LUKE 15:29 Look! all these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. If you have been following my blogs you have probably figured out that I am writing them for my own benifit, therapy I guess. Lessons I am learning and still learning in my own journey, but thanks for coming along for the ride. I have preached many messages on the prodigal son, perhaps missing an equally important message with the son who stayed home. I have been serving God my whole life so I never totally related to the prodigal son, but this second son guy, he is a totally different story. He had become arrogant about how well he was doing (performance).
His stressing and striving had made him bitter, and missing the blessings that come freely from the father. He felt his hard work entitled him to rewards. I have seen many Christians, including the one in the mirror, caught up in a performance style of Christianity. For me it was my insecurities that drove me to perform, work harder, do better, etc. Missing the revelation that God simply loves me for who I am, not what I do. Because he loves me there is already an inheritance (blessings) for me, not based on what I do.
This Sunday I am launching New Generations Church, It is so freeing and life giving not to be stressing or striving, but just being one of his sons. Don't get me wrong we have done some work! But my self worth comes only in the fact That I am his son!
This Sunday I am asking for the Fat calf to be slaughtered, because I am planning a party with my friends!
JUST A THOUGHT
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
PERHAPS
1 SAMUEL14:6
Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, " come lets go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows,' PERHAPS' the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving..."
If I am the armor bearer I am not sure I want to follow such a double minded, uncertain,fear filled, lack of faith, leader!
I feel the need to confess, that I woke up this morning in a PERHAPS mindset. I am 10 days away from planting New Generations Church. The biggest opportunity of my life. I have heard from God, We have the most incredible launch team anyone could ever ask for, we are on day 16 of a 21 day fast, God has done some miraculous things, everything is in place. Then the What ifs set in. What if nobody shows up? What if you cant pay the bills? What if? What if? What if? The monster of PERHAPS, Have you ever met him? I Know this confession doesn't exude a lot of confidence, but instead of allowing PERHAPS to condemn me I thought I would bring him out in the open and talk about him. Maybe, just maybe, PERHAPS isn't so bad after all. Maybe he is more friend than foe. Think about it, if PERHAPS wasn't there, than what would be the need for faith? If I was 100% sure of everything why would I need to trust God? And we all know that without faith its impossible to please God!
PERHAPS true faith isnt the absence of fear or doubt after all, but the willingness to move forward when your uncertain of all the answers. Maybe this is just my own pep talk, but I have decided to feel the fear and move forward anyway! Its not wrong to feel fear, Its wrong to allow fear to stop me from doing the great things God has planned for me!
Could it be that those who feel the most fear are exercising the most faith and accomplishing the most for the cause of Christ? I choose to believe YES! Faith doesn't eliminate fear or doubt but it paralyzes them one step at a time. So come on lets go face our fear and PERHAPS God will give us the victory.
I know God can! I am pretty sure he will!? Lets try! its better than sitting around doing nothing, wishing we had.
JUST A THOUGHT
Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, " come lets go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows,' PERHAPS' the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving..."
If I am the armor bearer I am not sure I want to follow such a double minded, uncertain,fear filled, lack of faith, leader!
I feel the need to confess, that I woke up this morning in a PERHAPS mindset. I am 10 days away from planting New Generations Church. The biggest opportunity of my life. I have heard from God, We have the most incredible launch team anyone could ever ask for, we are on day 16 of a 21 day fast, God has done some miraculous things, everything is in place. Then the What ifs set in. What if nobody shows up? What if you cant pay the bills? What if? What if? What if? The monster of PERHAPS, Have you ever met him? I Know this confession doesn't exude a lot of confidence, but instead of allowing PERHAPS to condemn me I thought I would bring him out in the open and talk about him. Maybe, just maybe, PERHAPS isn't so bad after all. Maybe he is more friend than foe. Think about it, if PERHAPS wasn't there, than what would be the need for faith? If I was 100% sure of everything why would I need to trust God? And we all know that without faith its impossible to please God!
PERHAPS true faith isnt the absence of fear or doubt after all, but the willingness to move forward when your uncertain of all the answers. Maybe this is just my own pep talk, but I have decided to feel the fear and move forward anyway! Its not wrong to feel fear, Its wrong to allow fear to stop me from doing the great things God has planned for me!
Could it be that those who feel the most fear are exercising the most faith and accomplishing the most for the cause of Christ? I choose to believe YES! Faith doesn't eliminate fear or doubt but it paralyzes them one step at a time. So come on lets go face our fear and PERHAPS God will give us the victory.
I know God can! I am pretty sure he will!? Lets try! its better than sitting around doing nothing, wishing we had.
JUST A THOUGHT
Saturday, September 17, 2011
WHATEVER HAPPEN TO THE MAN OF STEEL?
