Invisible Barrier

Monday evening I was sitting on my patio, enjoying the beautiful South Florida weather, when I looked up I saw our little dog Chewie. He had climbed up on the dining room table. Margot had several of her precious tea cups and tea pots sitting out. I was concerned that Chewie would knock one off and break it. I dashed into the house when….. smack… I ran full tilt into the window. I had missed the opening where the sliding glass door was open. Instead I crashed nose first into the window. My nose began to bleed right away. I am pretty sure there were also birds chirping as the flew circles around my head.

Its a couple of days later and the dizziness is beginning to clear. I don’t want to miss any learning opportunities, so I have been reflecting on this moment. I think it serves as a living illustration of how to get past barriers that arise in our lives. So here are some lessons.

First, getting over the embarrassment is sometimes the hardest part. Learning to not take myself so serious has helped when I have moments of  klutziness. I posted a pic on Facebook and several people laughed with me and shared their own times of crashing face first into a window or screen. My nose will heal and so will my pride. When you hit a barrier, don’t take it too seriously.

There are some things that hold you back that will remain invisible until the point of contact. In the moment I could not see what was holding me back. Now we have left the imprint of my face on the glass for a reminder and a chuckle. You will not be able to foresee every obstacle. Don’t delay too much, at the same time moving too quickly can cause some pain. Balance is the key here. Move forward but keep your eyes open.

Third, getting past the barrier will take a little adjustment. The door way was just about three feet to the right. I missed it by that much. Sometimes we over react when we hit a barrier. We get hurt and turn 180 degrees. The truth is most of the time we just need to make a little adjustment to pass the barrier.

Finally you will heal. You don’t need to kick the dog. I have been dazed for a couple of days, but I am healing. It’s really funny! But my hurt is not a reason to kick the dog. We pushed the chairs in so he can’t climb up again. Many times when we get hurt we lash out at some creature. This doesn’t help. Once your eyes clear, and the bleeding stops you can focus on the answer to the problem. Remember people (and dogs) are not the problem. When you have been hurt you might find this hard to believe, but if you focus on a solution rather than the person (or dog) God will give you a way to correct the issue.

More lessons may come after the swelling goes down. For now I look forward to using the open door rather than crashing my way through life!

ML

Fullback

I love watching football. One of the things I love to see is a well crafted running play when the full back goes into the hole first taking on the linebacker. A good fullback will blow up the linebacker and the running back follows often breaking into the clear for a big gainer or touch down.

I am challenged to be a full back type leader. Heading into the hole and taking on the opponent so another might be able to follow and have great success. There are great leaders around, and some of the greatest don;t get the accolades. They are they full backs. They are the ones who take on the opposition head first. They lay down their lives for the one who would follow.

I know it is the running back that gets the fame and the fortune, but it is the full back that is often the real leader.

“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11b)

Just a thought as I was remembering years ago when the KC Chiefs had a pro football squad, but that’s another story.

Vision

You don’t go very far without vision. Vision is leadership 101. “Without a vision people are out of control.”  Can God lead you without a vision?

Just over two years ago God began to speak to my heart about leaving a great church where I was happy and content to go to another place that was, well a bit of a mess honestly. I just had a ‘holy discontent’ to use a term coined by Bill Hybels. I packed up my family and we moved from the midwest to South Florida. There is a huge difference between the two. It is so different in South Florida that we have to go north 3 hours to hear people speak with a southern accent. Over the past two years God has been bringing people together at New Hope from many different cultures and backgrounds. We are being put together as His people for a purpose. But it wasn’t time to share a great vision because sometimes vision can be divisive. I asked God to give me vision so that we could accomplish something, but God said, not yet!

How can a leader lead without vision? Then I remembered Abraham. Abraham was told to go to the place that God would show him. He had to travel a little while before he got the vision. (Insert a hmmmmm here!) For two years I have been traveling looking for what God would show me. And I have seen a lot! And now God is beginning to give me vision for New Hope. I am excited for the vision, but I praise God for the journey beyond the vision. Over the last couple for years God has loved on me, led me challenged me, and people have been coming together.

Praise God Harvest Chapel in Sandwich is growing and doing great. Pastor Wes Bell has been a God send. I am so proud of his ministry and leadership.

New Hope has grown too and the best is yet to come. More and more people will be coming to a personal and active relationship with Jesus. We will see a A2 church in Southwest Broward.

I want to encourage anyone who may be journeying without a vision. Enjoy the trip. As long as you are responding to the voice of God you will come into the place of promise. You will see the vision in due season. Wait for God’s vision. Don’t try to make one up yourself. In time God will show you the stars just like he did Abraham.

ML

I Dare You To Love Actively

I had a great time today on facebook. I posed a question and a wonderful conversation ensued. FYI Gina lives in Somonauk, IL, Colleene lives in Independence, Mo, Tamie lives in KCMO and Tara in South Florida. They all have been a part of different churches and I don’t think they have ever met each other. Check out the conversation.

Edit

Matt wonder’s how do you actively love God with all your heart mind soul and strength? 9:33am – Comment

Gina Ciesielczyk at 9:37am February 6

you have to be active…lol

Matt Larson at 9:40am February 6

i think so… I am not sure this means working out or anything… then again maybe it does?

Tara Burner at 10:01am February 6

simple…the same way one stands in faith daily and gives Him all the glory daily..you just DO! You give Him thanks constantly, do what He directs you to do and be obedient.

Matt Larson at 10:11am February 6

love = obedience?

Matt Larson at 10:12am February 6

if it is simple why do we resist?

Tamie Person at 10:20am February 6

our love for the Father is shown in how we love others.

Colleen Perryman at 10:21am February 6

because we have to step out of our comfort zone.

Tara Burner at 10:28am February 6

for same reason some dont stand in faith…they don’t have the desire or the strong enough desire to…standin in faith isn’t an option…and yes love=obedience..but we all fall short

Matt Larson at 10:30am February 6

Tamie I agree, are there other ways to tangibly demonstrate our love for God? like directly to God?

Matt Larson at 10:30am February 6

Colleen what are the heardest comfort zones to step out of?

Matt Larson at 10:31am February 6

Tara a guy said it takes God to love God. Does God give some more desire to love and or have faith than others?

Tamie Person at 10:34am February 6

how do our children make us feel their love?

Matt Larson at 10:36am February 6

good question… you got an answer?

Colleen Perryman at 10:36am February 6

Matt, when things aren’t “just like I” want them!

Tamie Person at 10:37am February 6

i think I feel best with my kids when I see them displaying the attributes that I have tried to instill in them. are they living what they have been taught to live? when an adult child does what is right and gives me the credit because I taught them to do what they did. God wants the same from us

Colleen Perryman at 10:38am February 6

Totally agree with Tamie,,,,,,,,our love for the Father is shown in how we love and treat others.

Matt Larson at 10:42am February 6

so love is demonstrated when we set aside our ‘desires’ or when our desires reflect the desire and character of the Father!?!?

