I read a particular article that came close to home. It showed a community that was being forced to make large decisions regarding school children. The town like many is on the “downhill slide” in regard to economics.
I read a similar article on a region troubled by decreasing business and a declination in the business atmosphere. Continue reading Friends Don’t Let Friends Lose Their Future
Chicken Little I am not.
Chionophobia- Fear of snow
I get nervous when people start calling for safety over sanity. Have you ever read the warning labels companies are forced to affix to a product? All that “research”, legal mumbo-jumbo and added paper costs you money. These are but a couple…
There may well be a difference between supporting someone and being a friend or seeing something as ministry.
First, let me say, here in the United States I appreciate our Constitution and in particular the First Amendment. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Continue reading Support Or Ministry? Discernment Or Disaster?
Peace Is Our Referee Wisdom Calls The Plays
For many a year I have taught that “peace was our referee” meaning that there is a peace that God has provided for through The Holy Spirit. I predicate that thought and statement on multiple scriptures throughout the Old and New Testaments.
That thought has not changed, but it is clear to me that many have forgotten that we must couple that peace in my statement, with the attributes of God which would include grace (1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God —and righteousness and sanctification and redemption–) and wisdom. Somehow we want to separate the attributes or the parts of God into compartments. (We did it with the “names of Jehovah.”) All of God is seen in the nature of who he is, love. (1 John 4:8 b) Continue reading Peace Is Our Referee Wisdom Calls The Plays
Anyone who has been around me a little while, knows legacy and young people are on my thought process a lot going forward. Our church fellowship is blessed with a lot of young people.
Josiah was 8 years old when he became King in Jerusalem, but Paul calls us Sons of God, kings and priests, in our acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior. David defeated Goliath. Christ is our victory.
I so appreciate the passion of youth, the “no holds barred” approach to life in so many I see, but I have also noticed a trend in my years of ministry. That of “I can do it myself.” And first and foremost, let me say I may well have contributed to it. But, I think I have made the shift. Your destiny is not and will not be apart from the body of Christ and the legacy of goodness He desires to see sown in the earth.
Young people, do not despise wisdom or fail to seek it out. Not everything has an answer. Not everything has one manner or method. Not everything works like it seems. I do not believe as George Bernard Shaw said, “that youth is wasted on the young.” I do believe that can become a reality when wisdom is not sought. Continue reading Young People And The Wisdom Of God
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.
There were two families. One was Whys and the other Wise. The Why’s were all about figuring it out and doing more. The Wise were about enjoying what had been done.
The Whys said, when asked how to be with God, “pursue, chase.”
The Wise said, “why do you chase that which has been given?”
Hebrews 13:5
The Whys when asked about their “debt,” responded “pay up.”
The Wise said, “why do you try to pay that which has been paid?”
1 Corinthians 7:23
The Whys said how do you follow Jesus, “die to yourself.”
The Wise said, “why do you ‘die’ when you are already dead?”
Galatians 2:20
The Whys said “let us work hard to get to Him.”
The Wise said, “why do you chase that which has been given?”
Galatians 1:2
Jesus did not die for you. He died as you. The New Covenant is predicated on a covenant between God and God. You have been crucified, died, been buried (those three took care of the Adamic nature) and quickened, raised and seated with Him.
The difference between a servant and a son is how you identify with Christ.
Do not let lyrics or words put you in bondage. We labor to enter His rest. It was on the day of rest, man came forth. It is from rest we move and have our being. Do not ever have to ask “who has bewitched you.” It is not wise to be Whys.
I notice that all too often we can get caught up in the reality of this life and forget the realities of His life. The last day or so was one of those times for me.
Life began to move along, and one of the things you recognize at higher “speeds” is the rumbles, the revealing of things you could overlook at slower speeds, is dangerous at the higher speeds.
When I was in my teens, one time I decided to “borrow” someone’s bike. They had padlocked the front wheel to the fender. I undid the fender and it allowed the wheel to freely turn. What happened on the highway was a completely different story. The bike developed a difficult bounce and by the time I reached my destination my hands, arms and shoulders were on fire.
In my own life there is a lot to deal with, a lot that needs Him. In a perfect world, I would live on a mountaintop, come down once a month and “avoid traffic.” I worked hard to do that. Now I live in a city in an apartment with people I do not know. Who would have thought? It was fun for a season, but the idea of isolation is on my mind a lot. Why? Because I do not feel as though I “fit in.” I am not sure I ever did, but various things help you to “get by.” My “get by” factors have evaporated on so many levels.
