BASIC INCLINATION JUST HAS TO GO

We are called to a daunting task. We work for the King.

Man's basic inclination is self-preservation. This basic inclination goes out the window when facing the kingdom life.

Preaching and teaching are pregnant with nervous anticipation. What will we say next? Teach next? Study next?

When I began such a ministry I had two goals: (1) fill up the time, and (2) find out what the brotherhood believed so I could assume their stances of sound doctrine. I preached outlines; but I didn't have much to say from God for His people. I was a likable sort who steered clear of upsetting anyone best I could.

I self-vowed I would never teach anything which would draw the ire from anyone that I was a liberal who left the Word of God and jumped off the deep end. Never! However, I've learned the hard way---believe me---that sticking with the Word is the quickest and surest way of igniting unforgiving fire.

But God broke in and keeps breaking in. He continues to reveal Himself from directions which play havoc upon goals #1 and #2. The less I peruse the Brotherhood Quarterlies and rub up against the poor and the depressed, the more of God I see oozing from life's "spring of what matters".

The Word runs deep, young preacher. If the day hasn't occurred let it, as it happened to me, that you do not run to it to glean lessons for presentation. Rather, you let your eyes rest upon it to say "teach me" what you wish someone would hear.

Our basic inclination is self-preservation until.....until we begin to permissively position ourselves within His sights for true and meaningful ministry. Two things will change immediately: (1) you will have more sermon and class material than you can use week by week which has depth of meaning to those who hunger to hear from God, and (2) you will not escape being in trouble with a brotherhood addicted and devoted to their Brotherhood Quarterlies.

THE DIFFERENCE IN "THE TALK" AND "THE WALK"

God tells me things. Most likely there are those in our tribe who might mock me for saying such. James teaches that if we lack wisdom we are to pray for it and that when we do it will fall out of heaven above. I (and many others) believe this to be true. God shares things with His children that are not written in the Word.

I understand why some would doubt me on this. There are so many things I doubt that surely Father wishes I would believe. But....maybe I'll grow in some of those areas down the road.

I preface with these comments to say His talking to me happened again this morning as it often does; as I was just awakening from my night's sleep before I realized who or what I was. These thoughts flowed in and I jotted them down on the pad I keep by my pillow for such moments.

Here's what He told me this morning.

The difference between talking the talk and walking the walk is drastic. Talkers believe in the existence of God and His Holy Spirit. Walkers experience God and His Holy Spirit. Talkers discuss attributes of Father with little anticipation that He actually functions in their (or others) lives. Walkers believe there is present-day ongoing interaction between us and Them.

Consider Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.

We contain resurrection power in our mortal bodies now. The talkers debate the role of the Holy Spirit while the walkers experience His activity now. For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves (II Cor. 13:4-5)!

The difference between those who talk the talk versus those who walk the walk is the former believe in the existence of God while the later experience God. May we be ultra patient with one another while we bridge this gap in the pure harmony of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

That's what He gave me this morning.

CHURCH LEADERS FACE TOUGH TERRAIN

Wishing to escape personal exaggeration, I must express the need for ministers and other church leaders to anticipate rugged terrain at its fullest force. We are not in this for dainty dallying. Ministry is tough stuff; a pure reflection of the cross.

The reason I point to this today is I believe too many quit; we give up and/or out. This is not a charge against any who have served a tenure and then moved on to another form of ministry under a business umbrella. It is a challenge to those who want to get out because they felt they received unfair treatment.

We are called to a lifestyle that has many facets which simply are and always will be...unfair.

Should you happen to be a shepherd or a minister on staff or a class teacher, do not be caught off guard at how frustrating your role is. Jesus came to die for the world including the ungrateful and we are following in his sandals.

Dan Allender states, Leaders choose daily, but the real weight on their shoulders lies in the need to decide. And there are no easy decisions. To decide requires a death, a dying to a thousand options, the putting aside of a legion of possibilities in order to choose just one.

De-cide. Homo-cide. Sui-cide.

The root word for decide means "to cut off." All decisions cut us off; separate us from early infinite options as we select just one single path. And every decision we make earns us the favor of some and the disfavor of others.

To stay away from the front lines of ministry is to live disengaged. At times this mistaken ploy can be massaged into seeming deployment by arguing causes. This merely deceives the heart by talking a good talk among disengaged (and maybe dishonest) talkers.

We are to be among the troops who live from the cross; hung out to dry that others might be saved. Decide to die daily and you will experience both the presence and the provision of Father.

If we are truly going to lead, we can be assured there will be definite tough terrain.

THE PASSWORD OF GOD

Thank you is code to kingdom life. It is the key fob to unlocking otherwise stubbornly closed doors.

Yesterday's sermon was one of the harder ones to hear. Oddly, it was on an assumed easy topic; thanksgiving. Throughout scripture be thankful is the command which opens the kingdom system for us.

Philippians 4:4-6, Colossians 3:12-17 and others pound us with the urgency to be full of thanks in each and every circumstance. There were other passages I wanted to hit; but time did not permit. One of them I choose to share at this time.

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

It is God's will that we be thankful in all things. Sheep from goat separation does not come merely in faith labors; it shows up decisively in whether one's heart is grateful.

This has demanded a huge turn around (repentance) in my life over the years. I have behaved as a spoiled brat insisting matters go my way. I learned through the harsh pits to say an unlikely phrase to God; Thank You.

What would Paul and Silas have been singing about when the jailhouse fell down? Praises to God were flowing from their lips when it just wasn't a praiseworthy day....to unbelievers.

If you want to change your world for the greatest, start by saying Thank you in each and every circumstance. The imprisonment will stop.

You know the password. Use it.

FAITH SEES WHAT ISN'T YET

Faith is the believer's tool that defies the visible. Faith stirs the air in such a way that things that are not....become. We walk by faith; not by sight. Sight? That which seems obvious. Faith draws out the un-obvious because it sees through and/or past the obvious.

Faith will not be talked out of possibility just because the visible presents a seemingly set-in-stone dilemma.

Prayer is not about wishing; but about seeing beyond the visibles.

I had an experience yesterday that made my day. It regards faith and prayer.

Mary and I moved into a new neighborhood at the end of July. I have posted before about praying for each neighbor--by name--that I meet; first thing of a morning and the last thing at night....daily.

I was in my front yard yesterday when one of those neighbors was in her morning walk. She saw me and made a bee-line for me; just to talk neighborly.

During our visit, I mentioned to her that I pray for her and Glen twice a day. Tears came to her eyes. Yes, I know. Glen came right in to tell me as soon as you left the other day.

Now that's interesting.

Glen and Stephanie stopped by our house with their two littles on Halloween. I inquired as to which was their house. When I went to pray that night, I could not recall her name. A couple of days later I stopped by their place.

Glen came to the porch. I reminded him of where I lived and shared that I pray for each neighbor I meet twice a day and I could not remember his wife's name. He told me her name...but he seemed very disinterested.

Here's what I want you to get. I don't know how interested he was; but evidently enough to share it with his wife. She elaborated with gratitude (and tears in her eyes) that I would pray for their family.

Faith does not react nor respond to the visible for such will talk us out of kingdom life. Faith believes seed is sown and God gives increase....in His timing...when He gets good and ready.

When Stephanie and I wrapped up our conversation yesterday morning she reached toward me to give me a huge hug.

I think I have made some more new friends!

YOGI BERRA AND GOD

There is great excitement in being a child of God. We get to take on His attributes. Jesus served as a written video for each of us to study; his mannerisms, his dispositions, his reactions.

Jesus doesn't just change things. He changes people.

God's children are a new sort. We aren't an old brood oiled down and shined up. No, we are converted. We are new.....really new....truly new.

That newness changes everything. All aspects of our walk have an asterisk. The empty grave is that asterisk. Because it is empty, possibility trumps every impossible charge. We are new in hope, in praise, and in glory.

Tell us, benign or malignant? The faith asterisk says we know something more than a report. We win. If we live, we win. If we die, we win sooner.

Tell us healed or wounded? The asterisk of believing in resurrection power vaults us into a new zone of everything is a yes world.....everything.

When Jesus broke from the tomb due to nothing of his own strength---his role was to be dead for God to be glorified---he ruined every item which wishes to restrain our lives. The empty grave is the asterisk which trumps Yogi Berra by stating, Hey, it isn't over because it isn't over.

AND....WHERE ARE YOU TRAVELING FOR THANKSGIVING?

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends and family.I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I've also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

Once I was in Dispensible, but I'm not allowed to even visit there anymore.

I don't know who wrote the above. These thoughts just showed up on my computer. But one place I believe the author has been in his/her travels is in Denial. Possibly?

And why would I suspect this? Because I have often been in Sensitive.

Have a nice Thanksgiving....where ever you travel----
Terry

THORNISM: ALWAYS A NEED OF THE MOMENT

Critics are critical to the work of God. Jesus had them and we need them. I don't like this truth; nonetheless, it is a vital part of His success in us.

Admittedly, I was caught off-guard by these who live to pick apart my work. To have sermon CDs sent anonymously of a preacher naming me in his sermon as a false teacher--all the while clearly misrepresenting me--was a toughy. To open a brotherhood newsletter/paper to note, "The False Teachings of Terry Rush" without having ever heard from the author first....difficult for me to take. But...I must have such opposition to keep me focused in dire need upon Him.

