WHAT PEPPERDINE DOESN'T HAVE THAT THE TULSA WORKSHOP HAS

I leave Tuesday for the Pepperdine Lectures. 

I look forward to soaking in Jerry Rushford's labors.  So many think I (Terry Rush) am him and he is me.  Because of that I promise a lot of strangers they can be on the Pepperdine program next year.

The Tulsa Workshop aftermath continues to experience good feedback.  See the note below.

The first year I attended the Tulsa Workshop was in March of 2003. I will never forget that weekend for so many reasons. It was a week where political, personal and spiritual factors all came together at the same time. That was the weekend the U.S. military invaded Iraq. I remember that because my brother was on the front lines. That all added up to make for a very emotional and vulnerable week for me. It also meant I was in a lot more prayer than usual. I think God really used that backdrop to open up my ears, my heart and my soul to the events of that weekend. I am indebted spiritually to the Tulsa workshop, Terry Rush, and the dozens (probably hundreds, really) of people who were a blessing to me in Tulsa.


I would highly recommend the Tulsa workshop as a place to get equipped, encouraged, re-tooled, and ready to both be more who God wants you to be and better know how to do what He wants you to do. I hope that each and every one of you will make it a part of your schedule to be in Tulsa in 2011. Bring someone with you. There is nothing like traveling to something like this with people you know and having others to discuss the classes and keynotes with on the ride back home. If the depictions of heaven in the book of Revelation only had book vendors, I would say Tulsa comes as close as it gets this side of heaven. Thanks to Terry and Shane for putting on such a quality event.

                                                                                                Matt Dabbs

These represent only two of our wonderful events across this nation.  Add to that Elder-Link, Quest, Stream in the Desert, Lipscomb, ACU, the Northwest Workshop....on and on the list of top-level kingdom expansion continues.  God has much going on!

Tell me of some of the great events in your zone.  We should be amazed at the intensity of improved discipleship training among us.

If the Tulsa Workshop only had an ocean! Oh well, Pepperdine doesn't have the Driller statue!

KINGDOM LIFE UNNOTICED

I really enjoy what little I see of the kingdom. I think I see more than I realize for I feel certain that while I am looking right at kingdom action, most likely I'm not recognizing it.

Philip asked Jesus when he had ever seen the Father. Jesus told him he had been looking at him for several years now.

Martha was in a scurry to do kingdom stuff that mattered and Jesus responded with a compliment toward the other sister for catching on.

Rhoda was aware of prayers being offered for imprisoned Peter; yet, never recognized it was him at the gate awaiting entry.

I believe God's people get more done than they realize because the very small matters count. If God notices each sparrow, do you think He doesn't catch it when you are courteous? Merciful? Generous? Attentive?

Yes, there was a long period in my life where I wanted to be like the big people. I strove to accomplish the big stuff. Big stuff is good for the big people, but it was out of my range and I spent too many years in envy; maybe jealousy.

When it registered that God was letting me in on a huge secret that power is perfected in weakness, I began to see the entire kingdom landscape shift. I was in. Furthermore, I was enough. I wasn't everything, understand. But I was acceptably....enough to be used by God.

I believe it today; but I fear some of you don't. Start. The small stuff in the corner of servanthood counts. Notice it. Capitalize on it.

Does a child ever approach you to buy a product for their school or their pack? Do you not realize the purchase of that candy or that popcorn (because you are in the kingdom) is a kingdom moment? That it counts?

Has a person ever responded to the invitation song and you went down front to hug them? Do you not realize this is an essential moment of kingdom expression?

At our place we have members who bake communion bread while others fill the trays. Others carry out trash while, yet others, clean out closets. Some host showers and others have babies. All of this combined activity coupled with hundreds of other casual events make up who we are....a people highly engaged in kingdom life.

It may be unnoticed by some....but not by Him. He sees the sparrows, the hairs, and the stuff we do over in the corner which goes unnoticed!

WHY OFFENSIVE ELDERS WORK WELL

And...how does the title strike you?  Offensively?  Ah, but read the rest of the story.

I watched our four shepherds lead a class last night as they fielded questions and made remarks about the work within the flock.  I enjoy watching them work.

Something occurred to me that really makes them wonderfully who they are.  In turn, this trait is reflected upon the entire staff and flock.  Our guys operate from offense, not defense.  These guys are learners; not defenders.  They are tryers; risk-takers.  They are promoters; visionaries.  They are empowerers; not territorialists.

I saw something definitive about them as they spoke.  These four in complete unison are like children in their interest and hunger for the Word.  They want to know what else!  What else does God think?  What else does He want?  What else does He have to say?  Our shepherds live wide opened to taking in God's direction.  They don't live defensively afraid of what the church might think....locally or area-wide.  They aren't smug, understand, but their faith is not based on what they fear.  Their leadership isn't expressed with hints of trepidation.

Our elders lead out offensively.  We are blessed because of it.  We are really blessed.  To them...they regard themselves as mere men.  To us, we see them as great leaders who fear God more than our quirky comments or momentary whims.

We have very offensive elders...and we love it!

TESTIMONIES IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Witnessing was a central part of the New Testament church.  Believers traveled about giving testimony to the working of the Living God.  It was a powerful trait.  It is needed today.

When one, anyone, shares how God has and is working, faith is built.  We should encourage all of our people to give repetitive testimony as God works in our lives day by day. 

If the church could hear of the wonder He commits among us, I believe we will be destined to only hear more of the glorious works He performs.  Life is about God; not us.  When we rehearse how He has blessed, confidence builds.

I urge you to start the ball rolling.  Build the faith of others.  Provide time in classes, sermons, small groups, etc. for believers to testify as to how amazing God is.  May this begin a fire that consumes a doubting land as well as dying churches.  May both be refreshed to the dew of His marvelous touch!

WHEN WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO

If you are anything like me, you hunger to do more, be more, and accomplish more than possible.  I want to impact the world for good for generations to come.

Such desires can cause one to feel to be merely the size of a pinhead.  The world is too large.  Time is too far. And, personal skill is too lacking.

Enter the Spirit of Jesus.

Read again Eph. 3:14-21.  Note the lavish exaggeration of God's emphasis of His Spirit working in completely plain us.  Notice His daring challenge that He can trump anything we can imagine.  Because of God's wonderful involvement with simple us, we can expect marvel and mystery from our shoes.

With all you have on your plate, don't forget to believe God.  The Spirit of Jesus fills his present and highly functioning body.  We are a part of the plan...the big picture. 

Live like it!

IS JESUS IN THE MIX?

Today I am reminded of the importance of operating around the person, the presence and the name of Jesus.  He is our life....our hope....our model....and our Savior.

I was reading a very upscale brotherhood magazine this morning with article after article emphasizing the church; its pattern and its evangelistic call.  Jesus---his story and his pattern---are missing.  It made/makes me sad.  At first it made me sad for the effort which this magazine surely multiplies without firm reference to him.  And then it made me sad at wondering just how much of my life and ministry revolve around the minors instead of the majors; the ministry gnats instead of the life-giving Christ.

We are so prone to serve from the flesh.  The church leans toward being its most intensely attentive during a church fight than over drawing the poor to the Master.  The Bible and the Pattern and the "way to do church" has long overridden the essential basic of loving the Son of God.  He has become a mere passenger in our great cargo of Bible knowledge and doctrinal core which we both promote and protect.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  Not the church's organization.  Not the church's leaders.  Not the depth of knowing Greek meanings.  Jesus the man; he is the way, the truth, and the life. 

For me, I will do well to continue to reach for him more than I reach for approval among men.  He knows stuff.  He does stuff.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  While we tend to be a people committed to the right church I would encourage us that in order to truly be right we must be a people growing in love with Jesus who is building his church.

In all we do...Jesus must be in the mix for he is the main thing.

JUST A MONEY MANAGEMENT IDEA

I know how it is trying to make the month and the money match; especially if you have children still at home.  I developed a simple idea when my kids were small.  It occurs to me some of you might like the idea.

Let's say for easy calculation's sake you give $100 per week to the church.  The annual amount would then come to $5200.  I determined I needed to hit seven weeks where I didn't give a check to the church.  Seven from fifty-two leaves forty-five weeks of check writing.  But I still want to remain faithful to the $5200 commitment.  I divided $5200 by 45 (weeks) and the amount I would write my check for each of those weeks would be $115.55. 

By raising my contribution $15.55 each of those forty-five weeks I would have seven FREE SPACE weeks.  Four of those would be applied to the four times car insurance came due.  The other three would be applied family vacations.

I've done this now for about 30 years and all I can say is...it works for me!

TAKE THE BACK SEAT IN KINGDOM VENTURES

Ambition runs high among many of us for life in the church.  We yearn to see it grow.  Marvelous ideals bid for the "main thing" in the work of the Lord.  We want in on it....and we often believe if others could only see church life the way we see it, the church would be far better off.

That would be one of our first mistakes.

The longer I am in the body of Christ the more I believe we strand ourselves on the island of independence and self-provision.  Our understanding is terribly and radically disoriented.  We have made effort to reduce the Living God to a Manageable Manager.  Too, a Golden Calf of pet doctrines has submarined our effectiveness by trusting our heritage more than our Bibles.

I don't speak in terms of you or they....but of we.  I'm one of the major violators of good church approach.  Yet, I am highly encouraged at what I get to experience among so many.  The kingdom is properly expanding and growing.  As usual, such is because of the working of God.  Our work is to believe Him (John 6:29). 

We will always be challenged to yield, to listen, to plan to grow in Christ and his church for we are but very small humanilistically as well as visionally.  When I take the back seat in kingdom ventures, it seems the church vehicle travels farther.

