The GOD WARRIORS

Christianne Amanpour was Larry King's guest last night hailing her documentary series, The God Warriors. King's additional panelists were a Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leader. Another Christian was interviewed by remote. The two Christian men made Amanpour's point as they could not find much air time in which they did not clearly oppose one another.

Thus it is with each sect. Regarding their call to go by their true "Bible", each division finds battle lines drawn within as unyielding interpretation is disputed. The discussion of war between Jew, Muslim, and Christian is dramatically sabotaged by the shameful glut of in-fighting of each. None can reach the souls they wish for their (our) own obstinate and self-centered determination to render "all others to believe like me".

While I'm not usually a MacArthur fan (See, there even I go in my own discord), he did a superb job of defining the Christian's ultimate role. While MacArthur's view was a clear stance upon Jesus of the Bible, he called for us to rescind our vocal judgment upon mankind and leave that up to the Judge. His noting Jesus' call to put away the sword and awaken to the fact His kingdom is not of this world was a breath of fresh air.

Each religious representative did sound the call for harmony in their united protest of the blatant damage done by the extremists of each party being handed the microphone and given the camera lens of the media. I agree with all three.

I urge you to continue your quiet development in Jesus. Learn to serve in submission to whatever government, whatever political party, whatever slant the powers that be enforce. Christians are dependent neither on who's in office nor what continent they live. Ours is a most confident faith because the Christ was victor while he lived and while he died. We are not dependent on circumstances, votes, nor court decisions. We are to be the embodiment of good news in the center of decadent, corrupt, and shameful blanketing of a negative spewing media. We have a story to tell in the market place....His.

Be consumed with good news and then pass the word along. Our day holds the perfect environment for something positive.

GLOBAL WARMING

It's Saturday, a day I usually don't write an article. However, God just placed this on my heart so I'll write for whatever it's worth and leave it through Monday? Maybe? My mind just keeps going back to the dear hearts all over the world which give warmth to their communities. Thus, Global Warming of the sure kind gets notice for the moment.

We hear of government projects (ours and others) which amount to dollar terms of millions, billions, and trillions. Have you ever wondered what the total would be from the generous coffers of Christianity? I'm not discussing "church contributions" here. That's another huge story. I am only drawing attention to benevolent giving. Try to imagine the amount of money given per year by:

• YOURSELF as you both write out checks to your church or community organizations or simply hand out cash when you see a need when at church or in the marketplace.
• YOUR FELLOW CHRISTIANS within your congregation doing the same as you.
• OTHER CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY doing the same.
• OTHER CHURCHES OF DIFFERENT BRANDS IN YOUR COMMUNITY: individuals and corporate efforts.
• ALL CHURCHES IN YOUR COUNTY
• ALL CHURCHES IN YOUR STATE
• ALL CHURCHES IN AMERICA
• ALL CHURCHES ON ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS

I believe the amount to be both significant and immeasurable. Would the dollar amount exceed millions? Billions? Trillions? I believe our government (of which I am not against) may be outdone by the GLOBAL WARMING of the human heart. And, note I have only referred to money. We have yet to discuss precious and abundant time given.

So it very well may be true after all. The chill may be rescinding from the world's cold shoulders as Global Warming is melting it's way into icy waters of resistance.

There. This has been brought to you by God. I didn't think of it on my own!

THAT LOVE MIGHT ABOUND

At age 60 and having preached for 33 years, I am still, still, still, trying to enter into the zone of loving like Jesus loves. After all these years, I still don't get it. I am far too enmeshed in my own thrashing criticism, complaint, and suspicion issued toward others.

He says don't complain, and I am so judgmental I ruin His order. He says love does not take into account a wrong suffered. I seem to be a CPA when offended. I am ashamed at how far I miss the mark....embarrassingly ashamed.

Regarding sin, our lists would be flooded with those committed. Yet the one omitted, love, seems to race by us without awareness we sinned against His highest nature. Loving my neighbors? I don't even know half of them. While I like those I know all right, I don't see God's love pouring through me to them. Loving my enemies? I do genuinely pray for them by name that they receive enormous riches from God's kingdom, but I find I still don't really like them.

My perspective is we each have light years to grow in His call to love. How exciting! I speak it without condemning heart....else I would condemn myself. I speak it to awaken our awareness to treat humanityhood with the heart of Jesus. What an untapped, unspeakable wonder of a future we yet have if we gain even the slightest momentum in the urgent call of our Lord.

Love your neighbors and your enemies. And, should they happen to be one-in-the-same, then may they run into the perfect and happy face of God......yours.

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HALLELUJAH, THE CHURCH IS IMPROVING!

What's changed? Church differences and man's conflicting traditions consume brotherhood papers and quarterlies. But what's changed about the people? Surely repentance and obedience has brought about profound modification. Right? I mean, since you were introduced to Jesus, what has been revolutionized about you? Are you the same person you always were with, now, additional and possibly burdening church things to do? Or, has God done an extreme makeover on you?

My life has encountered abrupt adjustment. The following are only a few things different these days:

• I want to read. Before conversion I would read only the Sports page...nothing else. Reading was a repulsive thought to me. All through grade school I lied to the teachers as I read very few of the books I said I did. Today, although I am a poorly-paced reader, I love to study. He has changed me to desire (hunger) to learn.
• I want to give my money. Before, I was as cautious as the next guy about my pennies. As a kid, my family was below middle-class in America but middle class in our region, I guess. Either way, we didn't spend. God has taken me the opposite direction.
• I moved from paranoidic pessimism to trusting optimism. Caution would again fit the former me. I thought positive thinking was a scam and that faith was a hoax. I regarded opportunity as always having a suspicious catch. Our God, however, can create something out of nothing and give life to the dead....and due to His call, I actually belief it.
• I have confidence. Before, I was a complete neurotic. I didn't believe anything good would happen for/with/or to me. The short straw was always assumed. Not so today.
• This will most likely be the biggest makeover for me: I learned to speak to people; I mean I learned to say Hello to everybody. Before, I couldn't. Those who know me today assume I was always an extrovert. Not! True, I've always been a friendly sort....among my friends. My range of friendliness had tall borders. I could not approach strangers with any confidence. Years after I graduated from the my little Dallas preaching school, a former deacon at White Rock (who supported me while I attended school) picked me up at DFW to be a guest speaker at an evangelism seminar for his congregation. He said something to me that I can still hear. Terry, I must tell you how happy and how proud I am of you. You are being used by God. To be honest Terry, I didn't think you would make it. When you were in school you were the most introverted person I ever met. An extreme makeover in me is, today, the ability to sit with total strangers, whether celebrity or pauper, and feel perfectly relaxed because of what I've learned from watching Jesus move about in his day.

What about you? What is a part of your testimony of transformation? The robust change going on in the church should be a wonderful witness that God is residing in the common people and making significant differences in our lives. Share with us where you've made adjustment (or He's made adjustment in you) as you witness His marvelous grace. Your tesitmony will inspire so many readers. Would you mind sharing a portion of your makeover?

KEEP SINGING EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW ALL OF THE WORDS

Our daily pattern must be protected from the Robber. Jesus came that we might have life knowing the Thief comes to steal. Good life is often stolen. In my earlier years, little suited me. I seldom felt like I was good enough. I wished I could have been born somebody else. I envied those who had jobs they enjoyed. As some of you may have felt, I believed I was one who drew the short straw.

Jesus changes life. That's not Sunday School jargon, either. Authentic transformation of common, normal people is for today. The aches and pains of living continue, yet our perspective shifts so dramatically it appears humanity really can and should be born over. What makes the transition stick? What gives us the boost for enjoying the moment?

Dependence upon God's Spirit rather than ourselves is a start. His ways are much more exciting and useful. Coffee Shop critics of faith do not realize they, too, have been robbed by the Thief. Even those who are vocal against God's system privately wonder about Him when they close their eyes at night. Therefore, attitude adjustments count. When we develop a spirit of thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation, the bitter dregs of disappointment shift to shadow. The sweet taste of appreciated blessings begin to dominate both our talk and our walk.

In 1979 I battled hyper-thyroid disease. It nearly claimed my life. I was so weak I could not shave, shower, and dress of a morning without taking naps in between each duty. To this day, some twenty-eight years later, I notice each morning I can do all three in a breeze. I love right now.

Take note of the things going well all around you. Speak of the good things. Shift from grump to grateful. True, there are many thugs and brats planted along your path intending to rob you of your life. I cheer you on to also notice the courtesies and kindnesses of each gentle day.....that put a smile on your face. My four year old grandson, Hayden, was overheard yesterday by his mother as he was singing in the bathroom, "Ourrrr Father is short in Heaven, Hal, oh why be thy name." What a singer!

