A stitch in time saves nine
We have all heard it but what does it mean? "A stitch in time" is an old English saying that means to stitch a small hole quickly before it becomes a larger one. Great lesson!
Not a lot surprises me anymore. I am however, still amazed when I see people who face worsening problems dismiss them as if they will take care of themselves. Problems don't fix themselves. Now here's a shocker: God doesn't usually fix problems solo either. Most of the time the Lord will send the answer or remedy to us with instructions on how to apply the fix. It is our job to remain in right relationship with the Father and be able to hear and see and embrace the instructions when they come. One of the great "cop outs" in the Christian world is, "I'm waiting on the Lord". Of course, we know the Lord does have a timing and it is critical that we discern that timing and make sure our actions fit within his time frame. However, all too often the delay is on our part and we like to shift the blame of procrastination to Jesus.
I watched a guy once spend two years at home in "prayer for a job"! What a farce! He wanted the perfect job. Actually, he wanted what he thought was the perfect job. That is not God's way. God is a God who brings "the job" to a person who has taken the initiative and gotten "a job". Ask yourself the question today: "what area of my life is undone because I haven't taken any initiative?" I am convinced that many answers to prayer are delayed not because God hasn't answered but because there has been no "faith activity" on the part of the one needing the answer. When Teresa and I were first married we were transferred to San Diego by the Navy. Teresa had just graduated from business college and had not been able to get a job. My meager pay left us in a bind. We weren't in trouble yet but a week of delay would cause us to be behind the eight ball. We were praying for help. We went for a walk and passed a Denny's restaurant. There was a sign in the window that said, "Dishwasher wanted". I said to Teresa, "I'll be back in a minute". I came back out in about 5 minutes and said, "go on home, I'll see you later, I have just been hired and have to go to work"! I worked there washing other people's dirty dishes for several months as a second job. Teresa did find a job and our financial world improved dramatically. However, before that happened, this little job proved to be a life saver for us. I didn't want to do it but it was a job! Looking back on that experience I know the Lord opened that door and I learned a lot from it. Yes, Jesus wanted me to wash dishes!
Take some initiative. If you need to sell your house, clean it up. If you need "the job", take "a job". Begin to act in line with your need. Procrastination is faith in reverse. It can actually hinder the provision of the Lord. Remember, "a stitch in time saves nine".
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Dealing with Distractions
Being an old golfer and one who loves the grand old game, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of the game is focus. It has been said that the game has to be won between your ears first before you can win on the course.
In any endeavor, one has to learn to block out everything that is in competition with the task at hand. I was thinking about the leadership of Toyota. While it is important that the company deal with their quality control issues, the primary leadership team must stay on point remembering that their job is planning and building arguably the best cars in the world. The President of the company has to address the problems and lead through this season but he better not lose his focus on his main goal.
Leaders must learn this valuable lesson. We all have to deal with crises on a daily basis. It's a part of the job. However, the quicker you can diagnose the problem, get a fix in place and get back to your primary responsibility, the better. As spiritual leaders, we must know that there are enemies that are bent on doing nothing more than distracting us. In the old days of the cold war and communist aggression it was difficult to understand the thinking behind the agenda of communism. What could they possibly gain by stirring up trouble all over the world. If they would see a dissatisfied sector in a society, they would make an appeal to help them overthrow their government or leadership. Then I got it. They believed that chaos in itself was a plan. If they could cause a distraction, the government in power would be forced to stop what they were doing and be forced to deal with the chaos. Then in the midst of the storm they might gain access and control. Control is what all enemies want to gain.
In the church world it is important for leadership to learn this lesson. Stay on point! I gave this example to a great young pastor recently. As a word of encouragement to him I said, "don't let the distractions on the sidelines keep your head out of the game and cause you to lose on the field". Being a lover of sports, he got it!
Let me encourage you to focus and stay on point with that which the Lord has called you to do.
Being an old golfer and one who loves the grand old game, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of the game is focus. It has been said that the game has to be won between your ears first before you can win on the course.
In any endeavor, one has to learn to block out everything that is in competition with the task at hand. I was thinking about the leadership of Toyota. While it is important that the company deal with their quality control issues, the primary leadership team must stay on point remembering that their job is planning and building arguably the best cars in the world. The President of the company has to address the problems and lead through this season but he better not lose his focus on his main goal.
Leaders must learn this valuable lesson. We all have to deal with crises on a daily basis. It's a part of the job. However, the quicker you can diagnose the problem, get a fix in place and get back to your primary responsibility, the better. As spiritual leaders, we must know that there are enemies that are bent on doing nothing more than distracting us. In the old days of the cold war and communist aggression it was difficult to understand the thinking behind the agenda of communism. What could they possibly gain by stirring up trouble all over the world. If they would see a dissatisfied sector in a society, they would make an appeal to help them overthrow their government or leadership. Then I got it. They believed that chaos in itself was a plan. If they could cause a distraction, the government in power would be forced to stop what they were doing and be forced to deal with the chaos. Then in the midst of the storm they might gain access and control. Control is what all enemies want to gain.
In the church world it is important for leadership to learn this lesson. Stay on point! I gave this example to a great young pastor recently. As a word of encouragement to him I said, "don't let the distractions on the sidelines keep your head out of the game and cause you to lose on the field". Being a lover of sports, he got it!
Let me encourage you to focus and stay on point with that which the Lord has called you to do.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Observations from visiting a new church, hoping to assist church leaders.
On the road again in my RV. We attended another church Sunday where we were not known nor did we know the congregation. I'm getting into to this as I have never been able to do this because of ministry responsibilities. It was a relatively new church launch with a lot of young believers and a lot of excitement. The church was a part of a National fellowship of churches that is known for a lot of growth and new church launches. Because I am a church planter/launcher, and because I now oversee churches and ministries, it's difficult not to "oversee" when I attend a new church. I have to blank it all out and make a decision to love, blend and worship. I did a fair job and didn't allow myself to process the service until after I left that afternoon
Here were my observations: First, the church was moderately friendly. About two people welcomed us when we entered. It is not unusual to attend a new church and have no one greet us. I know that sounds strange but it is true. We should all work on that. Just as we were a little "sheepish" upon entering an unknown congregation for the first time, I could tell the people were a little nervous about us as well and that was probably why we weren't welcomed more warmly. The building was a store front which is where most new church launches start once they leave the home setting and start trying to reach a community. The building was very clean and neat. The service opened with a young man welcoming the group. He was a little nervous which didn't really "break the ice". The worship team started the worship and it was average. They didn't appear to be worshipping as much as trying to get through the mechanics of the songs. That tends to put a hindrance on the congregation and stops a real flow in worship. It can keep a song service from turning into worship. A relaxed and comfortable atmosphere is so important to worship and fellowship. Of course a church has to use the giftings they have.
When we got to the speaker, the Senior Pastor took the platform. He was a gentle and kind young man. He did an adequate job through the message but at the end, he moved into a very personal story that had a dramatic impact. You could sense that this man was motivated to truly love and help people. He ended without a strong challenge for salvation, although it was included in his presentation. The endtire service was one hour. Then there was coffee and rolls and people seemd to be connected. Once again, as I mentioned in another blog about this earlier, this church is far greater in substance than is demonstrated on Sunday morning. The church is growing and vibrant. It is growing with average worship and preaching. The emphasis of the church is focused on having a real relationship with Jesus and one anohter.
For me it was obvious that this group was making a deliberate effort to focus on spiritual growth in their members more than having a "show" on Sunday. I noticed that they offered home/cell/support groups 5 nights a week which seemed to be their real life flow.
We are all trying to learn as we go and I'm still learning!
