Grace Through The Desert

Rejoice in Grace

2009-10-27T09:00:00.005-04:00

This morning a man of deep wisdom and a walk lived closed to God post on the blog. @Bahamabob is a rare jewel of wisdom and depth and I am honored to have him post on the blog today. Take time and follow Bob on twitter or visit his own blog.

God wants to train our imaginations with hope. Our expectations of the future are always much worse or much better than what we experience. That proves out the words of Scripture that man and God do not think alike. Yet, God wants to give us the mind of Christ.
How does He do that? He brings tribulation, which gives proven character and that produces Hope (my capital emphasis, as Hope is God's, hope is ours.)

No one much prays for trouble in their lives. We want money, security and stable children (or our job could be our child.) It is said that the human mind spends 90% of its considerable energy attempting to remove pain from our lives. That is partially broken, as only God can remove pain, and in fact he disciplines those He loves!

So, the Israelites had manna from heaven but wanted meat! Yet all they had to do was pick up something we all want to discover, as we imagine manna as a cure-all, the ambrosia of the Living God.

God is the ambrosia of the Living God-it is His fellowship that gives us Hope, not manna it seems from history. Yet, that is uncomfortable. All intimate relationships carry with them the weight of value, and the heavy part is that we must reflect on self in the presence of other, especially in God's presence. This is painful at first.

So, God pushes us. I feel God designs tribulation just for us. No one else could handle what He brings. In fact, others might not find your burden heavy at all! I know few people who would swap burdens with anyone.

So, what is in this article for you? Firstly, lighten up. If you are beating yourself up for trouble in your life, the way God wants to retrain us is this: "Rejoice in your trials!" Why, because then we will have Hope, which is a Great Treasure God wants to give. We could be sitting in a jail cell with no lights and have Hope so strong it would be almost like heaven.

You have probably not done anything wrong to have trouble. If so, you will know. Also, and this is key: He was not surprised and can handle it if you brought trouble into your life. God rejoices in our trials in that He loves to take us higher! Most people assume lack of blessing if things do not go as wanted or planned. That is simply not true, and Scripture tells us this over and over. When Big Trouble comes expect God to develop a Big Hope! That is who God is.

Secondly, do not be afraid of God. He created you and He knows how to communicate to you. I have people tell me, "I do not know if that was God or not" but we should assume God is doing and speaking into our lives. He says in John 15 He wants to be our friend. Wow.
There is faith, hope and love. Faith is centered upon "Who." Hope is centered upon "What." Love is centered upon "How." Let us enjoy the great mystery of What God will do in the new Hope he is forming. In fact, if we do, it might make the training shorter!

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans12:12
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

You Are Totally Dependent!!!!

2009-10-24T08:41:00.001-04:00

I am honored gain to share with you my good friend Henry thoughts today. Henry Neufeld or @hneufeld is a book publisher and Methodist Theologian. He has honored us with thoughts today on the subject of Grace. Though I could not have predicted better timing, of course God could. Last week I started a series on eternal security. While mentioning that Henry would be posting this week. What I did not expect was Henry to write a post that would tie in and fit so beautifully with this series. Take time to follow Henry or read his blog. Henry’s company is also running a contest you may be interested in; in which he is asking for essays on What should a congregation following Jesus Christ in ministry look like? Some great judges and good prizes lined up.

So thanks God!!!

You Are Totally Dependent

⁸For you have been saved by grace through faith, and this was not from yourselves. It is God’s gift. ^9It is not from works, so no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God’s workmanship or to paraphrase - produced by God’s working] created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life [Lit. - so we might walk in them] – Ephesians 2:8-10, my translation

This is an extremely precious passage of scripture, and at the same time it encapsulates many of the controversies of modern Christian theology. As I almost always discover about controversial passages, we very often don’t read the whole thing. In this case, we normally quote Ephesians 2:8, occasionally we add verse 9, but rarely do we add verse 10.

Did Paul Really write Ephesians

When someone wants to counteract this verse by emphasizing the importance of good works, they are most likely to quote something starting with Ephesians 4:17, or even move to another book. Some people even put Paul up against Jesus. You know, Paul talked about grace and Jesus talked about works.

Now I’m going to touch briefly on one thing that some may question. Yes, I’m treating Ephesians as though it is written by Paul. If you aren’t aware of the controversy, don’t worry, but there is one. In my view the method we use to date these letters is a bit skewed, because we assume some sort of progression in Paul’s theology. Ephesians (and the pastoral epistles) deals with certain issues a bit differently than Romans, Galatians, or Philippians, so perhaps it is later, and perhaps written by a disciple of Paul, rather than Paul himself.

I think that this basic idea ignores simple differences between churches. Paul talks differently about the law in Romans than in Galatians. Why? Because there were different issues he needed to address. Paul talks more about church life in writing to the Ephesian church. Why? Because I think he knew what they needed to hear.

So yes, I think Paul wrote Ephesians. That’s a horribly simplistic summary of my reasons, but now let’s get back to the passage.

Was Paul Just Concerned with Grace

When someone says that Paul is all about grace and not about works, I have to wonder just whose epistles they have been reading. Now I do know we tend to read the heart of Paul’s letters and miss some of the end, but we really aren’t doing justice to Paul at all by this statement. Paul is indeed all about grace, and he puts works in their place. But he has a lot to say about works—in their place—as well.

When people pit Jesus against Paul on this issue, I have to wonder again. When Jesus says that the “poor in spirit” are blessed, is he talking about earning God’s favor, or about God’s favor falling on those who, by any standards of the world, do not deserve it? In fact, one known theme of Jesus’ teaching is the reversal. Those who think they are “in” really aren’t. Those who think they are “out” are often “in.”

If you keep your eyes open, you will see both Jesus and Paul talking about grace. Paul, of course, is talking about the grace of God through Jesus Christ. You will see them both talking about works as well.

But to many modern Christians, Ephesians 2:8-10 is jarring. Either we can’t see how we are saved by grace. Surely God is going to save “good” people. On the other hand, right after Paul tells us we’re saved by grace and it doesn’t come from works, he turns around and tells us that God has prepared good works for us to have as our lifestyle. “Brother Paul,” we say, “How can this be?”

How Do We Apply It

Let me try a couple of analogies. Now remember that analogies are always imperfect. They will illustrate one thing well, while often doing very poorly with something else.

My first analogy is the gift of a toolkit. Suppose my son (who is the one who would think of such things) gives me a set of car repair tools for my birthday. I have received a gift of tools, they are nice and shiny, and potentially very useful.

I have two options. First, I can go out to the car, take out the tools, and in my case a manual, and get to work on my car. Provided I follow the manual, in this scenario I will probably get somewhere. On the other hand, I might place the shiny set of tools on my shelf. I did not earn them. I did nothing to make them mine. They just showed up. I am blessed. I have tools.

In which case do the tools do me some good?

Now there are a number of weaknesses in that analogy, but I think it’s a start. The main weakness is that in the case of salvation it is God who empowers any good work that we may do. We might quite properly say that we don’t do any good works, but rather that God does the good works in us. Notice “in Christ” in verse nine. We were created “in Christ” to do the good works.

Let’s consider a second analogy. Suppose there is a boy who is homeless and lives under a bridge. A family finds him and determines to adopt him. After much paperwork and effort they manage this adoption. They decorate and furnish a room in their house. They hope that the boy will move in. Once the adoption is accomplished, he becomes part of the family. (In reality, one would hope he could move in before the paperwork was completed, but bear with me.)

Whether he is living in the room or not, he is part of the family. Yet if he moves out and lives under the bridge again, he doesn’t get the benefits of being part of the family.

If I might summarize what I hear Paul saying on this, I would say that God by grace invites us to be part of his family, and thus we should live as though we are part of God’s family, because God makes that possible.

Why is Grace so Hard For Us

Why is this so hard for us? I think we first dislike grace because it makes us so dependent. We like to have our stuff, our lives, our families, our ideas, and be independent, because nobody else had anything to do with it. But if we look again at Ephesians 2:10, we will see the word “creation.” One thing that creation means is this: You aren’t on your own, even if you are in complete rebellion against God. Nothing in creation is independent about God.

Consider Psalm 104:27-30 -

(27) All of them look to you,
To give them their food on time.

