iLog 2009: Day 17

Tuesday

Finally, a good day of working on music. We've formulated the list for the CD, and it's taken a little while, but I finally feel comfortable working again with my music production software. For further music updates, check out Sounds From the Batcave.

In other news, had a good day overall. I had some new thoughts pop into my head concerning the radio station, so I'm currently praying through them to see if it is indeed God speaking or my flesh.

For whatever reason, my mantra right now is Joshua 24:15. From the New King James:

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the
other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.
But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Whom do you serve? Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

iLog 2009: Prologue

I plan to keep a journal-like account of our time of immersion. I will call it my iLog, as in "immersion log". Apple could sue, and if they do, then I'll just change it to ILog. No big deal.

In John chapter 15, Jesus talks to his disciples about abiding. "Abide in me as I abide in you," he says. "Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches." Our time of immersion is to be a time of deep abiding. We so strongly desire to abide with Jesus that we are going to fast certain things in our life for the month of February to focus on him.

Now, the idea is that this abiding will simply become our lifestyle (as it is supposed to be). I would say that we abide with our Lord most of the time now, but we want it to become so much more. Hence, this focused time of intentional abiding, this immersion in Jesus.

Follow us during this time, if you will, and I'm sure God will take us on some great adventures. We are praying for new wisdom and insight. Some things, I'm sure God will want us to share with you; some things, may just be for us. Again, here, I will call it the iLog. Over on Sounds From the Batcave, any new music that is born of this I will talk about in the "Immersion Sessions". Why I'm not so compelled to call them the iSessions, I don't know. It's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Today, I have Bids for Bargains at the radio station, a remote immediately following, and I should hopefully be home by 1. Then, we shall spend the afternoon preparing the Batcave. Some rearranging and remodeling are in order, so that this time of immersion can be at least aesthetically pleasing.

Tonight, I've got tickets to go a "Christian rock concert," but we'll see if I make that.

Tomorrow, after an institutional church service, I think we may head over to some friends to hang out and watch some game on TV. I think the Blue Jays and Loggers are playing, or something like that.

As it all begins, I'll keep you up to date as possible. (Because I know you are glued to the edge of your seat.) We should have some fun. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

"That Smells Stinkowith"*

I live in Oklahoma. I root for Oklahoma teams. I knew we were in trouble when we came away with zero points after two trips to the redzone. Plus, Tim Tebow is a darn good football player. And a believer. A passionate believer. However, that doesn't make all the hype about him before, during, and after the game any more tolerable for OU fans.

I didn't pay too much attention to it all. At least, I tried not to. But when all the announcers talked about was "Tebow this" or "Tebow that", then it became difficult to ignore. That particular sentiment was echoed by many Sooner fans in the days that followed the BCS Championship game. I heard plenty of, "Yeah, but did they have to keep talking about Tim Tebow?" Well, apparently they did.

The guy is good. He loves Jesus, and he's not afraid to tell you about it. If anybody deserves all the fuss about him, it's Tim Tebow. I like the guy. I don't know him personally, but I'd like to. Goodness oozes from him. Some would argue that greatness oozes from him. Victory seems to follow the guy around. For Florida and Tebow fans, you can't talk enough about him. For Oklahoma and Sam Bradford fans, you can't shut up fast enough. All the praise and hype for Tebow is sweet music for the Florida faithful and fingernails on a chalkboard for Sooner Nation.

Then, as I was pondering all of this, I was reminded about a particular passage of scripture. It comes from 2 Corinthians 2:14-16a, from the NIV:

14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

In a Roman victory procession, the Roman general would display the spoils of war, including any captives, amidst a cloud of incense burned for the gods. To the Romans, the victors, the smell was sweet, but to the captives, it was the stench of slavery and death. To the one, the smell was sweet victory, and to the other, it was bitter defeat.

As a believer, the message about Christ and his love and forgiveness smells sweet to me. But, I know for some, it stinks; they don't want to hear it. Even though it is a good message, a message of hope and mercy, there are some who don't want any of it. They would just as soon you shut up about it as to keep on and on about how good Jesus is.

