncertainty.

You can be sure....you can believe....our God can do the most amazing, impossible, and even improbable tasks.

Let Him.

Romans 4:17-25

DON'T LOSE FAITH

Don't lose faith in your fellow man because of sin.

Don't lose faith in yourself because of the same.

Use both diseases to lift your spiritual soul to the fine art of the Jesus style.

Don't dishonor God by falling for the age-old trick of seeing man's blemishes; therefore, doubting God. Such is proof of God. Such is the necessity of God.

Don't lose faith in trials. Use them as your fuel to believe bigger than ever before.

LIFE: WHO CAN LIVE IT WELL?

Have you been bent out of shape lately? Do some just bug the tar out of you? Have you just about had it with the general human race? Specifically, do you wish church people would grow up?

Ah, that can happen to us. We are a funny sort; expecting more of others than ourselves. Some are too hard on others but not sefl. Yet others are hard on self and still hard on others.

What might be a better route is to realize we all take two steps forward and one step back. None of us are exempt from devastating accusation of sheer failure...none.

So how do we live this grand life well? I don't claim to be an expert; but I know the Expert. As we grow in him we will do his life better. Jesus is the one who scrapped our old lives in order to give us great new terrain. We will fumble and fall. He edges us closer to becoming the best us yet.

Concentrate on everything you can that goes right. Don't accentuate the hiccups along the way. Don't miss a good message because you caught "sefl" misspelled somewhere (like I planted in the second paragraph). Lift your eyes to see the radiance of your each moment! Don't miss out on beauty by focusing on the ugly and picking it apart.

Live your gift-life brilliantly! Live it well!

CRUELTY AT ITS HIGHEST

I doubt most would carry a burden I do. Not that mine is superior in any way, but there is a sight unique to my work which undoes me every time. My stomach does flips. I speak of driving by a funeral home. It is even hard for me to write this and not cry.

I speak not from lack of confidence in His resurrection power. I am as certain as you that such is reality. I speak from the anguish of heartbreak that takes place in such institutions; mommas being torn from child, child being ripped from a momma.

The wailing...oh the unbearable hours of holding others while they wail. Mouths go silent. Tears stream. Hearts crumble to the floor.

While this isn't my usual morning pep talk, in a strong way it is. Don't waste your day by missing the treasures of the moment while planning for an significant encounter with job, family, or pleasure six months from now. When you get there enjoy it, too. And do prepare for such an event well....but do not fail to note the wonder of it all at the present.

I've been in death situations where I felt my lungs could not hold up any longer. Grief is a devastating desert. The pain of it insists we lean upon the strength of God for no man or woman can endure. So we do....we do move about as normal as possible. Yet because we are acutely aware of the temporary we will not forget to say "I love you" more.....whenever now happens to be right now.

I love you.

WHEN ELDERS ARE TOO SLOW IN THEIR DECISIONS

Well....I'm guessing I have the attention of all elders just about now! Yet, elders are not my target; young leaders are. Whether a young minister or a young member in the church, you will want to give heed to what I'm about to say.

Over half of my life ago I was frustrated, perpetually so, with my elders. Why oh why were they so slow? Were they shooting up on molasses? Sometimes I've made proposals where Halley's Comet passed....twice....before I got a response.

It occurred to me at about my umpteenth irritation with them that there was a defect in my approach. I would conclude an idea that "would work" having pondered it for maybe three years or three months. I would get my recommendation together and shoot my idea....expecting them to make a decision in twenty minutes (mixed in without about eight other external ideas others were floating).

How unfair. Moreover, how unwise.

So I learned to sow seed. This is the kingdom way. I now make seed introductions and watch (fairly contently) to see which ones sprout. It took me over 25 years to finally get a lawn sign communicating we are a place to start life over...and immediately a couple saw that logo, were baptized, and now are a part of our family.

However, I think my 25 year proposal of renaming us the Airport Church of Christ since we are at "747" S. Memorial is dead seed. That idea has been rejected so many times....I don't even care for it anymore.

So what's going on young preacher? Rejection of our ideas is a secret yes of God. He is training us to yield to the Holy Spirit as we must have His fruit of love, joy, patience, etc. When our urgent ideas are neglected good is going on. We are learning to depend on Him....not our ingenuity.

Oh, but how do the elders ever learn love, joy, patience, etc?

Ah, God gives them us!

JESUS DIDN'T COME TO DESTROY THE LAW

Jesus had a problem on his hands. The lawyers were on his case for not keeping the law. He rejected their notion saying he didn't come to destroy the law but to fulfill it.