(28) You give to them, so they may gather;
You open your hand, so they may be satisfied with good.

(29) You hide your face, and they are disturbed;
You bring their breath to an end,
And they return to their dust.

(30) You send forth your breath, and they are created;
So you renew the face of the ground. [My translation, from Psalm 104: God, Creator and Sustainer]

I call Psalm 104 the Biblical antidote to deism. Go read the whole thing. The point I am trying to make is that you get a choice, but it’s not between being dependent on God or not. Your choice is whether you are going to pretend that you are not dependent on God. Even the most hardened rebel can’t take his next breath unless God so ordains it.

We Really are Dependent

So if you don’t like being dependent, get over it!

The second part, however, is that we have a hard time understanding why we should do good works when salvation is a gift. But this is just another manifestation of how far we are from the way God sees the world. For some reason, I suspect God sees the world, and us, more clearly than we do.

You see, we may see our lives as wonderful and wonder why we should give them up in order to live for God. God, however, sees our wonderful lives as miserable and in need of repairs. Just like my tools on the shelf, God’s salvation is intended to start right here and now, to start making you a disciple, to start you on the wonderful path of living that life of good works that God—remember it’s God and not you—has prepared.

Let me make a suggestion. Meditate on Ephesians 2:8-10 during the coming week. Read it a number of times. Perhaps you could memorize it. Read the whole book of Ephesians as well, and see if you don’t think Paul has summed things up pretty thoroughly right here.

Go ahead and be God’s dependent. You are anyhow.

Leading With Excellence Part 2 True Leadership!!

2009-10-23T09:55:00.001-04:00

Last week we began a series unusual to this blog but one very dear to my heart, leadership based on Godly principals. Today we continue a look at that series’ It is my prayerful attempt that perhaps someone reading this will begin to look at themselves differently in how they lead or are being led.

However, I struggle with this topic as well. For personally I have a really difficult time, with these leadership seminars and platforms Pastors and ministry leaders want to hold today. I know of one in my area holds an all day leadership conference for Pastors. However will not spend the same effort in discipling and teaching those attending his church how to have an wander for every man that asks them of the reason why they believe what they believe.

However I do believe it is important to train and develop leaders as we are all leaders in one regard or another. So I will touch on it in the next few weeks.

Tests of Proven Leadership

With over thirty years of leadership under my belt from Entrepreneur to entry level. It seems I have heard it all. I will admit being a Ministry Leader now it seems I am hearing new things. Actually that is not the case though, I am not hearing new things just experiencing that the same lack of grace exhibited in the cold business world exists within the Body of Christ. Trust me I have heard it all.

Some have excused me of being a perfectionist, of being controlling, of leading by intimation, of micro-managing. I find these things hard to accept as I am always encouraging those I lead to lighten their load, to replace themselves, to build others, to move beyond. I myself strive to hold myself to high standards of excellence and accountability. Am I arrogant, we all are thus the basis for our sin natures. If you ever study the life of the apostle Paul you will find the following interesting facts. He was known to be hot tempered and known to chase individuals out of the room for no reason than he did not want them there. I once had a discussion with my business mentor and we were discussing others accusing us of being arrogant. He said interesting thing “I have found those who would accuse me of being arrogant have no one asking them in their lives the really tough questions.” What we found instead is when you place high standards, high expectations, high accountability on those not used to such, they may buckle. If you have never been accused of the above things are had your leadership questioned. You either have never built something from scratch, had to be the one issuing the paychecks on Friday or you are not leading, you may just be managing! Worse yet, your leading without expecting excellence.

However what is True biblical leadership supposed to look like.

True Leadership

True leadership is the ability to motivate, inspire, and encourage others to move beyond themselves to a greater level of excellence for Christ. Yes, that is my definition and if you do not like it you can dispute it. At the end of the day what is it we are to be doing as believers in Christ. Paul said in Colossians 3:10

¹⁰And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

As leaders our job is to lead in the way and serve others in such fashion as to enable and ease the process so to speak. So that as Paul said grow in knowledge of and please God in every way.

Someone said excellence was not important as long as we were pleasing God. Another was said to say don’t wait till it is excellent to do it just do it.

While there is a lot of truth in both statements, there are also some errors.

There are some quotes I like as I reflect on excellence

Perhaps you have heard some perhaps not.

“Perfection I leave in God’s hands, excellence I can do. “

“Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.”

Some would say we are not to be prideful.

To that I would say than let pride not be your motivational factor but that you firmly believe and live Colossians 3:23-24

²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Do you believe God is interested in a little bit more or mediocrity or the standard norm? Do you believe that it is possible to grow and call tomorrows best yesterdays best? Or do you believe tomorrows best should be a further step? Do you believe the process of inspiring the best out of others is an easy process?

See I believe God is best honored with a life lived to God that understands that “Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe; dreaming more than others think is practical; expecting more than others think is possible.”

What do you think excellence looks like?

How do you believe leaders best exhibit it and inspire others to it?

Next week we will look further at the subject of excellence.

The Answer to What is Wrong With My Church is Either the Addition or Absence of “I AM”

2009-10-18T08:15:00.001-04:00

Yes I know we were supposed to wrap up the series on the church this week. Next week, unless God lays something on my heart like he did this week.

The other day I was reading something and I noticed that my friend Henry Neufeld was posting a contest he was running through his company. In which he was asking “What should a congregation following Jesus Christ in ministry look like?” You might want to check it out some pretty good prizes over there being judged by some pretty good judges.

Though I will not enter the contest, it did get me to thinking. No matter what essay Henry gets the answer to the above question really is pretty simple. It would have a lot more of one and a lot less of another subject.

Years ago G.K. Chesterson was asked in an essay what is wrong with the world.

His essay answer was the shortest two words “I AM”.

Today we ask what is wrong with the Church.

People refuse to go to Church because of the hypocrites that exist in the Church.

Was a story of one gentleman who refused to be baptized because he could not find a Church he wanted to belong to.

Baptists, Methodists, Non-Denominational Independent, Presbyterians all say we must worship this way or that way.

Some refuse to go to Church because they are always asking for money.

Water baptism or sprinkling which is your preference.

Contemporary or traditional music can be obtained on any given Sunday.

The Preacher at that Church has an expository focus; while the one over there has an exegetical focus.

That Church has a heavy discipleship message while; the one over there has more of an evangelical focus.

Want to go an organized structured or a rock concert type of worship of service.

Prefer a CEO or a single man or a group of men run church.

Want to get lost in a crowd, or feel like your part of a small intimate family; it really can be found.

Want programs for kids are your kids being able to sit with you.

Want a church that has a missionary focus or a community focus.

Yes we can and will find anything our heart desires in church or about church.

We even have churches for those who feel they want a church that caters to the unchurched or a church for those who might not like church.

Really now a day’s why even get out of bed or out of your easy chair, all you need to do is pop open your laptop or start you’re desktop.

However. when I find that church I want to attend; someone one day will ask me possibly what is wrong with my church. The answer to the question, what is ultimately wrong with the church I am going to will be “I Am”

However the answer to what will fix what is wrong with my church? Lays In the same answer to the question to “what is the one thing that will make the church reflect more of God’s grace bring others to him and deeper in him?” The answer is “I Am”!!!

By the way G.K. Chesterson essay won.

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Eternal Security

2009-10-17T09:39:00.001-04:00

Given today is Theology Saturday I am going to run a new series for four weeks with an intermitted insert next week of a theological post from Henry Neufeld.

Yet I am going to run a four part series starting today on Eternal Security a lot of heated debate on this topic but I believe scripture is very clear on it.

I ask that if you have any questions, concerns or thoughts feel free to comment and inject.

I pray if you do not know for sure if you were to die today that you would go to heaven this series will help clarify for you.

1John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

That know is like a fact like the background of this blog is black; you may know with that kind of assurance you have eternal life.

If you do not Christ as your personal Savior I invite you today to accept this tremendous gift God gives freely.

Leading with Excellence

2009-10-16T09:38:00.001-04:00

Lately I have been discussing with some friends on the subject of leadership. Now my friends are guys who expect high accountability from themselves and others. They demand excellence from themselves and others.

Without a doubt though we had all encountered those leaders who had never lost a minutes sleep wondering how payroll was going to meet that week. That had always had the luxury of having someone hand them a paycheck on Friday.

