I get these e-mails...

You know the ones that almost shout from the screen 10 best practices for… (Mine are church health, growth, finances etc.) Yours are probably work at home, invest here on the ground floor or make more money in just a few hours a day. It starts with “I’ve learned the 10 steps to…” or “if you follow my proven, pragmatic program your church… Just as an aside I do also get the “Russian women are searching for you” and “Looking for singles in the Guyton area?” e-mails too. I delete them. It is easy to look at their results and say well maybe this is what I need to do. Those steps seem reasonable and it worked there maybe…So I/we (more on the I) will be successful or maybe thought of as successful. Have you noticed how they play to our insecurities and vanity? They appeal to our dark side. The side that says I can do it. I need money, power, buildings or in the church world the ABC’s attendance, building and cash. The result is a tangible here and now measure of your success in life for men by the measure of what you have done or are doing. Regarding those success principles of scripture, where does the Holy Spirit play in here? Where does success flow from? Who is to build the church anyway? How does Jesus measure success? Let’s start with the last first.

Jesus measures success in terms of faithfulness. He asked his disciples to follow him. The rich young ruler who had kept all of the commandments was asked to go and sell his good, give the money to the poor and follow him. He left because he had much. In restoring Peter Jesus gave him a task. Peter, not wanting anyone left out of the “fun” asked Jesus what about John and Jesus replies what does that matter you follow me. In other words you be faithful to what I ask of you, what I give you, what you have skills to do. Then you will be successful.

Who will build the church? Jesus said “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18 NIV 1984). That seems straight forward and easy if we follow him. Do what he tells ya. That seems so simple but how many people rebel against anything they are told by anyone. Just a tip for the day if someone yells “GET DOWN.” Just do it. Don’t argue or try to figure it out. There will be time to argue about it later. Years ago I pulled up to a fire scene and a police officer is running away from the building. I decided to get behind the truck and THEN figure out why he was running. It turns out ammunition was exploding inside the house. Good call on my part. Jesus is tasked with building the church and we are tasked with following Him.

Because of the Holy Spirit, our success our everything flows from our relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Savior. Everything flows from THAT relationship. Mother/daughter, husband/wife, father/son, employee/employer every relationship, word, deed, thought flows from that relationship. Our relationship with God is more important than food or water. It is not possible for us to follow him without relationship. Oh, sure we can do it for a little while but not over the long difficult landscape that is life of a believer in a sin infested, infected, affecting world. It is just not possible apart from a relationship with Christ. Yes, we can do things, grow things and look like success but not be faithful and therefore have no relationship. Jesus spoke of this when some said in the judgment;

 ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23 NIV 1984)       

The key was relationship or the lack thereof.

I don’t think a marketing e-mail shouting “you want success in life, do you want faithfulness then shore up your relationship with Christ,” will garner many clicks. Even if they yell, “operators are standing by, order now” or “wait we will double our offer.” It may prove to be a hard sell because it is hard to prove. Fruit is difficult at time to see.

For Lent this year what if you decide to do something instead of giving up anything?

How about strengthening your relationship with Christ?

Regularly consider his sacrifice that ought to do it!  

In HIS Service and Yours,

The Rev

It's Wednesday and another post...STRANGE

Have you noticed how "our problems" are the only ones in existence. From our perspective "our problem" is all that exists. It is easy to see things that way. It is too easy to become consumed by that which is foremost in our vision to the point that we lose focus and cannot see beyond that single issue.

Then God steps in and inserts an individual who has a different problem but one that "looks" much worse than the one we are dealing with at the moment. Suddenly, "our problem" is not as bad any more nor as important as it seemed. In fact we may become thankful for the issues that we face.

Monday we got word that a neighbor 56 years old died suddenly of what is believed to be a heart attack. That changed everything for him and his family in an instant. The man was a believer so he is good now but for his wife and children life will never be the same.

Our problems just need some perspective to reorder them into proper importance. They won't be ranked as high after you look around a bit. You also we see how blessed you really are making you more grateful and thankful.

I hooe you will worship God saying thank you sson!   

The Rev

Another Friday and another...well I'm not sure yet

Earlier this week a job opportunity came to Elizabeth (my oldest), a temporary position with possible permanence but also out of town. The call came about noon and an answer had to be given by 3pm. Not much time to say the least. Been there before?  So, not knowing what to do because it was not easy or a slam dunk (congratulations to the ECHS boys hoops team Go Rebels) we gathered a prayed asking God for direction by 3pm. I am hesitant to put a time constraint on God but the situation required a limit. Se we sat silently for a few moments (that is a preacher way of saying an unknown amount of time) expecting/anticipating an impression. We concluded and none of us had a word or definite impression regarding what to do. The afternoon went on and still no definitive direction/impression/writing on the wall/heavenly choir etc. You know how it is when you are at a loss for what to do. Then came 3pm and a decision had to be made regarding the opportunity.

So, she took it and started making plans for temporary housing etc. It bothered me that God had not spoken in the time frame we set. But, all kinds of things on my end can keep me from hearing God’s voice.

Decisions of direction can be devastating. Sometimes because we so don’t want to mess it up, do the wrong thing. Sometimes because we are so afraid off…you name it we can be afraid of it. Sometimes we are afraid we might miss the better thing coming. It’s not rational this fear but it is real! So if we make the wrong choice we fear how will God respond? Will he stop loving us? Will he love us less? Will he leave us? 