What's the beef? The Law the lawyers had in mind and the one Jesus had in mind were two separate entities. The Pharisees are including all the rules man's tradition added; Jesus did not. He would fulfill God's law.

We live under similar circumstances. Some believe I (and others) are trying to destroy the church. My goal is to fulfill it. I love it. But the debate is over two separate entities; (1) the Why You Are A Member of the Church of Christ, or (2) the church that Jesus builds. I want to be a a part of the latter for the former has both added and embedded man's tradition calling it Bible.

My problem is I am not yet like Christ. Therefore, I'm just as likely to slip something into the church philosophy that also came from man's thinking and not God's.

Yet, our goal is to fulfill the Builder's desire. May we be filled with the Spirit of Christ that the world may have opportunity to participate in the church Jesus builds.

IN OVER MY HEAD

What is it like being a minister? For that matter, what is it like being an elder or teacher or a member? From this perspective, all are the same; we should be in over our heads.

The longer I'm privileged to be in ministry the more I am filled with unanswers.

I applaud you if this fits your zone. To live in the territory of not knowing the direction, the outcome, nor the answers indicates we are serving beyond our comfort zone. I point out at this moment that those of you who are not in over your head may need to seriously re-evaluate. You may be trying to do your work in the name of God rather than yielding to His work.

Living over my head scares me. Two things set the stage for misfire: (1) I don't know what to do, and (2) I don't know how to do the what that I don't know.

But, think with me. Do you really think Noah had a grasp of the Ark instructions? Did Moses know what he was doing as he led a fleeting crowd right into the center of the Red Sea? Did the priests have a solid understanding of how the Jordan would change its mind when the souls of their feet touched the high waters?

One would think (I would have thought) that after being at one place for over three decades, a man would have more answers than I have. Not. I can't say I'm more clueless than ever because I began basically clueless. Fortunately, God lets me operate from that mode because He is well clued.

Not sure where to turn? Not sure how anything will work out? Unclear as to sober decisions exactly which direction to move? Be sure: (1) you don't, and (2) He does.

When we are not in over our heads, we many not be in the correct kingdom.

I believe, knowing God, someone really needed to read this today. Great!

TULSA WORKSHOP: EARLY BIRD CLASS

I meet with 15 ministers each Workshop Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. On a first-come-first-serve basis, I give away 15 tickets. It is a special gathering of men who serve in various parts of the country. We may discuss sermon preparation or attitudinal adjustment or some other matter. We never know 'til it gets closer to time.

Of the 15 tickets, 7 requests have already been made for reservation. If you would like one of these, email me at trush@memorialdrive.org. I'll be happy to save you a place.

Tulsa Workshop....March 24-27....Our Journey.... www.tulsaworkshop.org

WHY "NEW" FASCINATES

New day. New hope. New job. New car. New house. New coat. New. We love new.

Why is that? Don't you know? It is God; it is the very nature of God. He is the Creator. Don't you get it? Creators create what? New. Come see the new creation; whether it be sculpture or menu or Lego design.

The Word says we are a NEW creation. It also vows we are NEW everyday. New coordinates and parallels.....God.

Leadership will be on the cutting edge of God-stuff when it is sought in the realm of the new. Henri Nouwen said, "Christian leadership is a dead-end street when nothing new is expected, when everything sounds familiar and when ministry has regressed to the level of routine. Many have walked into that dead-end street and found themselves imprisoned in a life where all the words were already spoken, all events had already taken place, and all the people had already been met."

What I look for in sermon preparation week by week is what God is saying which is new to my heart. Not that I didn't know the fundamental truth beforehand, but what does He say to me I didn't quite see that way before? Every week He affords me a hint of something new in His Word. I have years and years of it yet to learn. And when I see something new to me....it seems to cause the light to go on in others.

New....it will always fascinate because it is the nature of God.

JUST WHO ARE THE EXAMPLES HERE?

Frenzied chatter has escalated recently over two sports icons; Mark McGwire and Tiger Woods. Both have fallen from fan-grace it seems. The cry is a wearying one of, "What kind of examples are they to the kids?"

Shall we investigate?

Mark McGwire violated his sport by using drug enhancers which were improper for a professional athlete. That's bad. When he testified before a congressional committee he refused to comment; thus refusing to lie. That's good. Recently...and repeatedly, I might add...he has admitted his mistake, confessed his sin, and apologized for his failure. That is a very good example.

