Raise the Bar

Some of us think that hospitality is reserved for grandmothers who love to bake pies. Others think it’s just something we’re obligated to do once a year around the holidays when we invite family and friends over for dinner. But none of this comes close to how God defines hospitality.

"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:9-10

We have each been given a gift. It may be speaking, teaching, baking, organizing, engineering – you name it, the list is endless. Hospitality is using whatever gift God has given you to help meet the needs of someone else. But hospitality is not just reserved for our family or close friends. If we see a need that we can meet, we have an obligation to help meet that need so we can be a part of sharing God’s grace.

There is someone in your life right now who needs to be shown some hospitality. Don’t let your gift go to waste.

Escape!

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:16

Have you heard of a “gateway drug”? The idea is that some drugs lead to other, more harmful and deadly drugs. Before the person knows it, the drug they started with opens them up to a whole new world of drugs they never thought they would do.

James is warning us that envy and selfish ambition are gateway behaviors to much worse things. We might think being envious is no big deal and selfishness is a personal problem, that it only affects our lives and that we can control it. But eventually, our envy will reach out and begin to affect the lives of those around us. When we become consumed with our own desires, we elevate our wants above the needs of others. And ultimately, you’ll no longer care if you hurt others, as long as you get what you want.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that a little envy or selfish ambition is good motivation for advancing your career or financial status. Those thoughts will always lead to disorder and open the gateway to even more destructive behaviors. Instead of being consumed by your own desires, ask God to show you how to help meet the needs of others rather than doing whatever it takes to meet your own.

Escape the Ordinary!

God of This City!

Check out this video and tell me what you think!

Impossible Is Nothing

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25

If you are a Christian, there was a time before your relationship with Christ that you thought you called the shots. And most of your decisions were based on what the world said you should desire.

Then came your encounter with Christ. And the selfish, destructive nature that once controlled you was replaced by the righteous freedom that Christ offers. Because of that, the foundation for making decisions has been redesigned. But that doesn’t mean you are perfect.

As you strive to keep in step with Christ, you will face obstacles and sometimes turmoil. Why? To keep in step with Christ is to step where He has stepped and to follow His lead. These steps sometimes lead us up a road that is wonderful with nothing but happiness and everything goes as planned. And sometimes these footprints lead us down a lonely road filled with hardship and pain. Neither road is very long, but they both serve the same purpose - to draw us closer to Christ!

Impossible is nothing!

Spiritual Proclamation

What does it mean to be a Christ-Follower?

Majorities of young people in America describe modern-day Christianity as judgmental, hypocritical and anti-gay. What's more, many Christians don't even want to call themselves "Christian" because of the baggage that accompanies the label. The findings were based on surveys of a sample of 867 young people between the ages of 16-29 by the Barna Research Group.

One in four non-Christians said that modern-day Christianity was no longer like Jesus.

Dr. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life recently said, "For some time now, the hands and feet of the body of Christ have been amputated, and we've been pretty much reduced to a big mouth."

Something is really, really wrong with popular American Christianity.

How do we change the tide? How do we reach those between the ages of 16-29 that feel a disconnect with the church? How can we reveal to them the genuine love of God?

38 Things!

I am 38 years old and there are 38 things that I wish people would have told me when I was 18. Someone probably did tell me, but I wasn’t paying attention. Re:Imagine what life would be like if we learned from the mistakes of others. We won't live long enough to make them all ourselves...

Here is the list of 38 things:

1. Life is short. Make every day count for God’s glory.
2. Life is short. Don’t take it too seriously.
3. Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
4. Jesus cares more about the church than you do.
5. You can’t please everyone…so why try?
6. People will criticize you. Quit whining. Get used to it.
7. Three months from now, you won’t even remember most of the things that are bothering you today.
8. You can’t do it all. Stop trying.
9. God called you because He is good, not because you are.
10. If you blame yourself for the bad results in life or ministry, you’ll likely also take credit for the good results.
11. Your kids will be grown before you know it. Don’t sacrifice them on the altar of ministry.
12. Your ministry isn’t your god. God is your God!
13. You know how to give and how to minister to others. If you don’t learn how to receive, you’ll burn out and/or die.
14. Studying for sermons doesn’t replace your personal time with God and in His word.
15. Err on the side of generosity.
16. Believe in people that others overlook.
17. If you’re going to reach people that others aren’t, you’ll have to do things that others won’t.
18. Your integrity matters more than you can imagine.
19. Hire staff members that you like.
20. When you have a tough decision to make, but you know it’s right, make it immediately. (Like pulling off a Band-Aid: do it fast, and all at once.)
21. Hire slowly. Fire quickly.
22. You can’t change people. Only God can.
23. Don’t criticize others’ ministries. Yours isn’t nearly as perfect as you think it is.
24. Take care of yourself. Eat right. Rest. Exercise. Take time off. No one else can do that for you.
25. If you don’t take much time off, it’s because you’re proud, and you think you’re more necessary than you really are.
26. Don’t just delegate responsibility. Delegate authority.
27. Laugh frequently.
28. People will leave your church. People you love and trust will leave your church. Don’t take it personally.
29. When you suffer and hurt because of ministry, worship Jesus all the more.
30. Talk about Jesus every time you preach.
31. Be careful what you say. You’re being watched.
32. Don’t return emails when you’re angry.
33. Double-Check to make sure your microphone is turned off before you use the bathroom.
34. Double-Check to make sure your zipper is zipped every time before you preach.
35. Love your wife more than you love the church. The church is Jesus’ bride, not yours.
36. Always be caught speaking well of others.
37. Compliment, encourage, and build up your staff and volunteers.
38. Smile and look people in the eyes when you talk to them.

Re:Imagine and start now...

Do any of these apply to you as well? Do you resonate with many of the thoughts? What do you think?

break free

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
Proverbs 14:30

You know it’s not right, but you feel powerless to stop it. Thoughts creep into your mind and take over. You try to rationalize your feelings, but can’t shake the effect they have. As you stand admiring the blessings of others, that aching sensation deep within you grows stronger. It is the dangerous game of envy.

