SOME ARE AT THE WELL....THIRSTY. OTHERS ARE HIGH IN THE TREES TRYING TO GET A BETTER LOOK.

My plans for 2011?  To win a few.

In 2011 I plan to become all things to all men that I might win a few.  I plan to intentionally connect with those in my natural surroundings by giving attention to....them.  It is an easy life in Christ.  Be interested in the people God places in your path.

There was the woman at the well.  And then how about that man up a tree?  Jesus didn't go door-knocking (and it isn't illegal to do so).  He went through life with his Father's eyes intentionally connecting to the huddles and masses and lone strangers.

In 2011 I look forward to running into the Scotts and the Kylas and the Dorises and the T.J.s of 2010.  Some were at the pantry and others up a creek.  And...Jesus was there in our various members of his body.

In becoming all things to all men of I Corinthians 9, I am mostly the weak; I became weak that I might reach the weak.  That's the easiest and most natural.  I am naturally nothing and such goes over so good with those who feel the same about themselves. 

Regardless of your position or non, view 2011 with enormous hope.  Several will bump up against you with their thirsts and their inability to see clearly.  Notice them.  Let God use you for such times as these.

WHEN OUR BACKS ARE AGAINST THE WALL

There is grave danger in everything going right.  After awhile our dependency upon the Lord diminishes as we subtly take on an air of personal skill-set provision.  It is when our backs are against the wall with no way to be self-provisionary that we get to see who really runs the show; God.

When visions and dreams strike a leader in the church we tend to look to the bank balance to see if we can first afford it.  This is the beginning of a man-made venture.

One of the several things I enjoy about our elders at Memorial is their detachment from materialistic provision over this flock.  If God doesn't do it via some person or circumstance, it won't get done.

I recall a time when we were in pretty slim straights financially at this congregation.  A poor college girl who had no family here gave the church a check for $17,000 without restrictions.  A gift!  A surprise gift from one least expected.  We are still blessed by her timely move as she followed God's urge.

Don't be discouraged when you have a deep need and you just don't know how.  God knows about you just as He is verifying it by this article.  How did He know you needed to read this right now?  Oh...He has a way!

It is His very way that puts smiles on our faces and adrenalin in our faith muscles.  We may be pinned in by a wall too high and an army chasing us.  It matters not.  With God there is always His talent to part the sea on the other side which we assume would cause us to drown.

Is your back against the wall?  Don't flinch.  God is simply pruning you of your assumed essential provision.  Your way won't cut it.  So don't labor long in your weak management skills.  Look to Him.  He has a blessing coming every moment of every day. 

Our backs aren't against the wall.  Our God has our backs.  We just assumed it was a wall.  Our backs are up against God....the Great Provider!  Walls...our opportunites to notice Him.

HOW MIGHT WE MOVE INTO THE LOVE OF JESUS?

Who would disagree that we should love like Jesus?  We are free to give lip-service and song-service to go tell it on the mountain or I'm in the Lord's army.  Yet, de-roosting of the pews is surely a goal of all churches.

So how do we accomplish this meaningful task?

There seems to be an interchanging word for love.  It would be care. God so cared that He gave.  God cared about us.  We will love when we care and we will care when we love.

So how do we accomplish this meaningful task?

Sermons will support.  Bible study will help.  To put legs on the task we may find placing our people in the line of the poor is what opens the hearts the quickest.  Impact is felt when hearts begin to feel.  The body of Christ is a feeling system...everyone kept feeling the sense of awe..it is written of the church's opening day.

The church is both emotionally based and emotionally charged.  Both have been siphoned by "church correctness" and "decent and in order" propaganda.  Our people have frozen for fear we might get service wrong.  We have been reduced to mere "clock in" "clock out" for so long that we have let the tenderness of the body of Christ wane.

How we move into the love of Jesus is to realize, first, this is an emotional matter.  The church always needs deep-seated emotion.  Indifference is a lack of emotion; a lack of care, a lack of love.  What breaks indifference is to stand face to face with a poor person in need of your care.  We stand together in our little acreage and find that we care.   Our immediate response is to give.

God so cared for the world He gave.  Giving hearts love people, root for people, and move for people.  How we might move into the love of Jesus is to hang out with those whose life isn't going well rather than only those of our social level where we are getting by.

GOD'S SHIPMENT OF POWER RIGHT BENEATH OUR NOSES

And we know God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

God causes is a mighty statement.  The only reason all things (distress, failure, disappointment, etc.) work for us is because of God's innate capacity to turn lemons into lemonade.  We got it from Him!

So where you live, try not to waste God's shipment of power through the cargo system of ruggedness or strain.  Neither are something one rids; but rather precisely designed power to be used.

All things.  Arguments.  Disagreements.  Varying opinions.  Hurt feelings.  Relationship violations.  These are not to be ignored.  They carry as much kingdom value as harmony and justice and honor.