Any of this making sense? Are you connecting the dots yet? I'm not saying that Tim Tebow is Jesus, nor am I calling Sooner fans unbelievers. But the illustration can be drawn. Losing to the Gators, and all the hooplah about Tebow, have put a practical case in point for me concerning this passage of scripture. Even though the Sooners lost, I sure am glad to be on the victorious side of Christ and smell that sweet aroma of his glory. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

*(You might check the spelling on that word, but Star Wars fans will recognize that one from the mouth of Jar Jar Binks in Episode I)

God At Work

I know that God is very present in my life and constantly working in, and on, me. What's cool is seeing God work in others's lives, as well. This past Saturday night, I got to witness an awesome God experience.

Please note, as I tell this story, there may be issues that come up that you may disagree on with me, or that you don't necessarily believe. This is not a discussion on those topics; this a sharing of an amazing act of God in people's lives. We can discuss, debate, deal with, etc. these issues at a later time. For now, please allow God to encourage your spirit as he displays his glory in the following tale:

What started out to be a perfect, early January evening in southwest Oklahoma transformed into a cutting, cold blistery night in the matter of seconds. A wintry front blew in from the north with little warning, and everyone gathered around the outdoor fire suddenly clamored to get inside. A few brave souls fought the wind and the cold to put out the fire, and once they were safely inside, next to a simulated fire on the tv, the blustered bunch of believers began their bout with the Bible.

Ok, seriously, we were meeting together to eat and hang out and had to come inside because it got too cold outside. Then we started talking about what God was doing in each of our lives. We had two new couples at the gathering, so it was great to hear about their walks with God. After the elder of the two couples shared some things, my wife was moved to have the rest of the group pray over them. So, we did.

Iceman and Fiona* sat on our couch in the middle of the room while the rest of us gathered around them. Then we prayed. Good prayers for faith, strength, supernatural intervention, and the like were offered up. And they were offered in various languages. "Tongues" some people call it. It has become natural for several within the group to pray in such a way, but not everyone is familiar with, comfortable with, or understands praying in tongues. As was the case with Iceman.

After praying over this wonderful couple, we all sat back down when the other new couple, Maverick and Ariel, spoke up. You could tell that it wasn't easy for him, but he asked if any of us had ever had our "tongues" interpreted. Um, no. Of course, I thought that was odd, because I didn't realize that my "prayer language" should or could be interpreted. Maverick quickly teared up, because he was trying to be obedient to the Lord telling him to tell us what we had said in our prayer. Thus, he continued.

He told us that I was saying over and over, "Praise be to God!" To another in the group, she was saying, "Jesus is in control!" Wow. How cool is that? To have God tell you what you were saying to him in the "deep calling deep!" Maverick said that God has anointed him with the gift of interpretation, but he hasn't always used it when he felt God prompting him. So he was taking a big step that night to speak in front of strangers in obedience to God. Major move of Messiah in Maverick's life.

After Maverick spoke, and we all were trying get over the coolness of that, Iceman spoke up. He described how, while we were praying, and he heard us praying in "tongues," he told God that if this was real, we wanted an interpretation. Um, double wow. He went on to explain how he had had two very negative experiences with "tongues" and those who "spoke" them. He said he had a very large mountain in his life pertaining to this topic, and Maverick had completely crumbled it. (still get goosebumps thinking about it) Iceman said that if he hadn't received an interpretation, that the mountain would've only grown.

Well, Maverick gave God the glory for bringing down the mountain, and Iceman agreed. But Iceman also told him that if he hadn't been obedient, that the mountain would probably still be there. To add to the validity of it all, the words being prayed were ones that spoke directly into Iceman's life and situations for this particular season. God is so good. He moves in unexpected ways. We were all pretty stoked from seeing God at work in the lives of our new brothers and sisters in Christ. For me, God fulfilled his promise in Matthew 18:20 -

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

And where he is, the Kingdom can be crossed.

Soli Deo Gloria

*names have been changed to protect the innocent (and not so innocent)

My "Ah-ha" Moment

We all have them at some point or another. That moment when suddenly all the planets align, two and two actually make four, and everything fits into place. Last night, I had one such moment. Once you read it, you may not think it to be very earth-shaking, but for me, it all made perfect sense.

At our Life Group's meeting last night, Proverbs 19:8 was presented and discussed. From the TEV it says,

Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper.

From the Message:

Grow a wise heart-you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head-you'll find a good life.

The question: "What is something you enjoy learning about, and how can it benefit other people?"

