AFRAID OF GOD?

Why is it there is such resistance to God....by Christians? I'm perplexed. The church has always talked in code to one another. Auditorium. Separate and apart. Invitation song. When I was first converted my Baptist aunt asked if we believed in Monday-Thursday. I told her no that we believed in Sunday. Later I learned she was referring to Maundy Thursday. But it made no difference, I still didn't believe in it.

Ask a few here and there and they believe me to be teaching false doctrine about God. Of course I resist the accusation. I believe it has been acceptable in the church to live afraid of God yet have so much company such a system feels safe.....and right.

Members of the church are afraid of God in Spirit form (and He is in no other form). As long as He stays "up there" and the Son stays "up there" and the Holy Spirit stays "up there", all theory to the fearful is well aligned. But find the man or woman who believes God is "down here" in Holy Spirit indwelling and the same members become nervous of such proponents.

Believing the Holy Spirit lives and works in a Christian's life is far too elementary to be having modern day battles over such biblical truth. But Christians are afraid; afraid of what they don't know, afraid of what they can't explain, and afraid of what might leak into the church so it is just safer to them to leave the Father, Son, and their Spirit in tact.....in heaven. Safety for all.

Why is it so threatening to begin to believe the Holy Spirit bears His fruit from the inside of us; that fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, etc.? Why is that so threatening? It is because God is bigger than man. Man likes to have a distant God with the remote in our hands so we can do the saying and the leading and the directing.

Why is it so terrifying to be under the control and influence of God? Is it because we can identify random kooks who claimed God causes irregular or hokey actions so we best keep such silliness from approaching and the best way is to make Him illegal from entering His own church? Oh, I think that's precisely it. Plus, it just feels good to go out after church with unbelieving believer cronies and discuss the ridiculous assumptions of what "those Christians" view as the present day activity of the Spirit among us.

Too many who talk a big talk of following the Word are clueless about the Holy God working in one's life. If our people ever learn to read the Bible in a fashion where it gets to tell us what it wants, we will be forced to believe the Spirit's participation. However, if we keep reading the text from the position of we will tell it what we believe, the Spirit will remain in the background.

It's just easier to be "agin" it. It's just much easier to live acceptably afraid of the Living God.

We better get over it.

FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

This response showed up regarding next week's Tulsa Workshop. Be sure to vote for your blog favorite. There are a bunch to choose from. It is a fun thing. Do it.

Terry

Brad Palmore said...
Sorry to spam your comments!!You're a finalist for a Christian Blogger Award at this year's Christian Bloggers Luncheon at the Tulsa Workshop. Please advertise this on your blog and encourage people to visit http://vote.theobloggers.org to cast a vote and http://register.theobloggers.org to register for the luncheon. Winners will be announced at the luncheon.

RICK ATCHLEY HERE IN 9 MORE SLEEPS

One week from Wednesday night is Workshop Wednesday at Memorial! This is one of the great highlights both of the Workshop and of Memorial's entire year. We love Workshop Wednesday. The usual feeding of the 5000 (although there will only be 1000 it feels five times as crowded) begins at 5:00. Singing groups begin at 6:00. Praise and worship begins at 7:00. And then....

....and then Rick Atchley is our guest speaker. I can't wait. Our own Lee Wills is one of the presidents of the Rick Atchley fan club so he is the designated introducer of our guest.

Rick is one I highly admire. In my opinion he seems basically shy. Unlike me, he has a quiet demeanor. Yet, he is one of the most honest searchers of the Word I know. I love it that while he is popular, friends to many, this man is truer to the Bible than his critics would guestimate. He is a great example of being truer to the will of God than personal fame. He has been maligned and jeered. The man doesn't flinch. He is a hero in Jesus' clothing.

Each time I hear Rick speak it is clear he has been spending time with the Father...literally. He doesn't seek his own. He does not retaliate. He simply moves through the kingdom life with courage and grace that can only come by fellowship with the Spirit.

Bring your friends to Memorial one week from Wednesday night. It will be another Fourth of July celebration in March as hearts explode with wonder at the marvel and majesty of God.

See you.....in nine more sleeps!

THE WORKSHOP: HOW TO HANDLE OPINIONS

I live in a great position. I get to plan, assemble, and direct the Tulsa Workshop. It is an awesome and privileged task. I do it without complaint.

I've run into something quite intriguing. The brotherhood has various and strong opinions. No kidding! The question is what do we do about it? The response is very simple. We look to Jesus to see how to draw the world to him....no one else.

I can't wade into the ins/outs and druthers of a fickle and self-serving brotherhood. That's for someone else to spend their time doing if they want. Maybe they could chart it, track it, or explain it. That's not my calling. My job is one: to inspire the church to see the world with the eyes of Jesus.

Therefore, my approach to the work this year is what is was six years ago and 29 years ago: inspire the church to see the world with the eyes of Jesus. Church pet peeves have no place in the strategies of evangelism. Pleasing men has always been a no-no from God, even if they are men with big names or large printing presses.

I admire the Rick Atchleys and the Jerry Rushfords and the Jackie Chestnutts of our day who simply keep moving out to reach as many as they can while they live. I want to do the same. I am sympathetic to concerns. But I cannot be distracted by the fifteen pressure points wishing to give the body of Christ fearful arthritis of the nerve.

We must try. We must recover from mistakes. We must not abandon the war and bring the troops home where it is safe. Millions of our friends don't know if they are good enough to go to heaven. They don't know if God sees any value in their worn out and dilapidated hearts. Yet, we will raise up a generation of believers who will surrender time and money and convenience to convince our friends and neighbors of just that; they are worthy of God's love.

Opinions are abundant. The real soul winners are those who can hear various concepts, sort through the truth of them all, and continue to march for the Master of all masters. That's how I think we handle opinions. What thinketh ye?

THE TRUTH AND FALSE TEACHERS

If you live among fundamental churches a lot is said about false teachers. I guess I've heard my fair share of this since I still find myself labeled as such.

Truth found in the Bible is as right as right can get because it is inspired by the Holy God's Spirit. Jesus said truth would set man free. However, a significant portion of the Truth I hear about isn't total Bible Truth but a favored portion of the one(s) marking another as false.

A stern and accusing voice does not a truthful man make. The Pharisees were all about truth and they killed Jesus (the Truth) because he was marked by them as a false teacher. Stephen was stoned to death because he was marked by the same batch of believers as a false teacher. Saul of Tarsus was a religiously stern and accusing sort out of control because he had the truth.

Even Jesus disciples who ate and walked with him did not catch the significance of the truthful things he was teaching. Get this: they didn't get it. We don't get it; me included. We religious leaders are an embarrassing foolish mess much of the time. We parade our pet doctrines as the whole of Truth when I am convinced by this age we are more clueless than clued.

Here are some things I found myself teaching falsely over the years:

1. We (whoever "we" are) are the only ones right with God.
2. The Holy Spirit is active from the Word only.
3. Silence of the scriptures is a God-authorized doctrine.
4. Women cannot pray with men.
5. Those who raise their hands in worship are ungodly Pentecostal types.
6. The Lord's Supper can only be observed on Sundays.
7. The sermon is the main part of church.
8. My convictions make me right.
9. To be selectively biased regarding scripture is permissible.
10. It is all right to judge others for I see better/am more sincere than they.
11. False teachers are always someone else; but never myself....ever.
12. It is permissible to have church with no praise of God but simply check off the list of do's and don'ts during that hour and be satisfied in my self-righteousness.

My point is I have taught many things wrong. I've been wrong. I'm sure that as the Lord grows me I'll discover even more areas where I misunderstood His Word. This doesn't bother me in the least. I am a learner. I want to know. What bothers me is that those bellowing charges of false teachers never seem to consider they are as well....in some areas....which they, too, will discover as they continue to learn.

I'll say it again. Church leaders are guilty of talking a very big talk while the world has no idea we are around. This simply does not reflect the abundant life of Jesus. And remember, he was such a false teacher (in the authoritarian religious leaders' convictions) they nailed him....and didn't care.....for they were....right, of course.

Some are so burdened about being right because they refuse God's righteousness that they are absolutely miserable in the church. Truth has become their idol. Jesus has seemingly taken a back seat to our faith but will surely be handy at the Judgment....we hope.

The912Project.com

The 912 Project is a creation of news host Glenn Beck. He is operating from the mood of national unity the day after 9/11. He wants to restore that harmony across the land. Today he launched a vision which will be geared toward fulfillment six months from now...9/12/09.

Glenn Beck has a 4:00 p.m. (CDT) program on Fox News which is like none other. I marvel at what I'm hearing. Yeah, he can be disappointingly sarcastic. What I like about the man is he pleads for America to return to God. This is a secular television news program!

I have prayed for years that God would show up in the media. He has. He really has on this program. Beck presented 9 Principles and 12 Values in his 912 Project. The second principle is to love God with all your heart; to believe Him.

Of course I can't know the direction this might take. It could become something to which I am simply not envisioning. However, because this man is promoting God and seems so emotionally passionate about the welfare of mankind, I draw your attention to him and his program.

They brought in the biggest server they could obtain for those who wanted to respond to his presentation. During the program the server went down due to the avalanche of responses.

