Today I was in a meeting for work and the question on the table was, “what is your major frustration?” My answer was a simple, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” My reason was simple. It seemed like the idea of a “simple” sale (One that didn’t need extra parts, special efforts or more.) was beyond me. Each sale seemed to require extra forms and effort to get it all together. I was fast coming to a place of “melt down”. Too many things were being required and each time I thought I had a pathway, a different route was required. Continue reading Where Have All The Birdies Gone?→
Change a person, change a community. Change a community and change the world. The progress is simple, though the actual happening a little more daunting.
Last night I had the opportunity to share on mentoring with the adult class at our VBS. (Which was epic this year!) One of the things the Lord shared with me some 15 years ago or so was. Every Timothy needs a Paul. Every Paul needs a Timothy. And every Barnabas needs a Paul.(And vice versa.)
Rather than make this a very long writing for a Saturday, I am going to break this up into a couple of parts. That thinking and subsequent decision is the result of listening to one of the best builders I know. A true Paul (Or Barnabas.) in my life. Continue reading To Mentor..Or Not To Mentor…Is There A Question?→
Last night was one of my more “unusual” dream nights. As I awoke around three, one of my dreams had been simultaneous with a second dream. It was if I was watching two programs on different TV’s at opposite ends of the building. Not just two dreams, but I was not even in the same place as each was occurring.
The first dream had to with people who were under siege. They had watched their community slowly give in to a company and its unethical treatment of employees, its surroundings and the community. New signs and stoplights appeared to “regulate” the traffic. New restaurants and stores in keeping with the people of the workplace, but out of touch with the average citizen. Roads began to deteriorate with the traffic in and out. At first it was guards but not too long after it was security walking the streets. There was talk of a new “police” force. Continue reading Relationship or Religiosity – Two Dreams→
Too often in life we are faced with a challenge or even a dilemma where change is an option. (Sometimes there are not options and I get that.) The mind begins to construct scenarios and build option lists, etc..
One of the things I grow concerned with is the idea that “sacrifice” or the giving up of something to get something is shelved. I understand that much of the world indicates an easier, softer, self centered way. But for those who walk under the headship of the Lord Jesus, sacrifice or using our faith to change something ought to be the norm and not the occasional, “well, okay. I will do it.” Continue reading Sacrificing For The Next Step→
Before the critics run after me over the use of the word religion, let me bring clarity to the word itself. First James talks about “pure religion” in James 1:27. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” So, with that said, I believe there is a religion that adds value.
When many of my friends talk about the religious or religion or religiosity we are describing the actions that bring business and not relationship. The following of rules without the knowledge of One who cares for them. Continue reading Time To Stop The Religion Train→
Frequently I have had the unpleasant task of ripping the blinders off someone’s eyes. That point where they have continued over and over in a process or a relationship. Some may call it a wakeup call.
Wakeup calls come in all forms. They may be the result of a relationship crisis, a critical medical report or a firing from a job. Certainly that is not the “complete” list but that encompasses a lot.
The wakeup call is often founded in faulty thinking or process, misunderstanding of protocol or just plain disastrous choices. Not too long ago my brother was sent to the hospital with viral myocarditis. 2 years later after beating it he ran his first marathon. His wakeup was the hospitalization. His answer was reevaluating health. The results are simply amazing. Continue reading What Was I Thinking?→
This was an amazing weekend for us at Village. Ordinations, families, friends, food and faith. We had friends visiting from around the region. I want to say thanks to my church family for being one of the most awesome people on the planet!
During that time I felt the Lord speaking to me about family. I began to get this picture of two people, a husband and wife as they embarked on their relationship together. I saw the siblings show from time to time, the parents and grandparents as well. But the new life that was to be added to the family would come from them and their love for one another. In the natural they would develop friends and those friends would sit at their tables. But ultimately “new” life would come through them. There was dynamic working. And I was reminded of a vision I had on Saturday night. Continue reading Multiplication Is Easy→
On Sunday at our church fellowship, a “tongue” was given and I had the interpretation. It had to do with restoration. (In the last few days I have had reports of restored relationships.) I have been “burdened” with the stretching and breaking of relationships the last month or so. It pains me to see marriages break up, children lost and hearts broken. I just hurt for people.
First, let me say I get that there are times where destruction and abuse and such have taken place. And I understand the need to move apart in the face of these things. That is NOT what I will be talking about. Secondly, my gift mix gives me a different observation perspective and I will share from there. And finally, I am a guy and I get some women may not think I get it! J
The last few months I have watched believing men and women talk divorce, file papers and avoid some of the biggest issues on the plate.Experientially what I see more than anything else is that it is the ability to:
Believe God is the answer
Believe “love covers a multitude of sin.”
Believe the other party is “not out to get you.” (And if they are out to get you, what is your response? Love? Anger?)
Believe you do not have to be self-centered
Believe you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you.
That will change things!
I struggle with the broken relationships. I personally struggle from two past marriages and how they hurt my children though I had “no say” in the finality. (I could not do those 4 things above either.) I would not wish broken relationships on anyone.
And God has changed me…immensely! I get that “things happen” but folks we are believers! We are subject to change because of Him!
How do we get there?
I am a “grace” guy. I believe in allowing people the freedom to make choices, even when they are not healthy or good. I believe grace and truth are found in the person of Jesus Christ, and that grace is a person and His name is Jesus. I believe in extending grace, mercy and forgiveness.
His desire is to restore. Restoration can occur in many places but I believe first and foremost it is the heart of the Father to restore families. Malachi 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse
Restoration is defined as: the act or process of returning something to its original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.: the act of bringing back something that existed before: the act of returning something that was stolen or taken
If we say we believe in grace. That we believe in love. Well, I hate to be the bearer of “sad tidings” but we ought to walk it. You have to allow God to change you and move through you. You can have all the freedom you want and call it grace, but if it is trampling on others, hurting others and more, you are not operating in grace, and God is extending you mercy. Grace is the empowerment in your life to love, to forgive and to change.
Do not step up to the plate unless you are ready to hit!
A word on restoration speaks to the atmospheres and the powers of the enemy, but the reality of that word ought to bring change in us as well.
My frustration
