We wish you and very Merry Christmas filed and overflowing with the joy of givine and knowing the greatest gift Jesus.
In HIS Service and Yours,
George, Barbara, Elizabeth, Carolyn and Geoffrey
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Hurry up and wait...
Thursday before Christmas seems to have a theme. Wait. Those are the nastiest combination of four letters in our language. Years ago George Carlin produced a record (see how old) of the seven words you can’t say on TV, I would add one more wait.
It began when at 6:20 am I waited for a train at the blandford crossing on Blue jay road. It was a short train. As I headed to Memorial Hospital (7:30am) I was detoured at Veterans Parkway by a closed I-516 (accident), winding back and around I ended up on Montgomery. I waited. At Memorial patient information could not find the patient I was looking for (lost and found) so I made a call to be sure I was at the right hospital (I have gone to the wrong one), right name, spelling etc. Try again the patient is in surgery (unexpected) and then recovery for a few more hours. That word again. On my way home I called (on hold) regarding redirection of a package and they cannot help. In Garden City I waited for a train again. It continued to move (sometimes they don’t). Back in the office I waited for the FedEx® site to come up. That UGLY word again.
Along the way I stopped at the bank as saw a friend whom I have not seen in several years. He asked about several things that we are well just waiting on the next step at the church etc. There is nothing else to do but wait. That is how we learn patience by waiting. UGH! Normally by now I would be fuming because my schedule is not going how I planned. Wait is THE ugliest word. While talking God reminded me I am to follow. Wait (ugh) for my direction and then follow, on HIS time, in HIS way, by HIS schedule. We wait and wait for Christmas and then it come and goes too fast. It lasted while we were waiting but then it’s gone.
Life is so like that. Hurry up and wait for the most amazing thing and then it comes and goes so fast. Children come to mind, born then grown in what seems to be a split second. There must a better way. How about this? As we WAIT (ugh) we enjoy the time. While waiting for Christmas, let’s enjoy the preparations. While waiting for a table at a restaurant, let’s enjoy the company. While waiting for the return of Jesus, let live on purpose and the plan will be revealed. Today (our lifetime) is but an instant in eternity. We are made for eternity and this life is waiting for eternity.
Maybe WAIT is not so bad after all. I think I’ll try to enjoy it while I am waiting.
It began when at 6:20 am I waited for a train at the blandford crossing on Blue jay road. It was a short train. As I headed to Memorial Hospital (7:30am) I was detoured at Veterans Parkway by a closed I-516 (accident), winding back and around I ended up on Montgomery. I waited. At Memorial patient information could not find the patient I was looking for (lost and found) so I made a call to be sure I was at the right hospital (I have gone to the wrong one), right name, spelling etc. Try again the patient is in surgery (unexpected) and then recovery for a few more hours. That word again. On my way home I called (on hold) regarding redirection of a package and they cannot help. In Garden City I waited for a train again. It continued to move (sometimes they don’t). Back in the office I waited for the FedEx® site to come up. That UGLY word again.
Along the way I stopped at the bank as saw a friend whom I have not seen in several years. He asked about several things that we are well just waiting on the next step at the church etc. There is nothing else to do but wait. That is how we learn patience by waiting. UGH! Normally by now I would be fuming because my schedule is not going how I planned. Wait is THE ugliest word. While talking God reminded me I am to follow. Wait (ugh) for my direction and then follow, on HIS time, in HIS way, by HIS schedule. We wait and wait for Christmas and then it come and goes too fast. It lasted while we were waiting but then it’s gone.
Life is so like that. Hurry up and wait for the most amazing thing and then it comes and goes so fast. Children come to mind, born then grown in what seems to be a split second. There must a better way. How about this? As we WAIT (ugh) we enjoy the time. While waiting for Christmas, let’s enjoy the preparations. While waiting for a table at a restaurant, let’s enjoy the company. While waiting for the return of Jesus, let live on purpose and the plan will be revealed. Today (our lifetime) is but an instant in eternity. We are made for eternity and this life is waiting for eternity.
Maybe WAIT is not so bad after all. I think I’ll try to enjoy it while I am waiting.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Time to get ready for Christmas...
The Black Friday ads are out before Thanksgiving in fact some retailers are selling items at Black Friday prices even before Thanksgiving Day. Barbara and I have noticed more stores open on Thanksgiving. In years past it was just Kmart but now others are open as well. Christmas decorations are already picked over in some places. It seems we get ready for all of the buying, consuming, celebrating and decorating way ahead of time. I wonder how much time we spend preparing for Jesus at Christmas?
One of our mothers said her young child reminded her that without Jesus there would be no Christmas. Honestly would that be true? With all of the “holiday” special, programs, deals and shopping could we just drop Jesus and it still go on? Sad to say, I think it would and never know it. Life and living in our day are like that.
We live complicated busy lives to the exclusion of why and what for. There must be a point in all of the Christmas madness but do you and I get prepare to see and experience the point Jesus, God’s gift to a world lost and dying? “And it came to pass…” at just the right moment Jesus was born amongst a political census for taxation purposes. People were consumed with their plans, arrangements, lodging, family and friends, then at just that moment God’s son is born, laid in a manger and only a few know of it shepherds and later Magi. Hard economic times they were. Lost in despair and confusion over taxes, politics and day to day living people struggled. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Most people missed the most important event yet known to man.
Let me encourage you to get ready for Christ at Christmas. Oh sure you have lots to do, go, be, say and cry over but don’t miss the reason for Christmas. A gift of amazing worth, value and sacrifice for ungrateful, mean, no good, rascals like me is the reason for Christmas all because of God’s love for us. The liturgical calendar calls this time of preparation Advent. Let us add this event to our live not just our calendar of events. Let’s get ready again for the miracle of Christmas to be the wonder of the world, our world and all of those who we make contact with this season of celebration for it is a time to announce Joy to the world the Lord is come!
One of our mothers said her young child reminded her that without Jesus there would be no Christmas. Honestly would that be true? With all of the “holiday” special, programs, deals and shopping could we just drop Jesus and it still go on? Sad to say, I think it would and never know it. Life and living in our day are like that.
We live complicated busy lives to the exclusion of why and what for. There must be a point in all of the Christmas madness but do you and I get prepare to see and experience the point Jesus, God’s gift to a world lost and dying? “And it came to pass…” at just the right moment Jesus was born amongst a political census for taxation purposes. People were consumed with their plans, arrangements, lodging, family and friends, then at just that moment God’s son is born, laid in a manger and only a few know of it shepherds and later Magi. Hard economic times they were. Lost in despair and confusion over taxes, politics and day to day living people struggled. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Most people missed the most important event yet known to man.
Let me encourage you to get ready for Christ at Christmas. Oh sure you have lots to do, go, be, say and cry over but don’t miss the reason for Christmas. A gift of amazing worth, value and sacrifice for ungrateful, mean, no good, rascals like me is the reason for Christmas all because of God’s love for us. The liturgical calendar calls this time of preparation Advent. Let us add this event to our live not just our calendar of events. Let’s get ready again for the miracle of Christmas to be the wonder of the world, our world and all of those who we make contact with this season of celebration for it is a time to announce Joy to the world the Lord is come!
Friday, November 19, 2010
I was thinking about...
meditation. Not the cross-your-legs-and-hum kind of meditation but rather the kind like Mary (Jesus Mother) “pondered…in her heart meditation. You may have said I can’t do that. Well consider this. Rich Warren author of Purpose Driven Life, Purpose Driven Church and Pastor of saddleback Church writes, “if you can worry then you can meditate.” Some of us CAN worry can’t we? You may be one of the chosen who has a GIFT in worrying. It is truly special. He concludes that to worry is to meditate on the problem. I must agree. Usually all I am thinking about is the problem and its negative outcomes. Honestly, if I had a solution I would have already done something about it. But It is easier to worry and be miserable than to work for a solution. It is more fun to involve more people in your misery because misery loves company so “they” say. One of my aspirations is to be a “they” someday. Pastor Rick then moves us to say that meditation is to “worry” on the solution. The kind of meditation that I speak of here is the pondering, thinking, considering of the Word of God Jesus kind.
Jesus is the solution for all of our worries. He is the one who everything was made by, for and through, The one who holds all things together and maintains balance. He is the solution. In a very practical book titled Life Together Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes meditation in its core component terms. It is to consider the word of God and his implications not for the whole world but for my world in whole. It is to consider maybe one word of Scripture and not the entirety of the book or a passage or even a sentence so that it may speak to me at the very heart of my life that day, week or month. For the teacher, preacher Bible study leader meditation is not to teach the text, to preach the text but to experience the text as the word of the living God. Meditation is in today’s terms “hang out time” with Jesus. Thursday that struck me as I was meditating.
As I was still and had for the most part prayed through or abandoned the thoughts of the coming day, past few days and life concerns, it occurred to me (really it was revealed to me by the Spirit) what a bless it is that the one who holds all together stronger than gravity, electromagnetism, stronger than any force of nature, the one who created nature wants me to hang out with HIM. Instead of what is meditation the question becomes who am I that the Lord of All wants me to hang out? Who am I at all?
I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. It is amazing that meditating on the most basic of ideas would lead to the greatest moments of gratitude. On behalf of the Crossroads family I wish you and happy Thanksgiving filled with joy and gratitude for the Word of the Living God who loves us and “hangs with us.”
Jesus is the solution for all of our worries. He is the one who everything was made by, for and through, The one who holds all things together and maintains balance. He is the solution. In a very practical book titled Life Together Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes meditation in its core component terms. It is to consider the word of God and his implications not for the whole world but for my world in whole. It is to consider maybe one word of Scripture and not the entirety of the book or a passage or even a sentence so that it may speak to me at the very heart of my life that day, week or month. For the teacher, preacher Bible study leader meditation is not to teach the text, to preach the text but to experience the text as the word of the living God. Meditation is in today’s terms “hang out time” with Jesus. Thursday that struck me as I was meditating.
As I was still and had for the most part prayed through or abandoned the thoughts of the coming day, past few days and life concerns, it occurred to me (really it was revealed to me by the Spirit) what a bless it is that the one who holds all together stronger than gravity, electromagnetism, stronger than any force of nature, the one who created nature wants me to hang out with HIM. Instead of what is meditation the question becomes who am I that the Lord of All wants me to hang out? Who am I at all?
I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. It is amazing that meditating on the most basic of ideas would lead to the greatest moments of gratitude. On behalf of the Crossroads family I wish you and happy Thanksgiving filled with joy and gratitude for the Word of the Living God who loves us and “hangs with us.”
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The same old rat race...
Have you ever seen rats race? I have seen wiener dogs race, horses, cars, people etc. but never rats. But alas I digress; the phrase speaks of business without purpose or significance, that feeling of being in a wheel running very fast and going nowhere. The days, weeks or months when you go, go, go and find you have gone nowhere. That is frustrating. In our minds if we work harder, longer smarter then we will “go” places, get somewhere and do something right? Turns out it has only been a rat race and you are still on the wheel running like mad and getting nowhere. Do you feel like that?
In a book by Gregory A. Boyd titled Seeing is Believing: Experience Jesus though Imaginative Prayer a statement is made that our “flesh is founded on a lie that leads to performance...To the extent that our view of God and ourselves is distorted, we attempt to find life in what we do, whether this be secular or religious activities.” We see this in over commitment to activities at church which leads to burnout from the lie if I do this God will love me more or this will make me a better person or “I should.” In the end we still find ourselves tired and frustrated for the long awaited fulfillment is still nowhere to be seen and we are still on the wheel. We have just changed settings for the wheel moving from the “secular” to the sacred arena but still doing the same thing running as fast as we can looking to fulfill our need. We must have messed something! We did and we do!
In the familiar story of the encounter of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, we see the woman is occupied with her life in that community with the rat race she lives in everyday. She keeps doing the same thing getting the same results and getting nowhere. She is in the wheel going nowhere fast. Here is Jesus offering a way to get off and for much of the conversation she cannot see the exit out of the wheel. Later on in the book of John we see and hear Jesus declare to Israel this gift of “living water” on the closing day of their Feast of the Tabernacles. The IVP New Testament Commentaries for John 7:37-39 states:
On each day of the feast there was a procession of priests to the pool of Siloam to draw water (m. Sukka 4:9). The priests returned to the temple, where the water was taken in procession once around the altar with the choir chanting Psalms 113-118, and then the water was poured out as a libation at the morning sacrifice… This was a time of joy so great that it was said, "He that never has seen the joy of the Beth he-She'ubah [water-drawing] has never in his life seen joy" (m. Sukka 5:1; cf. Deut 16:14-15; Jubilees 16:20, 25). This joy was associated with Isaiah 12:3, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." On the seventh day of the festival the priests processed around the altar with the water not once but seven times (Bloch 1980:200; cf. Beasley-Murray 1987:113 for a more detailed description).
At this high point of the festival Jesus dramatically cries out loudly (krazo, as in v. 28), If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink (v. 37).
Israel had fallen into the same pattern just a religious version of the lie. They kept doing the same thing as commanded getting the same results and going nowhere. They as a nation were on the wheel going nowhere fast. Here stands Jesus shouting where the exit is and how to go through it. So, the rat race continues for Israel and for you.
You have heard these claims of Jesus and living water. Maybe even tried them but got the same result. You found yourself doing the same thing getting the same result so it must not work or be real! To tell you the truth you are INSANE! Doing the same thing again and again expecting a different result is insane. That is not what Jesus is offering to you. Gregory A. Boyd writes “attempting to get free from the flesh by trying harder is like trying to get out of quicksand. The harder you struggle, the faster you sink. The only way to get free from the entrapment of the flesh is to give up and surrender to the Spirit. We need to learn how to rest in Christ.” Jesus said FOLLOW me, do what I do, say what I say. Rest in me.
Rest it sounds good better than rats!
In a book by Gregory A. Boyd titled Seeing is Believing: Experience Jesus though Imaginative Prayer a statement is made that our “flesh is founded on a lie that leads to performance...To the extent that our view of God and ourselves is distorted, we attempt to find life in what we do, whether this be secular or religious activities.” We see this in over commitment to activities at church which leads to burnout from the lie if I do this God will love me more or this will make me a better person or “I should.” In the end we still find ourselves tired and frustrated for the long awaited fulfillment is still nowhere to be seen and we are still on the wheel. We have just changed settings for the wheel moving from the “secular” to the sacred arena but still doing the same thing running as fast as we can looking to fulfill our need. We must have messed something! We did and we do!
