Church is surely a nebulous entity from the man-side of things.
We want great things for her; but we tend to desire such from the framework of safety. Who wouldn't love to see a pentecost-like growth come along; yet with manageability and organizational control? One foot wants to stand in the thrill of God's out-of-Jordan's banks phenomena while the other foot demands solid ground pleading for assurance that personal drowning is not imminent.
A question I have asked myself a lot lately is, Am I/are we trying to be the church God is building by straddling threatening fear and astounding productivity? Do you wonder if we might be standing on the Word while short-sheeting the faith the Word wishes to groom? Are we Fraidy Cats who point to any stutter of success and, thus, call mediocrity good enough?
I wonder that about me.
I hear of women's roles and music issues while deeply desiring to keep the waters non-turbulent. Are these distractions of Dark Forces to throw us off course or are these doors we refuse which would ultimately open the hearts of our community? I want to know.
Are we practicing anything doctrinally which keeps the neighbors at bay while we are completely oblivious to our own impediment because we are fat and satisfied...and of course accepted by others of our name brand?
I constantly seek to know.
For me, I don't need to see major adjustments in "things we believe". The big move seems to be in front of us, though, "that we grow to trust and believe God". How long have we tweaked, detweaked, and retweaked practices among us only to find we are still a Church of Christ that is the same size we have always been while the town multiplies in darkness?
People are doomed for Hell without introduction to Jesus. He must meet them; and them him. This is a front burner call. So what shall we do?
I think the number one thing we do is give public glory to God in both our assemblies and outside of them. It would seem to me that the biggest plunge the church in general would need to take in order to encounter Jordan's flood waters would be for more and more members to open our mouths about our brilliant God.
This isn't so say "issues" aren't important. It is to say that until we get our people to get vocal about His mighty hand all "issues" are a cover-up dressed as pertinent when they aren't. I once was adamant about adamant matters; but I wasn't speaking up except among ourselves. I had to learn to reach out. I was afraid and I was intimidated and I was scared. So I fought the big battles in our classrooms and at some of our dinner tables.
Hiding in issue discussions is a circular distraction for, as soon as we conquer one, two new ones arise which will challenge deeply the pushers of the first. When all is said and done, what is the thing we need to do to reach the poor and the lost? In this answer, we will have the right doctrine.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
WHY GENERATIONAL STRAIN
Why is it that with each oncoming generation the faith system perpetually fights-pushes-pulls-tugs and strains its way forward? I mean it when I say that some parts of a progressing and maturing church are like pulling teeth.
I address this not from statistics--although I think such would be supportive--but from observation and experience. Each new generation seems to carry an almost automatic grudge, to a certain extent, against the previous.
Why this edge among us?
From my labors I see two possible explanations.
First, traditions bog. Jesus addressed this and my generation has traditionally agreed. However, we have also failed to adhere to his warning. How quickly we turn our new ideas into "the way it is supposed to be". We have, as did the Pharisees, built monuments of dos and don'ts that came from nowhere other than our created bias, habit--and in some cases--pet peeves.
Second, God is new. As old as He is and as ageless as He is, He perpetually calls us to transformation into a new life. He gives us a New Testament. His Word declares we are to be newer day by day. Never does He vie for new whims of man's imaginary sort. Yet, His core theme is to make us new; newer day by day.
The reason generations fight new wars is because we have blindly carried on old battles. The newest generation believes they see new ways, styles, and possibilities. What they don't see is that in twenty years they will have stepped to the other side of greener grass to pick up the defense of their new ways that a younger generation will regard as a Christian repeat of bias, habit---and in some cases---pet peeves.
So what shall we do?
We each have enough room to grow in Him; to mature which will require an openness to diversity combined with an absolute remaining for Thus saith the Lord. The two are not in conflict. The rub hits when we begin to dumb down from our original zeal for learning by shifting to protecting what we think we know.
Jesus will always keep us on our toes in an extremely good way. He will always be the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other rock. Our whims, needs, and wishes aren't rock material. His tender heart, compassionate approach, and sacrificial demeanor is always the great reducer of generational strain.
I address this not from statistics--although I think such would be supportive--but from observation and experience. Each new generation seems to carry an almost automatic grudge, to a certain extent, against the previous.
Why this edge among us?
From my labors I see two possible explanations.
First, traditions bog. Jesus addressed this and my generation has traditionally agreed. However, we have also failed to adhere to his warning. How quickly we turn our new ideas into "the way it is supposed to be". We have, as did the Pharisees, built monuments of dos and don'ts that came from nowhere other than our created bias, habit--and in some cases--pet peeves.
Second, God is new. As old as He is and as ageless as He is, He perpetually calls us to transformation into a new life. He gives us a New Testament. His Word declares we are to be newer day by day. Never does He vie for new whims of man's imaginary sort. Yet, His core theme is to make us new; newer day by day.
The reason generations fight new wars is because we have blindly carried on old battles. The newest generation believes they see new ways, styles, and possibilities. What they don't see is that in twenty years they will have stepped to the other side of greener grass to pick up the defense of their new ways that a younger generation will regard as a Christian repeat of bias, habit---and in some cases---pet peeves.
So what shall we do?
We each have enough room to grow in Him; to mature which will require an openness to diversity combined with an absolute remaining for Thus saith the Lord. The two are not in conflict. The rub hits when we begin to dumb down from our original zeal for learning by shifting to protecting what we think we know.
Jesus will always keep us on our toes in an extremely good way. He will always be the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other rock. Our whims, needs, and wishes aren't rock material. His tender heart, compassionate approach, and sacrificial demeanor is always the great reducer of generational strain.
INCREASE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Since Francis Chan is scheduled to do two keynotes at next year's Tulsa Workshop, I thought you might like the following quoted from his book, Crazy Love.
We have done everything humanly possible to make church "easy". We kept the services short and entertaining, discipleship and evangelism optional, and moral standards low. Our motives were not bad. We figured we could attract more people by offering Jesus with minimal commitment. But we ended up producing nominal Christians whose unchanged lives have deterred others from being interested.
There is a new generation rising up. Young adults are studying the Bible without missing the obvious. They see how shallow methodology is incongruent with the Jesus of Scripture who asked everything of his followers. They are bored with Sunday morning productions and long to experience the Holy Spirit. They need to be challenged with the awesome responsibility of praying for, baptizing, and making disciples of their acquaintances. They need to be reminded of the Spirit who supernaturally empowers them for this task.
The days of merely bringing our friends to an event so the pastor can save and disciple them need to end. New churches must be formed where all believers are expected to do the work of evangelism and discipleship. This generation sees the potency of a church where pastors equip and shepherd disciple-makers rather than service-attenders.
We have done everything humanly possible to make church "easy". We kept the services short and entertaining, discipleship and evangelism optional, and moral standards low. Our motives were not bad. We figured we could attract more people by offering Jesus with minimal commitment. But we ended up producing nominal Christians whose unchanged lives have deterred others from being interested.
There is a new generation rising up. Young adults are studying the Bible without missing the obvious. They see how shallow methodology is incongruent with the Jesus of Scripture who asked everything of his followers. They are bored with Sunday morning productions and long to experience the Holy Spirit. They need to be challenged with the awesome responsibility of praying for, baptizing, and making disciples of their acquaintances. They need to be reminded of the Spirit who supernaturally empowers them for this task.
The days of merely bringing our friends to an event so the pastor can save and disciple them need to end. New churches must be formed where all believers are expected to do the work of evangelism and discipleship. This generation sees the potency of a church where pastors equip and shepherd disciple-makers rather than service-attenders.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
THE BEST THING TO KNOW WHEN YOU CAN'T FIX IT
The best thing to know when you can't fix something is to know you can't fix it.
We are called to believe in the One who is expert at fixing stuff. He's got it covered.
The best thing to know when you can't fix messes and can't patch people is that He can.
Therefore...hang out with Him a lot!
We are called to believe in the One who is expert at fixing stuff. He's got it covered.
The best thing to know when you can't fix messes and can't patch people is that He can.
Therefore...hang out with Him a lot!
Saturday, June 09, 2012
HURT HURTS
Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you as if some strange thing were happening to you, so said the only man that I know of that walked on water besides Jesus.
Life leads all down various paths of ordeals and some are surely fiery. Filled with pain and anguish we can speak from experience that hurt hurts. Injuries injure. And pain is painful.
All of these are kingdom ingredients when reading the Recipe for authentic and meaningful life. Too quickly we abandon the very meal which would have made us stronger for a sweeter dessert type consumption which would be less risky and much less imposing.
Hurt hurts. We need hurt. Hurt isn't an option. The cross doesn't come with pads, earphones, and a fan.
COME ALIVE! Come alive! can only be said to the dead and can only be issued by the voice of the Spirit. Don't you get it? Hurt hurts. And about the time you think it is going to sink you, you should...for it will...it is supposed to. Why? To bring us back to dependence upon His power that we know nothing about other than faith.
This has been a hard week in pockets; a good hard week. It has caused tears. But in the very center of the very core we can be assured the resurrection power of God is at its prime.
Yes. Absolutely. Hurt hurts. And just as much yes. And just as much absolutely, the Helper helps.
Life leads all down various paths of ordeals and some are surely fiery. Filled with pain and anguish we can speak from experience that hurt hurts. Injuries injure. And pain is painful.
All of these are kingdom ingredients when reading the Recipe for authentic and meaningful life. Too quickly we abandon the very meal which would have made us stronger for a sweeter dessert type consumption which would be less risky and much less imposing.
Hurt hurts. We need hurt. Hurt isn't an option. The cross doesn't come with pads, earphones, and a fan.
COME ALIVE! Come alive! can only be said to the dead and can only be issued by the voice of the Spirit. Don't you get it? Hurt hurts. And about the time you think it is going to sink you, you should...for it will...it is supposed to. Why? To bring us back to dependence upon His power that we know nothing about other than faith.
This has been a hard week in pockets; a good hard week. It has caused tears. But in the very center of the very core we can be assured the resurrection power of God is at its prime.
Yes. Absolutely. Hurt hurts. And just as much yes. And just as much absolutely, the Helper helps.
Thursday, June 07, 2012
THE JESUS TRAIL
When anyone picks up the footprints of God in the flesh, they can be trailed to the down and out...repeatedly.
The Adamic Fall has put all of mankind in a world of hurt. No one escapes. Rugged terrain is at every turn. Ache. Disappointment. Even disorientation plagues everyone at some point from the White House or the Queen's throne to those beneath bridges or incarcerated pods....and everywhere in between.
Enter once again our opportunity to follow his trail.
We are here to minister to the ruined and the desperate. That's where Jesus is found.
Ministry. It's called ministry. Jesus on the trail...on the prowl...to find those dying of disappointment and hopelessness. He traded their fears for eternity. Jesus offers the most unusual hope as it always comes against the greatest, if not impossible, odds.
May we continue to note the excitement and the purpose of Jesus' leadership on the trail.
The Adamic Fall has put all of mankind in a world of hurt. No one escapes. Rugged terrain is at every turn. Ache. Disappointment. Even disorientation plagues everyone at some point from the White House or the Queen's throne to those beneath bridges or incarcerated pods....and everywhere in between.
Enter once again our opportunity to follow his trail.
We are here to minister to the ruined and the desperate. That's where Jesus is found.
Ministry. It's called ministry. Jesus on the trail...on the prowl...to find those dying of disappointment and hopelessness. He traded their fears for eternity. Jesus offers the most unusual hope as it always comes against the greatest, if not impossible, odds.
May we continue to note the excitement and the purpose of Jesus' leadership on the trail.
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
TO PRAY....OR NOT TO PRAY
We sing There's Power in the Blood with great gusto. We must be aware that Father expects power in the church as well. Paul warned his young mentoree about this stating that there actually could be church in organization which would deny the power.
The CofC heritage has blatantly denied Paul's warning having done its best to function without the power of the Holy Spirit. We have functioned because we have organized the best we could according to scripture. Yet, also according to scripture, we have failed in general to turn on the power.
It is interesting, I think, that one of the places in scripture that addresses this power working in us is Ephesians 3:20; according to the power that works within us. The context of that chapter is the filling of the Holy Spirit.
What needs to be noted is the subject of prayer within (:14).
Here's what I have noticed about my personal walk. When I didn't believe the Holy Spirit worked in my life I also did not like to pray. And why should I? While I was obedient, prayer felt to be blocked by ceiling tile. I know....that's just peculiar me.
Yet, when I realized the Spirit is factually and biblically active within the common believer, there became a new vent for prayer; His participation, His provision, and His potential.
Prayer changes things. True. Our Holy Spirit view changes whether we pray. Also true.
The CofC heritage has blatantly denied Paul's warning having done its best to function without the power of the Holy Spirit. We have functioned because we have organized the best we could according to scripture. Yet, also according to scripture, we have failed in general to turn on the power.
It is interesting, I think, that one of the places in scripture that addresses this power working in us is Ephesians 3:20; according to the power that works within us. The context of that chapter is the filling of the Holy Spirit.
What needs to be noted is the subject of prayer within (:14).
Here's what I have noticed about my personal walk. When I didn't believe the Holy Spirit worked in my life I also did not like to pray. And why should I? While I was obedient, prayer felt to be blocked by ceiling tile. I know....that's just peculiar me.
Yet, when I realized the Spirit is factually and biblically active within the common believer, there became a new vent for prayer; His participation, His provision, and His potential.
Prayer changes things. True. Our Holy Spirit view changes whether we pray. Also true.
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
THE HIGHWAY OR THE HIGH WAY?
Hit the road, Jack!
There are those times when we would love to tell another, Hit the road! I'm done with you! We are done with you! Don't let the door hit you on the way out!
Oh, we can have such snarliness about us, huh?
Do you realize that when we are told to hit the highway that such in the kingdom is the high way? Yes, rough stuff happens to His kind of people. We are called into a system whose icon is nothing less than a gruesome and ugly cross. Get used to it.
In our culture, though, we don't want the highway or the high way. We prefer ease. We have prejudiced bent toward the comfortable; even if it would mean sacrificing the meaningful.
Try not to reject the painful as if some strange thing were happening to you. This is the very nature of God to groom us for the next round of combat. Be not discouraged and, for heaven's sake, don't run or quit. The rough stuff is supposed to be in our walk to help us understand both Him and those whom we make effort to reach.
Some of the most effective ministry leaders are the very ones who suffered earlier loss. These are the ones who truly understand the pained ones who are in need of being reached.
The highway or the high way? Yes. That's right.
There are those times when we would love to tell another, Hit the road! I'm done with you! We are done with you! Don't let the door hit you on the way out!
Oh, we can have such snarliness about us, huh?
Do you realize that when we are told to hit the highway that such in the kingdom is the high way? Yes, rough stuff happens to His kind of people. We are called into a system whose icon is nothing less than a gruesome and ugly cross. Get used to it.
In our culture, though, we don't want the highway or the high way. We prefer ease. We have prejudiced bent toward the comfortable; even if it would mean sacrificing the meaningful.