Tara Burner at 10:42am February 6

as far as love for Father is shown how we love others..it has to be sincere love…I dont think God’ll want us to be fake, phoney and put on “love” for appearance sake and then talk nonsense behind that person’s back…

Tara Burner at 10:43am February 6

tangible things to do show God…tithe…give…be a blessing to others, bring more to Him

Colleen Perryman at 10:45am February 6

Yes, Matt you are soooooooooooo right! How did you get so smart?

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care (read in a book somewhere)

Matt Larson at 10:46am February 6

Tara can you fake it til you make it? I mean can you lead your heart and show love even if you don’t feel like it without being a hypocrite?

Tara Burner at 10:48am February 6

as someone close to me explained about faith…some have a penny’s worth, some have a dime’s worth, some can have a dollar’s worth or a thousand dollars worth…everyone’s in different levels of faith. I have total faith except in one area of my life…did I have this same level of faith when I was a baby christian..NO..that’d be my penny’s worth back then…faith grows as we grow in Him. As far as loving others…yep that’d show God that we love Him..but yet I personally will not “love” someone who I don’t like, don’t agree with, think is phoney or two faced…though I’m sure God wants me to love that person..and that’s where I fall short…So, I’ll show my love for God by giving Him thanks daily continually, tithing, doing what He directs me to do in prayer/silent time/fasting and be a blessing to others…

and now I’ve gotta get moving here since we’re all heading for Revolve in a bit and I guess that means I should pack if I have to leave my place in ohh 20 mins!

Tara Burner at 10:50am February 6

Nope..I can’t fake it til I make it…I’m not fake..as YOU and most everyone knows….If it’s fake and not genuine that’d be too hypocritical for me and I’m not into that AT ALL…as everyone knows…I call it how I see it, say what I have to say..ya know let your nay be nay and your yea be yea…so “faking it” isn’t an option for me…

Tamie Person at 10:51am February 6

you chose to love, you chose to show love. sometimes it is a hard choice, but still a choice.

Gina Ciesielczyk at 10:52am February 6

What an interesting question and comments .Actively to me means “continual movement …action ” every day this could be different . One day it may be quieting your self enough to hear Him , another it may be something crazy like going and doing something that you would never expect to have done in your life . Either way you are “actively ” engaged with Him , and giving Him everything that you have .

 Thanks everyone for the great thoughts!

Sunday we will be continuing the conversation!

“I love it when a plan comes together.”

Remember the A Team? You know with Mr T, Face, and Hanibal… Then there were the bullets that flew around but never hit anyone. Well there was a famous quote from the series: “I love it when a plan comes together.” 

I echo that statement today. I try to follow the plans that God has. As we put together our series, and plan events. I want to walk in the plans that the Lord has for me. And I certainly want New Hope to walk in those plans. We have been in a series called becoming. The emphasis on who God is making us become. We talked about contemplative practices and communal practices. Yesterday we were to launch into the missional stage. We are formed by God when we walk in the mission that He has called us to be a part of. What was wonderful was to see how that was spoken without being preached. Our “announcement time” included plans to feed the homeless, support for missionaries to Taiwan and a thank you for care given to a couple. As I watched it come together I was so aware that the Holy Spirit is really leading. And His plan is going to “come together.” New Hope is “getting it.” 

I love it when a plan comes together. Let the plans of the Lord that are so much higher and wiser than mine come together at New Hope more and more.

becoming: communal

We have been working through a series at New Hope called becoming. I borrowed the theme and the graphic from friends at The Orchard. There are so many great things that are found when you just begin to journey through the thoughts of what God is working on making us to become. This weekends talk at New Hope may use some of the things from Scott’s talk, but I am not sure. So I am posting a link to this message. I encourage everyone to listen to this. Scott says some things that I don’t know if I have time to get to, but you need to hear them. I think it will help your approach to services, or gatherings.  Here is the link. http://www.orchardvalleyonline.com/Audio/09.06.08Becoming_Communal.mp3

Thanks Scott Hodge for sharing. Everyone should send a huge offering to Orchard Valley to help. Or purchase a Starbucks gift card and send it to Scott directly.

Wisdom Calls

I love the Proverb that talks about wisdom crying forth from the streets. There is wisdom to gain everywhere. But it starts with ‘fearing the Lord’. The key is to be teachable. I am asking God to continue to give me a teachable heart. 

Years ago I was a young twenty something. I met a distinguished english gentleman in his eighties. He was full of wisdom and grace. What impressed me most however was when he asked me a question. I saw the man learn. Not that I was an expert or anything. His wisdom was far greater than mine. But I saw the man look to gain understanding. I asked the Lord that day to keep me teachable throughout my life.

In a world where we all can have an audience through blogs or you tube perhaps we have lost our way a little. Perhaps we need to seek to learn. To learn means one must be humble. Humble enough to admit I need more perspective.

The great promise of God is that He will grant wisdom to anyone who asks for it.

So today I ask for wisdom. I ask for the Spirit to give me a teachable heart, because wisdom calls,

New Years Reflection

This has been a great and busy holiday season. Sandy and Kevin Berge, dear friends from Illinois, traveled to Florida to surprise Margot. It was so fun to see Margot’s response when her best friend showed up at her door. We have enjoyed the Ft Lauderdale water taxi’s, Hollywood Beach, Bread Pudding, but most of all good friends. Thanks Sandy and Keving for making this season special.

Last night we shared some time together at NH (New Hope). A great time of worship and encouragement. Sofia, Mr Dwight, Stephen, Mikki, Gina, & Randy played the first set. I love the song “Turn It Around”. The second set was played by the youth worship team. They are doing so well. LEvi (my son) played bass and sang. He even danced a little. I didn’t know he had it in him. The third set was in Espanol. And then Pastor Raul shared and encouragement to enter the year with faith. “Will the Lord find faith on the earth when He comes?” Then we shared a little more worship. I love spending time with friends and Jesus at New Hope. It was special.

Then I shared a dream that I had this past week. The thrust of the dream was to lift my vision from what God wanted to do for NH to what He wants for Broward County. This county needs God. So I am ready to start the year…

As Jonathon said to his armorbearer… “Perhaps God will act on our behalf.” I love the perhaps opportunities of God’s victory.

ONE.1

 

 

 

 

There is power in numbers. Often we think that the more the better.  In the coming weeks I want to encourage you to know the power of 1. I pray that we will gain a focus. Sometimes we lose our focus because we have so many things that are trying to gain our attention. We need to have one focus.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

There are so many distractions in this world – so many things that compete for our attention. I think that many times we might suffer from spiritual ADHD. So I pray that God will give us a dose of spiritual Ritalin. I don’t mean to make light of anyone who is dealing with ADHD or a child of theirs is for that matter. I had a thought . I heard that Ritalin hyped adults up while calming children down. Shouldn’t doctors prescribe this to both the adult and the child so that they can meet somewhere in the middle?

Whoops- I’m wandering. See what I mean?

In our day we have so many good things that can distract us from what’s important. So I pray that we will gain focus and that we can gain a singleness of heart in our walk with God. This singleness of heart will build our passion for God and our purpose in this world.

I love this verse that tells of God’s perspective on those who have a single hearted devotion to God.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. NASB

I love this pursuing of God  - this God that chases after the one.

Luke 15:4-7 ⁴ Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

John 4:4  Now he had to go through Samaria.