In the familiar story of the encounter of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, we see the woman is occupied with her life in that community with the rat race she lives in everyday. She keeps doing the same thing getting the same results and getting nowhere. She is in the wheel going nowhere fast. Here is Jesus offering a way to get off and for much of the conversation she cannot see the exit out of the wheel. Later on in the book of John we see and hear Jesus declare to Israel this gift of “living water” on the closing day of their Feast of the Tabernacles. The IVP New Testament Commentaries for John 7:37-39 states:
On each day of the feast there was a procession of priests to the pool of Siloam to draw water (m. Sukka 4:9). The priests returned to the temple, where the water was taken in procession once around the altar with the choir chanting Psalms 113-118, and then the water was poured out as a libation at the morning sacrifice… This was a time of joy so great that it was said, "He that never has seen the joy of the Beth he-She'ubah [water-drawing] has never in his life seen joy" (m. Sukka 5:1; cf. Deut 16:14-15; Jubilees 16:20, 25). This joy was associated with Isaiah 12:3, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." On the seventh day of the festival the priests processed around the altar with the water not once but seven times (Bloch 1980:200; cf. Beasley-Murray 1987:113 for a more detailed description).
At this high point of the festival Jesus dramatically cries out loudly (krazo, as in v. 28), If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink (v. 37).
Israel had fallen into the same pattern just a religious version of the lie. They kept doing the same thing as commanded getting the same results and going nowhere. They as a nation were on the wheel going nowhere fast. Here stands Jesus shouting where the exit is and how to go through it. So, the rat race continues for Israel and for you.
You have heard these claims of Jesus and living water. Maybe even tried them but got the same result. You found yourself doing the same thing getting the same result so it must not work or be real! To tell you the truth you are INSANE! Doing the same thing again and again expecting a different result is insane. That is not what Jesus is offering to you. Gregory A. Boyd writes “attempting to get free from the flesh by trying harder is like trying to get out of quicksand. The harder you struggle, the faster you sink. The only way to get free from the entrapment of the flesh is to give up and surrender to the Spirit. We need to learn how to rest in Christ.” Jesus said FOLLOW me, do what I do, say what I say. Rest in me.
Rest it sounds good better than rats!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
I wnat you to know...
Last weekend Barbara and I spent with Lizzy in Rome, GA. Berry College, where she is a senior does not have a football team, so, instead of homecoming they host Mountain Day which in reality is homecoming on the anniversary of Martha Berry’s birthday (the founder of Berry College). It has this small town feel in the mountains with quirky traditions and activities. It is fun and hard to describe at the same time. We had fantastic weather and got to meet a large number of friends we have heard about and now have a face to go with a name. The weather made a perfect fall weekend. It was a good time and a welcome get-a-way. Even the plan change turned out to be great.
Plans are as I write last week out attempt to control and direct what we have little to no control over. Isn’t that funny how we spend large amounts of time and energy over that which we have no control! The plan change was to stay the night Saturday and come home Sunday. That was not my choice but it proved to be a fine change. One of the highlights of the weekend was worshipping with Connect Rome City Church. They are 18 months old. When they first began they met in a downtown bar on Sunday morning. Due to circumstances beyond their control they relocated to a former Mexican restaurant in the local mall.
The platform is inset in the wall. As I looked more closely I realized that the back of the stage was under the vent hood for the former kitchen. They hung Styrofoam balls on line underneath as decoration. The room was not large and the chairs were close. This was not a high dollar retrofit but a budget get-err-done remodel, functional but not real pretty if you know what I mean. The band played well and LOUD and they baptized several folks in a cow trough full of water. In all 12 people that morning as they have two services each Sunday. At the conclusion of the message the Pastor asked for those who chose to commit to Christ to raise their hand. As he prayer he counted 8 or 9 and then became emotional as he thanked God for 53 commitments to Christ in a four to five week span. It was later at lunch that I learned before this series of messages began this Pastor had prayed for a LARGE return. He prayed for 50 people to make commitments to Christ and Sunday morning made 53. I got choked up with that.
I mention this because had my plans not changed I would not have been reminded that the cause of Christ is not dependent upon surroundings, location, etc, etc, etc. but on hearts committed to Him and willing to pray, preach and participate big and expect a big God to work! What a GREAT surprise! There is a second thing to tell you.
I was made aware that my little girl. The one who used to ride with me to the hardware, auto parts, and junk yard store was no longer a little girl but rather a bright, vibrant woman and those previous days are just that previous. It’s sad in a way how quickly they go by and yet that is the point. Every parent and every child share the same goal, the goal of developing a healthy, happy, purposeful adult. We are almost there with one and it is a little sad. I’ll get over it. It’ll be O.K.
I have an opportunity (I’m writing on Tuesday) to play before a crowd of 12,000 at Catalyst in the opening session. Not alone but with others, at first I was not going to do it but others helped change my plans. I’ll have to tell you about the surprise of this opportunity when we meet again.
Plans are as I write last week out attempt to control and direct what we have little to no control over. Isn’t that funny how we spend large amounts of time and energy over that which we have no control! The plan change was to stay the night Saturday and come home Sunday. That was not my choice but it proved to be a fine change. One of the highlights of the weekend was worshipping with Connect Rome City Church. They are 18 months old. When they first began they met in a downtown bar on Sunday morning. Due to circumstances beyond their control they relocated to a former Mexican restaurant in the local mall.
The platform is inset in the wall. As I looked more closely I realized that the back of the stage was under the vent hood for the former kitchen. They hung Styrofoam balls on line underneath as decoration. The room was not large and the chairs were close. This was not a high dollar retrofit but a budget get-err-done remodel, functional but not real pretty if you know what I mean. The band played well and LOUD and they baptized several folks in a cow trough full of water. In all 12 people that morning as they have two services each Sunday. At the conclusion of the message the Pastor asked for those who chose to commit to Christ to raise their hand. As he prayer he counted 8 or 9 and then became emotional as he thanked God for 53 commitments to Christ in a four to five week span. It was later at lunch that I learned before this series of messages began this Pastor had prayed for a LARGE return. He prayed for 50 people to make commitments to Christ and Sunday morning made 53. I got choked up with that.
I mention this because had my plans not changed I would not have been reminded that the cause of Christ is not dependent upon surroundings, location, etc, etc, etc. but on hearts committed to Him and willing to pray, preach and participate big and expect a big God to work! What a GREAT surprise! There is a second thing to tell you.
I was made aware that my little girl. The one who used to ride with me to the hardware, auto parts, and junk yard store was no longer a little girl but rather a bright, vibrant woman and those previous days are just that previous. It’s sad in a way how quickly they go by and yet that is the point. Every parent and every child share the same goal, the goal of developing a healthy, happy, purposeful adult. We are almost there with one and it is a little sad. I’ll get over it. It’ll be O.K.
I have an opportunity (I’m writing on Tuesday) to play before a crowd of 12,000 at Catalyst in the opening session. Not alone but with others, at first I was not going to do it but others helped change my plans. I’ll have to tell you about the surprise of this opportunity when we meet again.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The frist step in recovery is...
Realize I am NOT God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.
It would seem to be easy for most of us to recognize we are not God. If we were, we would sure do things differently. Just look at the movie starring Jim Carrey Bruce Almighty. But truth is we battle with being God all the time. This is most evident in our control issues.
Consider this, what do you have control over? I mean real control. I thought I had control over the schedule for this weekend until Monday when I found out (my wife told me) I did not have control and needed to make other arrangements. There is a gender conflict story there that goes un-written. It’s easy to point out the obvious elements where we lack control the weather, life and death, illness although we spend a lot of money, time and energy being fit and trying to live longer (a control issue I believe). Take for instance what you will eat (I am hungry by the way). You can eat whatever you want as long as you can find it (is or is not in the fridge) pay for it (enough money) or get it (out of season). No control really, any one of those issues could stop you dead in your hunger (I told you I was hungry). But we still spend a lot of time complaining and worrying over what we have no real control over. That seems insane to me.
What do you have control over? Your choices you say. Well, that is true and it is not true. Most times we are not even able to control our tendency to do the wrong thing. Paul speaks of this in Romans 7:19 NIV
“19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
However, we do have some control over our choices. We can choose to have no control at all. I think that is what Christ meant when he said “take up your cross and follow me.” Could it be that our cross is our insistent desire to have control, power, to be like God as Adam and Eve were tested and failed? I think so. We deceive ourselves into believing we have control. It was even our choice to follow Christ, really? Who does the drawing, convicting and saving? It surly wasn’t me! I had no control. Does that mean I am adrift? No, it means I have a new captain. One who promised to keep good care of me period.
What do I need to have control over?
Nothing, absolutely nothing, you see as I get out of the way and follow I gain more confidence in my captain’s ability to lead and lead well. I trust Jesus more and can say “whatever, It’ll be alright” with humility and confidence because I trust my captain, my savior, my Jesus. It seems like and insane way to live but creation seems insane at times and yet we discover daily order and plan and purpose. I was reminded this week of a familiar saying “when you can’t see the Father’s hand trust His heart.” I am learning HIS heart is good. Oh, yes I still think I’m in control at times (I am God’s comic relief). I am not.
But, that’s O.K. It’ll be alright! Including my trip this weekend!
It would seem to be easy for most of us to recognize we are not God. If we were, we would sure do things differently. Just look at the movie starring Jim Carrey Bruce Almighty. But truth is we battle with being God all the time. This is most evident in our control issues.
Consider this, what do you have control over? I mean real control. I thought I had control over the schedule for this weekend until Monday when I found out (my wife told me) I did not have control and needed to make other arrangements. There is a gender conflict story there that goes un-written. It’s easy to point out the obvious elements where we lack control the weather, life and death, illness although we spend a lot of money, time and energy being fit and trying to live longer (a control issue I believe). Take for instance what you will eat (I am hungry by the way). You can eat whatever you want as long as you can find it (is or is not in the fridge) pay for it (enough money) or get it (out of season). No control really, any one of those issues could stop you dead in your hunger (I told you I was hungry). But we still spend a lot of time complaining and worrying over what we have no real control over. That seems insane to me.
What do you have control over? Your choices you say. Well, that is true and it is not true. Most times we are not even able to control our tendency to do the wrong thing. Paul speaks of this in Romans 7:19 NIV
“19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
However, we do have some control over our choices. We can choose to have no control at all. I think that is what Christ meant when he said “take up your cross and follow me.” Could it be that our cross is our insistent desire to have control, power, to be like God as Adam and Eve were tested and failed? I think so. We deceive ourselves into believing we have control. It was even our choice to follow Christ, really? Who does the drawing, convicting and saving? It surly wasn’t me! I had no control. Does that mean I am adrift? No, it means I have a new captain. One who promised to keep good care of me period.
What do I need to have control over?
Nothing, absolutely nothing, you see as I get out of the way and follow I gain more confidence in my captain’s ability to lead and lead well. I trust Jesus more and can say “whatever, It’ll be alright” with humility and confidence because I trust my captain, my savior, my Jesus. It seems like and insane way to live but creation seems insane at times and yet we discover daily order and plan and purpose. I was reminded this week of a familiar saying “when you can’t see the Father’s hand trust His heart.” I am learning HIS heart is good. Oh, yes I still think I’m in control at times (I am God’s comic relief). I am not.
But, that’s O.K. It’ll be alright! Including my trip this weekend!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Third step of recovery is...
Consciously choose to commit my life and will to Christ’s care and control. I like the first word. “Consciously” it tells me I have to think about it, consider it, with a clear mind.
The second word is good too as I must choose. I like to choose, don’t you? I like a choice in food and drink, TV shows, movies, books, political candidates lots of things really. But it is also true I sometimes don’t choose. I don’t want to. I would rather have it decided for me so that I can complain about the decision and the decider (is that a word? It is NOW) and not be responsible.
Why is it that free will, the ability and requirement to choose is God’s plan? I wouldn’t do that if I were god. Nope, I would decide and you would be happy. I might be more happy than you because I am deciding but then again you wouldn’t care because you never had a choice anyway (I digress). Honestly it really bites that I have to consciously choose every day, every minute to submit to Christ. Why couldn’t that be done already? It’s not. I/you have to choose each day that I live.
How do you live life one day at a time? There are plans to be planned, and schedules to keep and obligations to be met. It extends into the future more than tomorrow. How do I live one day at a time? By choosing each day to commit to Christ, that is how. In reality my commitment although passionate and fervent is very short lived, distracted like the dogs in Disney’s UP when a squirrel is mentioned. I have a case of ADD when it comes to Christ and following him. I think that is a blessing that I must consciously choose each day to commit my life and will to Christ care and control. It keeps me focused and fresh. It keeps me looking for and to Him for everything. After all he wants to be my everything, my all in all, for us to be close so that he may care for me.
That’s the third step of 12. That is a hard step to take once much less every day. However, every day is one step closer to forever with God because of Jesus. It’s worth it.
The second word is good too as I must choose. I like to choose, don’t you? I like a choice in food and drink, TV shows, movies, books, political candidates lots of things really. But it is also true I sometimes don’t choose. I don’t want to. I would rather have it decided for me so that I can complain about the decision and the decider (is that a word? It is NOW) and not be responsible.
Why is it that free will, the ability and requirement to choose is God’s plan? I wouldn’t do that if I were god. Nope, I would decide and you would be happy. I might be more happy than you because I am deciding but then again you wouldn’t care because you never had a choice anyway (I digress). Honestly it really bites that I have to consciously choose every day, every minute to submit to Christ. Why couldn’t that be done already? It’s not. I/you have to choose each day that I live.
How do you live life one day at a time? There are plans to be planned, and schedules to keep and obligations to be met. It extends into the future more than tomorrow. How do I live one day at a time? By choosing each day to commit to Christ, that is how. In reality my commitment although passionate and fervent is very short lived, distracted like the dogs in Disney’s UP when a squirrel is mentioned. I have a case of ADD when it comes to Christ and following him. I think that is a blessing that I must consciously choose each day to commit my life and will to Christ care and control. It keeps me focused and fresh. It keeps me looking for and to Him for everything. After all he wants to be my everything, my all in all, for us to be close so that he may care for me.
