Clearly, being a Christian is more than being born again, not dressing like the opposite sex, or believing in one God. Those are certainly a part, but not the entirety. Being a Christian should envelop one’s life. My Christian experience is therefore somehow related to everything I am or do. Obviously it takes a lot of living to get all the wrinkles ironed out, but the end goal is “complete in Christ” and to "walk even as He walked” (Colossian 2:10, 1 John 2:6).

The process of becoming Christ-like is simplified when one recognizes the comprehensive nature of the philosophy of Christ. There is a comprehensive mental approach to this thing. There is a set of basic principles or concepts underlying the particular sphere of Christian knowledge. These concepts can be systematically examined – have been in many cases – to produce concrete and distinguishable morays and principles attendant to Christ-likeness.

A set of values is at the heart of this philosophy. Values are commonly defined as the accepted principles or standards of a person or a group. Common examples are “family values,” “conservative values,” or “green values.” The issue is not having values though. Everyone has values of one nature or another. The philosophy of Christ has biblical values, apostolic values, or Christ-like values.

For values to become a part of our unconscious life and lived in our conscious one – the goal – we need to understand them, embrace them, and daily cultivate our ability to live them. Belief is not the issue. Defending them publicly is not the issue. Living them consistently is the issue. To do so, one must understand, embrace, and cultivate the philosophy of Christ.

Setting up a framework for my values simplifies the learning and adaption process. Let me suggest the following beginning. We need to have;

o Personal values relating to how we manage our private lives and personal business
o Spiritual values relating to our walk with God
o Relational values relating to how we interact with other people
o Financial values relating to our responsibilities as stewards of God’s provisions
o Family values relating to how we handle our familial roles and responsibilities
o Ministry values relating to how we conduct our personal ministry

This framework allows one to begin articulating his or her values concerning each of these overarching concepts. For example, one might say regarding ministry that he or she believes it is critical that every believer fulfills his or her calling within the body of Christ. Or, one might say regarding familial values that he or she believes that Christian communities can only thrive when the family units that make up the fellowship are pleasing God and resemble the biblical model for family.

The Psalmist said it best, Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts... Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should” (Psalms 119:1-7 (NLT).

We call Pentecost an experience. If an experience is active involvement in an activity or exposure to events and people over a period of time, how much of Pentecost have we experienced? Have we plumbed its depths? Have we seen its heights? Have we been to its boarders? Have we at least got a precursory glimpse at all it has to offer? I doubt it!

Here’s the problem; the environmental conditions around us have a lot to do with our experiences. For instance, gaming might be the opiate of children in America, but it means nothing to the millions of children in developing nations. Gaming means nothing to the child in Africa whose family does not have clean, running water let alone electricity. So, if my religious environment does not include some element of genuine Book of Acts Pentecostalism where does that leave my Pentecostal experience?

Lord, in addition to deeply rooted values and convictions, please give me an open mind...

Differentiating cats

Early this morning, one of my boys and I were sitting outside enjoying in the cool fresh air on the patio when he made an incredible discovery. We were watching our two cats and He said; “you know how you can tell the difference between a boy cat and a girl cat?” Of course I had to inquire. He proceeded to tell me “girl cats have scrunchy faces and boy cats have their tails down most of the time.” Of course I accepted this logic as profound for his sake and we changed subjects.

Now I realize that is really silly and that is the logic of a little boy just beginning to understand life. I realize that idea is absolutely absurd, but this episode of life as a dad gave me some pause. I asked myself, how many times have I reached some kind of far off conclusion about an issue based on casual, misinformed observation? How many times have I drawn a conclusion about something without solid information to base my decision on or without giving it much study?

Sadly, way too many times! Unfortunately it is very easy to approach life the same way my boy approached differentiating the cats. Here is how it works; we make some observations which seem logical with the information we have on hand, we stake our claim to those observations, and we react or base our actions on them. The outcomes generally result in us telling someone that it seemed like a good idea at a time.

My prayer this morning is that God will help me pause more often in life to give it more thought. My prayer is that God will help me understand the crucial importance of well-informed and well-thought out. My prayer is that God will impress on me the blessings that come from 3D vision – hindsight, insight, and foresight.

Strategy and structure

Two of the most consequential dynamics affecting the success of any organization is how it is structured and what its chosen strategy is. Great organizations that do great things do so because they pass the right structure and strategy test. Or, God is just really merciful and kind.

Strategy is the science or art of planning and conducting a war or campaign. Strategy involves a keen awareness of the current situation, foresight, and a willingness to take risks. These elements are functional when guided by tactical expertise, logistical mastery, and meticulous planning skills. The strategist looks at the big picture. He identifies obstacles and opportunities. He sets the long-term goal. After which he plans and executes the process of reaching that goal.

Structure refers to how something is put together. It is also an organizational system made up of interrelated parts functioning as a whole. The combustible engine is a structure. It has many parts that work together to create a result. With this illustration, it is easy to see what happens when the structure is poor or any one part of the structure is poor. The desired result is poorly achieved or not achieved at all. Can anyone say Ford Pinto?

Normally, when someone starts a new organization or takes over an existing one, he or she defaults to the most common organizational structures. With a local church, it includes pastor, assistant pastor, secretary/treasurer, department heads, and a music department. With one decision, an organization’s structure is determined and inadvertently so is the process by which the organization does business and how successful the organization is going to be in the long run.