Life is being wasted when such cargo is assumed discardable.  None of it is.  Everything works together for the good of all who see and serve God.

We are not just mighty in successful deeds; but also in horrendous malfunction.  Leaders, I think, are different from followers in this vital area.  Leaders are not manipulated by circumstances; but rather are fueled by them.

Life is right under our noses.  Do what you can not to miss it.

DO YOU THINK WE ARE LOSING GROUND?

Does anyone else get those gnarly sensations that we are not making a dent in this fallen society?  Such could seem legit.  News reports of tragedy plus threat bombard our minds...unless.  Unless...we have filled our minds ahead of time with the news from Heaven Live...that journal eerily inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Reporters David and Daniel, Peter and Paul, and others promote an entirely different concept....hope.

I think daily earth reports (II Cor. 12:7 references these messengers from Satan) are designed to both detract and distract from the faith-armies of God.  Abundance of progress is being made.  Souls are being more than saved; they are being transformed into glorious soldiers of the cross.

From the Mid-East to the Mid-West, small group Bible studies are cropping up in magnitudinal measurement.  Such students are serious about their mission.  There is a serious move of believers arising to bravely and confidently challenge the opposition of our time.  God's righteousness is be heralded. 

Be assured the gaining of ground is neither imaginary nor weak.  Substantial sowing of kingdom seed is arising world-wide.  People are adoring the Father, believing the Son, and empowered by the Spirit.  Change---real hopeful change---is taking place in all nations. 

Do you think we are losing ground?  Consider books and journals and blogs cannot report all that is being accomplished by God today.  As the Bible emphasizes that the world could not contain all of the reports of Jesus' works when he was here.....it still can't. 

Be encouraged.  God is happening and those connected to Him are in the winning mode!

DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS OF THE MONUMENTAL DEATH?

Just in case you haven't watched the local news, or the world ones for that matter, a major death has taken place which will affect each of us.  A highly sought criminal has been charged, arrested, and most promptly executed.  Fear has died.  Yes, the agony of harassment is all over folks.  No longer is there a need to lock the doors and windows to our dreams.

The twist to this fascinating news alert is that Fear is inherently tied to the conspiracy of Self.  As long as Self has the stage Fear has an audience.  The preemption of Fear is the death of Self.  When one dies, so does the other.

Congratulations to all conquerors.  You now have entered the Real Life known as the style of Jesus who did not live for himself but died and was resurrected.  When we each die to Self, resurrection--free from Fear--hits us square in the heart. 

Live Big!  Live Grateful!  Live Happy!  Live!

WOULDN'T THE 63RD TIME AROUND LOSE ITS LUSTER?

I love Christmas!

One of the things I like about God is He insists upon giving grown people child-hearts.  Count me in.  I know I am a child at heart and I have no plans of growing up or out of wonder, fascination, and awe.  This is a remarkable world we live in.

I really like AT&Ts slogan Rethink Possible.  The child-heart does not know marvel can't happen.  Growing old is too much about losing our enthrallmalicity.  On the other hand, growing young (II Cor. 4:16-18) is believing possibility becomes reality.

Do you know what I really like about Christmas?  Because of the surprises and astonishing moves of God, we experience it every day!  Christmas doesn't lose its luster regardless of our age.  Why?  Because God is all about celebrating the new...and new is a kingdom vitamin!

Merry Christmas!

THE VERY THING WE HAVE BOASTED WE AREN'T....WE MAY NEED

Have you ever heard it explained in great pride that we aren't a Reformation Movement, but a Restoration Movement?  The point that immediately tails such statements are Luther's Reformation Movement merely ended up in many divided denominations.  Our (RM) is better....more biblical...we conclude.

Reformation means to "reform", "re-do", or "re-make" because something is inherently wrong with the current.  We may be in need of the very thing we have boasted we are not....reformation.

For one, the Restoration Movement has delivered the same divisionary communities identical to the Reformation denominations with one exception; our various splitages insist on calling ourselves the same name---Church of Christ.

Our efforts to regain firm relationship with our living Lord is a pursuit which must not be adjusted.  The inserting of doctrines in the name of Jesus which are truly and merely doctrines of habit continue to debilitate the body at large.  Restoration and Reformation are dually needed.

What we didn't realize, in our earlier years, was that whatever we decided to believe became and what we decided to not believe didn't come about.  For those who believe firmly the Holy Spirit of God works in and with us today...He surely does!  However, for those who staunchly believe the Holy Spirit does no such thing; in their lives He truly does no such thing!

We have much to learn, much to ponder, and much growing to do.  All sensations of pride of having arrived calls for immediate repentance.  We want God to be free to roam upon us, with us, and for us.  Rigidity of habit will not permit the freedom of His call.

May we be about the receiving of His grace and the relenting of our stubborn stances.  The world awaits...and so do the authentic people called the church.

WHAT'S WORKING FOR US....AND WHY?

