UNCOMFORTABLE CHURCH

When I became minister I often reflected on how much easier it was when I was a member sitting in a pew. Surely elders feel the same way. It must be easy to know what should and shouldn't be done until assigned the actual task of shepherding.

Today's culture is increasingly messy. As we escalate our reach into our streets we will surely find it was a lot easier participating in Bible class discussions of how to reach the lost.

We are dealing with extreme challenges. From registered sex offenders to same sex partners to the homeless to all the rest of us, these were all sitting in our assembly Sunday. And it isn't a matter of our presence. It is a wonderful matter that we love each and truly care as we strain as to the best way to help one another start life over.

The closer we keep an eye on Jesus the further he seems to lead us into risk. Jesus takes us to a new normal. For those of us in leadership, we realize that we are losing a grip on the norm of church life and seem to be slipping into a zone of spiritual meaning and definition. Our challenges take more than collective input. They take the hand of God else we are sunk.

Week by week we seem to find ourselves with fewer answers and more people whose pain and injury blesses us. I applaud our members. It isn't that 20% are doing 80% of the work. We are so in over our heads, if God's grace doesn't do the work, we can't pull it off....20% or 80. We don't have the brawn nor the brains to figure any of us out.

God must do the work. He must. Our congregation is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable due to the disastrous and devastating lifestyles. Not so strangely, it is also becoming sweeter as if Jesus is in the lead.

We are an uncomfortable church....because more like us keep walking through our doors. Maybe we will work and think and see....just like Jesus.

HUNDREDS OF VISITORS LAST NIGHT!

Memorial presented the annual Fall Festival last night. Hundreds of visitors came!

Our Linda Scott does a fab job of putting together an amazingly creative event for community children...and our own.

From the food perspective, we didn't calculate well enough last year...and we wonderfully didn't again this year...because there were so many! What a great stress!

An exciting thing to me was that several from neighboring Lindbergh school attended as well as several from our Food Pantry.

Thank you, God, for letting us be a part of cheering on our community! And....I got to drive a tractor!

GOD WORKS

As I travel to speak, the one message I cannot help but share is that God works in present day Christianity.

A number has been done on the church. The mystery of God has been eliminated by cold hard humanistic calculation.

Such a mistaken posture has grown a people obsessed with the rules of church while prayer life is virtually vacant.

But...God does work!

His call to us is to believe Him. That is our work of faith to believe His work.

When you don't know how. When you can explain why. When the speculation as to where and when mounts with pessimism, employ your absolute faith in God. He can get matters handled while we are fretfully running from the Pharaoh-type villains. He will open the flood-waters.

God works...still!

I GET SO TIRED OF ME

Do you ever feel like everywhere you go, you show up?

I get pretty weary of me. Will I always be this way?

Will I always have big ideas and great causes and strong opinions only to recall what a louse of a man I am?

Yes, I know our adequacy is in the Spirit. I wrote a little book about it. And when I am focused upon His skills, life is surely more meaningful.

But I get so disappointed when I forget and then restart that wandering trek of putting people together and systems in order. If it weren't for God, I wouldn't be able to do anything. It makes such great sermon point; but why can't I remember it?

His grace allows me to get to do incredible and sometimes seemingly impossible stuff. But I must not forget He runs the show. As much as I tell myself this, it seems I handily forget and take over from here.

I get so tired of me. One would think I would have gotten better at it by now. Oh well...a new day comes my way and a new start with it.

THE BITTER-SWEET OF WINNING THE WORLD SERIES

I have never before hesitated to robustly celebrate a St. Louis Cardinal World Series victory. I pumped fists as we whipped the Yankees in '64, Red Sox in '67, Brewers in '82, and Tigers in '06. (I am named after the '46 Series winners' team captain, Terry Moore.) But not so today.

This morning I get to be one of thousands who can say My team won! The Cardinals miraculously pulled it out! Yet, while these two statements are true, my heart reserves much public celebration because of the classiness of the Texas Rangers as well as their ideal fans.

A foul ball here and a better play there and it would be the Rangers who would have/could have/maybe should have raised the trophy as early as Thursday night.

But....it all went my Cardinals' way.

By the seventh inning I could see it in the Rangers' eyes. Fear that their moment was passing only mounted. Ron Washington's visible concern tugged at my heart. Murphy's eyes? Young's look? Andrus' blank stare? All transferred the same message; We aren't going to win, are we?

I'm glad my guys won as I have much history and inner connection. However, two professional opponents took center stage and did themselves proud. For the first time, I would not have minded a tie.

I wish there would have been some way we could have won without beating the Rangers. To win this Series is bitter-sweet. I feel like we just beat up on our cousins.

WHAT WOULD YOU GUESS THE TOPIC IS?

Our camps were playing a game in Busch Stadium after a Cardinal/Astros game. Having been to so many camps, I had the honor of playing one inning with the Legends.

I was the catcher. Bob Gibson was the pitcher. This photo is of Gibson and me once the inning was over.

What would be the discussion?

I asked Bob before the game if his wife, Wendy, would be at the game. We had become friends along the way and I wanted to greet her.

Bob told me she would be along before the afternoon was over.

As he was facing a batter he yelled in, Hey Terry, Wendy just came in behind you. We were in the middle of the game. I'm trying to avoid making important mistakes. My focus is on catching what he's throwing.

Again he motions and calls out with a batter in the middle of a count, T-e-r-r-y! Wendy just came in behind you. Seemed weird to me. I'm trying to catch baseballs at the moment.

As soon as there were three outs I walked toward Gibson (the picture you see) and questioned, Bob, why did you keep yelling at me about Wendy when we are in the middle of an inning? Because Preach, he scowled, if you would have turned around to see her, I was going to hit you in the back!

Whew! Glad I didn't. But I never did see Wendy during that game.

BUMMED ABOUT YOUR LACK?

Do you ever say the wrong thing? How about the right thing at the wrong time? Or, how about the right thing at the right time the wrong way? There is so many ways we inferiors can mess up a well-intended conversation.

I do not speak of sinful matters which would call for repentance. I speak of hang-nail words and actions which erode our mentals and emotions...the little stuff that personalities like mine make way too big.

These mood breakers ruin the spirit of our days. Discouragement looms in the air. We find ourselves robbed of the day's riches for we cannot restore the yuck soup we just caused.

Oh, but yes we can. I learned a ways back a few helpful perspectives.

1. Everything will be okay.



2. Forgiveness toward ourselves is both possible and important. Drop it.



3. Drop the need to go around explaining and re-explaining. Learn to let it go.



4. Most of the time those on the other end are not even phased by what you would regard as social collapse.



5. Everything will be okay.



6. We insecure fret over matters the maturer dismiss. We needlessly torture ourselves.



7. The more we throw ourselves into the community filled with murders, cancers, and fatalities the more inclined we will be to give previous disturbing issues a shrug and move on.



8. Everything will be okay.

I wanted to write about the Cardinals terrific and historic comeback last night...but I feel led that some need the above much more.

(World Series: Cope 3 Rush 3)

THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE

Patience is an odd sort within and among us. Each of us severely needs it from all others. Yet, ours runs like many bank accounts....thin.

If ever there was a trait involving the gift of God toward us in order to be renewed day by day, it surely involves patience from Him and from all others. We are in a place to start life over because of patience.

It isn't a self-mustering patience, either. For that sort runs dry. We must have the fruit of the Holy Spirit to carry on in the kingdom with ones like me....and like you. We test each other. The tests get....testy.

Just as the Prodigal Father was quick to celebrate, I think this is what saves me among us. I am surrounded by Prodigal Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, and Sisters.

I so enjoy the kingdom life and its resurrection power. But my taking two steps forward and three steps back week after week leaves me in need of someones willingness to allow the Spirit fruit to pass through their veins.

The fruit of patience is a grand and glorious product of heaven alive on earth. We not only really need it, we really have it coming toward us.

Praise His name!

GAME #6 POSTPONED

Everything goes right for me!

Although the Cardinals were to play tonight, I was going to be at church.

Tonight's game is cancelled due to inclement weather. How strange. I am to be in class because it's Wednesday!

So I look forward---we can look forward---to a game tomorrow night.

I share this picture with Curt Flood and Tim McCarver. McCarver is the TV analyst, alongside Joe Buck, for the Series.

This is a picture taken when I was 34 years old at my very first Cardinal camp. McCarver was my team's coach. They made me a catcher because no one else wanted to do it. Some pitches hurt my thumb so badly that I wore a shoe horn inside my glove...until they found out!

Root for me....as I don't want Cope to win!

NAILED PREACHERS MUST RISE FROM THE GRAVE

To preach or not to preach? Or....to preach or quit preaching? These are the questions for many. Shall I go into preaching? is the question for some at the moment. Shall I get out of preaching? is the flip side of the questioning coin.

The correct answer is based on the call of God. If you are looking for a 9 to5 job with security, maybe not. If you have a fire in your bones that won't let up, then absolutely set your eyes on the privilege of preaching.

Should one get out? Answer the questions above.

But there is one element I would ask you to ponder. In the line of preaching, do you really understand the many will try to beat the crap out of you and some will succeed? This cross thing isn't a point for a flannel-graph nor a power-point. It is a way of life.

Look at the guys from our tribe who are making the biggest impact and building the powerful churches. All of them have one thing in common; they are beaten to death by the brotherhood at large. The good news is they had/have it coming because of who they follow.

If you want to preach and believe you will escape the deep scars from brotherhood beatings, you need to rethink the call.