EPHESIANS 4:11-13 IT WAS GOD WHO GAVE SOME TO BE APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, PASTORS, AND TEACHERS. TO PREPARE GODS PEOPLE FOR THE WORKS OF THE MINISTRY, SO THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST MAY BE BUILT UP, UNTIL WE ALL REACH UNITY IN THE FAITH. I wounder sometimes if we don't put spiritual leaders in the wrong category of our lives. It seems to me that in our societies need to have heroes, we often look for, in mere humans or organizations, only what God can bring. Is it possible that we want Pastors or churches to fulfill the needs and wants that only God can fulfill? Is it possible that's why we become disappointed, or in some cases angry at our churches and spiritual leaders when we realize they are really just Clark Kent and dealing with their own kryptonite
Superman had disappeared! Some years later we find him married to Lois Lane under the name Jordan Elliot. Working as a mechanic living happily ever after as an ordinary husband and father. Declaring "Superman is overrated, he was way to wrapped up in himself." Maybe he tried to hard to be what everyone wanted him to be, maybe he began to believe his own press, Could the real kryptonite be the pressure of trying to be the man of steel? Did he get caught up in his own mythology? Did he loose his real source of power? Did he let things become to personal? Was he simply tired of fighting off bad guys for everyone else when he had some of his own to fight off?
I guess even Superman can loose his way.
The Villains that keep him grounded, and hiding? Lex Luthor, Armorgeddon, Bizarro? Not a chance. I think its the judgement, cynicism, and unforgiveness of others that keep him living as Clark Kent instead of leaping tall buildings and helping those in need.
Well I am no Superman! I do know that wearing tights or capes wont make us strong, its only in our weakness that God becomes strong in our lives. We dont need Superman after all, We need God! The real master of the universe. However it would be nice to be friends with Clark Kent, you never know when you might need to be stronger than a locomotive, and faster than a speeding bullet that only comes from the power of true friendship
NUFF SAID
Superman had disappeared! Some years later we find him married to Lois Lane under the name Jordan Elliot. Working as a mechanic living happily ever after as an ordinary husband and father. Declaring "Superman is overrated, he was way to wrapped up in himself." Maybe he tried to hard to be what everyone wanted him to be, maybe he began to believe his own press, Could the real kryptonite be the pressure of trying to be the man of steel? Did he get caught up in his own mythology? Did he loose his real source of power? Did he let things become to personal? Was he simply tired of fighting off bad guys for everyone else when he had some of his own to fight off?
I guess even Superman can loose his way.
The Villains that keep him grounded, and hiding? Lex Luthor, Armorgeddon, Bizarro? Not a chance. I think its the judgement, cynicism, and unforgiveness of others that keep him living as Clark Kent instead of leaping tall buildings and helping those in need.
Well I am no Superman! I do know that wearing tights or capes wont make us strong, its only in our weakness that God becomes strong in our lives. We dont need Superman after all, We need God! The real master of the universe. However it would be nice to be friends with Clark Kent, you never know when you might need to be stronger than a locomotive, and faster than a speeding bullet that only comes from the power of true friendship
NUFF SAID
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
ITS NOT ABOUT ME!
JOB 38:4-6
Where were you when I laid the earths foundation?... Who marked off its dimensions?... On what were the footings set or who laid its cornerstone?
There are times in life that I get stressed and worried over the things I am trying to accomplish. Even though Philippians tells me to be anxious for nothing, and rejoice always.(Phil 4:4-6)
It easy to forget That everything is not about me, especially when things aren't going my way. This is Gods world he created it and everything and everyone for his pleasure (Psalms 24:1). I am just a small part of his world, He isn't there to serve me, I am here to serve him and his plans and purposes. I wasn't there when he laid the earths foundations, He didn't ask for my input or help. When I start stressing out I am in essence saying that my circumstances are more important than his command to rejoice and not be anxious, worry implies that I don't quite trust God, You know,the one who laid the earths foundations, who walks the recesses of the deep, cuts the channel for the rain to fall in, lightening reports to him! You get the picture
Somewhere between forty five billion and one hundred twenty five billion people have lived on this earth and there is Still only one God. My prayer today was that I would bring glory and honor to God. I do this by trusting him, rejoicing and not being anxious. This is Gods world its about Him! Its not about me.
NUFF SAID
Where were you when I laid the earths foundation?... Who marked off its dimensions?... On what were the footings set or who laid its cornerstone?