Questions that are real however irrational because God has already demonstrated he will NEVER stop loving us. He will NEVER love us less or more and he will NEVER leave us. In fact, He WILL protect us, He WILL provides for us and he WILL prepare us. He WILL hear us and answer or requests. Jesus speaks of this FACT in John 16:23-27

²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

²⁵ “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. ²⁷ No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

All of this being true how come we got no answer by 3pm? Because he had already answered. I just did not know that until Tuesday Morning. You see it was Tuesday morning that I read a daily devotion for Monday. I do that sometimes, I read days ahead or days previous and I don’t read the devotion book every day. However, Tuesday morning I opened it and read Monday’s thought. The book is a compilation of writing by Max Lucado. The thought began like this “to gain your life you must lose it.” Words of Jesus for sure, Max Lucado went on the say we often times go to great lengths to live a long life when what we need to do is live really. In the kingdom of God life is not safe it is dangerous (from C.S. Lewis) it’s adventurous.

The Holy Spirit is wild and in many ways unpredictable. Take the chance, accept the risk, go for it, live while you have the opportunity. When I read that I knew that was God’s direction for our decision. That was the word for Monday, Feb 13 the day we prayed. I just did not read it when I normally would at 6am. God had answered our prayer before we had uttered it or knew we needed to utter it. Isn’t that just like him? In fact, the book was compiled in 2000 over 12 years ago from THE BOOK (66 in all) compiled over 6000 years.

So, I was not sure about the job, God’s timely reply or much else but Tuesday morning I was sure. She left that afternoon to stay the night with a friend and go to work Wednesday morning. It was scary for her and I might add for me and Barbara. Stepping out behind Jesus is like that He is dangerous you know but he is good of that I am more sure than ever.

         

In HIS Service and Yours,

The Rev

I was thinking (no, I was not hurt, yet)...

 Rick Warren, author of Purpose Driven Church  and Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church says if you can worry you can pray because worry is a focus on the problem and prayer is a focus on the solution.

 The solution is God, always has been and always will be. What is interesting to me is that most times what I am "praying" about God has already recorded a promise that takes care of it, finances, food, shelter, clothing, purpose, direction. He has it covered. So what is there to pray about? What has not already been provided for or taken care of, nothing. So, why pray at all?

Prayer is our opportunity to come to Dad for support, strength and encouragement when we are afraid, a moment to hang out with the one who loves us so that he sent his one and only son to die in my place. Prayer sets us apart from the problems of the day into a place of peace and security. It has no power God does. Prayer lines us up with the plans of God by spending time with him.

From last Sunday's message I have been thinking about relationship and particularly mine with God. Do you think about that? In the context of marriage, if you were married to God how good would your marriage be? Do you talk regularly, have a date night, hang out, listen to one another, and talk well about them to others? By those criteria what kind of relationship do you have with God?

I get caught up in all of the issues of this word and fail to look at the issue of relationship in my own world because honestly my relationship with God is all that really matters. Click here to watch a video of Francis Chan that I found helpful as he speaks about the importance of this relationship. I do hope you will watch it. 

Everything is about a relationship with our Father in heaven through his Son Jesus. Prayer is our “date.” The purpose of prayer is to fortify our relationship with God. In the process we grow closer (on our side), confident (on our side), and comfortable with Him. Prayer allows us to learn to think like him, to understand in a limited way God’s ways and plans. Prayer bonds our relationship by spending time together sharing our hearts. That has been God’s desire a relationship with each of us since sin entered his creation. God’s long range plan is to restore all of creation into a right relationship with him.

Relationship is important and is often replaced by a task, program or passion. All things Jesus are about relationship with the Father of Heaven and earth. It IS THAT important.

 I’m still thinking about…relationship.

Valentine’s Day is a good excuse to do something about my relationship!

 

In HIS Service and Yours,

The Rev

P.S. Happy Birthday Dad on your 88^th year the 11^th!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

Aretha Franklin gave us this wonderful song many years ago with its now dated sound but still powerful sentiment. You know it seems to be missing more than usual. In the past few weeks there was talk about the lack of respect for the Office of the President by the Governor of Arizona (from one picture) the quotes from another candidate saying he “doesn’t care” about the poor, or wealthy. From the context, I think care was the wrong word focused would have been a better choice. Respect seems to be MIA this political season. But not just in politics.

At the work place folks run down the boss or bosses because something was done they did not care for. It becomes personal all too quickly with name calling and general ugliness unleashed by the smallest of organs, the tongue. Words flying about like feathers from a pillow ripped open in a town square on a windy afternoon, the can never be recovered completely. The damage is done but to whom? Respect missing in action.

At home it creeps up in conversations between spouses, children etc. The general lack of respect by children to any adult is appalling. But, adults they learned it from us. Do they hear us run down others with no respect? Husbands do you talk of your wife with terms that lack respect?  Wives, do you speak of your husband in tones of contempt to friends or before the children? I know sometimes our spouse just do and say crazy things but is that your excuse for nor respect?

I realize our worlds of politics, work and homes are filled with folks who deserve no respect by their own actions or lack thereof. Those folks are just not respectable in words or deed but is that reason enough for us to disrespect them either in front of their face or behind their back? HUH? The Apostle Peter tells us No, there is a better way.

Towards government and those in authority Peter writes: (1 Peter 2:13 The Message)

¹³Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order.

Towards our bosses/masters: (1 Peter 2:18 The Message)

¹⁸You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones.

Towards those in our homes: (1 Peter 3:1,7,8-9 The Message)

¹The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs.  

⁷The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them.

^8-9Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.  

That says it all. R-E-S-P-E-C-T we do it because we have been bought and paid for at a high price Jesus.