(A good friend passed this my way this week. I pass it on to you.)
Breaking Through the Sound Barrier by Rick Warren
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
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Poor communication is the most frequently mentioned problem in marriage counseling. To really communicate, you must give up three things.
You must give up your assumptions. We get into trouble when we start assuming we understand the meaning of what people say to us. The truth is everything you hear goes through a filter. Your filter is determined by your past experiences and your unique personality.
You may not be hearing what the other person is really saying. Therefore, it’s smart (and safe) to ask for clarification. There are six possible messages every time you speak:
· What you mean to say and what you actually said.
· What they heard and what they think they heard.
· What they say about it and what you think they said about it.
Proverbs 18:13 (NLT) says, “What a shame, what folly, to give advice before listening to the facts!”
You must give up your accusations. You never get your point across by being cross. Anger and sarcasm only make people defensive and that kills communication.
Here are four common forms of accusation:
· Exaggerating – Making sweeping generalities like “You never” or “You always.”
· Labeling or derogatory name calling – Labeling never changes anyone. It only reinforces the negative behavior.
· Playing historian – Bringing up past failures, mistakes, and broken promises.
· Asking loaded questions which really can’t be answered, like “Can’t you do anything right?”
You must give up your apprehensions. Fear prevents honest communication. It causes us to conceal our true feelings and fail to confront the real issues. The two most common apprehensions are the fear of failure and the fear of rejection.
But real communication can happen when you face your fear and risk being honest. Freedom is the result of openness. Jesus said, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NLT).
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
NATION OF ANGER. NATION IN DANGER.
I am very concerned about our nation. The threat of simmering unrest is nearing boil. I don't think I'm exaggerating. The political scene is fire-red hot. Debate---bitter, rude, insulting debate---does not reveal information as much as it reveals skill. Millions of dollars are spent for a job which pays thousands. Office workers, church members, and neighbors are divided into camps of strong opinions backed by hard feelings.
Politics is only one front. The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series last night. Was the danger and damage of rioters found to be in the losing city of Tampa Bay? No, it was found in the city which won! Whether victory or loss, some are filled with such anger they are anxious to find any excuse to create havoc.
Level-headed, quite responsible leaders of all fields are burnt over the shameful and unrepentant scandal of the Wall Street moguls. Congress' volunteer blindness toward both the problem and solution exacerbates the thread-bare nerves of common man. Our nation is in a mess. I believe it to be so big, I couldn't exaggerate it.
Therefore, rely on the Spirit of Christ. Lead your people to Him. Have them hide their wealth by giving it away. Lead them to save their lives by losing them. Teach them that our citizenship is in heaven; not on earth. Train them of the value and truth of the outstretched arms of both the Son on the Cross and of the prodigal's Father back at the family farm. Adorn hearts with the news which is heard louder than Paul Revere's; a Savior is coming! A Savior is coming!
Politics is only one front. The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series last night. Was the danger and damage of rioters found to be in the losing city of Tampa Bay? No, it was found in the city which won! Whether victory or loss, some are filled with such anger they are anxious to find any excuse to create havoc.
Level-headed, quite responsible leaders of all fields are burnt over the shameful and unrepentant scandal of the Wall Street moguls. Congress' volunteer blindness toward both the problem and solution exacerbates the thread-bare nerves of common man. Our nation is in a mess. I believe it to be so big, I couldn't exaggerate it.
Therefore, rely on the Spirit of Christ. Lead your people to Him. Have them hide their wealth by giving it away. Lead them to save their lives by losing them. Teach them that our citizenship is in heaven; not on earth. Train them of the value and truth of the outstretched arms of both the Son on the Cross and of the prodigal's Father back at the family farm. Adorn hearts with the news which is heard louder than Paul Revere's; a Savior is coming! A Savior is coming!
PROUD TO BE HUMBLE?
Do you ever feel proud that you are so doggone humble?
The humility factor is of great importance to God. When we want to know His will, humility is always a part of the equation. God is opposed to the proud and this is why the church has struggled so much over the decades. It has been proud of how it is the church; how right, how orderly, etc. God opposes such an attitude.
God draws to humility. Look at famous Bible settings and notice how God responds favorably to the humble: David vs. Goliath, Mary while Martha criticized, the man who wouldn’t look up while he prayed as the one beside him thanked God he was not like the loser who wouldn’t look up, the younger prodigal while the older prodigal balked, Stephen being stoned, Paul and Silas sweetly singing in prison, etc.
Spiritual leadership is about not knowing what to do. It is about not having all of the answers. It is about saying things like “I got it wrong” and “I’m sorry”. Spiritual leadership knows the score; it is all about Jesus and none about self. Ego is a sneaky sort. If it can’t come in through the back door of arrogance it will slip in the side door of shyness. Both are about caring for self.
Humility is a parade of our weakness (not our strength), our vulnerability (not our stability), and our foolishness (not our brilliance). Humility lets God work with no explanation as to how. Humility rejoices that things are so good, but can’t attribute the cause in any direction except one; the Spirit of Christ.
Have a good day. Avoid being proud you are humble. Be humble. God will exalt you…..He promises.
The humility factor is of great importance to God. When we want to know His will, humility is always a part of the equation. God is opposed to the proud and this is why the church has struggled so much over the decades. It has been proud of how it is the church; how right, how orderly, etc. God opposes such an attitude.
God draws to humility. Look at famous Bible settings and notice how God responds favorably to the humble: David vs. Goliath, Mary while Martha criticized, the man who wouldn’t look up while he prayed as the one beside him thanked God he was not like the loser who wouldn’t look up, the younger prodigal while the older prodigal balked, Stephen being stoned, Paul and Silas sweetly singing in prison, etc.
Spiritual leadership is about not knowing what to do. It is about not having all of the answers. It is about saying things like “I got it wrong” and “I’m sorry”. Spiritual leadership knows the score; it is all about Jesus and none about self. Ego is a sneaky sort. If it can’t come in through the back door of arrogance it will slip in the side door of shyness. Both are about caring for self.