First, I want you to know I feel wonderfully weird in writing you through this blog.  I mean by that that I don't have a series of anything lined out to write about.  I just keep getting these impulses (that's all I know to say) of things I think might interest you.

So here's a weird one. 

Today I've been going through my routine of a very non-routine ministry.  I love the ins and outs, ups and downs (well, maybe not the downs...yet even they are kingdom useful) of working in a zone on earth I would at one time have never believed to be remotely a part of my life.  Now it is 24/7....and I am nuts about it!

It occurred to me this afternoon that we are so removed from the true scope of our work that we cannot declare what is working for us nor why.  God is in charge of these facts; these truths.

For example, of the many wonders I've encountered today, did they happen because I prayed this morning...or yesterday morning...or fifteen years ago and God is just now developing it?  Or, are our wonderful experiences happening because an inmate off in some forgotten prison hole two centuries ago devoted herself to prayer to the extent I was blessed today...and neither of us (she nor me) know of the connection?  Only God.

And what victories (ups) or defeats (downs) that happen to you tomorrow are not specially designed for one to be blessed in Singapore in 2075 who, at present, has not yet been born?

Who can wonder if a prayer by George Mueller decades back just came to fruition in Portland, Oregon this morning?  We can't fathom.  God runs the show.

My point?  Don't question your life---good or bad, favorable or non---but believe God is continually knitting away at His table making sense of the Larger Life which seems blurred to us right now.  We live a robust life of miracle after miracle....but some in our heritage robbed us by the abortion of our faith before it developed.  Shame on them.  But even that move can prove to be a cause of grandeur for God is the One leading...and funding...the parade.

Be blessed....from a thousand different moves that none of us would have ever guessed!  There is more going on with us than we can perceive....and it was God who said He would do more than we could imagine or think.  We may not be able to imagine it.  We may not be able to think about it.  But...we can believe it.

WHEN GOD MOVED IN

God created the world and delivered the Words by which humanity was to live.  Spectacularism and routine cohabitated for centuries.  And then....and then a startling thing happened.  God moved in.

God's move is a matter to behold.  He got His fleshly start in a barn.  I'm a farm boy.  I've worked many days in the barn.  Should you think God moved into a nativity scene, think again.  The barn is absent tablecloths and polyester drapes.  Among its many uses, the cattle barn is the sewage department of the farm.  One of the first barn rules for all farmers is, "Watch your step."

This is where God chose to move in.  His moves were astounding.  How we love to read of each account.  His semi-final ending was that of excrutiating pain from the rugged cross.  God moved in....with complete Alpha and Omega commitment.

We?  His followers?  Aren't we called to follow in his steps?  Thus, when living out the life of Christ within us, we can count on treacherous days where we help the down and out so much we, too, have to "Watch our step."  We too will find the Jesus-involvement will involve foul odor and probable injury. 

God moved in.  And when He did He burrowed in with the rough and tough stuff of humanity.  The church wants to the be true church from a distance.  In other words, we tend to not move in.  We want to help...but we would rather not smell. 

What I am seeing is the church is most alive the more it smells of working in the barn instead of donating at mall.

IS GOD OUR GOD?

The answer to the title question is obvious.  Or, is it?

I don't know about you but I find myself still growing in this area.  Of course God being my God has received much lip service; especially in songs.  Yet, as I look back I note maybe He was not actually at the top of the "hunger for" list.

Here's what might have inserted itself into His place in my walk:

• Performance.  I was not as concerned about God hearing from me in worship and adoration as I was getting my religious skills/duties sharpened.
• Reputation.  It was critical that all cross-sections of the brotherhood liked me.  Popularity was essential.
• Doctrine.  Of course it was absolutely crucial to believe the right things in the right way in the right order.  Being right was the pinnacle from which I vowed never to jump.  His righteousness for me was a non-essential for I could bring my own to the table...I thought.

Each of the above is important.  They are not God.  It took me a bit--a long bit--to realize I wasn't crazy about God; but was mesmerized by functioning well in front of Him.

My wrestle is the church's battle still today.  It is a dead-end alley to believe that getting our i-s dotted and our t-s crossed in precision pleases God if our hearts are vacant of complete adoration of His central being.  One of the things I pray every morning on my way to the office is for those driving alongside of me to acknowledge the God of our lives rather than drive throughout the day without a complimentary thought of gratitude toward Him.

Love the Lord your God---commandment #1.

THE SNARE OF JUDGING OTHERS

No one needs to be alerted to dangers of judging others....Mt. 7:1-5.  It can cost us our own souls...Jas. 2:13.  Yet, we seem addicted to this sin.  Worse, we don't regard it as anything heavy against the heart of God.  After all, everybody does it.

Judgment is a tough sin to break. 

Try---as hard as we must---not to be guilty of this.

