Life sucks...

Friend just found out mom has ovarian cancer…dad has heart disease and was just released after another heart attack…God, life sucks! Help.

WEBSITE IS UP!

www.RobertGlennSmith.com is now official.

Well it could be interpretted as a serious pride problem, but in reality it just helps me have an easy place to send people in order to communicate with them.

I may still post on here, but everything I post here will be posted at www.RobertGlennSmith.com. I'm able to be a little more creative with some things there and I've learned a lot already going through this process.

So, feel free to check it out and giv eme plenty of feedback.

And the moral of the story is...

I just had the smackdown laid on me for using the phrase, "And the moral of the story is..." Now I can assume the dude is way better at English than I, or he doesn't know what in the heck he is talking about. Typically, when it comes to English, I think everybody is smarter than I. Regardless of whether or not I was wrong the issue is that I don't even know this dude. The first time we even exchanged pleasantries was after he slammed me, and called me Aesop. I didn't like it, even if he was right. The thing I hated the most was not that he made the criticism in front of people, but that he left me without the knowledge that I needed to not make the same mistake again.

I have a pet peave when it comes to leaders. If you see a problem, then refrain from making the criticism if you don't have a solution. There is a difference between offering criticism and offering a solution. We tempt people to be prideful when all we do is mention where they fall short. We inspire them to be different if we show them a way out.

So, now I'm pissed off because I don't know what I should have said. Now I'm going to go find this guy and figure out what in the heck I should have said, and then let him know the next time he offers criticism in a public and even humiliating fashion he better have a solution. Otherwise, he comes out looking like the jerk instead of the wise man.

Responding to God

Responding to God: (via petehise.com)"

I listen to leaders all the time who talk about substantial experiences with God that seem to fade away with time. But sometimes I come across leaders who put teeth into their experiences with Him, and it lights a fire under them that never fades..a fire that just gets stronger, more passionate and more fulfilling over time. I believe God is looking for people who take seriously their encounters with Him, responding practically and quickly…with faith.

The longer I lead, the more baffling it is to me why some people don’t respond to a prompting from God Himself. I’m talking about legitimate God-inspired whispers that line up with scripture and are processed in community. Why does one person respond to God and another put it off so long the urge to respond is almost indiscernible?

Let me ask you…if you had an encounter with the Holy God and you really believed He met with you and told you some things, why wouldn’t you sort them out with Him? Why wouldn’t you take action? If Warren Buffett called you today with investment advice, don’t you think you’d be inclined to take it? This guy’s the expert. You’d be a fool to ignore him. So why do we treat what the God of the Universe has to say so lightly? He is the author and finisher of our faith…the expert of all experts. And His plans for us are always good.

Why not take Him up on what He’s been whispering to you these days?

"

How Pastors (And Everyone) Can Build A Marriage That Will Last – Part Two

We need to be home...Perry Noble on...

How Pastors (And Everyone) Can Build A Marriage That Will Last – Part Two: "

#3 – Show Up

Here’s the deal about the house next door…the dudes working on it show up EVERY DAY…EARLY…and stay late.

Hey church leader…in order to build a home you need to BE AT HOME…period!

I know WAY too many pastors who let the expectations and demands of needy, clingy church people (notice I didn’t say Christians) DRIVE them to a place of insanity and burnout…and then those same church people will stand around his coffin and talk about how he should have taken better care of himself.

Too many pastors are at other kids baseball games and missing their own kids baseball game…this HAS TO STOP!

Guys…we’ve GOT to spend time at home…and NOT apologize for it. We’ve GOT to be with our spouse in order to work on the marriage.

My recommendation…ask her questions like…

• What time would you like me home every night?


• How many nights a week would you like for us to have dinner as a family?


• How can I serve you and the kids once I get home?


• What can I do for you when the kids go to bed to make you feel special? (BTW…she’s not going to say, “channel surf!”)

Now…before I move on…let me deal with the nasty reason many church leaders don’t want to go home…

Because at home they are NOT “a rock star!”

You see, at church, at ANY size church, the pastor is “the man.” He’s respected and admired and often complimented by others. In many cases this can produce a false perception of power and control…and the pastor begins to think that everyone who sees him needs to bow and pay homage. (Which is something that needs to be repented of…they don’t serve us…we serve one another and we all serve Christ!)

Then he goes home…and his wife and kids just aren’t impressed with him. (Dude, your wife has seen you naked…there is ABSOLUTELY nothing about you that impresses her!) And…some guys can’t handle being the servant at home…they have to be “the man,” and that NEVER contributes to a healthy marriage.

One of the BEST things we can BEG God for is for Him to allow us to see ourselves through His eyes…which will not usher in feelings of pride but rather humility and gratitude!

The other day I spent hours in a meeting talking about campuses, budgets, traveling…all kinds of HUGE decisions that needed making. Then I left church and went home…where in less than five minutes I was wiping Charisse’s butt because she had just dropped a bomb! God uses things like this at times to remind me, “At the end of the day…all you are is a servant…and don’t ever forget it!”

