**Disclaimer**
This is not an original thought or thoughts.
These are six questions that every leader should ask, according to Andy Stanley.
1. Who needs to be sitting at the table?
Are your people there capable of making the decisions your organization/church needs? Are they making a decision about a group/department/etc. that no one has any personal involvement with? Do they represent the group as a whole? The county, the church, the community, etc.
2. Where are you manufacturing energy?
Are you creating excitement that's not there? See in a lot of churches we have this radical idea that more programs will create more attendance/visitors/etc. We manufacture all this energy with a if you build, they will come mentality. (that's for you, MJ) That's not the fact. We shouldn't have to manufacture energy. If we are pushing ourselves to do things for the sake of doing them and no one wants it, then why are we doing it?
3. Where do you make the greatest contribution to the organization?
Think about that. Where do you actually make the best contribution? Are you a faithful musician that knows the songs, the chords, the spirit of worship? Are you a Sunday School teacher that is faithful in that task? What do you do?
Also, Andy Stanley said that as organizations grow, the leaders should do less! What a novel concept! Think about it. The more you grow the more workers there are to labor together. You shouldn't continue to take all the burden upon yourself because God has sent you people to help.
In our churches, we have to stop taking it all. We have to train people up to carry the mantle AND ACTUALLY GIVE THEM THE MANTLE!!!!
4. Who is not keeping up?
Andy Stanley says that sometimes people just can't keep up. They were fine when your church or organization was going at 40pmh but struggle to keep up at 60mph. It's part of it. BUT, there is no such thing as a non-essential person. Those people that can't keep up doesn't mean that they can't be of use or help. Maybe they just need to refocus, reassign, or find another function in the body. It's okay.
5. What have you fallen in love with that's no longer the best way to________?
Worship. Reach the lost. Welcome visitors. Insert whatever it may be.
You can also say, "What have we become accustomed to that's no longer...."
"What have we enjoyed that's no longer..."
Think about it. We may love the fact of what we are doing, but is it working? It may be great, but if it's for ritual and tradition rather than function and purpose it may be time to re-evaluate.
6. What would a great leader do?
When you are determining how or what to do, ask yourself what would a great leader do? Think like the great leaders of the past do? How would they think about this?
I think that these 6 questions that Andy Stanley poses are absolutely amazing. This is on point for leaders. To hear it straight from the horse's mouth checkout his podcast here:
Six questions every leader should ask by Andy Stanley.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Staying Relevant
Have you ever been somewhere like the 80's Cafe on Back to the Future part II?
Most of you don't even have to watch the video to know what I'm talking about!
Have you ever gone into a church and felt like that? If we use an arcade as an analogy, it would be like walking in and having the option of playing Frogger compared to playing Terminator with those life like guns and 3D graphics that we have today. Yes, I just went there.
See most of our churches are like that. And I don't mean that because they still use pews, have traditional buildings, or even have paneled walls. You can have the most beautiful new buildings in America, but still be the cafe 80's of the church...and that's not a compliment.
What we have done is become irrelevant. Old news. Old fashioned. Ancient. It's like we still talk about land lines and no one even has one any more. (My mom even got rid of her land line for a cell phone!) I mean how crazy is it that we have let ourselves become that?
No! I am not saying we have to compromise our beliefs to reap the harvest God has called us to reap. No! I am not saying that we have to preach only the pretty, soft, and comforting topics in the Bible.
Our pastor in Kentucky always referred to a lot of what is being spoken in the world today as a "watered-down blended cocktail". Oh, I like this let's put it in our doctrine and this over here, I'd like a dash of that mixed in. Yeah, let's play sweet home alabama for worship because we all know heaven is in Alabama.
See we can't be like that and compromise truth for comfort and entertainment. We have to hold true and fast to the word of God and believe in what He tells us. We can't determine how we will be relevant by what is nice and pretty.
If God's word was all tiptoeing through the tulips then we wouldn't have stories of martyrs dying for the cause of Christ. We wouldn't have stories of prisoners because of their unwavering faith in God.
We can be relevant. We just have to meet people where they are at. We have to understand that we once were sinners and the only difference between them and me is the fact that grace stepped in. Without the grace of God, we would all be sinners destined to death.
We don't have to be so out of touch that our churches feel like Cafe 80's. (Although, I know some of you are all about Cafe 80's, the 80's needs to stay where it is, in the past.) We can be relevant even without bells and whistles. All we have to do is continue to stand and speak the truth of the Word of God.
I encourage you. Be relevant. Not entertaining and compromising, but relevant. Stand tall. Stand firm.
Most of you don't even have to watch the video to know what I'm talking about!
Have you ever gone into a church and felt like that? If we use an arcade as an analogy, it would be like walking in and having the option of playing Frogger compared to playing Terminator with those life like guns and 3D graphics that we have today. Yes, I just went there.
See most of our churches are like that. And I don't mean that because they still use pews, have traditional buildings, or even have paneled walls. You can have the most beautiful new buildings in America, but still be the cafe 80's of the church...and that's not a compliment.
What we have done is become irrelevant. Old news. Old fashioned. Ancient. It's like we still talk about land lines and no one even has one any more. (My mom even got rid of her land line for a cell phone!) I mean how crazy is it that we have let ourselves become that?
No! I am not saying we have to compromise our beliefs to reap the harvest God has called us to reap. No! I am not saying that we have to preach only the pretty, soft, and comforting topics in the Bible.
Our pastor in Kentucky always referred to a lot of what is being spoken in the world today as a "watered-down blended cocktail". Oh, I like this let's put it in our doctrine and this over here, I'd like a dash of that mixed in. Yeah, let's play sweet home alabama for worship because we all know heaven is in Alabama.
See we can't be like that and compromise truth for comfort and entertainment. We have to hold true and fast to the word of God and believe in what He tells us. We can't determine how we will be relevant by what is nice and pretty.
If God's word was all tiptoeing through the tulips then we wouldn't have stories of martyrs dying for the cause of Christ. We wouldn't have stories of prisoners because of their unwavering faith in God.
We can be relevant. We just have to meet people where they are at. We have to understand that we once were sinners and the only difference between them and me is the fact that grace stepped in. Without the grace of God, we would all be sinners destined to death.
We don't have to be so out of touch that our churches feel like Cafe 80's. (Although, I know some of you are all about Cafe 80's, the 80's needs to stay where it is, in the past.) We can be relevant even without bells and whistles. All we have to do is continue to stand and speak the truth of the Word of God.
I encourage you. Be relevant. Not entertaining and compromising, but relevant. Stand tall. Stand firm.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
God's Gift
This morning I am in awe of God's grace.
You know we, as a church, talk about grace a lot. We sing your grace is enough. We speak of how if it were not for grace where would we be today.
Grace is powerful. I felt the power of grace like never before yesterday and this morning. It overwhelmed me.
From reading multiple definitions, what I find is that grace is unmerited mercy that God shows to all through sending His son to die on a cross so that we may have salvation.
See that unmerited? We don't deserve it. We can't claim it as ours. It is a gift that is given out of the truest love that any will ever know.
I don't know a whole lot. What I do know is that God's grace is always working.
A grace that redeems us from our sinful nature. We conquer that sinful nature by His grace and "by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony". (Rev. 12)
I know this is not some marvelous new idea. It doesn't matter though. God is God. WE ARE NOT.
Are you thankful for the grace that entered your life? Have you shared with someone the story of how grace has worked in your life?
Feel free to share in the comments below.
You know we, as a church, talk about grace a lot. We sing your grace is enough. We speak of how if it were not for grace where would we be today.
Grace is powerful. I felt the power of grace like never before yesterday and this morning. It overwhelmed me.
From reading multiple definitions, what I find is that grace is unmerited mercy that God shows to all through sending His son to die on a cross so that we may have salvation.
See that unmerited? We don't deserve it. We can't claim it as ours. It is a gift that is given out of the truest love that any will ever know.
I don't know a whole lot. What I do know is that God's grace is always working.
A grace that redeems us from our sinful nature. We conquer that sinful nature by His grace and "by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony". (Rev. 12)
I know this is not some marvelous new idea. It doesn't matter though. God is God. WE ARE NOT.
Are you thankful for the grace that entered your life? Have you shared with someone the story of how grace has worked in your life?
Feel free to share in the comments below.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Forgotten God
I am reading a book called "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan. I am only a chapter in to the book. Essentially, the book examines the "forgotten God" in our lives: the Holy Spirit.
In my world that seems crazy. See, I typically attend charismatic, Pentecostal churches. It's how I was raised. We believe in the move of the Spirit. We believe in the fruits of the Spirit. We believe in baptism in the Spirit.
That is neither here nor there, though. This is not a theological debate blog. What I'm getting at is that the book examines what the Holy Spirit is in our lives. Speaking at the church as a whole, we have forgotten this part of God. The third part. The comforter. The one Jesus sent that was just like Him.
The book really starts to take a look at why we have forgotten this essential piece and why it is essential we stop forgetting!
I say all that to say this: there is a fantastic statement in just the first chapter.
We as a western society get in the mindset of "me". When we come to church we want our song played, our church seat/pew spot, the temperature just right, the topic sweet and comforting, and so on.
We have started to make church what we want it. I don't know about you, but that is just not satisfying to me. I serve a powerful God that can do ALL things. I want to know that He is in the midst of what is happening.
The statement that I loved so much is this: "The church becomes irrelevant when it becomes purely a human creation."
Read that again.
Think about it. When we stop praying over the music that it be an entrance to the throne room rather than a performance, we become irrelevant. When we stop preparing and planning for the preaching whether you are praying for the preacher or you are the preacher, we become irrelevant. When we stop praying for souls and are satisfied with what we have created, we become irrelevant. When we stop including God, we become irrelevant.
See, I don't want to become the cool church down the street by sacrificing God for talent, performance, and comfort. I don't want to become irrelevant.
We are not the Lions Club. We need to stop worrying about creating the perfect environment for worship and worship the Perfect One so that He will manifest His presence and create His perfect environment.
I don't want this to be about me. I never have. This is so much bigger than me. I just want to fulfill the call in my life. If I have to sacrifice God to fill a church, then I'd rather preach to five people. As long as I am relevant to the message God gives, I want nothing else.
Think about it. Have you become irrelevant? That can change. Invite God back. Invite His Spirit back. Don't become irrelevant.
In my world that seems crazy. See, I typically attend charismatic, Pentecostal churches. It's how I was raised. We believe in the move of the Spirit. We believe in the fruits of the Spirit. We believe in baptism in the Spirit.
That is neither here nor there, though. This is not a theological debate blog. What I'm getting at is that the book examines what the Holy Spirit is in our lives. Speaking at the church as a whole, we have forgotten this part of God. The third part. The comforter. The one Jesus sent that was just like Him.
The book really starts to take a look at why we have forgotten this essential piece and why it is essential we stop forgetting!
I say all that to say this: there is a fantastic statement in just the first chapter.
We as a western society get in the mindset of "me". When we come to church we want our song played, our church seat/pew spot, the temperature just right, the topic sweet and comforting, and so on.
We have started to make church what we want it. I don't know about you, but that is just not satisfying to me. I serve a powerful God that can do ALL things. I want to know that He is in the midst of what is happening.
The statement that I loved so much is this: "The church becomes irrelevant when it becomes purely a human creation."
Read that again.
Think about it. When we stop praying over the music that it be an entrance to the throne room rather than a performance, we become irrelevant. When we stop preparing and planning for the preaching whether you are praying for the preacher or you are the preacher, we become irrelevant. When we stop praying for souls and are satisfied with what we have created, we become irrelevant. When we stop including God, we become irrelevant.
See, I don't want to become the cool church down the street by sacrificing God for talent, performance, and comfort. I don't want to become irrelevant.
We are not the Lions Club. We need to stop worrying about creating the perfect environment for worship and worship the Perfect One so that He will manifest His presence and create His perfect environment.
I don't want this to be about me. I never have. This is so much bigger than me. I just want to fulfill the call in my life. If I have to sacrifice God to fill a church, then I'd rather preach to five people. As long as I am relevant to the message God gives, I want nothing else.
Think about it. Have you become irrelevant? That can change. Invite God back. Invite His Spirit back. Don't become irrelevant.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Jesus
I have to brag just a bit. The youth group my wife and I work with has a youth led band with tremendous potential. I work with them a little bit. I'm more of a moral support person. I like to call myself a funnel. They have the ingredients to go in the engine, they just weren't getting all in the same spot. The youth pastor likes to refer to me as a spoke on a wheel. A wheel needs all it's spokes to be balanced and work right. Either way, funnel or spoke, I try to help a bit.
Before their first major practice with me I have to admit I was nervous. Would everyone buy in? Would everyone be on the same page? How will they respond to a fat redneck giving suggestions? You know. The norm.
I watched as with very little guidance at all, they took a song called "Jesus be the Center" and absolutely made it theirs. They didn't do it the way it was written exactly. THEY did it. It was so impressive. Even in that practice you could feel the anointing of the words of the song.
We get caught up in our songs and what we are doing. Our worship should focus completely on worshiping our King.
The song says this simply:
Jesus at the center of it all. It's all about You. Nothing else matters. From my heart to the heavens. Jesus be the center.
POWERFUL! That should be our daily prayer. Jesus from my heart to the heavens, be the center of my world. It's all about You. Nothing else matters in my life. Be the center of it all.
Not only did these students nail this song they absolutely led every student into worship. I mean you know there is a true spirit of worship. Heck, even the drummer was worshiping with lifted hands. When's the last time you saw that?
So take a moment and pray. Jesus be my center. Let my world revolve around you. Listen to the song. Make it your prayer. It's all about Him.
Before their first major practice with me I have to admit I was nervous. Would everyone buy in? Would everyone be on the same page? How will they respond to a fat redneck giving suggestions? You know. The norm.
I watched as with very little guidance at all, they took a song called "Jesus be the Center" and absolutely made it theirs. They didn't do it the way it was written exactly. THEY did it. It was so impressive. Even in that practice you could feel the anointing of the words of the song.
We get caught up in our songs and what we are doing. Our worship should focus completely on worshiping our King.