On the road again in my RV. We attended another church Sunday where we were not known nor did we know the congregation. I'm getting into to this as I have never been able to do this because of ministry responsibilities. It was a relatively new church launch with a lot of young believers and a lot of excitement. The church was a part of a National fellowship of churches that is known for a lot of growth and new church launches. Because I am a church planter/launcher, and because I now oversee churches and ministries, it's difficult not to "oversee" when I attend a new church. I have to blank it all out and make a decision to love, blend and worship. I did a fair job and didn't allow myself to process the service until after I left that afternoon
Here were my observations: First, the church was moderately friendly. About two people welcomed us when we entered. It is not unusual to attend a new church and have no one greet us. I know that sounds strange but it is true. We should all work on that. Just as we were a little "sheepish" upon entering an unknown congregation for the first time, I could tell the people were a little nervous about us as well and that was probably why we weren't welcomed more warmly. The building was a store front which is where most new church launches start once they leave the home setting and start trying to reach a community. The building was very clean and neat. The service opened with a young man welcoming the group. He was a little nervous which didn't really "break the ice". The worship team started the worship and it was average. They didn't appear to be worshipping as much as trying to get through the mechanics of the songs. That tends to put a hindrance on the congregation and stops a real flow in worship. It can keep a song service from turning into worship. A relaxed and comfortable atmosphere is so important to worship and fellowship. Of course a church has to use the giftings they have.
When we got to the speaker, the Senior Pastor took the platform. He was a gentle and kind young man. He did an adequate job through the message but at the end, he moved into a very personal story that had a dramatic impact. You could sense that this man was motivated to truly love and help people. He ended without a strong challenge for salvation, although it was included in his presentation. The endtire service was one hour. Then there was coffee and rolls and people seemd to be connected. Once again, as I mentioned in another blog about this earlier, this church is far greater in substance than is demonstrated on Sunday morning. The church is growing and vibrant. It is growing with average worship and preaching. The emphasis of the church is focused on having a real relationship with Jesus and one anohter.
For me it was obvious that this group was making a deliberate effort to focus on spiritual growth in their members more than having a "show" on Sunday. I noticed that they offered home/cell/support groups 5 nights a week which seemed to be their real life flow.
We are all trying to learn as we go and I'm still learning!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Christian Heperopia
It is amazing how clearly we can see the faults of others while oblivious to our own weaknesses. Jesus, it seems was always dealing with this problem. I can't think of a time when he dealt with it among unbelievers. He was always dealing with it among religious people and more often than not, among religious leaders.
When we were young converts to Jesus and his way of living, we were like a sponge absorbing all that we could. There is another characteristic to a sponge other than being porous, it is also very pliable and flexible. As youngsters in the faith we were "bright eyed" and open. As we get older we can get closed and narrow in our perspective. Of course, hopefully, that narrower vision is a sign of maturity but it can also be caused by a kind of blindness. Hyperopia is a condition of the eye that we commonly call farsightedness. A person with this problem sees things clearly off in the distance but can't see clearly up close. In Christian terms we would call it Phariseeism. Sounds a lot like "far-a-see-ism" doesn't it? (I couldn't resist that one!)
Let me get to my point in this writing. Christian Hyperopia causes a kind of blindness that leaves us where we see the faults of others more than our own. That farsightedness allows us to develop pride and a self-deception that can wreck our Walk with the Lord. It also causes us to have great difficulty fitting into the Church as God designed. We all have had days of hyperopia. A symptom is when we judge another person's motivation by the motivation of our own heart! In truth, very often our judgment is caused by our putting on others our own weaknesses that we just can't see.
Let us take this thought to Jesus and ask him to heal our vision problem.
It is amazing how clearly we can see the faults of others while oblivious to our own weaknesses. Jesus, it seems was always dealing with this problem. I can't think of a time when he dealt with it among unbelievers. He was always dealing with it among religious people and more often than not, among religious leaders.
When we were young converts to Jesus and his way of living, we were like a sponge absorbing all that we could. There is another characteristic to a sponge other than being porous, it is also very pliable and flexible. As youngsters in the faith we were "bright eyed" and open. As we get older we can get closed and narrow in our perspective. Of course, hopefully, that narrower vision is a sign of maturity but it can also be caused by a kind of blindness. Hyperopia is a condition of the eye that we commonly call farsightedness. A person with this problem sees things clearly off in the distance but can't see clearly up close. In Christian terms we would call it Phariseeism. Sounds a lot like "far-a-see-ism" doesn't it? (I couldn't resist that one!)
Let me get to my point in this writing. Christian Hyperopia causes a kind of blindness that leaves us where we see the faults of others more than our own. That farsightedness allows us to develop pride and a self-deception that can wreck our Walk with the Lord. It also causes us to have great difficulty fitting into the Church as God designed. We all have had days of hyperopia. A symptom is when we judge another person's motivation by the motivation of our own heart! In truth, very often our judgment is caused by our putting on others our own weaknesses that we just can't see.
Let us take this thought to Jesus and ask him to heal our vision problem.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Manipulation
Manipulation is such a powerful, negative force! It has its origins in witchcraft. Manipulation is the counterfeit of real Godly leadership. The purpose of manipulation is to bring another person into a place of submission to the will and purposes of the one doing the manipulating. To manipulate another person is a sin and to allow yourself to be manipulated is death. To allow yourself to be manipulated brings death to your vision, your zeal, your courage and your obedience to God. Jezebel in the Bible is the most obvious example of one who lived by manipulation. She had as her intent to follow this process: intimidation, manipulation, control and finally immobilization.
We have all had the temptation to manipulate. We don't have to learn it, we are born with the instinct. We are most tempted to manipulate others in our weakest hour of faith. To manipulate says, "I don't trust God to work this out". Make a decision that you will not allow yourself to fall to the faithless realm of manipulating people or circumstances. Also make a commitment that you will not allow yourself to be manipulated. You can find yourself in the clutches of manipulation in a moment. It can come from the nicest people. Zechariah 4:6 tells us we are to live, "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord".
Don't allow the enemy to use you on the giving or receiving end of manipulation. It has no part in the life of a Godly leader.
Manipulation is such a powerful, negative force! It has its origins in witchcraft. Manipulation is the counterfeit of real Godly leadership. The purpose of manipulation is to bring another person into a place of submission to the will and purposes of the one doing the manipulating. To manipulate another person is a sin and to allow yourself to be manipulated is death. To allow yourself to be manipulated brings death to your vision, your zeal, your courage and your obedience to God. Jezebel in the Bible is the most obvious example of one who lived by manipulation. She had as her intent to follow this process: intimidation, manipulation, control and finally immobilization.
We have all had the temptation to manipulate. We don't have to learn it, we are born with the instinct. We are most tempted to manipulate others in our weakest hour of faith. To manipulate says, "I don't trust God to work this out". Make a decision that you will not allow yourself to fall to the faithless realm of manipulating people or circumstances. Also make a commitment that you will not allow yourself to be manipulated. You can find yourself in the clutches of manipulation in a moment. It can come from the nicest people. Zechariah 4:6 tells us we are to live, "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord".
Don't allow the enemy to use you on the giving or receiving end of manipulation. It has no part in the life of a Godly leader.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Power Of Sacrifice
The word sacrifice is used almost 200 times in the Old Testament. The personal sacrifice was a major part of worship and the personal relationship between God and man. This sacrifice was something that men wanted to do and they knew it must involve the best of what they had. When David was purchasing land to make an altar, the land was offered to him free. His comments tell us a lot about his heart. He said, " I will not offer to the Lord from that which cost me nothing". Sacrifice was and is a gift from the heart that cost us. Personal cost is at the heart of the faith life.
It seems popular today to teach that sacrifice is not a part of New Testament Christianity. The argument is that Jesus made a sacrifice for us and there is no longer a need for sacrifice. That is certainly true in regard to our salvation. Jesus paid it all! However, once we are believers and followers of Jesus and the Way, sacrifice is an ongoing part of our walk with Him. The rich young ruler is a prime example of a man who missed the Messiah because he wasn't willing to sacrifice his worldly riches for Jesus. The most famous use of the word sacrifice in the New Testament is found in Romans 12:1. Let me quote it from God's Word translation: "Brothers and Sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you." Here the word sacrifice is rightly associated with an act of worship. We are not saved by our sacrifices but our sacrifices are certainly a part of our ongoing service and worship.
Some would question this kind of thinking and some even say, "God would not require such sacrifice from me because He loves me and only wants what is best for me". The Scripture is rich with answers to that comment that prove to us that a loving Father is committed to our best in its highest form. When I hear people say, "God would never require me to move from my house, town or family, or make less money", I want to say, "who told you that? Where in the world did you get that idea?" As a matter of fact, as I study the Scripture I come to understand that many people might just be one sacrifice away from their answer to prayer. A resistance to making the sacrifice might keep them stranded in the quagmire of mediocrity. Miracles happen in the atmosphere of reckless abandonment before God.
