Sunday, March 1, 2009
Growing up
My dad had a 1946 Ford “Woody” station wagon. It had a ‘flat-head’ V8, bright red lacquer paint, ‘spinner’ hub caps and loud exhaust. The safest place in the world for me was dozing off in the back seat of that car and looking up to see the back of my dad’s head as he drove us from Grandma’s house in downtown Los Angeles to our home in the suburb of Baldwin Park. I didn’t have a worry in the world!
In the late 30’s and early 40’s, my mom was the Associate Pastor of the De Kalb, Illinois Foursquare Church and the Senior Pastor of the Sheffield, Iowa Foursquare Church. In 1985, Sue and I planted a new church in the Northwest part of Phoenix. I called my mom a lot during the early years of our new church for spiritual guidance and practical help. Her seasoned approach to ministry was an encouragement to me. That she was there when I called gave me a sense of security.
While we are young, God uses our parents and caregivers to bring safety and security to us. Everything they do is in preparation to release us to come into our own. After they passed away, my dad in 1976, and my mom in 1993, I had to drink deeply of the Security they had been pointing me toward my whole life. It was time for me to grow up!
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold,
my high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.
I will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
for he saves me from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2b-4, NLT.[1]
Some people have lived many years yet have failed to take responsibility for their lives. Norman Schwarzkopf said, “When you are given responsibility, take charge! And if you don’t know what to do, do the right thing!”
Begin now. Trust God as your Rock and Fortress and become the responsible person He intended you to be.
[1]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.
Friday, February 27, 2009
What really matters
February 2006
A few days ago I received a call from my sister, Karen. She said that her husband, Mike, was found at home not breathing and without a pulse. At that very moment, paramedics were working on him and she asked that we pray for a miracle. We did. The particular miracle we prayed for didn’t happen and Mike went home to be with the Lord.
Mike began suffering with youthful onset type 1 diabetes as a teenager. The disease affected his vision and circulation and restricted his diet. He loved sports but found that he couldn’t enjoy them as a participant.
Mike was a very good Bible teacher. He started four churches and had several successful radio ministries. Mike was well respected in the ‘faith community’ in Phoenix, but the churches he led never became ‘mega churches.’
Mike understood what was really important. He took time to find “community” with people. Dan and Suzie found Jesus 30 years ago as Mike spent time with them in their home. They will tell you that over 25 of their family members know Jesus today because of Mike. Rigo is a young Hispanic man that Mike spent time mentoring who is now preaching the Gospel instead of cruising the streets of Phoenix. Hal and Cheryl met in Mike & Karen’s living room 30 years ago sharing their dream to unite pastoral leadership in the Phoenix area and now lead “Bridge Builders,” a ministry that networks 600+ pastors in the Phoenix area. Cheryl has authored “The Prayer Saturated Church,” published by NaviPress and speaks throughout the nation on prayer. Susan, a single mom from England, was destitute and didn’t know where to turn. Mike listened to her, accepted her and began teaching her who Christ made her to be. She is now president of “Fountain of Hope,” a ministry that meets the needs of destitute people in downtown Phoenix through food, shelter and clothing. Just a few days before his death, Mike led a man to the Lord in the park where he would sit and read his Bible. He went home and got his wife and she found Jesus, too.
Community requires time spent focusing on others.
Fifty-six seems too young to wrap up ministry on earth. Mike spent time on things that really matter. Mike understood “community.”
A few days ago I received a call from my sister, Karen. She said that her husband, Mike, was found at home not breathing and without a pulse. At that very moment, paramedics were working on him and she asked that we pray for a miracle. We did. The particular miracle we prayed for didn’t happen and Mike went home to be with the Lord.
Mike began suffering with youthful onset type 1 diabetes as a teenager. The disease affected his vision and circulation and restricted his diet. He loved sports but found that he couldn’t enjoy them as a participant.
Mike was a very good Bible teacher. He started four churches and had several successful radio ministries. Mike was well respected in the ‘faith community’ in Phoenix, but the churches he led never became ‘mega churches.’