The song says this simply:
Jesus at the center of it all. It's all about You. Nothing else matters. From my heart to the heavens. Jesus be the center.
POWERFUL! That should be our daily prayer. Jesus from my heart to the heavens, be the center of my world. It's all about You. Nothing else matters in my life. Be the center of it all.
Not only did these students nail this song they absolutely led every student into worship. I mean you know there is a true spirit of worship. Heck, even the drummer was worshiping with lifted hands. When's the last time you saw that?
So take a moment and pray. Jesus be my center. Let my world revolve around you. Listen to the song. Make it your prayer. It's all about Him.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Price Shopping
My wife and I are moving this weekend and one of the things that comes with moving is buying new services. Yeah.
It's probably the thing I hate the most other than changing my address for everything from paychecks to retirement to Burger King's bogo coupons....wait, those are automatic right?
If you read my post from earlier this week, you know that I have developed a tendency to relate random things to spiritual matters. It's a gift, or possibly a curse depending on who's taking notes. I like it, but it annoys some people.
See, if you're like me then there is no doubt that you call every internet, satellite, phone, etc. provider to get the best rate. (You do this even after looking online and seeing that company A charges $25 more than company B. Join the club.)
A lot of people are searching for something that costs this amount or that amount. They want something that is priceless and they get to looking and realize nothing fulfills their need.
I'm here to tell you that there is one price you will never beat. That was the price that Christ paid for you and for me on the cross. This was a price that no one else could pay. With this price, He set us free. We were and are healed.
Cheesy? Maybe. Laughing at me? Maybe.
Think about it though. Hopefully you have already accepted that He paid the price for you and asked Jesus to come into your life. Some people haven't. They are still price shopping for something they don't even know they are shopping for at this moment.
So if you're like me and get bogged down and just blah about price shopping; drop all of it and remember the true reason we have joy. It is because of the price He paid.
If you haven't accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, then you can today. Just simply ask Him to come to you and wash you of your sins. We have all been sinners. Paul said that he was chief among sinners and he ended up writing half the new testament. Don't let the price Christ paid sit on your family coffee table in the form of a family bible or figuratively let it set on a shelf collecting dust.
If you confess with your tongue Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10
This is random and not how I wanted to end this or even write today, but I feel led to do so. If you accepted Jesus for the first time, leave a comment or shoot me an email at thomasjustin1023@gmail.com so I can pray for you.
Remember the price He paid.
Follow me on Twitter @justintho21. Send out via Twitter and Facebook to your friend!
Giving Back
Let me tell you something. I hated high school, but yet I hated leaving it if that makes sense. I loved the youth group that I was in and I knew with the end of high school happening that my time there was pretty much done.
If you know me well enough, you'd know that I like consistency. I think consistency is key to almost everything. Don't confuse consistency with complacency though. Two totally different things!
At this point in my life I had been involved so deeply in something for almost 5 years. That seems like a short amount of time, but when you have invested (or feel like you have at least) so much it becomes precious.
I left a mess for college. I made stupid high school decisions. (Yeah, go ahead and cast the first stone if you didn't make a stupid decision in high school.) Throughout college I tried to contribute to the local church, but that never really jived because of my immaturity and living on the fence at the time. I'm being very transparent today.
Time continued to pass along. I got married to my beautiful wife. We finally drug ourselves back to church. You wouldn't believe how unhappy we found ourselves not going to church for the first few months of marriage. It almost never failed those months that we would end up in a small spat just because we were miserable.
My buddy, MJ, never gave up on me though. We knew each other since I started college. He was working with the youth at the church and that kind of thing. He became the youth pastor at Man O' War Church. He kept encouraging us to come there. It was an hour away, but we finally relented and went. He sucked us in and we got on board.
We started helping out with the youth there and loved it. We got deeply involved and pushed out of our comfort zone more than we ever anticipated.
Fast forward. We move home. We talk to the current youth pastor at the church we are attending and boom, we are right back in the thick of it.
I say all of that to say this:
I never knew how much giving back would become rewarding. I knew that there was work involved. I knew that people sacrificed. I knew all of that. I never knew why they stayed with it. I now know. It's because of getting to see students grow. You get to watch them go through a process. You get to help them along the way. You get to see how God can move through a 17 year old.
I get to experience it from a whole new perspective. I think the more I see, the more I enjoy this side of the fence. Not because I don't deal with high school or college, but because I feel like I can see the big picture.
The thing is that your experience doesn't have to be related to youth! It can be in homeless ministry, widows ministry, senior ministry, college, adult, children, music, or even just being an example. Figure out why you do what you do.
I encourage you to give back. You won't regret it, and it will probably be the most sacrificing and rewarding thing all at the same time. Not tangible rewards, but God's Kingdom rewards.
See what my friend, Jamie Boggs, has to say about giving back on his blog, "The Knowledge Dropper."
Be sure to share with your friends via Twitter and Facebook. Tweet me: @justintho21
If you know me well enough, you'd know that I like consistency. I think consistency is key to almost everything. Don't confuse consistency with complacency though. Two totally different things!
At this point in my life I had been involved so deeply in something for almost 5 years. That seems like a short amount of time, but when you have invested (or feel like you have at least) so much it becomes precious.
I left a mess for college. I made stupid high school decisions. (Yeah, go ahead and cast the first stone if you didn't make a stupid decision in high school.) Throughout college I tried to contribute to the local church, but that never really jived because of my immaturity and living on the fence at the time. I'm being very transparent today.
Time continued to pass along. I got married to my beautiful wife. We finally drug ourselves back to church. You wouldn't believe how unhappy we found ourselves not going to church for the first few months of marriage. It almost never failed those months that we would end up in a small spat just because we were miserable.
My buddy, MJ, never gave up on me though. We knew each other since I started college. He was working with the youth at the church and that kind of thing. He became the youth pastor at Man O' War Church. He kept encouraging us to come there. It was an hour away, but we finally relented and went. He sucked us in and we got on board.
We started helping out with the youth there and loved it. We got deeply involved and pushed out of our comfort zone more than we ever anticipated.
Fast forward. We move home. We talk to the current youth pastor at the church we are attending and boom, we are right back in the thick of it.
I say all of that to say this:
I never knew how much giving back would become rewarding. I knew that there was work involved. I knew that people sacrificed. I knew all of that. I never knew why they stayed with it. I now know. It's because of getting to see students grow. You get to watch them go through a process. You get to help them along the way. You get to see how God can move through a 17 year old.
I get to experience it from a whole new perspective. I think the more I see, the more I enjoy this side of the fence. Not because I don't deal with high school or college, but because I feel like I can see the big picture.
The thing is that your experience doesn't have to be related to youth! It can be in homeless ministry, widows ministry, senior ministry, college, adult, children, music, or even just being an example. Figure out why you do what you do.
I encourage you to give back. You won't regret it, and it will probably be the most sacrificing and rewarding thing all at the same time. Not tangible rewards, but God's Kingdom rewards.
See what my friend, Jamie Boggs, has to say about giving back on his blog, "The Knowledge Dropper."
Be sure to share with your friends via Twitter and Facebook. Tweet me: @justintho21
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I'm No Expert
So, this year we moved home and we decided to save money by working a garden with my parents. Good decision? We will see.
Last night I was tilling up the ground with dad (turning up the ground) and it got me to thinking about how we operate.
We always use the analogy of planting that seed so that we can reap the harvest in any type of ministry setting. If we can just plant the seed. We can't have a harvest without planting the seed.
I get it. I do. It's a very relevant analogy for me. I'm not going to have any okra, corn, or squash if I never plant the seeds.
But what good does planting seed do if we don't till the land first? If we never prepare to plant the seed, how many seeds will take? If we never take the time to soften up the ground so we can do the work efficiently, what sense does it make to plant a garden?
Are you seeing what I'm gettin' at? See, what we have to do is prepare for what we are about to do. If we want to reap the harvest, we must understand that the first step is turning up the ground.
See, even gardening can be spiritual....until (if you're like me) you look down and realize you have blisters on your hands.
So I encourage you, when looking for the harvest to make that beginning effort. Prepare for your work. We can't go throwing seeds willy nilly!
Read Matthew 13:1-9. It's relevant. Now get to turnin' your ground!
Feel free to share with your friends via Twitter or Facebook!
Share buttons located below!
Last night I was tilling up the ground with dad (turning up the ground) and it got me to thinking about how we operate.
We always use the analogy of planting that seed so that we can reap the harvest in any type of ministry setting. If we can just plant the seed. We can't have a harvest without planting the seed.
I get it. I do. It's a very relevant analogy for me. I'm not going to have any okra, corn, or squash if I never plant the seeds.
But what good does planting seed do if we don't till the land first? If we never prepare to plant the seed, how many seeds will take? If we never take the time to soften up the ground so we can do the work efficiently, what sense does it make to plant a garden?
Are you seeing what I'm gettin' at? See, what we have to do is prepare for what we are about to do. If we want to reap the harvest, we must understand that the first step is turning up the ground.
See, even gardening can be spiritual....until (if you're like me) you look down and realize you have blisters on your hands.
So I encourage you, when looking for the harvest to make that beginning effort. Prepare for your work. We can't go throwing seeds willy nilly!
Read Matthew 13:1-9. It's relevant. Now get to turnin' your ground!
Feel free to share with your friends via Twitter or Facebook!
Share buttons located below!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Help Me Out
Today is not content. I need you to help me out. Yes, you reading this right now. I need you to do me a favor.
I need you to do one of two things. If you have enjoyed this blog thus far, help me spread the word. I'm going to post a link for the blog or you can go to your favorite posting and use that link.
If you are willing, please help me. Take your favorite post or this link and post to your Facebook account or your Twitter feed. Here it is:
"Like blogs? Check this out from @justintho21. Share with your friends and comment if you like? http://forwardmotiontime.blogspot.com/ "
Copy and paste the above into your status or tweet!
This is an experiment. Will it work? I don't know. You can help though. Is this about self promotion? No. I'm not a self-promoter. This is a stretch and I can almost guarantee this will be a one shot deal here. So help me out. Mention to a friend. Mention to your followers. Let's see what happens.
Thanks in advance! Now back to spiritual ramblings of a fat redneck...yes that's me. I know what you're thinking MJ, and I'm not gonna change the blog name to ramblings of a fat redneck.
I need you to do one of two things. If you have enjoyed this blog thus far, help me spread the word. I'm going to post a link for the blog or you can go to your favorite posting and use that link.
If you are willing, please help me. Take your favorite post or this link and post to your Facebook account or your Twitter feed. Here it is:
"Like blogs? Check this out from @justintho21. Share with your friends and comment if you like? http://forwardmotiontime.blogspot.com/ "
Copy and paste the above into your status or tweet!
This is an experiment. Will it work? I don't know. You can help though. Is this about self promotion? No. I'm not a self-promoter. This is a stretch and I can almost guarantee this will be a one shot deal here. So help me out. Mention to a friend. Mention to your followers. Let's see what happens.
Thanks in advance! Now back to spiritual ramblings of a fat redneck...yes that's me. I know what you're thinking MJ, and I'm not gonna change the blog name to ramblings of a fat redneck.
Post-Easter Sugar High
Somehow I avoid Easter candy better than most things that are bad for me. That usually only lasts until Saturday. This year I got bombarded by jelly beans. I killed me some Starburst jelly beans. Then I devoured some Mounds, and some Reester Eggs (you know the reese eggs). I was on it!
Think about it though. A lot of us get on an Easter high. We buy new clothes, plan dinners, take a million pictures (speaking of which, I dislike you who took 18 mirror pictures for Easter and posted them to FB!) and continue on our way. We get hyped about Easter, and I know I do. I love Easter. Without the Resurrection, we have nothing. Christ then becomes another man. We lose everything that we believe without the events that we just celebrated.
We have to get over Easter being our Christian sugar high. We have to get over our new outfits, our dinners, our everything to realize what the moment truly celebrates. When we realize what the moment is truly about, then we must carry it on with us daily.
Resurrection is celebrated in glorious fashion once a year, but don't let it be a once a year occurrence. We as Christians should celebrate this in glorious fashion every Sunday. Actually, scratch that. We should celebrate it in glorious fashion every single day.
See, my mom instilled my love for Easter at an early age. Me and my brother never really got the Easter baskets or anything like that. (No, I'm not knocking that tradition. It's just something we never really did. We did have those dagum Easter marshmallow eggs like they were goin' outta style though.) Mom really helped us see the meaning of Easter. I remember her and dad taking us to Woodward's Passion Play. I was like 9, but yet I understood the love that was meant for me. The play was so powerful. I'll never forget what it felt like to see something that to a 9 year old boy seemed so real.
Through that teaching by mom through example and exposure to Christ's love, I got it. I got the meaning of Easter without a doubt.
The thing that is hard for me, as is most Christians, is is the fact that we get caught up in the celebratory mess that we have created. We ought to celebrate this fact every day. We have to come down from our sugar high and realize that through Him we are free.
So take a minute. Realize that without the resurrection, we wouldn't gather like we do. We wouldn't celebrate Easter the way we do. We wouldn't have the love of Christ like we do. BUT because of the resurrection we have the love, we have life, and we have the ability to celebrate, not just one day, but everyday!
Jesus slapped #yolo (you only live once) in the face. That circulated on Twitter. I love it. Enjoy Easter. Enjoy your family. Enjoy what you do, but I encourage you to remember that when the sugar high ends, the candy is gone, the clothes are used, and the church isn't as decorated that we still celebrate because HE lives.
Think about it though. A lot of us get on an Easter high. We buy new clothes, plan dinners, take a million pictures (speaking of which, I dislike you who took 18 mirror pictures for Easter and posted them to FB!) and continue on our way. We get hyped about Easter, and I know I do. I love Easter. Without the Resurrection, we have nothing. Christ then becomes another man. We lose everything that we believe without the events that we just celebrated.
We have to get over Easter being our Christian sugar high. We have to get over our new outfits, our dinners, our everything to realize what the moment truly celebrates. When we realize what the moment is truly about, then we must carry it on with us daily.