In John 4 we find Jesus going after 1.  In verse 4 we find that Jesus “had” to go through Samaria.  What compelled Jesus?  When most would avoid the region all together, Jesus was compelled by His love to go through Samaria.  Why – because there was one whom he was to meet at the local well.

John 4:7  When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”

It is the middle of the day, the disciples are off to buy food and Jesus takes a seat by the well.  A Samaritan woman comes to the well.  Jesus asks her one simple question- “Will you give me a drink?” And the woman responds with a rather harsh response. She points out that He is a Jew and she is a Samaritan, and the two are not sociable with each other. In other words, “Buzz off!”

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

But Jesus persists – he says He has water that will quench the thirst for eternity. Imagine that one drink and your life will never be the same. Your thirst will be taken care of. In response this woman opens up just a little. She says, ‘Sir, give me a drink so that I will never have to come here again to draw water.’

You see it is already strange that this woman is here at the well alone in the middle of the heat of the day. Typical to that time women would draw water from the well in the cool of the morning or later in the day, but not in the heat of the day. And it was uncommon for them to go alone. Rather the well was a social place. This woman seems to have made a concerted effort to come when the crowd was not there. Why? Well Jesus is going to get to that point. He asks her to go get her husband to which she replies truthfully. I have no husband. But what she didn’t reveal but Jesus knew was that she had had five husbands and the man she was now living with was not her husband.

Are you getting the picture here? This woman was alone. We don’t know the details of all but we know that she had five relationships that had failed. It seems that she has been shunned by her community. Or maybe she was avoiding them on her own. But she still had to get her thirst quenched. She still had to go to that well every day. For her the water jug had become a constant reminder of her failed relationships. It was a sign symbol of the rejection she felt.

Let’s talk about relational shutdown…

There was a time in my life when I felt so much rejection that I just wanted to be left alone. Try as I might I could not break through. People and relationships had failed me. And you know what the truth is it affected my relationship with God. I am so glad that in the middle of those times, Jesus feels compelled to find the one who is all alone. And what is his call? Come and worship!

Look at what happens in the encounter at the well. Here the woman tries to change the subject. You see Jesus got too close. So she brings up a religious argument. She says you Jews say we should worship in Jerusalem but we believe we can worship here.

John 4:23 Yet A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.   NIV

Look at what happens in the encounter at the well.  Here the woman tries to change the subject. You see Jesus got too close. So she brings up a religious argument. She says you Jews say we should worship in Jerusalem but we believe we can worship here. Jesus brings her to the heart of the matter.  He says worshipping God is the single most important matter. 

Worship is much more than an activity. It is much more than music or devotion. Worship is an embrace. God calls us to come into a loving encounter where he accepts us, forgives us, and heals us. Worship is the ONE THING.

Worship is where we take on the passion of God, and passion for God overwhelms us. Worship is this grand pursuit that gives our life purpose and meaning. Worship is not a service, but worship is the essence of our encountering God. And when we engage in this one thing, we are changed.

Notice what happens. This woman runs away and leaves her jug (vs. 28) and she goes to find people to tell them about the one who loves her and gives living water. She leaves the reminder of hurt and rejection and she goes and loves people. She engages again with people. This is the result when we are truly healed and changed in our relationship with God. We become a lover of people.

Today you may be like this woman. You may have shut down and shut out people and in the process shut out God. Today the Master comes to call you to one thing. He calls you to himself to be loved and to love.

THE GAP

I am not thinking about the clothing store but rather the Gap that sometimes arises in relationships. After moving to Florida there has been a geographical gap between myself, friends and family. Email and the like helps to overcome that, but it is intersting as time goes how life is just different here in Florida. You know like the fact that it is turning fall in Chicago. The temps are cooling and soon the leaves will be turning. Here we are glad that soon the humidity will break and we will have God-given paradise weather. It is just different.

Some gaps in relationships happen not because of a change of location but out of neglect. Some relationship gaps occur because of hurt feelings.

Sometimes a gap can occur between us and God. Maybe this is from our neglecting our relationship. You know just doing the “God thing” doesn’t mean I am connecting with God. Connecting with God requires some vulnerability, some time and some faith. God rewards those who seek to have the gap filled. He is the gap filler.

Personally I have been asking God to close the gap in my life. I don’t want to be far from him. So I give Him permission to fill the Gap. I look to creating space for the Gap to be filled. Sounds like a contradiction but I am looking to give God time. I am lookng to give God the space where some hurts have occurred. I am looking to give God the space that was once reserved for my dreams and aspirations. It is hard to explain, but I know God is ready to fill the GAP.

Matt

RELEVANT

I was reading a friends (Scott Hodg)e blog and ran on a little bit of a rabbit trail yesterday. Scott leads THE ORCHARD in Aurora, IL. Check out his web www.orchardvalleyonline.com. Anyway besides seeing Scott’s usual creative and insightful bursts the simple word relevant popped into my thinking. I began to ask myself if I wa relevant. Then I asked what does it mean to be relevant? Webster gives a definition about connecting to the present need. This leads me even further into thinking. You see I want to be relevant. I want my life to matter. Relevance is not if I am hip which is good because sometimes I am a real Geek. Relevance is not achieved by having great technology (although that is cool). Relevance is when I connect with someone.

Then I began to consider God. He is relevant because He connects. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have a High priest who is able to sympathize because He has been right where we are. He is also able to connect with God. In fact He has purposed to connect us to God. “He lives to make intercession for us.”

In the political climate that we are enduring each canidate is trying to cast themselves as the one who ‘understands’ where we are. They are trying to be relevant while casting the other as irrelevant. It gets pretty comical as they trade shots. God doesn’t have to try to be relevant because He is. The Bible says He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities.” He hurts where we hurt. Long before Clinton ever ‘felt our pain’ God felt our pain. In fact this connection led Jesus to the cross where the single most relevant act ever occured. Through the sacrifice of Jesus diving connection was made for us for eternity.

Even now on a daily basis God is relevant. As I seek Him I find Him. And when I am not seeking me He is setting up divine ambushes to connect with me. 

I haven’t figured out if I am relevant, but I do know that God is. He matters and He cares!

Just a thought or 2…

Matt

Gecko Created to connect

Margot and I were watching something on the Discovery Channel the other night about Gecko’s. It was on the show weird connections. Anyway scientist were finding out what made these amazing little creatures able to climb upside down and stick to stuff. They were ‘created to connect’. Come to find out it is because they have millions of little hairs that when they slide slightly they create a molecular bond with the surface. Check it our on discover.com. Now scientist have made robots with similar sticky feet. Soon they may make it to where firefighters can climb walls if needed. COOL!

I am amazed at God’s design. And what I am finding out is that we were designed to climb and connect. In fact as we connect with God and our world we can climb to new heights. (Does this sound a little corny to anyone else?) Welcome to the strange world of Matt thoughts.

Anyway Geckos are cool!

VELCRO TALK

Life is about the connections we make. In fact I believe one doesn’t really experience the fullness of life until we are connected.