Even when we don't get everything right and not everything comes out as we had hoped, we still have reason to keep on singing.

HOW BIG AND STRONG DO YOU THINK WE ARE?

I don't pose such a question from a zone of pride. I'm not meaning to induce us to bragging for none of us are anything more than a nobody. But, I often ponder just how big and strong and effective the corporate body of Christ is today....and this includes us.

I wonder what terrible uprisings to humanity by humanity have been quenched and never reportable because Spirit-led believers behaved in faith in such terms that the corporate us pulled off a major coup and never knew it because we are properly blind to our enormity. I wonder how often evil is thrashed by goodness; yet it was such a big story no one could see its size.

Who takes a magnifying glass to the Rockies? No one, I assume. Our eyes surrender all thought of measurement and submit to enjoyment. Political issues, mine collapses (as well as bridges), and homicides rant day in and day out. Yet, last night I saw John McCoy receive his Eagle Scout Badge.

As I watched younger boy scouts participate in the ceremonies I wondered, once again, of the positive impact goodness is having on earth. I believe the kingdom of God is tied in on these things. From this to Girl Scouts to smiling greeters at Wal-Mart to gentle nurses putting in long hours, society has a lot going for it. Teachers, in schools and churches, who mold little children surely are having unknown impact upon Life....the Life connected to Christ.

For too long we have reduced God to buildings (even to specific, restricted brands of buildings) called church houses. I encourage you to ponder the next time you drive by American Airlines or Tyson Foods or Target or places like them to just wonder how much God has going on.

We are minor, but how can we fathom the size of Jesus being major? Be encouraged. Much awe is taking place.....all around.

THE NEAT FRIENDS YOU MAKE ALONG THE WAY

I was spending my annual week in baseball camp with the St. Louis Cardinal old timers two winters ago. We were in their Spring Training facility at Jupiter, Florida. I had just begun the infield drills when I sprinted over to retrieve a foul ball. I stepped in a hole and my knee twisted. Down I went. Oh, the pain was sorta strong but I did not want to acknowledge anything being awry.

My team manager loaded me up on a golf cart and Whitey Herzog drove me to the training room where the team physicians began probing. How badly I wanted them to put a wrap on it and send me back out, but no such luck. I could not walk and eventually had surgery.

However, I did have a good thing happen (it always does when watching for God to make His move). A present day player who had been a special friend for about four years passed through the training room while I was stretched out on the table. We always seemed to find at least one surprise occasion each camp where I would turn some corner and there he would be in Cardinal camp getting ready for the season.

He came over and sat on my table. Terry, what have you done? How special it was he would take the time to attend to me. I could tell he was disappointed for me. He stayed awhile, wished me luck, and then disappeared into the workout gym the next room over.

Thursday he was called up from Triple A Memphis to the Bigs; this time as an outfielder instead of a pitcher. He slugged a game-winning home run that night and then hit two home runs Saturday. Rick Ankiel had earlier faltered as a star big league pitcher. Rather than quitting, he fought his way back through the minor league ranks as a slugger and is now enjoying Disney-like heroics.

I am happy for Rick and especially happy God linked our paths these last few years.

THE PAIN OF BEING A HAS-BEEN

Philip Yancey sent me a book a few years back by R. T. Kendall, The Anointing, which discusses three types of leaders: Yesterday's man (Saul), Today's man (Samuel) and Tomorrow's man (David). The account notes the treachery of today's man breaking from Yesterday's man and passing the Spirit baton to Tomorrow's man.

The church is often in this position needing to break from yesterday, today, in order to prepare for tomorrow's church. It's a tedious and, at times, wobbly tightrope.

Yesterday's man endures the pain of irrelevance, having known what it was to be used of God. And yet if he thinks he is still under the same anointing he once had, he still suffers by knowing in his heart of hearts that he is struggling with great effort to convince himself and others that he is still on the cutting edge of what God is doing today.

The pain of being tomorrow's man or woman is that you have to wait----sometimes much longer than you thought. The preparation is hard, God having to mold and shape you for your usefulness at the proper time.

The pain of being today's man or woman largely comes from the degree of courage required with the job. We never feel up to it. We may well feel like Gideon. The Lord addressed him as a "mighty warrior". His response: "How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

God has used me. I am moved-to-tears grateful. The day will come when I am no longer on the cutting edge (Year after year, I soberly question my ministry at Memorial as to whether I still am His man). I practice being all right with no longer being Today's Samuel as God raises up Tomorrow's Davids. I practice stepping aside. Our brotherhood lives in dense struggle because Yesterday's men (who were mightily and rightly used at one time) believe they are invincibly Today's men and Tomorrow's as well. Such might actually be the case for a rare few...but not many. Most of us are, or soon will be, has-beens. Saved has-beens, but has-beens just the same.

May God be glorified as we servants have the courage to step down just as bravely as when we first courageously stepped up. May we read His call on this matter for we all feel as Gideon...even when we are in our prime.....the least even while we serve.

CELEBRATE NOW!

I'm a preacher. Therefore, it should be understood I love exaggeration! Furthermore, I think it quite fitting we lead out in such a terrain. What is the kingdom of God if it does not take routine life and explode it into the unpredictable regions of wonder? What do we think terms as joy inexpressible and exceedingly abundantly beyond all we can think or imagine reference? Reason? Understanding? Of course not. Jesus moves us to speechless, analyticaless, and chartless awe!

Wonder is the only way we can grasp the enormity of our outrageous reality. Our phrase, You'll never believe what God has done, is a statement of inexplainability. Fourth century Gregory of Nyssa said, Concepts create idols. Only wonder understands. Really, isn't it fairly accurate to note everyone is filled with one of two lifestyles: wander or wonder? Wander can't get comfortable with rote direction nor mundane purpose. Wonder, on the other hand, can't explain the wide-eyed wow of every moment.

Brian McLaren wrote, Only wonder understands. Jesus said the kingdom of God is like a man who plants seed and then waits for a while and then sees the seedlings rising to the sun and in the end, he "knows not how". It is a mystery and a wonder to him.

I like wonder! It shows up when I see the pavement of an early morning, when I note a special soul waiting at a bus stop, and when I turn to watch a bird soar simply being grateful my neck still swivels. Do this: pretend five things which do work don't. Make up a list; i.e. your garage door opener fails, your bank closed its doors overnight (never to reopen or explain why), your sense of hearing leaves you, your purse is stolen, and you find a dismissal slip from employment when you report to the office tomorrow morning. Having taken each of your five items for granted has left you immune to wonder. Therefore, I cheer you on to celebrate these few paragraphs you've just read because a significant number in our world are illiterate and another group is blind.

Marin Luther was on track when he said, If I could understand one grain of wheat, I would die of wonder. Open the eyes of your heart as to who, what, and where you are! Dive into the wonder of it all! Celebrate now!

A SACRIFICIAL GOLF BAG

Doug Ferguson is a word-artist. He writes newspaper columns. He would be about twenty years my junior, but we have been great friends since day one. As an aspiring writer for the Associated Press, his beginning beat called him to randomly stir up something (anything) to report from the Tulsa surroundings. One could tell he had a gift for writing; but that he knew he had not yet struck gold.

We are alike in many ways; he's a golf nut and I, too, have clubs. Maybe fifteen years ago I beefed up my erratic game by buying a sharp looking golf bag. The snazzy Wilson red, white, and blue had pockets which had pockets. I paid good money for it (maybe two weeks earlier) hoping I could at least look the golf part when I suited up. Lavish praises came from Doug one entire Saturday morning round regarding what a sharp looking new bag I had. I couldn't decide if he liked the bag that much or if there was little else about my game in which to make comment.

Afterwards our foursome stopped at a nearby convenience store. I was inwardly struggling as to whether to sacrifice my special (and brand new) Wilson bag. Decisiveness needed to be quick and accurate. While Doug was buying his Pepsi, I swapped my new bag for his lesser one and reloaded the clubs. My friend was both surprised and pleased. I could tell I had made the right decision.

Later on Doug struck gold being promoted to chief golf writer for AP. About twice a year UPS delivers surprise packages to my door from him. Everything from Masters' shirts and caps to British Open ties to new clubs come from this dear friend. Yesterday Doug passed along over $2000 worth of tickets for this week's PGA Tournament at Southern Hills.

Doug's nature would be to do all of this for me if I had never given him a thing. However, more than once, I have surely been glad I handed over my treasured new golf bag. It may have been pretty, but it has given so much back to me over the years. And, if truth be known, I feel that I played a major role in shaping Doug's career. No man can cover golf's Major Championships week after week and year after year with a rattly golf bag.