That’s the third step of 12. That is a hard step to take once much less every day. However, every day is one step closer to forever with God because of Jesus. It’s worth it.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Who would have thought?
Who would have thought…
that six years later we would be constituting as an independent church. I didn’t think it would be six years. I thought sooner. Some may have thought it would never happen. To be honest I have had those thoughts several times.
Here we are on the eve of our Coming of Age Celebration, Sunday September 12, 2010. We are coming of age to embark in the Kingdom of God as an independent church. I don’t know exactly how to say how I feel. In some ways it is just a continuation of life as we have lived for some time. In other ways it is the “drawing of a line in the sand” defining an ending of one relationship and a beginning of another; an ending to a fabulous partnership with First Baptist Church of Springfield and the beginning of a friendship as sister churches in God’s Kingdom.
I could not have imagined how blessed me and my family would be by the process and more importantly the people. The people of First Baptist and the people of Crossroads are and continue to be amazing. It is amazing to me how God works in spite of our thoughts and imagination to will and to create. My thoughts were different. I thought it would be easier to get to this point. I thought we would be larger in numbers at this point. I thought it would be quicker and easier to affect change in lives for God’s glory. All I thought was wrong. Someone asked me how much time I thought something would take and in a moment of clarity I said “it doesn’t matter what number I tell you it won’t be right.” It never has been so why should it start now? God’s time is God‘s time. Always right on and perfect just not much like mine.
Who would have thought?
Certainly not me.
that six years later we would be constituting as an independent church. I didn’t think it would be six years. I thought sooner. Some may have thought it would never happen. To be honest I have had those thoughts several times.
Here we are on the eve of our Coming of Age Celebration, Sunday September 12, 2010. We are coming of age to embark in the Kingdom of God as an independent church. I don’t know exactly how to say how I feel. In some ways it is just a continuation of life as we have lived for some time. In other ways it is the “drawing of a line in the sand” defining an ending of one relationship and a beginning of another; an ending to a fabulous partnership with First Baptist Church of Springfield and the beginning of a friendship as sister churches in God’s Kingdom.
I could not have imagined how blessed me and my family would be by the process and more importantly the people. The people of First Baptist and the people of Crossroads are and continue to be amazing. It is amazing to me how God works in spite of our thoughts and imagination to will and to create. My thoughts were different. I thought it would be easier to get to this point. I thought we would be larger in numbers at this point. I thought it would be quicker and easier to affect change in lives for God’s glory. All I thought was wrong. Someone asked me how much time I thought something would take and in a moment of clarity I said “it doesn’t matter what number I tell you it won’t be right.” It never has been so why should it start now? God’s time is God‘s time. Always right on and perfect just not much like mine.
Who would have thought?
Certainly not me.
Friday, August 27, 2010
A Couple of thoughts from words this week...
There has always been an effort to identify followers of Jesus by external actions and behaviors. It comes with the territory from Jesus “you love me if you keep my commandments.” It seems pretty clear. It never really is.
The Corinthian church had an issue that Paul addressed. They began to measure their devotion to Christ by the manifestation of specific spiritual gifts among their fellowship, specifically speaking in tongues. If you don’t speak in tongues then you don’t have it. You’re not spiritual etc. Followed by “anything you can do I can do better…” you know the song. We try to measure the depth or existence of a relationship by external evidence. It causes us problems because we are measuring with the wrong instrument.
A “Christian” is such because of who they know and not what they know or do or anything else. The measurement is do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Any answer other than yes is NO. A simple test. My example would be the thief on the cross whom Jesus told “today you will be with me in paradise.” The question is personal and intimate and therefore hard to quantify.
The “what they do” question is a measurement of maturity and possibly commitment. People claim Jesus as Savior before they claim him as Lord. One can be saved and not do much as evidence. The process of transformation has begun but not progressed much. Does that mean they are not Christians if they don’t act how we think they should? Of course not; they just may not have matured much if at all. This measuring stick is often used as a weapon when one has felt wronged by another. “A true (underline true) Christian would not act that way (with lots of self righteous tone whatever that is).” When in fact, they may. We are in a transformation, maturing process. It is ongoing and not complete yet. That is where grace must play a part, allowing Christians to not be perfect as we are not perfect. It’s a hard thing to do to allow them the same grace as we would desire for ourselves. Loving your neighbor and all of that is not easy, getting the board out of our own eye before the splinter in our neighbors.
Personal responsibility seems to be the focus. How do I respond to Jesus and his commands and do I trust him? I have more than enough to keep me busy following Him. I don’t need to take on measurement duties for others. Am I allowing him to transform my very being into His likeness today?
The Corinthian church had an issue that Paul addressed. They began to measure their devotion to Christ by the manifestation of specific spiritual gifts among their fellowship, specifically speaking in tongues. If you don’t speak in tongues then you don’t have it. You’re not spiritual etc. Followed by “anything you can do I can do better…” you know the song. We try to measure the depth or existence of a relationship by external evidence. It causes us problems because we are measuring with the wrong instrument.
A “Christian” is such because of who they know and not what they know or do or anything else. The measurement is do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Any answer other than yes is NO. A simple test. My example would be the thief on the cross whom Jesus told “today you will be with me in paradise.” The question is personal and intimate and therefore hard to quantify.
The “what they do” question is a measurement of maturity and possibly commitment. People claim Jesus as Savior before they claim him as Lord. One can be saved and not do much as evidence. The process of transformation has begun but not progressed much. Does that mean they are not Christians if they don’t act how we think they should? Of course not; they just may not have matured much if at all. This measuring stick is often used as a weapon when one has felt wronged by another. “A true (underline true) Christian would not act that way (with lots of self righteous tone whatever that is).” When in fact, they may. We are in a transformation, maturing process. It is ongoing and not complete yet. That is where grace must play a part, allowing Christians to not be perfect as we are not perfect. It’s a hard thing to do to allow them the same grace as we would desire for ourselves. Loving your neighbor and all of that is not easy, getting the board out of our own eye before the splinter in our neighbors.
Personal responsibility seems to be the focus. How do I respond to Jesus and his commands and do I trust him? I have more than enough to keep me busy following Him. I don’t need to take on measurement duties for others. Am I allowing him to transform my very being into His likeness today?
Friday, August 20, 2010
I fell I'm in the middle...
in the middle of everything. Now I know that is a gross overstatement, but sometimes you just get in between the beginning and the end of things and well frankly it is dull in the middle.
Dull in that the excitement of the “new” has worn off and now life and its processes have become routine. The end is still a way off and now all there is to do is keep doing what you have been doing and wait. That is what I mean by “in the middle.”
In the middle time stands still and it seems you are going to be there forever. You stand at a crossroads (good name) and the three directions before you look very similar. I think of a four-way stop in the desert each direction has sand, scrub brush and road. Which way to go? Each looks the same dull, similar scenery. That’s what you see. That’s not what is.
Change is inevitable. Soon the ending will come and with it excitement and the satisfaction of the completion of a job. Hopefully well done but completed none the less. In the coming days I will share in wedding vow renewal ceremony at Tybee. This couple has been married 20 years and wanted to remember but also look forward. Their youngest child will be graduating high school in 2011. They will be empty nesters looking at each other wondering what to do. Which course will they take? Sometimes marriage is dull in the middle but it will change. Life changes it never stays the same.
Our spiritual life is no different. Sometimes life seems dull and boring. God is quiet and we are “in a funk” as a friend said this week. Then I read these words the next day by Chuck Swindoll in an e-mail called “Waiting and Listening.” Read what he said.
In my four-and-a-half decades of pastoral ministry, I have had many, many occasions to wait on God. I still do today. Sometimes it drives me nuts! But honestly, I would have it no other way.
It requires a sensitive eye to watch the movement of God in your life. All He may do is turn your attention in another direction. But that may be all you need. As you wait and watch, also listen to Him with a sensitive ear in the pages of Holy Scripture. Pore over a favorite passage in His Word.
Quietly give attention to His presence, and He will give you direction when it’s time.
Great advice from one who has been there more than once. You can read this at http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83445441b53ef0133f23b13a9970b
Dull in that the excitement of the “new” has worn off and now life and its processes have become routine. The end is still a way off and now all there is to do is keep doing what you have been doing and wait. That is what I mean by “in the middle.”
In the middle time stands still and it seems you are going to be there forever. You stand at a crossroads (good name) and the three directions before you look very similar. I think of a four-way stop in the desert each direction has sand, scrub brush and road. Which way to go? Each looks the same dull, similar scenery. That’s what you see. That’s not what is.
Change is inevitable. Soon the ending will come and with it excitement and the satisfaction of the completion of a job. Hopefully well done but completed none the less. In the coming days I will share in wedding vow renewal ceremony at Tybee. This couple has been married 20 years and wanted to remember but also look forward. Their youngest child will be graduating high school in 2011. They will be empty nesters looking at each other wondering what to do. Which course will they take? Sometimes marriage is dull in the middle but it will change. Life changes it never stays the same.
Our spiritual life is no different. Sometimes life seems dull and boring. God is quiet and we are “in a funk” as a friend said this week. Then I read these words the next day by Chuck Swindoll in an e-mail called “Waiting and Listening.” Read what he said.
In my four-and-a-half decades of pastoral ministry, I have had many, many occasions to wait on God. I still do today. Sometimes it drives me nuts! But honestly, I would have it no other way.
It requires a sensitive eye to watch the movement of God in your life. All He may do is turn your attention in another direction. But that may be all you need. As you wait and watch, also listen to Him with a sensitive ear in the pages of Holy Scripture. Pore over a favorite passage in His Word.
Quietly give attention to His presence, and He will give you direction when it’s time.
Great advice from one who has been there more than once. You can read this at http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83445441b53ef0133f23b13a9970b
Friday, August 13, 2010
This is where I am...
It is my habit to read a book at a time beginning to end no skipping here and there. I am now in Luke as I read I came to the temptation of Christ. Several aspects of the story were revealed to me in a new way.
The first is the timing. Jesus has just officially begun his ministry with His baptism, a marvelous event where God himself affirms his son. What son does not beam when his Dad proclaims his love and pride? (Memo to me and other Dad’s: Tell your kids you are proud of them and they have what it takes in your eyes).
Jesus is then led by God’s spirit into the desert for 40 days of fasting and temptation. God did that.
Jesus endures the 40 days of tempting and testing and is hungry. So here comes the evil one with these three final tests.
3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'[a]"
5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
8Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'[b]"
9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
11they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[c]"
12Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[d]"
I noticed that evil tempts him to test what he already has. "If you are the Son of God [He is the son of God], tell this stone to become bread [God will supply his needs] the word of God Jesus answers.
The devil says "I will give you all their authority and splendor…7So if you worship me, it will all be yours." He already had all authority and splendor. The world was made through Him by Him for Him. It was already His.
The devil says "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[c]"
Matthew and Mark tell us angels attended to his needs following this exchange. Just what evil said they would do just not how he said they would do it.
Did you see that? He is tempted to test what he already has. Evil does that tempts us to act in one way against what we already have. Evil says you are alone! Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” “I am with you always.” Evil says you won’t have enough food, cloths, money, etc. God says “I will supply all you needs.” In both instances we already have what we need in writing.
What was the last ah ha from God’s word? When was it? Can’t remember? Then read some more!
The first is the timing. Jesus has just officially begun his ministry with His baptism, a marvelous event where God himself affirms his son. What son does not beam when his Dad proclaims his love and pride? (Memo to me and other Dad’s: Tell your kids you are proud of them and they have what it takes in your eyes).
Jesus is then led by God’s spirit into the desert for 40 days of fasting and temptation. God did that.
Jesus endures the 40 days of tempting and testing and is hungry. So here comes the evil one with these three final tests.
3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'[a]"
5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
8Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'[b]"
9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
11they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[c]"
12Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[d]"
I noticed that evil tempts him to test what he already has. "If you are the Son of God [He is the son of God], tell this stone to become bread [God will supply his needs] the word of God Jesus answers.
The devil says "I will give you all their authority and splendor…7So if you worship me, it will all be yours." He already had all authority and splendor. The world was made through Him by Him for Him. It was already His.
The devil says "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[c]"
Matthew and Mark tell us angels attended to his needs following this exchange. Just what evil said they would do just not how he said they would do it.
Did you see that? He is tempted to test what he already has. Evil does that tempts us to act in one way against what we already have. Evil says you are alone! Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” “I am with you always.” Evil says you won’t have enough food, cloths, money, etc. God says “I will supply all you needs.” In both instances we already have what we need in writing.
What was the last ah ha from God’s word? When was it? Can’t remember? Then read some more!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Our Problem Is Sin
Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Romans 12:2 MSG
Real change is an inside job. You might alter things a day or two with money or systems, but the heart of the matter is and always will be, the matter of the heart.
Allow me to get specific. Our problem is sin. Not finances. Not budgets...Our problem is sin. We are in rebellion against our Creator. we are separated from our Father. We are cut off from the source of life. A new president [congress] or policy won't fix that. It can only be solved by God.
That's why the Bible uses drastic terms like conversion, repentance, and lost and found. Society may renovate, but only God re-creates. ~ Max Lucado When God Whispers Your Name [brackets mine]
It seems appropriate to be reminded that it is God who makes real lasting change bringing the dead back to life, restoring hope to the hopeless and giving sight to the blind. Let's pray for God to do just that in our nation, state, county, work place, home and in ourselves today.
Real change is an inside job. You might alter things a day or two with money or systems, but the heart of the matter is and always will be, the matter of the heart.
Allow me to get specific. Our problem is sin. Not finances. Not budgets...Our problem is sin. We are in rebellion against our Creator. we are separated from our Father. We are cut off from the source of life. A new president [congress] or policy won't fix that. It can only be solved by God.
That's why the Bible uses drastic terms like conversion, repentance, and lost and found. Society may renovate, but only God re-creates. ~ Max Lucado When God Whispers Your Name [brackets mine]
It seems appropriate to be reminded that it is God who makes real lasting change bringing the dead back to life, restoring hope to the hopeless and giving sight to the blind. Let's pray for God to do just that in our nation, state, county, work place, home and in ourselves today.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
I noticed my comb...