Humility is a parade of our weakness (not our strength), our vulnerability (not our stability), and our foolishness (not our brilliance). Humility lets God work with no explanation as to how. Humility rejoices that things are so good, but can’t attribute the cause in any direction except one; the Spirit of Christ.
Have a good day. Avoid being proud you are humble. Be humble. God will exalt you…..He promises.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
STUDY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit of Christ is the ultimate link to God's participation with today's Christian. We have tried church growth and discipleship development on our own. It proved vain, empty, or both. Man with all of his intellect cannot build the church for God. Jesus builds it through His people. When we yield to His Spirit the promised peaceful fruit of righteousness seems to gain momentum in the common believers. I encourage you about your work. Every church's solution is found in the co-operation of the Holy Spirit.
A week doesn't go by that I don't get calls or emails or run into some who are curious to know about the Holy Spirit. The more we learn of him and yield to him, the more the church seems to flourish.....in spirit. No coincidence, is it?
I am continually reprinting the study workbook on Empowering the Ordinary (The Holy Spirit Helping Inadequate Believers). This work is a rewrite/revision of my earlier book The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense. I couldn't find a publishing house to do the reprint but we had so many calls for the book and I believed in it so much I hired a printing company to publish it for me. I pay for it myself. I've been reprinting it on my own for about six years. It is tough to keep in stock.
I know it's my own book. I know I can look badly pushing it. However, I'm more interested in the people who want to study the topic. If you would like more details, email me at trush@memorialdrive.org. The book is designed for small groups and Bible classes. We keep shipping out orders every week and it just keeps going.
You don't need the book to know about the Holy Spirit. THE BOOK has enough to say. Mine is merely one of many guides through the Word. Having my stuff is insignificant. Having the Holy Spirit is ultra significant. We cannot bear his fruit without him. He blesses the church. Thank God for sending His Son first and His Spirit second. We cannot do without either.
A week doesn't go by that I don't get calls or emails or run into some who are curious to know about the Holy Spirit. The more we learn of him and yield to him, the more the church seems to flourish.....in spirit. No coincidence, is it?
I am continually reprinting the study workbook on Empowering the Ordinary (The Holy Spirit Helping Inadequate Believers). This work is a rewrite/revision of my earlier book The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense. I couldn't find a publishing house to do the reprint but we had so many calls for the book and I believed in it so much I hired a printing company to publish it for me. I pay for it myself. I've been reprinting it on my own for about six years. It is tough to keep in stock.
I know it's my own book. I know I can look badly pushing it. However, I'm more interested in the people who want to study the topic. If you would like more details, email me at trush@memorialdrive.org. The book is designed for small groups and Bible classes. We keep shipping out orders every week and it just keeps going.
You don't need the book to know about the Holy Spirit. THE BOOK has enough to say. Mine is merely one of many guides through the Word. Having my stuff is insignificant. Having the Holy Spirit is ultra significant. We cannot bear his fruit without him. He blesses the church. Thank God for sending His Son first and His Spirit second. We cannot do without either.
Monday, October 27, 2008
CONFIDENCE PLACED IN CHRIST
We are experiencing good days at Memorial Drive. That's in comparison to years of bad days of the past. What's going on that is different? It seems pretty simple: our confidence is growing in Jesus and is decreasing in ourselves. That's rather scriptural don't you think?
We had been the Church of Christ but we weren't seeking the Christ of the Church. He didn't really fit in as we needed business organization (remember "business" meetings?); we needed to stand for something and against other somethings. We weren't looking to Jesus; we were looking at what we could stand against or better yet, who we could stand against. I was an angry preacher in the pulpit breathing threats of daring positions to be taken by the remnant of faith. Whatever side we assumed, of course, was always the truest of remnants. Remnant sort of verified we were old testamently new testament.
Jesus has changed our place as he has changed our hearts. We've discarded the squint-eyed judgmentalism of suspicion of everyone not exactly like us and we began to loosen selfish-control and opt for Spirit control. I really had to back off of trying to run things just the way I wanted. Other ideas are often better than mine; oh, go figure.
Jesus works with us. We have not arrived. We never will. But I hope we will continue our learning curve to be more positioned upon the nature of Jesus and not of our best or most intelligent selves. Jesus will give life to the dead and direction to the hopeless. We hunger for such input from above.
We are so odd. In the past we have tried to reach the world by preaching to the church what was wrong with other churches. Wouldn't it be something if we could preach to good news to the church and let its life seep out into the community of hungry seekers who reside among us? We are noting a contagion for Christ developing and our plans are to fan the flames.* Let us join together to grow in the Spirit of Christ. He is the only leader worth our time and commitment.
*Note: Don't forget our area -wide meeting this Sunday night at 6:00 at the Union PAC near 68th and Mingo. The Union PAC is not the big UMAC at the south of the football stadium. Turn West at that building and drive around to the Union PAC. Its parking lot is just north of Sam's. All churches are invited.
We had been the Church of Christ but we weren't seeking the Christ of the Church. He didn't really fit in as we needed business organization (remember "business" meetings?); we needed to stand for something and against other somethings. We weren't looking to Jesus; we were looking at what we could stand against or better yet, who we could stand against. I was an angry preacher in the pulpit breathing threats of daring positions to be taken by the remnant of faith. Whatever side we assumed, of course, was always the truest of remnants. Remnant sort of verified we were old testamently new testament.
Jesus has changed our place as he has changed our hearts. We've discarded the squint-eyed judgmentalism of suspicion of everyone not exactly like us and we began to loosen selfish-control and opt for Spirit control. I really had to back off of trying to run things just the way I wanted. Other ideas are often better than mine; oh, go figure.
Jesus works with us. We have not arrived. We never will. But I hope we will continue our learning curve to be more positioned upon the nature of Jesus and not of our best or most intelligent selves. Jesus will give life to the dead and direction to the hopeless. We hunger for such input from above.
We are so odd. In the past we have tried to reach the world by preaching to the church what was wrong with other churches. Wouldn't it be something if we could preach to good news to the church and let its life seep out into the community of hungry seekers who reside among us? We are noting a contagion for Christ developing and our plans are to fan the flames.* Let us join together to grow in the Spirit of Christ. He is the only leader worth our time and commitment.