Guys…guess what…we’ve got to see “butt wiping” as just as important as budgeting! We’ve got to see setting the table as just as important as setting up a service. We’ve got to see washing dishes as just as important as watching sermons on youtube! We’ve GOT TO BE THERE for our wife and kids…

If we’re not there for our family…satan will be…don’t let him lead what God has give you responsibility for!

"

Organized Religion’s ‘Management Problem’

Powered by    * Please note, the sender's email address has not been verified.       While I disagree with some statements, the overall principles and evaluations are very candid and worth consideration. From my favorite Newspaper a blog on Church Management.             Click the following to access the sent link:       Organized Religion’s ‘Management Problem’*                 Get your EMAIL THIS Browser Button and use it to email content from any Web site. Click here for more information.   *This article can also be accessed if you copy and paste the entire address below into your web browser. http://blogs.wsj.com/management/2009/08/21/organized-religions-management-problem

Be careful what you stand against...it may one day stand against you.

I'm in 2 Samuel these days and while I'm not to the climax of the book I know what is coming: David's eventual fall as he becomes an adulterer, a murderer, and an impotent judge.

Throughout 1 Samuel and now into the first four chapters of 2 Samuel you get a strong sense that David is a man of principle. He has multiple opportunities to kill Saul, who's tried to kill him numerous times, and yet he refuses to do so out of a sense of duty and principle that Saul is the Lord's Anointed. Who is he to forcefully change the leadership? You sense that David understands that God is in control of his destiny.

You even find that David hates the unjust killing of someone, even for the sake of vengeance (2 Samuel 3), and he curses Joab and Abishai for murdering Abner and he puts Baanah and Recab to death for killing Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 4). Up to this point you would never have been able to predict that David would murder anyone at any time for anything. Yet this is exactly what he does to Uriah after sleeping with his wife.

One principle I glean from David's life is that we must always keep our guard up. We can never say, "I'll never do that", or "I'll never do that again." We can never be slothful in how we personally combat things that we take strong stands against publicly. Often I wonder if we take strong stands against things in a public manner in order to cover for what we struggle with deeply on a personal level. When pride sets in we often fall to the very thing we stand against. There are too many recent examples to mention, but we must be careful to refrain from claiming that, "I'd never do such and such or this and that." For as soon as we do the seed of pride has been sown and a road to destruction has been paved.

So, for me I can never believe that I can indulge because I have control, or I have defeated, or I once repented because once I do the enemy will be waiting to take full advantage and create an avalanche from a snowball. It will be a butterfly effect where one uncontrolled thought leads to a multitude of physical sin.

So, when we are encouraged to always keep a close watch on ourselves (1 Timothy 4:16) it's not without historically recorded evidence of what happens when we don't.

You're the Bottleneck

If only some might listen and be transformed...

 

 

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You're the Bottleneck

via History in the Making by Ben Arment on 8/21/09

I've got a secret.

In every endeavor that I pursue, there is a point where it goes from good to great... but it has nothing to do with me. The tipping point comes when I find someone who is great at whey they do... and then I get out of their way.

It would be depressing if the outcome weren't so great. =)

We're nearing the end of first generation of mega-church pastors. And more and more, I'm hearing that as budgets and attendance are dropping, these leaders are tightening their grips. They're trying to re-engage the hell-bent spirit that grew the church at the beginning.

It's a shame because this chokes the spirit of the staff rather than releases it... which is the key to reinvention, creative solution and growth.

Is it possible that the church leaders have learned the first-half of leadership, but not the second half -- succession? Hmmmm.

 

 

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rgsmith21@gmail.com sent you a link to content of interest

rgsmith21@gmail.com sent you a link to the following content:

Eight Things To Keep In Mind When Leading A Team–Part Two
http://www.perrynoble.com/2009/08/21/eight-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-leading-a-team-part-two/

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More good leadership stuff from Perry Noble

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Notes from Quest's Leadership Retreat...worth a read

A Staffer’s Eyewitness View
(Guest blogger, Connie Sanders)

Filed under: Guest Blogger, Leadership

Leadership Retreat is off to an unbelievable start! God is doing substantial work in the hearts of leaders, and our jaws are on the ground at what He’s poured into us already. I can’t believe I get to be a part of this. This morning we got to spend great time together really digging into what Pete brought us last night for the opening session. Here are 10 quotes that reoriented us as leaders…

1. We need to live integrated lives or people will follow us into disintegration.

2. God has a hand-crafted calling just for you.

3. We will be held responsible for the nearness & proximity we’ve had to Jesus.

4.Sometimes in the dead of night, a Leader’s YES has already turned the spiritual tide & has won the battle - even when it looks dark & bloody. It is already a win to God.

5. We don’t have a learning problem. We have an obedience problem.

6. As this next chapter begins, we are heading into a 4D Jump. How high, how wide & how long matter, but the controlling dimension will be how deep we go as leaders.

7. In high altitudes, leaders have to pay attention. Insecurity & pride can take you out. Toying with pride is like toying with crystal meth.

8. The number one reason people don’t live out the call of God on their lives is being casual with the work of God in them.