Tiger Woods' image tanked at the news of infidelity. That's bad. He sought immediate help through rehab. That's good. He appeared before the media--thus the world--with self-humiliating confession of his sin coupled with a deep expression of penitence and sorrow. That is a good example.

While McGwire and Woods should be embraced for their example of courage to admit in brutal honesty their mistakes, the general populace wishes to second guess and call for more public humiliation. This example on the part of fans is bad; it is wrong.

What kind of a message are we sending to our kids when one who messes up can't be reinstated? What kind of examples are we when those among us has the audacity to clearly state they made a horrible mistake and we won't accept their confession? Do we really believe kids aren't watching our rejection of these men?

Just who are the examples here? Well, more than Mark and Tiger. The role models are also moms and dads, neighbors and coaches, talk show hosts and news reporters. It is one thing to insist we walk an upright path. It is quite another to continue to kick at those fallen while pointing our narrow and judgmental fingers assuming we are not hurting our children by our lack of grace and mercy.

When these kids grow up and fail....for fail at several things they will....what will they recall regarding the treatment of Mark and Tiger? Abuse or forgiveness? Hate or mercy? Chide or applause? Believe me, it matters. The icons in sports aren't the only examples to kids. The two sitting in the front seat driving to church are overheard whether we believe it.

May we be determined to treat our wounded better.

THE GOD OF COMPLEX SIMPLICITY

God. Who can fathom? Who can manipulate? Who can understand? Who can know Him?

Granted, God is the Genius of systemic processes. He creates brilliance just by saying so. It is God who can put a message into one average-sized volume which breathes so full of life that men who have devoted themselves to eradicating earth of its presence....died first.

God. Who can gain understanding of His boundary-less and time-less presence? Who?

Along comes Jesus to reduce the quandary and increase the un-answers. If we have seen Jesus we have seen the Father. Well that surely helps....yet holds us at bay for who can grasp the injury of the cross or the vacancy sign over the tomb. So we are back to square one.

Therefore, the simplicity factor raises in substantial value. Simplicity? Believe Him. We are to believe. We can't explain. We can't prove. We can't win on our own. We can simply believe.

Jesus was asked by the reporters in John 6 what they should do to do the God-kind, God-sized works. His response. The work expected of each is to believe the one whom God sent.

Now to my point: because of our American performance-based culture, we tend to make things too difficult. Believing seems to leave the hard worker at a silent loss. Yet, we are surrounded by very hard working members who have little patience, little vision, and very little faith. Their religion is at the ends of their hands and their feet...what they can do to serve.

The complex simplicity of God is that we let Him handle the complex while we do the simple....believe Jesus. This is a winning combination which can't be explained...because it is too complex for the simple to grasp. Yeah God! And, yeah us!

WE ARE AT OUR BEST BROKEN

The church suffers from leprosy. It cannot feel; its heart has grown numb. Instead of passion for the unruly and sinful, resentment for their actions builds. The style of Jesus extending a hand and kind word of hope to the most aggressive rebels is desperately needed among us today.

We are at our best when we are broken. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, Oh God, Thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 51:17)

When we are broken we are free to move without thought of fear. What worse could happen to us if already broken? We are free to love; we won't be caught off guard. We are free to imagine for nothing can embarrass us. We work at our best from the pit of thorough brokenness.

Henri Nouwen wrote, "What keeps us from opening ourselves to the reality of the world? Could it be that we cannot accept our powerlessness and are only willing to see those wounds that we can heal? Could it be that we do not want to give up our illusion that we are masters over our world and, therefore, create our own Disneyland where we can make ourselves believe that all events of life are safely under control? Could it be that our blindness and deafness are signs of our own resistance to acknowledging that we are not the Lord of the Universe? It is hard to allow these questions to go beyond the level of rhetoric and to really sense in our innermost self how much we resent our powerlessness."

Yet, powerlessness (due to brokenness) thrusts us to the platform of being at our best. Jesus' most masterful move was when he was in the grave powerless and the Power of the Holy Spirit quickened him. We are at our best in our most dreaded state; our worst.

Be encouraged. When you feel beaten, battered, and broken, you are just getting started in the grand scheme of kingdom productivity. This is why we must never, never give up. Take the hits, endure the slams, hold up under disappointment. All of it is for the world's benefit.....through the crucified you.

AFRAID TO BELIEVE?