I do not think our movement needs any more outside the box ideas. It needs innovation in the area of strategy and structure. The difference between the creative and the innovative is the creative comes up with great ideas while the innovative brings great ideas to fruition. Instead of running a whole bunch of new ideas out, we need to clarify our strategy. Instead of designing a new marketing ploy we need to implement innovate structures that empower people and decentralizes control.

If our organizations are going to succeed, we need innovation and we need it now. I realize that means old hats might not find themselves holding down the same role or responsibility. I realize this innovative approach might redefine cherished assumptions or power positions. I realize that new systems generally trump old systems and that people who cannot adapt to the new are generally displaced by people who can. I also realize this is not vindictive or mean-spirited; it is just the natural by-products of growth and adaption. We all want growth right?

Business history illustrates that companies that survive and thrive have a few common characteristics. They all have well-defined core values. They all have well-defined missions. They all have the ability to retool and reengineer themselves when times and circumstances demand change. I think the Word of God provides us the first two. There are well-defined apostolic values. There is a well-defined mission. The only thing we do not have at this point in time is the ability – or willingness – to redefine our strategy and structure as times and circumstances demand.

Impediments of the Christian mind

Pentecost needs to come to terms with the incredible gift of thinking. We have the feeling part down pat; we all could probably critically think a bit more though. I know I could. God is not against thinking, He just has a few caveats about right thinking. I think… we fail to appreciate the power the ability to think gives us over the things around us. Mirabeau B. Lamar said, “A cultivated mind, while guided and controlled by virtue, is the noblest attribute of man.” I think… only the cultivation of my spiritual man, under the tutelage of the Holy Ghost, is more significant or consequential to my future than my ability to think

Here is the rub, our ability to think is sometimes impeded and these impediments marginalize the potential of a spiritual, thoughtful mind. There are many impediments to the Christian mind and it is important that we acknowledge that they exist. We need to see a few of them so we can identify them for ourselves and reduce their affect on our thoughts. It is very unfortunate to lose out on the power of insightful conclusions, reliable philosophies, and well-constructed plans because of some kind of mental block.

Here are a few of these impediments that come quickly to mind;

·Myopia – the inability to see things from another perspective, generally caused by rigidly held unfounded dogma
·Ego – the unfortunate human liability that causes us to think we are the smartest person in the conversation sometimes
·Unresolved past - anything from yesterday that still has a negative influence over me for want of closure via resolution or resignation
·Emotionalism – the moments of peaked emotions that results in some state of irrationality
·Poor points of reference – the trouble with living in a small pond in a big world

In Romans chapter 12, Paul acknowledged a spiritual mind. I do not think… he meant that one abdicates the responsibility or privilege of thinking to be spiritual. I think… he meant it is possible to achieve greater clarity and creativity of thought through the power of the Holy Ghost. What problems could I solve if I was a more creative thinker? What answer are yet to be discovered by apostolic people who embrace the potential of reason and logic? What wonders await the people of God that learn to eliminate the impediments of the Christian mind? Selah!!!

Then what?

I realize the Lord is coming back. I realize He is coming back soon. I hope sooner than later. Matter of fact, today would be great! But, what if he does not come back today? What if He does not come back this year? What if He does not come back in the next 50 years? Then what?

I think we need to ask ourselves if our plan for the future is to keep doing what we are doing and getting what we are getting? That plan might work for those with more days lived then left to live, but I do not think that plan is going to work for the generation now coming to prominence or the ones after them.

Now, maybe it is unthinkable that the Lord would tarry that long. One may even reference the proliferation of the signs of His return. But, if you asked those in their 80's, they saw the signs in their days. If you ask those in their 60's, they saw the signs in their days. I think we have been seeing these signs a long time now.

I do not wish to be antagonistic, but I am trying to focus our collective thoughts on what do we do now. Is it possible that our emphasis on the soon return of the Lord has left us out of balance? I do not think anyone expected us to be here this long. Subsequently, I do not think we have given integrating Christ into a 70 year life plan – career path plan, estate building plan, or church building plan – enough serious consideration.

If the Lord does tarry, I want to be prepared to pass along something to my "children's children" (Proverbs 13:33). I want Him to find me productively active (Luke 19:13).

Now what?

Most of us are very familiar with what we were before Christ came into our life. And, most of us are not very happy with what we were. The problem for us started when Adam and Eve sacrificed what they were to get what they should not have had. Our problem began with a man and a woman, who were in the likeness of God, sacrificing that status on the altar of self-indulgence and self-determination.

What was left was a substituted condition. Adam and Eve may have been created in God’s image but everyone after them was found in Adam’s “own likeness” (Genesis 5:1-3). That meant that all of us “were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient…” (Ephesians 2:1-3, NRSV).

This substituted condition is the reason people do what they do. The life people live, the mistakes people make, the consequences people suffer stem from this fallen condition. The problem is not behavior per se, the problem is condition. We cannot change people’s condition by changing their behavior. Behavior can only be changed as a person’s condition is changed.

Simply believing in God is not the mechanism that moves us back into the preferred status though. Being born again through the power of God is. The issue is born of God v. born of the flesh. We are saved from this fallen nature “not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…” (Titus 3:4-7, NRSV).

But, now that we find ourselves with a blank slate and a fresh start, what now? Now that yesterday is taken care of, what do we intend to do with tomorrow? What should we do with our new lease on life? What should we be 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years from now? What should we have accomplished? Whose life should we have contributed to in immeasurable ways? What will we have started and seen through to completion?

Can I suggest it is not enough to know God, we must do exploits through God (Daniel 11:32). Can I suggest that maintaining the status quo is not a good definition of success? Now that our past is under the blood and we are new creatures in Christ, help us Lord do something substantial and consequential with tomorrow.