9. My life’s decisions impact thousands.

10. When God sees a leader, He sees HOPE.

rgsmith21@gmail.com sent you a link to content of interest

rgsmith21@gmail.com sent you a link to the following content:

Eight Things To Keep In Mind When Leading A Team–Part One
http://www.perrynoble.com/2009/08/20/eight-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-leading-a-team-part-one/

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Great advice on leading...anything and anyone

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Spiritual Warfare On A Different Level

 

 

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Spiritual Warfare On A Different Level

via Perry Noble | Leadership, Vision & CreativityPerry Noble | Leadership, Vision & Creativity by perry on 8/19/09

I was very hesitant to share this post because, well…three reasons…

#1 – Anytime I talk about spiritual warfare it seems the crazies come out…the ones who see a demon everywhere.

#2 – A lot of questions come up…as spiritual warfare is one of the most misunderstood subjects in the church.

#3 – There are some who do not believe in spiritual warfare…and so when a person acknowledges it they are thought of as insane.

BUT…one of the reasons for this blog is to not only share what I am learning…but also what the Lord is doing in and around me.  I've had some pretty significant experiences when it comes to spiritual warfare…and I don't talk about them a lot because I don't want to focus on the enemy…except for the fact that he is freakin DEFEATED and is going to go to HELL one day!

However, from time to time I think it is healthy to acknowledge that spirtual warfare is real…and the other night something happened in my house last week that proved to me that the enemy is angry…and that life isn't a playground…it's a battleground…

Lucretia and I were spending some time on the couch with each other and Charisse was playing in her play room (formerly my office downstairs.)  We do this often on Monday and Tuesday nights so that she can learn that mommy and daddy have their time and she has her time to play.

After about 15 minutes or so, she became a little fussy and started saying, "mommy."  We told her to keep on playing…but over the next few minutes she got louder and louder and was almost screaming.  Lucretia looked at me at one point and said, "What has gotten into our child?"

Finally it got to the point where neither one of us could take it…so we called her in the living room and she was terrified.  I asked her was she ok and she nodded her head no.  I then asked her was she scared and she looked and me with really big eyes and nodded her head yes.  Then I asked her what scared her and she said "a man in there" and pointed at the playroom.

At this point the redneck in me came out and I was ready to kill something…namely the freakin man in the playroom that had scared my daughter.  I thought maybe a kid had came to the outside window and she had gotten frightened by that…so I picked her up and began walking towards the playroom…and as we were walking she squeezed me harder than ever before and closed her eyes really tight.  She was genuinly terrified!

I asked her to show me where the man had been and she pointed to the place where she said she saw him.  I asked what did the man look like and she said "black."  Then I asked her was the man little or big and she said, "big…like daddy."  Lucretia and I are convinced that she saw some sort of manifestation of en evil spirit…possibly even a demon.  Like I said…she's NEVER been scared of anything…but that night she was terrified!

She didn't leave the couch for the rest of the night!  I actually did go outside to see if anyone was around…or if anyone had been walking around in the mulch outside of the window and there was no sign of anything.

When it came time to go to bed we asked her was she ready for bed and she mentioned the man in the playroom one more time.  We told her he was gone and that she didn't have to worry.  Then we took her to bed and prayed with her and she went right to sleep.

I've always dealt with spiritual warfare on various levels…but this is the first time I believe the enemy ever came after my daughter (and I'm sure it won't be the last.)  I feel like God is getting ready to do something huge in our church…and the enemy is trying his best to distract me and my family.  The enemy is getting desperate…and so I am asking for covering from you guys like I've never asked before.  Not just for me…but for 'Cretia and Charisse as well ('Cretia hasn't slept since this happened!)  I've never seen Charisse like that…and we don't watch scary stuff around here…so I know she didn't just make it up.

AND…let me be clear about this…we're not worried.  We know we are in God's hands…we know the enemy has been defeated…we know he can try to intimidate but the power of the LIVING GOD is on our side!

NewSpring…let's pray like NEVER before…let's INVITE like never before…and refuse to let the one who had the crap kicked out of him on the cross intimidate us!!!

WE WIN…let's live like it!!!

 

 

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Glue Now Test

What if...

Reading 1 Samuel 25 today I was struck by the fact that David, who has resisted killing Saul - who is actually trying to kill David, was so quickly enraged by Nabal's insult. Maybe after running from Saul for so long, and now grieving the loss of Samuel he is compelled to lash out.

What if the story would not have taken the unexpected turn that it did for David? What if Abigail wasn't beautiful? What if, knowing how wicked Nabal was, she allowed him to be murdered in order to be free from him? What if she never loaded those donkeys with food and wine, and never met David on the way to kill her husband? How might David's story have been different?

It was a little thing, that may have changed the course of David's life, but David's choosing to receive the gift of Abigail on behalf of Nabal kept him from murdering. And I'm pretty sure God would have been disappointed with David over his loss of temper. In fact, while David is a humble servant of Saul there is still a pride issue with David that is exposed in this story. However, the offense to his pride was overcome by the service of Abigail who neither wanted to see her wicked husband murdered, nor David become a murderer.

There have been many reminders lately of how what seems to be a small decision can change the course of one's life dramatically. In fact, it can have significant impact on the lives of many. It just drove home the point to me today of how incredibly important it is to commune with my Lord daily and often throughout the day for I never know what decision may play a significant role in my life and the lives of others.