The next time you read a golf story which has Doug Ferguson AP beneath the headlines, you just remember it was me who got this man his job!

TARGETED BY THE ENEMY

Our world is at war. It's not the terrorists against America. It's not the Democrats versus the Republicans. Neither is it the kids against the parents. There is a much bigger battle and we are in the center of it: the seen world against the unseen. We become frightened over Iran but indifferent over our personal spiritual blindness. As long as we feel fairly comfortable minus any great danger, life seems to be going well.

We do not see our days as extraordinary. Yet, they are! We have foolishly bought into mundane and hassle as normal. They aren't! Our lives have become a dime a dozen. They aren't! One of the things which saddens me is to find much of humanity sitting at the back of the bus in life. We've lost our drive. Negative experience and bad breaks have barked us into a corner in which we've believed we've learned we should obey their bossy voices.

Jesus, however, came to set the captives free. Why do we, then, volunteer to be arrested? Why do we dumb our lives down to fit the status quo of average? Why is it we have lost our backbone for life? One main reason seems to be we have misplaced the fact we live in a truly great mystery.

C. S. Lewis wrote, The value of ....myth is that it takes all the things we know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by "the veil of familiarity". John Eldridge follows Lewis' comment with, You are not what you think you are. There is glory to your life that your Enemy fears, and he is hell-bent on destroying that glory before you act on it.

You have been targeted by the invisible enemy to be reduced to mundane existence. Jesus, however, targets you for "resurrection-kind-of-power" life. May we inform our hearts to awaken to the call of really living. My we not allow anyone to short-sheet our awesome destination of living life to the maximum!

DON'T QUIT.

When the War ended in the 40's a struggling Tokyo company made efforts to rebuild its business. However their rice cooker didn't seem to fare well in the marketplace. To keep their heads above water the technicians repaired short-wave radios for a time. Eventually the company discovered what it was created to be, renamed itself, and took off. The name of the company? Sony.

Don't be discouraged as you move about in the kingdom barely keeping afloat by faith. The day will come when you will turn a corner and there will be your Sony. God is the One with the gift bag. He hands them out and you want to be positioned to receive. There is that special niche carved just for you. Do the little things well. Repair the short-wave radios for a time and do your job well. God will be rewarding you for endurance so important to ministering servants.

Don't quit. Don't give up. Don't close your eyes. Don't sigh in frustration. Awe is on it's way.....a whole lot bigger than Sony!

THE SECRET DOORWAY: VULNERABILITY

When Henri Nouwen shifted from a twenty year career of teaching at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard to living as a caregiver in Canada in a house for mentally handicapped adults, his notoriety completely vanished. Those he was assisting could not read so they had never heard of his many books. They hadn't gone to school. Thus, they could not be impressed with his academic credentials. When he offered meat to one of his assistants, a handicapped man said to him, Don't give him meat, he doesn't eat meat, he's a Presbyterian.

Nouwen found himself reduced to sudden and frightful nothingness, except for the dependent value of the moment. It forced him to discover his true identity. Referencing his new living quarters and friendship circle, Nouwen wrote, These broken, wounded, and completely unpretentious people forced me to let go of my relevant self---the self that can do things, show things, prove things, build things---and forced me to reclaim that unadorned self in which I am completely vulnerable, open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishments.

The pressure is on us to get the pressure off of us. This would seem to come about by reduction of self; not escalation. We seem to be sluggish from "The Ladders": social or career or financial or fame. What if we could self-dismantle? What if we could learn the sweet joy of appreciation, gratitude, simplicity, contentment....unpretentiousness?

It could be we are the ones handicapped. It may be the mentally handicapped have a grip on reality which defies us. Don't we spend a significant amount of time trying to conquer before we are conquered? Wouldn't it be wonderful to like right now? Reflect on Nouwen's next statement: I am telling you all this because I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self.

Experience tells me vulnerability opens the weirdest and most wonderful doors, but most leaders waste time by trying to enter through windows of opportunity using "Ladders" to success.

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Vulnerability.
Vulnerability who?
Me.
Well then, come on in!

"THEM"

There are two kinds of sinners: both are ruined. One knows it while the other is clueless. Both, however, are wreckage in need of the blood of Jesus. Guilty, ruined, and broken are not at all what I expected to surface as of major importance in ministry. For my first few years my pulpit was more like a fox hole I used to separate me from "them". I would toss sermonic hand grenades at the guilty sort and duck as they returned heavy artillery fire throughout the remainder of the week. I knew one thing: I wasn't like "them".

It was a shock to my system to realize I was, indeed, worse than "them". I was forced to park my high-horse at the rail and dismount. My judgment of "them" was not necessarily faulty. My assessment of myself was skewed. The church and I, the brotherhood and I, we were all in this quagmire together. Several things arose to importance when I encountered such a disappointing, yet necessary, discovery.

• As Jesus left heaven to experience earth, I needed to leave my self-appointed perch to experience the truth about "us".
• It dawned on me how desperate I was for His grace and mercy. In turn the flock was as needy to exchange the same with one another.
• I began to notice the beauty of Jesus from this ugly pit. I had never noted his gentleness before.
• The Word jumped out with redefined meaning.
• I found myself ruined of any defense or explanation. If I am going to breathe in the church I must live; yet not I, but Jesus in me. My proud stance turned out to be a facade and it had been shattered.
• Brokenness is what every young leader must experience. Otherwise, he'll live as a thorn to God's people always accusing, always surmising, always judging, always condemning; mistakenly stroking self as to assumed importance.

If you still find yourself believing the brotherhood would be stronger if it held values more like you, you are in the way of God's progress. If we are to be of anything good, it has to be because of the lively and effective rescue of Jesus and no other.

Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.

May "they" become "us" as "we" can do nothing apart from "Him".

NOT GIANTS. ONLY DESPERATE.

Strong and admired personalities do not power the kingdom. Even the most famous carry little weight if not for God's Holy Spirit moving about. Calvin Miller wrote in The Empowered Leader,

Please remember that great leaders are not those who have worked their way up to personal confidence. Nor do they see themselves as God's ready achievers in this world. Spiritual leaders only appear to be giants to others. To themselves they are in desperate need of God.

Every effective leader is desperate for God. I feel sure Rick Warren, Philip Yancey, Beth Moore, and Erwin McManus feel Miller's statement is right on target. If God doesn't deliver the goods, we are simply unplugged. If He doesn't grace us, we wither. No man or woman can lead if God is not the Singular Supplier. There is not a preacher, an elder, a congregation who needs more members or more money before it needs more God. We must have Him. We hunger and thirst for His right ways. Our ways lead us to be sluggishly dim. God's ways sparkle with simple and often surprising effectiveness.

Sometimes in prayer I will ask God what He wishes I would do that no one has yet to think about. I don't believe they (the most brilliant of leaders) have exhausted God's storehouse of creative thinking. There's such room for the rest of us to tap His brilliance. Young leaders, be encouraged to think into God rather than coast along the party lines of your fellowship. Dare to let the Spirit who knows all things about God roam His inventory and see what might be pulled out just for your participation.

Desperate for God? If He doesn't come through, I'm sunk. Yes, I'm desperate. And you?

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE'VE SUCH A LONG WAY TO GO

I've been at this role in the Kingdom for awhile. Finding myself now among the older ministers, I continue to discover one great truth: as one ages one doesn't close in on understanding God. Research fascinates me. In medical research each discovery opens more to wonder about. Whether space or agriculture or education, the new and marvelous arise. Just this week our janitorial service trained our guy in new technology!

So it is with the Creator of all. God is beyond mind. Understanding flees at the same time it hopes. He said He is able to do more than we can imagine or think. As our imaginations grow, God seems to increase our awareness of His unfathomability.

The good news is we've such a long way to go. This truth leaves us wonderfully in need of the over-talked and under-achieved love. There simply is no room for our boasting and bragging about how much we know and how effective we think we've become. We are nothing more than sculptured dust. We count for nothing unless the Living God chooses to place His Spirit in our carcass and carry out His work. If He isn't in, we are over. Caput.

The good news is we can each park our high horse at the watering hole and descend from our assumed importance. When asked about her fame, Mother Teresa is reportedly to have said, Do you think that when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and palm leaves were being placed in his path that the ass Jesus was riding really thought the applause was for himself?

We know good things; marvelous truths. We experience envied events. We fellowship celebrated and honorable individuals. Yet we are so far from being close to what He intended, all we can do is love one another with gratitude while we count our losing of ground as good news.

God is our good news!

WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?