Try not to reject the painful as if some strange thing were happening to you. This is the very nature of God to groom us for the next round of combat. Be not discouraged and, for heaven's sake, don't run or quit. The rough stuff is supposed to be in our walk to help us understand both Him and those whom we make effort to reach.
Some of the most effective ministry leaders are the very ones who suffered earlier loss. These are the ones who truly understand the pained ones who are in need of being reached.
The highway or the high way? Yes. That's right.
Monday, June 04, 2012
ENGAGED IN THE FASCINATING
Be encouraged!
Christianity is far from boring!
The younger generation is pulling away from us in places. Some of them say it is because we are boring.
Maybe we are.
Maybe we should revisit the Word. Maybe we should trim up our prayer life; our confidence factor in His Spirit. Possibly we might perpetuate the move among us to get to see God's hand among our ministries.
All I can say is that as a kid I wanted nothing to do with churches when I got older because of one thing; superficially boring.
What has changed my perspective?
God. God at work. God who loves to work. God who does work.
He makes something out of nothing. He can cause dead efforts and ministries--and ministers-- to come alive!
God is not boring. His kingdom is anything but boring. Possibly inviting friends to church is only part of the outreach. Perhaps we could take the church to the community with our fascinating testimonies and service which would awaken good hearts. These might even decide to follow Jesus after all.
Just a thought.
Christianity is far from boring!
The younger generation is pulling away from us in places. Some of them say it is because we are boring.
Maybe we are.
Maybe we should revisit the Word. Maybe we should trim up our prayer life; our confidence factor in His Spirit. Possibly we might perpetuate the move among us to get to see God's hand among our ministries.
All I can say is that as a kid I wanted nothing to do with churches when I got older because of one thing; superficially boring.
What has changed my perspective?
God. God at work. God who loves to work. God who does work.
He makes something out of nothing. He can cause dead efforts and ministries--and ministers-- to come alive!
God is not boring. His kingdom is anything but boring. Possibly inviting friends to church is only part of the outreach. Perhaps we could take the church to the community with our fascinating testimonies and service which would awaken good hearts. These might even decide to follow Jesus after all.
Just a thought.
Saturday, June 02, 2012
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY....VERY CAREFUL
We are instructed by God to give tedious care to our words. Through Paul He said, Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear (Eph. 4:29).
This has become a strong servant passage at Memorial Drive. We verbally rehearse the God-stories which go on day in and day out. We talk about the profound moves God makes, the great people He allows us to work beside, and the never-ending reports that continually pass by our ears.
Just this week a woman visiting our food pantry found her car would not start when she got ready to leave. After failed attempts to get it started, she placed a call to someone with instruction to come get her at the church that is a place to start life over!
A Place to Start Life Over is a subtitle on our lawn sign, entrance canopy, welcome mat, and letterhead. Her comment raced throughout our offices Wednesday when David Combs said, Listen to what happened yesterday! and then rehearsed her comment.
The world is filled with more good news than bad. It is our job to repeat that which is wholesome for it gives treasured inspiration to those who overhear. Be careful what you say...very careful...for it can cause new life to arise in gloomy hearts.
This has become a strong servant passage at Memorial Drive. We verbally rehearse the God-stories which go on day in and day out. We talk about the profound moves God makes, the great people He allows us to work beside, and the never-ending reports that continually pass by our ears.
Just this week a woman visiting our food pantry found her car would not start when she got ready to leave. After failed attempts to get it started, she placed a call to someone with instruction to come get her at the church that is a place to start life over!
A Place to Start Life Over is a subtitle on our lawn sign, entrance canopy, welcome mat, and letterhead. Her comment raced throughout our offices Wednesday when David Combs said, Listen to what happened yesterday! and then rehearsed her comment.
The world is filled with more good news than bad. It is our job to repeat that which is wholesome for it gives treasured inspiration to those who overhear. Be careful what you say...very careful...for it can cause new life to arise in gloomy hearts.
Friday, June 01, 2012
A NEW DAY---YIPPEE!
Today is June 1. I turn 65 on June 18. I guess you know the significance of such a benchmark.
Today I am officially on Medicare!
Believe it or not....I now carry an official Medicare card!
So here are ten things I have accumulated in knowledge over these six and a half decades:
Today I am officially on Medicare!
Believe it or not....I now carry an official Medicare card!
So here are ten things I have accumulated in knowledge over these six and a half decades:
- If the English language does not have sufficient words, make them up. Sometimes these new ones are even better.
- As you get older you cannot help but notice how the younger generations mumble so badly. Try not to say anything for they just don't realize it.
- When you refer to "when you were a kid", this causes others' eyes to roll into the backs of their heads. This is a rather weird reflex, don't you think?
- Do not go into shock nor display your inner frustration when your colleagues cannot remember where you put things. Don't people pay attention anymore?
- If you will drive around just a bit more, you will most likely recall where it was you were headed.
- There seems to be a blurring as to whether you took action on an item or you thought you should take action on said item.
- It is of vital importance that you scout out where all of the public restrooms are.
- You conclude that those who sob when they turn 30 are idiots.
- Old is always ten years away.
- For those of you in your 40s, your day is coming sooner than you think and this makes me happy!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
THE OVER-JOY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AMONG US
We at Memorial Drive have encountered a wonderful experience of meeting God in Spirit form. We are and will continue to grow into interactive work with Him.
I took three stabs at teaching about the Holy Spirit at Memorial beginning in the late 70s. Each quarter quickly jumped to the track of what He doesn't do and we never regained focus beyond our inherited fears.
The fourth try was different. I realized my mistake of the first three takes and announced to the class we would not entertain any comments as to what the Spirit doesn't do. We were well versed there. What we wanted to research was what He does do.
Due to His authentic leading, I did not teach the class. The class taught me. We probed the Word of God together for it was our source....of course. I would toss a bone and the class would think together. They began to make such astute observations, my time as the teacher during class was to jot down their findings.
The result of those morsels was a book that I first titled, The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthy Sense. I drew heavy criticism for the title and more criticism for the content. To explain, the title implies He makes heavenly sense; but not earthly. For the content? Well...I just had to take it and move on.
The result of God's breaking in to this congregation in Spirit form continues to be one of over-joy. Fear of where this would lead has been quenched by His productivity as promised in Galatians 5:22-23. We are growing in patience, kindness, love, etc. It is His trademark among His people.
Finally, one of the greater gifts of this study is to realize how free we are to yield control of every nook and cranny of kingdom work. We sow. We try. If it does work, we tell God, Thank you. If it doesn't work, we tell God, Thank you.
The over-joy of the Holy Spirit allows us to engage in a new world that is far above our heads.
(BTW--The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense didn't sell well. Howard Publishing eventually shipped the unsellables to South Africa and the book went out of print. My son Tim was on a mission trip to SA years later. The people he stayed with were intrigued by this new book they had purchased. It was this book. Soon after, I began to get an abundant amount of calls for the book that was now out of print.
I rewrote the book putting it in workbook form and renamed it Empowering the Ordinary (The Holy Spirit Helping Inadequate Believers.) I have self-published the book these past twenty years and cannot keep them in stock. Small groups are studying this workbook all over the country and in other nations. It has been translated into Russian. Hmmm....it seems the Holy Spirit is working among us! How fun!)
I took three stabs at teaching about the Holy Spirit at Memorial beginning in the late 70s. Each quarter quickly jumped to the track of what He doesn't do and we never regained focus beyond our inherited fears.
The fourth try was different. I realized my mistake of the first three takes and announced to the class we would not entertain any comments as to what the Spirit doesn't do. We were well versed there. What we wanted to research was what He does do.
Due to His authentic leading, I did not teach the class. The class taught me. We probed the Word of God together for it was our source....of course. I would toss a bone and the class would think together. They began to make such astute observations, my time as the teacher during class was to jot down their findings.
The result of those morsels was a book that I first titled, The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthy Sense. I drew heavy criticism for the title and more criticism for the content. To explain, the title implies He makes heavenly sense; but not earthly. For the content? Well...I just had to take it and move on.
The result of God's breaking in to this congregation in Spirit form continues to be one of over-joy. Fear of where this would lead has been quenched by His productivity as promised in Galatians 5:22-23. We are growing in patience, kindness, love, etc. It is His trademark among His people.
Finally, one of the greater gifts of this study is to realize how free we are to yield control of every nook and cranny of kingdom work. We sow. We try. If it does work, we tell God, Thank you. If it doesn't work, we tell God, Thank you.
The over-joy of the Holy Spirit allows us to engage in a new world that is far above our heads.
(BTW--The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense didn't sell well. Howard Publishing eventually shipped the unsellables to South Africa and the book went out of print. My son Tim was on a mission trip to SA years later. The people he stayed with were intrigued by this new book they had purchased. It was this book. Soon after, I began to get an abundant amount of calls for the book that was now out of print.
I rewrote the book putting it in workbook form and renamed it Empowering the Ordinary (The Holy Spirit Helping Inadequate Believers.) I have self-published the book these past twenty years and cannot keep them in stock. Small groups are studying this workbook all over the country and in other nations. It has been translated into Russian. Hmmm....it seems the Holy Spirit is working among us! How fun!)
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE ANNOYING PEOPLE
What is one to do with those in our circles who simply grate on our nerves? You know the type; they think weird. Silly. Foolish. Strange. Out-of-sync. Ignorant. Even obstinate or, worse yet, obnoxious.
What to do?
They don't seem to go away. At times it seems they even multiply. What's that all about?
I would recommend two ways to handle such odd personalities:
This does not bother me. Rather, I feel grateful any would let me into the room. Rejection doesn't bother me as it once did for I now know I've earned it. I am a nobody; just like Paul felt in II Cor. 12:11.
Blessings to you as you find God lets you fit into His day!
What to do?
They don't seem to go away. At times it seems they even multiply. What's that all about?
I would recommend two ways to handle such odd personalities:
- Believe in them by noting the great qualities each possesses for each has gifts from God that we need.
- Realize first and foremost that each of us is annoying to several others and they don't know what to do with us either.
This does not bother me. Rather, I feel grateful any would let me into the room. Rejection doesn't bother me as it once did for I now know I've earned it. I am a nobody; just like Paul felt in II Cor. 12:11.
Blessings to you as you find God lets you fit into His day!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
EXPERIENCING THE DEPTHS OF JESUS CHRIST
Jeanne Guyon wrote Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ (Originally A Method of Prayer) that first appeared in France around 1685. It is guestimated that this book is one of the most influential ever written.
It is one of my favorites.
I am rereading it and it remains a meaningful volume as it calls us to deeper union with Him.
This book eventually made its way to Louis XIV for the purpose of tattling on her. Guyon was immediately arrested and imprisoned. Many of her books were gathered and burned. Not surprisingly, her influence grew even more.
Guyon's writing heavily influenced the Quakers and then a young man named John Wesley. Any familiar with the deep writings of Jesse Penn-Lewis would find it no surprise that Guyon's concepts are buried within.
During the 1920s this book made its way to China. It had a profound impact on the shaping of the heart of one we would know as Watchman Nee.
Fenelon? Count Zinzendorf? And, Hudson Taylor? All influenced by Guyon.
While these writings and this story carry fascination to me, the greater encouragement comes for all to realize we have the ability in Christ to shine over great distances and even centuries. Know Him and give Him room to extend through you into unimaginable regions of time and pockets of influence!
It is one of my favorites.
I am rereading it and it remains a meaningful volume as it calls us to deeper union with Him.
This book eventually made its way to Louis XIV for the purpose of tattling on her. Guyon was immediately arrested and imprisoned. Many of her books were gathered and burned. Not surprisingly, her influence grew even more.
Guyon's writing heavily influenced the Quakers and then a young man named John Wesley. Any familiar with the deep writings of Jesse Penn-Lewis would find it no surprise that Guyon's concepts are buried within.
During the 1920s this book made its way to China. It had a profound impact on the shaping of the heart of one we would know as Watchman Nee.
Fenelon? Count Zinzendorf? And, Hudson Taylor? All influenced by Guyon.
While these writings and this story carry fascination to me, the greater encouragement comes for all to realize we have the ability in Christ to shine over great distances and even centuries. Know Him and give Him room to extend through you into unimaginable regions of time and pockets of influence!
Monday, May 28, 2012
SATURATED WITH LOVE FOR GOD
The American church is long on activity and short on love for God. Even much of our past evangelistic clarions have called for preparation to go to heaven; not to dwell upon knowing God.
Thus, herds gather to do church stuff in church stuff ways with that inner yearn that our names be among those drawn from Father's hat at the Judgment.
Are we a people whose lips flow with public thankfulness and gratitude throughout our business days? Or are we, in general, more apt to faithfully assemble offering our stamp of approval at the end of services?
Strange isn't it that the greatest commandment of loving God--along with the second--are met with basic yawn for want of hearing what's working among us and how we can go do it in a way that generates creative interest.
Michael Molinos charged, Experience has shown that many believers, even after fifty years of this external exercise, are void of God. They are also full of themselves, having nothing of the true spiritual man except the name.
Our timid voices in song and our sterile body language during worship and praise--myself very much included--begs for thought to be given as to how we become a people intensely saturated with the love of God.
Such sacrifices of public praise designed to give vibrant honor to Him will leave us blessed while expanding a contagion within our needy communities.
Thus, herds gather to do church stuff in church stuff ways with that inner yearn that our names be among those drawn from Father's hat at the Judgment.
Are we a people whose lips flow with public thankfulness and gratitude throughout our business days? Or are we, in general, more apt to faithfully assemble offering our stamp of approval at the end of services?
Strange isn't it that the greatest commandment of loving God--along with the second--are met with basic yawn for want of hearing what's working among us and how we can go do it in a way that generates creative interest.
Michael Molinos charged, Experience has shown that many believers, even after fifty years of this external exercise, are void of God. They are also full of themselves, having nothing of the true spiritual man except the name.
Our timid voices in song and our sterile body language during worship and praise--myself very much included--begs for thought to be given as to how we become a people intensely saturated with the love of God.
Such sacrifices of public praise designed to give vibrant honor to Him will leave us blessed while expanding a contagion within our needy communities.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
NEW OR FEW
Archaic.
Nearly every church I know battles a choking power called traditionalism. Some congregations make the adjustments; but more fight for the-way-we've-always-done-it air 'til their dying breath. For these there is always that many are called but few are chosen passage coupled with the song God Bless the Narrow Way.
Some authors have been devoted to writing against change in the church and change agents. Shame on them.
God is the Lord of an eternal system which includes a great amount of perpetual new. He created creation and then calls all to become a new creation.
Archaic habit is not faithfulness. It is a death trap held tightly in the grip of comfort of any generation.....including mine. Those who want change today will not want it tomorrow. A new generation, therefore, will have to take up the same battle each has encountered along the way.