Do you recall how some teens fret (or refuse) over carrying a Bible to class because it isn't cool? What would the cool kids who didn't carry their Bibles think? Would one be labeled for looking interested? And how about the pressure to sing during church? Will others think I'm....spiritual?

This fear of what others might think moves right on up the age scale. Yet, the question isn't as minuscule as toting a Bible or singing songs. This terrain is over what one will admit they believe in front of their peers.

I believe churches experience pressure to believe or not to believe certain matters. There is great pressure (I know from experience) to go with the herd and disregard the activity of the Holy Spirit. Fear on many levels overrides honest doctrine.

As fear escalates into our later ages, carrying our Bible is no longer the threatening restraint. Opening and studying it is. We are in danger of believing what our friends believe more than what the Bible teaches.

I know what it's like to be "written up" for my stances. I know the personal pain that most onlookers would shrug their shoulders in indifference and move on. Yet, when it is personal....it is painful.

However, we are not of the spirit of cowardice. It takes courage to believe God...even in the church. I urge you to keep your friends only to the extent they let you form your views from your understanding of the scriptures. Do not let their rejection of you determine how much of God you will ultimately believe. If you do, they are your god....not Him.

DON'T GROW OLD. GROW UP.

One of the kingdom's more intriguing traits is that of newness. The Start-Life-Over factor is unknown in all other circles. To be Newer-Day-by-Day is literally out of this world. What is going on and how does this apply to our routine? Is this a feeling? Is it a law?

Newness is, first, a promise of God. He strongly emphasizes the new birth and the new creation. The very nature of repentance is to determine to start again.

Growing old versus growing up surely belongs in this discussion. The reason? Whether flesh or spirit, parallels exist. The one I see clearly this morning is that of flexibility. A child is flexible. A Crappaw isn't so much. A Great Crappaw just isn't. And a Great-Great Crappaw? Ah....where's his walker?

In the kingdom growing old versus growing up is consistent with the above consideration. The very nature of the Spirit (John 3:8) is flexibility. To find a young/youthful disciple in their 50s/60s/70s+ is to find one flexible in mind. In others words, they are not set in their ways.

Rigidity has become the framework of all sorts of churches. Rigidity is followed by irritable followed by grumpy followed by deadness. This isn't a kingdom pattern.

Calvin Miller wrote, "Always abandon unnecessary rigidity for God can only direct the flexible."

One of the issues I face in being 62 is I must continue to do my stretches. For how many times have I already discovered it is easier to retreat to my tried-and-true approach to the church rather than consider new possibilities.

May we assert ourselves in the region of growing up.....that we never grow old.

ONE OF MY BIGGEST JOY FACTORS

A major thing happened to me on my way to heaven. I learned a hard lesson. However, once I learned it I can't (won't) let go of it. Oh, I am not the ideal icon of its truth....I just know it is true.

Here's my elemental discovery which affects everything I approach in kingdom matters: God operates off of incredible mystery. Jesus praised Him once for revealing such to babes. How does one remain in the church for years with a perpetual smile stretched between his or her ears? Love the mystery of God.

I can't explain everything. Now I get it I can't explain hardly anything; and this is the nature of faith-full leadership. Jesus said (Mark 4:26-27) "The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows---HOW, HE HIMSELF DOES NOT KNOW." The very sower of the seed operates in ultimate clueless-land.

In Acts 12 the revelation of Peter tightly locked down in prison persuades all on-lookers that the best of escape artists could not break such bonds. The matter is reasonably impossible. Yet an angel of the Lord shows up with neither explanation nor description and releases the supposed felon. Of Peter going through the reality it is said, "he did not know what was being done".

And then the leader of the term called faith, Abraham, began to follow the call of the Lord. Of this great adventurer of faith it says in Hebrews 11:8, "and he went out not knowing where he was going".

The flesh part of Christians wants explanations and oft demands understanding. Thus, we often go nowhere because we are still waiting on some divine GPS to give us respectable and reasonable guidance. We are stuck.

The breakthrough comes when we "go" not knowing how or where or why to go. We sense His call and can't explain it. Often it will feel to be against our gut insight. For me to pack up and go off to preaching school was absurd...even in my own mind and surely in those of all of my friends. It was a ridiculous move.

Later, to move to Memorial Drive was against everything my being could arouse as wise except for one thing; I believed God was calling me. My faith won over my fear.

One of my biggest joy factors is trusting God when He knows full-well I don't have a clue about the map nor the instructions that accompany it.

AFRAID....BUT NOT WORRIED

"I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." Rather strange of Paul to say, don't you think?