Manners matter...

Since everyone needs meaningful relationships, we might as well do our best to be good at them. Good relationships are based on two simple principles; maturity and ethics. Maturity is simply the condition of being fully grown, especially mentally and emotionally. It is synonymous with wise, experienced, responsible, reliable, and sensible. Spencer Herbert said “mature is the man of a well proportioned and harmonious nature.” Edmund Wilson was a little less profound when he said, “Grow up, that is a terribly hard thing to do. It is much easier to skip it and go from one childhood to another.”

Ethics refers to a system of manners or etiquette that governs how one should act in life’s various settings. Sometimes we forget various settings require various manner sets. Minding our manners is a conscious effort. It is very easy to lose our bearing and commit a faux pas. Let me publicly apologize for mine now. I am sure there have been many. Additionally, manners cannot be arbitrary. Manners should be well-defined and universal to every extent possible

Let me suggest six basic principles from which one might construct a reliable ethical system. First and foremost, my manners must take into account how I am going to treat people. Galatians 6:10 says; “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Paul told Titus to remind the church to “speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone” (Titus 3:1-2, NRSV). The second principle is guard the contents of my heart towards people. Esau got in trouble because “he said in his heart… I will kill my brother” (Genesis 27:41). “Though hatred is covered with guile... it will be exposed in the assembly” (Proverbs 26:26).

The third principle is I must understand what the key concepts of relationship really mean. For instance; what is respect, what is honesty, what is friendship? Definitions of these vary by culture, location, and community. It is important to have thought these concepts out and to understand them completely so one can live them accurately. The forth principle is to determine how I am going to handle difficult people or situations. The key is to “never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18, NRSV).

The fifth principle should govern our public demeanor. This is the impression you leave on the server at Applebee’s or what the cashier thinks of you as you walk away. Man that is a scary thought! Paul told the Philippians that they should “do all things without murmurings and disputing: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14-15). To the Colossians, Paul wrote that they should “lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

Finally, our manners should govern our speech. Lord help me! It is important that our “conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:6, NLT). We should never use “foul or abusive language," [but] “let everything [we] say be good and helpful, so that [our] words will be an encouragement to those who hear [us]” (Ephesians 4:29, NRSV). We should always bear in mind that our speech is probably the most accurate reflection of our thoughts. How wise the admonition; “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (1 Peter 3:10).

When asked what he intended to do about his enemies, Abraham Lincoln said he intended to destroy them. He said he would do so by making them his friends. I hope one day, to one degree of intimacy or another, the world is my friend. If I am to reach that goal, it will be due to the fact that I maturely managed each relationship with a carefully constructed ethical system. Help me Lord!!!

Meaningful relationship rules...

Everyone wants autonomy, individualism, and self actualization while at the same time needs interpersonal connectedness, close friendship, intimate dialogue, and social acceptance. We want to be ourselves and do what we want, but at the same time we need people to accept us and interact with us. This puts us into a very precarious position because; 1) no one has to accept us and 2) I cannot impose myself into anyone’s life for very long with negative fall-out. At some point in time, I must develop the ability to get along with people and become a welcomed member of a community.

The key to social interaction is reasonable boundaries and reliable guidelines. The dichotomous demand between individuality and social acceptance sets the stage for unending friction, frustration, and futility if reasonable and responsible terms are not set up to ensure that individuals can positively interact. If one wants to have long-term, meaningful relationships with people, one must develop a set of reasonable boundaries and reliable guidelines that governs his/her interactions. Otherwise, no one has any chance of developing real relationships.

As Christians, we have an advantage because we do not need to look to society, personal experiences, or other contemporary sources of ethical guidelines. We can look to the Bible which is always talking to us about either our relationship with God or our relationship with others. The question then becomes, do I know what the Bible says about my relationship with others and am I doing my best to live those Biblical standards with integrity. Help me God!!!

No faking...

Can I suggest that at the heart of the Christian ethos is genuineness and sincerity in the heart of mankind? The writer to the Hebrews asked the church to “pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly” (Hebrews 13:18). The Apostle Paul’s point in life was to “have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16). This intention was reflected in Paul’s writing to Timothy when he said that “the purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith” (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT). At the end of the day, the point is to have lived Christ as genuinely and sincerely as possible.

This is especially important within our private lives. I am afraid it is very possible to hide a very poor Christianity behind a good public persona. Our private lives involve our thoughts, motives, and attitudes. This private life is the by-product of what one does with oneself and for oneself when no one is paying attention. Being a real Christian comes down to my inside stuff really being Christ-like. No one has to get it right all the time. God factored in failed attempts and plenty of them. But, I am missing the point if there is not genuineness to this whole experience.

I have failed the Lord and those around me many times. I hate failure. I am very sorry my failure has come at other people’s expense. With that in mind, I have determined to renew my daily commitment to genuineness and sincerity. I really want to be a real Christian. I want “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart to be acceptable” (Psalms 19:14). I want “to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, and to be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). I pray that my inside stuff will be “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him,” enabling me to “put on, as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:10-12).

Mindset

Everyone has a unique mindset - an outlook, way of thinking, or approach to life. This mindset is the lenses through which a person interprets the world around him or her. It is also the chief reference point a person uses to navigate life. The Apostle Paul said we have the “mind of Christ,” but probably most of us would have to admit that our mindset falls somewhere south of that unspoiled condition (1 Corinthians 2:16). I know I certainly must.