Honestly, I like how church is now. Yet, as one turning 65 I must evaluate whether I am new day by day or stuck. Stuck isn't good.
New doesn't imply skirting the Word. It means the opposite; continually maturing in it. New is not a three letter word from Satan. Rather it is a great hope for all generations.
Archaicism isn't a mark of "still being faithful", my friend. It is a mark of rigidity and unopenness to His Holy Word. New or few....stuck in tradition is not a sign of faithfulness.
Nearly every church I know battles a choking power called traditionalism. Some congregations make the adjustments; but more fight for the-way-we've-always-done-it air 'til their dying breath. For these there is always that many are called but few are chosen passage coupled with the song God Bless the Narrow Way.
Some authors have been devoted to writing against change in the church and change agents. Shame on them.
God is the Lord of an eternal system which includes a great amount of perpetual new. He created creation and then calls all to become a new creation.
Archaic habit is not faithfulness. It is a death trap held tightly in the grip of comfort of any generation.....including mine. Those who want change today will not want it tomorrow. A new generation, therefore, will have to take up the same battle each has encountered along the way.
Honestly, I like how church is now. Yet, as one turning 65 I must evaluate whether I am new day by day or stuck. Stuck isn't good.
New doesn't imply skirting the Word. It means the opposite; continually maturing in it. New is not a three letter word from Satan. Rather it is a great hope for all generations.
Archaicism isn't a mark of "still being faithful", my friend. It is a mark of rigidity and unopenness to His Holy Word. New or few....stuck in tradition is not a sign of faithfulness.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
WHY I DIDN'T LIKE JOHN 10:9
I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and shall find pasture.
Call me silly; but when I first became a student of the Word, I didn't like this passage. It gave us too much freedom; in and out. I guess mom's scolding words still rang in my head, Either get in or out; but quit opening that door!
Plus, with the adamant teaching in my newly found church that one could never be sure one is saved, I felt the Bible would be better off to say, Get in and stay in for you might go back out an be lost. After all, if one can be born again one can assuredly be lost again!
Ah, but the task of freedom and her radiant challenges to us narrow ones. Freedom, in and out, authorized by Him.
I marvel at the new life at Memorial Drive over these past ten or twelve years. As far as human engagement, I see the positive difference is created by our elders. They have not only led us, they have allowed themselves the freedom to grow in the Spirit with us.
Our four assertively lead with desire to get on board with the Spirit; regardless of fear or the threat of fear from others. These men are simply willing to go in and out with God's possibilities just to see if we might strike oil out in some of those pastures. Too many in their position keep tight reign on church efforts in the name of responsibility; yea even logic.
Yet, the Door Shepherd said I want that in and out flexibility in my sheep to find; to discover. The church discovers treasures of Father when we are given permission to search, to roam, and to simpy try. I am thankful for all elders like ours who remain eager to give-it-a-try with the assurance some of our ideas are ridiculous while others are just ridiculous enough they probably will work.
I didn't like John 10:9 because I thought is gave the sheep too much flexibility to move about and they would get in trouble. Ah, once again my perception was different than what Jesus had in mind. Go figure.
Call me silly; but when I first became a student of the Word, I didn't like this passage. It gave us too much freedom; in and out. I guess mom's scolding words still rang in my head, Either get in or out; but quit opening that door!
Plus, with the adamant teaching in my newly found church that one could never be sure one is saved, I felt the Bible would be better off to say, Get in and stay in for you might go back out an be lost. After all, if one can be born again one can assuredly be lost again!
Ah, but the task of freedom and her radiant challenges to us narrow ones. Freedom, in and out, authorized by Him.
I marvel at the new life at Memorial Drive over these past ten or twelve years. As far as human engagement, I see the positive difference is created by our elders. They have not only led us, they have allowed themselves the freedom to grow in the Spirit with us.
Our four assertively lead with desire to get on board with the Spirit; regardless of fear or the threat of fear from others. These men are simply willing to go in and out with God's possibilities just to see if we might strike oil out in some of those pastures. Too many in their position keep tight reign on church efforts in the name of responsibility; yea even logic.
Yet, the Door Shepherd said I want that in and out flexibility in my sheep to find; to discover. The church discovers treasures of Father when we are given permission to search, to roam, and to simpy try. I am thankful for all elders like ours who remain eager to give-it-a-try with the assurance some of our ideas are ridiculous while others are just ridiculous enough they probably will work.
I didn't like John 10:9 because I thought is gave the sheep too much flexibility to move about and they would get in trouble. Ah, once again my perception was different than what Jesus had in mind. Go figure.
Friday, May 25, 2012
THE THREE OR MAINLY CHURCH OF WE
For millions of Christians God is no more real than He is to the non-Christian. They go through life trying to love an ideal and be loyal to a mere principle.
A. W. Tozer made the above statement--thirty years ago. I think it to be stunning, alarming, and true.
How can this be?
I'll make a guess.
From experience, I believe God has become terribly unreal in churches because congregational doctrines have become the god-of-the-mind. What we believe has trumped Who we believe. While organizational arrangement excites the worker, Father has slipped in the religious rankings.
We are in deep need of experiencing God--the Lively One, the Profound One, the Active One.
Every congregation and each individual within must perpetually check ourselves that we not have taken on habit-rot. Personally, I am very comfortable with our church as is. Evidently, the younger generations do not find my comfort zone to offer an Experiential God.
Questions must be asked. Are these leaving us because of their true hunger for Him or simply because we have failed to design church around their preferred comfort zones? One thing for sure is that we must be a people that call all to know God and His suffering Son and His abiding Holy Spirit.
Without the Three, we are merely a bulky, sluggish, conglomerate of we.
A. W. Tozer made the above statement--thirty years ago. I think it to be stunning, alarming, and true.
How can this be?
I'll make a guess.
From experience, I believe God has become terribly unreal in churches because congregational doctrines have become the god-of-the-mind. What we believe has trumped Who we believe. While organizational arrangement excites the worker, Father has slipped in the religious rankings.
We are in deep need of experiencing God--the Lively One, the Profound One, the Active One.
Every congregation and each individual within must perpetually check ourselves that we not have taken on habit-rot. Personally, I am very comfortable with our church as is. Evidently, the younger generations do not find my comfort zone to offer an Experiential God.
Questions must be asked. Are these leaving us because of their true hunger for Him or simply because we have failed to design church around their preferred comfort zones? One thing for sure is that we must be a people that call all to know God and His suffering Son and His abiding Holy Spirit.
Without the Three, we are merely a bulky, sluggish, conglomerate of we.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
ONLY GOD
God isn't like us....but He surely likes us.
His ways aren't our ways....but He desires we make His ways ours.
Only God knows full life...we don't.
We each believe life is best guestimated and maneuvered via our own personal wisdom...but it isn't. How often we wish our comrades could gage needs and projects the way we see them. We assume we are superior to one another. Yet, not one of us is smart enough, sharp enough, nor spiritual enough to boast of our natural insights.
Only God....only God seems to have a grasp for the inner workings of true and abundant life. And well He should. He designed every one of them.
His ways aren't our ways....but He desires we make His ways ours.
Only God knows full life...we don't.
We each believe life is best guestimated and maneuvered via our own personal wisdom...but it isn't. How often we wish our comrades could gage needs and projects the way we see them. We assume we are superior to one another. Yet, not one of us is smart enough, sharp enough, nor spiritual enough to boast of our natural insights.
Only God....only God seems to have a grasp for the inner workings of true and abundant life. And well He should. He designed every one of them.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
ANTI-DEPRESSION SCRIPTURES
I battled depression severely my first decade and a half at Memorial Drive. It was a very good experience because I learned from that frustrating pit of the working hand of God. I was forced to lean upon Him for my efforts were often void of effectiveness. I could fix nothing.
But the Word changed my world. It pulled me into believing He could when I couldn't and that He willed such to be my new life. The following passages changed my whole life...no more depression.
Concerns? Yes.
Emotional and mental imprisonment? No more!
Phil. 4:4-9
Rom. 9:16
Ex. 14:13-14
Ps. 46:10
Isa. 40:28-31
Eph. 3:20
I Cor. 1:26-31
I Cor. 3:7
I Cor. 12:11
II Cor. 3:4-6
II Cor. 4:16-18
II Cor. 10:12
II Cor. 12:9-9-11
I Cor. 1:18-20
Phil. 4:11-13
But the Word changed my world. It pulled me into believing He could when I couldn't and that He willed such to be my new life. The following passages changed my whole life...no more depression.
Concerns? Yes.
Emotional and mental imprisonment? No more!
Phil. 4:4-9
Rom. 9:16
Ex. 14:13-14
Ps. 46:10
Isa. 40:28-31
Eph. 3:20
I Cor. 1:26-31
I Cor. 3:7
I Cor. 12:11
II Cor. 3:4-6
II Cor. 4:16-18
II Cor. 10:12
II Cor. 12:9-9-11
I Cor. 1:18-20
Phil. 4:11-13
Monday, May 21, 2012
THE GREAT NEED AMONG US
I see believers scurry to engage in meaningful works. I hear critics toss random opinions this way and that. Surely I fit into both categories at times.
The more I observe and the more I listen, one thing is strikingly apparent. There remains an extreme need for all of the professors and laborers to better know this one we call Jesus.
America is suffering damaging drought of the human spirit because He has been flatly rejected both in and out of the church. Unbelievers....well they don't believe Him. Believers....well we are too quick to suffer distraction from the one who holds hope.
The good news is we are free to return to the Well. It is clear our nation thirsts for something more than our earthly abundance. May awaken to the great need.
The more I observe and the more I listen, one thing is strikingly apparent. There remains an extreme need for all of the professors and laborers to better know this one we call Jesus.
America is suffering damaging drought of the human spirit because He has been flatly rejected both in and out of the church. Unbelievers....well they don't believe Him. Believers....well we are too quick to suffer distraction from the one who holds hope.
The good news is we are free to return to the Well. It is clear our nation thirsts for something more than our earthly abundance. May awaken to the great need.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
THE CONFRONTATION OF FRAGMENTATION
Nuclear man does not live with an ideology. He has shifted from the fixed and total forms of an ideology to more fluid ideological fragments. One of the most visible phenomena of our time is the tremendous exposure of man to divergent and often contrasting ideas, traditions, religious convictions, and lifestyles.
Through mass media he is confronted with the most paradoxical human experiences. He is confronted not only with the most elaborate and expensive attempts to save the life of one man by heart transplantation, but also with the powerlessness of the world to help when thousands of people die from lack of food.
He is confronted no only with man's ability to travel rapidly to another planet, but also with his hopeless impotence to end a senseless war on this planet. He is confronted not only with high-level discussions about human rights and Christian morality, but also with torture chambers in Brazil, Greece, and Vietnam.
He is confronted not only with incredible ingenuity that can build dams, change riverbeds and create fertile new lands, but also with earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes that can ruin in one hour more than man can build in a generation.
A man confronted with all this and trying to make sense of it cannot possibly deceive himself with one idea, concept, or thought system which could bring these contrasting images together into one consistent outlook on life.
The above piece was written by Henri Nouwen....in 1972....40 years ago.
Through mass media he is confronted with the most paradoxical human experiences. He is confronted not only with the most elaborate and expensive attempts to save the life of one man by heart transplantation, but also with the powerlessness of the world to help when thousands of people die from lack of food.
He is confronted no only with man's ability to travel rapidly to another planet, but also with his hopeless impotence to end a senseless war on this planet. He is confronted not only with high-level discussions about human rights and Christian morality, but also with torture chambers in Brazil, Greece, and Vietnam.
He is confronted not only with incredible ingenuity that can build dams, change riverbeds and create fertile new lands, but also with earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes that can ruin in one hour more than man can build in a generation.
A man confronted with all this and trying to make sense of it cannot possibly deceive himself with one idea, concept, or thought system which could bring these contrasting images together into one consistent outlook on life.
The above piece was written by Henri Nouwen....in 1972....40 years ago.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
WE ARE US
It appears that God is working with us at Memorial Drive....and we are simply elated. Along with that...we are grateful.
As a church family we make efforts here and there to initiate various community works. Some seem to do all right. Others, though, seem to be as garden seeds planted in the wrong time of the moon....lots of flowery leaves with hardly any fruit. I believe Jesus even noticed a tree of such description.
The good news is that some of our labors have taken root in the soil God would multiply.
It is quite a rewarding joy to see our efforts with both the homeless and the food pantry making a difference for others. With the former, food and water is taken to them. The latter has a long line of community members coming to us. This surely blesses those serving directly and then the by-product of touching the remainder of the congregation indirectly is a massive kingdom perk.
Another strategic move is a host of our members mentoring and extending leadership at the nearby public Lindberg Elementary School. Where this began with a hint of sponsorship, we now have multiple ministries going throughout the year; plus one of ours is now one of the teachers and another is an aid.
An exciting element is that our family gatherings on Sundays and Wednesdays find many of these new community friends sitting beside us. They bless us! We wanted them. We need them. We are them and they are us. Ah, at last we are us.
These dear folks perpetually open our hearts to the basic love nature of Jesus. All of this fits; it seems rather natural. He cared gobs for the underdog strugglers. To us it seems we are never more like him than when we are serving; even in zones we don't know how to operate. He just continues to do His work.
We sense his heart among us. Friendships are developing. Baptisms are happening. Awe is arising.
One of my favorite concepts about what His grace is doing for this church is that all of these ministries are not a we and them; but a clear we are us.
As a church family we make efforts here and there to initiate various community works. Some seem to do all right. Others, though, seem to be as garden seeds planted in the wrong time of the moon....lots of flowery leaves with hardly any fruit. I believe Jesus even noticed a tree of such description.
The good news is that some of our labors have taken root in the soil God would multiply.
It is quite a rewarding joy to see our efforts with both the homeless and the food pantry making a difference for others. With the former, food and water is taken to them. The latter has a long line of community members coming to us. This surely blesses those serving directly and then the by-product of touching the remainder of the congregation indirectly is a massive kingdom perk.
Another strategic move is a host of our members mentoring and extending leadership at the nearby public Lindberg Elementary School. Where this began with a hint of sponsorship, we now have multiple ministries going throughout the year; plus one of ours is now one of the teachers and another is an aid.
An exciting element is that our family gatherings on Sundays and Wednesdays find many of these new community friends sitting beside us. They bless us! We wanted them. We need them. We are them and they are us. Ah, at last we are us.
These dear folks perpetually open our hearts to the basic love nature of Jesus. All of this fits; it seems rather natural. He cared gobs for the underdog strugglers. To us it seems we are never more like him than when we are serving; even in zones we don't know how to operate. He just continues to do His work.
We sense his heart among us. Friendships are developing. Baptisms are happening. Awe is arising.
One of my favorite concepts about what His grace is doing for this church is that all of these ministries are not a we and them; but a clear we are us.
Monday, May 14, 2012
DON'T LET THE NEGATIVES ROOST IN YOUR HEART
I've not done well in overall life with the negatives. Other's and my own wear, no grind, on me. Hurtful comments, blank stares, and sinful acts indeed put the strain in our walk.
