SIN. SO?

Some among us believe sin has been watered down. I believe those "some among us" are right. Nearly everyone who has the slightest brush with Christianity knows that "All sin and come short of the glory of God". Yet, somehow there may have developed a shrug of "So?" over time. If everyone is in on it, then what's the sweat?

Sin is ugly, rugged, indescribably offensive to the heart of God. It has spread like wildfire. All are contaminated; ruined by it's ambitious attachment. No psychology, no therapist, no amount of jumping through religious hoops can curtail such leproscopic aggressiveness.

Awareness of the magnitude of sin should alarm each as to how much we intentionally fellowship it. While murder or adultery may be far from our activity, Jesus said anger with a brother and lust are equal. Often we wink at his frank points. Church squabbles erupt over worship styles while personal blindness to how much we have been spared regarding sin handily escapes us...which, in turn, makes any worship effort quite anemic. Piano or no piano is not the urgent question. The question is are you worshipping the God who single-handedly brought you out of your own sin quagmire? Are you pouring your heart out to Him because you know the depth of your forgiveness or do you merely join in on the church celebration because it meets your needs?

So, are we to walk guilty of sin or liberated from it? Liberated without forgetting from whence we come...each day...is my take. Jesus taught that the one who is forgiven much loves much. Evidently such a person lives in excessive gratitude by recalling what he has been spared. Unloving brethren or opponents have forgotten one thing when they/we take our great stances. We have forgotten how much of a guilty mess we would be in----over our head in shame----if it weren't for the blood bath Jesus endured up to and on the cross. He took the beating we should have received.

It is true, we are not condemned if we are in Jesus (Romans 8:1-11) because Hell's bullies unrestrictedly beat the living fire out of him to a point beyond recognition (Isaiah 53) due to our sins. If you think you know someone who is vile in sin, you may be making accurate assessment. However, it might do you well to drop the stone you are tempted to toss. You'll find reason to give assistance toward miraculous reconciliation rather than typical condemnation if you can immediately recall deep gratitude for the three-day-dead man named Jesus because of you own guilt.

WALKING JUST LIKE JESUS

I walk just like Jesus....intentionally. Sure, that could be taken as an arrogant statement. It's not. As you'll soon discover, it's intended as a most encouraging comment.

The Word calls for us to mimic him. If not careful we'll continue that old line of thinking that he is too far beyond our reach. Thus, we dismiss our responsibilities because we settled for a lesser goal. We are to be like him, look like him, care like him, and sound like him.

I am certain I don't imitate him fully. The overall global body of Christ does that....of which we are included in his walking body. Specifically, I go through every day mimicking Jesus in that every person I see I intentionally pass by offering a healing touch.....I speak to them. Jesus, in his ordinariness, moved about from day to day in sheer simplicity. People called out to him and he addressed them with at least the touch of his word. And.....they were healed.

Every person I meet is in need of the touch of at least a word from someone acknowledging they exist. We cannot imagine the loneliness our communities feel, even if they are in a crowd. Remember the book, Lonely People in Crowded Pews? Complete strangers entering the same door you are, at Wal-Mart, are needing to know someone notices they exist. Say something healing like, Good morning friend. I doubt they'll drop to their feet in tears, but I believe God's healing touch transfers to their aching heart.

I cheer you on. Roam earth today, whether it be office corridor, the mall, or airport terminal with awareness of the power of Jesus you carry. You, my friend, are a ticking healing bomb called to go off at every turn. The check-out cashier at your favorite grocery store will find her feet ache just a little less if you could put a little enthusiasm into your greeting today.

Let's do a good job of walking like Jesus. We'll heal the world!

eHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME....ON MONDAY!!!!

This is it! Get ready! This is the place we celebrate my eSixtieth (60) birthday June 18th. Let's open the eGifts you got me. I know how it goes, some may be on back order. But hey, I know some of you spent a lot of eDough on me. Ah, no eProblemo.

Let's get to it. What did you get me? eAir Rifle? eGolf Clubs? eNew Car?

Thanks for attending my eParty. And, ahead of time, thanks for the thought you put into my eGifts!

Happy sixtE to me!

"HEAVEN, MEET HELL." "HELL, THIS IS HEAVEN."

Heaven and Hell met in a showdown at noon on Friday. Hell was boisterous tossing belligerent comments to and fro. Heaven was quite the opposite. To many it seemed Heaven was nearly a no-show.

Hell marched onto the scene with multiple soldiers in proud array. Curiosity seekers were sprinkled among the crowd. Intimidation was in the air. For Heaven's side? Well, only one representative entered the arena wearing a torn robe already matted with blood mixed with his own tears. The crowd began to wonder if Heaven sent a soldier or a dog? Heaven barely limped onto the scene already beaten to a pulp overnight back in City Hall's dimly lit rooms by Hell's underground thugs . Winning psychology? One blind could at least smell Heaven was not favored. Really, he had been brutally whipped before the fight was to begin. Hardly fair.

The scene was so extremely imbalanced Hell began to take jabs with one hand tied behind his back. The Cross, though, was more than timbers taking on descriptive formation. It was the locale where Heaven and Hell would meet to have it out...once and for all. Hell came well- prepared. Its Goliath presence would intimidate anybody.....anybody except Heaven, that is.

When the final round began, Heaven had a plan to undo Hell. Heaven would die so Hell would lose. The plot was amazing; yet, was not detected until days later. It was creation's most outlandish slug fest. It was a bloodbath. Hell walked away without a scratch. Heaven couldn't walk or talk. Heaven died. Hell lived.

However (and with Heaven there is the perpetual promise for everyone to own a "However"), Hell was blindsided by Heaven's astute scheme. Hell did not see his imminent fatality as he was too busy bullishly bragging to all creation. While he paraded his troops through the streets of Jerusalem in assumed victory, Heaven was rummaging through Hell's storehouse freeing prisoners like mad. When Sunday got here the headlines were more shocking than Truman pulling out the election.

"HEAVEN DEFEATS HELL....TOTALLY!"

What a knock-out scheme. Heaven went to Hell. He died to get to Hell's core and deliver the fatal punch! Such bravery cannot be understood. Dark parking lots scare us. We win, world, we win. On M-Day---Day of Misery---Hell forgot to sign the scorecard. Heaven only looked defeated. It was, however, merely fulfilling its V-Day plan.

We will never be the same....because Heaven met Hell and Hell was introduced to Heaven.

Thank you God, for your brilliant plan for Victory!

THE DEATH OF US YET

The first Adam sinned and left all humanity holding the goods. The last Adam replaces the old legacy with a whopper of a shift; and what a shift it is. God has rewired our entire earlier Adam systems to ultimately find the most amazing, quite fascinating life. The retooling, though, insists abundant life be truly found in daily death. We hedge on this one. We tend to want our way.

It must be true for the most of us that dying to self has to be re-reintroduced to our thought processes as our hearts drift quickly to find narrow escape. We don't want to die to ourselves. We just want to rehearse the call to do it. From the nearby stands, we admire his battle.....to the end....on the cross. We'll sing a song about it on more than one occasion.

The church seems bent on rushing to substitutional systems where the talk seems serious; but the action is far from sacrificial. Such a statement is not intended to be critical of a branch of us or of an odd offshoot from us. It is geared to awaken me/us to the constant need to live like Jesus. We tend to want our way.

While our divided camps convince themselves they are winning arguments against ourselves, we are collectively losing the war. Soldiers have been replaced by campaigners. We have traded the voice of prophets for the evaluation of therapists. Visionaries have been replaced by casual sight-seers. We've become more expectant to have our needs met and less inclined to have our skills stretched. Comfort in one-size-fits-all is happily accepted over individual challenge to risk when there seems to be no hope in hoping.

I believe it is a scary thing to be linked to our Man whom the unbelieving world marks as their most unpopular villain. Jesus remains the scandal of life. We wear him as our own armor. We haven't been called to march in the band. We have volunteered to steady the troops as we continue to find ourselves entangled in a serious war far more conflicting and confusing than what we see in earthly Iraq.

On occasion we have gusts of conviction to surrender upon our own cross. Such is very needed...now. May we bolster our courage to stand for the things which matter, die for the things which respond to His higher calling, and experience the abundant life in the process.

THANK YOU, GOD!

I've heard Chuck Colson speak on three occasions over the last decade and a half. He came to Tulsa Monday night. Mary and I were the guests of Shawn and Arlene Mayes. It was a meaningful gathering at their kids' school, Regent Preparatory School of Oklahoma.

Colson was about his usual, never-failing brilliance. The man is such a testimony of conviction and a greater source of faith. He has the broadest grasp of worldview of anyone I know in the Christian field. Ravi Zacharias would come a close second.

