Saturday, June 30, 2012

Sunburn

In the past week, my wife and I both have had to deal with sunburn. She had it worse out of the two of us. Last Friday we each took a little "me" time. She went to a pool, and I took the dog hiking. My wife was in the sun for about four hours, and came back red from head to toe.

Yesterday, we took our canoe out to the lake for a couple of hours. I have a great farmer's tan, but since I usually were long pants, my legs don't get much sun. Since they usually don't burn I didn't put sun block on them, but then again I usually don't sit in a canoe with them fully exposed to the sun. So today I'm sitting in my chair in shorts putting aloe gel on my legs every couple of hours.

But compared to what my wife had, I can't complain. Soon after getting home she began to fell nauseous, and then began to have the chills. Really bad sunburns can cause what is called sun poisoning, and she had it. For the next few days we dealt with those symptoms, and then her skin began to peel and was very itchy.

Honestly, I laughed a little and at times didn't feel all that bad for her. I've never understood people who want to lie out in the sun and let themselves be baked as if they are cookies on a cookie sheet in the oven. I get that tan skin looks good, but it's not worth the burn or the risk of skin cancer as far as I'm concerned. I've told her this all several times, but she loves being tan. And she got burned. Personally, I hate sunburn, but I also hate sunblock, and because I didn't go with my gut and put some on, my legs are fairly uncomfortable today, and will be until sometime Monday.

Both of us know what happens when we're in the sun, but both of us choose not to take the precautions to prevent the negative effects, and we're both dealing with the consequences. And all of this makes me think about what I'm seeing in the book of Judges.

The seventh book of the Bible is the same story line repeated over and over. Israel turns away from God, God removes His blessing and allows them to be captured, the people cry out to God for Help, God raises up a judge to deliver them, freedom, rejoicing, and peace, then the judge dies and the cycle repeats. Over and over and over again for hundreds of years this is what Israel goes through. A sort of spiritual sunburn.

Today I was reading in Judges 10, and this stood out to me, "Then the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, 'We have sinned against You, for indeed, we have forsaken our God and served the Baals.' The Lord said to the sons of Israel, 'Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the sons of Ammon, and the Philistines? Also when the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, you cried out to Me, and I delivered you from their hands. Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will no longer deliver you. Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress.'" (Verses 10-14).

God gives people over to what their hearts desire. I noticed the same concept the other day and though of the words of Paul in Romans 1.21-32,

"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

"Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

"For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."

God does not force anyone to serve Him. God does not force anyone to do what is best for them. But at the same time, God does not pour His blessings out on those who disobey Him and reject Him. Whatever your heart desires, God will give you over to that. If your heart desires evil, and things contrary to God, then that will be the god of your life. But on the other hand, when we fully turn to God, when we fully and genuinely seek Him, He is found by us as it says in Jeremiah 29, and He forgives and delivers us.

Judges 10.15-16, "The sons of Israel said to the Lord, 'We have sinned, do to us whatever seems good to You; only please deliver us this day.' So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord; and He could bear the misery of Israel no longer." God raises up Jephthah, and the people are delivered.

Sadly, for Israel, they continued in their self-destructive cycle, as God said they would if they didn't destroy all the people in the land. But every time the people came to God in genuine repentance, He raised up a leader to deliver them from their enemies.

I pray that we will not be like Israel, but instead that we will fully follow God, not simply live for His blessings and then cry out to Him when we have rejected Him so long that the blessing has been removed. Let our lives be lived to worship the one who blesses us out of His grace. Let us live for Him, and not His blessings.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Who You've Walked Them With

I don't know that this has ever happened to me before, but last night I had a dream that really hit me.

In my dream I was walking down one side of a three lane highway with hundreds of other people who were spaced out in front and behind me. There were no cars, and all was calm. There was a bright light in front of us that we were all walking towards. There was an older lady walking on my left and she kept saying the same thing to me, "It's not about the miles you've walked, but who you've walked them with." We continued to walk towards the light together, and then my wife came along side of me on the right and joined us. Again the lady said, "It's not about the miles you've walked, but who you've walked them with."

I don't remember much else. We ended up at what I think was Heaven. It was a place full of genuine worship to God. Heartfelt praise being offered to God by people in a genuine relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus. People that had been transformed by God, now able to tell Him face to face.

I woke up this morning thinking about that statement, "It's not about the miles you've walked, but who you've walked them with."

I think about that in regards to God. It doesn't matter how many miles I walk on this earth, all that matters is that I've walked them with God. If I have another 75 years or just 75 more seconds here all that matters is that I walk them with God. Who cares where I've been, or what I've accomplished, if God isn't my constant traveling buddy it's ultimately meaningless and a waste of time.

I think about that in regards to my wife. It's not that my life had no point before she came into it, but now there is so much more to my life. I've had experiences before without her, but honestly, during most of them I spent a lot of time wishing she was with me. Honestly, most of the time I don't care what we're doing, so long as we're doing it together. I don't really care where we go so long as we go together.

