LOVED

2009 is quickly disappearing. The world is celebrating in its usual manner. I wonder how much of the celebration is merely noise and activity to help ignore the emptiness? As I finish this year I am grateful for God's amazing love for me. A love I am still trying to grasp. A love that is totally independent of my achievments or lack thereof. A love that embraces me and celebrates over me. Just me! A love that will not let me go as one song writer penned. A love that the Father wants to overwhelm me with each day during this coming year. A love that should liberate me to enjoy the journey, embrace obedience, and show that love to others. As this year closes and I move into another part of the journey, I desire to truly know God's love for me, and then to show that same love to others. I know the opportunities for both will be multiple. I know I can easily be distracted by the stuff of this world. I know my own insecurities and doubts will at times hinder me from knowing that love and showing that love. May the Holy Spirit guide me into all truth regarding God's boundless love for me and how I can express that to others.

Christmas

We've been traveling with Luke during the last few months at Amarillo First Naz. It's been a good journey. We have just scratched the surface of this window into the life of Jesus and the ways of God. A powerful promise begins this Gospel, "nothing is impossible with God (1:37)." Spoken to Mary upon the announcement of the Incarnation, it declared the nature of God-He is Almighty. The same promise is again spoken by Jesus in Luke 18 & the rich young ruler. The same promise, the same Almighty God, but one person got it and one missed it. Mary was willing to be the Lord's servant, the young ruler refused the offer. Mary seemed to have a vision of something beyond herself, the young ruler couldn't get past himself. One would be labeled powerless by our culture, the other one blessed and successful. The Almighty God didn't need the power and wealth of the young ruler. Almighty God was looking for a willing heart. Someone through whom He could display His redemptive power. The impossible is discovered when we make ourselves available to God, for His purposes and glory. Christmas reminds us of Almighty God and the Divine invasion into this broken world. Nothing is impossible with God. Believe & rejoice!

Thankful

It's hard to believe another year has nearly passed. At this time of thanksgiving and then quickly stepping into Advent, Christ's people should lift a shout of praise and thanksgiving to the true and living God as revealed in Jesus Christ. In a day of confusion and darkness, may we shout with the apostle, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Cor.9:15). I don't seem to stray far from that passage these days. My attitude must be one of thanksgiving. The reality around wants to drag out the negative and complaining spirit, but in these times Christ still lives. It's never about who is president or what the stock market is doing. The political scene in Christ's time wasn't anything special. Corruption and immorality were pervasive in both the religious and political world. In the midst of the cloud of uncertainty and sinfulness, Christ's people must be cultivating an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. The Lord commands it, but He also provides ample reason for. Make a list of God's blessings you enjoy each day. Begin with the quiet confidence that it is well with your soul.

WONDER / Luke 7:36-50

Ravi Zacharias in his excellent book, Recapture The Wonder, states that many things are hard to maintain throughout life, one of these being wonder. As Christ followers it is easy to 'take for granted' amazing grace. It is too easy to get stuck in the ruts and routines, and lose the passion and intensity, the joy and exaltation, the wonder and awe of what God has done and is doing for us in Christ.

In Luke 7, this unnamed woman, who spoke no words, is overwhelmed when she comes into contact with Jesus. She knew who Jesus was/is. Simon didn't. His logic, pride, religious prejudice, separated him from the One who could set his heart free. Her tears flowed from the depth of a heart set free from sin and death. Her extravagance found its motivation in the new life that was alive within her. She didn't care what anyone thought, this One who knew who she was had embraced her with mercy, compassion and grace. What He took, she wanted to get rid of anyway. What He gave she had only dreamed about, cried for, long and sought for. He was the fulfillment of it all. It was wonderful.