Mr. Colson spoke for about an hour and every statement resonated with reason to pay continued attention. Afterwards he responded to maybe a dozen questions. Two answers especially stood out to me:

1. In response to the stability of the President, he said, Look folks.....on 9/12 (the day after 9/11) who would have forecast that at the end of the next six years there would be no more attacks on American soil, unemployment would be 4.5 and the stock market would be strong?
2. When asked about his view of the situation in Iraq: We must stay. If not, Iran will take 2/3 and Turkey 1/3 and then Iran will attempt to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. However, I will tell you one thing I see developing. China has an estimated 100 million Christians underground. I believe the Chinese Christians will be the ones who hold back Islamic extremists.

Colson's breadth of information/experience is fascinating. The first time I met him....I apologized for arrogantly believing his conversion to be a "handy sham". This man knows the Savior. I now know God a little better because I learned to listen rather than spout pious judgment against this born again man. The world is full of hope. Jesus is drawing more to himself...day by day. We have reason to be enthused.

And....100 million Christians in China? Thank you, God!

EMBARRASSING LEADERSHIP

I have a sense some young leaders are struggling today as they feel fiercely inadequate. Therefore, I risk sharing what it's like being a seasoned leader. I am consistently embarrassed at my lack. In plain terms, it bugs me that I can't seem to catch the waves of sober input which would feel like I contributed to the energy of the moment's discussion.

Yesterday morning we sat in our weekly 6:00 a.m. meeting....staff and elders. I so enjoy it and yesterday seemed exceptionally rich. I had little to contribute as discussion flowed for two hours with no agenda. Wonderful concepts were tossed for honing. I soaked up the wisdom God had spewing from every person in the room....with the exception of one; me. The guys were on a roll. Mostly I made notations from their comments which inspired me to think about ideas they didn't even realize God was saying through them.

In this setting, and nearly all others, I feel the fool. I have very little to add. Yesterday the most I could muster in comment was a couple of goofy comments that got good laughs. That was it. I get discouraged with my seeming lack to be an effective communicator of serious matters. Mine is usually the joke part...which sometimes does keep the room from being tense. Sometimes I so wish I could get to say the deep thing which would wow at least just one somebody. Do any of you know what I mean?

So, for those of you who feel embarrassed about your leadership lack, maybe it would be good to hear from one who's been around awhile. I still feel the pangs of wishing I could say deep stuff like others. I know He uses me. I feel confident of such. But I still hit those many moments where I feel far removed from effective leadership style.

My hope is in the fact I am just getting started and one day will become more effective. The same holds true for each of you who similarly battle.

eSURPRISE!!!!! SO DON'T TELL ME

I often reverse a setting just for the fun of it. A couple of years ago I was in line at airport security at Lambert Field in St. Louis. Ozzie Smith, Hall of Famer of the Cardinals, was in the same line. Others noticed him, but didn't know what to say. Of course, I did. I said Ozzie, when you were a kid, did you ever dream that one day you would find yourself standing in line with me at the airport? He gushed with laughter....as did those around....and recalled he didn't believe such would ever happen.

I've got another reversal in the works. You don't know it, but the 18th of June (one week from Monday) is my 60th birthday party. So, let's throw a big eParty! I'm arranging it. But don't tell me....it's an eSurprise!

We'll have eCake and eIce Cream. I need some of you to work on the eDecorations, others get the eSupplies and one of you be in charge of eClean-up. Of course eGifts are acceptable and eXpected!

Don't you think this will be fun? I think it might just be a first. HappE eBirthday to eMe!!!!! On that date....Monday the 18th....you can comment on my blog what you eGot me with your eMoney of which I will be most eXcited!

(Oh boy, spell check just lit up like the 4th of July. How about that? eCandles before I ever sent it out!)

WHEREVER YOU ARE, WHOEVER YOU KNOW

People want to know God. Don't ever forget it. All people, I'm convinced, wonder about God. I recently watched an old clip of Jackie Gleason being interviewed by Morely Safer on 60 Minutes (not the same clip I saw three years later just before he died). This man of carousing lifestyle tells of his search for God and oft study of religion. He believed there was something to it.

For those of you too young to know who Jackie Gleason is, it would be similar to discovering Rosie O'Donnell or Paris Hilton have deep inclinations to study the life and times of Jesus. One just wouldn't have suspected their respect or interest in such a subject. And, that's my point.

I believe every person at some point(s) in their life has strong inclination to search for God. Therefore, I simply remind you today that every obstinate and offensive individual who crosses your path must not be checked off of your list regarding the question, Would they be interested in God? Of course they would....maybe not on your clock at your designated soul winning night.

Be assured everyone you know wonders....they wonder if there is a God and if there is, would He be willing to include them? Wherever you are, whoever you know.....you can count on it....somewhere along the way, they have a heart to learn of Him. That's precisely why we scatter seed to the wind. It often lands where we had least expected!

I would love to hear of your conversion story, or of another's you know, whom you would have least expected.

FEELING OVERMATCHED BY OPPORTUNITY?

I'm back from Nashville. What a treat to spend time with Ken and Marca Young and family. The Fourth Avenue church in Franklin is a beehive of good people paying attention to others. I loved being with them.

I'm finding myself living in a wonderful state of so much needing to be done and overwhelmed at the possibilities. Here's what cooking. Some of it will come about:

1. I LOVE WORKING WITH MEMORIAL DRIVE: We have numerous and varying ministries popping with effectiveness. Memorial is freer today than it once was. People believe Jesus saves maybe more than we once did. He paid the price. He experienced our hell. He makes us victorious. I enjoy the fact Memorial lets me be in on its development in Jesus. I am most fortunate to be allowed to have office space and be a part of such a place.
2. WRITING OF FIVE BOOKS COOKING AT ONCE: I've never had this go on before. Each is within a stone's throw of completion. However, in writing this daily blog and having a church to tend, the books take a low priority. God is working overtime in my heart.
3. PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO FILM THE "100% NATURAL EVANGELISM SEMINAR": The church at large continues to need prompting about reaching to those without hope in Jesus. This seminar is so fun, so on target, and so effective. I've done it for years...now decades. Because I have curbed my travel, putting this series on DVD seems to be a move which would allow congregations to show a four part series in their Bible classes. The aim is to help congregations realize they already are evangelistic. This thing restores confidence in sowing seed and watching God bear fruit.
4. THE CALL OF RESCUING ABANDONED CHILDREN IS INCREASINGLY LOUD: I shared in last Sunday's sermon about the great need for the church to pay attention to the cry of abandoned children...globally. I met with Randy and Pam Cope while speaking in Joplin Sunday night. They are in the planning stages of reaching to orphaned ones...globally. Last night my friend, Dan Swartwood, called so moved at something which happened to him after Sunday morning's sermon. His friend in Minnesota shared he has a group--HOPE UNLIMITED--which is devoted to rescuing street children in Brazil. His friend offered to send me there to see the plight so I could offer input as to how to bring this matter to public awareness. There is discussion among some wondering if we could tap the St. Louis Cardinals' contacts to help alleviate the child catastrophe....globally.
5. AND THEN A LITTLE SIDE NOTE FOR A SMILE: I spoke at STREAM IN THE DESSERT in Midland a year ago. During that weekend I continued to exhort the crowd with, Don't you love right now? Someone at the seminar went back to Nashville and told someone who told someone and they told George Jones or Strait (Can't remember now) and he is writing a new song...."Don't You Love Right Now?
6. AND WHEN I RETURNED FROM NASHVILLE: An email was waiting from one who was moved by something I said somewhere and has contact with Bobby Knight of Texas Tech, who is a huge Cardinal fan. He wants a Jack Buck book to take to Mr. Knight to see if something might develop between the two of us. I love working that way.

I write this today to tell you I feel certain your plate seems to be too small for the load of opportunity you are carrying. First, wouldn't you rather have this life than the cemeterial boredom of nothing happening? And second, don't you continue to catch yourself noticing 5000 needs with only a sack lunch of skill to get to them? And that's why.....we are transformed in our thinking to believe more than us is working this work. Jesus really is our brother/partner. He is back supplying us with the courage to tackle the possibilities giving us reason to be full of enthusiasm.

WITH GOD

Our call is not to improve. Our call is to respond....to His call. I believe we find ourselves knocking at the heartbeat of more and more of the world populace. Innovation and mobility coupled with motivation and opportunity leave us better equipped than ever to succeed at global impact. Even our own vision of who we are and Whose we are heightens this prospect. We are a royal and amazing people who were once not a people at all!

We are not amazing due to self-ingenuity nor self-evaluation. We are amazing because we are direct descendants of His glory, His riches, His power. We shower every morning in His mercy.

Now if we measure ourselves by, let's say our leaders or the congregation as a whole, we might find ourselves overwhelmed by the world's great need. Yet, if we count the number of believers in Jesus world-wide, the works He has going in them, and the strategic missions of so many.....the reportable numbers would be well....unreportable. Only God can calculate all He has going on effectively from continent to continent...from generation to generation...from vision to vision...from dream to fulfilled dream.