Life is not about the miles we walk, but about who we walk them with. Experiences are temporary; they are over before we know it. I was looking at a calendar yesterday and it hit me that 2012 will be half over at the end of the week. A few months ago it hit me that based on the average lifespan of an American male, my life is one third over already, and that's not factoring in the time I'll spend asleep, sitting at red lights, and wasting doing nothing.

Life is about relationships. It's about the people we meet and interact with. It's about the people we influence and are influenced by. The lives we touch and change and those that change us. Life is about receiving the life God created us for, a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Life is about being transformed by the love of God and the blood of Christ so that we can live the life He created us to live.

We're on a highway, moving towards something. Death is part of life, but death is not the end. If we receive the life that God is offering us, if we walk our remaining miles with Him, then we end up at the light. We spend forever in His presence, with Him and others who have walked with Him. It's all about the relationship.

"It isn't about the miles you've walked, but who you've walked them with."

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Know Your Context

A few weeks ago my friend told me he had sold the local coffee shop that I visit weekly. He and his wife took over it about a year ago and have made it a very successful business. They have a friendly atmosphere that has constant business. They really turned it around and made it a place people frequent.

But it's a lot of work for them. My friend is there everyday at 5:00 am. His wife makes soup and scones from scratch that they sell in the coffee shop. She also works a full time job and then every night she is making food for the coffee shop. That's a big reason they sold it. They put a lot into it, and did a great job, and honestly I was a bit sad when he told me. Not only because I love the soup and scones, but because we've built a friendship through the coffee shop.

At first I saw the opportunity to build another relationship with the new owner, but that didn't happen. He had a different approach to business than my friend did. The new guy wasn't really present in the store, one of the things my friend did that made it such a good place to be. He also made several changes immediately that hurt the place.

In two weeks the new owner has killed a thriving business. It all comes down to knowing the context. Based on what happened, and what I heard he was planning, the new owner didn't realize the context of the local community. He tried to take a business in a direction that probably would work, just not here. And instead, it's pretty much done. A large amount of the customer base has been lost based on some decisions. Yesterday I drove by in the middle of the day and the lights were off. The glass door had a message, "Reopening on July 2nd".

For me, this has served as another reminder as a leader, know your context. In school as I was preparing for ministry there was something a professor said over and over, "Don't make any changes for the first year." A lot of that has to do with credibility and trust with the people that hasn't been firmly established. But also, you don't know what changes need to be made right away, or what changes are going to help or hurt the church. You don't know the context.

Without knowing the context you will make a lot of bad decisions, simply because you aren't informed about the full situation you are trying to change and the people that will be affected by the change. It's a reminder that many things need to be examined before large changes are made, and when they do come, change needs to take place slowly so people can adjust and get used to the new way of things. It's frustrating at times, I know that from first hand experience, but I've learned from others that it's a process that we must go through.

To all leaders, myself included, remember to study your context. Learn and observe, interact and feel, then change what needs to be changed. Don't go in blindly with guns blazing, because if you do you can kill a thriving business in two weeks. Be patient and learn.

To the rest of the world, have patience with your leaders. Remember, each leader brings their own style and ideas into leadership. Realize that some things will change over time (some things really need to). Have patience with your leaders and realize that they are simply doing the best they can to benefit the people.

Side note: I am largely focused on the Church since that is my area of leadership and study. I realize that not all leaders are good, that some are selfish and could care less about the people. A good leader is also a servant of the people. He serves them in part to know how to better lead them. I am writing to those under these good leaders that are God focused and Biblically grounded.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Monday, June 25, 2012

Target on Your Back

Last week I was reminded of the target on the back of every leader. I have a pastor friend that was facing a brutal internet stoning for an innocent and humorous remark he made on Facebook.

He is a good father, and he made a joking remark about the guys he would allow to date his daughter. I've read it, and honestly I fully agree with the standard he's setting. As a man and a future father, I fully agree that we have to set standards like that for our children. Too many father's haven't, and look at where the world is.

But not everyone sees his comment as I do. I've read all of the 91 comments at the time. He's been called "judgmental" and "holier than thou" for his statement. Because of this he's been distracted from real ministry needs because of the fires that are needing to be put out.

He's a good man, a godly husband, father, and grandfather, and he's a pastor friend I constantly look to for advice, wisdom, and friendship. His statements were in no way judgmental, and in no way looking down on anyone. He in no way condemned anyone by what he said, he was simply making a statement about the type of guy he would approve to date his daughter. But in the responses of people, we see a sad truth that all entering leadership need to be aware of.

As a leader, you have a huge target on your back. There are always those who are looking and waiting for us to fall. I think of a line from the first Spider-man movie, "But the one thing they love more than a hero is to see a hero fail, fall, die trying." For some reason people love to see those who try to make the world a better place fail. And many of them are just sitting and waiting for us to do or say something that they can use as a weapon to help in the process.