*Note: Don't forget our area -wide meeting this Sunday night at 6:00 at the Union PAC near 68th and Mingo. The Union PAC is not the big UMAC at the south of the football stadium. Turn West at that building and drive around to the Union PAC. Its parking lot is just north of Sam's. All churches are invited.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
WHAT A DAY GOD PROVIDED
We just got home from tonight's Fall Festival; hundreds of kids and hundreds of parents, grandparents, and neighbors! It was so fun! I told Mary I just can't get over how many people there are at our place and that they are simply so spectacular. I mean I just go nuts trying to get to visit all of our amazing people. Everywhere I turn is a celebrity of some sort. I love them dearly.
And, what a day! Craig and I shared our hearts this morning and of course he is simply magic when he speaks. Craig is an awesome speaker but what makes him such is not only his creativity. He really has a heart for God. His humble manner lets us in on the prize of Jesus. We get what he's saying and we like it!
A lady visited our church today that had not been here for maybe twenty-five years. She was once a young mother who rode the joy bus way back when. Today she was at Memorial...with her granddaughter. I remember her so well. It feels good to see some of that effort come back around.
Then, my "community service" teen showed up. I met with him and his mom in my office at 9:30. They needed to know they ran into friends. I wanted them to relax; know that we cared more for them than for accomplishing an assignment. I gave them $20 from a little stash I had set aside for their lunch and one would think they had won the lottery. Tonight Tyler was great at helping out with the children's games at the Fall Festival. He was very polite and I hope that when he is a grandpa he will remember the day he ran into God at the Memorial Drive family.
David Buchanan took some time to encourage us to get on with raising funds for a desperately needed new Lawn Sign. Then he held up a check and said he and Deborah are in. That's good leadership. It was simple. He worded it very well; without belaboring the point. But he set the example and I think his move will be used by God to trigger more acts of generosity.
Finally, I must say that four of us met for an hour at 7:30 this morning to pray over our day. What we sought God about, He surely delivered in grander scale. I don't know how He does this Sunday after Sunday. He is so creative and our leaders are such a match by staying out of the way.
What a day.....God provided!
And, what a day! Craig and I shared our hearts this morning and of course he is simply magic when he speaks. Craig is an awesome speaker but what makes him such is not only his creativity. He really has a heart for God. His humble manner lets us in on the prize of Jesus. We get what he's saying and we like it!
A lady visited our church today that had not been here for maybe twenty-five years. She was once a young mother who rode the joy bus way back when. Today she was at Memorial...with her granddaughter. I remember her so well. It feels good to see some of that effort come back around.
Then, my "community service" teen showed up. I met with him and his mom in my office at 9:30. They needed to know they ran into friends. I wanted them to relax; know that we cared more for them than for accomplishing an assignment. I gave them $20 from a little stash I had set aside for their lunch and one would think they had won the lottery. Tonight Tyler was great at helping out with the children's games at the Fall Festival. He was very polite and I hope that when he is a grandpa he will remember the day he ran into God at the Memorial Drive family.
David Buchanan took some time to encourage us to get on with raising funds for a desperately needed new Lawn Sign. Then he held up a check and said he and Deborah are in. That's good leadership. It was simple. He worded it very well; without belaboring the point. But he set the example and I think his move will be used by God to trigger more acts of generosity.
Finally, I must say that four of us met for an hour at 7:30 this morning to pray over our day. What we sought God about, He surely delivered in grander scale. I don't know how He does this Sunday after Sunday. He is so creative and our leaders are such a match by staying out of the way.
What a day.....God provided!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A GOOD IDEA?
I received a call while at the office this morning. A stranger called inquiring if the church could do anything to provide her 13 year old grandson with work for community service....by Monday. He and others had gotten in trouble shoplifting. I listened carefully, took down name and number, and told her I did not have any ideas but if I did I would call back.
I sat at my computer and asked God to speak to me if He had any ideas as I didn't have. In moments He gave me a great idea. I called the lady back and gave her my proposal. She gladly accepted.
Tyler needs 12 hours of community service by Monday. Tomorrow at 9:00 he and his mother or grandmother are to be at Memorial Drive for juice/coffee and donuts. Tyler's first assignment is to attend Bible class and then the worship assembly. His first phase is to study the idea of church. Tomorrow night is our annual Fall Festival and Tyler will help the Scott's set up immediately after church. Too, he will work from about 4:00 to 9:00 tomorrow evening at one or more facets of the evening venues.
This will let Tyler serve us while we serve him. I truly expect God to work in this meeting. And, I do think God gave me a good idea.
I sat at my computer and asked God to speak to me if He had any ideas as I didn't have. In moments He gave me a great idea. I called the lady back and gave her my proposal. She gladly accepted.
Tyler needs 12 hours of community service by Monday. Tomorrow at 9:00 he and his mother or grandmother are to be at Memorial Drive for juice/coffee and donuts. Tyler's first assignment is to attend Bible class and then the worship assembly. His first phase is to study the idea of church. Tomorrow night is our annual Fall Festival and Tyler will help the Scott's set up immediately after church. Too, he will work from about 4:00 to 9:00 tomorrow evening at one or more facets of the evening venues.
This will let Tyler serve us while we serve him. I truly expect God to work in this meeting. And, I do think God gave me a good idea.
Friday, October 24, 2008
SUNDAY NIGHT....FALL FESTIVAL
I work with an extraordinary staff. I mean it is phenomenal! Meet our crew: Shane Coffman, Jason Thornton, Sherri Storm, Christi Johnson, Bobby Smith, Becky Andrews, Craig Hicks, Heather Thornton, and Lisa Combs. There are two more who I will highlight beginning in the next paragraph, but before I get to them.....what a team we have! What a special crew!
And then there are two more incredible staff members: Linda Scott and Stacey Kendall do an amazing job as they serve full-time as our Children's Ministers receiving part-time pay. We are an extremely blessed congregation to have such talented leaders as these two. I am personally proud of how much God uses them to inspire me by getting to observe their creativity and devotion. They mean a lot to me in my ministry.