The widow's might

I can continue to wrestle with the priority of prayer. The call to prayer in Scripture is clear. Prayer was a priority for Christ, but he didn't live in our fast paced world of noise, clutter and busyness. Poor excuses I know and I don't want to live in the world Christ did. Wesley went to bed early, got up early and prayed. He found power in the Gospel message we often don't see today, or should I say, I don't see today. Thousands came to faith in Christ through Wesley's influence. The reports of the power of God moving on hearts during his open air meetings, and church meetings makes me know we are missing someONE. At one point I thought maybe I was beginning to get a handle on it, but the last few years it seems to be out of my reach again. Oh yes I pray. Faithfully pray and yes more than at meals-in fact sometimes I miss the meal prayer. It's the intercessory, deep, extended, let God move on me type of praying that I know I need and the church needs. Sometimes I get there, or at least close, but all too often I get finished and sense God hasn't even started. In Luke 18 Jesus calls us to pray and not quit. Then he tells of the widow's might. She didn't quit pounding on the judge's door. She prevailed until the answer came. God is not deaf, He is not unwilling as the judge, He is not hard hearted, but He wants us to pray about His will being done. Too often we pray about our stuff. Let's begin to cry out to God to join him in what He is doing and see a great harvest. Wherever you are in the prayer journey don't quit. I am convinced with Wesley, "God does nothing except in answer to prayer." Rally behind your pastor in prayer. Start a prayer band in your home with some friends. Let's become destitute and desperate like the widow-for His sake. A little book that helped me years ago is Dick Eastman's, The Hour That Changes The World.

Presence

I recently read the blog of another individual calling the church to a revival of personal holiness (Lee Grady/Fire In My Bones). It almost seems a paradox, that we would have to call the church to personal holiness-this should be the norm, this should be our daily pursuit and desire, and practice. We have embraced a cheap grace and a sinning religion. The church in America knows nothing of paying a price for anything, and scoffs at paying a price for personal holiness. I was in a meeting of pastors in a city where I was holding a revival, and a pastor asked a solemn question of the group. "When was the last time any of us gutted it out and battled our way through a temptation." Too many simply give in and attempt to go on. The going on is most difficult when the wheels have come off the wagon. Let's not minimize the effect of sinning-it brings death one way or another. I'm re-reading Tozer's classic, The Pursuit of God. In it he states that God meant us to see Him and live with Him and draw our life from His smile. But we have fled from that presence as Adam fled and hid in the garden. It is the realization of that awesome Presence that should make us mindful that holiness is not an option, and that His Presence, His manifest Presence is the key to that holiness. His holiness consuming us becomes the path to our personal holiness. O God take me to the cross, Your holiness is my desire.

Leadership

Tomorrow I have the privilege of facilitating a class at Amarillo College on leadership. As one author states, 'leadership is an art.' When I first read the title of that book, I was startled, because I am not very artistic. One thing I have learned about leadership, it is a challenge. To be a leader, one must be a learner. I don't know that I am a leader, but I do know I want to be a learner. Pastoring is a task that requires one to become a leader, and carries some interesting tensions. To be a servant leader, a shepherd leader is the Biblical model. The church growth movement and the rise of the mega-church in America has thrown the 'ceo leader' model into the mix. In a culture that exalts Donald Trump, and a church culture that exalts the one with the largest attendance, the leadership model of Jesus is often overlooked. In preparing for the class, and compiling a list of leadership definitions, the following by Leith Anderson in his book, Leadership That Works, got my attention.

"The truth is, very few leaders are heros. Most leaders work quietly, and their effectiveness comes as a result of a long series of wise decisions and good behavior. Most leaders are known in a very limited sphere."

scripting

I had lunch with a pastor friend & we were talking shop. The concept of 'scripting' came up from his side of the table. He identified how we often set the agenda with our pattern of thinking even before the plot begins to unfold. We establish that something will be chaotic, or a failure even before the opening round. The Word of God tells us to take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and to focus our thoughts on things that are excellent (Philippians 4:8). Ironically the script has already been written. It is a script of victory, ability, wisdom and fruitfulness. It is following Christ. The crowd thought the cross was the end of the story, Jesus of Nazareth was a loser, a poser, a liar. The script had been written, Jesus had referred to it often, the prophets of old declared it, and the empty tomb confirms it. How I think should follow the way of the Lord, the way of victory. I need to apply that to daily situations, relationships, and choices. I am more than a conqueror-in Christ. Out with the negative scripts about myself, life and others.