“Why doesn’t something like that ever happen to me?”

“They don’t deserve that as much as I do!”

The torment of these thoughts can cause you to lose sleep, lose focus and lose your sense of contentment. And the worst part is that it can cause you to lose your trust in God and disregard the awsome stuff He is doing in your life.

Don’t let envy become an uncontrollable force in your life. Instead, rely on God to give you the strength to overcome it. Every time you feel envy start to well up inside of you, identify it for what it is. Rather than focusing on what you don’t have, take a moment to thank God for what you do have.

Then you will discover what it means to truly break free and experience the peace that only God can provide!

"Do not use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29 NLT

With only a few words, we can give someone a smile that could last for days, or a broken heart that could last them a lifetime. Words have the power to heal or harm, mend or destroy. Words can be our worst enemy, or our best friend. Yet it's so easy for us to forget the power of a spoken word.

God knew when he created us that we would be impulsive creatures. He knew that we would need some direction with how to use our ability to speak. And he tells us that we should only communicate those words that will benefit others.

Because words are so powerful, we must monitor everything that comes out of our mouths. Not only to our spouse and children, but also to everyone we come in contact with throughout our day.

Before any harsh and impulsive words have a chance to leave your mouth, take some time to consider others. Remember the power that your words possess. And develop the habit of only using words that are helpful for building others up.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think...oh, and be nice about it--:o)

Life Can Be Crazy!

Consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24-25a

Life can be chaotic and crazy at times. And when it is, it's easy for us to become hyper-focused on ourselves. We convince ourselves that we simply don't have time to be concerned about other people or their needs. "After all," we think, "look at everything I have to deal with!"

But by living with an "it's all about me" mindset, we're actually more susceptible to negativity. And that can generate a bitter and lonely lifestyle that distracts us from fulfilling God's purpose.

God created all of us to be social beings. So the next time you feel overwhelmed with the schedule of your calendar or the pace of life, don't shut people out. Instead, consider others. Look for ways to reach out to others. Find a way to encourage someone else by meeting a need they have.

As you do this, you will discover that by encouraging someone else, God will bring others to encourage you. And that is one of the best ways to keep negativity out of your life.

We know we can not change much about what goes on - on the outside, but can we change what goes on inside of us? Tell me what you think.

Challenged and Inspired!

Too many people are moaning about the lack of commitment and discipline in todays church as we respond to polls taken by various organizations. I don’t put a lot of stock in polls. I try to listen to the people I am
talking to and ministering to every day.

So here is what I’ve learned. As leaders, we often whine and gripe way too much about what people won’t do or haven’t done. We fail to understand that most Christians in America who aren't what we would call fully-devoted followers of Jesus don’t have a problem with commitment - They want to be challenged.

Where is the challenge going to church week after week, hearing an irrelevant message and singing songs that have no connection emotionally or spiritually? Where is the challenge when they hear sermons berating them as well as their sins from people who are asking so much from them to the point that they feel judged and demoralized?

Here is my point. We ask way too little of people. But we demand way too much. Here is the difference: a command, or to be demanding is to try to manipulate people into a response. It’s telling people to do something without showing them the reason or the benefit. We ask way too little!

Asking someone to do something in a way that gets them to respond positively puts the burden back on me. It means I have to be inspiring. I have to show the reason why this is important and why they should use their valuable time and give their tithe and offering to support it. Basically it means I have to challenge them. And we know through surveys that people in American churches want to be challenged. I talk to people every day who are going to churches where they are under-challenged and over-stimulated. America goes to church week after week, and come away fired up, with little application for the real world.

So let’s stop demanding and let’s start asking. Let’s stop hanging people over the lake of fire if they don’t come to church every week and tithe and serve. Let’s challenge them. Let’s show the benefit of tithing, of church attendance, and of serving. Let’s inspire them, move them, and motivate them.

You can’t demand anything anyway. Try to demand it of your children and see what happens. Men, demand that your wife submit and see what happens to you. But asking, challenging, inspiring; that’s where it really is. And that’s what everyone wants - to be challenged and inspired!

That’s what Jesus did. Jesus told stories that challenged and inspired His listeners. These stories got people excited and involved.

Let's do a poll right now. Would you rather:

Leave a church service feeling judged and condemned for not being perfect?

or

Leave a church service inspired and motivated to be what Christ created you to become?

Looking in!

Who Will You See Today?

If you’re like me, each and every day, countless numbers of people come in and out of your sight-path. I see lots of people. But today, stop and ask yourself this question: What do you see when you really see the people around you?

Do you see a husband who’s lost his wife to cancer, or a man deep in the throes of shame over an affair?

Do you see a young single mother struggling to raise her child on restaurant wages? Do you see that executive worried that his name will be the last one mentioned in the next round of lay-offs?

Here’s one of the amazing things about Jesus. When Jesus saw people, he saw into them. He didn’t stop at the outward, he looked into their eyes. And while you aren’t Jesus and neither am I, you’d be amazed at what you can tell about a person if you look into their eyes, their facial expression. You can see people who are hurting, or wounded; who are tired and troubled on the inside. And today maybe it’s your turn to go just beyond what you see, down deep into what you really see – the hurt, or the pain. Maybe you’re the person to give a word of kindness and encouragement to lift that person up.

I am a Christian and as a follower of Jesus, I am interested in this worldwide movement to turn the entire world into Jesus followers. But really, let’s be honest. God can do all that without us. He was doing fine before we got here, and He’ll be doing great when we’re gone.

The question is this: What am I supposed to be doing today that only I can do? Answer? Be in the moment and truly see into the hearts of those around you.

Grow...Worship...Serve

"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. (check this part out) But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry."
Jonah 3:10-4:1

Selfishness is not a trait that we have to learn. As a child, the word 'mine' usually comes right after learning the word 'no.' But selfishness doesn't end with childhood.

In fact, our selfishness tends to grow with us!

For example, you and a coworker are up for the same promotion. You've worked there longer and have a squeaky clean record. Your competition, however, had a shaky start and hasn't been there long. You think you have it in the bag. But then the other person gets the promotion. What is your response?