Sunday night is our annual Fall Festival. Not only does the whole church join in the excitement as we serve, so many from our community show up for the Trick or Treat doors decorated up and down the halls, lots of candy, great games, and the fun hayrides. Of course the free food doesn't hurt anything!
This event is too wonderful to miss. It fits right into the needs of community children and their parents. They need a safe place for their little Ghosts and Goblins to roam; to celebrate being kids. What better place than the church being one of those community icons where families build fond memories. This wonderful work isn't about giving us something to keep busy. It is about building children. Memorial Drive has so many kids....and when we do something for the community even more kids show up!
Sunday Night----Fall Festival----only two more sleeps!
And then there are two more incredible staff members: Linda Scott and Stacey Kendall do an amazing job as they serve full-time as our Children's Ministers receiving part-time pay. We are an extremely blessed congregation to have such talented leaders as these two. I am personally proud of how much God uses them to inspire me by getting to observe their creativity and devotion. They mean a lot to me in my ministry.
Sunday night is our annual Fall Festival. Not only does the whole church join in the excitement as we serve, so many from our community show up for the Trick or Treat doors decorated up and down the halls, lots of candy, great games, and the fun hayrides. Of course the free food doesn't hurt anything!
This event is too wonderful to miss. It fits right into the needs of community children and their parents. They need a safe place for their little Ghosts and Goblins to roam; to celebrate being kids. What better place than the church being one of those community icons where families build fond memories. This wonderful work isn't about giving us something to keep busy. It is about building children. Memorial Drive has so many kids....and when we do something for the community even more kids show up!
Sunday Night----Fall Festival----only two more sleeps!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
IS CHURCH ABOUT JESUS?
I was reading Philippians 3 today where Paul counted all things as loss in view of knowing Jesus. I want to encourage each of you to make him your personal goal. Such a charge can seem mundane, but it is essential.
It is too easy to become sidetracked by important matters in the kingdom and forget "The Matter": Jesus. Some can serve others like crazy; yet have zero connection to Jesus. Others can recite entire chapters of the Bible by heart but know not the One it is about. Yet others can organize and succeed in godly guidance while having very little awareness of the presence of Christ.
We will all do well to establish the relationship with Jesus as our doctrinal priority. The world is not hurting because society is lacking churches in its midst. The Lord knows there are plenty to go around. The authentic hurt is the fact that churches just like yours and mine are built on something other than the Son of God. Our residing in a community as a church and going unnoticed is a testimony to my point.
I want to see all churches have robust impact on schools, businesses, and families. If we happen to be Christless we will also be powerless. Numbers aren't the measurement. Believing hearts are. Whether you are in a congregation of ten or a thousand it will be most essential you arrange your labor around the Spirit of the Son of God. Otherwise, we are simply out selling fire insurance.....all on our own steam.
It is too easy to become sidetracked by important matters in the kingdom and forget "The Matter": Jesus. Some can serve others like crazy; yet have zero connection to Jesus. Others can recite entire chapters of the Bible by heart but know not the One it is about. Yet others can organize and succeed in godly guidance while having very little awareness of the presence of Christ.
We will all do well to establish the relationship with Jesus as our doctrinal priority. The world is not hurting because society is lacking churches in its midst. The Lord knows there are plenty to go around. The authentic hurt is the fact that churches just like yours and mine are built on something other than the Son of God. Our residing in a community as a church and going unnoticed is a testimony to my point.
I want to see all churches have robust impact on schools, businesses, and families. If we happen to be Christless we will also be powerless. Numbers aren't the measurement. Believing hearts are. Whether you are in a congregation of ten or a thousand it will be most essential you arrange your labor around the Spirit of the Son of God. Otherwise, we are simply out selling fire insurance.....all on our own steam.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
WOULD YOU JOIN MY PRAYER TEAM?
One of my boys, Dusty, preaches for the University Church of Christ in Conway. He has good instincts and insight into kingdom possibilities. I enjoy watching his faith develop. Friday he called me with an idea. He said, Dad, I want to talk to you about something right up your alley. He went on to say he believed there is great need for another Saul of Tarsus conversion; one of impossible dimension which would have impact on public awareness. He continued that he had been watching for such a person and has concluded Bill Maher is the guy.
Mr. Maher is an obstinate and obnoxious television personality who just came out with the faith insulting movie called Religulous. I believe Dusty's idea is pregnant with possibility. I met with a group at our church tonight to form the beginning of a prayer team to ask God to overwhelm Bill Maher with love and conviction that he might yield to the love of Christ.
Would you consider forming a group with us? Would you ask your small group, or your church, or a few email friends to begin praying for this conversion? Would you ask them to begin in prayer by thanking God for such a delivery? Would you mind leaving a comment describing your group development that we might each be encouraged a faith step at a time?
This move is not to put Mr. Maher down. He is a worthy man of goodness buried deep within. He is, though, one who would be a tremendous tool for God when his heart is captured by the love of Christ.
May we pray in faith to lead this man to a newness only God can imagine.
Mr. Maher is an obstinate and obnoxious television personality who just came out with the faith insulting movie called Religulous. I believe Dusty's idea is pregnant with possibility. I met with a group at our church tonight to form the beginning of a prayer team to ask God to overwhelm Bill Maher with love and conviction that he might yield to the love of Christ.
Would you consider forming a group with us? Would you ask your small group, or your church, or a few email friends to begin praying for this conversion? Would you ask them to begin in prayer by thanking God for such a delivery? Would you mind leaving a comment describing your group development that we might each be encouraged a faith step at a time?
This move is not to put Mr. Maher down. He is a worthy man of goodness buried deep within. He is, though, one who would be a tremendous tool for God when his heart is captured by the love of Christ.
May we pray in faith to lead this man to a newness only God can imagine.
KEEPING UP WITH TODAY'S YOUNGER GENERATION
The living church is constantly challenged to stay in tune with the culture it tries to reach. This can be a burden. How do we remain true to the Bible we’ve properly hallowed while adapting to new things which bring perpetual disturbance to the patterns of the long-term members?
An immediate problem arises when the established church puts a learning freeze on the Bible and then maintains a protectionism of the thirty-five verses it prefers. This is dishonest and much of practicing Christianity is just that.