Those who had never risked anything greatly or dared anything new.

After talking to my friends I decided to share the culmination of our thoughts.

These are thoughts gathered from what seems like a lifetime of missed sleep wondering if payroll was going to be meet and if we were making the right decision.

While listening to those who had never lost one minute of sleep criticizing us on how we were leading.

This will be a four part series I pray you are encouraged are made to think.

God Bless

Precision

Exacting Standards

Perfection

Excellence

Believe it or not the above words are a group of words describing products, service, performance and expectations both in others, in products, and in of our self.

Yet one of those words actually does not belong. As leaders it is our job to determine which one of those words does not belong, while seeking the others.

Leadership

Organization

Accountability

Micro-management

Again another group of words that belong together and some say one of these words does not belong in this group.

So what word do you think does not belong in the first group, if you picked perfection you are absolutely right.

What word would you say most would say does not belong in the second group, of course MICRO –MANAGEMNT.

Yet, should it be a word that actually does belong in the group.

Perry Noble and I do not always see to eye and even here we really don’t see eye to eye but when I read this quote I did find it interesting to reflect on

“Jesus was a micro manager so get over it”

Measuring Excellence

In the first group perfection and striving for excellence is often confused by others who have never striven for extreme standards of excellence. Rather instead settling for just enough or well that is what is the acceptable norm. Funny I have a quote that comes on my screen that says “The greatest enemy of excellence is good enough.”

There came a time in my business that I began to turn my toughest customers over to my Operations Manager in those that required once a month’s walk through.

I remember one of those customers saying to him as I asked him how it was going working with Bernado on the walk through.

“When I walk with Pat I feel like we are in a competition I am trying to trip him up and he is trying to keep me from tripping up. Yet when I walk with you I feel as though you are waiting for me to tell you what to do.”

That in and of itself may be the rule to the difference to those who are leaders; and those who are managers.

A leader creates his objectives, goal, targets, and schedules. A manger well he manages what he is given.

Next Friday part two we look at what is true leadership.

Thank You for Loving Me Enough to Allow Me to be Abused!!!

2009-10-15T08:04:00.001-04:00

Today though reflective Thursday and usually I like to share some sort of prose or poetry. I believe I will share some things I read today. The fist was a blog post. The second is my continued reading in The Christians Secret to a Happy Life.

The first in the blog post someone was sharing why a certain day had significance. As I read the beginning and actually most of the post my spirit was left uneasy. As the individual recanted memories of the terrible ordeal and mean treatment they had suffered at the hands of another. The post was rather long and somewhere towards the end they shared how they had forgiven and how Christ had done a marvelous work in their lives. Yet, somehow in their willingness to share most of their post and the cruel means thinks the individual did to them, I lost the forgiveness part.

I was reminded of a particular man’s Bible Study I was leading and we were sharing on our father’s when one of the men said a very bold thing to me. You need to forgive your father. What do you mean forgive my father? All I hear from you is the abuse you suffered at your fathers hands. I have not heard once you ever say your father loved you or you love him. I see no tenderness, no mercy, no compassion and no understanding. Yes, being severely abused as you were both emotionally and physically is rough but do you believe God wants you to forget and remember he had a purpose.

I had never though about that I had not forgiven my father until that question.

WOW!!!

I also read another chapter in The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life.

In that chapter was contained the following passages.

One I read of among the brethren of the monastery of St. Cyr. Because of their piety, these brethren incurred the hatred of the monasteries around them, and the anger of their superiors, and were cast out as evil from their community. One of them was sent as prisoner to a monastery where his chief enemies dwelt, and was there subjected to the most cruel and degrading treatment. Although he was of gentle birth, and had been an abbot in the community he had left, he was compelled to do the most menial work, was forced to carry a noisome burden on his back, and was driven out to beg with a placard on his bosom declaring him to be the vilest of the vile. But through it all the spirit of the saint reigned triumphant, and nothing disturbed his calm, or soured for a moment his Christ-like sweetness. For his persecutors he never had anything but words of kindness and smiles of love. And at last by the mighty power of the divine kingdom in which he lived, he subdued all hearts around him to himself, and became the trusted friend and adviser, and the beloved ruler over the very enemies who had once so delighted to persecute and revile him. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." By his meekness he conquered and became king.

At one time a dangerous criminal was sent to the monastery for imprisonment. He was so violent that no bonds sufficed to bind him, and no strength could control him. At last he was taken to the cell of this brother from St. Cyr, and they were shut up together; even the stolid monks themselves recognizing in that divine meekness a power to conquer that surpassed all the powers with which they were acquainted. The saint received the violent man as a beloved brother, and smiled upon him with heavenly kindness. But the criminal returned it with abuse and violence. He broke the monk's furniture and destroyed his bed, he kicked him, and beat him, and tore his hair, and spat upon him. He exhausted himself in his violence against him. Through it all the monk made no resistance, and said no word but words of love; and when at length the criminal, worn out with his fury, paused to take breath, the beaten and outraged man looked upon his persecutor with a smile of ineffable love and tender compassion, as though he would gather him to his bosom and comfort him for his misery. It was more than the criminal could bear. Hatred, and revenge, and anger he could repay in kind, but against love and meekness like this he had no weapons, and his heart was conquered. He fell at the feet of the saint and washed them with his tears, as he entreated forgiveness for his cruelty, and vowed a lifelong loyalty to his service. And from that moment all trouble with that criminal was over. He followed the saint about like a loving and faithful dog, eager to do or to be anything the other might desire. And when the time of his imprisonment was over, and the gates of his prison were opened for his release, he could not be induced to go, because he could not bear to leave the man who had saved him by love.

Now that is forgiveness! I can tell you that I still have not come to that point in my life. That those who rail against me I can speak with words of tenderness and compassion. The blood still curdles and the temperature still lashes, shoot happened yesterday.

I will still tell you there were few days I did not go to school without bruises on my body somewhere. The movie the Great Santini was my life. Dad was the type of father who would call you one time to get out of bed. The next time he greeted you with a cold milk jug on your stomach. I learned how to keep things in, to be a man so to speak. Yet my father loved me enough to adopt me and give me his name. My life really is Romans 8:28 in action. The Psalmist said he has planned my steps before me, there is no doubt why God gave me the father he gave me. It is the inner toughness he built in me that has enabled me to get through those really tough days. As I battle and struggle with a disease that Doctors have classified me as a walking invalid. Two of the most blessed days in my life were when I told my Father publicly at my oldest daughters wedding I loved him, and three months later he would begin to deteriorate. While in the nursing home which would be the last time I would see my father alive. I thanked him for the abuse by telling him out of his three children he got it right the first time. I am the oldest.

May I learn to love as Christ to even speak of those who would abuse me and treat me harshly with the tenderness and mercy and grace of God. So that in the end I might win them to God.

I thank God for giving me the father he gave me even if it meant being abused. He knew what was best and what needed to be done to accomplish his will and mold me into his image.

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Does it Really Matter if You Hear the Words???

2009-10-14T09:06:00.001-04:00

This has become a very popular song. Some may know the meaning some may not. The song came during a period in which Matt Redman’s Pastor said we are going to stop. We are going to just worship, enough with the orchestrated act, the instruments, we are just going to worship.

At a time when churches are playing Highway to Hell and Sweet Home Alabama and Eye of the Tiger as opening songs. Perhaps we need to remember the words, message and story behind this song. At a time when it appears whatever a church feels it must do to get the unchurched in, it will do perhaps we need to just stop………

For me this song takes on a different meaning because about four years ago, it just stopped. Two years ago I was unable to fully understand the Pastor’s messages anymore. I could no longer hear or totally understand the words to the songs. I know must go on memory of what I knew.

Yet it is that loss that has driven me back and keeps me coming back to the

HEART of Worship!

Because at the end of it all it really is not about the music or the song or whether I can still hear it.

It really is about the amazing grace and the work our father is doing in our lives and in our hearts and what we offer back in pure devotion.

Church in Review!!!!

2009-10-11T09:24:00.001-04:00

I know! I know! I said we would look at the purpose of the church this week. However I believe so strongly in the series of messages we have run on the church. From looking at how the gifts of the body work in harmony with each other to the Pastor’s role to the mega growth, church for the unchurched, emergent church, and last week the traditional church. I wanted to just take a minute and look back an reflect again on this series of messages.