You might want to be aware of this development. For now, I think it is one of the more positive things going on in our nation.

TULSA WORKSHOP: CHANGES YOU WILL NOTE

The Tulsa Workshop is coming March 26-28. Thousands from all over drive or fly to this metropolis to convene on a huge gathering for some 106 classes as well as enthusiastic keynotes. A few things you will notice different when you get here:

1. WORKSHOP ROW. We are no longer using the huge Expo (QuikTrip) building. We have created Workshop Row due to newly constructed facilities. Central Park was still wet behind the ears when you were here last year. Between Central Park and the Pavilion is the newly constructed Exchange Center. Three classes will be in the ExCtr as well as all of the booths, KidZone, and evening Bible Hour. CntrlPk will have three classes as well as the Pavilion's usual one.
2. THE BUDGET WILL CLEAR $150,000. We will not take up a collection all three nights. On Friday night we will raise in the neighborhood of $50,000 in 15 minutes. The workshop is a gigantic undertaking of many facets. The cost is enormous. We have fought off for years the idea of a charge per person. We continue to make this workshop available to every person for free, trusting the composite of those gathered to help us as they so wish from the heart.
3. PARKPLACE. There will be plenty of newly created parking spaces. No more orange barrels and blocked off entrances. Parking places will be level, smooth, close by, and ample.
4. NEW EVENING KEYNOTERS. Loyd Harris of Little Rock is an outreach guru. This man is a strong voice to thousands every week. Joe Almanza of Abilene (did a keynote years ago, but to many he will be new) was converted while in prison. His family owned Texas via the Mexican mafia and has lived much of his Christian life in danger from hit men. Steve Jackson of Atlanta was once Muslim. He is a happy, friendly man who loves to tell people what God has done for him and will do for us.

ARE WE THINKING CLEARLY?

What would help, cause, or lead more people to be drawn to God?

I wonder about this constantly.

Are we dreaming of ways to let the world know the true Jesus or are we mostly looking over our shoulder to see if the religious believe we are in line. The reason Jesus was such a good Jesus is he understood the heart of God would not fit within the demanding and degrading borders of religion and its restrictive confines.

Jesus would not be as thrilled over the current Christianity as we might like to believe.

We have played church safe and such is so against the fundamental nature of God's son that the bulk of humanity has rebelled. It is not that humanity isn't good or knows little good. It is that it can sense there surely must be more to God than us.

Therefore, it is not so much us figuring a better way to reach the world as it is us contemplating a courageous spirit to lead ourselves to become more like the Christ. If we will do a better job of raising him up it would seem our friends and neighbors would be more likely to be drawn to him.

Our goal is not to become the best church in town or the most dynamic one in the community. It is to become more and more dependent on the Spirit of Christ than upon our own ingenuity and engaging mission.

THOSE PESKY MINISTRY STINGS

Every leader hits those moments where he or she feels pressed, weary, and at times manipulated. I ran into it Monday. First, I am mentally stretched. I need you to know that. I have a few plates spinning, just as you do. So, you know the feeling of don't look at me wrong, I may break.

Monday a lady called. She is a member at Memorial but not one person, not one elder, not one staff member other than me knows this woman. She does not engage in the church family and hasn't over the last twenty years. She called expressing her husband (whom I have never seen) is having heart failure and needs to see me in the hospital now.

I told her he is a most valuable man, but I couldn't do it. Knowing the importance of this man and the situation I told her I had four other very capable men on staff and I would send one immediately. She curtly replied, No. He wants to see you. I explained I just couldn't get there; yet I understood the urgency and would send someone now. She said, Tomorrow will be all right and I reluctantly, guiltily agreed.

After hanging up I realized tomorrow is just like today....still packed. I called back and left a message on her cell phone saying, Friend, I tried to say it earlier, I just can't get there. But your man is very important. I will send one of the other men to see him. She called my secretary and said, Tell Terry we will find a minister who cares.

Such digs sting....deeply. You go through it. I encourage you about something I saw Jesus do. No flesh and blood told me. I saw Jesus do it. I saw him once heal every kind of disease in a local community. It reached a point where he was spent by the Father and he began to retreat to escape the crowds. They were still pressing in on him. He turned his back, got into a boat, and rowed away. He couldn't do it---for the moment---anymore. He walked away from continued and important healing opportunities for he was flesh and blood fatigued.

My job here is to keep smiling, keep loving, keep caring, and maintain the permission that I know when my spirit is running on empty and I must not try to minister to every person regardless of their demands and insults. Don't let guilt be your motive for ministry. Trust God that while you can't be everywhere, He knows those who can.

Keep in mind you are a vital part of His body....but you are not the whole body. God has other (many other) capable men and women to assist in important service. Neither are you the savior of the community. You are one who is connected to The Savior.

Romans 9:16...(it is not up to man to organize but up to God in His mercy).....once again....keeps me wildly enthused about ministry after all of these years. Being a minister is like being on vacation all the time. However, it takes discipline to maintain the joy level decade after decade. Refuse to let those who are selfish or simply don't understand take over the helm of your ship. The waves sometimes stack high. It gets tough....but is always manageable because of Jesus who runs the show and not us who wish we could please all the people.

OH, JUST THINKING

Do you ever get tired of being behind or even out of date on all of this technology stuff? It bugs me. I can't keep up with the outdated stuff let alone engage in current creations. I just got used to computers and they made me learn to drive a mouse. I told them I didn't want a mouse. I got one anyway. Who came up with "mouse"? Why not call it kidney or pancreas? Right click your pancreas to download......

I didn't want a cell phone. Finally I got one but wouldn't let anyone have my number for two years. I don't like being on the phone.

Blogs came along and I thought that was shoes for a dance. I'd heard of some friends in Illinois who learned, I understood, to blog and went on blogging trips and contests. Turned out it was clogs. I accidentally backed into blogging as I simply responded to Tim's blog and inadvertently set up my own. We are about to reach 200,000 hits and I know 180,000 have to have been mom.

Then came Bluetooth and Twitter. Who comes up with these names and why? About the only thing I know about either of them is I don't have them....do I?

So I said to myself last night in my spare time, why don't I create the next new quicker-than- lightning communication wizardry? So I have. I have come up with something which beats fax machines and texting in one heartbeat. I am starting (and you are in on the ground floor/ribbon cutting announcement) a new company product called GreyCyb.

GreyCyb is where you send brainwaves of thought through space to your intended receiver; your boss or your spouse or whoever. It's up to them to pick up the vibes from cyberspace. This should be a hit as there are no tools or machines to buy. There is no expense so every office complex will want GreyCyb. Washington D. C. will flourish once GreyCyb hits town.

You just think it forward. But here is the big plus. If your boss or your spouse should ever begin to question you for not telling them an important detail, you simply reply, Did you check your GreyCyb? I thought it over to you the minute I thought of it. If you don't take the time to check GreyCyb......what you don't have GreyCyb? Oh no wonder you are out of touch. It isn't my fault. I GreyCybed it over. You need to step up into the 22nd Century field...it's that advanced!

WHAT THE DYING THINK ABOUT

What I'm about to share might help some of you as you minister to those in your flock. Last night I checked on one of my very dear friends who was thought to be dying within hours back 45 days ago. She remains short of breath; other than that, incredibly alert.

He husband left the room so the two of us could visit about the nuts and bolts of death. I asked in the early part of our conversation if she was uneasy about whether she was saved. That question broke open an hour long discussion.

She had a dream while in the hospital that she died and went to hell. She would not describe it's ugliness; but referenced it often. We talked about Jesus; how he paid the price, what they did to him on the cross to pay that price, and how her work is to believe him...John 6:29. The latter part was significant because she kept feeling frustrated that she needed to get up and witness to people when she can't even walk.......as if this would earn a bit of grace.

For an hour I would simply tell her about the efforts of Jesus. Her job was done. She surrendered to him years back and she needed to rest in him. At one point she pleaded, Do you promise I'll be all right? Do you promise? Assurance in Jesus is the most perfect security to offer. Friend, if you can't promise in Jesus there is no useful conversation to be experienced.

Later she said something I want you to take in because it will tell you something of what your lambs might have rattling around in their so-much-time-on-their-hands-to-think minds. She whimpered slightly and said, I just need people to come by here and talk to me about Jesus. My husband doesn't. My brother's family are unbelievers so they don't. When Christians come by they don't say anything about him and I really need to hear him discussed. After a while the way Jesus handles things gets forgotten.

When I left I told her husband I think he should consider bringing her to church. I think the goal would give her something to reach for. She might have much more work of comfortable believing to do before she crosses the border.

JESUS NEEDED AS MUCH AS EVER

The embroiled world news is playing into our hands. The word on the street isn't so good. What a backdrop for really good news. Jesus is the best news so don't forget it. Don't forget to understand the importance of him right now.

A mass of unbelievers are now discovering their stabilizing factors are eroding. Public confidence is suspect. Don't forget Jesus shines brightly in such circumstances.

The old way of doing church may not meet the needs of the day. Don't be afraid to lift the veil by being aggressive in the good news zone. The multitudes are hurting; some as never before.