My first mistake was to contact these men. But I learned a yes in the midst of such mistakes. The yes is don't contact them. They take this as a feather in their cap. These are weasle-men whose only claim to fame is to pronounce loudly how they wage war against others.

I just returned from a trip to check on my mom. What awaits me among 70 emails? Another public discourse by one bragging of his stance against others and me. His contortioned message is sad. He surely looks good to his audience that evidently gives him applause.

He will not hear complaint from me for I learned long ago that such is precisely what gives the critic the ammo he or she needs to flaunt their stances. Just as important, I learned during the same lesson that I need the critic in my life that I keep in mind church doesn't operate upon my great skill nor my smooth sailing.

It only operates within and among those dependent upon Him.

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me--to keep me from exalting myself!

What we don't like (criticism) is a very elemental key to our groomed dependence upon God. Brennan Manning wrote in his newest book, I saw my life as vitiated by pride, by the inordinate desire to be liked, loved, approved, applauded, and accepted.

No kidding. Him, too?

Thus he points to Matthew 5:3 of the New English Bible, How blessed are those who know that they are poor, the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Thornism is a major player in God's kingdom as its pain shifts us from independence to a grace-filled walk. We need the critics. They are our blessings. Don't throw them away.

A strong test for me is to see that I don't become critical of my critics.

GOD STILL LIVES!

I was out of town the past weekend checking on my ailing mom as well as speaking a couple of places in my hometown area.

Sunday morning I preached for a little Disciples of Christ congregation in Gorin, MO. They have a young preacher there that is delightful. The quaint little church was packed front to back, side to side. Guests were from at least six other towns. My first visit was, indeed, one that touched my heart.

And then Sunday evening I preached for an area-wide Thanksgiving service in my hometown of Memphis. Attendance was strong. Spirits soared. It was simply a sweet time of reunion.

The longer I get to preach the more I see I have made the things of God far too difficult. I don't mean to imply that His path is without pain for we do each have a cross, understand. Yet, the more I relinquish control of how I think God would/should/could operate, the more He seems to respond to our trust.

I am encouraged by the reports I am continually fed by believers that God is active among us. Shame on us for ever convincing another that the works of God were over. He still lives!

A COMMENTARY ON THE OCCUPIERS

The Wall Street Occupiers movement has spread across our land. From coast to coast, reporting flows of protests by Occupiers and their clashes with authorities.





I can't quite get what it is that is being protested? I really might be way off base, but it seems to me these pools gather those who evidently don't have jobs....or money. Am I missing a bigger point? Surely.

My larger frustration is with the media. Why show these scenes? Would such have lasted two months if given no publicity? Isn't publicity their goal...and their basic fuel?


Years ago Memorial had a set of elders that made a major and positive difference for this church. It continues to this day. They quit giving attention to the protesters who occupied the pews. When ears went deaf to Occupiers who were weak on jobs and long on both opinionation as well as demandination, the protests evaporated...quickly and permanently.


Major League Baseball has a similar rule. When a fan jumps the stands and races across the diamond, the television cameras are instructed to momentarily view elsewhere. They will not show the interruption nor the interupter. The result? Very few streakers.


The solution for Wall Street Occupiers is the same for Church Occupiers. The reign of ingratitude needs to fall. Thanksgiving needs to fill the veins of both. Gratitude for minuscule blessing and major ones shift focus from self-determination to a community partnership of wonder.

As our efforts increase in being occupied by the love of others per Jesus' example, the world will view the most necessary and meaningful protest; seeing that hope comes to all lonely hearts.

LEADING OTHERS TO KNOW JESUS

As we help others come to Christ, we will come to Christ in new ways ourselves.
Brian McLaren

One of the best ways I know of meeting and growing in Jesus is to try to explain him to others.

Haven't many of us spent our fair share of time teaching the five steps or the film strips or the Romans Road? Within each platform are eternal truths of life. Truthfully though, each has the inbred capacity to skirt the issue; that issue being Jesus himself.

He warned us against teaching the Word and knowing the Scriptures without ever coming to an understanding of him. This instruction from John jolted me at a point in my ministry that I never forgot it...nor did I ever have the inclination to go back to my previously pet standards.

Jesus makes church life an entirely new ball game. Helping others catch his drift impacts us in equally grand and glorious ways.

Tell others about your story of your interaction with Jesus.

KEEP WATCHING FOR THE NEW YOU

The Word says we are new every day. It also calls us to renew our minds; not to be conformed but transformed. Hardly a day dawns but what it does not fail to present opportunity to grow and mature.

This is just too exciting. We are on an adventure on the scale of God.

We teach our children God-story after God-story. Why would we clear our throats with a different version of life once we surpass both five feet tall and one hundred pounds? I think God anticipates that our thrill over Him will increase; not decline.

My inadequacies disappoint me. I am now 64 years old. I have kingdom experience under my belt. Yet in meeting after meeting I misspeak and misrepresent and mislabel and misjudge. Will it ever quit? Will I ever reach a better standard?

Due to my hunger, I love to continue to learn. So much I don't know. So much I have never given a thought.

The world populace grows bigger. The need for Jesus is staggering. The hope of God's love within and among us is impressive.

Day by day I am impressed by the hard-core devotion by so many toward Jesus and his cause. We, as a body, are not moody about it. Yes, we misfire and often mistake. But we have reason to hold our heads up high and hope for yet another and better day.

May we learn from our bummer moves which would give us reason to bemoan our own inabilities. Rather may these be our power-lessons which would thrust us into the "new me" we have long anticipated.

Go us!

THE GREAT IRONY OF A GREAT LIFE

I live beyond my most imaginative life. Even I would wish I could be me...and I am! Before you wish you---as I did for too many years---wish you could have gotten to be someone else, allow me to share what I think life is truly about.

Jesus wasn't joking when he declared he could do nothing unless he saw Father do it. I thought he was; but not so.

A great life, I conclude, is a life of enormous irony. We are thrilled over the life we possess because we gave the first one away. The day came when I traded my old life in like an old jalopy for a streamlined Acura. I finally and favorably gave up on me. I tried; but I just could't do good enough.

And then Life moved in.

Oh, it wasn't when I was baptized. I realized very little at my new birth. Life began to pop for me when I ran out of self capacity to make things work. My failures are among my favorite and greatest successes. I am truly and unexaggeratedly one miserable flop.

And then there was God.

The more I remember my zero-ness, the more God translates my economy of impossibility to surprising possibility just like he did with little David and five smooth stones. Nothing plus God equals dead giants.

When this truth permeated my mind, depression did not arise as I once had assumed. To find we are worse than we thought in talent, skill, and effectiveness does not usually contribute to a cheerful demeanor.

And then there was God.

I have become a new man. New in my ability to relax and let God...really. I don't run anything. I don't control one person; not one. Everyone on our staff is sharper than me and my contribution to the team is to realize it. Relax. Let God do his thing.

The great irony of life for me was that while I kept reaching I forgot to look inside of this self wrapped in misgivings and supreme failure. Jesus is in here. I was reaching toward recognition and accomplishment. The Accomplisher was inside all during my struggles to become somebody.

I am somebody. I am a great liver. Jesus is parked in here

Wanna have a really good day. Look inside of yourself. Don't look at self-evaluation. Rather look to see if Jesus isn't in there ready to make you yet another one of the most amazing creatures of His handiwork. It goes on, you know.

I live...yet not I, but Christ live in me....really.

ANOTHER GOD STORY

Former Cardinal catcher, Mike Matheny, has been a good friend over the past few years. If I could be like any man I ever met, it would be Mike.

He is a great leader and a strong Christian. His faith is a visible walk. The last time we were in camp, Mike was the chapel speaker. He is a powerful tool for God.

My small group that meets on Sunday evenings has been praying for two weeks regarding Mike's role of being one of six interviewees for the St. Louis Cardinals managerial post.

Last night the group had been praying about 40 minutes which included our call for God to pay attention to Mike in his quest.

When we concluded that time, my cell phone rang. It was my son Tim. Dad, have you heard what the Cardinals just announced? It's Mike Matheny! Our small group whooped and hollered!

I just thought you might like to be in on this God story. The connections are fascinating and I am proud for my friend.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE GOD

Go places the flesh is afraid to go. That is how to experience God.

Safety in the church/kingdom is a grand dilutent to the work at hand. We are to be a people about the work of God; not the ability of the human mind.

When we fear we are poised for failure. Love casts out fear.

The tendency to protect our image must go. How do you think Peter looked to his colleagues as he traipsed out onto the water toward Jesus without giving it appropriate analysis?

I'm preaching on this today and I can't wait. God has shown me so many things. Few of the wows ever came because I was cautious and walked with the herd-thinking. When it gets down to the marvelous experience of God, we will usually find that such happens when we are alone.

The church is bursting at wishing to burst...from the pew. Launch out into the deep...often alone...and expect God to be there ahead of you. Train your senses to know what is of Him or of your own dull imagination by practice. He calls for it.

Our young are bored because we groom them to be respectable and moderate in their faith. Interiorly, I think they hunger to experience God. May we show them how.