The reason it is vicious is because it is completely without truth basis.  When we judge we do so from our own heart; not the victim's.  We tend to assess others according to how we would and why we would behave in those situations.  Thus we might come to conclusions based on our own wobbly, mediocre, or dark thoughts rather than knowing facts for certain. 

Assuming the motive for another's behavior from the markers from which we would do similarly can be a grave and mistaken assumption.

Perception, concern, etc. easily play into this zone....and they fit.  However, judging is simply a slippery path which can thrust us to quick and wrong conclusions about another because we didn't have facts; we made humanistic guestimates.

Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things....and do you  suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God (Rom. 2:1, 3)?

WE CAN'T POSSIBLY TAKE IT IN

God's glory....who can fathom?  God's range of work....who can report it?

The more we tell of God's doing the more He does.  It is that simple.

The way to fill the earth with His glory is to sow seeds of it by our speaking.  If we will but rumor His love we will gossip the world into spectacular life without limits for He inhabits His praise.

We can't possibly take in the fascination of God's varying talent, skill, and unspeakable productivity.

We lost ground when we used up our words to out-argue other Christian brands.  We gain ground when we form words of hope, and life, and great love.  These words are working words; creative in the nature of the Three!

Let the redeemed say so...the Psalmist advised.  Still on target.  Spread the Word.  God not only is not dead....He isn't even getting tired.  His handiwork is still handy....so handy we can't possibly take it in!

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU THINK ONE HAS DECIDED THEY DON'T LIKE YOU

Humans are a moody sort, huh?  Up one day.  Oh up three years!  And then one day---boom---not speaking, not responding; very distant.  What's this all about? 

I spent a lot of time in that prison.  I ain't easy serving time there; especially for one who wants EVERYONE to like him.  But...such is real life. 

So what shall we do? 

The solution is very simple; think upon all who do like you.  Give them your mind; not the one(s) who have some sort of social problem.  Theirs isn't yours to cure.  Theirs isn't yours to fix.  It belongs to them.  Hopefully they will one day return.  They often do.

In the meantime, treasure those near you who have neither abandoned nor punished.  They are in abundance and you can be glad....very glad.

IF YOU ARE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT....LOOK LIKE IT

(The one giving the announcements)

"Welcome to church today folks. We hope you enjoy your time with us. In order not to offend anyone, we ask that you not act like you are happy. We all have our druthers and preferences. We all want to get along so let's be sensitive to all today and just hold back any expression of joy. We are in church, you know."

While this tongue-in-cheek comment is ridiculous, I've been in settings where similar announcements really did happen. This is painfully unbearable.

Of all people we should be the ones who sense great joy...over-joy...and are free to express it!

When visitors gather in our assemblies, one of the first things I believe they ought to experience is that they have entered a place of joy. "Decent and in order" has served as church handcuffs to stop whatever it was that Sister Gert or Brother Bert didn't like. Yet to be assembled for the purpose of praising God without the element of joy is a misnomer.

I don't know what your main church doctrine is...to you. I would direct your attention to the truth that those dragging in from your community have endured enough pain and agony in the week past. May the start of their new week find that you are happy....you know it....and you look like it!

A shift from looking like we were weaned on dill pickles to that of chocolate would be a wonderful decent and in order improvement!

WHERE FAITH AND DOCTRINE AND HEARTS GROW

I spent the first two decades of my new-found faith trying to match up with verses and doctrines.  I was a basic failure.  My alignment was off, my spirit was unhappy, and my results were nil.

Over the years momentum has shifted to the point I live mesmerized at watching God work among us.  It is a new experience everyday.  He is proving Himself true when He had Paul write that we are new day by day.  We are!

Over the past few months I have been stricken once again by God's tender mercy toward me.  He has let me grow into another level of awe toward Him.

God has opened my heart eyes by letting me be among the poor.  Blessed are the poor in spirit, Jesus began his irreversible crusade.

Here's what I see; being with the poor is the walk of Jesus.  It is also the doctrine as well as the heart of discipleship.  The poor draw God.  Find a church growing and more times than not it will not be due to upper scale location nor spit-shined architecture.  It will more likely be due to the poor being touched by His majestic love.

Look at those who work with orphans, with food pantries, with clothes closets. Look.  Depth.  The heart of God, the doctrine of God, and great faith in God.

Where we have struggled over the years may be resolved (not in our moves to the right, left, or center) by shifting to the very doctrine the heart of God has cherished most....caring for the poor.

Building facades are supposed to say; Here we are.  Come join us!  But doctrinally enriched faith says, Where are the poor?  I must join them!

Merry Christmas.....reflecting upon that deed where God let His doctrine show by joining us....the poor and lost.

SANTA EVANGELISM

The more we talk about God working the more God gives us to talk about.

Even Santa opens doors and hearts within our immediate community!  I experienced a marvelous thriller last night at Memorial Drive.  Santa came to see us!  Oh, how many times have you been there done that?  That's what I thought, too. 