As I brushed my teeth this morning. I’ve had this comb for several years. It stays in my overnight kit with shampoo, Rolaids, toothbrush etc. I don’t use it every day and didn’t spend much because it was just going to be used when I am out of town on a trip or as a backup at home.
It was laying there by the sink as I looked at it. Formed out of plastic, it has two colors one of which is white at each comb tip. The tines are three different lengths all the same tapered width. The handle is not flat but convex with raised squares for grip I presume. As I looked at it I realized someone or someone(s) had spent some time designing this comb, maybe some significant time to get it just right so I would use it for years and never notice how it was made. Never consider how much time or energy went into its conception and production.
Last week as I wrestled with this building process we are in I came to an appreciation of the work and energy people before me have made for me to take advantage of their labors and never notice, significant time, energy, headache, and heartache so that I would never think of it. In my eyes it just is, always has been always will be. However, nothing just came to be. I came at a price.
The best things always come at a cost. A cost to someone and yet so much of the time I take it for granted. I fail to consider the cost another has paid for me to have, work with or experience today. Science continues to discover new structures revealing what has been and yet just noticing how it is made, how it was put together and how life is designed, designed with intelligence, purpose and detail. Designed in such a way as for us to just now notice the design revealing the designer and through study begin to appreciate
The ONE who holds all things together;
The ONE who through whom all things are made and to whom all things will be redeemed;
The One whose thoughts continue our very existence;
The ONE whose plan is working everyday being revealed to those who will notice and consider what has gone before them.
Today I noticed my comb. What else will there be to see today? More to appreciate and less to take for granted. More to work at, labor towards so that others after me can take for granted just as I have up to today. More counting on God to reveal himself in the ordinary making everything glorious as David Crowder sings, as Jesus does making the ordinary extraordinary in HIS hands.
I won’t look at that comb the same way. After all it is a Comb!
It was laying there by the sink as I looked at it. Formed out of plastic, it has two colors one of which is white at each comb tip. The tines are three different lengths all the same tapered width. The handle is not flat but convex with raised squares for grip I presume. As I looked at it I realized someone or someone(s) had spent some time designing this comb, maybe some significant time to get it just right so I would use it for years and never notice how it was made. Never consider how much time or energy went into its conception and production.
Last week as I wrestled with this building process we are in I came to an appreciation of the work and energy people before me have made for me to take advantage of their labors and never notice, significant time, energy, headache, and heartache so that I would never think of it. In my eyes it just is, always has been always will be. However, nothing just came to be. I came at a price.
The best things always come at a cost. A cost to someone and yet so much of the time I take it for granted. I fail to consider the cost another has paid for me to have, work with or experience today. Science continues to discover new structures revealing what has been and yet just noticing how it is made, how it was put together and how life is designed, designed with intelligence, purpose and detail. Designed in such a way as for us to just now notice the design revealing the designer and through study begin to appreciate
The ONE who holds all things together;
The ONE who through whom all things are made and to whom all things will be redeemed;
The One whose thoughts continue our very existence;
The ONE whose plan is working everyday being revealed to those who will notice and consider what has gone before them.
Today I noticed my comb. What else will there be to see today? More to appreciate and less to take for granted. More to work at, labor towards so that others after me can take for granted just as I have up to today. More counting on God to reveal himself in the ordinary making everything glorious as David Crowder sings, as Jesus does making the ordinary extraordinary in HIS hands.
I won’t look at that comb the same way. After all it is a Comb!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away…
In honor of Ringo Starr turning 70 this week, I thought I would begin with a song. But really, yesterday a friend and I were listening to an Executive Pastor of a church in our region.
He has just written a new book and in his interview he talked about how his church leverages the social networking sites to build community among their attendees. He told a story of a need posted on a site for a computer for a women’s shelter, another individual posted they had a computer but needed to get some data from it and remove personal information, a third post came saying they were a computer undergrad and would be happy to retrieve the data and clean the computer to go to the women’s shelter, a fourth post came saying they had a printer they were not using and would donate to the women’s shelter Geoff (something-or-other) then spoke of the community that had been created. I see that. Folks who did not previously know one another worked together to solve a need, cool. But community, when we think of community is that the kind we want and really need? Consider this example; my wife is in the van on HWY 21 when the left rear tire blows out. She is able to get it to the shoulder safely and well off of the road. Two drivers stop to help. One jacks the car up and the other removes the wheel a third stops and offers additional assistance. The spare tire is on the ground and my wife is able to get home for me to fix the blown out tire. Was that community? Yes they worked together to meet a need. That is amazing, but is that community?
Recently in my Life Group one shared of intense personal struggles with several relationships. They were intensely distraught and overwhelmed with the weight of the despair and pain and the prospects of disaster in these relationships. The group listened, comforted, sympathized and prayed for this one listening for God’s voice and direction. He spoke and met their need at that moment and we hurt with them. Is that community?
I say yes!
I wondered if that same outpouring would happen on a social networking site? Would your bare your heart on Face book? I say all of this to comment on how loosely we define so many terms, community in this case, salvation in others. I recently heard someone speak like God would save anyone if they just something. I honestly sounded like they did not have to do anything and God would save them. Jesus always said follow me. That sounds like something. I have heard I believe in God so I’m alright. The evil one believes in God but he’s not alright. In this example community is caring, compassion and personal touch, people who love us and know us and care for us. That is a community that holds us accountable, pulls us up and kicks us in the pants when we need it.
That’s the community I need.
That’s the community I count on.
Where is yours?
He has just written a new book and in his interview he talked about how his church leverages the social networking sites to build community among their attendees. He told a story of a need posted on a site for a computer for a women’s shelter, another individual posted they had a computer but needed to get some data from it and remove personal information, a third post came saying they were a computer undergrad and would be happy to retrieve the data and clean the computer to go to the women’s shelter, a fourth post came saying they had a printer they were not using and would donate to the women’s shelter Geoff (something-or-other) then spoke of the community that had been created. I see that. Folks who did not previously know one another worked together to solve a need, cool. But community, when we think of community is that the kind we want and really need? Consider this example; my wife is in the van on HWY 21 when the left rear tire blows out. She is able to get it to the shoulder safely and well off of the road. Two drivers stop to help. One jacks the car up and the other removes the wheel a third stops and offers additional assistance. The spare tire is on the ground and my wife is able to get home for me to fix the blown out tire. Was that community? Yes they worked together to meet a need. That is amazing, but is that community?
Recently in my Life Group one shared of intense personal struggles with several relationships. They were intensely distraught and overwhelmed with the weight of the despair and pain and the prospects of disaster in these relationships. The group listened, comforted, sympathized and prayed for this one listening for God’s voice and direction. He spoke and met their need at that moment and we hurt with them. Is that community?
I say yes!
I wondered if that same outpouring would happen on a social networking site? Would your bare your heart on Face book? I say all of this to comment on how loosely we define so many terms, community in this case, salvation in others. I recently heard someone speak like God would save anyone if they just something. I honestly sounded like they did not have to do anything and God would save them. Jesus always said follow me. That sounds like something. I have heard I believe in God so I’m alright. The evil one believes in God but he’s not alright. In this example community is caring, compassion and personal touch, people who love us and know us and care for us. That is a community that holds us accountable, pulls us up and kicks us in the pants when we need it.
That’s the community I need.
That’s the community I count on.
Where is yours?
Friday, June 25, 2010
The "Fix-it" week...
It started on Father’s Day when we decided to fry fish in my turkey fryer. So after church I’m set up and the oil was getting hot. I put the hush puppies in and got splashed with oil (of course). Just about the time they were getting golden brown and done the rain started.
You and I know hot oil and rain water do not mix without explosive results. So what do we do? Go inside or try to finish out side in the rain.
We got a large golf size umbrella and Elizabeth held it over the fryer and we cooked hush puppies, fries and fish. It was a juggling act to open the lid, hold the umbrella and dish out the cooked goodies but we got it “fixed.”
Tuesday I got to the office and the internet connection was not working. The power had gone off and on repeatedly through the night so there was bound to be trouble. I spent most of the day in the “in the closet (no one said “George come out of the closet”). In the end to find that one channel of one piece of equipment had gone bad. All else was fine but this one channel. Unusual, it certainly was. But a few changes and up and running once again. We got it “fixed.”
Thursday night while I was eating dinner the phone rang and my Father said a ceiling fan in their living room with the cathedral ceiling was “hanging by three wires.” I had a small group coming to the house in 20 minutes. So, we went to get a taller ladder and then over to their house. Turns out it had not broken just come loose and 5 minutes it was secure and locked down and running. By the way, when I got there it was hanging by “three wires.”
Don’t get me wrong I am glad to have the skills to correct these problems. However, sometimes I wonder if that is the way life is to be? Problems, problems, difficulty after difficulty, it just seems life should not be so hard. I want more mountain top experiences instead of the drain ones. But nothing grows on the mountain top.
The mountain top has these great wide expansive views but plants and trees do not grow on the highest peaks. Those peaks have snow, ice and if high enough little air but GREAT views. But you can’t stay there. You can’t live there. Growth occurs in the valley. The valley where there is water for drinking and flooding. Where there is fertile ground that produces food and weeds that need to be pulled. The valley has trees that provide shade and limbs that fall and must be cut. The valley is where the work is. The valley is where the problems are. Where things and people break and must be repaired. The valley is where the work of salvation is accomplished, where we are made whole and holy through the toughness of life. Jesus lived life that way and walks before us as we live life that way.
Salvation is God’s way of “fixing” us, making us whole and holy.
God is a “fix-it” man.
Funny, this week so am I.
Hey, I’m in good company!
You and I know hot oil and rain water do not mix without explosive results. So what do we do? Go inside or try to finish out side in the rain.
We got a large golf size umbrella and Elizabeth held it over the fryer and we cooked hush puppies, fries and fish. It was a juggling act to open the lid, hold the umbrella and dish out the cooked goodies but we got it “fixed.”
Tuesday I got to the office and the internet connection was not working. The power had gone off and on repeatedly through the night so there was bound to be trouble. I spent most of the day in the “in the closet (no one said “George come out of the closet”). In the end to find that one channel of one piece of equipment had gone bad. All else was fine but this one channel. Unusual, it certainly was. But a few changes and up and running once again. We got it “fixed.”
Thursday night while I was eating dinner the phone rang and my Father said a ceiling fan in their living room with the cathedral ceiling was “hanging by three wires.” I had a small group coming to the house in 20 minutes. So, we went to get a taller ladder and then over to their house. Turns out it had not broken just come loose and 5 minutes it was secure and locked down and running. By the way, when I got there it was hanging by “three wires.”
Don’t get me wrong I am glad to have the skills to correct these problems. However, sometimes I wonder if that is the way life is to be? Problems, problems, difficulty after difficulty, it just seems life should not be so hard. I want more mountain top experiences instead of the drain ones. But nothing grows on the mountain top.
The mountain top has these great wide expansive views but plants and trees do not grow on the highest peaks. Those peaks have snow, ice and if high enough little air but GREAT views. But you can’t stay there. You can’t live there. Growth occurs in the valley. The valley where there is water for drinking and flooding. Where there is fertile ground that produces food and weeds that need to be pulled. The valley has trees that provide shade and limbs that fall and must be cut. The valley is where the work is. The valley is where the problems are. Where things and people break and must be repaired. The valley is where the work of salvation is accomplished, where we are made whole and holy through the toughness of life. Jesus lived life that way and walks before us as we live life that way.
Salvation is God’s way of “fixing” us, making us whole and holy.
God is a “fix-it” man.
Funny, this week so am I.
Hey, I’m in good company!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
I love living in a small community except on Wednesday!
It has a great many advantages. When you enter a store you know the people who work there by name and they know you. The folks who own it work it. That has a dark side as well but we won't go there.
I do support the buy local initiatives. Small business is the backbone or our nation and its' economy. However, today I hit one of the problems with a small town. It is Wednesday.
Wednesday is not the problem. The Wednesday tradition is the problem. Years ago businesses closed at noon on Wednesday, the bank, city offices almost everything. "That's the way it was," so Walter Cronkite would say. Today, Wednesday at 1pm I went to get my gas grill tank refilled to cook Sunday for my Dad (fried fish, hush puppies etc.) so I stopped at a local LP gas retailer and ran "smack dab" into tradition. The door was locked! After rubbing my nose (not really) I saw the hours of operation "Wednesday 8-12." Being the consumer I am i went to the other LP gas retailer in this town and this time did not run into tradition. I just went up to the door and there tradition was posted in the window.
Now I will go to the next community to get the tank refilled. It seems whenever I try to buy local I have to go to the next town to do it.
Is that local or long distance?
You tell me!
I do support the buy local initiatives. Small business is the backbone or our nation and its' economy. However, today I hit one of the problems with a small town. It is Wednesday.
Wednesday is not the problem. The Wednesday tradition is the problem. Years ago businesses closed at noon on Wednesday, the bank, city offices almost everything. "That's the way it was," so Walter Cronkite would say. Today, Wednesday at 1pm I went to get my gas grill tank refilled to cook Sunday for my Dad (fried fish, hush puppies etc.) so I stopped at a local LP gas retailer and ran "smack dab" into tradition. The door was locked! After rubbing my nose (not really) I saw the hours of operation "Wednesday 8-12." Being the consumer I am i went to the other LP gas retailer in this town and this time did not run into tradition. I just went up to the door and there tradition was posted in the window.
Now I will go to the next community to get the tank refilled. It seems whenever I try to buy local I have to go to the next town to do it.
Is that local or long distance?
You tell me!
All + In = Blessing
That was the title of my message last week. Math was just a theme. Jesus was all in and he asks us to be all in. But instead we like to play hokey-pokey.
You remember that song/game at the skating rink. You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out you put your right foot in and you shake it all about…I know you’re singing it right now (with a smile on your face). You just put your foot, hand, arm whatever over the line and you pull it right back out. That’s what it’s all about hokey-pokey right?
Playing hokey-pokey with Jesus is similar. It’s when we commit just a little bit but not all, only enough to meet the bare minimum or so we think. We commit enough to get the get-out-of-hell-free-card for that last day but not enough for us to be any different “why spoil the fun?” “I can have my cake and eat it too,” so we think. God’s blessing must equal his love so I’m O.K. right?
Wrong!
Hear me first God’s love is unconditional
Did you hear that?
God’s Love is unconditional!
However, God’s blessing is very conditional.