 

John 15:4-8 (The Message)

⁴     “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

     ^5–8     “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.^[1]

 

You and I were created to connect. We were created to connect to God and to others in community. When we are connected we have the life stream of God flowing. When we are disconnected we loose our identity, our value and our lives.

 

This is a very strong statement. Did you follow me with this? When we are disconnected we loose our identity, value and our very existence. Look what Jesus says in John:

 

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.^[2]

 

Let me follow this a little further. When you loose your connection you shrivel up and die. “Anyone who separates from me (Jesus continues) is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.”^[3] The connection is what is important.

 

That is why I love Velcro. Who doesn’t love Velcro? It is easy, fun, makes a cool noise and it connects. I did a little research to see how we got Velcro.

 

For thousands of years, man has walked through fields of weeds and arrived home with burrs stuck to his clothing. It’s amazing no one took advantage of the problem until 1948. George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, returned from a walk one day in 1948 and found some cockleburs clinging to his cloth jacket. When de Mestral loosened them, he examined one under his microscope. The principle was simple. The cocklebur is a maze of thin strands with burrs (or hooks) on the ends that cling to fabrics or animal fur. By the accident of the cockleburs sticking to his jacket, George de Mestral recognized the potential for a practical new fastener. It took eight years to experiment, develop, and perfect the invention, which consists of two strips of nylon fabric. One strip contains thousands of small hooks. The other strip contains small loops. When the two strips are pressed together, they form a strong bond.  VELCRO, the name de Mestral gave his product, is the brand most people in the United States know. It is strong, easily separated, lightweight, durable, and washable, comes in a variety of colors, and won’t jam.

 

Do you remember this episode of Lettermen? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9uxxqKGmYg

How can you not love the Velcro wall?

 

Now the real reason why I love Velcro… I love Velcro because it connects over and over again. You can pull it apart but it still will connect again. This is different than tape. Now don’t get me wrong duct tape is cool too. I mean I have seen cars held together with Duct tape. But the problem is when you pull tape apart it begins to loose its stickiness.

 

 

Velcro will continue to stick even after being pulled apart. The only time Velcro looses its connectivity is if lint or something gets caught in the hook side of the VELCRO.

 

You know sin separates.

 

Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

² But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. ^[4]

 

The things in our lives that are identified by God as sin separate us from others and from God himself. In fact sin is often identified as anything that would separate us from God or from people. Think about it for a moment. Why is telling a lie a sin, because deceit separates people? Why is stealing, or adultery, or lust or dishonoring one’s parents a sin, because it separates us? Why is idolatry or blasphemy a sin, because it separates us from the true God that loves us?

 

I have lost my connectivity before. Because of relationships that seemed to be ripped apart I lost my heart to connect. The truth is when you loose connectivity with people you also loose it with God, and visa-versa.  That is when you loose your connectivity with God you will loose the ability to connect with people.

 

To regain this connectivity there needs to be a fundamental change in character.

The change must involve going from a duct tape character to a Velcro character. The difference is the ability to forgive. When forgiveness is evident in a person’s life they will be in a ready state to connect.

 

You may feel like you are lifeless. Maybe you are feeling like you are disconnected from God. Maybe it is because you have had relationships rip apart, or maybe there has been something that has gotten in that has ‘gummed up the connection.’ Listen to the heart of God to connect as recorded by John in a message to a church in Laodecia.

 

Revelation 3:14-22 (NIV)

To the Church in Laodicea

¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

²¹ To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ^[5]

 

Notice the heart of Jesus. He wants to connect. He is standing outside the door longing to be let in to connect. Let me give you a little back ground into the people that this note was written to.

 

Laodicea was a prosperous banking center; proud of its wealth, it refused Roman disaster relief after the earthquake of a.d. 60, rebuilding from its own resources. It was also known for its textiles (especially wool) and for its medical school and production of ear medicine and undoubtedly the highly reputed Phrygian eye salve. Everything in which Laodicea could have confidence outwardly, its church, which reflected its culture, lacked spiritually.

^[6]

When I read this week about the confidence that Laodecia had because it was a banking center I was floored. I read this in the wake of the economic melt down in our banking system. The culture today has often been linked with this church. In many ways we are living in Laodecia. And the pride and ‘self reliance’ that we have as a people is the very thing that keeps us from connecting to God.

 

When the House of Representatives debated the ‘bailout’ this past Friday, the leader of the Republicans in the House came to the floor. He focused attention on the fact that the motto is “In God We Trust”. He said, we need to pray because we need God’s help in the coming days.

 

It is easy to say a hardy AMEN when we talk about our countries need to humble itself and connect again with God. But the question is aimed at each of us personally. Ask yourself, are you so self-reliant that you have your trust in the works of your hands (money) or are your relying on your connection with God.

 

To understand this more lets look at the geography of Laodecia.

 

Cold water (and sometimes spiced hot water) was preferred for drinking, and hot water for bathing, but Laodicea lacked a natural water supply. Water piped in from hot springs six miles to the south, like any cold water that could have been procured from the mountains, would be lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea. Although water could be heated, the natural lukewarmness of local water (in contrast with the hot water available at nearby Hierapolis) was undoubtedly a standard complaint of local residents, most of whom had an otherwise comfortable lifestyle. (Their imported water was also full of sediment, though better, said the geographer Strabo, than the water of Hierapolis.) Jesus says: “Were you hot [i.e., for bathing] or cold [i.e., for drinking], you would be useful; but as it is, I feel toward you the way you feel toward your water supply—you make me sick.”^[7]

 

Often I have heard this interpreted you should be ‘hot for God’ or ‘real cold’ but don’t be caught in the middle. This is not what Jesus was teaching here. He said, be useful. Be either therapeutic or refreshing but don’t just hang out in your setting and be luke-warm.

 

The bottom line is we need to be connected to God. We need to let Jesus in. We need to get His healing, His forgiveness, His provision. Everything else fails us!

 

So let me ask you honestly:

Have you lost your ‘stickiness’? Maybe you need a fundamental healing. God will help you as you receive and give forgiveness. The issue is being connected.

Have you allowed things to come in and gum up the connection? Rid your life of these things. Rely on the only one who connects us to healing and the refreshing that we need in Jesus. Connect with Jesus. Open the door.

 

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[1]  Peterson, Eugene H. The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2002.

 

^[2]Eugene H. Peterson, The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language, Jn 15:4-5 (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2002).

^[3]Eugene H. Peterson, The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language, Jn 15:5-6 (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2002).

[4]  The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.

 

[5]  The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.

 

church *Church. The Greek term used in the New Testament reflects the terms often used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew word for the “congregation” (qahal) of Israel: “church” (assembly) and “synagogue” (gathering). Although some scholars have suggested that Jesus could not have spoken about the church during his earthly ministry, the Dead Sea Scrolls used the Hebrew term for God’s community; hence Jesus could use this word in talking about his future community (Mt 16:18; 18:17). The term was in common use in Greek culture for “assemblies,” especially citizen assemblies in cities. (The popular modern surmise that the Greek word for “church,” ekklēsia, means “called-out ones” is thus mistaken; that sense is actually more appropriate for “saints,” i.e., “those separated [for God].”)