The church must guard against bemoaning the day. Of all people, we must convey our treasure is quite safe; we have trusted in Him all along. Say so...with compassion...but say so. Others want such security.

As the economy declines for a bit, tempers and raw anger will escalate. Crime will rise. Remember, through every dark day, the light of Jesus. He knows how to deal with our woes. He knows how. Trust him. He died to bring life to such people of this day. Do your best to look like it.

I DREAM ABOUT WHAT WE ARE GETTING DONE

I try to imagine what God has going on with us and among us. Each time I do I run out of dream rope. I can't keep up with Him and Paul as much as prophesied such in Ephesians 3:20...and He is able to do more than we can imagine.

Did you read the Chronicle about Scott the Skater? Did you know that was going on? What about the work Shawn Gary did for the kingdom over the weekend in Mexico? Any idea how to measure the good he did? How about Eric Magnusson in Detroit? Who did he greet? Who did he encounter? Who was built up by his labor quite tremendously last Thursday...or Friday?

What about Mr. Dabbs? Did anyone get a read on his productivity in February? No? You were busy with your own kingdom assignment? As for Jeannine Reese or Marca Young or Emily Lemley? No? Not aware of the progress they made in the kingdom? And Dr. Jeff? Arlene Mayes? John Taylor? Michael Taylor? Betty Smith? Kevin Skidmore? Ronda Davis? No? You aren't really aware of what God did through them?

Friend, they aren't either. The work God does in His people is so fascinatingly lit with possibility we can't even keep track of the sparks! The kingdom isn't in neutral or decline.....should you have feared it was. Millions of cells known by personal names we regard as just normal acquaintances are formed into His one body, the church. The stretch and the capacity and the blanketing progress being made is not small.

He is in China and Rhode Island and Ft. Wayne and emergency rooms touching other hearts with words of encouragement....striking and profound encouragement. The life of Jesus is. He is the I Am not the I Was. Therefore we are known as the We Are not the We Wish.

CNN and FOX combine a group of very nice professionals. But God's people are the ones who have the clues. Live like it!

SELF-CONTROL: HOW TO LIFT THE BURDENS

How many of you know that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit? Strange don't you think? Is God indicating if we will yield control to Him we will get it back? As is true of many other things, so it is here with this one. Self-control is a pure part of His work in us...from us...through us...with us.

My old nature was one of no backbone. It is a miracle I have survived the church.....and that it has survived me! I had no grit; no confidence to stand alone if necessary. I moved with the herd and made intentional effort to move with the most popular faction of it. However, ministry with God won't allow one to move with the popular. Jesus warns against having men speak well of you; yet we wilt if some do.

I once would say "No" to some asking me to serve in areas and they would talk me into it. I couldn't bear to stand alone with my decision. Now, I've learned to say no. But it isn't just saying no to others that I have had to learn. I have had to learn to say no to so many good opportunities which come my way. Simplicity is a good thing.

Our minds are terribly divided over so many interests....so many. We will want to keep working on the fruit of self-control to affect our walk and talk so we can weed out the many unnecessary out-of-control-works we find ourselves involved in. Self-control is what God hands back once we yield to His Spirit.

THE CHURCH: IS IT CULTURALLY CURRENT?

To put one's plans for success down in spirit seems to be a rather odd, if not silly, statement. Who ever puts anything down in spirit? I think the church does.

To put dreams and intentions down on paper is "our" earthling way of doing things. But the Spirit functions in such different and fluidic ways for effectiveness. Ask about God's battle tactics when Gideon was General. Ask Joshua about that day they attacked Jericho. How did any of these ploys look on paper?

Ask yourself how the IRS is doing with its nearly 9000 page income tax code. That's pretty much down on paper. Ask congress how they are doing with Social Security and Medicare plans? These two divisions exemplify sizeable organizational construct.

Here's what I want you to gain from this writing; be confident God knows how to organize when it is down in nothing but spirit. The church appears to be unorganized. From town to town, church varies from church. More so, church varies from church within town to town. Wild and unmanageable (as in bad hair day) autonomy has struck! The organization has collapsed....it would appear.

Yet mark this down...on paper...because individual churches are allowed the room to express their creative abilities without restrictive unimaginative hierarchy holding formal structure over their heads, these churches are getting more done successfully than reporters can enter into their public journals. Furthermore, individuals within such congregations are accomplishing so much good that even their leaders can't keep up with all the amazing works going on.

I would say this Spirit thing God had working centuries ago is still culturally current for the church Christ is building in this century. What do you think?

NEWS....FINALLY

Doctor's report came in. Benign. No cancer.

Made me think about an occasion years ago in my earlier life when I was trying to sell an insurance policy to man who had been drinking a bit. I made the sale. I never realized until just now writing this how suspect my selling technique sounds! Anyway, when I asked him a series of health questions, we hit one and he said, Now about them tumors. My wife had one but nothing to worry about....it was belligerent.

Finally, I have had a belligerent tumor of my own!

ANOTHER REASON TO LIKE RIGHT NOW

Let me back off a bit and just share some of the lighter stuff in my world...because it is just as wonderful as the heavy loads.

Five year old grandson, Hayden's, response when his mom informed him this week that in heaven he would not have to take naps; "You-have-got-to-be-kidding-me!"

Seven year old grandson, Mason's, response as his dad was combing Mason's hair getting ready for school and asking his dad if he wore cologne everyday. "Yes, I do. Would you like me to put some on you?" "No. No. I have hand sanitizer."

In taking youth minister Bobby and involvement minister Jason with me this week to Owasso to visit General and Bernadine.....they were like little kids taking turns as to which one got to sit alongside me in the front seat this time!

Mary called the office from home and we have a new office phone system with caller ID. So Sherri, the secretary, saw it was my number thinking it was me calling decided she would pop off with a funny. Her greeting was a gruff, WHAT DO YOU WANT? Timid Mary said, Ummm...is this the church office? (Would someone pick Sherri up off of the floor?)

VOICES

God used His voice to speak the world into existence. We are created in His image. We are creative and we use the same technology He did; our voices, to create. Yes, voices create so you gotta watch it. What you talk about comes about.

Voices are flexible and we must operate with intentional selectivity as we (and others) become what we speak. Voices influence. Voices create success, fear, devotion, divorce, endurance, quitting, love, hate, opportunity, pessimism, development, retardation, inspiration, ruin, hope, and imagination.

God urges us to guard our tongues for if used unwisely they can burn down a third grader or an entire society. Used faithfully, they can build a great empire of believers. For a long time (even after conversion) I didn't get the big deal about how we are to speak. Didn't we each just talk? But I now see one's speech is a theme to one's life.

Voices are remarkably important; they are a God-thing. Say things with life intended. Ears which hear will form according to the construction of your sentences.

HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED ROOK?

Good leaders finish last....and this isn't a problem to a good leader. Good leaders know they are least. Much of our struggle arises because we read the text questioning who is the greatest, but continue to take on an assumption "I am". But, if God is the "I am", then "I am not". Nothing works the kingdom life peacefully when reversing this order.

I get my most done being my most nothing because I am nothing best. I am an expert at nothingness! Weakness is my trump card? Any of you ever played Rook? Rook wins! It takes all the other cards. Weakness is the Christian's Rook card. Least is another Rook card. Decrease is yet another.

What I like about the truths above is they defy conventional wisdom. How fun to be permissibly defiant about anything! The Bible is clear. God fools the wise. What will work is not what the wise assume. God is the brilliance in all of this.

Therefore regarding your work, don't short-sheet His work by your efforts to become more than you are. John the Baptist did a mighty deed when he stepped back in order for Jesus to step up. Apply your faith; not your importance. Trust your God; not your skill. Believe God.

Your strengths are never strong....not ever. So don't try....don't wish. Capitalize on His promise. He will do more with, in, and through us than we can ever imagine if we will submit ourselves more than we submit our plans.

THE BEAUTY OF PATIENCE

Dads often say, I'll give you something to cry about. My new Dad seems to be saying, I'll give you something to be patient about. Any trait classed as fruit of the Spirit, as patience, has to be something ultra-significant and ultra-important.

Patience is joined at the hip to time. Impatience rushes time while the opposite is a partner of it.

I'm very blessed to get to be on staff at one church for over half of my life. I'm 61 and have been here well over 31 years. I enjoy the fruit of time and patience connected. Being one place thirty years is different than being six places five years each or ten churches three years each. Year seven finds a new zone of discipline year five didn't offer. Year 18 notes something challenging which year 13 didn't bring about.

In year 31 I am noting (no, marvelling) God working in places and people that four years ago I would have aborted of any hope. I'm seeing people mature. I'm seeing me grow up. I've spent 26 years in working with the Cardinals and at the moment I am on the edge of the cliff where I finally may be able to jump with delight over the ultimate dream coming from this ministry....seeing thousands and thousands taught about the grace of God through a new book.

Patience is God's beauty in our walk. From experience over three decades at one place I believe I now can see we may have aborted many of God's best moves because we failed to surrender to Him our time measured in years and decades instead of days and weeks.

We must yield to the Holy Spirit fruit of patience. Great things are on the other side of another day if we will but do as the early ones did at His command.....go to Jerusalem and wait...Acts 1:4.