My thoughts: You know, I really enjoy reading the Bible and learning new insights about what the Lord has to say and is saying to me. Wait..do I really? It's hard and tedious to read, research, look up, write down, and prepare for a sermon. I really don't enjoy that at all. But I do enjoy just reading and suddenly being interrupted by God. That is quite fulfilling. I like to write down what he says to me in those moments. And it is a heck of a lot easier to prepare from notes I've already taken. Plus, I have a better time communicating something God has taught me for my sake and my life, than to try to communicate something I know but am not really experiencing or have experienced. Interesting...

My notes: When I try to read and learn in order to teach people, it becomes hard and tedious. When I read to learn for my own sake, it comes much easier, and I hear God speak so much more clearly.

Ah-ha!: Well, whaddya know?! While in "ministry," I was always reading and learning more so that I could teach others what I think they need to know. But that came with great difficulty. When I learn for my own benefit, I then am armed with insight and blessings for others. Go figure. I was always trying too hard to go in the wrong direction. The scriptures say to "love others as you love yourself." When I love myself enough to learn more and better my spiritual journey, it can then benefit others.

While I was having those thoughts last night, God reminded me of Psalm 51. Perhaps you know verses 10-12:

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit. (NRSV)

Long ago when I was memorizing those verses, God had verse 13 stand out to me, as well:

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.

In other words, after I seek God on my behalf, I will have what I need to teach others his ways. Thanks, God, for that little mile marker on this road while crossing the Kingdom.

Soli Deo Gloria

Crossing On Faith

In my attempt to journey through the Kingdom, I have entered a new valley. It is a dark valley for the moment. I cannot see what is ahead or around me, and I know that I can't go back in the direction from whence I came. Even that is starting to fade, and frankly, it's a little scary.

During my last year, year and half, in Montgomery, TX, the 23rd Psalm took on new meaning for me. Generally used for comfort during times of great grief, namely deaths, I found great hope in exploring all of its implications. Honestly, I owe that to my pastor at the time, Dowen. He helped point out a lot of significance this passage of scripture had for my life. As I started writing this post this morning, the passage was brought back to mind, so I re-read it. From the NRSV:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff -
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

I ended 2008 with a full time job (albeit one that didn't pay every bill, but it paid most of them) and a part time job. I begin 2009 with 4 part time jobs. Right now, I'll only be getting paid for 3 of them, but that 4th one is what I know God wants me to do. So. Dark valley? I can't see a heck of a whole lot. Bright horizon? More than you and I can imagine!

While I know God is walking me through this particular valley (like he does every valley) he doesn't promise a peaceful valley. While he promises to be there, to give peace and comfort and rest, the valley and the journey aren't going to be easy. That's why it's called a dark valley or the valley of the shadow of death - not very pleasant imagery.

However, this I know: the other side of this valley will be like a land flowing with milk and honey! While I desperately already want to be on the other side, I know that I've got to journey through this. It's in the journey that God reveals his glory, and I don't want to miss it. What started the idea for this particular post came from Ephesians.

As someone was praying over us recently, he said that it was important to daily put on the full armor of God. So, after reading that passage again, I came across verse 18 of chapter 6:

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

That is my request of you. Pray for me. I may not be in chains, but I am to be an ambassador. So, "I must speak". "Pray that I may declare it boldly." And pray that I may learn what I need to learn, so that this valley isn't necessarily a long one, but one that bears much fruit for the Kingdom. After all, that's all I'm doing - journeying through the Kingdom. Crossing on faith.

Soli Deo Gloria
R.C.

"What I tell you in the dark..."

"What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs." - Jesus (Matthew 10:27 NIV)

I read from Matthew 10, verses 16 through 42 this morning, and the above verse caught my attention the most. There were others that pricked my ears and heart this morning, and you'll hear about them a little later, but for some reason, this one really struck a chord. I think, partly, because I can't find any commentary on that verse. It comes in the middle of a paragraph of scripture that has produced more studying than this little verse. But, for whatever reason, God was speaking this to me this morning.

I believe it implies a quiet time. For me, it is early in the morning when it is still dark. I also believe it implies an intimate relationship with the Son (and Father and Spirit), as he will whisper in my ear. I think it can also be indicative of the relationship between Christ and his bride (us - the church).