THE CHURCH IS NOT TRAINED TO BE DISTURBED

The life of Jesus is disturbing.

Often scriptures illustrate him blessing one person only to upset another within the same context. Two men praying in the temple depicts such a truth. The Prodigal and his brother reveal yet another.

Fundamentally, the church doesn't do disturb.

Members basically refuse it and believe such to be of the side of darkness. We suffer due to our incessant gravitation toward faith through the safety of little required of us. This simply is diametrically opposed to the nature of Jesus and the cross.


For this reason the church is quite weak in the realm of discipleship. We are missing a great element of kingdom blessing by insisting the church remain agitation free. We naturally desire a fleshly peace which would divert us to a walk a safe distance from the cross but still allow service of sort.

I'm not promoting unwarranted nor unsettling issues; but rather the power of the Word. I am saying the church reacts to disturbance by putting it down quickly when such might be an effort by God to shake us loose from our calloused and deadened ways. The Word cuts. In order to avoid its cuttings we tend to avoid the Word.

The Word will teach us new ways which will oppose some of our settled conclusions. The Bible will not let us remain who we have been; but will call us into the new Life of growth and maturity.

Discipline is hard. It is of God.

Moab has been at ease since his youth; He has also been undisturbed on his lees, neither has he been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile. Therefore he retains his flavor, and his aroma has not changed. Therefore behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I shall send to him those who tip vessels, and they will tip him over, and they will empty his vessels and shatter his jars (Jer. 48:11-12).

Lees is the sediment settling to the bottom of a vat of new wine. Emptied from container to container the lees are disturbed and then redisturbed until the fine wine develops as the lees are not allowed to settle but are eliminated through the disturbing process.

So it is with us. Our call is not to quit; but rather to regard annoyances and disruptions as a part of the kingdom life process. We are not to give up in frustration because matters do not pan out as we had planned. Rather we are to regard our personal agitation as within the framework of God's intended and insistent blessings.

One reason the whole church needs to experience what is regarded as that villain called change is that such a process purifies what could have become dull, rigid, and dead over time. I speak not of error; but of Truth that we have yet to realize or admit.

The church is not trained to be disturbed. Who among us prefers it? However, the church has been groomed to reject alarm. Yet, it is surely an important factor for legitimate growth of the body.

The church is not trained to be disturbed. We are the weaker for it. Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeals among us. These are for our testing....they are our lees....I Peter 4:12.

AVOID PARENT SHOCK

Parent shock can be as stark as sticker shock. We just had no idea.

Therefore, to the younger, I want to give you a concept of what you are in for as a parent. Of course there are varying issues and troubling matters which this simple blog would not address. The basics for avoiding parent shock will hopefully serve to some value for a few.

I always liked parenting. It is sheerly remarkable. Wonder is everywhere. And, difficulties surely arise. Don't go into shock when you hit the latter. It will happen.

Don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you as if some strange thing were happening to you...this is going on only for your testing....I Peter 4:12 is very necessary for moms and dads.

It would be a good idea to determine whether you are about to speak grace at the time of need (Eph. 4:29) or death-words. While I was a strong disciplinarian and believe in it to this day, I intentionally spoke life into the young ears. I could have used the same as a kid.

You might want to get a pen and paper and write this down; Your kids will make mistakes. It isn't because they are kids; but because they are like us. So try not to go into orbit when the phone call comes revealing a negative circumstance. That circumstance is presented you to see how you are going to do; not necessarily to see what you are going to do with or to them.

The question is not, Will they mess up? The question is, Will you go over the edge when they do?

Do what you can to avoid parent shock. Bad choices by children will and are coming. They are us in miniature. Mercy and grace, correction and training are needed in all circumstances. Fathers, do not provoke your children is the back-side of Children, obey your parents.

Our kids will do better if mom and dad can address corrections and adjustments without killing young spirits by our falling apart in shock. Be nice to your children for someday they will determine what elder-care you are worth.

FAMILY CIRCUS CARTOONIST DIES

Bil Keane died Tuesday. He is the well-known cartoonist of the delightful Family Circus in the "funny papers".

I carry great respect for Mr. Keane's talent. His material actually was funny.

I brushed past this man in the mid-80's when I was writing a manuscript entitled, The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense. During the months of that process Family Circus popped out one morning with the little one inquiring, I know about the Father and the Son, but what is the Holy Spearmint?

I so loved that particular cartoon as it clearly fit the theme of the book. I wrote Mr. Keane for permission to copy the cartoon in the book. The book eventually went to print without it.

Months later--too late--I received a note from Mr. Keane stating I surely could use his cartoon; that he was impressed someone of faith would see the humor in that specific drawing.

Family Circus was my favorite cartoon of the newpaper industry. I almost got to use it in my book.

THE SIMPLE WAY TO REACH LIKE JESUS

There is a way to reach to friends and neighbors. There are ways one shouldn't. Many of us have experienced the "shouldn't" ways.

I noticed something today in study that might encourage a few as to how to reach one, a few, or several.

Become human.

Jesus didn't become religious. He was born of Mary; not as a scholar but as a human. Your first great attribute is to remember this point. It is where Jesus began.

A mistake we make at times is in trying to be inauthentic in our verbiage. I tried to learn the ropes of outreach by memorizing a scripted conversation that felt more like I was reading from a teleprompter.

Don't underestimate the simple truth that Jesus' first step in reaching to us was simply by becoming one of us. I Cor. 9:19-23 is the rare text which speaks of "winning" people. How is it accomplished? By becoming like the ones whom we are reaching, winning develops.

Be encouraged. Refrain from trying to be some thing or some one you are not. Be you...a human who loves God....and then say so.

The simple way to reach is to first be a person of God who grows into the role....that's what Jesus did.

BLESSED FOR BELIEVING WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE

Well-known for his doubting, Thomas is credited for touching the wounds of Jesus to verify the moment wasn't a dream. Jesus really was back!

The response Thomas received was unique and insightful. You believe because you see; blessed are those who believe when they cannot see.

Enter the factual and actual presence of the Holy Spirit.

He is easily dismissed as hodge-podge or hokey to the Thomas' of the present-day church. Foolishness. Silliness. Absurdity. Each call expressed in mockery of believers who dare think there something existing in the invisibles as well as active among us today.

If the church in general could use an infusion of sorts, it surely could use a high dose of Life! Precisely, such is the Holy Spirit duty. Jesus, in both flesh and Spirit, is all about abundant life!

Churches do not need to trade preachers, replace current elders, or revamp tired and worn ministries. They desperately and accurately need the Holy Spirit's engagement within all. Due to His presence, something special breaks out....like life from death's grave.

I know of nothing to beneficially reshape every congregation as that of the activity of the Holy Spirit of God within and among the members who claim to display His banner of love.

One is still blessed for believing the Holy Spirit that cannot be seen.

MY FRIEND; THE SKELETON WITH BEAUTIFUL EYES

I went to see a friend today. She is borderline hospice. It was a bittersweet visit; bitter at the scene of the deterioration of this once glamorous woman with the sweet that Jesus successfully rescued us from us.

I was escorted into her bedroom which has become her living room, her office, her slumber pad, and her eventual casket of sorts. The view was stark as well as painful.

My friend is now a skeleton with beautiful eyes. No hair. No muscle. Her arms fold as an ironing board. She is frightfully precious.

I took her a plant with blooms. At the sight she began to weep. The flowers are pretty green and purple. I then pulled a brown bulb from my pocket. My friend, don't be afraid. This bulb is you today. This plant is you next week. The bulb cannot imagine the beauty it will become in the future. Such is only a promise of God. But....you can be sure you are about to become more than you can imagine.

We visited a bit. I asked if she was afraid. She is not. We prayed...well I prayed and she agreed. It was both a sensitive and meaningful visit for both of us. Jesus was our guest and our theme. We rehearsed how we are all right because he became all of our wrongs; II Cor. 5:21.

We did not discuss whether is was all right for the church to have a kitchen or a garage sale. The topic of whether Max should be/could be a workshop speaker was not given attention. There was no debate regarding mixed swimming. Neither of us referenced Billy Graham's doctrines nor Joel Osteen's for that matter.

Oh, I don't know. I guess when one in the room is merely a failing skeleton with beautiful eyes we just didn't feel like wrangling over church stuff that both of us at one time were led to believe was of utmost importance.

SEE THE PEOPLE

Here's the church. Here's the steeple. Open the church and see all of the people. I learned this little poem when at VBS at a Presbyterian church in my pre-school days. Parts of it still rings essential; see all of the people.

Tomorrow we will be wonderfully positioned to see so many of the people. The importance of people being seen is kingdomly crucial. Jesus was a master at it. Whether behind him in a crowd or stranded up a tree, Jesus had eyes to see the people.

Specifically, I urge you to see the person(s) you are visiting with tomorrow. Try not to be thinking elsewhere when a very important one of God is speaking to you. Look deeply into their eyes to the depth you can see their heart. Notice the importance of the one in your presence.

See the people. Note their value.

When you do those to things love for them will fill your heart. We all know what happens from that which fills our hearts, don't we? Our lips begin to confess the abundance that fills our hearts.