My good friend posed this question to me yesterday. He, too, loves preaching in the Church of Christ. I enjoy pondering who we are and where God is leading us. Our future is quite positive and hopeful:

• The church Jesus is building is so powerful the gates of hell can't resist it. Finally and wonderfully, denominational walls are crumbling; yea, including the ones the Church of Christ erected. The Word is faithful and Christianity is returning to the Anchor for increasing guidance. All sorts of "brands" are committed to regaining momentum from foundational bibliocity. Many of these are being awakened or reawakened to Bible authority and stability. Even among our own there continues simple interest in getting back to the Bible.
• It seems likely the denominational side of the Church of Christ will get louder and grow grayer. It shouldn't be surprising if a neo-legalistic movement will arise (if not from among our group, then of another) as religious pride seems insistent on claiming some percentage of the Christian turf. Legalism is the style of the lazy believer. It requires little study on its own. It feels secure in knowing some others in the herd (whom they like) have the same conviction. This seems to make their peculiar angle on truth(?) right.

The church which is Christ's is magnificent in direction, marvelous in intent, and meaningful in production. As at its inception, it will always be challenged by the ill-equipped ones of the likes of us. His Holy Spirit is both our confidence and our hope. We are a funeral home without Him and a soul winning factory with Him.

What's the future of the Church of Christ? Much depends on whether we choose to coast or grow, whether we decide to preserve or explore, and whether we have ears to hear His voice over the deafening noise of the fearful. I believe the future is bright for the courageous of heart.

WHAT ARE YOU ACCOMPLISHING......

....isn't the big question. What are we accomplishing is the bigger question....but not the biggest. What are WE accomplishing is the greater inquiry. If you feel somewhat stranded and bummed about how little is getting done from your perspective, you may want to read on.

WE are getting very much accomplished. WE includes you, the rest of us, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. WE are co-laborers. WE transcend location and time. Included in OUR work is that which Velda Watson, Miriam and James and John, Liz Moore, Max Lucado, the Holy Spirit, John Dobbs, and Mike Cope are doing as WE ARE the body of Christ. God didn't send us out with rod and reel to individually fish for men. He sent US out with a net.

Teamwork is OUR work. Greg England's work is directly linked to J.W. McGarvey's kingdom seed sown a century ago. We get things done and we never see anything work which doesn't have the WE tag to it.....really. WE have so died to Christ that He lives in you and me to develop US. WE live that way, work that way, believe that way.

There is not "my" fruit. Neither is there "church" fruit. There is only Holy Spirit fruit which always happens to come from and through the corporate US. Today, in my hometown farming community of 2000, WE are inaugurating a weekly newspaper column, Tossing Life Your Way. While I am quite enthused, it's the WE factor which makes such a breakthrough possible. I doubt the man and woman who converted me will realize the significance of this new work. However, it is a very exciting WE moment!

One of the things which really enthuses me are the brothers and sisters in China whom I have never met, and do not know, WHO are taking 50 books on the Holy Spirit sent over there fifteen years ago and are spreading the good news from them. WE have that going in the underground church in China. I believe someone(s) is translating this blog and others like it into a myriad of translations to encourage the hearts of the WORLD!

So Eric Magnusson off in Michigan and Roger Dickson off in South Africa and Cindy Ezell off in God's arms and Kyle Holcomb off in Scotland and you, dear reader, off in your neck of the woods, WE are involved in such astounding and wide-spread effectiveness no one person or team can report all the good being done!

Accomplishing much? Now you know more of OUR story. WE can't stand it as it is so much, so high, so far, so wide.....so very good! Just what are WE getting done? Trying to fathom breaks the think barrier! Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within US....to Him be the glory!

ARE WE ENOUGH....NOW?

Has everything in life shifted toward the experts? Specialization is a blessing to the consumer when it comes to matters of health care or building cabinets. In these zones our consumption will keep pace as far as finances endure. In the marketplace the best is usually performed by the professional. Shoddy workmanship or cheap materials pale in comparison to "Grade A" quality....even when it comes to milk and eggs.

In the faith arena "best" remains key, but is not always under the banner one would believe. Best is not in skill, but in trust. Moses tried to argue against this point; yet, even in feeble and fumbling objection he accomplished what he knew he couldn't; but what God knew he could. The voice of God has been silenced as Christians have self-muted due to fear of not being professional enough in their approach to a business colleague or an elderly neighbor.

Mike Yaconelli rehearses a time when (as he worked at L'Arche, a home for mentally handicapped adults)he finally had to accept his own brokenness as he discovered he, too, was a sinner. He felt perpetual need to apologize, to run from his weaknesses, and to deny who he was. He made strong efforts to rebound with determination to be professional; not broken.

At L'Arche, it became very clear to me that I had totally misunderstood the Christian faith. I came to see that it was my brokenness, in my powerlessness, in my weakness that Jesus was made strong. It was in the acceptance of my lack of faith that God could give me faith. It was in the embracing of my brokenness that I could identify with others' brokenness. It was my role to identify with others' pain, not to relieve it. Ministry was sharing, not dominating; understanding, not theologizing; caring, not fixing....

Maybe our faith would take on a more meaningful tone if we could abandon the need to be ideal and simply become normal. Jesus is the new normal. Arise to believing God can/is/will use you to connect by sharing, understanding, and caring.

VISION: A LEADER'S HOPE

In The Empowered Leader Calvin Miller wrote, Often vision comes as the result of some tearing circumstance by which we come to an end of our own ability to make life work. But we are never to deplore such times! Miller goes on to say that vision may be the only valid escape from aimlessness.

For the Christian leader, stresses and difficulties fit God's scheme of victorious living. Why else would Paul write, Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Being weak and strong, simultaneously, will only work if we grasp the truth of how these elements assimilate. We are weak and He is strong; yet the residence of this ironic combination is located within our body, mind, and spirit. Our faith has drawn the Divine into our pitiful system and reversed everything for the good.

As a result we don't just get by in life, for as we believe in God, we turn aimlessness on it's ear! Defensiveness leaves us. We already know we are lacking before our accusers announce it to others. Inadequacy is truly a vital part of the fabric of our fine-tuned being. We can do nothing without God, but we can arise from ashes of discouragement to live productively because of Him.

That life goes smoothly is not a sign that one knows God. That we do not flinch in the center of stress is the marker. Too many snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory by giving up when life gets rough. Maybe we can help one another by pointing out difficulty is merely our trampoline for God's creative solutions. Transform discouragement. Turn it into fuel for even a better direction.

WHEN DO GOOD LEADERS FINALLY "ARRIVE"?

Getting there, wherever that is, looms large to young ones headed out into the wonderful world of ministry. We can't wait to get our wings of effectiveness coupled with assumed respect. No longer climbing our way up; but rather, finding ourselves perched atop of the success mountain is a seemingly compulsory goal. My being down the road a piece from you younger whipper-snappers, I share my experience hoping you'll be encouraged about your ambition.

I believe a good leader arrives the day he or she realizes there will never be a point of arrival. Certainly this sounds oxymoronic and it is. How often God works backward to our assessment and assumption. We aren't to get somewhere. Rather, we are to become someone.....Jesus. To be Jesus-like is an all-the-time-for-the-remainder-of-our-life course. The good news is it really feels good to reach such a redefined conclusion because:

• It is an accurate assessment.
• It releases cumbersome and self-induced tension as we relax from our own efforts by shifting to the Holy Spirit's.
• It places us in the center of our dreamed position of finally seeing the kind of fruit we had imagined.
• It leaves us as a child wondering just how good can it get as the Spirit is so fascinating in His creativity in/with/through/for us.
• It leaves us young. The Word is true after all....we are newer every day.

Regard yourself alive in the most mesmerizing and enthralling work in all of Creation's Glory. Kings and Rulers only wished for the very life we leaders in the kingdom get to experience day after day after day. Shoulders back! Chin up! March! March intentionally into the center of even more wonder because we arrive...not at an envisioned level...but as a Person!

HOW DO I MANAGE TO BE SO WRONG?

Okay. Last night was a convicting one. I didn't see it coming for I'm far too vain. Tammy Faye (Bakker) Messner was on Larry King Live. She's dying of cancer, weighs 65 pounds, and looks horrible (honestly...scary). She's in terrific pain in her spine and stomach. Visually, she looked so poorly it was difficult to stay tuned. Her speech pattern labored extensively as she often had to back up and take a run at the sentence again before she cleared the hill.

I've always regarded Tammy Faye as a clown. Her Clara Bell lashes and facial make-up left it difficult for me to take her seriously. I'm one of those---who knows how many---who enjoyed the opportunity to ridicule both Jim and Tammy. Yet, last night caved my rudeness and showed, once again, that side of me which ain't so hot.