It is crucial for all leaders to watch everything we say and do. We must guard ourselves at all times, knowing that we are constantly in the public eye. Everything we do will be analyzed, scrutinized and evaluated. That's part of leadership. It's crucial to be intentional and not careless with our words and actions. It's so easy to twist something and take it out of context, and there are so many who are ready and willing to do just that. We must constantly guard what we say and do.

My friend is a good man of God. He is sincere in his love for God and others, more sincere than many people in the Church. Satan wants to take him out because he is doing things that are making an impact for the Kingdom. And so Satan works in the hearts of people to twist what my friend has said, into something he never would have dreamed of saying, so it can be used against him. If God's leaders are distracted by all the stones being hurled at them, they will have less focus for Kingdom work, and so Satan attacks leaders the hardest.

A reminder to all leaders, be on your guard. God has called you and placed you in leadership. He has a plan and a purpose for you there, and Satan hates it, he wants to take you out. There is a target on your back, and so don't be careless.

A challenge to the rest of the world, don't be used by Satan to bring down godly leaders. There aren't enough to spare. Don't watch and wait for them to fall, and then kick them while they are down. Come along side them, support them, and protect them.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Command Not Obeyed

As Israel was preparing to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, God gave them a command,Deuteronomy 7.1-6, "When the Lord your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you,  and when the Lord your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them.  Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons.  For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you.  But thus you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars, and smash their sacred pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire.  For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."

Many critics of the Bible, and even some branches of Christianity, wonder how a good and loving God could order the destruction of entire nations of people. There was one Christ follower, Marcion I think, who said that the God of the Old Testament, who made commands like this, couldn't be the same God of the New Testament. But here in Deuteronomy we see why God made this command.

Israel was to be a holy people set apart for God.  It was there job to represent God to the rest of the world.  Part of the reason they were to be in Israel is because it was the crossroads of the world at the time; three continents connect there.  Israel was blessed to be a blessing to the nations.  But in order to be able to bless the rest of the world by showing them who God was, they had to keep themselves holy and focused on God.  God knew what a stubborn group of people He was dealing with in Israel.  After just a few weeks of freedom in the desert they were complaining about no food and no water, and wanted to go be slaves in Egypt again.  He knew that if they were influenced by pagan nations they would easily be led astray.  They were weak willed and God wanted to protect them.  So He makes this command.

At first the people faithfully obey.  Jericho and all of its people are destroyed followed by Ai.  But then the people make their first mistake.  The Gibeonites come and deceive the people and make peace with Israel.  It says in Joshua 9.14b, "and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord."  Now one group of people must live.  They are forced into servant hood as wood choppers and water drawers, but paganism now has a foothold among the people.

From there it gets worse.  In Joshua 15 the tribe of Judah is taking their share of the land, verse 63 says, "Now as for as the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem until this day."  Pagan influence has another grip. 

Joshua 16 talks about the tribe of Ephraim, and verse 10 says, "But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites live in the midst of Ephraim to this day," grip three.  And then again with the tribe of Mannasseh, "But the sons of Manasseh could not take possession of these cities, because the Canaanites persisted in living in that land.  It came about when the sons of Israel became strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely" (Joshua 17.12-13).

Over and over the people don't obey God's command and destroy the people living in the land.  If you continue reading through the Old Testament you will see how this hurts the people of Israel.  The book of Judges is a continuous circle of the people going astray, calling out to God after trouble sets in, God sending a deliverer, and then the people go astray again.

Later the people want a king like the other nations have, and God warns them of all the things a king will do, but they persist and are given a king, and the problems begin.  They are constantly at war, prophet after prophet comes to warn the people of the destruction coming if they don't repent.  Corrupt kings follow and lead the people further astray. Eventually the people are carried off into exile beasue they fail to obey God.

What would have happened if the people had just obeyed?  How often do we find ourselves in similar situations?  God says one thing but for whatever reason we don't like it.  We don't want to wait that long, or work that hard, or go to this place, or serve in that way, and so we decide to do our thing our way.  We have free will so God allows it to happen, but usually we end up in trouble, with hardships we could have avoided.

God has our best interest at heart.  When He makes a command it is for our own good, no, for our best.  God does not want us to suffer, He wants to bless us so that we can be a blessing to others and show the world who He is.  But in order to receive His blessing we must be set apart as His holy people.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Gift Not Taken

This morning I noticed something interesting in the book of Joshua. The last few chapters haven't reveled much new information about the character of God, but I have seen a lot about man's reaction to what God says and does. Today I want to focus on the does part of that, and in the next day or two on the says part.

Joshua 18.2-3, "There remained among the sons of Israel seven tribes who had not divided their inheritance. So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, 'How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?'"

At this point the people have been in the Promised Land for about five years. In chapter 14 Caleb, the other faithful spy from Numbers 13, says, "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.’ Now behold, the Lord has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today." (verses 7-10).