The word sacrifice is used almost 200 times in the Old Testament. The personal sacrifice was a major part of worship and the personal relationship between God and man. This sacrifice was something that men wanted to do and they knew it must involve the best of what they had. When David was purchasing land to make an altar, the land was offered to him free. His comments tell us a lot about his heart. He said, " I will not offer to the Lord from that which cost me nothing". Sacrifice was and is a gift from the heart that cost us. Personal cost is at the heart of the faith life.
It seems popular today to teach that sacrifice is not a part of New Testament Christianity. The argument is that Jesus made a sacrifice for us and there is no longer a need for sacrifice. That is certainly true in regard to our salvation. Jesus paid it all! However, once we are believers and followers of Jesus and the Way, sacrifice is an ongoing part of our walk with Him. The rich young ruler is a prime example of a man who missed the Messiah because he wasn't willing to sacrifice his worldly riches for Jesus. The most famous use of the word sacrifice in the New Testament is found in Romans 12:1. Let me quote it from God's Word translation: "Brothers and Sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you." Here the word sacrifice is rightly associated with an act of worship. We are not saved by our sacrifices but our sacrifices are certainly a part of our ongoing service and worship.
Some would question this kind of thinking and some even say, "God would not require such sacrifice from me because He loves me and only wants what is best for me". The Scripture is rich with answers to that comment that prove to us that a loving Father is committed to our best in its highest form. When I hear people say, "God would never require me to move from my house, town or family, or make less money", I want to say, "who told you that? Where in the world did you get that idea?" As a matter of fact, as I study the Scripture I come to understand that many people might just be one sacrifice away from their answer to prayer. A resistance to making the sacrifice might keep them stranded in the quagmire of mediocrity. Miracles happen in the atmosphere of reckless abandonment before God.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Transformation or Inoculation?
It is amazing the things people "think" or "suppose" that God doesn't mind. It is unbelievable the things that people assume that God will bless. It was a shocking revelation when I realized that God isn't obligated to bless everything I do and even those good things that I do in His Name! If I were the Lord, and we are all very glad that I am not, I would be upset by all the quasi-christian thinking, talking and writing out there today. "Quasi" basically means "resembling something". Today there is obviously more "resembling" christianity than true Christianity. The reason I would be so upset if I were the Lord is that this quasi-christian mentality and lifestyle represents God and what people think of God. This only perpetuates more quasi or resembling christianity rather than the real deal.
The problem with this watered down, lukewarm and most often invalid form of christianity is that it inoculates new seekers from getting the real thing. When you are given a shot, like the H1N1 flu shot, you are actually given a little dose of the flu. The point here is to cause you to build up a resistance to the real thing if it comes your way. That is exactly what quasi-christianity does. It gives people a small does of christian antidote that makes them believe they have the real thing when in actuality they have been given a counterfeit. This counterfeit work work in crisis and won't fill the voids in the hearts of men. You see true Christianity is not primarily about getting people into churches or conformity, although these are important parts of our walk, it is about bringing people into the genuine presence of Jesus by exposing them to Truth. This relationship with Truth and Jesus, rather than insulating them from more truth, strips them bare and actually causes them to be more susceptible to catching the full blown condition of true Christianity. That is what Jesus was trying to get Nicodemus to see when Jesus said to him, "you must be born again". If there is not a moment in time where there is a confrontation with Jesus, Truth comes and that person walks away changed for all time, the seeker has been short changed.
In our efforts as believers, followers of the Way, let us make sure that we are not "giving them what they want" in order to gather and keep them and in doing so we have only inoculated them to the life changing message of the true Gospel.
It is amazing the things people "think" or "suppose" that God doesn't mind. It is unbelievable the things that people assume that God will bless. It was a shocking revelation when I realized that God isn't obligated to bless everything I do and even those good things that I do in His Name! If I were the Lord, and we are all very glad that I am not, I would be upset by all the quasi-christian thinking, talking and writing out there today. "Quasi" basically means "resembling something". Today there is obviously more "resembling" christianity than true Christianity. The reason I would be so upset if I were the Lord is that this quasi-christian mentality and lifestyle represents God and what people think of God. This only perpetuates more quasi or resembling christianity rather than the real deal.
The problem with this watered down, lukewarm and most often invalid form of christianity is that it inoculates new seekers from getting the real thing. When you are given a shot, like the H1N1 flu shot, you are actually given a little dose of the flu. The point here is to cause you to build up a resistance to the real thing if it comes your way. That is exactly what quasi-christianity does. It gives people a small does of christian antidote that makes them believe they have the real thing when in actuality they have been given a counterfeit. This counterfeit work work in crisis and won't fill the voids in the hearts of men. You see true Christianity is not primarily about getting people into churches or conformity, although these are important parts of our walk, it is about bringing people into the genuine presence of Jesus by exposing them to Truth. This relationship with Truth and Jesus, rather than insulating them from more truth, strips them bare and actually causes them to be more susceptible to catching the full blown condition of true Christianity. That is what Jesus was trying to get Nicodemus to see when Jesus said to him, "you must be born again". If there is not a moment in time where there is a confrontation with Jesus, Truth comes and that person walks away changed for all time, the seeker has been short changed.
In our efforts as believers, followers of the Way, let us make sure that we are not "giving them what they want" in order to gather and keep them and in doing so we have only inoculated them to the life changing message of the true Gospel.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Not a spurt but a flow!
Productivity is a powerful thing. It is not accomplished by created ideas or bursts of energy alone. Productivity comes with longevity. As Christians, we have within us this living water, this well that is springing up into eternal life as the Scripture says. A part of this power within us is manifested in seasons of great impulses or creative times of ideas flooding us. The difference between a Christian who is successful and one who is not is stewardship. Both have the same Holy Spirit within them. Certainly, some are more gifted than others. However, don't forget, all are gifted. More often than not, it is the person with the lessor gifting who accomplishes more than the more highly gifted person. What is the reason? There could be a number of reasons but one primary reason is again, stewardship. What are you doing with what the Lord does bring to you.
I can remember going to bed and having this wonderful creative thought come to me. Ididn't want to take a chance at interrupting my sleep so I would pray, Lord please bring that back to me in the morning. As morning came, I couldn't remember the idea. Then it occurred to me that ideas are the most valuable things in the world. Everything started with an idea which was the doorway to another idea. My unwillingness to capture the idea was a kind of neglect of God and his speaking to me. What if the great inventors had disregarded their ideas. Einstein, Bell, Edison all listened, captured and developed the ideas that came out of their gifting. They were good stewards over what God gave them. I finally learned the value of being a better steward over the creative flows from God to me. I learned to be prepared with a note by the bed or a recorder in the car to capture what the Lord was revealing to and through my gifts.
It is the beginning days of a new year. Let's make a decision to get prepared to capture these creative impulses that the Lord brings. Then, let's enter the door of creativity and follow the idea to a place of longevity and productivity.
Productivity is a powerful thing. It is not accomplished by created ideas or bursts of energy alone. Productivity comes with longevity. As Christians, we have within us this living water, this well that is springing up into eternal life as the Scripture says. A part of this power within us is manifested in seasons of great impulses or creative times of ideas flooding us. The difference between a Christian who is successful and one who is not is stewardship. Both have the same Holy Spirit within them. Certainly, some are more gifted than others. However, don't forget, all are gifted. More often than not, it is the person with the lessor gifting who accomplishes more than the more highly gifted person. What is the reason? There could be a number of reasons but one primary reason is again, stewardship. What are you doing with what the Lord does bring to you.
I can remember going to bed and having this wonderful creative thought come to me. Ididn't want to take a chance at interrupting my sleep so I would pray, Lord please bring that back to me in the morning. As morning came, I couldn't remember the idea. Then it occurred to me that ideas are the most valuable things in the world. Everything started with an idea which was the doorway to another idea. My unwillingness to capture the idea was a kind of neglect of God and his speaking to me. What if the great inventors had disregarded their ideas. Einstein, Bell, Edison all listened, captured and developed the ideas that came out of their gifting. They were good stewards over what God gave them. I finally learned the value of being a better steward over the creative flows from God to me. I learned to be prepared with a note by the bed or a recorder in the car to capture what the Lord was revealing to and through my gifts.