Mike understood what was really important. He took time to find “community” with people. Dan and Suzie found Jesus 30 years ago as Mike spent time with them in their home. They will tell you that over 25 of their family members know Jesus today because of Mike. Rigo is a young Hispanic man that Mike spent time mentoring who is now preaching the Gospel instead of cruising the streets of Phoenix. Hal and Cheryl met in Mike & Karen’s living room 30 years ago sharing their dream to unite pastoral leadership in the Phoenix area and now lead “Bridge Builders,” a ministry that networks 600+ pastors in the Phoenix area. Cheryl has authored “The Prayer Saturated Church,” published by NaviPress and speaks throughout the nation on prayer. Susan, a single mom from England, was destitute and didn’t know where to turn. Mike listened to her, accepted her and began teaching her who Christ made her to be. She is now president of “Fountain of Hope,” a ministry that meets the needs of destitute people in downtown Phoenix through food, shelter and clothing. Just a few days before his death, Mike led a man to the Lord in the park where he would sit and read his Bible. He went home and got his wife and she found Jesus, too.
Community requires time spent focusing on others.
Fifty-six seems too young to wrap up ministry on earth. Mike spent time on things that really matter. Mike understood “community.”
Let's keep our freedom
July 25, 2003
It was the spring of 1962 and I was a 14-year-old freshman at Phoenix Christian High School. A friend and I decided it was so beautiful out that we would take a vacation day that was not listed on the school calendar. If that was not bad enough, we decided to catch a movie at the Fox Theater downtown. At the conclusion of our unauthorized “vacation day,” my friend and I discreetly returned to the campus and found our rides home, feeling great that we had enjoyed the ‘pleasures of sin for a season.’ We made an agreement that we would not tell anyone where we had been.
Later that night at home, I thought about what I had done and became overwhelmed with guilt. First thing in the morning I made an appointment with the school superintendent and tearfully confessed to the entire ordeal.
My friend brought a note from ‘home’ explaining that ‘illness’ had kept him out of school. He was upset with me for confessing, but I felt relieved that it was out in the open.
Today, the “stakes” of being transparent and honest with one another appear to be higher. We ask ourselves such questions as “If they know the truth about me, will I still be accepted?” Or, “will people still respect me?” The older we get and the more responsibility we assume, it seems more difficult to be transparent and feel like we retain the respect of our peers and people over which we have authority. Many arrive at the conclusion that it is just too difficult to maintain a lifestyle of openness and transparency.
Being open and honest is important regardless of our age. In recent years, prominent leaders, who have not nurtured transparent and honest relationships, have had their worlds come crashing in on them. I can assure you the stakes of not being honest and transparent are much higher.
I don’t suggest we publish our shortcomings in the church bulletin, but I do suggest we find people who love us and are committed to us and that we can be open and transparent with.
Things left hidden and not dealt with keep us tied down. Keeping issues concealed will produce guilt and bondage in our lives. The freedom of forgiveness begins with openness and honesty.
I want to keep my freedom!
It was the spring of 1962 and I was a 14-year-old freshman at Phoenix Christian High School. A friend and I decided it was so beautiful out that we would take a vacation day that was not listed on the school calendar. If that was not bad enough, we decided to catch a movie at the Fox Theater downtown. At the conclusion of our unauthorized “vacation day,” my friend and I discreetly returned to the campus and found our rides home, feeling great that we had enjoyed the ‘pleasures of sin for a season.’ We made an agreement that we would not tell anyone where we had been.
Later that night at home, I thought about what I had done and became overwhelmed with guilt. First thing in the morning I made an appointment with the school superintendent and tearfully confessed to the entire ordeal.
My friend brought a note from ‘home’ explaining that ‘illness’ had kept him out of school. He was upset with me for confessing, but I felt relieved that it was out in the open.
Today, the “stakes” of being transparent and honest with one another appear to be higher. We ask ourselves such questions as “If they know the truth about me, will I still be accepted?” Or, “will people still respect me?” The older we get and the more responsibility we assume, it seems more difficult to be transparent and feel like we retain the respect of our peers and people over which we have authority. Many arrive at the conclusion that it is just too difficult to maintain a lifestyle of openness and transparency.
Being open and honest is important regardless of our age. In recent years, prominent leaders, who have not nurtured transparent and honest relationships, have had their worlds come crashing in on them. I can assure you the stakes of not being honest and transparent are much higher.
