God hears

I believe God answers ALL prayer.  Just because his answer may be 'no' or 'not yet,' does that mean he didn't answer?  NO!  It just means we didn't get our way.

The Gift of Answers to Prayer not Visible

It is sometimes a gift when we don't see the Lord's answer to prayer.  The reason is because it reveals what is in our hearts.  Do we get angry?  Do we try to manipulate?  Do we go to the place of rejection believing that 'God answers others' prayers but not really mine'?  Do we have an idol?  Do we trust the Lord even if we don't get what we're praying for?



 

Word to the Body

For about 5 years it seemed like the Word of the Lord to the body of Christ was to get out of debt.  It seemed like every message was preached on this, multiple people were working towards this goal, and as God was speaking his people were responding.

But now I am sensing a new move of the body of Christ.  It seems like everywhere I go people are talking about how the Lord is asking them to get healthy.  It's a gentle word from the Father but one I think we all need to hear.

As some of you know my health was compromised at the beginning of this year and I'm still working to get out of it.  But in some ways it is a good as I need to be more serious about my health.  So this year I have spent untold hours researching.  Not that it isn't rocket science but I needed to find something that was beneficial for where I was at.  There are two things that I implemented that when I look back, that's when I can say I began to round a corner (passing second base right now).

The one thing that has made a big difference for me and my family is oddly enough, green smoothies.  It was a pretty painful beginning as I spit out more than one smoothie.  Also it was a discipline of will until I found out a way to make it palatable.  But the final result has been improved stamina and the biggest difference for me, improved recovery.  Before smoothies when I pushed it too hard for a day, my health problems would take me out for a week.  It was annoying/frustrating/angering.  But now a hard day doesn't take me out the next day.  For my family it has been increased energy and stamina.  Each person is being helped but in different ways.

Anyway the long and short of it is that mom kept asking me to write down what I was learning.  In the end that began to look like an e-book. 

So hopefully it can help others, maybe even you to get healthier.  Sorry for the cheesy titles and subtitles but I want to help others and these are the only buzz words that sell.  What you doesn't sell doesn't help people.

And if you want to help, right now this e-book is lost in the Amazon.com jungle.  The only way it is ever found is if you have people review your book.  If you are able to afford the $.99 book, I would so appreciate some reviews.   And even some who take the challenge.

Green Smoothies 101 by Shannon O'Shea

In the meantime, let's all work towards greater health.  We will need our strength for whatever the Lord has for in the days to come.

Relationships

Invest.

Core Values

I love the core values of Iris Ministries:

1)  Communion with the Father
2)  Expectancy of Miraculous help
3)  Minister to the Poor
4)  Value Suffering
5)  Lifestyle of Joy

Powered

Grace is the invitation to take great risks and make even greater mistakes without loss or change of relationship.  If we're not being bold in the Lord, perhaps we're not fully understanding grace.

Obedience and Success

When you're a leader, you feel it more deeply.  We had been teaching team building for 2 days to a group of about 30-40 youth doing all sorts of fun and crazy activities.  We told everyone to invite all their friends for the final last night.  We were guests in another church in a foreign country.

In our prayer time for the evening's session, we felt the Lord told us to do nothing.  That's right, nothing.  No message.  No games.  Nothing.  It was a risk.  And of course they all did what we had told them and 100 people showed up that night.  One of my students said a few words and then we just sat there.  Silently.  Completely silent.  From 100 people who came expecting games.  For an hour.  I have to confess I was squirming.  And it was hard.

I wish I could say there was an outbreak of the move of the Lord.  There wasn't.  Thankfully no one left.  At the end of the hour we told them thank-you and released them.  One participant came later and said, "You did the right thing."  Not sure what he meant but I've remembered him for almost a decade now because of his kind words.  As the leader though, it was tough.  And yet, there was  joy in my spirit and in my teammates as well.  I felt the Lord's pleasure that we did the right thing.  

It would happen again although this one was easier.  We had an outreach where we went into this demonic celebration that had a crowd of 10,000.  Our crowd of 200 infiltrated the crowd and we prayed.  Then we started chanting in Hebrew "Breath of God!"  The whole crowd joined us not even knowing what they were saying.  All of a sudden all 200 of us scattered throughout the crushing crowd felt the victory.  We slipped back together as a group and began to celebrate.  It was incredible!  We had no visual, tangible victory but we had won something in the Lord and we corporately knew it.

Again it happened recently, another one on the harder scale.  Those of us on support-basis have the joy/trepidation of seeking support through asking those we know.  Sending out a newsletter is relatively safe.  But I felt the Lord asking me to ask a few friends directly.  It was hard.  I didn't hear back from them. If they didn't feel led to give that's fine.  Just hate awkwardness in a relationship.  But it was hard to ask them.  At the same time, I feel the Lord's pleasure in my obedience.

