Well another year coming to a close.Unreal how the time does fly right on bye and bye.On the other hand—how valuable is a day?How valuable is 24 hours?How important is it to focus, working toward a goal so that by the end of 365 days—great things have transpired?I believe that it is very important to get things done during those 24 hours so that much can be accomplished.
I began this day running a little behind because I stayed up watching Da Bears beat the Vikings in O.T.Then I stayed up late reading Killing Cockroaches by Tony Morgan.What a great book—about all the stuff that we Pro Ministry people get caught spending our time doing—“Killing Cockroaches”while the day goes bye and nothing else gets done.I recommend all people reading it—therefore my secretary/administrator is getting copies to all of my Next Gen Staff.
Back to today’s 24 hours.Not too long ago I began thinking about a young man in the ministry.He is well versed, well behaved, a good understanding of spiritual things—but something is missing.Like many of us that “know” much in our heads about God, continue to practice all the “right” stuff, but find our hearts empty, without zeal and passion for Him—our Savior, our King.
This young man was at the church today, so we ended up talking about just that—all the head stuff- all the rule keeping, all the stuff that falls short of what it means to truly live by faith and trust in God.
Back to the premise—ministry is about relationships first— yes, ministry, the 24 hour day is an opportunity to serve and care for people—building ministry points to just that—people—in my case—students and parents.Interesting that this young man has also spent his time killing cockroaches—more head stuff, more rules to keep, more, more, more—while missing the relationship with Christ as the source, the reason, the purpose behind all the stuff.
This year the Next Gen ministry will be certainly building, growing, moving forward--- with less time being spent“Killing cockroaches”and more time being about the Ministry of Christ.What does that look like?Great question—so here we go.
Notice Luke 11.46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
Exactly what the experts in the law loved giving people—stuff they couldn’t handle and then wouldn’t even help—how sick is that really?Very twisted.As a matter of fact—interesting that the so called smarter than us people, the spiritual ones, the big guns had the Christ right in front of them and didn’t even know Him.Sound familiar?Doing all the stuff—which is so burdensome—when not knowing the why or wherefore—the source—Christ Jesus.
Compare the “experts in the law” and Christ Jesus—Matt. 11.30
30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."Yes—Following Jesus is not about tasks and stuff—following Jesus is about Following Him-- and Following Him and Following Him-- everyday. So that at the end of the year-- there may be more time to Follow Him-- and that may just lead to a life that is absolutely unreal and way beyond "Killing Cockroaches".
Christmas with my family, the past year-- the supernatural
December 27, 2009
Spending Christmas with my 91 year old mom, my sisters’ family was a blast!What made it a blast?Being all together, having fun with everyone, opening presents, celebrating Christmas with lots of food, going to church together and just plain ole hangin out.That is what made it a blast.
It is good to be home though.My own T.V., my own couch to sprawl out on, Harley is home, Ranger is good, and the heat is turned on—always good to be home.
It has been an awesome, wild, unexpected, year.To be back at Fairhaven was not what I thought 2009 would bring—to be managing a great team of fellow ministry people was not on my radar, to be back in the same office, to be moved and settled in, to be having a ball doing what I believe I was made for—makes this year unreal.
There is so much to be just in awe about—and in reality—I am period.It has been a Supernatural whirlwind for the past couple of years.
I have noticed over the past few years a change in me, a change in the way I relate to God—due to the fact that I really see my relationship with Christ as simply—supernatural.I no longer catch myself checking my back mirror, nor do I just have my head down on the path in front of me—no—God has showed that His love for me is unconditional, and that the plan before me is not about me—but simply about His glory—no matter what comes my way.
Oh yea—I am very grateful for this Christmas, this year, for family, for friends, for my relationship with the everlasting Savior of the World.
December is rollin... and the Supernatural is present!
December 8, 2009
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins." Matt. 1.18-21
“…what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”A supernatural birth.The Holy Spirit breathed on Mary.Supernatural.Easy to believe?Easy to understand?No, this is about Faith.Faith in the Supernatural.Faith in the most relevant, most important birth in the history of the world.
And the purpose of this Supernatural event?21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins."
The answer to every persons issues.Sin.That is right!Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit came to save people from their sin.Not just a category, or the list, but the whole issue—sin—passed down from Adam to all of humanity—Supernatural?Absolutely.
Yes, I believe.I believe in the supernatural birth and the supernatural forgiveness of sin.I am thankful for His forgiveness.But now what?
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."
That the same supernatural birth of Jesus—Immanuel—is now alive in me—as Paul says—“ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christin you, the hope of glory.”Col. 1.27
The Supernatural truth that is now Christ alive in those that have place their faith on His total work from conception to His murder on a cross to His resurrection over death.Yes, yes, this about the Supernatural—The Birth of the Savior of the world.
May you and I find the Supernatural season as a reality!
Steve is a 55 year old man that less than 2 weeks ago was fearful of the inevitable-- Death. 2 weeks ago I met Steve and shared with him God's love. Steve has by faith come to know Jesus Christ as His savior.
It is amazing how at peace Steve is during this time now at Hospice. As I read Psalm 34 to Steve today at his beside I noticed a very peaceful smile on his face. Oh it is amazing how the great mystery of "Christ in you" is actually a reality in one who knows the Christ personally and will soon see Him face to face.
2 weeks ago Steve feared death. Today, Steve is closer to seeing the one that shed His blood for all of us. For me there was a day when visiting people at Hospice was difficult, but knowing what I know about Steve and these past few weeks is an incredible testimony to the Love of God, how great a Salvation we have, and how life is very short.
1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34.1-8
Please pray for Steve and his family.
Learn the words of the Psalmist-- for Steve has tasted of the Lord and is taking refuge in Him today.