I was pondering my own work and realized how afraid I get to speak and yet I don't worry about it. I evaluated whether I was naive or dishonest or mistaken. Yet, I perpetually feel the fear of stepping up to the mic each Sunday whether class or sermon; but I'm not worried.

Then I realized the apostle knew such mental gymnastics. He, too, experienced the same.

A secret for Paul (and therefore of us) is he could realize he didn't have the skill to pull off the assignment. Yet, he was most confident in the Spirit of God. Consider his next sentence following his admission of fear and trembling. "And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."

A mistake I made in my earlier years of teaching/preaching was my awareness of my absolute lack; yet, I tried to compensate by mustering fleshly delivery technique. I didn't trust God's Spirit with the ability to connect my English words with their spiritual ears.

Now I've learned to live with my fear. I've accepted the trembling which doesn't dissipate over time. How? Because I am sure of the Spirit's activity. I am free to be afraid; but I don't have to worry. He will connect the message deliverer to the message receiver.

This is a preaching/teaching secret. Until we get it, we will do our best to make ambitious presentations while those listening will walk away bored....untouched and unmoved.

When I prepare to approach an audience, I plead with God not to leave me up there alone. I beg Him to stand there and say something. I am merely a pipe. He is the supply of life. I may be afraid.....but I'm not worried. He knows how to effectively communicate.

DISTORTED TRUTH ISN'T TRUTH

Truth is divine. Truth is of God. Truth is Jesus. His Word is Truth.

Being conservative or liberal won't work when it comes to Truth. We think we will get by with our pet stances; but we won't. The Bible makes a perpetual call for renewal of minds that we can know the true will of God. This will require adjustment and change rather than protectionary status quo.

Pure Truth is too liberal to the conservative. It is too conservative to the liberal. Neither have it if adding due to fear or subtracting in the name of open-mindedness.

The world is in a huge hurt because we have built our denominational forts and yelled our particular slants to those who drive by seemingly unaware. The world wants to know God and God wants all reached. Truth will set men free; not perpetuated bias of brand name churches.

Surely we can see that life in Jesus is refreshing to both the church and the community. His is a drawing doctrine....not a distancing one. I want to know the Truth of Jesus. He knows things I don't. I want to know more about Him; what made him tick, why he had such courage, and how he learned to move with such power.

I pick up truths here and there....and how grateful I am. But I must admit I had to let go of the once prideful stance that my kind was the only kind that knew the Truth. My kind has and does know some of His truths and we grow to know the Truth; Jesus.

Distorted Truth isn't Truth....so we must discontinue our passing it off as if it came from heaven above. Truth is rich and we want to gain momentum in it. May we do so without conservative or liberal pride. May we be simply Christians hungry to learn.

WHY SOME PEOPLE BUG US

If you happen to have people in your life that rub you the wrong way, pay attention. These are in your life to mature you in the very nature of Jesus.

The truth is God loves everyone and we don't. We remain selective. Yes, we know the verses about loving your neighbor, loving your enemies, and that love never keeps score. But....that isn't us.

It should be.

We are given the Holy Spirit to treat others as would God. While Romans 2:1-5 will not budge from its accusation that whatever we are critical of we are guilty of ourselves, we still find justification with our inner-explanation as to why we don't care for certain individuals.

Each of these "individuals" is in our path for a reason. They are testing grounds to see how we are progressing in the areas He expects to be coming from His authentic disciples; love for others.

Why do some people, at this stage of our lives, still bug us? We still have that offensive childish nature to label others according to their behavior. We are often still in kindergarten where we are irritated by both the sin and the sinner. May we grow to realize the reason people bug us is one of the purposes of God.

FREE SPACE

All Bingo cards have a Free Space. Not all Christians do. A strong and positive response to kingdom opportunity will occur when more believers possess that Free Space.

I speak of that place where strangers are free to enter our space with room to be themselves without pressure to become as us. Oh how we talk big church talk. We oppose this and sigh over that. I think the most inspiring trait of any congregation is to know those who give strangers Free Spaces. We have those who are always taking someone in, keeping them for the night or a week. I'm talking about strangers; not friends. We have those who see homeless people and go back to give them assistance. These are Free Space offerers. So I quote Henri Nouwen....

"Hospitality, therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. It not to lead our neighbor into a corner where there are no alternatives left, but to open a wide spectrum of options for choice and commitment.....The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free....Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own."