I don’t suggest we publish our shortcomings in the church bulletin, but I do suggest we find people who love us and are committed to us and that we can be open and transparent with.
Things left hidden and not dealt with keep us tied down. Keeping issues concealed will produce guilt and bondage in our lives. The freedom of forgiveness begins with openness and honesty.
I want to keep my freedom!
Becoming Special Forces Believers
A few years ago, Sue and I attended Special Forces graduation ceremonies at Fort Bragg, NC. Our oldest son completed almost two years of rigorous training resulting in his becoming one of the best trained and proficient soldiers in the entire world. He introduced us to a number of his friends and I was impressed with the commitment and devotion of these special men. These highly trained professionals are defending our country against Godless terrorism around the globe.
When our national anthem played during one of the ceremonies, I was moved to tears as I thought of the freedom you and I take for granted, but these brave men will put their lives on the line daily to defend. Sgt Barry Sadler’s “Ballad of the Green Beret” played and I though about some of these talented men going so far as giving their lives for our freedom.
The war against tyranny and terror is very real and our enemy is very real. At the same time, another battle rages. It is a fight for the freedom of men’s souls.
Men, women, and children that live on your block and mine are caught in the bondage of sin resulting in addictions, abuse and joyless lives. Who will fight for these oppressed people?
Millions of dollars are spent on training Special Forces soldiers to fight against terror. Rightly so! What kind of effort are we making to see those oppressed by sin and shame freed?
“De Oppresso Liber” is the Special Forces motto. Liberate the oppressed. What a noble calling! I would like to challenge you, as I challenge myself, to engage the enemy of our souls in fighting for the freedom of the oppressed.
“What can I do?” one may ask. Several things:
Pray! The battle we fight is “not against flesh and blood but principalities and powers in high places.”
Fast! Some things only happen as we say no to the appetites of the ‘flesh’ and yes to God and His purposes.
Take advantage of training opportunities! Sunday services at your church are training opportunities. At our church we have a Bible Institute; take advantage of classes in your area. All of these are helps to equip and train us!
Give! As we give, God receives our gifts and multiplies our efforts!
Speak up! The person you work with, your next door neighbor, your waitress at dinner, may need the “Good News” you have. Don’t be shy!
At the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum, one of JFK’s quotes is stated in reference to Special Forces soldiers: “We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
Could that be said of you and I as we contend for the freedom and liberty of those around us? Let it be so.
Real Community
Real community involves loving people with God’s kind of love. God’s love is selfless; a ‘one way,’ giving kind of love. How do we do that?
First of all, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Is someone in need? Are they in your life? Then do for them what you would do for yourself.
Secondly, He gives us a ‘new commandment.’ We are to love others as Jesus loved us! How did Jesus love us? He died for us. The first kind of love, ‘a little for me, a little for you,’ we can understand, but being willing to die for each other? Now we’re talking about foundational change in our lives! It means we will have to die to our self-centeredness!
Third, Jesus tells us the kind of love He wants us to have is the love found between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John 17. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, the Spirit loves the Father, the Father loves the Spirit and so on. Unity kind of love! No jealousy, no barriers!
As we love each other with God’s love, the doors are open for us to experience genuine community. Begin with your family, then the Church, then the world!
Take these three steps:
Care for others the same way you care for yourself.
Eliminate self-centeredness.
Live without jealousy or barriers; love unconditionally!
And the world will see Jesus’ love in us!
First of all, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Is someone in need? Are they in your life? Then do for them what you would do for yourself.
Secondly, He gives us a ‘new commandment.’ We are to love others as Jesus loved us! How did Jesus love us? He died for us. The first kind of love, ‘a little for me, a little for you,’ we can understand, but being willing to die for each other? Now we’re talking about foundational change in our lives! It means we will have to die to our self-centeredness!
Third, Jesus tells us the kind of love He wants us to have is the love found between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John 17. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, the Spirit loves the Father, the Father loves the Spirit and so on. Unity kind of love! No jealousy, no barriers!
As we love each other with God’s love, the doors are open for us to experience genuine community. Begin with your family, then the Church, then the world!
Take these three steps:
Care for others the same way you care for yourself.
Eliminate self-centeredness.