Obedience doesn't always mean success as we see it.  No mass droves coming to the Lord, no demon celebrations stopped abruptly, and no finances from those I felt the Lord led me to ask directly.  (Four people did give but these were ones from my newsletter.)  It's a good lesson.  He loves obedience more than anything.  And at the end of the day, his pleasure is ours.  And the results are up him.




PS--If you feel led to make a donation to my computer fund?  Here she is:   http://www.gofundme.com/d4yw2c

Reality Check

Today I met one of my classmates from childhood that I hadn't seen in years.  Barely recognized her.  She has more diseases in her body, is on 19 medications and is significantly overweight and a smoker. She also told me about someone we know who had killed himself (or so it was thought). 

When I looked at her I realize so much of where she is at is because of life choices.  Some were hereditary.  And then I thought to myself, prolonged sinfulness does not lead people to joy-filled lives.  It just doesn't.

Thanking God tonight that he has kept me on the path of righteousness (probably at the expense of more than a few angelic, glorious interventions).

Another definition

Sin--'God, you're wrong.  And if you're right, I don't care.'

A Definition

Stubbornness is the refusal to change for the benefit of the group.

Humility

Humility is honoring the value and contribution of other (including ourselves).

Or said another way,

"In fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one them, just as he wanted the to be...those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable...while our presentable parts need no special treatment." 

1 Cor 12:18, 22, 24l

The requests of the city

Your newspaper's headlines are actually your city's prayer requests.

Please Print and Pray--A One Month Prayer Guide

Day 1

Worship.  The heavens cry out for the Father to be worshipped.  It goes beyond three songs and prayer before service.  This includes skilled musicians seeking out the Presence of the Almighty, leading others to corporately honor Him and experience His pleasure.  Pray for worshipers to arise.

Day 2

Business transforms entire communities.  What that transformation looks like depends on the nature of the business and how that business is run.  Pray for the removal of unrighteousness business and replacing it with righteous business that blesses the people.

Day 3

A healthy social life is necessary for a community to be strong. Pray for the connection of relationships.

Day 4

Entertainment is a part of who we are, but there is a difference between entertainment that brings life and entertainment that brings distance.  Pray for righteous entertainment that brings life to the people.

Day 5

Churches are beacons of light in the community.  Their vibrancy matters.  Pray for their work, especially with children’s ministries.

Day 6

So much time is spent in schools growing up that the relationships are very influential.  Pray for a loving school system that teaches truth and supports youth.

Day 7

On the seventh day God rested.  There is often extremes of those who “rest” too much and those who work to the sacrifice of their family.  Pray for righteous rest for the people.

Day 8

A town does not need to have an ebola epidemic to have a massive health issues.  Obesity, lack of fitness and isolation can be big risk factors.  Finances also play a part in obtaining good healthcare.  Pray for the desire to pursue one’s health and the means to take care of health problems.

Day 9

Athletics often are a binding force in a community.  They can give a kid pride, teach them how to work in teams while giving the community a connecting point.   Pray that God would use sports to build up the town.

Day 10

Music opens our spirit which creates a platform for words.  Pray that God would raise up musicians who would use their music to encourage, build up and inspire.

Day 11

Artists are often hidden but their work can change history and minister life.  Pray that God would open a platform to artists to share their creation.  Pray that their art would encourage, inspire and build up those around them.

Day 12

Skilled and unskilled workers minister to the community through their services.  Pray that employees would have integrity in their work and find fulfillment in what they do.

Day 13

The Word is a foundation for all of life.  Pray that God would create a hunger for His Word.  Pray that every home would have a Bible and that God would put a yearning to regularly engage His Word.

Day 14

The governing leaders are the gateways to the city.  Pray that they will make righteous decisions that will help develop the city.

Day 15

As stewards of the land, it matters how we treat it.  Pray that the there would be desire to care for the land in our city and on our properties as well as the means to take care of them.

Day 16

Local newspapers both reflect culture and change it.  Pray for righteous reporting and that newspapers and other forms of communication would hold fast to Biblical values without compromise.

Day 17

Health care providers are trend setters in our care.  Pray that they will know how to provide and do so in righteousness, holiness and with the help of the people in mind.

Day 18

Government service ministries such as police and firefighters contribute to the community.  Pray for their wisdom and protection.

Day 19

Pray for the town’s minorities people that they would feel a place of belonging.

Day 20

Pray for families to walk in love and commitment towards one another.  Pray for the strengthening of marriages and for parents to raise their children in wisdom, truth and love. 