Surrender

E. Stanley Jones is one of my favorite reads. Deep, insightful, coming from a heart that is full of the Holy Spirit and a life lived for Christ. In his book "In Christ" he is speaking of surrender & says this,

"Low at His (Christ's) feet we stand straight before everything else. Moreover, His will is our freedom. Bound to Him we walk the earth free. When we are most His, we are most our own."

He then prays. "O my Lord and Savior, thou dost bind me to thy heart and set me free at the same moment-free to love, to live, to grow, to enjoy with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I open my arms to thy bondage, for my heart wants freedom. Amen."

His final statement: "If I don't surrender to God, I will surrender to things."

The ways of the Kingdom of God are not the ways of man. Victory comes through surrender. The overflowing life through complete consecration. Freedom through bondage to Christ and the daily doing of His will without hesitation or reservation.

Reaching for the light

I'm in Spencer, Indiana doing a revival. Staying at McCormick Creek State park. Over ten miles of walking/running trails. This morning and yesterday did a little of both and breathed in the awesome glory of God's creation. Trees that reached 100 feet straight into the air, straining to gain the sunlight and stay alive. The trees paint an interesting picture. As they grow, lower branches are shed, and the branches and leaves are at the top where the light is. The lower limbs are basically worthless for the absortion of light. What a lesson for the Christ follower. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, as we reach for the heights, we must seperate ourselves from the things of lessor value. Paul says we are to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness-reach for the light (Ephesians 4:11). It is the daily challenge of discerning what is the best. Of choosing the things that bring me closer to the light, that lift me from the darkness into the marvelous light of His holy presence.

New Covenant

Easter has come and we are moving toward the Ascension of Christ and Pentecost. The picture is becoming clear as we enter the era of the New Covenant. Christ has opened a new and living way through His perfect sacrifice. Almighty God has torn his heart wide open and screamed at a sinful, selfish world, "Whosoever will may come!" The barriers, restrictions, and limitations have been removed. Tax collectors, Samaritans, lepers, the demon possessed, Gentiles all have open access to the heart of the Father. This New Covenant is centered in the person of Jesus Christ, and becomes the pathway to life for mankind. The God who is a consuming fire has come to us in the grace and truth of the Son. "He who has seen me has seen the Father." The New Covenant provides a new heart, acceptance into the family of God, an itimate relationship with the Creator of the universe, and the forgiveness of sins. Those who have experienced this new life in Christ should be shouting, "Hallelujah!" Church, let's hear it-Hallelujah, the Lamb has won!

Forgiveness

Choices are made

The Night Before Easter

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...A familiar line from a poem about another favorite American holiday. Tonight is the night before Easter and a whole lot of people have forgotten what it's all about. Christians are people rooted in the resurrection. "Jesus Christ lives" is the heartbeat of our faith, hope and the reason we love. Apart from the resurrection our faith is futile and we are still dead in sin-so says the Apostle Paul. Easter is not a holiday, an extended weekend from the school routine, or an opportunity to give candy and color eggs. Easter is the declaration of Almighty God that Satan has been defeated, the keys of the Kingdom are back in the hands of Christ, and there is hope for all mankind. As we know there is no resurrection without their first being a death. Praise be to the Son who was obedient to death on the cross. Hallelujah to the Holy and Righteous One who became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. This One wears the scars, holds the keys, and wears the crown. This One lives to bring life to whosoever will. This night before Easter my heart is humbled by the incredible working of Almighty God to restore the relationship with mankind. This night before Easter I rejoice with the Apostle Paul in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ-that though He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor so that we through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). This night before Easter I live because He lives. Thank you Lord!