A couple of Sundays ago David and Lisa Combs were on their way to Bible class. They noticed a woman standing at a major intersection holding a card foraging for help. While David and Lisa turned around to go back for the woman they saw two other cars from Memorial Drive pull alongside to hand her money.

David and Lisa took the woman to breakfast; yes, they skipped class. Not everything in her story seemed to match. But the right thing about this occasion is David and Lisa offered her a rare and important moment as God searches for her. They offered her a Free Space.

It is the vision of ones as David, Lisa, and those passing along the money at an intersection that I think really make our congregations what He wants us to be.

HOW TO KEEP OUR PREACHERS AND GROW OUR CONGREGATIONS

We have two simultaneous problems. We are loosing more preachers than we are gaining and congregations are struggling for growth. I believe the two problems are connected.

Ministry is not easy. Neither is being a congregation. Therefore, consideration for both calls for precisionistic as well as faithful love.

Two basic elements are hurting both causes. Young ministers just getting started are basically immature. We just come packaged that way. In addition and regardless of size, most congregations come packaged with at least one guardian-grump who assumes more authority than the other elders or the rest of the church. This is a catastrophic combo.

From experience, learning to fit the ministerial role is terribly difficult. Filled with embarrassing inadequacy and inferiority, taking weekly shots from the self-appointed authoritarians leaves most of us disoriented. It isn't a natural time to develop and mature. Then, if the powers-that-be move there little man on down the road as they wished, guess what sort they bring in next? A green little man full of....of the same lack as the one just fired.

So how do we help? How do we mature the preachers and build the churches?

Both groups will be advantaged to learn to be still and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit....patience. Things will work out. We tend to give up on our people---either group---way too soon. Goodness is in both. And not so strangely, fiery ordeals are to be found among us...I Peter 4:12. Neither group has valued the wonderful weight of struggle and trial.

We are given great stress to learn to be more dependent upon God. Young preachers have trouble learning this because they, once again, are packing and moving on down the road to the next group who just let their man go six months ago. Congregations fail to mature because it's just too easy to have mob-rule and run the little devil out of town....much easier than patiently waiting for him to catch on the the larger value and components of kingdom life.

I am unusually blessed. I've been provided the abundant room to fail. Yes, there has been severe struggle as well as threat. But God has held on to me as have elders and members that I could be privileged to have a shot at growing up. I'm still in the growing up stage.

My word to all congregations is this: do what you can by faith to see past your man's flaws. He's got 'em and he's aware of several of 'em. But you've got 'em too...and you've got 'em bad. If we could replace the hiring and firing formula which stifles both groups and, instead, develop a nurturing and believing system we might see maturity and growth in both areas.

May we save ourselves from ourselves by bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit right in the center of us. Thank you, Memorial Drive, for believing in me when I couldn't believe in myself.

HOW DO YOU BE YOUR OWN PERSON WHILE SERVING ALL OTHERS?

Any who care to minister from some plot on earth encounters immediate consternation. How do we go about avoiding the pitfalls of peer pressure and yet delicately care for all people. It isn't unusual to find one who has great sympathy for many; but who is also caught in the snare of trying to please all of them. Or, one may find the guy or gal who refuses to get caught up in such a trap so their solution is indifference to the needs of others. They just don't care.

But Jesus....Jesus had that right knack. He surely is reflective of the Father. Jesus had the ideal personality; he could love the sinner, hate the sin, and maintain a faithful posture in front of his Father. Jesus could stand toe to toe with a legalist and then turn around and die for the guy. The Son of God loved everyone without melting into the "being accepted at all costs".

As a result, Jesus was not a politician but rather a true Savior. He cared that people loved him but not at the price of self-glory. Jesus loved friends and enemies; yet he remained true to who he was without being bullied or seduced into being someone or stating some thing he didn't believe.

We are challenged day by day to walk this path. It is easy to yield under pressure. It is just as easy to develop a "who cares" disposition. Jesus did it right. He cared so much he would die....but he would not bend.

THE SEARCH CONTINUES

The fields are white unto harvest. Yawn. Many want to know God. Yawn.

Except.

Except the fields are white and many want to know. Our culture is uncertain churches know God. Could their suspicions be warranted?

How does God say one can know His people? "The world will know by your love."

It is a wonderful experience to be in touch with those of the community whether it be at a local cafe, or at a regional sporting event, or connecting with those in blog circles. I know one thing for certain; people appreciate being loved.

The world still asks that question. Love is the signal from outer space that spirituality remains a key ingredient among the variable lives of mankind.