For the first time, we extended an invitation to the immediate community (through fliers at Lindbergh Elementary and our food pantry...plus our new digital lawn sign) for pictures with Santa.  David and Lisa Combs developed this idea with the expectation of maybe 10 to 100 visitors.

Whoa!  When the doors opened at 6:30 I counted 56 waiting in line.  Hundreds came.  It was a wonderful zoo.  We had one printer going and had to bring in another to send home the pictures of little ones with Santa.  Because the crowd was slightly delayed in getting their photos, it gave me time to work the crowds.  They were so appreciative, so polite, and told me they would like to be at church soon.

One of the scenes which touched me greatly was an older woman entering with her mentally handicapped son of about 45 years old.  I introduced myself and thanked them for being here.  The mother said, Oh we had to come to see Santa....he is soooo excited.  They were here for the man's picture with Santa.  It was adorable!

Santa will be back tonight for our Children's Christmas Program!  He will be a huge hit....again.  The more we talk about God working the more God gives us to talk about.

SURPRISE!

James commented two posts ago, Terry, I can't help but wonder if doing all these positive things caused some negative hearted people to leave your group, leaving behind more good hearted people who enjoyed and thrived in these activities? Or did everyone stay and find their relationships changed as they worked side by side rather than having face to face tension? Did cohesion come because you all forged a vision that included these activities and only those who shared the vision stayed? OR did cohesion come because carrying out the vision changed their hearts?



And then a Memorial elder responded, James Riley’s questions are interesting and thought provoking. Having passed through this time at Memorial I find myself occasionally musing in a similar vain. I can say I know of examples of each. My conclusion is it does not matter. God not mortal man is the source of such change. The answer to these questions matter as a means of measurement and/or comparisons that are not mine to control. Terry said, “I can't say exactly how God reversed our trend.” I think Terry would confirm one of the things He did was free us from worry over matters involved in answering these questions.

James, my answer to all of your questions is "yes". 

James' questions are so on target and David's response equalled them.  Our congregation went through extreme gyrations and victories and sweat boxes and celebrations!  One week we would be eating candy bars and the next would be sour pickles.  God had His hands full.  I still can't figure what happened or how it worked. 

But I know one thing I wasn't expecting happened.  Much more changing had to go on in my head and heart than I would have ever guessed.  I had no idea those holding back the work included me. 

Surprised me!

GOD SAID ASK....SO I DID

I want you to know a bit of behind the scenes with my new book--MVP!--that you might be encouraged when you continue to encounter brick walls. 

I worked on the manuscript for seven years.  It was difficult to sort my thoughts.  To put this time-line into perspective I had written ten other books in the last 20 years.  I had a nationally-known independent publisher lined up to do the book.  I was thrilled over this agreement.

However, six months before publication, Rich fell from a concrete deck and broke his neck and back.  He was immediately out of the picture.  But God.  God knows things.

I contacted another great friend who really didn't publish books; but he did manage a cracker-jack printing business.  Colin looked at the manuscript and liked it.  He put thousands of dollars into publishing the final product.  Yet we had no distributor.  Walmart wouldn't respond to my inquiries.  Neither would Mardell's Christian Books.  Barnes & Noble said no.  No stores will carry it....yet.

It could have appeared I was up a creek with only a book for a paddle.  But not the case.  No need to flinch in worry.  God said....

God said that when you need things ask.  So I did.  I prayed asking Him if He would be the distributor of my book for I didn't know where else to turn.

I spoke with Colin yesterday.  We can't explain it.  MVP! sales put us in the black within 100 days and still no store carries it!  Big-time book stores are crying because book sales are tanking (economy and Kindle) while we can't find an earthly distributor.  We can't figure...except for the One who told us to ask.

So be encouraged about your projects.  Go through the open doors and don't be deflated over the closed ones.  God runs the show...all shows. 

If you haven't gotten your copy of MVP! (Why You Are Most Valuable in God's Eyes!), but better get your Christmas order in now!

Order online: http://www.kellypressinc.com/  The book is going so well.  God said ask....so I did.

COHESION: A SIGNIFICANT MATTER

Pulling members alongside one another is very key regarding church health.  It is important to be together.  Such is clearly a New Testament thread.

Memorial struggled for several years.  Even our get-togethers were divided.  Work had to be done.

I can't say exactly how God reversed our trend, but He surely did.  Here are a few reasons:

• Children's Ministries....whether it be VBS, Fall Festival, or this week's Christmas Program, children bring adults into a special kind of unified goal; do a good job.
• Local Works....whether the teens are conducting Work Camp or adults are unloading and packaging food for Mary's Pantry, we have members applying their faith through works...side by side.
• Celebrations....Shane Coffman is key in this for Memorial.  The worship leader is such for you.  We don't assemble to put in our time but to celebrate the glory of God.  Last night we had our church Christmas Party.  The food, the preparation, the dressing up, the entertainment (?) and the mood were all a sampling of a church which enjoys being together.