If / The Jesus Way

I'm challenged by the simple word, 'if'. It prefaces the kingdom statement by Jesus that defines the 'Jesus way.' If anyone would come after me...the choice is mine, ours. God has set before us life and death, and He has worked overtime to get us to choose life. If you want to be part of the Kingdom of God...sometimes we lower the bar on salvation to such a level that the work of salvation becomes an end in itself. From what we read in Scripture, salvation is entering a covenant relationship with the true and living God. A covenant that overflows with blessing, but also carries responsibility. Sometimes I sense the American version of Christianity embraces the blessing part, but rejects the responsibility. Salvation is free through Christ, but it is also an introduction to a life that is costly. Following Jesus will cost your life, on a daily basis. If you want...too often we want to ride the fence...too often we want to love the world and Jesus too...too often we want to settle down into a I've been saved mentality and that's all I need. Covenant demands more. Covenant is more that merely being saved. The passage in Matthew 16:24-27 to which we have been referring climaxes with the invitation to lose our life for His sake. I don't think that is an option-it is the Jesus way. Let's walk in His steps.

mercy vs judgment

As the new year starts I am working my way through James. I recently heard someone say they wish James was not in the Bible because it's too tough. There are mutiple issues addressed by James, but I am coming to believe the basis of it all is 2:13. This is summarized with the statement, "mercy triumphs over judgment!" Watch your mouth! Love your neighbor! Take care of widows and orphans! Don't discriminate against the poor! Find the wisdom that comes from above! Submit to God! James is practical and hard hitting. Jesus showed mercy from the cross but was given no mercy at the cross. Those around heaped a cheap judgment upon the sinless Son of God. It's too easy to judge someone by their appearance. The Lord looks on the heart and could care less what kind of car you drive, or how much money you make. It's too easy to judge, be critical, be selective. Mercy reaches through all the stuff to the heart of someone else. It's what God through Christ did for each of us. Without mercy...I hate to think about it. Jesus spoke often of his choice of mercy over sacrifice. Matthew's gospel carries key verses concerning. Christ's people must be specialists in mercy, not judgment. James closes the letter with a couple quick reminders. "The Judge is standing at the door (5:9)." "The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (5:11)." Yes we all need that! Finally James calls us to an important work of mercy-the restoration of a fallen comrade. Let's not pass judgment, but show mercy. It's the Jesus way.

A Nation Confused

The changing of the White House took place this past week. It was a historic time in the history of the U.S. It was also a time of revelation or revealing. If you were listening, you heard the message of confusion flowing from the lips of politicians, preachers and pundits. The confusion was probably best summarized in the prayer of one preacher who invoked the "god of our many understandings." The tragedy of the confusion is it leaves a nation drifting in the middle of the ocean without a paddle. The confusion is nothing new. Mankind has always struggled with idolatry. Instead of submitting to the one true God as revealed in Jesus Christ, mankind invents something that fits what he wants. We should not be surprised that Jesus Christ is not politically correct. God's ways are not the ways of man. As our nation drifts farther away from truth and the wisdom of God, Christ's people must stay on their knees in repentance and humility. Let us pray for this nation and her leaders. Let us pray for the church of Jesus Christ in America. The powers of darkness are at work in politics and religion. Jesus said to beware of politics and religion (Mt. 16:6). Both can be infected with great evil and become tools of darkness. After all the politicians and religious leaders orchestrated the tragedy surrounding the cross of Christ. (See Marva Dawn, Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God, & the writing of J. Ellul). The body of Christ is to be an alternative society. We are to be pure and free through the cleansing, control and leadership of the Holy Spirit. As another year unfolds, let's pray without ceasing for the church of Jesus Christ to come alive in America. The body of Christ alive, holy, and following Christ is the only hope for our nation and every other nation.