This brings me to the 25 year olds and younger. Their bent is experiential. This factor is why American Idol has the viewers text their vote ultimately deciding the winner. Today’s younger generation wants in on the action. One may note cable news systems asking for your text in response to a question. Experiential.
This is a huge challenge to the “sit still and be quiet” established church when truly wishing to draw today’s young. To them, church has no experience except one: pure boredom. We churches need to get a grip on this dilemma because it isn’t the culture that needs to adjust. The church of the Bible is anything but dull. It is robust, surprising, mysterious, and often noisy. The church of Christ was the most happening place in the community. Such isn’t the case now. We have studied and organized ourselves into “the” most boring venue on our streets. Often a hives outbreak causes more community response.
If you happen to be one who truly ponders how to bring life to your congregation, a start would be to bring life to your congregation. Put life into it. Quit focusing upon order so much and avail activity (experience) to your membership. God’s people are basically creative but some churches stifle the gifts within. Sit down, be quiet, and say amen is not the picture of the early church. Maybe we should change us.
One hint as to a thing to do to create new life: we asked our local elementary school if they would like to come to our church one Wednesday night before their “Holiday Program” (Christmas) to practice on us. They jump at the chance every year. The guests outnumber us! Parents, grandparents, and neighbors pour in to see their princes and princesses perform. We are on alert to connect with all of these guests during coffee and cookies afterward. It’s just one way of seeing life stir where we live…..and we love it!
An immediate problem arises when the established church puts a learning freeze on the Bible and then maintains a protectionism of the thirty-five verses it prefers. This is dishonest and much of practicing Christianity is just that.
This brings me to the 25 year olds and younger. Their bent is experiential. This factor is why American Idol has the viewers text their vote ultimately deciding the winner. Today’s younger generation wants in on the action. One may note cable news systems asking for your text in response to a question. Experiential.
This is a huge challenge to the “sit still and be quiet” established church when truly wishing to draw today’s young. To them, church has no experience except one: pure boredom. We churches need to get a grip on this dilemma because it isn’t the culture that needs to adjust. The church of the Bible is anything but dull. It is robust, surprising, mysterious, and often noisy. The church of Christ was the most happening place in the community. Such isn’t the case now. We have studied and organized ourselves into “the” most boring venue on our streets. Often a hives outbreak causes more community response.
If you happen to be one who truly ponders how to bring life to your congregation, a start would be to bring life to your congregation. Put life into it. Quit focusing upon order so much and avail activity (experience) to your membership. God’s people are basically creative but some churches stifle the gifts within. Sit down, be quiet, and say amen is not the picture of the early church. Maybe we should change us.
One hint as to a thing to do to create new life: we asked our local elementary school if they would like to come to our church one Wednesday night before their “Holiday Program” (Christmas) to practice on us. They jump at the chance every year. The guests outnumber us! Parents, grandparents, and neighbors pour in to see their princes and princesses perform. We are on alert to connect with all of these guests during coffee and cookies afterward. It’s just one way of seeing life stir where we live…..and we love it!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN
I hope to usher in a bit of power for your walk with God. We carry “the” power, the Holy Spirit of the Living God, within our very being. So let’s hit the community running and make great strides in dispelling abundant darkness. This is easy. A friend battling cancer told me she is doing well; but her talk has changed a lot. She has a reputation of pessimicity. She said she has learned to say “I love you” a lot more.
Do you have any idea how much these words need to be heard? Have we a spirit of shyness that such a phrase has been relegated to women using it and then only to a guarded few? Negativity loves unlove.
We love because God first loved. He started it! We must communicate as if the clock is running down that we dearly love others. Others need to know they are loved by somebody. What if they would take it wrong? How can being accepted by another be insulting? How can being noticed and admired ruin a person’s day?
God did not give us a spirit of timidity. Yet, how we play the bashful game. Strangers could think we are odd and friends might assume we are aggressive. However, the world is committing degrees of suicide because God’s children won’t open their mouths and voice the most healing words to any heart.
Please don’t bark at a negative world. Do something about it. Shine His welcoming light on it. Speak up for more than Abortion Rights and Prayer in Public Places. Speak “to” people in your path and in some way convey to them you really love them! This is way too easy. And, such a pattern will turn the world upside down.
Do you have any idea how much these words need to be heard? Have we a spirit of shyness that such a phrase has been relegated to women using it and then only to a guarded few? Negativity loves unlove.
We love because God first loved. He started it! We must communicate as if the clock is running down that we dearly love others. Others need to know they are loved by somebody. What if they would take it wrong? How can being accepted by another be insulting? How can being noticed and admired ruin a person’s day?
God did not give us a spirit of timidity. Yet, how we play the bashful game. Strangers could think we are odd and friends might assume we are aggressive. However, the world is committing degrees of suicide because God’s children won’t open their mouths and voice the most healing words to any heart.
Please don’t bark at a negative world. Do something about it. Shine His welcoming light on it. Speak up for more than Abortion Rights and Prayer in Public Places. Speak “to” people in your path and in some way convey to them you really love them! This is way too easy. And, such a pattern will turn the world upside down.
Monday, October 20, 2008
READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!!!!
Second Corinthians three speaks of people reading us. We are a letter read and known by those around us. I am the morning paper to those serving coffee and others at nearby tables. What are my headlines day by day?
Here's what I think my morning headlines say: WEAK MAN; MUST HAVE A STRONG GOD! I get to be in the greatest system in the world; the kingdom of God. Few meeting me for the first time would guess me to be a Senior Pastor of a church of 450+. They would believe me to sell cars or deliver crates to drugstores; but not lead a church. Why is that? I am impressively unimpressive. I know it and such (my weakness) is my strength....power really is perfected in weakness. I am unimpressive in an impressive sort of way! Aha!
Here's what I want you to get. Some of you are impressive and you need to use such perception for the glory of God. You look sharp and sound so. But others are as me. You don't stand out in demeanor nor stature. But your faith may be the very thing needed to boost your work force; even your church. Each person is impressive when in Christ (even if our unimpressiveness is used by Him to impress). Everyone is important and significant.