We must learn to let it go. If someone else or our own misstep, we must not allow these culprits to take us hostage. These must not be given permission to roost in our hearts.
I fought this for a long, long time. I either rehearsed the inflictions of others or beat upon myself for my sheer lack. But....I would not drop either mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. I drug the baggage---the every increasing baggage---with me day after day. Bummer.
And then God taught me to focus on those items going right. He did not ask for my denial of the difficult. He insisted I think upon the good, the excellent, the lovely, etc. of Philippians 4:4-9. Paul's words are life changers.....walk remodelers....for God's peace that passes understanding begins too roost in our hearts; not the negative junk.
A new world awaits all to be both explored and experienced. It is a choice. I say we go for it!
We must learn to let it go. If someone else or our own misstep, we must not allow these culprits to take us hostage. These must not be given permission to roost in our hearts.
I fought this for a long, long time. I either rehearsed the inflictions of others or beat upon myself for my sheer lack. But....I would not drop either mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. I drug the baggage---the every increasing baggage---with me day after day. Bummer.
And then God taught me to focus on those items going right. He did not ask for my denial of the difficult. He insisted I think upon the good, the excellent, the lovely, etc. of Philippians 4:4-9. Paul's words are life changers.....walk remodelers....for God's peace that passes understanding begins too roost in our hearts; not the negative junk.
A new world awaits all to be both explored and experienced. It is a choice. I say we go for it!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
WIDE-EYED IN THE KINGDOM
Conversion to Jesus thrusts us into a perpetual new normal.
Don't let scrapes and bruises pull your eyes away from the awe of His glory.
We live in a most amazing kingdom.
Explode in this life. Run wide-eyed into His schemes that human logic could never calculate.
Go for it!
Don't let scrapes and bruises pull your eyes away from the awe of His glory.
We live in a most amazing kingdom.
Explode in this life. Run wide-eyed into His schemes that human logic could never calculate.
Go for it!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
DEFIANT FAITH
As long as there is God there is reason to hope. Another way of saying it is THERE IS ALWAYS ABSOLUTE REASON TO HOPE.
Hope shakes a dead world. Hope rocks an empty one as well. We are to carry such an inextinguishable torch. As long as there is God, there is always reason to believe. As long as the grave remains empty, there is always reason to defy all odds by the application of faith.
In hope against hope Abraham believed; so says Romans 4:18. When one's hope cancels opposing hope, there is still reason to believe God's promises. Abraham believed such hope of he and Sarah having a child in old age. Sarah pushed back with a cancelling laughter. His hope against her hope; and God delivered His promise.
Our failures are largely when we abort Abraham's faith and take on Sarah's. Our hopelessness cancels true hope. We read the day's logic. We see both people and circumstances and then pass assumed superior judgment. Yet if such assessment is outside the realm of defiant faith, we lost another battle.
God's story is all about hope. Paul assured us that hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our very hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. What difference does the Holy Spirit make in this culture? In this age of believing?
He gives us a defiant hope that will not quake in the midst of betrayal, disappointment, or opposition. We have been handed reason to believe when others' hope would cancel ours. From Abraham becoming a father at great grandparent age to Jesus coming back from the dead, we have a call from God to walk by defiant faith.
Romans 4:17-25.
Let's roll!
Hope shakes a dead world. Hope rocks an empty one as well. We are to carry such an inextinguishable torch. As long as there is God, there is always reason to believe. As long as the grave remains empty, there is always reason to defy all odds by the application of faith.
In hope against hope Abraham believed; so says Romans 4:18. When one's hope cancels opposing hope, there is still reason to believe God's promises. Abraham believed such hope of he and Sarah having a child in old age. Sarah pushed back with a cancelling laughter. His hope against her hope; and God delivered His promise.
Our failures are largely when we abort Abraham's faith and take on Sarah's. Our hopelessness cancels true hope. We read the day's logic. We see both people and circumstances and then pass assumed superior judgment. Yet if such assessment is outside the realm of defiant faith, we lost another battle.
God's story is all about hope. Paul assured us that hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our very hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. What difference does the Holy Spirit make in this culture? In this age of believing?
He gives us a defiant hope that will not quake in the midst of betrayal, disappointment, or opposition. We have been handed reason to believe when others' hope would cancel ours. From Abraham becoming a father at great grandparent age to Jesus coming back from the dead, we have a call from God to walk by defiant faith.
Romans 4:17-25.
Let's roll!
Friday, May 11, 2012
THE GREATEST INFLUENCE NOBODY WANTS
One week from Sunday I will have the privilege of addressing the high school graduating class in my hometown. This is always a big deal to me. Not only is the trip nostalgic; the opportunity to share something meaningful to this group is both fascinating and breathtaking. Wowee!
One of the things I want to cover is the sheer friendship to be found in failure. Of course, the obvious reason this must be pointed out is that nobody wants it. Yet, failure is one of our greatest commodities.
Failure blesses as it keeps our thinking and determining faculties engaged. We must grow in understanding as to how to handle the dilemma at hand. Antonio Porchia said, A door opens to me. I go in and am faced with a hundred closed doors.
One of my most significant characteristics is how many times I have failed. I failed in temperament in delivering the Word in sermons. My anger overrode His call. I have failed in organization, in friendship, in husbanding and parenting, in preparation and deliverance, and by yielding to becoming what others wanted me to be instead of what He was thinking.
I know of no other man in my position in life who has failed more.
However, I am not discouraged. Rather, I am glad I get to be me. I have learned through this villain called failure and advantaged myself by using him as my fuel. Through the angst of failure I have learned how real people---from beneath bridge to atop celeb status--hurt.
I found Jesus to be the only source of rescue. May I ask how he got to such a position? Well, not via a Sheriff's badge handed to him by the Holy Spirit. He learned by the channels of disappointment and pain; even to the extent he was hung out to publicly die as the community's greatest fraudulent failure.
We must learn that this greatest influence nobody wants is precisely what we must have in our hearts in order to connect to a world gasping for life. Henri Nouwen spoke of this most accurately.
For the minister is called to recognize the sufferings of his time in his own heart and make that recognition the starting point of his service. Whether he tries to enter into a dislocated world, relate to a convulsive generation, or speak to a dying man, his service will not be perceived as authentic unless it comes from a heart wounded by the suffering about which he speaks.
We can spend hours in academics and years in comparative languages. There can be yearning for accomplishment and grappling for success. All the while a friend stands in the wings that we address as our absolute foe. Nobody wants this guy. He is known as failure.
But for the victor....we must let him teach us.
One of the things I want to cover is the sheer friendship to be found in failure. Of course, the obvious reason this must be pointed out is that nobody wants it. Yet, failure is one of our greatest commodities.
Failure blesses as it keeps our thinking and determining faculties engaged. We must grow in understanding as to how to handle the dilemma at hand. Antonio Porchia said, A door opens to me. I go in and am faced with a hundred closed doors.
One of my most significant characteristics is how many times I have failed. I failed in temperament in delivering the Word in sermons. My anger overrode His call. I have failed in organization, in friendship, in husbanding and parenting, in preparation and deliverance, and by yielding to becoming what others wanted me to be instead of what He was thinking.
I know of no other man in my position in life who has failed more.
However, I am not discouraged. Rather, I am glad I get to be me. I have learned through this villain called failure and advantaged myself by using him as my fuel. Through the angst of failure I have learned how real people---from beneath bridge to atop celeb status--hurt.
I found Jesus to be the only source of rescue. May I ask how he got to such a position? Well, not via a Sheriff's badge handed to him by the Holy Spirit. He learned by the channels of disappointment and pain; even to the extent he was hung out to publicly die as the community's greatest fraudulent failure.
We must learn that this greatest influence nobody wants is precisely what we must have in our hearts in order to connect to a world gasping for life. Henri Nouwen spoke of this most accurately.
For the minister is called to recognize the sufferings of his time in his own heart and make that recognition the starting point of his service. Whether he tries to enter into a dislocated world, relate to a convulsive generation, or speak to a dying man, his service will not be perceived as authentic unless it comes from a heart wounded by the suffering about which he speaks.
We can spend hours in academics and years in comparative languages. There can be yearning for accomplishment and grappling for success. All the while a friend stands in the wings that we address as our absolute foe. Nobody wants this guy. He is known as failure.
But for the victor....we must let him teach us.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
IS THE LOVE THERE?
Could it be our greatest challenge will always be the foremost commandment; to love God?
I know this may expose me for the weakness all about me and of me, but it was a long time coming that I really loved God.
During my early years after conversion in 1970 I was like a new Mormon rushing about American cemeteries gathering family lineage from tombstones. I was thrilled over the Restoration Movement; not the goal of it, but the historical marvel.
And then the being the only ones right, of course, is enamoring to a young convert who knew basically little about religion other than the B word....BORING. Thus, I quickly offended every relative at every family gathering for their stupidity had become remarkable to the new me.
Yet through the years, God has chosen to be kind to me. His grace is both immeasurable as well as indescribable. I have learned. I am not called to love the things of the kingdom or the notables of the church without first being crazy about Him.
And...I am.
I no longer talk to Him; but have daily dialog with Him. God gets the credit for anything which might prove productive in my life. It is God who is to be honored and adored.
And this I have learned. When there is no relationship, there is no worship. As one of our elders accurately points out, there must be an intense romance between God and the believer.
Is the love there? Debater? Organizer? Preacher? Elder? If the love isn't there, you now might weigh this prioritorial call from the Word once again.
I know this may expose me for the weakness all about me and of me, but it was a long time coming that I really loved God.
During my early years after conversion in 1970 I was like a new Mormon rushing about American cemeteries gathering family lineage from tombstones. I was thrilled over the Restoration Movement; not the goal of it, but the historical marvel.
And then the being the only ones right, of course, is enamoring to a young convert who knew basically little about religion other than the B word....BORING. Thus, I quickly offended every relative at every family gathering for their stupidity had become remarkable to the new me.
Yet through the years, God has chosen to be kind to me. His grace is both immeasurable as well as indescribable. I have learned. I am not called to love the things of the kingdom or the notables of the church without first being crazy about Him.
And...I am.
I no longer talk to Him; but have daily dialog with Him. God gets the credit for anything which might prove productive in my life. It is God who is to be honored and adored.
And this I have learned. When there is no relationship, there is no worship. As one of our elders accurately points out, there must be an intense romance between God and the believer.
Is the love there? Debater? Organizer? Preacher? Elder? If the love isn't there, you now might weigh this prioritorial call from the Word once again.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
NEWS
Have you ever pondered the term news? Is such not merely the plural of new?
The spirit of man seems to have been blessed by the Creator to hunger for the new(s).
News....man hungers for the fresh, the current, and the contemporary. Our happiest days are when they are filled with new(s) vs old; new(er) car, new clothes, and new(er) house. We live to obtain the news.
Isn't God's kingdom all about the news? New life, new song, new hope....new day by day?
The concept of Restoration is only right when it leads us to the news. Even the word GOSPEL means too good of new(s) to be true!
So here's what I experience in the church and in the kingdom. The news (those newer and newest items) are the very things for which the soul hungers. We are built upon growing toward the news of life.
Where society has been acclimated to believe the morning papers and the 5:00 News on TV are the news of the moment; not true. The real news are the new things God plants in the believers heart which can find no satisfaction in the old of the past; regardless of how we drag it along and shine it up as current.
Take a look at the new(er) generations. What are we experiencing? In many churches they are leaving. We aren't handed a task of pacifying these. We are very challenged, though, to estimate what it is among us we like that is old as well as satisfying and consider if there are many more new(s) needed which would authentically be from the Spirit of God.
The spirit of man seems to have been blessed by the Creator to hunger for the new(s).
News....man hungers for the fresh, the current, and the contemporary. Our happiest days are when they are filled with new(s) vs old; new(er) car, new clothes, and new(er) house. We live to obtain the news.
Isn't God's kingdom all about the news? New life, new song, new hope....new day by day?
The concept of Restoration is only right when it leads us to the news. Even the word GOSPEL means too good of new(s) to be true!
So here's what I experience in the church and in the kingdom. The news (those newer and newest items) are the very things for which the soul hungers. We are built upon growing toward the news of life.
Where society has been acclimated to believe the morning papers and the 5:00 News on TV are the news of the moment; not true. The real news are the new things God plants in the believers heart which can find no satisfaction in the old of the past; regardless of how we drag it along and shine it up as current.
Take a look at the new(er) generations. What are we experiencing? In many churches they are leaving. We aren't handed a task of pacifying these. We are very challenged, though, to estimate what it is among us we like that is old as well as satisfying and consider if there are many more new(s) needed which would authentically be from the Spirit of God.
Monday, May 07, 2012
HOW TO CHANGE THINGS WHEN CHANGE IS HARD
Chip and Dan Heath wrote a book a few years back titled Switch (How to Change Things When Change is Hard). One connected to Stanford University and the other to Duke, these brothers are a part of the Churches of Christ tradition. Their publications are brilliant.
Chip and Dan wrote of a change that took place at Lovelace Hospital in Albuquerque under the guidance of Kathleen Davis, a registered nurse, and Susan Wood, a consultant who specialized in Appreciative Inquiry; a process for changing organizations by studying what's working rather than what's not.
Since this hospital had a rather high turnover rate, Wood asked the nurses what made their jobs satisfying. She recalled, These nurses were beaten down and overworked, but as soon as we started them in a conversation about what they were good at, the tone changed. Not only did the hospital observe immediate satisfaction among the nursing staff, surveys indicated this satisfaction has spread to the patients as well.
Eight years ago I determined to become a different and improved leader at Memorial Drive. I decided to let our staff and our elders hear me speak of their value to this flock. True, not one of these men is perfect for who is? But each is ideal; highly effective, powerful, important, admired, and loved.
I have a question I like to toss, Do you know what I like about you? No one has a law against hearing what is good about himself. No one.
True, there are many ways to make many changes. We are about improvement day by day. I have found that bragging to our staff about our staff is both important and productive.
If you want to see things change in your line of work, try what the nurses did. Speak of what it is your colleagues are good at....and see if God doesn't keep His promise of Ephesians 4:30 and following. Maybe we, too, would do well to speak of what's working.
Chip and Dan wrote of a change that took place at Lovelace Hospital in Albuquerque under the guidance of Kathleen Davis, a registered nurse, and Susan Wood, a consultant who specialized in Appreciative Inquiry; a process for changing organizations by studying what's working rather than what's not.
Since this hospital had a rather high turnover rate, Wood asked the nurses what made their jobs satisfying. She recalled, These nurses were beaten down and overworked, but as soon as we started them in a conversation about what they were good at, the tone changed. Not only did the hospital observe immediate satisfaction among the nursing staff, surveys indicated this satisfaction has spread to the patients as well.