No one vain would go on world television looking like she did. The only hint of recognizing who her was due to her mouth (smiling) and her voice (although raspy and breathless). The face is sagging downward into multiple rib-like rolls and the body is wasting. The mouth smiled upward while the face frowned downward. Tammy Faye requested she be interviewed to give opportunity to share her complete faith in God and to express to all of her fans her gratitude and love.

Once again near death and death seems to prove valuable to pull the elements from our hearts which really matters. Over the years I've experienced some pretty painful severing of congregational/member relationships. Both friends and enemies have left.....enemies. Consistently, when I see any at a funeral of one close to all, the wall of bitterness and hatred has gloriously dissolved. Genuine love and interest and friendship seem to be rekindled.

This thing about death is for real. It is a grace in the kingdom of God. We need death to discover the wonderful realities about our own hearts. Death exposes division for what it really is....surface. Then, it restores hearts as we find our deeply rooted true love for one another. Our real compassion is better than we would have believed as death serves as a fabulous magnifying glass to show us just how faithfully we care about each other.

So death works in us, but life in you....II Cor. 4:12

WHY THE CHURCH IS AFRAID TO WIN SOULS

Is it possible there are things which have been done to us or we have done to our people which neuters the church's ability to effectively reach into a desperate and dying world? There is a sick combination of so much hurt around us and so much passivity among us. Consider a few ideas which may be thwarting wholesome evangelistic efforts:

• We have led members to believe they need the proper arrangement/alignment of sequential verses in order to tell the true story right. We have mistakenly assured them their story of falling in love with God and wanting to follow Him is not enough.
• We have led members to believe we are the only ones right. Therefore, when sharing the gospel with others they better tell it "the only right way". As a result, this quenches all ambition to reach to others as insurance for not getting the story wrong.
• We have led members to believe the fruit of a Christian is another Christian. This unnecessarily heaps guilt. The fruit of a peach tree is not another peach tree. Otherwise orchards would snap as one looked out to see trees hanging from trees. Each tree bears lightweight and easy fruit and within the fruit is the seed for another tree. We are to bear Holy Spirit fruit and within such is the seed for another Christian.
• We have led members to believe we do most of the work and God does very little. The reverse is true. God works. He's calling to lonely and fearful and frustrated hearts constantly. We are to simply perceive ourselves as His useful puppet in connecting the soul dots. He is the Potter; not us. God works directly in the Christian's life via the Holy Spirit...through us to the hurting.

These are only a few traits of convincing the church it cannot win the world. Some are bent on reversing this mistaken trend. I am most grateful for a patient brotherhood who has helped me gain confidence in the Living God and not in myself. We are destined to win others to the Loving Christ. If you fit into any of the above categories, may this note today give you the courage to jump from a mistaken ship and soar into the unknown zone of reaching freely to a very needy community!

May you be convinced knowing God is information enough to have something to share. May you thoroughly looooove your life in Christ. May you smile brightly in rooms of others where they barely see as life is so very dim. Light up your heart. Shine upon a dark office crew or a gloomy reunion or a murky church service. Let's free our people by encouraging the body of Christ we have abundant life and assume others would want in on the privilege!

WHEN YOU TALK WITH GOD

When you talk with God, how does the conversation go? Do you talk to Him or at Him? Is He your Father who cares or your Waiter who takes your order? Are you faithful to pray (saying words) or faithful to God (connecting in heart)? Because God is so Wonder-Full I believe myself to just be learning about such dialog between the human and the Divine.

I'm growing more in telling Him of His awesome attributes than I spend giving Him my wish list. I applaud Him for His unspeakable character and for the tiny and extravagant matters in life like a rabbit crossing in front of my car on my way to work. Most likely the most repeated words I use are Thank You. I would be lost without Him; not just eternally, but in ability, power, skill, leadership, friendship, etc. To be disconnected from God would leave me totally unplugged from life. I can't think of a sermon or blog, I can't serve in ministry, I can't bring about one ounce of creativity, unless He supplies my every need. I am dependent upon Him to breathe.

Much of our communication is me being still and listening. Often in the car I will think toward Him without uttering a word. I listen for Him to speak. And just how does He sound? I never hear from God audibly. I don't know how to describe it except to say He "makes me aware". I think about Him when I wake up and it's often in those first few minutes something from Heaven falls from the sky and into my mind. Increasingly, what I had regarded as my thoughts are turning out to be His thoughts. He does give us input and direction when we seek it. We do hear from Him. We do partner with the Living God.

God will speak through a song of perfect timing, an event the eye is able to note, a reminder which comes to mind. When I am with another person, let's say for coffee, I intentionally listen for God to speak through him or her. They usually don't know I'm using such radar, but will often interrupt as I scramble for pen and paper to jot a note before I forget.

I encourage you about your Master. He is one of fellowship. Be encouraged to move from the business of being spiritual to the relationship of being Friend to friend. He surely takes a beating in heart as much of creation refuses to acknowledge Him. We must increase our outpouring of gratitude for He surely is the Marvelous, True, Ecstatic, Incomprehensible, Living Lord.

BODY OF CHRIST DIAGNOSED WITH SDA

We surely live in a time of abbreviations. We have CEOs attending AA meetings? The government is chastised for lack of attention to FICA and mismanagement of FEMA. FYI, OSHA drives the COO batty while the CIA investigates the DOA at General Hospital. It's no wonder Old McDonald sang E-I-E-I-O while feeding the horse.

Therefore, I've concluded it appropriate to discuss the SDA which ails the church. Selective Doctrinal Anxiety divides and ultimately conquers the cells of Christ. SDA depletes the immune system causing the church to retreat for treatment three times a week while rendering it unfit and unable to have necessary stamina to breathe life into a depressed society.

SDA is a disease which scans the Bible and chooses which doctrines to be major battle lines. Oddly, some of God's apparent desires are tossed into the "well-that-can't-be-helped" bin.

• Worry.....SDA no longer acknowledges this as doctrine, but simply a way of life accepted by those who are concerned over presumed larger doctrines. However, this is a major cause of heart disease.
• Avoidance.....SDA has shelved the call from scripture to go to the brother with whom one has trouble. Preacher's luncheons and brotherhood gossip sheets are highly contaminated with Avoidance which drains the body of important energy.
• Reductionism....SDA refuses to believe Jesus actually equalled murder with anger, adultery with lust, and favoritism with unrighteousness.

The good news is there is hope for SDA victims. Every congregation can find complete healing from this aggressive disease by administering RATTED (Reverse Application Treatment To Encourage Development). Romans 2:1-3 is God's holy prescription for complete cure. 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 we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such 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?

Selective Doctrinal Anxiety is removed from the bloodstream of Christ when each member of the body realizes his or her own severe and major flaws. Subsequently we find no reason to warn others of anyone before we warn them of ourselves first. Healing should be rampant when SDA finds itself effectively RATTED.

WHAT MUSIC DOES TO US

Memorial is a fabulous group. We know we are not God. He is the one Who supplies. Our dependence is upon Him in every effort. We are greatful for each leader/minister; yet, we are fully aware each is simply discarded junk inhabited by you-know-Who!

One of the dynamics which has become such a special thrill at Memorial is in the zone of our music. A Capella churches need/should capitalize on their awesome heart-voices. We are getting better at such a skill. Shane Coffman is one special worship leader. He has that perfect knack of being up front unnoticed. Allen French, before him, had the same ability.

I am impressed week after week at the creativity of God in Shane. Yesterday Krista Magnusson began Amazing Grace by singing a solo and then the church joined in. To hear her was to listen to an angel. She looks like one and sounds like one. Shane's song selection was upbeat and led us to ride the clouds as we thrust our hearts upward to the King. Jason Thornton's solo backed by the worship team was an earth shaker. His God Raised Me Up rocks the church!

We are most blessed to see the singers among us get to be used more and more as we remain faithful to the Word and let those who have a song sing it. Thank You, God, for letting us be a part of your world-wide, century-continuing called out people. We are most grateful to be included.

MAYBE SOME COULD SAY A FEW WORDS

My good friend, Marvin Phillips, has been very ill. Due to an infection which was attacking his replaced heart valve, he was hospitalized about three weeks ago for six days and is confined to his rocker and "no travel", "no preach" for two more months. This is killin' him!

I went to see him and Dot yesterday. I love this couple. Marvin looks good, is getting stronger, yet has a ways to go. This man of notorious energy has lost several pounds and is quite weak. He walked 10 minutes Thursday which was five more than his previous adventure.

He's shootin' up drugs right and left......and enjoying getting to tell me so! He has excellent doctors and is on schedule to completely recover. In the meantime, he has some slow, slow clock hours to sit at home and watch The Price Is Right.

I ask you to use today's blog to leave Marvin and Dot notes of love and encouragement. I'll pass them on and I believe they'll serve as God's kind of medication to spark even quicker recovery.