But here's what I appreciate most about God's deliverance of cohesion among us.  In all of these events one will find non-members sitting among us simply enjoying life with us.  We have yet-to-be believers serving at the Food Pantry.  We have the same participating in some way in the entertainment.  We are building a growing family.

Cohesion is a significant matter....evidently the Three felt the same....Gen. 1:26, Rom. 8:9-11.

HE SAYS HE DOESN'T AGREE WITH ME. WHAT???????

Regarding my Friday morning post on The Favor of Doubt, this comment was left:

For the first time I find myself disagreeing with you. Perhaps I missed your thought, but what stood out was "doubt your whole faith system." Jesus said, "if you have faith and do not doubt" Mt. 21:21. I think we get stuck on traditions and our church formats and rituals and confuse that for "our faith." If you meant those things are what we should doubt, then I agree. But I basically think Seth Godin's statement is incorrect. Having been an entrepreneur, I acted in great confidence--not in doubt, or I wouldn't have taken the first step, nor do I believe others would.

Respectfully,
John P. Brown

I started to comment in the "comments" of that post in response to John.  But I didn't want his note to be lost in the comment graveyard and go without notice.

I love his response.  I want you to see it.  Here's one who graciously....doubted me.  What?  Me?  Absolutely.

John's points are fair.  His quote of Jesus is undeniable.  My post needed a bit of clarification. 

Indeed I was intending for us to doubt our faith system where the tradition of men, which crept in as Truth, might be flushed out.  Yet, John is correct.  Jesus was frustrated over lack of faith due to the presence of doubt.

But my main main point is to let you see that all of us have room to be questioned; certainly me.  And we should learn that such is perfectly all right.  God is right always.  We are on occasion.  So don't be surprised that anyone would question you.  Rather be thankful when they do it in the spirit John P. Brown did.

So, John P. Brown, if we ever meet (due to my appreciation for your kindness), I will let you buy me lunch!

IS THE HOLD-UP COMING FROM OUR SIDE?

Be encouraged about your work for God.  It is pregnant with hope.  Do not despair.  He has you and your needs in His sight.

I do believe His work is held up by us and not by His reluctance.  You know I don't understand Father's timetables nor do I come close to understanding His responses to our prayers.  But Jesus did say that matters of importance did not happen for some disciples because of weak faith.

In an age where we don't want to accept responsibility, we try to explain away---sometimes---why kingdom matters haven't developed.  Seldom do we admit we failed to believe God can.

Is the hold-up of progress coming from our side?  I think it surely must.  What happens when we engage in a God-project?  Immediate reason to be discouraged.  Some believe by enduring while others bail on the issue. 

We are a weak-faithed sort.  Not all and not always, understand.  But in general we tend to operate by "faith" according to our mood or reading of a situation more than according to the promises of God.  We are too careful to not blame God; so we blame and elder or a preacher or a teacher or a song leader or....when the real issue is God can't find one person in that church to believe.

So awaken to the wonder of it all.  When rugged terrain imposes itself upon your faith walk, I cheer you on to believe in God deeper, higher, wider, and farther.  Don't back up nor down.  Push.  Push.  Give birth to a new work in an old congregation by daring to believe---God needs one person to dare---that God can do the impossible. 

God can.  We can't; yet our calling is to believe He can.  That's the magic of ministry.  This is the fun of faith.  We need never give up!  You are connected to the Amazing God.  Believe like it!

THE FAVOR OF DOUBT

Larry Wishard sent me a quote of Seth Godin.  Take a look.

Living with doubt
... is almost always more profitable than living with certainty.

People don't like doubt, so they pay money and give up opportunities to avoid it. Entrepreneurship is largely about living with doubt, as is creating just about any sort of art.

If you need reassurance, you're giving up quite a bit to get it.


On the other hand, if you can get in the habit of seeking out uncertainty, you'll have developed a great instinct.

There is healthy room for us to doubt ourselves.....and believe in God.  Independence (self-dependence) leaves one frozen in fear that we will mistakenly step.  Dependence (God-dependence) thrusts us into the true arena of belief where we can relax (Ps. 46:10) knowing He is God and we are not.

The church economy is in dire straights when living without the room to be wrong.  Doubt gives the church lungs room to breathe as true newborns.  Without knowing it, we have smothered much of our own potential by being fed perpetual "right" phraseology; We do church right, we have the right doctrine, and we are the church that is....right.  When these lines pelt the heart in repeated fashion one will begin to withdraw from risk.

We must learn to discern when to doubt ourselves in order to learn to not doubt God.  When this happens our verbiage takes a faith shift to, He does church right, He has the right doctrine, and He builds the church that is right.  By our leaps of faith, struggle, and doubt, it is our goal to partake of His wonderful Life!