Eight years ago I determined to become a different and improved leader at Memorial Drive. I decided to let our staff and our elders hear me speak of their value to this flock. True, not one of these men is perfect for who is? But each is ideal; highly effective, powerful, important, admired, and loved.
I have a question I like to toss, Do you know what I like about you? No one has a law against hearing what is good about himself. No one.
True, there are many ways to make many changes. We are about improvement day by day. I have found that bragging to our staff about our staff is both important and productive.
If you want to see things change in your line of work, try what the nurses did. Speak of what it is your colleagues are good at....and see if God doesn't keep His promise of Ephesians 4:30 and following. Maybe we, too, would do well to speak of what's working.
Sunday, May 06, 2012
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
One buzz phrase among us is Spiritual Formation. It is a good thing. Each time I hear it referenced it is usually by someone I greatly admire. And surely these proponents can see huge gaps in me as my years of service missed the blessings these guys and gals embrace of valuable insight.
In revisiting II Cor. 12:5-11 recently, the thought occurred to me that Spiritual Formation is most definitely embedded within this text. Suffering and difficulties and persecution are robust necessities of our spiritual grooming. The benefits are about endurance coupled with the underlying truth one will learn to not run away from disappointment or disruption.
To dismiss these basic grooming tools is to talk the talk and yet fail to be spiritually formed.
Spiritual Formation is central to discipleship. Discipleship is keyed off of discipline. Discipline is the School of Hard Knocks in the kingdom that trains ambitious men and women to endure. Jesus is our Master example. He would not quit and when opponents did away with him Father brought him back.
The fundamental concept from the SoHK is one thing; learning to not get our way. (Sorry, folks, it's a bummer isn't it?)
Negative committees and contolling leaders and local naggers and narrow harpers will eventually do away with us...and well...this should happen to us. If we are going to learn to hold on---not give up---we will only do so through the church boot camp of extreme stress. This is a blessing; not the curse initially assumed
In my early years I badly wanted to be somebody; a Charles Coil, a Marvin, or a McGuiggan. But I was stuck with me and this wasn't enough to be a somebody.
Yet, this Corinthian text declares that Paul's self-assessment was he was a nobody. I believe it of him for he had been spiritually formed. Now I believe it of myself. I am more of a nobody than Paul...and do you know what? I don't mind it at all. It is the truth and now I am freed from the slavery of being someone I am not.
Spiritual Formation is a relatively new term among us over the past couple of decades. Yet, the rugged dog-days of not getting our way has been around a bit longer. The moments are friends to those serious about learning the Master plan.
After my counsel sought by them, I have pleaded with many a good man to not give up his preaching call. Each would write me with explanation that it was just too difficult, unfair, and dark where they served. Yes....I agree with their assessment...but not their conclusion.
Rough times are never an occasion to quit. They are always the inspiration to let such trauma and frustration serve as yet another Spiritual Formation class. These are the best training schools....and so often....they are free.
In Winston Churchill's words upon post World War II, Never, never, never give up. Should you be serious about Spiritual Formation, begin by noting the training courses you tried to escape. Don't sigh in frustration. Smile in this learning process.
I'm still going to school.
In revisiting II Cor. 12:5-11 recently, the thought occurred to me that Spiritual Formation is most definitely embedded within this text. Suffering and difficulties and persecution are robust necessities of our spiritual grooming. The benefits are about endurance coupled with the underlying truth one will learn to not run away from disappointment or disruption.
To dismiss these basic grooming tools is to talk the talk and yet fail to be spiritually formed.
Spiritual Formation is central to discipleship. Discipleship is keyed off of discipline. Discipline is the School of Hard Knocks in the kingdom that trains ambitious men and women to endure. Jesus is our Master example. He would not quit and when opponents did away with him Father brought him back.
The fundamental concept from the SoHK is one thing; learning to not get our way. (Sorry, folks, it's a bummer isn't it?)
Negative committees and contolling leaders and local naggers and narrow harpers will eventually do away with us...and well...this should happen to us. If we are going to learn to hold on---not give up---we will only do so through the church boot camp of extreme stress. This is a blessing; not the curse initially assumed
In my early years I badly wanted to be somebody; a Charles Coil, a Marvin, or a McGuiggan. But I was stuck with me and this wasn't enough to be a somebody.
Yet, this Corinthian text declares that Paul's self-assessment was he was a nobody. I believe it of him for he had been spiritually formed. Now I believe it of myself. I am more of a nobody than Paul...and do you know what? I don't mind it at all. It is the truth and now I am freed from the slavery of being someone I am not.
Spiritual Formation is a relatively new term among us over the past couple of decades. Yet, the rugged dog-days of not getting our way has been around a bit longer. The moments are friends to those serious about learning the Master plan.
After my counsel sought by them, I have pleaded with many a good man to not give up his preaching call. Each would write me with explanation that it was just too difficult, unfair, and dark where they served. Yes....I agree with their assessment...but not their conclusion.
Rough times are never an occasion to quit. They are always the inspiration to let such trauma and frustration serve as yet another Spiritual Formation class. These are the best training schools....and so often....they are free.
In Winston Churchill's words upon post World War II, Never, never, never give up. Should you be serious about Spiritual Formation, begin by noting the training courses you tried to escape. Don't sigh in frustration. Smile in this learning process.
I'm still going to school.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
PEPPERDINE: SOMETHING'S GOING ON
I'm home!
I'm without a lot of sleep; yet my spirit is filled to the brim with gratitude for my trip to Pepperdine.
Something's going on. I first noticed it at the Tulsa Workshop and then again this week at the lectures along the western shore.
That something is God. He is going on.
When speakers comments are based upon the Word and one after another seems to speak the same language, God is going on. There is a harmony without cynicism present. There is a willingness to dream without caution from the business mind these days.
Whether Rick or Dusty or Randy or Jeff or Monte or Jerry or others, the theme just kept building. The Pepperdine event was another touch of the Holy Spirit continuation of kingdom reality.
For me, I'm just getting started in ministry. And....it surely is encouraging to get to learn beside and among a segment of Christianity that insists upon holding fast to the Word of God rather than the divisive traditions of men.
A great week. I'm wonderfully exhausted!
I'm without a lot of sleep; yet my spirit is filled to the brim with gratitude for my trip to Pepperdine.
Something's going on. I first noticed it at the Tulsa Workshop and then again this week at the lectures along the western shore.
That something is God. He is going on.
When speakers comments are based upon the Word and one after another seems to speak the same language, God is going on. There is a harmony without cynicism present. There is a willingness to dream without caution from the business mind these days.
Whether Rick or Dusty or Randy or Jeff or Monte or Jerry or others, the theme just kept building. The Pepperdine event was another touch of the Holy Spirit continuation of kingdom reality.
For me, I'm just getting started in ministry. And....it surely is encouraging to get to learn beside and among a segment of Christianity that insists upon holding fast to the Word of God rather than the divisive traditions of men.
A great week. I'm wonderfully exhausted!
Friday, May 04, 2012
JERRY RUSHFORD GOES TO THE STAGE
In a few hours history will note a the final Pepperdine Lectures presentation by Jerry Rushford as he tops off his thirty years of directing this most popular and productive kingdom event. I await with great anticipation.
For three decades this man has availed himself to the living and breathing God for guidance, direction, and leadership. For three decades the churches of Christ have been moved to higher ground by messengers delivering powerful words from the Word...year after year and lecture after lecture...as these most inspiring themes arose from Jerry's Spirit-sensitive mind.
I am like a kid knowing I am about to be taken to the game tonight. Yet, this event isn't a game; it will be an historic moment of God once again using one of His more popular tools....Jerry.
I've prayed for this friend all week. I have wept as I feel the emotion tonight will sky-rocket into such soaring levels that I just hope my friend can hold together. I can't wait to see how this man will be honored. It will be a big deal....and a very deserved deal.
Jerry Rushford....you are a good man.....and I'm proud of your moment where this segment of our church families can give you profound applause and recognition! I salute you!
For three decades this man has availed himself to the living and breathing God for guidance, direction, and leadership. For three decades the churches of Christ have been moved to higher ground by messengers delivering powerful words from the Word...year after year and lecture after lecture...as these most inspiring themes arose from Jerry's Spirit-sensitive mind.
I am like a kid knowing I am about to be taken to the game tonight. Yet, this event isn't a game; it will be an historic moment of God once again using one of His more popular tools....Jerry.
I've prayed for this friend all week. I have wept as I feel the emotion tonight will sky-rocket into such soaring levels that I just hope my friend can hold together. I can't wait to see how this man will be honored. It will be a big deal....and a very deserved deal.
Jerry Rushford....you are a good man.....and I'm proud of your moment where this segment of our church families can give you profound applause and recognition! I salute you!
Thursday, May 03, 2012
A QUESTION FROM A "RADICAL FAITH" COMMENT
Anonymous said...
I'm confused. To what are you referring when you say "narrow and squint-eyed formulas" that have been added to the Word of God? Please expand on that if you will.
I'm not surprised I would be confusing. I surely have the ability to be unclear. Let me mention a couple of things that have shown up in our work as if God's Word teaches such.
- In giving God your best, women cannot wear pantsuits.
- It is not biblical that songs be sung during communion.
- You cannot bounced on your toes when singing in church. How do you expect your kids to follow God when you behave like that in church?
- Collections for the Lord's work cannot be taken on any day other than Sunday.
- Matters of some announcements under suspicion must be done before the opening prayer or after the closing one to please God.
- Only the KJV is God's true version of the Bible.
- Those who raise their hands in services are Pentecostal.
- Two congregations cannot sponsor one work.
- Pepperdine, ACU, and the Tulsa Workshop fail to follow the Word of God.
- It is not scriptural to listen to Christian music on the radio that involves instruments.
- It is not scriptural that boys and girls mix swim.
- The Holy Spirit only works through the Word.
- If "Church of Christ" isn't over the door, it isn't a true church.
- The divorced are second class church members.
I'm sure readers have others to add. What would be a few you see?
Monday, April 30, 2012
WHAT OCCUPIES OUR MINDS?
I find myself thinking constantly about what it will take for the life of Christ to reign supreme in this day. Just now I put down the Tulsa World after reading of Christians in Nigeria--including the Church of Christ--being gunned down by Islamic terrorists.
Praise God for the believers' faith! May He be glorified under such extreme slainery.
We are called to believe big. May we do so. May we do so at no regard for earth-life; but with great assessment of the value of the spirit life.
Church just isn't about striping parking lots or music preference. The more we nudge up against terroristic darkness, the more we will note the purpose of an intense faith.
We are called to live for Him by dying to ourselves. For me this takes an evident combination of practice and repeated failure. Yet the call from Jesus' voice remains clear. If we are to impact a struggling world, we will pay big prices.
The day is surely subtle; yet raw threat inches closer when it will no longer be theory but reality. For those in Nigeria...it already came.
May the sobriety of following Jesus occupy our minds a bit more day by day.
Praise God for the believers' faith! May He be glorified under such extreme slainery.
We are called to believe big. May we do so. May we do so at no regard for earth-life; but with great assessment of the value of the spirit life.
Church just isn't about striping parking lots or music preference. The more we nudge up against terroristic darkness, the more we will note the purpose of an intense faith.
We are called to live for Him by dying to ourselves. For me this takes an evident combination of practice and repeated failure. Yet the call from Jesus' voice remains clear. If we are to impact a struggling world, we will pay big prices.
The day is surely subtle; yet raw threat inches closer when it will no longer be theory but reality. For those in Nigeria...it already came.
May the sobriety of following Jesus occupy our minds a bit more day by day.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
JESUS the LIVE WIRE
This man Jesus is not the tame VBS puppet many imagine. He is a Force to be faced and a Friend to be trusted.
Jesus is a ruiner of human reason; that very essence we pride ourselves in developing.
He can never be defined for as surely as we begin to track him; he breaks out in some new zone that wrecks our church formulas.
Jesus is the stirrer we grow to love.
We find he is more than a mention at prayer's conclusion. Too, he is more than good to the kiddies. Jesus was so strong he could die without defense. He was so dead he would rise at Father's whisper. And he is so alive he brings upheaval to a reasonable stability known as life.
Jesus takes such positive upset and transforms it into the most advanced cause in the world...the kingdom of God. Remarkable isn't it? This live wire requests abode within each of us.
Jesus is a ruiner of human reason; that very essence we pride ourselves in developing.
He can never be defined for as surely as we begin to track him; he breaks out in some new zone that wrecks our church formulas.
Jesus is the stirrer we grow to love.
We find he is more than a mention at prayer's conclusion. Too, he is more than good to the kiddies. Jesus was so strong he could die without defense. He was so dead he would rise at Father's whisper. And he is so alive he brings upheaval to a reasonable stability known as life.
Jesus takes such positive upset and transforms it into the most advanced cause in the world...the kingdom of God. Remarkable isn't it? This live wire requests abode within each of us.
Friday, April 27, 2012
RADICAL FAITH
Radical seems sorta radical, don't you think?
Radical about sports, radical surgery, and promises of radical weight loss are only a smidgen of the possibilities.
In ways, the term radical has taken a hit at the knees. There was the Boston Movement. Before that it was Crossroads. Unknowingly, before that I was being drawn into the Churches of Christ. Firm, unbending, valiant for the truth, radical commitment seemed to be the course.
However, due to narrow and squint-eyed added formulas to the rich Word of God, radical has become a term of suspicion if not malignant in nature.
Yet, isn't faith in the invisibles radical? Don't we suffer as a people because radical assurance of His working hand wanes? Have we possibly engaged in a global church sleepology that has left our general populace doped to the threat of radical Islam and its proponents?
Have we assembled in church houses in rows for so long that entrance and exit is down pat and our big wish is to go to heaven when we die?
Radical is exemplary in Jesus; his love, his compassion, and his sacrifice. We aren't necessary (well I'm not close) near the radicality of Jesus and his discipling work, but we are favorable to awakening and growing.
May we be a people who are not found asleep at the switch while radical groups that oppose the life of Christ form strong alliance. We must awaken to the need of faith development; not only in our children....but in ourselves.
Radical about sports, radical surgery, and promises of radical weight loss are only a smidgen of the possibilities.
In ways, the term radical has taken a hit at the knees. There was the Boston Movement. Before that it was Crossroads. Unknowingly, before that I was being drawn into the Churches of Christ. Firm, unbending, valiant for the truth, radical commitment seemed to be the course.
However, due to narrow and squint-eyed added formulas to the rich Word of God, radical has become a term of suspicion if not malignant in nature.
Yet, isn't faith in the invisibles radical? Don't we suffer as a people because radical assurance of His working hand wanes? Have we possibly engaged in a global church sleepology that has left our general populace doped to the threat of radical Islam and its proponents?
Have we assembled in church houses in rows for so long that entrance and exit is down pat and our big wish is to go to heaven when we die?
Radical is exemplary in Jesus; his love, his compassion, and his sacrifice. We aren't necessary (well I'm not close) near the radicality of Jesus and his discipling work, but we are favorable to awakening and growing.