While this verse speaks of relationship and time together with Christ, it is also obviously a call to action. We are to share what we learn from our saviour. First, we are to spend time, in private (in the dark/whispered in your ear), with him, then we publicly (in daylight/from the roofs) share what he told us. So, today, start to spend time with your Lord, in private, in the dark, and allow him to whisper in your ear, and then share that good news with others. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

Talk Is Cheap Part 2

I actually wrote my poem before reading this passage. God just worked it out that this was what I read next. He's so cool.

2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7And the man got up and went home. 8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. - Matthew 9:2-8 (NIV)

It is much easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven," than to say, "Stand up and walk". For when you say that someone sins are forgiven, you can't actually see that. But to tell someone to stand up and walk would require them to actually do it! It's a little thing I like to call "action". Oh, all that talk about forgiving sins and talking a good game is easy. People can't tell if your sins are really forgiven. Bet tell somebody to walk, and they don't do it? Hoo boy, you're in trouble! There's not only not any action, but there's no visible action. People can see that you're a phony, a fake, a hypocrite.

Fortunately, Jesus is not phony, fake, or a hypocrite. His words carried his authority. The man actually got up and walked. And his sins were forgiven. Talk is cheap, but the cost of following Jesus is not. We can talk about it all we want, but until we actually (I guess I found the italic button, huh?) get up and walk, and put some action behind our words, then we're just wasting our time. And the time of others. And God's time.

O, God, I don't want to take the easy way out and just talk. I know the cost is high to follow you, but I also know the cost is high to say I do and not. Forgive me when that happens. I'm sorry. I repent of my lazy ways. Help me to get up and walk this day. I love you.



Soli Deo Gloria

One Thing I Was Made For

note: I know that is not proper English, but that is how the questioned was asked: What's one thing God has made you for?

My wife.

My destiny is accomplished in serving her destiny and the destinies of my children.

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. - Ephesians 5:25-33 (NLT)

The cleansing of the woman comes from the death of the man. That sentence is in my notes from the men's retreat. What really does that mean? Well, the husband is to love his wife like Christ loves the church. Christ loved the church so much, he gave his life for it. I am to die for my wife as well. Daily. Put aside my own feelings and comfort and serve my wife's purpose and destiny. Christ was (and is) so deeply in love with the church (his people - not any building) that it cost him his life - a great expense. Another note from my um, notes: deeply in love at my expense. My wife needs to know that I love her and that I would do anything for her. I'd fight for her and die for her. I've got to live for her. I think of the Bryan Adams song, "(Every Thing I Do) I Do It For You".

Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. This is an all out, unselfish, fully committed, undying, unconditional love. He loved the church so much he died for her. He sacrificed for her. So, how do I sacrifice for my wife? The best way to do this is to ask her. "Babe (or Honey, Sweetheart, Pookie, Wife, Woman, Love of my life, Dear, Baby, Sweet potato pie, or any other affectionate name you have for your wife), how can I serve you? How can I help you to be the woman/mother/wife you want to be - that God has designed you to be?" This may take actually talking to your wife. Once she recovers from falling over, you may have to spend some time in prayer with her. Look out, because all this could lead to her fulfilling the scriptures that are written before the above passage:

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. - Ephesians 5:21-24 (NLT)

It starts with the husband. The church didn't submit to Christ first. Christ loved the church and gave himself for her first, then the church's response to that is to submit to him. It's a whole lot easier for a wife to submit to a husband she knows loves her more than anything and seeks to serve her above himself. Now, our fleshly side says that it would be easier to love a wife that's more willing to submit to her husband, but that's not how it works. We love Christ because because he first loved us. The church isn't easy to love, either, you know. She can be short-memoried, ungrateful, selfish, nagging, whining, disloyal, and down right rejecting at times, but Christ loves her. We must take our cue from him.

Listen, you start talking and praying with your wife, doing the dishes without being asked, giving her time alone away from the kids, taking out the trash without being asked, picking up your dirty clothes, and other non-selfish things, then you will find a woman more than willing to submit to you. Reminds me of an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" when Ray was vacuuming some drapes and Debra walks up behind him and says, "You have never been more attractive to me."

In attempting to do this, I have discovered just how selfish I have been around the house. I have found that I pout a lot if I don't really get what I want. I dare say that you will, too. But, pouting is not the way of a son of God. A son of God is loving, generous, and unselfish. Pouting does not fit that description.