THIS IS MY FOURTH TRY TODAY

I've now written three blog posts this morning with nothing to show for it.  I wrote one at the office only to have it melt away when I hit "publish post".  I wrote a second...different topic....hit "publish post" and it too melted before my eyes. 

I dropped the effort.

Later I came home to try from this computer and had a terrific post going about God being the Holy Houdini.  I could hardly believe it, but as I was wrapping it up a window popped up to tell me windows would be shutting down and restarting...without my permission.

Sooooo....this post says nothing.  NOTHING!  I merely want to see if it will make it as a survivor when I hit "you-know-what".

PRECIOUS MOMENTS

I have had a few ask about what to say when with one near death.  This is an interesting moment that I have too often let slip by without attention.  I have wondered, though, if our combined efforts to keep everything "light" among those of us visiting simultaneously in the room of the patient has left them rather "stranded" from the real matters at hand. 

By that I mean I have wondered if the dying wish we would address this topic in order to help them make the transition; but instead we avoid the subject fearing they will pick up we will think they are dying.  They might know they are approaching the end and may need us to drop the small-talk.  What do you think?

With my friend last week, here's what I gaged.  I thought he was near death.  I wanted to approach the subject.  I simply ask him if he was dying.  His response would either cause me to laugh off such a silly question (should he laugh at me) if he didn't think he was or I would know to follow the theme. 

His response was an immediate "yes".  I asked if he was afraid.  "No."  Then I shared with him how this process would probably go down.

I reminded him of the 23rd Psalm where the victim was sitting at a picnic table highly and comfortably enjoying a feast spread before him.  Threats from enemies were all around and yet the one feasting was oblivious to all.  He simply was having a picnic.

That's the way it is for a believer's death.  The Shepherd is so aware of us that perfect security shields us at death.  We can be at extreme peace as if at a banquet; oblivious to all threats and fears.  His provision is so exacting in comfort that death does not have the fangs to wage war.  It will not distract us from continual living!  We simply slip through without concern how to work it, how to manage it, or how to approach it.  The Shepherd deals with all of it and ours is wonderfully a role of enjoyment.

When you don't know what to say to a dear one dying, maybe this will give you a concept to develop.

Blessings as you encounter these very precious moments.

WONDER-FULL YOU

Let me set the stage.  I don't mean to sound critical for I really don't feel such.  I do want to point out that it is possible we are missing the point in living.  We are not aware of the wonder of now...in each other.

How strange to live in a world that picks at us day in and day out.  How much can one take of being informed of our most minute failures?  Yet, this is what neighbor to neighbor tends to do...as a way of life.

In the church it is often the same.  The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way. 

We are forming our own suffocation of life by failing to build upon the wonder of each other.  Yes, we are all freaky and flawed to some degree.  But have you ever noticed all of the goodness in all of the people?  It is a remarkable, and often untold, story.

This is our calling.  Awaken to your calling.  We must learn to verbalize the good stuff about us.  We all have it.  We appear prideful to point out our own good qualities.  But we are so appropriately acceptable to point out the greatness of others.  That's our job.  Give our lives for others....and life will come back to us!

Awaken to the wonder of you by pouring out your applause to others.  And when you encounter one not so applaudable?  Look deeper.  Look deeply into their world for applause-worthiness is surely there....as it is about yourself.  May others have the motivation to look deeper into you and awaken....to the wonder in you.

Do you know why?  Because you really are wonder-full!

GOD'S STYLE....SO FASCINATING AT SO MANY TURNS

I am experiencing that terrible and wonderful mixture humans possess in enduring the death of a friend.  My closest friend in college...my roommate who shared outrageous laughter...died of cancer Sunday.  He had been battling this disease since Thanksgiving and was scheduled to return to Mayo's last Friday.  However, he became ill a few days back resulting in being admitted to a local Quincy, IL hospital.  The doctor's goal was to get him well enough to make his Mayo appointment.

He didn't get well and for some unknown reason, he was sent instead to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.  Ah...the city of which I was headed at the same time to attend a couple of Cardinal games with one of my sons. 

So I went to see my friend.  He had that look that he had received a memo that none of his family or friends fathomed.  I've seen that look before.  He was more than ill...I could tell.  I asked if the family minded if I could speak to him alone.  They obliged.

My dear friend of 44 years very weakly reached for my hand and said Talk to me.  We both broke out crying; neither able to speak.  Then I asked if he was dying.  He said he was.  I asked if he was afraid.  He wasn't.  Then I shared with him how I thought his death would go down. 

When I finished he said, Thanks.  I needed someone to tell me that.  Then we cried, held each other, cried much more as we shared how much we meant to the other one.  It was such a heart-wrenching and moving moment.  We cried so hard we were both shaking as our tears mixed while I hugged his neck.  I loved my friend.

But he had the memo and he read it correctly.  Unexpectedly, he turned for the exit ramp suddenly Saturday evening and passed from this life into the next early Sunday morning.  I'll attend his funeral and feel sure I'll shed a few more tears.  But I'll always celebrate the wonderful gift God gave us both when the doctors sent my friend south to St. Louis instead of north to Mayo's. 

It was perfect timing.  It was one more time just like God.  He has so many ways of fascinating us.  While I will miss my friend, I will never forget the day we saw God work through the telescope of our own tears.

OUR ORANGE BARREL PRIVILEGE

I'm crazy about road construction!  If ever passing through Tulsa, welcome to the land of orange barrels!  We've got 'em and we're obviously proud of 'em! 

Yes, I know road construction is a hassle, interruption, and a pain.  But what hope!

Other than city streets being torn up en route to whatever part of Tulsa you would wish to travel, the I-44 centerpiece is in huge disarray as it is being widened from 41st St. to the river.  Yippee!

You should see the mess.  Bridges are going down that bridges can go up.  Buildings are coming down right, left, and center.  Temporary roads divert irritable drivers (that would me many of us) while big machinery crawls up one hill and down another slope.  How fabulous!

Why the sheer enthusiasm?  For what all of this will one day be.....brand new and beautiful!

So don't get discouraged with all of your orange barrel friends or your orange barrel life.  It is under huge construction for God is building something new.  He isn't adding a skill or taking away a flaw.  He is starting over and widening your capacity to live brand new and beautiful! 

Don't be discouraged.  The street that passes by our church is full of ragged potholes and deep ruts.  If I'm sad about that street it is because it has been left to deteriorate without attention.  The day the orange barrels go up will be the day I will shout with joy.  Finally orange barrel life will come to my street!

You have an orange barrel moment?  Don't fight it.  Don't wait until the project is completed to get happy.  Love it right now!  New life is definitely in the process.  You are one of the lucky ones!

TO POWER OR NOT TO POWER

The movement from power through strength to power through powerlessness is our call.

                                                                                                Henri Nouwen

No matter how much we consider this truth, we tend to first assume the opposite is what will work.  It won't.  The great secret of getting to work with God in His lush vineyard is to keep hammering away at the fact our call is gaining momentum when our calculation and organization dips in understanding.

I spent some time with one of my best friends ever yesterday in a St. Louis hospital.  He is dying of cancer unless God should reverse the trend.  We sat alone and cried like children over our deep friendship of 46 years.  We talked openly about the walk through death.  I left exhausted and privileged.  What a conversation...a rich moment with one so dear.

Our call is powerlessness.  Exhaustion would fit such a scheme.  Perplexity would, too.  Yet, there is something God has always told us in both Old and New Testaments; He will do the work if we will trust Him.  Ask fatherless Abram, dinky David, or troops director Gideon.  Their call was powerlessness. 

Don't give up on God.  I believe many of you get bumped, attacked, and injured.  The world of darkness beats upon you.  Insults are a vital part of our walk.  If not for the negatives we might begin to believe we run the schemes of the vineyard....not.

Hold on.  You are enough.  Your work is glorious....because your God is chomping at the bit to be called upon for action!

I SEEK YOUR IDEAS

We are in Workshop 2011 mode! I have been working on it since the conclusion of the March 2009 event. I love it. I love thinking about it, dreaming about it, wondering about it, and planning it. But I could use some help and you just might have some innovative ideas.

One of the things I believe needs attention is its PR. We aren't getting the word out. I've already begun to pick the brains of John Dobbs, Trey Morgan, and Matt Dabbs regarding this need.

What do you believe would be good move as far as promoting/advertising the Tulsa Workshop? We put ads in the Christian Chronicle, send out several email blasts to those who have registered, and a blog (mine and some of yours) here and there will discuss it. What great ideas might you possess that would go beyond that small box?

I believe some of you are promotional gurus. I don't want to waste your brain-power by letting it sit idle when it could put out incredible new concepts. Let's hear them. Would you email me at trush@memorialdrive.org with your ideas? I think we can do a better job than we have been doing; but I think it will begin by hearing from some of you.

THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT: ROCK OR SAND?

Could I share something with you which seems to be important to each reader's heart?  Could we talk about the church for a bit?  I don't wish to raise the ire of any.  I do hope to share an idea which would continue fervent hope in the Church of Christ for it is His glory.

When I began my journey with us I was completely enthralled with the Restoration Movement concepts.  What a grand move to take all who would follow back to the words of the Word.  Too simple.

While the concepts remained as powerful as ever, it wasn't long until it became apparent the Restoration Movement had become footings of sand.  Yet, the Word insists we build upon the rock.  There is an immediate glitch in the RM system.  Do we believe Jesus is still building his church or do we believe he built it, completed it, it was lost, and now we are restoring it?  One goes forward.  The other looks back.  One is built on the rock; the other on sand.

The Restoration Movement began with great hope.  But as anything with the hands of man involved in formation, it became the goal of many to keep the Golden Calf of the Church of Christ living by restoring the Restoration Movement.  At that point we slipped.  The Word was overridden by hammerings of the loudest debaters. 