May we be a people who are not found asleep at the switch while radical groups that oppose the life of Christ form strong alliance. We must awaken to the need of faith development; not only in our children....but in ourselves.
PEPPERDINE: THE PRESSURE IS ON
Next week begins the beloved Pepperdine Lectures.
This one is especially significant as my friend Jerry Rushford retires from the directorship and passes the baton to Mike Cope. Jerry will preach the ending keynote on Friday evening. I have prayed for his presentation throughout since his announcement on closing night of last year.
I find one rather pressing matter and I fear that with all Jerry has to manage, he may have forgotten.
I have been eagerly anticipating being awarded by Jerry and the Pepperdine crew an Honorary Doctorate! I say, Why not? Jerry is a master at honoring various works, ministries, and missions. Why not me receive an Honorary Doctorate from Pepperdine? I can just hear the cheering and applause!
I fear Jerry does not have the same vision as I. Oh well, I will just be on the edge of my seat anyway. If it doesn't happen Tuesday then maybe Wednesday....all the way through Friday night....I shall hope.
The pressure is on....as you can tell! If I am presented with even a facsimile award....I will do my best to smile, remain humble, and sign a few autographs immediately after the picture taking.
This one is especially significant as my friend Jerry Rushford retires from the directorship and passes the baton to Mike Cope. Jerry will preach the ending keynote on Friday evening. I have prayed for his presentation throughout since his announcement on closing night of last year.
I find one rather pressing matter and I fear that with all Jerry has to manage, he may have forgotten.
I have been eagerly anticipating being awarded by Jerry and the Pepperdine crew an Honorary Doctorate! I say, Why not? Jerry is a master at honoring various works, ministries, and missions. Why not me receive an Honorary Doctorate from Pepperdine? I can just hear the cheering and applause!
I fear Jerry does not have the same vision as I. Oh well, I will just be on the edge of my seat anyway. If it doesn't happen Tuesday then maybe Wednesday....all the way through Friday night....I shall hope.
The pressure is on....as you can tell! If I am presented with even a facsimile award....I will do my best to smile, remain humble, and sign a few autographs immediately after the picture taking.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
FEAR NOT. THERE ARE MORE OF US THAN THEM.
II Kings 6 contains that Elisha encounter with his servant who became afraid when, retrieving the morning paper in the driveway, he looked up to find the entire property was surrounded by a large enemy force.
Yikes!
Yet, Elisha simply prayed that the servants eyes be opened to reality....there are more of us than them.
I like how Francis Schaeffer frames it, To the young man this must have seemed pretty cold comfort at that moment. But very quickly it became a realistic comfort, an actuality: "And Elisha prayed and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."
At that moment the young man did not have any more problems!
From our point of consideration, however, the significant thing is that the prayer was not that something would come. It was already there. The only difference was that the young man's eyes had to be opened to see what Elisha already saw.
The supernatural was not something far off, it was there. All the young man needed was to have his eyes opened to see it.
Mighty words Mr. Schaeffer points out for us this morning! Mighty words. It appears we may be wishing help would get here when our prayers should be more properly based upon the need for our eyes to be opened to see the help already standing by.
Yikes!
Yet, Elisha simply prayed that the servants eyes be opened to reality....there are more of us than them.
I like how Francis Schaeffer frames it, To the young man this must have seemed pretty cold comfort at that moment. But very quickly it became a realistic comfort, an actuality: "And Elisha prayed and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."
At that moment the young man did not have any more problems!
From our point of consideration, however, the significant thing is that the prayer was not that something would come. It was already there. The only difference was that the young man's eyes had to be opened to see what Elisha already saw.
The supernatural was not something far off, it was there. All the young man needed was to have his eyes opened to see it.
Mighty words Mr. Schaeffer points out for us this morning! Mighty words. It appears we may be wishing help would get here when our prayers should be more properly based upon the need for our eyes to be opened to see the help already standing by.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
SEES THE MOMENT
It took me the longest time to refrain from shopping the Bible rather than simply learning to see Jesus at work. I had too many arguments to win and too many texts to prove. There was no time for observing the Master at his craft; seeing people.
But here's what I've learned while watching Jesus move about earth's populated terrain. Jesus sees the moment.
That's different from me. I don't see the moment for I'm building vision for the future. Jesus, though, is profound because he sees the moment. A thirsty woman, a wee one up a tree, or an uninvited bawl-baby at his feet, Jesus sees the moment.
I like to do what I can to mimic him.
The last time I was at Busch Stadium I saw six rows down and to my left an elderly usher snap at a four year old to "Sit down in your seat!". She moved on unaware of the damage control needed. Hurt feelings were strewn everywhere.
I studied that scene for a moment as I'm trying to focus on the game. However, I could not help but see the youngster folded in his mothers arms sobbing away as "that mean woman" had left shrapnel all over his row.
I eventually walked down to the now vacant seat and sat next to momma and child. Excuse me for interrupting, but I go around giving dollars to good boys. I was wondering if your son could use a dollar just now. His face, raw with tears, turned toward me and he believed that dollar might help.
Obviously, it did.
May we all do what we can to sees the moment. Jesus did.
But here's what I've learned while watching Jesus move about earth's populated terrain. Jesus sees the moment.
That's different from me. I don't see the moment for I'm building vision for the future. Jesus, though, is profound because he sees the moment. A thirsty woman, a wee one up a tree, or an uninvited bawl-baby at his feet, Jesus sees the moment.
I like to do what I can to mimic him.
The last time I was at Busch Stadium I saw six rows down and to my left an elderly usher snap at a four year old to "Sit down in your seat!". She moved on unaware of the damage control needed. Hurt feelings were strewn everywhere.
I studied that scene for a moment as I'm trying to focus on the game. However, I could not help but see the youngster folded in his mothers arms sobbing away as "that mean woman" had left shrapnel all over his row.
I eventually walked down to the now vacant seat and sat next to momma and child. Excuse me for interrupting, but I go around giving dollars to good boys. I was wondering if your son could use a dollar just now. His face, raw with tears, turned toward me and he believed that dollar might help.
Obviously, it did.
May we all do what we can to sees the moment. Jesus did.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
CARD POUNDING
Marvin Phillips endured a grueling 12 hour heart surgery Friday. He remains in critical condition while the surgery is regarded a success.
It would be good to give this man a Card Pounding, don't you think?
Marvin Phillips
St. Francis Hospital
6161 S. Yale
Tulsa, OK. 74136
Pound away!
It would be good to give this man a Card Pounding, don't you think?
Marvin Phillips
St. Francis Hospital
6161 S. Yale
Tulsa, OK. 74136
Pound away!
Monday, April 23, 2012
IF SNOPES DOESN'T KNOW THIS YET; AT LEAST YOU DO
Snopes knows stuff. One can type in a question and Snopes knows answers.
So, Snopes, is it true Francis Chan is scheduled to speak at the Tulsa Workshop next year?
While Snopes does the necessary research, allow me to field that question.
The correct answer is Yes; Francis Chan is scheduled to speak twice at the Tulsa Workshop in March 2013. He is to do the Thursday evening keynote and the 11:00 a.m. keynote on Friday.
And how did that come about?
I invited him.
But there is more.
I invited him in 2011for the '13 workshop. A response said Mr. Chan was all booked throughout '11 and '12. I responded that my invitation was for the year 2013. A second response came back, He's busy then, too.
But then I learned that my friend, Wes Woodell, knew Francis personally. Wes was able to speak with him personally about the workshop and the next thing I knew, we had Mr. Chan on the program.
True; Snopes may not know this, yet. But you do! I think you will want to be here!
So, Snopes, is it true Francis Chan is scheduled to speak at the Tulsa Workshop next year?
While Snopes does the necessary research, allow me to field that question.
The correct answer is Yes; Francis Chan is scheduled to speak twice at the Tulsa Workshop in March 2013. He is to do the Thursday evening keynote and the 11:00 a.m. keynote on Friday.
And how did that come about?
I invited him.
But there is more.
I invited him in 2011for the '13 workshop. A response said Mr. Chan was all booked throughout '11 and '12. I responded that my invitation was for the year 2013. A second response came back, He's busy then, too.
But then I learned that my friend, Wes Woodell, knew Francis personally. Wes was able to speak with him personally about the workshop and the next thing I knew, we had Mr. Chan on the program.
True; Snopes may not know this, yet. But you do! I think you will want to be here!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
WHAT CHURCHES NEED MOST
It isn't difficult to look over a neighboring congregation to see what they need most. Our critical eyes have a sense of what might be useful for others. Judgment usually works that way.
Yet having spent a few years in ministry, I can say that I believe that which is needed most at the church where I get to serve (as well as all others) is simply the Son of God.
Jesus will forever be the one prominent need each of us crave. More. More of Jesus.
What we need first and foremost isn't better giving or better attendance or better preaching or better organization. It is the simplicity of believing the talent and loving the presence of Jesus that each church surely finds to be the greatest.
Jesus is the name above all names. He isn't an honorary icon; but is the breath and the life of the kingdom operations.
Regardless of what your congregation wishes it had, a thorough inspection of being crazy over Jesus within the hearts of our members will always be a good place to begin evaluation.
Yet having spent a few years in ministry, I can say that I believe that which is needed most at the church where I get to serve (as well as all others) is simply the Son of God.
Jesus will forever be the one prominent need each of us crave. More. More of Jesus.
What we need first and foremost isn't better giving or better attendance or better preaching or better organization. It is the simplicity of believing the talent and loving the presence of Jesus that each church surely finds to be the greatest.
Jesus is the name above all names. He isn't an honorary icon; but is the breath and the life of the kingdom operations.
Regardless of what your congregation wishes it had, a thorough inspection of being crazy over Jesus within the hearts of our members will always be a good place to begin evaluation.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
CHARLES COLSON: LEADER IN STARTING LIFE OVER
A special leader in the Christian world has died. Charles Colson, in my estimation, was a tremendous example of God's call to man to start life over.
I met Mr. Colson on a couple of occasions. We volleyed letters here and there. I know of no other to speak with such mighty conviction and passion.
The first time I heard him preach was at a COBE conference in California. When he had completed an evening keynote, I stood in a long line to meet him. I told him I stood in line to apologize to him for my judgmental misbehavior toward him for I had assumed he was a politician capitalizing on the Christian commodity.
In essence he had done just that; but from a perspective I had not seen coming. He was amazing.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. said it well; "For nearly four decades, Chuck Colson's life and example have been a constant and necessary reminder to those of us in and out of public office of the seductions of power and the rewards of service. His famous redemption story and tireless advocacy on behalf of the marginalized and the outcast have called all of us to a deeper reflection on our lives and priorities. He lives on as a modern model of redemption and a permanent rebuttal to the cynical claim that there are no second chances in life."
I learned a lot from studying this man serve. I applaud Jesus for making a difference for this powerful man who was once humiliated and then transformed into a liberator of souls.
I met Mr. Colson on a couple of occasions. We volleyed letters here and there. I know of no other to speak with such mighty conviction and passion.
The first time I heard him preach was at a COBE conference in California. When he had completed an evening keynote, I stood in a long line to meet him. I told him I stood in line to apologize to him for my judgmental misbehavior toward him for I had assumed he was a politician capitalizing on the Christian commodity.
In essence he had done just that; but from a perspective I had not seen coming. He was amazing.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. said it well; "For nearly four decades, Chuck Colson's life and example have been a constant and necessary reminder to those of us in and out of public office of the seductions of power and the rewards of service. His famous redemption story and tireless advocacy on behalf of the marginalized and the outcast have called all of us to a deeper reflection on our lives and priorities. He lives on as a modern model of redemption and a permanent rebuttal to the cynical claim that there are no second chances in life."
I learned a lot from studying this man serve. I applaud Jesus for making a difference for this powerful man who was once humiliated and then transformed into a liberator of souls.
YOUR PATIENCE PLEASE
I am experiencing temporary difficulty with my blog.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for your patience.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
IF LOST IS LOST, HOW SAVED WOULD SAVED BE?
Man has lost his way.
CNN proves it. FOX proves it. Politics proves it. Neighbors prove it. I prove it.
Did any of you read about Rick Woodsmall stabbing a man to death in a bar in Florida this week? This 60 year old has been troubled since he was in grade school. I know. I went to school with him.
Man has lost his way.
If we are assuredly and deeply lost (and we are before meeting Jesus), how saved must we be when drawn to him?
It seems to me we are as super saved after encountering the Master of Life on the scale of how super lost one is without him. With no Savior one is not sorta lost or a little bit lost...the loss is disastrous!
With a Savior? Salvation can't begin to communicate how saved saved would be!
Have any of you ever thought that being saved merely means not going to Hell? In my kid and teen years, I believed Heaven meant longer and even more boring church services that did not come in color; but in gray clouds of mystic hoverings. It wouldn't be very exciting; but it would beat burning.
However, when we look at the train wreck of lostness we must wonder at the celebration of being saved. Due to Jesus, we experience abundant life now and forevermore.
The lostness of lost is catastrophic. The salvation of savedness is too good to be true. Therefore, we shall not shrink due to the bad news. We shall, rather, explode that the good news can land on bad news ears.
It did ours!
CNN proves it. FOX proves it. Politics proves it. Neighbors prove it. I prove it.
Did any of you read about Rick Woodsmall stabbing a man to death in a bar in Florida this week? This 60 year old has been troubled since he was in grade school. I know. I went to school with him.
Man has lost his way.
If we are assuredly and deeply lost (and we are before meeting Jesus), how saved must we be when drawn to him?
It seems to me we are as super saved after encountering the Master of Life on the scale of how super lost one is without him. With no Savior one is not sorta lost or a little bit lost...the loss is disastrous!
With a Savior? Salvation can't begin to communicate how saved saved would be!
Have any of you ever thought that being saved merely means not going to Hell? In my kid and teen years, I believed Heaven meant longer and even more boring church services that did not come in color; but in gray clouds of mystic hoverings. It wouldn't be very exciting; but it would beat burning.
However, when we look at the train wreck of lostness we must wonder at the celebration of being saved. Due to Jesus, we experience abundant life now and forevermore.
The lostness of lost is catastrophic. The salvation of savedness is too good to be true. Therefore, we shall not shrink due to the bad news. We shall, rather, explode that the good news can land on bad news ears.
It did ours!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
"TERRY, DON'T QUIT YOUR SUNDAY JOB."
St. Louis Cardinal legend Curt Flood, upon noting my severe lack of baseball talent, gave me the above advice.
This coming July 15, Lord willing, I'll be celebrating 35 years with my Sunday job at Memorial Drive. That seems impossible, unreal, exciting, thrilling, stirring, and unbelievable! How could a man so completely inept get to be at such a fabulous church....for so long?
I am not the boy with the fish and loaves. Rather, I feel like I am the sack lunch. I am so inadequate and nothing; yet, He lets me feed thousands. Every time I unlock my office doors of a morning, I believe I know how lottery winners feel.