After five years of fighting many of the nations that were in the land have been defeated and destroyed. Many but not all (more here later). But the people still have not taken possession of the Land God promised to give them. They have moved through it fighting enemies for half a decade, but at the end of chapter 14 it says, "Then the land had rest from war." Chapters 15-17 have three of the tribes taking possession of their share, and back before the people crossed the Jordan River, Moses gave land to two other tribes. Five of twelve have their share, but the rest have not yet taken their promised inheritance.

God has given them a great gift. He's given them rich land, flowing with milk and honey (abundant in plants and animals), at the crossroads of the known world. He's given them victory in battle over the inhabitants of the land. He's given them the cities and houses that those inhabitants built and lived in. And yet they aren't claiming the gift that is already theirs. Why?

I don't have an answer, and I don't know that anyone does, because the same thing still happens today. God has offered every member of the human race eternal life, salvation, freedom from sin, a gift that simply has to be received, and yet so many don't take it. Why?

All of the work has been done for us, all of the preparation has been taken care of. God holds it in His hands, freely offering it to us, and yet so many say, "No thanks, I'm not interested." God has done a great thing, and our part in it is the simple one of receiving a completely free blessing we didn't earn or deserve at all, and yet we refuse it?

Israel had to be persuaded by their leader to take the land God had promised and given them. And today its as if people need to be persuaded to take salvation from His hands. People, let's take what God is freely offering us. It will transform your life. It doesn't promise to solve your problems and guarantee you happiness and success, but it brings peace, and fullness of life. It brings freedom from guilt and shame, forgiveness from the past, and the presence of God for the resent and future. It offers the life we were created to live, and perfection and full restoration to come. And it's yours, take it!

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

What is Ordination?

Last night I was ordained as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene.  It's a milestone in ministry that's taken seven years of study, work, sweat, blood, and tears (literally) to attain.  I know along the way I've been asked, "What is ordination?" or some variation of the question.  A few years ago I couldn't have told you.  I knew it was something I had to get done, but honestly I didn't really know the reason, the point, or the significance.  Honestly, no one ever explained it to me.

This past October I was trying to encourage church people to use their gifts for God, and I remembered a video my mentor made several years ago.  It's on YouTube called "Sermon on the Mound, Finding your place to serve."  In it he talks about six things that help us know our area of giftedness, and the final one gave me the answer.  The last one is confirmation, and as he says in the video, "In official ministry this is ordination.  It's where leaders confirm you and say "You're one of us."

In my interview with the Credentials board earlier this year I was asked, "What does it mean for you to be ordained."  For a split second my mind blanked, it caught me off guard, but then I remembered that video, and from that I was able to give an answer.  And as I've thought about it for the last few months and the events of the service last night I have a decent idea about what ordination is.

The key to the strength of the Spartan army was the phalanx.  The soldiers would use their massive shields to form an impenetrable wall.  They stood side by side and went toe to toe with the enemy.  The older, more experienced warriors were at the front, sides, and rear where fighting would be the most intense.  In the middle were the younger Spartans who hadn't seen much combat yet.  They were there to learn.

Preparation for ordination is being a young Spartan in the middle of the phalanx, surrounded by seasoned warriors that are their to teach them how to do battle.  But no Spartan remains in the middle forever.  Eventually the day comes when he is called to the front lines.  He is honored with the privilege to stand side by side with his brothers.  To add his shield to the wall and protect the man next to him.  It is confirmation that he is ready to fully join the fight, they know he is a capable warrior, able to stand his ground. They trust him with their lives.

We are in a battle, and pastors are on the front lines for the Kingdom.  For seven years I've been in the middle, watching, learning, occasionally getting to help a little.  But now, I've been called to the front lines.  I've been entrusted with the responsibility of standing shoulder to shoulder with my colleges as we do battle for the Kingdom.  It is a vote of confidence that I am ready to join them, that I am able to stand with them. 

At every Nazarene Ordination service the General Superintendent lays his hands on the head of the ordinand, and shares these words from 2 Timothy 4, " I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 

As Dr. Duarte, spoke these words and ordained me the phrase that stood out to me the most was, "endure hardship." (He said "affliction").  I was reminded that this is a call to the front lines.  That the battle still rages on, and now I'm fully immersed in the middle of it where the fighting is the most intense.  But just like the Spartans, I'm not alone.

As the General Superintendent speaks, you are surrounded by all of the Ordained Nazarene ministers who are present.  They lay hands on you and pray for you.  My wife knelt at my side.  I am not alone.  I was never alone getting to this point, and I am not alone now.  The strength of the phalanx is all of the Spartans standing side by side, overlapping their shields to protect each other.  I have joined the ranks, not set out on a solo mission.  I do not stand alone.

And most importantly, God has brought me to this point.  I love what Paul says in 2 Timothy 2.1-4, "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

I am a soldier of Christ.  As an Ordained Elder it is my job to model Christlikeness, and to lead others in the path of righteousness, guiding them as they become like Christ.  It is my job to model being a godly husband and one day a godly father.  I am to seize the opportunity to mentor others who have been called into ministry, and guide them as they seek to join the front lines.   