I write a lot of people both through email and snail. I want all to know they are needed. In case you don't know it, the average person in America does not have one good friend. Therefore, you and I are needed! One of the great things I find in the simple lifestyle of Jesus was he, too, valued his friends. We are no different.
Today some are reading your headlines as you are their morning paper. I would encourage you to put a little umph of joy and new level of assurance in your talk. Anybody can display the headlines of "UGHH" and "YUCK". But those filled to the fullness of God surely have something better for their communities to read! Through you may God deliver your town good news!
Here's what I think my morning headlines say: WEAK MAN; MUST HAVE A STRONG GOD! I get to be in the greatest system in the world; the kingdom of God. Few meeting me for the first time would guess me to be a Senior Pastor of a church of 450+. They would believe me to sell cars or deliver crates to drugstores; but not lead a church. Why is that? I am impressively unimpressive. I know it and such (my weakness) is my strength....power really is perfected in weakness. I am unimpressive in an impressive sort of way! Aha!
Here's what I want you to get. Some of you are impressive and you need to use such perception for the glory of God. You look sharp and sound so. But others are as me. You don't stand out in demeanor nor stature. But your faith may be the very thing needed to boost your work force; even your church. Each person is impressive when in Christ (even if our unimpressiveness is used by Him to impress). Everyone is important and significant.
I write a lot of people both through email and snail. I want all to know they are needed. In case you don't know it, the average person in America does not have one good friend. Therefore, you and I are needed! One of the great things I find in the simple lifestyle of Jesus was he, too, valued his friends. We are no different.
Today some are reading your headlines as you are their morning paper. I would encourage you to put a little umph of joy and new level of assurance in your talk. Anybody can display the headlines of "UGHH" and "YUCK". But those filled to the fullness of God surely have something better for their communities to read! Through you may God deliver your town good news!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
FOR PREACHERS ONLY
Guys, the following are my sermon notes for this morning:
- Gen. 32:2
- II Kings 6:15-17
- Jn. 3:3
- Eph. 6:10-12
- Mt. 6:9-15
- II Cor. 3:4-5
That's it. I know you can't imagine the words I intend to say from this. They flood my heart. What I do want you to get is encouragement to preach the most cutting edge technologically advanced sermons....the Word of God. Nothing is sharper than the double-bladed Word. Nothing is more quickening to the struggling heart than a word from God.
Don't let your most dominating and essential force (the Bible) be robbed by the need to feel more modern. Don't do it. While we want to relate to connecting means within our social structure, ears are hungry to hear the fascinating Truth beyond what our natural senses can....sense.
When we preach, may those listening experience the touch of God upon their very wonderful hearts. Give 'em heaven!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
GOD. WHAT A WOW!
This has been a great week. I am blessed to know special people. With advanced technology I can even be in touch with many who read this blog when neither of us know the other. These times are fascinating, indeed.
But the reason I am really encouraged is the wonder of God which I have gotten to study this week. Do you get it that we are directly connected to the real, legitimate, river-parting, grave-ruining God? Do you understand we are involved in the world of the above ground (that's in comparison to the underground)? God has so much to teach us. It's buried in such a thin little volume; yet continues to flow like Niagara.
I'm absolutely wowed at learning. I can't wait for tomorrow to get here for me to trim away the threads of His input and actually prepare to deliver what I've learned from Him. I've not forgotten my days of knowing nothing about God. Once converted I struggled to understand. In preaching school I couldn't get the teachings to connect. To me the Bible was disjointed; too difficult for a slow reader to muddle through. But somewhere along the way, He began to connect the dots and He's been on a roll with me ever since.
I don't look for good lessons to teach. I look for life to teach. I don't scan the Bible for three good points. I want to know what He's up to. Every week I measure whether I have a worthwhile sermon. It's easy to determine. If I have learned something new, I have something to say. If I haven't learned anything, why would I think they would?
I've told God a lot lately, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. That's how I feel. Nations and centuries of people have known a lot of very important things. Those of us who know God know the good stuff!
But the reason I am really encouraged is the wonder of God which I have gotten to study this week. Do you get it that we are directly connected to the real, legitimate, river-parting, grave-ruining God? Do you understand we are involved in the world of the above ground (that's in comparison to the underground)? God has so much to teach us. It's buried in such a thin little volume; yet continues to flow like Niagara.
I'm absolutely wowed at learning. I can't wait for tomorrow to get here for me to trim away the threads of His input and actually prepare to deliver what I've learned from Him. I've not forgotten my days of knowing nothing about God. Once converted I struggled to understand. In preaching school I couldn't get the teachings to connect. To me the Bible was disjointed; too difficult for a slow reader to muddle through. But somewhere along the way, He began to connect the dots and He's been on a roll with me ever since.
I don't look for good lessons to teach. I look for life to teach. I don't scan the Bible for three good points. I want to know what He's up to. Every week I measure whether I have a worthwhile sermon. It's easy to determine. If I have learned something new, I have something to say. If I haven't learned anything, why would I think they would?
I've told God a lot lately, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. That's how I feel. Nations and centuries of people have known a lot of very important things. Those of us who know God know the good stuff!
Friday, October 17, 2008
HOW THEY DO CHURCH RIGHT
I think about the kingdom all day long every day. I'm not that spiritual, mind you. I am that interested. It intrigues me. It fascinates me. The kingdom is full of information, riddles, and plots. Its characters are all human except for God and angels. All who are in it should have the energy of an explorer, the ability to be wowed as a child, and the passion of the wildest romantic. How does God do what He does and keep us from whirling off of earth's circumference out of sheer uncontainable excitement?
I study our congregation. I love it so much. I enjoy it so much. As I ponder what God is doing with us, I cannot name a person which is key other than the Spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Christ, which is the Holy Spirit. If He (They) don't show up we shut down. If They don't flow freely and openly we are no more than an insurance industry peddling hope on paper. Should They choose to not engage in our assemblies whether class or worship, our best offerings would feel like sagging disappointment. Every Sunday I leave for home physically and mentally exhausted while soaring in spirit gratitude. I leave every Sunday completely clueless how They pulled love and harmony and compassion together when all we did was put some stuff together and offer it up to Him.
