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...