Why is love a signal of God? Because such is the fruit of His Spirit...Gal. 5:22. Anyone can love as long as things go well; but no one can love under pressure unless God is funding it. The truest sign of spirituality is our issuing love to both strangers and to enemies. Such cannot come from one who is not backed by the currency of God.

Love is a spiritual issue. Un-oddly, the more the banks, politicians, and churches struggle, the only signal out of heaven which verifies the God-connection....is love.

The search continues by the millions. May they find it....residing in our hearts!

SHALL WE CONTINUE TO LEARN?

Isn't it amazing how exciting it is to be a learner in the kingdom. I don't know about your denomination but ours fed us a diet of "we are the only ones who know the real truth". I believed it. Many believed it. Many still do.

But our fruit from such teaching betrays us. While claiming to be of the Real Truth we are some of the most argumentative, cynical, and fearful people of any religion. The Truth is we have had many things wrong for a long time. When I (or others) point this out, fire-storms erupt.

There is nothing wrong with admitting we don't know everything. Really, it is rather a simple and noble confession. Yes, we do many things right as do other religious groups. No, not anything goes. But that statement needs to land in our own laps...and not toss it to those not like us.

We are guilty of something Jesus pointed out in John 5:39-42. We think we know our Bibles but our fruit announces we don't know the Christ of the Bible. What shall we do? Humble ourselves, apologize for our arrogance, and join in with the rest of the Christian world in trying to discover the intricacies of the amazing Son of God.

I received this note recently. It supports my claims. We are guilty of a narrow and legalistic kind of doctrine; the very kind that sent Jesus to the cross. The good news is there is a better way. The Bible is still the Truth....but we have not cornered that Truth.....there is also room for us in the kingdom if we will humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord.



"You ARE the best!! Thank you so very much!! I do not ever want to be negative about anything (a noble endeavor, huh, but impossible) so I do not "bash" the Church of Christ but I do think some of my "issues" in life come from trying so hard to follow the rules and measure up, unsuccessfully, of course. I think the way I was raised in a little narrow minded, legalistic, judgmental Church of Christ made me hypercritical most of my life. I mean, after all, if I could point out someone else's faults, and they were worse than mine, maybe it would make me look better and feel better since following the rules was impossible and the guilt was overwhelming. It was not until I retired and moved here and had an unbelievable Bible study on the gospel of John with a Baptist girl much younger than me did I figure things out better.
I was free, free indeed!! And born again....again!!

Thanks for your efforts in finding the article and sending it to me. I like it!"

LIKE KIDS SHOPPING IN A CANDY STORE

How would you describe what it is like being in the church? I would say it is like being a kid in the candy store. That wouldn't have been the case in my earlier ministry days. My earlier days would have lined up more like a lawyer/judge. And it isn't fun condemning the whole world for their many obvious errors (being oblivious to my own). Being in the church was a burden.

Not the case today!

What changed? I quit obsessing over getting the church right and became enamoured with Jesus getting me right. His righteousness is so much better than my meritorial efforts.

Today I enjoy God. I enjoy watching Him work, watching Him provide, and watching Him keep His promises. Every day is a Birthday Party opening gifts from God. Yes, deep matters burden my heart. True, some days are weighty. Yet, God has such an immeasurable presence that I cannot go long without being "surprised" by His talent and skill.

God is quick! He knows how to get things done. I don't. I want to influence the whole world for good...even those yet to be born. I want to impact those born in 2017; or all future dates. And what do I do to get it done (because I will get it done)? Relax. Enjoy the fireworks. God builds the candy store. We get to walk through to pick this and this and that and that. We can have it all.....and we do!

Let's go shopping.....again!

HE KEEPS CONNECTING THE DOTS

Our congregation is stirred over one of ours who has been hurt in Pakistan. LeGrand Stickland's outfit was hit with a bomb. All in the company were killed except him. He is unconscious. When he awakens he will discover both legs are amputated. Too, he has suffered extensive head trauma.

Reports say they are working on his stabilization for transport to an army hospital in Germany.

Do any of you recall the young woman in nursing school in Lubbock a couple of decades back? She had gone to the Public Library on school assignment and accidentally came across one of my books. After completing finals she returned for my book, read it, and was baptized in Lubbock.

I just received an email from that nurse. She is serving our country as a nurse at the military hospital.....in Germany. She sent me a note stating LeGrand has yet to arrive. Linda and her husband will give Carrie a place to stay and a car once she arrives to be with her husband.