God’s blessings include if then statements. “If you love me (then) you will keep my commands” “Abram go to the place I will show you (then) I will… Do you see it? If…then. Jesus after restoring Peter and letting Peter know it responded to Peter’s question regarding John and his fate said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, (then) what is that to you? You must follow me." John 21:22 NIV
“What is that to you?” What does it matter what I have in store for him? What matters is you must follow me. Have you been caught in the trap complaining about how someone else was not acting very Christ-like towards you or at you? How they did not do what was right? How someone else with more faith would have…something. How do you think Jesus would answer your complaint? How did He answer Peter’s complaint?
Hummmmmmm?
I think the conversation might go something like:
JESUS: “What are you doing about it? How have you acted like me? Have you been a servant? Have you turned the other cheek?”
ME/YOU: [with as much whine in your voice as possible] O.K. O.K. enough, enough, but why does it always have to be me?
JESUS: “That’s what it is to love your neighbor as yourself. You go first. I did.”
ME/YOU: “Oh yeah… that’s right.”
JESUS: “Are you all in?”
ME/YOU: “Absolutely Jesus amen.” [Fist pumping high in the air]
JESUS: “Really, it looks more like hokey-pokey to me?”
All + In = Blessing
You remember that song/game at the skating rink. You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out you put your right foot in and you shake it all about…I know you’re singing it right now (with a smile on your face). You just put your foot, hand, arm whatever over the line and you pull it right back out. That’s what it’s all about hokey-pokey right?
Playing hokey-pokey with Jesus is similar. It’s when we commit just a little bit but not all, only enough to meet the bare minimum or so we think. We commit enough to get the get-out-of-hell-free-card for that last day but not enough for us to be any different “why spoil the fun?” “I can have my cake and eat it too,” so we think. God’s blessing must equal his love so I’m O.K. right?
Wrong!
Hear me first God’s love is unconditional
Did you hear that?
God’s Love is unconditional!
However, God’s blessing is very conditional.
God’s blessings include if then statements. “If you love me (then) you will keep my commands” “Abram go to the place I will show you (then) I will… Do you see it? If…then. Jesus after restoring Peter and letting Peter know it responded to Peter’s question regarding John and his fate said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, (then) what is that to you? You must follow me." John 21:22 NIV
“What is that to you?” What does it matter what I have in store for him? What matters is you must follow me. Have you been caught in the trap complaining about how someone else was not acting very Christ-like towards you or at you? How they did not do what was right? How someone else with more faith would have…something. How do you think Jesus would answer your complaint? How did He answer Peter’s complaint?
Hummmmmmm?
I think the conversation might go something like:
JESUS: “What are you doing about it? How have you acted like me? Have you been a servant? Have you turned the other cheek?”
ME/YOU: [with as much whine in your voice as possible] O.K. O.K. enough, enough, but why does it always have to be me?
JESUS: “That’s what it is to love your neighbor as yourself. You go first. I did.”
ME/YOU: “Oh yeah… that’s right.”
JESUS: “Are you all in?”
ME/YOU: “Absolutely Jesus amen.” [Fist pumping high in the air]
JESUS: “Really, it looks more like hokey-pokey to me?”
All + In = Blessing
Friday, June 11, 2010
An update of sorts......
We spent a week of vacation in south Mississippi, Ocean springs to be exact. We went there with the hopes of getting away, going to the beach, resting and relaxing. We did all of those things just not when we wanted.
After our arrival, the first few days it rained with thunder and lightning, no beach going but plenty of resting, relaxing naps and late wake-ups. That was good! We did go see a movie and a little shopping (ugh).
Finally, we decided to go to the beach anyway and we would leave when it started raining. That proved to be a good plan. It was sunny and clear for a while and then came the thunder clouds. We had made plans to visit a barrier island 12 miles off of the coast but were weary because of the weather. We went Monday to a hot, sunny day with good water and hot sand. There was no oil on the Mississippi beaches.
It is always interesting for our family to decide where to go to church. No church is like Crossroads (thank God), but where to go. Vacation time is the few times I get to see how other people worship. So, we headed off to one church about 30 minutes away. As we were getting to the highway we say some small yard signs for Mosaic Church. So we turned around to go find them. They meet in a skating rink with three weekend services. We were early but it was like home. Turns out the pastor is a lot like me (s my family said). I feel sorry for him. Check them out at http://www.mosaicgc.com/.
Then we came home back to the issues at hand. Crossroads has purchased a modular building 36X66 in size. The plan at the moment is to locate that on the Assembly property on honey ridge road. “Houston we have a problem” water. It seems as a church we are required to have a permit for a well and no permits are being issued south of HWY119. The other option is to connect to a community, city or county water system. That is a possibility with Guyton city but who knows what that will cost?
God knows.
Last night as our small group was talking and praying God reminded me that obstacles are opportunities. Obstacles of weather and plans and water and buildings are opportunities for God to be revealed. He reminded me that I had been viewing them as challenges not opportunities, the larger the obstacle the greater the opportunity for God to be God, the greater the opportunity for me to experience the power and possibilities of God at work on earth as he works in heaven.
Shame on me! It has occurred to me to pray for huge obstacles. I’m not sure if my faith is up to that, yet!
In HIS Service and yours
BroG
After our arrival, the first few days it rained with thunder and lightning, no beach going but plenty of resting, relaxing naps and late wake-ups. That was good! We did go see a movie and a little shopping (ugh).
Finally, we decided to go to the beach anyway and we would leave when it started raining. That proved to be a good plan. It was sunny and clear for a while and then came the thunder clouds. We had made plans to visit a barrier island 12 miles off of the coast but were weary because of the weather. We went Monday to a hot, sunny day with good water and hot sand. There was no oil on the Mississippi beaches.
It is always interesting for our family to decide where to go to church. No church is like Crossroads (thank God), but where to go. Vacation time is the few times I get to see how other people worship. So, we headed off to one church about 30 minutes away. As we were getting to the highway we say some small yard signs for Mosaic Church. So we turned around to go find them. They meet in a skating rink with three weekend services. We were early but it was like home. Turns out the pastor is a lot like me (s my family said). I feel sorry for him. Check them out at http://www.mosaicgc.com/.
Then we came home back to the issues at hand. Crossroads has purchased a modular building 36X66 in size. The plan at the moment is to locate that on the Assembly property on honey ridge road. “Houston we have a problem” water. It seems as a church we are required to have a permit for a well and no permits are being issued south of HWY119. The other option is to connect to a community, city or county water system. That is a possibility with Guyton city but who knows what that will cost?
God knows.
Last night as our small group was talking and praying God reminded me that obstacles are opportunities. Obstacles of weather and plans and water and buildings are opportunities for God to be revealed. He reminded me that I had been viewing them as challenges not opportunities, the larger the obstacle the greater the opportunity for God to be God, the greater the opportunity for me to experience the power and possibilities of God at work on earth as he works in heaven.
Shame on me! It has occurred to me to pray for huge obstacles. I’m not sure if my faith is up to that, yet!
In HIS Service and yours
BroG
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
I started a new book...
I’m three almost four chapters in and I’m not sure if I like it or not. It was just tedious to wade through the first three chapters. This is not the first time. Several books I have read recently did not start well. They ended great and proved to well worth the read but they left much to be desired at the beginning. I can’t say that about my current read I’ll let you know.
One concept that has jumped to the surface is how radically different Jesus lived life and expects his followers to live life. Have you considered how radical his way of life is? I mean really? Turn the other cheek? No, really smack them down. Serve rather than being served means you won’t get anything. Jesus’ words and life just flies in the face of “common sense” and the worldly way of doing things.
In this world and world order we do things by might and power, influence and control. Might makes right, we love the movies where the good guy kicks the tail of the bad guy. We love the cop who goes rogue tired of the slow legal system and delivers just by his own gun. I love those endings too but would that be a Jesus ending. Would his movie end that way? Guess what, it would not. The following is the only quote I know from Zechariah but it’s a goodie.
"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 NIV
Do you see how radically different that is from the way we think. Oh I have heard the words “that’s not practical” or “that worked for Jesus but He never intended that for us.” Really? Never intended us to live the life he modeled? What about the last shall be first? Love your neighbor as yourself? To gain your life you must lose it? What about those radical statements? Do you think he said them just to hear his own voice? It seems to me he said them so we would have words for what we have seen Him do.
I’m still not sure if I like the book or not, but I continue to read. I must also say I’m not sure if I like this idea of Jesus the radical or not either but I continue to live that way for what else is there to do he “is the Christ the Son of the living God.”
One concept that has jumped to the surface is how radically different Jesus lived life and expects his followers to live life. Have you considered how radical his way of life is? I mean really? Turn the other cheek? No, really smack them down. Serve rather than being served means you won’t get anything. Jesus’ words and life just flies in the face of “common sense” and the worldly way of doing things.
In this world and world order we do things by might and power, influence and control. Might makes right, we love the movies where the good guy kicks the tail of the bad guy. We love the cop who goes rogue tired of the slow legal system and delivers just by his own gun. I love those endings too but would that be a Jesus ending. Would his movie end that way? Guess what, it would not. The following is the only quote I know from Zechariah but it’s a goodie.
"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 NIV
Do you see how radically different that is from the way we think. Oh I have heard the words “that’s not practical” or “that worked for Jesus but He never intended that for us.” Really? Never intended us to live the life he modeled? What about the last shall be first? Love your neighbor as yourself? To gain your life you must lose it? What about those radical statements? Do you think he said them just to hear his own voice? It seems to me he said them so we would have words for what we have seen Him do.
I’m still not sure if I like the book or not, but I continue to read. I must also say I’m not sure if I like this idea of Jesus the radical or not either but I continue to live that way for what else is there to do he “is the Christ the Son of the living God.”
Thursday, May 20, 2010
More thoughts regarding the previous post...
I stumbled into some problems…no one got hurt but they sure put a halt to plans at least for the moment. I had already read this excerpt written by Eric Bridges earlier in the week…
Every Christian, declared the great preacher C.H. Spurgeon, is either a missionary or an imposter.
Or both. Even the Apostle Paul had his days of discouragement, despair and failure. Just read his letters. A sign of growth for a believer is living like a missionary more days than you live like an imposter.
One of the great things about being around Christian mission work -- or a good church, for that matter -- is associating with people who are more faithful, more committed and more passionate about serving God than you are. They are a "cloud of witnesses," as Hebrews 12:1 describes the saints of old, who motivate the rest of us to pursue a higher calling.
Anna, a 98-year-old lady in my church, participates in multiple ministries during a typical week. Recently she spoke at a women's detention facility and 14 inmates gave their lives to Christ. Anna has a great sense of humor, too. No one can top that! But we can listen to her wisdom, learn from her life and follow her example with God's help.
To paraphrase Forrest Gump, faithful is as faithful does.
When a problem brings us to a halt it is easy to say, “God must not want me to go there or do that.” Because, well it’s just easier to NOT than TO. To push ahead in the face of adversity, to push ahead in the face of limited resources or big government, it is just easier to quit. Quitting is what the evil one wants a believer to do. Remember Jesus in the garden? Quitting would have been easier for HIM not us.
Faithful is as faithful does.
This morning at a prayer breakfast a gentleman asked, “What do you want to hear when you get to heaven?” Interesting question, one man answered “welcome” and there were other answers I thought of “well done good and faithful servant.” Did you catch the faithful part?
Faithful is to continue when it is hard, uphill, hot, nasty, mean, difficult, horrendous, dirty, sweaty and grueling if God has said so. Have you noticed that too often we quit just before a real breakthrough. It is when we are ready to break that the breakthrough comes. I wonder how many times I have given up just before the break though.
Faithful is as faithful does.
The headline in the paper today is “Savannah-Chatham schools to slash 132 jobs, raise property tax rate” that is 132 people, 132 families possibly more if two wage-earners are employed by the board more bad news to add to the pile. How do you be faithful in that possibility? What has God called you to? Certainly not an easy task, faithfulness is not problem free. Honestly, there are no problem free solutions just solutions with problems we will push through. Faithful is as faithful does!
Every Christian, declared the great preacher C.H. Spurgeon, is either a missionary or an imposter.
Or both. Even the Apostle Paul had his days of discouragement, despair and failure. Just read his letters. A sign of growth for a believer is living like a missionary more days than you live like an imposter.
One of the great things about being around Christian mission work -- or a good church, for that matter -- is associating with people who are more faithful, more committed and more passionate about serving God than you are. They are a "cloud of witnesses," as Hebrews 12:1 describes the saints of old, who motivate the rest of us to pursue a higher calling.
Anna, a 98-year-old lady in my church, participates in multiple ministries during a typical week. Recently she spoke at a women's detention facility and 14 inmates gave their lives to Christ. Anna has a great sense of humor, too. No one can top that! But we can listen to her wisdom, learn from her life and follow her example with God's help.
To paraphrase Forrest Gump, faithful is as faithful does.
When a problem brings us to a halt it is easy to say, “God must not want me to go there or do that.” Because, well it’s just easier to NOT than TO. To push ahead in the face of adversity, to push ahead in the face of limited resources or big government, it is just easier to quit. Quitting is what the evil one wants a believer to do. Remember Jesus in the garden? Quitting would have been easier for HIM not us.
Faithful is as faithful does.
This morning at a prayer breakfast a gentleman asked, “What do you want to hear when you get to heaven?” Interesting question, one man answered “welcome” and there were other answers I thought of “well done good and faithful servant.” Did you catch the faithful part?
Faithful is to continue when it is hard, uphill, hot, nasty, mean, difficult, horrendous, dirty, sweaty and grueling if God has said so. Have you noticed that too often we quit just before a real breakthrough. It is when we are ready to break that the breakthrough comes. I wonder how many times I have given up just before the break though.
Faithful is as faithful does.
The headline in the paper today is “Savannah-Chatham schools to slash 132 jobs, raise property tax rate” that is 132 people, 132 families possibly more if two wage-earners are employed by the board more bad news to add to the pile. How do you be faithful in that possibility? What has God called you to? Certainly not an easy task, faithfulness is not problem free. Honestly, there are no problem free solutions just solutions with problems we will push through. Faithful is as faithful does!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Faithful is as Faithful Does by Erich Bridges
Just saw this today. For those who are struggling with life and living walking behind Jesus.
