No, Jesus didn't give a sermon on the weeds, but I did this past Sunday. And as I was preaching the Word, I was amazed at the "instant insight" God allowed me to experience. It was as if I was "hearing" the word as I spoke it, and it took on fresh meaning and insight. I was preaching from Mark 4:18-19, about the weeds and the thorns that choke off the life of the word and make it unfruitful. As I listed the "things" we do that choke off the word, (the cares of life, the deceitfulness of riches, desires for other things) the Greek word for riches struck a chord with me. The root of the word Ploutos (rich) means "to be full." As I began to ponder the implications of this, God reminded me that 75% of the people in the world we live NEVER know the feeling of fullness. And yet, we experience it two or three times a day.
Jesus was reminding us that fulness leads to a false sense that "everything is okay" with my life. But the truth is, my hunger for God is often silenced by the fact I am "full" of so much else. That is why times of fasting are so valuable. When we fast, we deny ourselves food and fulness, and experience hunger that can be a reminder of Who we belong to and of our dependence upon Him.
All of this brings me full circle to the idea of weeds. If you don't keep them pulled up they will take over, and deny you the fruit your garden (heart) was designed to produce. As I have learned from my gardening hobby, you cannot let up for even a short period of time, as weeds have an innate way of taking over!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Sermon on the Weeds
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
2 Dreams, 2 Days
When I get a vivid dream that leaves me in my waking hours pondering and meditating on it, I generally can label it as "from God." Today, I had the same dream as the day before...so God has gotten my attention in a big way.
I dreamed I was going for an interview as a plant manager for a packaging company. (In my pre-ministry days, I was a packaging foreman for Nabisco for 6 years). During this interview, I viewed the entire plant and gave advice to the owner on a number of things they were doing. One was "availability" of supervision, another was "providing tools workers need" and another was "use red yarn when the thread breaks" (that was very weird). The owner asked me what success I had in my supervision, and I shared that I had personally encouraged and interacted with each worker daily, and made myself readily available for their needs. Then I woke up with a voice going off in my head saying, "Do this in your ministry!"
Last night, I had the same dream. And I awoke with the same voice telling me to do the same thing. The second dream had some additions..."unleash people to their destiny and help them understand what that means and looks like."
So as I reflect upon this, I have to make the choice of implementing it in my ministry...especially considering that it sounded as if God was telling me to do so! On Easter Sunday, we saw some folks return for the service who hadn't been there in a while. I felt like God was pointing them out to me concerning their potential and destiny, and how to help them to not waste their future!
I dreamed I was going for an interview as a plant manager for a packaging company. (In my pre-ministry days, I was a packaging foreman for Nabisco for 6 years). During this interview, I viewed the entire plant and gave advice to the owner on a number of things they were doing. One was "availability" of supervision, another was "providing tools workers need" and another was "use red yarn when the thread breaks" (that was very weird). The owner asked me what success I had in my supervision, and I shared that I had personally encouraged and interacted with each worker daily, and made myself readily available for their needs. Then I woke up with a voice going off in my head saying, "Do this in your ministry!"
Last night, I had the same dream. And I awoke with the same voice telling me to do the same thing. The second dream had some additions..."unleash people to their destiny and help them understand what that means and looks like."
So as I reflect upon this, I have to make the choice of implementing it in my ministry...especially considering that it sounded as if God was telling me to do so! On Easter Sunday, we saw some folks return for the service who hadn't been there in a while. I felt like God was pointing them out to me concerning their potential and destiny, and how to help them to not waste their future!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Reflection on where I have been
This week, a former member of our church sent me some harsh emails about our church's practices and beliefs, accusing me of being a false teacher, and a coward for not agreeing to let him try to change my mind. Those accusations hurt. Not because they were true, but because I had once been in his shoes, living a dogmatic, love-less life, believing "knowing" and "practicing" the truths of the bible was evidence of being saved. The truth is, I have not been completely delivered from that mind-set yet. That is why when he lashed out at me, I felt the sting I had inflicted upon so many others over the years.
The issues were pretty typical, over what version of the bible we use, the role of women in the church, and the continued use of the power gifts in the current church. Of course, the disagreement wouldn't have stopped there. It would have then shifted to the type of music and instruments used in services, the role of divorced folks in church, the length of a man's hair (and probably women's dresses). While i hadn't focused upon all of those details in my dogmatic period of my journey, I had my fair share of "my truth or no truth." The bottom line is that I had equated the knowledge and possession of the "correct" interpretation of the truth with righteousness. It turns out that this is just another form of "works" righteousness. Jesus focused a lot less on the don'ts and a lot more on the positive actions he expected his disciples to do.
Among those specific commands Jesus gave his disciples was "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper and preach the Kingdom of God." But since those require supernatural power to do them, we prefer to stick to the things we "CAN DO" in our own strength, which is to tell others what they can and cannot do as a part of their walk with God.
So in a very real sense, I am thankful for the harsh criticism of my ex-friend. It has shown me what I was (and still am) and how far I still have to go to be transformed to the likeness of my Savior.