I can't wait for Sunday. Before every presentation of which I am responsible, I plead with Him/Them not to leave me up there by myself. They must connect the dots from what I heard Them say from study through the week to the ears of those who have the courtesy to sit and endure yet their one millionth talk about hope. Before every presentation I practice delivering the message in my mind including pausing to let the hearers engage; whether laughter, pondering, or inner debate.
How do we do this? We don't. They do. We are grateful for just a smidgen of participation responsibility, but it is the Upper Team which delivers the goods at Memorial and the whole church knows it. We don't want to be who we are because of any fleshly skill. We want to be who we are due to Them in us. The Trinity: They do church right!
I study our congregation. I love it so much. I enjoy it so much. As I ponder what God is doing with us, I cannot name a person which is key other than the Spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Christ, which is the Holy Spirit. If He (They) don't show up we shut down. If They don't flow freely and openly we are no more than an insurance industry peddling hope on paper. Should They choose to not engage in our assemblies whether class or worship, our best offerings would feel like sagging disappointment. Every Sunday I leave for home physically and mentally exhausted while soaring in spirit gratitude. I leave every Sunday completely clueless how They pulled love and harmony and compassion together when all we did was put some stuff together and offer it up to Him.
I can't wait for Sunday. Before every presentation of which I am responsible, I plead with Him/Them not to leave me up there by myself. They must connect the dots from what I heard Them say from study through the week to the ears of those who have the courtesy to sit and endure yet their one millionth talk about hope. Before every presentation I practice delivering the message in my mind including pausing to let the hearers engage; whether laughter, pondering, or inner debate.
How do we do this? We don't. They do. We are grateful for just a smidgen of participation responsibility, but it is the Upper Team which delivers the goods at Memorial and the whole church knows it. We don't want to be who we are because of any fleshly skill. We want to be who we are due to Them in us. The Trinity: They do church right!
THE SLEEPY FOG THAT DRIFTED ONTO OUR SCENE
When church leadership valiantly assailed every whimper of a false doctrine in the early to mid 20th Century, it inadvertently opened a window for a heavy fog to drift in causing the very body it was trying to spare to fall asleep. While strong voices went to great lengths to eliminate any “adding to or taking away” regarding scriptures, something strange (unnamed and unnoticed) slipped by the guards. Man became confident in himself to carry out religion. Such leadership ignorantly handed Peter’s keys back to the enemy forces. A remnant has fought its captivity ever since.
What is that unnamed and unnoticed fog? Naturalism. Some of the most vocal of yesteryear declawed the Bible by removing the Spirit of God and turned the New Testament into Newer-than-the-old Law. Apparently such began when someone concluded “the perfect has come” of First Corinthians 13 referred to “miracles have ceased”. It seems it was necessary to those making such determination that “the perfect has come” meant the arrival of the completed Bible. I believe at the very least, such a conclusion is shaky.
But the fog….the fog that began to drift was when students began to associate “miracles have ceased” with “supernatural has ceased”. God was barred at His own door. "Holy Spirit, Go Back Where You Belong" was the song before communion. Believers began to unbelieve. Since there was a disconnect with the Living God and one was urged to go by the New Law, man was now out on a huge limb with saw in tow. Everywhere this naturalistic doctrine (which possesses no odor for detection) is accepted, men and women have lost sight of the activity of God in their walk. It’s all up to them: from being good enough to be saved to producing some sort of Holy Moly fruit in the name of religious activity.
Francis Schaeffer wrote thirty-seven years ago, The supernatural does not touch the Christian only at the new birth and then at his death, or at the second coming of Christ, leaving the believer on his own in a naturalistic world during all the time in between. Nothing could be further from the biblical view. Being a biblical Christian means living in the supernatural now, not only theoretically but in practice.
We must remove the fog; not by yelling or swatting at it but by continually, persistently, passionately leading the flock to open its eyes to the activity (the direct connecting activity) of God in the very mysterious midst of our daily grind.
What is that unnamed and unnoticed fog? Naturalism. Some of the most vocal of yesteryear declawed the Bible by removing the Spirit of God and turned the New Testament into Newer-than-the-old Law. Apparently such began when someone concluded “the perfect has come” of First Corinthians 13 referred to “miracles have ceased”. It seems it was necessary to those making such determination that “the perfect has come” meant the arrival of the completed Bible. I believe at the very least, such a conclusion is shaky.
But the fog….the fog that began to drift was when students began to associate “miracles have ceased” with “supernatural has ceased”. God was barred at His own door. "Holy Spirit, Go Back Where You Belong" was the song before communion. Believers began to unbelieve. Since there was a disconnect with the Living God and one was urged to go by the New Law, man was now out on a huge limb with saw in tow. Everywhere this naturalistic doctrine (which possesses no odor for detection) is accepted, men and women have lost sight of the activity of God in their walk. It’s all up to them: from being good enough to be saved to producing some sort of Holy Moly fruit in the name of religious activity.
Francis Schaeffer wrote thirty-seven years ago, The supernatural does not touch the Christian only at the new birth and then at his death, or at the second coming of Christ, leaving the believer on his own in a naturalistic world during all the time in between. Nothing could be further from the biblical view. Being a biblical Christian means living in the supernatural now, not only theoretically but in practice.
We must remove the fog; not by yelling or swatting at it but by continually, persistently, passionately leading the flock to open its eyes to the activity (the direct connecting activity) of God in the very mysterious midst of our daily grind.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A REMARKABLE MOVE
God has done it again! I don't know if it's through our elders or through our disposition or exactly what it is, but Memorial is again making a most unusual move of faith. Frankly, I am most excited.
Seven years ago our working arrangement with Craig Hicks as our youth minister came to an abrupt end. He was removed from the staff. Pain was everywhere. It hurt our elders and staff as much as it did him. The teens and their parents suffered acute injury as well.
I need to share only briefly that stressful backdrop to portray the amazing development taking place. Effective next Monday morning Craig is being re-added as a member of our staff as a ministerial intern. He wants to spend twelve months working with us that he can go out into the ministry arena with new confidence as he shores up his management ability.