We know in our heads that God provides mercy to those that give their lives to him. We give thanks and celebrate God's grace when we are the recipient. But what happens when the Lord's compassion is given to others that do not serve Him as Savior?

If you are faced with a situation where you feel selfishness welling up, remember that God may have a different plan in mind. And his plan includes forgiveness and compassion — for everyone! Don't become displeased and angry. Instead, thank God for his grace and mercy and forgiveness toward you. And do what you can to extend that to others.

There are many other ways we can grow, worship, and serve and never forget, we only have one life. How will you be remembered?

Is Your Leadership Role Dragging You Down?

7 Signs You’re Not a Leader

With all the titles given these days that promise leadership, there seems to be too few leaders. And the question is, are you a leader? Here are the seven signs you might not be a leader, and if you’re not a leader, why you’re so miserable trying to lead.

The seven signs are:
1. You’re not a leader if you’re lazy. Leadership is hard work. It takes a lot of energy. It is definitely not a nine-to-five job. If you like to put in the minimum and get home to your hobbies or other distractions, you’re definitely not a leader.

2. You’re not a leader if you don’t like to read. I love the old saying that leaders are readers. Leaders constantly have to grow. Their skill sets are constantly improved by the latest information, and latest insights. They are constantly reading books, either on their iPod, hard copies, or their Kindle. Leaders are readers.

3. You’re not a leader if you don’t like people. Leadership is not a position. It’s not a corner office or a salary. It’s about people. It’s about interacting with people. It’s about trying to get selfish, self-centered, hurting, broken, wounded people to work together for a cause, for a goal, for a purpose. It’s the challenge to get them to set aside their own agendas and adopt a single agenda. To do this it means you must like people. People make things happen. They are the reason we do what we do. And if you fundamentally don’t like to work with people, you’re never going to be able to lead them.

4. You’re not a leader if you have a thin address book. By that I mean, leaders are people who collect people to connect to people. We love meeting people, exchanging business cards and knowing what makes them tick. We love putting people together in order to help them be successful. We collect large address books with connections. If your address book isn’t growing by a factor of 200-300 a year, you might not be a leader.

5. You’re not a leader if you avoid confrontation. I didn’t say that leaders like confrontation; the only people who like confrontation are bullies. Leaders don’t like confrontation. Good people, compassionate people, people who like people, who have something worth offering are uncomfortable with confrontation. But it doesn’t mean they avoid it. They realize that confrontation is a frontline skill-set for any leader. When you avoid confrontation, disease sets in to any organization no matter how long it has been established.

6. You’re not a leader if you hate change. Enough said.

7. You’re not a leader if you’re debilitated by criticism. I’ve heard it often said that praise and criticism is like chewing gum. It’s great to chew on it but you never swallow it. If you’re going to be a leader, you’re going to be criticized. Your motives, your practices, your policies are going to be held up for scrutiny. People are going to talk about you behind your back. And if that debilitates you, I didn’t say you have to like it; no one does. But if that debilitates you, you’re probably not a leader.

After reading these seven signs, one of the best things that you might do for yourself is to recognize that you’re not a leader. You need to go to the people you work with and tell them, “Give me a great task to do and I’ll do it to the best of my ability. But the leading thing is not for me.”

If you are a leader, lead! If you are not, then be the best follower you can be! It takes both.

Look up!

Diseases start with one germ that spreads quickly to infect an entire body. It's true in the medical world; it's also true in the relational world. One negative person can spread a virus of negativity in the workplace, around the dinner table or throughout an entire social circle.

When we keep our heads down, we can easily get consumed with "earthly things" — finances, family quarrels, office disputes and even those negative people. It's then that the virus, which started with one negative germ, begins to take over. Soon, negativity becomes part of who we are. And without even knowing it, we begin to spread the epidemic.

But we don't have to become infected just because we've been exposed to it. We have a vaccine. And it's as simple as looking up.

When we focus on God and the "things above," we combat the negativity of the world that tries to pull us down.

So when you are faced with negativity, don't contribute to the problem. Instead, be part of the cure. Make 'looking up' a part of your daily routine and discover how God can prevent the spread of the disease.

Success

Consider this verse.
"...Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Matthew 10:19b-20

Success is defined in many ways. But regardless of how we define it, we want a reminder, something to show for that success. In business, it's framing that first dollar of profit. When fishing, it's the picture of that trophy catch displayed on the wall. And spiritually, it's the memory of that first person we are able to lead to Christ.

We can dream about success all day long, but we've got to take action in order to achieve it. The entrepreneur can have the most genius business plan in the world. But if no action is taken to work that plan, it'll never be a success.

The fisherman can have the best boat, the most up-to-date tracking devices, and the most tricked out lures and baits. But if he never casts his line, he'll never make that trophy catch.

The same is true in our spiritual journey. We have the greatest Spokesperson in the world on our side, ready to speak through us to people who need to know Christ. But if we never open our mouths to tell our story, we won't be able to experience the ultimate joy of seeing them step over the line of faith.

Don't worry. You don't have to say the perfect words. And it doesn't matter if you can't quote Scripture verbatim or deliver a mini-sermon on the spot. You only need to trust that when the opportunity presents itself, God will be true to his promise and use your vocal cords to speak through you.

Sacred or Secular?

"And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me, it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." Genesis 45:5

When Joseph was younger, his brothers secretly sold him into slavery. God then orchestrated Joseph's life in a way that brought him up out of bondage and into Pharaoh's house. Ultimately, Joseph became second in command over Egypt. The verse above is Joseph's account to his brothers of God's amazing plan for his life, despite the awful circumstances his brothers put him in.

Because Joseph was faithful to God during unimaginable times in his life, God was able to use him in amazing ways. Joseph's godly example influenced everyone from his own family to Egyptian slaves, prison inmates, royal servants, the King's guards, then Pharaoh himself and eventually the whole land of Egypt.

Most of us have faced those dark times when we feel our circumstances are unjust and undeserved. Yet, through it all, God remains faithful. And his purpose for our lives always comes through in the end.