Every Christian, declared the great preacher C.H. Spurgeon, is either a missionary or an imposter.
Or both. Even the Apostle Paul had his days of discouragement, despair and failure. Just read his letters. A sign of growth for a believer is living like a missionary more days than you live like an imposter.
One of the great things about being around Christian mission work -- or a good church, for that matter -- is associating with people who are more faithful, more committed and more passionate about serving God than you are. They are a...click here to read the rest
Every Christian, declared the great preacher C.H. Spurgeon, is either a missionary or an imposter.
Or both. Even the Apostle Paul had his days of discouragement, despair and failure. Just read his letters. A sign of growth for a believer is living like a missionary more days than you live like an imposter.
One of the great things about being around Christian mission work -- or a good church, for that matter -- is associating with people who are more faithful, more committed and more passionate about serving God than you are. They are a...click here to read the rest
Friday, May 14, 2010
Speaking of Problems..............
There has been a belief maybe more like a wish that connecting with Christ as Lord and savior would somehow make everything better and by better I mean easy. I say a wish because I know of no one who says life will b easy but that is really what we want. We are usually approaching God form some desperate position or situation and what we want is out of the spot we’re in. Quick, easy and painless a solution that fixes it all and al is fixed in one simple easy step. The trouble is God does not work that way. Have you noticed that?
In our small groups we have been looking at prayer, its’ purpose and practice. In this past weeks’ material the following questions and their oxymoronic counterparts were presented.
Consider this:
If you want to be trusted with more? ………………. Then how much do you trust?
If you want to be depended on to do great things?................... Then how much do you depend on God? I would add how dependable are you?
If you want to be loved more?................................... Then how much do you love?
We usually approach difficult problem as to how someone else will solve them. It seems that Christ would solve them in and active not a passive way. I remind you he said if you want to live you must die. If you want to lead you must serve. The first will be last and the last first. That’s a problem.
It doesn’t make sense in the world I live in. You lead by leading and getting others to do for you. You are first because you got there sooner and smarter. You depend on no one but yourself. People will love you because you have power and wealth not because you love much. That is weakness.
The problem is Jesus calls us to “come and see” like he did the first disciples. However, before long he asked them to “come and die.” That is a whole different matter. That whole different matter is the problem. Christ calls us to a radically different life with a radically different perspective on the whole thing. I think we are NOT RADICAL ENOUGH. That causes us to wrestle with only a half way commitment in either reality. Therefore the problem of problems, we don’t fit in either place. Let’s get radical so that the words for Away in a Manger will be true, “and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.”
In our small groups we have been looking at prayer, its’ purpose and practice. In this past weeks’ material the following questions and their oxymoronic counterparts were presented.
Consider this:
If you want to be trusted with more? ………………. Then how much do you trust?
If you want to be depended on to do great things?................... Then how much do you depend on God? I would add how dependable are you?
If you want to be loved more?................................... Then how much do you love?
We usually approach difficult problem as to how someone else will solve them. It seems that Christ would solve them in and active not a passive way. I remind you he said if you want to live you must die. If you want to lead you must serve. The first will be last and the last first. That’s a problem.
It doesn’t make sense in the world I live in. You lead by leading and getting others to do for you. You are first because you got there sooner and smarter. You depend on no one but yourself. People will love you because you have power and wealth not because you love much. That is weakness.
The problem is Jesus calls us to “come and see” like he did the first disciples. However, before long he asked them to “come and die.” That is a whole different matter. That whole different matter is the problem. Christ calls us to a radically different life with a radically different perspective on the whole thing. I think we are NOT RADICAL ENOUGH. That causes us to wrestle with only a half way commitment in either reality. Therefore the problem of problems, we don’t fit in either place. Let’s get radical so that the words for Away in a Manger will be true, “and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.”
Monday, May 10, 2010
Some additional thoughts about Ruth and you!
Thoughts:
1. It is still amazing to think his 4 chapter book is after Judges with its Samson and superhuman feats of strength AND stupidity and coming before Samuel the first great prophet of Israel.
2. The book of Ruth contains no divine intervention of God in the life of Ruth, Naomi or Boaz. It does contain the providence of God.
3. Boaz was Ruth's protector but she still worked the field gleaning barley. Hard work for sure. No sudden free ride to food, family and fortune.
4. This story seems more like our lives today than a "Bible story."
5. It is a clear example of what faithfulness looks like and how God works in our lives in a "normal" way.
6. The little stuff really does matter.
You can listen to the message, watch the video and download the In Christ You are Document HERE.
1. It is still amazing to think his 4 chapter book is after Judges with its Samson and superhuman feats of strength AND stupidity and coming before Samuel the first great prophet of Israel.
2. The book of Ruth contains no divine intervention of God in the life of Ruth, Naomi or Boaz. It does contain the providence of God.
3. Boaz was Ruth's protector but she still worked the field gleaning barley. Hard work for sure. No sudden free ride to food, family and fortune.
4. This story seems more like our lives today than a "Bible story."
5. It is a clear example of what faithfulness looks like and how God works in our lives in a "normal" way.
6. The little stuff really does matter.
You can listen to the message, watch the video and download the In Christ You are Document HERE.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Mother's Day always presents a problem...
How do you tell them how much you love them on just one day? How do you honor them without worshipping them? Although they might prefer that, how do you tell them how much you appreciate them? Honestly, I don’t know.
Really, is there any way to thank them for kissing your sore knee and making it better; For getting up in the middle of the night an chasing away monsters; for cleaning up after you have been sick when they are just as or more so than you? I don’t know.
Yea, they are not perfect not all the time, not every meal is wonderful but it is edible (most of the time especially when you don’t like it). Your favorite outfit is not clean when you want it but other outfits are. It might take her a minute or two to remember where you left your homework that was due yesterday. No, they are not perfect they ARE human after all.
How can we say we are sorry for all of the sleepless nights Mom spent when we were away from home? The tears we caused when we chose the wrong path and hurt ourselves and others? The pain and disappointment we inflicted when we were angry at her for something she had no control over? I don’t know.
There is no way to adequately say anything. I guess we live the life that she has invested countless hours developing and influencing in us. To be all that God has made us to be and to express in as many ways as possible all of the love that our Mothers have lavishly given to us as the physical image of our Heavenly Father.
I don’t really know any other way to say, “I love you Mom,” than that.
Really, is there any way to thank them for kissing your sore knee and making it better; For getting up in the middle of the night an chasing away monsters; for cleaning up after you have been sick when they are just as or more so than you? I don’t know.
Yea, they are not perfect not all the time, not every meal is wonderful but it is edible (most of the time especially when you don’t like it). Your favorite outfit is not clean when you want it but other outfits are. It might take her a minute or two to remember where you left your homework that was due yesterday. No, they are not perfect they ARE human after all.
How can we say we are sorry for all of the sleepless nights Mom spent when we were away from home? The tears we caused when we chose the wrong path and hurt ourselves and others? The pain and disappointment we inflicted when we were angry at her for something she had no control over? I don’t know.
There is no way to adequately say anything. I guess we live the life that she has invested countless hours developing and influencing in us. To be all that God has made us to be and to express in as many ways as possible all of the love that our Mothers have lavishly given to us as the physical image of our Heavenly Father.
I don’t really know any other way to say, “I love you Mom,” than that.
Friday, April 30, 2010
The conversation began...
“What is prayer? Define prayer.”
In church life we throw that word around a lot. “Let’s pray about it,” or “I’ll pray about that,” what does that mean? If I encountered someone who had not idea or concept of prayer how would I define it? What words would I use to quantify prayer?
The more we talked the less of a definition we had. About the time a sentence was spoken it was countered with another aspect of prayer that didn’t seem to fit the definition proposed. In The Disciple’s Study Bible prayer is defined as “communication with God.” In a latter section titled Discipline of Prayer, prayer is described as a “central component in worship, the atmosphere surrounding effective Bible study, and the power behind witnessing. Delving into the depths of prayer life is essential to growth in discipleship” (p. 1761).
I defined it as a “conversation” with God yet communication is a better fitting word. The Bible contains multiple types of prayer including, confession, praise, thanksgiving, petition, intercession, commitment, confidence, for forgiveness (Disciples Study Bible p.1867). Not all of those are conversation for sure. I choose the word conversation out of a reaction to the “normal” lecture style of prayer. I use lecture meaning where I talk at God (not requiring his input), kind of like ordering at a fast food restaurant. I make my requests known, my thanks, and my praise and then I’m done “in Jesus name.” My prayer is one sided for sure and not a conversational relationship. I never give him a chance to get a word in edgewise. Don’t you hate that when someone doesn’t give you a chance? I do. I wonder what God thinks when I do that to Him? Would you call that communication? Do you?
Communication involves an exchange of information verbal and non-verbal. Communication is not limited to ideas alone. Effective communication includes emotions, feelings and context for a true exchange of ideas and passions. Prayer is the first wireless communication. Prayer is essential for a relationship between two parties. I ask how often do stop so God has a chance to get a word in edgewise? I didn’t this morning. What about you?
I found this story last week it illustrates our confusion regarding prayer.
Many years ago, when the Chicago Bears were a football powerhouse, Michael Singletary was leading a chapel before the game. As Michael began to speak, he asked William Perry (aka “The Refrigerator”) to lead the group in the Lord’s Prayer after he finished. Jim McMahon, the quarterback, was sitting in the back next to the team’s chaplain. McMahon whispered to the chaplain, “Look at Perry.” The chaplain looked and saw that Perry was sweating profusely. McMahon continued, “He doesn’t know the Lord’s Prayer.” To which the chaplain responded, “Of course he knows the Lord’s Prayer. Everyone knows it.”
McMahon then showed the chaplain a fifty-dollar bill saying, “I’ll bet you $50 that he doesn’t know it.”
Finally, Singletary finishes his message, and Perry, with great hesitation stands, clears his throat, and says, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…” It is then McMahon turns to the chaplain, hands him the fifty-dollar bill, and says, “I didn’t think he knew it!”
Told in a message titled “The Missing Ingredient” by Paul Decker. Found at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-missing-ingredient-paul-decker-sermon-on-prayer-how-to-87852.asp on 4.21.10
Well, hopefully you do know the difference! Let me know how you define prayer!
In church life we throw that word around a lot. “Let’s pray about it,” or “I’ll pray about that,” what does that mean? If I encountered someone who had not idea or concept of prayer how would I define it? What words would I use to quantify prayer?
The more we talked the less of a definition we had. About the time a sentence was spoken it was countered with another aspect of prayer that didn’t seem to fit the definition proposed. In The Disciple’s Study Bible prayer is defined as “communication with God.” In a latter section titled Discipline of Prayer, prayer is described as a “central component in worship, the atmosphere surrounding effective Bible study, and the power behind witnessing. Delving into the depths of prayer life is essential to growth in discipleship” (p. 1761).
I defined it as a “conversation” with God yet communication is a better fitting word. The Bible contains multiple types of prayer including, confession, praise, thanksgiving, petition, intercession, commitment, confidence, for forgiveness (Disciples Study Bible p.1867). Not all of those are conversation for sure. I choose the word conversation out of a reaction to the “normal” lecture style of prayer. I use lecture meaning where I talk at God (not requiring his input), kind of like ordering at a fast food restaurant. I make my requests known, my thanks, and my praise and then I’m done “in Jesus name.” My prayer is one sided for sure and not a conversational relationship. I never give him a chance to get a word in edgewise. Don’t you hate that when someone doesn’t give you a chance? I do. I wonder what God thinks when I do that to Him? Would you call that communication? Do you?
Communication involves an exchange of information verbal and non-verbal. Communication is not limited to ideas alone. Effective communication includes emotions, feelings and context for a true exchange of ideas and passions. Prayer is the first wireless communication. Prayer is essential for a relationship between two parties. I ask how often do stop so God has a chance to get a word in edgewise? I didn’t this morning. What about you?
I found this story last week it illustrates our confusion regarding prayer.
Many years ago, when the Chicago Bears were a football powerhouse, Michael Singletary was leading a chapel before the game. As Michael began to speak, he asked William Perry (aka “The Refrigerator”) to lead the group in the Lord’s Prayer after he finished. Jim McMahon, the quarterback, was sitting in the back next to the team’s chaplain. McMahon whispered to the chaplain, “Look at Perry.” The chaplain looked and saw that Perry was sweating profusely. McMahon continued, “He doesn’t know the Lord’s Prayer.” To which the chaplain responded, “Of course he knows the Lord’s Prayer. Everyone knows it.”
McMahon then showed the chaplain a fifty-dollar bill saying, “I’ll bet you $50 that he doesn’t know it.”
Finally, Singletary finishes his message, and Perry, with great hesitation stands, clears his throat, and says, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…” It is then McMahon turns to the chaplain, hands him the fifty-dollar bill, and says, “I didn’t think he knew it!”
Told in a message titled “The Missing Ingredient” by Paul Decker. Found at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-missing-ingredient-paul-decker-sermon-on-prayer-how-to-87852.asp on 4.21.10
Well, hopefully you do know the difference! Let me know how you define prayer!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I've tried everything!
Are the words I hear from a person frustrated with an ongoing relationship. They are words I have said more than once. When I was frustrated to the point of ending it there, done, stick a fork in it it’s done.
Statements like this always beg the question, Really? Have we done everything or have we simply grown tired of trying and in our desire for a resolution quit? It has been said that the greatest breakthroughs come just after you’ve decided to quit.
“I’ve done everything,” is a statement of frustration although not of truth. Really, typically I have done everything I wanted to NOT every possibility. I may not have tried more than once. Do you learn to ride a bicycle by quitting after you fall the first time? No, certainly not but then in relationships there usually is more than one or a dozen falls leading to the frustration. Frustration at trying again when nothing has happened so far, why try again. Why indeed? A question of commitment to be certain.
After the resurrection the disciples went fishing. I suggest they had “done everything” and were done. So, they went back to what they knew before. And they fished all night catching nothing. In the morning a voice called from the shore asking of their catch. They told the “good news” nothing. The man on the beach said to let their nets down on the other side of the boat. They did. (I thought they were done?) When they did they caught 153 large fish stretching the net to the limit but it did not tear. It was Jesus who asked them to try one more time.