Ask Max Lucado or Rick Atchley if they have very many bad days, evil reports, or dreaded nights of private tears? I guarantee you they have been run through the grave and that's what every soldier of Christ's must face. If one tells you this doesn't need to happen, treat them as Jesus did Peter upon receiving that exact advice.

Right now I am reading a most fascinating book by Don Finto. Does anyone remember Don Finto? When I was in preaching school in the early '70s, Don Finto was the man we Pharisees mocked the most. He was a hippie who did things way out of our CoC rigidity. He was growing a church unlike the ways we did (or would if we had a church that would grow).

But I learned from being necessarily beaten by the brotherhood, we've got it coming. We are set up; not for failure, but for success by appearing as failures due to the dog-yipping streams of bad press. The good news is that this, too, is a part of our job descriptions.

Wanna preach? Check on whether you are called. And if called, you won't ever want to quit. Tears will come. Disorientation will stalk. Life in Him will always be the reward of every threatening moment.

My word to you young guys? Don't quit. And don't even think about pacifying the segment of our brotherhood who is in it for the pride of being the only ones' right. These will shoot at you and some will hit the heart with their printing presses and their Preachers' Luncheon gossip.

Do not be afraid. Do not to worry. These are the footprints of Jesus. Pain in preaching? We have it coming. The cross insists.

OUR SUNDAY WAS SO SPECIAL

God keeps blessing.

It seems that several factors continue to position us for God to bless our assemblies.

We are learning to love God from the heart instead of officially. There is a difference.

We still want to know what the Bible says. Surely we are stuck on some doctrinal claims as if the Word teaches it when it really doesn't. But even this has such a deep call to continue in search of the Scriptures.

Our confidence is in the Spirit and not in ourselves; a specific Word admonition.

One of our recent homeless visitors brought a homeless guest. Three homeless were sitting among us Sunday and I love it that we don't talk about the noble concept but actually get to receive the blessings of their presence.

God gave us one very special Sunday. The place was moved by His presence. I am privileged to watch such a scene. Our people are special as we watch for God to do things for us (and with us) we cannot design nor manipulate.

What is it about your place of service where you see Father pouring out His blessings due to His presence?

COPE UP 3-2

Mike Cope's Rangers pulled ahead of my Cardinals last night.

I'm not worried. We are in the World Series. Plus, my waitresses' name whom I met before the series began is "Destiny"!

It is a big thrill to win the World Series. It is also a huge thrill just to be there.

And, about you, this is something we need to work on. It must be emphasized as a reminder to be sure to enjoy the presence of the moment. Today's schedule, with its agonies and strains, can cause us to miss out on the beauty of the moment.

Like right now. The game continues. Don't lose sight of the fact that your eyes see (what a thrill), your ears hear (same joy) and your lungs breathe without a machine.

Try not to get so wrapped up in winning that you forget the privilege of having your own uniform.

A word to Cope.....MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS!

WHAT TO SAY BEYOND THE SMALL TALK

I just returned from a quick trip to Dallas to watch my Cardinals get beat last night (Sunday) by the Texas Rangers. As of now, the victories stand at Cope 2-Rush 2.

In traveling I watch for opportunities to connect with whomever God places in my path. I do the usual, Where's home for you? What do you do for a living, etc. Once I learn some surface things, I try to leave each person with some sort of meaningful thought to the extent that God might use me...or one of us...well down the road.

1. Re: the woman who came onto the plane and sat beside me going to Dallas. I shared with her that sometimes life gets a bit tedious. I gave her my bubble gum (business) card. If that should happen and she needs a listening ear, keep my card for that moment. I've already received an email from her.

2. Re: the very pretty woman who sat beside me in the airport as we awaited our flight to return to Tulsa. I asked her, since she was obviously attractive, if she ever encountered feeling insecure and inferior. I don't believe she had ever been asked such a thought. Her affirmative answer let me sow kingdom seed as to His "yes" world.

3. Re: the woman who later came along and sat beside me on the plane. After the small talk I found that this 50-ish year old had lost her husband to cancer last month. A very delightful lady she is. Upon asking her how she was coping, I told her where my office is and that if the burden becomes over-the-top that I am one who would be happy to encourage.

4: Re: the soldier that sat with me on the plane when Mary and I were traveling to Richmond in March. Upon learning that he was headed to Afghanistan while leaving behind a wife and three little boys, I inquired as to what church would help his family back here should they encounter struggles. He said they had none.

I gave him my card and told him that first they should find such a church. Too, that he is welcome to email me if anything should arise while he is gone. I would contact a church in Richmond to help.

Within the next month the soldier wrote me that he, his wife, and three boys were attending a local church.

We simply sow seed. We move beyond the small talk where we can. Usually the door opens when the topic is how we might offer encouragement.

ON HOLD FOR HEAVEN?

The 5-step Restoration Movement has inadvertently created a doctrine which reduces global outreach. Somewhere along the way baptism became such an arguable matter in communities that our people picked up the drift that the main thing about life is to be baptized so one can go to heaven.

The least in the church know this doctrine. You have to be baptized to go to heaven.

The result, however, has been detrimental in that it has put much of the Church of Christ over the years on hold. Baptized. Heaven. Baptized. Heaven.

What about the life in between?

For too many it seems the goal has been to avoid anything which might disrupt the admission into heaven. This is a grand error which has been swallowed hook, line, and sinker.

We are to be buried in Jesus to walk a new life; a life of shining, of interacting, and of maturing.

The church has come to a virtual stand-still in too many regions because it prides itself in its teaching on baptism when, in reality, it may have slowed down the evangelism process by missing the abundant life in the Spirit which was immediately and perpetually to follow.

THE PROTEST

I just spent 30 minutes writing a post which was seriously challenging in the offering of hope to overcome the root cause of church deadness globally. It was right on target as it so cut to the real cause of lethargy and proposed a curing movement.

It would not post. I do not believe it was because God did not want it; but because dark forces intervened. I will give it another shot down the road.

For now I want you to know why there is not a new writing awaiting you this morning.

Not discouraged...but convinced....I had something for you today.

(Of course when I tried to post this one....it worked the first time.)

HOW TO ACCOMPLISH MAJOR THINGS

From early childhood, boys and girls dress up; dreaming of becoming....becoming outstanding, the best, famous, unique, heralded, accomplished. Some of these eventually become real and outstanding stars. I wouldn't know what percentage but I would guestimate maybe 10?

This is one of my favorite kingdom thoughts because I always wanted to do big; not movie star big or President big....but meaningful and important.

God wonderfully changed the locks on this ambition. He is the One big and no one else. Yet, our dreams can be/are fulfilled in Him.

How?

From Spirit perspective we reverse our mode of operation. We still dream of the major coming from us. The key is "coming from us" like in II Cor. 3:4 where we are never adequate but the Spirit is adequate within us.

The childish "to be big" views the world of opportunity from the wrong end of the telescope. Believers aren't called to have a vision for grand accomplishment but rather an insight on the value of seed. God's system moves us from the major to the smallest minor...seed.

We plant seed. We water seed. God causes the big. Never us. Yet, we are in on it from the ground floor and are satisfied beyond "personal stardom". We have confidence in seed life; placing a needed phone call, delivering a pie to a neighbor, greeting strangers with kindness, praying with no evidence of results except invisible faith, and reacting with grace to criticism.

The seed life lets all of us into the board room where we become major players. Where this has helped me mostly is in the area of envy and jealousy. I wanted to be among the big boys; whatever the big boy world was at the moment.

Today I am content; just a Paul mentioned in Philippians 4. I am content if it goes North or if it goes South. My retirement statement last quarter lost 20%. What should I do? Be content. Millions have no retirement account.

Sow seed. That's where the big stuff happens. Sow it for 15 and 45 years. God is faithful. Wonder results.

Wasn't it God who promised through Paul that He would do more than we could imagine or think? Then....let's get going!

WE WIN! WE WIN!

My Cardinals backed their way into the World Series. Beating out Atlanta on the last day, they have eeked out wins along the way to make it to the big stage.

The rest of the way is gravy. Nonetheless, they pulled off a victory last night over the mighty Rangers.

I pulled up one of my Legend's Camp pictures to give you a bit of flavor for what Swindoll told me was the best of both worlds; I get to preach and to play baseball.

Oh you know it is all in fun, but I have such a good time with the Cardinal camps. This picture shows legendary Bob Forsch seeking my autograph just before a game. (Of course he's being silly.) I try to treat the stars with kindness as not all of them get to hang out with me. I do what I can (sigh)!

My Cardinals won the first game of the series last night. I think any team that makes it to the World Series has already won...regardless of outcome. We win! We win!

And so it is with the spirit world. Because of all that Jesus did and does. The games were over at the empty grave. We win! We win!

MY MOST SERIOUS WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

I will say up front I am a very big Ron Washington and Texas Rangers fan.

I will not do as Mike Cope, though, and betray my Cardinals. Shame on Mike for converting. I am going to contact Joe Buck and ask him to not say hi to Mike during the entire series. (I'm not sure Pepperdine knew of this glaring glitch before replacing Jerry Rushford with him.)

I predict Theriot, Punto, and Craig will be key players.

What my guys will do to win is both distract and irritate the Texas Rangers. Punto, Theriot, and Craig will be key players that will catch the Rangers off guard.

I will be at game four to monitor the event.

Will we win? Why not? We've backed into all the rest of the playoffs. I predict the Cardinals will prevail in nine games.....maybe ten.

I'm just sayin'.

ECONOMY WISE? CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR ERA.

I want to say that I am about to address the greatest blind-spot in the church. But will not say it for I am sure God can see so many things to which I am yet completely blind. However, I do discuss a significant matter.

Giving.