We don't usually like to talk about the difficult times in our lives. But they happen. They happen in our lives and the lives of those around us. But God will use those circumstances to bring hope and help to others if we allow Him to. It sounds ironic, but it's true.

You may be facing at dark time right now. Whatever you do, don't sweep it under the rug. Instead, allow your story to bring encouragement to someone else who is facing a difficult situation as well. Talk to them about your faithfulness, even in the face of doubt. And show them how God led you and held you along the way!

There is some crazy stuff that comes at us in life. Whether it is secular or becomes sacred is up to you.

Do you care to share a situation that you thought was not of God but turned out to be a blessing?

Concrete Jungle

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Matthew 9:37-38

We work, live and play in a field that is ready for harvest. Maybe the farming reference doesn't do it for you. Maybe you call it a concrete jungle or the rat race. But no matter what you've labeled it, it is life. And this life, your life, is full of people who need to hear the message of Christ.

Jesus is looking for people to help him with his harvest. He's looking for people to blaze a trail through the jungle or run the race. In other words, he wants us to reach out to those people in our lives and share his message. We're not talking about some far off place in a country we've never been to. This field, this opportunity is here, right under our feet.

You have opportunities every day to help Christ spread his message. You have them in your home, at your job, and around your community. Remember that each person you see could be lost and wandering, waiting to hear God's direction for their lives.

Be aware of the people who watch you every day. Do they see you reaching out or just tending to your own needs? Remember, you can't make people come to know Christ; only God has the power to cultivate their souls. All you are called to do is be a willing worker in the field, a survivor in that jungle or a participant in the race seeking those opportunities to show the love of Christ every day.

Picture Grace

I was recently talking with a couple about the incredible Grace of God. We live in a world that cries for justice and fairness. So it makes it so hard for us to understand and embrace God's grace. There is nothing we can do that will make God love us more... and there's nothing we can do to make God love us less. That statement came in an answer to the question... "How can I be sure that God is not going to send me to Hell when my time comes?" That simple answer is... "God doesn't send you to hell... you choose to go there on your own."

It opened this couple's eyes... that what motivates us to worship, serve, give, pray, and invite others into this relationship is not guilt... or fear... but love. God loves us so much that He has already paid the price for our sins that result in our choice of eternal destination. That love simply amazes me! That Grace overwhelms me!

I don't deserve what God has done, is doing, and will do in my life. Every Sunday that I step onto that stage... step before our church family... talk with our leadership... meet with our staff... embrace someone who is unconvinced of the claims of Jesus... I am humbled by God's grace that is directing my life. I don't deserve it!

And in spite of my "difficulties" in life... my "hardships"... my "troubles"... I don't question if God is blessing me or not... (Heaven is not here on earth...) my question is... "With God... how can I learn and grow from my difficulty, my hardship, my trouble?"

As I look at my life... with all it's celebrations and crushes... joys and jabs... successes and sorrows... God's grace still amazes me and the picture becomes clearer with each passing hardship!

Can you picture grace? What does it look like to you?

Fearless!

Check out this verse in the Bible!
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel." Ephesians 6:19

The request for prayer is common in Scripture. It should also be common in our daily lives. We ask people we know to pray for us, just as they ask us to pray for them.
And when we pray, we can think of a lot of different things to ask for. We may look for help in our careers, personal relationships, marriages, finances and so on.

But how many of us request help to find others who need to hear about Jesus?

That is a bold statement. Sadly, though, we may go weeks, months or even years without sharing how Christ has influenced our lives.

If you have not had a chance to share your story, or maybe it's been a while since you've opened up about your faith, I encourage you to pray that bold prayer. Ask God to bring that opportunity to you. And when he identifies that person in your life, pray that you "will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel."

Do you have the feeling that Paul was a lot like us? At times, Paul was afraid of ridicule and rejection when he spoke to people about Christ to the point that it affected his ministry. How do I know this? Read the verse again slowly and tell me what you think.

Live Louder!

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:13-14

Good fishermen will leave out early in the morning, when it is dark, calm and quiet outside. Fishermen don't sleep in and they don't waste time hitting the snooze button. They make the most out of all the time that is available in their day. Their wake up call might come so early, in fact, that they could get a glimpse of a morning fog.

Just like that momentary fog on the water, our time here on earth is evaporating!

Do you sense the urgency or are you spending your life putting off the things God wants you to do, thinking that there's plenty of time? Or are you seizing every moment and making good use of every minute?

In the Bible reading above, James is telling us that time has no guarantees. He's challenging us to focus on what we can do today.

What are some of the things you have been procrastinating? Who has God laid on your heart and asked you to reach out to? Don't delay! Life is too short and too uncertain. So take every opportunity you can to find and fulfill your God-given purpose here on earth.

Are there people in your area of influence that can't hear and believe what you say because what you are doing is too selfishly loud? Amplify your life and live louder for Christ - and even use words if you must!

Life Principles

"Father, Make Us Wise" is an incredible prayer of wisdom that is at our fingertips... just waiting for us to digest and embrace. What I'd like to do is share from my heart what I'm learning in this journey... We'll call it... "Wisdom Deposits..." Here's what I'm learning from Colossians 3... I call it... "Life Principles to Live By..."

Colossians 3:1-4: Engage in Eternity... Think eternally..
Colossians 3:5-6: Don't get caught up in worldly pleasures..

Colossians 3:7-9: Get rid of the negativity characteristics in your life...
Colossians 3:10: Become more and more like Jesus...
Colossians 3:11: Stop separating yourself from others... Jesus doesn't do that...
Colossians 3:12: God chose me!
Colossians 3:12-13: Be intentionally positive... forgive, be kind... work at these until they become natural!
Colossians 3:14: Above everything... everything... love people! What would our world be like if we would just live by that!
Colossians 3:14-15: Love brings perfect harmony! One body... one prayer!
Colossians 3:16: Do Life-Together: teach, read, sing, counsel... build intentional relationships... all centered around the message of Jesus!
Colossians 3:17: Be really appreciative in everything!
Colossians 3:18-22: Love your spouse, your children, your parents as you love Jesus!
Colossians 3:23-25: In your work... work as if Jesus is right beside you... because He is!
Colossians 3:25: God has no favorites! I love that truth!