Day 21

The nation we live in touches the world either in good or bad ways.  Pray God’s mercy over our land and that God would use our nation to be a blessing to the world.

Day 22

Every life has seasons of the soul.  Pray for the city’s poor that God would give them courage and solutions to get back on their feet. 

Day 23

Leadership is not always about position but about people who influence.  Pray that God would raise up righteous leadership in the community, schools and government as well as in social circles.

Day 24

Pray that God would raise up initiative among the people that they would be proactive in bringing righteous change.

Day 25

Intercessors change history and shape culture.  Pray that God would raise up intercessors who would travail for the land.  Pray also that they would connect with one another.

Day 26

Pray that the gospel would be preached both in words and in action.  Pray for workers to be raised up for the harvest.

Day 27

Pray for the elderly population that they would find purpose and care.  Pray for family members to have the wisdom to know how to care for their family in the later years.

Day 28

Pray that the churches in the town would not only be united but they would work together to reach their towns for Christ.

Day 29

Pray for the Mayor and governing leaders of the town to lead with wisdom.  Pray for their spiritual protection.

Day 30

Pray that the people who have financial ability for “daily bread.”  That there would be wise and self-controlled stewardship of finances that families could be cared for and  bills could be paid on time.

Day 31

Pray for employment among the peoples, that those without jobs could obtain work and provision.

Poor man, Rich man

 From http://reformedhispanic.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html

"Having nothing--and yet possessing all things." 2 Cor. 6:10 This is a riddle the world cannot understand. A holy man cannot be a poor man. A holy man is always the richest man. The riches of a Christian have no bottom. All a saint's bags, are bottomless bags. Experience tells us that unholy men's bags, purses, coffers, and mints--may be drawn dry. But the treasury, the riches of a saint--can never be exhausted, for he possesses all things in Christ and with Christ! The Christian has the God of all--he has Him who has all. Though he has nothing in hand--yet he has all thingsin hope. A holy man is the richest man in the world, for he has the great and glorious God engaged by many thousand promises to own him, to bless him, to stand by him, to give grace and glory to him, and to withhold nothing from him that may be good for him. When wicked men brag of their great possessions and riches, a holy man may make his boast of God, and say, "God is mine! God is mine! He is my great all; He is my all in all; and therefore I am richer and a greater possessor than any wicked man in the world--yes, than all wicked men in the world put together!""

Gifting

A word from Darlene from the Lord: "I have given you the gifts you have; the ones you do NOT have are also part of my design."

Memorize the Sermon on the Mount: Light of the World (Part 7)

A Congregation in the hands of an Angry Speaker

Naivete vs. Innocence

I was at a party the other night with friends when they were talking about jello shots.  I told them I had no idea what a jello shot was and they explained it was an alcoholic concoction.  Then I was asked if I was naive.  I said no.  The response was, "I said, are you naive?"  No, I said,  "I chose righteousness."  "Are you naive?" asked this Christian man again. 

Later that night I talked to a girl who humbly admitted she was racked in student loans because she partied her first semester of college into nothingness.  She said it was because she had lived a sheltered life.  I know her parents.  They are godly people.  She went to public school and did normal things.  Except things her parents forbade.   

To call righteous choices naive and to call living in a parented home as "sheltered" is a reflection on society.  Even our church society.  Yet would I call a young man naive if he didn't rape someone?  Or if he didn't beat up his girlfriend?  Would I call a young woman naive if she didn't sleep with a married man?  Or didn't steal from a store?  Would these constitute a "sheltered" upbringing?  We would be ashamed if we or others did these things as we see them as evil.  But drinking?  Sexual looseness?  Perhaps some weed?  These are just rights of passage.  Anything less is living "naive" and "sheltered."

Perhaps that's why Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.  Society had reached the lowest common denominator and Jesus upped the bar.  So much that it is almost impossible to conceive of keeping these ideals.  Get angry at someone and you're in danger of hell?  Think immoral thoughts about someone and that alone is an act of adultery?

But what a wise way to go.  If we aim high, we'll leap higher.  If we aim low we'll leap over that too.  And even stumble trying to do so.

As the song says, "It's a slow fade, when you give yourself away."

You Eat what you Plant

Someone in my family:  "I lost 3 pounds...but it's probably just water weight."  A few hours later, "I exercised 40 minutes but it wasn't very good as I was trying to do 45." 

Me:  "Mother!  If I lost 3 pounds would you bash me and tell me it's just "water weight?"  Or if I exercised 40 minutes would you tell me that I was a failure because I didn't do 45?"

Person in my family:  "No!  Absolutely not.  I would never say that to you!"