Soon the efforts to restore the New Testament church were side-swiped by the sandy footings of personality agendas.  Clarions imposed the message to look back as in putting our hands to the plow.  Wrong direction says the builder of the New Testament church.  He would have us lift our eyes to mystery and possibility...all based on the teachings of the rock-solid Word.

The church has suffered over time for many reasons.  Guys like me do a lot of damage in the process of growing up.  Strong signals of hope are arising day by day and year by year.  Those marks will always be when believers untangle themselves from a movement and grow closer to the Man. 

There is a lot of good about us and with us.  None of it can be credited to what we have organized or structured.  Our entire hope remains in the remaining builder of the church....Jesus the Lamb.

If your commitment is to restore the Restoration Movement then at a least three things might be present:

• You find yourself easily irritated ( I did).
• You can't prove your faith from the Bible nearly as well as you have convinced yourself you can ( I couldn't).
• You don't pray much (I didn't).

If your commitment is to grow in Jesus then at least these three things might be present:

• You love people better than you once did.
• You see your own flaws as more glaring than anyone else because you compare yourself to Jesus.
• You no longer live in constant fear and resentment.

Be encouraged.  The invitation always remains to build upon the Rock.  That is our future.  The Restoration Movement is valuable only if it causes us to look to Jesus.  Restoring the Restoration Movement itself requires a blurred and distracted vision. 

One is Rock.  The other is sand.

GOOD NEWS ALL AROUND US

We have to be careful that we not get distracted from the Red Sea moments of God going on about us day after day.  Marvel and mystery move among us like air waves.  Wonder and awe are vital mainstays of the church today; so much so we can't begin to notice but only a small part of them.

Are you aware of blood cells oxygenating while corpuscles expand or contract?  Do you sense the cleansing power of atoms and molecules racing through your body and equilibrium partners with muscle tissue; all assisting in making your maneuvers for lunch schedules more accommodating?  I didn't think so.

So it is in the body of Christ.  Much is going on while we see a few of the external moments.  By faith we believe the massive cooperation of body elements which pull off amazing works of wonder.

Sunday morning our David Combs (new Community Outreach Minister) did his solo flight as he preached his first sermon since being added to our staff.  Yahoo!  What a terrific...stupendous...magnificent message he delivered!  It was thrilling.

All he did was tell about God working in so many people at Memorial.  He filled his delivery with testimony of God working in so many places in so many people with so many servants.  The good news is that when he got done he had only begun to tell about our God among us.

That is precisely the way it is where you live.  You think you see what's going on because you can add the number attending or count the dollars in the plate.  But oh how far that misses the mark. 

The casual greetings of acceptance, the dollars handed to the needy day after day, the deliveries of furniture to others, the food distributed...hasn't even approached the notes written and the phone calls made....hasn't begun to take into the consideration the laundry done for others and the rides to the doctors...hasn't yet noticed the time spent by hundreds in prayer who've never met one another...and on and on the stories go of God working.

Good news is all around us....God is alive, active, and sharp as ever!  Take it in....and then rejoice a lot!

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE PERSON IN YOUR CHURCH

If you had three wishes from the Magic Genie...well let's say just one big one...and you could change one person in your congregation, who would it be?  Would it be the preacher?  One elder?  Two?  A song leader?  An old bitty whose pointy finger delightfully wags in your face?  You have one moment of magic to spend.  Who would you change for the good of the church?

I have good news for you.  You have that power.  I have bad news for you.  There isn't anyone to be on your list higher than you. 

Ah, say it ain't so!

Ah, it is.

Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.  And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  (Romans 2:1-4)

God sees something flawed about each of us that we don't.  Others do.  It is clear to all.  But never to self.  We just can't see it. 

When we complain we are guilty of that which we complain...in some form.  How many of the shepherds believe their problem is the preacher?  How many preachers believe it is an elder? How many members believe it is both?

We just don't get it.  No one in our circle misses the mark of the principles of God like self does.  Period. 

Congregations will begin to shift for the healthier once the blame-game closes its casino.  The world keeps driving by us and they don't care about our miffs and beefs.  And we.....we have majored in minors for so long we have renamed minors as majors.  No to be.

I know.  I lived as the preacher for years believing it was others who needed to make severe adjustment.  While I may have been on target that some needed to change, I was clueless as to my own frailty as well as failing grades.  No one needed to grow up as badly as me.  No one. 

I now believe a secret to Paul's effectiveness was he continually worked from the premise that he was the chiefest of sinners.  Paul never met me.  I'm a chiefer sinner than Paul.  From this base we have the gratitude of goodness and the thrill of glory for we see ourselves as nothing.  This truth forces us to look for Him to be all.  And....He surely is.

If you are set on believing life would be better when another improves, you are beside me in just beginning the maturity in Christ process.  Welcome to the surprising world of change that needs to take place in the church...and no greater location is mandatory than the blind region of self.

TRY NOT TO WASTE YOUR LIFE IN ANGER AND MISERY

Bitterness is a bitter root.  Frustration over people can be a daily irritant.  Do your best to bypass these detrimental routes.

Living is for the living.  Much of our living is lost in mentally rehearsing personal injuries and attacks.  Haven't we all seen or been involved in ugly relationships?  A real killer is that most get over it at the funeral.

If we can get over it at the funeral, why can't we get over it at the kitchen table?  Why can't we get over it driving down the highway?  Why must we waste our lives wasting our lives?

Do what you can to forgive.  Mercy is a marvelous kingdom secret.  It forgives when forgiveness has not been sought.  We can be merciful anytime and anywhere we want.  So do it.

Try not to waste your life in anger and misery.  This is a self-imposed cancer to your own spirit.  You don't like it.  You don't need it.  So....do what you can to cure yourself from such ailment.  Forgive with lavish mercy.  Live again!

TALK AND WALK LIKE A WINNER!

As creation danced upon its newly decorated stage in the beginning of time, those who study their Bibles are pretty aware that original sin stained the spell-binding tapestry. The recipe for essential joy was shattered like a broken mirror tossing humanity into 7 trillion (eternal) years of bad luck. Such seems now to be the destiny of every individual; religious or not. Beginning in a mess, we press against the day's window to see if good fortune might be making a delivery on our street; perhaps at our door?

Hold up!

News better than winning the lottery is here! Mankind did not begin with original sin but with original glory. We were created in, with, and for extravagant beauty. All were ideal.

John Eldredge wrote, I daresay we've heard a bit about original sin, but not nearly enough about original glory, which comes before sin and is deeper to our nature. We were crowned with glory and honor. Why does a woman long to be beautiful? Why does a man hope to be found brave? Because we remember, if only faintly, that we were once more than we are now. The reason you doubt there could be a glory to your life is because that glory has been the object of a long and brutal war.

You need to be informed there is something directly wonderful about you....really. It may be buried deeply within; but it is present. There is a major power to your character (when too often we obsess over a major flaw). You possess a strength inbred from original glory. Jesus knows exactly how to shine the light on your light.

You are an original in glory. Begin to think like it, talk like it, and walk like it. You are a winner!

WHITEY-TIDY CHURCH

I guess there will always be continual debate as to church style.  Conservatives and liberals, in the name of our viewpoint is most accurate, gee and haw over how the church should be and what it should believe.  Meanwhile the communities continue to drive by us unaware of our existence.

After a few years on the stages and in the trenches, I toss in my opinion as to what helps us be the church Jesus is building.  We must leave our padded pews and our diner lunches for the messy world of the broken-hearted....and touch them. 

This is as clear and discernible distinction.  Many claim to "go by the Bible".  Far fewer dare traipse out into the corners of delinquency and danger to bandage the shattered hearts and minds of the neighborhood.  Enemies of Jesus sit upon their pious conviction that this congregation is the best one and that one is the worst one while their best kingdom motion is to sit, sip, and contribute when the plates pass by. 

Comments and opinions are abundant.  Going by the Bible is forte.  Yet, to actually wade into the world of a homeless person, put them into one's car (stink and all), and drive them for a meal is.....well it hasn't happened for some in the church for 40 or 50 years.  There just wasn't anyone in need.  But give us that sermon on the Good Samaritan and we have heard the Bible preached one more time!

Jesus isn't establishing a whitey-tidy church.  All congregations and all believers will find the real world of God's kingdom open when our comparative evaluation of religion diminishes and exercise of feeding, clothing, and housing the poor escalates. 

Wanna see a church come alive?  Invite the poor.  Sit with the poor.  Love the poor.  There one will find the Spirit of Christ....right where he has always been.

CAN LEADERS BE LONERS?

Not only can leaders be loners....we must be.

This is a stunning revelation to me; one who felt compelled to always be with people.  Once again, God had to remodel my approach.  Loneliness just feels so....lonely.  But....

....when you watch Jesus one can't help but note the amount of time he spent alone with the Father.  In the wilderness, on the sea, at the garden; time after time Jesus was alone.  Why?  In that zone leadership is constructed, fueled, and launched.

Calvin Miller makes an astute observation referencing leaders often are recluses.  Are they not slow social mixers?  Yes, all too often leaders are loners.  Lincoln, it is said, walked at midnight and in his loneliness grieved American division and plotted reunion.  We can see in the life of Jesus that Gethsemane was more than the garden of his passion.  It was a daily principle.  Jesus Himself withdrew because only as He created loneliness did His life among people have any content.

Must it always be this way?  I think so.  A friend of mine once said that you cannot help people if you're always with people.

Once again God strikes the reality chord which sounds out of tune to the flesh ear.  Glad-handers and pep- talkers aren't leaders unless each has first spent time...significant time....alone in Spirit listening to the Father.  Shallowness plagues all of us who desire to lead if our emphasis is upon popularity of the people rather than a pension for His insight.