If you don't mind, at the conclusion of you note, sign your name and include the city as this might make it more personalized for them.

HOW SHALL WE CLOSE THE GAP?

First: this Sunday is my "actual" anniversary date of being at Memorial Drive 30 years. They gave Mary and me a huge surprise a few weeks back. To all Memorial readers, I never in my wildest imagination would have believed I'd get to work with a church as sweet and happy as you! Thank you.....enormously! Now to the topic.

I read a report this week which stated 75% of all Christian youth will renounce their faith or lose their faith in their first year after leaving home....college-bound or not. I have been perplexed over this evidence for the past 25 years. I've taken stabs at stabilizing this crisis; yet I have not the insight nor the skill to make a minuscule dent.

The report went on to say that two of the reasons we are losing these precious ones is because:

1. This generation sees little relevance between the church and real life.
2. The church lacks adventure.

What is working where you are for the college through the late 20s? Does it depend on a specific staff person assigned them? Does it take the presence of a dynamic one (or two) of their own among them? Are we needing to give stronger assistance to parents during their earlier ages? What do you see working?

I'm not down on anyone or anything. I'm searching for what's working to continue the great work our pre-grade school, grade school, junior high, and senior high servants have labored over so diligently. I believe the most of us don't need a statistical report to tell us we need to strengthen this area. All we have to do is count. Too many are absent.

I do not regard this as an issue which can afford casual attention. The church splits a gut during the first 17 years training these gold mines. We cannot afford to let this loss trend continue. What do you see as to an effective effort to close the gap? Do we need money? Focus? Man-power? Whatever it is....we need to address is ASAP. Help!

MINDS CUFFED AND JAILED

It's not easy to be a believer in the American church. While there is comfort abundant, which in itself runs contrary to the scheme of the cross, many find ourselves having been arrested and locked behind invisible bars. The charges? We think differently than the Sheriff. What's worse is we don't realize we've been drugged, anesthetized, by the strong powers that be and are being held captive. They tell us we are simply being discipled. Yet, our minds have been jailed.

Once sentenced to community confinement we are free to move about the terrain we choose with the friends we develop, but we find ourselves gradually incapable of thinking. Thus, we are told what to think. The process is so smooth that eventually it's just easier to be told what to believe. Too, the Sheriff of Pharisee County has strong-armed deputies. While they never physically assault for they are far too clever, they do rule by intimidation. Some of his deputies serve as elders, some as preachers, and some own printing presses. The prisoners must play by the bullies' religious rules. Don't ask questions and don't rock the boat is the goal in camp. Keep smiling. Contribute the best you can. Volunteerism gets points. But one must think only in line with the Sheriff and his deputies.

The result is a heavy count of believers becomes dwarfed in their ability to think for themselves. This is proof the Sheriff's scheme is working. Inmates will be under his thumb and much easier to control. They are groomed to depend on the deputies' commentaries as to what they are to believe. How hard they try to obey for this is a key word among the confined. A list of what and who to shun is distributed. Though not posted anywhere, there is a list. Versions of the Bible, workshops, names of congregations and preachers, and methods which are to be avoided are passed throughout the underground camp of the Sheriff. Inmates can't teach their neighbor how to be saved, but they can recite "the list".

When a person goes to prison the controlled environment forces everything to be thought for him. Inmates slowly become unable to decide....literally. Decisions are made for them. Today, when a prisoner is released after significant confinement, one of his greatest struggles is trying to make a decision because he hasn't done such a thing in so long. When Jim Bakker was released from prison he could not determine which rental car to choose and asked someone to do it for him. So it is for too many in the church. We are given clear boundaries of the Sheriff's preferential right and wrong. Over the decades the people work to obey and serve, but no longer think for themselves. It doesn't even occur to them to think they can't think.

It's one thing to know a few of the scriptures. It's quite another to be able to think on our own as to what we believe they teach. Controlled religion was rampant in Jesus' day and it is in ours. The church is not a cult. It is a marvel. Let's do more than restore a hand full of verses. Let's think so as to restore its glorious and thrilling heart that we may rejoice. Maybe then we will begin to keep more of our children.

EVERYONE NEEDS SUPPORT....EVERYONE

A quarter of a century ago I became refreshingly impressed with an author arising upon the scene. Charles Swindoll's simple writing style matched my hungry heart. I picked up the phone and called an operator for information to Swindoll's office. His secretary answered and I asked to speak to him. A part of her role was to politely protect him from annoying callers such as myself. I knew what she was doing, but I hadn't called for myself.

When she said he was out I responded, Oh, that's all right. When he gets in would you just tell him a preacher with the Church of Christ in Tulsa is so grateful for his writings. Tell him that if he ever gets discouraged and wonders if he is doing any good, I'm one of many whose heart is being opened because of his efforts. It is important to me that he knows this. Her next words became the catalyst for an ongoing relationship held dear by Chuck and by me. She said, Mr. Rush, Reverend Swindoll is out of the office at the moment. He really needs to hear what you just told me. Would it be possible for you to call back tomorrow at 4:00? He really needs to hear what you just said.

It was 4:00 on the dot! I only wanted to encourage as I felt certain that those who live in glass houses also need words of support. Chuck was amazingly warm. He was slow to listen as if he was soaking in a word-bath. His kind and gentle voice seemed to smile through the phone. He was both gracious and appreciative. We exchanged letters over the next few months and one day had lunch....and then another lunch. He wrote me two weeks ago and I share a part of his note should it be something you find yourself needing to hear today.

So how do you deal with the tension of "shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves?" Let me give you a picture: you are standing with others, and all of you have sharp instruments in your hands. The first question is: "Are these scalpels or switchblades?" Both inflict injury to others, just in different ways and for different purposes. Be honest with yourself and others and commit to dealing with legalism and legalists as caring and compassionate surgeons rather than hostile street fighters. The temptation to do street fighting is very strong, and is the preferred method of the legalist. As a surgeon, you will be called upon to patch up those hurt by the street fighters.

As a team of surgeons, ask yourselves a second question: "What are we here to remove--a cancerous tumor or a wart?" Pick your battles: forget the warts since they do not kill.

If Swindoll's note cheers you on in your hard labor, good. If the sheer awareness that everyone we know---including the rich and famous---need our support, then you've gotten my message.

ADDICTED TO PLATE OVERLOAD?

Do you find yourself with a plate too full? Welcome to a growing crowd. I hear of this dilemma at so many turns. We have too much on our plates. I believe over-scheduled calendars are the newest substance controlled addiction. We can't stop them! And....those nearest and dearest won't help. (As I write this I believe I suffer from this stress, but my load is not near the boiling point of many of my professional and devoted colleagues who are outstanding employees or employers.)

On a couple of occasions I've toyed with recommending shutting down the church calendar for a year....a sabbatical with nothing but Sunday morning assembly....in order to release enormous tension. So far it's only an idea because if I find anyone the slightest bit interested there's seemingly no way to pull it off because our people are addicted to activity. There is feared panic if there wouldn't be something to do. In the meantime families are splitting and hard-working saints live in a land of perpetual frustration because they simply cannot keep up the pace filled with weariness or guilt.

How might we find alleviation?

• Learn to say "No." While the church is learning to set creativity free, we must be strong enough to applaud with clear conscience while we restrain ourselves from leaping into every good work someone imagines.
• Trim your calendar. Ponder meetings that have become habit, but not productive. Kill them. Look at appointments which are useful and see if it would be possible to take a month's sabbatical. Would the place fall apart? Would we survive for just one month without it? Most likely so. Then give yourself a break.
• End the feelings of guilt. Gone are the days of getting a day off. There are too many ways for communicationals to find you. The only real way to get a break seems to be to leave town. Even that can be short-lived. Refuse to take on the monkeys so many are happy to hand you. Hand them back...quickly.
• Curb the ego. In one aspect we create the full plate syndrome because we are targeted due to ego. Others like to stroke us as to how effective we are and that's why they've called on us rather than another "lesser" type. This is a trap. We are not God. God is God.

The thing that helped me most was to read years ago of Jesus walking away from the crowds and getting into a boat because he didn't want to deal with them any longer. He'd given enough of himself for the day. Although they raced to meet him when he approached shore, still he was leaving the crowd because he'd had enough. I believe effective and long-term servanthood insists there be a wise and controlled pace. We must be disciplined to refuse all that comes our way demanding our faithful attention. Otherwise we will discover many of our prominent leaders choked on plates too full.