So this morning a review and just a little pun in a video.

So once again if you have not read all the posts or maybe you would like to review. spend some time doing so as you will find all the messages at this page. I promise next week we will definitely take a look at the purpose of the church. This week take a minute and review and rethink, perhaps you will have some questions for me.

Here’s a tip as we look forward to next week.

Hebrews 10:24-25

²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. ²⁵Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

In that verse contains so much wealth, so much truth, I am not sure I can do it in on post we will see. Funny though we seem to feel this is done in ways that do not require physical appearance or touch. Well before I go any further let me stop there for now.

Here is just a quick little video to lighten your day.

Hell What is it???

2009-10-10T10:22:00.001-04:00

Well on Saturday we always go deep and for some this morning we are really going deep. So bring your snorkel gear and swim trunks as we look at a much heated topic and debate is there a hell. In all honesty though this and the defense of this subject is nothing more than milk; according to the author of Hebrews.

Last week my good friend Andy Coticchio published on his blog a post called a simple truth. Upon which a commentator replied there cannot exist such a thing. While it may be comforting to believe that the reality of

WELL! I will let Ravi Zacharias explain why and what it is.

To God be the Glory for the freely given grace he gives us daily.

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Growth

2009-10-08T08:23:00.001-04:00

Since today is Reflective Thursday and I am still going through a book I purchased thirty years ago; titled The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life. Yes, I am that old ! The book can be obtained online free now. I thought I might share a poem and a passage from the chapter titled Growth.

BTW – Someone sent me an anonymous suggestion I should talk on myself ( exact word was in answer to the question; what should I write on YOU!) more or what God is doing in my life. Well, the first two posts ever written on this blog were that and occasionally I wander that path. However I am much more inclined to share the thoughts of others and what I may be reading, learning or studying at that time.

So sorry if I chose to not make a blog called Pat.com or converse on myself all the time. I pray you understand.

Within this chapter is a passage that I think says a lot about our Christian walk and our growth in Christ.

“Let me entreat of you, then, to give up all your efforts after growing, and simply to let yourselves grow. Leave it all to the Husbandman, whose care it is, and who alone is able to manage it. No difficulties in your case can baffle Him. No dwarfing of your growth in years that are past, no apparent dryness of your inward springs of life, no crookedness or deformity in any of your past development, can in the least mar the perfect work that He will accomplish, if you will only put yourselves absolutely into His hands, and let Him have His own way with you.”

At the end of this chapter is a beautiful poem.

The wind that blows can never kill

The tree God plants;

It bloweth east, it bloweth west,

The tender leaves have little rest,

But any wind that blows is best.

The tree God plants

Strikes deeper root, grows higher still,

Spreads wider boughs, for God's good-will

Meets all its wants.

There is no frost hath power to blight

The tree God shields;

The roots are warm beneath soft snows,

And when spring comes it surely knows,

And every bud to blossom grows.

The tree God shields

Grows on apace by day and night,

Till, sweet to taste and fair to sight,

Its fruit it yields.

There is no storm hath power to blast

The tree God knows;

No thunder-bolt, nor beating rain,

Nor lightning flash, nor hurricane;

When they are spent it doth remain.

The tree God knows

Through every tempest standeth fast,

And, from its first day to its last,

Still fairer grows.

If in the soul's still garden-place

A seed God sows --

A little seed -- it soon will grow,

And far and near all men will know

For heavenly land He bids it blow.

A seed God sows,

And up it springs by day and night;

Through life, through death, it groweth right,

Forever grows.

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God’s Passion Equals Change

2009-10-06T08:40:00.001-04:00

Who doesn’t recall the classic Barbara Streisand song “The Way We Were”

“Memories light the corner of my mind misty water-colored memoires of the way we were”

Perhaps that is that is the issue, some of us hold so long to those memories of the way things were.

We stay unopened to change because it sure is comfortable hanging onto what was once so fond. However, real growth, real change cannot occur till we are ready to move beyond the fondness of comfort to the barren roads of change.

The hardest change for us, most of us is to accept as G.K. Chesterson called the “Furious Love Of God” most of us grow up in homes or we grow to accept as adults that favor is gained through doing what we must; even when what must is momentarily fairly uncomfortable.

We learn to live lives of constrained order not lives of deep passion. For it is only within lives of constrained order that we feel the comfortableness of being secure. While we remain trying to live within the possibility of gaining another’s love and acceptance; for we fear the downcast eyes of others if we live with reckless abandon.

Is this how God loves; is this the live we are called to? One asks but what of the just ice and righteousness of God?

Brennan Manning in his book the wisdom of tenderness says this “IF i’m graced to understand with my head and to accept with my heart that the essence of the divine nature is compassion, then God is best defined by the heart of tenderness” Perhaps it is in understanding his heart of tenderness that the author of Psalms could claim in Psalms 103:14 “He knows that I am dust” or Paul could explain in Philippians 4 I forget these things in order to keep pressing on. While later exclaiming in Romans 7 I am a wretched man. It is much easier for us to hold on to the old pattern of thoughts of performance based evaluation and acceptance. Rather than move to a radical understanding of that tenderness that Paul and the writer of Psalms seemingly discovered. Reminding others of their sin, and the sin in their lives, and how they must choose to live either as sheep or goats. Rather than overwhelm them with the heart of the tenderness God so radically wants to share with them. We fear if we speak too much of Gods tenderness, his awesome grace it will be taken lightly. We fear that others will live with a recklessness bordering on sin or living without care. Not to mention it makes us feel better in our shallow attempt to live such a life of rule based order.

Funny, God seems to challenge us to live and love him with a reckless abandonment that can only come from fully understanding his freely given grace.

Perhaps the only way we can truly change is as we understand no mode of performance can do for the matter of our spirituality; as understanding the passion God chases us daily with, can. This is why Paul could write in Phil 1:6 I am confident that he that began the work she complete it. It is not in our being or our makeup to be able to add one bit of growth to our spirituality.

When we ourselves begin to move past that radical comfortableness of memories of the life we knew and come to understand and accept the scary tumultuous life of tender faith which shouts out stop trying and rest in my Grace that true change will, can, and begin to transform our lives and the lives of those around us.

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Traditional Church Really???

2009-10-04T10:11:00.001-04:00

Well, we have spent the last month looking at the emergent, the seeker friendly, the church for people who don’t like church, the church for the unchurched. However does the problem lie there? Does the problem really lie with the style of worship or the choice of media usage or even the size of the church?

Let me share some scenes that are both personal and bring some light to another style of church. The style that some may refer to as the traditionalist. The style that is more reflective of doing the same things, the same way over a period of time. The style that represents no change in pattern, style, tempo, or technique for decades.

Familiar Scenes!

Some would refer to this as same old, same old. Other’s might say why change a winning formula. While other’s might say refer to this; as this is what I know, what I am comfortable with.

Here is how my twelve year old daughter at the time described her first experience in a church some would refer to as a traditional church.

“Mom, how do you and Dad know all these songs?” “Honey, this what your Dad and I grew up listening to.” “Daughter; Oh, You Poor thing!” What is that they say, out of the mouth of babes.

Dad’s reaction when he walked out of he service, “Becky I felt like I just went to a funeral, with the somber music and all dressed in dark suits and the monotone Pastor.”

Yep, I could understand how in Mark 12:38 Christ to said out for the teachers of the law. With the individuals in this church not in robes but in suits and would learn later most of these individuals were leaders in the local marketplace. One thing is for sure if I did not know I was sinner before I walked in I knew it now. May not have learned much about Grace, but learned a lot about sin.

We have two such churches in this area like this. Though I have never walked in the other one, when I first came to town before I moved here. I was startled to find that the fanciest building in town belonged to this church.

I remember my friend Howard who had no real experience with Southern Culture till he moved here. Calling me one day while still living in South Florida and asking me what it was with individuals asking not if they were Christian or not whether they were saved. Rather instead asking if they were a certain religion.

Really a Life Changing Impacting Winning Formula, Really!