Me:  "Well then?!"

Oftentimes we treat others nicer than we treat ourselves.  

I say to myself, "I feel so frustrated that people don't listen."  Or I look in the mirror and say "I need to lose a few pounds but it's so hard.  I try and it comes right back."  Then I go to work and think "Why do others have the life they wanted yet as hard as I try and go for it, I have very little of what I have dreamed about."

Yet would I tell someone I loved the same? "People don't listen to you so it's probably not worth trying very hard."  "You put a lot of effort in for not much result so maybe it's best not to work so hard."  "You really need to lose a few pounds but it's hard and it will probably just come right back."  "Everyone else will get their dreams fulfilled but you'll probably be left out and a leftover."

Would I say this to others?  As a Christian, I wouldn't ever say those things to someone!  (At least I hope I wouldn't.)   But it's what we tell ourselves.

What happens though is that thoughts become seeds.    Like this one.

If I plant this avocado seed, why do I get so frustrated when it doesn't produce peaches?  I just want peaches!   I plant the thing again and again it doesn't produce any peaches!  The blasted thing keeps making avocados!  Every.  Single.  Time.

That is until I put the seed in the ground corresponding to the fruit I want.   So yesterday I went walking.  I said out loud to myself, "I don't eat junk, I eat LIFE."  "I am self-controlled because that's what God gives his children."  "I'm a skinny person and I exercise and eat well, where I'm at now is a facade for who I really am."  "God has a hope and a future and good plans for me."  

This isn't a 'name it, claim it' practice.  This is believing the truth of His Word and speaking it over my life. 

So last night I was hungry and I knew there was this in the house:

It usually takes about 2 seconds worth of justification before a large number of those are in my mouth and tummy.  And surprisingly, with no effort or will power on my own, the part of my mind that had been told "I don't eat junk, I eat life!"  began to war with the part that says "Yum!  Dig in!"  And well, without hardly even trying, I finally got to eat some of those peaches.

Fill the Fridge

Oftentimes we tell people to repent.  And what it does is leave us/them empty:

It's not enough to empty the fridge.  Because if we only do that, we come back hungry.  And after awhile, we will eat...something.

So with every act of repentance we need filling...with the good stuff.

It's why when we come back hungry, we can begin to retrain our appetite.

Influence

Recently I made a simple video just for fun.  I posted it on YouTube.

In a matter of a couple of weeks I've had over 250 views from all over the world, over 35 countries.   Not to be too impressed because 250 views in YouTube world is nothingness.  But I am reminded again of the power of influence.  Somebody in Brunei and Saudi Arabia watched this little video I made in the middle of nowhere USA.  Everything we do has a degree of influence to a much broader reach than we realize.  It's called the Butterfly effect.  Can a butterfly flap its wings in Brazil and cause a tornado in Kansas?  In the world of quantum physics and chaos theory the answer is yes. 

So my question is how can we bring this same influence to the gospel?  What can we do to bring that same level of influence?  How can we create interest?  Some other videos I made (How to memorize the Sermon on the Mount--see "Vids for Life" tab) have garnered about 4 views.  So how do 250 people discover a video hidden among millions of videos on boiling Coke as opposed to finding videos with gospel influence?  Obviously something unique, special and radical will bring the YouTube views.  But I think what brings interest to the gospel is more important and that is the simple acts of real love.  And this has nothing to do with hits, views, tweets or posts.

I was reading a blog the other day about a woman who intentionally decided to love her neighbors--literally.  It meant bringing over extra muffins and stopping at the cranky old lady's house and being intentional.  Actually doing something.  Love creates interest.

When I reflect on my life, I see that I'm not very intentional about love.  For me it probably begins with intentional words.  I say words, some good and some not so good but rather with reason and purpose behind them.  Mostly just what comes out of my mouth.  But per the quote in the previous post, if you do what's natural there's no life.

Lord, help me to begin. 

Relationships

I saw this quote that referred to marriage, but I believe it is relevant for all relationships:

“If you do and say what is natural in a marriage, you will kill it. If you do and say what is intentional, you will thrive.” Be blessed!

Day 7: The House is Full

The house will soon be full later today to the experiment will end.  It's been so good in many ways.  One thing I have really felt this week was the words "cultivate happy."  So I want to do that.

And with reading books I still know that the Lord has said not to do so.  But TV will be a household thing.  What I have realized though is that before I watch something, I want to ask, is this cultivating "happy"?  Or am I just bored or doing something out of habit. 

On a side note, this week I went to the elders of the church and had them anoint me with oil and pray.  The last 2 days I've actually been running at about 60% strength.  That's a significant improvement over the 20-30% I have been trying to live on.  I will take it and pray and hope for much, much more.   Hope that health will become normal again.