When the person in front of you fills your heart, you will know what to say. You will speak the nature of Jesus for his eyes will be peering through yours at another one of God's masterpieces; a regal person.

Tomorrow's assemblies? Be sure to see the people!

IS HAPPINESS REALLY A CHOICE?

God and I were discussing this topic on our way to the office this morning. I was telling Him how I so enjoy watching the three of Him do such outrageous work in front of us. We began to think about the topic of happiness.

I walked into my office and turned my daily calendar to this:

Don't be sad about the things you want and don't get. Think how many things you don't want that you don't get!

Why is happiness such a big deal to me? It is because I spent far too many years--including preaching time--being terribly unhappy, dissatisfied, and.....well...extremely pouty.

What changed for me was to realize I really did have a choice in the matter. I could place a deciding vote as to whether I wanted to like today....every day! You know what? That's not a wish. It is the truth.

All happy people have just as many aches and pains as the rest; maybe even more. The difference in life is not whether the good breaks or bad breaks happened. The difference is made when one chooses what to dwell upon.

Choosing to be happy doesn't mean only happy things occur. Devastation and discouragement are at many turns. The definitive factor toward joy is what we choose to soak our mind in. That's it.

God taught me this in many places. Philippians 4:4-13 would not allow me to revert to my age-worn excuse that others got breaks but I didn't. All have enough go wrong to drive us to the edge of the cliff at times. God, though, teaches us to notice the beauty that up til now had not been noticed until we arrived at the edge of the cliff.

Be happy? It is your vote independent of anyone else.

Even this post can make you elated or resentful; but only you choose which it will be.

A GOOD FRIEND PASSES

I was saddened to learn this morning that Bob Forsch passed away last night at age 61.

He was the third winningest pitcher in St. Louis Cardinal history.

I have been with him at the Legends Camps for the past ten years. We built a strong friendship.

Once I encouraged Bob to be at chapel as I would be speaking and I needed his support. He didn't usually attend. He was there.

This picture is unique in that the "big boys" don't ask the "rookies" for autographs. Yet, Bob sought mine as we were about the clear out of the clubhouse and onto the field.

I thoroughly enjoyed being around this Cardinal legend. He was good to me. When my latest book (MVP) was ready for print, Bob was the first of five former stars to endorse it.

I will miss this man....but I won't forget him. And what I will remember best is that while he was a big deal in the baseball realm, he was really a decent man of humility.

THE POWER OF ELDERS

Much has been said over the years regarding elders. More will surely follow. I'm in year 34 of a special Memorial Drive tenure. It has been a rocky trip paved with both tears and joy. I have needed every bit of the difficulty and deserved none of the overjoy.

Having experienced approximately seven variations of elder teams, I hope to have learned a few things along the way. I choose to share such should it be valuable to your work.

The major shift for good began when Memorial called men to shepherd us who thought alike. Before, we had teams of elders who did not have the same philosophy and direction. They were continually at odds and a divided congregation most naturally followed suit consistently.

We could not get to the work at hand for putting out fires and enduring countless long meetings filled with frustrating argumentative anger. Throughout the years we have had a variation of teams and each one that possessed inner division saw identical fruit in the body.

Ironically...one of the things voiced most from the divisive clusters was, We may oppose one another in this room, but when we go out there we are one voice. It didn't happen because a few would get with their cronies to complain about how things "weren't" going. And then the next meeting would find the insertion, We may not agree in here, but when we leave this room, we are one.

Wishful thinking. Not true. Kept the church frustrated.

For the last several years, Memorial perpetually experiences new light and life. Compassion for the ailing has found regeneration. Openness to the Spirit finds great presence. Gifts embedded in one another form a body of workers together rather than against one another.

This has come about--not because of preaching and not because of effective marketing--because our shepherds over the years have had the same philosophy and mutual respect. Yes, each is different.

Yet, the annoying egocentricity isn't present. Their approach to the Word and the Work is naturally one because they are not only biblical brothers; they have grown to become spiritual friends.

Due to this power of our elders, divisive uprisings within the flock don't survive for they find no elder in their camp. We are all camping as a family. Our staff is a unique and special team. Our congregation is sweet of heart and growing in Spirit. We are experiencing God day by day and the gate that allows us to go in and out is that of our shepherds...for they think the best they can like the First Shepherd.

Elders--my experience--are either of the Law or of the Spirit. The first will stagnate and kill a congregation. The latter will allow the Breath of Life to flow among the flock.

THE ACHE OF THE HURRIED WORLD

Trends are fascinating. From transportation energy to computer gurus to the latest hairstyles, there seems to be an open market for the latest and greatest.

I find that one of the enduring truths taught me in preaching school was K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid). Simplicity is the Jesus style. If not careful, simplicity will be buried in this age known for technology.

Business knows of the Peter Principle where advancement can ultimately push one effective worker upward into a zone which is both foreign to his or her skills; and thus, ineffective in such a promotion.

Christians must be ever alert to the Martha Principle of being involved in an array of things to the extent little is accomplished.

The Martha Principle is rampant in the kingdom. I first began to see this when my three were in elementary school and I was away traveling the nation. I soon realized I must simplify my schedule. I could. I did. Oddly, it took a few defensive arguments with invitees to get to this productive juncture.

The tech world concerns me. Conversations at business breakfasts or family gatherings are often interrupted as cell phones ding-dong and the receiver is compelled to look and relook and look again at the next ding-dong. Public speakers are more likely to lose a portion of the audience due to their incessant need to text across the Atlantic or across the room.

America is addicted to distraction. ADD and ADHD are actually enhanced by so many Martha-wares on the market to keep the diseases going.

My word to many of you is to have the courage to say no to the drugs that dilute the thrill of living right now. The drugs of opportunities which would burden your calendar; let them go. The drugs of so many good things going which distract from the one thing necessary; let them go. The drugs of signing up to keep your image afloat; let them go. Go to rehab. Get well.

It is a strange set of plates the church needs to balance; those who won't help out with the work and then there are those who have their hands in so many things they contaminate a simple work. A few need to get up and get going while others really need to drop multi-commitments in order to do a few commitments well.

The old-fashioned ability to be a devoted and hard worker without feeling the pull to join the many grand schemes may, in fact, become a welcomed and new trend.

Simplicity is the ache of our hurried world. Bless your kids with it!

SHOULD THE CARDINALS RE-SIGN ALBERT PUHOLS?

No.

THE BIGGEST LOSER

My favorite television show is now in season; The Biggest Loser.

Everywhere we turn, learning is prominent. I study the speech traits of news analysts, timing of comedians, and the tendencies of all people under duress. God has secrets buried in each that I could use.

Oddly, each time I watch The Biggest Loser I feel like I have attended a two-hour seminar on leadership training. It happens week after week, season after season.

Tonight the nine remaining contestants were forced into realignment of teams and coaches. Few remained with their beloved coach of seven (or so) weeks. None got to stay with their welded teammates.

Anger and disruption has hit the ranch! My guess is that before the season ends new bonds and newer successes will develop.

I see in this the value of adjustment. As in physical training, muscles develop better when routine is broken. The same similarity appears to be true of humanity in general. Adjustment is necessary to keep us alive.

I think back about how I didn't want a computer, email, or a cell phone. The way I had been working...had been working. Why upset things when mediocrity seems to work so well?, I always say.

I laugh at the comment, You don't need to change things for changes' sake. Sometimes, even that is needed at times to awaken our dispositions to greater and undiscovered possibility.

Possibly?

So what is in this for us today? Disruption is all around. As leaders we would do well to study those areas where we see value in it. God says we are new day by day. True? If it is true, newness should be anticipated; not fought off.

Even the biggest loser is to be encouraged because in their enormous strain of losing weight, the lean and mean healthy one buried within their overweight is about to emerge. As we lose the overweight of life's turbulence, maybe we will discover yet a new us.

UNCOMFORTABLE CHURCH

When I became minister I often reflected on how much easier it was when I was a member sitting in a pew. Surely elders feel the same way. It must be easy to know what should and shouldn't be done until assigned the actual task of shepherding.

Today's culture is increasingly messy. As we escalate our reach into our streets we will surely find it was a lot easier participating in Bible class discussions of how to reach the lost.

We are dealing with extreme challenges. From registered sex offenders to same sex partners to the homeless to all the rest of us, these were all sitting in our assembly Sunday. And it isn't a matter of our presence. It is a wonderful matter that we love each and truly care as we strain as to the best way to help one another start life over.

The closer we keep an eye on Jesus the further he seems to lead us into risk. Jesus takes us to a new normal. For those of us in leadership, we realize that we are losing a grip on the norm of church life and seem to be slipping into a zone of spiritual meaning and definition. Our challenges take more than collective input. They take the hand of God else we are sunk.

Week by week we seem to find ourselves with fewer answers and more people whose pain and injury blesses us. I applaud our members. It isn't that 20% are doing 80% of the work. We are so in over our heads, if God's grace doesn't do the work, we can't pull it off....20% or 80. We don't have the brawn nor the brains to figure any of us out.

God must do the work. He must. Our congregation is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable due to the disastrous and devastating lifestyles. Not so strangely, it is also becoming sweeter as if Jesus is in the lead.