Resurrection is celebrated in glorious fashion once a year, but don't let it be a once a year occurrence. We as Christians should celebrate this in glorious fashion every Sunday. Actually, scratch that. We should celebrate it in glorious fashion every single day.
See, my mom instilled my love for Easter at an early age. Me and my brother never really got the Easter baskets or anything like that. (No, I'm not knocking that tradition. It's just something we never really did. We did have those dagum Easter marshmallow eggs like they were goin' outta style though.) Mom really helped us see the meaning of Easter. I remember her and dad taking us to Woodward's Passion Play. I was like 9, but yet I understood the love that was meant for me. The play was so powerful. I'll never forget what it felt like to see something that to a 9 year old boy seemed so real.
Through that teaching by mom through example and exposure to Christ's love, I got it. I got the meaning of Easter without a doubt.
The thing that is hard for me, as is most Christians, is is the fact that we get caught up in the celebratory mess that we have created. We ought to celebrate this fact every day. We have to come down from our sugar high and realize that through Him we are free.
So take a minute. Realize that without the resurrection, we wouldn't gather like we do. We wouldn't celebrate Easter the way we do. We wouldn't have the love of Christ like we do. BUT because of the resurrection we have the love, we have life, and we have the ability to celebrate, not just one day, but everyday!
Jesus slapped #yolo (you only live once) in the face. That circulated on Twitter. I love it. Enjoy Easter. Enjoy your family. Enjoy what you do, but I encourage you to remember that when the sugar high ends, the candy is gone, the clothes are used, and the church isn't as decorated that we still celebrate because HE lives.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Remembrance
As the observance of Holy week draws closer to ending, I encourage you to remember what we are celebrating.
We celebrate that Christ died for our sins. We celebrate that Christ rose to justify us. We celebrate that He has the keys to death, hell, and the grave. We celebrate that He conquered death. We celebrate that He reigns forevermore. We celebrate the fact that through Him we are free.
I know this is nothing elaborate, but take some time this weekend as you are conducting Easter egg hunts, fellowship gatherings, morning breakfasts, etc., and remember why we are where we are.
Just take a moment. Thank God for stepping in for us. Thank Him for becoming the way.
We celebrate that Christ died for our sins. We celebrate that Christ rose to justify us. We celebrate that He has the keys to death, hell, and the grave. We celebrate that He conquered death. We celebrate that He reigns forevermore. We celebrate the fact that through Him we are free.
I know this is nothing elaborate, but take some time this weekend as you are conducting Easter egg hunts, fellowship gatherings, morning breakfasts, etc., and remember why we are where we are.
Just take a moment. Thank God for stepping in for us. Thank Him for becoming the way.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Do It Yourself
I have great friends in Kentucky. Hard to believe since it is Kentucky.
My good friend's, MJ, dad is an artist, author, pastor, etc. Heck, he is a lot of things.
He has a book titled "Like a Tree". Good book. Find it. Read it. "Like a Tree" by Mitchell Tolle.
From this book I have a million favorite quotes, but one of my top favorites is this:
"When you think you become powerful. When you refuse to think or let someone else do it for you, you have surrendered everything."
Think about it. You're probably wondering to yourself why is this important. You are probably thinking that this is obvious, but I argue that it isn't.
Thinking about church in general, when was the last time you took your bible in to ponder on the Word while the pastor read it? When was the last time you double checked when you got home, since you probably didn't bring your bible, to see if pastor was teaching his passage correctly?
See, we as the the church are notorious for letting people think for us. We surrender our whole knowledge base to what one person is teaching us on Sundays. We have surrendered everything because we won't think on our own.
Like this quote says, we must make ourselves powerful by thinking on our own. Am I saying to abandon the teaching of the man of God? Heck no. We should respect them and learn from them, but we should always have the mind to think for ourselves and make sure what we are receiving is truth. Nothing wrong in that!
I encourage you to think for yourself. It can be hard at times to get motivated in a world where everything is handed to us and spoon fed directly, but we must take the Word of God in for ourselves and think to become powerful.
My good friend's, MJ, dad is an artist, author, pastor, etc. Heck, he is a lot of things.
He has a book titled "Like a Tree". Good book. Find it. Read it. "Like a Tree" by Mitchell Tolle.
From this book I have a million favorite quotes, but one of my top favorites is this:
"When you think you become powerful. When you refuse to think or let someone else do it for you, you have surrendered everything."
Think about it. You're probably wondering to yourself why is this important. You are probably thinking that this is obvious, but I argue that it isn't.
Thinking about church in general, when was the last time you took your bible in to ponder on the Word while the pastor read it? When was the last time you double checked when you got home, since you probably didn't bring your bible, to see if pastor was teaching his passage correctly?
See, we as the the church are notorious for letting people think for us. We surrender our whole knowledge base to what one person is teaching us on Sundays. We have surrendered everything because we won't think on our own.
Like this quote says, we must make ourselves powerful by thinking on our own. Am I saying to abandon the teaching of the man of God? Heck no. We should respect them and learn from them, but we should always have the mind to think for ourselves and make sure what we are receiving is truth. Nothing wrong in that!
I encourage you to think for yourself. It can be hard at times to get motivated in a world where everything is handed to us and spoon fed directly, but we must take the Word of God in for ourselves and think to become powerful.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Growing Up
I know. Some of you all that are a bit older than me are shaking your head thinking, "What does this kid know about growing up?" I get it. I get it.
Anyways, let me share with you what I shared a few weeks ago at Reach service which is somewhat college and career class at Englewood Church of God.
See, I loved church camp. In my family you didn't go to 4-H camp (one because it was too expensive & two because church camp was better) but you went to church camp. I was camp. I felt like if you mentioned camp and you knew me that my face associated with your thoughts. I was always excited come April because that's when sign up started. Mom would pay my 5 dollar deposit and I'd work my tail off to earn the other money by doing extra odd jobs around the house. (No not mowing or anything normal. Extra jobs. Builds character, right dad?)
So I would go to camp and then all of a sudden it was over and I'd come home exhausted trying to find a way to go back and work the next week of camp, because I loved it.
Well, during college I couldn't go and then I got a job as a 4-H agent. They said oh by the way, your first full week on the job is going to be at camp. I was like, "BOOYAH, I got this!" I was excited see because I was camp.
When I got there things changed. I realized that everyone depended on me. It was like this: "Justin, I'm hot. Justin, I miss my mom. Justin, I hate this place. Justin, I don't wanna do that."
Yeah you can picture it. See what happened to me is that I was just like everyone of us in the church. We come expecting it to be about us. We come in with this idea that we are the ones that should be entertained all the time when really we should be doing the work.
In 1 Corinthians 13:11 it says that when I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
See we get stuck in our "baby Christian" mentality. Where I come from it's bad because we are raised in youth groups where there is always something for us and then all of a sudden when you become "an adult" you are on your own to figure it out.
We have to get over the mentality that it's okay to go out and experiment then come back to the house of God when we have kids that need to be there or when we feel like it's time to settle down. We are called to live a holy and acceptable life. It's our reasonable service.
I like how Solomon progresses. See he took over after David, his father. David was the great king who we know was a man after God's own heart. Solomon was young and understood he was young. That's what I love the most is that he didn't let his young pride in the way, but yet that he acknowledges that he is young.
In 1 Kings 3 we see God appear in a dream and ask him what he wants. I love Solomon's response: "You have shown great mercy to Your servant David, my father, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; You have continued this great kindness for him and You have given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made your servant king instead of my father, David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in....therefore give to your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people that I may discern between good and evil..."
I love that he acknowledges that he knows nothing. I believe in that moment he grew up to become what he was called to be.
I like this quote and how it sums up growing up.
"Ingratitude denotes spiritual immaturity. Infants do not always appreciate what their parents do for them. They have short memories. Their concern is not what you did for me yesterday but what you are doing for me today. The past and future are meaningless. They live for the present. Those who are mature are deeply appreciative of those who labored in the past. They recognize those who labor during the present and provide for those who will be laboring in the future."
It's almost opposite of what seems to be the collective idea of church. People come to hear a word from God. When it's not what they want they get mad. They don't care that you brought a word from God in the past, and could care less if it's coming in the future. They want to hear what they want to hear now.
We've got to get past the "ME" attitude. We must come to the realization that we are called to be the church and it seems that when we read about the church in scripture somewhere close either in front or behind it's mentioning is an action word such as: go, love, be, do, etc. We are the church so we must love like the church is supposed to love.
I encourage you to push the "ME" mentality and be like Solomon. Ask for wisdom. Ask for what you lack. Love people. Grow in Christ.
You may think change is hard, but change only occurs when the pain to change is less than the pain to stay the same.
Anyways, let me share with you what I shared a few weeks ago at Reach service which is somewhat college and career class at Englewood Church of God.
See, I loved church camp. In my family you didn't go to 4-H camp (one because it was too expensive & two because church camp was better) but you went to church camp. I was camp. I felt like if you mentioned camp and you knew me that my face associated with your thoughts. I was always excited come April because that's when sign up started. Mom would pay my 5 dollar deposit and I'd work my tail off to earn the other money by doing extra odd jobs around the house. (No not mowing or anything normal. Extra jobs. Builds character, right dad?)
So I would go to camp and then all of a sudden it was over and I'd come home exhausted trying to find a way to go back and work the next week of camp, because I loved it.
Well, during college I couldn't go and then I got a job as a 4-H agent. They said oh by the way, your first full week on the job is going to be at camp. I was like, "BOOYAH, I got this!" I was excited see because I was camp.
When I got there things changed. I realized that everyone depended on me. It was like this: "Justin, I'm hot. Justin, I miss my mom. Justin, I hate this place. Justin, I don't wanna do that."
Yeah you can picture it. See what happened to me is that I was just like everyone of us in the church. We come expecting it to be about us. We come in with this idea that we are the ones that should be entertained all the time when really we should be doing the work.
In 1 Corinthians 13:11 it says that when I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
See we get stuck in our "baby Christian" mentality. Where I come from it's bad because we are raised in youth groups where there is always something for us and then all of a sudden when you become "an adult" you are on your own to figure it out.
We have to get over the mentality that it's okay to go out and experiment then come back to the house of God when we have kids that need to be there or when we feel like it's time to settle down. We are called to live a holy and acceptable life. It's our reasonable service.
I like how Solomon progresses. See he took over after David, his father. David was the great king who we know was a man after God's own heart. Solomon was young and understood he was young. That's what I love the most is that he didn't let his young pride in the way, but yet that he acknowledges that he is young.
In 1 Kings 3 we see God appear in a dream and ask him what he wants. I love Solomon's response: "You have shown great mercy to Your servant David, my father, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; You have continued this great kindness for him and You have given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made your servant king instead of my father, David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in....therefore give to your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people that I may discern between good and evil..."
I love that he acknowledges that he knows nothing. I believe in that moment he grew up to become what he was called to be.
I like this quote and how it sums up growing up.
"Ingratitude denotes spiritual immaturity. Infants do not always appreciate what their parents do for them. They have short memories. Their concern is not what you did for me yesterday but what you are doing for me today. The past and future are meaningless. They live for the present. Those who are mature are deeply appreciative of those who labored in the past. They recognize those who labor during the present and provide for those who will be laboring in the future."
It's almost opposite of what seems to be the collective idea of church. People come to hear a word from God. When it's not what they want they get mad. They don't care that you brought a word from God in the past, and could care less if it's coming in the future. They want to hear what they want to hear now.
We've got to get past the "ME" attitude. We must come to the realization that we are called to be the church and it seems that when we read about the church in scripture somewhere close either in front or behind it's mentioning is an action word such as: go, love, be, do, etc. We are the church so we must love like the church is supposed to love.
I encourage you to push the "ME" mentality and be like Solomon. Ask for wisdom. Ask for what you lack. Love people. Grow in Christ.
You may think change is hard, but change only occurs when the pain to change is less than the pain to stay the same.
Monday, April 2, 2012
How Bout Eggs?
Baby, I'm back! I've been out of town on business and I'm too cheap to pay 10 bucks a night for internet. Thus, today I am making my way back to the blogger!
Anyways, it is the week of Resurrection Sunday, or as the world refers to it Easter. Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. To me it has the most meaning of any of em. How did we deviate so far from what Easter is to what it is now? I love Jim Gaffigan's take on it:
How bout eggs? Exactly.
The reason I love Easter so much is because of what it means to us as Christians. See sometimes we get caught up on the fact that Christ died for us, but what would His death have meant without the Resurrection? It was proof that He is the Savior. Not only did He die, but He rose again. I love what it says in Acts 2:24.
"God raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it."
Because of the impossibility of death to hold Him, WE have the possibility of life eternal with Him.
Because He conquered the grave, WE can become new again.
Because of His stripes, WE are healed.
Because of His blood, OUR sins are washed away.
Because of His cross, OUR debt is paid.
Enjoy the chocolate marshmallows, the cadbury eggs, the chocolate bunnies, because my goodness they are delicious, but remember that Christ paid the way for us.
You don't have to worship just this Sunday. He did it for you, why not start today?
Anyways, it is the week of Resurrection Sunday, or as the world refers to it Easter. Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. To me it has the most meaning of any of em. How did we deviate so far from what Easter is to what it is now? I love Jim Gaffigan's take on it:
How bout eggs? Exactly.
The reason I love Easter so much is because of what it means to us as Christians. See sometimes we get caught up on the fact that Christ died for us, but what would His death have meant without the Resurrection? It was proof that He is the Savior. Not only did He die, but He rose again. I love what it says in Acts 2:24.
"God raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it."
Because of the impossibility of death to hold Him, WE have the possibility of life eternal with Him.
Because He conquered the grave, WE can become new again.
Because of His stripes, WE are healed.
Because of His blood, OUR sins are washed away.
Because of His cross, OUR debt is paid.
Enjoy the chocolate marshmallows, the cadbury eggs, the chocolate bunnies, because my goodness they are delicious, but remember that Christ paid the way for us.
You don't have to worship just this Sunday. He did it for you, why not start today?
Monday, March 19, 2012
Power of the Cross
Pastor Scott is doing a series about the cross leading up to Resurrection Sunday. He is talking about the cross and the crucifixion.