Can leaders be loners?  From experience as well as study I am convinced we can't be an effective leader without it.

ANOTHER GUEST WRITER....REGARDING THE TULSA WORKSHOP!

“Hi, my name is Trey, and I’m addicted to the Tulsa Workshop.” Wow, I’m glad I got that off my chest.

I’ve been attending the Tulsa Workshop since I was a teen, and I find it amazing that it only gets better every year. The Workshop is one of the “don’t miss” highlights of my year and here are a few reasons why …

* The speakers are top-notch. There are such a wide variety of speakers who come to challenge me, encourage me and point me in the direction of the cross. When it comes to choosing a class, there is always something for everyone. In fact, the hard part is trying to choose between 4 or 5 really good classes and speakers that are all going on at the same time. The lessons that the speakers provide give me the spiritual feast and encouragement I need.

* The worship is heavenly. Wow, it’s hard for words to describe the worship that takes place during evening sessions in the Pavilion. I love hearing thousands of people lifting their voices in praise to their Father in heaven. I often think to myself during this worship time, “Wow, if our worship can be this amazing on earth, just think how amazing it’s going to be in heaven.” I love our worship at the Workshop, and I love being led to the Father during this powerful worship.

* The fellowship is priceless. I’m amazed every year at the Workshop just how many of my old friends show up. I know that I’m going to get to spend four days hugging necks, visiting and rekindling old friendships with people that I only get to see in Tulsa. It seems that the workshop has become “the place” to gather from all over the planet for a week of fellowship with old friends, and I wouldn’t miss that for the world.

If you haven’t been to the workshop in a while, I suggest adding it to your calendar for next year. Once you do, it will quickly become a “don’t miss” highlight of your year too. Before you know it, you’ll also be confessing, “Hi, my name is ____________, and I’m addicted to the Tulsa Workshop.”

RESURRECTION POWER

Have you ever wondered how Lazarus felt upon his grand return? Fearful? Choking on words so fast he could not get his thoughts out? Did he talk incessantly about his experience or was he more mellow with few chosen expressions?

I think we know how he felt. We feel the same way when we get to start life over day by day. That "day by day" thing of being renewed isn't a slogan for children. It is for His grown up children.

How many times I sit with colleagues stumped by the day's stresses among us. Not only is it difficult; sometimes it seems impossible. Enter resurrection power...ours....II Cor.13:4.

Why would we need resurrection power directed toward us? Would it be because we live among the deadest and deadness of effort and exertion? Could it be we far too often run out of our own steam?

Hold on. Hang in there. Life isn't up to us. It is up to Him...Romans 9:16. The brother on the back porch was stumped by the move of the Father toward the Prodigal. No one (on the back porch) would have figured. But the Father knew about something we back porch people don't yet fathom; resurrection power.

Be highly encouraged; especially when you can't figure. God can do for us, to us, and with us what we would never dream of on our own. You are not finished...regardless of how stymied you feel about the church. Resurrection power....something we sometimes forget is at our disposal.

A GUEST WRITER--RE: THE TULSA WORKSHOP

Tulsa Workshop is epic in my spiritual journey. For over twenty years I have made my way to Tulsa for spiritual renewal, inspiration, and fellowship. Each of these years I have encouraged others to participate in this event so that they could experience what I have been enjoying for so long now.

I am certain that there so many things happening behind the scenes that I will never know. My appreciation for the workshop remains immense. It takes a financial commitment that would make the faithless shake in their boots! I do not take the Tulsa Workshop for granted.

There were some logistical changes this year that I thought were an improvement. Beginning the workshop on Wednesday and letting Friday night be the final evening assembly were great changes. The schedule was filled with godly men and women sharing great information. The worship times were energetic and uplifting. I enjoyed hearing some new voices this year. There is a generation of young intelligent articulate speakers that God is growing, and that encourages me. Those who have a little more grey in their hair (or a little less hair) are reminding me that age does not wither faith - it can make it vibrant.

Something tells me, though, that this is not the real heart of the workshop. The workshop needs those things. It's hard to talk about the workshop without talking about these elements. But there is something else that brings it all together.

There is a synergy about the collective of people brought together by such an event. Every person there wants to be there. Every Christian is on a mission to learn more about THE mission! We embrace those we know and love to see them. In unexpected conversations with 'strangers' we share ideas and information around a booth in the Expo. We end up at the dinner table with people we've just met, but with whom we will live forever. Friends introduce us to other friends. Folks we have only known in FaceBook land and Blog world are now flesh and blood! We remember those who are no longer with us. And we leave knowing that our part of God's kingdom is vibrant, alive, interested, smart, and meaningful.

Forget all this talk about the church being irrelevant. Sorry. I just spent a week with some enormously bright people on fire for God. These are the people who make good things happen in their home congregations. These are the people we wish would move to our town and populate our own congregations! These are the people who will sacrifice and give and sweat to see others come to know the Lord.

The Church of Christ is made up of some awesome people!

The surroundings, lessons, worship were great... but the people... wow. You can count on me, Lord willing, to be at Tulsa Workshop in 2011! That's a group of people with whom I always want to be associated.

John Dobbs
Monroe, LA
http://johndobbs.com/

DID YOU THINK YESTERDAY'S QUESTION RATHER FUNNY?

I wanted to hear from two kinds of readers; those who could read the print and those who couldn't.  At this writing the score is 14 to ?.   The score isn't 14-0.  It is 14-?.  If a person can't read the blog they can't read my question to answer it.

So....I feel pretty good that 14 can read it.  I am an amazing fact finder.  I could take political polls, don't you think?  Ah, I move ahead.

Why will so many go to church today that don't much throughout the year?  I think it is a sign of the magnetism of God.  Embedded in mankind is a deep faith that Jesus was and is.  But why display it basically once a year?

Could it be that churches in general have veered from the Jesus path of commitment, sacrifice, and service?  Have we become more of a club to see who fits and who doesn't?  Could it be that those who attend irregularly don't realize it; but their spirits were built for more than attendance and they never got the message of God's real call?

While I (and a religious world of others) have been critical of the two-time-a-year attenders, it could be that our programs as well as ritualism have dulled their good senses.  I just might be that the reason these masses aren't with us Sunday after Sunday is their spirits crave a deeper relationship than what churches offer.  Maybe, too, they just don't know what ought to be....but feel church isn't it.

For certain, believers will come out of the woodwork this morning and I, for one, am thrilled.  May they serve as a reminder that there is much faith upon our land.  May we awaken to a new sobriety as to how to connect these believing hearts to authentic kingdom activity.

Happy Easter!

TALK TO ME

Dear reader,

I have heard from one that this new blog design leaves the article itself unreadable.

Would you do me a favor? Click on "comment" and tell me if you can or can't read the script clearly.

Thanks much,
Terry

FAILURE: YOURS, MINE, AND OURS

We have a very big problem. It is us!

While ambitions run high and desire to do well runs deep, we constantly bump and bruise one another.

Disappointing others, to me, is much tougher than being disappointed. Ah, and I've had so much practice.

My old life was one of pouting, not speaking, or maybe both. I was my own ferocious and unforgiving enemy. I could not drop it...I would not drop it. The rewind button was forever at my disposal so "Play the sorry tape again, Terry" would be obliged.

But forgiveness came along. Forgiveness, just in case you wondered, is an ideal fit for failure; yours, mine, and ours. It has an elasticity which is remarkably ideal. Marriages are saved by it. Churches recover with it. And, friendships survive because of it.

Forgiveness is the Jesus-word that sabatoges failure. It sinks the titanical press to refuse to drop all charges; yours, mine, and ours.

The next time you catch yourself enraptured in the process of worshipping God, be sure to thank Him for that replacement word....for you, me, and us.

THE ENORMOUSLY HUGE TEAM

I once worked from my Terry-island. My world was small; I'm speaking as a minister in the church. Operations consisted upon what I could see and what I had the energy to exert.

But Jesus has radically upset that old world. I've learned the hard way that others know much more than I. It has been clear that God is quite capable of working without my assistance; but I have no effort that will stand the stress of effectiveness unless He opts to be involved.

As Jesus said, so am I....without the Father I can do nothing.

The new world is so much more exciting because God can/is doing what I don't have the capacity to acknowledge. This truth has helped me to relax. I can be at ease with my own failures by stepping up with confidence for the next project without beating myself down. God runs the show. I only thought I did...and I was wrong.

We are a part of an enormous team. God calls it His body. Works go on throughout all seven continents by His mercy and grace. I am wowed...simply wowed...that I get to be a part of the body that radiates light to all the world!

Good for us! Good for God! Partners...just like He said...II Corinthians 6:1.

SLOW DOWN...ROME WASN'T BURNT IN A DAY

Ah, that title isn't exactly right is it? However, I speak a word to all church leaders, all business leaders, all family leaders; slow down.

One of the things that made me sick in my early years was trying to keep up with the fickle demands of church members. So many wanted me to jump at their call at their convenience. Me? I hopped for I was a "good" minister who really cared.

Add to that I traveled a lot; too much for a young man. I was off inspiring the church to save the world. But one day I heard someone reference a very famous preacher among us and he said, "You know his kids left the church, right?" No. I was clueless....and it greatly disturbed me.

I made immediate changes. I cancelled workshop keynotes. I began to go to my kids' games regularly. My target was that when I get done with ministry there would also be my three in the mix. And....God has blessed.