There are times in life that I get stressed and worried over the things I am trying to accomplish. Even though Philippians tells me to be anxious for nothing, and rejoice always.(Phil 4:4-6)
It easy to forget That everything is not about me, especially when things aren't going my way. This is Gods world he created it and everything and everyone for his pleasure (Psalms 24:1). I am just a small part of his world, He isn't there to serve me, I am here to serve him and his plans and purposes. I wasn't there when he laid the earths foundations, He didn't ask for my input or help. When I start stressing out I am in essence saying that my circumstances are more important than his command to rejoice and not be anxious, worry implies that I don't quite trust God, You know,the one who laid the earths foundations, who walks the recesses of the deep, cuts the channel for the rain to fall in, lightening reports to him! You get the picture
Somewhere between forty five billion and one hundred twenty five billion people have lived on this earth and there is Still only one God. My prayer today was that I would bring glory and honor to God. I do this by trusting him, rejoicing and not being anxious. This is Gods world its about Him! Its not about me.
NUFF SAID
Sunday, September 11, 2011
SOMEBODYS GOTTA PAY
1 PETER 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him he did not retaliate; when he suffered he made no threats, instead he intrusted himself to him who judges justly.
I cant believe ten years have passed! I will never forget sitting in a cafe eating breakfast watching the events of that tragic day unfold. As the story began to unfold, and realizing that someone had done this on purpose The feelings of fear, sadness and anger all seemed to hit me, thinking to myself SOMEBODYS GOTTA PAY.
The reality is that JESUS PAID IT ALL.
God in his amazing grace called every sin from the beginning of time to the end of time and executed his full wrath, punishment, disappointment, judgment and condemnation on His Son, Jesus. His only begotten son. Jesus the perfect son of God, who lived a completly innocent life offered his life as payment for ALL our sins! That's A-L-L past, present, and future.
That's AMAZING GRACE. Our entire relationship with God and the favor that comes with it can only be experienced by resting ( not performing a religious duty) in the work of Jesus.
So today as you remember the events of 911, as we remember those that lost their lives, and honor the hero's that gave theirs to save others. Lets take time to Thank God that somebody has paid for our sins and given us the ability to be called the sons and daughters of God.
NUFF SAID
I cant believe ten years have passed! I will never forget sitting in a cafe eating breakfast watching the events of that tragic day unfold. As the story began to unfold, and realizing that someone had done this on purpose The feelings of fear, sadness and anger all seemed to hit me, thinking to myself SOMEBODYS GOTTA PAY.
The reality is that JESUS PAID IT ALL.
God in his amazing grace called every sin from the beginning of time to the end of time and executed his full wrath, punishment, disappointment, judgment and condemnation on His Son, Jesus. His only begotten son. Jesus the perfect son of God, who lived a completly innocent life offered his life as payment for ALL our sins! That's A-L-L past, present, and future.
That's AMAZING GRACE. Our entire relationship with God and the favor that comes with it can only be experienced by resting ( not performing a religious duty) in the work of Jesus.
So today as you remember the events of 911, as we remember those that lost their lives, and honor the hero's that gave theirs to save others. Lets take time to Thank God that somebody has paid for our sins and given us the ability to be called the sons and daughters of God.
NUFF SAID
Friday, September 9, 2011
AN ATTITUDE OF SOLITUDE
MARK 1:35
very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up left the house and went off to a SOLITARY place, where he prayed.
SOLITUDE = a strategic aloneness built into the rhythm of our lives.
I think we have become a generation of people who lack silence. There seems to be no margin in our lives to refresh and refuel or simply think. Its not productive to always be on the phone, always with people, always meeting a deadline. Busyness is not necessarily productivity.
MARGIN = the space between our load and our limit that we tend to ignore. Its breathing room.
Jesus knew if he was going to accomplish anything he had to break away to a solitary place and create margin in his life. He recognized that he couldnt accomplish anything without spending time to refule himself in the presence of God
LUKE 5:16 Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
I believe this is how he maintained a rhythm of productivity. We never see Jesus with a bad attitude, stressed out, short tempered, to busy to stop and talk to people. As much as he had going on he never seemed to be in a hurry. He had a healthy rhythm that came from that space called margin, A winning ATTITUDE that came from the place of SOLITUDE.
PHIL 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
NUFF SAID
very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up left the house and went off to a SOLITARY place, where he prayed.
SOLITUDE = a strategic aloneness built into the rhythm of our lives.
I think we have become a generation of people who lack silence. There seems to be no margin in our lives to refresh and refuel or simply think. Its not productive to always be on the phone, always with people, always meeting a deadline. Busyness is not necessarily productivity.
MARGIN = the space between our load and our limit that we tend to ignore. Its breathing room.
