Have you stopped moving ahead? Have you pulled the “vehicle” to the side to let the “faster, younger, informed” ones pull by? Have you given up because it is too hard, too far, too much or too high? Have you confessed your last confession, declared your last declaration and prayed your last prayer because of fear, hurt or pain are causing you to stop? You might be in better company than you think.
I have noticed a lot of people who have said “I cannot do this ANYMORE!” Children, grandchildren, parents, jobs, friends have just become too much. “I want off this train. Out of this world. Stop the bus!” Many have read the book (The Bible) saw the last chapter and said “we win.” And then thrown it out into the future for “when they get home.” But what about now? Today? It says “we win” today…tomorrow and the next day. How? We change the earth. We cause it to look like heaven. Continue reading Giving Up On Life – Let Me Off!→
Being a prophet is something like putting out a new car color.
Recently, in the community I live in I see a lot of weird green cars by a Korean manufacturer Kia. Part of me jokes and says, “can you imagine being a marketing guy for a car company and saying let’s pick a really ugly color and see how long before it hits.” Continue reading Marketing Life To The Majority→
In the community I lived in there was a very wealthy man. Selfmade he was. He came up from the ranks of being a machinist and cook. He learned the value of money and he learned to be very good at. So good that he was one of the wealthier businessmen and real estate owners in the community. He made wise decisions with money. He made wise decisions with people. He gave, he honored and he did it well. Continue reading Fear How Bad It Is→
My grandchildren being here for VBS took a lot of time, but was well worth it. The last few days the Lord has opened up a garden of beauty and creativity for me to investigate. I continue to move towards the end of the book on interrupted process. I add every few days core teachings for the prophetic manual and even snuck in a children’s story, my grandchildren thought was hilarious. I intend for this week to tie some things together, at the same time I have to end my relationship with our Springfield home and get things out of there.
This week 2 things have been resting on my heart. Hospitality-what does it truly look like? (Hint-it is not about you…) and Immaturity-what is our next step. (And it is not about you!) Immaturity is not a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
We do not need a generation of “his majesty the baby.” We need men who are emotionally mature. Women who operate maturely and can identify men who don’t!
Immature people are often self-centered, egotistic and selfish adults. They may have little regard for others and be preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings (including “my ministry”). They may demand constant attention, sympathy or compliments. They may avoid participation if they can’t be special. They may obsess about impressing you.
I have a lot to put to words over time on this subject. As my friend Mark pointed out, you cannot just say “grow up” but you must see the process as well as model what it looks like. I will say one of the hardest things I ever see is the man or woman who out of immaturity struggles to be close to those who are mature and have the capability and wisdom to help them to grow. From a life coaching site-Emotionally the struggle is they often cannot handle frustration or criticism; jealous and moody. May have temper tantrums and fear any change. Relationally a person avoids and denies money and relationship problems which require integrity. Seeks people to accuse and blame.
Frankly there were three or four occurrences this week that just added fuel to my thinking on this subject. As a dad, I have advised my children on “what to look for, “and modeled this thinking for them. For instance, I found this on a national dating site.
1) He’s Decisive
2) He Takes Responsibility
3) He Has a Higher Purpose
4) He Has Close Relationships
5) He’s Capable of Expressing Himself
A few weeks ago while working on my book, I found this. (Great refrigerator reminder!)
1. My sons and daughters, choose your friends wisely in the days of your youth, for they shall determine the way you go. 2. A good friend rejoices with you in the praise of God but a bad friend fills your heart with violent thoughts. 3. A bad friend entices you to do evil but a good friend prevents you from sinning against the Lord. 4. A good friend praises you when you speak words of wisdom but a bad friend laughs when you cuss and blaspheme. 5. Good friends will rejoice with you in the days of joy that lie ahead but all the wicked together will despair in the futility of their lives. 6. The Lord knows all your thoughts, He hears every word that comes out of your mouth, and He observes all your deeds. 7. Seek, then, friends who meditate on God’s word, friends who delight in edification, and friends who are zealous in good works. For you are not unaware of the reward awaiting the righteous and you not ignorant of the punishment prepared for the wicked” (Quotes & Things David Collins-a paraphrase of Proverbs 24)
Emotional charges, childish outburst and more all stem from not understanding God’s goodness in your life.
It is as much upon the lives of the mature to dig in as it is in the life of the immature to reach out.
Single interesting tidbit-Boredom In teenagers is considered to be an area of difficulty or a “warning sign” of immaturity.
Those are some of the topics and thinking we will hit on the next few weeks. Look forward to hearing from you.