I love my Sunday job!
My first Sunday job lasted one year. My second, two. I developed a philosophy with this last Sunday job without quite understanding why. Here it is:
If things are going badly, that is no time to leave a congregation. If things are going well, that is another reason not to leave a congregation. Conclusion; there is no good time to leave.
I have stayed at Memorial all these years because that philosophy came into play; oh so many times. It surely has been a trail of tears; some of pain and others of joy....all of them meaningful.
God has taught me much. By His grace I learned the dark and discouraging days were every bit as alive in kingdom nature as were the celebratory ones. He wastes not one crumb of life.
Some switch Sunday jobs more often. Such isn't wrong. Others change jobs altogether. For me, though, mine is new every day. I still learn during the rough stuff. Gratitude fills my heart.
How in God's system did He ever let me have a shot at this work? I'll never understand His mystery....but I will continue to be crazy about my Sunday job!
This coming July 15, Lord willing, I'll be celebrating 35 years with my Sunday job at Memorial Drive. That seems impossible, unreal, exciting, thrilling, stirring, and unbelievable! How could a man so completely inept get to be at such a fabulous church....for so long?
I am not the boy with the fish and loaves. Rather, I feel like I am the sack lunch. I am so inadequate and nothing; yet, He lets me feed thousands. Every time I unlock my office doors of a morning, I believe I know how lottery winners feel.
I love my Sunday job!
My first Sunday job lasted one year. My second, two. I developed a philosophy with this last Sunday job without quite understanding why. Here it is:
If things are going badly, that is no time to leave a congregation. If things are going well, that is another reason not to leave a congregation. Conclusion; there is no good time to leave.
I have stayed at Memorial all these years because that philosophy came into play; oh so many times. It surely has been a trail of tears; some of pain and others of joy....all of them meaningful.
God has taught me much. By His grace I learned the dark and discouraging days were every bit as alive in kingdom nature as were the celebratory ones. He wastes not one crumb of life.
Some switch Sunday jobs more often. Such isn't wrong. Others change jobs altogether. For me, though, mine is new every day. I still learn during the rough stuff. Gratitude fills my heart.
How in God's system did He ever let me have a shot at this work? I'll never understand His mystery....but I will continue to be crazy about my Sunday job!
FROM KINGDOM PERSPECKTIVE
Should you think I spelled it wrong in the title, kingdom is spelled correctly.
Jesus was clear on a detail we find to be self-protectionarily vague; take the log out of your own eye in order to remove the speck in your brother's.
Why is it that others' disorders are so simplistic and clear to the rest of us and yet our own are found in the terrible land of who me oblivion? How can we miss our own?
We choose to overlook our personal failures because we have abundant mercy available for self. If we can't justify our sinfulness we can at least find self-sympathy. Mercy toward others, though, seems to be found on a short leash....sometimes a very short leash.
Beware. We see in others what we can't see in ourselves because we are peering through log-lenses. This causes seeing-blindness.
From the kingdom perspecktive, we will always be more closely aligned to the Master when we can deal with self-lack-awareness before we point a crooked finger toward that other who is such a presumed mess.
Jesus was clear on a detail we find to be self-protectionarily vague; take the log out of your own eye in order to remove the speck in your brother's.
Why is it that others' disorders are so simplistic and clear to the rest of us and yet our own are found in the terrible land of who me oblivion? How can we miss our own?
We choose to overlook our personal failures because we have abundant mercy available for self. If we can't justify our sinfulness we can at least find self-sympathy. Mercy toward others, though, seems to be found on a short leash....sometimes a very short leash.
Beware. We see in others what we can't see in ourselves because we are peering through log-lenses. This causes seeing-blindness.
From the kingdom perspecktive, we will always be more closely aligned to the Master when we can deal with self-lack-awareness before we point a crooked finger toward that other who is such a presumed mess.
Monday, April 16, 2012
MAY WE TRY TO LIVE UP TO OUR NAME
There remains a deep challenge before us minute by minute; day by day. It is to know and to walk in the one called Jesus.
If ever there is a glitch in me (in us) it is my Christlessness.
Obsessed with preferences and stalled by opinions, the church of Christ is sluggish to say the least. The solution which would dissolve church cataracts and arthritis is simply to richly believe in the one known as the Son of God.
Each moment we find ourselves poised to lean into him just a bit more, we find ourselves on the cusp of unexplainable and wonderful mystery.
May we be known as the church of Christ and not the church of Christless.
If ever there is a glitch in me (in us) it is my Christlessness.
Obsessed with preferences and stalled by opinions, the church of Christ is sluggish to say the least. The solution which would dissolve church cataracts and arthritis is simply to richly believe in the one known as the Son of God.
Each moment we find ourselves poised to lean into him just a bit more, we find ourselves on the cusp of unexplainable and wonderful mystery.
May we be known as the church of Christ and not the church of Christless.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
BLAME GOD
Unbelievers blame God when bad things happen.
Believers blame God when good things happen.
I'd rather be a believer!
Believers blame God when good things happen.
I'd rather be a believer!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
HOW TO BUILD MOMENTUM IN SERVING GOD
All involved in ministry, from the most to the least, surely encounters similar thread. Each wonders how any kingdom effort will work out.
Enthused and even obligated we take on tasks of service desiring much good come from such efforts. Yet it doesn't take long for the new to wear thin and then we are faced with basic, What now?
Give God your best has a way of fading for even our best wasn't enough. At this point momentum is under siege.
What now?
We have three choices: (1) engage in a Christian facade of activity with burdened heart that we have no power, (2) or quit (3) or repent from our own powerless style and lean into the wonder and mystery of Father. May the latter be our final straw.
God works. Our job is to believe this truth. God knows. Our job is to accept such a fact. He doesn't need our muscle as much as He needs our faith. Together we are a marvelous team. God is the CEO and we are His chauffeurs.
The way to build momentum in serving God is to accept the thrashing signals that our self-efforts in His name are too full of the self part. When we repent of our control and lean into His, new life arises. New momentum is revealed. Enthusiasm is renewed.
We don't need more skill. We need more God presence. He possesses the perfect skill. Experiencing His talent cannot help but build incredible momentum.
Enthused and even obligated we take on tasks of service desiring much good come from such efforts. Yet it doesn't take long for the new to wear thin and then we are faced with basic, What now?
Give God your best has a way of fading for even our best wasn't enough. At this point momentum is under siege.
What now?
We have three choices: (1) engage in a Christian facade of activity with burdened heart that we have no power, (2) or quit (3) or repent from our own powerless style and lean into the wonder and mystery of Father. May the latter be our final straw.
God works. Our job is to believe this truth. God knows. Our job is to accept such a fact. He doesn't need our muscle as much as He needs our faith. Together we are a marvelous team. God is the CEO and we are His chauffeurs.
The way to build momentum in serving God is to accept the thrashing signals that our self-efforts in His name are too full of the self part. When we repent of our control and lean into His, new life arises. New momentum is revealed. Enthusiasm is renewed.
We don't need more skill. We need more God presence. He possesses the perfect skill. Experiencing His talent cannot help but build incredible momentum.
Friday, April 13, 2012
THE NARROW GATE LEADS TO WIDE LIFE
Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small , and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.
It says the way is narrow that leads to life. The church has misstepped due to this passage. We have formerly interpreted it to say the way is narrow which leads to narrowness. Communities are dotted with little groups called Church of Christ who represent a premier stance of narrowness.
Jesus is the narrow; he is the singular way to life....no others....no one else...no other doctrine....no other pattern. Jesus is the only gate to life.
Yet this life through the narrow gate is quite the opposite of narrow. It is wildly, uncontrollably, mysteriously, and unfathomably abundant. We enter through the one; not the several. God gives not options. Entrance is through Jesus or else there will be no entrance.
The narrow gate leads, though, to life!
If there would be any one quality the church should and could exude, would it not be what the narrow leads to....life? When guests are in our circle, do they experience life or narrow-mindedness? Are the children given us by God reared in life abundant or the fearful need to be narrow?
The narrow gate leads to freedom. Some self-appointed deputies (of which I was trained to be one) believe it our calling to monitor the straight and narrow path to the extent no one would call it abundant life.
It could be called abundant commitment. It could be called abundant awareness. And it could be called abundant duty. But....it would not be called abundant life.
Jesus came that we might have life. Our goal should be that our flocks learn all we can about the narrow gate as well a experience all we can of the wide and abundant life which would be reflective of resurrection power.
Yes! The narrow gate leads to wide life!
It says the way is narrow that leads to life. The church has misstepped due to this passage. We have formerly interpreted it to say the way is narrow which leads to narrowness. Communities are dotted with little groups called Church of Christ who represent a premier stance of narrowness.
Jesus is the narrow; he is the singular way to life....no others....no one else...no other doctrine....no other pattern. Jesus is the only gate to life.
Yet this life through the narrow gate is quite the opposite of narrow. It is wildly, uncontrollably, mysteriously, and unfathomably abundant. We enter through the one; not the several. God gives not options. Entrance is through Jesus or else there will be no entrance.
The narrow gate leads, though, to life!
If there would be any one quality the church should and could exude, would it not be what the narrow leads to....life? When guests are in our circle, do they experience life or narrow-mindedness? Are the children given us by God reared in life abundant or the fearful need to be narrow?
The narrow gate leads to freedom. Some self-appointed deputies (of which I was trained to be one) believe it our calling to monitor the straight and narrow path to the extent no one would call it abundant life.
It could be called abundant commitment. It could be called abundant awareness. And it could be called abundant duty. But....it would not be called abundant life.
Jesus came that we might have life. Our goal should be that our flocks learn all we can about the narrow gate as well a experience all we can of the wide and abundant life which would be reflective of resurrection power.
Yes! The narrow gate leads to wide life!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
GOD'S PR FIRM
We live in an absurd world.
Tulsa is in the news at the moment due to a shooting spree on Good Friday. Two white men went on a rampage killing three African-Americans and wounding others. The Tulsa Police and others have been on it.
The guilty parties have been arrested and confessed to the crimes. Now Reverends Sharpton and Jackson are headed to Tulsa for camera time. Jesse Jackson is calling for a federal investigation.
Hello. Case solved. The guilty are in custody. The confessions are in storage. Why must the cameras continue to roll?
In the meantime God is doing marvelous things without CNN or FOX. He has this PR firm called the church that makes His moves public because the upside-down media just can't seem to pick up on His outstanding activities.
With the glut of bad news in front of our eyes, one can begin to believe God's arm no longer counts. Well....it counts. It is the only force to be reckoned. Our job is to spread the Word and the word. God is operating at highest level capacity and people are being blessed.
True. Blog, Facebook, Twitter, email, and cyberphone messages the globe in abundant overlap. However, nothing fills the air of the heavens like the public testimony of yet another thing God has accomplished.
You are/we are the PR firm for God. Go into the highways and the hedges and proclaim the many moves of God. While communities are on information overload, none have taken in too much good news which surely counters the bad surrounding us.
Tulsa is in the news at the moment due to a shooting spree on Good Friday. Two white men went on a rampage killing three African-Americans and wounding others. The Tulsa Police and others have been on it.
The guilty parties have been arrested and confessed to the crimes. Now Reverends Sharpton and Jackson are headed to Tulsa for camera time. Jesse Jackson is calling for a federal investigation.
Hello. Case solved. The guilty are in custody. The confessions are in storage. Why must the cameras continue to roll?
In the meantime God is doing marvelous things without CNN or FOX. He has this PR firm called the church that makes His moves public because the upside-down media just can't seem to pick up on His outstanding activities.
With the glut of bad news in front of our eyes, one can begin to believe God's arm no longer counts. Well....it counts. It is the only force to be reckoned. Our job is to spread the Word and the word. God is operating at highest level capacity and people are being blessed.
True. Blog, Facebook, Twitter, email, and cyberphone messages the globe in abundant overlap. However, nothing fills the air of the heavens like the public testimony of yet another thing God has accomplished.
You are/we are the PR firm for God. Go into the highways and the hedges and proclaim the many moves of God. While communities are on information overload, none have taken in too much good news which surely counters the bad surrounding us.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
FAITH---WHAT DOES IT DO?
Faith isn't the second of five steps in the plan of salvation. It is the anointing of a totally new lifestyle. Faith changes rules, boundaries, and, most of all, people.
Faith isn't a vague or random thought of wishfultivity. It is spiritually rock solid. If Jesus could step on the fluidity of water, we can walk by the invisibility of faith. Faith is both substance and evidence; so says Hebrews 11:1.
Faith sees what isn't seen. That freaks out the atheists. Yet, it is true. A Spirit-led believer has heart eyes. These eyes of faith see extravagant hope, superlative riches of glory, and what God labels as surpassing power.
Faith isn't an indifferent passenger in the back seat of what-ever-happens-just-happened-to-happen. Rather, it is the driver. Faith believes things not yet existing. Faith emblazons dead things with a power and a reason to come back to life.
Wish you were powerful? Read the Word. Believe its calling. Arise to the Spirit's task. Apply faith to a dull, routine, and cemeterial walk. Watch the world begin to bloom with life.
Faith isn't a vague or random thought of wishfultivity. It is spiritually rock solid. If Jesus could step on the fluidity of water, we can walk by the invisibility of faith. Faith is both substance and evidence; so says Hebrews 11:1.
Faith sees what isn't seen. That freaks out the atheists. Yet, it is true. A Spirit-led believer has heart eyes. These eyes of faith see extravagant hope, superlative riches of glory, and what God labels as surpassing power.
Faith isn't an indifferent passenger in the back seat of what-ever-happens-just-happened-to-happen. Rather, it is the driver. Faith believes things not yet existing. Faith emblazons dead things with a power and a reason to come back to life.
Wish you were powerful? Read the Word. Believe its calling. Arise to the Spirit's task. Apply faith to a dull, routine, and cemeterial walk. Watch the world begin to bloom with life.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
DON'T EVER GIVE UP!
Be encouraged. Be assured. God has movement ongoing upon earth. Know it.
Who in ministry doesn't feel the gigantic tug of swimming upstream in turbulent waters? Not one day do our efforts seem to have put us ahead. Rather, it seems our thrashing in the tumbling waters may have resulted in loss...after all of that expended energy.
Ministry takes the strangest of of hearts. On the one hand we must be as iron in determination while as putty in compassion. To reverse these two is to see one of our good guys/gals suffering in burn out.
Be encouraged. God is everywhere. He is in more places and in more people than we can imagine....He says....Eph. 3:20.
A stack of good books on my desk awaits my attention. Writers are coming at us at lightning speed with more awe in our God. Why is that? God is among our writers.
Invitations to quality and healthy leadership events form a calendar glut. Why is that? God is among our motivators.
Oh, and did I mention the criss-cross of blogs, other web sites, and computer programs that fill our hearts with hope and insight and training? Why is that? God is everywhere! He's everywhere!