Now, if your mother was a woman, you were born in the image of Adam and subsequently with a flawed constitution (Genesis 5:3, Job 25:4 & Romans 5:12). To compound that problem, you and I were raised in a world permeated, contorted, and diseased by sin. These two factors conspired against us and adversely affected the quality and functionality of our mindset.

Unfortunately, coming into the church and receiving the Holy Ghost does not automatically fix my mindset. Sometimes, it can even make things worse. It is very possible to exchange a mindset bound by sin for a mindset bound by legalism. It is very possible to have a mindset so loyal to the past that one cannot embrace progress. It is possible to have the Holy Ghost and still have a mindset domineered by pessimism, immaturity, pride or another disabling condition. Having the Holy Ghost and being spiritually minded are not synonymous terms.

The problems arising from a poor mindset should be self evident. No one needs to wonder why people do what they do. The answer comes back to mindset. This is the basic issue behind the Apostle Paul’s writing in Romans chapter 12. Knowing God should eventually do something with how we think and how we see the world. Understanding God should equate, at some point in our life, to understanding the world better and making wiser choices.

I think it is in my best interest that I learn first and foremost how to pray that "the mind that was in Christ" can eventually push through my current mindset (Philippians 2:5). I think I will continue this process until I can see the world through the Cross and filter life through the Grace of God.

Clash or convergence

Is Pentecost experiencing a clash of cultures, a convergence of cultures, or a cultural revolution? Are we responsible to relate to the cultures around us or to get people out of the cultures they come from? Should we become like the cultures around us to reach them? Do we lose our apostolic identity in the process?

Sociologists define culture as the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular group of people. Social groups are knitted together by their cultural factors such as art, music, common history, or language and these factors distinguished these groups from those around them. As Apostolic Pentecost evolves as a movement and fellowship, I wonder; 1) is there a definitive apostolic culture and 2) if there is not, or there is one poorly defined, how do we maintain the distinction required of God’s people?

Another question of monumental significance concerning culture is, is our movement a group or a category? There is a difference between the two. A police force represents a category. Everyone in uniform belongs to the category, but that does not suggest everyone in the force cares about the same things, holds similar values, or has a common history. Those concerns would make them all a group. Apostolic Pentecost is certainly a category, but I am afraid it consists of many different groups that are far too often at odds with one another.

So are we still in the world, but not of it? Does any of this matter? Someone, help me out please…

A new playbook

In his book The Extreme Future, Dr. James Canton says that today's leaders "are dealing with issues and challenges that are so new and complex that their solutions require an entirely new way of thinking about the future." He goes on to say that "no one is fully prepared to deal with this extreme future. There is no playbook for getting this right. We need new tools, approaches, and eventually new solutions to these new emerging challenges." Is this a case of "the children of this world being wiser than the children of the light" (Luke 16:8)? Lord help us!!!

Plenty of grace to go around

Grace is a powerful force! Although certain brands of Pentecost seem somewhat afraid of too much Grace, I want all I can get. The longer I live for God, the more important Grace becomes to me and the more thankful I am for it in my life.

I am thankful Grace answers my need for eternal salvation. I am also thankful that the value of Grace goes beyond eternal salvation. Grace has a tremendous impact on our faith. When we understand Grace, our confidence in God’s willingness to see us through is greater. We will attempt greater things and larger leaps for God when we really understand Grace’s guaranty.

We are also less likely to be tormented by our fears when we understand Grace. Fear, the worry and torment associated with the unknown, constantly bombards our minds. And, it doesn’t have to be rational fear. It is generally very irrational, but it paralyzes none the less. When one understands God’s commitment to us because of His Grace, one will be less likely to give into fear or driven by fear to make poor choices or do dumb things.

We will be more inclined to wait patiently on the Lord longer if and when we understand Grace. The longer one has to wait for God the more fearful one becomes or the less interested one is. Time is a corroding and degrading element and the longer something is delayed the harder it is for one to keep watching. However, the more one understands about Grace, the surer one will be of the right outcomes even if it takes a long, long time. There is great reward in resting “in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him…” (Psalms 37:7)

The affects of Grace are especially beneficial in our relationships with others. One is far more likely to tolerate people’s issues when one understands Grace. This special tolerance for others comes from a humility born of the impact of Grace in our life. This special tolerance comes in the form of compassion towards others because of the compassion we received from the Lord.

I am thankful for Grace. I want to understand it far more than I ever have. I believe it to be utterly reliable. I am certain it is revolutionary and transformational, eternally and materially.

Enough GRACE

What makes our life possible? What makes living a life in Christ possible? How is it possible to get up each day and believe God for a good outcome? What makes it possible to sing in the rain, laugh in the storm, and rejoice in adversity? How is it possible to have joy when you are unhappy, contentment when you do not have enough, and strength after a long battle? The simple answer is GRACE - the favor of God.

There is no way to make it without it. There is no reason to try to make it without it. I am thankful no one has to do either. I am also thankful I do not have to earn it or be qualified for it. Now, I am not suggesting we can take advantage of it, leverage it against God to get our own way, or use it to commandeer the universe, but I am confident that “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all … shall with him also freely give us all things” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

I need a revelation about the favor of God. I think we all do. If God wanted us dead we would be. If He intended to fry us for our latest misstep He would have. I do not think that is God’s disposition towards us. I think the Cross said everything we need to know about what God wants to do with us and for us. I need GRACE. Thankfully, I have access to it. How about we not be ashamed of the GRACE message and learn to live in it?

Wrong perspective?