During worship we sang a song called "Power of the Cross". In the song it has a simple phrase: The power of the cross is in the blood of Christ.
Think about that for a minute. The power of the cross is not the cross itself. We put so much emphasis on the cross when the blood of Christ is where the power is held. Without the blood of Christ the cross is nothing. The blood of Christ is what washes us clean.
Think about it as we approach the Easter season. The cross wasn't beautiful. It wasn't this piece of gold we wear around our necks, in rings, or hang up with a purple robe. It is where our savior was sacrificed and "through His blood we are healed." It's by the power of His blood. We can't lose that simple fact.
The power of the cross will forever be in the blood of Christ.
Nothing is missing.
Nothing is broken.
Now it is finished.
His blood has spoken.
Listen to the song. It's linked above. It's a good 7 minutes.
During worship we sang a song called "Power of the Cross". In the song it has a simple phrase: The power of the cross is in the blood of Christ.
Think about that for a minute. The power of the cross is not the cross itself. We put so much emphasis on the cross when the blood of Christ is where the power is held. Without the blood of Christ the cross is nothing. The blood of Christ is what washes us clean.
Think about it as we approach the Easter season. The cross wasn't beautiful. It wasn't this piece of gold we wear around our necks, in rings, or hang up with a purple robe. It is where our savior was sacrificed and "through His blood we are healed." It's by the power of His blood. We can't lose that simple fact.
The power of the cross will forever be in the blood of Christ.
Nothing is missing.
Nothing is broken.
Now it is finished.
His blood has spoken.
Listen to the song. It's linked above. It's a good 7 minutes.
Friday, March 16, 2012
The "Other" People
My wife and I love the show "LOST". It is one of our favorite series, and probably the only series in which we both can agree on to sit down and watch together. We have different tastes. What can I say. Mom always tells me to get a den or man cave for our house. She may be on to something.
Anyways, on the show you have the group of people on the island that have crashed, "the survivors". Then, there is the group called "the others". That's what everyone says throughout the entire six seasons. What are the others doing? What do the others want? Why are the others bothering us?
For more reference on "the others", visit this previous post which has a video synopsis of "LOST": How to be Like John Locke.
Sometimes as Christians we act like the survivors, wouldn't you say? I know sometimes I do. I stay in my group, where it is comfortable. I talk to people I know. I talk to people that I believe are just like me or at least similar. I'm man enough to admit that, yeah, sometimes my humanness gets me and I look at people as the "others".
I tell you what it really is; we get scared. We see differences we don't understand. Everyone knows I am a huge Batman fan, too. In Batman Begins, the big mob boss looks at Bruce Wayne and he says, "You're always afraid of what you don't understand."
How true is that? I know that if I see people I don't resonate with sometimes it scares the crap out of me to imagine talking to them or building a relationship.
Lately, I've been pushed out of my comfort zone. With how God is working in my life lately, I'm not sure that I even have a comfort zone anymore.
I'm the kind of guy that will talk to a fork if it would acknowledge me most days. My job involves a lot of talking and some days I'm just done with talking. We having been working with youth for almost a year and a half now. In that period I've found myself talking to students that I otherwise wouldn't have spoken to. It's not them; it's always been me.
God is moving me to understand that people are people. I'm slowly learning and it is a hard concept when we grow up in a culture of "us 4 no more" mentalities. It's all about breaking the cycle and living as Jesus did which is loving people that everyone else viewed as rotten, despicable, and unworthy.
I'm glad that He loved me, because I am unworthy. The least I can do is push myself to love like Christ. I haven't read yet anywhere that said living for Christ's cause is easy, but with a reward such as we will be given, eternal life with Christ, how can it not be worth it?
I encourage you to step out of your survivors circle and see the others for who they are: people trying to make it just like you and just like me.
Anyways, on the show you have the group of people on the island that have crashed, "the survivors". Then, there is the group called "the others". That's what everyone says throughout the entire six seasons. What are the others doing? What do the others want? Why are the others bothering us?
For more reference on "the others", visit this previous post which has a video synopsis of "LOST": How to be Like John Locke.
Sometimes as Christians we act like the survivors, wouldn't you say? I know sometimes I do. I stay in my group, where it is comfortable. I talk to people I know. I talk to people that I believe are just like me or at least similar. I'm man enough to admit that, yeah, sometimes my humanness gets me and I look at people as the "others".
I tell you what it really is; we get scared. We see differences we don't understand. Everyone knows I am a huge Batman fan, too. In Batman Begins, the big mob boss looks at Bruce Wayne and he says, "You're always afraid of what you don't understand."
How true is that? I know that if I see people I don't resonate with sometimes it scares the crap out of me to imagine talking to them or building a relationship.
Lately, I've been pushed out of my comfort zone. With how God is working in my life lately, I'm not sure that I even have a comfort zone anymore.
I'm the kind of guy that will talk to a fork if it would acknowledge me most days. My job involves a lot of talking and some days I'm just done with talking. We having been working with youth for almost a year and a half now. In that period I've found myself talking to students that I otherwise wouldn't have spoken to. It's not them; it's always been me.
God is moving me to understand that people are people. I'm slowly learning and it is a hard concept when we grow up in a culture of "us 4 no more" mentalities. It's all about breaking the cycle and living as Jesus did which is loving people that everyone else viewed as rotten, despicable, and unworthy.
I'm glad that He loved me, because I am unworthy. The least I can do is push myself to love like Christ. I haven't read yet anywhere that said living for Christ's cause is easy, but with a reward such as we will be given, eternal life with Christ, how can it not be worth it?
I encourage you to step out of your survivors circle and see the others for who they are: people trying to make it just like you and just like me.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Things That Make You Laugh
A lot of things make me laugh. Movies. Books. Music, especially when it is a train wreck. Comedians. Jokes. People smiling and having a good time.
I tell you what though. God can make me really bust a gut laughing sometimes.
Literally five minutes before I wrote this I was thinking, "God, I know the site gets hits, but does anyone even read this stuff? Am I doing the right thing with this or has it become about me?"
I was literally thinking about just posting and saying hey guys, this is it. Last one today.
No more than before I was about to begin writing I receive a text from a good friend telling me what a good post the last one was.
See it's not that he encouraged me, because a couple of people have. It's the fact that I wanted to know if this was all in vain. My heart is in it. I do it to reach even just one person. It's never been about me in my eyes.
That text came right as I said, "God, just tell me to keep going or not somehow."
Well, I got my answer through a friend. God will answer prayers. Even if they are as simple as what about this little thing that I do.
So, needless to say, I laughed because I thought it was funny how fast that happened.
I'm not asking for mass comments or encouragement. I just want to share my heart.
I tell you what though. God can make me really bust a gut laughing sometimes.
Literally five minutes before I wrote this I was thinking, "God, I know the site gets hits, but does anyone even read this stuff? Am I doing the right thing with this or has it become about me?"
I was literally thinking about just posting and saying hey guys, this is it. Last one today.
No more than before I was about to begin writing I receive a text from a good friend telling me what a good post the last one was.
See it's not that he encouraged me, because a couple of people have. It's the fact that I wanted to know if this was all in vain. My heart is in it. I do it to reach even just one person. It's never been about me in my eyes.
That text came right as I said, "God, just tell me to keep going or not somehow."
Well, I got my answer through a friend. God will answer prayers. Even if they are as simple as what about this little thing that I do.
So, needless to say, I laughed because I thought it was funny how fast that happened.
I'm not asking for mass comments or encouragement. I just want to share my heart.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
You Want Me to Do What?
You ever ask that question? I have. I ask a lot of questions because I don't have a lot of answers and sometimes I just want to know what's up.
Have you ever asked that question when you were told to do something? Such as, "Hey, go jump in a pool of blood and get out cow livers with your teeth for 50 grand." (Yes, that was a Fear Factor reference.) You naturally respond with, "Come on, man."
That's about how Naaman was. His wife had a girl that had been taken from Israel that worked for her. The little girl said there is a prophet there that would cure him of being a leper.
See Naaman wasn't just another guy. He was the commander of the Syrian army. He was highly favored by his master. He was a well to do man with leprosy. That was a problem.
So he requested to go to Israel. He talked with the king and the king flipped out on him essentially. Elisha heard about this and sent him a message. He said Naaman go wash in the Jordan seven times and you will be clean of leprosy.
Simple enough, right? I think so, too.
Naaman though expected the miracle would come by the prophet calling upon God and waving his hand over him and boom. Healed. No. He was to go wash. Now the Jordan to Naaman was dirty compared to the rivers of Damascus. He walked off mad because this is not what he expected.
Have you ever done that? You expected God to move one way, and instead He provides in a completely different way. Think about it. You probably were ticked off.
I know I had prayed for a job in college. I got a job in Kentucky. Four hours away from home. I was mad. I wanted to move home with my fiance, family, friends, and the place a I grew up!
See God provided what I had asked for, yet I had the audacity to be mad. I never asked for a particular place. Just a job. He provided. (I have to say it was a blessing. I have some great friends from there. MJ, Josh, Lindsey, the Denisios, and Austin!! I learned a lot and have started the journey into my calling in ministry with a swift kick in the pants from God and my buddy Mitch.)
Naaman does the same thing. He thought it would happen in one way, but it was meant to be in another. Finally, he submitted to the words of the prophet and was healed. Imagine that, right?
See we get mad about God not working our miracle in the way we want our miracle worked. We are actually upset that the miracle occurs because it wasn't our way! How crazy is that?
We have to understand that God will provide and we have no control over how He provides. We just need to realize that we have received the miracle instead of complaining about it!
Have you received a miracle you were mad about because it wasn't your way?
Have you ever asked that question when you were told to do something? Such as, "Hey, go jump in a pool of blood and get out cow livers with your teeth for 50 grand." (Yes, that was a Fear Factor reference.) You naturally respond with, "Come on, man."
That's about how Naaman was. His wife had a girl that had been taken from Israel that worked for her. The little girl said there is a prophet there that would cure him of being a leper.
See Naaman wasn't just another guy. He was the commander of the Syrian army. He was highly favored by his master. He was a well to do man with leprosy. That was a problem.
So he requested to go to Israel. He talked with the king and the king flipped out on him essentially. Elisha heard about this and sent him a message. He said Naaman go wash in the Jordan seven times and you will be clean of leprosy.
Simple enough, right? I think so, too.
Naaman though expected the miracle would come by the prophet calling upon God and waving his hand over him and boom. Healed. No. He was to go wash. Now the Jordan to Naaman was dirty compared to the rivers of Damascus. He walked off mad because this is not what he expected.
Have you ever done that? You expected God to move one way, and instead He provides in a completely different way. Think about it. You probably were ticked off.
I know I had prayed for a job in college. I got a job in Kentucky. Four hours away from home. I was mad. I wanted to move home with my fiance, family, friends, and the place a I grew up!
See God provided what I had asked for, yet I had the audacity to be mad. I never asked for a particular place. Just a job. He provided. (I have to say it was a blessing. I have some great friends from there. MJ, Josh, Lindsey, the Denisios, and Austin!! I learned a lot and have started the journey into my calling in ministry with a swift kick in the pants from God and my buddy Mitch.)
Naaman does the same thing. He thought it would happen in one way, but it was meant to be in another. Finally, he submitted to the words of the prophet and was healed. Imagine that, right?
See we get mad about God not working our miracle in the way we want our miracle worked. We are actually upset that the miracle occurs because it wasn't our way! How crazy is that?
We have to understand that God will provide and we have no control over how He provides. We just need to realize that we have received the miracle instead of complaining about it!
Have you received a miracle you were mad about because it wasn't your way?
Monday, March 12, 2012
We Struggle...Just like Batman
Who doesn't like Batman. I mean as a kid I wore my grandpa's button down shirts like a cape. I'd fly through the house. It was awesome.
Think about Batman. He is strong. He is smart. He is awesome.
Sometimes he is not excited about being Batman. He has to hide behind a mask. He doesn't want the responsibility that comes with his position. Etc.
We as Christians get like that sometimes. We hide behind a smile, behind activities, behind events, behind our jobs, behind our roles. We say don't worry about us as we continue to strip others of the ability to truly know us.
Generally speaking, when you hide it's usually because you don't want something seen.
We may have a past, but when we hide our past we diminish the work God has done in our life by not allowing others to see how far we have come by His grace. Hiding only diminishes the work He has done in our lives. It doesn't make you feel better or even help the situation.
The women at the well ministry led some in service last night at our church. They laid it all out. All of their past. All of the ugly truth. You know what was interesting about it? They weren't hiding and they weren't ashamed. Could you get up and tell things that are so personally deep and not even blush?
These women did. The funny thing is that they didn't even flinch. They truly had found peace and love in Jesus Christ. When we become so secure in our love with Christ, our testimonies will become a thousand times more effective because we won't be ashamed to say, "Look what God got me out of."
Most of us are too ashamed and worried that people will look bad upon us, but don't let that dampen the power of what God has done for you.
Each person I know has their own story. Their own, "Well, you don't know what I been through." No I don't, but God does and if you are still here, chances are He brought you through it so share it with someone else not as dirty laundry to put in public, but as a testimony to the greatness of God.
Hiding is something we can do, but it does nothing. Choose not to hide behind the mask.
Feel free to share in the comments.
Think about Batman. He is strong. He is smart. He is awesome.
Sometimes he is not excited about being Batman. He has to hide behind a mask. He doesn't want the responsibility that comes with his position. Etc.
We as Christians get like that sometimes. We hide behind a smile, behind activities, behind events, behind our jobs, behind our roles. We say don't worry about us as we continue to strip others of the ability to truly know us.
Generally speaking, when you hide it's usually because you don't want something seen.
We may have a past, but when we hide our past we diminish the work God has done in our life by not allowing others to see how far we have come by His grace. Hiding only diminishes the work He has done in our lives. It doesn't make you feel better or even help the situation.
The women at the well ministry led some in service last night at our church. They laid it all out. All of their past. All of the ugly truth. You know what was interesting about it? They weren't hiding and they weren't ashamed. Could you get up and tell things that are so personally deep and not even blush?