This quote was sent today, "This is a difficult subject for me to write about, but over the years, the [Billy Graham Evangelistic Association] and the Team became my second family without my realizing it," Graham recalled in his autobiography, Just As I Am. "Ruth says those of us who were off traveling missed the best part of our lives—enjoying the children as they grew. She is probably right. I was too busy preaching all over the world.

"Only Ruth and the children can tell what those extended times of separation meant to them. For myself, as I look back, I now know that I came through all those years much the poorer both psychologically and emotionally. I missed so much by not being home to see the children grow and develop. The children must carry scars of those separations too."

Coincidentally, I visited with a friend just this week who is a preacher's kid. He spoke in resentment of how his dad was never around.

So listen, all of us who are leaders are highly conscientious about being responsible to those who pay our way. But we need to be encouraged to say the two-letter word very clearly--NO--when any press to get us to give them more favor than our children.

Yes, they will say ugly things about us. Furthermore, they won't be around when our grown children crater....for they truly care less. Our children are our responsibilities and we want to do the best we can. None of us are ideal at this role. But time spent in attentiveness is always a right thing to do.

KEEPING A PROPER PERSPECTIVE

It might be that one of my bigger gaffs in ministry is to assume I knew how to do church better; better than a neighboring congregation or better than another preacher, etc. I really did believe that if all would do church my way it would flow quite nicely. Big wrong!

Two men were praying in the temple; so says the Bible. One was spouting comparative excellence over the other standing a few feet away in prayer. The second one was simply full of admission; he wasn't much.

The Bible goes on to say the latter was accepted by God and the former rejected.

In our ambition to be good preachers, elders, or congregations, we must guard against a malfunctioning perspective that will leave us in the dust of all those others who make humble progress. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.

Regardless of who we are or who we think we are, humility is the narrow road and few seem to find it. Should ego prevail over what we study, who we know, where we serve, or how well we have done, at those moments we short-sheet our participation in the kingdom of God.

God can use all of us as long as we praise Him for the supply and the harvest. Jesus said he could do nothing without the Father....and neither can we. So it would be best if we not talk as if we can.

To Him be the glory.

GROWING IN CERTAINTY

The more we are around, the more God shows His hand.

I marvel.

I marvel at how much God is displaying His handiwork among us. So much wonder abounds that our conversations--whether verbal, twitter, email, or phone--cannot keep up. His work is too rapid-fire for efficient reporting.

If you want to turn a church around, resist complaining about how bad our culture is and begin telling about God working. If you want to see spirits resurrected, avoid measuring with what the eyes can see and begin talking about what the heart can believe.

Little people complain. The small in faith fret. I know. I lived at the end of those streets at the corner of Complaint and Fret. No longer. That address won't fly.

We want to discuss God working. We want to live at the corners of Faith and Hope. We believe....even when there are no signs of provision....we keep believing.

I am impressed. So many there are who believe God works. That number is growing. The discussion isn't regarding whether miracles have ceased. The winds have shifted. The topic is now that God does wonders among His very common people.

Tell your children God works....and then show them some of His quilts. See if they don't stay around the church in their later years because the lingo made faithful adjustment.

THE DAY LIZ PENCE ROARED

Liz Pence strode into Tulsa to roar....well really for three days....at the Tulsa Workshop. She is fantastic.

She is a typical wonder-story of God. Her messages are so freshly-spirited some want to call her Paulette resembling the passion of her counterpart; the apostle Paul. Liz is that persuasive.

Liz hasn't always roared with such presentation strength. Until most recently, she struggled mightily to deliver without wear and tear of her nerves. A friend observed her stressful efforts a few months back and offered a couple of ideas.

What is interesting about Liz is she is as moldable in the Spirit as she is convicting in her teachings. Liz is the true heart of a servant; she simply wants to do it kingdomly well.

John 3:8 insists one led by the Spirit is one who must be graciously moldable. If we are Spirit-filled we are to be flexible. Adjustments are for us to be as turning on a dime. Not all of us can do this well. I'm just now learning.

But Liz did it. She made necessary adjustments, came to Tulsa, and let out the most wonderful roar in the Spirit! She has always been fantastic and is becoming even more fantasticker!

And you...you will do well as will I to be like roaring Liz...to grow in the ability to change all we can from rigidity to pliability. This isn't easy. It is why it takes the Holy Spirit of God to work it into us.

Practice it. Try it. Begin to roar!

WORKSHOP...RAVE REVIEWS!

I don't know what to say or how to start. To say the workshop was wonderful would be like saying feeding the 5000 was wonderful. That just wouldn't quite do it.

Something is going on among God's people. There is a healthy stirring of His Spirit that has been building for several years now. Last year was evident. This year? More so.

First, my hat's off to my two colleagues and friends, Jason Thornton and Shane Coffman. They knew workshop ropes beforehand. Now they know deeper interruption and ache and distraction that goes on when in this role that most would never assume. Because these two are so extremely capable I was able to sit back for 365 full days and enjoy being brimmed full of pride in these two. They didn't let us down. I respect both and esteem them highly.

A positive difference in the workshop is the shift from taking on the works of the church from the flesh to engaging in the many opportunities via Spirit involvement. Class teacher after class teacher came to town to say the very same thing; "Listen to what God is doing where I live." The workshop was all about God.

McLaughlin, Frase, and Cope.......three strong keynotes, three arousing messages...all about God working.

For the first time in years, all of our booths were sold out. Our main problem is due to having left the huge QuikTrip Center due to cost, our classrooms are not large enough in some cases to accommodate the crowds. Thus, we have work to do.

Next year's theme is "LET THE CHAINS FALL AWAY". Randy Harris, Rick Atchley and I will be evening keynoters. Dusty Rush, Jason Thornton, and Jonathan Storment will be the 11:00 a.m. keynoters.

Finally, after being involved in the workshop for so long I can tell it isn't losing momentum. Here are a few comments I heard as I moved about the reunion:

1. "I would die without this workshop" (a preacher from Enid)
2. "My deacon and I stayed up to 2:30 this morning dreaming about our work back home." (a preacher here for the first time)
3. "I've seen people here that I haven't seen here in 30 years."
4. "I don't know what's going on here. I've been gone about ten years. But everyone is so much kinder to each other. They seem happier."
5. "We have to have a gathering like this to just hear of possibilities. I love this workshop."
6. (sobbing uncontrolably) "I've been an elder for 31 years. I've been here the last six. I need this event so much. Don't ever quit."
7. "We've had more traffic through booths this year than last."

SHE CALLED IT HER BLESSING FROM GOD

I have this dear friend named Joneal Kirby. We are never in touch throughout any year. Our only relationship is when coming across one another at a workshop here and there. Yet, we share one of those intimate bonds in the Spirit as dear friends that you just wouldn't trade anything in the world for it.

Joneal is one of those gals gifted in beauty. She simply is very pretty...and she can't help it.

As we talked at her booth at the workshop yesterday, I noticed something new. She has a fresh 4" scar on her right cheek. I started to avoid the discussion, but I love her so I inquired. "What's this about?"

"This?" "Oh, that's my blessing from God."

Three weeks ago a surgeon removed a cancerous tumor from the middle of her pretty face. And do you know what? Joneal is still beautiful....really.

But what I love most about our conversation is what I love most about my friend. Her faith in God is stronger than her awareness of her make-up arrangement. She praised God with her life before this occasion. Now she uses this to praise Him even more.

That's what I love about what's going on in the kingdom right now. His children are ever-learning to give Him praise for ALL things.

She called her new scar embedded upon her cheek her a blessing from God. Jesus told Thomas his new scars in the center of each hand was his blessing from God. Be encouraged....visible scars are a believer's faith tatoo!

Joneal, my friend, your scar is a blessing to me from God. Thanks for sharing it.

HOUSTON....WE HAVE LIFT OFF!

The Tulsa Workshop officially opened last night. The only reason I am writing an article today is I'm to meet with 15 preachers in 20 minutes for an Early Bird special in my office.

Last night was huge!

Don McLaughlin was as good as ever and with good reason. All he did was report on God working. I've said it before and will say it again, there is magic in simply telling about what God is doing among His people.

Don's message was thrilling and inspiring as it was filled with God's continued handiwork.

Here we go into a full day! Hurray for us!

WHEN GOD TALKS TO US

Experiencing God is a relatively new thing for several in the Churches of Christ. While we have been sincere in our approach, we have chosen to steer clear of anything which could toss us into the salad bowl of questionable position. In other words, we have chosen a doctrine of safety which was never authorized by scripture.

As we wade into the deep waters of the kingdom there will be gigantic opportunities to need to weigh what we know of God against what we have secretly vowed to always believe. Whether we like it, our vows will always be challenged by God Himself.

One of the things we have learned not to say is "God talks to me". This could be viewed as an imaginary radical who can't prove what he or she claims. Thus we toss God out with the bath water and rely only on some of those verses we see in print with flesh eyes; but cannot dare allow ourselves to view by faith with eyes of the heart...Eph. 1:18

God talks with me. He works with me. He promised He would.

I heard Jim Cymbala reference God talking to Him when he shaves. Same here. Often He has things to say to me as soon as I awaken and I haven't begun to think about anything...He shows up. This morning was no exception.

As soon as I realized I was awake, He was giving me His ideas about something I was preparing for Saturday's class at the workshop. It was something in scripture I had never thought of. I didn't think of it on my own for I didn't know it. He spoke the ideas to me.

Why we are so gun-shy about this...I get. We don't want to appear to be.....believers. We want to have a respectable building to attend while we complain to the religious community it isn't the church (people are) and we are quick to correct any who would reference our preachers as reverend.

But to acknowledge we experience God is simply over the edge for some. It seems hocusly pocus so we reign in any hint of actually carrying on any interaction with the invisible world and the invisible God.