Our Father is full of untapped Life.  There is gold in them thar hills!  Pharisaical rigidity has arrested the church and these rarely come out of their cells (shells); but only to be fed.  On the other hand, when a disciple can learn to doubt him or herself a new world of faith will open. 

We will forever learn.  Do you think heaven will be a place of only what we know?  How un-Life.  It will be eternity just to get over the first day of AWE!  So be it while we walk on earth.  Do yourself a favor.  Doubt your whole faith system and give God room to feed you what He may have been wanting to say for a long time.

The Truth will always be there.  Openness to it will always be our challenge.

HOW TO WEATHER OVERWHELMING STORMS

What is a person to do when life's billows want to bellow?

How much more roaring can some take?  Health.  Economy.  Relationships.  Don't they ever feel the need to talk with their "inside" voices instead of screaming?  Such clamor may not be a 24/7 things, but there is admittedly a lot of stress borne by each of us.

How do we weather these storms?  The good news is that there are ways.  For one, such moments are powerful times to exert our faith muscles.  We choose not to believe that these crises are the final statement.  We will operate from our possibility reserve. 

We recall the resurrection is a daily reality.  We possess resurrection power.  Now this is the point too many quit....they shut down in life.  Big mistake.  Dark times are simply those times of the grave.  Light, though, resounds from the resurrection potency of a believer. 

Paul and Silas did it in prison.  Praying disciples did it for Peter also in prison.  Jesus did it for the lame as well as the blind.  And then there was that time it was "growing dark" and 5000 wanted to eat.  Remember?

What are these stories to illustrate if not that overwhelming storms can be weathered? 

Eighteen years ago our family began a walk in a horrific storm.  Wendy's fiance and his brother were murdered.  By the time I got to the murder scene, my daughter had no appearance of blood in her body.  She was so pale she appeared embalmed.  It was a startling and stunning night of pure horror.

What a time for Jesus.  What a time to learn more about his ways.  What a time to learn to pray in thanksgiving when all indicators were the storm may not be over.  A picture of Bobby and Wendy was found on the stairway which indicated the murderer(s) knew her as well.  The police informed us of their concern. 

During the following days a squirrel happened to break into our attic.  It had the same sound as possibly a person up there...we couldn't tell.  We were given strict orders to call the police at the slightest unusuality.  We called 911 explaining we just couldn't tell if it was a person, an animal, or the wind.  Squad cars, dogs, and a helicopter soon surrounded our home. 

It was a living nightmare as media camped out in our living room and police patrolled our street.  A guard dog was brought in to live with us.  It made us sick.

But God.  God was remarkable.  He showed up.  He shared His promises of peace. 

I know you hurt over a few things; some of you many things.  I believe your evaluation.  Do what you can to direct your attention to His resurrection power embedded within.  It is there for a purpose.  We have every reason to rise up in victory; not lie down in defeat.

Bless you as you sort through the darkness of confusion and disorientation.  I've been there.  Our Father was there long before we came into existence.  Trust Him when you can't trust your own judgment in settings too rugged.  You can weather the storms as He gives each resurrection power.

TULSA WORKSHOP:ELDERS, PREACHERS, AND OTHER CHURCH LEADERS

Here are a few of the classes for church leadership:

Kevin Skidmore......For the Mission-Minded Only: How to Peg Proper Focus

Shane Coffman/Gary Bruce.....For Worship Leaders Only:

Will Spoon and Friends: For Children's Ministries Only: How to Enhance a Vital Work Pt.1

Kevin Skidmore.....For the Mission-Minded Only: How To Keep the Soul Winning Fires Burning!

Don McLaughlin/Al Maxey: For Preachers Only: How to Move Deeper Into the Word

Rick Atchley/Terry Rush: For Preachers Only: Lessons We've Learned (and Some We Are Still Learning)
 
Will Spoon and Friends: For Children's Ministries Only: How to Enhance a Vital Work Pt.2

Memorial Drive Elders: For Elders Only: How to be Shepherds and Like It  Pt. 1
 
Memorial Drive Elders:  For Elders Only: How to be Shepherds and Like It  Pt. 2

MARCH 23-26.....GET YOUR LEADERS READY....TO BE HERE!

THE PERPETUAL WONDER

It seems anything of power leaves us enchanted all over again; regardless of how many times we have experienced its presence.  Looking at the ocean does this to me.  I am as fascinated at 63 years old as when I first saw it.  For some such a re-thrill may be at a sunset (or rise), the sight of a waterfall, or the sheer goose-bump of a newborn viewing. 

I find this same sensation pondering the Word of God.  It has remarkable strength and surreal beauty.  When we are students of this Dynamic, we are engaging once again in perpetual wonder.  The Bible has that ability to stun and even resurrect moods as well as potential of the weakest man.  Wow!  It is perpetual wonder.

We dare not observe this volcano of Life with indifference; certainly not with boring routine.  Hearts which yearn in perpetual wonder for God-moves find that mining the revered pages will always produce a strike-it-rich haul.