FINDING THE CHURCH AHEAD OF THE WORLD

During my term in the church some have noted that the church stays ten years behind the world. Much can be assumed as to the breadth of such a generality. It bugs ambitious leaders to believe we are directly tied to the Living Lord and constantly run a distant second. Erwin McManus wrote in An Unstoppable Force a most surprising comment. My goal is not to keep up with the changing world, but to be standing there waiting for it when it arrives. McManus continues that we need to be showing the world the way.

His sentence inspired me to adventure into thinking how it might appear if the church were ahead of the world. And then......I began to wonder if, indeed, we are ahead of the world. I think we are. Here are ten items I see the kingdom already knows while the world lags behind:

• To live, die to self.
• To keep, give away.
• To be strong, use your weaknesses.
• To win, lose.
• To perpetually preserve in memory, consume weekly (Lord's Supper).
• To win an argument, don't argue.
• To get a lot done, don't engage in a lot of things. Focus.
• To be effectively active, be still and know He is God.
• To lead well, care about the reject.
• To care about the reject, remember if it weren't for His mercy you would still be one.

Maybe we aren't so far behind after all. What would you add to the list?

POLLING THE READERS

I need to tap your reserve of creativity. There is discussion with a publisher about taking a few of my daily blogs and developing them into a gift book of sorts. I need a title of this work along the line of Breakfast for the Soul, Coffee Blog, Who Moved My Mug?, BlogMates, or Hugs for the Heart and Mind. These are not serious ideas....they are ideas to get you going.

What would you think might be a spectacular title?

POSSIBILITY MAY JUST BE POSSIBLE

Two women stood discussing the routine of their day. They'd run into each other at the local store and great friendship chatter ensued. From hanging the clothes out on the line and surely hoping it didn't rain to when the corn would be ready, they volleyed most riveting remarks. Each was a typical homegrown, shade tree expert in What's happened, what is happening, and what will happen.

VBS was coming up at their little church in a few days. The gals had grade school-aged boys. Is Jimmy going?, one asked of the other's son. No, he's not going this year, quipped the unconcerned mother as she rolled her eyes. Yours going? Nah, the second one nodded in concert. There seemed to be mutual relief by each to find her son would not be the only church renegade.

There seemed to be a moment of dead air as the two ladies simultaneously appeared to be haunted by a brief space of guilt. Their discussion soon picked back up on the path of seeking a mutually clear conscience when one proclaimed, Well, really, it's not like they are going to grow up to be ministers or anything like that. No one could question that comment. She was right. Such wasn't close to happening. No way under God's blue sky those words would be overruled.

What's weird is that Jimmy and I did grow up to become the opposite of what had been mutually forecasted by our mothers. The moral to the story is, No one can predict the surprises of God. Not ourselves.....and not even our mothers. Possibility is always possible.

THE CALL TO FREEDOM

May this be a week of renewal much like our traditional New Year's Eve vows. May we determine to realign our goals and refocus our direction to get to them. We are not growing into useless meandering. We are a people crisp with intent resulting in fascinating effectiveness.

Ours is a nation of religious value. What's your biggest belief? Express your faith that something can come from nothing and life arises from dead settings. Be aware of your own riches He has poured into your human system. We are not ordinary. Jesus developed a new standard of normal. Arise to His level...and love every minute of it.

I'll be out of the office a couple of days and will be getting back to you soon.

JESUS THE LOWLY

His was a lowly birth. His mom and dad's marriage vows were tainted with vicious rumors afloat due to her suspect pregnancy. While Jesus was certainly mild-mannered enough and intentionally obedient to both Joseph and Mary, he was not one who earned great esteem among the neighbors. His family didn't really possess high ranking in the social community.

While his colleagues carried six-shooters at the hip (remember Peter, the sword, the missing ear?), he was like Andy Griffith with no gun. When the opposition decided to ridicule, he let them. When they spat in his face, he merely wiped it off. When they clocked him with a right to the jaw, he offered the left side of his face. Jesus fought; not by passivity, but by aggressive restraint.

He lowered himself lower than the angels which is a mighty stretch from whence he came. He was such a lowly man his resume includes capital punishment between two thieving thugs and then he had to borrow a grave. The latter was a good move because he was seldom home those first three days....and then he permanently moved on making the borrowed tomb merely a brief stay at the Residence Inn.

You need to be reminded of Jesus' lowliness as you feel similar emotions at times. Surely some of you feel crappy. Surely you wonder if you are doing any good as darkness seems to always win. It should not surprise you to discover your role seems meager as the odds are stacked against you. Yet, what are the odds of life springing from death? You possess...not those odds...those facts. You are to live in resurrection power.

Such odds/facts reverse your move, your plan, your approach, your day! Be aggressively restrained from putting on the gloves and entering the ring ready for a good fight on their turf. Absorb their jabs. Die right in front of them. But determine to arise ever ready to rescue the ones who just took you out.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 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, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:3-7).

This.....this my friend.....is the pattern of the lowly disciple.

WOUNDED TO HEAL

Jesus was wounded to heal. Such is who we are....wounded healers. This is our very purpose and it is precisely why so many can't find their purpose in life. It is full of pain. Has it become our goal to endure the hardship of the kingdom or find a place which meets our needs? These are worlds apart.

In Thornton Wilder's play, The Angel That Troubled the Waters based on John 5, the angel says, Without your wounds where would your power be?....In Love's service, only wounded soldiers can serve. Do we find ourselves living in times of knee pads, elbow pads and head helmets as protective gear to keep ourselves from church injury? Have we denied the cross by veering off to the right or the left which keeps us in mistaken but comparative debate with those on the other road; but nonetheless, both failing to concentrate on the acute mission of the cross?

I believe Christianity has lost its teeth having intentionally aborted sacrificial living and simply observing "the sacrifice" with a sip and a pinch during the Lord's Supper. We are left gumming our way through life with the same words we had with teeth, but there are few taking us seriously. It isn't smarter church organization we must attain. It's the participation of God as He graces His wounded soldiers we really need.

Been hurt lately? Don't flinch. That was supposed to happen to you. It wasn't intended to put you down. Its purpose was to open your heart and build you up. We are on a rescue mission of the severest level. It's no place for mamma's boys and daddy's girls. It's full of meanness, cruelty, and slaying injury. In addressing the graduating class of the Sunset School of Preaching a few years ago I told the graduates, The church is going to kill you and you've got it coming.

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth; and while being reviled, he did not revile in return; while suffering , he uttered no threats, but kept entrusting himself to Him who judges righteously; and he himself bore our sins in his body on the the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by his wounds you were healed (I Peter 2:21-24).

Feeling a bit cowardly lately? Welcome to my crowd. However, let's be attentive to God's call for He will draft us for future service. Die well......and heal many. When (but not until) this happens you will find real purpose in believing/following/serving God.

WALKING ON MAIN STREET OR A DEAD-END ALLEY?

Make a list of your good qualities. They might include:

• Intelligence
• Locale
• Appearance
• Relationships
• Finances
• Occupation
• Accomplishments
• Possessions

You may be strong in one or more of these. The overall best quality of a believer is we know how to really live. We know how to maximize life eternal...both for earth and later for heaven. We know God knows us. Jesus came that we might have abundant life. Then? Live abundantly!

Whether rich like Solomon, graced like Mary, or disgraced like Job, God's people do the best job of living on earth. It doesn't matter who we know or wish we knew or never met, we really live because our God is all about life. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and every time God speaks, life comes out. We are in His/Their image. We are all about life!

So many are still looking for their break in life. They can't see it's going on now. Some aren't married and want in. More are married and want out. Some are too short and others are too heavy. Regardless of the income, outgo seems to win by a nose every week. Life has become far too tangled and God didn't design it to be such.

We are no longer dependent on circumstances, inheritance, or good breaks. We live in the very center of every kind of day in simply MARVELOUS AND GIGANTIC WAYS. Therefore, stop the sweat. Curb the fret. Awaken to yourself.....your real self. The one who can shatter roadblocks intending to shut you down after the divorce is you. The one who shrugs a shoulder at a bad medical report is you. The one who smiles in the center of persecution.....is you, my friend. Determine to carefully cultivate awareness of blessings of now. Otherwise, you will be destined to focus on the wrong things and will end up dead while you try to live.

Live....not just later after death....during life. It's far more enjoyable and certainly reflects the participation of The Presence. Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13).

Let's talk.....and then walk.....as if we are sure these things are true.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH CHRISTIANITY?

So much seems a stir these days. We live, seemingly, in turbulent times. Do we? I think not. I believe we live in upsetting times which are not the same as turbulent. Individual faith is suffering severe and wonderful shipwreck. Those old standards of which we once relied seem to be losing there formidable presence. Where we could count on some things as absolutes in our religious world; now we aren't so convinced. Hearts are growing cold in the process because the value of such experience is not clear.

