The True Gift

Recently I watched Seven Pounds. In it Will Smith plays a guilt-ridden man looking to make amends to those he deems worthy by planning to donate his vital organs, up to and including his heart. Today's random Daily Scripture (cf. John 15:13) brought back to me the gratefulness, rekindled after viewing Smith's quest, to my Lord who laid down His life not for the worthy but the unworthy. I am so thankful that Jesus didn't "interview" me to see if I was deserving of His sacrifice because I truly wasn't. He simply gave me His life for mine; all I needed to do was accept His gift through repentance...which is so very far from worthiness.

Already Good Things

As we enter the fifth day of The Watch we already see God moving mightily in our midst with the stirring up of individual gifts and visions in times of prayer. Indeed this is a season called by Him to speak, guide, and direct us. May His grace continue to abound and His will continue to be done during this time of consecration.

Steeped in Faith

Today I read the Matthew passage in The Message and, as in many times before, enjoyed the colorful and descriptive language Eugene Peterson uses in his contemporary and self-described "reading Bible" (Preface). Today's highlight, looking through the lens of faith, is his rendering of "Seek first the kingdom of God..." with "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out."

Father, let faith arise in me that makes You even more real; allow me to labor with You in Your actions; and to accept your gracious gifts. With all of Your genuineness, leadership, and supplying how can I miss out on anything? Such total faith can be the mark of a generation--a generation I want to be a part of. A generation immersed in and saturated with Your presence. Amen

The Fathehood of God

J Vernon McGee writes,

• The concept we are dealing with here is revolutionary. Did you notice that the Lord uses the term Father? These are citizens of the Kingdom that the Lord is talking about. How do you become a child of God today? John 1:12 gives us the answer: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power [the authority] to become the sons of God, even to them that [do no more or less than] believe on his name." Our Lord even said to Nicodemus, "You must be born again" (see John 3:3)—until then, you can't call God your Father. And in the Old Testament you will not find the word Father used in relation to a man with God. The nation Israel as a whole was called by God, "… Israel is my son …" (Exo 4:22), but not an individual. The Lord Jesus is speaking of a new relationship.
  

Additionally, the Spirit said,

• This is a generation who has not known a father's care! And I desire, I desire for them to know me as this! To know me as a father who will never fail, and a father who will always love, and a father who will always be there, and a father who will always care! I want to reveal myself to this generation as a God of love! I am love! I want them to know me! I want them to know that I am a God of love. I am love! I am love! I am love! I want them to know the love, the true love, of a father. I say, seek my face, seek my face. They are hungry for me and it is up to you to seek my face that they might know me.

Father, reveal Yourself to this generation, speak to them in a way that only You can, and let us be Your hands and heart that they may see. Amen

Leadership Study

Tonight we will be looking at Theory Fastball beginning at 6 pm.

New Leadership Discussion Schedule

Please see the new discussion dates, effective Monday, September 14, listed in the post below.

Leadership is an Art

Leadership Philosophy

Robert J. Clinton writes that a ministry philosophy is the result of leadership development—the ideas, values, and principles whether implicit or explicit the leader uses as guidelines for decision-making, for exercising influence, or for evaluating ministry (The Making of a Leader, page 179).

With the continued growth at Crimson House and the need to expand leadership roles, it is necessary for all who lead to firmly embrace Pastor's leadership style and philosophy. As shared in prayer meeting last Monday, Leadership is an Art, by Max Depree, was instrumental in shaping my philosophy in conjunction with the biblical principles resident in the priesthood of believers. Below is our discussion schedule.

Discussion Schedule

July 20—Foreward

July 27—Introduction; The Millwright Died

September 14—What is Leadership

September 21—Participative Premises

September 28—Theory Fastball

October 5—Roving Leadership

October 12—Intimacy

October 19—Whither Capitalism

October 26—Giant Tales

November 2—Tribal Storytelling

November 6—Who Owns This Place

November 16—Communicate

November 23—No prayer service

November 30—Pink Ice…

December 7—What's Next

December 14—Some Thoughts…

December 21—No Prayer Service

December 28—To Make One…

January 4—Why Should I Weep?

January 11—The Marks of Elegance

January 18—Postscript

Eye Opening

I found THIS so revealing that it needed to be shared. Much could be said, but of particular note was a personal word given me over a year ago that spoke to a battle against Islam--I am now gaining more understanding.

It is well worth the your time.

What Do You See?

He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain" (Exodus 3:12 ESV).


This is what Moses saw when the Lord spoke to him: a barren rock jutting out of the landscape; little, if any, life; certainly not a place to be desired, after all, it was on the back side of the desert. A place of desolation, of barrenness, and one that was not desired by the average person.