When things get bad, it gets good for The Church. We are about to see recession turn to revival. @RickWarren

My Last Sermon is Online -

http://www.harmonychristianchurch.com/transformed.shtml

Aussie Worship All the Time?

 

 

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Aussie Worship All the Time?

via TonyMorganLive.com by tony on 8/10/09

For the record, I'm a big fan of Hillsong. If you've been on my blog for any length of time in the past, you likely know I love sharing what's happening in their ministry particularly with their worship ministry. This post isn't about Hillsong.

That said, I've had the opportunity to travel to many different churches and conferences over the last several months. Here's what I'm beginning to wonder… Does anyone in the United States write worship music anymore?

Every place I go, it seems that I'm hearing the same music that was written by the folks at Hillsong. Don't get me wrong. It's good music. I have it on my iPod. I'm just wondering why it's the only music I seem to be hearing everyplace I go.

And, I'm not just talking about small churches here. I'm talking about very big churches too. They're the churches that you would think would have both the talent and the resources to be creating some of their own worship music. Why aren't they helping us sing a new song? [btw... There are exceptions like Lincoln Brewster, Kari Jobe, Israel Houghton and some of my other friends from the Integrity label.]

I'm just speculating, but here are some factors that may be contributing to this phenomenon. Hillsong…

• Has made raising up new worship teams a priority.
• Has made it part of their church's DNA to distribute their music worldwide.
• Sees it as part of their worship leaders' responsibilities to write new music.
• Is led by a senior pastor who values (and likely expects) this type of creativity.

Maybe there are other factors. Maybe the biggest factor is that U.S. churches see the success of Hillsong and think they're the church to copy right now. Whatever the case, it seems that we should be asking ourselves why so many churches are relying so heavily on Hillsong for the vast majority of our worship music.

Are there other barriers that are preventing U.S. churches from generating new worship music? Is this even an issue that should be a part of our conversation? Or, is this just a jealous rage because my wife seems to be smitten by guys with Australian accents?

What are your thoughts?

Related Posts:

• Listen to New Hillsong Album for Free
• New Hillsong Live!
• Listen to New Fee for Free
• Heading to Nashville for One Last Stop
• New David Crowder Band Single

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Worship leading article

Check this article out. Great stuff for worship leaders as is the following article on what we should do and why when it comes to our space...http://www.mygazines.com/issue/1311/195

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Rethinking Clarity

You know how you are just kind of going along in life thinking that you have just about everything figured out, and then BAM you read something and it causes you to rethink everything.

Lately, I have prayerfully operated out of the mindset that God does not give us a Spirit of confusion, that in reality He desires to give us clarity. Sounds pretty good right. I have often prayed lately for clarity for me and for others.

I'm reading a book entitled, "Living the Lord's Prayer" by David Timms. Check out what he writes in Chapter 6:

"Our pursuit of clarity has become one of our greatest idolatries."

Now, how do you think I felt after reading that sentence? How about HORRIBLE! How about I wanted to try to find scripture to defend myself, and how about I failed to do so. I hate being wrong, and I have been wrong about this one.

In reality God doesn't give us clarity...He gives us FAITH, and it is the FAITH that He gives that eventually produces a clearer view of things. He did not give Abram much in the way of clarity when he called him out of Ur. There was very little detail involved in God's command. Hebrews 11:8 says that Abram, "went without knowing where he was going."

Timms recounts a story told by Brennan Manning about John Kavanaugh who he describes as a "brilliant ethicist." Mr Kavanaugh went to Calcutta to see Mother Teresa and when asked what she might do for him he asked her to pray for him. When asked what she might pray for Kavanaugh responded, "Pray that I have clarity." To which Mother Teresa firmly responded, "No, I will not do that." When probed by Kavanaugh, who probably felt like he had just gotten coal in his stocking at Christmas, Mother Teressa said, "Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of." Kavanaugh challenged that Mother Teresa always seemed to have clarity, a clarity that he longed for, to which she responded laughingly, "I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So, I will pray that you trust God."

If we live a life that prays, "Your will be done" then we must trust in His will, His commands, His teachings, His authority, His leadership. We want a sure thing. We want to have our fears washed away by certainty. But if God is who He says He is, then how much more certainty can we have? I mean, He's God!

My prayer for several decisions has now changed. It has become evident that some decisions just weren't being made out of a desire for clarity, which really means that there is a shortfall in trust. So, now I pray that I trust, and that others trust.

It's not just trusting God, but trusting those God has gifted with leadership that becomes the issue. A lack of trust in God will always raise up as a lack of trust in those whom God has gifted.

We're looking for a new worship leader...

So, we're looking for a worship director/leader. Here's a post that should be the mantra of every person who could be viewed as a leader of worship.

I love it!

What is the Church?

Mark Driscoll's talk on "What is the Church?" is a tremendous resource. As a leader, what he says concerning about church discipline and about growing churches is great advice. While I'm not a Calvinist I tend to agree with Driscoll far more than I disagree. And in this case I'm 100% on board.

Difficulty in ministry is not an oxymoron

I wonder why peoeple think ministry is supposed to be soooo good. I wonder why we expect things to always go their way. I wonder why we think that just because we are willing to be obedient that we should be rewarded immediately. If anything we should expect God to ask us to do things like wait, and do it for a long time.