Day 6: The Joy of the Lord

"The Joy of the Lord is our strength."  Felt this was a Scripture the Lord kept bring to mind.  I am in a desperate place for strength right now and part of the solution is to be a joy seeker.  I was reminder earlier this week that he provides us with everything "for our enjoyment."

And I think this is reflective of life.  Parents I think are happy when their kids are doing things that make them happy (things in the Lord, as opposed to immorality).  We enjoy a cat or a dog because it makes us happy when we see them happy (they wag their tail, play wildly, or purr appreciatively).  And I happen to think God is most pleased when he sees us having fun and happy. 

So what do I do that makes me happy?  As I was thinking through this the Lord said to go watch TV now.  Really?  So I did and I watched 2 shows, American Ninja Warrior and America's Got Talent.  I really enjoyed it because I am gunning for an American to finally beat the Ninja course and I enjoy the talent on the shows.  I wasn't watching something because I was bored, because it was a habit, because of anything other than the Lord wanted to give me some enjoyment.

Now I've tried to think of other things that bring enjoyment.  It's harder than I thought. 

Day 5: A Decent Day

Hope rescued the day yesterday.  Was able to push through and am still on track.

Felt good today.  Had a few challenges of working too much.  Sometimes we need to remember to enjoy life and not just work.  Lord, teach me how to have fun.

Day 4: I'll do anything

On Migraine days, I tend to do anything just to make them go away or get my mind off them.  Today even the narcotics didn't work.  This has been about the seemingly worst time to try to not do TV, books, etc...  I almost gave in and I still might.  I long for distraction from pain.

On the flip side, I found church an encouragement this morning.  We took James 5:13 and "practiced obedience."  Made me hunger for more.  Hope that was the case for others as well.

Also I was telling my pastor that I wish I could be a better writer.  He mentioned that Paul wasn't necessarily a good writer (Peter said he was "hard to understand") and yet look much Paul was used.  Encouraging word.

Day 3: A Better Day

It's amazing when you feel better how much better life goes.  Through this process of poor health I'm gaining a great deal of compassion for others who don't feel well in addition to seeing how valuable the ministry of healing can be.  I long to pray for others and see more healings.

In the meantime, today was also easier to stay away from TV, reading and such.  I did have a few moments where I wanted to flip the TV on but since I was feeling better I opened my Bible.  And what a rich study it turned out to be.  I'm going slowly through Luke, memorizing the other half as well as doing more in depth study.  I'm just now getting to Chapter 5 after how many weeks?  Been so rich though.  Highly recommend it.

I think it's also been good for my spirit to not have the "other voices" of life bouncing in my head.  Just me, the outdoors and a Bible.

What I learned today was that conditioning can be altered pretty quickly if we are willing to persevere through the hard days.  This applies to so many arenas of life.  Now if it could only apply to food.  I do have to confess I find myself turning more to junk in these days.  :/

I realized today that it has also been over a month now of not reading any book but the Bible (the TV fast began only 3 days ago).  Interesting as I look over when I did the 40 day challenge of No Books But the Bible.  I've had different results.  Since I've been on the internet more, I think my spirit isn't feeling it as much as last time.  And last time it looks like I wasn't so eager to read other books.  This time I have a long list of what I'd like to read.  Long list.  And I have all the time in the world but not the permission of the Father.   The TV will resume when the fam returns, but the books won't come back until the Father says so. 

Day #2 Conditioning and Comfort

Today was torture.  My health issues today provoked misery.  One of the worst I've had in quite some time.  But what do you do?  I SOOOO wanted to turn the TV on just to focus my mind on something other than how miserable I was feeling.  It could've easily been justified.  Several times I almost caved in.  But something kept me going--hope.

If somehow I KNEW that the Lord was going to speak to me some great things I would keep going.  Although if truth be told my Bible study and time with the Lord have been a bit dismal too.  But if maybe the Lord in this different kind of fast would use it the time to say something, I would keep going.  But I don't know.  I don't know if he'll speak.  There are times before in regular kind of fasts that I haven't heard things from the Lord.  But hope that He will keeps me going.

I also on a less spiritual note realize how much of what we do is based on conditioning.  When I live totally on my own TV is never a problem because I don't have one and don't want one.  But here, when I sit in a certain place in the living room grabbing the remote and turning on the TV is what I do. Either that or read a book.   Lots of books.  It's conditioning.  What do you do in the evening when you ban yourself from TV and books and there's no one in the house?  Still discovering that as there's only so much internet a person can take.  And today, again, to study the Word and to pray, well that too has felt like a challenge when I don't feel good and my brain is fogged.