The perpetual of wonder in calling, praying, reading, waiting, and God-timing are all absolute overjoy for the hearts of men and women.  Who can contain the awe of it all?  Isaiah was ruined when he saw God.  The church was so struck upon its inauguration the Word says "it kept feeling the sense of awe".

Kept-feeling-sense-awe---

• Feeling....emotion
• Sense......sensational
• Awe........indescribable emotion and sensation
• Kept.......perpetual wonder of emotions and sensations which never could be described; they could only be believed and experienced.

That's....how I want to live in the church.  Ummm....no....that's how I do live in the church!

ROUGH DAYS AHEAD

I think earth-life has some very difficult days ahead.  I'm no prophet.  However, I sense we need to prepare for some intensely confusing and disorienting times. 

We will do well to be bound to the Book; not our whimsical moody doctrines, but the authentic life-meaning and life-giving ones.

Our biases against others will gradually be chiseled to one war: belief in Jesus or not.

Our hopes will pervade the landscape because of a famous empty grave.  Our dispositions probably will be challenged; yet our confidence will prove to rely upon His Spirit and not our own.

We are believers for doubtful times.  We have the tools to win---whether life or death or somewhere in between.

Jesus is the Savior and we intend to be saved....now.  Do not lose heart.  Light and momentary affliction merely causes productivity in the secret and invisible kingdom.  We shall not grow old in our ways; but newer today than yesterday and far newer when tomorrow gets here.

Rough days are ahead....unless we slay such days with the love of our Lord.

LET THE MAIN THING BE THE MAIN THING

For all of us responsible for pulling off much of the day's plans, let us not forget that God runs the show and a good show He can put on.  Whether it be preaching or praying or participating or planning, God is the main one through His Son Jesus.

Go into your day full spirit ahead.  Be ready to give it your all.  Yet, keep it close to your heart that you and your performance isn't close to the main thing.  Full and exaggerated Life in Jesus is the big deal.

Work today...and believe today...with the main thing being the main thing.  You and me?  We aren't it.  Glory and praise be to God because Jesus is!

WEDDINGS SO AWESOME!

In 36 years of ministry I have done 127 weddings.  Other than my three kids, two stand out with special note.

A few years ago a homeless couple stopped in.  They wanted to get married, needed a minister, and wanted to know if I could do their wedding for $10.  I told them I could....but I could only do it for $40.  They looked naturally saddened.  I expected such a reaction.  And then I said, I can't do your wedding if you pay me $10....but I can do your wedding if I pay you $40.  Their smiles were priceless!

Today I did a small wedding for a couple of similar circumstances; but not quite that drastic.  They were of extremely humble means.  Her mother and his father came as witnesses.  It was a special meeting in my office.

I cheered them on with simple words of encouragement from God's word and from my heart.  At the conclusion I gave them a $20 bill for letting me do their wedding.  They could hardly believe it.  The life in their eyes made it worth it. 

I don't usually pay the couples to let me marry them.  But the ones I have are two of my favorites!

BLESSED ARE THE PAINED

I believe a great secret of God often escapes us for we spend our time trying to escape it.  I speak of pain.

Regarded as a liability, pain is a wonderful kingdom asset.  Becomers are robust when found to have a history of affliction.  Look at Beth Moore; abused in her younger years.  How's she doing as far as influence goes today?  Blessed are the pained.

Liz Pence; the same as Beth to the extent of pondering suicide.  Yet, consider her vast impact across America.  Blessed are the pained.

Joe Almanza, whose family owned the Mexican mafia, was in a Texas prison when he finally called out to God from his cell late one night in suicidal mode.  Who could possibly count the souls reach by this man who cannot be stopped for God's glory drives him day in and day out?

Each of these is extensively productive in the Kingdom today because of the gift of the great God-secret; blessed are the pained.

I'm driven to excel in seeing the church lives because of a major struggle in my childhood.  I couldn't bear to attend church because it seemed to have no life.  Church is the last place I thought I would spend significant time!  Blessed are the pained.

For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison...II Cor. 4:17.  In other words....blessed are the pained.

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS IDEAS

• In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White.  A very roughly languaged but an intensely honest true story about a young man imprisoned only to find his stay shared by a leper colony.  What he discovered is what you I would also find if we could humble ourselves by the suffering nature of Jesus.
• What Good Is God? by Philip Yancey.  In typical Yanceyesque style, this book is riddled with extensive real-life research to find the movement of God in places other than typical church buildings.
• The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen.  A classic which will tie your heart to the One who did heart things best.
• Experiencing God by Blackaby and King.  Still....after two decades in print....if you want to find a starter-book to bring new life to a congregation, begin a class study with this one.  I don't know of a group which hasn't been wonderfully impacted by this study.
• The Art of Possibility by Zander and Zander.  This secular work gives even the religious a few hints at opening our minds.  And, wouldn't that bless a bunch of people?