Yesterday I read Ezekial 4. I mean God, in an effort to return Israel's hearts back to God, commands Ezekial to be an example of the eventual siege of Jerusalem. Doesn't sound too bad, but it required that Ezekial be bound laying on his left side for 390 days. Then he gets to turn over and lay on his right side for an additional 40 days.

After experiencing about 21 days of sitting on my butt with out much ability to do anything I can't imagine what being tied up for 390 days would be like. I mean how does one go to the bathroom or eat laying on their side bound by ropes for 390 days. Who is their right mind would sign up for that kind of abuse?

Yet somehow an aire of entitlement has settled on many who are entering or are in ministry, and they just aren't willing to undergo that kind of abuse on behalf of God and for the sake of unrepentant people. It is not supposed to be a real glorious job of book signings, and six figure salaries, and news interviews, and conference speaking engagements. Many of us may be asked to lie on our sides for a while.

Gotta Listen

I can't take props for this. Perry Noble pointed me to it on his post today. But if you listen to any podcast this year you could not go wrong in listening to Matt Chandler's talk at Advance 09. I haven't listened to the rest of them, because I'm listening to Matt now for the second time. I may need to add him to the regularly scheduled podcasts. May God lead us to repentance of doing anything but lift up the name and character of Jesus Christ as leaders of His church - even if it costs us everything.

Matt's the lead pastor at The Village.

Silly Slap Them in the Name of Christ | Evotional.com

Here's another post by Batterson that I would hope every preacher would believe and practice. If you can't muster the passion then let someone else do the work. Silly Slap Them in the Name of Christ | Evotional.com

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It's because of Wickedness

I stumbled across Deuteronomy 9:4-5 this morning during my scripture reading.

" 4 "After the Lord your God has done this for you, don't say in your hearts, `The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!' No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way.5 It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.""

Just before Israel is to cross into the Promised Land God reminds them that they really did nothing to get this opportunity. In fact, they did a lot of stuff as a nation up to this point that really disqualified a vast number of people, including Moses, from actually getting this opportunity.

I find myself in the Israelites position often. I need reminded that the Promised Lands of my life are not there because of anything I have done. Much of the reason I am given these Promised Lands is because of the wickedness of people.

Look at our adoption process as one example. One child we are to adopt lost her father and is losing her mother to AIDS. I'm not sure how they transmitted the disease, but something tells me it was promiscuity. The other two lost their father, and their mother lives in a desperate situation. While I was in Uganda in 2007 there were headlines detailing how wealthy the cabinet of the government was becoming. I also saw how a little cash can go a long way with government officials. Yet the only option for this mother was to give her children away because the one responsible for protecting her and providing for the family was no longer alive. That all sounds pretty wicked, doesn't it?

I need to keep in perspective that no matter how long it takes us to finally realize the dream of raising these children, that we are only getting this opportunity because of the wickedness of the world, and because God is entrusting us with the responsibility to redeem a little piece of that.

As a leader in the church I have to also keep in perspective that the only reason I get to preach, teach, etc. is because there is a wickedness that needs to be redeemed. It is far less because I am gifted to do either of those things. For if the world was without wickedness, then all we'd be doing is worship.

Jesus vs. Paul - Scandalous Grace

Today I'm going to take time to respond to DH's comment on my last blog, "Does the "casting out" of the indignant sinners not go against the scandalous grace of God?"  It's a great question.

Often I think we confuse acceptance with grace.  While acceptance is involved in God's grace it is not without condition.  God's acceptance of us is tempered by our being washed in the blood of Christ.  In order to experience that washing God must see us as willing, repentant, submitted souls.  When we are covered in Christ's blood we can come before God in the presence of His full glory because we are made sinless, but we must adopt a lifestyle that practices continual acts of repentance and forgiveness to continue to be seen as sinless in the presence of God.

Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:9 is related to those who have experienced that washing and so have experienced the acceptance of God through the grace of God, but have turned and knowingly rebelled against God through the sins, "sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people." In a way Paul is writing to the new Pharisees, and the primary way to discipline someone who has experienced the Grace of God through Christ is to remove the privileges of being someone who has had that experience.  This break in fellowship is not forever, but only until the time comes that the person is led to repentance, see 2 Corinthians 2:5.  Actually the discipline that Paul instructs the church to employ is in reality a product of God's Grace.  Otherwise, you might expect Paul to instruct that they be put to death, or expect God to just wipe them out; however, they are given time through the experience of loss to be brought to repentance.

If there were no consequences for our sin - especially sexual sin, greed, idol worship, abuse, drunkenness, and dishonest business - then what would cause us to desire to quit.  By losing the privilege of fellowship God's ultimate desire is that this loss leads the someone who has experienced God's redeeming grace to repentance.  

Jesus had the same problem with the Pharisees and Jewish leaders.  They had failed to lead lives of repentance, and Jesus would have nothing to do with them.  

So, there is no disconnect between Paul's instruction and Jesus' instruction and action.  In reality they are the same thing.

It's the same teaching.