We are an uncomfortable church....because more like us keep walking through our doors. Maybe we will work and think and see....just like Jesus.

HUNDREDS OF VISITORS LAST NIGHT!

Memorial presented the annual Fall Festival last night. Hundreds of visitors came!

Our Linda Scott does a fab job of putting together an amazingly creative event for community children...and our own.

From the food perspective, we didn't calculate well enough last year...and we wonderfully didn't again this year...because there were so many! What a great stress!

An exciting thing to me was that several from neighboring Lindbergh school attended as well as several from our Food Pantry.

Thank you, God, for letting us be a part of cheering on our community! And....I got to drive a tractor!

GOD WORKS

As I travel to speak, the one message I cannot help but share is that God works in present day Christianity.

A number has been done on the church. The mystery of God has been eliminated by cold hard humanistic calculation.

Such a mistaken posture has grown a people obsessed with the rules of church while prayer life is virtually vacant.

But...God does work!

His call to us is to believe Him. That is our work of faith to believe His work.

When you don't know how. When you can explain why. When the speculation as to where and when mounts with pessimism, employ your absolute faith in God. He can get matters handled while we are fretfully running from the Pharaoh-type villains. He will open the flood-waters.

God works...still!

I GET SO TIRED OF ME

Do you ever feel like everywhere you go, you show up?

I get pretty weary of me. Will I always be this way?

Will I always have big ideas and great causes and strong opinions only to recall what a louse of a man I am?

Yes, I know our adequacy is in the Spirit. I wrote a little book about it. And when I am focused upon His skills, life is surely more meaningful.

But I get so disappointed when I forget and then restart that wandering trek of putting people together and systems in order. If it weren't for God, I wouldn't be able to do anything. It makes such great sermon point; but why can't I remember it?

His grace allows me to get to do incredible and sometimes seemingly impossible stuff. But I must not forget He runs the show. As much as I tell myself this, it seems I handily forget and take over from here.

I get so tired of me. One would think I would have gotten better at it by now. Oh well...a new day comes my way and a new start with it.

THE BITTER-SWEET OF WINNING THE WORLD SERIES

I have never before hesitated to robustly celebrate a St. Louis Cardinal World Series victory. I pumped fists as we whipped the Yankees in '64, Red Sox in '67, Brewers in '82, and Tigers in '06. (I am named after the '46 Series winners' team captain, Terry Moore.) But not so today.

This morning I get to be one of thousands who can say My team won! The Cardinals miraculously pulled it out! Yet, while these two statements are true, my heart reserves much public celebration because of the classiness of the Texas Rangers as well as their ideal fans.

A foul ball here and a better play there and it would be the Rangers who would have/could have/maybe should have raised the trophy as early as Thursday night.

But....it all went my Cardinals' way.

By the seventh inning I could see it in the Rangers' eyes. Fear that their moment was passing only mounted. Ron Washington's visible concern tugged at my heart. Murphy's eyes? Young's look? Andrus' blank stare? All transferred the same message; We aren't going to win, are we?

I'm glad my guys won as I have much history and inner connection. However, two professional opponents took center stage and did themselves proud. For the first time, I would not have minded a tie.

I wish there would have been some way we could have won without beating the Rangers. To win this Series is bitter-sweet. I feel like we just beat up on our cousins.

WHAT WOULD YOU GUESS THE TOPIC IS?

Our camps were playing a game in Busch Stadium after a Cardinal/Astros game. Having been to so many camps, I had the honor of playing one inning with the Legends.

I was the catcher. Bob Gibson was the pitcher. This photo is of Gibson and me once the inning was over.

What would be the discussion?

I asked Bob before the game if his wife, Wendy, would be at the game. We had become friends along the way and I wanted to greet her.

Bob told me she would be along before the afternoon was over.

As he was facing a batter he yelled in, Hey Terry, Wendy just came in behind you. We were in the middle of the game. I'm trying to avoid making important mistakes. My focus is on catching what he's throwing.

Again he motions and calls out with a batter in the middle of a count, T-e-r-r-y! Wendy just came in behind you. Seemed weird to me. I'm trying to catch baseballs at the moment.

As soon as there were three outs I walked toward Gibson (the picture you see) and questioned, Bob, why did you keep yelling at me about Wendy when we are in the middle of an inning? Because Preach, he scowled, if you would have turned around to see her, I was going to hit you in the back!

Whew! Glad I didn't. But I never did see Wendy during that game.

BUMMED ABOUT YOUR LACK?

Do you ever say the wrong thing? How about the right thing at the wrong time? Or, how about the right thing at the right time the wrong way? There is so many ways we inferiors can mess up a well-intended conversation.

I do not speak of sinful matters which would call for repentance. I speak of hang-nail words and actions which erode our mentals and emotions...the little stuff that personalities like mine make way too big.

These mood breakers ruin the spirit of our days. Discouragement looms in the air. We find ourselves robbed of the day's riches for we cannot restore the yuck soup we just caused.

Oh, but yes we can. I learned a ways back a few helpful perspectives.

1. Everything will be okay.



2. Forgiveness toward ourselves is both possible and important. Drop it.



3. Drop the need to go around explaining and re-explaining. Learn to let it go.



4. Most of the time those on the other end are not even phased by what you would regard as social collapse.



5. Everything will be okay.



6. We insecure fret over matters the maturer dismiss. We needlessly torture ourselves.



7. The more we throw ourselves into the community filled with murders, cancers, and fatalities the more inclined we will be to give previous disturbing issues a shrug and move on.



8. Everything will be okay.

I wanted to write about the Cardinals terrific and historic comeback last night...but I feel led that some need the above much more.

(World Series: Cope 3 Rush 3)

THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE

Patience is an odd sort within and among us. Each of us severely needs it from all others. Yet, ours runs like many bank accounts....thin.

If ever there was a trait involving the gift of God toward us in order to be renewed day by day, it surely involves patience from Him and from all others. We are in a place to start life over because of patience.

It isn't a self-mustering patience, either. For that sort runs dry. We must have the fruit of the Holy Spirit to carry on in the kingdom with ones like me....and like you. We test each other. The tests get....testy.

Just as the Prodigal Father was quick to celebrate, I think this is what saves me among us. I am surrounded by Prodigal Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, and Sisters.

I so enjoy the kingdom life and its resurrection power. But my taking two steps forward and three steps back week after week leaves me in need of someones willingness to allow the Spirit fruit to pass through their veins.

The fruit of patience is a grand and glorious product of heaven alive on earth. We not only really need it, we really have it coming toward us.

Praise His name!

GAME #6 POSTPONED

Everything goes right for me!

Although the Cardinals were to play tonight, I was going to be at church.

Tonight's game is cancelled due to inclement weather. How strange. I am to be in class because it's Wednesday!

So I look forward---we can look forward---to a game tomorrow night.

I share this picture with Curt Flood and Tim McCarver. McCarver is the TV analyst, alongside Joe Buck, for the Series.

This is a picture taken when I was 34 years old at my very first Cardinal camp. McCarver was my team's coach. They made me a catcher because no one else wanted to do it. Some pitches hurt my thumb so badly that I wore a shoe horn inside my glove...until they found out!

Root for me....as I don't want Cope to win!

NAILED PREACHERS MUST RISE FROM THE GRAVE

To preach or not to preach? Or....to preach or quit preaching? These are the questions for many. Shall I go into preaching? is the question for some at the moment. Shall I get out of preaching? is the flip side of the questioning coin.

The correct answer is based on the call of God. If you are looking for a 9 to5 job with security, maybe not. If you have a fire in your bones that won't let up, then absolutely set your eyes on the privilege of preaching.

Should one get out? Answer the questions above.

But there is one element I would ask you to ponder. In the line of preaching, do you really understand the many will try to beat the crap out of you and some will succeed? This cross thing isn't a point for a flannel-graph nor a power-point. It is a way of life.

Look at the guys from our tribe who are making the biggest impact and building the powerful churches. All of them have one thing in common; they are beaten to death by the brotherhood at large. The good news is they had/have it coming because of who they follow.

If you want to preach and believe you will escape the deep scars from brotherhood beatings, you need to rethink the call.

Ask Max Lucado or Rick Atchley if they have very many bad days, evil reports, or dreaded nights of private tears? I guarantee you they have been run through the grave and that's what every soldier of Christ's must face. If one tells you this doesn't need to happen, treat them as Jesus did Peter upon receiving that exact advice.

Right now I am reading a most fascinating book by Don Finto. Does anyone remember Don Finto? When I was in preaching school in the early '70s, Don Finto was the man we Pharisees mocked the most. He was a hippie who did things way out of our CoC rigidity. He was growing a church unlike the ways we did (or would if we had a church that would grow).

But I learned from being necessarily beaten by the brotherhood, we've got it coming. We are set up; not for failure, but for success by appearing as failures due to the dog-yipping streams of bad press. The good news is that this, too, is a part of our job descriptions.

Wanna preach? Check on whether you are called. And if called, you won't ever want to quit. Tears will come. Disorientation will stalk. Life in Him will always be the reward of every threatening moment.

My word to you young guys? Don't quit. And don't even think about pacifying the segment of our brotherhood who is in it for the pride of being the only ones' right. These will shoot at you and some will hit the heart with their printing presses and their Preachers' Luncheon gossip.