Would it change how we approach life if we realized the Lamb slain is the Lion of Judah? Would it change how we approach life if we looked at how much we could do instead of how much we cannot do? Would it change our approach to life if we saw how great God was in us instead of how dangerous the world is around us? Certainly, this is more than a bandaide? Certainly, this is more than eternally safe? Come on somebody, lets make a list and start taking some names... :)

Evangelism

Evangelism is meaningless without the outcome of discipleship in mind. The point of redemption is not uniformity with a particular brand of Pentecostalism but the formation of Christ in people’s lives. Discipleship emphasizes movement from the micro of dysfunction to the macro of Christian living. Evangelism is our attempt at inducing individuals to begin their personal journey towards Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:58

We are living in an extraordinary time as well as the end of an era. The 21st century will involve an extraordinary degree of spiritual opposition. It will involve extraordinary and complex problems. It will involve extraordinary financial pressure, family dynamics, and a demand for change and assimilation. Because of the nature of the times we live in, ministry must be extraordinary, worship must be extraordinary, organization must be extraordinary, and everything we do must pass the muster of the moment.

150 years ago people were born, lived and died in the same community. But consider this; in the 1920’s cars become popular modes of transportation, in the 1930’s we saw the expansion of commercial air travel, in 1969, the Advanced Research Projects Agency, a part of the U.S. government's Department of Defense, set up the first parts of the network that would eventually become the Internet, and in 1994 the internet become globally accessible with the launch of Windows 95 which included Netscape. In 75 years we went from horse and buggy to the World Wide Web. Whether we understand it or not, what happens in Washington, Sacramento, Chicago, Berlin, Hong Kong, and Iraq affects and will continue to increasingly affects our lives.

If we are going to abound in the work of the Lord today, we are going to have a dichotomous vision. We must be able to look forward without losing sight of what is behind us. It is clearly time to look ahead. David’s sling worked and became, in some sense, a romantic tool, heavily associated with faith. But, it would prove woefully inadequate where David was going. The key to 21st century ministry will be expanding our knowledge base and skill sets. We innovate and adapt or die.

Conversely, there are elements of our experience we cannot afford to lose. We cannot remain apostolic, with the distinct blessings of God on our lives, without crystal clear convictions. We still need an illuminated fortress of truth serving as a point of reference as we navigate this constantly changing world. Likewise, we can never forget the power of the simple spiritual things we do. Much of what we do still comes back to simple, spiritual, persistent prayer and praise. There is the basic demand for searching, seeking, and knocking. We forget how to do that at our own peril.

I for one am excited about the future. I think I am ready for change. I think I have disposed of all my sacred cows. Of course time will tell, but I am thrilled about where we can be if we decide to be there and take the necessary steps towards abounding.

A realistic opinion

It is incredibly hard to live an inspired life when you always second guess yourself or suffer with an inflated self image. Individuals with poor self image convince themselves they cannot. Individuals who think too highly of themselves are eventually exposed as wannabes and run over by the tide. Unfortunately, we disqualify ourselves from the greater things in life with our own unrealistic opinions of ourselves.

I like to offer three simple keys that will help us maintain a realistic opinion of self. These keys help us understand who and what we are, not who or what we think we are. The first key is to remember that you are an individual. You cannot be and you do not have to be like anyone else to be well or do well. The second key is we are one of God’s creations. God was involved and is involved with our lives in a loving, paternal way. The third key is that we are works in progress. We do not have to be perfect today; we have a lifetime of learning and growing ahead of us.

We can feel good about ourselves, even when we struggle with something as long as we have confronted it and developed a plan to overcome it. We can feel good about our chances to succeed because God is with us. Likewise, everyone finds themselves behind the learning curve some times. Individuals have achieved great things and many exhibit incredible talents, but no one is superlative. Thankfully, we do not have to be. We can be ourselves and feel good about the progress we are making day-by-day through discipleship. We can also rest in knowing God is our helper.

It is alright to like ourselves because “he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” and “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 1:4 & 2:10 KJV).

The confrontation of growth

Each new discovery of life is a traumatic confrontation in proportion to the significance of the discovery. If I am to grow significantly, I am going to have to struggle significantly. The first great struggle is a confrontation with who and what I am. The theologian Sam Keen, in his book To a Dancing God said; "Awareness of what presents itself to me involves a double movement of attention: silencing the familiar and welcoming the strange. Each time I approach a strange object, person, or event, I have a tendency to let my present needs, past experience, or expectations for the future determine what I will see. If I am to appreciate the uniqueness of any datum, I must be sufficiently aware of my preconceived ideas and characteristic emotional distortions to bracket them long enough to welcome strangeness and novelty into my perceptual world." One of the great questions of personal growth and discovery then is am I courageous enough to accept the possibility that new datum could make my old familiar outdated and unreliable.

The body of Christ

I am very thankful today for the Body of Christ. I am coming to terms with how precious it is to assemble with the people of God to entertain the presence of God and participate in the work of the Spirit and Word. How valuable is this heaven to earth experience we enjoy with one another? Incalculable!

I have had the privilege of being with the body all across the United States and now overseas in Europe. During those travels I have discovered a few things through reflection. One, I could feel at home anywhere if I wanted to. We are one body, joined by a common experience and belief. If felt displaced it was my fault. Another discovery was my way was not necessarily better, it was just more familiar. I doubt there is a prescribed style of praise and preaching. Paul told us to preach the word, not preach the word this way. Another discovery I rejoice in is that this is a cross-cultural experience. Not because we intend it to be necessarily, but because this experience deals with the most common human needs. God intended it to be. Anywhere you go, redemption and regeneration works on the heart and minds of men and women bringing about Christ in us.