Giving is what some believers and non-believers alike have come to regard as that six-letter church word. To the extent of it immediate social rejection, it should surely be given a double-take as to its absolute and profound God-muscle power.

Giving is the back-breaker to doubt. No doubter gives to God. The more we surrender our keeping power the more our spirits open to receiving power. And...receive we do!

The issue is the flat out dependence upon God. Nothing more...or less. Will God provide? Will He be there?

Giving works from a tree limb and a saw. The more we open our purses in abandon the more we receive in multiple-fold. God never returns dollar for dollar. He breaks the calculator!

I have learned to give over the years. My retirement account is not dependent upon headquarters in Ohio. It is kept in a vault in heaven.

I really don't know how my next 20 years go as far as income and provision. That is yet to be seen for I am confident in His supply. But I do know how my first 10,000 years go in heaven for I have been contributing to my ERA (Eternal Retirement Account) for about 40 years now.

Money matters. Giving it away is the call from above. Let's do it....better than ever before.

WHAT IS GOING ON AMONG US?

I care not to sound as some sort of prophet for I know nothing about being such. I do have senses; sometimes well-trained and sometimes far off of the mark. So know that I know it. All right?

I watch the world's turbulence. Protests of violence and others of threat are global. World economies are falling like dominoes. Political debate and religious unrest grab one major headline after another. This world is surely upset.

It makes me wonder if a major shake-up is on its way. And if it is, will we have the church prepared? Is Christian faith about to be taxed with a persecution out of proportion to our preparation?

This sounds terribly gloomy. However, the Word has always been more serious about disciplines in Jesus than I would ever truly grasp.

Please don't take me as a negative worry-wort...unless I truly am. It could be my age. Whatever the reason, I keep wondering if we have our people prepared to faithfully and enduringly believe in Jesus during the very rough spots; the likes of what we have never yet seen nor heard.

THE GREAT NEED THAT IS STILL THE GREAT NEED

Jesus is ever the issue for everything we are and do. It seems that once he was simply an endorsement like at the close of our prayers; his name tagged the pleas. Yet, we must continue to learn of him and grow into him.

Jesus is the difference-maker. His reality and his participation in our walk is essential. Our work is to believe him.

Some don't. Some believe in baptism with little real conviction that he is involved even remotely in our days. Yet, he surely is.

Jesus changes our salvation for we get it from his provision; not from our steps. Jesus changes our worship for until he is centered our songs and orders are humanistic while in church buildings. Jesus changes our dispositions. He turns every setback into kingdom promotion. He never fails.

Be encouraged. We have so much to take in; so much to develop. But all of us know the solution to this and any other challenge. It is Jesus. Not the lip-service of his name, but the very concrete certainty that he lives within us, through us, and among us.

May the church let go of its man-made fears and cut loose with a faith which would match the resurrection of the living Jesus.

PRIVILEGED TO PREACH AT MEMORIAL

I love the anticipation of our Sundays! Yesterday was as usual...fabulous!

What I like about Memorial is that what we once preached and talked, we now experience.

The place was packed; full of visitors. Two homeless men who have never met (individual bridges) were with us due to the compassion of sweet members. Two of our very poor from the food pantry were sitting in our midst.

What blessings.

It is extremely rewarding to sit among believers who get it best we can. And....we are still learning. If I were to choose to be someone, it would be me. I get to be with this church!

AN IDEA TO HELP THE "POOR ME"ERS AMONG US

A "poor me" personality seems to land ever-so-often among the flock. This person is never happy and seems to thrive on "neediness". The cry is extreme in sad face and sadder speech. By His grace there will always be a couple of compassionate souls who listen endlessly to the tales of woe.

I think there is a way to truly minister to such a person for we are all in need. It is just that this type hasn't realized what it is which will bring fulfillment. It seems they believe repeated and rehearsed sadnesses will draw sympathy.

Might these learn that one reaps what one sows? If attention is what one needs, sow it. Don't stand and ask for it.

These needy among us are accurate in that they have great need for acceptance and inclusion. God's way of getting it is to give it away. If these would but show interest and concern over others, their hunger would be immediately satisfied as well.

Anyone who wants to reverse their life can by sowing the seed of that which they have greatest need. In others words, give away the last drop of oil in the jar. Don't keep it for self. Give it away. Full jars will follow.

IF I SHOULD BECOME PRESIDENT

If I were running for President of the United States, I would lose.

But if I should by chance happen to win, I would step up to the microphone wearing my new tie at my Inaugural Address and I would say from my teleprompter; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.............be nice, be humble, and be sure to pay for your own postage stamps.

I would then go with my Vice President to Arby's for a Coke.

I just thought you might wonder what I would say if I were President of the United States.

BRANDISHING FATAL WEAPONS

Yet another tragedy has rocked Tulsa. I sat with a family yesterday suffering from shock and trauma. Earlier this week their sister, 46, shot and killed her 12 year old daughter and then turned the gun on herself. That two-hour interview and counsel was exhausting for all of us.

The double funeral will be at Memorial Monday at 10:00.

Sympathy runs rampant for this family. Too, it is guided toward both the victim and the one who pulled the trigger. What to think? What to say? What to do?

I dare not suggest this development is anything other than ruinously devastating. I do draw our attention to guard against our own sighs of disbelief that one could do such a thing. I believe we pull the trigger day by day with the invisible ammunition which surely kills the heart...our words.

Words are either magic or deadly. We choose whether to use words to serve or to destroy. God is emphatic to mimic Him by using creative powers by speaking phrases which give grace for the need of the moment.

Yes, the momma aimed at her daughter and then herself. A question that I have is who took aim on the momma over the past few months by killing her with offensive words which destroyed her mind. Some words need to be kept in the cabinet for if the wrong person gets hold of them they can be fatal.

Take careful aim. Pierce hearts with approval and love. Speak life. Cause life.

A HALF DOCTRINE THAT MAY BE COSTING US BIG

The church may possibly be anesthetized to a simple truth which would offer incredible impact if we were not so numb to it. We have espoused a doctrine that isn't completely wrong; but the way we use it has short-sheeted Christian impact in one community after another.

I speak of the teaching-ones-neighbor influence of be baptized to go to heaven. Heaven has been a consistent and strong thrust of one-on-one Bible studies among us. I have done so for years. In general a bulk of the church has been taught to be obedient unto salvation, so that when one dies, heaven will be the ultimate reward.

What this has done is dull the saved's senses to needed action while alive. These sit in pews checking off their dutiful lists with one thing in mind; don't mess up so that heaven will not be missed.

This half-doctrine insensitizes believers. Their main goal is not to die lost. That's it!

With this mistaken backdrop ears go deaf to repeated calls for service, love your neighbors, and shine for God now. Heaven is the ultimate goal as the church has been trained to preserve it's own and individual necks for salvation. Ministry to others is a foreign language to far too many.

If I thought faith meant to be baptized so that I would be saved when I die, I too would resent having to put in my time on Sunday mornings sipping, singing, and sitting when I could be at the golf course. But this is not what Father has in mind for us.

God has called us to robust lives which indeed make an enormous difference. We aren't on a dull path to endure church assemblies! Rather, we are on a magnificent mission to help the helpless transfer boring and dead lives into extreme spirit makeovers for the moment.

Life doesn't come after the cemetery. It takes on entirely new and prosperous action as soon as we meet Jesus in the grave of baptism. May we shed the dulling affects of being baptized to go to heaven by focusing upon a reverse truth; the nature of heaven has come to us and to our paths for extravagant actional impact....now.

Jesus came down...and heaven filled our souls.

THE TOP FIVE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN 34 1/2 YEARS AT MEMORIAL

Lord willing, next July I will finish 35 years at Memorial Drive. I love the thought of getting to be the preacher here. I share possibly the top five things I have learned while getting to be here...beginning at the bottom and working up:

#5 I needed more help than I would have guessed.

I began ministry believing I was inadequate. It turns out it was much worse than I had
imagined. It seemed at first that God would need to help out on occasion. Not so. He has to
do the work. Mine is to believe him.

#4 PLACE defines and connects.

Jason Thornton introduced us to the can opener of church connection. I never realized the
value of the body as a whole. My immaturity convinced me if all were as me, we would have
an ideal congregation. To learn our PLACE through this fabulous teaching has helped me
back off from paranoia. Plus, it has given me increased confidence that I am not in this
alone...nor is anyone else.

#3 Jesus is to be preached.

I won't spend much time here as I have voiced this recently. There is a church of difference
in preaching Jesus instead of Church of Christ. I had no idea how rugged this move would
be (and still is); but preaching Jesus will upset and bless a church.

#2 The Holy Spirit is active.

For all practical purposes the Holy Spirit was a sure sign of infidelity to those sound in
Church of Christ-ism. Yet, He is the life among and within us. The Bible still tells me so.
To be without the active Holy Spirit is to be a church dependent upon its cumulative
steam...which will always weary in doing good.

#1 God is to be praised

Little did I realize the strength and depth of praising God. I am still in kindergarten. God
is to be praised and the more we honor Him the more He seems to give us to brag about His
handiwork. Church assemblies were why I wasn't looking so forward to heaven for I
assumed it was just eternal church. Praise--authentic and heartfelt--is heavenly to the
soul.

IN ALL YOU DO...DON'T FORGET TO PRAY FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS

I remind you of something so simple it often goes overlooked. Don't forget to pray for your neighbors. Some of the sweetest moments in my experiencing God has been to see a couple next door to us in Quincy, IL. be baptized and then to see a Tulsa neighbor be added to the church.

With all we have going on, do not forget to pray for your neighbors to be drawn to Jesus.