The issues were pretty typical, over what version of the bible we use, the role of women in the church, and the continued use of the power gifts in the current church. Of course, the disagreement wouldn't have stopped there. It would have then shifted to the type of music and instruments used in services, the role of divorced folks in church, the length of a man's hair (and probably women's dresses). While i hadn't focused upon all of those details in my dogmatic period of my journey, I had my fair share of "my truth or no truth." The bottom line is that I had equated the knowledge and possession of the "correct" interpretation of the truth with righteousness. It turns out that this is just another form of "works" righteousness. Jesus focused a lot less on the don'ts and a lot more on the positive actions he expected his disciples to do.
Among those specific commands Jesus gave his disciples was "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper and preach the Kingdom of God." But since those require supernatural power to do them, we prefer to stick to the things we "CAN DO" in our own strength, which is to tell others what they can and cannot do as a part of their walk with God.
So in a very real sense, I am thankful for the harsh criticism of my ex-friend. It has shown me what I was (and still am) and how far I still have to go to be transformed to the likeness of my Savior.
Sending out the Nine
On Sunday April 10th, we had an 80 degree day. I wish the week after that day was as warm, but it was an exceptional day. We were conducting our Workshop on Supernatural Ministry and only nine folks showed up. I suspect the nice weather had a lot to do with it. But after a brief time of instruction, I told the group we were going to walk around Township Park and find people to pray for.
It was funny at first, because several of those who were there wanted to "flee" because it was going to stretch them. But we were blessed and all agreed to "try." We broke into 3 groups of 3 and went out. My group found a family that wasn't interested, then a few who were open. As we were finishing up, one of the teens with my group suggested we go talk to the people sitting in their cars watching the sunset. Now I was the one who was reluctant! But we went towards one car, and as we did, the sole occupant opened his window. We chatted and noticed he was reading a book on Buddhism. So we chatted some more and asked him questions about his journey toward God, and gave him some suggestions on books he might like. Then we told him we were there to pray for him...and he opened up and let us! He had some serious needs and we prayed for the provision and blessing and revelation of Father God to him.
A second group had several folks they prayed for before they ran across a family on the swings. As they offered to pray with them, the family asked them, "are you the same church that was at Dairy Queen last year praying for people? Because if you were, you guys prayed for us!" I had been among those who had prayed for them then during our practice! Needless to say, we were blessed to see our fruit returning a blessing.
The third group ran across a young woman in dire need, her boyfriend was struggling with emotional issues. The students who knew her also knew she wasn't open to prayer. Yet when they asked her, she began to weep and was very open. We saw God touch this woman who had a divine appointment with the Healer of Hearts.
As we returned to the church building to chat, we all were amazed at how 1) easy it was to talk to strangers and 2) how easy and rewarding to ask people if we can pray with them. Doors were opened for a number of participants to actually do what we had been talking about for the past several months!
It was funny at first, because several of those who were there wanted to "flee" because it was going to stretch them. But we were blessed and all agreed to "try." We broke into 3 groups of 3 and went out. My group found a family that wasn't interested, then a few who were open. As we were finishing up, one of the teens with my group suggested we go talk to the people sitting in their cars watching the sunset. Now I was the one who was reluctant! But we went towards one car, and as we did, the sole occupant opened his window. We chatted and noticed he was reading a book on Buddhism. So we chatted some more and asked him questions about his journey toward God, and gave him some suggestions on books he might like. Then we told him we were there to pray for him...and he opened up and let us! He had some serious needs and we prayed for the provision and blessing and revelation of Father God to him.
A second group had several folks they prayed for before they ran across a family on the swings. As they offered to pray with them, the family asked them, "are you the same church that was at Dairy Queen last year praying for people? Because if you were, you guys prayed for us!" I had been among those who had prayed for them then during our practice! Needless to say, we were blessed to see our fruit returning a blessing.
The third group ran across a young woman in dire need, her boyfriend was struggling with emotional issues. The students who knew her also knew she wasn't open to prayer. Yet when they asked her, she began to weep and was very open. We saw God touch this woman who had a divine appointment with the Healer of Hearts.
As we returned to the church building to chat, we all were amazed at how 1) easy it was to talk to strangers and 2) how easy and rewarding to ask people if we can pray with them. Doors were opened for a number of participants to actually do what we had been talking about for the past several months!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Growing Plants
This week we played for our Workshop of Supernatural Ministry, a video by Bill Johnson, in which he said, "whatever is kept within the walls of the church will die, but whatever we take outside will grow and thrive."
After I went home, I looked at my tomato plants that I started a few weeks ago. I sure was glad I planted them inside, where there was heat and regulated water and food supplies. But the controlled atmosphere is only temporary. It would be folly to try to get my tomato plants to bear fruit indoors. The best they would do is to shrivel and get gnarly if they aren't exposed to the elements as they were designed for. In fact, once mature, my tomato plants were created for the temperate outdoors, because that is where they will bear fruit. Plant them in March and they will die. Plant them in late May and they will thrive.