Not all revelation is fun. It may be necessary, but it is not without pain. I am experiencing one of those “painful” times. I listened to a friend tell me that the stretching they were encountering was painful. I get it. Times of stretching reveal the “memories” that need to be overcome. These times reveal memories of failure, pain, limitations and more. The minor annoyances we incur may be the “checking of the system. “11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Last week, I told God, “I cannot take it anymore.” The apartment had been getting to me, the money had been escaping me, even getting a job seemed beyond my reach. “I am putting on the brakes” I said. I have done all I know how. I stopped. “Gave up” so to speak. I am not being stubborn, just trying to figure out the right place.
I know for many life feels as though it has stood still. It has not. I assure you all systems are being checked out. That which you deem to be a minor annoyance or aggravation has the hand of the Lord on it. For me, I am pulling “back.” Way back. Limiting everything but the things at hand. That means dealing with the house for the final time, the RV and boat, ending that whole phase of anchorship. There is another phase that follows that and I am not excited by that either, but it is another anchor being pulled up. I have applied for work, done the phone screens, but frankly there are some limiting factors I cannot overcome. They have to be God. This time will be pulled back. Way back! I have things that have been spoken that honestly I just need to evaluate.
I have been going through a “risk” thing. Part of my conversation with Him, was “God, put it before me.” So far I have not seen it. But if it involves risk and He tells me, is it risk?
Years ago, I wrote a story for the newspaper on acceptance. I talked about the stages of grief for part of it and the acceptance or finality that was required to move ahead. Life is like that. Sometimes to make a change you have to “agree” with something or accept it to make the changes necessary.
For instance when you accept there is corruption in the government, you are posed with two choices. Do nothing or do something? No matter who you are, change and the ability to change are hardwired into you.
The results of acceptance are that you accept the outcome, deny the wanted answer or recognize the futility of something. But there is an also an acceptance of who you are and what you can accomplish.
Too often we “settle” for something because we assume it will not get any better or never change. I would be lying to you to say that I have not had a moment or two of that type.
There is a famous prayer.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Niebuhr
My concern for a while has been people accept less than what is God’s best for them or His provision for them. Life is subject to change. All of it. Every time. Either you choose to believe the scriptures or you do not.
You can choose what you change.
Can God raise the dead? Have others raised the dead? So why not you?
Can God heal people from cancer? Have people been healed from cancer? So why not you?
Did God multiply the fish? Find the coin? Do you know people who have had magnificent provision in their lives? So why not you?
We do not have to “accept” the substandard or even the norm. Now, right here I will say what you believe will be important. Do you believe God raises the dead, heals the sick? Do you believe you have the ability to change? Do you accept the fact that you “deserve” good? We can choose excellence or better every time. And I accept and I never doubt that God is on my side and moving things ahead for me. What you accept will change over time. What you accept will determine going forward motion. Your acceptance can lead to reward and favor.
What you do with “answers” will have a lot to do with your responses. No does not mean never. It is not semantics but a reality founded in truth. You will always have the choice to accept or reject. Those actions will be based on the premise of what you believe. So, if you use that prayer, be sure to rely on His wisdom and not yours. You will find much of life is changeable to those who believe.
have been noticing a couple of things that seem to be affecting the body of Christ across the board.
One is the area of health. It seems to have “kicked” up a notch the last couple of weeks. Before we attribute things to the weather, pollen, etc.., we must remind ourselves that we are NOT under the curse. Sickness is not one of the sufferings of Christ you see in the scriptures. We are called to lived above and not “under.” That is not to condemn but to point.
The other is finance. I hear “what about me” as someone else is blessed.
Because people look at those two things and relate it all to them, the enemy works over time, bringing up the third area.
“Will I ever get it? Will I ever fit in?” All three are lies of the enemy.
God showed me that “praise” will be the answer.
Praise is not worship. My personal definition of worship is to tell God who He is in your life. Abba, Father, etc.. Praise to me tends to be “Aggressive” because it is telling God who He is according to who He is.
I read one time that worship was “I don’t have a car, a home or money, but I will worship you.” Praise is thanking Him. (When I am feeling down, I turn on the praise!) A lot of it is calling things that aren’t as though they are.
If you have been going through the “rough patch” and do not “feel” like praising Him, I am going to challenge you. It is your job to make earth like heaven.