My now sixteen year old daughter comments on the kids of these two churches youth groups; rings an old familiar tune. “If these were the last two churches on the planet and the only youth groups I could chose from I would not go to church. These kids are some of the worst kids in the school. The girls are the ones sleeping around.”

Yep, same ole same ole. What remains the same really does remain the same. For, if my daughter had judged my youth group she probably would have had said the same. Yes, indeed the same techniques are producing the same results.

Personal Reflection

Which brings me to another example. I was saved, baptized, and married in one of these traditional churches. Though discipled heavily out side of it, I remained in it even after being married for a few years. As I would lead certain aspects and different parts of the youth. One such part would be a traditional part of the youth culture in the church, so traditional it is older than I am. I was part of it when I was a kid and so were some even older than me.

Having been asked to lead this group of young men, I would chose to go in a different way. I would chose to teach bible doctrines and evolution and creation. After teaching for a while the church leaders would decide to pay me a visit. You are not teaching the core curriculum. Yes, I know I am teaching the Bible. I am not going to teach the same things that was being taught to me, when I was their age. That had no life changing impact or result in my life. The church leaders responded you must either teach the curriculum or you cannot teach. I never stepped foot again in a church of this style till I did so with my thirteen year old daughter.

Therein lies the problem and the issue. The exact same impact it had on me, it had on my daughter. So, if the same techniques are having the same impact; why have we not changed?

I Don’t Like Change!

Why is it though while seemingly emotionally shallow; those stepping out of the “church for those who don’t like church” churches appear to be more on fire for Christ. While those stepping out of the traditional somber, while appearing to be more mature and deeper; appear dead. Yet, upon closer examination of both one discovers no greater insights, no deeper understanding, no more awareness of the truths of Gods word Paul prayed we would grow to.

While the traditionalist seems to hammer the mega growth church for it’s use of multi-media and smoke and mirrors. In doing so I am reminded of the Pharisees attacks on Christ for his radical differences, his out of the norm ministry methods. Such as healing the blind man’s eyes with mud and spit. Or even, God forbid healing a man’s hand on the Sabbath. Yes, they plotted how to end Christ; just as now in my hometown the traditional church parents forbid their kids from going to the church youth group of the church using those radical methods. Even better, the Pastor rails from the pulpit against that church.

Why continue to use the same methods that could not reach me as a kid for today’s generation. Perhaps an answer is found in the old familiar saying “Some people do not like change.” Even if change is leading to a dead end faith.

Is the Pastor Really Your Daddy?

My wife and I visited this topic the other night at dinner. As she asked me why individuals tolerated a minister who would stand up in their face, shout at them, and point their finger at them. My reply was in a much higher social economic level like South Florida people allow their attorney and yes even their Pastor to be their adult daddy’s. In a rural area most cannot afford attorney’s so their Pastor becomes their daddy and their source for all answers.

Therein lies the actual issue and concern with church being done the same way. Yet, it really is no different than church being done the in the mega growth, the seeker friendly church.

There is little challenge to move on, to grow, to move past one needing any daddy other than our Heavenly Daddy. We have forgotten Paul’s admonishment of challenging us to grow in our faith.

We need to come back to the real purpose of church to inspire one another unto good works. Next week we will look at the purpose of church even closer.

I pray I have not bored you, but challenged you to examine why your going to church your purpose of being in church.

The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life.

2009-10-01T07:04:00.001-04:00

I have forgotten and lost or loaned a lot of the books I once had and now some of those very same books are free. One of those books I purchased in what seems to be almost thirty years ago was a book titled The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith. I remember when being at college it was a hot topic, a hot book. Now that book is free, you can find it on the internet. Yet, just because it is free does not mean it is still not a great book with a lot of truths to it. Remember at one time not so long ago, it was a hot topic, OK maybe long ago. As, my kids say Dad your old. There is still a lot of wisdom in this good book. Thursday being reflective Thursday I thought I might share with you a poem out of this book.

"In NOTHING be anxious."

In Matt. 6:25-34, our Lord illustrates this being without anxiety, by telling us to behold the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field, as examples of the sort of life He would have us live. As the birds rejoice in the care of their God and are fed, and as the lilies grow in His sunlight, so must we, without anxiety, and without fear. Let the sparrows speak to us: --

"I am only tiny sparrow,
A bird of low degree;

My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me.

I have no barn nor storehouse,
I neither sow nor reap;

God gives me a sparrow's portion,
But never a seed to keep.

"I know there are many sparrows;
All over the world they are found;

But our heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.

"Though small, we are never forgotten;
Though weak, we are never afraid;

For we know the dear Lord keepeth
The life of the creatures he made.

"I fly through the thickest forest,
I light on many a spray;

I have no chart nor compass,
But I never lose my way.

And I fold my wing at twilight
Wherever I happen to be;

For the Father is always watching,
And no harm will come to me.

I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree,

But I know the Father loves me;
Have you less faith than we?"

The Passion of Life or at Least Mine

2009-09-30T08:21:00.001-04:00

Today is Wednesday and as such on Wednesday it is reflective video day.

I have shared this video before but as I reflect on where my heart is and where my passion is there is a part of me that knows not just as scripturally speaking as we all do but within my inner being I know I am headed home.

So to quote one of my favorite singers as he said along time ago.

“If you look and see that homesick feeling in my eyes, I’m going home. Yet, while I’m here I will serve him gladly singing these ole songs.” Pat Terry

Don’t worry I am not going to break out singing. I am only beginning to understand how God ordained the task he has given me is, not because of any special abilities I may have but because of the individuals he is bringing into the picture to complete that task. A leadership team who is passionate about the vision and purpose and may I say aggressive as well. A senior leadership team that is just overwhelming filled of men with deep wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

Me, I am just a simple country boy who is being awed by God. Who is being allowed to be the shoe shine boy for some very Godly servants. As, I watch others shine and grow, I am deeply humbled God is allowing me to be a small part.

Yet, I know this is why God put me in the dessert, so to speak. Why he pulled me out of a pre – arranged life and begin setting me on a new course to speak. Yes, today I am humbled so many have chosen to stand, to be a part, to serve Christ and allow me to serve with them.

Yet, here is my challenge in video.

Live Full Board Live Righteous or go plant petunias.

May you chose to live a life totally committed to Christ and to go out like Elijah.

Grace

2009-09-29T08:22:00.001-04:00

The other day I was confusing and hopefully making my friends laugh as one day I laid surf lingo on them and the next day southern dialect. My good friend Phil Stratton said perhaps you should interpret the New Testament in a new language. Surf lingo after thinking for a few minutes I responded how about this surf lingo mixed with southern dialect mixed with King James language.

So, while it is not the whole Bible here is one my favorite passages translated. Ephesians 2: 8-10

Show yamah graces are you saved through faith with dunzo gift from big kahuna upstairs as if! In a turkeys dream you could. Why? Big kahuna upstairs doesn’t want anyone stepping high like a roaster in deep mud. For show we are the big kahuna upstairs perfect workmanship created in Christ Jesus to be a pie print of daddy chyeah big kahuna upstairs prepared in advance for us to do righteous!

Now you’ll have to click on the verse to see how that reads out.

To be sure though I will attempt a look at what it means as we live daily now and in future terms.

More importantly, I want to look at a word, a little one full of ramifications second to none.

Grace!

Phillip Yancey in his book what’s so amazing about grace? Tells a story in the very beginning called Babettes’ feast. In this story at the end we find the following quote

“ we have all been told that grace is to be found in the universe. But in our human foolishness and short sightedness we imagine divine grace…. To be finite but the moment comes when our exes are opened and we see and realize grace is infinite. Grace my friend’s demands nothing from us but that we shall await it with confidence and acknowledge it in gratitude”

In Earl D. Radmacher book salvation he states the following thing about grace “Grace in the Bible means underserved and unmerited favor.”

John Wesley said this concerning the passage we started with. “Neither this faith nor this salvation is owing to any works you ever did will or can do”

Warren W Wiersbe has this to say on the same passage in his Bible exposition commentary volume 2

“Grace means salvation completely apart from any merit or works on our part. Grace means God does it all for Jesus sake.”

I have had no issue understanding in my life grace or at least the premise of that part of grace in my life. That grace is of God revealed through his free gift of salvation eternal life. I have struggled often with applying God’s grace to my life after initial converserion.