WHAT KEEPS US MOTIVATED?

Motivation is lightning to me. I draw to people and places and events which inspire. Such is the nature of the Holy Spirit (inspiring) and our spirits super-naturally draw there. Does not Hebrews 10:24-25 call us to assemble to motivate? Such is the gathering purpose.

What motivates our churches? Our leaders? I wouldn't know how many variations could be listed. Bunches.

The thing that keeps me on my toes of anticipation in the kingdom is the fact that God can create something out of nothing and give life to the dead....Romans 4:17. And exactly what is it that God says triggers this? Faith. Miracles? No. Plain, common, ordinary, Bible faith.

I am motivated because God can; He can do anything. He can create something that isn't yet and He can cause dead things to come to life. Ever worked with a dead church? He can make it live. The fact it might be dead isn't the final straw. That He can't find anyone to believe He could make it live is the problem.

And, He can make something out of nothing. He can make mission support out of no hope. He can make new members out of no publicity to draw. He can connect with neighbors and nations when we can't explain how. It is all mystery; unexplainable, immeasurable mystery.

What keeps me motivated? God's talent within Himself; I don't need to possess it. I just need to believe He has it. Yet, my idea only touches the hem of the garment.

What motivates you about the work of the church? Yours might be what would give another reader hope.

WHAT IS GOD MAKING OF US?

Christopher Hitchens questioned in his godless book, god is not Great, why it is Christians who should know a secret to life seem so unhappy. While his conclusion that God does not exist is mistaken, in my view, he raises a really big question mark about us. Why are so many Christians known by our harsh or troubled dispositions? Why does argument and division go on in the Christian realm at such renown speed and depth when Jesus is at the opposite pole?

Jesus rocked the world of successful industry, agriculture, and military. He took twelve unlikelies and set a revolutionary movement on such defined course its potency cannot be measured. Yet I fear we have divvied up the Christian ranks, often with our Bibles in hand, to the point we have no punch left.

Leaders have become boisterous, or angry, or just plain goofy. Instead of finding ourselves chosen by God, the Christian life has transitioned into doing the choosing ourselves. Cities and burgs are filled with a smattering of clusters of brand name believers more concerned over keeping their doors opened than shutting down the stark rebellion against Christ.

No wonder so many throw up their hands and walk away from us. We have become the very biblical teaching we have warned others against; church form with no power.

There is significant need to find a people who will continue to seek the heart of Christ. Such is not found by supporting any tradition of men; whether it Presbyterian, Baptist, Church of Christ, Catholic to name but a few........Jesus is an entirely different world. As churches we have pushed and pumped our political agendas to prop up our five or twelve principles long enough.

The world is turning to God. Massive unrest is in kingdom favor. May we not miss the opportunity for revival because we were trying to breathe life into our pre-programmed places and plans. May we lift our eyes to see the fields are white unto harvest and then begin to approach them with incredible joy which comes from that secret we really do know....Jesus the Lamb as he offers abundant life.

WE CELEBRATED WORKSHOP UNITY...AGAIN

Don't let anyone say the workshop in Tulsa doesn't have local support. It most surely does. We had Workshop Roundup at Memorial Drive tonight preparing for the end of March when the world comes to town. We extended an invitation to a few and a bunch attended!

To mention a few of the congregations present would begin with Park Plaza, Jenks, Contact, Open Door, Garnett, Skiatook, Sand Springs, North Sheridan, 29th & Yale, Crosstown, South Brooke, Broken Arrow, Collinsville,.....and....well, you get the picture. Lots!

The value of such a gathering is extreme. Those present are simply happy. I like that. We are richly blessed in Tulsa by so many, many very special servants. The power of His people lives in the commonality and love---just as Jesus expressed---from one heart toward the other.

How amazing is it to be in the church.....and to like it? How awesome is it to be connected with this section of religion on earth and live as if we get younger every year? How glorious to be so enthused over life....the life He hands to everyone through His resurrected son.

Carl Harris, Bob Herndon, and Dan Langdon......admiration from my heart to yours! Good job!

WHILE I WAIT

Yesterday was supposed to be the day I learned of the results of my biopsy from my colonoscopy last Tuesday. However, the nurse called to say the results aren't in yet. Now, does that mean they aren't concerned as it appears clear? Or, does it mean I am such a mess they have got to study this further?

I find this a most interesting development; especially since last Sunday I announced during my sermon that in two weeks I would be preaching about contentment. The first oddity is when have I ever known what I was speaking about two weeks down the road? The second, not so odd, is that it is just like God to work in these illustrations.

When you pray, I would ask this of you. First, I would say to you thank you for praying. Second, I would ask you to not ask for my good health as the primary goal of such prayer, but that you would seek Him to use whatever the results to have an impact on those around.

I never know what He has cooking. Who would have guessed God was up to something inside of a man stranded in a lonely dessert for forty years....as Moses? Who would have dreamed God was setting a brilliant stage for a young innocent kid plopped into a nasty pit by his bullying brothers...as Joseph?

So once again I say to you everything we go through is a kingdom issue as well as opportunity. To me this makes everything exciting. I recall years ago our car being stolen. I told people then a good thing had happened; but we'd have to wait for the rest of the story. As it turned out State Farm paid me $700 more the very same week the mortgage company was drawing up papers for our new house and calling to say we were short $700 on the closing costs.

While I wait I am pretty confident God is up to something...and how fun could that be?

WHAT ONE THING WE CAN DO NOW TO REVIVE EVERY CONGREGATION

Seminars, lectureships, workshops, books, DVDs, CDs, and Webinars avail to give us a most valuable boost to leadership growth. Prayer, faith, perseverance, and endurance mark strengths of individuals and congregations. Breakthroughs and successes build kingdom contagion.

One thing that I believe will transform every congregation in one Sunday is everyone greet everyone they encounter; friend or foe, neighbor or stranger. We still can't get our members to speak to all of the members. This is not only too simple, it is the fabric of church revolution.

I would like to think that if you visit Memorial everyone will greet you, but it won't happen. The eyes of fifty year Christians will see some of you and dart away as if you are invisible. The power of greeting not your brothers only fits perfectly in His plea for us to become complete as our heavenly Father is complete.

We aren't in desperate need of funds or vision or mission statements. We are in dire need of all who regard themselves as faithful to first lay down the sword of every doctrinal debate and simply act like we are glad to see every visitor (as well as each other) God sends to our assemblies.

When we weigh obedience to the Great Commission how can we have much momentum for all the world when so many can't make it to the foyer to greet people just like us? All the world comes to us before we ever think about going. It is immensely important to see the people...and say some profound thing like Good morning. Thank you for being here today.

If everyone spoke to everyone it would bring revival to every heart....including ours!

SERVING UNDER PRESSURE

I am always in school. Where ever I am, I am studying books, situations, or people. I evaluate success stories and also learn from the failing ones. One of those occasions came along today.

First, Jesus was remarkable at his ability to keep from fumbling, cowering, and/or exploding when under strenuous pressure. I admire that about him as well as fellow humans who have such admirable character. I don't possess it naturally. If it shows up in me, it is because He overrides my impulsive (quick) and defensive disposition.

I watched an Obama tax advisor be grilled today by an aggressive talk-show host. While I understood the reason for the stern examination, I could not help but admire the sweetness of the one who simply tried to give straight-forward answers. I thought to myself, I wish I could be that calm and gentle under stress.

You know where we get our calm under pressures don't you? It is from His wisdom which comes down from above...James 3:13-18. It is both unifying and peaceful....Jesus over and over.
To be able to love under indignant strife can only be in-sourced by the Holy Spirit. It doesn't come from anything earthy.

I want to grow up in Christ. One of those ways will be in attentive retraining of staying calm in the many opportunities to serve a large world which is under significant pressure.

THE ONGOING BATTLE FOR TRUTH

Smiles and good attitudes are valuable. Getting along is necessary. But believing the part Jesus talks about separation of believers because of him is equally meaningful. We are at war in case you either forgot or didn't want to note. This church stuff is heavy duty. It is not for the arrogant, it is not for the self-ambitioned, and it is not for sissies.

The editorial in March's edition of the Christian Chronicle (p. 32) is titled Decline demands biblical preaching. A cartoon is in the corner of a man in a suit and tie standing on the Bible and holding up a sign, Spirit, in one hand while the other sign in the left hand dropping down is marked Truth. There is no caption so interpretation of the artist's intent is up for grabs.

Due to mail I get I know there is a battle for the Holy Spirit to be legalized among us. However, my point in seeing the picture and reading the article is to remind us the two are indivisible. The Spirit wrote the Truth through the inspired instruments called men. The Truth is the Spirit is a central element to church life, kingdom life, and the Christian life. It is not and can never be an either/or proposition. Some want to be on one side or the other to make one dominant.

The battle is not for one or the other. The war is for both for they are one. To separate is to sever spiritual truth. There remains an ongoing battle for truth. If it isn't Spirit-led and Spirit-moved...........it isn't the Truth. It is simply a counterfeit calling neighbors to join a team to see who can get the most points at the lectureship or the workshop.