But at the end of the day, I made it through. 

The Trap of Quanifiable Value

Never before has life been so quantifiable.  Teens can actually put numbers to how well they are liked by others (Facebook and Twitter followers) or how what they do is received or how their latest new purchase strikes others (instragram likes).  It's no different when we come to how many people read our blog, like our posts, watch our YouTube videos, engage in our fundraising requests and read our book.   It's in church too.  It's quantifiable how many seats are filled, the latest building project in the works, how many converts have been made, etc...   And every time we weigh ourselves on our bathroom scales, there's a lurking quantifiable value trying to tell us something we're not.   It's all about numbers.   And without even our awareness these numbers like a stealthy leach secretly attach themselves to suck some of our feeling of value. 

At the root is a craving for significance.  We want to know we are valued.  We've heard that we are to get our value in Christ and we give our whole-hearted head shake to this truth, but we also want to know we are valued by others.  We want to know our life has meant something on this earth.

Daily we are bombarbed with thousands of messages that challenge our value.  Are you married?  Do you have a bomb-shell wife or a handsome husband?  Are your children Harvard scholars and saints of God?  Do you have a nice house?  Do you make good money?  Do you have an important position at work?  What social injustice are you engaged in to change the world?  Are you skinny enough?  Beautiful enough?  Smart enough?  Commercials breed discontent faster than wild bunnies.

Personally I've never found it to be a one-time fight.  This battle to know who we are through and in Christ.    Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose.  Perhaps this is why the "new command" Jesus gave is to "love one another."  Because when we do,  we help give someone a victory.  Twice today I received an email that encouraged my heart.   It was far better than 1000 likes on any post.  Thank you Christine and Lorrain.  You helped give me victory today.

Day 1: The Discovery of Story

I have the house to myself (except the guard dog and a handful of kitties) for the next 10 days so I'm embarking on a fast from TV and from books.  Internet is allowed but not to worry because with limited bandwidth even YouTube videos are treats.  And today is the first day. 

And being the first day I've felt terrible all day.  No energy.  Pushed it too far yesterday.  And more than anything I want to do nothing and watch brainless TV, as my brain isn't in a place to think, do or talk to people.  If I'm honest I don't even feel like reading Scripture or praying, although maybe it would do me good.

But my discovery today is how much we as humans crave story.  TV is story.  Movies are story.  Books are story.  We long for story.  But even more than that we long to be part of one--a story bigger than ourselves.  We long to be an influential player in the story.  People can and do change the world all the time and on large scales.  But most of us wonder how our mark on the world will be made.

So I'm praying today.  And asking God what is my part in His story. 

Study

Information does not necessarily bring transformation.  Transformation comes through joy-filled submission.

One of the gifts of getting older is that you have more years to see the faithfulness of God. With greater trust comes greater rest.

Prayers

A prayer not prayed is like a seed not planted.

Leadership Lessons

Good words from one who is part of the organization I've worked with.

My Advice for Young Leaders: 7 Important Considerations

Jeremy Bardwell

April 29, 2014

These babies are worth their weight in gold. These 7 leadership considerations have come from hard work, a chorus of voices in my life pouring into me, and of course from studying the word, and learning the ways of God. Give this a read and let the Holy Spirit speak to you! If you are moved by one in particular, feel free to share this with your friends. Love you all. – Jeremy

1.) NEVER LOSE THE FIRST COMMANDMENT!

My advice for young leaders? Dive deep in receiving the love of God! Let him firmly root and ground your heart in His love. Ministry will not satisfy you emotionally at the end of the day. It is dangerous to not have a deep grasp of his love and pleasure for you. If you don’t you will try and fill that void with “success” or the “approval of man” or “temporary pleasures” all of which are pit falls that can derail your destiny. Never lose the first commandment!

2.) JESUS IS BETTER THAN A TITLE!

My advice to young leaders? Make your life about moving God’s heart! King David moved Gods heart on the hillside then was put in leadership over a nation. Once promoted, the test is – will you continue to keep your life aimed at moving His heart? The second you get more worried about your job security than what would move His heart your in dangerous, fruitless, and boring waters! What title or position can even compare to Jesus?! …NONE!!

3.) BE A TRUSTED VESSEL…

My advice for young leaders? If relational tension causes you to lose sleep now, don’t aspire to leadership quickly! In this season, allow the Lord to set your identity in his love, and purge you from man pleasing and insecurity. Remember, we are not aspiring to lead for any other reason except to obey his word completely and see heaven invade earth. So, ask yourself this: “Could I be trusted with a precious word from His heart and not waver to the right or the left because of controversy or popular opinion?” Go deeper by praying over yourself daily, “Lord, give me THICK SKIN and a TENDER UNOFFENDABLE HEART. I want to be A TRUSTED VESSEL to carry out your HISTORY SHAPING WORDS.”