Awaken to the Wonder of it all.....I continue to urge. Awaken to the truth that souls are being won today by a faithful few who lived in 935 and 1648 because the Seed sown is eternal in nature. We are soul winners because we are God lovers and people lovers. What a Living God the Living God IS!

WITH GOD.....that's our claim to liking it in the kingdom!

[I'll be leaving in the morning (Wednesday) for Nashville where I'll be speaking that night at Fourth Avenue in Franklin.]

COMMUNICATE THE UNEXPECTED

Brothers Chip and Dan Heath write in their fascinating book, Made to Stick, that one of the elements of effective communication is to include something unexpected. Such doesn't denote shock...necessarily. It does require information which would be surprising to the hearer. The idea is that abundant communication is continual; but some things are more rememberable because they were made to stick in the mind of the receiver.

Take a look at the new ad campaign by Travelers Insurance. Clips show bunny rabbits having the ever famous "rabbits foot" re-attached. Scenes of rabbits being x-rayed and receiving surgical implants are adorable. The final frame is a field full of bunnies with successful multicolored re-attachments of the "rabbits foot". One of their front paws green, some in red, others in blue. It's so cute. Furthermore, such a scene is unexpected....and Chip and Dan are right....it sticks. Travelers sells insurance but created a way for me to remember their name because of rabbit foot surgery!

How does this affect us? As leaders we will do well to compliment and encourage and cheer others when they aren't expecting it. I have my secretaries prepare three or four greeting cards a week which are for no special reason to send to members who simply need to know someone notices them for no special reason. I do the same by making random phone calls or sending surprise emails. None were expected and yet to receive surprise cheering sticks. And this kind of sticking builds. It builds connection, confidence....it builds church family.

We each have a lot going on. Unexpected and no special reason communication is a powerful part of our leadership toolbox. We may make an individuals day when we communicate at time they were least expecting it. I cheer you on......make someone's day....today!

WANT TO GET AWAY?

Southwest Airlines has great commercials where moments of stress or embarrassment are supposedly reduced by the voice-over, Wanna get away? Such a phrase could be asked of every leader. Recently I've heard from one, long-distance, who is so depressed. Another, from a different state is frustrated and even disgusted over the stresses it takes to be a leader in the church. Yet from a third state, another is wrestling with the constant barriers which keeps the congregation from spiritual growth.

I have good news. No one needs to get away.

Conflict is a strong signal "something matters". There is no conflict in a cemetery. Stress and pressure are a magnificent part of the leadership package. I encounter it every day....every day. I don't enjoy it. However, it is not my enemy. I am a privileged man to get to have the sources of interruption and difficulty in my zone.

I believe we are not called to rename conflict or stress by another name so it is more palatable. We are called to endure. Trouble is the leader's workout gym. We get our spiritual muscles built and subsequently toned by exertion in such areas. Jesus is the Leader. He knows the ins and outs of making it. Once he wondered aloud whether he might want to get away. Fortunately, he retracted.

...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart...Hebrews 12:1-3.

HOW COULD LIFE EVER BE DULL?

So many Americans are bored. They feel they have nothing to live for. Such a sad fact has made its way into the church. I've been there. I register with such feelings. However, we must awaken to His wonder! If we can know the cause we might find the cure.

Awaken? Why are some asleep while they walk among the various and many paths of dailiness? Consider Jesus. He lived such LIFE because he was forever connecting with the oppressed. Association with the poor was his LIFE. He had a vision of giving himself away and knew the direction it would take to succeed.

We mask the failure to care for others with substitutes. Consumption and complaint and greed and bitterness rage throughout our systems as we neglect the underprivileged. We compare ourselves to those who have it better than us so that such a comparison will justify our blatant neglect. Misery, boredom, and resentment fill such days.

Awaken to the Wonder of God. Give your money to the poor. Go out of your busy schedule to attend to the need of one who cannot earn your merciful attention. See the pain in your friend's eyes as she says she is fine and embrace her with follow-ups of, Do you need to sit over here and talk?

Our course of action should be full of eager attention as there are so many who need encouragement. Take a bouquet of flowers to your school secretary, deliver coffee and a candy bar to a janitor, send a note to a lonely soul, or phone a neighbor you've needed to check on. Fill your life with Jesus-moments. Offer that God-filling to the dark and weary souls who abundantly surround our paths. Life cannot be dull when we dare touch the sometimes dirty and clammy hands of one who lives day after day receiving no love.

Life is not dull. It is on the brink of greater than excitement can measure. Touch your world!

HOW ARE WE GOING TO EFFECTIVELY REACH OUT?

While there is a lot of talk about evangelizing our communities, there is substantive walk which couples the talk. Thank you God! Therefore, I write not as if there is nothing being done; but that there is the need for higher levels of action as long as there are increasing numbers of lost souls. While we are winning 10 and 15 we are losing 10,000 and 15,000. We must continue to seek His leadership to dent such enormous and catastrophic numbers.

First, for us to tackle such a quagmire and stratosphere of need is impossible. Therefore, we must operate on the Truth that with God all things are possible. We, as hungry leaders, must identify with the Possibility God rather than the Impossibility Shrugs.

Second, we must increase in practice His clarion call for unity. If you wonder how our church division (us among us and denomination among denomination) has impacted America, take a good look at the disharmonious, bitter congress, racial tension, financial deviation, and moral decline. Our society appears as if the kingdom of God has not hit it....yet. I believe the schools and businesses and families around my locale are negatively impacted because we have arrogantly, smugly regarded ourselves as more spiritual than our religious neighbors on other corners.

Last year I went by neighboring Eastwood Baptist and met their pastor. I talked to him about this very need. He was courteous enough; but he's got the same sickness we have....he's the only one right. Recently I discovered he moved. Last week I went to see the new guy. He was out, but I want to get with him because I believe God wants us pooling our gifts rather than parading our differences. The latter hasn't worked and the former was how our movement began...the Presbyterians and the Baptists and the Pentecostals banded together to form the Restoration Movement! We are them!

Finally, we must, must, must escalate our ability to minister to children. We have two adorable part-time Children's Ministers on staff and a church which is financially and participatorily supportive. Many reading this blog have similar arrangements which brings value and life to your congregation. Still, through this process we are reaching 10 and 15 while hundreds of hungry children....yes even neglected and abused children....go unreached. We must expand our talents and skills to reach more....not by herding to count numbers, but by guiding and carefully redirecting tender souls to the Light.

Through hunger for the lost, a Possibility God, continued efforts to unify, and focus on the children at every turn, I believe we will even more effectively reach our depressed communities with hope and love and light!

JUMP-START YOUR LIFE

Mrs. Stark was our high school counselor. She was an old (probably 48) fastidious old lady who wore old-timey clunker shoes with holes in the toes and walked....well....old. All of us knew she didn't know what she was talking about; yet, we students gave her sporadic attention to let her keep thinking she was working. She called me into her office for a scheduled appointment in my junior year in high school to decide what I wanted to be.

I want to play ball for the St. Louis Cardinals. Well, she didn't rightly know how to arrange that one. Of course she didn't. She was old, wore old shoes, and walked old. Well, then I want to be a stand-up comedian. You guessed it. She didn't know how to do that one either. 0 for 2. She's about to strike out. We finally opted to send me to a business college down the road so that one day I could become a whiz of a CEO or something....she said. I didn't catch it all exactly.

Today I fly to Chicago to speak at a high school graduation for 400 seniors in DeKalb. I can't wait to get there. I will flash my St. Louis Cardinal bubble gum card and tell several funny stories (with great points of course) as a stand-up comedian.

What will they be when they grow up? Isn't it fascinating that in reality they haven't a clue. God's world whirls in too many unsuspected gyrations. Some will land precisely where they had dreamed, of course. Others will fly higher than they'd ever anticipate.

My word to you today? Regardless of age, graduate with a head full of dreams and a heart full of determination. Break the imprisonment of your own rut. Risk. Jump. Sail. Life is for living; not for preserving. If you'll dare break out....you may have set the stage (finally) for God to break in. Many readers may not have needed this today. However, I sense in my spirit someone really did.

Jump!

IT'S NOT WHO YOU KNOW, BUT WHO KNOWS YOU

I live on a huge learning spree. I know so little. I love to learn. Did any of you catch Oprah Friday where the women went to the obstacle course to break down their fears? One of the challenges was to walk up to a horse, stand beside it and raise a front hoof to clean it. If the horse sensed tension or anger coming from the women, he would not raise his leg. Once they backed off and calmed down he would cooperate. Amazing fact about a horse I didn't know.

There are a lot of things I don't know. What I do know is so lacking compared to what is available to know, I am most foolish. Truthfully, we are all in the same boat. How many professors at Yale and Harvard don't know this about a horse?

How fascinating, therefore, to approach the Word with exact eagerness! It's seemingly undiscoverable in one's lifetime. I don't just read the Bible, I explore it. It explores me. Bible study is full of lively distractions. In looking for the location of the passage at the end of this writing, I'm amazed at connecting verses I had yet to realize were even stated. The depths of God are incalculable, indecipherable, and impossible.....they are too much.