Mary and I moved into a new neighborhood at the end of July. I have met a few neighbors and pray for them by name twice a day. Repetition helps me recall their names and it sets the stage for kingdom activity. I now pray for 16 in my area.

An exciting thing occurred to me this morning as I was praying. A vacant house is being remodeled for immediate occupation. I pray for the new whoever(s). And then....then it occurred to me that I can be praying for the new people moving in one year or 12 years from now into houses presently occupied.

I will have God waiting for them in their new home; in houses not yet for sale.

Oh...my point is that we all have so much going on. Be reminded that you have neighbors whom God has assigned you. Love them as yourself. Pray for them...even the ones who haven't moved in yet.

COMPLETELY INCOMPLETE

I have some good news for you; and some bad.

The bad news is you are probably not as all-knowing, all-capable as you would like to think. The good news is everyone else understands you are not as all-knowing all-capable as you would like to think.

This dilemma has been a major hurdle for me. The good news is it has launched me into a profoundly marvelous lifestyle; content....content with myself and content with others. That's good news!

I worked too long as a grown man believing that if I wanted the work done right I needed to have my hand in it. This developed arthritis of the mind. If it was to be done right, I would need to oversee it.

Very wrong.

I have learned that by His grace I surely do fit into the kingdom nature. But I am not near the main cog I once believed. No. Many don't do the work like I would do it. Yes. They often actually do it better.

I now understand I am completely incomplete and that incompleteness is major; not minor. I am highly lacking. If I will be the first to know it....this is awesomely good news for those around me.

Would you possibly be as me? Completely incomplete?

SO WIDE-EYED

Do you recall finally getting to go on a vacation when just a kid? Our family didn't get many vacations. When we did it was to relatives no more than 150 miles away. To distant travelers my treks wouldn't impress. But since I didn't know differently, these seldom jaunts were of the same appeal as those traveling to Paris or China.

I would be so excited I couldn't sleep. What would it be like? How much will I be able to take in? I wonder what my aunt will fix to eat? And...all the cousins....just too much to contain in a little boy's backwoods heart.

And then there's church! Today!

I can't wait!

What will there be to see? Who will be moved by His Presence? What will I learn at age 64 that I had never seen in the Word before?

I am wide-eyed for being a part of a great congregation is never taken for granted. It is too wonderful for the heart to take in!

It is a good day...so have one!

INTIMIDATION

Regarding being intimidated, I could be regarded as a professional. Not so strangely, that's precisely why I find great delight in the Spirit of Christ. He is my confidence; not me.

We all have much to do and such much to do's success will be dependent upon our believing in the resurrected Jesus.

Church work is not up to our capacity to plan nor to execute such plans. It hinges upon our absolute assurance Jesus is the author of our provision and sustenance. He--in present spirit form--operates from within us to accomplish things we....can't accomplish.

Not only is the empty grave over, so is our intimidation.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Just as the Israelites were intimidated by an approaching army with a cornering backdrop of mountain range and sea, God knows ways out.

So it is with us. He knows how to get us through...even the deepest of troubles....in order to no longer be held hostage via intimidation of people or circumstances.

Way to go us!

GOD SPEAKS WHAT LANGUAGE?

If God carries on a speaking relationship with us, what kind of language does He speak? English? King James Version English?

Some contend God doesn't do such communication. If you want to know what He thinks, read your Bible. Such may be a snappy and intellectual evaluation; but it distances us from our Master who loves to carry on tight bonds with His chosen.

God speaks in Spiritese. This is the utmost of challenges to the flesh-based believer. Yet, this has always been the challenge and we can see it in others; not in ourselves.

The Emmaus Road provides encounter with the Living God and they could not see it. Paul prayed for eyes to be open to God's gift of revelation and power which was brought about in Christ.

His Spirit works with our spirits. God has made it biblically clear that if we want wisdom we are to pray...in spirit...and He will respond....in Spirit.

A problem the flesh-based church has is that we want concrete intellectual understanding of the how of this process. But, God is not showing His hand. He leaves us with one element; faith.

God's speaks in a language our spirit should understand; but our flesh won't hear of it.

LIVING OVERWHELMED

I know. I know there is very much going on in our world of rigoricity. Appointments, deadlines, dreams, responsibilities...and that clock keeps ticking.

2011 seems to insist we live in the spin cycle. Rush could be our middle name if it weren't my last.

Yet, Jesus so adjusts the overwhelm of our spirits. He has a knack of reversing cause and effect.

As Christians we should be overwhelmed; and I am. My breath is taken away at the reports I hear of God working. I am stunned by the good deeds believers actually do. It is remarkable to see the Holy Spirit bearing fruit in the most common us.

Church growth is found in any direction we choose to look. There are places and people that really are growing in both prayer and worship.

Giving is stunningly wonderful. Commitment to the point of long-term endurance is both visible and reportable.

One of the things God has done for me is to help me refrain from addressing the naysayers. I refuse to give them attention...unless I forget. I want to focus on the NT pattern of church awe...Acts 2:43.

Believers get to live overwhelmed. Sure....moments of imprisonment come along....but only to verify how awesome it is to experience the God of the "jailhouse fall".

You want to know a neat thing about each of us? Overwhelmed is a lifestyle....and we get to choose which way it goes....conquering the world or depressed and alone.

As for me and my household, I want to be overwhelmed at the talent, skill, and fruit of God.

TELL THE HORSES TO WHOA

I was about six years old. Grandpa Rush hitched the team of horses to the wagon as we were headed on some farm mission across a vast pasture. I loved the farm scene and asked Grandpa if I could drive the team through when he opened the gate.

Request granted.

I could barely lift the lengthy and heavy leather reigns. "Giddy up!" They meandered through the gate and then would not stop. I thought for sure we were in a runaway; even though they were at a minimum pace. It felt really fast to me! I couldn't stop them; but Grandpa saved me.

Sometimes in the church the strong horses make me feel they are going to run away and I can't keep up. Gifted Christians will find they need another gift of patience to tolerate my much slower step. I am not up to many of their speeds.

And you, (for any who as I feel overwhelmed at the vision and the energy of some among us)don't die early due to fright. Just stay calm. Some among us are such go-getters that we who are not as they may feel slighted. Not the case. All are gifted and all have need of the others.

Me? I'm not a thoroughbred; but a plow horse. I have a Spirit-pace that works for me. Where I might have once been intimidated by the "big boys"; not so much now. They are gifted and so am I. Theirs may be at a race pace. Mine is more of a saunter.

Let the horses move forward at good clip unless they are pressing you to become a race horse just like them. If that is the case, tell them to whoa....because you will get the work done...at His strong pace within you.

TWO MAJOR DOCTRINAL TRUTHS

When you consider:

• Abram and Sarai did have a child
  


• Joshua and Caleb succeeded against all bets
  


• David whipped Goliath
  


• There were four in the furnace
  


• Jonah survived
  


• The sack lunch did feed 5000
  


• Militant Saul switched to Martyr Paul
  


• The jailhouse doors did fly open
  


• The grave did cough up the Son

There are always two major doctrinal truths for us:

• Anything is possible!
  


• Never, never give up!

UP WITH SCHOOL BUS VISION

I love the church. It is my new world. I will never get over the thrill of being converted. How awesome to experience this inexpressible journey.

A great concern has evolved over the years. Congregations are suffocating. It isn't due to malfunctions of personnel. It has everything to do with so many growing stale.

The church is in need of ventilation. The Holy Spirit is the Fresh Air within the lungs of the body. Those who fight Holy Spirit activation may be very sweet in personality; but we are stagnant in meaningful kingdom productivity.

If the resurrection has one clear trait for the church (the body of Christ) today it is that it is to be ALIVE! Building decor or Sunday School agenda are surely important. Holy Spirit freshness is the absolute of church growth necessity.

Charles Spurgeon warned ministers against the suicidal process of making their studies a prison while nature lies outside his window calling him to health and beckoning him to joy....needs not wonder if his heart forgets to sing and his soul grows heavy. He continues to plead that we would sweep the cobwebs out of the brain of scores of our toiling ministers who are now but half alive.

We must give due attention to our hearts. Do we live in the wow of the moment or dare we admit that Disney World is the excitement center and the local church is the place everyone knows to be a good place to yawn.

I saw a school bus while driving to work this morning! I saw it. I wondered how many millions of blind over time would be in tears is they could just see a school bus....once.

Notice your world of wonder. Raise your windows for ventilation of the Spirit. See a school bus...and be thrilled.

"GOOD MORNING! THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US!"

Churches thrive on hospitality when visitors are greeted with......hospitality.

Simple enough.

Two things blur the clear church strength from the community's eyes; sermons on giving and finding no one spoke when they visited our assemblies. The former is unfortunate that dark forces have wrecked such a powerful issue.

The latter, however, is completely unacceptable. We must set our shyness aside and speak to the strangers. It is God's style.

Of the mighty image of Father which we inherited is that marvelous ability to create by speaking. Self-centeredness and self-consciousness will cause non-creative silence; especially toward visitors.

Biblical hospitality is not simply social yak-yak. It is warmly and openly offering attentiveness to the greeting of strangers. Greeters at the door are important; within the assembly is essential.

The church is to be robust in welcoming visitors. Don't discuss it. Do it.

Goooood morning! Thanks so much for taking the time to be with us! We hope God encourages your day!

I HAVE HAD TO LEARN TO LET IT GO

What is "it" that I have had to learn to let go? "It" is the natural yearning to get others to do things my way. I never thought of it as selfish. I thought of it as intelligent and responsible.

After all, my ways were always the right ways.

Really? Really.

But I had to learn to let "it" go.