Jas. 1:5 declares if we lack wisdom go to the invisible bank of heaven and ask for some. Jas. 3:13-18 says the Teller will send it right on down. Ah, how we trip up on looking respectably Christian without the involvement of the Christ. A very strange doctrine we have forged which never came from God nor the Word He sent down.

God talks to us. Mock it if you like. If you don't believe He does....then, for you, I doubt He does.

A TALK WITH LYNN ANDERSON

I had a nice visit with Lynn today. He is battling cancer big-time. I would imagine a great number of friends keep snail-mail, email, facebook, and phone lines hopping.

He is such a joy. While having been very ill for the past few weeks, it isn't so bad at the moment.

He told me he would like for me to pray for two things:
1. His ability to speak at Pepperdine in May.
2. And, his ability to face what may be coming at him health-wise.

I pondered those two questions. Upon further discussion I told him I would only be able to pray for the second; not the first. He wanted to know why not the first. Because, I said, you and I are speaking at the same time. We both laughed. Then he told me in that case he might pray that I get sick!

Lynn is a good man; a great friend to many. I shared with him he would either get well or he would die and be well. He laughed at the truth of such a comment.

When you think of it, remember Carolyn and him.

ELDERS: SHEPHERDS OR CHURCH AUTHORITARIANS?

Tim and I were driving down the street yesterday discussing our Monday morning meetings; staff with elders from 6:30 to 8:00 (or whenever Jason takes a breath and we can all dart out the door). Tim remarked at our elders being so rich.

Rich they are and; thus, rich we are as a church. Our four are so incredible it makes me think of God's "joy inexpressible". How can you define joy inexpressible. How can one describe the flourishing leadership of these men....especially when they are basically unaware of it.

We love our shepherds for they are neither pale wimps nor deputy sheriffs for Jesus. They don't rule by command; but they lead by humble partnership. The church doesn't live in the wings waiting on permission from the elders. The elders don't like and don't want that role.

Who decides the Bible class material for the adults and the children? Not the elders. They never see it. Who scans the songs for worship and the notes for the sermons? Not the elders; it isn't their job.

Who looks our members in the eye to listen to their latest med need or their most recent celebration? The shepherds do. Who sends emails to the church staff with boosting encouragement? The shepherds do. Who visibly doesn't panic in times of trial? Who permeates the flock with attentive eyes and supportive hugs? Our elders.

Elders of old once worked from the office of control. Too many still live there for they just know best....their mistaken opinion. What divides a shepherd from an authoritarian? I think it is whether one wants to be a learner of the Word or a preserver of it.

The former hungers for God to fill his heart and shoes. The latter lives a picky life of irritation and bossy-buttness that keeps the cowardly in the church content and safe while frustrating those who wish to live in the freedom of the Spirit.

For all elders, hear me say we believe in God's ordained role for quality men. Whether you like it, you set the tone of your congregation: living in constant fear or thriving in glorious appreciation. Your heart sets the beat for the church's heart.

Give His flock room to explode in wonders!

DON'T BE DISHEARTENED

The kingdom of God is the funnest thing on earth. It is equally treacherous. While we are engaged in works that bring dead things to life, we are also involved in a system that requires us to die to ourselves day after day after day. We will do better in our work as we can remember the latter.

Don't be discouraged when things don't go right. Either someone has a better idea or God is using this temporary disappointment to train us to endure....or both.

I've been full of good ideas over the years. Truthfully I've been just as full of baloney. Dreamers are sometimes better at imagining than instigating the success of the imagination. Don't quit dreaming for God and for people. I'm not running dry of bright ideas.

However, I am learning through experience to sow seed in confidence and wait on God for the crop. If not careful we will tend to microwave our dreams; see them crop up immediately.

I've learned to plant seed just as He said; then water and till. I love God-surprises and when He causes works to bear fruit five and twenty-five years later? Well....it is back to the fun again!

We will always be challenged to believe all of the Bible. Ours isn't the call to be liberal or conservative for both groups include the cowards and the doubters. Ours is to believe God when everything in front of our eyes would tend to disbelieve.

Don't be disheartened about anything. God works. We believe......and that is our work...John 6:29.

WEEK OF WORKSHOP!

This is it! The big week! What we have all been waiting for! The Tulsa Workshop!

I've already received a letter complaining of the name change; that Soul Winning has been removed.

Be encouraged, while the words Soul and Winning are legally removed from the title, the emphasis has not been lifted a gnat's size. Consider the new name, The Tulsa Workshop (Inspiring the Church to See the World with the Eyes of Jesus). What could be more international than "World", more motivational to go than "Inspiring" and more sensitive to lost souls than "the Eyes of Jesus"?

Through the years I receive many complaints that "Soul Winning" or "Evangelism" isn't listed in more classes. There is a reason. Everything we do, my opinion, is for the purpose of soul winning; I am an evangelist and evangelism is how I think.

My three kids are in ministry; Wendy is a secretary for the North Atlanta Church of Christ, Dusty is the pulpit guy at the University Church in Conway, Arkansas, and Tim is a missionary in Guadalajara. What would you guess was one of the greatest impacts in their young upbringing at the workshop? Acappella concerts!

Sermons from Cline Paden and Mid McKnight? Soul winning classes at the workshop by Jimmy Allen or Charles Hodge? No, the Acappella concerts and church camps and sleepovers and stuff teens do. But the body combined in all of its actions and events count as grooming all of our people to be soul winners.

The lectures at ACU and Pepperdine are soul winning events while little label signals such. The refreshment of the Word, worship, and fellowship at these places are very much evangelistic and soul winning.

So this is the week of workshop! Let not your hearts be troubled. Good things will go on from children's Bible Hour, to classes for the deaf, to motivational sermons by hyper preachers....and all of it will contribute to the winning of wonderful people presently buried in darkness.

This is a privileged week and I am thrilled, still, to be a part of an event that has both Jesus and the world in mind.

SO MUCH WONDER GOING ON

I am grateful to be in the kingdom of God. It is fascinating to watch Him....to expect Him....to work.

We are in a wonder-full time right now at Memorial Drive. The area around our property is decaying. Businesses and churches have opted to move into a nicer, safer part of town. Streets in our vicinity are good for the wheel alignment business. They are so rough they have put the rumble-seat back into all cars that travel them.

Everywhere we turn slack and sloppiness is seen on the increase. Neighbors are letting their houses and lawns suffer from lack of attention. Incomes in the area slide while attendees at the nearby casinos increase.

And yet...and yet...our people are naturally engaged in such a social climate of need. The work at nearby Lindbergh elementary gives just the right place for some of our members to engage their faith wares. Others find great opportunity to serve in the food pantry. They don't just hand out bags of groceries. These servants sit in private with every person who passes through to check on their needs and pray over/with them.

More and more are sitting with us on Sunday mornings and now serve beside us in community projects. We are called to be at the right place at the right time. Few among us are disengaged. From the wealthy to the middle class to the poor among us...everyone is so excited to be used by God that He be glorified for His work among us!

I can't explain what's happening to and for and with this congregation. It is remarkable. Nothing would be possible apart from God. We have no earthly heroes or icons. We simply have people that believe Him; whether the going is good or bad, we believe He calls us to His work.

So much wonder is going on. I don't know how God does that....but I pray He won't cut us off or shut us out. This is what we've dreamed about...and I really believe He is just getting us started.

SO YOU AREN'T IDEAL

So you realize every day you are not ideal.

Take a good stab at it. Who do you think is ideal?

Mike Cope?

Nope.

Randy Harris?

Ah, nope.

Jeannine Reese?

Nope.

Keith Lancaster? Rick Atchley? Truitt Adair?

Nope. Nope. Nope.

No one is ideal. Only Jesus is. So how do we function? We pool our gifts and pray He use us.

I met with a man this morning borderline homeless. In a few more days, I would guess such is his destination. I've helped him a couple of times in recent months with gas money.

He can't find work. He's a humble sort. I believe his story.

When he sat in my office this morning I listened to his case. When he finished I told him two things:

1. I would give him the money he needed. I had more than he needed in my billfold and it was tucked in there for such an occasion.

2. I told him I wanted him to know something. I wanted him to know that I could see he was a valuable man. I expressed that when one can't find work and then they have to go into a church to scrape up money, one is possibly going to assume themselves useless.

I went on to tell him it didn't matter if he ever showed back up at this church but I wanted him to get to some church so that the unique gift God had buried in him could be shared. I told him God's people need him.

Be encouraged. None of us are ideal. Our flaws glare at times. But we have the God-element in us enough to see the value in one another and in strangers. Speak up. People who are down on themselves need to run into others who see that some sense of goodness remains in them.

ACCEPTED? REJECTED? WHICH AM I...REALLY?

There is a zone of my world that keeps me perpetually stirred as well as confused. Because I want to be liked, it mostly makes me so sad.

It happened again yesterday. I went to a funeral of a dear friend. I left so yo-yoed.

At funerals I always encounter dear friends who left Memorial so upset with me they could no longer worship with me. While they had their circle of sympathetic friends, I was left holding the message of total and stinging rejection; "I was so bad they could no longer accept nor tolerate me." Their message was clear to any who wanted to listen to their laundry list of my failures.

But at funerals...now...I appear to delight them?

Which am I? Am I wicked or am I wonderful? I've received both messages from the same people in strong terms.

I really like it that they "seem" to like me, but my history can't decipher if such is a front because of their stark distancing themselves years earlier. This really confuses me. I don't know if I am visiting a regained friend or a pseudo friend who is simply acting the part for public display.

Any of you feel these pangs? I don't' feel critical of any of these. I feel awkward every time. Which one are they really talking to; the rejected me or the accepted me?