It is the beginning days of a new year. Let's make a decision to get prepared to capture these creative impulses that the Lord brings. Then, let's enter the door of creativity and follow the idea to a place of longevity and productivity.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Intellect, Wisdom and Prosperity
As we are still in the opening hours of this new year, we are still hearing the greeting "happy new year". With this greeting people also usually attach a blessing such as have a "prosperous new year." Anyone with any life experience at all has come to realize that prosperity or success doesn't come automatically with intellect. There is a host of very successful people out there who never graduated from college. Bill Gates stands at the top the list which includes others like Peter Jennings and Harry Truman. On the other hand, I know some with post graduate degrees who can't get or keep a job. Obviously, education cannot be the measure of intellect either. Again, Bill Gates would be a prime example.
What is at the heart of achieving success and prosperity? I am not going to go into the argument in this writing about the true meaning of success. Let's just assume most of us on this reading list are on the same page here. The heart of achieving success is not found in intellect or education alone. Something else comes into play after intellect is recognized. Wisdom is the key to truly achieving success. When I speak of wisdom, I am talking about an accumulation of life skills that has been sought after and artfully absorbed through experience. A foolish person is one who refuses to hear correction and who believes that they are smarter than others. This foolish person is cutting themselves off from developing wisdom and sentencing themselves to a life of failure and poverty. Prov. 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." It doesn't say that fools will reject wisdom, they actually "despise wisdom and instruction". The problem here is not one of not seeing their need, they see it but their own pride is a locked gate to gaining the wisdom that would bring the success they so desperately desire.
How can one get past this locked gate and become open to instruction in order to gain true wisdom? After many years of counseling, I am convinced that no person can change and become an open gate through mere will power or desire. There has to be a heart change. Only through recognizing that pride over intellect and knowledge is an affront to God Himself can a person begin to experience change. Then there has to be a humbling of self before God and man in order to see wisdom developed and long lasting success be established. Usually the Lord will have the person be discipled or tutored under one of much less education or intellect. One of my greatest and most respected tutors was a man with a grade school education, but a man of much wisdom.
May the Lord give us all great grace to humble ourselves at the beginning of this new year in order to truly see a "prosperous new year".
As we are still in the opening hours of this new year, we are still hearing the greeting "happy new year". With this greeting people also usually attach a blessing such as have a "prosperous new year." Anyone with any life experience at all has come to realize that prosperity or success doesn't come automatically with intellect. There is a host of very successful people out there who never graduated from college. Bill Gates stands at the top the list which includes others like Peter Jennings and Harry Truman. On the other hand, I know some with post graduate degrees who can't get or keep a job. Obviously, education cannot be the measure of intellect either. Again, Bill Gates would be a prime example.
What is at the heart of achieving success and prosperity? I am not going to go into the argument in this writing about the true meaning of success. Let's just assume most of us on this reading list are on the same page here. The heart of achieving success is not found in intellect or education alone. Something else comes into play after intellect is recognized. Wisdom is the key to truly achieving success. When I speak of wisdom, I am talking about an accumulation of life skills that has been sought after and artfully absorbed through experience. A foolish person is one who refuses to hear correction and who believes that they are smarter than others. This foolish person is cutting themselves off from developing wisdom and sentencing themselves to a life of failure and poverty. Prov. 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." It doesn't say that fools will reject wisdom, they actually "despise wisdom and instruction". The problem here is not one of not seeing their need, they see it but their own pride is a locked gate to gaining the wisdom that would bring the success they so desperately desire.
How can one get past this locked gate and become open to instruction in order to gain true wisdom? After many years of counseling, I am convinced that no person can change and become an open gate through mere will power or desire. There has to be a heart change. Only through recognizing that pride over intellect and knowledge is an affront to God Himself can a person begin to experience change. Then there has to be a humbling of self before God and man in order to see wisdom developed and long lasting success be established. Usually the Lord will have the person be discipled or tutored under one of much less education or intellect. One of my greatest and most respected tutors was a man with a grade school education, but a man of much wisdom.
May the Lord give us all great grace to humble ourselves at the beginning of this new year in order to truly see a "prosperous new year".
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year's Eve
The word "eve" is defined as the day leading up to an event. The event isn't here yet, but it will be tomorrow. Not much of value happens on "eve" days. They are usually spent imagining or dreaming of tomorrow. Then there is the word "post" that is used as a prefix to speak of what happened. Again, this is speaking of a time other than now. What you hoped for has already either been realized, or you are now in disappointment. I'm not a big "eve" or "post" guy. I like "now". I can get my hands around now. Now is still underway and still adjustable. Of course "eve" still promises a lot of hope if we are willing to use today to work on making tomorrow different in a more positive way. Rather than spending all of New Year's Eve in a kind of dreamy fog, why don't we take some time to make it a planning day for tomorrow. Tomorrow we get to see that fresh big "one" pop up on the calendar. Let's be ready for it! Hebrews 11: 1 tells us, "NOW faith is..." Faith is not "eve" and faith is not "post", faith is now.
The word "eve" is defined as the day leading up to an event. The event isn't here yet, but it will be tomorrow. Not much of value happens on "eve" days. They are usually spent imagining or dreaming of tomorrow. Then there is the word "post" that is used as a prefix to speak of what happened. Again, this is speaking of a time other than now. What you hoped for has already either been realized, or you are now in disappointment. I'm not a big "eve" or "post" guy. I like "now". I can get my hands around now. Now is still underway and still adjustable. Of course "eve" still promises a lot of hope if we are willing to use today to work on making tomorrow different in a more positive way. Rather than spending all of New Year's Eve in a kind of dreamy fog, why don't we take some time to make it a planning day for tomorrow. Tomorrow we get to see that fresh big "one" pop up on the calendar. Let's be ready for it! Hebrews 11: 1 tells us, "NOW faith is..." Faith is not "eve" and faith is not "post", faith is now.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Merry Christmas!
Christmas week. I love it! Have a wonderful week with family and loved ones and don't forget to maintain a heart of love and worship to Jesus who came to bring us out of bondage and into His marvelous light!
Luke 2:6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Christmas week. I love it! Have a wonderful week with family and loved ones and don't forget to maintain a heart of love and worship to Jesus who came to bring us out of bondage and into His marvelous light!
Luke 2:6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Monday, December 14, 2009
Being Called And Being Sent
I don't know many songs from the mid to late 1970's. I remember a lot from the 60's and many from the 80's but the 70's is pretty much a blank. Movies are much the same way. One day I was thinking about it and as I was pondering the blank spaces in my memory I realized why. I came back to the Lord in 1973, responded to the Call to ministry that same year and was immersed in God, revival, training and discipleship for the next few years.
You see, I was so much in the world that my worldview, my tastes and my process of thinking was totally a worldly mindset. It was months before I could even tell a real change was occurring in my attitudes. Romans tells us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by "the renewing of your mind." That was what was happening to me in the 70's and by the way, is still taking place. I had so much of the world in me that if I had just continued walking as I had been walking and thinking the way I had been thinking with the only change being ministry training and a new vocation, I would have been of no value to God.
In the life of every servant of Jesus, there must be this coming out of the world, a season of separation, before there can be an effective sending for Kingdom purposes. There must be a time of sanctification and then an immersion in the things of God in order to see true Kingdom fruit. Otherwise we will find ourselves in the church sending "clouds without rain". We are warned to avoid having "a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof". The sending without first before the drawing away for preparation produces this powerless religion in time.
All the great ones have had this experience. Jesus in the desert, Paul in Arabia, Moses in the wilderness, Joseph in the prison, Jacob at Bethel and the list goes on endlessly. Any person who tries to take a shortcut to ministry will end up in disaster while taking others with him.
What about you and me? If you find yourself already in a place of leadership and you know in your heart that you bypassed the "coming aside" for preparation, and I don't mean training alone. I mean a season of the emptying of you in order to be filled with Him. It's not too late. If asked, the Lord will take you through this process even while you are in a place of service. He does it all the time. Simply see it and pursue Him.
I don't know many songs from the mid to late 1970's. I remember a lot from the 60's and many from the 80's but the 70's is pretty much a blank. Movies are much the same way. One day I was thinking about it and as I was pondering the blank spaces in my memory I realized why. I came back to the Lord in 1973, responded to the Call to ministry that same year and was immersed in God, revival, training and discipleship for the next few years.