God.....He just keeps connecting the dots.

WHEN TEMPTED TO WILT

I don't know about you, but sometimes my mind feels the temptation to enter melt-down. I become very sad for the pains of people. Oddly, that's precisely what drew me to ministry...God cares for people.

Yesterday my day ended on a surprise that a dear friend is suicidal. There is grave concern for this one who is so valuable, so important; yet has reached a point of nearly caving in to depression. My heart grieves as I have thought of this one all night and all day today....unable to get a response on the phone.

And then.....this morning our church learned of LeGrand Strickland on maneuvers in Afghanistan across the border in Pakistan. A bomb exploded and all in his company were killed except him. At this point we know he has had both legs amputated and suffers from a traumatic head injury.

My mind pings and pongs between these two friends and their families. They are the ones in pain; not me. They are the ones suffering; I'm fine. But the ache they feel transfers over into my heart....our hearts.

When we are tempted to wilt under the strain of heartbreak we must keep our focus upon the Wounded Healer. He's been there, done that, and knows precisely how to minister to us in the center of our perplexing issues. Praise be to God. He knows how to do insult and injury. He knows how to remain supreme.

May we lift our eyes upon Jesus.

IN SEARCH OF GOD

Henri Nouwen wrote The minister is the one who can make this search for authenticity possible, not by standing on the side as a neutral screen or an impartial observer, but as an articulate witness of Christ, who puts his own search at the disposal of others.

Whether a minister or a Christian leader, our positions make us uncomfortably, yet most naturally, vulnerable. The-man-up-front has an immediate problem before he ever approaches the stage. What in the world is he going to do about his image? Most usually he has to fake it for he knows full well he is not made of the shiny armor the church assumes.

Before filing cabinets and Internet we had a system of possessing the correct answers when in preaching school. We had an alphabetized order of answers written on 3 x 5 cards neatly rowed in a shoe box. How to answer Baptists? Look under the Bs. Jehovahs Witnesses? Js. Ah....so simple.

One of my problems was I couldn't find many who were asking questions to fit my shoe-box answers? When one heads into ministry as a young pup, intimidation reigns. I prayed I would turn multiple corners where people with matching questions would approach.

Image? It is like trying to build a snowman out of warm water.

But I learned something important. I learned to be a learner. I learned that a secret in connecting with community is to say I don't know. Many in the community are looking for God. When they encounter another (like a minister) who is also searching it provides them with an immediate common bond.

I will always be in kindergarten trying to learn the alphabet to the kingdom. It isn't that I don't apply myself in study. It's that the Topic runs so deeply....so widely....so far. So, leaders of the church, I encourage you to toss the image and return to your original hunger for God. In this fashion you will find clusters of friends searching for the same thing....Life in Christ.

DEATH DIED

What is the worst news you could hear? Think about it. Bad doctor's report? Negative word from the mortgage company? Death in the family?

While all of the above would be considered serious (even quite painful), there is one bit of news mankind just cannot afford to hear; there is no life after death.

I remind you of the best news which you possess day after day. Death has been killed. Jesus ruined the worst news to hit the ears of humanity. He clipped darkness' peak performance by slaying death....by arising from the grave never to die again.

I encourage you to awaken every morning and remind your mind of the best news one can hear; the worst news is no longer news for the worst news died in a cemetery over 2000 years ago.

In case you wondered if anything ever goes right for you....it already has. Enjoy being you today!

LOOKING FOR GOD? CAN'T FIND HIM?

Many really are searching for God. A problem some have is they automatically eliminate one place He might be hiding.....in the church. They don't like church and mistakenly assume He doesn't attend either.

A great bias has built over time against the church. Because we fumble and fight, our good neighbors have opted for godlessness if dullness and argument is the store-front for church. They can get the same at home or at the office. Understandably, they don't need to volunteer for more of the same.

But in reality, the church is the life-center when truly connected to God. This is why Children's and Youth Ministers are so vital. People are looking for life. Of all places the church ought to be full of the most vibrant life in the community.

So I have a message to two groups:

• Seekers, keep looking. God is available even in churches. Don't write all groups off just because you have heard stories. There are many lively congregations in your area. Find one.
• Churches, we must awaken that to be a dull congregation with a missions effort in Foreign-ville is abusive to the scriptures. To have a missions program without a congregation in love with the Christ is to lead our neighbors away from Him...not to Him.

There is work to do. Being alive, looking alive, acting alive is surely of the strong nature of Jesus.