Frustration often leads us to quit when Jesus asks us to go one step farther not in our strength but in his. We thought we had tried everything and maybe we did except Him! Frustration leads us to pray for God to change the other in a relationship when the real prayer is to change us. To ask in His name is to ask to be removed from the way so that He will be visible. When that is our heartfelt prayer then and only then have we tried everything. God is Love. Love is everything.
To ask Jesus to teach us to love those we are struggling with is to try everything! It is to bring the heart of God, HIS very being to bear on ourselves changing us and revealing Jesus. He’s everything. For the future let’s skip the frustration step and move to the love step applying Jesus to our situation.
It seems more direct, certainly more done!
Statements like this always beg the question, Really? Have we done everything or have we simply grown tired of trying and in our desire for a resolution quit? It has been said that the greatest breakthroughs come just after you’ve decided to quit.
“I’ve done everything,” is a statement of frustration although not of truth. Really, typically I have done everything I wanted to NOT every possibility. I may not have tried more than once. Do you learn to ride a bicycle by quitting after you fall the first time? No, certainly not but then in relationships there usually is more than one or a dozen falls leading to the frustration. Frustration at trying again when nothing has happened so far, why try again. Why indeed? A question of commitment to be certain.
After the resurrection the disciples went fishing. I suggest they had “done everything” and were done. So, they went back to what they knew before. And they fished all night catching nothing. In the morning a voice called from the shore asking of their catch. They told the “good news” nothing. The man on the beach said to let their nets down on the other side of the boat. They did. (I thought they were done?) When they did they caught 153 large fish stretching the net to the limit but it did not tear. It was Jesus who asked them to try one more time.
Frustration often leads us to quit when Jesus asks us to go one step farther not in our strength but in his. We thought we had tried everything and maybe we did except Him! Frustration leads us to pray for God to change the other in a relationship when the real prayer is to change us. To ask in His name is to ask to be removed from the way so that He will be visible. When that is our heartfelt prayer then and only then have we tried everything. God is Love. Love is everything.
To ask Jesus to teach us to love those we are struggling with is to try everything! It is to bring the heart of God, HIS very being to bear on ourselves changing us and revealing Jesus. He’s everything. For the future let’s skip the frustration step and move to the love step applying Jesus to our situation.
It seems more direct, certainly more done!
Friday, April 9, 2010
It seemed to be universal...
Those at our Life Group last night the story was the same. A story of a tough week filled with pitfalls that had begun with great anticipation and renewed energy that comes for Easter and springtime here in the south. We celebrated new life on Easter with a great attendance of over 130; fine food, fantastic fun and an egg toss all on a beautiful day in Guyton, all of this making for a fine Easter at least on the outside. Then came Monday!
Life set in and Easter had become just another day after Saturday. What happened? How is it that Easter made no difference on Monday? Did that happen to you?
I don’t think it happens because of the sugar rush from the candy or the hangover from the pollen or the pollen medication. No, God’s arch enemy is out to rob you of your joy. He is there to remind you that your life is a mess and convince you in your eyes that Easter really never cleans up the mess. I remind you he is the father of lies. But that is hard to remember when those old demons are in your head like they were Monday night reminding me that life was failing, I was a failure, the end was coming and it was my fault. Old stories, old wounds, old habits all die hard.
In the middle of the night in the middle of the battle it is hard not to believe the voices in your head are speaking truth and what they say is true. But is it? One way to test is to measure their fruit. When those voices speak what fruit does it bear? Does it bear fear, resentment, hatred, jealousy, envy and rage? Or, does it bear peace, patience, kindness, hope, encouragement? I can tell you Monday night it was all fear and discouragement. That means it was not from God for correction but from evil to corrupt, to take away the joy of Easter. That’s what evil likes to do. So, what can we do about it? Get a new focus. Easter makes the difference.
Jesus, while dying on the cross experienced for the first time separation from God. He had never known that before. But, he had never sinned before either and now he became sin. In His eyes God withdrew. So, Jesus cries out, “My God, My God why have You forsaken me?” I want to point out that Jesus in his desperate uncharted, previously unknown moment calls out to His Father, no curse but a call in faith. Then with even greater faith, “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” (Heb 11:1 NIV) he commits his spirit to God His Father. Jesus changed his focus from what was happening to him to what God was doing through Him. It took great faith. It will take great faith for you and me. Easter makes the difference. The difference is hope.
Hope for life after death.
Hope for help when you are hurting.
Hope that your helper knows what you are going though and lived to tell about it.
Hope in a plan not seen and a purpose not understood.
Easter makes a difference in the days following when we choose to focus on what God is doing through us and not on what’s happening to us. Easter reveals that to really live is to live on purpose (to glorify God) and the plan will be revealed.
Life set in and Easter had become just another day after Saturday. What happened? How is it that Easter made no difference on Monday? Did that happen to you?
I don’t think it happens because of the sugar rush from the candy or the hangover from the pollen or the pollen medication. No, God’s arch enemy is out to rob you of your joy. He is there to remind you that your life is a mess and convince you in your eyes that Easter really never cleans up the mess. I remind you he is the father of lies. But that is hard to remember when those old demons are in your head like they were Monday night reminding me that life was failing, I was a failure, the end was coming and it was my fault. Old stories, old wounds, old habits all die hard.
In the middle of the night in the middle of the battle it is hard not to believe the voices in your head are speaking truth and what they say is true. But is it? One way to test is to measure their fruit. When those voices speak what fruit does it bear? Does it bear fear, resentment, hatred, jealousy, envy and rage? Or, does it bear peace, patience, kindness, hope, encouragement? I can tell you Monday night it was all fear and discouragement. That means it was not from God for correction but from evil to corrupt, to take away the joy of Easter. That’s what evil likes to do. So, what can we do about it? Get a new focus. Easter makes the difference.
Jesus, while dying on the cross experienced for the first time separation from God. He had never known that before. But, he had never sinned before either and now he became sin. In His eyes God withdrew. So, Jesus cries out, “My God, My God why have You forsaken me?” I want to point out that Jesus in his desperate uncharted, previously unknown moment calls out to His Father, no curse but a call in faith. Then with even greater faith, “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” (Heb 11:1 NIV) he commits his spirit to God His Father. Jesus changed his focus from what was happening to him to what God was doing through Him. It took great faith. It will take great faith for you and me. Easter makes the difference. The difference is hope.
Hope for life after death.
Hope for help when you are hurting.
Hope that your helper knows what you are going though and lived to tell about it.
Hope in a plan not seen and a purpose not understood.
Easter makes a difference in the days following when we choose to focus on what God is doing through us and not on what’s happening to us. Easter reveals that to really live is to live on purpose (to glorify God) and the plan will be revealed.
Friday, March 26, 2010
What are you lookin' at?
After Northern Iowa’s win and Kansas’ loss I am sure not looking at March Madness on CBS. In my opinion there is no point. I AM a Kansas alum and a BASKETBALL fan. My dream is to go to the final four one time. Just now, Brother Jeff stopped by to offer his condolences for my Jayhawks. That was nice! So, all that said I am not watching the tournament as closely as I might. You know rescheduling my life to see certain games and teams. The question is what am I looking at?
Tuesday night during our Crossroads 2 Recovery time specifically in the group for those who live with people with addictions etc. a statement was made that to survive we must turn our gaze from the addict and onto ourselves. We must look now to our own health and recovery and not to “the problem.” For the co-dependent the focus away from oneself is consuming their lives slowly suffocating their very existence.
I have been considering that although that is helpful as a first step a first move it will not resolve and begin to heal us. Because I know I am messed up anyway. To look at me as a goal a standard to aspire to is to aim pretty low. If I then miss short I am lower than the low. If that is so and it is what do I look at? Jesus!
This Jesus who is wholeness and holiness, perfection and peace, completeness and constant, resurrection and redemption, life and the light for all men, let’s look at HIM. Aim high, shoot for the stars. Aim for the best. Look where we want to hit and continue to fix our gaze upon perfection. If we miss then we have missed in the right direction. It is so easy to become distracted with politics, calamity, catastrophe, school, work, relationships and life in general. Those all seem so important. Are they worthy goals? In the short term yes, but what about long term?
This Palm Sunday we are reminded that those in Jerusalem were looking at their future King. In their eyes he was their new King on Earth. On Easter Sunday we have the opportunity to look on our Eternal King from Heaven. As this Easter season continues with Spring Break and egg hunts let’s consider what’s in our eyes. Has our attention been caught by the best of the immediate?
What am I looking at?
Tuesday night during our Crossroads 2 Recovery time specifically in the group for those who live with people with addictions etc. a statement was made that to survive we must turn our gaze from the addict and onto ourselves. We must look now to our own health and recovery and not to “the problem.” For the co-dependent the focus away from oneself is consuming their lives slowly suffocating their very existence.
I have been considering that although that is helpful as a first step a first move it will not resolve and begin to heal us. Because I know I am messed up anyway. To look at me as a goal a standard to aspire to is to aim pretty low. If I then miss short I am lower than the low. If that is so and it is what do I look at? Jesus!
This Jesus who is wholeness and holiness, perfection and peace, completeness and constant, resurrection and redemption, life and the light for all men, let’s look at HIM. Aim high, shoot for the stars. Aim for the best. Look where we want to hit and continue to fix our gaze upon perfection. If we miss then we have missed in the right direction. It is so easy to become distracted with politics, calamity, catastrophe, school, work, relationships and life in general. Those all seem so important. Are they worthy goals? In the short term yes, but what about long term?
This Palm Sunday we are reminded that those in Jerusalem were looking at their future King. In their eyes he was their new King on Earth. On Easter Sunday we have the opportunity to look on our Eternal King from Heaven. As this Easter season continues with Spring Break and egg hunts let’s consider what’s in our eyes. Has our attention been caught by the best of the immediate?
What am I looking at?
Monday, March 22, 2010
I'd never thought about this!
James Bryan Smith in his book The Good and Beautiful God writes,
"Thus we can control how God feels about us by doing those things on the list and avoiding sin. This is legalism, the attempt to earn God's love though our actions, to earn God's favor or avoid God's curses through pious activities. In the end, legalism is superstition...But God's favor is not earned by what we do any more than good luck is found in a rabbit's foot."
Wow legalism is superstition.
What do you think?
"Thus we can control how God feels about us by doing those things on the list and avoiding sin. This is legalism, the attempt to earn God's love though our actions, to earn God's favor or avoid God's curses through pious activities. In the end, legalism is superstition...But God's favor is not earned by what we do any more than good luck is found in a rabbit's foot."
Wow legalism is superstition.
What do you think?
What does God want?
In my git-er-done mind, I think God wants my service. The more I do the more He will want me (insert love me) or the more I will merit His love and grace. Even though I say God loves me period. I often exhibit a behavior more like the former belief than the latter. In truth, God wants ME.
He doesn't need me. He wants me. He is quit capable on His own. He's been doing it for a while (since time began) so he has a handle on how it all works. What he really wants is for me to hang-out for a while. To relate to Him and His own. There are all of those supper examples of Jesus eating with folks. Not after they believed Him before and during. He seems to really enjoy being wiht sinners! Jesus likes messed up people. No, Jesus loves messed up people. Even messed up self-righteous people who think their stuff don't stink (it does)! Yep Jesus love THOSE kind too. Me, he loves me and wants to spend time with me.
My git-er-done mind needs to git gone so we can hang. Hang together not doing nothin' just being. Loving Him because of who he is and not what he's done. James Bryan Smith in his book The Good and Beautiful God quotes Love (III) by George Herbert a seventeenth-century poastor. The last two lines are as follows (brackets are mine):
"You must sit down," says Love [insert God], "and taste my meat."
So I did sit and eat.
Meals are fun, joyous, hilarious times at my house.
How is it that I never thought about a meal with Jesus?
He doesn't need me. He wants me. He is quit capable on His own. He's been doing it for a while (since time began) so he has a handle on how it all works. What he really wants is for me to hang-out for a while. To relate to Him and His own. There are all of those supper examples of Jesus eating with folks. Not after they believed Him before and during. He seems to really enjoy being wiht sinners! Jesus likes messed up people. No, Jesus loves messed up people. Even messed up self-righteous people who think their stuff don't stink (it does)! Yep Jesus love THOSE kind too. Me, he loves me and wants to spend time with me.
My git-er-done mind needs to git gone so we can hang. Hang together not doing nothin' just being. Loving Him because of who he is and not what he's done. James Bryan Smith in his book The Good and Beautiful God quotes Love (III) by George Herbert a seventeenth-century poastor. The last two lines are as follows (brackets are mine):
"You must sit down," says Love [insert God], "and taste my meat."
So I did sit and eat.
Meals are fun, joyous, hilarious times at my house.
How is it that I never thought about a meal with Jesus?
Friday, March 19, 2010
A new Idea from an old example...
I started reading a new book this week…the book is titled The Good and Beautiful God written by James Bryan Smith. The focus of the book is to look at the God Jesus revealed as a person and as a teacher and compare that to the image of God we often have set in our mind and visible in our actions. The two are not similar most times. In the third chapter God is trustworthy James Bryan Smith surprised me with his use of a classic teaching of Jesus. The example reveals who the Father is by asking for specific actions from Him. The example is the Lord’s Prayer.
Jesus begins by addressing God as “Father.” For many people it is hard for them to consider God as Father because they had a hard, abusive or absent earthly father. In their mind God cannot be like that. In fact God is not but their image of God is so shaped by the image of their earthly father that their heavenly Father is obscured from their vision. This prayer defines the fatherhood of God.
1. We learn God is near: “Our Father in heaven.” In Jewish cosmology, Smith writes, heaven referred to a surrounding atmosphere. Jesus said “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” right around is within our grasp.
2. We learn that God is holy: “Hallowed be your name.” Holiness is purity. God is good, pure without sin.
3. We learn God is King who rules heaven: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Kings have power and God is powerful.
4. We learn God cares for us: “Give us… our daily bread.” God provides for us.
5. God forgives our trespasses: “And forgive us our debts…” God our Father pardons us.
6. We learn God rescues us: “And do not bring us to this trial, but rescue us from the evil one.” He is better than the Coast Guard. Is powerful, ready, present, willing and able to reach out and pull us up out of the waters of sin. God longs to protect us.
In a summary Smith reveals these six characteristics of the Fatherhood of God. God is: nearby, holy, powerful, caring, forgiving and our protector. Those are clear and strong attributes of the God Jesus knew. Are those the attributes of the image of the God you know?