These women did. The funny thing is that they didn't even flinch. They truly had found peace and love in Jesus Christ. When we become so secure in our love with Christ, our testimonies will become a thousand times more effective because we won't be ashamed to say, "Look what God got me out of."
Most of us are too ashamed and worried that people will look bad upon us, but don't let that dampen the power of what God has done for you.
Each person I know has their own story. Their own, "Well, you don't know what I been through." No I don't, but God does and if you are still here, chances are He brought you through it so share it with someone else not as dirty laundry to put in public, but as a testimony to the greatness of God.
Hiding is something we can do, but it does nothing. Choose not to hide behind the mask.
Feel free to share in the comments.
Learning
I don't have anything elaborate today. I'm exhausted from a youth trip to Winterfest this past weekend. It's one of those good exhausted feelings though. You know, the type when you know that something has been accomplished and that the time you didn't get to rest wasn't in vain. That kind of exhausted.
Life is about learning. It continues everyday because the world is a classroom. It doesn't stop at graduation. It never stops.
The youth that we had the honor of going with as leaders were amazing. Megan and I have been with them for about two months now. In that time I think I can count on one, possibly two hands, how many students have openly worshiped at any given service. This weekend I saw something marvelous.
As I saw the marvelous, I also learned. I sat in front of all the students the first night of the conference and really had to push myself. I'm not a very engaged worshiper at times. I'm a musician and I admit that sometimes I get caught up in watching, listening, and processing rather than worshiping.
I put it aside. I knew that I was in front and if I wasn't going to be free to worship why would they even feel at liberty to do it. I pushed myself. When I noticed I wasn't clapping, I began to clap. When I wasn't lifting my hands, I pressed in so that I would lift my hands as an example.
When I turned around, literally every student in our group was deeply involved in worship. Not one was sitting. Not one was talking. Not one looked bored. Not one was goofing off. It was amazing.
Now do I think that it was because of me they worshiped openly? Heck no! There were 25,000 more people there doing it, too. If I was going to hold their liberty up, we have problems.
What I am saying though is that I had to realize that there was a possibility that I set the tone. See when we all get back to our churches, who will they look to when they are the smallest group? They will look to adults and if we aren't at liberty to worship then why should they be? I pushed myself to set the example that it is okay and that it's actually something important.
I didn't want to worship particularly, but when Christ said take this cup and let it pass from me, I'm sure He was not wanting to die. If He can do that for me, then why can I not lift my hands for Him.
We have to be the example. We must create the liberty for the students and children that look on us as adults and leaders in the church so that they know what they are supposed to do. It doesn't mean they will do it, but it does mean that we will provide an example of what should be done.
So as they learned to worship, I learned to press in. Not for my sake, but for being a model to a group of people that looks up to those my age.
Life is about learning. It continues everyday because the world is a classroom. It doesn't stop at graduation. It never stops.
The youth that we had the honor of going with as leaders were amazing. Megan and I have been with them for about two months now. In that time I think I can count on one, possibly two hands, how many students have openly worshiped at any given service. This weekend I saw something marvelous.
As I saw the marvelous, I also learned. I sat in front of all the students the first night of the conference and really had to push myself. I'm not a very engaged worshiper at times. I'm a musician and I admit that sometimes I get caught up in watching, listening, and processing rather than worshiping.
I put it aside. I knew that I was in front and if I wasn't going to be free to worship why would they even feel at liberty to do it. I pushed myself. When I noticed I wasn't clapping, I began to clap. When I wasn't lifting my hands, I pressed in so that I would lift my hands as an example.
When I turned around, literally every student in our group was deeply involved in worship. Not one was sitting. Not one was talking. Not one looked bored. Not one was goofing off. It was amazing.
Now do I think that it was because of me they worshiped openly? Heck no! There were 25,000 more people there doing it, too. If I was going to hold their liberty up, we have problems.
What I am saying though is that I had to realize that there was a possibility that I set the tone. See when we all get back to our churches, who will they look to when they are the smallest group? They will look to adults and if we aren't at liberty to worship then why should they be? I pushed myself to set the example that it is okay and that it's actually something important.
I didn't want to worship particularly, but when Christ said take this cup and let it pass from me, I'm sure He was not wanting to die. If He can do that for me, then why can I not lift my hands for Him.
We have to be the example. We must create the liberty for the students and children that look on us as adults and leaders in the church so that they know what they are supposed to do. It doesn't mean they will do it, but it does mean that we will provide an example of what should be done.
So as they learned to worship, I learned to press in. Not for my sake, but for being a model to a group of people that looks up to those my age.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Asking for More
Asking for more is hard for some and not for others. You know that guy. The one who will be like oh you got a half of a pizza left. How bout you slide me the rest of that over here, man? Yeah, I know that guy, too.
Sometimes, though, it might be good to ask for more. I love the story of Elisha.
Elijah is getting ready to gloriously exit this earth. He turns to the man who had been by his side and refused to leave his side. He asks him in 2 Kings 2:9 what do you want before I am taken away.
I love how Elisha responds. He looks and requests a double portion of his spirit to be upon himself.
Elijah did some awesome stuff. Elisha could have just said, "Hey, I'd like to measure up to what you did so just bless me with the same spirit you have."
No he thought ahead. He wanted double what Elijah had. That's great. It's like hey, you had two scoops of ice cream and I'd like to have four, because I'm that guy!
Elijah responds by saying that Elisha had asked a hard thing. You think? He told him if he saw Elijah when he was taken away he would receive and otherwise he was out of luck.
Now if I'm Elisha buddy, I'm up all night long. I'd be watching this joker like a hawk. Can you see it?
"Elisha, leave me alone. I'm trying to use the bathroom." "Elijah, I don't think so, pal. I'm not gonna let this one get past me."
Anyways, the point is Elisha didn't just settle. Sometimes we do that. Yeah, I'll be fine with what I get.
I want to be bold like Elisha and ask for more. Ask for the double portion rather than the lucky leftovers. I want all that is prepared for me and more. I want to be bold enough to request so much more than most people dare to ask for. I want the spirit of Elisha in that moment to be bold to ask for something that is considered a hard thing, but nevertheless nothing is impossible for God.
Sometimes, though, it might be good to ask for more. I love the story of Elisha.
Elijah is getting ready to gloriously exit this earth. He turns to the man who had been by his side and refused to leave his side. He asks him in 2 Kings 2:9 what do you want before I am taken away.
I love how Elisha responds. He looks and requests a double portion of his spirit to be upon himself.
Elijah did some awesome stuff. Elisha could have just said, "Hey, I'd like to measure up to what you did so just bless me with the same spirit you have."
No he thought ahead. He wanted double what Elijah had. That's great. It's like hey, you had two scoops of ice cream and I'd like to have four, because I'm that guy!
Elijah responds by saying that Elisha had asked a hard thing. You think? He told him if he saw Elijah when he was taken away he would receive and otherwise he was out of luck.
Now if I'm Elisha buddy, I'm up all night long. I'd be watching this joker like a hawk. Can you see it?
"Elisha, leave me alone. I'm trying to use the bathroom." "Elijah, I don't think so, pal. I'm not gonna let this one get past me."
Anyways, the point is Elisha didn't just settle. Sometimes we do that. Yeah, I'll be fine with what I get.
I want to be bold like Elisha and ask for more. Ask for the double portion rather than the lucky leftovers. I want all that is prepared for me and more. I want to be bold enough to request so much more than most people dare to ask for. I want the spirit of Elisha in that moment to be bold to ask for something that is considered a hard thing, but nevertheless nothing is impossible for God.
On Your Own
We really get bogged down in this social construct of church now. Now don't jump to conclusions on me. I agree with the Bible completely. (I don't think we have a choice as believers to not agree with it. Another day.)
We should listen to the writer of Hebrews and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Hebrews 10:25.
I agree with that. We should gather together. It helps us stay strong together. It helps build each other up. Christ says that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is among them. Simple concept. Matthew 18:20.
Sometimes, we as the modern church almost put too much emphasis on the gathering together. We schedule it in to our routine, it becomes the norm. Sometimes it almost becomes motionless. Am I the only one that this has happened to? I know that some Sundays and Wednesdays I go numb and catch myself saying wait a minute. I didn't come here to be seen or heard. I came to worship a living God. I came to hear the Word. I came to grow, to be challenged, to be a role model for younger people, to love people.
We get that way though. We become used to what we do and sometimes it is the only time we do it. We pray awkwardly out loud, if we do that at all, because Sunday and Wednesday are the only days we pray. We struggle through scripture and understanding what the pastor might reference if he didn't specifically point it out because we aren't well read in our own bibles. We miss out on what could be a great experience if we would only prepare our hearts and minds.
We have to get ourselves together privately. We have to do what the Philippians were instructed to do and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12.
Tozer says this and I love it because it fits so well. "Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified."
Think about this. When we purify our private religion, aka we get ourselves together in secret and work out our mess with God, we will see a perfected social religion. We will see things start to come to fruition by essentially practicing what we preach.
I encourage you to purify your private religion. It is something I strive for everyday. It is a journey. It doesn't happen overnight. Try it out. See what happens.
We should listen to the writer of Hebrews and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Hebrews 10:25.
I agree with that. We should gather together. It helps us stay strong together. It helps build each other up. Christ says that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is among them. Simple concept. Matthew 18:20.
Sometimes, we as the modern church almost put too much emphasis on the gathering together. We schedule it in to our routine, it becomes the norm. Sometimes it almost becomes motionless. Am I the only one that this has happened to? I know that some Sundays and Wednesdays I go numb and catch myself saying wait a minute. I didn't come here to be seen or heard. I came to worship a living God. I came to hear the Word. I came to grow, to be challenged, to be a role model for younger people, to love people.
We get that way though. We become used to what we do and sometimes it is the only time we do it. We pray awkwardly out loud, if we do that at all, because Sunday and Wednesday are the only days we pray. We struggle through scripture and understanding what the pastor might reference if he didn't specifically point it out because we aren't well read in our own bibles. We miss out on what could be a great experience if we would only prepare our hearts and minds.
We have to get ourselves together privately. We have to do what the Philippians were instructed to do and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12.
Tozer says this and I love it because it fits so well. "Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified."
Think about this. When we purify our private religion, aka we get ourselves together in secret and work out our mess with God, we will see a perfected social religion. We will see things start to come to fruition by essentially practicing what we preach.
I encourage you to purify your private religion. It is something I strive for everyday. It is a journey. It doesn't happen overnight. Try it out. See what happens.
I Know it All
Is that how you feel? Society tells us that we have to know what we are doing it and why. Now let me be clear that I'm not all for running around like a chicken with your head cut off, but I do know that no one knows it all.
We think we know what to do, how to do it, when to do it, etc.
I'm partial to the response Solomon had to God.
In 1 Kings 3 God asks Solomon in a dream what he wanted. See Solomon was young and inexperienced. He didn't really know the rules of order for how things worked. We see it in verse 7 when he responds saying I do not know how to go out or come in. He hasn't the slightest clue of how to rule a kingdom.
I like the fact that Solomon could have asked for more riches, to never be defeated by another ruler, to never fail at being king, and on and on. You see what I'm getting at? The answer could have been anything.
I haven't researched it thoroughly enough to give a certain answer, but I believe from what I have read that Solomon was about my age in his mid to late 20's when he came to rule.
The reason I point out his age is for this: the one thing he asked for from God was for wisdom "an understanding heart to judge Your people that I may discern between good and evil." (verse 9)
Think about that. He asked for wisdom above all else he could have asked for that night.
Think about yourself now. What would you ask for if God specifically spoke to you and said what do you want?
Would you ask for the mortgage to be paid in full? Would you ask for healthy kids? Would you ask for a great promotion/raise at work? What would be in your heart?
I'd like to find myself as Solomon asking for something intangible that would help me for life such as wisdom.
How would you answer?
We think we know what to do, how to do it, when to do it, etc.
I'm partial to the response Solomon had to God.
In 1 Kings 3 God asks Solomon in a dream what he wanted. See Solomon was young and inexperienced. He didn't really know the rules of order for how things worked. We see it in verse 7 when he responds saying I do not know how to go out or come in. He hasn't the slightest clue of how to rule a kingdom.
I like the fact that Solomon could have asked for more riches, to never be defeated by another ruler, to never fail at being king, and on and on. You see what I'm getting at? The answer could have been anything.
I haven't researched it thoroughly enough to give a certain answer, but I believe from what I have read that Solomon was about my age in his mid to late 20's when he came to rule.
The reason I point out his age is for this: the one thing he asked for from God was for wisdom "an understanding heart to judge Your people that I may discern between good and evil." (verse 9)
Think about that. He asked for wisdom above all else he could have asked for that night.
Think about yourself now. What would you ask for if God specifically spoke to you and said what do you want?
Would you ask for the mortgage to be paid in full? Would you ask for healthy kids? Would you ask for a great promotion/raise at work? What would be in your heart?
I'd like to find myself as Solomon asking for something intangible that would help me for life such as wisdom.
How would you answer?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
True Worship
Anyone that is friends with me on Facebook or has Spotify and sees my listening patterns knows that I love worship music. It's not just a fad for me either. I've truly learned to live in worship whether it be by song, by prayer, or by acting out in faith. I try my best to live a life that shows God my true worship.
Do I fail at times? You better believe it.
Do I miss the mark? He who hasn't sinned cast the first stone...Megan (my wife), put down the rock!
If you've been reading along with me you have seen that I've been into Tozer here recently. The thing Tozer says about worship that really got my wheels turning was this:
"To great sections of the Church, the art of worship has been lost entirely, and in its place has come that strange and foreign thing called the 'program'."
Think about that for a minute. What he is saying is that we have gotten so caught up in is our mere human formation of a "church service". We worry that we won't get to the offering plate, or that our lesson/sermon will have been prepped for nothing.
We are restricting the Spirit of God from doing the work He has set out to do by looking out for those who might like to get to lunch on time, or do this by routine.
We, as a whole church, (not specifically Man O' War, Englewood, or any other church) have to begin to realize that this thing has never been about us. We have to let go of control. Raise your hand if that is hard. Yeah, I've got mine raised, too!