What is pleasing to me may be displeasing to a group of others. When "it" doesn't go my way, this may have just blessed a significant group. Matters of taste, preferences of style; these have to be handled with loosened grip.

I was the oldest of siblings, therefore the bossiest because why? Older always trumps the opinion of younger...that is according to Older Scripts and Law(?).....or didn't you know?Everyone knows that except the younger.

Practice letting it go. Fear causes us to control. I know from both sides of the aisle. Not in dismay or aggravation, but in supportive delight in the opinions of others, may we become more comfortable and confident in their concepts and ideas.

When we learn to let it go, others seem to perk up as if we just took off the training wheels. This concept has opened up an expanded world of wonder, harmony, and appreciation for the efforts of my colleagues.

Enjoy your day.

Bless others.

Learn to let it go.

HOW TO STAY UP WITH SO MANY REASONS TO BE DOWN

Real life is gnarly. Would that be your assessment?

Look at Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His walk included being misunderstood, plotted against, fierce loneliness, and absolute ugly cruelty. Yet, he is the Life.

Down times are essential elements of being up. Strange, I know; but definitely the pattern of Wise Father. Jesus was at a clearly down time when jerked from the rough cross to the empty tomb. The "up" time was just around the corner. It is still known as resurrection.

The way to stay up with so many reasons to be down is to shift focus from self's misgivings and bumblings to Jesus' stamina and grace. He lifts us "up"; nothing of our own doing. I cannot do anything well unless I see Jesus do it.

I weigh my spirituality constantly for everywhere I go I encounter that I should have been/could have been....more. I am a high-flying louse of a man. My shallowness of spirit is unexaggeratedly abominable in my own sight; let alone His.

When I turn the key to my office "every" morning, the thought smacks me in the face, This church deserves a whole lot better than me. Yet, I am able to remain up.

I desire to be awesome, but lack greets me at every turn. I have reason to be irrecoverably down for I am littler than small. Yet, I am able to remain up.

So how does one as me gain the energy and drive to keep moving the way I do?

Jesus.

Jesus is the hope for every wanna-be. He is the pattern for each applicant. Only his way will betray and defy what human reason insists is the route to take. We make guestimates according to the practical and he delivers due to the spiritual.

He is my righteousness. Mine is all moldy. He is my Savior. My efforts wear me down. Jesus is my attorney at the Judgment with a promise that if I will admit I know him, he will return the favor to Father.

It is a significant challenge to stay up in a world of down times. Negative bantering, reported injuries, troubling threat...we are bombarded with our own undoings.

Good.

Even these have a purpose. They lead us to the only one who does Life right.

Up?

Oh yeah. Way up! Everyday way up! Why? I believe in Jesus' successes more than my combined failures. My self unravelled before I hardly got started with life.

Jesus? Ah, he becomes stronger in our hearts every day!

NEW LIFE IN THE CHURCH

1970 was my earliest encounter with Churches of Christ. Mary and I were converted that year. She was devout Catholic and I was half Presbyterian/half Gunsmoke.

This new kind of religion was both surprising and overwhelming. There was so much to learn; yet I was willing to give it a shot.

We don't call it the church. We call it the building. We are the only ones saved. We don't have choirs. And, we don't mixed-swim. Being impulsive me, I blurted out on the latter, What in the world is a mixed-swim? When they answered I said, You gotta be kidding me!

Being Mr. eager to become properly church acclimated, I hurried to learn the church ropes. I was a wide-eyed sponge enamored with each morsel of new beginnings. Eventually, I hauled my family off to the Preston Road School of Preaching to learn deeper ropeology. Although I was quite afraid the entire two years, I ate it up. Excitement poured at the thought of winning souls; while wholly fearful I would never win one....not one...not ever.

Life in the church is a gift. I am grateful to see a major shift of new life take place in the church. Simple and yet profound, that new life began to sweep across the spiritual scene when our brotherhood quit preaching Church of Christ and began to preach Jesus. It is a literal world of difference.

A strange thing arises immediately. As you learn of those preaching Jesus it can be noted these same people are accused of ruining the church. I believe that has some merit. A church without Jesus needs to be ruined.

The next time you are in a circle of heated discussion, note how many times anyone is hot and bothered because Jesus isn't being preached. This will give you insight as to the depth of concern such conversation should be given.


You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves (Jn. 5:39-42).


New life in any congregation will always and only be due to the economy of Jesus; not the preachers, not the elders, not the worship style, and not the version of the Bible. It will always be because of Jesus or there will not be authentic abundant Life.

THE RESUSCITATION MOVEMENT

I have lived most of my life cowardly; fraidy-cat like. Sounding bold is the perfect lure for those like me to become a legalist. From experience, being legal minded allowed me to hide behind brave words while self-conscious that I was nothing but a weak-kneed little man on the interior.

I wasn't about good news. I was about survival...survival of the weakest.

God has so broken this barrier down that I am learning day by day that I am in the glorious mix of every man and woman. I most certainly fit in. So do you. We are all filled with our own weaknesses and His ultra-Life.

I began to learn years ago that others are just like me. I am not the only fearful duck like I had assumed. Even those at the top suffer discouragement. Consider two whom I revere.

Charles Spurgeon confessed, Before any great achievement, some measure of depression is very usual.....Such was my experience when I first became a pastor in London. My success appalled me; and the thought of the career which it seemed to open up, so far from elating me, cast me into the lowest depth....Who was I that I should continue to lead so great a multitude? I would betake me to my village obscurity, or emigrate to America, and find a solitary nest in the backwoods, where I might be sufficient for the things which would be demanded of me...This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry.

And then Chuck Swindoll followed with, I'll admit that there have been days I have identified with Spurgeon. Although maybe not as deeply as he did, I have known a deep valley of discouragement at times---even when others would think I might be caught up in pride, of all things. I have known times when I secretly wondered, "Should I even stay at it?"

What is the value of these two citations? Clearly, if the guys at the top get depressed to where they wonder if they can keep going, we must realize we who are on the fringe can grasp the truth that we are all identically subject to fearful, discouraging and wobbly walks.

I am never in the presence of anyone without being alert to their deep need for life-giving words. As we encounter each individual we have just come upon a wreck; regardless of dress or make-up or image, a train-wreck has, is, or will take place. We have the privileged opportunity to give resuscitation to princes and paupers.

Struggle and stress care not what sort they attack; the super-powerful or the no-confidenced. They live to ruin and destroy. They bombard the heart and mind with intensely effective tactics screaming with the message, You oughta do everybody a big favor and just quit.

It is the empty grave that reminds us, Never give up! You are a good-news carrier!

The good news for us is that perpetual good-news words are always needed. Speak resuscitating words!

SOMETIMES WE SOW. OTHER TIMES WE WATER.

First, thanks for the many responses to "Who's out there?". You encouraged my heart.

Recently Mary and I bought a new really old (1939) house. In applying for the loan the office lady was as expected; highly professional.

As in all situations (if it involves people, it involves kingdom possibility), I was in the loan office for two reasons. I wanted Jennifer's assistance in obtaining a loan. And, I watched during each meeting for God places. Every reaction to requests and questions were geared toward the latter.

At the closing, she sat to our left as the Abstract Company had us sign multiple pages. As I was signing or initialing, I looked over at Jennifer and said, You know....by you helping me you now qualify for three free visits to our church! She smiled (professionally) and said she might just have to take me up on that.

That was at the end of July. Sunday Jennifer visited (her first free one of three) our assembly. SHE LOVED IT.

Now here's where our watering comes in. We don't know when we are around others what seed has been sown. We don't know background of hurts, successes, delights, or challenges in one's search for God.

Jennifer told us Sunday that her little church had closed down. She didn't have a church. She had looked here and there; but nothing matched her heart....until Sunday. She gave me a huge hug and said she would be back next Sunday!

Sow and water. Sow and water. That is all we are asked to do...and we can do that much. God gives the increase....and that we can't do.

WOULD IT BE OKAY TO ASK YOU THIS?

I so enjoy writing this blog with faith eyes that there are many of you reading. The counter says we get about 1000 hits a week. Not counting my mom's 950, I wonder where the other 50 are. (Only kidding. Mom doesn't have a computer.)

So today, rather than me write you, I wonder if you would mind reversing the order. I don't necessarily need to know who is reading each day, but I would enjoy the location of readers.

Would you mind commenting with name or initials and city/state where you reside?

Today...I'd like to hear from you.

Thank you.

CHURCH IN A HOLDING PATTERN

Many serve God full-steam. From foreign missions to participating in bake sales at the community food bank, God's people are in it for the glory of Christ. The good news is that the percentage of those active in the church seems to be increasing. It really is beyond our imagination as to the kingdom seed being sown so well.

Days of our past was more of a check-list theology while in the holding pattern. By holding pattern I mean the members were on hold awaiting real life to begin when they would arise from the grave. While this is unspeakable as to a joyous event, these seemed to have traded life right now for a traditional five-steps-to-fit-within-our-three-times-a-week philosophy.

Abundant life as Jesus had promised? It wasn't for here and wow. It was for when we all go to heaven....later. Life would be much later.

But now.... But now it seems Jesus has increased his presence in our hearts and we are happily learning to experience the fruit of the Spirit as we walk. We are learning to celebrate and praise. To give God glory--to see His glory--is an entirely new world to me. It is a wow!

Those who insist upon living in the holding pattern are among us here and there. These are always the unhappiest around us. The cure for such ailment is not a better preacher, a better set of elders, better worship, or better acoustics. It is the simple truth that Jesus lives with us now.

Some suffer from ability to reference scripture without the faith to know Jesus personally. He addressed this dilemma in John 5:39-44.