FACING LIFE'S CHALLENGES

So, how are you doing? I'm doing pretty good, I would say.

Yesterday I had my routine five-year colonoscopy. The doctor's findings were different than usual. Rather than getting the Hey, we clipped a few polyps; see you in five years, I got Hey, uh we found some rather large polyps that are a concern. There may be nothing to them but we have taken biopsies and we will know by Friday. Everything may be fine or we might have to so a little surgery on you.

I don't know about you but I still live in that world where the big stuff hits the other person. So, what's my week like 'til I get to Friday? Well, that's what I want to write about.

I'm not naive. Cancer kills. I might have it; and again I might not. God knows for now. But the thing I want to encourage you about is either way it is all right....really. You see, God is far too smart; too quick for us to take in His thinking prowess....Isa. 55:8-9. Maybe He needs me to find all this is benign just to see my reaction in the meantime. Or, maybe there is someone I need to meet in a waiting room six months from now who is also waiting for treatment similar to mine.

God hears individuals praying about so many people from all over the world. He is constantly organizing the intersections for Christians to meet non-ones. He spends our lives to benefit others. If something is wrong with my health, my health is not the dominant issue. Who He leads me to meet or minister to will be.

I do know this; God wastes no crumbs of illness, accident, confusion, or death. He is found to be productive in every setting. Does anyone remember the Paul and Silas incident when they were having their (two or three gathered together) small group in that tiny prison cell one evening? God knows how to set us up for success. He is the pro at this sort of stuff and we get to partner in His brilliant schemes.

How am I doing? Better than fine; I am excited. I either find out I am all right or I discover the need to walk a new path foreign to me thus far. But if it is the latter; I promise you it will be for a very good reason. God wastes nothing! Facing life's challenges with a ministry in the center always gives us purpose.

And, how are you doing?

CONNECTABILITY

Preachers, keep on preaching the Word. I've never enjoyed such a time as these past ten years in getting to preach.

What a burden when I began. Finding three points with fitting intro and conclu were clock-eating, time-consuming burdens. It was really a struggle for me to learn to preach. I didn't lack energy nor ambition. I lacked connectability with the audience.

Looking back, I wasn't preaching to people. I was preaching outlines. It didn't matter to me if it had a message. My one goal was to be interesting.

What changed and when did it change? Both are answered in connectability. I wasn't connecting with the audience because I was spending zero time connecting to God. Really, I'm going to tell you the way it was; when the guy got up on Sunday morning to offer the opening prayer, that was the first time my sermon had been involved in connecting to God.

Today one of the things I request most from God is, Please don't leave me up there by myself. He must participate and I expect Him to every time.

Don't preach outlines, my friends; preach life!

THE JANITOR

We must not run. We must learn. We are called to endure. Jesus shows the way. Difficult times are not just ahead; for many they are now. Try your best to notice the brilliant work of God in the center. He is working.

I'm not saying a preacher should never move. I'm not implying a member doesn't heed a feeling to move to a place where the Spirit breathes. I am saying do not miss the beauty of the Living God in the center of trauma and struggle even if one makes necessary transition.

I am a man of many failures. I have no successes unless God did/does them for me. Such isn't a humble saying. It is full of fact. I know it hurts to be us at times. But the sun keeps shining and so does the Son. The clouds in our day are witnesses as endurers who reached victory. Our clouds cheer us on.

Above all things, don't give up on God and on His people. We've said things we didn't mean just as soon as they slid from our mouths. We've done things we didn't intend and guilt immediately issues notification.

We are so often a mess and Jesus is the Supreme Janitor. He receives no pay except to be proud of those accepting his amazing, fascinating work. May we not argue. May we be free from religious arrogance. May we realize we need each other to get through the most innocent of days. And victory is ours to treasure because The Janitor has been at work again with his bucket and mop.

TULSA WORKSHOP IS COMING!

Among the many things passing across my desk is the Tulsa Workshop. We work on it year round. This one next month is my third year in a row to plan. I love it.

We have a lot to think about; the sound system, the website, the magazine, booth rentals, funds, speakers, topics, and the attendees just for starters. I love the workshop! It is a favorite event.

I don't work on this project without perpetual appreciation for Marvin Phillips. He and two others were the brain trust behind this idea. Of all men I have been fortunate to work beside him in the trenches. I still let him buy my lunch on occasion.

There is a massive amount of work and consideration which goes into this project. But one will always stand head and shoulders above all others regarding their contributions; it would be Marvin. So while preachers and leaders and children and visionaries plan their trek to Tulsa, Oklahoma, we enjoy the anticipation and the productivity of the workshop. One thing is certain, God gave Marvin an idea and we are still being blessed after three decades +.

(All area churches are invited to Memorial Drive next Sunday night (March 1st) at 6:00 for Workshop Roundup as we get ready for company coming to town March 26-28.)

BEING THE CHURCH....WITH ROOM TO BREATHE

Together. That's how the church began. It was together day after day after day. Why is that?

Strength is in being together. Understanding is firmer when we are together. Mercy breathes because we get together.

The appointed three times a week which most churches observe may find us gathering, but not together other than to gather, sit-a-bit, and dismiss til the next appointed time. Most aren't this way; yet each of us can find this pattern developing if not careful.

We just completed a Ladies' Appreciation Banquet at Memorial Drive tonight. It is one of our more valuable assemblies. It is so completely fun. It is so perfectly the church. Laughter, tears, tears of laughter, songs, food, intimate moments of the heart drenched the packed room of Memorial's women treated to a sit-down dinner and awesome, home-provided, entertainment by the men.

Greg Perry and Richard Jestice champion this event. I could not help but be reminded tonight of the early church being together. When God's people get together it is usually true that an increase of love and appreciation and understanding break out!

We look a lot like how the church began. A long ways to go? Oh, we will ever be learning and growing. That's the nature of the church.....and it's our pleasure to possess such a nature.

But let me tell you something I note about a maturity among us regarding our gatherings. When we gather I seldom hear comments any longer questioning why some weren't present. You know that was once the trademark of our people; griping about who didn't attend this event and that.

We've grown up. We assume the best about our wonderful church family. We assume they are someplace else and doing just as an important factor as the gathering we are in. For many such an event may be staying home and resting without interruption. I don't blame them.

Good for us, church! We can assemble and have a terrific time without snarling at the absence of some. We've learned not to for they will be at the next event, perhaps tomorrow, when others of us won't.

When the church began it got together. We still do and we love it. For any who missed tonight's bash.....good for you as we are sure you were doing something else kingdomly....like resting a bit. You need it...we need it. This makes us family...with good room to breathe!

CYBER IDEA

Talk to me. Surely what I'm about to discuss is already developed. It's just that I am unaware.

Are there any cyber-churches established? eChurches?

We have at our fingertips the broad range of every nation. Compu-Churches need to be considered.

What do you know about their development thus far? And, should we establish another?

Talk to me.

Solving most puzzles

This is a puzzle I sent to two of my grand kids; of them throwing me up into the air.

When you put the people together many puzzles in life seem to be solved.

THE WHOLE THING?

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.....Romans 3:23, 24.

I encourage you to memorize the last part of above like you have the first part down pat. Then, realize that both parts together do not comprise the entire (one) significant and profound sentence.

THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US

Continual work on being wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove will always be necessary. We must work on being developed by the Spirit to form the likeness of Christ in our mentality; our spirituality. We want to approach each matter as Jesus does.

This is not easy, have you noticed? If we gain confidence, we are quite apt to slip into ego. If we improve in humility, we are threatened with becoming passive. Should we be blessed to realize significant changes can/should be made in the kingdom, we run the risk of slipping into arrogance. The Christ walk is not at 1-2-3 exercise and then, boom, you have it. It is a tedious work to develop the Jesus style.

A lot of trial and error takes place as one grows in the nature of Christ. This is important. Too, it is important to realize every one of us is found repeatedly in error while we go through the learning process. For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith....Romans 12:3.

Each of us is capable of realizing ways the church can improve. This is always a good thing unless we also develop a weed of superiority in the center of it.

BOOK, CHAPTERED, AND VERSED?

May I have your permission to ramble a bit about an idea? I desire more to get you to help me in my thinking than I do to get the grammatical structure in place. Does it bother any of you about our faith? I'm unsure of this which I write.

Have we book, chaptered, and versed ourselves out of mutual partnership with God? I mean have we failed to act because we couldn't find a backing text?

What was it that assured Elijah he could face down the 450 prophets of Baal? Where did he get the information to move forward on that project? Where did young David hear from God the permission to drag God's name into the Goliath episode?

Faith, once again, challenges us to know God; to walk with God in order to know some of the moves of aggressive courage to make for the cause of Christ. Yes, Noah was given precise instructions as to how to build the ark while the Great Commission is basically "Go" with little regulation.

I am wondering (and I simply love to ponder God's style and will) if we each move about in a Spirit connection too deep for words. I wonder if a lot happens in the kingdom because we "sense" from God to take action while there is nothing but faith to lay claim to any such direction.

Furthermore, due to such a respectful fear of getting some (or many) things wrong, I wonder if God's people have fundamentally shut down godly activity because they did not read, "Go to Japan". The many have, understand, made or are making such bold treks but I wonder if something is holding a great number of our people back because we have Chapter 11-ed them; we have book, chaptered, and versed them into freeze rather than action.