Can you imagine what would happen if we gave up control and just fell under the anointing of the Holy Spirit for a whole worship service? Let's take a small step. I'm not talking about a year or a month, but one dagum service!
I feel as though if we worshiped without rushing out to "beat that other denomination" to lunch we might see some marvelous things happen.
The whole key to this is that we have to let go! The longer we hold on, the more control we have and the less true uninhibited worship can happen.
Should worship be only for our weekly services? That's a whole different topic for a completely different post!
What I encourage you to do, especially leaders in the church, be genuine in your worship. If the Spirit moves, don't push it out of the way to make headway. Follow it's guidance. Let Him work. We ask God to come be in our midst, and then refuse to give Him control once He has manifested himself. Let your actions be in tune with your prayers and words.
Be genuine. Worship completely. Give everything you have like it's your last time on Earth to worship.
Do I fail at times? You better believe it.
Do I miss the mark? He who hasn't sinned cast the first stone...Megan (my wife), put down the rock!
If you've been reading along with me you have seen that I've been into Tozer here recently. The thing Tozer says about worship that really got my wheels turning was this:
"To great sections of the Church, the art of worship has been lost entirely, and in its place has come that strange and foreign thing called the 'program'."
Think about that for a minute. What he is saying is that we have gotten so caught up in is our mere human formation of a "church service". We worry that we won't get to the offering plate, or that our lesson/sermon will have been prepped for nothing.
We are restricting the Spirit of God from doing the work He has set out to do by looking out for those who might like to get to lunch on time, or do this by routine.
We, as a whole church, (not specifically Man O' War, Englewood, or any other church) have to begin to realize that this thing has never been about us. We have to let go of control. Raise your hand if that is hard. Yeah, I've got mine raised, too!
Can you imagine what would happen if we gave up control and just fell under the anointing of the Holy Spirit for a whole worship service? Let's take a small step. I'm not talking about a year or a month, but one dagum service!
I feel as though if we worshiped without rushing out to "beat that other denomination" to lunch we might see some marvelous things happen.
The whole key to this is that we have to let go! The longer we hold on, the more control we have and the less true uninhibited worship can happen.
Should worship be only for our weekly services? That's a whole different topic for a completely different post!
What I encourage you to do, especially leaders in the church, be genuine in your worship. If the Spirit moves, don't push it out of the way to make headway. Follow it's guidance. Let Him work. We ask God to come be in our midst, and then refuse to give Him control once He has manifested himself. Let your actions be in tune with your prayers and words.
Be genuine. Worship completely. Give everything you have like it's your last time on Earth to worship.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Teaching to the Thousands
Ha. Like I know anything about that. That I do not know. I do know this much though. You don't start out teaching to the masses. If so, God put you there on purpose and also you are much more of a brave man than I am at this point. I'd need to hear from God before I stepped in front of mere hundreds at this point. That's neither here nor there though.
The thing that I do know is that essentially everyone starts out in front of smaller groups teaching from the Bible. I know I have at least.
I remember my first time. I was teaching on love. How cliche, right? I am an educated, professional, educator of youth and adults. I thought, "How hard can this be? Read the Bible. Comprehend the material. Compile and teach." Ba-da bing, ba-da boom!
Youth at our church on Wednesday nights usually ran anywhere from eight (yes, 8) to 30 people. It was mid July. I figured that people would be on vacation or chillin' in the pool or anything besides coming to see the only guy under 25 that tucks in his shirt everyday, wears cowboy boots, and falls in more of a good ol' boy category. I am so different from anything that I've ever known as a youth leader/teacher/etc.
It wasn't terrible that night considering it was my first time teaching in church. I was rigid. I barely left my notes. I was very on topic. Besides rigid, all good things.
My friend, MJ, gave me a book to read called "The Principle of the Path" by Andy Stanley. (@andystanley follow him on Twitter.)
I'm not very good at retaining what I read. I make notes. I re-read. I bookmark. Also, why I love my Kindle Fire. I can highlight and go right to it without flipping through pages.
The one thing that has stuck with me from this book has been this short story. He was talking about how he was teaching a new Sunday School class or something of that nature. He was sure since it was for a younger age group his room would be packed out. He was disappointed because he had only a few if any show up for his class. Either during prayer or from his dad he was told that he needed to prepare for the 7 as if he were preparing for 700.
From my understanding he didn't feel like the prep was as needed for as few people. It hit me! Maybe one day I'll be teaching in front of a ton of people. I have to start here and now. I have to prepare as if 1000 people will show up. It doesn't matter if there are only a few people there. They deserve the quality and the preparation that 700 people receive.
So for that, I thank you Mr. Stanley. You helped me realize it's not about how many people come, but about how we prepare for those people we are given to minister to at a given time.
Prepare for the future, and practice in the present!
The thing that I do know is that essentially everyone starts out in front of smaller groups teaching from the Bible. I know I have at least.
I remember my first time. I was teaching on love. How cliche, right? I am an educated, professional, educator of youth and adults. I thought, "How hard can this be? Read the Bible. Comprehend the material. Compile and teach." Ba-da bing, ba-da boom!
Youth at our church on Wednesday nights usually ran anywhere from eight (yes, 8) to 30 people. It was mid July. I figured that people would be on vacation or chillin' in the pool or anything besides coming to see the only guy under 25 that tucks in his shirt everyday, wears cowboy boots, and falls in more of a good ol' boy category. I am so different from anything that I've ever known as a youth leader/teacher/etc.
It wasn't terrible that night considering it was my first time teaching in church. I was rigid. I barely left my notes. I was very on topic. Besides rigid, all good things.
My friend, MJ, gave me a book to read called "The Principle of the Path" by Andy Stanley. (@andystanley follow him on Twitter.)
I'm not very good at retaining what I read. I make notes. I re-read. I bookmark. Also, why I love my Kindle Fire. I can highlight and go right to it without flipping through pages.
The one thing that has stuck with me from this book has been this short story. He was talking about how he was teaching a new Sunday School class or something of that nature. He was sure since it was for a younger age group his room would be packed out. He was disappointed because he had only a few if any show up for his class. Either during prayer or from his dad he was told that he needed to prepare for the 7 as if he were preparing for 700.
From my understanding he didn't feel like the prep was as needed for as few people. It hit me! Maybe one day I'll be teaching in front of a ton of people. I have to start here and now. I have to prepare as if 1000 people will show up. It doesn't matter if there are only a few people there. They deserve the quality and the preparation that 700 people receive.
So for that, I thank you Mr. Stanley. You helped me realize it's not about how many people come, but about how we prepare for those people we are given to minister to at a given time.
Prepare for the future, and practice in the present!
Be like John Locke
No I'm not referring to the "Father of Liberalism" but rather this John Locke from LOST the tv series.
John Locke was an interesting character. If anyone of the four people that were at Man O' War the night I taught this in the fall...you can stop laughing. Also, if you aren't familiar with LOST check out this video to get caught up!
Anyways, John Locke was the questioner of the group. Not to the leader of the group, but rather to the leader. He always wanted to know what his destiny was. He always wanted to know why he was there. See before the plane crash Locke couldn't walk. He was paralyzed. You will find out why by watching the video.
He was given a second chance after the plane crash and could walk again. He was doing all the things he dreamed of. Hunting, fishing, searching, walking. He was living the dream. Instead of enjoying his miracle, he questioned his miracle.
Have you ever done that? Instead of being appreciative of what you receive from God you question what's up with this gift?
Well, Locke continues to question and he searches everywhere on the island for answers. He looks. He asks. He does what different leaders tell him. He is a man on his own doing whatever it takes to get his answer.
We do this a lot! We ask, "Why, God?" It's a very simple thing though. We have our answer in the Bible. In Matthew 28:18-20 we have the Great Commission. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 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 things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen"
There it is! See, I am currently having a hard time with this thought. I know there is a call on my life, but I'm not certain what specific way to use it. Instead of dwelling on why, what, when, how, where, I just need to go! Just go and spread the gospel. It's tougher than it sounds.
I encourage you. Join me in stepping out in faith and doing what we have all been told to do. Don't be like John Locke and place all your time in asking and no time in actually doing. We have to be doers too!
John Locke was an interesting character. If anyone of the four people that were at Man O' War the night I taught this in the fall...you can stop laughing. Also, if you aren't familiar with LOST check out this video to get caught up!
Anyways, John Locke was the questioner of the group. Not to the leader of the group, but rather to the leader. He always wanted to know what his destiny was. He always wanted to know why he was there. See before the plane crash Locke couldn't walk. He was paralyzed. You will find out why by watching the video.
He was given a second chance after the plane crash and could walk again. He was doing all the things he dreamed of. Hunting, fishing, searching, walking. He was living the dream. Instead of enjoying his miracle, he questioned his miracle.
Have you ever done that? Instead of being appreciative of what you receive from God you question what's up with this gift?
Well, Locke continues to question and he searches everywhere on the island for answers. He looks. He asks. He does what different leaders tell him. He is a man on his own doing whatever it takes to get his answer.
We do this a lot! We ask, "Why, God?" It's a very simple thing though. We have our answer in the Bible. In Matthew 28:18-20 we have the Great Commission. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 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 things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen"
There it is! See, I am currently having a hard time with this thought. I know there is a call on my life, but I'm not certain what specific way to use it. Instead of dwelling on why, what, when, how, where, I just need to go! Just go and spread the gospel. It's tougher than it sounds.
I encourage you. Join me in stepping out in faith and doing what we have all been told to do. Don't be like John Locke and place all your time in asking and no time in actually doing. We have to be doers too!
Monday, February 27, 2012
It's All About Me
Well, that's what most of us think anyways whether we realize it or not. We put all the focus on ourselves.
Have you ever noticed how even when we try it becomes about us? "Good sermon, pastor." "Great playing, man!" "You really did a fantastic job with that band."
All these statements have to do with people. We have to recognize that it's not the people that are the reason that these things went well. It never has been about us.
In Philippians 2:3 we are told to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility we are to count others more significant than ourselves.
I admit, I had an extremely hard time with this concept for a long time. I played in the band and honestly it was about me. It was about what I did to contribute, to make it sound better, to be seen.
In all reality, I did nothing. My mindset sucked. In Luke 14:11 it says that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
I got humbled the hard way. It was tough. I learned the hard way that it was not about me at all. It is more than me and will always be.
Now I realize that I have to do things not from self ambition or conceit and that whatever I do, I should count the others more significant than ourselves.
Those of you who know me know that I love Tim Tebow. It's obvious. I think he is the embodiment of counting others more significant than himself. He always puts his teammates way above himself. They make him look good. They make him look better than he is according to him.
That's the way I want to be. When I'm a part of something, I want to be able put others above me and give them the credit for their support and efforts rather than doing anything for my own benefit. I am not a self-promoter and hopefully never will be. I just hope the people around me see me for what I try to be and that is a man who really tries for the right reasons, not for mere promotion of self, self ambition, or anything other than to live a life or an example.
Try it sometime. It actually feels better to live humble and without selfish motives. People might almost like you more!
Have you ever noticed how even when we try it becomes about us? "Good sermon, pastor." "Great playing, man!" "You really did a fantastic job with that band."
All these statements have to do with people. We have to recognize that it's not the people that are the reason that these things went well. It never has been about us.
In Philippians 2:3 we are told to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility we are to count others more significant than ourselves.
I admit, I had an extremely hard time with this concept for a long time. I played in the band and honestly it was about me. It was about what I did to contribute, to make it sound better, to be seen.
In all reality, I did nothing. My mindset sucked. In Luke 14:11 it says that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
I got humbled the hard way. It was tough. I learned the hard way that it was not about me at all. It is more than me and will always be.
Now I realize that I have to do things not from self ambition or conceit and that whatever I do, I should count the others more significant than ourselves.
Those of you who know me know that I love Tim Tebow. It's obvious. I think he is the embodiment of counting others more significant than himself. He always puts his teammates way above himself. They make him look good. They make him look better than he is according to him.
That's the way I want to be. When I'm a part of something, I want to be able put others above me and give them the credit for their support and efforts rather than doing anything for my own benefit. I am not a self-promoter and hopefully never will be. I just hope the people around me see me for what I try to be and that is a man who really tries for the right reasons, not for mere promotion of self, self ambition, or anything other than to live a life or an example.
Try it sometime. It actually feels better to live humble and without selfish motives. People might almost like you more!
Who's Taking His Spot
First off, for those of you following regularly sorry for the long delay in posts. It's been a long week of training. I apologize.
Anyways, I've been reading "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. First of all, this is a fantastic book. Second, one thing has really stuck out at me reading this book.
In the book he speaks about the story of Abraham and Isaac. Now I know that most everyone is aware of this story, but reading this book shed new light on it for me. I had never looked at it this way.
Tozer talks about how, yes Abraham was obedient, but that wasn't the cause for God asking him to sacrifice his own son. Abraham had made Isaac his everything. This was the son God had promised him he would have. This was his legitimate offspring that would fulfill the promise of his offspring as the number of the stars (Genesis 15:5).
The thing with Isaac though is that Abraham had waited a long time on God to fulfill the promise. When the promise was finally fulfilled, Isaac became Abraham's everything.
I mean think about it. You have been asking God for something that you want desperately more than anything else and you wait so long for it that it becomes almost natural by human standards to cherish that which was given to you. He exalted this child because it was the fulfillment of a promise from God.
The thing that happened is that Abraham started to let him become everything. I love how Tozer kind of elaborates on the situation. He says it like this paraphrasing Genesis 22:12 :
"It's alright, Abraham. I never intended that you should actually slay the lad. I only wanted to remove him from the temple of your heart that I might reign unchallenged there. I wanted to correct the perversion that existed in your love. Now you may have the boy, sound and well. Take him and go back to your tent. Now I know that thou fear God, seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me."
God fulfills his promises to us, just as He did with Abraham. The problem is that the result of the promise becomes "God" to us. We let the result take the place because it is something so dear to us.
What we have to do is make sure that we don't replace God with the blessing that He has given us. We have to remember who is responsible and who deserves all the glory for those things.