I'm sure that many of you who have mastered maturity can easily see through this screen door. I nearly make myself believe I can....until I run into them again. I love them a lot or I wouldn't care, I guess. I really loved them when they were at this congregation. But, they made their harsh statements years ago and I still don't know how to read them now.

BLINDSIDED BELIEVERS

Christians walk on a rug which is constantly being pulled out from under them. This is designed to keep believers staggering near the center-line of unbelief. For example, consider how the carnal world has warped God's forceful theme of giving. It is mocked on purpose to influence others to no longer believe in one of God's greatest truths. The world is robbed because giving has been so ingenuously maligned.

There is another truth we have lost. Once again we are blindsided by giving such assumption credence. That truth being given away to darkness is whether God does speak to His people directly. He very much does; but so many want to claim this as a modern-day hoax.

What? God talks to you? If you believe He does, have you ever been tempted to keep that little twist to yourself? Mockery abounds...in the blindsided church.

Yes. God speaks to me. I seek Him and He answers. Why else would I pray? Is it not silly to go through the motions of Christian prayer with the understanding He isn't going to respond? When there is no communication between two, there is no relationship. For those who are in the church simply as Hell insurance, this non-speaking relationship is quite adequate. Yet, for those of us engaged in His work, we no longer accept the lie that God has been mute for 2000 years.

His Bible says we are co-laborers with Him. How does that work without talking? Sign language? We do the talking and He serves us and our motions in silence?

Didn't James urge God's children to seek wisdom; to ask for it? Didn't he also write that such wisdom will be delivered coming down from heaven? Wouldn't wisdom out of heaven be answers to our questions?

How does He sound? While I'm no expert, I am an experiencer of His voice. The best I can describe it is He gives me ideas; His ideas. He is steady with the supply. I once built my messages on my own research steam. Now, and for a long time, I have continued my diligent study of the Word and coupled it with seeking direction from Him.

When I stumble badly then the doubters are ready with their mocking posters declaring God does not do as I say. More rug pulling. Satan has always tried to blind believers by accusing others in their failure.

So awaken to the truth of God based on God and not on human learners. God loves to engage with His people in the greatest show on earth....His kingdom. Try to avoid being blindsided by what you think is respectable and middle-of-the-road doctrine.

God has a voice and He uses it.

Listen.

WHAT IF YOU WONDERED IF YOU COULD?

I've always been a dreamer.

As a first-grader, my parents had little money from the 120 acre farm on which we lived. So I built from scrap lumber a homemade John Deere tractor. Oh, I guess I drove that tractor all over the county...in my mind. The teachers were always impressed as I came pulling into the school driveway on my imagined John Deere A. What astounded them about me....in my mind....was I was only six.

As a new Christian at age 22 I imagined standing before thousands to tell them about how the Bible really had seriously good news for all. I could envision the thrill of hearts exploding with thoughts of "I never knew that!"

Imagination is a wonderful thing. More wonderfully, it is a powerful factor in the Christian make-up. God is in on the concept. As a matter of fact He said that whatever we stir up in the imagination, He will trump! That' pretty impressive for we have the ability to imagine many glorious things.

So what if you were to wonder if you could do great things....greater things than He has allowed you to accomplish thus far? Could you walk across the street for a cup of coffee and buy a stranger his or hers? Or could you fly off to Uganda and build a village well? Could you write a book? Create a feature film? Pray for a stranger on a park bench?

Ah...you surely can wonder. Father says if you wonder He will do more even according to the power that is in us. God isn't half done with the remarkable. Brilliance and radiance and overjoy are poised for the showering upon us.

It is up to us to step into His way. What if you wondered if you could? I say explosive marvel would come about. Don't be held back by the things you see. Move by faith into the substance of things not seen. God is there....and so is your effective wonder!

"SUFFERING 101"........ENROLL NOW

"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation."

Just how difficult is it to serve in the kingdom of God? Painfully excruciating. Yet, suffering is so the style of Jesus and we followers that there is no alternative. We either endure or we quit.

Endurers become a source of salvation to others; right on schedule with Jesus' walk. Quitters sit; but they don't offer salvation to anyone from where they have plopped.

Recall Paul's shipwrecked, abandoned, and stranded tirade? What was he also if not a source of eternal salvation?

I had to enter the same process if I was to become a source. I've been threatened with being fired, written up, preached against, endured the murder of a family member, conducted a granddaughter's funeral, experienced my house being robbed nine times and my office about six, and failed personally and miserably at one effort after another. Yet, to endure such is to go to school.

Suffering 101 is that unique class that few are willing to elect. Too many abort the process by dropping out.

Suffering 101 is a kingdom necessity. Peter urged that we not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among us as if some strange thing were happening. Struggle isn't strange; it is essential.

If you want to develop a peace and calm you will most likely do it through the Jesus-trail....suffering. The good new is those who attend the course are used by God to offer eternal salvation to those nearby.

How exciting is that?

GIVE EVERYONE AN "A"

Benjamin Zander wrote, "Michelangelo is often quoted as having said that inside every block of stone or marble dwells a beautiful statue; one need only remove the excess material to reveal the work of art within. If we were to apply this visionary concept to education, it would be pointless to compare one child to another. Instead, all the energy would be focused on chipping away at the stone, getting rid of whatever is in the way of each child's developing skills, mastery and self-expression."

The reason Zander mentions this is he noticed the anxiety of his graduate students at the New England Conservatory. At the beginning of the semester he announced all students got an A. The results were nearly miraculous. The students responded to one who believed in them beyond performance. He had thrust them into a free world of possibility.

Has not God done the same for us? Has He not declared we all get an A for choosing Jesus as our Savior? Has God not been wonderfully clear He loved us before we were to the extent He sent His own son? Do we not get it? We've been saved, not on the basis of performance; but on the basis of the best tool of possibility...love.

So could it be we will see our world function in greater prosperity if we will give our spouses, children, public figures, and colleagues an A? What potential every region of society has if we can see past the unchiseled into the completed beautiful product called living beings. We are most blessed to get to be us. And we are each much better when hanging around those who apparently believe in us.

Have a good week by making someone else's even better. Give them an A....by simply believing into them what they can become.

TULSA WORKSHOP....NEXT WEEK!

We at Memorial Drive love March! I'm still thrilled to be a part of one of the high energy and impactive events on earth! It is too exciting!

Jason Thornton and Shane Coffman are directing the event this year. I have complete confidence in their eager leadership.

You'll note some new twists this year which I believe will be a big plus. For one, you'll note round tables with chairs on the floor of the Pavilion more conducive to class settings. A big move, though, is the initial gathering at the Pavilion on Wednesday night for the kickoff of the entire workshop.

Couple new speakers to the Tulsa scene like Al Maxey, Kim Pyles, Kyler Erwin, and others with Don McLaughlin, Rick Atchley, old Marvin Phillips, etc. and we've got a tremendous program on our hands.

I look forward to having First Day back in concert Friday evening. There is a special singing group Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights at 6:00 so get ready for singing great strong praises to God.

The workshop concludes Saturday afternoon at 5:00. And then....I really look forward to speaking alongside two of my heroes Sunday morning at our 9:00 a.m. (and only service that morning) assembly. They are great guys and I always love to listen in on what God is doing with their hearts. Their names? Dusty and Tim Rush!

See you in Tulsa!

THE AWE AND SIMPLICITY OF HIS MYSTERY

What kind of garden would you like? Full of vegetables? Only flowers and shrubs? Mostly vegetables with a rim of flowers? So what will you have? Whatever you plant.

Life in the kingdom is about planting. We plant our future crops. The Bible says the result is what we plant; one doesn't plant corn and get cucumbers.

So what kind of garden do you wish to live? If friends, be a friend. Sow friendship. If you don't want friends, don't sow it because that is what you will get. Money? Give money away. Sow money. Health? Sow hours at the gym; you'll have better health.

So much of life is not dependent upon destiny nor coincidental breaks. It is based on a very simply principle; what we sow we reap.

Whether you would like peace, leadership, encouragement, or world vision, if you plant the seeds to such you will begin to see the garden of the same. While life in Christ is a hyper-mystery for us to stand in awe, there are many things we can anticipate if we will but note the simplicity of His mystery.

BREATHE LIFE INTO A FATIGUED HEART

Yes, we (okay, "are" should go right here...but I was "busy" and missed it) all busy. We are up to our eyeballs in busy. Our world is dizzy with calendarific appointments. And what person among you isn't short on hours for any week? We must work with care to operate at a pace in stride with God's opportunities. Otherwise, our own steam will soon evaporate and we will pull over to the side of the road to rust.

I love this work!

I just sent a note off to an elder inquiring about a young preacher as to the potential of being a possible fit with their congregation. I'm happy to do it.

Every week I gladly talk with young preachers around the nation and on foreign sites. I feel compelled to give them priority every where I can. And, I have good reason.

I received the same as a young man (and still do). I had men who were busier than me stop what they were doing to share nuggets of kingdom gold. Philip Yancey, Marvin Phillips, Max Lucado, and others have been nothing but encouraging to one who knew too little to be in this position.

When our family hit a tragedy, I called my friend Chuck Swindoll. He was in a board meeting and the receptionist properly declined my call. But when I told her who I was, she already knew from Chuck what was going on. She put me on hold and got him out of their meeting so we could talk. I haven't forgotten his courtesy. Just yesteday I received a two page letter from him advising me on important matters of kingdom life.

So when I learn of one of our soldiers wounded or killed (in spirit) in the line of fire, I am an ambulance driver. Nothing is more valuable to a preacher than the severe pain of hurt. But we all desperately need those who have been trained on the battlefields to stand with us while we bleed.