4.) DON’T GET DISTRACTED BY SIZE.

My advice for young leaders? Remind yourself constantly: It is not the size of your ministry that will matter at the end of the age, it is the size of your whole hearted love and complete obedience to the word of the Lord over your life!

5.) DRAW ATTENTION TO JESUS.

My advise for young leaders? Drawing attention to your weaknesses out of “humility” is still drawing attention to yourself. Let your life be a transparent window that clearly displays Jesus and magnifies his glory. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less!

6.) LIVE FREE OF COMPARISON.

My advise for young leaders? If you cannot freely celebrate someone else’s success or promotion, than you should cry out to God and repent of jealousy and comparison. The scripture says, where jealously and selfish ambition exist there will be every kind of evil! Jesus is so committed to you that he will not release you into leadership until you learn how to release others who will go farther than you!

7.) WAIT FOR HIS COMMISSIONING…

My advice for young leaders? Serve – set an example – live a focused personal life – and WAIT for HIS commissioning. NEVER ambitiously pursue a position. Go low – trust – dive into the word and prayer relentlessly – and don’t take yourself too seriously! You will have the rest of your life to carry responsibility; rejoice that you can just worry about you and Him right now. How you use this season is directly connected to your future!!

Good Leadership is about Right Relationship

"If you put people first, you will get your task complete. If you push people aside for the sake of your task, you strain relationships and you decrease the anointing and blessing of God on your task. How you do things matters as much as what you get done."

Lisa Orvis

He Hates

God HATES sin.  He HATES it.  And sometimes we take it personal as we try out best to not go the pathway of sin.  And yet when I see someone I know and live destroyed by sin.  As I look at the news and see how greed and corruption and self-interest is destroying whole nations, I know why God hates it.  I hate it too!!  Every sin destroys something beautiful he has made. 

Gutted at the cross

I was thinking earlier today that something that must have been beyond painful was for Jesus to look down and see the utter grief and despair of his mother.  The road of obedience and his purpose in life caused excruciating pain to the one on earth he most loved.  And he couldn't even put his arm around her to comfort her.  Thus John.  One of the most touching and moving moments of a terrible crucifixion.

The invitation?

I think sometimes we would do better to invite people to Jesus as the Scriptures say rather than to our churches first.  Church is the fruit of gathering together those who are following after Jesus.

What are we teaching?

After Jesus told them to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, he then told them to teach Bible stories.  Actually, this is the truth.  We are told repeatedly to tell the stories of God's faithfulness from one generation to the next (Ps 71:18).  But this Scripture takes it a step beyond and gives the focus of our teaching:  we teach others to obey.

We don't just teach so that there is increased knowledge.  We don't teach for teaching's sake.  We teach for obedience.  But how do we do this and not become some control freak church or ministry?  Or a church or school that teaches knowledge but not obedience?

The only true way to approach this is to ask, "How did Jesus teach obedience?"

The Great Commission and a Great Big Mirror

We've heard it so many times we probably have rarely stopped to ponder it:

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."  Mat 28:18-20

This has been something I've been pondering a lot lately as I'm relooking at how we do things(future posts probably to come).

When we think of the word "Go" we tend to think of missionaries in Africa or in the jungles of Papua New Guinea.  This is a valid form of "Go" but may I also add that I think the best place to go is the living room?

Traditional church structure is based very much on an attractional model.  Being a beautiful building in the city (tends to be more in the Catholic realm) or if you have a functional building, make your service attractive--good music, good dramas, good preaching, video clips, etc...  (Protestant realm).  Then be really nice to visitors and have a shake-hands time in your church to meet them in hopes they'll come back.  There's been a real trend lately to establish "churches for those who don't like church" but their methods are generally the same, just different attraction points for different people.  And honestly, if it brings people into the kingdom, I'm good with that.  Although I'm pondering if there is a better way for a different season of our country.  The attractional model isn't working well.  Church is good for churched people but unchurched people aren't coming.

The heart of the Great Commission is to go.  It doesn't say to invite people to come (although this has borne some fruit).  When I travel and have gone into new churches, it's like entering a foreign country where I've invaded a person's social club.  I don't know the rules nor the people and I don't know when to sit and when to stand (especially at communion).  It is at times just awkward.  If I as a Christitan am uncomfortable, are we asking seekers and unbelievers to do the same?  Come into our strange world vs. entering into theirs?  This isn't just about having "church" at the local bar.  It's deeper than that.  It's "going" to where they are at, meeting others on their turf, in their culture with their questions.