Thus, keep learning. While you are learning take it into your thinking system it is not how much you know, but it's Who knows you that ultimately matters.

Knowledge is arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.....I Cor. 8:1-3.

CHURCH ENERGY

I so enjoy Memorial Drive. The flock is full of talent, faith, and devotion. We don't have anyone that isn't profoundly important. We work as a unit or else we don't work well. While there are several tangible, reportable ministries going on, it has the be the presence of the Holy Spirit which keeps such energy alive.

We pray for God to attend our assemblies. We anticipate Him being here. We walk away Sunday after Sunday giddy at His activity among and within us. It doesn't matter who preaches. It just doesn't. Our focus is pregnant with expectation God will move through someone(s). We don't have to beg or press. He shows up all the time.

We talk about Him. We look for Him. We must have Him. We don't know how or why so many things work so fascinatingly well. We can't grasp God's wisdom. He just keeps pouring over us and into us and out of us.

Briley Davis fell this week and shattered her leg. The wife---a first time visitor---of the sweet couple came up to me afterwards and handed me money "for the broken leg lady". They didn't know her and needed a collection themselves...but the spirit of generosity keeps showing up in members and strangers.

Yesterday we put some hardback sport books on sale as a fundraiser for Kyle Holcomb who is headed for Scotland in the AIM program. I told the church the books were $3 each with a ceiling of $300. I was only joking about the latter. One lady bought a book for $203! We collected over $500 for the Davis' and over $740 for Kyle.

Yesterday we experienced God is so many ways. We are certain we are nothing. We are more certain He can give life to dead settings and call things into being which do not exist...Rom. 4:17.

I cheer you on......turn your lousy and anemic efforts over to God. He'll make barrels of lemonade from them! We like church energy. Church energy is Holy Spirit power.

WHY SOME LEAVE THE CHURCH...AND HOW TO CHANGE IT

I'm reminded repeatedly of very good Christians who eventually throw up their hands in sadness and walk away from us. They aren't evil. They aren't lazy. They aren't even belligerent. They're not defiant and they are certainly not rebellious. So what is the reason?

Some wave a silent farewell because they simply can't conclude they are loved and accepted by God. They feel their deep sin has claimed them and there is no hope. When they returned for one more try at church because such had always been an important part of their makeup, they only found more harsh and hopeless condemnation from the pulpit.

This was brought home again as I visited with a precious friend who, today, is so effective in God's ministry. She speaks with life in her eyes about being called by God to share life toward others. She's dynamite! However, there was a time she nearly walked away. She had begun to accept herself as a shameful and cruddy sort. She could find no relief for her guilty and aching heart in the church. True to the church's previous course, there was no good news for her. Fortunately, she began to attend a congregation and heard new terms foreign to her church ears; grace, mercy, compassion, and the Holy Spirit.

Sin is sin. We need our people to know two extremes about sin: ours is personally more awful than we estimate and by the outpouring of God's wrath at the cross, it's more forgiven than our hearts can assume. Forgiveness of sin is the world's greatest scandal and the church's most amazing doctrine! Sin separates us from God; yet, He put His only son where His mouth was. The good news is sinful wretches are to be transformed into elated celebrationists because God paid for what we can't.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him....II Corinthians 5:21.

May churches signal to the good people who've given up on themselves, their congregation, and their God......Jesus is the way to start life over!

TULSA WORKSHOP....WHERE'S IT HEADED?

There's significant unrest regarding the mission of the workshop. Back in the Bus Ministry heydays such offered tangible/visible direction to place our soul winning wares. Since then, so many have been looking for their place to land in serving. I am asked year by year why we don't seem to have a direction. I translate that into, What are you going to do to give us something as concrete as the Bus Ministry was?

Our direction has evolved over these many years. While it is most appropriate, it is understandably confusing. I cannot speak for Garnett's leadership on this; only myself for the years when we have the workshop. Our goal is one: truly, honestly, simply, profoundly....JESUS. If we will grow in Jesus, we will grow in evangelism, in prayer, in Spirit, in commitment. But Jesus seems to fail to land in the minds of many who inquire because he is invisible. They seem to want a sidewalk and a statement to memorize. Why is this?

I think it's because we have been strong on Church and weak on of Christ. If one were to enter the Kentucky Derby with these horses: Bellamy Bible, Name of Jesus, Darting Doctrine, Baptism Beauty, Running Three Times A Week, Huff-N-Puff, Restoration Rosie, and Organized Oswald, which horse would win according to the members' conversations? If we monitored lunch discussions or Bible classes, which of these horses fills our speech? I'm saying Name of Jesus would stumble at the gate for many members. Others would see him finish fourth. To win, place or show? Fortunately, there would be some.

The direction of Tulsa's workshop is Jesus. Bus Ministry was not our hope. Those who believed such may find themselves critical and disgruntled with the rest of us. Jesus is it! We are targeting him. We want to lead our people to more prayer, more security, more unity, more contentment, more life, and more evangelism. This will only happen through more of Jesus. May we stay in this derby.....and win!

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.....I Corinthians 1:30-31.

Jesus is all of this to us and for us. We are none of it any other way.

THE IRONY: MORE POWER? RELAX.

I'm taking golf lessons. This has destroyed my game. I can't do the new right and can't remember how I did it wrong. I'm in a bind! However, I love to learn better ways and I anticipate eventual success as my instructor is dismantling my old wrongs and instilling new rights.

The main thing he's having to drill into me is to relax my grip and my swing. I g-r-r-rip it and r-r-r-rip it! I grip the club too tightly. He told me that on a scale of 1 to 5 my grip is a 25. And, I swing to hard. Such seems to me the ball would travel farther if I put more muscle into it. Not.

It was said of a Cardinal pitcher during a televised game this week that the reason he was not effective is he was too tense trying to throw the ball too hard. If he would relax, the ball would have both increased speed and movement. Why is that? The announcer went on to explain that when the body relaxes the muscles and tendons are freer to produce more effect results. My golf instructor has his work cut out for him in getting this concept into my head. I've done it wrong for 50 years.

Similarly in the church...we try too hard. We are a committed sort; a serious crew and we intend to unleash power. But, we may find ourselves carrying the load alone. He will do the work in us, if we will release inner tension. Yes, we try harder. But tense fret and worry aren't as productive as relaxed faith and confidence. Do you try to force your preacher to do better? Are you one who presses the elders to see clearer? Some calculate and plot to raise funds for projects. Others manipulate and control in such a way the congregation is wrapped in tightness to the extent is becomes immobile.

But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today." Exodus 14:13

"The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." Exodus 14:14

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Be still and know I am God....Psalm 46:10

WHY THINGS STARTED TO LOOK UP FOR MEMORIAL DRIVE

Memorial Drive is a fantastic church. I love these people. They are more fabulous than they can imagine. For about my first 15 years here we experienced gradual decline in attendance. At one point in the 18 year range we dipped to the 200s in attendance on Sunday morning, our building was falling apart, the roof suffered multiple leaks, and the parking lot was park at your own risk. We were down to two elders and I'm fairly sure we had a couple of deacons, but no one knew who they were and whoever they were wouldn't admit it. The lights on one wing of the children's hallways were off on Wednesday nights...there were no kids for those classes. Families were leaving because there were no children in classes with their children.

Today is another story. Ministries abound. Joy abounds. Attendance knocks at 500. Kids are everywhere. We recently had a record amount of $115,000+ committed to our annual missions budget; yet, we did not reach our goal as we need $120,000 to cover all of our requests. Memorial Drive now has two awesome traits: happy and productive. I so enjoy what God is doing with, through, and for us. But, what happened to turn it around?

• I began to preach about Jesus rather than brotherhood issues as the Boston Movement, Divorce and Remarriage, We Were the Only Church, etc.
• I quit shouting and being mean in the pulpit. I thought loud was a sign of power.
• I began to brag on the positive, faithful things about the members rather than run them down for not doing enough. I began to believe in the power of the flock.
• A few women began to study Blackaby and King's, Experiencing God.
• As a result we found ourselves praising God instead of making plans. We began to watch for Him to work and we spread the good news every time we saw His hand. We began the N.T. practice of witnessing and testifying of His abundant grace.
• We began to pray more and worry less.
• We cancelled Sunday evening gatherings which had become Jr. Sunday mornings and went to small groups.
• We added a part-time children's minister (keep in mind we had no funds to do this...our elders saw the need...stepped out with only a prayer....and God provided on the basis of their courageous [although highly criticized] faith) to assist those faithful teachers who had given their talents to work with kids. Before long we had to add another part-time children's minister. You ought to see what the Nicky's and the Mona's and the Becky's and the Roni's and Dennis', etc., do for all these kids!
• We assigned each of our small groups to one specific room for the purpose of remodel. They were to pay for the materials and do the labor.
• We added a full-time worship minister when there were no funds. We were behind in budget. The two elders withstood fierce criticism for this move and it remains one of the most heroic moves I've ever seen in all my years. Again, their faith paid off.
• Our elders shifted from reporting/massaging the complaints of the few to be protective of the various Spirit gifts among the flock. By protecting the gifts I mean they made sure the talents of the members weren't quenched by dreamless and blind critics. When a member had an idea and would take the project on, the elders gave a quick affirmation to their wishes. Total fruitful activity continues today because the elders adamantly refused to let the naysayers kill the dreams of the members.
• All leadership began to develop flexibility. We had to learn by practicing the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than holding to the concrete and safe rigidity which stifled the His activity. The Holy Spirit lives in this church and we continue to look for His new and current leading.