Likewise with us. Jesus SENT his disciples out to PRACTICE in the towns and villages. They healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers and cast out demons. They had some successes and some failures. Then they returned to Jesus for a debriefing. Got some more instructions and tried again. Sounds like the way the church should train!
That is what I hope our Workshops will do. As the weather warms in April, we plan on conducting "neighborhood treasure hunts" in which we go through a neighborhood looking for folks to pray for, to hear their prayer needs, and then to meet those needs through whatever means God provides. We will have the opportunity to practice what we are learning, how to hear God, how to give a word of prophetic encouragement, and how to pray for healing or deliverance. Do it long enough and we will realize that this is who we are and not just something we do.
After I went home, I looked at my tomato plants that I started a few weeks ago. I sure was glad I planted them inside, where there was heat and regulated water and food supplies. But the controlled atmosphere is only temporary. It would be folly to try to get my tomato plants to bear fruit indoors. The best they would do is to shrivel and get gnarly if they aren't exposed to the elements as they were designed for. In fact, once mature, my tomato plants were created for the temperate outdoors, because that is where they will bear fruit. Plant them in March and they will die. Plant them in late May and they will thrive.
Likewise with us. Jesus SENT his disciples out to PRACTICE in the towns and villages. They healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the lepers and cast out demons. They had some successes and some failures. Then they returned to Jesus for a debriefing. Got some more instructions and tried again. Sounds like the way the church should train!
That is what I hope our Workshops will do. As the weather warms in April, we plan on conducting "neighborhood treasure hunts" in which we go through a neighborhood looking for folks to pray for, to hear their prayer needs, and then to meet those needs through whatever means God provides. We will have the opportunity to practice what we are learning, how to hear God, how to give a word of prophetic encouragement, and how to pray for healing or deliverance. Do it long enough and we will realize that this is who we are and not just something we do.
Let me Proclaim Your Power
It has been exactly a year since I last read this passage from Psalm 71:18. "Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me."
I still have it posted in my office. (I know it has been a year because I read a one year bible (NLT) each morning)
As I reflect upon the past year, I have seen at least 3 undeniable healings/miracles. I stand/sit in awe before our King and am amazed He created us to partner with Him in bringing His power and love to this desperate world. God done did it, and I got to be the tool and the witness of His action.
Now, we proclaim it to the new generation! Our youth and adults are hungry to see God at work. Anywhere from 4 to 6 youth attend our Workshops in Supernatural Ministry every Sunday night. They want to make a difference in this world.
Last Sunday evening someone said to me, "you must be pretty excited about seeing this kind of participation in the workshops." I replied, "I have dreamed of this day and the day when we equip an army to minister to our city." I believe I am witnessing a dream become reality. Of course, it really wasn't my dream to start with, God planted that dream in my heart because it was HIS dream, His heart for His church!
I still have it posted in my office. (I know it has been a year because I read a one year bible (NLT) each morning)
As I reflect upon the past year, I have seen at least 3 undeniable healings/miracles. I stand/sit in awe before our King and am amazed He created us to partner with Him in bringing His power and love to this desperate world. God done did it, and I got to be the tool and the witness of His action.
Now, we proclaim it to the new generation! Our youth and adults are hungry to see God at work. Anywhere from 4 to 6 youth attend our Workshops in Supernatural Ministry every Sunday night. They want to make a difference in this world.
Last Sunday evening someone said to me, "you must be pretty excited about seeing this kind of participation in the workshops." I replied, "I have dreamed of this day and the day when we equip an army to minister to our city." I believe I am witnessing a dream become reality. Of course, it really wasn't my dream to start with, God planted that dream in my heart because it was HIS dream, His heart for His church!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
In Bondage to Being Right.
I had an encounter with a former church member today that broke my heart. He had been posting some negative things about a well known Christian musician and I asked him to be careful on how quickly he judged. What followed was a hornets nest of scripture postings followed by "according to the Authorized King James Version of 1611." It was like an exclamation point being added to a rant that was actually saying, "I need to be right, and can't afford to make a mistake."
His reaction to my questions went beyond being merely defensive, but drove on the offense, to set stakes in the ground on what he believed, why and how it was important that he defend his interpretation as the only correct one.
At first, I wanted to "de-friend" him, then after that I felt like rebuking him or telling him he was wrong. But the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart that those actions were "about me" and not about love. Instead, I concluded that it is my role to continue to plant seeds about the awesome LOVE of God found in Jesus Christ's grace that is available to every believer. We don't have to be right or prove we are right. Love covers over many sins (flaws, faults, etc).
His reaction to my questions went beyond being merely defensive, but drove on the offense, to set stakes in the ground on what he believed, why and how it was important that he defend his interpretation as the only correct one.
At first, I wanted to "de-friend" him, then after that I felt like rebuking him or telling him he was wrong. But the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart that those actions were "about me" and not about love. Instead, I concluded that it is my role to continue to plant seeds about the awesome LOVE of God found in Jesus Christ's grace that is available to every believer. We don't have to be right or prove we are right. Love covers over many sins (flaws, faults, etc).
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