When we look at Jesus this is exactly what he was doing.  He was in the Pharisees's house, at the tax-collector's party, in the home of Lazarus, etc...  Over and over he met people where they were at, even inviting himself into their homes (Zacchaeus).  It wasn't about them coming to the synagogue service, it was about him going to their living room.

The word "disciple" is another one, probably even moreso that I've been percolating on.  Interesting that Jesus nowhere says to make "converts" or to "plant churches."   With converts and church plants we have something we measure and can pat ourself on the back as we carve another notch in our evangelism belt.  But with discipleship and "making disicples"?  It never ends.  There is always room to grow. And the truth is that there are a lot of people in church who are attenders.  Wouldn't you love to see a lot more disciples? Perhaps the reason is our methods.  We make converts, plant churchs, feel good about ourselves and move on.  But have we made disciples?

Baptism.  It was the way people responded to the gospel and in Scripture it was almost always public.  It wasn't about raising your hand, asking Jesus into your heart, filling out a card, or saying the sinner's prayer.  (All of which are very good.)  But the entry point of a person coming to Christ was baptism.  John 4 opening verses say that an accusation was brought against Jesus that he was "making and baptizing" more disciples than John, although it was his disciples doing the baptizing.  But clearly in so many scriptures baptism is where people said "I do."  Perhaps we should use Acts 2:38 in our gospel presentation in addition to Romans 10:9. 

So where is this going?  These are observations that are based on wanting to see a change that changes a nation.  Our country needs Jesus desperately and we must pray for it daily, but like the sons of Issachar we need to be wise to the times.  I believe to do this it begins with us "going" as the Scripture says and not expecting that they "come,"  that we make disciples and not just converts, and that people understand obedience and being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) that they can be empowered to live His life and do so with His power.  But to do so we need to be intentional.  And it isn't just about creating another method to fill the church buildings. 

Cost and College

About a year or two ago the college I attended was slammed for not being "cost-effective."  A blogger asked that people negate this by posting "Worth it!" if they disagreed.  I was about to add my voice too when I stopped.   I tried again but I just couldn't do it.

I had a great college experience, wonderful instructors, classmates who are doing great things and still loving their families.  In fact none of my immediate friends in college have ever been divorced.  I LOVED my college experience and it was the best thing I could've done at that point in my life.  And yet, I couldn't say, "worth it" on that blog.

The reason those two words couldn't come off my keyboard is more cultural than it is specific to the college I attended.  When I hear of a friend who is trying to serve the poor in the worst places of the world but has the albatross of $40k in student loans around his neck, I cringe.  When I hear of another friend who has trouble buying a house because their loan is $50k it bothers me.   I think about an older guy I know who is slammed with $90k in school loans but at least has a job now that can put a roof over his head, although he doesn't make much money nor can he pay on his loans. 

What is it in our culture (and even church culture) that says we need to spend $60-100k to be validated? To be employable?  To be legit?  What is a system that requires us to be laden down with debt?  Yes, God can provide and he did for me.  But is there really such a thing as "good" "debt?"  It almost sounds oxymoronic when mirrored to the Scripture that to be a debtor is to be a slave.

I would like to challenge the format that says when we're in college we need to take a lot of courses that are not specific to our area of interest so that we become "well-rounded."  Does excessive debt make us well-rounded?

I would like to challenge a system especially in ministry that says that one must have a degree before they become a valid pastor or church worker.  Perhaps Paul's credentials of being imprisoned, 40 lashes minus one, and persisting in hunger and cold and beatings for the sake of the gospel could also be credentials?

I would like to challenge a structure that says taking tests on a piece of paper determines if we're qualified or not.  What about whether they can do the job?  What about those who can do the job but they can't pass the written test?

I'm for training.  It's what gets me excited.  It keeps me up at night.  And I still love a good college course.  But it's when I see people I love struggling under the burden of debt for 20 or more years that I want to see a change.   When I see people graduate who have a lot of ideas, opinions and have passed the test but not the test of life that I wonder if there's a different way.   I just wonder.  Perhaps a bit of me longs for more apprenticeship like structure.  More hands-on, smaller numbers with greater I Do/You Do mentorship.  Or even a hybrid form of classroom with greater emphasis on experience.  Less test-taking and more life-making.   Some are moving this way but still at greater and greater costs to the students.  I truly hope change is in the air in how we train people.  I think this generation is hungry for a different way and I would hate to see that hunger dulled.

Rethinking

Jesus taught the crowds, but he trained the disciples.

To go high you must go deep,
To go fast, you must go slow,
Go large, you must go small.