I love those deposits... now, comes the part of embracing each of them and adopting the wisdom that comes from each nugget of truth! What's God teaching you in your daily devotional time?

Is your leadership role dragging you down?

7 Signs You’re Not a Leader

With all the titles given these days that promise leadership, there seems to be too few leaders. And the question is, are you a leader? Here are the seven signs you might not be a leader, and if you’re not a leader, why you’re so miserable trying to lead.

The seven signs are:
1. You’re not a leader if you’re lazy. Leadership is hard work. It takes a lot of energy. It is definitely not a nine-to-five job. If you like to put in the minimum and get home to your hobbies or other distractions, you’re definitely not a leader.

2. You’re not a leader if you don’t like to read. I love the old saying that leaders are readers. Leaders constantly have to grow. Their skill sets are constantly improved by the latest information, and latest insights. They are constantly reading books, either on their iPod, hard copies, or their Kindle. Leaders are readers.

3. You’re not a leader if you don’t like people. Leadership is not a position. It’s not a corner office or a salary. It’s about people. It’s about interacting with people. It’s about trying to get selfish, self-centered, hurting, broken, wounded people to work together for a cause, for a goal, for a purpose. It’s the challenge to get them to set aside their own agendas and adopt a single agenda. To do this it means you must like people. People make things happen. They are the reason we do what we do. And if you fundamentally don’t like to work with people, you’re never going to be able to lead them.

4. You’re not a leader if you have a thin address book. By that I mean, leaders are people who collect people to connect to people. We love meeting people, exchanging business cards and knowing what makes them tick. We love putting people together in order to help them be successful. We collect large address books with connections. If your address book isn’t growing by a factor of 200-300 a year, you might not be a leader.

5. You’re not a leader if you avoid confrontation. I didn’t say that leaders like confrontation; the only people who like confrontation are bullies. Leaders don’t like confrontation. Good people, compassionate people, people who like people, who have something worth offering are uncomfortable with confrontation. But it doesn’t mean they avoid it. They realize that confrontation is a frontline skill-set for any leader. When you avoid confrontation, disease sets in to any organization no matter how long it has been established.

6. You’re not a leader if you hate change. Enough said.

7. You’re not a leader if you’re debilitated by criticism. I’ve heard it often said that praise and criticism is like chewing gum. It’s great to chew on it but you never swallow it. If you’re going to be a leader, you’re going to be criticized. Your motives, your practices, your policies are going to be held up for scrutiny. People are going to talk about you behind your back. And if that debilitates you, I didn’t say you have to like it; no one does. But if that debilitates you, you’re probably not a leader.

After reading these seven signs, one of the best things that you might do for yourself is to recognize that you’re not a leader. You need to go to the people you work with and tell them, “Give me a great task to do and I’ll do it to the best of my ability. But the leading thing is not for me.”

If you are a leader, lead! If you are not, then be the best follower you can be! It takes both.

Relevant Christianity

Things are changing, have you noticed? Rapidly.
Just recently Apple announced the release of their SDK to developers, to take the iPhone to the next level. If you watched the presentation, maybe it soaked in, they were living in a very, very different world.

Those who are not able to keep up with the pace of change are going to be headed down a long road toward irrelevance.

This is a warning to those of us who lead, particularly to those who lead churches. Churches are notorious for resisting change. But if we don’t, we, like everything else around us will be stuck going down a long road toward irrelevance. What are you setting in place today? What are you dismantling? What are you setting in place today that you won’t be able to dismantle tomorrow?

If you can’t answer that question, you may be on the long road toward irrelevance.

Would you like to leave a comment on how you think resisting change can impact us individually as well as corporately?

Focus!

I love the focus of Paul. He stayed focused on his mission through shipwrecks, beatings, arguments, jail time... you name it. And he wrote Timothy to do the same thing. He gave him 3 illustrations... that still speak to us so many years later. Look at this...

"Soldiers don't' get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them." II Timothy 2:4 (NLT)
"Athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules." vs. 5
"Hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor." vs. 6
Soldiers, athletes, and farmers stay focused.

They don't...
Sacrifice what's best for what's good.
Look to the stands for rule interpretations.
Slack off in the planting to mess up the harvest.

As Christ followers it's easy to get distracted and in the same way...
We get side tracked by the world's desires and forget why we said yes to Jesus in the first place.
We start looking at the spectators and forget the game plan.
We get comfortable and lazy in the present life and wonder why there's no harvest or growth...
I say it to you the way Paul said it to Timothy... "Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things." vs 7.

Focus.....

Monopoly

How do we break the "monopolies" of our lives? Here are a few statements that should make you think ...

We all have toy graveyards... kids call them closets... adults call them attics, garages, storage barns... They are the graveyards of stuff we thought we couldn't live without... There's always going to be people who have more than you and less than you. Thank God for what you do have... Is your occupation your preoccupation? Our importance is not based on our possessions... but on our position in Christ because what we live for is more important than what we live on.

When Snoopy saw Charlie Brown eating turkey and all the fixings while he was outside eating dogfood... Snoopy said... "It could be worse... I could've been born a turkey..."

When we leave and get into our cars and we look at everything that's wrong with our car... we need to passionately say... "It could be worse.." And when we get home and compare our homes with other places that seem nicer... "It could be worse..." And when we sit down to watch our 26" televisions and dream of the 60" plasma hanging on the wall... "It could be worse..."

It just seems to me that our stuff means more to most people than it should...after all, when is the last time you witnessed a hearse pulling a uhaul?

LoveAttack

Serving From The Heart...
What makes a trip to the grocery store or retail store or even a church something to remember? Are there certain events, actions, moments, experiences that say to us as we leave... "Wow. I want to come back here."? I think there are. What brings someone to transform from being a 1st time guest to a returning, excited, can't-bear-to-miss-out "family member?" Granger Community Church in Granger, IN calls it the "Wow Factor." Wal-Mart and other retailers call it "Creating Loyal Customers For Life."

Scripture calls it "Hospitality."