I share these things believing there is a reader or two out there who would benefit. One must understand we have learned many things in such a delightful transition. One is we as leaders shall never be more than in kindergarten. We hunger and thirst for Him to work because all of our formulas paled, became sickly, and fortunately died. His hands work in our hands. His heart supports our hearts. He is "THE" leader. We are not.

To give God the glory is on the mind of every elder and every staff member. Jesus is the name above all names. We owe Him everything. We credit Him with everything. We want more of Him!

DON'T YOU LOVE "IMPOSSIBILITY" DOCTRINE?

God has surprised me. As I look back at my conversion in 1970, it seems I may have simply switched some habits. However, I was still carrying life's load of responsibilities while God was a remote Vagueness merely sought by me to endorse my plans. The load was on me. Today I make a more concerted effort to see what God is doing and jump on His bandwagon.

He has surprised me as I find Him faithful to Jesus' plea, Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. God surprises me at how easy life flows if I will release the tense reigns of control. I didn't realize:

• Power is perfected in weakness...II Cor. 12:9. I had little influence; quite small doses of power. I had an abundance of weaknesses. He said my weaknesses would be perfectly powerful....so I gave them to Him. He was right. The weaker I am the more powerful I get.
• Intentional stillness trumps erratic action....Ps. 46:10. My trust that He would work is far more effective than my trust that I must make things happen. If I'll do the waiting on Him, He'll do the showing up for me....and it's so much more exhilarating!
• Giving leaves more to spend than keeping...II Cor. 9:8. This one is wacky. To me it verifies there is truly life after death. If anything this strange can be true, life after death is no puzzle.
• Tiny seed planting pulverizes humanistic organizational determination....Mt. 13:23. As much may be done in the moment's seed of courtesy to the waitress than a week's campaign knocking doors. We tend to look for the big to count. His Word has always pleaded with us to get it that Davidic concepts devastate Goliath theories. If we will strive to be little, He will have room to show up in our world triumphantly.

These are just a few surprises I've seen about God. I simply didn't see these truths coming down the pike of belief. Each is nearly scandalous. Impossibility has become routine for those who believe. Life can't possibly work this way. Regular life doesn't. Abundant life does! For me and my friends? We chose Abundant Life! We love impossibility doctrine!

GO THROUGH LIFE WITH YOUR HAND OUT

The late and extremely popular St. Louis Cardinal radio broadcaster of 47 years, Jack Buck, was one of those magnetic sorts. He was magnificently adored. Thousands upon thousands loved him. Everyone felt he was "their" neighbor. I met this man on a few occasions. He was wonderfully, refreshingly different. I believe the reason this man developed such an enormous number of kindred spirits is because he lived with his hand out....not to take, but to give.

Jack lived with his hand extended to greet. The first time I met him was in the tunnel beneath Busch Stadium. He was standing alone----looking dapper in his grey slacks, red coat, and white shirt and tie----and when he saw me it was Jack who made the first move to greet. He wanted to know who I was, where I was from, and what I was doing. He had this unusual way of visiting with people as if he had much time set aside just for them.

Jack lived with his hand extended to cheer. He reached to every class. His eyes had no prejudice; social, racial, or otherwise. He loved people and respected all. Those many and fortunate interns who passed through the corridors of KMOX radio in St. Louis rave about the manner in which he treated them with such grace. He intentionally built people with his wordtools.

Jack lived with his hand extended to give. Knowing a middle-aged lady had stood on her feet all day serving customers at the stadium, Jack approached her in a crowd as she stood waiting for the next bus to finally head for home. He called her by name, reached out his hand toward hers and placed $100 bill in her palm; then kept moving on. When he would speak at a dinner he would have a stack of $10 bills and every time a waiter/waitress would serve him his meal or fill his water glass or coffee cup, he would tip them $10.

Don't you see why people loved Jack Buck? He lived like Jesus. He gave himself into the hearts of both princes and paupers. He lived from his heart and saw others from theirs. He valued people. People loved him. We tend to value programs and schedules while resenting interrupters of both....people.

I cheer you on to live with your hand out. Hand out compliments and support. Hand out conversations simply noticing the ones with whom you speak. Hand out cash. Give yourself away and you'll find the real you---the fulfilled you--- shows up on earth; the person you were always meant to be. Jesus was not concerned about how he looked in doing good to others; neither was Jack. They just did it. Shy is not a part of kingdom character. Timid is self-serving; self-preserving. Don't live focused upon preserving your own image. Open up your hearts and open up your hands.....go through life with your hand out.

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:4, 5

MIND GAMES

I am the worst guy you ever met when it comes to insecurity. Sometimes I wonder if my maiden name was Anxiety. I was amazing at living wobbly and teetering on train wreck. Instability was a staple with me. I could turn a rose garden into hidden agenda. I could take any good situation and talk myself into upset. I'm not kidding. When in high school I dated a gal who was pretty neat but I felt I was not good enough for her so I made up a story to get her to sympathize with me and like me even more. I told her another guy said he liked her.

That was a lie. He never said it, but I figured I'd gain her devoted attention with this ploy. I thought she'd say to me something like, Oh most adorable, tall, and handsome hunk, don't you ever worry. You are the most amazing chiseled man of all my dreams. Uh, it didn't work that way. You know the guy I "made up" the story about? She immediately started dating him! Neither was on the other's radar until I made up this story....I think!?!

One of my poor traits which has really taken a lot of work for me to get past or get over is creating situations in my mind...negative views I believed others to have....which were never in their minds...ever. I simply imagined them. I was guilty of always assuming....the darkest scenario. My assumptions were always the worst instead of the better. If someone didn't respond or react to me the way I felt they should have, I worried as to what I did wrong or said wrong when in reality they most likely weren't even thinking about me. They may have been having a bad day of their own, but I could turn it so that I was responsible.

Stop it! If you are doing this, stop it! In general, good people aren't going around hating you, plotting against you, and playing mind games with you. It's us...people like us...who play the mind games. The sad thing is when the game is going on we are usually playing solitaire while believing there are two of us at the table. Not. Others aren't even on the radar screen. We've made this up! We've invented what we think they think and what we think they think we think....and it's all screwy! Stop it.

I'm learning that if I don't get a response favorably the other person may simply be distracted or maybe my idea isn't good. But, I must quit taking things so personally. I'm not that big of a deal. People really do have lives which don't center around me. I know that is a shock to all readers, but it's true. I'm not the main moment. For those of you who struggle as I did, you aren't the main event, either. Life isn't about you. It's about Him and all of us.

Life has a lot of hoops we must learn to jump through. Some aren't so easy. But playing mind games is a dead end street. I really believe there are many reading this who have no clue what I'm discussing. However, there are several who clearly know the topic at hand.

Relax. And when we do? We begin to find life much more productive, manageable, and enjoyable.

LOVE GOD AND HATE TO PRAY?

When I began my early days as a ministry student there was that gnawing item we seemed to encounter at too many turns.....prayer. I didn't like it as a subject and I didn't like to do it. I'm a "take action" sort and prayer possessed neither "take" nor "action". It just went on and on by whomever it was doing the mouth to ceiling recital. B-0-r-i-n-g....and I, for one, have no time for b-o-r-i-n-g!

In school we had times of prayer, studies on prayer, and then more prayer. I dreaded every second of it. I resented those who seemed to stand on their street corner to be heard by all. Give me a break. I wanted to get on with the guts of church work. When actually in ministry, I prayed very little. When I did it was always to commit my wish list to His ears. If a neighboring preacher would visit me at the office and ask if we could pray before he left, I always said yes. However, my inner man rolled my eyes and stuck my finger down my throat in sheer rejection of such a time-waster. He prayed. I listened. In my mind, my rejection trumped his praying and I won.

Over 25 years ago Albert Lemmons conducted a prayer seminar at Memorial. I attended but didn't want to. I went out of peer pressure; I was the preacher and had to show up. I went but vowed to not learn anything. I hated to pray. When he taught us to pray through the Psalms, I thought time had obviously stopped in its tracks. We even fasted an entire 24 hours and I felt I would not live. I didn't eat for the delegated time, but I didn't do much praying either. I was so glad to go out and load up on food!