Thank God for the church. Thank God I am in it!

Freedom

Freedom is the state in which a person is able to act and live as he or she chooses, without being subject to any undue restraints or restrictions. I am so thankful for the freedom I have as a citizen of this great country and as a citizen of a heavenly kingdom. I am so very thankful that God’s providence allowed me to be born in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Likewise I am so very thankful I have been born again into a heavenly kingdom where I am free from the bondage of sin and death.

I really do rejoice in my freedom. Some may think Pentecost is restrictive. Some may suggest our civil liberties are lost. I cannot completely concur. I chose to live for God and I am very comfortable with the fact that there is nothing undue or unreasonable about His requirements. I am also very willing to tolerate certain inconveniences in exchange for a compulsory education, a representative democracy, and the right to assemble and worship as I chose. We are truly blessed!

I also want to recognize and publicly appreciate my fellow veterans and those now serving in our Armed Forces. Freedom is very free – for most people. Freedom was purchased by the blood of heroes and is preserved by the indomitable spirit and selfless sacrifice of those now filling their shoes. If you were not one of those heroes you owe them a debt!

God bless America, the land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above…

Speech control

Be careful little mouth what you say is a line from an old Sunday school song. Truer and wiser words are hard to find. Unfortunately, I have never been an expert at regulating what I say. Probably like many, I have not yet learned the profoundness of silence. But, I want to. I recognize I need to.

This discipline is not simply a speech issue though. This discipline is primarily a thinking issue. “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT). Now, I am not suggesting every time someone says something they shouldn’t that he or she is evil. I do not think that is what the scripture is suggesting either. I think what has happened is he or she has failed to regulate the mind and subsequently something less than honorable found an occasion to get out.

The Apostle Paul left us some clear governance for our thoughts in Philippians 4:8 and subsequently a very effective means of regulating our speech. The New Living Translation records it this way; “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Regulating our speech begins with regulating our thoughts accordingly and, if I am not thinking truthfully, purely, and lovingly, I probably should not be talking.

Easier said than done of course! Isn’t everything about living for God? But we can and we should. Now, let me go on record at this time and say I am sorry if my mouth has every run away from me at your expense. I really want to be the perfect man who “offends not in word” (James 3:2 KJV). The older and hopefully wiser I get, the more I come to regret my careless, misguided words. I share the sentiments of the Psalmist; “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalms 19:14 KJV). I could even go along with the old adage: let my words be soft and sweet today because tomorrow I may have to eat them.

Alternatives

An alternative is an option. An alternative is a reasonable substitute. An alternative is what I can do instead of what I am currently doing. Often, an alternative is a good thing and just what the doctor ordered. My problem is, I was never taught to actively look for alternatives. I am not alone. Like me, many of us settle for the status quo regardless.

Obviously there are no alternatives for some things. If one wants to be saved, he or she must believe that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh. He or she must be born again of the water and the Spirit. He or she must cooperate with the work of sanctification in his or her life. The Bible is the authoritative voice of Christian logic and understanding. There are no alternatives to these. However, can I suggest there are lots of possibilities for alternatives?

Is Sunday worshiping a mandate? Is the ‘one church per city model’ the best model? Are there ministry options other than preaching or playing music? Do we have to wear a suit and tie to every service? Must our sanctuaries have pews or rows? Understand, I am not trying to be anti-establishment with these questions, I am just wondering if there are better alternatives.

As change accelerates, as innovation reduces the shelf life of just about everything to 3 days, and as the demand for effective ministry increases proportionately, I suggest our response include discovering and implementing alternatives. If there is a better way, if there are better options, don’t we owe it to ourselves and a lost world to discover the best alternatives and put them into practice?

Success

Success is the achievement of something planned or attempted. It is generally synonymous with a triumph, a victory, or a fait accompli. Success is the mountain top, the brass ring, or the top of the dog pile. But, is being on the top of the wrong dog pile real success?

For the discovering disciple, success needs an accurate definition. The Apostle Paul left us a few ideas. In Colossians 3:10 he suggests success is to be “complete in Him.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 he suggests success is to be “holy in every way” and “kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” In 1 Thessalonians 4:3 he suggests success is to be “sanctified.” In Philippians 2:15 he suggests success is to be “without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” I think the picture is clear enough. I am sure the bar is too high.

At times like this, when the bar seems too high and my abilities seem too small, I am glad success is a product of time well spent today and not what happened yesterday. I am thankful that I have an "advocate with the Father", and that I am "strengthened by His mighty power" (1 John 2:1 & Ephesians 3:16).

Advocate or adversary

All of us will fall into one of three categories in any relationship. I'd like to qualify those categories as neutral, an advocate, or an adversary. Neutral is simply the position of ambivalence, unconcern, or disinterest. Advocate is the position of concern, intercessor, or champion. Adversary is the position of antagonist, opponent, or enemy.

Now I realize that rarely does one set out to be someone's adversary. One certainly does not in the case of marriage or parenting. But, intention is never a guarantee of fait accompli. Unfortunately, we all have found ourselves unconsciously at odds with someone and often with no clear reason. Can I suggest then that we chose to be an advocate?

By way of definition, an advocate fills the role of Christ in someone's life. An advocate is the difference makers, both spiritually and materially. An advocate is a spiritual minister, giving themselves to move someone along or a little higher. Christ is our eternal advocate with the Father; we therefore can be/should be one another's advocate in life.