My point? I think there is more to faith for each of us. I'm just fascinated by it and would welcome your exploratory input.

AMBITION: FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

I write to those early in their years of kingdom service. Some may be employed by the church. Others may not; but serve and sacrifice every bit as diligently. A lot goes on in the privacy of self which can provide some moments of delight while offer other times of shame. As simple as we believe ourselves to be on one side; we surely are complex on the other.

An important element of every servant is our ambition factor. James 3:13-18 speaks specifically about it. If selfish it is evil; demonic James specifies. If surrendered it is divine. And so we go about tossing the coin and jumping some of our hoops hoping/desiring/preferring to get it right.

Ambition can be tough to hold still. From one angle it can wreck a church because one begins to use his ambition to manipulate and restrict the rest. On the other hand we can be critical of any who don't possess it accusing such as lazy and lethargic.

Correct ambition must necessarily be couched in wisdom prayed for from here and delivered from heaven. It cannot be processed from any earthy philosophy or whim. Only from above will such be acceptable.

Oddly, when it is from above peace and productivity seem amazingly simple as well as unexplainable. I urge you to seek to place each ambition within the treasured wisdom sought in prayer. Sow life into your work by tilling your fields with prayer plows. Ambition is remarkable when authentic in motive and received from above.

A BIG THING I'VE LEARNED FROM OUR ELDERS

Stemming back a few elderships ago to the present, I have been the beneficiary of their good mentorship; especially in the area of worry. My last few sets of leaders were each sober about their jobs but I could not help but notice how they did not fret.

This has affected me. I desperately needed to see leaders exemplify patience, peace, and calm when under stress. I did not come to town with such attributes. I needed to learn this. Their examples have reversed my temperament to a point we could all say at least I've improved!

I'm not saying they or I never gulp wondering how God will work some things out. Neither am I stating I work beside a group who find little to be bothered about. I am saying I continually notice myself not reacting as extremely to some incidents as I once did because I observe a group of men whom I regard as close friends talk and walk as if everything will be okay.

Each of us is blessed when we get to be around leaders who are so anchored in Christ that they can be fun to be around even when the going is bumpy.

AN IDEA IF YOU NEED ONE FOR SMALL GROUPS

From the start on this one I want to say this is merely an idea should you be a part of a struggling small group somewhere on the planet. I've been involved with many groups; maybe six or seven various ones have met in our home over the years. I love the concept and the value of small groups.

Occasionally I hear of some which are sagging in interest or attendance or both. About three years ago I had an idea and began a new group. When we gather we do one thing; we pray. We don't sing. We don't study. We don't view a film series. And nothing is amiss with any of the aforementioned. But I wanted to see what would happen if we prayed.

At first we had a few reluctant while others would not even attend though their spouses did. They were afraid. But we patiently continued and after awhile those distancing themselves began to gather round and eventually began to pray; men and women together.

We have been so blessed. Our group is not the best one or the most important one. But praying together has become a hunger to us. We pour over the needs and both cry and laugh with joy over the fruit.

If your groups ever hits a slight snag maybe a time of simple prayer together would give it a solid boost.

WORKSHOP ROUNDUP COMING TO MEMORIAL

Last year we began the first annual Workshop Roundup at Memorial Drive. It was an event where we invited area Churches of Christ to come be a part of a pre-Tulsa Workshop evening. We didn't know what to expect. God packed the place! It was sooo fun!

In two weeks we are having the second annual event. Carl Harris of Collinsville, Bob Herndon of SouthBrooke, and Dan Langdon of the Open Door church in Broken Arrow will be the guest speakers. Others from area congregations will be involved in the leading of worship that evening.

At the conclusion of the evening the guests will have the opportunity to sign up for various works as it takes such a force to pull the workshop off. The evening is fun. The work is fun. Life in Christ is fabulous!

The world will know Him by our love. We want to do everything we can to build up the knowing factor which impacts the world! I hope to see many of you Sunday night, March 1, 6:00 at Workshop Roundup.

I THINK ABOUT YOU CONSTANTLY

Be encouraged. There is more good stuff going on from you and more amazing wonder taking place around you than any of us could ever imagine. The brothers couldn't see it as they sold off Joseph to a den of thieves. Saul couldn't imagine it while trying to fit young David into his personal armor. There was no way Peter saw it coming when they went ahead against their whims and lowered the net on the other side of the boat.

God has more cooking than we can imagine stoves!

You make a different to the least suspecting. So much good is coming from you that I believe if you could see it you would faint from its magnitude. I think about you constantly while in reality I don't know 95% of those who read this blog. I simply believe by faith you are there and you are encouraged.

You realize I am not aware when/while one person reads this blog. That's my point; you are my point. I think about you constantly; wondering how to best encourage. By faith I believe you are. Such a belief system is reality and I would pass out if I could see when and where you sit and how much you needed to hear a message inspired by God.

You do more than you can imagine because He works in you. He said so...Eph. 3:20!

HOW I WILL IMPACT BASEBALL'S SPRING TRAINING

Should you not have noticed, I am a very influential sort. Oh yeah! I move in and out of circumstances and situations leaving a great trail of marvel behind. I did it in my recent trip to the Legends Camp at the Cardinals' Spring Training facilities in Jupiter, Florida.

Should you have missed it this is February 14th. Everyone knows the significance of such an American date. It is the opening of MLB's Spring Training. So guess who are reporting to the same clubhouse I was in? The St. Louis Cardinals.

And just how have I impacted these prime athletes as they report? Well, hang on and I'll tell you.

On my second day in camp I was dressed for the morning workouts and in the trainers room checking on teammates as well as the four trainers. One of my teammates had been hurt as he twisted his knee and evidently tore his ACLU.

While all were engaging in multiple conversations at a time, I was deep into the mix as well. Medical supplies; tape, tools, pills, etc. are scattered throughout the room available for treatment of sore muscles and assorted injuries. I walked over to the cabinet with the sunscreen on it. Several brands were there from which to choose. I was talking to some guys and grabbed a bottle of Flex-All; a muscle lotion which heats upon application.

As soon as my hand passed my nose I knew I had the wrong thing; but my hand applied the lotion anyway. Naturally, in trying to quickly rub it off I merely rubbed it in. Boy, it was hot.
I was afraid once I got in the sun I might really burn because my face was on fire.

The guys got a huge charge out of the incident. Word spread throughout the clubhouse about my mishap. The trainers worked on me twice before I headed to the field to apply a cooling treatment to my face. It felt much better.

The rest of the week the pros would call out, Hey Terry, is your face good and loose? Is that why you keep smiling; you're face it so loose?

So now on the white-board above the sunscreen cabinet for those reporting to camp are the words, "The Terry Rush Rule: Sunscreen is in the sunscreen bottles. Flex-All is not one of them."

WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM STRUGGLES

I'm constantly encouraging you and others of the value of struggles. Everything is a yes in our walk; even the things we don't want or like....II Cor. 1:18-20.

I haven't liked moments of skirmishes and battles in my work. But I can say I really needed them. While I haven't become calloused or insensitive, scuffles and strains are fundamental in constructing disciples. They were significant for Jesus' growth: although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered....Hebrews 5:8.

Some of the things I've learned (which don't make me look so good, but here are a few):

• Some I thought didn't like me came from my insecure imagination.
• Some of the most important people in my circle are those who don't think at all like me.
• When entering a full-blown crisis, God shows you a strength you possess that you had never needed until then and you are amazed at how sharply you can operate.
• It is a glorious time to be at the end of your rope with no more answers; no more plans.
• If one will wait for Him, we will encounter great surprises; we must not give up too soon.
• 90% of the time things aren't as bad as I assumed.
• Many more things will work out if I wait in prayer instead of reacting in ambition.
• God doesn't waste one crumb of our life; even what we don't want fits His success recipe.
• If we run from the hard times we will remain little thinkers; toddlers in faith.

A BASEBALL FRIEND

I don't know why but I have had Jimmy Piersall on my mind so much lately. I haven't been in touch with him for several years as time flies and paths have not crossed recently.

Do any of you remember the movie Fear Strikes Out with Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden? Perkins played a baseball player who lost his mind because his dad, Malden, put excruciating pressure upon him. It was a true story; Perkins was playing the role of Jimmy Piersall.

Jimmy was a fantastic talent. He played for the Indians, Red Sox, Senators, Mets, and Angels. During a couple of games with the Yankees he suffered a breakdown. Sadness covered the fans.

Jimmy was a tough man when I met him as one of my coaches in the camps I attend. For some reason he adopted me throughout the week. For one, I was named after Terry Moore who was Jimmy's hero. And, maybe a glimmer of talent showed through....not.

While he was a weathered man, I loved him. He said the best thing that happened to him in baseball was when he went nuts (his words) because until then no one had ever heard of him. In camp he declared we were all crazy but bragged he was the only one who had papers to prove it. I still laugh when I was a kid I saw him hit his 100th home run. He circled the bases while running backwards!