I am grateful for the call of God on my life to bring me here.  I am grateful for the men and women who have guided me along the way, helping me get to this point.  I am grateful for the confidence of the Credentials Board and District Superintendents of the East Ohio District.  And I am grateful that this happened in 2012 so my wife was able to be by my side.  I am so grateful for her love and support.

God, I'm on the front lines now, use me to take ground for Your Kingdom. 

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you


Top: 2012 East Ohio District Ordination Class,, with Dr. Duarte (General Superintendent), Rev. Greg Kasler (District Secretary) and Co-District Superintendents, Drs. Chuck and Carla Sunberg

Bottom: Dr. Duarte ordaining me.

 

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Why?

I ask that question a lot. I'm pretty sure most of us do. This past week I got to listen to an author speak about leadership. He began by asking the group what leadership was in one word. The one that was most commonly said was "influence", and since it was the word I said, I completely agree with that. Leadership is influence, if you aren't influencing anything, you aren't leading anything.

Some people are more influential than others, some are better leaders than others because of their ability to influence. But how we use our influence is based on another factor. He talked about how the way we use our influence is determined by our character. He used the example of Mother Teresa and Abraham Lincoln, both good leaders with large influence, and then threw Hitler into the mix. He was another leader with large influence, but his character was different than the previously mentioned two, and so he used his influence differently than they did. Character determines how we use our influence.

But there is something else that determines our character. Something deeper that determines how we do things and go about living life. It's the simple question, "Why?". That question of meaning and purpose, the reason for existence and what we do with it shapes so much of who we are. The answer to the "Why?" shapes the way we live and think, and therefore shapes the way we lead/influence others.

As a Christ follower, the answer to the question, "Why am I here?" is easy to answer. I have life in order to become like Christ, and help build the Kingdom of God for His glory. I have meaning and purpose in what I do because I know ultimately why I do what I do. My character is shaped by the leading of the Holy Spirit so that I become more like Christ so that I can bring more glory to God. And I use my influence to help build His Kingdom.

The answer to the question not only guides the way we influence others, but it gives us meaning, it gives us a reason. It keeps us from simply existing, going from day to day in a routine of work to make money to eat and survive, and allows us to really live life. It gives us something to live for. It gives us a mission to fulfill. We all need to know why?

What is your reason for existing? What is your mission and purpose? Why are you here?

Sometimes things in life don't make sense. Sometimes life gets really hard. When there is uncertainty and difficulty, the reason is the thing that keeps us going. The answer to "Why?" gets us through the hard times. It doesn't mean we don't question things, as I said I know my purpose, I know ultimately why I am here, but I still ask why a lot because right now what I'm doing doesn't seem to line up with my purpose. I don't feel like I'm having an impact or doing anything that is changing anything.

Sometimes in those times it's hard to to remember why. It's hard to stay motivated and focused on the mission when it seems that nothing you do is bringing you closer to fulfilling it. And I wish I had the answer on how to help get you through that situation, because I would give myself that same advice.

I guess it all comes down to remembering the ultimate reason is not about us, but about God. That it isn't about me, my comfort, preferences, or ease, but about His Kingdom being expanded, His Gospel being proclaimed, and Him being made Lord of my life.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Courageous

That word is one that I think all men would like ascribed to them. It's an adjective that means, "possessing or characterized by courage; brave". What man wouldn't want to be called that?

I look at history and see countless examples of courage. I've noticed most people have one genre of illustrations that everything goes back to, for me it's battle, so that's where I'm coming from.

About a year ago a team of US Navy SEALS stormed a compound and killed the worlds most wanted man. We heard about that mission because of who they were after. But all around the world teams of SEALS do missions like that everyday that we never hear about. They are the most elite commandos in the world, and daily they risk their lives to help make the world a safer place. They are courageous.

D-Day was a week ago today, talk about courage. Men getting on boats to storm a heavily defensed beach in France in what was really the last chance to stop Hitler. They put their lives on the line, many of them gave their lives, so that a terrible evil could be stopped. They were courageous.

Let's jump back a couple thousand years to a narrow coastal passage in Thermopylae, Greece. It was there in 480 BC that a few thousands Greeks, (History mainly focuses on the 300 Spartans that were there) stood against a force nearly ten thousand times their size, and did battle with them for three days protecting Greece. They were courageous

I'm in the book of Joshua now, and I look at a leader who had big sandals to fill. He had to follow Moses, one of the most respected leaders in history. His career was marked with battle after battle. From the time Israel left Egypt until he died Joshua was fighting someone. And in between the battles he was leading people that gave Moses a hard time. He was courageous

From there let's jump forward a little to Jesus. Talk about courage, He was marked for death, and yet He rides into Jerusalem during Passover, the biggest week of the year for the Jews, publicly on a donkey. He knows the cross is waiting for Him. He knows the beating and suffering, the pain that comes with the cross, and He boldly rides into Jerusalem. In the Gethsemane He gave Himself to those who had come to take Him. He took the beating, carried the cross, received the nails, and hung there and died to pay for sin. He was courageous.