Do not be afraid. Do not to worry. These are the footprints of Jesus. Pain in preaching? We have it coming. The cross insists.

OUR SUNDAY WAS SO SPECIAL

God keeps blessing.

It seems that several factors continue to position us for God to bless our assemblies.

We are learning to love God from the heart instead of officially. There is a difference.

We still want to know what the Bible says. Surely we are stuck on some doctrinal claims as if the Word teaches it when it really doesn't. But even this has such a deep call to continue in search of the Scriptures.

Our confidence is in the Spirit and not in ourselves; a specific Word admonition.

One of our recent homeless visitors brought a homeless guest. Three homeless were sitting among us Sunday and I love it that we don't talk about the noble concept but actually get to receive the blessings of their presence.

God gave us one very special Sunday. The place was moved by His presence. I am privileged to watch such a scene. Our people are special as we watch for God to do things for us (and with us) we cannot design nor manipulate.

What is it about your place of service where you see Father pouring out His blessings due to His presence?

COPE UP 3-2

Mike Cope's Rangers pulled ahead of my Cardinals last night.

I'm not worried. We are in the World Series. Plus, my waitresses' name whom I met before the series began is "Destiny"!

It is a big thrill to win the World Series. It is also a huge thrill just to be there.

And, about you, this is something we need to work on. It must be emphasized as a reminder to be sure to enjoy the presence of the moment. Today's schedule, with its agonies and strains, can cause us to miss out on the beauty of the moment.

Like right now. The game continues. Don't lose sight of the fact that your eyes see (what a thrill), your ears hear (same joy) and your lungs breathe without a machine.

Try not to get so wrapped up in winning that you forget the privilege of having your own uniform.

A word to Cope.....MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS!

WHAT TO SAY BEYOND THE SMALL TALK

I just returned from a quick trip to Dallas to watch my Cardinals get beat last night (Sunday) by the Texas Rangers. As of now, the victories stand at Cope 2-Rush 2.

In traveling I watch for opportunities to connect with whomever God places in my path. I do the usual, Where's home for you? What do you do for a living, etc. Once I learn some surface things, I try to leave each person with some sort of meaningful thought to the extent that God might use me...or one of us...well down the road.

1. Re: the woman who came onto the plane and sat beside me going to Dallas. I shared with her that sometimes life gets a bit tedious. I gave her my bubble gum (business) card. If that should happen and she needs a listening ear, keep my card for that moment. I've already received an email from her.

2. Re: the very pretty woman who sat beside me in the airport as we awaited our flight to return to Tulsa. I asked her, since she was obviously attractive, if she ever encountered feeling insecure and inferior. I don't believe she had ever been asked such a thought. Her affirmative answer let me sow kingdom seed as to His "yes" world.

3. Re: the woman who later came along and sat beside me on the plane. After the small talk I found that this 50-ish year old had lost her husband to cancer last month. A very delightful lady she is. Upon asking her how she was coping, I told her where my office is and that if the burden becomes over-the-top that I am one who would be happy to encourage.

4: Re: the soldier that sat with me on the plane when Mary and I were traveling to Richmond in March. Upon learning that he was headed to Afghanistan while leaving behind a wife and three little boys, I inquired as to what church would help his family back here should they encounter struggles. He said they had none.

I gave him my card and told him that first they should find such a church. Too, that he is welcome to email me if anything should arise while he is gone. I would contact a church in Richmond to help.

Within the next month the soldier wrote me that he, his wife, and three boys were attending a local church.

We simply sow seed. We move beyond the small talk where we can. Usually the door opens when the topic is how we might offer encouragement.

ON HOLD FOR HEAVEN?

The 5-step Restoration Movement has inadvertently created a doctrine which reduces global outreach. Somewhere along the way baptism became such an arguable matter in communities that our people picked up the drift that the main thing about life is to be baptized so one can go to heaven.

The least in the church know this doctrine. You have to be baptized to go to heaven.

The result, however, has been detrimental in that it has put much of the Church of Christ over the years on hold. Baptized. Heaven. Baptized. Heaven.

What about the life in between?

For too many it seems the goal has been to avoid anything which might disrupt the admission into heaven. This is a grand error which has been swallowed hook, line, and sinker.

We are to be buried in Jesus to walk a new life; a life of shining, of interacting, and of maturing.

The church has come to a virtual stand-still in too many regions because it prides itself in its teaching on baptism when, in reality, it may have slowed down the evangelism process by missing the abundant life in the Spirit which was immediately and perpetually to follow.

THE PROTEST

I just spent 30 minutes writing a post which was seriously challenging in the offering of hope to overcome the root cause of church deadness globally. It was right on target as it so cut to the real cause of lethargy and proposed a curing movement.

It would not post. I do not believe it was because God did not want it; but because dark forces intervened. I will give it another shot down the road.

For now I want you to know why there is not a new writing awaiting you this morning.

Not discouraged...but convinced....I had something for you today.

(Of course when I tried to post this one....it worked the first time.)

HOW TO ACCOMPLISH MAJOR THINGS

From early childhood, boys and girls dress up; dreaming of becoming....becoming outstanding, the best, famous, unique, heralded, accomplished. Some of these eventually become real and outstanding stars. I wouldn't know what percentage but I would guestimate maybe 10?

This is one of my favorite kingdom thoughts because I always wanted to do big; not movie star big or President big....but meaningful and important.

God wonderfully changed the locks on this ambition. He is the One big and no one else. Yet, our dreams can be/are fulfilled in Him.

How?

From Spirit perspective we reverse our mode of operation. We still dream of the major coming from us. The key is "coming from us" like in II Cor. 3:4 where we are never adequate but the Spirit is adequate within us.

The childish "to be big" views the world of opportunity from the wrong end of the telescope. Believers aren't called to have a vision for grand accomplishment but rather an insight on the value of seed. God's system moves us from the major to the smallest minor...seed.

We plant seed. We water seed. God causes the big. Never us. Yet, we are in on it from the ground floor and are satisfied beyond "personal stardom". We have confidence in seed life; placing a needed phone call, delivering a pie to a neighbor, greeting strangers with kindness, praying with no evidence of results except invisible faith, and reacting with grace to criticism.

The seed life lets all of us into the board room where we become major players. Where this has helped me mostly is in the area of envy and jealousy. I wanted to be among the big boys; whatever the big boy world was at the moment.

Today I am content; just a Paul mentioned in Philippians 4. I am content if it goes North or if it goes South. My retirement statement last quarter lost 20%. What should I do? Be content. Millions have no retirement account.

Sow seed. That's where the big stuff happens. Sow it for 15 and 45 years. God is faithful. Wonder results.

Wasn't it God who promised through Paul that He would do more than we could imagine or think? Then....let's get going!

WE WIN! WE WIN!

My Cardinals backed their way into the World Series. Beating out Atlanta on the last day, they have eeked out wins along the way to make it to the big stage.

The rest of the way is gravy. Nonetheless, they pulled off a victory last night over the mighty Rangers.

I pulled up one of my Legend's Camp pictures to give you a bit of flavor for what Swindoll told me was the best of both worlds; I get to preach and to play baseball.

Oh you know it is all in fun, but I have such a good time with the Cardinal camps. This picture shows legendary Bob Forsch seeking my autograph just before a game. (Of course he's being silly.) I try to treat the stars with kindness as not all of them get to hang out with me. I do what I can (sigh)!

My Cardinals won the first game of the series last night. I think any team that makes it to the World Series has already won...regardless of outcome. We win! We win!

And so it is with the spirit world. Because of all that Jesus did and does. The games were over at the empty grave. We win! We win!

MY MOST SERIOUS WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

I will say up front I am a very big Ron Washington and Texas Rangers fan.

I will not do as Mike Cope, though, and betray my Cardinals. Shame on Mike for converting. I am going to contact Joe Buck and ask him to not say hi to Mike during the entire series. (I'm not sure Pepperdine knew of this glaring glitch before replacing Jerry Rushford with him.)

I predict Theriot, Punto, and Craig will be key players.

What my guys will do to win is both distract and irritate the Texas Rangers. Punto, Theriot, and Craig will be key players that will catch the Rangers off guard.

I will be at game four to monitor the event.

Will we win? Why not? We've backed into all the rest of the playoffs. I predict the Cardinals will prevail in nine games.....maybe ten.

I'm just sayin'.

ECONOMY WISE? CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR ERA.

I want to say that I am about to address the greatest blind-spot in the church. But will not say it for I am sure God can see so many things to which I am yet completely blind. However, I do discuss a significant matter.

Giving.

Giving is what some believers and non-believers alike have come to regard as that six-letter church word. To the extent of it immediate social rejection, it should surely be given a double-take as to its absolute and profound God-muscle power.

Giving is the back-breaker to doubt. No doubter gives to God. The more we surrender our keeping power the more our spirits open to receiving power. And...receive we do!

The issue is the flat out dependence upon God. Nothing more...or less. Will God provide? Will He be there?

Giving works from a tree limb and a saw. The more we open our purses in abandon the more we receive in multiple-fold. God never returns dollar for dollar. He breaks the calculator!