Wow. Well. What was going to be a simple little post has turned into a 30 minute lecture on husbands and wives. I started this thing back on Oct. 31st. Oh, well. Bridget, I love you, and God has made me for you. Husbands, you were made for your wife. Let her know that. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Narrow Gate

This morning's reading was in Matthew chapter 7. At first glance, these scriptures seam like two different teachings. God tied them together for me this morning.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits." - Matthew 7:13-20 NRSV

For the past few days I have been struggling with being a "professional talker." You know, someone who is considered an "expert" in whatever field, because he/she talks a lot about it, writes a lot about it, puts on seminars or conferences a lot about it, sings songs a lot about it, etc. a lot about it. Not that anyone considers me an expert on anything. I was referring to different people I see on TV or hear on the radio or read on the internet.

I can talk about being a believer all I want. I can talk about reaching out to the lost, helping the poor, feeding the hungry. I can say that a believer should do that everyday. I can talk about living a life pleasing to God; I can sing about living a life pleasing to God; I can blog about living a life pleasing to God. But, am I? This passage really convicted me this morning. Where's my fruit? Am I bearing fruit? Can I make jelly from it? (Jesus Jelly?)

Then I realized that to be a true teacher or prophet, and to bear fruit with my life, that it takes actually entering through the narrow gate and traveling down the hard road. I often ask myself, "Why do things have to be so hard?" Well, the answer is because that is the road that leads to life. Oh. The light's a little brighter this morning. I want to be one of the few who find that road. I want to enter the narrow gate. I want others to come with me. Will you?

Enter the Fight: Round 2

I know it's been a while. I'm sorry. I've been struggling with a lot of stuff for the past few weeks. Sure, I've been busy, but more than that, I've been trying to get over the fact that I may have really missed something at the men's retreat.

Remember this post? Yeah, well, I thought I had that figured out, too. What I wrote was part of the word the Lord had for me, but it was really more of a personal warning, or a personal call to action: Enter the fight! It was a word for the me entering the men's retreat. And I missed it.

Ron DePriest was great. His messages were stirring, and God was moving, and I really got a lot out of it. Appreciated it. Good stuff. That part was spot on. The rest of the time, well, that's where I feel like I missed it.

Thursday night: I was tired. I'd been up since 4:30, had driven for a little over 2 hours, it was 10 o'clock at night; I was tired. An extremely good friend of mine, Chenson (names have been changed to protect the innocent), and I hadn't eaten, yet. So, we went with Poby to get some dinner. We got back sometime between 11 and 11:30. Quite understandably, I was ready for bed. I had the privilege of rooming with another of my extremely good friends, Poby. However, we had several people come to our room, and after they finally left, Pob and I got our guitars out and actually wrote a song using some words from another song I had and several of our notes from the evening's session. Great stuff! We were up till around 3, I think. Around 6, I get a call from work. I was on the phone twice with them for a total of 45 minutes. Luckily, the first session wasn't until 10, but still, bed late + up early = not a good combo.

Friday: I was tired. Another great session. Poby, Chenson, and I were going to take the afternoon free time to get me registered to vote, get Chenson a GPS for his wife's car, and come back and hang out with the rest of the fellas. Well, we wound up going with Estevie to Guitar Center in OKC. I did get registered to vote, we did get Chenson's GPS, but we got back just in time for dinner. No time spent with other guys (outside my usual "circle of friends"), the pastor, nor the speaker. Not a problem, we still had Friday night.

Friday night: Over by 9-ish. Another great session. More great stuff. So great, in fact, I found Poby afterward and told him I thought we had more writing to do. We went back to the room, pulled out the guitars, and started writing again. A few guys came through. We talked a lot about different stuff. Good time with Poby and with Chenson. Went to bed around midnight-ish (I think). Again, no time spent with the leadership.

Saturday morning: Skip breakfast and show up for the morning's session; the last one. Suddenly I'm hit with the feeling that I've completely missed out on something I was supposed to get. I didn't know what. I still don't. I just had knots in my stomach all morning long. What did I miss? Then the words came floating back into mind: Enter the fight. Had I entered the fight all weekend? I don't know. Suddenly, what was a fun weekend turned into a stressful, spiritual debate. What had I gotten out of the weekend? A song? More time with great guys I already spend a lot of time with? Had I served anybody throughout the weekend? Therein lied my answer. NO.