Live without jealousy or barriers; love unconditionally!
And the world will see Jesus’ love in us!
You Make a Difference!
You make a difference! April 2004
When I checked the global population counter a few days ago, (April 6, 2004, 3:33pm), there were 6,346,054,185 residents of our planet. I am one of that number and so are you. By comparison, you and I are both very small!
When I consider how small I am, and then hear things like, “God has a plan for you” and “nobody can do what you do,” I begin to wonder a bit about it. Is someone just telling me that so I will feel better about myself? Or, am I really as significant as The Bible and a few others have told me? Are they just trying to get me to do something that will better them? Have you had any of those thoughts? How could God use someone as small and relatively insignificant as me for His great purposes and plans?
One day, Jesus was teaching and preaching out in the country. About 5,000 men and their families were together listening to him speak. Time passed quickly and before people realized the lateness of the hour, someone said “its time to eat.” Problem was, in this remote part of the Israeli countryside, Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and the Old Country Buffet were nowhere to be found!
I suppose the disciples had been scrounging around for food and all they could come up with was one little boy’s lunch. Either he or his mother had planned ahead and sent him with five loaves of bread and two fish. The Bible doesn’t record exactly how the disciples went about getting this food from the boy, but I believe he gave it to them.
This lunch grew from a few loaves and fish to enough to feed the entire group with 12 baskets left over! All because one young boy gave what he had!
It’s a dark, stormy night and the disciples are traveling across the lake and they are afraid. What looked like a ghost appeared to be walking on the water coming toward their boat.
Peter, without thinking, calls out, “Jesus, if that’s you, ask me to come to you.” Jesus said, “It’s me, go ahead and come to me.” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. As he thought about what he was doing, fear overcame him and he began to sink, but cried out for help. Jesus picked him up and they traveled to the boat together.
Something that goes against all the laws of physics happened because one young man did what Jesus said to do!
In Gennesaret, a call went out to bring the sick to Jesus for healing. They came in droves. Every person who reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment was healed!
Each of these stories would not have happened if an individual had not given, stepped out, or reached out. Do I make a difference? Each one of these individuals did, so I do as well. I simply have to take the initiative and do it. Just do it!
When I checked the global population counter a few days ago, (April 6, 2004, 3:33pm), there were 6,346,054,185 residents of our planet. I am one of that number and so are you. By comparison, you and I are both very small!
When I consider how small I am, and then hear things like, “God has a plan for you” and “nobody can do what you do,” I begin to wonder a bit about it. Is someone just telling me that so I will feel better about myself? Or, am I really as significant as The Bible and a few others have told me? Are they just trying to get me to do something that will better them? Have you had any of those thoughts? How could God use someone as small and relatively insignificant as me for His great purposes and plans?
One day, Jesus was teaching and preaching out in the country. About 5,000 men and their families were together listening to him speak. Time passed quickly and before people realized the lateness of the hour, someone said “its time to eat.” Problem was, in this remote part of the Israeli countryside, Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and the Old Country Buffet were nowhere to be found!
I suppose the disciples had been scrounging around for food and all they could come up with was one little boy’s lunch. Either he or his mother had planned ahead and sent him with five loaves of bread and two fish. The Bible doesn’t record exactly how the disciples went about getting this food from the boy, but I believe he gave it to them.
This lunch grew from a few loaves and fish to enough to feed the entire group with 12 baskets left over! All because one young boy gave what he had!
It’s a dark, stormy night and the disciples are traveling across the lake and they are afraid. What looked like a ghost appeared to be walking on the water coming toward their boat.
Peter, without thinking, calls out, “Jesus, if that’s you, ask me to come to you.” Jesus said, “It’s me, go ahead and come to me.” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. As he thought about what he was doing, fear overcame him and he began to sink, but cried out for help. Jesus picked him up and they traveled to the boat together.
Something that goes against all the laws of physics happened because one young man did what Jesus said to do!
In Gennesaret, a call went out to bring the sick to Jesus for healing. They came in droves. Every person who reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment was healed!
Each of these stories would not have happened if an individual had not given, stepped out, or reached out. Do I make a difference? Each one of these individuals did, so I do as well. I simply have to take the initiative and do it. Just do it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)