You see, I was so much in the world that my worldview, my tastes and my process of thinking was totally a worldly mindset. It was months before I could even tell a real change was occurring in my attitudes. Romans tells us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by "the renewing of your mind." That was what was happening to me in the 70's and by the way, is still taking place. I had so much of the world in me that if I had just continued walking as I had been walking and thinking the way I had been thinking with the only change being ministry training and a new vocation, I would have been of no value to God.
In the life of every servant of Jesus, there must be this coming out of the world, a season of separation, before there can be an effective sending for Kingdom purposes. There must be a time of sanctification and then an immersion in the things of God in order to see true Kingdom fruit. Otherwise we will find ourselves in the church sending "clouds without rain". We are warned to avoid having "a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof". The sending without first before the drawing away for preparation produces this powerless religion in time.
All the great ones have had this experience. Jesus in the desert, Paul in Arabia, Moses in the wilderness, Joseph in the prison, Jacob at Bethel and the list goes on endlessly. Any person who tries to take a shortcut to ministry will end up in disaster while taking others with him.
What about you and me? If you find yourself already in a place of leadership and you know in your heart that you bypassed the "coming aside" for preparation, and I don't mean training alone. I mean a season of the emptying of you in order to be filled with Him. It's not too late. If asked, the Lord will take you through this process even while you are in a place of service. He does it all the time. Simply see it and pursue Him.
Monday, December 7, 2009
After The Fact
When people tell you that hindsight is 20/20, understand that behind that statement are many, many mistakes. It is through mistakes that we learn, hopefully, and gain wisdom for future success. All great discoveries stand upon the shoulders of countless failures. When you see a person who can do, what to you is a difficult task, it is because they have failed at it until they finally got it right.
I have this bad habit of starting a new project and being so excited that I often forget to read the instructions that accompany the new materials. I just want to get the job done so badly that I can't take the time to do the proper preparation work. Recently I was rebuilding an old bike rack. I needed to attach some new rubber guards on the metal to protect the bikes from the metal. I had some Gorilla Glue on my shelf. I had previously used it on a small job. Now I would tackle this larger job. I had grease on my hands from another job I was doing the same afternoon. The glue worked fantastic. It was the best I had ever used! Then I came to the part where I would clean my hands. I scrubbed, and scrubbed, used chemicals and did all I knew to do and guess what? I had greasy, dirty looking hands with a Gorilla Glue permanent coating! Then, after the fact, I went and found the instructions that I had cast aside and it said, "don't make contact with hands. Make sure you wear gloves when using this product". UUUuuuggghhhh!!!!! I did it again!!!
I will never use glue without gloves again. The pain of this experience was now steamed into my brain. Sounds pretty silly. Yet, Christians do it all the time with much more serious matters than having dirty hands for a few days. They launch headlong into everything from major business decisions to marriage without every consulting the Scripture or counsel to see if there is direction or confirmation regarding their situation. Most of the counseling I did as a Pastor dealt with just this topic. People would come to me for help "after the fact". Often people would get into situations that resulted in bondage that would take years from which to get free. It is such a waste because if they had sought the counsel of God's Word first they could have prevented the crisis. Preventative maintenance is much better than repair. It's a great thing to be able to tell people now, "don't use Gorilla Glue without gloves"! However, I would much rather have read the instructions and never had to learn the lesson the way I did. There are a lot of people out there who wish the same thing but in much more serious matters.
The good news? God is the the "mess fixin'" business! You can still see God work for you even when you made the mess. Like me, you might have to walk through some embarrassment for a time, but a new day will come and redemption is in your future!
When people tell you that hindsight is 20/20, understand that behind that statement are many, many mistakes. It is through mistakes that we learn, hopefully, and gain wisdom for future success. All great discoveries stand upon the shoulders of countless failures. When you see a person who can do, what to you is a difficult task, it is because they have failed at it until they finally got it right.
I have this bad habit of starting a new project and being so excited that I often forget to read the instructions that accompany the new materials. I just want to get the job done so badly that I can't take the time to do the proper preparation work. Recently I was rebuilding an old bike rack. I needed to attach some new rubber guards on the metal to protect the bikes from the metal. I had some Gorilla Glue on my shelf. I had previously used it on a small job. Now I would tackle this larger job. I had grease on my hands from another job I was doing the same afternoon. The glue worked fantastic. It was the best I had ever used! Then I came to the part where I would clean my hands. I scrubbed, and scrubbed, used chemicals and did all I knew to do and guess what? I had greasy, dirty looking hands with a Gorilla Glue permanent coating! Then, after the fact, I went and found the instructions that I had cast aside and it said, "don't make contact with hands. Make sure you wear gloves when using this product". UUUuuuggghhhh!!!!! I did it again!!!
I will never use glue without gloves again. The pain of this experience was now steamed into my brain. Sounds pretty silly. Yet, Christians do it all the time with much more serious matters than having dirty hands for a few days. They launch headlong into everything from major business decisions to marriage without every consulting the Scripture or counsel to see if there is direction or confirmation regarding their situation. Most of the counseling I did as a Pastor dealt with just this topic. People would come to me for help "after the fact". Often people would get into situations that resulted in bondage that would take years from which to get free. It is such a waste because if they had sought the counsel of God's Word first they could have prevented the crisis. Preventative maintenance is much better than repair. It's a great thing to be able to tell people now, "don't use Gorilla Glue without gloves"! However, I would much rather have read the instructions and never had to learn the lesson the way I did. There are a lot of people out there who wish the same thing but in much more serious matters.
The good news? God is the the "mess fixin'" business! You can still see God work for you even when you made the mess. Like me, you might have to walk through some embarrassment for a time, but a new day will come and redemption is in your future!
Monday, November 30, 2009
In All Things Charity
I once heard a man say, "men of faith pray short prayers". I also believe men and women of faith, enlightenment and understanding can say more with less words. Unfortunately, I have a ways to go in that department! One of the most powerful sentences that I have ever read written by mortal man was written by the pen of St. Augustine. He said, "in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity." How many wars could have been averted, how many churches could have remained united and how many friends might have remained close if these words had been taken to heart.
Of course the argument will arise trying to answer the question, "what are essentials"? The essentials would have to cover only the most central of doctrinal issues. In these things we must have unity or else we would in time evaporate as a Kingdom influence on the earth. Most of the time the things that divide us however, are not the essentials at all but the petty preferences guarded by pride. It is in these issues where we must make the decision to allow and embrace liberty. The harder a person fights to protect a non-essential, the more they reveal their pride shallowness or immaturity.
Then we come to the last part of the sentence: "in all things charity". Whether there is unity in non-essentials or even the essentials, there still must be charity. There is a time when we are released from walking with a person because they don't embrace our doctrine. However, there is never a time when we are released from the commandment to love.
Romans 5: 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I once heard a man say, "men of faith pray short prayers". I also believe men and women of faith, enlightenment and understanding can say more with less words. Unfortunately, I have a ways to go in that department! One of the most powerful sentences that I have ever read written by mortal man was written by the pen of St. Augustine. He said, "in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity." How many wars could have been averted, how many churches could have remained united and how many friends might have remained close if these words had been taken to heart.
Of course the argument will arise trying to answer the question, "what are essentials"? The essentials would have to cover only the most central of doctrinal issues. In these things we must have unity or else we would in time evaporate as a Kingdom influence on the earth. Most of the time the things that divide us however, are not the essentials at all but the petty preferences guarded by pride. It is in these issues where we must make the decision to allow and embrace liberty. The harder a person fights to protect a non-essential, the more they reveal their pride shallowness or immaturity.
Then we come to the last part of the sentence: "in all things charity". Whether there is unity in non-essentials or even the essentials, there still must be charity. There is a time when we are released from walking with a person because they don't embrace our doctrine. However, there is never a time when we are released from the commandment to love.