Jesus did it. He bled. He suffered. He died....and arose. Those like me who are back from the dead can only find it a privilege to cheer the young crop of proclaimers on! And....when I find one who's been charred by the fire, I know I'm dealing with one of God's real men!

I feel committed to these guys for busier than me found time/made time to reach back and breathe new life into a fatigued heart.

(Hmmm....calendarific didn't pass spellcheck. What's up with that?)

"GOD, WOULD YOU TELL ME HOW?"

The one question we deem most important goes unanswered. God goes silent on us.

How?

"God, would you tell me how I am to get through this trial, handle that mess, and endure those frustrations?"

More silence.

God doesn't tell us how; He just tells us He will.

God will take care of us. He gave us His Word....literally.

Look back over your span of God-involvement. How did He get you to this point? How did He arrange for so many right breaks? How did He surround you with such love? How did He pull off those blessings which, looking back, seem like they would never come about?

God goes silent on the "how" for if He were to tip His hand we would try to both mimic and market it. He can't trust us with the explanation of how; but He can trust us with the promise of hope.

He won't tell us how we are going to make the next ten days or ten years; but He is firm in His promise that we will be all right. Should you need a refresher course, read once more Romans 8:28-39. He knows. We win. No circumstances interfere.

MAYBE YOU MIGHT KNOW OF SOMEONE?

Referencing his younger sister who died a few days after birth, my six year old grandson Hayden passed by his mother with the following; "Hey, Mom. I've made something for Ana. You know of anybody going to heaven?"

PREACH CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED

When I graduated from preaching school I didn't believe there was enough material about Jesus to last six good sermons. That is a clear indicator of my enormous immaturity, wouldn't you say?

What is the message of preaching Christ and him crucified? Well it has eternal ramifications as well as perpetual information to be extracted from the most lively Word. But I think the basic message is one of hope.

When I preached in Kahoka for a year, Quincy for two and then moved to Memorial, hope was hardly in my vocabulary. I preached what I thought made me appear "solid" in other preachers' eyes. I wanted to fulfill the role of standing for something and being doctrinally respected.

How much I had to learn!

I wasn't preaching Jesus. I wasn't preaching hope. I was delivering frustration, aggravation, and gloom.

But Jesus changes all of that. We want to be among those who fill every member and visitor with the best news we can muster for their new week. They will hear enough trash and encounter enough pain without our starting their week off with such.

Fill your people...my friends...with good news for such is what we are all about!

TELL ME AGAIN WHAT GOD CAN'T DO

We have secure reason to hope.

One was a coward and schemer and (who would have believed this) he went on to be known as the father of our faith.

One was but a young boy still wet behind the ears and (who would have believed this) yet he faced the Giant when armies wouldn't...and won!

One was a virgin and (who would have believed this) she had God's son.

One was pronounced dead at the scene and (who would have believed this) he came back to life in three days....never to re-die.

One was a spit-fire rebel against the church and(who would have believed this) he became so convicted he was wrong he devoted himself to the cause of Christ so much he wrote more books than any other biblical author...old or new testament.

And just why all of this drama? To persuade us that our God is up for the dramatic! Don't fret. God knows how to get the LifeWork done...right where you live.

PRAYER AVENUES

Prayer is a major factor in the real grunt and grind of kingdom labor. I once thought that wasn't so; but I've changed my mind. We must pray. Otherwise, we are left to shoulder the work on our own. When that happens we burn out for the Father's business must be His business. We must connect to Him.

Two avenues are powerful assistants in my work---our work---at Memorial Drive. The prayer team at Brooklyn Tabernacle and the prayer team at Memorial Drive.

1. Brooklyn Tabernacle (www.brooklyntabernacle.org) is Jim Cymbala's church. They have a 24/7 prayer team. I often shoot them notes of requests for phases of God's work I am approaching.

2. Intercede4u (www.intercede4u@yahoo.com) is Mike Gardner's facilitation at Memorial. Mike is not an up-front guy as far as speaking in front of a class, etc. However, he is an out-front guy in his leadership skill to perpetually and consistently lead a host of members to be in prayer over people and their circumstances.

While you do what you can to pray, I encourage you to tap into such resources as these.

You might want to add your prayer resource via a comment on this post for readers to add to their support.

WHEN IT SEEMS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO HOPE

What should one do when it seems there just is no reason to hope?

Hope! And then hope some more!

We must never give up. Ah, yes we are free to give up on our own efforts and maneuverings, but we never need to give up on the hope in Christ.

I think it is correct to say that hope does not guarantee things go the way we calculate. It does promise God will work in any challenge which will prove to be glory to Him.

When Lazarus died, Martha and Mary were miffed at Jesus because he dallied. Their hope was he would save their brother. It never occurred to them he could raise him from the dead. How much more spectacular!

We often just don't get it. We think we drew the short straw and for some reason His magic just didn't work on our begging prayers. Ah, but His magic always works on our prayers; in our paths. We must see Martha and Mary's lack of vision for who their God was and then place us in their shoes. God knows our needs. Like Jesus hearing the news of Lazarus' death and waiting a couple of days, God hears the news. He knows the dire straights. And He will be activated...in His time on His terms.

When is seems there is little left of hope, think again! We have every reason to hope. God has never been stumped. He has never been out-matched. You can count on Him. You need to know that the worst failures are mirages. He will deliver and He proved it by the empty grave.

Read all about you....Romans 4:17-25!

I OWE JERRY RUSHFORD

About three years ago Jerry Rushford and the Pepperdine Lectures introduced me to what would become an incredibly special new kingdom partner and friend; Liz Pence. What a teacher of His Word!

Liz did a special seminar for us Saturday called Mind MakeOver. It was for both men and women. All were wowed!

What makes Liz so powerful is her lack of power. It is of God; not of her. Her story of abuse, mental illness, abandonment, and attempted suicide were all fruit of her atheistic darkness. But....a big word in her presentations....she was afforded the light of God to shine upon His light within her.

Today? Liz is a megaphone of "look at His glory" as we watch and listen. I don't know when I have listened to the multiple and convincing testimonies of Memorial's members as are being heard from Liz' presentations. She was riveting, effective, and starkly in line with the Powerful Word.

www.hoperevealed.com will lead you to her sight.

For now...we are wonderfully thrilled....and I owe Jerry Rushford!

BELIEF ISN'T JUST A WORD

The human terrain is remarkable. Who can encounter the abundant information about our make-up? The scientists and the philosophers continue to dig out brand new information which yet staggers our understanding.

Add to that the incredible format of a belief system. Faith is a strange bird. Life truly responds to this concept. What one believes is weirdly powerful. If one believes they will fail at an attempt; often such is the case. However, if success is believed, this too seems to be the actuality.

Therefore, we must check our belief system to see that we don't try to drive through life with the emergency brake on. Too, we are challenged to develop a belief system which can virtually operate under God's natural laws of His Holy Spirit.

Faith is convicted of things that aren't yet because it has an intentional hope in the unseen. This keeps a body ambitiously active.

Belief isn't just a word; it is a life pattern. What we believe often proves to come about; whether we think we can or we think we can't.....we are right.

IF THIS WOULD HELP YOUR CONGREGATION

I am wired to hope for your work. Some have so much wonder going on, they need little assistance. Others aren't sure if they'll ever escape the darkness which plagues their work. I address the latter.

That which is missing in all struggling works is, of course, the very thing needed; the Holy Spirit. Critics of the activity of the Holy Spirit are both doing dead works and are in great error.

We have all taken our shot at doing the work of God without the Spirit of God. We are frenzied like the 450 prophets of Baal with little fruit to show for it.

Here's what I would do to get a group started regarding the Holy Spirit. I would lead our people to study the Word about Him for He guided the writers. As aids to that study I would recommend three books:

1. Experiencing God by Blackaby and King
2. Empowering the Ordinary, my book
3. Forgotten God by Francis Chan

A mistake churches tend to make is application of effort without the leadership and the sustenance of God. We have taken on the task of the church to the extent that if God were to leave our churches we would look just the same. We have kept Him at bay.

This not only must change....it can....and it is. To believe the Holy Spirit works is not hocusly pocus. It is verified in the Bible. For those who have coasted many decades refusing to accept Holy Spirit activity, they have made a horrendous blunder. God wishes to work among His people. He does so in Spirit form.

May we keep this truth in front of all. The above tools will help if you need.

THE CHURCH'S JOY INHIBITOR

Joy is of the Holy Spirit. So why is there an absence of joy in so many religious circles; in so many individual believers? The absence of the Holy Spirit would be obvious; but why?

I think it is pride. While Jesus did what he could to pull believers into a grateful pack, American churches have taken on a consumerism, brand name culture of their own and then spread it across other continents called mission fields. We have promoted a one-up-manship among the tribes of Christianity. Pride has been that trait we know God detests; yet we blindly accept as if such is a rather moot point among us.

It is huge!

I thought I was better than my religious competitors and even so among my own clique. I thought I knew best, believed best, and did church best. Not. For one thing my pride exposed me to be the failure I truly was.

Recall the two men praying in the temple; how the one thanked God he wasn't as low as that miserable other? That would be me....and many of us.

When we are arrogant enough to believe our worship, or doctrine, and our spirituality is better than another, we have slipped into a deep and dangerous and dark hole. When we cannot appreciate another's stance different from ours, we are short-sheeting the kingdom breadth and width.

The disciples questioned Jesus on this regarding others who didn't follow precisely as they. His response was if they were not against them they were for them. Our prideful controlling nature resists the allowance of others being all right without being just like us.

A terrific joy release is to let other believers do what they can to grow in the Christ while we do the same thing. He will change us for the improvement of joy if we will relax, see the blessings (however few we think they are), and trust our God to run His show instead of us.