So I challenge you, as I challenge myself, who or what is taking His spot in your life?
Anyways, I've been reading "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. First of all, this is a fantastic book. Second, one thing has really stuck out at me reading this book.
In the book he speaks about the story of Abraham and Isaac. Now I know that most everyone is aware of this story, but reading this book shed new light on it for me. I had never looked at it this way.
Tozer talks about how, yes Abraham was obedient, but that wasn't the cause for God asking him to sacrifice his own son. Abraham had made Isaac his everything. This was the son God had promised him he would have. This was his legitimate offspring that would fulfill the promise of his offspring as the number of the stars (Genesis 15:5).
The thing with Isaac though is that Abraham had waited a long time on God to fulfill the promise. When the promise was finally fulfilled, Isaac became Abraham's everything.
I mean think about it. You have been asking God for something that you want desperately more than anything else and you wait so long for it that it becomes almost natural by human standards to cherish that which was given to you. He exalted this child because it was the fulfillment of a promise from God.
The thing that happened is that Abraham started to let him become everything. I love how Tozer kind of elaborates on the situation. He says it like this paraphrasing Genesis 22:12 :
"It's alright, Abraham. I never intended that you should actually slay the lad. I only wanted to remove him from the temple of your heart that I might reign unchallenged there. I wanted to correct the perversion that existed in your love. Now you may have the boy, sound and well. Take him and go back to your tent. Now I know that thou fear God, seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me."
God fulfills his promises to us, just as He did with Abraham. The problem is that the result of the promise becomes "God" to us. We let the result take the place because it is something so dear to us.
What we have to do is make sure that we don't replace God with the blessing that He has given us. We have to remember who is responsible and who deserves all the glory for those things.
So I challenge you, as I challenge myself, who or what is taking His spot in your life?
Monday, February 20, 2012
How to Win
Have you ever sat back and thought about the lost family members or friends? Not the ones you only see once a year and you are civil too because it's the right thing to do, but the ones who know you. They knew you before you knew God. They know the ugly, the awful, the despicable you and all the mess you lived in once. Yeah, those.
It's a really tough spot to be in. I know for me, I never could break through to some people. It wasn't because I didn't care about them or that we fought about it. I never could fight the way my past was thrown at me. Lord knows I'm not perfect. If you know me well, you know I am not perfect, too. That's okay with me.
If I was perfect, I wouldn't have a powerful story of redemption through Christ.
Anyways, our family and friends know us. It is hard to minister to them because we've gone too deep in a sense. It's sort of like swimming. You getting your feet wet is like just kind of knowing someone. You may say hello to them, know their name, maybe shared a joke in a large crowd. Nothing major.
Going knee deep you may have a conversation with them. You may discuss the ball game or the weather but there is no real gravity to it.
Going waist deep it starts coming along. You may have dinner together. You may intentionally make plans to hang out. You may have deeper conversations.
Then we get neck deep. We know these people. We know how they react. We know what sets them off. We know when they are doing good and not doing good.
Finally, we are in over our heads. We are so deep there isn't any going back. You are soaking wet in the water and nothing can change that. You know every single thing there is to know about the person. You've seen what few else will ever see. That's about how family and lifelong friends are in relationships most of the time.
They know where you have been. They see you as that person because no one really remembers all the good things you have done. They only seem to remember the screw ups. That is all part of human nature.
I took Megan to see "The Vow" and as cheesy as it sounds, I think one scene sums up how we should treat the ones we love. The man had cheated on his wife and the daughter asked how she couldn't leave him. Her response was that how could she not forgive him for the one stupid mistake he made after the lifetime of good he had done for her.
Now I'm not condoning an affair. Let's not get carried away. But it's about forgiveness. Christ forgave us, and we must forgive others. It's hard though when we have seen what they have been through and done in the past.
It is hard. Sometimes the best thing we can do is live as an example. We must commit those we love to prayer daily. The best two things we can do are be an example by loving and pray.
Galatians 6:9 says this: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, IF we do not give up".
Pastor Scott said last night, and it is true, that God gives us promises but they always have a large two letter phrase of "IF" attached. Here we are promised that we will reap in due season by doing good if we do not give up.
Don't give up friends. We can't give up on the ones we love. No matter how bad our past makes us to people, Christ's love redeems us and gives us a future.
Love people.
It's a really tough spot to be in. I know for me, I never could break through to some people. It wasn't because I didn't care about them or that we fought about it. I never could fight the way my past was thrown at me. Lord knows I'm not perfect. If you know me well, you know I am not perfect, too. That's okay with me.
If I was perfect, I wouldn't have a powerful story of redemption through Christ.
Anyways, our family and friends know us. It is hard to minister to them because we've gone too deep in a sense. It's sort of like swimming. You getting your feet wet is like just kind of knowing someone. You may say hello to them, know their name, maybe shared a joke in a large crowd. Nothing major.
Going knee deep you may have a conversation with them. You may discuss the ball game or the weather but there is no real gravity to it.
Going waist deep it starts coming along. You may have dinner together. You may intentionally make plans to hang out. You may have deeper conversations.
Then we get neck deep. We know these people. We know how they react. We know what sets them off. We know when they are doing good and not doing good.
Finally, we are in over our heads. We are so deep there isn't any going back. You are soaking wet in the water and nothing can change that. You know every single thing there is to know about the person. You've seen what few else will ever see. That's about how family and lifelong friends are in relationships most of the time.
They know where you have been. They see you as that person because no one really remembers all the good things you have done. They only seem to remember the screw ups. That is all part of human nature.
I took Megan to see "The Vow" and as cheesy as it sounds, I think one scene sums up how we should treat the ones we love. The man had cheated on his wife and the daughter asked how she couldn't leave him. Her response was that how could she not forgive him for the one stupid mistake he made after the lifetime of good he had done for her.
Now I'm not condoning an affair. Let's not get carried away. But it's about forgiveness. Christ forgave us, and we must forgive others. It's hard though when we have seen what they have been through and done in the past.
It is hard. Sometimes the best thing we can do is live as an example. We must commit those we love to prayer daily. The best two things we can do are be an example by loving and pray.
Galatians 6:9 says this: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, IF we do not give up".
Pastor Scott said last night, and it is true, that God gives us promises but they always have a large two letter phrase of "IF" attached. Here we are promised that we will reap in due season by doing good if we do not give up.
Don't give up friends. We can't give up on the ones we love. No matter how bad our past makes us to people, Christ's love redeems us and gives us a future.
Love people.
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Only Perfect Role Model
Tim Tebow is my sports hero. I won't lie. I know this topic has become stale and old, but it's what I've been thinking about this morning.
The reason I think I really enjoy following Tebow is because we are the same age. I remember when I was a senior in high school. He had enrolled early and for some reason I had gotten the Knoxville News Sentinel in the spring. My mom never got the paper and there was the newest of Gators. His stats were great in the Florida spring game.
For me I could relate because I was going to college on a football scholarship (that is NCAA on xbox 360 scholarship). Really though, I could relate because he was only a couple of months older than me. I was excited because I would be able to follow his career at Florida and have typically the same types of experiences since we were going through college at the same time. Well, we experienced most of the same stuff aside from being the greatest football player in history, winning championships, the first sophomore Heisman winner, and more.
Okay, so maybe our experiences were vastly different.
Tim Tebow went on to the Denver Broncos and has been followed by the masses. If you haven't read stuff about him, you should because it is inspiring.
I kept that paper from his spring game for 6 years. I found it as Megan and I got ready to move from Kentucky back to Tennessee.
It hit me, especially with all the media coverage, although Tebow is a great example, he is only a human. Humans aren't perfect. I hope if you just read that you are nodding your head yes, because chances are pretty high that you're not perfect either. Lord knows I'm not.
So I tossed the paper in the trash. Gone forever. I realized that even though the story is inspiring, something will happen. I hope it won't, but people aren't perfect and as much coverage as he has received someone will see him in a moment where he just loses his composure.
I have realized that people will fall and fail you. Yes, it is fantastic to have such an example on a platform that allows him in every house every Sunday, but what about the example that never fails?
Instead of taking up papers and keeping them, we ought to take up the Word and use that example. It is laid out for us and won't ever fail us. I mean you. I mean me. I'm not perfect and will never claim to be.
Philippians 3:13-14 says it all for me. "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Press toward the mark. Use the unchanging example.
The reason I think I really enjoy following Tebow is because we are the same age. I remember when I was a senior in high school. He had enrolled early and for some reason I had gotten the Knoxville News Sentinel in the spring. My mom never got the paper and there was the newest of Gators. His stats were great in the Florida spring game.
For me I could relate because I was going to college on a football scholarship (that is NCAA on xbox 360 scholarship). Really though, I could relate because he was only a couple of months older than me. I was excited because I would be able to follow his career at Florida and have typically the same types of experiences since we were going through college at the same time. Well, we experienced most of the same stuff aside from being the greatest football player in history, winning championships, the first sophomore Heisman winner, and more.
Okay, so maybe our experiences were vastly different.
Tim Tebow went on to the Denver Broncos and has been followed by the masses. If you haven't read stuff about him, you should because it is inspiring.
I kept that paper from his spring game for 6 years. I found it as Megan and I got ready to move from Kentucky back to Tennessee.
It hit me, especially with all the media coverage, although Tebow is a great example, he is only a human. Humans aren't perfect. I hope if you just read that you are nodding your head yes, because chances are pretty high that you're not perfect either. Lord knows I'm not.
So I tossed the paper in the trash. Gone forever. I realized that even though the story is inspiring, something will happen. I hope it won't, but people aren't perfect and as much coverage as he has received someone will see him in a moment where he just loses his composure.
I have realized that people will fall and fail you. Yes, it is fantastic to have such an example on a platform that allows him in every house every Sunday, but what about the example that never fails?
Instead of taking up papers and keeping them, we ought to take up the Word and use that example. It is laid out for us and won't ever fail us. I mean you. I mean me. I'm not perfect and will never claim to be.
Philippians 3:13-14 says it all for me. "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Press toward the mark. Use the unchanging example.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
It's Not Your Song
Do you have that favorite church song? Some of you may have that favorite hymn that if it isn't sang at the church you attend, well that becomes the church you used to attend. Some of you can't carry a tune in a bucket and you hate worship songs for that reason. Others of you have that one song that sends goosebumps up your arm and neck. That song!
I ask you though, is it really the song? We lose this connection so often. I do it myself.
Megan and I recently, and I mean very recently, moved home and started working with a new youth group. Not only is it different, so are the songs. I stood last night during our time of worship and was thinking to myself, "Man, what are these kids singin'? These songs are so far out of left field. Forget it. I'll just wait until the next song"
Buddy, let me tell you something. We always refer to God as our Father. Well it felt like my tail got lit up last night. It was like that time when you were between 12 and 15 and said something stupid and probably got a good whoopin' for it. That's what it felt like to me.
As I stood there, all I felt was this sense of disappointment in me. Have you ever let someone you love down? Yeah, it's a terrible feeling.
Anyways, I'm standing there and the Spirit just came to me and all I could hear in my mind was, "Am I not worthy?" That's a scary question to hear when you think you're all together. It didn't come because "I'm in a bad place spiritually" or because "I've given up". It came because of mere human nature. We are inclined to like what we like.
At that moment, I began to learn the words to a song I don't even know the name of (and my wife can atest to the fact that as a musician I want to know the song names and lyrics). I began to sing out the words to what in my mind was some random song. Man, I don't know about anybody else in the room but God dealt with me and I felt the warmth of His spirit engulf me immediately.
In Revelations throughout the fourth and fifth chapters there are multiple references to repeated worship.
In 4:8 we see the four creatures that day and night never cease to sing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come"
In 4:11 we see the 24 elders join in by singing "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
In 5:9-10 we see that the four creatures and the 24 elders sang a new song (see we don't have to stick with traditional song all the time, but that's another day) "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our god, and they shall reign on the earth"
Then in verse 11 more join in singing something new and finally in verse 13 we see that every creature in heaven and on earth and under earth and in the sea and all that is in them say "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever."
Now I give you all that scriptural reference to say this: this is a glimpse of heaven and the cry towards God in praise.
I can only speak for myself, but if that is all we get to sing I will be A-Okay with that!
Think about it the next time you get frustrated by a song because it is too contemporary or too traditional....
Does it really matter if it is glorifying God?
I ask you though, is it really the song? We lose this connection so often. I do it myself.
Megan and I recently, and I mean very recently, moved home and started working with a new youth group. Not only is it different, so are the songs. I stood last night during our time of worship and was thinking to myself, "Man, what are these kids singin'? These songs are so far out of left field. Forget it. I'll just wait until the next song"
Buddy, let me tell you something. We always refer to God as our Father. Well it felt like my tail got lit up last night. It was like that time when you were between 12 and 15 and said something stupid and probably got a good whoopin' for it. That's what it felt like to me.
As I stood there, all I felt was this sense of disappointment in me. Have you ever let someone you love down? Yeah, it's a terrible feeling.
Anyways, I'm standing there and the Spirit just came to me and all I could hear in my mind was, "Am I not worthy?" That's a scary question to hear when you think you're all together. It didn't come because "I'm in a bad place spiritually" or because "I've given up". It came because of mere human nature. We are inclined to like what we like.
At that moment, I began to learn the words to a song I don't even know the name of (and my wife can atest to the fact that as a musician I want to know the song names and lyrics). I began to sing out the words to what in my mind was some random song. Man, I don't know about anybody else in the room but God dealt with me and I felt the warmth of His spirit engulf me immediately.
In Revelations throughout the fourth and fifth chapters there are multiple references to repeated worship.
In 4:8 we see the four creatures that day and night never cease to sing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come"
In 4:11 we see the 24 elders join in by singing "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
In 5:9-10 we see that the four creatures and the 24 elders sang a new song (see we don't have to stick with traditional song all the time, but that's another day) "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our god, and they shall reign on the earth"
Then in verse 11 more join in singing something new and finally in verse 13 we see that every creature in heaven and on earth and under earth and in the sea and all that is in them say "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever."
Now I give you all that scriptural reference to say this: this is a glimpse of heaven and the cry towards God in praise.