May we see His kingdom flourish on earth...as it is in heaven.

EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

It is intensely encouraging to listen to our people discuss the interaction of the Holy Spirit with us. He does work from within....today.

Out of our past came warnings against radical Spirit involvement which flashed across lecture themes, books, and sermons. Threats of leaving the True Word of God brushed past our ears as we heard the clanging gongs and banging cymbals urging us to believe one-third of the God-head had suffered a paralyzing stroke of inactivity.

It is magnificent error to speak of the work of the Spirit as having ceased. He may work in a different manner per His choosing; yet He remains a Force among us. Our duty is to let Him have the freedom to rent out our space for Father's glory. Praise the Lord on that one!

I would assume that throughout my years I will not corner Truth; that of Father or of Son or of Spirit. I do anticipate growing in them...into their image.

To believe in the Holy Spirit is not to take on a dark doctrine of the idiotic. He is the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus promised to reside in us. He is not present for the ride. He is here to give confidence and power and life when we have simply reached the end of our ropes.

AMONG US...WITHIN US...THROUGH US

I returned late last night from Summit; the ACU Lectures. Gatherings of this sort are always a plus. For me, engaging with the multitudes is just as magnifiable as are the classes. Super-Power would be my take on the event.

One element I just cannot help but enjoy is the admission that the Holy Spirit lives and works among us. This is such a different take than in my earlier beginnings of ministry. Our people speak of the Holy Spirit as if we had always believed Him. Yes.

Billy Curl was awesome in his keynote as was Max Lucado. But Dusty Rush wowed the hearts...I just sayin'. Way to go Dust!

POST SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS

New posts will appear each day from today through next Wednesday...September 21. YOU WILL NEED TO LOOK FOR THEM BY DATE.

Scroll down to the posts of September 14 and 15 and you will find a new post each day coming up.

Today (Saturday) September 14 A TRUTH TO BE RESTORED
Sunday September 14 NOWHERIANS
Monday September 14 THE DISARMAMENT RACE
Tuesday September 15 COMMITMENT WITHOUT INTIMACY
Wednesday September 15 DON'T HOLD BACK PRAISE

THESE POSTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DATE LISTED ABOVE...and not in current new order as usual. Hunt in the above dates...you'll find the post.

THE ACUMENICAL MOVEMENT

I tell ya, slippery slopes are everywhere! They are everywhere! I particularly point the dagger at the nearly unconscious, yet man-made, Acumenical Movement which is strong among us.

The Acumenical Movement invites all faiths to join in like-mindedness the pursuit of God and His glory. The slipperiness of this direction is that just anyone can join these forces in the name of doing good deeds for God. Truthfully, though, this has disaster written all over it. The Acumenical Movement deceives, misleads, and ultimately blinds the strongest of the assumed faithful.

Specifically, the Acumenical Movement needs to be exposed for its subtle climate of playing upon the egos of men and women who hold their Bibles in one hand yet listen to the voices of human reason. The Acumenical Movement is geared to promote man's mind over what really matters.

Acumen: insight, sharpness, shrewdness, intelligence, wisdom, and all-around good judgment from the man-side of things have reduced God's promises to Bible class or small group "study material" without its designated power to change the world; our world. Man has become reliant upon his own acumen rather than God's.

Isaiah 55:8-9 has it in clear perspective when this text insists God's ways are always higher than our acumen. James 3:13-18 calls for us to function with wisdom from above rather than what the Acumenical Movement would lure from below.

Beware. False movements are everywhere. The Acumenical Movement is one deserving our utmost alertness.

(So five hours later I must add a P.S. Two have said to me they didn't know very much about the Acumenical Movement. There is no Acumenical Movement. There is an Ecumenical one! I simply did a play on words to emphasize the care we give to the acumen of men over the wisdom of God. Sorry for my confusing some. I still like the post! I guess I'll just enjoy it all by myself. It just goes to show me that I wasn't as Acumenical as I thought!)

DON'T HOLD BACK THE PRAISE FOR OTHERS

You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit.

Harry S. Truman

Jealousy is a terrible disease. Of course I was stricken by it. Of course I have wallowed in its tempting maze. Why not me? Insecurity at its rawest moment rages with jealousy for one cannot fight the truth others are better. It isn't that those more "whatever" are begrudged; but the sheer fact we lack while they succeed seems unfair.

The truth is that it isn't just a few who drew the short straws. All of us did. True, some don't know it yet; so we will just keep this quiet a bit longer. Be assured; all of us lack in major and emphatic ways.

Ta Da! The church!

Lack is why we need the church. It is only filled with one-anothers who are better off because we are no longer alone with our one or two talents and our 3800 short-comings. The head is Jesus and the body is formed of believers who desperately need (count on) one another.

When you give others the credit you are supporting yourself because we are of one body. Praise away!

COMMITMENT WITHOUT INTIMACY

I believe we are paying a hefty price for our five-steps theology---whatever the five steps happen to be. Our immediate programming has been the route of the proper "acts" we do which please God. If we add or subtract from these items, we are dubbed unfaithful.

I marvel at the low-grade lethargy among us when it comes to joining in praise of God. If God were physically present on the stage do we really believe we would have the monotonous and sparse-expressive efforts which come from 50% of our people?

No longer do we appear to have been weaned on dill pickles. Rather a large group appears to be drugged. Minds appear to be everywhere but intimately with Him.

I am highly encouraged at the sight of my elder to my left wiping his tears due to his love for God's handiwork among us. The smiles which stream throughout the auditorium are so engaging in family intimacy. However, the blank stares of teens or grandparents are as pins to balloons. Yet, all leave convinced we did church right?

Steve McVey wrote, In reality, when a person doesn't experience intimacy with God through Jesus Christ and he attempts to approach God through his religious acts, his deeds will be an affront to the perfectly righteous God who demands nothing less than perfection. Since none of us can possibly walk perfectly we might as well stay off the road altogether.

Yet many believers, who by divine sovereignty have been brought out of Egypt and miraculously placed on the King's Highway, have now filled their tank with the gasoline of religion and their engine with the oil of self-effort and think they are on their way to the land of victorious living. They are often making good speed, but what they don't know is that they are driving in circles. They are pleased with their performance, but don't know they are going nowhere fast.

I love variation in song tempo; the upbeat and the mellow. I am encouraged when the "one another" concepts are present in the assembly. But it does seem clear to me that we could take a cue from our African-American brothers and sisters and join in with our expressive hearts instead of our putting-in-the-time habits.

Commitment to the church without intimacy with God is just one more group wandering in self-effort circles in the wilderness of going nowhere.

WENDYLAND

Mary and I had twins boys a year apart! On September 15, 1971, Dustin Jay Rush entered Wendyland (his older sister of 1 1/2 years). On September 15, 1972, Timothy Ty Rush began his experience in Wendy/Dustyland. Today my boys are 40 and 39.

My kids are very dear to me. I know. I know how it goes that one's children are always the exception. Well, mine are the exception to the exception of being exceptions. (I don't know what that means, either, but it sounded exceptional x 3).

Dusty is a missionary for a church of over 1000 in Atlanta. Tim is a missionary of a church of under 1000 (maybe 20?) in Guadalajara. Both do identical work poles apart.

I'm proud of my boys because they are God's men; not mine. I never suggested they consider ministry for I didn't know what it was like being a kid of mine. Pressure? Frustration? I left that up to God and them. It was their ideas; I stayed out of the way.

Today I am honored to be known as the dad of these not-twin boys born a year apart. And, they live well because they were raised in the experiences of Wendyland.

Happy Birthday boys!

THE DISARMAMENT RACE

I was a kid during the heights of the Cold War. I was so uneasy over Kruschev hammering his shoe in threat at the U.N. The Arms Race was on. Power matching power, strength against strength, and verbal warning of immense scale filled the television broadcasts of Walter Kronkite, David Brinkley and others.

As a Junior-higher, I was as nervous as John and Bobby Kennedy when Russia's ships were blocked from Cuba. This could be "it". Suspicion abounded as provocation intensified.

We live in a world of constant power-plays. Even the state lotteries promote the Power Ball. Power. Wealth, fame, and power are sought without regard for what might really work in life.

And what will work in life?

The cross.

The cross is the power of the mighty hand of God. Oh it didn't even look like it in Jesus' day...until. Until that thing happened that all power could no longer ignore...the resurrection.

No, power has no answer for the resurrection. When we are in God, weakness will always break the bonds of the strong. The cross looks like life is over. That is its draw. Power's look is fake. The cross fakes out power and it fakes out death.

If you wish to be of power, join the disarmament race....now. Nothing beats the resurrection power of God...and there is never a resurrection without a death.

Weakness?

Don't mind it. It rocks!

NOWHERIANS

Let me guess. You think I made up the word Nowherians. Well, you are so wrong. Furthermore, I am proud to find a co-imaginarian who would dare develop a word we need.


Author Pico Iyer notes that those who have transitioned from their traditional settings back home as they arrive in the big cities possess a heightened openness to new ideas and change. They have an increased realization of their need for help and support. Therefore, they are highly likely to meet with great receptivity those to who reach to them. Iyer calls these rootless residents Nowherians.


We who have a call to draw others to Jesus would be benefitted by being aware of the Nowherian Movement (literal moving) of neighborhoods take place daily. Be on the alert to the Nowherian man, woman, or family. Just because they are moving may be reason enough for them to respond favorably to an invitation or a simple gesture of interest.