He will be working with our college group as well as handling visitor and hospital contacts. While his role is significant, the heart of the matter is even more so. I look forward to seeing what Craig and I can do as a new team. The rest of the staff is enthusiastically supportive as we believe in him.
All who know this man is fully aware of his extraordinary gifts as a speaker. While he has been gone I have encountered new ideas regarding management, direction, and possibility. We are always in kindergarten learning the multi-facets of leadership. I really look forward to working with Craig. I hope over the next twelve months of his internship I can serve him well by supplying, guiding, and instilling new leadership confidence into a most valuable friend.
"A Place to Start Life Over" is not Memorial's slogan....it is our heart. I feel most privileged to be a part of a place that practices such renewal and regeneration. Only God could give us such a Spirit. Craig Hicks is back on staff. He has my admiration in that while encountering abundant heartbreak, the man did not run away. Craig is an endurer. Therefore, he is a victor.
Congratulations to all of us for believing God can supply abundant grace for such a special time as this! WELCOME BACK, CRAIG!
Seven years ago our working arrangement with Craig Hicks as our youth minister came to an abrupt end. He was removed from the staff. Pain was everywhere. It hurt our elders and staff as much as it did him. The teens and their parents suffered acute injury as well.
I need to share only briefly that stressful backdrop to portray the amazing development taking place. Effective next Monday morning Craig is being re-added as a member of our staff as a ministerial intern. He wants to spend twelve months working with us that he can go out into the ministry arena with new confidence as he shores up his management ability.
He will be working with our college group as well as handling visitor and hospital contacts. While his role is significant, the heart of the matter is even more so. I look forward to seeing what Craig and I can do as a new team. The rest of the staff is enthusiastically supportive as we believe in him.
All who know this man is fully aware of his extraordinary gifts as a speaker. While he has been gone I have encountered new ideas regarding management, direction, and possibility. We are always in kindergarten learning the multi-facets of leadership. I really look forward to working with Craig. I hope over the next twelve months of his internship I can serve him well by supplying, guiding, and instilling new leadership confidence into a most valuable friend.
"A Place to Start Life Over" is not Memorial's slogan....it is our heart. I feel most privileged to be a part of a place that practices such renewal and regeneration. Only God could give us such a Spirit. Craig Hicks is back on staff. He has my admiration in that while encountering abundant heartbreak, the man did not run away. Craig is an endurer. Therefore, he is a victor.
Congratulations to all of us for believing God can supply abundant grace for such a special time as this! WELCOME BACK, CRAIG!
WE. THEY. POSSIBLY US?
What would happen if we became more aware of how wrong we are? What would it do to us (or for us) if we could drop the pride thing of believing we have a grip on all of the answers and become hungry for more and more of His Revelation? I think we are developing in the church an atmosphere or members high on preferences and opinion while being low on letting the Word study us.
Whether sermon preparation, blog research, or simple reading of the Bible, I am constantly impressed with how it takes me directions I had not intended. The Word is always pointing life out to us….always! I encourage you to keep reading scriptures as well as other writings which discuss scriptures. Such an approach lets visitors join us in the process of learning about him. This lessens the stark thought of we and they.
Brian McLaren wrote that Jesus was criticized for being a friend of sinners---he welcomed and accepted people who did not yet, “believe right, think right, speak right, and act right.” But he knew something we need to know: If people can belong long enough to observe how God is alive among us, if people can belong long enough to see authentic love among us, if they can belong long enough to see whatever good exists in our lives as individuals and as community, they can come to believe.
If we will but continue to become students of the Christ, such a trend will make it easier for seekers to join us with the feeling of belonging to a group which learns together. The we and the they become more of an us.
Whether sermon preparation, blog research, or simple reading of the Bible, I am constantly impressed with how it takes me directions I had not intended. The Word is always pointing life out to us….always! I encourage you to keep reading scriptures as well as other writings which discuss scriptures. Such an approach lets visitors join us in the process of learning about him. This lessens the stark thought of we and they.
Brian McLaren wrote that Jesus was criticized for being a friend of sinners---he welcomed and accepted people who did not yet, “believe right, think right, speak right, and act right.” But he knew something we need to know: If people can belong long enough to observe how God is alive among us, if people can belong long enough to see authentic love among us, if they can belong long enough to see whatever good exists in our lives as individuals and as community, they can come to believe.
If we will but continue to become students of the Christ, such a trend will make it easier for seekers to join us with the feeling of belonging to a group which learns together. The we and the they become more of an us.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
FROM BUS MINISTRY TO.......
It has been reminisced that the church needs something today like the bus ministry of the 70s and 80s to put us into the community. Agreed that we don’t necessarily need church buses to get us there, but it was one of the more powerful tools of helping our members have an organized direction for outreach. My family benefited greatly from this particular ministry. Mary learned to be a classroom teacher by teaching on the bus. My three kids rode with their mom on the bus Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights to sit with the children. They began when they were in first, second, and third grades. Their eyes were opened to societal plight. As adults they continue to walk from what they saw as extreme need from the early bus days.
The church now has another ministry arising. It is slightly different in method; but not in heart. The difference is the people come here instead of us going there. The method is the Food Pantry. For any of our members not involved, they may not be able to imagine the great need of our community. The Food Pantry is so special we had to move to two times per week being available. The volume of demand is great…..and sad. I encourage you that of all the benefit from the tremendous work we found in the bus work may be partially matched by the tremendous need of the hungry in our communities.
I close with a question: What is it you experience in your area which is proving valuable as a well-organized method of outreach?
The church now has another ministry arising. It is slightly different in method; but not in heart. The difference is the people come here instead of us going there. The method is the Food Pantry. For any of our members not involved, they may not be able to imagine the great need of our community. The Food Pantry is so special we had to move to two times per week being available. The volume of demand is great…..and sad. I encourage you that of all the benefit from the tremendous work we found in the bus work may be partially matched by the tremendous need of the hungry in our communities.
I close with a question: What is it you experience in your area which is proving valuable as a well-organized method of outreach?
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