I can only speak for myself, but if that is all we get to sing I will be A-Okay with that!
Think about it the next time you get frustrated by a song because it is too contemporary or too traditional....
Does it really matter if it is glorifying God?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Power of the Blood
Those of you that know me, know that I truly love music. I can listen to the same song and hear a million different things about it. I can point out the lead guitar line all the way through. I can listen again and hear the bass line (even when it's barely noticeable). I can hear how awesome, or not awesome, the drummer plays. I hear all the things about the music, but I tend to lose the voices.
Those of you following on Facebook know that I listen to Spotify constantly when I am in the office. Some days will be classic rock and others will consist of country. Mainly you will find me listening to worship music. I love worship music. I love to play it. I love to sing it. I love to listen to it.
I get distracted by the music portion though.
The other day I was listening for some new music to add to my playlist and I found a song that Jentzen Franklin had sang. It is an old song. Now before I go further I just want to say this fact. I love music both old and new. I love to jam to the new stuff and I LOVE to rock to the older, more "traditional" church songs.
The song that he sang was "The Blood Will Never Lose It's Power". If you have never heard this song, you need to Google it and find it.
The thing I love about this song, is though it is typically categorized as "traditional" it still holds such a powerful message.
It reaches to the highest mountain. Think about it. Even when things are good. You are on top. The blood still touches those times.
It reaches to the lowest valley. Days when you think not even the blood of Christ can help because you are so low, it is still there.
The blood that gives me strength from day to day will never lose it's power. If you read my post from yesterday you know that the blood will never lose it's power because Christ died for you out of pure love. The power of Christ lives on today.
On days when you can't seem to find an answer. In situations that seem trivial and those that seem unconquerable. The blood will never lose it's power. Try it out.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Learning to Love
Ironic that today love has been on my heart. I'm not talking about the hearts, candies, flowers, balloons, fancy dinners, dresses, etc. I'm talking about true love. Most everyone that has been raised with some sort of religious upbringing knows their mother, aunt, grandmother, sister, cousin, or other relative has some sort of picture or plaque with 1 Corinthians 13 on it.
"Trying to make a difference in other people's lives will amount to nothing if HE hasn't made a difference in yours. Be real, love people."
The thing that I love most about 1 Corinthians, especially the more I hear it and read it is what it says in verses 2 and 3: (paraphrased) I can do a million different good things, but if I do them without love I am nothing. I gain nothing.
Think about that?
We are human. Our human nature says that we should feel proud of ourselves. Look at me, I took time out that I could have been watching football to feed the homeless. Oh look, I gathered food for the pantry. Ah, I helped that man on the side of the road. I participated in this charity.
Sometimes we do those things to ease our conscience. That is not enough. We have to learn to do these things in love. It's not enough to do it to remind yourself how good your life really is. You have to love the people you are serving. Show them love that was shown for you.
I can't imagine that Christ was on the cross suffering for you and I and thought, "Look at what I'm doing for you all. I'm so lucky for what I am doing." I imagine it to be ugly, awful, and dreadful. It is the essence of love. Christ stood in the gap for you and for me. It wasn't pretty. He asked God if it were possible that there be another way. (Matthew 26:39) Christ did as God willed and was crucified to make a way for you and me. Everything was sacrificed so that you and I could gain eternal life. So that you and I could have a way to the Father.
Unless Christ truly loved us, then the act of the cross would've become irrelevant. How much more can we show love when we work within our communities? We have to be mindful that people know when you are genuine. Christ's love is genuine and is evident because He is alive and well!
I like Kari Jobe's new song that talks about His love. It says: What love is this that You gave your whole life for me. You made a way for me to know You. And I confess, Your always enough for me. You are all I need.
I leave you with what I posted on twitter yesterday. It just popped in my mind. No books. No retweet. No quote. If your job requires you to work with a lot of people remember this saying. If you only work with people on your own volunteer time it is just as important.
"Trying to make a difference in other people's lives will amount to nothing if HE hasn't made a difference in yours. Be real, love people."
In love,
JT
Monday, February 13, 2012
I Know My Truth
For those of you that are avid movie fans you probably finished the title by asking yourself what movie that phrase may be reminding you of today. Well, let me end your curiosity. It is "Couples Retreat" and Vince Vaughan says that he knows his truth in response to getting "bitten" by a shark.
Isn't that what we do though today. We all "know our truth". We know the truth of our traditions. I would agree with you that you know your truth and I hope you would think I know my truth, but that is not really what matters.
Our truth holds nothing unless it is the absolute truth. The absolute truth doesn't come through a tradition that has been held throughout every generation of your family. Truth only comes from God's Word.
Now, those of you who know me, know that I am not a condescending person (I used to be, but I changed) and I am not using this blog to bash people. This is merely a chance for you to see my heart pour out into words and hopefully into someone else's heart.
In John 14:6 we hear this: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Those of you familiar with this passage knows that Jesus is telling the disciples of how He is going to prepare a place for them so that where He is they can be as well. He is answering Thomas in this verse above.
Justin, what does this have to do with knowing your truth? Glad you asked, friend.
Jesus said He is the truth. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." John 1 tells us this as the book opens. We know that Jesus is the Son of God and also a part of the Trinity, which is God three in one.
Are you seeing where I'm headed?
Jesus, in turn, is the Word. Booyah, you're there! Therefore, the Word is the truth!
We have to know Jesus to know the truth which is in the Word. Knowing your own personal truth is fine, but is it what the Bible says? Your truth may be true to you, but is it the absolute truth?
It is hard to accept that your own way is not the way it's supposed to be sometimes. We must submit ourselves to the truth that God provided in his word. It's hard, but I've not found a spot yet in the Bible that says it was ever meant to be easy. Being crucified wasn't, but it doesn't mean it wasn't worth it and I am glad for that.
Isn't that what we do though today. We all "know our truth". We know the truth of our traditions. I would agree with you that you know your truth and I hope you would think I know my truth, but that is not really what matters.
Our truth holds nothing unless it is the absolute truth. The absolute truth doesn't come through a tradition that has been held throughout every generation of your family. Truth only comes from God's Word.
Now, those of you who know me, know that I am not a condescending person (I used to be, but I changed) and I am not using this blog to bash people. This is merely a chance for you to see my heart pour out into words and hopefully into someone else's heart.
In John 14:6 we hear this: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Those of you familiar with this passage knows that Jesus is telling the disciples of how He is going to prepare a place for them so that where He is they can be as well. He is answering Thomas in this verse above.
Justin, what does this have to do with knowing your truth? Glad you asked, friend.
Jesus said He is the truth. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." John 1 tells us this as the book opens. We know that Jesus is the Son of God and also a part of the Trinity, which is God three in one.
Are you seeing where I'm headed?
Jesus, in turn, is the Word. Booyah, you're there! Therefore, the Word is the truth!
We have to know Jesus to know the truth which is in the Word. Knowing your own personal truth is fine, but is it what the Bible says? Your truth may be true to you, but is it the absolute truth?
It is hard to accept that your own way is not the way it's supposed to be sometimes. We must submit ourselves to the truth that God provided in his word. It's hard, but I've not found a spot yet in the Bible that says it was ever meant to be easy. Being crucified wasn't, but it doesn't mean it wasn't worth it and I am glad for that.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Frustration
As I sit here at work I can't get the thought out of my head about this young lady that took her life yesterday. I didn't know her from Adam, yet it still almost tortures me.
Is it because she went to the same high school I did? Doubtful.
Is it because it was a place I knew? Doubful.
Is it because I am 100 percent enraged? Probably.
This incident has no personal touch on my life. I'll find out more from the news coverage than I will anything else. The thing that absolutely destroys me are the lies.
No, I'm not calling people out who start rumor mills. I mean the lies from Hell. We sit back and play games with our lives, me included, and joke about this and that when lies are flooding in everywhere. We have got to stop kidding ourselves.
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
Yes, this is touchy stuff but it is true. The devil doesn't care.
(On a side note I tell you what I find funny. Thinking of Harry Potter, our society is like everyone in most of the HP books. Everyone knows that there is an evil lurking out there, but no one wants to call it by name. We have got to stop playing games with the devil and thinking about the horns, tail, and a pitchfork. Those are all lies. The devil is cunning and is seeking to devour and we have to stop giving his name power when we know the name of He who created all things.)
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39.
What can separate us from us from the love of Christ? Nothing. We have to be aware of that. With that we also have to realize that we are human and we screw up. Plain and simple. That's why we need to look out for our friend, our loved one, our spouse, our pastor. We have to lift people up when they can't lift on their own, even when they look like they don't need a lift.
I feel as though this doesn't even scratch the surface of how I feel right now. Maybe I'm getting older and I realize I'm not invincible anymore. Maybe I'm realizing that though things look simple they aren't. Maybe I'm realizing that Hell is fighting with force. Satan won't play fair, so we shouldn't hold any punches on him. We have to be constantly ready. We have no time to waste.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Focus
I have a hard time with focus. I am a very busy person. Some days I wonder what the heck am I doing to make myself so busy. A lot of people are like that. We get into our normal routine and run ourselves to death and never know why we do some of the things we do.
I think the reason I get busy and feel like I am crazy busy is because of my focus. How many times do we lose our focus on what matters and do things for the sake and routine of doing them?
I like the fight that Israel has against Amalek in Exodus 17, personally. It really has two parts to it for me as I read and understand more and more. Starting in verse 11 and going through 13. "Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword."
This scripture says two things to me. First off, Moses held up his hands to the Lord. When he did so, Israel would be winning the battle. This, to me, can be taken as a sign of submission. When we submit ourselves to God and submit the power and will to Him, He takes care of us. However, Moses grew tired. Have you ever just grown tired of it? You repeatedly try to sacrifice and you feel as though no good is coming from "letting go, and letting God". I'm human and I'm willing to admit that the thought has crossed my mind before. I'm tired of it. It's no use. That happens when you grow weak. It's part of us as a human. Giving in to that thought is where things go bad. We must always continue to hold our hands up and submit to God. When we do so, the battle is won for us. You may have to go through hell on earth, but staying focused will bring you through. It worked for Moses and Israel, why not you?
The second thing I take from this scripture is this: we need people to help keep us focused, accountable, whatever word you would like to place in the blank. Moses grew weak, but he had Aaron and Hur there to help him hold himself up. Have you ever been to a point you just wish someone would lend you a hand, say something encouraging, strengthen you in some way? We need people around us that will keep us focused. Those close friends who know you. They know when you need a call, a hug, something. Jesus said in Matthew 18 where two or three are gathered in my name I will be among them.
When writing this, I am not writing for a specific audience. This is my heart. This is me. This is what I feel. I'm not a pastor. I'm not licensed. I'm merely trying to fulfill the call upon my life. So take it for what it is. Keep your focus. Fight the good fight. Find those people who know you for you. Not the church you. The real you behind closed doors that know what gets you. The people you trust more than anything. Keep the focus together. Now more than ever friends.
JT
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Beginnings
I've pondered starting a blog for some time now. My wife and I got to move back home to the great state of TN in January 2012. It has been three short weeks, but it sure is good to be home. The thing that I miss about KY though was the opportunity in ministry we had. We were completely immersed in the ministry that we did with youth, music, and drama at Man O' War Church.
When you really get into ministry you think, "Man, what was I thinking?" You are constantly on the go. There is always some activity to do, some event to plan, something to prepare for always. You get to the point where you run yourself today and sometimes wonder why.
When we got back to TN it was like a welcome vacation. We knew that we didn't have to get up at 7am to get ready and be at church on Sundays. We knew that we didn't have to rush every Wednesday night to get to church. We knew that the required preparation that constantly came was not required. It was like, yes, a break!
One week in to it and we both became miserable. We realized that we want to be used. It's what we were made to do. Not just us as in me and my wife, but us as you reading this too. (if any of you are reading it that is.)
Now I'm not the best person in the world and I refuse to say I am perfect. I struggle daily like everyone. I carry my cross everyday. I repent daily and still continue to fall. It is the human condition, but that doesn't stop me from continuing to run the race.
A verse that I found (and I say found because I am young and still have to search) in Proverbs reminds what to do. Proverbs 4:25-27 "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."
This is where it gets tough for me. I had been pushed out of my comfort zone to a point I never imagined I was capable of being at. I want to look back at what God has done through me in the past year but it is about moving forward. We must do as this verse in Proverbs says. We have to look forward. Remember where you came from, but look forward.
A lot of people miss blessings and opportunities by simply looking backwards at what was when it is time to look forward to the now and the future.
If you read this, if anyone reads this, just remember that the future is where the harvest is at. The future is where your opportunity is at. The future is where God will use you so leave the past behind.
Move Forward.
When you really get into ministry you think, "Man, what was I thinking?" You are constantly on the go. There is always some activity to do, some event to plan, something to prepare for always. You get to the point where you run yourself today and sometimes wonder why.
When we got back to TN it was like a welcome vacation. We knew that we didn't have to get up at 7am to get ready and be at church on Sundays. We knew that we didn't have to rush every Wednesday night to get to church. We knew that the required preparation that constantly came was not required. It was like, yes, a break!
One week in to it and we both became miserable. We realized that we want to be used. It's what we were made to do. Not just us as in me and my wife, but us as you reading this too. (if any of you are reading it that is.)
Now I'm not the best person in the world and I refuse to say I am perfect. I struggle daily like everyone. I carry my cross everyday. I repent daily and still continue to fall. It is the human condition, but that doesn't stop me from continuing to run the race.
A verse that I found (and I say found because I am young and still have to search) in Proverbs reminds what to do. Proverbs 4:25-27 "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."
This is where it gets tough for me. I had been pushed out of my comfort zone to a point I never imagined I was capable of being at. I want to look back at what God has done through me in the past year but it is about moving forward. We must do as this verse in Proverbs says. We have to look forward. Remember where you came from, but look forward.
A lot of people miss blessings and opportunities by simply looking backwards at what was when it is time to look forward to the now and the future.
If you read this, if anyone reads this, just remember that the future is where the harvest is at. The future is where your opportunity is at. The future is where God will use you so leave the past behind.
Move Forward.
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