Yes, I was around at the time of back masking lost a valuable record collection because of it. I had a daily routine when I first went to Bible College of making an effort daily to find one person to share the gospel with. There have been flirting times when the disciplines of bible reading, praying, fellowshipping were as ritual as a taking a shower, sometimes more.

Yet I never felt like I truly understood the freedom other’s discuss of living in God grace once having fasted for 14 days on a diet of juice and milk I Prayed God would show me the power in the lives of the saints of Hebrews 11. Yet having finished the fast I felt no closer, no more powerful still felt like a clumsy spiritual oath. Feeling no closer at times and God still felt light years away.

What was I missing what was I doing wrong why did I feel like such a failure

Bible teacher Charles Trumbeull described his Christian life experience like this

“There were great fluctuations in my spiritual life in my conscious closeness of fellowship with God. Sometimes I would be on the heights spiritually sometimes I would be the depths”

Where is this magical key to enjoying victory in the Christian life? Did I need to pray more Ok! Prayed for an hour maybe two next time, read the New Testament in one sitting, next I will read the old and new. Going to Church Sunday, men’s group Tuesday, ok need to start going Wednesday seems no matter what I did I always felt the need to do more.

How did I move from this Christian treadmill I was on to comprehending and understanding the freedom that comes from living in God’s grace? What did I discover was the key to moving from God’s grace in my life as unbelief to gaining a new awareness a new appreciation for God’s grace in my daily life as a believer?

I came to understand what living in the life of Grace meant through understanding two concepts; first off my own depravity, my own sinfulness as first john says: he that says he has no sin is a liar”. Understanding my own depravity brought me to understanding another concept I have no part in this work none. Ephesians 2:10 says I am his workmanship. Paul said in Philippians 1:6 that he God (the big kahuna in the sky) will complete the work not me.

When understanding these concepts I came to understand no matter how much I do, it would not be enough or as Isaiah 64:6 says all our righteousness is as filthy rags. This wasn’t just true before I got saved, it is also true after, maybe even more so.

Understanding this brought me to another freedom; the freedom of understanding you cannot achieve, strife, or earn something so freely already given.

Andrew Murray said it like this:

“All the exercises of the spiritual life- our reading and praying our willing and doing have their very great value. But they can go no further then this that they point the way and prepare us in humility to look to and depend upon God himself and in patience to wait for his good and mercy”

Do I still observe the disciplines in my life? Yes! But now it is for different reasons, reasons that have far less to do with earning God’s favor and a whole more to do with because I have his favor.

After all doesn’t every child love to please his parents?

Cultural Christianity and The Emergent Church Part V

2009-09-27T08:56:00.001-04:00

“II Know lets go to church empty and pray the preacher and the worship leader can fill us up again.” Doug Rea

Yes indeed this how many of us think and live our lives with Christ. This is why many of us go to mass growth churches we are able to get lost in a crowd. Why we feel that we have have a family of believers with people through the screen we meet. Though with some it will be impossible for us to have intimate conversation with them because of scheduling or miles apart. Yet churches rather than reconnecting or rebuilding intimate fellowship and relationships, say lets keep them distant. Let’s keep them apart, we will build churches where they are. While keeping the same conflict of just another face in a sea of thousands. This has enabled the enhancement of the age old saying Sunday Morning Christian.

We do not hold small groups or church defining the tenants of faith while challenging others to go deeper. We hold what we call discipleship classes that are titled “digging deeper” that are no more than what the writer of Hebrews called teaching one milk again. So we find ourselves teaching to those who have been walking awhile no more than milk or as my friend Phil Stratton says “not even milk but watered colored milk.” Then we go define deeper or discipleship when God clearly has already defined both. Which leaves those who have been saved for a short period of time to make comments like

“I don’t like to read the Bible from cover to cover, I like to open it up point to a passage and let God speak to me.

“It does not matter how long you have been walking with Christ, only how close you are”

“It does not matter how much experience you have”

Better yet what does it say about the leader who would ask those questions.

Our Pastors look to leadership of how to make our churches grow not always from one who has experience as the one actually doing the leading. Rather one who has been a part of something large in numbers and wrote a book about it.

Yes, all of these are issues with the church today and as you will see, next week; not just with the seeker friendly or the emergent church but the traditional as well.

This is the last in the 5 part series of Francis Schaffer’s

I pray you have been blessed and that it has made you think and examine your own life.

Cultural Christianity and the Emergent Church Part IV

2009-09-26T08:30:00.001-04:00

Now it is Saturday and I am continuing the look at Francis Schaffer’s look at the Emergent Church. Yet, let me state again and as two weeks will show I am not advocating one style of church over another. In fact quite the contrary as you will se in two weeks. I am a rocker an man love southern rock, Bob Segar, Moody Blues. I am a radical, I am always looking to do it out of the box continuously, I cannot stand being in the box.

Shoot even the design of my site was original and as I have time it will become even more original until someone decides to copy that like they have the background. No, I believe Christians should set the example of being out of the box.

So my issue definitely is not using radical methods to bring others to Christ. The issue here is when one says well we have the systems in place, we can’t help it if they do not use them. The issue here is not being as radical in our discipleship methods as we are in our gospel giving methods.

So as we continue this series remember two things are pivotal and three things this blog is founded on

1) The importance of Discipleship, producing disciples and leaders for Christ.

2) Study and need to become true disciples of God’s word.

3) Grace

In fact let me say this loud and clear

GRACE

Because ultimately the first two revolve and are settled within our understanding of the very word.

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Wondering

2009-09-24T08:48:00.001-04:00

I am always honored when I have the opportunity to share others posts on my blog. Today on reflective Thursday it is no different and in fact I am even more so today. Every once in a while you are blessed to meet one of God’s special gifts to mankind. You know those rare gems, that just serve God simply because it is a reality of hope in their life and their faith is very, very real. There are things that I know about this man named Robert Dodson that make me realize just how small my faith really is. Robert or @MajorDodson as he goes by on Twitter is a rare jewel and a rare servant for Christ. Take time to get to know Robert, follow him on Twitter or read more of his poetry on his blog.

Wondering

I can see you on that mesa, stars above, valley below.

The dim objects your thoughts.

The cacti, far off mountains wondering why...

Dreaming of things that might have been and

Searching the lonely roads of memory,

All the roads lead to nowhere, but I am here

Thinking, wondering, what might have been?

The road of my heart is curved and troubled,

Until the idea comes down the straight line of my brain;

I am lost again without you in my love.

The moon tiptoes through a starry night,

Yielding slowly to the first rays of a red sun;

As day begins to leap upon my vista

The rattler slithers toward noon,

All at once the emotion floods my eyes,

Another Mother’s Day has reached my soul.

My anguish, my loss compels me to share my love,

To my growing daughter that one day too,

I’ll see her on a lonely, starry mesa.

Are You in Training???

2009-09-22T08:19:00.001-04:00

Are you in training?

In the last Olympics we watched Michael Phelps beat out Mark Spitz Olympic record by winning six.

I wonder did he just swim a few laps for a few years enter and become the Olympic record holder.

Lance Armstrong said the secret to winning 7 French Opens is the willingness to sacrifice and being willing to ride while everyone else sleeps.

Michael Jordan who many considered the greatest basketball player who ever lived; says his secret to becoming who he was, was all the day’s he spent walking from one place to another bouncing his basketball.

Jesse Owens the Olympic sprinter who stunned the Nazi world said this:

“We will have dreams, but in order to make dreams in to reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication and self-discipline and effort.

E.M. Gray said “the successful person has the habit of doing things failures don’t like to do. They don’t like doing them either necessarily but their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose”

Dedication, studying, diligence, practice, purpose, sacrifice, habit what do these words look like in the Christian church today

That is falling into a culture that is fed upon instant gratification, instant success, where someone can be saved for 5 years go to seminary and call himself a church planter.

Or, as evidenced by quotes such as these

“it doesn’t matter how many years you have been saved or walking with God” all that matter’s is if Jesus spoke to you.

This is not the first time I have heard this statement

Is it possible for someone who has been walking with Christ only a few years to have the wisdom or be the conditioned spiritual athlete that someone much older say as my spiritual father might be?

What does the Bible say about being a conditioned athlete running the race, discipline, sacrifice, the wisdom that comes to one through years of repetitive disciplines of practice and study.