Paul wrote.."Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality". Rom. 12:13 (NIV)

To me... It's that "Hospitality Factor" that begins the transformation of a 1st time guest into a returning, excited, can't-bear-to-miss-out family member. And when guests keep coming back, they experience the powerful love of God, the incredible true messages of Jesus, and the life-changing experience of the Holy Spirit that helps them take their next step in their relationship with God.

The question is... How can those who have already said "Yes" to Jesus shine in their Hospitality Factor? Great question. We can learn a lot from those who have studied, researched, and been successful in helping people feel welcomed. Click here to watch a short clip and see how one young man changed the entire atmosphere of a grocery store.

Wow! What can you do to increase your "Hospitality Factor?"

I Want to be Held...

I remembered a great question last night that really got me thinking...

It's a question that I believe every pastor, leader, teacher, believer should ask themselves as they pursue to mature in their faith and relationship with Jesus. One of the greatest growth processes in becoming more like Jesus is reading and embracing God's Word! So many neglect this powerfully packed, principle-laden, personality enhancing, supernaturally inspired collection of the wisdom of God.

So what's the question?

It was asked by another student some time ago while attending Bible college who had just listened to a pastor/teacher speak on developing a relationship with God during chapel... Here's the question... "As he spoke... I noticed that he held the Bible but my question is... was he held by the Bible?"

That's a huge question for me... as I speak... do I just hold the bible or has the Bible been holding me? Is it still holding me... even when I don't speak?

I don't know about you... but I want to be held and not just hold.

If I were looking for a church to attend...

If I were looking for a church to attend Sunday morning, here are 16 things I’d look for . . . .

1) When I enter do I hear laughter?
2) Are people greeting me as a job or a joy?
3) Does the place look like they were expecting me?
4) Are people buzzing as they greet each other?
5) Is there spirited music playing as people gather?
6) Does the music move me?
7) Do the people on stage look real and engaged?
8) Are the announcements short, strategic, and to the point?
9) Is the Scripture written out on the big screen?
10) Does the pastor smile?
11) Does the message title promise a relevant topic I am interested in?
12) Does the pastor speak with humility and authority?
13) Do I feel the presence of God?
14) Are people listening and engaged?
15) Is the service no more than 71 minutes?
16) Does it pass by fast?

Are you Angry?

10 Ways Angry People Change the World

Things change. But whether they change for the better or not depends on what people do; not just any kind of people, but angry people. Yes, you heard it right. It’s angry people who change the world. Comfortable, satisfied, stuck-in-a-rut, trying-to-protect-my-turf people don’t change the world. They nurse the status quo, which I’ve heard is Latin for the mess we’re in. It’s absurd to say that the way to change things is to make people angry. Most angry people are not constructive, but destructive. But it’s just as foolish to think that things will change when everyone is fat and happy.
So here are ten ways that angry people change the world:1. There’s a wrong that must be righted, now. We’re talking about a serious wrong; a principle, not a preference. Something is violated that leaves a gaping hole in the ethical fabric of life.2. The wrong is in the circle of my influence. There are two circles we have to always be aware of: the circle of my concern, and the circle of my influence. In the circle of my concern, I can pray, study, think, consider; there’s not much I can do. It’s only in the circle of my influence where I can make a positive change. Where there is a wrong that must be righted within the circle of your influence, you have the seed for a true revolution.3. The wrong moves from a bother to a burden. With a glaring wrong in front of you, it’s hard to ignore it. It’s an ethical thing, a principle; a violation of what’s right, good, and just about life and it bothers you. The minute it becomes a burden, something you can’t shake or run away from, it becomes your responsibility. You become the missionary, the mover of the movement.4. “Someone ought to do something” becomes, “I must.” Everyone talks about the things that ought to be different. These things are many. But the must-dos and must-haves of life are few.5. The passion becomes a vision. The real meaning of passion is to suffer. That’s what angry people do when there are wrongs that must be righted. They suffer. And when that suffering becomes intense, a vision arises; a picture of things not as they are, but of how they could be if something happened.6. Other like-minded people catch the vision. The visionary now talks to his friends and shares. He must. He can’t keep it inside. It’s a burden that can’t be bottled up.7. First steps are taken. This is the hardest thing to do; to take initiative, to take first steps when those first steps seem to be so woefully short of meeting the need of revolution and change. But they’re necessary. They’re always small, usually done in obscurity by lonely, angry people with a vision.8. Results are small, but promising. This, again, is a tenuous point in the process of change. We’re looking for big results. We want to make small input and have big output. That simply doesn’t happen. First results are small, but promising leading in the right direction.9. More people buy into the mission as missionaries. Results attract support. Results attract people. Movers and shakers like being around new things that are arising and happening. And when they come around the mission, they become missionaries.10. Eventually, the movement creates APB. APB stands for Abundance, Prosperity, and Blessing. Over time the vision of how things ought to be, and should be, and must be, translate into vision. Surrounded by people with steps, great things happen.
Here is the formula for how angry people bring about great change:W+AP+V+MAP+T=REVOLUTION Simply said, a wrong, plus angry people, plus vision, plus more angry people, plus time, equal revolution.DF

Elijah

"Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." James 5:17-18

Elijah, although ordinary, was used in extraordinary ways.

Through a simple but powerful prayer, he changed the spiritual direction of an entire nation. Elijah knew how God was going to use his power to influence this nation and he was committed to doing whatever God asked him to.

God can use you in the same powerful way.

But you've got to take the time to listen to God when he speaks. Can you hear him? Or is the hustle and bustle of life drowning him out? If you do hear his voice, are you committed to doing whatever he asks?

Because we are all such self-involved creatures, it's easy to forget that our purpose for being here is not for our own personal fulfillment and happiness. We were put on this earth to bring God glory, not ourselves.

If you're living with a self-centered attitude, your potential is sadly limited. But if you commit to do whatever God asks you to, then any ordinary life can truly be used in amazing and extraordinary ways. Just try it and see!