Realization: I had taken all weekend. Oh, sure, I ran the words for worship every session but the first, I went with Estevie (also a good friend, btw) to Guitar Center, listened to Poby and Chenson, but I never sacrificed anything all weekend. I never helped in the kitchen. I never took out the trash. I never helped any other guy with any other thing all weekend. I never did anything that I didn't want to do. It was a completely selfish weekend. Not the trait of a servant-leader. If that's the kind of leader I want to be, then I completely blew my chance that weekend. That is what I missed, and that is what felt so horrible.

Clarification: I LOVED hanging out with Pobias and Chenson. Always do. In fact, the song Pob and I wrote, we sang in church that Sunday. Our worship team is going to pick it up. Exciting stuff! I cherish that time we got to spend together. I know that was part of what God wanted me to get out of the weekend. I just wish I had taken extra time to seek out the leadership, to give to other guys, and entered the entire fight. You know, get everything God has for me.

So, my encouragement to you comes from Isaiah 55:6-9

6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will
forgive generously.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your
thoughts.

Just because you think you've got God figured out doesn't mean that you do. Seek Him. Ask Him. Be encouraged. Enter the fight.

Soli Deo Gloria

Enter the Fight

ACF opens its staff prayer time in the morning to the congregation on Tuesdays through Fridays. The theater (which we own and in which we meet) isn't but a couple of blocks from where I work, so I walk to prayer when I can make it. Lately, I've been able to go 3 or 4 times a week.

Yesterday, walking to prayer, these words flashed through my mind:

"Enter the Fight"

I was already a little jazzed from a morning espresso, but I was just overall excited about things. Our men's retreat is coming up this weekend, Bridge and I are doing "the special" on Sunday, and I had just successfully arranged a rehearsal with some of what I'm going to call Kingdom Band to play the song on Sunday, too. So, I had a few things going my way.

"Enter the Fight"

Ok, so a few thoughts: I didn't figure God was wanting me to pick a fight with someone; I knew that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12), and, at the time, I felt it meant by singing a song I had written. You know, I was entering the fight with a tool or weapon that I had made.

Then, we started to pray. God immediately revealed a whole new world of warfare to me. This was the fight to which He was referring. Believe it or not, prayer is spiritual warfare. God calls us all to enter the fight. We enter the fight by hitting our knees. (How many of you actually hit your knees, or kneel, while praying?)

We also enter the fight in other ways. Singing, writing, painting, building, using your gifts for His glory are all ways to enter the fight. How many of you have been moved by a song, a poem, a good book, a piece of art or photograph, a magnificent structure? Inspiration, conviction, love, mercy - these come from godly things. Condemnation, hatred - these come from ungodly things.

So, you who are prayer warriors; you who are writers, artists, musicians, craftsmen, enter the fight! Stand up and be counted. Remember, "for though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." (2 Cor. 10:3-4)

Your songs may not be sung nor heard by everybody, but you don't stop writing or singing; your books may not be read by everyone, but you don't stop writing; your hand-made jewelry may not be worn by every person, but you don't stop making it. To someone, somewhere, your gifts make a difference. God gets the glory, and that is always a good thing. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Eph. 6:10)

Soli Deo Gloria

"...therefore...hope..."

ACF's men's retreat is this weekend. As of right now, I'm going. However, I'm not sure what my boss was thinking when he said I could go, unless he thought the rest of the employees at the station could handle both him (station manager) and me (program director) being gone. To add to the distress, our AM morning guy informed me that he would not be there Thursday or Friday. I will be gone Friday. Matt is gone all week. Added pressure will be upon the rest of the staff. Can they do it? I think so. They're going to have to handle it. Fun stuff, I'm sure.

I'm currently reading from the gospel of John. This morning was the passage about Jesus turning water into wine. The commentary from my Life Application Bible mentioned how most of Jesus' miracles were the renewing of fallen creation: blind to see, lame to walk, dead to rise, etc.

That is interesting. I guess I never looked that much into it. It makes sense. The Author of Life rewriting a bad story line. Isn't that what he does for you and me? He redeems fallen creation. Thank you, Lord, for being our savior. This from Lamentations 3:21-24:

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."