The Author of Hebrews referred to the Christian life as a race to be run Hebrews 12:1

Second Timothy 2:5 Paul tells Timothy “the athlete does not get his prize if he wins if he has not abided by the rules.”

Repeatedly Paul refers to or compares the Christian life to that of one of an athlete.

Solomon said in Proverbs 23:23 that wisdom is something we acquire along with discipline and understanding

Then again in, Ecc. 7:25 - he turned his mind to search out wisdom

Hebrews 5:11-14 says at that time that you ought to be able to take meat you still need milk.

So we see three things with this last passage.

1) There is a clear distinction between milk and meat

2) That the ability to take stronger meat comes through time

3) There are immature Christians who need one to teach them the essentials of the Christian faith.

So if Paul is right and the Christian life is a race to be run as a conditioned athlete. Then doesn’t it make sense that we acquire wisdom through the disciplined study of scriptures as an athlete might discipline his body; through repetitive habits of study and attention to detail our knowledge of Christ and God’s word will increase as well. As, Paul said in

Philippians 1:9 I pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and in depth of in sight.

I pray also that you will seek and develop a desire to learn to study God’s word with the diligence, discipline, dedication and devotion that would resemble the same habits of life that a champion athlete might apply to his. So that we will stand as Paul said I have run the race, I have finished my course.

May we all remember to approach our walk with Christ as though we are in training, paying attention to the details so that we might always have an answer for the one who might ask us of the reason of the hope that is in us?

Cultural Christianity and The Emergent Church part 4

2009-09-20T09:22:00.001-04:00

As we continue this look at the church on Sundays we move to part four of Schaffer’s series on Cultural Christianity. Yesterday I posted a a post on Accountability. Personally I am driven mad by these churches that build in large numbers so that my face just becomes a face in a crowd of thousands. That those who attend are attending because of the celebrity pastor. Then better yet we build online churches, allowing even further anonymity. Then we say that the church best days are ahead of her because of the technology and large crowds happening.

Yet, I am reminded that what took the world by storm with the early church was their amazing love for one another. It was the effectual working of Christ’s words in John 13:34,35 I am reminded that it will not be our amazing technology or our masses flocking to hear messages dumbed down so that it appeals to anyone with no real conviction. That will lead to others finding the reality of God’s grace in their lives. I am reminded of how comfortable it is for me to hide behind the screen which offers no real accountability. The kind that can only be obtained with face to face meetings. Where the empathy, passion, facial expressions are so very real. I am also reminded of words that were shared with me the other night on a phone call. As my friend relayed a message or an incident in Billy Graham much younger days. At one point Graham realized that while they were having large masses of numbers in crusades, they were failing in an area. They were failing in reconnecting the individuals back to the local church.

Stay tuned World Prayr is getting ready to unleash what I personally believe is a God ordained vision that is not being done on the web today. I promise you it is so contrary to what is actually being done on the web that it is going to seem radical, yet actually it is not.For now enjoy the next part of Francis Schaffer’s Cultural Christianity.

BTW – I am going to run the accountability post again tomorrow. That is how important I believe the message is. We have got to start pushing others back to the hard questions, back to face to face reality.

Another BTW – Traditionalist I am saving the best for last, so stay tuned.

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Accountability

2009-09-19T10:49:00.001-04:00

Though I ran this on Saturday I believe so much in this concept I am running it again as I told you yesterday. I believe God summed up the reason best in Jeremiah 17:9. I am going to go ahead and say it here you cannot have true accountability without face to face it cannot happen through a screen or any device. You may have wisdom and fun and even fellowship but you cannot have accountability. You cannot truly get to know someone intimately without spending at least some face to face time with them. When I decided and agreed to take and fully assume the face of Worldprayr I went on a trip actually more than one for the sole purpose of those who I were asking to stand beside me to have face to face time with me. Where I could not go on a trip I made phone calls, and not just one. This was so men of valor, men of deep walks could come to know me. So that when others asked they could say yes we know him. I encourage you to not support anyone without first talking to them, asking hard questions and demanding hard answers.

If you read this, please read it again. If you have not please do so. We need to know the individuals that we stand beside before supporting them. Got Questions? Email me! Want real answers ask for a phone call!

The title of the blog post, WELL now there is a tough word. One many seem to want to avoid at all costs like the plague. Yet what is accountability, how do we know we are part of it and do we even need to be a part of it.

Wikipedia says this about accountability:

Accountability is a concept in ethics with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, enforcement, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account-giving.

Accountability is defined as "A is accountable to B when A is obliged to inform B about A’s (past or future) actions and decisions, to justify them, and to suffer punishment in the case of eventual misconduct".

In leadership roles, accountability is the acknowledgment and assumption of responsibility for actions.

Yes indeed that last part rings true for most of us we expect our leaders to be accountable to us. As parent’s we expect our children to be accountable to us.

We could develop whole treatises on the need, purpose and responsibility of those of us who consider ourselves followers of Christ to be responsible and accountable to God for our actions. Though I believe most of us would accept that as a given. So it is not my attempt to look at that or discuss what should already be a given point of acceptance of those following Christ or have stated that they have accepted Christ as their savior.

Does it effect us inter personally

Today I want to look at another concept of accountability, those who are presently in the body being accountable to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. What does scripture say about the subject as it refers to answering the hard questions some of us want to avoid. What does it say about helping and bearing each other’s burdens with or without true accountability.

The first thing we need to understand is we are called to bear each other’s burdens Galatians 6:2 even to the point of our doing without; if it means making sure another is supported. Philippians 2: 1-4 says the following:

¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

We see a couple of things in this passage:

1) We should be like-minded

2) We should be one in spirit and purpose having the same love.

3) We should strive to consider others better than ourselves. As opposed to gaining for ourselves in selfish ambition and vain conceit.

4) We should not just be busy about our own interests but the interests of others as well.

That last one kinda throws out the old saying “keep your nose to yourself”

So Basically the apostle Paul is saying don’t just be about yourself but live a life that is reflective of pursuing, and for the purpose of serving, and helping others.

Yet does that mean just writing checks and freely giving stuff without answering or asking the tough questions.

No, scripture is full of, especially in the book of Proverbs admonition to be wise, use wisdom in regards to all our actions.

How Do We Know Another’s Burdens or Interests

We can only really share in another burdens or interests as they share with us those needs. So when they share do we run out and immediately begin freely giving help without using wisdom to ensure what the real needs are, and what type of help actually needs to be given.

It should be noted that when one is in a dire, desperate, scary, the boat is sinking, or has sunk dilemma one can never see things clearly in the heat of the matter. One can only truly see at that point what is in front of one’s nose.

One is reminded of Jeremiah 17:9 at that time which states who can know or understand the heart, it is desperately wicked. It may not be that the individual is deliberately deceiving but it may just be they cannot see the real resolution to their issues or dilemma.

This is why James 5:16 is such a powerful voice of reason in these situations. Confess your sins one to another. Would using 1 Peter 3:15 which is normally used for the support of apologetics, be a reach here. Could we not say that the person we are helping or who we are giving wisdom to; should not be willing to freely give us an answer to the very reasons they are holding to, or why they are where they are, or seeing the picture as they are.

Hebrews 3:13 says we should continually encourage one another and Hebrews 10:24, 25 discusses the need for us to spur one another unto good works.

Yet without the effectual proving of James 5:16 in our lives or in the life of the one we are encouraging, how will we truly know how, where, or what we should do, give, or help with. True encouragement occurs best when there is true transparency and intimacy developed between two individuals. This is the effectual working out of Proverbs 27:17 iron sharpens iron.

They are technology oriented!

A friend of mine said the other day and rightly so there are those who are technology oriented and should need to revert back to 19th century technology of using a phone to communicate. While this may have some element of truth to it, nothing can be substituted for hearing the passion, empathy, or tone inflection of another’s voice. Even better it is difficult to substitute face to face interaction for really understanding of another’s need for encouragement and support. This is why Hebrews 10:25 is so clear on forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.

Interesting point my friend made as he explained his desire to do his communication through modern technology. People are broken and they like to hide behind the screen through IM’s or any other social media. Oh! How True! Yet all the more reason for that one on one face time.