Today, I truly enjoy prayer. My most important time of my week is when four or five of us gather in the auditorium on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. to pray for an hour over our day. The time flies. After leading several small groups in my home on Sunday nights with a combination of singing, eating, studying, and praying, I decided to begin a new group which would only pray. We spend our entire time in prayer. Such a move rapidly exploded our group into three groups.

What changed my view of prayer? My view of God. At first I saw Him as a Pharmacist taking orders for cures. But I learned to see Him as involved and interested; He loves to hear us say things as Thank You and We adore You. I've learned He is near. I've learned He is active; He responds. He cares.

Our God is alive! He lives! He lives to be adored! He lives to be given credit for all our senses can absorb! He seems to delight in seeing us praise Him in the center of distress as we act as if we actually have a Living God! Our lives are all about Him!

Prayer is not an order form with an 800 number. It is human to heaven and heaven to human discussion; a literal dialog. We pray to say to Him and to hear from Him. I guess the biggest thing which changed my view of prayer is to realize it is a two way street. When I learned God speaks to me and I need to listen for His response, the co-laboring involvement He and I took on is mysteriously wonder-full.

If you don't like to pray, I don't blame you. Yet, I do cheer you on that as you begin to connect with Him in speaking-terms-fellowship, life opens as a spring bloom.....wonder-fully a WOW!

LEADING FROM CONVICTION OR POLITICS?

We are in need of courageous leaders. As the proverbial dog runs ahead of the wagon train only to hesitate at the fork in the road to see which route the wagons follow and then bolts back into the lead, we may find our labors following such uncertain course. It takes authentic leadership to pave the way rather than trying to guess where one believes the church wants to travel.

I believe the reason the Republicans and Democrats in Congress are in such a quandary over Iraq is because they failed as leaders. Yes, Congress voted to support the war. Of course this is my opinion, but I think they thought it would be another 11 day war we would all watch on TV as a mini-series, conquer Hussein, set the nation free, and gather back at a hotel in New York City to gloat over the General's brilliant assessment of our success. When 11 days passed and then 11 months, both parties began to pale. I don't think they led the nation. I think they guessed they'd look badly if they failed to vote for a war which would be as speedily successful as Desert Storm.

So, where are we going leader? Are we going where Lucado writes and McLaren promotes and Sweet analyzes? None of these three would expect such. Yet, our vision can become snagged on the latest advancements which are a far cry of improvement from our own. I suggest we must continue to be leaders who hear from God. What is He saying and where is He calling for our assertion?

Back to the political realm, it's campaign time once again. Let's see....hmmm...what will the messages cover? Hmmm.....prescription costs for seniors? Health care? Social Security? No children left behind? Alternative fuel research? In other words the same ole same ole we've had for how many campaigns now? When will a leader step forward and take us in a meaningful direction other than circular landscape? We've passed those ways before!

I encourage you to pay attention to the Spirit's leading. Such a response could find one very lonely. Years ago I was heavily criticized (though not present myself) at a gathering of Bus Ministers in a nearby state. It was reported (to put me in my place) by one of them as to how they had gathered and discussed I had caved in to the elders and had lost my fire for evangelism. Those were lonely days as my good friends were speaking of my assumed failure. I may have shed a few tears along the way. I may have been uncertain as to what to do next at times. One thing I can say is I've never lost my fire for this work.

Step up to the plate, young leader, even if you step up all alone. God's voice is the One to hear; not the herd's who bellow the loudest. We aren't in need of politicians in the church. We are in need of prophets who will bring life to His people. Cooperation is always admirable. But there are those times when cooperation isn't leadership....it's politics as usual.

HOW TO GO ABOUT REACHING THE LOST

I don't know of anything more intimidating in the realm of Christianity as the thought of wondering what to do to lead someone to Jesus. This fear is so stark most believers never once make the effort. Yet, it's on the minds of so many. I was one among the masses who believed I would never lead anyone to salvation through the lamb of God. I didn't think it would ever happen. But, it did and there's so much which goes into the simple process. I share a few ideas:

• ENVISION EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW GOD....I believer everyone I meet wants to know God. Everyone. No exception. The most shy or the most belligerent or the most negative will at some point want to know about God's most prized Truth. Every waitress, cashier, and neighbor...it can be trusted they will want to know Him. Such a faith transforms our view of where we live and who we live among.
• PLANT SEED....plant kingdom thoughts. Throw the seed to wind and let it land where it may. God is looking over the field. He'll run the show. Our job is to sow seed through praise of God and invitations to be a part of small groups or Sunday assemblies or church league basketball or a Bible study at our kitchen tables, etc.
• WATER WHAT YOU PLANT....When you've planted the seed of testimony of what God has done for you or you may have invited one to church, begin to water the seed with courtesy, interest, support, and friendliness. Let the cashier at Walgreens know you are one of the happiest people to ever enter their store. Speak to strangers. Water the seed others have planted by having a good day whether it is a good day or a bad day. Look like you have a God is inferior to nothing.

Midge Meloen entered her daughter's hospital room like a firestorm. I was in my second year of ministry. I lived scared; never knowing what to do. This new grandmother had learned her grandchild was dying and she was, understandably, a panic. I'd never met her or her daughter; the latter of whom I'd just been called to the hospital to minister to as she didn't have a church. When Midge set off her tirade of verbal fireworks and told me to get out, I did. But I didn't leave by simply leaving. I left in a polite, intentional way sowing seed of courtesy, respect, and understanding. I did not leave in a huff. I left with a purpose. I planted the seed of kingdom love by abiding by her rude outburst. I would not trade eye for eye. I would defy her intent with mine. She would one day need God.

The baby lived. I had visited with her daughter ever so briefly and didn't have a clue what to say. Ninety days later, Midge sent for me. She, now, was in the hospital. She called for me? I walked into her room (quite intimidated) and she reached her arms from her bed toward me and said, Oh Terry, why does God have to knock the props out from under me to get my attention? Midge was found to have cancer and was dying.

I studied with Midge and baptized her and her daughter who had the baby and her young niece who served as hospice. I buried Midge in January and then I buried Midge in February; the first in Christ, the second in the cemetery. She pegged it, God had moved in her life and the seed I planted in that dark and insulting hospital room three months earlier sprouted....God's way in God's timing for God's glory.

Reach out. You can do your part. He will do his. Plant and water everywhere you go. Everyone wants to know about God at some point in their life.

THE STRESS OF LEADING AS A HUMAN

I've lived an oxymoron life. I'm certain there are those out there who would immediately agree with at least half of that statement. I've lived a wobbly combination of egotistically and insecurely. Together these are an odd couple of traits to possess one person. The former causes me to believe I have a handle on all understanding and the latter leaves me feeling inadequately clueless about the very things I think I have a handle on. Now, place this into one who is in a leadership role and chaos can arise without warning. Such would be me. Wishing to be a big wheel, I am more a wheel out of balance. The ride transcends from smooth to shaky.

Do any of you identify with knowing everything and knowing nothing simultaneously? Both are extremes and neither are accurate. I never know it all, but seldom do I know absolutely nothing. What a quandary. And, I'm a leader?

I've finally yielded to the fact I don't know how everyone thinks. I can't grasp such a region of diversity. It's too big. I'm guilty of retooling other's concepts to fit my particular and opinionated grid. This messes with communication substantially. Colleagues go deaf in frustration.

The solution is the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who gives gifts. It is the Spirit who empowers. When one can yield to the Spirit He can be trusted to know the inner thoughts of God and the thoughts of inner man. He knows all. He surveys all. He is to be trusted. My role is to let Him do what His role is designed to do. I must learn to submit as my estimation can only be incomplete while His is absolute.

Every leader surely feels the stress of communicational conflict. Why can't we think as a whole? The answer is none of us are equipped to define, decipher, or decode the whole.....only the Spirit of Christ has such a call. Therefore, we will do well to be assertive as long as two traits partner our vision: patience and gentleness....both (not surprisingly) fruit of the Spirit.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Eph. 5:25, 26.

EVER FEEL.....WEIRD?

Do any of you ever feel strange about your role, about your purpose, about yourself? Do you ever have multiple moments when you have your senses about you to recognize you are alive, but you feel strange regarding the next move? I do.....a lot. I love what I do, who I know, where I am, and Who leads me. Then why do I/we have strong and repeated awareness that for some reason we don't fit....wherever we are?

When these foggy moments arise I believe we are experiencing our alienation from this world. We are aliens in search of The City. While we read our citizenship is in heaven, such doesn't logically register in the mind. Gravity seems to have it's fleshly pull. The truth is we participate here, but don't belong. Just as when traveling to be with a friend in another city and on the way to their home from the airport they want to drop a gift of for a shower that evening. You walk in to an unfamiliar house with complete strangers preparing for the evening event. You recognize they are humans. You have it within you to connect in courtesy. Yet, you feel estranged as you don't really belong.