Jesus knew if he was going to accomplish anything he had to break away to a solitary place and create margin in his life. He recognized that he couldnt accomplish anything without spending time to refule himself in the presence of God
LUKE 5:16 Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
I believe this is how he maintained a rhythm of productivity. We never see Jesus with a bad attitude, stressed out, short tempered, to busy to stop and talk to people. As much as he had going on he never seemed to be in a hurry. He had a healthy rhythm that came from that space called margin, A winning ATTITUDE that came from the place of SOLITUDE.
PHIL 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
NUFF SAID
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
STRIKE "OUT" THE POSE
COLOSSIANS 3:9-10
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator.
I am in the process of planting a new church and in doing so, its a natural thought process to consider what will it look like?, how will it feel?, style of music, decor, speaking, etc. In other words what will make it attractive? What will compel people to give of their precious time to attend, Why even start a church when there are so many churches already in this area, some great churches. I think the answer to these questions became even more clear at my last small group meeting. I was sharing with the launch team about my own battles and insecurities and how I have recently spent time with life coaches and in counseling, sitting for a season under another ministry to learn, be coached and even corrected. As I shared with the group it led to a breaking and repentance of the whole group letting go of hurts, bitterness, and unforgiveness.
It was afterwards that a lady came up to me and said, that in all her christian life she was never more excited about being a part of a church where the pastor can be so vulnerable and honest. She said it gave her strength to know she is not the only one who struggles.
You may be wondering, what does that have to do with a church plant and how it should look? Answer, in my opinion, it should look Honest, real, transparent. Maybe we should hang a sign on the front door " drop your pose at the door".
The fact of the mater is that not one of us are perfect and we are all on a journey, and if we could stop pretending ('do not lie to each other') Maybe we could make some amazing progress. Maybe if the look is less about style, lights, videos etc. and more about being honest, real, and transparent. God can move on our lives and renew us in his image.
So lets STRIKE "OUT" THE POSE!
NUFF SAID
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator.
I am in the process of planting a new church and in doing so, its a natural thought process to consider what will it look like?, how will it feel?, style of music, decor, speaking, etc. In other words what will make it attractive? What will compel people to give of their precious time to attend, Why even start a church when there are so many churches already in this area, some great churches. I think the answer to these questions became even more clear at my last small group meeting. I was sharing with the launch team about my own battles and insecurities and how I have recently spent time with life coaches and in counseling, sitting for a season under another ministry to learn, be coached and even corrected. As I shared with the group it led to a breaking and repentance of the whole group letting go of hurts, bitterness, and unforgiveness.
It was afterwards that a lady came up to me and said, that in all her christian life she was never more excited about being a part of a church where the pastor can be so vulnerable and honest. She said it gave her strength to know she is not the only one who struggles.
You may be wondering, what does that have to do with a church plant and how it should look? Answer, in my opinion, it should look Honest, real, transparent. Maybe we should hang a sign on the front door " drop your pose at the door".
The fact of the mater is that not one of us are perfect and we are all on a journey, and if we could stop pretending ('do not lie to each other') Maybe we could make some amazing progress. Maybe if the look is less about style, lights, videos etc. and more about being honest, real, and transparent. God can move on our lives and renew us in his image.
So lets STRIKE "OUT" THE POSE!
NUFF SAID
Sunday, September 4, 2011
LET PEACE BE YOUR GUIDE
PROVERBS 3: 5-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes.
God never leads us to a place ( literally or figuratively) that he cant keep us, protect us, or prosper us.
I have come to realize that I dont have enough "understanding" to make my own decisions.
When I am stressing, struggling, and striving to figure it all out, its then that I begin to loose my peace.
I dont have the whole plan for my life figured out but God will make my path straight if I lean (trust) on him.
I believe an old song writer once said it this way " one day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I am asking from you" That's a tough one for a visionary, planner, like me. I want to figure it all out and when I cant, I loose my peace, my path gets confusing, I try to get wise in my own eyes. that's when Stress sets in. When I 'TRUST THE LORD' then I can be lead by, and live in peace.
My advice? Let peace be your Guide in every move and decision you make
NUFF SAID
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes.
God never leads us to a place ( literally or figuratively) that he cant keep us, protect us, or prosper us.
I have come to realize that I dont have enough "understanding" to make my own decisions.
When I am stressing, struggling, and striving to figure it all out, its then that I begin to loose my peace.
I dont have the whole plan for my life figured out but God will make my path straight if I lean (trust) on him.
I believe an old song writer once said it this way " one day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I am asking from you" That's a tough one for a visionary, planner, like me. I want to figure it all out and when I cant, I loose my peace, my path gets confusing, I try to get wise in my own eyes. that's when Stress sets in. When I 'TRUST THE LORD' then I can be lead by, and live in peace.
My advice? Let peace be your Guide in every move and decision you make
NUFF SAID
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)