But that is not what the Lord saw. The place despised became a place of Presence, surrounded by a peculiar people delivered by the One who had heard their cries, seen their sufferings, and witnessed their afflictions. Desolation had been replaced with population; barrenness with life; and personal despair with hope. Yes, through obedience and faith the vision God had for his people would come to pass, it would be accomplished to His glory!




Do you see all that the Lord has for us as we walk by faith in obedience? I do.

Encouragement

Our service last night was blessed with the comforting and gentle presence of Holy Spirit. In it two distinict words we given to me and they came in two different times of our service. I share them here for your prayer and counsel.

"The enemy has your ear. The words of doubt, loneliness, despair come against you; the thought to rest for but a moment is whispered into your thoughts. But the renewing strength of the Lord is within the enemy's site; he wishes to distract --- to detain. Awaiting you is the sound of those prayers that have been heard, the voices of encouragement at the place of rest the Lord has established for you."

"A great tree, the tree of His promise stands before you and the fruit looks ready. But it would be bittersweet if plucked now. It's maturation isn't complete, but be encouraged by its fruit nonetheless for it was but a shoot when I first heard your cry---your prayer. It is My work that has sown this promise in you."

How exciting it is to serve the God who knows what we have need of even before we ask!

Dad

For nearly 12 years I looked after dad's affairs and watched his Parkinson's, systematically and so very effectively, take away his life: first his farm, as he could no longer be there alone doing what he loved to do; his everyday functions, and the humiliation of the uncontrollable; his speech, and the pain of seeing his mind work but his mouth not respond; his ability to eat, and the last ditch surgery of 2/20; and then, my last time to be with him as I expressed my love and let him know that he was going home.

The last two weeks have taken a greater toll then I know, even with God's wonderful grace and warmth. I sleep but wake up tired, little things trigger big emotions, and memories are more vivid then ever. Grief's work is astounding; the business of death wearying. Roger's words at the service so captured dad's life, their comfort still speak; the supporting words from friends refresh; the long arm of the Lord strengthens; Diane and the kid's love uplifts.

Thanks dad, for being a good man who worked to make things easier for me.

Morning Musings

Super Bowl
My how I wanted the Cardinals, specifically Warner, to win that game. Not that I have any bad feelings towards Pittsburgh; in fact, their organization is quite the model. It was just the cinderella story and Warner's Christian witness that compelled me so.

I was able to see the entire fourth quarter after church--for me it doesn't get any better than that. A spirit-filled Sunday night service followed by the last part of a very exciting game.

Continuing Education
By God's grace I was able to push aside my various excuses, prejudices, and time-related fears and began a Master of Arts program last week. Thanks to Dr. Hector Ortiz for his tremendous work in securing such a program with Gordon-Conwell; to Dr. Don Knoblich, who made this first class a wonderful experience; and to Diane for encouraging me to enroll. I remember what a dear friend, Wendell Lowe, said to me years ago regarding education: John, don't neglect your family in your educational pursuits, so what if it takes a little longer to finish. I am on the slow track, but have purposed in my heart to both finish the race while enjoying the run.

Time Flies
How sad that it was been over a month since my last post...its not like I haven't been sitting in the chair. Truthfully January was a challenging and emotional month of ministry. Times to sit and muse were very few, but as always His grace was sufficent.

The New Year

There was a time in my life when our family would set an annual focus—resolution—on January first each year. I remember the year of stewardship, the year of discipline, and the year of servanthood. Our family would stay up to midnight on New Year’s Eve, pray together as the clock chimed the change and conclude with a short exhortation on the annual theme. Regrettably I think that theme waned in about month or two. Yes, we would recall it on occasion but it never really settled in our individual spirits.

I am sure there are those who could share with me why the focus failed to live its twelve months, but that is not my concern. Since the time of New Year’s resolutions I have embraced a simpler plan: Instead of looking to quantify a year, I choose to measure each day, embracing the knowledge that each one is sufficient of itself.

Such practice does not limit long range goals or plans—I still have those. However, those goals maintain their proper perspective to “what would you have me do today, Lord?” As I fulfill each day in what He directs, each piece of my big-picture puzzle is appropriately and timely placed by His perfect hand. If I fail that day, I am comforted that His mercy is renewed every morning; if I succeed that day, I still hold to His mercy that is fresh daily.

Maybe that is why I go to sleep at my usual hour on New Year’s Eve; it’s not such an event anymore to see the ball drop in Times Square or the kitchen clock strike twelve. For me, each and every night is the eve of a fresh start for what the Lord has prepared with the breaking of the new and unsullied day.