If you find yourself broken down along the roadside of ministry. Just hang on a bit. Wait. God is not losing ground. We may feel we are. But that's a mirage of darkness. God is everywhere...and we can count on His presence to more than see us through.
Don't ever give up!
Who in ministry doesn't feel the gigantic tug of swimming upstream in turbulent waters? Not one day do our efforts seem to have put us ahead. Rather, it seems our thrashing in the tumbling waters may have resulted in loss...after all of that expended energy.
Ministry takes the strangest of of hearts. On the one hand we must be as iron in determination while as putty in compassion. To reverse these two is to see one of our good guys/gals suffering in burn out.
Be encouraged. God is everywhere. He is in more places and in more people than we can imagine....He says....Eph. 3:20.
A stack of good books on my desk awaits my attention. Writers are coming at us at lightning speed with more awe in our God. Why is that? God is among our writers.
Invitations to quality and healthy leadership events form a calendar glut. Why is that? God is among our motivators.
Oh, and did I mention the criss-cross of blogs, other web sites, and computer programs that fill our hearts with hope and insight and training? Why is that? God is everywhere! He's everywhere!
If you find yourself broken down along the roadside of ministry. Just hang on a bit. Wait. God is not losing ground. We may feel we are. But that's a mirage of darkness. God is everywhere...and we can count on His presence to more than see us through.
Don't ever give up!
Monday, April 09, 2012
TALK TO ME ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
The workshop is over and I am into high gear for 2013. I have been working on it for six months and now it is priority time.
Talk to me...gently.
Tell me how you liked/disliked the Tulsa Workshop format of track classes this year?
Too many?
Not enough?
What are your thoughts on maybe not having a speaker in the Pavilion during the track classes?
Finally, are there any types of booths you wish were included at the workshop?
Talk to me...gently.
Tell me how you liked/disliked the Tulsa Workshop format of track classes this year?
Too many?
Not enough?
What are your thoughts on maybe not having a speaker in the Pavilion during the track classes?
Finally, are there any types of booths you wish were included at the workshop?
Sunday, April 08, 2012
DIVISIVE UNITY
Unity is actually a book, chapter, and verse kind of thing. Yet some treat the topic as if it is of Satan. These jeer at any efforts to link with another(s) Christian label to the extent they mock such ones as having sold out their convictions.
However, I see another unity that is truly and severely unbiblical; yet we practice it among ourselves with shoulder shrugging indifference. I speak of the unity we try to promote within the church between flesh and spirit.
Bossy flesh as always yearned to rule over tender spirit. Is this not the entire story of one called Jesus? It wasn't that one side was religious and the other not. Rather it was that both were religious; one guided by flesh and the other in spirit.
Thus today we have incredible division. Wrangling over words continues although book, chapter, and verse warned against such. We experience a very divisive sort of unity in that we continue to gather under one roof with enormous confusion over how to get somewhere; anywhere in and for the kingdom.
As long as flesh obligates spirit to walk in harmony we can count Jesus out. He did not die so that those who killed him could have reign over the church business meetings. Rather his entire walk says the flesh must be converted for it has no part in the kingdom.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
However, I see another unity that is truly and severely unbiblical; yet we practice it among ourselves with shoulder shrugging indifference. I speak of the unity we try to promote within the church between flesh and spirit.
Bossy flesh as always yearned to rule over tender spirit. Is this not the entire story of one called Jesus? It wasn't that one side was religious and the other not. Rather it was that both were religious; one guided by flesh and the other in spirit.
Thus today we have incredible division. Wrangling over words continues although book, chapter, and verse warned against such. We experience a very divisive sort of unity in that we continue to gather under one roof with enormous confusion over how to get somewhere; anywhere in and for the kingdom.
As long as flesh obligates spirit to walk in harmony we can count Jesus out. He did not die so that those who killed him could have reign over the church business meetings. Rather his entire walk says the flesh must be converted for it has no part in the kingdom.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
Friday, April 06, 2012
EASTER GUESTS ARE COMING
Easter Sunday is always one of my favorites.
The goodness of community shows most in that there is still an awareness of God among us. In the deepest regions of neighboring hearts, there continues to be the awareness of the labor Father and Son encountered at the cross and the cemetery. This touching truth continues to reign supreme as worshippers will pack into churches across our homeland.
If ever Easter makes no difference in America, it is then that we can know the lights are going out.
Let us not snarl at these guests for being here once a year when we make serious effort to clock in at all fifty-two. Rather, may we praise them for their faith in the resurrected One for evidently He continues to prod. Thank God.
Sunday is our time to shine upon these visitors that they may notice the goodness He has implanted within their own hearts. May they be aroused and inspired by our greetings, our prayers, our sermons, and our out-of-this-world praise in song.
Of course we desire to see commitment to Him. Of course we seek their daily partnership. For now their presence declares seed has been embedded from somewhere in their past. Our job is to continue to water.
Be friendly. Be faithful. Be aware. Guests are coming for Easter and they are some of God's greatest treasures.
Treat them royally!
The goodness of community shows most in that there is still an awareness of God among us. In the deepest regions of neighboring hearts, there continues to be the awareness of the labor Father and Son encountered at the cross and the cemetery. This touching truth continues to reign supreme as worshippers will pack into churches across our homeland.
If ever Easter makes no difference in America, it is then that we can know the lights are going out.
Let us not snarl at these guests for being here once a year when we make serious effort to clock in at all fifty-two. Rather, may we praise them for their faith in the resurrected One for evidently He continues to prod. Thank God.
Sunday is our time to shine upon these visitors that they may notice the goodness He has implanted within their own hearts. May they be aroused and inspired by our greetings, our prayers, our sermons, and our out-of-this-world praise in song.
Of course we desire to see commitment to Him. Of course we seek their daily partnership. For now their presence declares seed has been embedded from somewhere in their past. Our job is to continue to water.
Be friendly. Be faithful. Be aware. Guests are coming for Easter and they are some of God's greatest treasures.
Treat them royally!
Thursday, April 05, 2012
OBKNOCKIOUS MUHAMMAD ALI
Ob"knock”ious is a play on words, of course.
Ali is one of the greatest boxers in ring history. His lightning-quick hands put away one slumping opponent after another. In a most fascinating way, Ali’s mouth was even quicker to forecast his greatness to the extent of noting which round would include his notorious knock-out punch.
Last night the St. Louis Cardinals faced the Miami Marlins in the season opener. Pre-game ceremonies included the aging and ailing Muhammad Ali driven in by cart. The man is fading before our eyes. Due to disease, his idealistic body has withered to a herky-jerky shell over time.
With uncontrollable hands trembling and head bobbing, the sight of Obknockious Ali broke my heart. A great man in his own field now reduced to impoverished presence.
Is he not a picture of each of us? Our prime eventually subsides into….well into the eventual ground.
God was right. All outer shells will return to dust.
So once again we can take note of our personal and temporary temples. And we can be encouraged. God knew what He was talking about when He discussed the ultimate demise of the flesh. And if He is so accurate on that one, don’t you think He is telling us the truth about the hope of inner man living forever on the heavenly course?
Ah, indeed, I believe we yearn, we want, and we can. We were doomed until Jesus knocked out death in the final round.
Ali is one of the greatest boxers in ring history. His lightning-quick hands put away one slumping opponent after another. In a most fascinating way, Ali’s mouth was even quicker to forecast his greatness to the extent of noting which round would include his notorious knock-out punch.
Last night the St. Louis Cardinals faced the Miami Marlins in the season opener. Pre-game ceremonies included the aging and ailing Muhammad Ali driven in by cart. The man is fading before our eyes. Due to disease, his idealistic body has withered to a herky-jerky shell over time.
With uncontrollable hands trembling and head bobbing, the sight of Obknockious Ali broke my heart. A great man in his own field now reduced to impoverished presence.
Is he not a picture of each of us? Our prime eventually subsides into….well into the eventual ground.
God was right. All outer shells will return to dust.
So once again we can take note of our personal and temporary temples. And we can be encouraged. God knew what He was talking about when He discussed the ultimate demise of the flesh. And if He is so accurate on that one, don’t you think He is telling us the truth about the hope of inner man living forever on the heavenly course?
Ah, indeed, I believe we yearn, we want, and we can. We were doomed until Jesus knocked out death in the final round.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
I AM EXCITED FOR MIKE MATHENY
Today my good friend takes the helm as the Cardinals' new manager. I emailed him early this morning.
Mike,
Today! Today you begin your managerial career!
May you continue to live like a winner; accepting the applause and never dismissing the importance of each agonizing crumb of frustration and disappointment.
Due to God, everything is a yes (II Cor. 1:18-20)….everything.
You begin today in a new zone of leadership. Go for it! Failure and irritation will only serve as comrades to build you up in the true nature of greatness. Refrain from dismissing the tough stuff. And, celebrate each game.
Former coaches and managers will watch you from their television sets yearning for the chance to have a job like yours….whether it include a win or a loss.
Like every moment called now!
Terry
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
BE WILLING TO TAKE THE TEST
Be encouraged. I say that because those on the front lines as well as in the trenches will surely find incoming missiles aflame. These mold and verify our calling. Do not be discouraged.
From experience I can say that if 100 people love me 2 people despise me. I love being loved and hate being hated. This can upset one's cart in a hurry. God must help us....and He does.
I don't think many get the warning of don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you (I Peter 4:12) because they simply don't walk the fires. Yet, for those who do, God's conclusion is that these are for our testing.
Going through the fires of kingdom life are good and necessary things. Therefore, don't waste the opportunities to learn. Intend on passing the test.
Kingdom life is such a blessing because one learns to transform sufferings and insult into fuel. What is designed by darkness with intent to shut us down is transferred by the Spirit to light us up.
Yes, more will love you than despise you. All are important in the kingdom walk. Don't reject anyone. Love all. And thank God for His inexpressible gift for we are very privileged to get to wear the sandals Jesus wore.
From experience I can say that if 100 people love me 2 people despise me. I love being loved and hate being hated. This can upset one's cart in a hurry. God must help us....and He does.
I don't think many get the warning of don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you (I Peter 4:12) because they simply don't walk the fires. Yet, for those who do, God's conclusion is that these are for our testing.
Going through the fires of kingdom life are good and necessary things. Therefore, don't waste the opportunities to learn. Intend on passing the test.
Kingdom life is such a blessing because one learns to transform sufferings and insult into fuel. What is designed by darkness with intent to shut us down is transferred by the Spirit to light us up.
Yes, more will love you than despise you. All are important in the kingdom walk. Don't reject anyone. Love all. And thank God for His inexpressible gift for we are very privileged to get to wear the sandals Jesus wore.
Monday, April 02, 2012
THE AWFUL TASK OF YESTERDAY WAS MORE AWFUL THAN ANTICIPATED
I'll just tell you how it is. Yesterday's awful---see yesterday's post---turned out to be more awful than anticipated.
A visitor of four months unloaded on me yesterday morning just as services were beginning. I really like this man and have visited with him often during these multi-weeks. He was mad.
No one speaks to you here. You can't break in to these cliques. It broke my heart.
I hate it when anyone visits Memorial and doesn't sense the welcome they deserve.
Here I was just about to preach and Bob just couldn't quit peeling away at my heart. I finally had to walk away, go back to my office, dry my sissy tears, and move back in. My heart was not in preaching.
My heart was not in preaching the way I want my heart to feel. Yet, I thanked God for the upset for evidently my heart needed adjustment to preach the way God intended.
The sermon was okay.
When it was over, Bob approached me with apology for his poor timing and then lit in again as to how unfriendly this place is. Oddly, I had noticed one of our members chatting with him and his wife just before he approached me for round two. Stranger yet is that while he was dispensing his aggravation, one of our members butted in to greet him and then moved on.
My point is I wasn't in heart to do my sermon yesterday. I had to trust God I was in the form He desired. Sometimes, our heart doesn't feel like it is in it. Our duties insist we are on whether the mood has stricken. And....God will use us anyway.
A visitor of four months unloaded on me yesterday morning just as services were beginning. I really like this man and have visited with him often during these multi-weeks. He was mad.
No one speaks to you here. You can't break in to these cliques. It broke my heart.
I hate it when anyone visits Memorial and doesn't sense the welcome they deserve.
Here I was just about to preach and Bob just couldn't quit peeling away at my heart. I finally had to walk away, go back to my office, dry my sissy tears, and move back in. My heart was not in preaching.
My heart was not in preaching the way I want my heart to feel. Yet, I thanked God for the upset for evidently my heart needed adjustment to preach the way God intended.
The sermon was okay.
When it was over, Bob approached me with apology for his poor timing and then lit in again as to how unfriendly this place is. Oddly, I had noticed one of our members chatting with him and his wife just before he approached me for round two. Stranger yet is that while he was dispensing his aggravation, one of our members butted in to greet him and then moved on.
My point is I wasn't in heart to do my sermon yesterday. I had to trust God I was in the form He desired. Sometimes, our heart doesn't feel like it is in it. Our duties insist we are on whether the mood has stricken. And....God will use us anyway.
Sunday, April 01, 2012
THE AWFUL TASK OF PREACHING
Preaching is transitory. I don't know how it is for others, but for me the burden of speaking to a church about God is increasingly burdening....in a wonderful way. It scares me more week by week.
The task increases in weight...the weight to step out of the way so Jesus can have a legitimate shot at his church.
I love preaching. It is my continued passion. I fear my own flesh; that I might miss the Spirit, that I could offer no life from my Terry-delivery, or that I would simply be blind to His Word for the moment.
I mean not to complain.
Yet as I walk with and in Him, I find Him to be much larger than I once assumed in my throw-together-a-sermon-outline days. As I find Him to have increased, my truest self merely decreases. I cannot help but submit to His overpowering awe.
Thus, the load gets bigger for ongoing increase/decrease interaction between Father and me.
I will walk into our auditorium this morning in the midst of year 34 here. I will enter with absolute honor that I would get to be the one who is handed the awful task to preach. I will be challenged severely to yield to the Christ in me for my effort will be majorly disappointing.
It will be a good day because this very immeasurable God will work in spite of the little people like me.
The task increases in weight...the weight to step out of the way so Jesus can have a legitimate shot at his church.
I love preaching. It is my continued passion. I fear my own flesh; that I might miss the Spirit, that I could offer no life from my Terry-delivery, or that I would simply be blind to His Word for the moment.
I mean not to complain.
Yet as I walk with and in Him, I find Him to be much larger than I once assumed in my throw-together-a-sermon-outline days. As I find Him to have increased, my truest self merely decreases. I cannot help but submit to His overpowering awe.
Thus, the load gets bigger for ongoing increase/decrease interaction between Father and me.
I will walk into our auditorium this morning in the midst of year 34 here. I will enter with absolute honor that I would get to be the one who is handed the awful task to preach. I will be challenged severely to yield to the Christ in me for my effort will be majorly disappointing.
It will be a good day because this very immeasurable God will work in spite of the little people like me.
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