Romans 5: 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Monday, November 23, 2009
When Others Interfere With The Will Of God For You
I know this sounds strange, but there are times when others can hinder or even stop the will of God in your life. Let me give you an example. There have been times in my life when I have been a part of a leadership team that moved as a team in making decisions. I remember at one point when I felt that I was supposed to go to a certain Nation to work with leaders there. I was also a Senior Pastor of a church working with elders. When I shared my desire to go to this country, there was a group feeling that I was not to go. I had to make a decision to believe in the process of God's government as we moved as a group. I didn't go. About two years later one of the leaders said to me, "I believe we missed God and that you were supposed to go". That was a very unusual situation of something that hasn't happened many times in my life and ministry. It did however, serve as a check point for me to see if I would in fact submit to the team. Submission isn't submission unless it is tested. I have also known of men of God that felt they were to go to a church as the Senior Pastor only to have the local elders make a decision to call someone else. Let us evaluate this kind of situation that could very well mean that God's will was hindered in your life.
First of all, there are times, like in the case of the man who felt he was to be the new pastor but hindered by local elders, when things are out of your control. What should you do?
1. Don't take it personally. Taking it personally will cause you to try to redeem yourself, lead a rebellion or at the very least become embittered. This will taint you and leave you less effective when the next opportunity for ministry arises.
2. Submit yourself to God in humility. This is the evidence that you see God as your source and not man.
3. Get your heart in a place of neutrality. Only from a neutral posture will you be able to on with a pure heart. Don't let the past pollute your future.
4. Set your heart to believe that the Lord will promote you. A person who fights for position is not a person of faith.
5. Don't allow anyone to try to start a war on your behalf. Again, sowing and reaping will come into play and you may sabotage your future.
This topic is a rare case study but it happens. If man hinders the will of God for you today, the right attitude and action can release heaven to bring you into a new place to experience the perfect will of God. Man may slow the process but only you can stop it.
I know this sounds strange, but there are times when others can hinder or even stop the will of God in your life. Let me give you an example. There have been times in my life when I have been a part of a leadership team that moved as a team in making decisions. I remember at one point when I felt that I was supposed to go to a certain Nation to work with leaders there. I was also a Senior Pastor of a church working with elders. When I shared my desire to go to this country, there was a group feeling that I was not to go. I had to make a decision to believe in the process of God's government as we moved as a group. I didn't go. About two years later one of the leaders said to me, "I believe we missed God and that you were supposed to go". That was a very unusual situation of something that hasn't happened many times in my life and ministry. It did however, serve as a check point for me to see if I would in fact submit to the team. Submission isn't submission unless it is tested. I have also known of men of God that felt they were to go to a church as the Senior Pastor only to have the local elders make a decision to call someone else. Let us evaluate this kind of situation that could very well mean that God's will was hindered in your life.
First of all, there are times, like in the case of the man who felt he was to be the new pastor but hindered by local elders, when things are out of your control. What should you do?
1. Don't take it personally. Taking it personally will cause you to try to redeem yourself, lead a rebellion or at the very least become embittered. This will taint you and leave you less effective when the next opportunity for ministry arises.
2. Submit yourself to God in humility. This is the evidence that you see God as your source and not man.
3. Get your heart in a place of neutrality. Only from a neutral posture will you be able to on with a pure heart. Don't let the past pollute your future.
4. Set your heart to believe that the Lord will promote you. A person who fights for position is not a person of faith.
5. Don't allow anyone to try to start a war on your behalf. Again, sowing and reaping will come into play and you may sabotage your future.
This topic is a rare case study but it happens. If man hinders the will of God for you today, the right attitude and action can release heaven to bring you into a new place to experience the perfect will of God. Man may slow the process but only you can stop it.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Power of Personal Encouragement
(Reprint)
By his own admission he was an unattractive, unmotivated little boy. He was difficult to like, especially for a schoolteacher who all day long faced his deadpan, expressionless, unfocused stare. Although his fifth grade teacher said she loved all her students, Miss Thompson had to admit that deep down she wasn’t being honest. She didn’t like him, and she even received a certain perverse pleasure in marking his papers with red ink and writing the F’s with a flair.
Her view of him was already distorted by her perspective, but she should have known better. As his teacher, she had his records and she knew more about him than she wanted to admit. His records read like this:
First Grade – Teddy shows promise with his work and attitude, but he has a poor home situation.
Second Grade – Teddy could do better. Mother is seriously ill. He receives little help at home.
Third Grade – Teddy is a good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.
Fourth Grade – Teddy is very slow but well behaved. His father shows no interest.
At Christmas, her class all brought her presents in pretty wrappings and gathered around to watch her open them. She was surprised when she received a gift from Teddy. It was crudely wrapped in brown paper loosely held together with tape. When she opened it, out fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to giggle, but she had enough sense to put on the bracelet and apply some of the perfume on her wrist. She asked the class, "Doesn’t it smell lovely?"
When school was over and the children had left, Teddy had lingered behind. He slowly came over to her desk and said softly, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you liked my presents." When Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her.
The next day when the children came to school, they were welcomed by a new teacher. Miss Thompson had become a new person. She was no longer just a teacher; she had become an agent of God. She now had a changed perspective. She was now a person committed to loving her children and doing things for them that would live on after her. Because of Miss Thompson’s loving attention, by the end of that school year, Teddy showed dramatic improvement and had caught up with most of the students.
Miss Thompson did not hear from Teddy for a long time, after he left her class. Then one day she received a note that said:
"Dear Miss Thompson:
I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my high school class.
Love, Teddy Stallard."
Four years later, Miss Thompson received another note. It read:
"Dear Miss Thompson:
They just told me I would be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.
Love, Teddy Stallard."
Finally, Miss Thompson received another note:
"Dear Miss Thompson:
As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, MD. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year.
Love, Teddy Stallard."
Miss Thompson went to that wedding. In Teddy’s eyes she deserved to sit where his mother would have sat; she had earned that right. She had done something for Teddy that he could never forget. By a small act of love and kindness, she had changed the course of his life. She had exercised the power of love. She had become an agent of God.
(Reprint)
By his own admission he was an unattractive, unmotivated little boy. He was difficult to like, especially for a schoolteacher who all day long faced his deadpan, expressionless, unfocused stare. Although his fifth grade teacher said she loved all her students, Miss Thompson had to admit that deep down she wasn’t being honest. She didn’t like him, and she even received a certain perverse pleasure in marking his papers with red ink and writing the F’s with a flair.
Her view of him was already distorted by her perspective, but she should have known better. As his teacher, she had his records and she knew more about him than she wanted to admit. His records read like this:
First Grade – Teddy shows promise with his work and attitude, but he has a poor home situation.
Second Grade – Teddy could do better. Mother is seriously ill. He receives little help at home.
Third Grade – Teddy is a good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.
Fourth Grade – Teddy is very slow but well behaved. His father shows no interest.
At Christmas, her class all brought her presents in pretty wrappings and gathered around to watch her open them. She was surprised when she received a gift from Teddy. It was crudely wrapped in brown paper loosely held together with tape. When she opened it, out fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to giggle, but she had enough sense to put on the bracelet and apply some of the perfume on her wrist. She asked the class, "Doesn’t it smell lovely?"
When school was over and the children had left, Teddy had lingered behind. He slowly came over to her desk and said softly, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you liked my presents." When Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her.
The next day when the children came to school, they were welcomed by a new teacher. Miss Thompson had become a new person. She was no longer just a teacher; she had become an agent of God. She now had a changed perspective. She was now a person committed to loving her children and doing things for them that would live on after her. Because of Miss Thompson’s loving attention, by the end of that school year, Teddy showed dramatic improvement and had caught up with most of the students.
Miss Thompson did not hear from Teddy for a long time, after he left her class. Then one day she received a note that said:
"Dear Miss Thompson:
I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my high school class.
Love, Teddy Stallard."
Four years later, Miss Thompson received another note. It read:
"Dear Miss Thompson:
They just told me I would be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.
Love, Teddy Stallard."
Finally, Miss Thompson received another note:
"Dear Miss Thompson:
As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, MD. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year.
Love, Teddy Stallard."