Might I suggest again that this is a conscious choice? Our carnal nature makes us neutral at best and predisposed to adversarial. So, if I am going to be someone's advocate, it will be because I chose to be. I am an advocate because I decided to care, to love, and to minister. Advocacy requires selflessness which is uncomfortable and often unpalatable. But, the rewards of advocacy are priceless and the reciprocal nature of the Spirit ensures I get my investments in others back.

Something you must see!

This is a very interesting video presentation that SONY created for their own executives to make it clear how much and how fast the world is changing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY&feature=player_embedded

Are you ready?

New things

I am excited to live in the 21st Century. At one point in time I wasn't so sure, but now I absolutely am. The reason is simple - new things. Technology is accelerating the learning/experience curve and I am thrilled when I think about the new things now available.

I realize new is sometimes uncomfortable. I realize that new sometimes exposes deficits. I realize new represents change and all that that implies. I also realize that new might not necessarily be better. But, new absolutely means alternatives and that is excellent.

Here here for new that is more godly, better, more effective, more productive... improved!

A perspective on spiritual growth...

“Spiritual growth is a journey out of a microcosm into an ever greater macrocosm. It is a journey of knowledge as well as faith. In order to escape the microcosm of our previous experience and free ourselves from transferences, it is necessary that we learn. Spiritual growth requires we continually expand our realm of knowledge and our field of vision through the thorough digestion and incorporation of new information” (M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled, Simon and Schuster, 1979).

“To spiritually grow we must be willing to develop a broader view and that requires we are willing to kill our narrow vision. In the short run it is more comfortable not to do this – to stay where we are, to keep using the same microcosmic map, and to avoid suffering the death of cherished notions. The road to spiritual growth lies in the opposite direction though” (Ibid). To spiritually grow we must actively seek that which threatens our preconceived notions. To spiritually grow we must deliberately challenge the validity of our concepts and construction to see whether they are Christ-like, biblical sound, and spiritually meaningful.

Trust...

Is there another 5 letter word with greater implications or significance? The basic definition is; confidence in and reliance on good qualities, especially fairness, truth, honor or ability. It can also mean; hopeful reliance on what will happen in the future. It is synonymous with words like faith, belief, expectation, dependence, and confidence in. So, in a world like ours, how does anyone trust anything?

The problem with trust is that it demands something or someone to have faith in. Trust demands a focus that is faithful and one that will not disappoint. In a world most familiar with disappointments, failed relationships, broken promises, and unfulfilled hope, is trust even a reasonable proposition?

I say yes! In spite of the evidence that screams the contrary, I say yes! And, I’m not the first to make the case. King David said; “I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalms 20:6-7 NRSV). David had this confidence because the Lord “heard the voice of [his] supplications” and proved Himself to be David’s “strength and shield” (Psalms 28:6-7). David rejoiced in God greatly because God proved Himself to be “the saving strength of His anointed” (Psalms 28:9).

Life seems very unfair at times. So often, it seems things are out of control and people incapable of anything other than disappointing. Truthfully, I doubt life is really that bad and I am sure, in most cases, people do not intend to hurt us, but after a season characterized by these feelings it is almost impossible to trust. So, if your season has made trust hard, remember God. He is our saving strength. I am sure there is a very large body of evidence in your life that proves He is more than dependable. A quick trip down memory lane will generally clarify the issue. When I think of His goodness and what He's done for me...

Intimate scrutiny

In Psalms 139 David invites the Lord to search him and know his heart. He invites the Lord to try him and consider whether there was any wickedness in him. The courage of this act is monumental. The significance of this invitation cannot be loss on a discovering disciple.

The process of intimate examination is a necessary part of growth. I cannot address the unknown. I cannot reconcile the unseen. I cannot fix what I do not know to be broke. If I am going to improve, I must consent to scrutiny. For the most part, everyone understands this. We all understand the value of accountability and quality control, but I sure do not like it at times.

One of the saddest spectacles in life is unfulfilled potential. He had so much potential, She had so much talent, He really could have done something, and I really thought she was going to do well are some of the saddest things that can be said about a person. Intimate examination is uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but it prevents this tragedy and many others.

By way of encouragement, please let me point out a facet of God that makes this process much easier. In Psalms 139:17 we discover that God’s “thoughts towards us are precious” and that they are “innumerable.” It is comforting to know, that while I am being closely examined, I am being examined by one who is deeply committed to me. It is comforting to know that God is not looking for disqualifying flaws. He is looking for opportunities for my growth knowing that my greatest achievements are predicated on the outcomes of intimate examination.,

World view

Regardless of our future hope or the current condition of the world we live in, it is where we are and we must learn how to live in it successfully. Good Christianity doesn’t isolate us from the world; it inoculates us to it so we can live in it without being influenced by it. Paul did not tell us to hide from this “present world” he told us to learn how to “live righteously, soberly and godly” in it (Titus 2:11) A big part of living successfully is having an accurate world view.

Everyone has a world view – an understanding of the world –no matter how limited or primitive or inaccurate. Everyone has some explicit and implicit ideas about the essential nature of the world. For instance; it is a dog-eat-dog world where ruthlessness is essential for survival, or it is a large playhouse where we live hard and die early.

Generally a person’s world view is at best only partially conscious. Most folks are mostly unaware of how they view the world. Our world view begins to take shape when we are young, influenced by our childhood experiences, and follows the same patterns or bends into our adulthood. And as adults, it unconsciously influences the decisions we make, the lives we live, and how we respond to things.