I look at all these stories and if I'm honest part of me is ashamed. What have I done that required half of the courage of these men? I've never served in the military, I've never stood on a battle field to fight for freedom, I've never stormed a beach or taken a city. I don't know that I've ever faced impossible odds, and I've never faced a literal cross.

But now I feel the need for courage. God has laid something on my heart for several years now. It isn't time yet, but I know it's coming, and honestly I'm a bit scared. I don't know how to do what He's asking. I see everything about me that I lack to do the job. I see all the ways I haven't been prepare for this. And at the same time I have a burden for it, I have a desire for it. This thing needs to happen, and God is asking me to play a part in it. I have to be courageous.

God told Joshua in chapter 1 verse 9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

With that I hear the same call on my life, "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? I made you a man, a warrior, just as I am. You were made for this battle field. Do not tremble or be dismayed, because I will be with you wherever you go. I am leading you into this battle, and I will be by your side every step of the way. Be strong and courageous."

Pray for the courage we will need to undertake this mission. Pray for the training and the people to come along side. Pray for the provision my wife and I will need to do what God is asking us to do. And above all, pray that God will be glorified by everything that is done.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Monday, June 11, 2012

Arrows

Yesterday I was reminded of something. It's not that I had forgotten it, but yesterday it came to the front of my mind. The day my wife and I got married we gave each other small gifts. Somewhere along the way I had gotten the idea to write letters to my future wife. Things happened that I wanted to share with her that I couldn't at the moment so I started writing them down. My wife is the only one to read them. I also gave her a necklace. When I was in Israel back in 2009 I had bought a necklace for my future wife. It was a cheap plastic thing which I didn't fully realize when I bought it. I ended up giving that to her after we had gotten engaged, but two of the fake stones fell out. For our wedding I bought her a new, real one and gave her that to wear.

My wife gave me a gift that I love, it's something I had really hoped she'd give me, and I was really excited to get it. She bought me a quiver. If you don't know what it is, it's a leather bag that goes across your back to hold arrows. It's a gift from Scripture. Psalm 127.3-5 says, "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate."

My wife is going to tell me she's pregnant by giving me an arrow. I haven't been given any yet, so the quiver is not being displayed. It was up in my closet being kept safe, but yesterday I saw it and got it out. I even put it on, hanging it across my back. It's empty, so it really wouldn't do me any good in battle, but one day it will hopefully be full. My wife and I pray that God blesses us with many children. We want to have a few of our own, and then adopt many more. Each one will be an arrow, each one will be a weapon for the Kingdom.

My mentor has said that His ceiling is the floor for his children. The next generation picks up where the last one left off. I'm reminded of the responsibility. An arrow is made to kill. It's made to protect and provide. It has the ability to take life, and with that comes great responsibility. Children are a gift. They are lives that look to the parent for everything at first, and then for love, guidance, encouragement, and wisdom forever. Parent's largely shape the future of their children. The patterns parents set will most likely be used in the raising of many future generations. Many lives are affected by two people. There is a great responsibility.

A warrior knows how to handle a weapon. An arrow in the hands of a warrior is an arrow that is well placed and steadily shot to protect what is good. Children are arrows, is the father a warrior? A warrior is made, a warrior trains and practices. A warrior makes each shot count, and fathers must be warriors.

Children are a gift from God. I dedicated my goddaughter a little over two years ago, and one thing I reminded my cousin and her husband at the ceremony is that she is not their daughter, but God's princess that He has lovingly placed in their care (My mentor pointed that one out for me at the time). All Children are God's, He loves them and defends them. He entrusts them to the care of their parents. He gives a life to be cared for and trained, they are a gift.

We aren't planning to start a family just yet, and so I have some time still to prepare for that, and I know there is no way to be fully prepared for it. But I ask God for many arrows, and I pray that I am the warrior who can handle them with skill. Fortunately, I have a great wife to walk with me, and they will be half her which will be a benefit for them.

Father, you have called and made me to be a warrior, as You are. Equip me for battle, as well as all who are and will be parents. Help all to see children as the gift from You that they are. Help parents to take the responsibility seriously and to love and lead them to You.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Humble Prayer

Last night I was on the phone with one of my brothers. He's going to be speaking on a Sunday Morning in August here and we were talking a little about that, as well as just catching up on life. At the end of every one of our conversations we pray for each other. I honestly forgot about it last night just because I was exhausted from a long day, but fortunately he remembered.

As he prayed for me I was amazed at some of the things he said about me. It was a blessing to hear. But as he prayed I was reminded of a prayer my mentor shared with me years ago.