Our image of God is not correct. Fatherhood in fact parenthood is defined by God and His character not by the examples we see, live and experience. Our image for God is usually defined by our internal image of a parent. We live in a fallen world where everyone and everything is affected by the fallen image of sin including our concept of God. This example surprised me.
I am surprised by the richness of Jesus teaching and my own limited concept of exactly what Jesus was revealing. He always reveals more than at first glance.
Do you believe that? I ask you what do you believe about God that is or is not true of the God Jesus perfectly revealed.
Jesus begins by addressing God as “Father.” For many people it is hard for them to consider God as Father because they had a hard, abusive or absent earthly father. In their mind God cannot be like that. In fact God is not but their image of God is so shaped by the image of their earthly father that their heavenly Father is obscured from their vision. This prayer defines the fatherhood of God.
1. We learn God is near: “Our Father in heaven.” In Jewish cosmology, Smith writes, heaven referred to a surrounding atmosphere. Jesus said “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” right around is within our grasp.
2. We learn that God is holy: “Hallowed be your name.” Holiness is purity. God is good, pure without sin.
3. We learn God is King who rules heaven: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Kings have power and God is powerful.
4. We learn God cares for us: “Give us… our daily bread.” God provides for us.
5. God forgives our trespasses: “And forgive us our debts…” God our Father pardons us.
6. We learn God rescues us: “And do not bring us to this trial, but rescue us from the evil one.” He is better than the Coast Guard. Is powerful, ready, present, willing and able to reach out and pull us up out of the waters of sin. God longs to protect us.
In a summary Smith reveals these six characteristics of the Fatherhood of God. God is: nearby, holy, powerful, caring, forgiving and our protector. Those are clear and strong attributes of the God Jesus knew. Are those the attributes of the image of the God you know?
Our image of God is not correct. Fatherhood in fact parenthood is defined by God and His character not by the examples we see, live and experience. Our image for God is usually defined by our internal image of a parent. We live in a fallen world where everyone and everything is affected by the fallen image of sin including our concept of God. This example surprised me.
I am surprised by the richness of Jesus teaching and my own limited concept of exactly what Jesus was revealing. He always reveals more than at first glance.
Do you believe that? I ask you what do you believe about God that is or is not true of the God Jesus perfectly revealed.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A Quote I read...
“I heard a friend preach recently, ‘The lowest level of Christianity is to be blessed – it’s what you do with it that makes it valuable.’ Every blessing is for a purpose, as we are blessed to be a blessing. There is a great responsibility attached to prosperity at any level…for the sake of the broken, the one’s with no voice…bring it on!!!” Darlene Zschech.
Darlene Zschech is the woman God is using as a musical pastor of the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. A gifted singer songwriter particularly worship music, she has a heart for Christ and His church.
What do you think of her words?
Is being blessed the lowest level of Christianity?
What would be upper levels?
Let me know!
Darlene Zschech is the woman God is using as a musical pastor of the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. A gifted singer songwriter particularly worship music, she has a heart for Christ and His church.
What do you think of her words?
Is being blessed the lowest level of Christianity?
What would be upper levels?
Let me know!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Praying the Psalms
In the introduction to the Psalms, Eugene Peterson translator of the The Message speaks of the Psalms as opportunities to pray. Not prayer of flowery poetic language but word of heart-felt, gut-wrenching passion. So, I have begun to read and pray in that perspective. I discovered these words the other day. What a prayer to start the day!
"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar."
Psalm 19:12-14 The Message
"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar."
Psalm 19:12-14 The Message
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
This caught my eye Monday...
Psalm 15 (The Message)
A David Psalm
1 God, who gets invited to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?
2 "Walk straight,
act right,
tell the truth.
3-4 "Don't hurt your friend,
don't blame your neighbor;
despise the despicable.
5 "Keep your word even when it costs you,
make an honest living,
never take a bribe.
"You'll never get
blacklisted
if you live like this."
A David Psalm
1 God, who gets invited to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?
2 "Walk straight,
act right,
tell the truth.
3-4 "Don't hurt your friend,
don't blame your neighbor;
despise the despicable.
5 "Keep your word even when it costs you,
make an honest living,
never take a bribe.
"You'll never get
blacklisted
if you live like this."
I just got this today...
It comes by way of an e-mail newsletter
Here's a look at a Classic Issue of Preaching Now, originally published in the spring of 2004. Hope you enjoy!
In a recent sermon by Robert Kopp, I came across this affirmation, which was posted on the wall of his house by a young African pastor.
May it be our testimony as well:
"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
"I have Holy Spirit power. "The die has been cast. "I have stepped over the line. "The decision has been made. "I'm a disciple of His.
"I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
"My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.
"I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.
"I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity.
"I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.
"I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, live by prayer and labor by power.
"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.
"I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
"I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
"I am a disciple of Jesus.
"I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me.
"And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me -- my banner will be clear!"
I do wish I had said these. However, I can if I will. The above statements are I AM in me. They are true of me I Christ Jesus. They are true of you in Christ Jesus. Really? Really? YES! YES! YES! Not because of who you are but because of HIM, Jesus.
My CHALLENGE to you is to copy one or two of these statements on a post-it note. Put it somewhere you look every day. Read it and believe it, know it and do it, recognize it and see it in you and around you. IT is the presence of God in You, There I AM.
Here's a look at a Classic Issue of Preaching Now, originally published in the spring of 2004. Hope you enjoy!
In a recent sermon by Robert Kopp, I came across this affirmation, which was posted on the wall of his house by a young African pastor.
May it be our testimony as well:
"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
"I have Holy Spirit power. "The die has been cast. "I have stepped over the line. "The decision has been made. "I'm a disciple of His.
"I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
"My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.
"I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.
"I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity.
"I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.
"I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, live by prayer and labor by power.
"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.
"I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
"I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
"I am a disciple of Jesus.
"I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me.
"And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me -- my banner will be clear!"
I do wish I had said these. However, I can if I will. The above statements are I AM in me. They are true of me I Christ Jesus. They are true of you in Christ Jesus. Really? Really? YES! YES! YES! Not because of who you are but because of HIM, Jesus.
My CHALLENGE to you is to copy one or two of these statements on a post-it note. Put it somewhere you look every day. Read it and believe it, know it and do it, recognize it and see it in you and around you. IT is the presence of God in You, There I AM.
Monday, March 1, 2010
I have read today...
"I've noticed that most mornings I don't wake up super-happy, and I'm not sure why. I've also been noticing that for some time now that when I first wake up, I find myself racing through the coming day in my mind, bracing myself for what's required of me, but even more searching so searching to see if there is anything to look forward to." John Eldredge (Walking with God p.92).
Unfortunately the same is often true of me. You might think that biblical education and knowledge, experience with God and His vast ability to do the extraordinary in the face of failure would be enough to look forward to each and every day but honestly it is not. John Eldredge goes on and says, "Our day-to-day grind isn't anything close to Eden (the garden), and our hurting and desperate hearts look for something to which we can attach all those yearnings. we'll settle for a donut [or cold fried chicken] if that's all there is to look forward to."
Boy do I often settle. I settle for less than a donut. That's not what I want!
The topic before this passage was love. I settle for less than real love.
It seems to me to be an epidemic to settle for less than REAL love. REAL love is the kind that hangs around when we act like a butt crossed arms hand over mouth but leaves with us; The kind that picks us up out of the crap of our lives and wipes us off getting dirty too; The kind that loves just because and not because we can or will do something. I often settle for less than that and give less than that.
Then it hit me, I have settled for less than God's definition of what is success and what is successful. Long and issue with me, success is a tug-of-war. For a while I'll be one way and then the rope is pulled the other. I never seem to settle on God's definition. I always hang on to another definition. Honestly, I thought I had put this behind me but evidently not.
Well, yesterday I told our people one of the seven steps (courtesy of Rick Warren I wish I was that smart) to cooperate with God in our transformation was to "focus on what I want and not on what I don't want." With that said, I want God's definition of success to be my own as well. That is my prayer.
What about you? Do you struggle with a definition of success? What have you agreed to that is settling and not up to the standards of the Kingdom of God? Let's agree on what we want and be transformed by the "renewing of our minds."
Unfortunately the same is often true of me. You might think that biblical education and knowledge, experience with God and His vast ability to do the extraordinary in the face of failure would be enough to look forward to each and every day but honestly it is not. John Eldredge goes on and says, "Our day-to-day grind isn't anything close to Eden (the garden), and our hurting and desperate hearts look for something to which we can attach all those yearnings. we'll settle for a donut [or cold fried chicken] if that's all there is to look forward to."
Boy do I often settle. I settle for less than a donut. That's not what I want!
The topic before this passage was love. I settle for less than real love.
It seems to me to be an epidemic to settle for less than REAL love. REAL love is the kind that hangs around when we act like a butt crossed arms hand over mouth but leaves with us; The kind that picks us up out of the crap of our lives and wipes us off getting dirty too; The kind that loves just because and not because we can or will do something. I often settle for less than that and give less than that.
Then it hit me, I have settled for less than God's definition of what is success and what is successful. Long and issue with me, success is a tug-of-war. For a while I'll be one way and then the rope is pulled the other. I never seem to settle on God's definition. I always hang on to another definition. Honestly, I thought I had put this behind me but evidently not.
Well, yesterday I told our people one of the seven steps (courtesy of Rick Warren I wish I was that smart) to cooperate with God in our transformation was to "focus on what I want and not on what I don't want." With that said, I want God's definition of success to be my own as well. That is my prayer.
What about you? Do you struggle with a definition of success? What have you agreed to that is settling and not up to the standards of the Kingdom of God? Let's agree on what we want and be transformed by the "renewing of our minds."
Friday, February 12, 2010
I'm giving it a shot!
Last Sunday the central theme of the message was this phrase:
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.
It’s easy enough to say. All those hard c’s and ch’s to reinforce the authority of the phrase. Lots of phrases are like that in Christendom, easy to say and abounding in authority and purpose but what about proof. The phrase is truth but where is the evidence that it IS true?
The evidence is found in a life living the truth on a daily basis.
With that in mind I have embarked on an adventure to choose to involve Jesus in all of the little things. The phrase says “all my life and will,” so I have consciously chosen to pray about all decisions. Now there are some exceptions.
The exceptions involve those that are spoken of in scripture. Those have already been answered as to do it or not. What we have to pray about involving then is when to do them. Now you may say “but I don’t want to bother him with everything” or “He is not interested in every aspect of my life,” or “I can handle that myself.” Really? Are those the statements of one who has died to self? Trust me I have said them all. Guess what, it didn’t work for me either.
Involving Jesus in ALL things means you have to ask Him and wait for the answer. Speak to Him and listen to hear His voice. I have an example from Tuesday. My oldest got sick again at college in Rome, GA., Stomach virus, BAD sick. This is the second time in two weeks. The question was “Do I go get her Jesus,” Simple, straight forward yes or no answer kind of question. So, I get still and try to still my mind here in my office. Then everything-including-the-kitchen-sink-comes-to-mind-and-nothing- about-anything-points-you-to-Jesus kind of stuff invades my mental space (my space is very small) making for a crowded moment. So, refocus on Jesus and ask again “Do I go get her, Jesus?”
The answer “Crossroads 2 Recovery will be fine.”
What? What kind of answer is that? I am looking for a yes or no and I get “Crossroads 2 Recovery will be fine.” Let me explain. Just last week we launched our recovery ministry called Crossroads 2 Recovery it is our adapted version on Celebrate Recovery. Tuesday night was to be our second meeting. Although we have 4 other leaders whom we could not do without, I fill and addition role in our large group worship. A question I had not asked yet was “What about C2R.” What is so wonderful is Jesus knows my heart and my situation and just skipped to the chase. He answered the second question before it was asked therefore answering the first without an answer. You know what C2R was fine and more people came this week.
We got home from Rome at 10:45 and Elizabeth continues to recover from what the Doctor says in a virus. Today has more little things I think I’ll give Jesus another shot. What about You?
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.
It’s easy enough to say. All those hard c’s and ch’s to reinforce the authority of the phrase. Lots of phrases are like that in Christendom, easy to say and abounding in authority and purpose but what about proof. The phrase is truth but where is the evidence that it IS true?
The evidence is found in a life living the truth on a daily basis.
With that in mind I have embarked on an adventure to choose to involve Jesus in all of the little things. The phrase says “all my life and will,” so I have consciously chosen to pray about all decisions. Now there are some exceptions.
The exceptions involve those that are spoken of in scripture. Those have already been answered as to do it or not. What we have to pray about involving then is when to do them. Now you may say “but I don’t want to bother him with everything” or “He is not interested in every aspect of my life,” or “I can handle that myself.” Really? Are those the statements of one who has died to self? Trust me I have said them all. Guess what, it didn’t work for me either.
Involving Jesus in ALL things means you have to ask Him and wait for the answer. Speak to Him and listen to hear His voice. I have an example from Tuesday. My oldest got sick again at college in Rome, GA., Stomach virus, BAD sick. This is the second time in two weeks. The question was “Do I go get her Jesus,” Simple, straight forward yes or no answer kind of question. So, I get still and try to still my mind here in my office. Then everything-including-the-kitchen-sink-comes-to-mind-and-nothing- about-anything-points-you-to-Jesus kind of stuff invades my mental space (my space is very small) making for a crowded moment. So, refocus on Jesus and ask again “Do I go get her, Jesus?”
The answer “Crossroads 2 Recovery will be fine.”
What? What kind of answer is that? I am looking for a yes or no and I get “Crossroads 2 Recovery will be fine.” Let me explain. Just last week we launched our recovery ministry called Crossroads 2 Recovery it is our adapted version on Celebrate Recovery. Tuesday night was to be our second meeting. Although we have 4 other leaders whom we could not do without, I fill and addition role in our large group worship. A question I had not asked yet was “What about C2R.” What is so wonderful is Jesus knows my heart and my situation and just skipped to the chase. He answered the second question before it was asked therefore answering the first without an answer. You know what C2R was fine and more people came this week.
We got home from Rome at 10:45 and Elizabeth continues to recover from what the Doctor says in a virus. Today has more little things I think I’ll give Jesus another shot. What about You?
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