The world is sometimes ugly, but Jesus left peace (John 14:27). The world is full of ups and downs, but “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). The world is enormous, but God “stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in” (Isaiah 40:22). “The whole world lieth in wickedness,” but “there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (1 John 5:19 & Romans 8:1). The world might be coming to a traumatic end, but in the face of that very reality Paul said, “none of these things move me” (Acts 20:24).

Christ enables us, qualifies us, capacitates us, empowers us, strengthens us, and is an advocate for us. Keeping that clearly in view, the world than becomes a can-do place – a place in which the child of God can “be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).

Centering prayer...

Prayer is paramount! Prayer is to spirituality what breathing is to life. The issue is not simply mouthing sentences with scriptural or religious overtures though. Prayer without a purpose or focus borders on rambling. Paul said it best when he told the believers in Colossae to "devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart" (Colossians 4:2 NLT). Pray is a conscious exercise. To really pray I need to do it consciously with some things in mind.

One of the most important things to keep in mind while praying is daily centering. Centering means to bring yourself back into emotional, physical, or spiritual focus. It refers to a conscious act of regrouping and reorienting yourself. Prayer gives us a means and an opportunity to pull ourselves together and ensure that we are putting our energies and resources towards the most important things.

Some benefits of centering prayer include;

• It keeps things in perspective - God, self, personal troubles, materialism, et al
• It ensures I am daily following the paths of righteousness
• It helps me keep my garden of life well tended
• It keeps me responsible for what is instead of looking to what I wish was
• It helps me maintain emotional balance
• It requires I find resolution to the big issues before they result in permanent disability
• It requires I accept or offer closure before problems turn into spiritual cancer

Prayer without ceasing is the right idea. Praying about the right things without ceasing produces the right outcomes.

Special thanks

This post is to simply say thank you to Pastor & Sis O'Keefe and the church family of UPC - Pittsburg. We had a wonderful time preaching for them this Sunday. Their hospitality was extraordinary. We hope and pray our efforts were worth their efforts on our behalf. God bless you Bro & Sis O'Keefe and your wonderful church!

Growth...

"As human beings grow in discipline and love and life experience, their understanding of the world and their place in it naturally grows apace. Conversely, as people fail to grow in discipline, love and life experience, so does their understanding fail to grow. Consequently, among the members of the human race there exists an extraordinary variability in the breadth and sophistication of our understanding of what life is all about" (Peck, M.Scott, The Road Less Traveled).

Since we cannot control the world and people in it; since we cannot change the course of history for people around us; since we cannot see the future; since we never know all the facts; since the world is accelerating and becoming incredibly small; since the number of people and things that jockey for position and significance in the world are increasing; so forth and so on, my remaining option is growth. I cannot control the direction or constitution of the outside world, but I can do something about my ability to navigate and manage it through my personal growth and development.

2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) says; But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ... Paul commended the Thessalonians because their "faith [grew] abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing" (2 Thessalonians 1:3, NRSV). The Psalmist said the "righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap" (Psalms 92:12-14, NRSV). Paul prayed for the Colossian believers "that [they] might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" and that they would be "fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9-10, KJV). I believe its safe to say that the definitive will of God for you and I is personal growth and development.

Althought not always the easy way, personal growth is the best way. Although it is often uncomfortable to confront our shortcomings and misguidedness, personal growth is the right thing to do. Although it often involves indicting my past behavior, personal growth certainly leads to the right outcomes. Christian growth is often painful, as one emerges from the cacoon of carnality and takes flight on the wings of righteousness, but it is always productive.

All systems ready - successful 21st century Christianity

Christian success is possible in any context. Christian success is successful spirituality as well as successful living. Being a Christian does not mean we are less capable, it means we are more capable. Holy and upwardly mobile are not incongruent. Spiritual passion and emotional balance are not antagonists. Successful Christianity isn’t how far from the world I am, but how well I live for God “in this present world” (Titus 2:11)

To succeed, the Christian needs to have well-developed life systems. Like a submarine has many systems that are interrelated and dependent, the Christian has many life systems that enable him or her to make wise choices, avoid sin, develop relationships, overcome doubt, et al. What is a submarine worth that can navigate and shoot, but cannot filtrate its air underwater? What is a submarine worth that can filtrate air underwater, but cannot find its way around the underwater world? Likewise, how successful is a Christian who avoids sin, but cannot relate to anyone around them or who has a great career, but is incapable of being used by God in the moment? Successful Christianity comes through the ability to exercise control, manage, and navigate life with life systems that are ready.

The following is a list of life systems worth developing. Without them, we are liable to spend our life circling aimlessly, choking on the pollution of pitiful thinking, or being crushed by the pressure of the world around us…

· Developing/maintaining relationships
· The capacity to communicate effectively
· A reliable decision making process
· Effective coping mechanisms
· An accurate world view
· The discipline of spirituality
· Upward career path
· The ability to select and benefit from influencers
· The ability to filter information streams
· The capacity to think critically
· Maintaining the right positioning
· 3D vision – hindsight, insight, and foresight
· Financial stewardship

The process of progress

Moses was +/- 40 when he left Egypt as a fugitive prince, he followed his father-in-law's sheep until he was +/- 80, he bore the yoke of leading an ungrateful and misguided nation another 40 years - he is one of our heroes. Progress in God, and the work of God, is a process that covers many years and includes many experiences. You cannot make a tree grow any faster then its nature tells it to. Beautiful and functional architecture is a factor of time as much as design. Moses succeeded because he lasted. We celebrate extraordinary outcomes, often forgetting they invovled tedious and strenuous exertion. The submarine is an extraordinary feat of engineering and science costing millions of dollars and man hours. But, its still built one bolt and weld at a time...