My mentor is one of the greatest pastors to ever walk the face of the earth. He's loving, faithful, an excellent preacher, and a great father and husband. He sets an example of Godliness, Christlikeness, and being a family man. Whenever I have a situation I know that calling him will give me the answers I need (and most of the time he shares with me the stuff I can't believe I didn't think of).

He's told me a lot over the last few years. Some of it I have written down, other things I have committed to memory. He has a couple phrases, like everyone does, that he uses repeatedly. And one of the characteristics he possesses that I didn't mention before is one that stands out to me the most. Humility.

I think very highly of him, as you can see, and many other people do as well. But one of the things that stands out to me the most is a prayer he shared with me that he often prays.

"God, make me the man that others already see me to be."

As I've listened to people pray for me, part of me wonders where they get some of the stuff they are saying, but then I remember that they aren't in my head. Part of me is amazed at how highly some people think of me. People see me as stronger and more faithful than I am. They see me as more committed and wiser than I am. It's not that I'm doing things secretly that I don't want anyone to know about, it's just that people don't see the discouragement I deal with, the doubt I carry.

There's a song I heard back in high school that really hit me, it's called The Warrior is a Child.


Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
the warrior is a child

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile
'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The Warrior is a Child

I've felt that way a lot in the last few years. And it's always encouraging to hear people pray the things they do for me. But at the same time as I listen to people pray for me, part of me is like, "If they only knew..." I'm not perfect, never have claimed to be (Funny thing, my wife used to think I was, she really actually thought I was perfect). People don't see the enemies that lay me out flat on my back. People don't see the times of total brokenness. And so my prayer is often "God, make me the man others already see me to be."

God, make me the man my mentor already sees me to be.
God, make me the man my brothers already see me to be.
God, make me the man my colleges already see me to be.
God, make me the man my professors already see me to be.
God, make me the man my wife already sees me to be.
God, make me the man You created me to be.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Freedom's Never Free

Sixty-eight years ago today Allied troops stormed a fifty mile stretch of heavily fortified beach on the north west coast of France. Thousands of men went into battle, many were killed, but all of them helped turn the tide of World War II. D-Day paved the road to Berlin and brought about the defeat of Hitler. Those men were some of the most courageous to ever live. They knew the cost of the mission, the risks and dangers involved, but they went, and they changed the world.

Memorial day was last week, and the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend I began the service with a song to honor all those who have served this country.

Freedom's Never Free

Standing on a hillside
Where the river meets the sea
White crosses without number
Line the fields of peace

And each one a silent witness
Staring back at me
Every cross a story
Of another place in time
Where young men thought it worthy
To give their life for mine
And for the sake of honor
Left their dreams behind

And for the price they paid
I'm forever in their debt
Their memory will not die
'Cause I will not forget

I will stand and hold my head up high
I will dedicate my life
To the glory of the ones who had to die
I will live, live what I believe
If for no one else but me
I will remember
That freedom's never free

It was on another hillside
Outside the city gates
The battle lines were drawn
As soldiers took their place

The Father watched in silence
As a cross was raised
With freedom drawing closer
He took His final breath
He drank our cup of guilt
And took the sting from death

Heaven's Finest Soldier
clothed in human flesh
And for the price He paid
I'm forever in His debt
The cross will never die
'Cause I will not forget

I will stand and hold my head up high
I will dedicate my life
To the glory of the One who had to die
I will live, live what I believe
If for no one else but me
To remember that
Freedom's Never Free

I will walk free
I will stay free
I will live free
I will die free!

Freedom is never free. There is always a great price that has to be paid for it. I am grateful for the men who have paid that price. Those who were willing to but didn't have to. They have made so many sacrifices so that we can have the freedoms we do have.

As I look at the Church we have a similar calling. Jesus, Heaven's finest soldier, came to earth to pay the price that we might have life. He stormed the beaches of Normandy, to turn the tide of history. And He has left the Church with a commission to continue gaining ground.

D-Day was not VE-Day. D-Day was not the end of World War II. There were still battles to fight, there were still hardships to endure. D-Day simply assured victory. The Cross, the D-Day event of history, was not victory day. There are still battles to fight and hardships to endure before the ultimate victory and restoration happens. Jesus turned the tide of the war and assured victory, but we still have battles to fight. He said in His final commission, "I will be with you always, even to the very end of the age."

Freedom is never free. There is always a great price that has to be paid for it. Is the Church willing to pay it? I look around at Christianity today, and I seriously doubt it. Somehow we've gotten so far away from the reality of the battle we're in. We've lost the mentality that we are all soldiers in the middle of a war. In many ways we've begun to live as if the war is over, as if the threat is over. We've grown fat and complacent, unable to march into battle. Our swords have become dull and our armor rusted. We've developed a sense of security, and lost the urgency to move towards "Berlin" and defeat the enemy.

The Church must get back into the fight. We've got to get back into shape so we can join the battle again. Our swords need to be sharpened and our armor polished. We must focus again on the real issue, the real enemy, and march toward "Berlin". We've got to hit our knees and pray, communicating with the General. We've got to pour through the pages of Scripture, arming ourselves for war. We've got to serve and pick up the Commission again to make disciples, fighting the battle again.