^[6]Craig S. Keener and InterVarsity Press, The IVP Bible Background Commentary : New Testament, Re 3:17 (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1993).

^[7]Craig S. Keener and InterVarsity Press, The IVP Bible Background Commentary : New Testament, Re 3:15 (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1993).

spur

I just want to say that I am impressed, challenged, and blown away by what is happening with some friends of mine. People (fairly normal people) are taking big risk to love and care. Caring is a risk it may cost you everything.

My deepest congrats go to Troy and Shari Tvrdik as they prep to go to Mongolia. God led them to move their family to make a difference amongst the people in Mongolia. They are just a normal midwestern family, but WOW!!! Amazing courage and faith. Check it out http://www.myspace.com/TvrdiksInMongolia

Then my friend Brad Riley. He has always followed God’s voice no matter where it led. Now, he is working to bring justice in the world. I cannot even begin to tell you how huge this is but check it out at http://www.iempathize.com Brad I am praying for you especially in November. You challenge me like no one else.

Romeo (my twin), Jeff Pessina, Max and the whole team at Frontline in the Phillipines, you continue to be in my heart. Romeo your unbridled passion to see people find Jesus is beautiful. Jeff your loving leadership heart is truly bearing fruit. And Max your desire to see things done right cannot be equalled. I miss you and pray that someday I can come back to catch up, but as fast and furious as you are moving I don’t know if I have the speed. http://www.thefrontlineasia.com

Then there is Yuisa and Carolyn and the “Happy Feet Project” providing shoes to people in Guatemala. Just normal people making a difference. Lynzee (my daughter) had a ball picking out some shoes to send.

Chacko and Jacob Thomas (same last name no relation) demonstrate a certain love for God and the people of India. God Bless “The Lighthouse” orphanage will be built by God’s grace…

Other friends that are stepping out into the unkown are Flavio and Andy. I just want to say I am proud to be friends with these people. I pray that God will let me know how to encourage with more than just words.

“Let’s ee how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worship but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching,” (Hebrews 10:24 The Message)

“SPUR” October 12th’s talk at New Hope

Hebrews 10:22-25 (The Message)

^22–25     So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

     

 

Confidence in this day and time is a precious commodity. With economic uncertainty abounding and a vacuum of leadership in our country the re needs to be a clarion call to believers.

 

Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)

Do Not Be Anxious

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

I am not a financial expert by any stretch of the imagination. I do not know what will happen to our economy. But I do know that in these days the call to connect is still the most important call we can heed.

 

Much of the problems that we are facing economically are because we did not concentrate on this day. With both debt and investments driving this crisis I want to encourage you to not worry about tomorrow but trust God this day. Look for his daily bread to sustain you. With debt one borrows from tomorrow others save for tomorrow but those treasures that are laid up in earthly storehouses will fade away. Those heavenly investments never corrode or fade or take a down turn. Invest in those things that are eternal. The only thing that you can take to heaven is a friend. Invest in eternity by connecting to people.

 

Consider the lilies… As news comes whether bad or good, I want you to consider the lilies. What is the consideration? God is in control and God cares. Remember God is in control and God cares. In the middle of the political season when things heat up and candidates fight for control of this government, seek the Kingdom of God and know that God is in control. Be encouraged God is in control.

 

God is a great designer. All of creation declares the glory of God. From the mountains we see the majesty of God, from the oceans roar we see the endless mercy for he buried our sins in the deepest part. From the stars we glimpse the eternal nature of God and with the platypus we get an idea of God’s humor. In glimpsing into the microscopic world we see God’s attention to detail, and when viewing a field of flowers we see God’s gentle touch.

 

As a part of God’s creation we need to know that our purpose and our value are found as we are connected in God’s great design. We need to thrive in our connection with God in worship and devotion. We find life as we connect to people. We find meaning when we connect to the mission of God in our community and world.

 

You were given a piece of a puzzle when you came in this morning. I would like to ask each of you to write your name on the back of the puzzle + one thing you are happy about + one thing you are praying for. Now find the other people in the room that can complete your puzzle. I know this will take a couple of minutes and is out of the norm but look around and put the pieces together. When you have your puzzle piece together hang in your group for just a moment. Find out each others names, and take a moment to pray together. Now if in this group you are a little shy when it comes time to pray you can just say, I pass. Okay? Now as you go to find your seat take a different piece with you. Keep this piece through the week and pray for the person whose name is on the other side.

 

Now as you return to your seat I want to read the scripture I started with today.

 

Hebrews 10:22-25 (The Message)

^22–25     So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

 

In talking about connections recently I have told about how wonderful it is to connect to God. Much of this connection’s strength is determined by the connections we have with people.

 

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

¹⁶ He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

1 John 4:19-21 (The Message)

¹⁹     We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

     ^20–21     If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

 

Loving people is more than just tolerating them. To move from tolerating people to truly loving them you must value their unique design.

 

People are gifted differently:

 

Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his^b faith. ⁷ If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; ⁸ if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

 

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (The Message)

^27–31     You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything. You’re familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his “body”:

     apostles

     prophets

     teachers

     miracle workers

     healers

     helpers

     organizers

     those who pray in tongues.

     But it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? It’s not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Prayer in Tongues, not all Interpreter of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called “important” parts.

     But now I want to lay out a far better way for you.

 

People connect with God differently:

The following has been obtained directly from the Participants Guide to “An Ordinary Day With Jesus” by John Ortberg and Ruth Haley Barton (pages 65-87).

     Intellectual

            You draw closer to God as you learn more about Him.

            You have little patience for emotional approaches to faith

            You are a thinker

When you face problems or spiritual challenges you go into problem solving mode.

 

Biblical example: The Apostle Paul

 

Strengths

            Read books that challenge you

            Expose yourself to lots of teaching

            Find people with whom you can learn.

 

Cautions

            Guard against becoming all head and no heart.

            Don’t confuse becoming smart with being spiritually mature.

Ways to Stretch

            Devote yourself to cooperate worship and to private adoration and prayer.

            Your learning needs to lead to love otherwise it will get dangerous.

 

1 Corinthians 8:1 (NIV)

… Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

 

     Relational

Spiritual growth comes most naturally when you are involved in significant relationships.

Small groups and other community life experiences are key.

Your life is an open book.

Being alone can drive you crazy.

In key times of growth, God will often speak to you through people.

            Biblical Example; The Apostle Peter

 

            Strengths

                        You lead a relationally rich life.

                        Use your spiritual gifts to serve others.

                        Pray with others in community.

                        Learn in a class with other people or in a small group.

                        Use your network of contacts to further God’s Kingdom.

            Cautions

                        Guard against superficiality.

                        You can grow rely on others and become a spiritual chameleon.

 

            Ways to Stretch

Keep some of your experiences with God secret so you don’t get addicted to what other people think.

Study the Word for yourself so you are grounded in God’s Word rather than other’s opinions.

Invite close friends to speak the truth to you so that your relationship is more that just social.

 

     Serving

Characteristics

God’s presence seems more tangible when you’re involved in helping others.

You’re often uncomfortable in a setting where you don’t have a role. If you do have a role you sense God’s presence and delight.