Now For those outside of Christ we should expect nothing else but "sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people."  They are outside of Christ so why would they be compelled to do anything else.  Paul clarifies that the rules are much different with these people. In order to show them Jesus we must befriend them, see 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

Filters

I'm a scientist by occupation.  We use filters for all kids of things.  Sometimes it's to keep what get's trapped on the filter, and sometimes it's to get rid of what you don't want. 

Filters come in all different shapes, sizes, and can be made to filter light or nanoparticles.  It's amazing what can happen to an experiment if a sample sees the wrong wavelength of light, or what happens to a material's properties if some bad stuff isn't removed.  In short it can litterally fall apart or blow up.

In the church I often wonder if we forget just how valuable the filter can be.  In our hurry to make as many people as we can "citizens of heaven" we forget to check their passports and visas.  We fail to ask them hard questions, and demand lifestyle changes.  We fail to follow up on failure and success.  And as long as the numbers get bigger we excuse it all because surely God wouldn't let us grow if we were doing it the wrong way.

Of course if we're running the church more like GM then why wouldn't he let it become a completely dysfunctional monumental failure.

Now, I fully believe that the church is meant to grow...and yes by the thousands in a day. However, I also believe that in many instances the church should be pruning 10 and 20 at a time as people who claim to be Christian become sexually immoral, greedy..."I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people. (1 Corinthians 5:9, New Living Translation)

Our filters at the front end should be asking people tough questions to ensure that they aren't going to be standing in a Matthew 7 line.  On the back end we need to have filters that help the church to continue to purify herself. When people choose to indulge in the sins mentioned it will be their casting out of the church that leads them to repentence. It's a hard teaching, but in reality we are loving them by casting them out in hopes that they return repentant.  Only then should we grant them the gift of fellowship.  By letting them continue to fellowship without repentance could end up having eternal impact on them and on others within the body of Christ.

I think it is why we see such dramatic commands to deal with some sins in the nation of Israel.  It's also why God commands to kill every human.  God knew that a little sin left without repentance could lead a whole nation astray.

We have a responsibility as leaders to make sure we are as devoting to growing the body as we are to protecting her.

Determining the will of God

^"2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12

Often we are confronted with big decisions...decisions that will change the course of lives.  In the passage above it seems our ability to discern God's choice depends upon whether or not our minds have been renewed, which in turn transforms us.  

When at these crossroads of life it is not only important to make sure we have been transformed, but it becomes equally important to discern if others, who will volunteer wisdom or who may even have a voice in the decision, have been and are being transformed by renewed minds.

When receiving wisdom or advice this should be my first question, "Is the wisdom being spoken from someone I perceive as being in the midst of transformation?"  If the answer is no, then the wisdom must be set aside.  

Words

My current reading plan jumps me around in the Bible quite a bit.  I have a program that lets me develop my own.  So, every day I read from four places in the Old Testament: law and history, Psalms, Proverbs, and the prophets.  I read from two places in the New Testament: Gospels or Acts, and the Epistles.

Today, one of those random moments happened when some of my readings lined up.  Psalm 18, Proverbs 4, Romans 10 and Matthew 12 all seemed to focus on the word, "word."  Psalm 18:30 says "the Word of the Lord is flawless." Proverbs 4:4 regarding a father's instruction to his sons, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart, my commands and you will live."  Jesus speaking in Matthew 12:36-37 says, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  And finally there is Romans 10: 8-10 "But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:  That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

In this day of focus on being a more "missional" church, which I belive is important, we need not lose sight of the fact that while there may be truth in the addage, "deeds speak louder than words" it does not excuse the use of them.  Words are important.  What we say about who we are, about who we follow, about our neighbor, about our president, about our church, about our pastor, about our spouse, and about our children is held in high regard by God.  For God knows that words can injure more deeply than any spear, and can empower even the weakest of people to do incredible things.

I find myself in complete opposition to St Francis of Assisi who said, "Preach the Gospel at all times - if necessary, use words."  I think a more biblical saying might be, "While living out the Gospel your words will prove to be an everlasting testimony."

Let's think about it in this way.  My children may always remember that I never missed an important moment in their lives.  Shelbi will remember that I watched her first Spelling Bee competition.  Baili will remember that I attended her last soccer game.  All three girls will remember that every Valentine's Day I delivered a flower to them at school.  However, I think those moments will be remembered in the context of the conversations I have had with my children in times of instruction, discipline, and encouragement.  I would even venture to suggest that my children hold more dearly those conversations, and that my actions are only the icing on the cake.

In this post-modern era where the actions of God seem to be muted by the science of man His words become even more important.  Words like, "I loved you while you were still a sinner.  I loved you so much I sent my Son, Jesus, to die in your place."  I wonder who, today, might be waiting to hear those words?

Who is waiting on us?

In my reading today of Romans I was struck by this question, "Who is waiting on me?"

Romans 8:19 says, "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God."

The more we seek Christ and His Kingdom the more we will be revealing oursleves as the sons of God.  The more we reveal ourselves as the sons of God the more creation should be redeemed.

Now, I'm not a tree hugger. I'm not an environmentalist.  I will try to always value people over everything else, but I think we miss the point of what it means to be the adopted children of God if creation is not positively impacted by our presence.  In fact, I would say that it must be positively impacted by our presence, and Romans 8 seems to reciprocate the revealing of Gods sons with the redemption of creation.

