A Conseqence of Getting It

September 28, 2009 Leave a comment

As we follow Jesus Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, one of the greatest things that happens in our journeys is when we “get” something.  This “something” could be an insight to start doing things differently.  When it’s different from unbelievers, we may be encouraged in our convictions by our believing friends.  When we start doing things differently from our fellow believers, though, praise isn’t as easy to come by.

Have you ever found yourself with a fresh perspective after studying the Bible, listening to a song or sermon, or spending time in prayer, that no longer looks like what the believers in your life are doing?  We’ve all been there, and it’s tough to move foward after that.  You may become so excited about a vision you have on how to apply God’s truth to your life, and you can’t wait to share it with others in hopes they will be on board, too.  But, you may often find that God has not brought them to where you are yet.

Before I go on, it’s important to know we are all created equal, and the Holy Spirit–who dwells in every follower of Jesus Christ–works in each of us differently.  His counselling and direction does not halt our equality.  However, He may bring you to a higher place in some areas for your life before He brings those around you there. 

I find this is a hard place to be; especially when I am desiring to have community with other believers, and want all of us to grow together.  What seems to happen, though, is God has brought me to a place where I am separated from anyone else and looking back at those I was walking beside, flagging them to catch up. 

It can also be hard to watch a truth unfold in your life in such an incredible and transforming way and see your friends still caught in the same dead end patterns that aren’t getting them any further.  This is a consequence of getting it.

So, then, how do you have community with other believers when you feel like you’re ahead of the game?  Well, for one, you’re not ahead, but something has changed in your life for purposes God has for you.  The best way to cast that vision to others is to continue to live in communion with God and light the path for others to follow.  This also means not to quench the Holy Spirit and go back to the same place you were for the sake of conformity.

Also, realize the believing people in your life are being transformed in other areas.  Try to find the path they are lighting for you … you’re going to need it.

When we are alone, may we not give up on others, but continue to show them the way by living out what we were meant to do.

Filed under Leadership, Ponderings Tagged with , ,

Excitement About Church

September 26, 2009 1 Comment

Do you get excited about what’s going on at your church?  I think for many, the answer is “no.”  The answer is “yes” for many more.  Some don’t give what their church is doing a second thought from the moment they leave a service.  Others go on applying what they have learned and telling people about what’s going on at their place of worship throughout the week. 

The question I would like to hear your answers about is this:

How important do you feel it is to be a part of a church you’re excited to share with others?

Comments please . . .

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It Takes Action

September 19, 2009 1 Comment

There’s a lot of talk out there and starts with a phrase like what’s wrong with the church today…People are great at forming a hypothesis about the issues around them.  If you remember from science class, a hypothesis is only the beginning of carrying out a project to conclusion.  Unfortunately, it is also where many people stop when they feel things are not as they should be in the Body of Christ.  This causes a bigger issue than what may have been the initial problem at hand.  Bitterness and apathy are now in the picture because action was never taken.

I’ve never been big on the what’s wrong with the church today…sentiments.  I try to empathize with the real people with real emotions behind them, but never find myself joining the party.  I’m more concerned about being the disciple I was called to be, making an impact with those who I was led to, and being part of the solution.  I find those three things to be a much better use of my time than the former.  If we are going to make a difference in the lives of others, our communities and the rest of the world, we need to take action.

I do, however, come back to the conclusion that there is one thing the Church cannot go without: love.  We need it to survive.  We need it to stand out.  We need it to fulfill our calling.  God is love, and the Church without God is just another secular institution among the world.  Without God, the Church  may still be a charitable, motivational, philanthropic organization, but only with God will it be what it was designed to: a living organism that is the hope of the world; making an impact for the Kingdom and leading people to the cross of Jesus Christ.