 

Biblical Example: Dorcas in the Book of Acts

 

Strengths

Get plugged into a community so you have opportunities for meaningful service to offer God.

Look for glimpses of God’s presence in the people you serve and in the execution of your tasks.

Prepare to serve first by praying so your service is genuinely spiritual service.

 

Cautions

            Be careful not to resent other people who do not serve as much as you do.

Remember that God loves you. Not because you are so faithful to Him, but because you are His child.

Don’t confuse serving with earning God’s love.

 

Ways to Stretch

            Balance your service with small group and community life.

            Learn how to receive love even when you are not being productive.

            Practice expressing love through when you’re not being productive.

            Practice expressing love through emotions as well as actions.

 

     Worship

” I rejoiced with those who said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.””

(Psalm 122:1, NIV)

 

Characteristics

 

You have a deep love of corporate praise and a natural inclination toward celebration.

In difficult periods of life, worship is one of the most healing experiences you engage in.

In worship, your heart opens up, and you come alive and enthusiastically participate.

 

Biblical Example: David

 

Strengths

            Experience great worship on a regular basis.

            Use worship CD’s or ipod and make your car a private sanctuary.

Learn about other worship traditions, and incorporate what you learn in your personal worship time.

 

            Cautions

                        Be careful not to judge those who aren’t as expressive in worship.

Guard against an experience based spirituality that always has you looking for the next spiritual high.

           

            CS Lewis called this the fatal sin of saying ‘encore!’”

 

            Ways to Stretch

                        Engage in the discipline of study.

                        Serve God in concrete ways as an extension of your worship.

Remain committed in community even when worship isn’t all you would like it to be.

 

     Activist

You have a single-minded zeal and a very strong sense of justice.

You have a passion to build the church and to work for justice.

Challenges don’t discourage you.

You do everything you can to bring out the best God has placed in other people.

You love a fast-paced, problem filled, complex, strenuous way of life.

 

Biblical Example: Nehemiah

 

Prayer and action go hand in hand for the activist.

 

Create a sense of purpose in your life by immersing yourself in tasks that call out the best you have to offer.

 

Find a team of people you can invest in and work to accomplish big goals.

 

Cautions

You may run over people or use them because you are so focused on achieving the goal.

Guard against doing too long without pausing to reflect on what you’re doing.

You can end up not even knowing your own spiritual condition, or emotional state.

 

Ways to stretch.

Spend time in solitude and silence.

Cultivate a reflective discipline like journaling. (It is an action.)

Develop close spiritual friendships wwith one or two other people.

            Invite them to:

            regularly ask you questions

            speak to you about what God is doing in you not just through you.

            These relationships must be  focused on you not on the tasks.

 

     Contemplative

            Characteristics

            You love uninterrupted quiet time.

            Reflection comes naturally to you.

            You have a large capacity for prayer

If you get busy or spend a lot of time with people, you feel drained and yearn for times of solitude.

 

Biblical Example: Mary, Martha’s Sister

 

Strengths

You need regular, protected intense times of solitude and stillness

Faithfully follow the intuitions and leadings that come in your time alone with God.

Act on what you hear from God in the silence.

 

Cautions

You have a tendency to avoid the demands of the real world because it doesn’t match up to your ideals.

Be careful not to retreat to your inner world when friends family or society disappoint you.

 

Ways to stretch

Choose a place of active service.

Stay relationally connected, even when those relationships become difficult or challenging.

            Connect with those people who have an activist pathway.

                        Pray for them.

                        Consider getting involved in some aspect of their ministry activities.

 

 

     Creation

Characteristics

You respond deeply to God through your experience of nature.

Being outside replenished you.

You’re highly aware of your physical senses, and often art or symbols or ritual will help you grow.

 

Biblical Example: Jesus

 

Strengths

Spend time outside.

Find a location for getaways.

Make beauty a part of your spiritual life.

 

Cautions

You may be tempted to use beauty or nature to escape.

You will find that people are sometimes disappointing.

Guard against the temptation to avoid church fellowship because you think to yourself, “I can worship God in nature, on my own.”

 

Ways to Stretch

Stay involved in a worshipping community.

Be willing to help out in ‘less-than-beautiful’ settings.

 

Take scripture with you into nature, and meditate on God’s Word as you enjoy His creation.

 

People have different passions:

God calls people to diverse causes. These passions are the vehicle for God to touch this earth.

 

To connect with people in a meaningful way one must value to unique make-up of each person. Understanding one’s uniqueness is key to truly connect with them.

 

By loving an understanding the individual piece we can get a better glimpse of the grand design of God.

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b  Or in agreement with the

 

Ultimate Impact

Last evening Margot (my beautiful wife) and I were enjoying a carmel frap at Starbucks. Heavenly weather in South Florida impressed us to sit enjoy the time on the sidewalk cafe. I shared with Margot how much I enjoyed spending time with young people (college aged). First of all it so so strange to refer to someone else as young. Nevertheless she agreed and then we met “D”. D _____ was working at the Starbucks cleaning the patio. Margot asked what he was using to clean the brick side walk and somehow the conversation turned to a discussion of this generation. D told us that he is 18 and has designs on making a difference by going into criminal justice. His greatest dream however is to “have a family”. D’s father was shot and killed at the age of 18 in a gang related disturbance. I was so impressed with this young man. His story is one filled with some bad choices, but it seems that now he is putting things together. Can you imagine what he is thinking as he now is the age his father was when he was killed? D doesn’t have a lot of faith in this generation, but he has determined that he wants a family and he wants to be a dad some day. He wants family.

Later I was catching up with a friend from high school days via facebook. This friend expressed the same desire. More than anything the desire for family. How blessed I am to have a wonderful family. Margot is such a wonderful friend and life companion. My kids are the joy of my life. I was blessed to be born into a great family. My own father is a chain breaker like D. He came from a rough family background filled with uncertainty and disfunction. And yet he chose to make the Ultimate Impact by his love and faithfulness to mom and us kids.

Today I remember that the ultimate impact I will have will not be after I leave my driveway and go to my work and ministry, but my ultimate impact is made at home by choosing to be a husband and dad that loves God and the beautiful family He gave me.

Home is the place where I can have the ULTIMATE IMPACT.

 

P.S. D, keep the faith. You can do it. You can break the chains. God Bless you as you build family and have the ultimate impact as well.

Measuring Up

Levi, my son will turn 14 tomorrow. This year he has shot up and his voice has changed. It is really fun to watch a boy become a man. Puberty is more fun to watch than experience for sure. Lately I have noticed Levi coming up and standing shoulder to shoulder with me. He will look over to see how close his shoulder height is to mine. I believe he is now about 5′10″ compared to my muscular frame of 6′2″. Okay the muscular part might be a bit of a stretch. Anyway my son will get this smurk on his face and say, Dad I am almost as big as you. He enjoys the thought of measuring up to his father.

It causes me to pause and reflect on the last 14 years and how quickly they have passed. Then my reflection turns to the question of the standard that I am providing. As Levi grows he will probably grow taller than me, physically. That will be fine. I also hope that he will grow bigger than me in character. I wonder though, am I standing tall in areas of character? I want to give Levi something worthy of measuring up to. I want him to stand tall in honesty, integrity, generousity, and gentleness.