The other thing that struck me is that there are people awaiting the revealing of the sons of God.  There is someone we work with that is awaiting God to be revealed through us.  There is a family member awaiting anxiously for us to behave as Christ would behave.  There is a child, a parent, a guy I play basketball with on Fridays who is awaiting God's revelation through me.

Is that heavy or what?  What a huge responsibility and opportunity.  It's heavy, but it isn't nearly as heavy as choosing to fail to reveal that we are sons and daughters of God.  There are eternal reprocussions for those whom we fail to show a glimpse of God's glory. 

Let's not fail.

Urban Ministry Reflections

Reading Urban Ministry has been more like walking through a knee deep mud pit than adventurous and exciting, but it is beginning to have some impact on me. So, I have questions like: "Who are the urbanites or city dwellers in this relatively small community of 30,000 people? What is their ethnic and demographic makeup? What would it mean to bring Justice and the Shalom of God to Georgetown, and what part would reconciliation with the African American community here play? How might involving the African American community in assisting us at Adopt Uganda be a tool in that reconciliation? How might we also be a voice as a church in making sure Georgetown doesn't become just as oppressive toward the Mexican migrant workers? How can we teach our predominately white middle class congregation that following Jesus and making Him known to Georgetown involves Godly Justice and Shalom?"

Romans 6 reflections

" 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,Or be rendered powerless that we should no longer be slaves to sin-7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. (NIV)"

Why is it necessary for us to understand that in our accepting of Christ as Lord and Savior we have participated with Him in His death?

Romans 6:6-7 makes it clear that only the living remain slaves to sin and because we have died with Christ and have been raised with Him then sin is no longer in control.  We died.  We are a new creation.  We're free.  

If it is so vital, then all diligence is required

I've noticed something that we do in the church.  We throw out an opinion about how important, how vital, how necessary something is, and it garners the agreement of many and then we do a mediocre job of making sure it happens.

Why is that?

What does Jesus have to do with Yom Kippur?

This is a tremendous teaching on the connection between the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the most holy day in all of Judaism.

http://www.mcleanbible.org/media_player.asp?messageID=961

Change (what corporate America is wrestling with)

Many of you know that I work a full time job in addition to my part time church job (an oxymoron none the less). The company I work for is a technology company. We have to take classes occasionally like Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and Diversity in the workplace, but recently they are mandating a class called New Reality.

Interestingly, the whole class, about three hours of instruction, is all on managing change.

Here's some interesting stats: In the 1950s an organization, on average, experienced one organizational change in a decade. Implication: You have 3-5 years to prepare for the change, and 3-5 years before the next one took place. In the 60s it became two organizational changes a decade. In the 70s three. In the 80s a change every 18 months. This significantly began to reduce the amount of time an organization had time to prepare for and recover from change. Currently an organization can be undergoing multiple changes at the same time.With every change there is a loss in productivity from the workforce. The organizations that can transition faster tend to be the most successful because they limit the amount of time their people stay in transition.

So, why am I bringing this up? It reinforces for me what Gene Appel said in my class about planning the transition being the oft overlooked, but most significant part of leading through change. I also bring it up because this movement to rapid rates of change in the workplace, translates to rapid changes in the culture.

Now I used to say that churches must remain aware of the direction of culture, and at one time this may have translated, for me, that the church would need to be able to change just as rapidly. While I still think that we need to be able to continually predict where culture is going, and even plan to head it off and redirect its path, I also think it is even more critical to supply the anchor of the unchanging message of the hope we have in Christ to the masses. We should be the beach to the the shipwrecked that offers stability when everything else around them seems to be changing by the moment. It's also why I see that the churches who will be available to provide a way to celebrate Sabbath regularly will have the most impact in the coming years. I sense a cry in the culture for rest, and there is no better rest than to unburden ourselves at the feet of Christ. Churches who begin to be sensitive to the need we have of exchanging yokes with Christ I believe will be the ones God grows in the next ten years.

Machiavelli says...

"There is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new order of things...Whenever his enemies have the ability to attack the innovator, they do so with the passion of partisans, while the others defend him sluggishly, so that the innovator and his party alike are vulnerable."  - Niccolo Machiavelli

I've not only seen this play out in real life, but personally experienced it.  People really are slow, even sluggish, to come to the defense of the innovator.  They don't mind that she is sticking her neck out and they even strongly encourage it, but out of a desire to preseserve themselves the encouragers of innovation fail to show the same passion publicly.  

People must be willing to put their signature on the line, and be called out by name to all who would hear that the innovation has their full support.

I think back to the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show.  The Blue-ray and HD-DVD war was still hot, and there was much discussion about which format would win.  The day before Toshiba was to make a big announcement that a major film production company had signed an exclusive agreement to put their films on HD-DVD, they publicly backed out.  The big party Toshiba had planned was instead cancelled at the last minute, and within weeks they had cut all research and development and production into HD-DVD.  I believe the cost to the company was one billion dollars.

From that moment on Blue-ray has been the only format mentioned, and while HD-DVD may still have some other applications you will not find a movie at Blockbuster or Netflix in HD-DVD format.