A TRUTH TO BE RESTORED

I have heard our plea to the church and to the community at large that we are the true church. Besides being biased with our prejudiced Bible verses, something else betrays this assumption. The louder the cry the unhappier it seems are the criers. Gladness seems to side-step those who believe themselves to be most correct.

A term I have had to learn in the past decade is one foreign to me; joy. Oh sure, I have experienced it on many occasions; but basically from the flesh. I speak of the joy that fills the believer under any and all circumstances; that fruit of the Holy Spirit when the flesh can no longer muster it.

Fundamentally, my point is that it is a very grand experience to note the happiness of Christ's followers. One of the things I so enjoy about elders in the last several years is their peace; not pressed by the nay-sayers.

Neither are they perplexed by those who breathe threats of discontent. They are happy in the Lord. Every day a bed of roses? No. Every day confident in the Spirit? Yes. A brand new church world.

Fritz Kling penned, Christianity around the world, too often viewed as staid or boring or regressive, actually provides the richest journey that life can offer. God knows the future....is full of possibility, hope, and reward--and the world is waiting....but not for long.

Let us be about the Life to the extent we abound in.....abundant joy and gladness. May we lavishly live in the glory of the Lord. We love those verses which call us to such. May we try to live those verses!

HOW TO GET TO DO THE BIG STUFF

Big is important to the dreamer. I'm a dreamer. From the days of my childhood, I imagined doing something big.

Frustration ensued.

I wasn't big, didn't know anybody big, and couldn't do big.

Nothing changed...except one.

I met Jesus.

Jesus....when he began to get his way....took me from small to smaller. He took me from project to seed. He convinced me to operate in the Glorious Kingdom by planting seeds. He assured me he would do the big. I did and he has.

I learned to sow seed. If you want to know the main thing that I know to do, it is to sow seed. I plant and water, plant and water, plant and water. Never have I nor do I cause the big; not one time.

I sow seed in prayer. I sow in thoughtful notes and phone calls and warm greetings when I am among people. I sow seed with enormous confidence that if God wants the big...it is up to Him; not me.

You....get to do the big stuff when you are willing to become smaller. I became well-known in our brotherhood through the smaller; intense criticism of my stance on the Holy Spirit.

I saw big stuff develop in reaching Jackie Gleason on his death-bed because I did the small thing; wrote him. I stood in Busch Stadium where 40,000 fans held my newest book--that was big--when all I did was asked Memorial Drive to pray a year earlier that we could get a book into that event. I saw my neighbor man be baptized when all I did was ask him if he could help me change out a battery in the car.

God is how we get to the big stuff. Ours is never big; not ever. God is the stirrer. He alone is the initiator. We are called as small to get smaller. The seed-sort that we are infects the work of the church with awe-glory because nobody so small could pull off what we get to. It has to be Father!

If you are down because you don't see the big stuff happening in your life, maybe you have been refusing the seedling assignment.

And...isn't this a good post? When I sat to write this I had zero idea of what to say. And then there was God and He helped me just now make someones' day....I AM SURE.

Thank you God for insisting that if we will do the seed-stuff, you will let us see more of the big stuff.

THE RESURRECTION SYNCHRONIZATION

God's system, of course, is exactly backwards to earthly wisdom. From our posture we are basically about self-protection and self-preservation. Not only do we scramble to avoid a sniper's shot, but we rush to the stores to buy up wrinkle preventer and gray hair eliminator. We are all about safeguard.

We work hard (and unconsciously) against the track of God....death. God is all about resurrecting the dead. It appears one of His grandest showcasing was that of Abraham and Sarah as their bodies were as good as dead. And what was His emphasis in Romans 4? Resurrection power.

Understood, the major player in all of this was the perfect One. He died. He had to die that Father's talent have opportunity. He died and then God exercised His wow skill.

Therefore we must guard against the cowardice of our own flesh. If I had to stand before a crowd and speak I would just___. If I had to ask my neighbor to study with me I would just___. If I had to take a homeless one for a ride in my car to buy him or her a meal, I would just ___.

We are to take up the executional wood daily that we might just die. The grand resurrection synchronization among us is pure delight. We are here neither for protection nor preservation; but rather to be spent by the Banker.

May we avail ourselves in overwhelming risk that we might have a good shot at seeing God keep His promise to us....if we will but lose ourselves we will gain, gain, gain.

BELIEVE...AS IN A BULLDOZER

Doubt will carry two kinds of weapons; threat or charm. It will impose fear or else serve as a pseudo-wisdom to talk you down from jumping...by faith into something heroic.

As we encounter God-like opportunities may we have the courage of a bulldozer to plow into the threats and charms alike. May nothing deter us from believing God can make something from nothing and give life to the dead.

All things are possible with Him; not with us, but with Him. And...He said He would do more than we can imagine or think.

Trouble? Challenge? Confusion? Bugged? Bulldoze away!

POSITIVE SELF-TALK

God has always been about speech.

Commands are spoken. The church began after a sermon. We can quench the Spirit by poor speech and escalate grace by the good kind...Eph. 4:29-30. God created through speech and Lazarus came forth because he heard a voice.

No doubt, God's system operates or unravels based upon creative or destructive talk.

Positive self-talk is significant. If we say things won't work, it is weird how such self-prophesying develops failure. If we speak that all will one day be all right...it will.

Should you have assumed I'm speaking (speaking?) of the individual, I'm not...this time. I'm speaking of the self-talk of the body of Christ.

When the arm complains about the elbow the body suffers setback. Yet, when the knee praises the ribs, something God-like invisibly permeates the body at large. Health exudes; not deficiency.

Watch our words...all of us. The ankles and the ears among us are never advantaged if the waist and the nose are off to the side negatively discussing the big toe.

God is about praise...which is proven and experienced....by our talk. May we build a healthy body by watching our language.

ADAMANTATION

Adamantation is the persuasion one takes which is unbending, immovable, and just plain stubborn. I once was quite proud of being such. I stood for something and people would know I stood for it. This lingo filled the brotherhood airwaves as to who was in and who was "they" and "them". (Know what I mean?)

The problem with admantationistic practices is that it is so seldom like Jesus. Yes, he stood strongly to the point he died. But he stood for sinners and died for sinners. We....want to be known for standing against sin--of which Jesus did as well--yet a difference between me and him is he did so for sinners where I did it to be known (by my judgmental peers) for my stances.

Much of our church history is strewn with my ruinous story; loud against sin but involved very little with actual street-smart sinners. This has to change among us for Jesus insists upon it. When do we ever read of the religious leader and the bankrupt sinner ending with Jesus taking the side of the former? His heart-story is to align with the latter.

Fritz Kling (who quotes Richard Mouw who quotes Martin Marty) said it well when he referenced the need to follow Christ by becoming reconcilers, One of the real problems in modern life is that the people who are good at being civil often lack strong convictions and people who have strong convictions lack civility....We need to find a way of combining a civil outlook with a 'passionate intensity' about our convictions. The real challenge is to come up with a convicted civility.

Romans 14 addresses such a faith. Was Jesus adamant about anything? One theme seems to rise to the top; seeing his Father reach to blatant sinners to such an extent he would give up his own life. That is adamant, unbending, immovable, and just plain stubborn to it most righteous and wonderful peak.

May I learn to stand for the sinful people he stood for over the things I think the religious leaders want me to hold dear.

THE TEDIOUS TEST OF DISCIPLINE

I know discipline. We had lots of it in our house when I was a kid. Some of it wasn't fair; it wasn't right. Other parts, though, were. I didn't like discipline for whatever the reason.

My brother and I had to work extremely hard; harder than other kids our age. We had 26 yards to mow during the summer and passed sale bills door to door in freezing cold and dark evenings after school. It took the two of us two nights in a row after school to cover every house in the entire town....for one penny per house delivery.

Discipline is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and then the bad. I can't think of many times any child receives correction and likes it. Discipline--done God's way--is always beneficial.

Discipline's purpose is to train. It is a combination of physical and mental gym where one works out to develop a most necessary character which will endure the rough days. Victory over the long haul is the goal. Undisciplined people quit. Those who trained in hardship cross the finish line.

Church isn't easy. Sticky wickets and gnarly circumstances make for challenging times. What to do and how to handle may be the questions. Yet one question does not cross our minds, Shall we quit when the going gets tough?

I know shepherding can't be easy. Preaching isn't always. Yes, teens can become bummed due to rudeness of others. Ministry leaders surely become weary of vain excuses of non-commitment. When each "thorn in the flesh" gives us reason to keep moving then we begin to develop that which God intended all along; vision to see the yeses in the midst stress and difficulty.

Read II Corinthians 12:5-11. Note the thorn in the flesh wouldn't leave and Paul used such to find reason to be glad. America and the American church is getting too soft because we are abandoning the very thing which will launch us into our greatest effectiveness.

Our days are filled with critics, disappointments, and discouragement. We have concluded we don't need the discipline criticism provides; that we don't have to take it.

Well we do have to take it. We do have to take the insults. We do have to take the abuse and neglect. It is a part of the gym's training machines.

The church is fun and quite exciting. This isn't all there is to church for we are still called to live from the tedious discipline of the cross. Don't run. Hold on. Endure. Life is with us and for us and in us.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Are mission statements useful to the kingdom march? Or, are they mere distractions to falsely satisfy the flesh in the name of spiritual lingo? I don't know. I have some thoughts for consideration. May some of them benefit your mission.

I'm not interested in mission statements. I've been a part of too many committees enthralled with such an assignment only to find that (even after posting such in the foyer) it was basically ignored and the church moved on its merry way.

My brother and I had a train set. We loved setting it up; track, tunnel, bridge, crossing signs, and all. However, when it was all set and the train went around the tracks about three times, we were bored; done with it.