I know there are many areas that I myself don’t measure up, especially compared to the perfection of Jesus. I pray that Levi will see my dependence on Jesus to make up the difference in the areas of my weakness. I pray that Levi will continue to stand tall. I pray that Levi will know that I love him and I am very proud of the young man that he is and is becoming. Most of all I pray that Levi will stand close to The Father.  Happy Birthday Son!

WWJD or HWJV

Many have seen the WWJD bracelets and other Christian paraphernalia. What Would Jesus Do? The question I have in the highly animated political season is How Would Jesus Vote? There are many in my life that are politically engaged. Truthfully I would be much more expressive of my own political ideas but I have been challenged to be more about the Kingdom than US politics. But I love the political battles. It is better than football. At least the candidates are hitting better than the KC Chiefs. Oh I’m sorry that was a little low even for me.

Do you think people would Vote Jesus if given the chance? I must be careful because some marketing person is coming up with pins and bumper stickers now. The truth is that Jesus did not enter the political arena when He walked this earth. He was preaching and bringing a Kingdom that was not of this world. Not to mention that we are not voters in the Kingdom but we are ‘the elect.’ Jesus told His follower that they did not choose Him but He chose them. 

So would Jesus vote? I don’t know for sure. He told people to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s but that was more of a taxation issue. Paul told us to submit to our earthy authority, and in a democracy the voter is in a since the authority. I would think that Jesus would want us to vote. He would want us to do this prayerfully. But ultimately, He Jesus would tell us that the outcome of the election was not the basis for either hope or despair. He would say seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (elections included) will be added to you.

Many have said that this is the most important election in our time. It is important I am sure, but no matter the winner God’s Kingdom is still advancing and I want to be one of the ones who will lay hold of this Kingdom.

Just a thought!

Matt

Sandwich to Southwest Ranches

After 18 months I have been hanging out in Sandwich. I have been asked, why would you vacation in Sandwich this time of year? It is cold. It is gray. I am writing this from Panera in Yorkville. Why? free internet access and a fire place. Well when you live in a beautiful place where do you vacation? I have 3 weeks vacation and I though I should use at least one week. I wanted to see the trees in fall and Kentucky was beautiful. I wanted to reconnect with people that I had done life with for almost 9 years. Finally I wanted to see what had been accomplished.

Barry took me through the building that we built while I was pastor in Sandwich. There were some great upgrades. Many asked me if I liked the changes. I chatted with Wes the new pastor of Harvest. I am confident that he is the one that God wants to lead Harvest and he is doing a fantastic job. And I met people and remembered when many of them came to faith. I remembered the triumphs and tragedy that we walked through together. All in all the greatest blessing was to see God’s hand at work.

“Unless the Lord build a house, they that labor labor in vain.” I am so glad to be able to look back on 9 years of work and see that the labor was not in vain. Please don’t misunderstand and think that I desire any credit, frankly because I don’t want blame and they go hand in hand. But I look at the ministry that continues and has grown in powerful ways and I recognize that God was building the house all along. I see people who have risen to new challenges and opportunities and see God at work building the house. I see new faces coming to faith and being baptized and recognize that God is at work building the house. The times that I stressed and worried about so much seems silly now because God was always at work building the house.

When Margot and I moved to New Hope to begin a new challenge I asked the people, “what have we got to lose?” And today I am convinced in Sandwich, Il or in Southwest Ranches, Florida we need not worry. We have nothing to lose if God is building the house.

What does this house look like? It looks like a place where people are connected to a loving God and connected to the master purpose that He has for their lives. Its a work zone where God is busy building, so I rest today knowing that God is at work.

To Love and To Lead

My father, Reg Larson taught me long ago the importance of a husband filling his God-given role. This is to love and to lead. My dad taught that as a man loves and leads his wife the wife then will respect and respond to here husband. The result is the husband fills significant and the wife finds security. Throughout the years I have been amazed at how the breakdown of most marriages can be charted to either a man not loving or leading and/or a woman not respecting or responding. This week I have been working over this role of loving and leading in my mind. 

Loving and Leading is also the role of a pastor. I believe God calls men and women to pastor people which in essence is to love and to lead. Last week I took vacation and returned to Sandwich, IL to visit the church and people of Harvest Chapel where I was privileged to pastor for almost nine years. It was so good to see the people that I had grown to love deeply. Now my role is not to lead these people, but I am happy to love these dear ones still. This love though is more passive. I live in Florida and it is hard to actively love through facebook and twitter. I can and do pray for these friends, but the loving and the leading is left to a new pastor. Incidentally Pastor Wes Bell is doing a great job at Harvest.

So hear is my concern. It is a personal challenge and should not be viewed as a criticism of any person or church. I have noticed that in the Church (big C) there is a big trend towards leadership seminars and teaching. This was first really championed by Bill Hybels and John Maxwell. At the time there was not very much being written or taught on leadership. Now everyone is doing leadership. But when is the last time you have been invited to a loving conference? As a pastor it is so easy to get caught in the business of building a church and miss the calling to love and lead the church. The church we all know is people, but we must not treat her as an organization primarily. We must love the church as a group of individuals with unique gifts and challenges. Then we must lead the church. Leading alone might garner respect but to have people truly respond to the call of God a pastor must love.

I am not bashing leadership, but I do want to encourage pastors and myself to love and lead!

 

Just a thought!

Matt

lead, follow AND get out of the way

We’ve all heard the saying lead, follow OR get out of the way, but we should actually do all of the above. Leading people to a place where they have never been before is a great challenge and reward. There is nothing like seeing a person come alive in the new arena of opportunity that you have encouraged them to find. Especially when you lead them to follow Christ. Everyone is called to a certain amount of leadership. Some have a higher leadership quotient but everyone can have some influence in another’s life.

Following is another important part of life. Of course real life begins when we become a follower of Jesus. It is important that we are always life learners. Some of the best leaders are those who have become followers as well. I have been exploring many areas that I can learn and grow. Sometimes it  is hard to just ’shut up and follow’. God help me here!

The toughest area I think though is to get out of the way. There are times that I have found where I am impeding growth. Sometimes a person with a certain gift can monopolize the opportunities and hurt the development of others. Sometimes a leader might have taken things as far as he or she might be able to and they need to get out of the way.

Last week, when I was back at Harvest Chapel, George Pender a dear friend and faithful part of HC thanked me. It sounded a little different at first, but then I got it. He said, “I want to thank you for coming to Harvest and building the church and then I want to thank you for leaving so God could do more with the new leadership.”

You know  George is right, HC is doing better than it ever could have if I would have stayed. The best thing was for me to get out of the way. Getting out of the way takes courage and a good sense of your leadership quotient. Pride will try to have you stay in the picture thinking it depends on you. You might even feel like you got it into the mess now you have to get it out. But be careful, because maybe you have just taken the group as far as you can. Maybe you need to get out of the way.

It might be a little hard on the ego to get out of the way, but sometimes this is the best leading you will ever do. Getting out of the way is even more difficult if your identity is wrapped up in your gifting. When someone identifies himself/herself through their gifting he/she feel the need to express that gifting so that they have a sense of purpose. First of all you have more than one gift and secondly you are value is because of who you are and not how gifted you are.