I have learned to give over the years. My retirement account is not dependent upon headquarters in Ohio. It is kept in a vault in heaven.

I really don't know how my next 20 years go as far as income and provision. That is yet to be seen for I am confident in His supply. But I do know how my first 10,000 years go in heaven for I have been contributing to my ERA (Eternal Retirement Account) for about 40 years now.

Money matters. Giving it away is the call from above. Let's do it....better than ever before.

WHAT IS GOING ON AMONG US?

I care not to sound as some sort of prophet for I know nothing about being such. I do have senses; sometimes well-trained and sometimes far off of the mark. So know that I know it. All right?

I watch the world's turbulence. Protests of violence and others of threat are global. World economies are falling like dominoes. Political debate and religious unrest grab one major headline after another. This world is surely upset.

It makes me wonder if a major shake-up is on its way. And if it is, will we have the church prepared? Is Christian faith about to be taxed with a persecution out of proportion to our preparation?

This sounds terribly gloomy. However, the Word has always been more serious about disciplines in Jesus than I would ever truly grasp.

Please don't take me as a negative worry-wort...unless I truly am. It could be my age. Whatever the reason, I keep wondering if we have our people prepared to faithfully and enduringly believe in Jesus during the very rough spots; the likes of what we have never yet seen nor heard.

THE GREAT NEED THAT IS STILL THE GREAT NEED

Jesus is ever the issue for everything we are and do. It seems that once he was simply an endorsement like at the close of our prayers; his name tagged the pleas. Yet, we must continue to learn of him and grow into him.

Jesus is the difference-maker. His reality and his participation in our walk is essential. Our work is to believe him.

Some don't. Some believe in baptism with little real conviction that he is involved even remotely in our days. Yet, he surely is.

Jesus changes our salvation for we get it from his provision; not from our steps. Jesus changes our worship for until he is centered our songs and orders are humanistic while in church buildings. Jesus changes our dispositions. He turns every setback into kingdom promotion. He never fails.

Be encouraged. We have so much to take in; so much to develop. But all of us know the solution to this and any other challenge. It is Jesus. Not the lip-service of his name, but the very concrete certainty that he lives within us, through us, and among us.

May the church let go of its man-made fears and cut loose with a faith which would match the resurrection of the living Jesus.

PRIVILEGED TO PREACH AT MEMORIAL

I love the anticipation of our Sundays! Yesterday was as usual...fabulous!

What I like about Memorial is that what we once preached and talked, we now experience.

The place was packed; full of visitors. Two homeless men who have never met (individual bridges) were with us due to the compassion of sweet members. Two of our very poor from the food pantry were sitting in our midst.

What blessings.

It is extremely rewarding to sit among believers who get it best we can. And....we are still learning. If I were to choose to be someone, it would be me. I get to be with this church!

AN IDEA TO HELP THE "POOR ME"ERS AMONG US

A "poor me" personality seems to land ever-so-often among the flock. This person is never happy and seems to thrive on "neediness". The cry is extreme in sad face and sadder speech. By His grace there will always be a couple of compassionate souls who listen endlessly to the tales of woe.

I think there is a way to truly minister to such a person for we are all in need. It is just that this type hasn't realized what it is which will bring fulfillment. It seems they believe repeated and rehearsed sadnesses will draw sympathy.

Might these learn that one reaps what one sows? If attention is what one needs, sow it. Don't stand and ask for it.

These needy among us are accurate in that they have great need for acceptance and inclusion. God's way of getting it is to give it away. If these would but show interest and concern over others, their hunger would be immediately satisfied as well.

Anyone who wants to reverse their life can by sowing the seed of that which they have greatest need. In others words, give away the last drop of oil in the jar. Don't keep it for self. Give it away. Full jars will follow.

IF I SHOULD BECOME PRESIDENT

If I were running for President of the United States, I would lose.

But if I should by chance happen to win, I would step up to the microphone wearing my new tie at my Inaugural Address and I would say from my teleprompter; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.............be nice, be humble, and be sure to pay for your own postage stamps.

I would then go with my Vice President to Arby's for a Coke.

I just thought you might wonder what I would say if I were President of the United States.

BRANDISHING FATAL WEAPONS

Yet another tragedy has rocked Tulsa. I sat with a family yesterday suffering from shock and trauma. Earlier this week their sister, 46, shot and killed her 12 year old daughter and then turned the gun on herself. That two-hour interview and counsel was exhausting for all of us.

The double funeral will be at Memorial Monday at 10:00.

Sympathy runs rampant for this family. Too, it is guided toward both the victim and the one who pulled the trigger. What to think? What to say? What to do?

I dare not suggest this development is anything other than ruinously devastating. I do draw our attention to guard against our own sighs of disbelief that one could do such a thing. I believe we pull the trigger day by day with the invisible ammunition which surely kills the heart...our words.

Words are either magic or deadly. We choose whether to use words to serve or to destroy. God is emphatic to mimic Him by using creative powers by speaking phrases which give grace for the need of the moment.

Yes, the momma aimed at her daughter and then herself. A question that I have is who took aim on the momma over the past few months by killing her with offensive words which destroyed her mind. Some words need to be kept in the cabinet for if the wrong person gets hold of them they can be fatal.

Take careful aim. Pierce hearts with approval and love. Speak life. Cause life.

A HALF DOCTRINE THAT MAY BE COSTING US BIG

The church may possibly be anesthetized to a simple truth which would offer incredible impact if we were not so numb to it. We have espoused a doctrine that isn't completely wrong; but the way we use it has short-sheeted Christian impact in one community after another.

I speak of the teaching-ones-neighbor influence of be baptized to go to heaven. Heaven has been a consistent and strong thrust of one-on-one Bible studies among us. I have done so for years. In general a bulk of the church has been taught to be obedient unto salvation, so that when one dies, heaven will be the ultimate reward.

What this has done is dull the saved's senses to needed action while alive. These sit in pews checking off their dutiful lists with one thing in mind; don't mess up so that heaven will not be missed.

This half-doctrine insensitizes believers. Their main goal is not to die lost. That's it!

With this mistaken backdrop ears go deaf to repeated calls for service, love your neighbors, and shine for God now. Heaven is the ultimate goal as the church has been trained to preserve it's own and individual necks for salvation. Ministry to others is a foreign language to far too many.

If I thought faith meant to be baptized so that I would be saved when I die, I too would resent having to put in my time on Sunday mornings sipping, singing, and sitting when I could be at the golf course. But this is not what Father has in mind for us.

God has called us to robust lives which indeed make an enormous difference. We aren't on a dull path to endure church assemblies! Rather, we are on a magnificent mission to help the helpless transfer boring and dead lives into extreme spirit makeovers for the moment.

Life doesn't come after the cemetery. It takes on entirely new and prosperous action as soon as we meet Jesus in the grave of baptism. May we shed the dulling affects of being baptized to go to heaven by focusing upon a reverse truth; the nature of heaven has come to us and to our paths for extravagant actional impact....now.

Jesus came down...and heaven filled our souls.

THE TOP FIVE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN 34 1/2 YEARS AT MEMORIAL

Lord willing, next July I will finish 35 years at Memorial Drive. I love the thought of getting to be the preacher here. I share possibly the top five things I have learned while getting to be here...beginning at the bottom and working up:

#5 I needed more help than I would have guessed.

I began ministry believing I was inadequate. It turns out it was much worse than I had
imagined. It seemed at first that God would need to help out on occasion. Not so. He has to
do the work. Mine is to believe him.

#4 PLACE defines and connects.

Jason Thornton introduced us to the can opener of church connection. I never realized the
value of the body as a whole. My immaturity convinced me if all were as me, we would have
an ideal congregation. To learn our PLACE through this fabulous teaching has helped me
back off from paranoia. Plus, it has given me increased confidence that I am not in this
alone...nor is anyone else.

#3 Jesus is to be preached.

I won't spend much time here as I have voiced this recently. There is a church of difference
in preaching Jesus instead of Church of Christ. I had no idea how rugged this move would
be (and still is); but preaching Jesus will upset and bless a church.

#2 The Holy Spirit is active.

For all practical purposes the Holy Spirit was a sure sign of infidelity to those sound in
Church of Christ-ism. Yet, He is the life among and within us. The Bible still tells me so.
To be without the active Holy Spirit is to be a church dependent upon its cumulative
steam...which will always weary in doing good.

#1 God is to be praised

Little did I realize the strength and depth of praising God. I am still in kindergarten. God
is to be praised and the more we honor Him the more He seems to give us to brag about His
handiwork. Church assemblies were why I wasn't looking so forward to heaven for I
assumed it was just eternal church. Praise--authentic and heartfelt--is heavenly to the
soul.

IN ALL YOU DO...DON'T FORGET TO PRAY FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS

I remind you of something so simple it often goes overlooked. Don't forget to pray for your neighbors. Some of the sweetest moments in my experiencing God has been to see a couple next door to us in Quincy, IL. be baptized and then to see a Tulsa neighbor be added to the church.

With all we have going on, do not forget to pray for your neighbors to be drawn to Jesus.

Mary and I moved into a new neighborhood at the end of July. I have met a few neighbors and pray for them by name twice a day. Repetition helps me recall their names and it sets the stage for kingdom activity. I now pray for 16 in my area.