Miss Thompson went to that wedding. In Teddy’s eyes she deserved to sit where his mother would have sat; she had earned that right. She had done something for Teddy that he could never forget. By a small act of love and kindness, she had changed the course of his life. She had exercised the power of love. She had become an agent of God.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Christianity Lite
It seems that some of the most entertaining commercials are beer commercials! I didn't say I was happy about it, just that it seems that way. Most beer companies now have an ad selling their "lite" product. One of their selling points is that it is "less filling". They are saying that their lite product is just as satisfying but less filling. Well, I can't be the judge because I am not a beer drinker. However, evidently this commercial got into my head. Recently, while I was traveling I had one of those rare Sunday's when I wasn't preaching and I was on the road in my RV. Teresa and I didn't have a car with us and we were riding our mountain bikes everywhere. We were having a blast and decided to ride our bikes to a nearby church. I searched out the area churches with one of my favorite apps, "around me". I saw there was a non-denominational church with 800 yards according to my trusty iPhone. We found something to wear that was "bike worthy" and set out on this adventure. We pulled into the parking lot just as others were arriving in their cars. We dodged the traffic and found a place to chain up our bikes. We made our way in. You could tell folks were a little surprised to see these two strangers arrive on bikes but they took a deep breath and extended a warm welcome.
As we entered this small but comfortable church building, we were very much at ease. The service started right on time which impressed me. The service was exactly 63 minutes long including worship, special singing, announcements, sermon and communion. As the service ended, we were invited to have coffee and snacks in the lobby. Not to be elitist, we joined right in! Here comes the "lite" part. I kept thinking, "this is Christianity lite"! Everything is so condensed. Everyone from my "stream" of things knows that God can't show up in a 63 minute service! Or can He? As I am drinking my coffee, a racially mixed young woman made her way to speak to us. You could tell she was a little less fortunate than most of the congregants. She seemed a little worn and not as well groomed. Then she said, "this church has changed my life"! I was shocked! Changed your life? How could Christianity Lite change your life? Yet, I could see deep in her eyes this peace from what had been a great storm. She had found the Lord and the love of His Church here. Next, a crippled man in a wheel chair came to welcome us. I asked, "how long have you been a part of this church?" He said, "about 4-5 years". Then he said it too. "This church has changed my life and I don't know where I would be without this church".
As I left I kept pondering the service. It was very short by my standards. The music was good but not great. The teaching was adequate but not really dynamic. Two or three people were nervously lifting their hands about waist high. There even seemed to be this nerdy atmosphere which really bugs me. Yet...yet...Jesus was powerfully present! There was this genuine, simple and earnest seeking of the Lord that attracted Him to this seemingly unimpressive place. Bottom line? I plan to go back next time I am in the area.
It seems that some of the most entertaining commercials are beer commercials! I didn't say I was happy about it, just that it seems that way. Most beer companies now have an ad selling their "lite" product. One of their selling points is that it is "less filling". They are saying that their lite product is just as satisfying but less filling. Well, I can't be the judge because I am not a beer drinker. However, evidently this commercial got into my head. Recently, while I was traveling I had one of those rare Sunday's when I wasn't preaching and I was on the road in my RV. Teresa and I didn't have a car with us and we were riding our mountain bikes everywhere. We were having a blast and decided to ride our bikes to a nearby church. I searched out the area churches with one of my favorite apps, "around me". I saw there was a non-denominational church with 800 yards according to my trusty iPhone. We found something to wear that was "bike worthy" and set out on this adventure. We pulled into the parking lot just as others were arriving in their cars. We dodged the traffic and found a place to chain up our bikes. We made our way in. You could tell folks were a little surprised to see these two strangers arrive on bikes but they took a deep breath and extended a warm welcome.
As we entered this small but comfortable church building, we were very much at ease. The service started right on time which impressed me. The service was exactly 63 minutes long including worship, special singing, announcements, sermon and communion. As the service ended, we were invited to have coffee and snacks in the lobby. Not to be elitist, we joined right in! Here comes the "lite" part. I kept thinking, "this is Christianity lite"! Everything is so condensed. Everyone from my "stream" of things knows that God can't show up in a 63 minute service! Or can He? As I am drinking my coffee, a racially mixed young woman made her way to speak to us. You could tell she was a little less fortunate than most of the congregants. She seemed a little worn and not as well groomed. Then she said, "this church has changed my life"! I was shocked! Changed your life? How could Christianity Lite change your life? Yet, I could see deep in her eyes this peace from what had been a great storm. She had found the Lord and the love of His Church here. Next, a crippled man in a wheel chair came to welcome us. I asked, "how long have you been a part of this church?" He said, "about 4-5 years". Then he said it too. "This church has changed my life and I don't know where I would be without this church".
As I left I kept pondering the service. It was very short by my standards. The music was good but not great. The teaching was adequate but not really dynamic. Two or three people were nervously lifting their hands about waist high. There even seemed to be this nerdy atmosphere which really bugs me. Yet...yet...Jesus was powerfully present! There was this genuine, simple and earnest seeking of the Lord that attracted Him to this seemingly unimpressive place. Bottom line? I plan to go back next time I am in the area.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
In Your Darkest Hour
A question I find myself asking those I counsel is: "what rattles around in your head in your darkest hour?" The reason I think this is such an important question is because the answer to that question represents their greatest and often most suppressed fear. On a good day it is very possible to get on top of life limiting fears and pretend they aren't there. The sun is shining, circumstances are good all around me and I convince myself that this is reality. Then, circumstances change, it is cloudy and cold and those fears rise to the surface and want to take over.
How do you handle that darkest hour? There are many ways to deal with fear and anxiety. Some people like to make life a constant celebration. They try to make believe life is a party. These people are often addicted to entertainment. They run from anything negative and try to surround themselves with people who only make them feel good about themselves and life in general. These folks actually create an atmosphere where they control other people around them and make others perform to keep things pleasant. The other people are the ones having to deal with anxiety, the anxiety cause by the one they are trying to keep happy.
As with all fear, the only healthy way to deal with fear is "head on". You can't imagine it away. Within fear and anxiety are roots that will poison every positive initiative within your life. Here's the really hard part: you can't deal with fear only on sunny days. Fear doesn't usually manifest on sunny days. Fear is like a mouse, he only comes out boldly in darkness. That is why fear must be confronted in darkness. It takes great courage to confront an enemy in darkness. However, as a Christian, you have the key to winning over this dark fear. You not only have fear with which you are dealing, you also have great light within you! You see darkness doesn't just run from light, darkness is destroyed by light. What is the light within you? It is the light of the Lord Jesus, the light of the Scripture and the illumination of the living Holy Spirit. Fear tries to lie to you and tell you that you cannot be free of fear and anxiety and that you need to try to cope with it. That is why fear tries to convince you that you cannot be at rest except on bright happy days. That is a lie.
You and I can win over fear! Learning to face our greatest fear and admit it is our first victory. Yes, as a Christian admit that this specific area of fear is real and needs to be confronted. If you find mouse droppings in the kitchen, you can't imagine it away. It doesn't mean that you fear mice, it means you really do have a mouse. Face your fear today. Bring it out in the open before the Lord in prayer. He will not be surprised. Then begin to find Scripture that relates to victory over fear and memorize those verses. Use them against fear over and over again. Now you are doing warfare in the middle of the night. In prayer ask the Holy Spirit to hunt down the causes of this fear at it's deepest level and reveal it to you. Invite Jesus to deal with these issues at the very root. Deny nothing He uncovers.
You will discover and unfolding deliverance and the day will come when you have less and less rattling in your head on dark days. You will learn to live in the sunshine even on cloudy days!
A question I find myself asking those I counsel is: "what rattles around in your head in your darkest hour?" The reason I think this is such an important question is because the answer to that question represents their greatest and often most suppressed fear. On a good day it is very possible to get on top of life limiting fears and pretend they aren't there. The sun is shining, circumstances are good all around me and I convince myself that this is reality. Then, circumstances change, it is cloudy and cold and those fears rise to the surface and want to take over.
How do you handle that darkest hour? There are many ways to deal with fear and anxiety. Some people like to make life a constant celebration. They try to make believe life is a party. These people are often addicted to entertainment. They run from anything negative and try to surround themselves with people who only make them feel good about themselves and life in general. These folks actually create an atmosphere where they control other people around them and make others perform to keep things pleasant. The other people are the ones having to deal with anxiety, the anxiety cause by the one they are trying to keep happy.