YES WE ARE!!!!

So we see that not only are we responsible to bear each other’s burdens but the individual asking us to bear them is responsible to us for bearing those burdens with real transparency. We are responsible for looking on each other’s interests. Yet. we are also responsible for real integrity in our relationships.

I personally cannot exist in a life of integrity and service of to others and Christ without having those around me willing to ask the hard questions. I am concerned greatly by our willingness to help those who would hide behind the screen. I am even more concerned at my own attempt to hide sometimes. I am concerned about those who would give without hard questions or provide without true transparency.

It has been for me some of my biggest personal growth periods when I have been at my darkest hours, pleading for help and those closest being unwilling to give until I was willing to do ,or repair, or resolve issues that were maybe causing my darkest hours. Or even yet, before I could get through those darkest hours those things completely needing to be resolved.

Though I enjoy my online friends it is those who know me best, who see me personally, who have always asked me the hardest questions. I am concerned by those who think they can avoid the hard questions in person, who confide in strangers thousands of miles away because of the anonymity it brings. I am even more concerned by those who go to large churches because they are able to get lost in the crowd. Even more those that claim you do not have to fellowship in person or go to a local church when able; to be on fire for God. Just something about face to face and Jeremiah 17:9

Reason of Wisdom!

My encouragement today is to live a life of transparency to remember Jeremiah 17:9 to draw those closest to you who will ask those tough questions. To lay aside your own need for comfortability; to begin looking on the needs of others.

Yet, always use wisdom before freely writing, giving, or being ready to offer any other kind of help to someone reluctant to change, answer, or move in a way that will offer long term results; not just short term.

If you want to know more of me or about me and have some tough questions, you will find me ready to answer.

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Living Life by Faith

2009-09-15T08:53:00.001-04:00

Knowing the game plan, yes the only way for me.

I have spent most of my life, or so I thought, learning how to be in control.

This came as a result of having a childhood that seemingly seemed out control at times. From, having a childhood where I was continually searching to know the love of a father to protecting myself from the life scars of ones.

It seems no matter what I laid my hand to I excelled. Not because I was more naturally talented but because I always prepared and overworked the next guy.

Consequently I have grown into a control freak I like knowing the littlest detail down to the wire. I hate surprises and am always snooping. Tell you how much I hate surprises; my wife had to learn early on not to leave my Christmas presents under the tree. Weird huh!

When I ran my business I drove the office staff crazy with my lists. Those who know me best would tell you Pat is not a A type personality, he is a quadruple A.

Yes plans, details, knowing what’s coming, what’s next is how I maintain control of life to live in harmony.

So not knowing not understanding, trusting in what I can’t see, what I can’t over rationalize, what I can’t over think, over plan for.

Wow! Let’s just say that breeds a fuel in me that usually results in dead on caution.

So when God called me well actually he gave me no choice to sell an extremely prosperous business and step into Canaan, Well! Due to the disease I fight forcing me to sell my business for a fraction of the cost. Left me going into the unknown and wondering was God done with me; has he thrown me on the trash heap?

Abraham was faced with that decision as he was faced with living Haran in fact Hebrews 11:8 says “by faith Abraham received his inheritance” the Israelites were led into the desert but got so tired of manna they cried to go back to Egypt.

Brennan Manning says this

“ the reality of life for Christian men and women requires that they leave what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walk to the desert without rational explanations to justify their decisions or guarantee their future. Why? Solely and simply because God signals this move next and offers this promise. (The Signature of Jesus 1996)

Yes, indeed living by faith is definitely not having a life of balance,and checks. A life of being not only called to Jesus but learning to live life by faith in him. Is learning to live as Paul said by faith and not by sight. When God calls you into Canaan from a preset, prearranged, organized, and established life means leaving the details, forsaking the plans; and sometimes just stepping into Jordan.

Stepping into a life of unknown giving up the luxury home, car, and fabricated life to a life of day to day provision and guidance; giving up knowing or controlling our tomorrows.

It is being willing to step into a life where we are willing to pray the Prayer of abandonment of Charles Defoucald.

“Father do with me whatever you want”

A Meeting of Leaders

2009-09-13T09:21:00.001-04:00

This week a meeting of leaders occurred actually two. One was called a number for some odd reason, another just a phone call with ten men on a conference call. One was a group of leaders sitting on a platform because of accomplishments in their lives. They may or may not have the lowliness of Christ themselves. They or may not have lives of brokenness. They may or may not exhibit a life of emptying of one’s self, to exhibit Christ. Yet one thing is for sure, they were not being listened to for the most part because of any of the above. Yet, rather because of numbers they have gained or accomplishments they have achieved. Trying to get a one on one with most of these men, WELL! Let’s just say it would be easier to pull teeth from a lion. These men rather they buy into it themselves or not ( don’t be deceived some most definitely do) have been elevated by others to the celebrity status. Then with our utter amazement with celebrities we are eager to pounce on their every word. Even if they do not have the wisdom, lives lived, or brokenness of Christ as others may have. They have reached the status of celebrity. Consequently surely God must be directing them there, God must have placed them there. Surely they are the wisest men in the land. We must listen to every morsel that proceeds out of their mouth. The first meeting was about leaders promoting other leaders.

Did we mention there was another meeting of leaders. A group of men on a conference call laying aside their individualism for an hour to come to unite under a cause. To cross denominational barriers, secondary,tertiary and issues that normally others break fellowship over. The second meeting was a group of men who have come together for a purpose of uniting the body of Christ not to build leaders into better leaders. Rather to minister to those who could never get on such a platform or a one on one meeting with some of the men on that platform. To create a network crossing denominational barriers in order to serve one another and others in the body of Christ. These men for the most part do not have the celebrity status of the others. They are not usually given the platform to speak on the others are; neither would they seek it. Yet each of these men are true servants of God. They are men who have a heart for the body of Christ and some have the prominence of the others.

The first phone call was about leaders speaking and building leaders. The second phone call was about leaders coming together to determine how they can wash the feet of others and unite the body of Christ. As I reflect on these two meetings, I am reminded that most of the ones pushing, listening, attending and speaking at the first phone meeting are involved with the seeker friendly church, the church for the unchurched. The ones at the second meeting were men mostly represented by the major denominations.

As we continue this look at the church and this look at the church of America. As I share Francis Schaffer’s third part in this series of five I find myself reflecting on the significance of those two meetings. I find myself reflecting on which meeting has the greater impact for Christ. Please take a minute and enjoy Francis Schaffer's continued series on the church. Ask yourself which meeting do you think will have the greater impact.

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Who will tell them? Who will Share?

2009-09-10T07:56:00.001-04:00

As always Thursday is Reflection Day. Tomorrow I will be honored and humbled to be part of the most important phone call I have ever been part of in my life. As I reflect on this call and the importance of it. I am reminded of an old 60’s song called See The People. I have taken the liberty and played with some of the words. I ask that you would consider the meaning, impact, and thought behind these words. I also ask that you would be in prayer regarding this call tomorrow.

See the people everywhere

They are bound for eternity

Who will tell them, who will share

Will it be you or will it be me.

No one will tell them

No one will share

Nobody seems to see the need

So many faces, so many names, so many present

See their faces, tweets, and emails, full of pain, full of sorrow

Who will tell them, who will share

Will it be you or will it be me

While defending our truths, and rights, will we miss the real truth

Will we continue to allow our need to be right to blind our need to serve

See the people everywhere

They are bound for eternity

Who will tell them

Who will share

Will it you or will it be me

Always hurting, always in pain, always heartache

Will we continue to push our individual platforms

Will we continue to boast of the leadership platforms we hold

Continue to push those who we see as leaders higher

See the people everywhere

They are bound for eternity

Will we continue to keep our eyes focused on the one who leads

While missing the hurt, pain, and heartache of the ones following

So many faces, so many names, so many present, see their faces, tweets, and emails

Full of pain, full of sorrow

Who will tell them, who will share

Will it be you or will it be me

Perhaps tomorrow a change

Maybe tomorrow a new beginning will start

Will tomorrow bring finally a time when we will place aside our differences

In order to be one, in order to serve those in our body hurting the most

So that those seeing us will be envious of our love

See the people everywhere

They are bound for eternity

Who will tell them

Who will care

Will it be you or will it be me