Let's work at making it clearer. From Baptist to Presbyterian to Catholic to, yes, even the Church of Christ some of the pertinent issues of Christendom seem to have grown cold. Some question their faith even to the extent they wonder if they have or even want faith any longer. What's going on? God is working. He is upsetting our traditions right and left. He's leaving no Christian body out.

During biblical times the wine making process involved pouring the new wine from vat to vat as sediment settled. Each transition shook up the sediment, known as lees, so that as the vat was tipped fewer lees would transfer as they would stick to the bottom and the wine became purer and finer at each new pouring. So it is with us. Christians are being tipped over in order to get the old crud out. We are not becoming more confused and less interested. We are having the dull stuff strained from our spirits in order to be renewed........upset by upset.

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

Don't be discouraged if your spirituality feels challenged. It most likely is. But, such a sense is not without God at the root. Too many faiths look more like flat tires. They are out of air, out of punch, and a total drag to the system of daily living. God is rocking our boats. Be glad. He still cares. You are not becoming duller in your faith. You are on the brink of breakthrough. Don't give up!

30 YEARS AT MEMORIAL DRIVE

My 30th anniversary to be at Memorial is July 15th. Memorial surprised Mary and me yesterday with a day full of celebration. I didn't see it coming. I knew about the pie supper scheduled at the evening gathering (I had to proof the bulletin announcement). But I didn't see the honor by the congregation coming all morning long. We were showered with lavish gifts and words of encouragement. It's overwhelming and extremely moving to get to be a part of such an amazing congregation.

The elders had Mary and me stand at the front of the auditorium at the close of services. They asked the small group leaders to come forth with their gifts. Each had a sack containing a gift card or cash and some contained other items; one present for Mary and one for me from each group. The number of small group leaders approaching the front was amazing. And, the hundreds and hundreds of dollars in gifts are simply too much to take in.

And then, the church stood in line to hug us and individually share a special message from their heart. We are awesomely blessed to be a part of such a fascinating church family. I should never have been considered for this job in 1977. There was no reason, except by His mercy and grace, I should be selected by the elders to work here. But, it happened and I am the luckiest man I ever met.

Thank you Memorial Drive for keeping me and thank you many readers who have been so good to cheer me on along the way. I'm just getting started!

LET GO. LET GOD.

For all I know that may be a bumper sticker slogan. Whatever the source, it's my message to you this Saturday. I so enjoy a new world having met Jesus on the road to the New City. I marvel. With all of the 21st century gadgets and unexplainables, one would think it might be more difficult to be astonished or amazed. Not so in the kingdom. I am perpetually wowed by His steadiness. God is remarkable.

Friends say I am always reading. There's a reason. I'm a very slow reader. Therefore, it takes me longer to get through even the simplest books. I'm not well educated; yet, I so enjoy the education I continually receive day by day. I study----a lot----everyday.

One truth I learn and re-learn is to let go and let God. Control, whether well-educated and whether well-organized, is a roadblock to kingdom progress. I love taking a singular passage of scripture and placing it in the crock pot of study, prayer, and ponderance during the week. I marvel at what God does to connect the dots of magnificence when and as soon as I retract my assertive ingenuity of study. He shows up! He leads me to information which does not come from flesh and blood. It comes from seeing and hearing His leadership.

I know this sounds funny, but for years I've hardly been able to wait for my turn to preach to find out what I will have to say. I go into every delivery with a loose plan. I expect Him to work with me. In years gone by we often heard our men pray, God, give Terry a ready recollection of the things he's about to say. Most of those men, I soon discovered, didn't believe what they prayed, but I do. Often I've taught true things which had never occurred to me 'til the moment of delivery. I'm not operating on automatic pilot of no need to study and just pray He'll show up. It's different. I expect God to take the many things He's tried to teach me during the week and co-labor with me. I anticipate He will put complete form to my sketchy skeleton of preparation.

I encourage you in both your study and your performance responsibilities to anticipate the touch of God in your work. If you'll keep moving forward in expectation; yet let go of the handle bars and guard rails, I think you, too, will discover a most amazing adventure. If the world thinks it's got wow by parading it beautiful islands, mountain regions, and Disney World, wait 'til it sees the hand of God working in our lives. The church? The funnest, most exhilarating enterprise ever!

Retract the fear controls. Expect the Living God. Toss the boredom! Accept the joy!!!! I can't wait for tomorrow!

GROWING UP AND OLD OR DOWN AND YOUNG?

When I was in my 20s and then my 30s I had hoped the fog of leadership would eventually clear. There seemed to be a hazy, yet reachable, target which would usher me into I've finally arrived and now I know what to do. I have good news for you young guys and gals with the same dream. It never happens!

Good news? Yes, I believe it to be some of the best news. I don't believe I'll ever arrive and, now, have no interest in accomplishing it. It seems that biblical maturity may be that we do not grow up with age, but we grow down with youth....II Cor. 4:16-18. I will always be in kindergarten as a church leader. I desire to remain green and wide-eyed versus growing protectively dull and squint-eyed. I hope He lets this happen to me.....to us!

Even after several undeserved scoldings over many years, I can name more deserved reprimands I should have received....and didn't. Of the encounters where church colleagues' skills fail us, my misfires outnumber theirs. I will not ever arrive....not because of choice, but because of stark weakness. Jesus must arrive for me. I can't.

This frees me up to keep trying to be a leader when everyone knows the church (and in my case, the workshop) deserves a deeper, smarter, and more gifted man. I don't have to hide in shame nor live in jealousy. I get to dream because I am only in kindergarten. I am in the secretly successful process of growing down and young!

Will things get easier once you do arrive? My guess is that whenever a follower reaches arrivation (a self-dependent and independent focus and consequential assumption of stability) there is total disalignment with God and His working putty called grace.

Failing to arrive does leave us out on many limbs and God will personally hand us a very sharp saw. He will ever be noting whether we depend on Him or ourselves. We'll forever be tempted to do the work without Him. The good news is that as we grow down and young, instead of up and old, He seems to respond with more and more of His equipment to get the job done right.

But by the grace of God, we'd be paranoid leaders scared of our own shadow. With Him, all things are possible. I like the idea of always being in kindergarten in the kingdom of God. Leadership? Welcome to the world of more to learn than what we already know.

WORLD ASSEMBLY: HOW TO STOP THE CHURCH

38 A.D.

The spacious meeting room was perched atop of a gleaming tower overlooking innumerable solar systems. Royalty reigned. The carpeting was plush, the drapes were bright fiery red, and the table was massive extending seventy-four feet in order to sit the sixty-six dignitaries of Satan's most honored troops. Each a regional officer had been called in for a most dramatic conclave. The topic? How to thwart church growth on earth.

The Son of God had broken the impenetrable barriers of death three years earlier. Hell's Celestial Council was fit to be tied. They were peeved at God's unperceived and unimagined tactics. The Lord of the Souls had slipped through the back door of the grave and smashed Hell's overconfident gates. Things got ugly and opposing troops were bent on revenge.

"Let's get right down to business", declared the handsome leader dressed in an extravagant pin-striped suit, bright red shirt, and gaudy tie. The arch-reps referred to him as Sir D. "Let's hear ideas to shut down this newest uprising called The Body." Random ideas were tossed about for weeks:

1. "Make the church illegal", piped Rodney.
2. "Distract them with inner division", was Auria's plea.
3. "Perform operations on every Christian", erupted Alfonzo, "that they might be blind while believing they see."
4. Ernie and Earline, twins from an orbital system three terrestrials over, commented they'd like the assembly to consider creating attention-getters like sports or resorts.

The meetings continued with great power-point presentations. Slight-of-hand "Now-you-see-it, Now-you-don't" specials were offered at breaks in order to keep the minds refreshed. Coconut pie and watermelon centers on chocolate trays were everywhere. Huge tanks of iced Dr. Pepper were available to all as the heat was fierce.

On the sixty-sixth day, which was Hell's most famously celebrated holiday, Mercury Rising, the mini-congress was pulled back into session. Dotel of the Land of Estrada made a most memorable presentation. "What if we let them have church", she explained, "but we slightly adjust their system in a way they will feel blessed instead of restricted?" "Continue on, please", Sir D beckoned. Dotel believed if there was a way to get the Christians to have a meeting place of their own and could call it church it might be possible for believers to actually focus on the events at church. Thus, the church would forget its original power of connecting to their communities.

Sir D led an arousing standing ovation for Dotel. Many of the other ideas were passed simply as riders to the main bill. Article 666 was unanimously put into law: Plan a global take-over by allowing believers to have a location demanding their focus which will distract them from souls.

It might just work.

Meeting adjourned.