An exciting thing occurred to me this morning as I was praying. A vacant house is being remodeled for immediate occupation. I pray for the new whoever(s). And then....then it occurred to me that I can be praying for the new people moving in one year or 12 years from now into houses presently occupied.

I will have God waiting for them in their new home; in houses not yet for sale.

Oh...my point is that we all have so much going on. Be reminded that you have neighbors whom God has assigned you. Love them as yourself. Pray for them...even the ones who haven't moved in yet.

COMPLETELY INCOMPLETE

I have some good news for you; and some bad.

The bad news is you are probably not as all-knowing, all-capable as you would like to think. The good news is everyone else understands you are not as all-knowing all-capable as you would like to think.

This dilemma has been a major hurdle for me. The good news is it has launched me into a profoundly marvelous lifestyle; content....content with myself and content with others. That's good news!

I worked too long as a grown man believing that if I wanted the work done right I needed to have my hand in it. This developed arthritis of the mind. If it was to be done right, I would need to oversee it.

Very wrong.

I have learned that by His grace I surely do fit into the kingdom nature. But I am not near the main cog I once believed. No. Many don't do the work like I would do it. Yes. They often actually do it better.

I now understand I am completely incomplete and that incompleteness is major; not minor. I am highly lacking. If I will be the first to know it....this is awesomely good news for those around me.

Would you possibly be as me? Completely incomplete?

SO WIDE-EYED

Do you recall finally getting to go on a vacation when just a kid? Our family didn't get many vacations. When we did it was to relatives no more than 150 miles away. To distant travelers my treks wouldn't impress. But since I didn't know differently, these seldom jaunts were of the same appeal as those traveling to Paris or China.

I would be so excited I couldn't sleep. What would it be like? How much will I be able to take in? I wonder what my aunt will fix to eat? And...all the cousins....just too much to contain in a little boy's backwoods heart.

And then there's church! Today!

I can't wait!

What will there be to see? Who will be moved by His Presence? What will I learn at age 64 that I had never seen in the Word before?

I am wide-eyed for being a part of a great congregation is never taken for granted. It is too wonderful for the heart to take in!

It is a good day...so have one!

INTIMIDATION

Regarding being intimidated, I could be regarded as a professional. Not so strangely, that's precisely why I find great delight in the Spirit of Christ. He is my confidence; not me.

We all have much to do and such much to do's success will be dependent upon our believing in the resurrected Jesus.

Church work is not up to our capacity to plan nor to execute such plans. It hinges upon our absolute assurance Jesus is the author of our provision and sustenance. He--in present spirit form--operates from within us to accomplish things we....can't accomplish.

Not only is the empty grave over, so is our intimidation.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Just as the Israelites were intimidated by an approaching army with a cornering backdrop of mountain range and sea, God knows ways out.

So it is with us. He knows how to get us through...even the deepest of troubles....in order to no longer be held hostage via intimidation of people or circumstances.

Way to go us!

GOD SPEAKS WHAT LANGUAGE?

If God carries on a speaking relationship with us, what kind of language does He speak? English? King James Version English?

Some contend God doesn't do such communication. If you want to know what He thinks, read your Bible. Such may be a snappy and intellectual evaluation; but it distances us from our Master who loves to carry on tight bonds with His chosen.

God speaks in Spiritese. This is the utmost of challenges to the flesh-based believer. Yet, this has always been the challenge and we can see it in others; not in ourselves.

The Emmaus Road provides encounter with the Living God and they could not see it. Paul prayed for eyes to be open to God's gift of revelation and power which was brought about in Christ.

His Spirit works with our spirits. God has made it biblically clear that if we want wisdom we are to pray...in spirit...and He will respond....in Spirit.

A problem the flesh-based church has is that we want concrete intellectual understanding of the how of this process. But, God is not showing His hand. He leaves us with one element; faith.

God's speaks in a language our spirit should understand; but our flesh won't hear of it.

LIVING OVERWHELMED

I know. I know there is very much going on in our world of rigoricity. Appointments, deadlines, dreams, responsibilities...and that clock keeps ticking.

2011 seems to insist we live in the spin cycle. Rush could be our middle name if it weren't my last.

Yet, Jesus so adjusts the overwhelm of our spirits. He has a knack of reversing cause and effect.

As Christians we should be overwhelmed; and I am. My breath is taken away at the reports I hear of God working. I am stunned by the good deeds believers actually do. It is remarkable to see the Holy Spirit bearing fruit in the most common us.

Church growth is found in any direction we choose to look. There are places and people that really are growing in both prayer and worship.

Giving is stunningly wonderful. Commitment to the point of long-term endurance is both visible and reportable.

One of the things God has done for me is to help me refrain from addressing the naysayers. I refuse to give them attention...unless I forget. I want to focus on the NT pattern of church awe...Acts 2:43.

Believers get to live overwhelmed. Sure....moments of imprisonment come along....but only to verify how awesome it is to experience the God of the "jailhouse fall".

You want to know a neat thing about each of us? Overwhelmed is a lifestyle....and we get to choose which way it goes....conquering the world or depressed and alone.

As for me and my household, I want to be overwhelmed at the talent, skill, and fruit of God.

TELL THE HORSES TO WHOA

I was about six years old. Grandpa Rush hitched the team of horses to the wagon as we were headed on some farm mission across a vast pasture. I loved the farm scene and asked Grandpa if I could drive the team through when he opened the gate.

Request granted.

I could barely lift the lengthy and heavy leather reigns. "Giddy up!" They meandered through the gate and then would not stop. I thought for sure we were in a runaway; even though they were at a minimum pace. It felt really fast to me! I couldn't stop them; but Grandpa saved me.

Sometimes in the church the strong horses make me feel they are going to run away and I can't keep up. Gifted Christians will find they need another gift of patience to tolerate my much slower step. I am not up to many of their speeds.

And you, (for any who as I feel overwhelmed at the vision and the energy of some among us)don't die early due to fright. Just stay calm. Some among us are such go-getters that we who are not as they may feel slighted. Not the case. All are gifted and all have need of the others.

Me? I'm not a thoroughbred; but a plow horse. I have a Spirit-pace that works for me. Where I might have once been intimidated by the "big boys"; not so much now. They are gifted and so am I. Theirs may be at a race pace. Mine is more of a saunter.

Let the horses move forward at good clip unless they are pressing you to become a race horse just like them. If that is the case, tell them to whoa....because you will get the work done...at His strong pace within you.

TWO MAJOR DOCTRINAL TRUTHS

When you consider:

• Abram and Sarai did have a child
  


• Joshua and Caleb succeeded against all bets
  


• David whipped Goliath
  


• There were four in the furnace
  


• Jonah survived
  


• The sack lunch did feed 5000
  


• Militant Saul switched to Martyr Paul
  


• The jailhouse doors did fly open
  


• The grave did cough up the Son

There are always two major doctrinal truths for us:

• Anything is possible!
  


• Never, never give up!

UP WITH SCHOOL BUS VISION

I love the church. It is my new world. I will never get over the thrill of being converted. How awesome to experience this inexpressible journey.

A great concern has evolved over the years. Congregations are suffocating. It isn't due to malfunctions of personnel. It has everything to do with so many growing stale.

The church is in need of ventilation. The Holy Spirit is the Fresh Air within the lungs of the body. Those who fight Holy Spirit activation may be very sweet in personality; but we are stagnant in meaningful kingdom productivity.

If the resurrection has one clear trait for the church (the body of Christ) today it is that it is to be ALIVE! Building decor or Sunday School agenda are surely important. Holy Spirit freshness is the absolute of church growth necessity.

Charles Spurgeon warned ministers against the suicidal process of making their studies a prison while nature lies outside his window calling him to health and beckoning him to joy....needs not wonder if his heart forgets to sing and his soul grows heavy. He continues to plead that we would sweep the cobwebs out of the brain of scores of our toiling ministers who are now but half alive.

We must give due attention to our hearts. Do we live in the wow of the moment or dare we admit that Disney World is the excitement center and the local church is the place everyone knows to be a good place to yawn.

I saw a school bus while driving to work this morning! I saw it. I wondered how many millions of blind over time would be in tears is they could just see a school bus....once.

Notice your world of wonder. Raise your windows for ventilation of the Spirit. See a school bus...and be thrilled.

"GOOD MORNING! THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US!"

Churches thrive on hospitality when visitors are greeted with......hospitality.

Simple enough.

Two things blur the clear church strength from the community's eyes; sermons on giving and finding no one spoke when they visited our assemblies. The former is unfortunate that dark forces have wrecked such a powerful issue.

The latter, however, is completely unacceptable. We must set our shyness aside and speak to the strangers. It is God's style.

Of the mighty image of Father which we inherited is that marvelous ability to create by speaking. Self-centeredness and self-consciousness will cause non-creative silence; especially toward visitors.

Biblical hospitality is not simply social yak-yak. It is warmly and openly offering attentiveness to the greeting of strangers. Greeters at the door are important; within the assembly is essential.

The church is to be robust in welcoming visitors. Don't discuss it. Do it.

Goooood morning! Thanks so much for taking the time to be with us! We hope God encourages your day!