This is how I see the question, Where are we going? Who wants to know things like this and what will those who want to know do with it when they find out? A former member at Memorial pressed for such definition. When we put it in print in the foyer one of his kids had a problem and they moved to another congregation. So much for mission statements.

My observation is that the wrong question is being asked. Where are we going?, I believe is the wrong question. The better question is, Where is it God is calling us? Could it be the church would find greater satisfaction in listening for His call rather than pooling our imaginations for direction?

I was asked (called) to go to preaching school. It was not in my mission statement. Marvin Phillips called asking me to speak at a new kind of workshop in Tulsa. Soon after, Memorial Drive called me (twice) to interview for this job. Upper Deck baseball cards called about playing ball and preaching (the Sermon on the Mound) at Dyersville, Iowa's Field of Dreams. White's Ferry Road called inviting me to host a television program that baptized hundreds in three years.

Is everything I do from a call? No. But inventorying the above, I wouldn't have put any of those items in my mission statement.

You can see I personally wrestle with, Tell me where the church is headed, I need to know where we are going, or We need to form a mission statement as to our direction. To me a mission statement is a man-made creature that pacifies leaders who don't know what to do.

I don't know where I'm going. Abraham didn't either (Hebrews 11:8). But I do know that it excites me very much to note the amazing doors God has opened for the local church and the church at large. Due to such an experience, I just assume He has more up His sleeve.

I am fully aware that not many think of this as I do. I would venture you see something my personality tic just won't let me see. For now this is my story...and I'm sticking with it for at least the next four hours.

TO WALK LIKE JESUS...BUT ON THE WATER?

Theoretically, we preach a good game; even argue a good one. Jesus calls for followers and this we intend to do to the best of our ability.

The best of our ability seems to be a boundary that may need to go. Don't we really wish we could labor to the best of His ability? In us?

For instance, how are we doing at going into all of the world. The language essentially means as we are going. Since we are goers, we can justify our obedience.

I raise the question of how we think we are doing at walking on water. Jesus did. And we follow?
This would be an area I believe our people do experience. Some take on adoptions without clear understanding how it will work. Yet, they make it. Others increase their giving with a water-walking trust that God will provide....and He does. Still others set out with faithful stubbornness to do wild things for God and they actually reach the summit.

Therefore, I urge you to take inventory of your daily walk. Is any of it upon the waters of uncertain impossibility...made certain and possible? It was done by Jesus. It was done by Peter. It is accomplished by very plain people still today.

You and I can and should be one of them. May we lift our eyes to see the real Jesus and His abundant talent in the midst of wind and doubt. Do not fear. We work not alone. Walk where the flesh can't....but does.

GOSPEL TRUTH OR CULTURAL INFLUENCE?

Philip Yancey wrote about an apology Bob Jones University issued in 2008. He sighted that it took the Southern Baptists 150 years to admit their stubborn error in their support of slavery.

Yancey's call is to the Christian community to make sober effort to align with our scriptures and not our culture. I could not help wondering, as I viewed the exhibits at the museum in Memphis, how much of the average Christian's politics gets formed by surrounding culture rather than by the gospel of Jesus.

Great care as to what lens we use to read our Bibles is surely Mr. Yancey's clarion call. Shall we read our Bibles black or dare we cloud them with cream of culture and sugar of bias? We are not immune to misreading or misinterpreting. It says what is say and means what is means often comes from the lips that sip from cream and sugar persuasion.

President Stephen Jones apologetically expressed, For almost two centuries American Christianity, including BJU in its early stages, was characterized by the segregationist ethos of American culture. Consequently, for far too long, we allowed institutional policies regarding race to be shaped more directly by that ethos than by the principles and precepts of the Scriptures. We conformed to the culture rather than provide clear Christian counterpoint to it.

Yancey remarked following this quote, One question lingered as I left the museum: for what will the church be apologizing for 150 years from now?

No one serious about the Life shared between God and His creation dare fail to research the Word day by day for direction, re-direction, and then re-re-direction.

Apologies are needed in abundance. Masses no longer enter our doors because (when they were much younger) we were expressing our Christian toots. Simultaneously, these young souls withered for lack of godly air among us. Beneath our brainless assaults called sermons and articles, we shot our relatives and our neighbors in their feet so they could no longer have the ability to walk beside us to help us grow...up.

May we find diligence in our continued pursuit of the Word of God in both accuracy and honesty. Souls are counting on it.

EFFECTIVE CHURCH LEADERSHIP: FEEL THE PAIN

A stifling element of the church's recent past is our obsession with doing everything by the letter. We do church right has interfered with really doing church correctly. In this mix of organizational accuracy, poor leadership could be cured if there were to open to the presence of emotion.

Emotion is a kingdom step-child to the analytical sort. Facts are facts. Done.

The fact is emotion is of essential significance in and of the church. What is it immediately revealed after the mass baptism Sunday in Acts 2? They kept feeling the sense of awe. Such feelings immediately led to commonality which led to sharing which led to joy which led to constant praise of God. Add these elements to most congregations and there would be what?

Immediate and unguarded revival!

By the Book is not the God-call to leadership. Good leadership includes the Spirit of the Book which will immediately find the goodness of emotion. People feel their faith through their shirt sleeves. No feelings? Dull and unstirred; unmotivated.

From what I gather in studying the Word and watching effective workers around me, the critics want to call these feelings sensationalism. I see it as sensitivity in which the lawyers in Jesus day seemed to also balk.

Give the church a window of opportunity to feel compassion for any and one will find the initiation of action to step in and help the cause. Either the church leadership feels or else it doesn't lead.

Who are some of our best among us who display godly sensitivity? All who are given to children's homes, congregations that focus upon the poor, and any cause among us which breaks our hearts.

Broken hearts........feel. Feel the pain.

WE LIVE IN RESURRECTION POWER

AT&T's Rethink Possible commercial energizes me simply by its wording. This communication company lifted the theme from the believer's walk. What is the church about if not to rethink possible?

God is not the God of our doldrums nor of our mediocrities. He is the Lord of fascination, of visualization, and of fabulous imagination.

Conservative fundamentalist faiths across the board have prided ourselves in how much of the faith movements we have preserved. Yet, the Spirit is not about preservation or restoration only. He is clearly about exploration of a deep relationship with the Creator God.

I thoroughly like where I get to be and who I get to be near. I am energized by the work God has going when, in reality, I'm basically clueless to His global operation.

One of the church traits I find mesmerizing is the simple wondering of what God would like to do yet He can't find anyone to believe it into existence. Tomorrow, if not careful, a host of Christians will traipse off to their "location" to enter, greet, meet, sip, and pray only to exit back into the community blend of highly unimaginative and low-energy community roles.

What is it God has in mind for us that is veiled from our eyes? What is before us in plain sight that no believer has yet thought to try? Yes, of all of earth's inhabitants we must lead in the zone of rethinking possibility.

For nothing will be impossible with God. When I was converted in 1970 at age 23, this was the very first passage I referenced when learning to preside as a church rookie at the Lord's Supper. Now these 41 years later, Luke 1:37 remains mighty in both its grand mystery and its profound call.

To rethink possible is to look at an empty tomb and wonder if the power that happened there could happen in my life, wow! The good news is....it can!

TAKING A BACK SEAT

Ministry--mine in particular--has taken such a surprise turn that I feel both surprised and embarrassed. I'm embarrassed that it is a surprise.

It was in the Word all along. But somehow I thought it meant John the Baptist. We must decrease that He might increase. I see clearer day by day that back seat-ism is the right way to go when it comes to leadership.


Jesus fulfilled the Baptist's words in that he, too, decreased to the point of death...death on the deadliest of terrains...the cross.

Has not God made it clear that we are to lose our lives. Where are we going? What is our goal? Our mission statement? If it is to lose, finish last, take the back seat, and die we are surely on target for His call.

I see it now. I am called to make others look good, to see that others get noticed, to lead by decreasing. None of this seems to fit the progress mold. Yet, I deem it one of those gignantic secrets of God.

Join me. Take the back seat. Sit on the back row. Enjoy the view of others looking so good at what they get done. Praise God. We all have a place to serve.

A DEFICIENCY WE CAN OVERCOME

People dumb down to the negative voices. This is an extreme atrocity. We must and can reverse this trend.

Negative words are slung at the slightest peeve. Getting chewed out is so routine for the masses that few hardly think of the possibilities of stop-gap measures. But if God's people don't do it, who will?

This is not a call to say something nice. Neither is it a call to be nice. Rather this post is an urgent plea to develop a personal mission to speak up and speak out. Everyone around us has had their fair share of trash talk. The tsunami of depletionary words has left the world populace at 30% to 50% of its operating potential.

We must and can overcome this deficiency.

Ephesians 4:29 is a spring of living hope. Our words give grace and grace means the God-energy of mysterious and unexplainable accomplishment. Further into the text begs we not stifle the Holy Spirit followed by further admonition to avoid wasteful chatter.

Spread the word. Everyone you know is a blessing. Each is a carrier of answers and responses to troubled souls. Our people are solutions in the strongest and best of ways. Tell each other so.

I will say here's what I like about you or do you know what I like about you? No one rejects learning of their strengths; their upside.

While human tendency is to chip away, I see God's clan in the opposite style. Our call is to build and rebuild from the gallery of being wordsmiths. We are vocals; doctors and nurses assisting those who ail from wounds of negative talk. We know our stuff because we are related to the One who creates with......words.

Our God is a speaking artist. Jesus picked up on it and offered hope in impossible settings. When Jesus lay dead, words brought him forth to new life.

Shall we speak in resurrection tones as well?