I give you the situation at the station and the men's retreat to ask for your prayers. I give you the passages of scripture to encourage you. Therefore hope.

Soli Deo Gloria

More Stuff

Isn't this what got us into our nation's financial mess in the first place?

Ahh, true happiness. There's a lesson in here somewhere. One of many passages of scripture to check out:

"Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5

Be blessed; be encouraged; be content.

Hold Fast

Words of encouragement and a MercyMe song. Really great song. I actually play it quite often on KQ106. I first heard the song a year ago. Then, back in December, I came across this verse:

"The Lord your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast." Deut. 13:4

Great verse, isn't it? I have it written down in three or four different places. Then, a little over a month ago, I came across this little gem in Isaiah:

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:3-4

For whatever reason, God wanted me to share these verses with you. Be encouraged. He is with you; He is for you. Hold fast.

My Sacrifice

It's a Creed song. But that's not the point of this post. As I've mentioned before, my alarm goes off at 4am. Notice how I always say that my alarm goes off then, and not that I get up then. A couple, ten presses of the ole snooze button allows me some extra sleep. I'm usually out of bed by 4:30.

My morning routine consists of bathroom time, batcave time, bathroom time and leaving. Sometimes, I sneak a breakfast time in there, but not very often. It's just hard for me to eat at 4:30/5 in the morning. Besides, I'm usually hungry again around 10-ish.

My batcave time consists of Bible time, blog time, between-God-and-me time (you knew I had to keep the whole "b" thing going) and body building time. That sounds grand, but it's usually just some push-ups and sit-ups. The only thing really consistent in the the batcave time is the between-God-and-me time. I hit the rest most of the time, but some mornings I may spend more time in the Bible and not get to blog, or vice versa, or I won't build my body, or whatever.

My morning routine seems to get easier everyday. It's still not easy. But it has come a long way from whence I started. I fought God on it for a long time. It's just very, very early. My turning point came one morning (before I started writing down stuff) as I was doing my sit-ups. I remember laying on the floor and asking God why it has to be so hard. You know? I was tired; I was trying to do sit-ups; I wanted to be back in bed. Why are things so hard, God?

"It wouldn't be a sacrifice if it was easy."

Whoa. You answered me? I'm sacrificing for You right now? Talk about an attitude change. Here I was thinking I was just going through some tough times, and God saw it for what it really is. It's a season. And, during this particular season, some sacrifices have to be made. So, me getting up every morning to have my time alone with God is a sacrifice. You know, Psalms talks about bringing the "sacrifice of praise." And look at Romans 12:1

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship."

Even now, what can I say? My early morning hours are an act of spiritual worship to the creator of the universe. I'm sure it's much sweeter to His ears now. I don't gripe and complain nearly as much as I used to.

What is your act of spiritual worship? Is God asking you to sacrifice anything right now? Remember, it's a season; seasons change. God is here, lovingly walking you through this time, and He's already in the next season lovingly waiting for you. Are you kicking and screaming your way through this time? I was. Maybe it would help if you could see it for what it is. A season. A season of sacrifice. Your living sacrifice; your spiritual worship. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

Instinct

Two Sundays ago, after church, I was standing on the stairs that lead to the balcony of the sanctuary/theater with my youngest son. He was just a few steps up from the floor holding some papers from children's church and his gameboy. His hands were full. Suddenly, my "spider-sense" went off and I turned to see him stumbling down the stairs. However, not being trained on my "spider-sense", I did not react in time to try to catch him. It was like a scene out of the Matrix.

As he stumbled, his feet stayed put on the step they were on, and his knees hit the step below. Then, as he's falling forward, sure to do a face plant into the tiled, lobby floor, he quickly releases everything from his grip and springs his arms forward to catch himself before he hits ground zero! Wow! It was actually pretty cool; like a superman discovering his powers, or something. He stayed there, with legs up on the stairs and hands on the ground holding himself up like a strong ninja move, or something.

I said, "whoa, buddy, are you alright?" He said that he was, and I helped him back up and gave him a high-five for his actions. His papers and gameboy were ok, too. I couldn't believe his wits. He was aware enough to let go of everything in his hands to catch himself and keep from getting hurt. I just knew he was a goner. You know, what 4 year-old kid knows to drop his gameboy and save his hide? I was impressed with his instinct.