As with all fear, the only healthy way to deal with fear is "head on". You can't imagine it away. Within fear and anxiety are roots that will poison every positive initiative within your life. Here's the really hard part: you can't deal with fear only on sunny days. Fear doesn't usually manifest on sunny days. Fear is like a mouse, he only comes out boldly in darkness. That is why fear must be confronted in darkness. It takes great courage to confront an enemy in darkness. However, as a Christian, you have the key to winning over this dark fear. You not only have fear with which you are dealing, you also have great light within you! You see darkness doesn't just run from light, darkness is destroyed by light. What is the light within you? It is the light of the Lord Jesus, the light of the Scripture and the illumination of the living Holy Spirit. Fear tries to lie to you and tell you that you cannot be free of fear and anxiety and that you need to try to cope with it. That is why fear tries to convince you that you cannot be at rest except on bright happy days. That is a lie.
You and I can win over fear! Learning to face our greatest fear and admit it is our first victory. Yes, as a Christian admit that this specific area of fear is real and needs to be confronted. If you find mouse droppings in the kitchen, you can't imagine it away. It doesn't mean that you fear mice, it means you really do have a mouse. Face your fear today. Bring it out in the open before the Lord in prayer. He will not be surprised. Then begin to find Scripture that relates to victory over fear and memorize those verses. Use them against fear over and over again. Now you are doing warfare in the middle of the night. In prayer ask the Holy Spirit to hunt down the causes of this fear at it's deepest level and reveal it to you. Invite Jesus to deal with these issues at the very root. Deny nothing He uncovers.
You will discover and unfolding deliverance and the day will come when you have less and less rattling in your head on dark days. You will learn to live in the sunshine even on cloudy days!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Your Amazing Possibilities in God
Teresa and I were hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park a number of years ago. This turned out to be the longest climb we had ever made. Our goal was the summit where from the base of the mountain, you could see a faint water fall. We climbed for 5 hours on what would also be the most exhausting climb of our lives. Finally, we reached the origin of the water fall or what we had thought was the source. We sat down to have some water. As we were sitting there enjoying the moment we realized that we weren’t quite to the top! We looked at each other and said, “let’s see if we can get there.” We had to climb a steep rock face, exhausted at this point. When we finally came out of the top, we were amazed to see the real source of the water fall was a mountain top lake! It was unbelievably beautiful there, as we sat in what seemed like heaven.
I am so glad that we persevered that day. Mark Twain said, “in twenty years you will regret what you didn’t do as much as what you did do”. As a young person I was too cautious. Caution certainly has its place. There is a time to evaluate and hold back, or put off the challenge to a better day. However, to live a life settling for the easier way, the safe way, the way that promises no failure is a puny excuse for living. One of the primary places that people settle for mediocrity is in their spiritual lives. The problem here is that your spirit is “control central” of your life. Everything flows from your spirit. If you stop short in your spiritual life, you will stop short in all areas of life.
Most Christians became believers because of some crisis. They responded to the good news of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit entered them and a wonderful transformation was underway. Jesus was now the one in charge leading them to their true destiny for the first time ever. Bad habits were broken, relationships were mended and the path of a new direction was found. They attended Bible classes, asked someone to disciple them and loved church. Life was good. Is that it? Have you arrived? Not in the least. It would be like graduating for Middle School thinking it was the University. Yet, all too many if not most, stop near here. Rather than being on a journey to the summit they have proven they were simply trying to get out of a storm and get into a place of comfort. “It’s good enough!” I hate that phrase! The only thing good enough is finding the amazing possibilities that God has in store for you!
Stopping short is coping. We, as Christians cope when we experience salvation but stop short of experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We cope when we settle for relief rather than restoration. We cope when we settle for restoration rather than destiny. Today, be aware that you are fixated on the natural realm around you and before your eyes. Close your eyes and pray and ask the Lord to show you what He has intended for your future. I believe you will discover an amazing view and great expansion and fruitfulness ahead.
Teresa and I were hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park a number of years ago. This turned out to be the longest climb we had ever made. Our goal was the summit where from the base of the mountain, you could see a faint water fall. We climbed for 5 hours on what would also be the most exhausting climb of our lives. Finally, we reached the origin of the water fall or what we had thought was the source. We sat down to have some water. As we were sitting there enjoying the moment we realized that we weren’t quite to the top! We looked at each other and said, “let’s see if we can get there.” We had to climb a steep rock face, exhausted at this point. When we finally came out of the top, we were amazed to see the real source of the water fall was a mountain top lake! It was unbelievably beautiful there, as we sat in what seemed like heaven.
I am so glad that we persevered that day. Mark Twain said, “in twenty years you will regret what you didn’t do as much as what you did do”. As a young person I was too cautious. Caution certainly has its place. There is a time to evaluate and hold back, or put off the challenge to a better day. However, to live a life settling for the easier way, the safe way, the way that promises no failure is a puny excuse for living. One of the primary places that people settle for mediocrity is in their spiritual lives. The problem here is that your spirit is “control central” of your life. Everything flows from your spirit. If you stop short in your spiritual life, you will stop short in all areas of life.
Most Christians became believers because of some crisis. They responded to the good news of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit entered them and a wonderful transformation was underway. Jesus was now the one in charge leading them to their true destiny for the first time ever. Bad habits were broken, relationships were mended and the path of a new direction was found. They attended Bible classes, asked someone to disciple them and loved church. Life was good. Is that it? Have you arrived? Not in the least. It would be like graduating for Middle School thinking it was the University. Yet, all too many if not most, stop near here. Rather than being on a journey to the summit they have proven they were simply trying to get out of a storm and get into a place of comfort. “It’s good enough!” I hate that phrase! The only thing good enough is finding the amazing possibilities that God has in store for you!
Stopping short is coping. We, as Christians cope when we experience salvation but stop short of experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We cope when we settle for relief rather than restoration. We cope when we settle for restoration rather than destiny. Today, be aware that you are fixated on the natural realm around you and before your eyes. Close your eyes and pray and ask the Lord to show you what He has intended for your future. I believe you will discover an amazing view and great expansion and fruitfulness ahead.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
How Bad Do You Want it?
Well, I made it to 60 this year. Now that I'm here, it doesn't seem old. I remember school teachers that I thought were ancient and looking back they were probably 35! I have now lived in 7 decades counting the 1940's when I started this journey. Of course that was while I was still wearing diapers. For those of you younger people, that's what kids wore before pampers!
I have learned a lot, and most of what I have learned came with a price. It has been said that we learn little from success but much from failure. I have had my share of both. I try not to dwell on failure but I do try to learn from it. I believe that is a part of the way wisdom comes from experience. Experience only produces wisdom if we learn from it and see it as a mentor. Yes, wisdom comes at a price. The older I get the more questions I am asked. I think wise young people ask a lot of questions, and the wiser they are in their youth, the wiser they will be in old age. It is something that must be pursued. I have seen some pretty dumb old people which makes me know that wisdom must be sought as Proverbs tell us.
What kind of price is attached to progress? Every thing that I have wanted to accomplish in life so far has cost way more than I first thought. Herein lies a problem. If we don't first, as Jesus taught us, "count the cost", we won't be able to pay the price of completion. Everything of any value is much more expensive than we thought when we started the pursuit. Building a house usually cost, on average, about 25% more than we first estimated. Repairing you car usually cost more than the estimate. I haven't had the mechanic come back many times to say, "well, I was wrong, it cost $500 less than I thought!"
In the Kingdom of God it is not any different. There is a price to be used by God. There is a cost of pioneering churches, becoming a senior leader, living a Godly life out in the workplace, or being a parent. My daughter gave me my first grandchild. They waited over 8 years before having their first child. It was a joyful and exciting season getting ready for the birth of the child. Then the cost came. The labor was about 28 hours and that was only the beginning. Recently they visited our house and I could see the price on my daughter. She is an excellent Mother. I am amazed at how the grace of God has changed her from the normal young woman pursuing a career to a Mother focused on her child and husband. It has required a selfless transformation and she has made the journey. There was no way she could have imagined 2 years ago the price for this progress.
Where do you stand in all this today? What have you set as a goal? What do you want to accomplish? I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first? The good news? Great, here it is. You will make it! You can, and I believe will, see your dream fulfilled! Here is the bad news. It will be tougher than you think! God will help you and you will have days you want to quit, but you can make it through to completion. The price and the struggle is a part of the journey. The little chick needs the challenge of the breaking out of the shell to prepare it for living the life it so desperately desires.
Count the cost now, knowing it will be more costly than you think, then press toward the goal with reckless abandon. It will be worth it in the end!
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