The thing about love is that we need to find it for ourselves.  It’s not hypothetical, and is as real as God.  How real is God?  That’s how real your love needs to be.  It’s the most powerful thing we have.  Don’t ever think it’s a mushy cop-out to the issues we face.  John 13:35 goes as far as to say it is by our love that the world will know us.  When people see your love, do they identify you as someone who is following Christ, or at the very least see there is something different about you they aren’t getting elsewhere?

The more action we take in the way of love–and yes, love takes doing–the more people will see us as a vibrant and vital organism that is changing the world we live in. 

Let’s stop making hypotheses about what’s wrong with the church today and start working towards the conclusion that is spelled out to all of us.  It all comes down to love.  Take action.

Filed under Action, Church Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s Not All Temporary

September 14, 2009 1 Comment

I’m writing this minutes after hearing about Patrick Swayze passing away.   I read about that in a Facebook status update minutes after showing my mother the Michael Jackson tribute at the MTV Video Music Awards.   Now, an AP News article is posted in the kitchen for her to wake up to. 

Here is my Twitter update:

Patrick Swayze now? Dear 2009, can you get any crazier? God, please be with his family, friends and all who are impacted by this.

We’ve seen a lot of people leave us this year.  It’s been unreal.  Some, like Swayze, have been expected.  Some, like Jackson and Billy Mays, have been nothing short of a shock.  I’m hesitant to post this tonight, as I feel we should be in mourning for Swayze.  I will say this: You may think everything is temporary right now.  If that’s the case, you’re only looking at what is temporary and not at what isn’t.  There is a God much bigger than any and all of this, and He is permanent.  He is the one to set our sights to.  He is the one we need. . . the only one we need. 

This is the God I prayed to be with the family and friends of Swayze.  He is the God I pray to give my mother strength when she needs it to get up for another day’s work.  He is the God whom, when I feel overwhelmed at what a crazy year it’s been, reminds me it’s not all temporary.

“On Christ, the solid rock, I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand.”

God, heal us.  Heal those whose worlds are constantly shattered by the events taking place around them.  May they know the hope you have for them.  In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.

Filed under Reflections

United We ROCK

September 5, 2009 Leave a comment

Something within the Church that gets me spiritually motivated more than anything else is unity in the Body of Christ.  It’s nothing new.  Ephesians 4 will show you what we are capable of when we all work together.  I love me some unity.

I admire people like Billy Graham, Louie Giglio and Andy Stanley; movements like Hillsong and Passion; bands like David Crowder and Shane & Shane, and the list goes on in all three categories, for the way audiences unite to take part in what God is doing through them.  Because of that, God is doing A LOT!  There’s something about going to a concert or a conference or crusade that you don’t get anywhere else… all members of the Body uniting as ONE.  Under one banner.  For the one and only living and true God. 

The Bible delves in to a plethora of gifts, talents and abilities we have within the Church.  Then, it tells us that we are interdependent of one another.  I love that!  I love seeing that in worship gatherings.  It pretty much rocks.

I’d love to see as much of that as possible. May it not just be about what OUR churches are doing, but what THE Church is doing. 

WE UNITESomething I’m excited about is the upcoming WE UNITE series at TrueNorth Church.  It’s not just a few weeks of messages, but a wave of impact that is going to shake us and shake the area we live in.  People will unite in small groups, God’s Word, prayer, acts of serive, and giving.  It’s going to be nothing short of amazing.  My prayer is the Central Savannah River Area as well as the Decatur, IL area will be swept off their feet by what THE Church is doing.

May one church coming together just be the beginning.  May we partner with each other more than we ever have.  That’s a tall order, I know.  Theres are reasons people attend one church versus another.  Let me remind you, though, we’ll all be together in Heaven, so let’s start being together now.  We have a lot to contribute to each other.  I don’t know what this looks like, but I’m thankful for the glimpses of it I have seen (e.g. Passion, One Prayer, BCM, A Love Project, etc.)  Divided, we’re just another place that doesn’t have everything it possibly could to further the Kingdom.  By the way–Satan is a big fan of that.  Let’s keep uniting because united we ROCK!

Filed under Action

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