A few days later I was driving and heard the Gloria Gaynor song, "I Will Survive". I immediately thought of the episode with my son and his instinct of self-preservation - his instinct to survive. I guess that instinct comes naturally to us. Or, at least, to most of us. Adam and Eve had to develop that instinct after they sinned. One of the first things they did was fix some clothes to hide their nakedness.

Yeah, looking out for "#1" usually comes pretty easily. What's not so easy is looking out for the other guy, or taking care of others. That's more of a pastoral instinct. A pastor is more like a shepherd. He is to care for, feed, protect, and love his sheep. Jesus is the Great Shepherd. This particular instinct came naturally for him. It's not so easy for us. We have that other instinct with which to compete.

A pastoral instinct comes from spending time with God. The more we read his words to us, the more we talk to him in prayer, the more time we spend with him, the more we become like him. While some people are given an extra grace and anointing to pastor, the pastoral instinct is one that, I believe, can be developed in anybody. But like anything else worth having, it takes time and discipline to learn. Some learn it easily; some don't. But, it is the instinct that needs to prevail.

Don't get me wrong. An instinct of self-preservation is important, too. Especially if you're stumbling down some stairs. But, when it comes to dealing with other people, we need to learn to sacrifice a little. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) If people looked out for their fellow man more than themselves, I believe this world would be a much better place in which to live. Don't you? Let's show the world His love. Let's develop the right instinct.

Be encouraged.

A Peculiar People of Power

I preach tomorrow in the church in which I grew up. It's especially exciting since I received my mandate from God. I also feel like events are at work right now for more opportunities to that end. I don't know what they are, but I can just sense God doing somethin'.

Now, I'm breaking out a previous sermon and tweaking it just a little. You'd think since I've given it before, I would do a bang up job this time. We'll see. The sermon is based on a poem written by Andrew Jones. Sorry, not the baseball player (he's not doing very well this season at all), but a pioneer in the missional and emerging church scene, particularly in Europe.

The last line of the poem is the title for my sermon:

We are his wonderful signature
a sign of his favor
his presence
power
to change
the world back
to how it should be
healed and harmonious
a peculiar people of power

A short synopsis of the message:
The Greek word used in the new testament, peripoiesis, (bonus points for correct pronunciation or at least the funniest) means a valued personal possession, which is worth obtaining and worth preserving. The King James Version uses the word "peculiar" to translate it. Why? Because the original meaning of that word was, "private property, special; belonging exclusively to one person or group." That's a far cry from today's odd, strange, or queer.

So, in 1 Peter 2:9, when Peter calls us a peculiar people, he doesn't mean strange or odd (although we seem to take it that way). He's telling us that we are treasured by God, belonging exclusively to him. That's way cooler than God's strange little people!

The power comes from the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

So, stand up! Be strengthened! You are not called to be a queer people for some distant deity, you are a treasured possession of the Most High God, full of the power of the Holy Spirit. You are a peculiar people of power!

Waiting On God

It's not always easy. In fact, it's rarely easy in my experience. But, it is a necessity. At least it is if you want to follow God and His will. There are several great scriptures about waiting on the Lord, but my favorite comes from Isaiah chapter 40.

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

That comes from the NRSV, by the way. It's also the basis of the song "Everlasting God" by Chris Tomlin. He's one of a couple of different guys who sings it anyway. That song was my personal theme song back in the summer of 07. I may pull it back out. Seems fitting for these times, as well.

I bring up waiting on Lord, because when he speaks something, he doesn't always give a sense of timing. He may have said to me, "Preach for me," but he didn't say, "quit your job at the radio station and start preaching anywhere and everywhere you can."

In the meantime, I will be preaching this coming Sunday in the church in which I grew up. I spoke there a month or two ago, but I hope to do a better job of it this time. I think I have a little more "authority" this time around. You know, a command from God and all.

I also found some quotes that are interesting. John Wesley had considered giving up preaching when he spoke with Boehler. Boehler's advice was to, "Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith." And then a quote that I attributed to Wesley, but actually came from St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

So, there you go. I'm getting stronger right now. (from waiting on the Lord, natch) Peace be to you, and check out my wife's pics with her new camera. She's very excited. Until we meet again, I'll be found waiting on God.

A Blessing

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD Make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NRSV)