I cheer you on. We are not these big-deal religious guys who've nailed the life and times of Jesus to the point of idealism. However, we have hung around him long enough to know he didn't fit in here and, when we thought we always would, we find we don't either.

Feeling weird about being you lately? It may not be that you are doing anything wrong or need to do something more. It just may be you are finally realizing something right: becoming increasingly attached to the glories of heavenly citizenshippery!

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

LEADERSHIP: THE OPEN PURSE SECRET

Leaders have secrets to success. God has secrets to successful leaders. Today I discuss one: cheerful giving. Effective leadership is directly, Directly, DIRECTLY proportioned to giving. The business/flesh world depends mostly upon money. God wants us to make a most daring trade; our reliance for His. If we will surrender that upon which we depend centrally, He will shower us with a new effectiveness in the form of His invisible power: grace.

Grace is what makes any leader an authentic leader. Anything else is simply allowing a person to carry a title in leadership, but has no Spirit backing to be productive. Giving is a significant test. Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully......And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed...II Cor. 9:6,8.

I know one thing about my elders (although I've never seen one of their checks...ever), each is a strong giver. You can't lead by their skillful standard without having the leading and the backing of His extraterrestrial grace. It can't be done. Grace is the trademark of God working in a man or woman. No substitute will survive.

Years ago Marvin Phillips and I were on a plane destined to speak at some workshop. He shared with me that (and this was over 25 years ago) he had gotten his giving up to $100 per week. I'd never heard of such a thing. I gasped. I thought $25 per week was generous. And, when do we ever find ourselves permitted to share such a comment as Marvin's without being judged negatively for bragging. I was stunned. $100 a week seemed like $1000 to me....too far out of reach. Yet, it explains some of Marvin's success. He trusted God more than himself.

Marvin set me on a course that day which has challenged me year by year. I still feel hesitant in discussing my actual giving. I loved what God did for me when Marvin said it, but feel odd being specific with you. So, let me say I have it as my goal to one day be able to give $500 per week and I am closing in. Understand this important point: that goal was set when I didn't get paid enough to see how I'd ever attain Marvin's giving of $100. But there was God....promising.

In the early 80s I had not had a raise in several months (18 to 24) at Memorial. My salary was getting us by from week to week as long as the kids didn't need clothes and the car didn't break down. The elders gave me a generous and much needed raise of $30 per week. We really needed it. Yet, Marvin's example stuck. Mary and I raised our giving $35 per week (not our giving "to" $35, but increased it $35) to send a message to God. He has been ultra faithful to His abound, always, sufficiency in everything, abundance promises all along.

Some yearn for a good break in ministry. It might be thought a good seminar or a smart computer program or a faithful mentor might move you to the next level. May I seriously and delightfully urge you to evaluate your giving and fork it over so He can multiply what you sow in faith? You'll never be able to record His marvelous and mysterious moves. I tried, literally, to chart what He sent back. After 30 days of journaling, I threw the journal away. One cannot track "abundance" when God calls it "abundance". It's just too much to be recorded....human words cannot compute His blessings....and they're all for us!

Ponder the secret. Take the risk. And, step aside. His grace will come aroaring!

THE CRITIC'S PUPPET

The church is a glory in which to work. I love, love getting to work in the church. Such wasn't always the case for me and isn't the case for far too many today. Misery is in too many camps due to church misorganization. In each you'll most likely find preachers, elders, and deacons. It's the added significant and untitled leader of which I address: the critic. One doesn't have to strain to hear the cry of sinking hearts as they live in a work guided by the overly-opinionated church critic.

How does this happen? How does the Matriarch or Patriarch or simply Ms. Whiney-Butt rule the church 'til their death and its death? This is going on en mass. Any of the three can be sweet if they want to be as long as church goes their way.....and it eventually does. That's why they won't leave. The truth is they control and God does not. How do they gain such power.

Here's their approach: they either are an elder or an elder is their puppet. How wearying are the elders' meetings because there is one who objects to everything. One of my former elders (who was a good one) always referred to this as Minority Rule. The puppet rules. Dreams are quenched. Efforts are squashed. And....good, ambitious young men trying to preach become disillusioned.

I plead with elders who are observing this going on in your camp. Please take a courageous stand and stop this death-talking one who has been mistakenly placed in leadership. He holds great power over the other elders. Not all, but some are afraid to stand up to him. His stifling words of negativity and disapproval are terrorizing your own flock. Wake up, please, to the darkness and frustration that you feel, your preacher feels, and obviously your flock feels because fewer children attend and fewer yet become faithful adults. Stop the fear-leading in your midst. One among you may be the Grand Leader in this....or he may simply be the critic's puppet.

Many congregations are throw-backs of the slaves leaving Egypt; full of people trying to escape but simply going nowhere in circles. The church is so tired of this, but have no voice. They are mysteriously overruled and trumped by the church ruffian whom no one will dare counter. Souls are being lost while meeting after meeting discusses how to win someone new. Stand up, for kingdom's sake, and save the one's you've got.....including your young preacher!

THAT THING JESUS DOES

One could never nail down the many and delightful traits of the Master. There is one I address today. Do you know what I think it is that keeps Jesus magnetic, exciting, and current? He was not and is not orthodox.

I love that about him. He simply walked on earth as if he were from elsewhere! This is a huge item. It wasn't a matter of letting Jesus out of the box; he wouldn't go into one. He could sense the slightest touch in a crowd, but couldn't discern who it was that touched him. Now how does that work? He didn't mind in the least that a guy running late cut through the roof to get to him. He didn't flinch at the interruptive scene. No more than a friend would die and he'd call him back. Jesus refused to walk the conventional line. He could never be fully detected nor plotted, nor analyzed. He fits no one's mold of any human being. All we can do is try to fit into him.

He left earth and sent his Spirit to keep his body moving and what do we begin to hear? We are to conform to pattern and form; the very opposite of the nature of the magnetic Jesus. And how's pattern and form doing these days in Tennessee and Alabama and Ohio and Oklahoma? Well, it may be the reason we aren't growing.

It just could be that thing Jesus does could be those things Jesus would still like to do....refuse to be conventional and orthodox. It could be we need to refuse to go into the box! The walk of Jesus was faithful to his words in John 3:8 where he lays the big challenge on us. Those who walk by the Spirit are moving Southeast at one moment and turning North in the next.

I don't find this style confusing. I find it exciting.

A SALUTE TO ANA RUSH CHAPEL

Monday will mark the second anniversary of our little granddaughter, Ana Rush Chapel, passing away. I never met Ana. She lived only a few days. I did see a picture of her all dressed up once she died. Ana Rush in her little white bonnet and gown.....identical in looks to her twin, Campbell. She looked like a baby doll one would find at Target...perfect features.

Those were tough moments. They had been tough days; waiting to see if the girls could pull through from their very premature entry into this world. Anxious for Chris and Wendy as they held on to hold up, friends and family prayed and pulled for all. Campbell was blessed. She lived. Ana was blessed. She died.

A few days later my friend, Don McLaughlin, and I stood beneath the massive tree in the babyland section of the cemetery. Ana's little white casket sat perched proudly upon a stone bench. Her coffin was about the size of a sewing machine case. Hearts broke at the sight. Sentiment crept through the crowd and quietly dismantled every heart. Don and I spoke of hope and compassion and faith and blessings. Singers directed our attention to the Living God. We each did what God could through us to give light in dark moments.

Many lingered to hug and to cry and to dab the tears from cheeks of those broken open. It was a sweet moment Ana provided for believers to rally her Mom and her Dad. Mary and I rode in the car with Chris and Wendy. We were the last to pull away...each straining to see anything through the tears of the lonely white box which would protect little Ana's frail body.

As we pulled away and were about to exit the grounds, Wendy asked Chris if we could circle by for one last look. I knew this would not be a good move, but I hadn't the heart to speak up. I was pretty certain I knew what would have happened. As we pulled within line of sight, the casket had already disappeared into the hole awaiting Ana's coffin. Now the bench sat as if abandoned of all meaning. I don't know when I've experienced such heartbreak as at that moment.

However.....there's always a God's "however".....the truth is God blessed all of us that day. We'd prefer life, but we accept hope. We'd have enjoyed fellowship, yet we accept a scheduled reunion. Our God is brilliant in every setting. He is to be praised when He chooses to do what's best through life and what's best via death; life and death are both life. He is the Grand Planner for our feeble walk. He possesses the Divine Strategy while we shore up one anothers broken hearts and dab away the tears.

Today Ana Rush Chapel lives. She is sharper and more focused than we. She reigns without distraction. We live in circular patterns hoping to one day be as blessed as our sweet little girl.

And, Dusty, I really believe she would have liked me best!

HOW LONG DO WE TRY?

When trying to help people who are down on their luck, how long do we try to assist them before we say, That's enough? One of the things needy ones call for the most is money. We hand out thousands of dollars through the year to the less fortunate. In most situations there are return calls pleading for additional "this-time-it's-an-emergency" funds.