I’ll admit this election did not turn out as I had hoped. I supported McCain primarily because I am pro-life and I prefer his small-government mindset. But now that the election is over, I’m not going to harbor bitterness toward Obama supporters or go into attack mode. Obama has been elected president of this country, and that means I have a biblical responsibility to support him in prayer—even if I challenge his policies.

Whether you voted for Obama or not, you need to pray for him. Here are 10 ways I plan to intercede for him regularly:

1. Pray for Obama’s protection. We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let’s pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let’s cancel every assassin’s bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama’s wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God’s wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon’s tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama’s door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture—from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia—would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God’s peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God’s will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God’s mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world’s poor and share Christ’s love at home and abroad.LG

Just Read The Will

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14

I want to present to you a new way of viewing prayer that you may not have thought about. The Bible not only has answers for life, but also tells us step-by-step how we can get even more out of life. God takes an interest in you as a person and is standing by, ready to answer your prayers, if they are the right ones. How can you be confident that you're praying the right prayers?

You have to know God well enough to know what he would ask for.

Prayer isn't asking for what you want. It's putting yourself in a position to want what God wants. And that happens as you begin to know God better. As you get to know him better, you will be given the wisdom to know how to pray according to what he wants you to have. Be confident in knowing that God hears your prayers. Rather than worrying if he hears you, work on getting to know him better. Show interest in who he is. Read his Word. Continue to pray. Because as you do, you will discover that God has more blessings for you than you could ever imagine.

People are always asking me how they can know God's will for their lives. My answer is the same everytime - "To know God's Word is to know God's will". That is why the New Testament is considered as God's last testament. It is His last will and testament. Sound familiar?

Into the Sea

There's a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge and wisdom."

Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one.

He led the young man through the streets and down into the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, "What do you want?" "Knowledge and wisdom, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile. Socrates put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up. "What do you want?" he asked again. "Knowledge and Wisdom," the young man sputtered, "O great and wise Socrates." Socrates crunched him under again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping. "What do you want, young man?" Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, "Knowledge and wisdom, O wise and wonderful..." Socrates jammed him under again Forty seconds passed. Fifty. "What do you want?" "Air!" the young man screeched. "I need air!" "When you want knowledge and wisdom as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge and wisdom."

What do you want out of life? Do we need to take a walk down the street and into the sea? Chase your dreams like your life depended on it!

Care to comment?

Rethink Life With Christ!

Jesus made a statement that changed the course of history and made our future bright!

"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:14.

Saying, "In Jesus' name" at the end of every prayer is so strongly ingrained in Christian culture that we often miss the power of those words. Many of us don't even give them a second thought. It's time to rethink the "in Jesus' name" part of our prayers, to take some time to consider the implications of those three words. Think about what it means to speak in Jesus' name. Because of Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins when we ask. Because of Jesus, we have eternal salvation. Because of Jesus, we don't have to endure God's wrath. Because of Jesus, we have a new life. Because of Jesus, you and we have access to God. When we bring our prayers before God and ask him to answer us because of Jesus, we are asking him to remember Jesus' payment for our sins. We are saying, "Because of Jesus, I know you, God. And I know that you hear me because of what Jesus has done." Don't look at praying in Jesus' name as the magical formula. Don't simply tack it to the end of a selfish prayer in hopes that it will sway God's answer. Instead, consider the sanctity and seriousness of saying "In Jesus' name." And make sure the words that come before that phrase are worthy of that phrase. Can you think of other possible ways that Christians need to rethink life with Christ?

Purpose

God has a very specific purpose, calling for you. Maybe you’re finding yourself right now in a place, spiritually or physically, where you don’t quite belong. Where you are struggling and gasping for breath, like a fish floundering around on the shore. Take that fish and put it in the water, and its genius emerges! It does what it was called to do- it swims away gracefully and purposefully.

You weren’t made to flounder around. You have a specific purpose in the church and in God’s Kingdom.

You might think that if you don’t step into that calling, someone else will do it. You might think that the church has others much more gifted than you. Certainly, my pathetic talents won’t make any difference. That's where you’re wrong. A Rolls Royce is a beautiful car. A very expensive and luxurious car. But just as a Rolls Royce with 3 wheels is limited, so, too, is the church, and the Kingdom, without you.

Each of us has a very specific and unique calling which is important to the whole. I used to think that if I didn’t participate, so what? God will anoint and commission someone else. I was wrong. If I don’t fulfill my calling, if you don’t fulfill yours, the church will go without. I cannot be all that I was called to be unless you become all that you are called to be. Besides, you and I don’t have the right to hold anything back from Him who gave everything for us.

So, what about it? Can we step up to the challenge?

Get it! Got it? Good!

Have you ever wondered why things you pray for seem to be pushed to the side sometimes as if God has bigger fish to fry than answer you when you ask Him for something? Check this out -

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:21-22

When people read this text, many can misread it as an open-ended opportunity to get anything they want or desire. But that's a selfish reading of Jesus' words. And it's not what this passage is about. When Jesus says, "If you believe, you will receive...," he isn't saying, "If you acknowledge God, then you'll get whatever you want."

Real belief in God is about syncing up our desires with God's desires. And real belief results in selfless prayers and a selfless lifestyle, not a selfish existence.

This passage isn't Jesus' secret formula for getting what we want. It's a promise that if our desires are the same as God's desires, then anything we ask of him, he will do.

When you read this passage, understand that it is ultimately about accomplishing what God wants. And if you go to him with that in mind, he will provide you with whatever you ask. Because whatever you ask will ultimately be about him, not you.

I would be in SOOoooo much trouble if I got everything I asked for ever since I can remember praying. I want you try an exercise: Look back over your life and think of some of those things you asked God for out of anger, temptation, or whatever else. Do it now........... Wow! Do you see what I mean?

Perspective

Have you ever thought about why we see the world differently than other people, even those closest to you?

How we see life is determined by each individual person. Our perspective is derived partly from a biological standpoint and partly from social experiences. From time to time, cataclysmic events have a dramatic effect on our view of life.

There is a story of a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, “If I could only see the world, I will marry you.” One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her, “Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?” The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: “Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.”

To which of these young people should we feel pity? Why? Leave a comment, I want to hear your perspective.