Our lives are so good; so rich. We don't just envision the future or relish the moment. We have so many memories in which we treasure. I encourage you to ponder some of the wonderful paths God has led you. Don't you love being who you get to be?

AGAINSTISM: A DEMONIC DOCTRINE

Churches suffer more from our inner circles than we do the drug dealers and crime lords. For thirty-five years of preaching ministry I have taken (as many of you have) quite a hammering. Of the graduates from my class, 82% have quit. This hasn't happened because of too many church suppers. Several remain servants in other capacities but in nearly all of these cases the church drove them from the pulpit.

The death toll is usually culminated in the name of Truth. Just a few of these battles encountered have been:

• Truth against versions of the Bible other than KJV
• Truth against congregations offering a Mother's Day Out program for their communities
• Truth against the Holy Spirit working
• Truth against the divorced community
• Truth against several coming down front to comfort a responder to the invitation
• Truth against solos and duets and praise teams
• Truth against listening to those outside of our brand speak when we all read their books

On the list goes in a consistently positioned againstism.

The Truth is and always will be ultra-significant. I wonder why the againstism party cannot see the Truth that Jesus faced their crowd centuries ago. He was against the againstism group. Their reaction was what any good and faithful Truth Seeker would do.....they killed him in the name of Truth. The pattern continues. Truth is killed by those wielding the sword of Truth. These plot and plan and they get their way. Our cities and suburbs are strewn with deadened souls as they once sat among us; but againstism finally took its toll.

Such a lifestyle comes from a wisdom that is earthy; but not from above. It's backing is selfish arrogance. We all must avoid such dangerous doctrine: Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing...James 3:13-16.

PRAY IT FORWARD

We possess a mighty instrument of power; prayer.

I was thinking today about my kids and recalling repeated times of prayer I spent with God over them. When they were in grade school I would thank God for the job interviews they each would one day have; maybe ten to fifteen years down the road.

I thanked Him that they were capable of having such an interview. I thanked Him for the training He had provided by that time in their lives. I talked to God about the rooms they would sit in and the individuals behind the desk as they would speak. I thanked Him that the interviews went so well. I thanked Him for keeping them from getting work which would not be good for them or the kingdom.

Things I pray forward now continue to be presented to God in the form of thankfulness. I thank Him for the success of the book I am writing, for the effectiveness of the Tulsa Workshop approaching, for the man who replaces me one day at Memorial Drive, and the new elders God eventually adds to the ones we now treasure.

Such prayers can go forward as far as we can imagine. I often thank Him for people and their works which have yet to be born. I praise God for conversions which have not yet taken place. Our imaginations are free to run wild as we pray it forward!

Praying forward is nothing new to our people. This note serves as an encouraging reminder to express great gratitude to God for things which have not yet happened; yet you believe they will.

Be encouraged. Make someone’s day by preparing the event with your unseen, unnoticed, and invisible prayers.....even years ahead of time.

MIGHT WE EACH HAVE A COWARDLY SIDE?

Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.

Peter honestly thought he loved the Lord more than the other followers. He could see “them” failing but not himself. You know how the conversation continued. Jesus retorted, before the cock crows you shall deny me three times.

Peter could see it in others but had no awareness of his own weakness. We can see it in Peter but do we have awareness of our own?

Every servant must walk upon his or her own eggshells lest we, too, believe we are more committed to truth, more wise in perception, and more effective in work. We are all terribly marred by sin. We are cowards who tend to talk big in meetings. We are visionaries with spiritual glaucoma when it comes to evangelism.

Yes, Peter never dreamed he was as small-minded, small-committed to Jesus as everyone else. He was a brave imaginer in coward’s clothing. So it is with me…and you….and all.

Take on the great opportunities which lie in front of you with awareness it is not a wise thing to work critical of any other. Each of us will fold under pressure except by the grace and mercy of the One who strengthens.

WHY SPIRITUALITY?

What is meant as spiritual? Why do we reference the process of following God as spirituality? Why is it we regard living and working with Him as a spiritual experience? I think it is because we connect with God in our minds.

Our minds are the base from which spiritual living is exercised. Do not be conformed to the things of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…Paul wrote in Romans 12.

How many times my mind has hosted the tennis tournament of spiritual warfare. How many times have I had to talk myself into life or out of defeat. For me the spiritual life is a constant tournament of excellent thinking. Perception and vision are two key coaches I want on my side.

Ministry and momentum’s success depends upon the willingness to venture into the spirituality of using the mind for fruitful kingdom harvest. He said He would do more than our minds could imagine….Eph. 3:20.

I can misread and misreact all of which will send the mind a-whirring in a downward spiral. Or, I can believe and hope which will cause my ascension into effective work. Spirituality lives in the recesses of our thought-files. The mind; it links to/draws from the Spirit forming spirituality.

ANTISUPERNATURAL RATIONALISM

I was scanning a brotherhood paper early this morning. A statement was made I find profound. After railing against the leadership of Churches of Christ (belittling "change") the author pointed out that most of America's universities began as Christian schools (Harvard, etc.); yet declined in such emphasis due to being infiltrated "by German antisupernatural rationalism".

That is a stunning statement. I would imagine his research and evaluation is fairly accurate. But has he not noticed that Churches of Christ are declining because of American antisupernatural rationalism? Is he not aware that the very change he fights is a change for supernaturalism to be allowed among us? Is he oblivious to his promoting of the very element in our churches that he criticizes about the universities?

How can there ever be a venue for supernaturalism when the Holy Spirit is told to stay out? Such a move forces us into rationalism and such will always lead to......stagnation/no change.

SIT DOWN AND BE STILL

Tomorrow is another "Terry sit down" day. No sermon this week! These sorts of days are getting easier; but they still feel weird. Tomorrow is Baby Blessing Day where we honor '08's newborns during the sermon time. We will spend the morning praising God for and emphasizing the glory of children....especially our newer ones. In May we will have a similar morning where there is no sermon as we will honor the high school graduates on Senior Sunday.

The reason I write about this is for those of you who would feel this isn't right (skipping sermon time to honor people). Let me tell you why I think it is very right:

• The sermon isn't the centerpiece of Sunday morning. Jesus is.
• It tests leaders like myself to learn to yield when we really don't prefer to in the beginning. This is very good for us to experience.
• The breaking of norm-form is good to cause worshippers to maintain a freshness in spirit rather than a dullness of routine.
• The process signals with firm attention how important various groups in our church family are.
• Such a move is good for those who feel this isn't according to the Bible. It requires them to find a church service in the Bible which reveals the pattern they/we think God enacted.

Now, "sit down and be still" is never an act I relish. I would rather keep moving. But days like what we anticipate tomorrow are clearly one of the reasons Memorial is alive. God moves in many facets. There will be those who prefer the sermon. It will be good for them to miss it. Others will be wishing we honored babies weekly to keep from hearing me.

SOMETHING AMAZING IS GOING ON

Something phenomenal is happening. I know what it is.....really. God's kingdom is activated and we are in it. I am hearing through the tech grapevine of riches taking place among us which are so abundant in report only God could be the author.

Three times in one day this week (Tuesday) people told me of exciting growth in their works. Each not knowing the conversation of the other (and each lived miles/states apart), their words rang with similarity when I asked what was causing such marvel; We've learned to get out of the way.

Today I was blessed by an email informing me of a gift coming in my direction which I sorely needed. I meet with fifteen preachers at random in my office in the early morning of the first day of the workshop in March. I spend an hour and a half listening/speaking to these good soldiers. Each year I always have a stack of books as encouragement to hand them.

But this year, funds are more careful and I had only one book to hand them until........until the email today stating of one's appreciation for being in that group year's back and he would be sending fifteen copies to give to this year's class. I marvel.

Later today I received a call from a colleague who is obsessed with reaching the Spanish community. He is more than ambitious and a visionary. He has the financial backing, the staff aligned, and the plans to establish Spanish speaking congregations throughout the Southwest. While I can't go into detail, this man actually has a plan in proportionate scale to the influx of the Spanish population. It is more than a dream; it is happening.

The magnetism of God seems stronger than I ever recall in my brief time in ministry. Why is that? I believe the patient and faithful teachings of friends like Albert Lemmons, Keith Roberts, Luther Gower, Randy Harris, and others have become actualized in our faith practice. I believe masses are praying more than ever. I am not implying no one prayed until my generation for I know better. I am saying I believe interest in prayer has even increased.

Why are so many amazing things going on? I think believers are praying for starters. Too, I think we believe God is active among us....and that's for another discussion down the road. Join in the fun; the kingdom of God is near.

SAVIOUR. SELF. SAVIOUR. SELF. SAVIOUR. ?????

Even those among us who pay little attention can finish the sentence beginning with All have sinned and fall _____ __ ___ _____ __ ___. But how is it our people can recite this part in their sleep but don't have a clue as to the rest of the same sentence; being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith....Romans 3:23-25.

Training a people to know scripture the above way (partial truth) is painfully flawed. The entire brotherhood has this glaring contagion. We are in a deep hurt because we have innocently extracted portions of scripture to fit a point desired. It is true that all have fallen. It is also true the fallen are justified by the blood of Jesus.

Why do we not emphasize the last half of the good news sentence? I suppose basically we just don't realize it is there.