Freedom is never free. There is always a great price that has to be paid for it. Jesus says, "All who are willing to pay it, follow Me."

Are you willing to pay the price? There is a battle surrounding us. In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Saruman begins to unleash his army of Urukhai to destroy the world of Men beginning with Rohan. King Theoden, recently freed from the grip of Saruman, is seeing the destruction that has occurred in his absence. Aragorn is urging him to fight Saruman's forces and save his people, but Theoden is reluctant saying, "I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war." To which Aragorn tells Him, "Open war is upon you. Whether you would risk it or not."

Open war is upon us. The question is not are we in the battle, but are we going to fight? Freedom is never free, but if we are willing to fight, victory is assured. Jesus has done the hardest part. He has stormed the beach to pave the way to "Berlin", but the road there is where we have to pick up the fighting. We have to march, we have to fight. We cannot sit by because if we do the enemy advances. The Church must join the battle that is surrounding us.

At the World War II memorial in Washington D.C. there is a part of General Eisenhower's speech to the troops before D-Day on the wall. "You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you...I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle." They went into battle with those words, the affirmation and support of their General fresh on their minds. As Jesus sent us out to take up the fight He left us with these words, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28.18b-20); and "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1.8). With those words, let us march into battle.

Church, it's not the time to slack off. It's not the time to stand by and let someone else do the job. It's not the time to push prayer to the side and let a Sunday sermon be your Bible study for the week. It's not the time to just wait for Heaven, that's never been the point of following Jesus. When we come to salvation we enlist in His military, and all of us are on active duty.

Freedom is never free. There is always a great price that has be paid. If you are willing, let's go.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you

Monday, June 4, 2012

Hardships on the Jounrey

At my first glance of John 11 I ended at verse 44, "The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'" That's where the journey to new life ends and where the journey of new life begins. It's an obvious ending point if new life is the destination we're striving towards. But that isn't where the chapter ends. In the remaining thirteen verses we see one more crucial element about the journeys we undertake with God.

In the final verses of John 11 we see that more than just Lazarus receives new life from Jesus in this moment. Verse 45 says, "Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him." The journey to new life is essential not simply because those who take it receive the life that God created them for, but more so because we are not the only ones effected by the outcome. Lazarus receives new life, and many of the Jews there believe in Jesus because of the new life that Lazarus received.

People are changed by new life. People can see new life, and it effects them. We must undertake this journey not simply for ourselves, but for the countless people we come in contact with throughout the journey of new life. People are come to faith because of the new life they see in others. New life from Jesus in us, draws others to Christ. But not everyone is thrilled by new life. Verse 46 says, "But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done."

Some of the higher-ups gather and discuss what to do. It's interesting how they don't deny a miracle. They don't deny that Lazarus was dead and that Jesus gave him new life. But they realize that this new life will force them to change, and they aren't on board with that. And so verse 53 tells us, "So from that day on they planned together to kill Him." When new life is being given and the currant order of things is being shaken up, crucifixions start being planned. Jesus was doing something great, but rather than embrace it and receive life as it was supposed to be, the Jewish leaders decided to cling to the life they had. Not only did the miss out on new life, but they also killed God. Jesus gave new life' and it cost Him His life because people were stubborn and refused to accept it. But He courageously continued to give new life because He knew that nothing was greater than the work God had given Him to do, and He was willing to pay any price.

Before He returned to Heaven, He gave all who would follow Him a commission to continue the work of helping people find new life. Matthew 28.19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." This is a dangerous mission to undertake. Jesus warns us in John 16 that there will be trouble in this world. And Paul warns us in Ephesians 6 that this struggle is not against flesh and blood, but an evil force. Undertaking the journey of new life puts us on the side of Jesus against Satan. There is a cost to following Jesus, new life is not cheap, but it is worth the price that must be paid.

If we aren’t prepared for the hardships on the journey of new life, and the journeys that follow it, we aren’t going to make it. This journey is not to be taken lightly because there are great costs to be paid. If you’re on the journey be ready for the attack. The forces of evil will stop at nothing as they attempt to take you out, as long as you are a threat. If you’re not under attack right now, and if it’s been a while since an attack, you might want to examine your life and see if there is anything that makes you a threat to Satan. Is anything about your life helping bring new life to others? If not, why?

But if you are a threat, if you are under attack, God have given us equipment to be prepared for them. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,” (Ephesians 6.10-18a).

The journey to new life comes with its hardships, but God gives us the equipment to be prepared for the journey. There will be hardships on the journey. There will be attacks, but the attacks can serve as an encouragement. It means that we are being used by God for His Kingdom. God doesn't want us to be taken out, and so He has equipped us for the journey with His armor. Suit up, and let's get going, there are people that need the new life that only Jesus can give, and we are the ones commissioned to bring the message to them. Stand firm, don't be discouraged.

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you