Most of us!

"May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. "Psalm 141:2

When God gave Moses the instructions for building the tabernacle and for the various forms of worship, one of the things that he ordered was the burning of fragrant incense.
Each morning and evening the priest was to burn incense on an altar, so that "incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come" (Exodus 30:8).

The incense, which had a sweet-smelling fragrance, was representative of the prayers being lifted to God in worship.

Most of us, when we think of prayer, think that it's our way to communicate with God. And yes, that is part of it. But prayer is also a form of worship.

So as you pray, realize that you are offering that sweet-smelling incense to God. And as you lift your requests, joys, concerns and most of all praise to God in prayer, see that holy time as a time of worship.

Care to comment?

A Club We Are All Born Into!

King David said, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer." Psalm 66:18-19

Sin is one of those things we don't like to think about or talk about. We don't want to admit the fact that there is something that separates us from God. Instead, we'd rather pretend that no matter what we do, God will always listen to us and answer us — exactly the way we want.

The problem is that with sin in our lives, there's a disconnect!

As a result of that gap, we often come to a point where we think God is apathetic about our situation. Or we think he doesn't care, because he's not answering us the way we want. When the reality is that we have grown apathetic in our relationship with him.

If you're in a position where you've turned to God in prayer but there still seems to be something missing, take a moment to look at your life. Is there something separating you from God?

Is there a situation in your life where you've fallen short of his standard? Most likely, the answer is yes. But the good news is that Christ has done the work to fix the problem.

Now what?

Through Christ we can experience the fullness of what God intends for us...so go ahead...pray!

What's love got to do with it?

In a book called "Parables of Life," there is a haunting story of a lonely old man who had spent all his years acquiring "knowledge" without learning anything of lasting value...

As he looked back and retraced the road he had travelled, the weariness of the journey gathered upon his spirit until it seemed the spring of life had been choked at its source.

In his early years, love had looked into his eyes, had held him for a moment, had walked a little way with him, but his pride flung it aside. There was no room for such companionship on that narrow path, no smoothness for such tender feet on that rough highway.

What had he to do with love - he whose heart was set on knowledge?

Long ago love left him; long ago men had ceased to call upon him for help as he passed, swift and unswerving on his way. The secret of the good life was farther from him than when he set out on his journey!

He had gained knowledge, but without love there is neither wisdom nor life!

Who do you know that may very well look back over their lives with regret and wish they could do it over? Will you?

Satan's Worldwide Convention

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,"We can't keep people from going to pray. We can't keep them from reading their Bible and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their God. Once they gain that connection with God, our power over them is broken. So let them go to their prayers; let them have their covered dish dinners,but steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with God. This is what I want you to do," said the devil. "Distract them from gaining hold of their God and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!" "How shall we do this?" his demons shouted." Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear. Entice them to play the radio or CD player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs, and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with God. Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services, and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches too! If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly! Give them distractions to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of life. Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted. Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy, busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from God. Soon they will be working in their strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good cause."

"It will work!" "It will work!" It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing people everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of God to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?

Cultural Relevance

Why is cultural relevance a big deal?

The scriptures are relevant to this and every culture. They do not need updating, correcting, or revisioning. On the contrary, what needs revisioning is our understanding and obedience to God's word as we live out His mission in context. When we live a humble orthodoxy and humble missiology, we will be salt and light in contemporary culture—a biblically-faithful, culturally-relevant, counter culture.

Here is a brief article Ed Stetzer wrote to be an encouragement at Catalyst:

The fight goes on. Like a giant tug of war, each side is pulling hard. The battle lines: Cultural relevance versus biblical faithfulness—a classic tyranny of the "OR." Yes, cultural relevance can be confusing. On the one hand, the church can be so focused on cultural relevance that it loses its distinctive message. Don't think it won't happen—it has happened to countless churches and denominations. On the other hand, it can decide that culture does not matter. That leads to a church whose message is indiscernible and obscure to those who are "outside." Let me propose an alternative: our churches need to be biblically faithful, culturally relevant, counter culture communities. Not everyone buys into what I've just said. Whole ministries exist just to tell you not to pay attention to culture. To them, a virtuous church is one that is culturally irrelevant. In their view, a mark of holiness is not just being disconnected from sin but also being disconnected from sinners and the culture they share with us every day. Preaching against culture is like preaching against someone's house—it is just where they live. The house has good in it and bad in it. Overall, culture can be a mess—but (to mix metaphors) it is the water in which we swim and the lens through which we see the world. And the gospel needs to come, inhabit, and change that and every culture (or house). Preaching against culture is not the pattern of the New Testament church (see Dean Fleming's Contextualization in the New Testament), the historic church (see Ruth Tucker's From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya), or today's church (see Breaking the Missional Code). Culture clearly does matter! For 2000 years, missionaries have courageously sought to take the message and make it understandable. Through these two millennia, changing cultures have impacted the church and its missional strategies. Conversely, in many cases, the church has also impacted culture. The reason ministry models have to change is because they have an unchanging message that must be conveyed in a changing world. That message is Christ, the gospel, and the Scriptures. Jude 3 says that we are to "contend for the faith once delivered for the saints." That's essential. But, the Bible also clearly gives us a mandate to make the message understandable. We do more than just translate it into a language. We also have to translate it into a culture. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, "I have become all things to all men." Why? Because the message needs to be contextualized. The "how" of ministry is, in many ways, determined by the "who, when, and where" of culture. That's also essential. We have to both contend and contextualize. This brings a balanced focus in our proclamation and practice. When we contend for the gospel, we remain biblically faithful. When we contextualize, we communicate the message effectively. When we contend and contextualize, our churches are biblically faithful, culturally relevant, counter culture communities. Those who preach against culture are often unaware that they live in one. But the dynamic culture around them is often not the culture of their church. What they yearn for is typically not a scriptural culture, but rather a nostalgic religious culture of days past. The irony of this is that every church is culturally relevant. It is simply a matter of whether the culture of the church is in any way similar to the culture of its community or only meaningful to itself.

What is your take on all of this?