What happens when believing half of the above is we become dependent on self to get ourselves right with God. We believe Jesus is the Saviour but we turn to Self and see what we can do better. We toss back and forth as in a bad night's sleep accepting and rejecting His work on the cross because Self continues to pitch in with redemption effort. Jesus is the Saviour; the only one. Not Self.

Grace out-marches sin. Sin does not out-march grace. Because of poor memorization practices, we are not so sure.

CAN'T GET ALONG WITH US...OR WITHOUT US

Isn't there a song of some persuasion confessing, I can't get along without you? I heard a recent line of a song, If you don't leave me alone, I'll find somebody who will. Interesting.

Church autonomy has surely taken a beating. We don't do well at getting along together apart because we want to be apart together. I mean why do congregations who take the strongest and most rigid stance against divorce seem to be first in line to divorce other congregations? This is a mess; a complete unexplainable, disorientable mess.

Wouldn't it be better (even more Christ-like) if we liked the fact we are, in several ways, different? Wouldn't it be progress to recognize there really are some folks who need to worship differently and by the autonomous route, individuals can actually find such a family fit without condemning the rest?

Frankly, I think the church is growing more in this direction. Jesus is still having his way favorable way with his people. Not every liberal or conservative has bailed on the Bible way of doing things. I'm not certain as to just how important the owning of church buildings, the conducting of Bible classes, and the number of cups at communion should precisely be. But I do know one thing; mercy is a mighty big doctrine which no soul can choose to deliberately ignore.

Maybe we can make progress in being alike in allowing differences.

STRONGLY HUMBLE

Not that the rest of our staff does not fit this detail, but our youth minister is a unique sort to work beside. Bobby Smith is 26 years old and possesses a spirit about him which I find impressive; he is strongly humble.

Bobby is not only our youth minister. He is also our preacher training intern. We are intentionally grooming him to be a pulpit minister one day.

Bobby is strong in that he is not a push-over because someone thinks he should move one way or another. He is strong in his ability to think, to act, and to react. I marvel at how wise he is in areas that I am not.

Too, his humility allows him to receive instruction and correction. His face reflects a heart which is eager to learn everyday.

Bobby Smith is a friend to many; including me. I believe he will do well in the kingdom because he has that spirit combination of strength and humility. This is but another servant of Christ whom we can see doing many things right.

Who might you know in your circle who is Strongly Humble?

HO HUM. HO HUM. IT'S OFF TO CHURCH I GO

It might be good to take a little inventory; an attitude inventory. How are you doing with church life? Good? Not so good? Average?

In case you are letting your gusto for God slip, stop it! We are the light of the world. Not maybe. Not possibly. We are called to light up the world. Do it!

The Holy God broke from the Holy of Holies in the Temple when the curtain was torn at Jesus' crucifixion and He raced directly to our hearts. We are the temple of God! He says we never get old. He says we are not to lose heart. He says we are to live life abundantly.

Let a fresh wind of hope and marvel brush across your face. Awaken to the dawn of the Morning Star. Relate to the Living God in you as He reaches nations and generations through the very body people call you.

We are the most fantastic creatures on earth. Created by God and then inhabited by God we are not to be inhibited by God. He's got places to go and we are His wheels. He's got people to bless and we are His hands. He's got a world to reach and we are His vessels!

So.....live like it, act like it, love like it!

MORE ON ONE OF THE LAST BLOG'S COMMENTS

Anonymous said... (From a comment on the last post)
Thank you for a great post Mr. Rush. Would you mind please providing your experience / perspective on something (and anyone else that has advice for that matter)?Regarding [rather Pharisaical] detractors within one's congregation...those that are convinced of their rightness and your wrongness, and make it known, and somewhat antagonize you, proactively seeking to diminish you...what is an appropriate way to handle / respond?On the one hand, it seems rude and impersonal to simply ignore such folks. Yet, engaging them is most often fruitless, and only leads to endless controversy. And "agreeing to disagree" is rather trite, and often does not achieve the intended purpose anyway.Still, one feels the need to defend oneself at times, though must be guided by love and God's call in our own lives.While I know that adhering to God's principles will prevail, in one-on-one interactions, an appropriate response to such folks is sometimes difficult to muster. Please, some thoughts?

Dear Anonymous (Ah, that sounds so Ann Landers-ish),

Who among us doesn't find your question resonating? My experience would align more with your frustration than I would possess answers. This matter often faces any who desire to see the kingdom advance. I've succeeded occasionally and failed repeatedly in handling such people. To my own dismay, on occasion I have been found to be that person.

One of the things I noticed about Jesus is he would sometimes not answer a word. He had better things to do. At other times he would unload; remember the "Woe unto"s? A third option was he would take action anyway. My favorite is Mt. 12 where the scene was riddled with tension as he had been clearly told not to heal on the Sabbath. He looked at the withered hand, looked back at his accusers, looked back at the withered hand.....and bravely did the right thing. It was that move that motivated those trying to stop him to go away being devoted to designing a plot to kill him.

If we think we live in a less dangerous zone, we are mistaken. It is dangerous in the church to do the right thing. I would consider the following when determining when to respond:

1. Weigh and re-weigh if you are responding to God's truth or personal irritation. Romans 2:1-5 warns that often what we claim as violation, we are guilty of ourselves.
2. Weigh who is being hurt by the present imposition: if you are then stay quiet. God will take care. But, if others are (like your teens) there may be need to stand against publicly.
3. John 10:10 is a serious matter in today's church culture. The thief comes to steal. The Shepherd comes to give life. II Cor. 3:4-5 supports such; the Law kills and the Spirit gives life. Sometimes it really isn't a matter of better opinion vs crotchety stubbornness. It is a matter of life and death. At this point it is important to remember it may be your death which ushers life to the next (or even present) generation....II Cor. 4:12.

I appreciate very much your question, Anonymous. In all things be humble for God opposes the proud. Suffering is a huge part of kingdom life. Suffer accurately and skillfully...and prayerfully.

COMPARATIVE CHURCHES

Independence is a valued commodity. July 4th means a lot to Americans. This present era highly esteems independent thinking. Everywhere from Oprah to the Pope to Scientology to the Church to the coffee shop, independent thinking regarding the God-trail is discussed. I raise the question, Are common people concluding God based on His revelation or are we reaching spiritual formation via comparison and strong preferences?

The push-n-shove of religious opinions evidently will never die. Each group (including my own) is in danger of reaching shifting-sand based conclusions do to reactions to others rather than integretive research of the One. Does God have a chance among His own Creation? Or will we be tossed about by every wind of doctrine as we choose the hot-button religion of the moment's mood?

The word disciple (mathetes in the Greek) means a learner. William Barclay wrote, One of the greatest threats to real Christian life is what might be called static Christianity. Christianity is a process; not a system where one(s) establish their twelve best doctrines and spend the rest of their time on earth pushing and shoving others to buy into their preferences.

A disciple is a learner. It might do the church a lot of good if we preachers and teachers of long tenure would toss our yellowed and dog-eared notes in the trash and resolve to once again be learners. The truth is the church is, in some parts, possibly being held back because we do more demanding and defending than we do learning.

The riches of Christ are too awesome for any Christian to bail on the learning process. Guarding the flock has developed into Barney Fife-ing it. Anxious to blow the whistle at any scent of foul, those hungering for the Word find great struggle as church decrees are handed down as to what "we" are to believe.

I applaud all who are still learners. I do caution that truth is not necessarily what we like best or what seems most popular. Truth is based on the writings of God and only the learners will discover the freeing treasure hidden from all others.

I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT

Gathering for church on Sunday mornings is just not what it used to be. It is as if God has turned us upside down. There is the strangest sense of the Lion-getting-along-with-the-Lamb feeling. People of every age and bent.....get along.

I can't explain it. Years ago if we had a good Sunday I would try to see that it happened the next Sunday and it might be five or six months before another popped up. Now we can count on it Sunday after Sunday. It is a mystery of God; therefore, I can't explain it.

I go from one gathering to the next without trying to preserve the prior week's venue. We are able to enjoy God! We aren't nervous as to who doesn't like something. We assume if they don't like it they'll get over it.....but first and foremost.....we simply assume they'll like it!

J. D. Hatter was gifted today at doing the Lord's Supper. Tammy Bowers, Krista Magnusson, and Alice Coffman's trio added incredible grace to the message. There is a sweet joy and genuine enthusiasm for praising God; none like I ever dreamed as a kid.

I can't explain what God has going on at Memorial. I know a host of churches experience the same thing. I can't explain why we feel so blessed; we just do. I can't explain the grace going on because it is from God and Him alone.....and you know I can't explain Him!

WHY THE DIVISIVENESS?

Any religious group which does not believe the Holy Spirit is a vital part of their lives cannot possibly bear the fruit of the Spirit. Kindness and love, harmony and unity will not/cannot result from a people who blatantly turn their backs on the Holy Spirit of God.

And why is He rejected? Fear.

The opposite of love is not hate; it is fear.

Do not be surprised at the reckless division among us. If we have not the courage to admit God's Spirit is among us we have no alternative but to believe we are stuck with ourselves.

That can get ugly.