In some cases there seems to be an air of scam. For others, it's not the same. How do I detect this? Discern this? That's what bothers me. I never know. In some cases the Spirit may be nudging me. My potential to misjudge bugs me.

I believe the answer to the question I pose is arbitrary. There are some cases where it really feels we are casting pearls before the swine. Some seem to be lazy or on the take....or both. The others are the ones I'm concerned about. I'm feeling there are well-intentioned souls out there who have no training to handle finances or organization or work skills. They are drowning in a sea of overwhelming demands and they aren't equipped to take on the responsibility. They grew older with little effective discipline as to how to survive. Fault no longer is in the mix. There is significant need....now.

For these I remind us we may be needing to re-up our commitment for when they fail the first and second time, they may be needing our 70 x 7 endurance. Memorial is working with two couples (at least) who are desperately trying to get life in order. The demands of money needs alone wear and weigh on their hearts. I carry similar weight and I make a huge salary. What must is be like to not know if you'll have a roof and bed at the end of the next 30 days?

My point? Don't let the scam artists lead you to believe their are not those out there on our streets needing and calling for our extreme patience as they take a step forward and two backward. They'll one day be well, if we don't let go of the rope.

SHALL WE MARCH?

When in preaching school, the most of my student colleagues wanted to preach in Arkansas, Texas, or Oklahoma. I think a few leaned toward Louisiana. I had no desire to preach in any of those states. I wanted to be "out" in the field where churches hadn't arrived and where souls needed the news of Jesus. So, as God would lead, I have preached in Oklahoma 30 of my 33 years. Odd, don't you think? I know I didn't want it and He and I had words over the initial move. Fortunately, He won!

I love preaching in Oklahoma. It has become a base for literal world outreach through five venues:

• The Soul Winning Workshop.
• A preacher training center as several of our youth ministers have moved on to preach.
• The developing of our own little boys and girls to become missionaries/ministers and business ministers world-wide.
• The transfer of our members "out" through the natural style of families moving on.
• The extensive outreach of Internet....of which, again, God and I had words over as I didn't want it....but fortunately, He won!

Too, I found a most striking surprise. Churches in these states haven't arrived. Some just believe they have. There is much coasting going on among the Bible Belt churches. While they believe they are doing other continents a favor by giving them their financial support and sending a missionary here and there, great lack of the Spirit of Jesus Christ remains in the heavily populated church states. Thus, the Bible Belt is also a mission field. There is need to rescue the saved from the Thief and introduce them to Jesus who calls for Life Abundant.

Jesus is being lost in a religion bearing His name. People are being lost because they cannot reconcile Jesus' association with Christianity. Christianity has become docile, domesticated, civilized. We have forgotten that there is a kingdom of darkness stealing the hopes and dreams and souls of a humanity without God----Erwin McManus.

Here's how I see it: if we've kept instrumental music and women's roles out and the weekly Lord's Supper in, we are faithfully serving God. I say this is simply the symptom of dead churches trying to convince themselves they still stand for something. When Jesus is brought back into the picture, transformation begins at every turn: goals, missions, doctrine, and congregational health. Biblical faith is not a position to stand against; but rather a call to move out, move on, move forward.

Shall we determine to march for His cause?

KIDS: SORE ABOUT CHURCH OR SOAR IN CHURCH?

What's the deal with congregations supplying vast annual monetary support and abundant church activities along with many volunteers for children only to see too many of them eventually walk away from us as young adults? Dare I get by with suggesting they might be dying of boredom? Busy and/or active is not the same as adventure and risk.

When I was a kid I found a bird who misread the landing strip, missed his runway and became stuck in the hot goo of our newly blacktopped street. There the poor thing was stuck.....glued bird-chest to the tar road...wings still in tact but not strong enough to pull a successful lift-off. I, being the heroic rescuer of all things at age 10, forged ahead to liberate the traumatized sparrow. Well, I really let the younger neighbor boy dig the bird out as I didn't want to get messy....after all, I was the director of the mission. The point is we saved the bird. But, my folks wouldn't let me keep it caged because they said it was created to soar. They said it would die if we kept it caged.

A mistake parents may be making is inadvertently domesticating their kids. Children are not family pets. Kids were created by God for adventure! They are to be Spirit groomed for eventual battle of light over darkness. Yet, we protect them from bad things. We pluck off their wings. They weren't created for safety, but rather for high-alert risk. Kids get a dollar from Grandma and, whatd'ya know, want to give it to missions. Parents urge them to rethink in the name of training them the value of a dollar. Their hearts begin to learn to be reserved.

Parents are afraid the children are going to get hurt serving God. Could I ask you what book you read in the N.T. which indicates there should be expectation of working in God's kingdom and not getting hurt? We may be breaking down God's plan. Our kids are destined for raw, all-out, spectacular participation in the wild of God's kingdom. Yet, by the time we get done with raising them and releasing them from their church cages, some are found to be de-clawed and quite timid about their faith. What do we do about it?

I suggest we learn to let them serve God where they feel called. We must speak words of encouragement to their daring dreams. We begin to talk as if Disney World can't hold a candle to the creativity of the Living God in the Breathing Kingdom! We brag to them that we served not knowing how it would go, but sure God would provide. We blurt out our dreams and ideas that don't make sense; there seems to be no rhyme nor reason as to why it should work...but can because God is sooooooo sharp in His ability. We...we....talk more enthusiastic about God doing marvelous things than we talk about anything else in life.

Afraid your child will get hurt? I really can think of nothing worse than taking your kid to church year after year to discover he or she is severely deformed because our hesitant talk de-clawed their spirit. Children are not given to us to cage. They are ours to train.....to soar!

HEAR THE CRY OF THE WORLD

I wonder if I'm too busy doing God's work to care. Something is starkly misappropriate if such is the case. Therefore, I'm telling you an inner something: whether it's fear or laziness or indifference or something totally unknown, I can't seem to determine. The world is in dire need of the love of Christ and I'm failing to get the word out!

At times I feel like a storehouse of riches which are organized only to later be reorganized, but never leave the warehouse. I'm not referring to sitting in my office versus leaving for the streets. It's bigger. It's more. I'm talking about my lifestyle. Compared to the vast need of crying hearts, I'm frustrated at my impotence. News of hope for millions grows dimmer.

The body concept I wrote of last week helps. Yet, there's something about me personally which feels this continual call from within to be proactive for the downtrodden. I think about the global starving while Mary and I take another couple out to eat (for the third meal of the day....third). Our world is in one huge indescribable mess. I have the message of hope. Something isn't connecting here.

Do you ever feel this way? It's not random either; but nearly daily. I live daily with the feelings the disciples had when there were so many thousands to feed and only a sack lunch. So what is it I'm missing in faith to release the wonder of Jesus into this vast and oceanic-sized need of starvation, slavery, murder, and sheer maniacal hatred which blankets mankind? Do I miss His call because I'm numb to needs while trying to minister over so many details?

I'm not depressed, dear reader; but I am upset. I'm perpetually hungering to save the world...literally...from all misery. Why do I have so very many riches? I live like three kings. I buy a lunch for a stranger here and donate a coat there and pray for a team we send off to Honduras for a week. The cry for help from near and distant lands is far bigger than my spirit can absorb; yet, we must take action.

Do you feel this way? I believe there must be an answer to unlock doors into the dark of abyss of the wealthy, the poor, the leaders of nations and the blue collar laborers. There has to be a more effective way to dent darkness than what I'm doing. Any thoughts? Am I stuck in a religious rut? Has God some approach no man has thought of yet? How shall we bring salvation to humanity?

BRAGGING RIGHTS FOR LEADERS

Jason Thornton taught a powerful class Sunday about submission. I hadn't given it much thought in awhile. However, it is surely a special zone for any leader.

When I moved to Memorial in 1977 the burning number one issue was authority. The question was, Who had the most? The elders or the preacher? There had been a struggle with the previous preacher over this and when I rode into town the message was clear, Don't even think it!

What the elders and the church didn't realize is I wouldn't....ever. I've never wanted nor needed authority. I need encouragement, but I don't need authority. What would I do with more power? If power is perfected in weakness (and it is...II Cor. 12:9), then I conclusively have more power than I could ever exert! I'm not bragging and that's my point. As leaders we don't strut our way into power. Power is all over us if we'll present our weaknesses as our true force. Paul said in his text that Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses.

A spiritual leader will only find his bragging rights in his failures and fiascoes and catastrophes and collapses. That really doesn't lend itself to much swagger.....do you think?

Submission is not a threat to the leader; it's the secret to success. Such is the art of God's brush upon true leadership. His palette is laden with our frustration, exasperation, disappointment, and breakdown. It is not our heroics which impacts the kingdom style. Show us your flimsy and fragile masses and you'll find leaders brimming with energy.

The only bragging we get to do is the same as Paul's; it's only in our weaknesses!