HD-DVD was indeed an innovation, and Toshiba led, but because they failed to partner with others willing to allow their necks to be at risk it cost them a billion.

The church won't lose a billion dollars, but as innovators we must continually be as cunning as a snake when it comes to promoting and implementing all of those good ideas.  We should never be deceitful, but should always make sure we're not the only ones willing to die.  Otherwise the church will suffer from the loss of an innovator, and from the growth the change would have catalyzed.

Send a letter to President Obama via IJM

Dear Robert,

The inauguration of President Barack Obama has historic significance that citizens across the political spectrum can appreciate and celebrate. With at least nine new Senators and 52 new Congressional Representatives coming to Capitol Hill, change is in the air in Washington.

But there are some things that haven’t changed. Beyond our borders, the poorest of the poor are victimized by violent crime – sexual violence, slavery, trafficking, police brutality, and property theft from widows and orphans. And justice systems in poor countries are ill-equipped to protect victims of violent oppression and apprehend and prosecute perpetrators. Add your name to a letter bringing these important issues to President Obama’s attention.

IJM works in twelve countries to investigate and prosecute exploitation of poor and vulnerable children, women and men, but we alone cannot provide relief for all the victims who desperately need it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Make sure that the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress help make public justice systems capable of protecting the poorest of the poor, and the most vulnerable among them: children and women.

Please add your name to a letter bringing these important issues to President Obama’s attention – and share this message with others. Thank you for raising your voice.

Warmly,
Eileen Campbell
Director of Justice Campaigns

Changing the world...

"People don't want to give anything to a church just to help them flush the toilets and turn on the lights.  But if you can show them that you are changing the world, then they will make substantial sacrifice."

Reflecting on something Chuck Booher said while at the Londen Institute I believe that Sunday's Serve Gathering was a tremendous opportunity for people to see how Harmony is changing the world.

I only hope that we can take parts of the stories that were shared Sunday and bring them to the entire congregation over the next year.  I guess it will be my job to make sure that happens.

In a pit...reflections on the rest.

Reflection on the last 82 pages of "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day"

In Chapter 6 for whatever reason I was struck by a verse of scripture Mark quotes Matthew 11:12 , "...and forceful men lay hold of it."  I don't know why but it never grabbed me like it grabbed me today.  The Kingdom of God forcefully advances and is not some kiddie ride at the theme park, but involves life and death circumstances and only those whose intent is to forcefully advance the Gospel should be included.  However, this forceful advancement is not with violence or vengeance, but is often at the cost of willing to be beaten to death.

Over the last decade I wonder if we just made being a Christian look way too easy.  We failed to offend for the sake of the seeker.  We failed to confuse for the sake of the prideful.  We failed to be willing to fail for the sake of living in the known instead of the unknown.  We cannot accidentally stumble into the Kingdom of God, but we must forcefully resist the evil in the world at every second of every day.

In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day - Reflections on the first 100 pages

I'm reading several books for class and in the context of that class I am to write an interactive discussion with some of the things the books highlight.  I felt like that since I'm writing them for class I might as well share them with the world.  So, here it goes.

My first 100 pages of "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day"

In chapter 2 Mark writes, "When it comes to God there are no degrees of difficulty."  This truth resonates deep within me.  It begged the question, "How often do I excuse the likelihood that God will intervene, solve the problem, heal the sick person, because it's just a really big problem."  

In December, Mom discovered that she had some spots on her lungs and her liver.  Today we know it to be a recurrence of her uterine cancer, which was thought to have been contained and removed three years ago.  So many times before as I have prayed for people who have been infected with such a serious disease my prayers were soft.  They would begin with qualifiers like "God if it is your will" or "God I know you can, but if you don't."  In some way I was trying to give God a way out just in case what I asked for was not given.  

With this perception that there are no degrees of difficulty with God then I realize that I'm not making a list for Santa Clause with a smattering of really big gifts and a few small ones just so I got something from him.  If God is God, then I just need to wear Him out with my requests until He gives me what I desire, or until He reveals to me what my heart should really be asking for.

In chapter 3 Mark shares a story of Sarah when faced with fear was able to face her fears because of one reason, "I was called."  Recently I've had conversations about calling.  I've asked questions about how old one has to be to know they have been called to do something.  Should we limit short-term mission participation to only those who feel like they have been called to go? 

While these questions aren't necessarily addressed in this chapter I felt like Sarah's one reason to go is really the only reason we should ever have for going to do anything.  Many times we answer a general call like "Go and make disciples of all nations," or "pray without ceasing," but some times there is a specific call of God on our lives meant solely for us like Moses being called to go back to Egypt, or me being called to preach and lead the church.  I believe we need to spend a lot more time quietly discerning our paths into ministry.

The last thing I want to mention is in Chapter 5.  Mark summarizes the parable of the talents by saying, "The reward for good work was MORE work."  I often sense in churches that there is a tendency to want to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor.  Pastors will lead a church to grow even beyond their own expectations and then prepare for retirement and try to ride the momentum as far as it will carry them thinking the reward for their hard work was rest, relaxation, full time vacation.  In reality, we who lead should expect the workload and responsibility to increase.  While that actually excites me I think that it might exhaust others I work with, and even one I live with.