I play a little music. One thing that I have noticed is that many times some musicians will try to throw in way too much. The real pros show their stuff not by what they play but what they don’t play. The artistry is in knowing when to get out of the way.

When we get out of the way we also open things up for God to have opportunity to do something amazing. Many times I think I might have hindered the ‘God stuff’ by trying to do my stuff. So Lord help me to lead,  follow AND get out of the way.

Choose #1

This is the first of three parts to a recent series I shared at New Hope. I used a great deal from Gregory Boyd’s book in this series. I do not agree with Boyd on his open theism stance but this book is very compelling.

 

Choose

God is pro choice?!? It is an interesting thought isn’t it? Actually I first heard this mentioned by Amanda Wagner. Amanda is a thoughtful person who looks at things from a unique perspective. It is true though God is pro choice. When God created men and women He gave them free moral agent, or choice.  This choice is the greatest challenge and opportunity of our lives. The choice we make has everything to do with life. But lets go back to the beginning to look at this closer.

In the beginning God…  Before creation there was God. He was the same as He is now. God is immutable, that is he never changes. (See Hebrews 13:8) So the triune God was full of glory and love as now. I am sure God enjoyed being God. In the fullness of God there was incredible love shared between the Father, Son and Spirit. Their communion was sweet. And the glory of God was incredible. God was good, perfect, lovely and right. This glory needed to be revealed this love needed to be expressed. Love needs a recipient. So God created. The heavens and earth would reveal God’s glory and though God saw all of His creation and He said it is good. After creating man and woman God looked on creation and saw it to be very good. Why was there a different evaluation between the ‘good’ that God saw in nature and the ‘very good’ that He saw after man and woman were created? I believe the difference was that man and woman could experience love. The other creatures could not experience this love. So what is the difference between these creatures and man and woman? Man and woman are given choice. Adam and Eve could choose to live in God’s love or not. The other creatures were not given this ‘free moral agent’.

This choice is huge! For Adam and Eve the choice was a matter of life and death. It is a matter of life and death for us as well today. I love a particular scene from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. After managing his way into the room where the ‘holy grail’ is, having overcome many deathly challenges Indy is confronted with the choice of which chalice is the actual ‘holy grail’. The rival in the film insists on choosing first. After taking a drink from the cup he shrivels into bones and dust and the ancient knight guarding the chalice says, “He chose poorly.” If we choose poorly we will surely die. This is what God told Adam

^6‍ And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;  ^‍17‍ but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”  (Genesis 2:6-7)

The choice that Adam and Eve were given was a choice of life and death. Let me set the scene a little more. God created a beautiful garden, Eden. Adam and Eve were placed in this garden were all of their needs were met. They could eat of any tree. They got to name animals, and best of all they got to share in divine fellowship with God. He would come and walk with them in the cool of the evening. Everything was provided for them. And they could eat of the tree of life. They were innocent. They were stress free. But then came the choice.

Now this choice was different than what many of us think about when we look to this historic time. This choice would alter the cause of men and women for eternity. It is important that we not only answer the question right but we must answer the right question. A professor of mine told of a time when he took an intelligence test in high school. The problem was that he got the answer sheet mixed up and he was actually answering the wrong question. He said the result was he came out with the intelligence of dirt. His well-meaning counselor directed him towards careers that required little or no cognitive ability. All of this was a result of him answering the wrong question. Obviously if he became my professor he had some other life changing events to over-rule this test.

I wonder how many times we chart a life path that is off base not because we answered the question wrong, rather we answered the wrong question.

Adam and Eve were in the garden when the serpent came and asked Eve what God really said. He began the conversation by setting seeds of doubt in Eve’s heart and mind about God and His nature. Let’s look at the account in Genesis 3

The Fall of Man

3         Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

^‍2‍ The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,  ^‍3‍ but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

^‍4‍ “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  ^‍5‍ “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

^‍6‍ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  ^‍7‍ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Did you notice the subtlty of the serpent? His questions go to the very nature of God. “Did God really say?” “You will not die!” “You will be like God!” The question and the temptation is not between good and evil. The choice is wether we will rely on God or try to be God.

I posted the graphic on my facebook a few weeks ago. It was amazing to see the comments that were put up. One of the first was, “The choice is between good and evil right?” That is the common assumption. We think that our choice is between good and evil and of course we should choose that which is good. The choice however is more fundamental than that. One tree was the tree of life, the other tree was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. So even though it was warped the serpent said it. He told Eve that they could choose to be like God, knowing good and evil or she could choose to trust God. One tree offered life with God supplying needs. It offered continued fellowship with God. The other tree promised the right to decide for ourself what is good and evil. One tree offered life the other judgment. And Adam and Eve chose to determine on their own what was good and what was evil. When they chose to enter the realm of judgment they passed from life to death.

This is the fundamental choice that I have been referring to. Our choice is like Adam and Eves. We can choose to be the judges of good and evil or we can choose to live under God’s choice. Where we have gotten it wrong most of the time is we have lived a life arguing what is right and what is wrong. We have chosen to be the judge according to our reading of scriptures or denial of scripture. But as we have become judges we also have moved into judgment.

Luke 6

^‍37‍ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  ^‍38‍ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Being like God is not all it was cracked up to be. It was true that when Adam and Eve ate of the tree they would be able to determine what they felt was good and evil, but they did it without the character and wisdom of God. They recognized rightly that they were naked and so they fashioned for themselves clothing. They were not good at that what they made had to be scratchy. What if the accidently would have chosen poisin ivy? Their innocence was lost. Now they were judges and they were found to be lacking.

When man and woman decided they wanted to be god they lost fellowship with God. They hid.

When man and woman decided they wanted to be god they quickly turned to blame. They blamed the serpent (3:13). They blamed each other (3:12). They even blamed God (3:12).

Since the problem was greater than just doing right or wrong the solution had to be more than just right living or following the right rules. See this is the problem most of mankind’s searching to be made right has centered on doing the right thing or not doing the wrong things. It has been a search for which fruit to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The real problem is we need to eat from a different tree. However we can’t go on like we never ate from the judgment tree. Because judgment demands a verdict.

So there entered another tree. This tree was the one that Jesus would choose. It is the way of the cross. On this tree Jesus took upon himself all the punishment for the sins of men and women and paid the price. What made this tree even effective however was the way in which Jesus died. Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Listen Jesus  

^‍6‍ Who, being in very nature^‍a‍ God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

^‍7‍ but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature^‍b‍ of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

^‍8‍ And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

^‍9‍ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

^‍10‍ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

^‍11‍ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:6-11)

 

You see the one who was God became flesh and then did not think that living in judgment was the way to live. He laid aside that which Adam and Eve and you and I grasped. He chose to live and die in love rather than in judgment. And this act became the way for us to move from the tree of judgment to the tree of life.

 

Our choice then is to quit trying to rule, run and judge our way through life. Our choice is to allow God to be the center of the garden not judgment. Our choice is to trust that God is enough. When Adam and Eve chose to eat of the forbidden tree they were making a statement about all that God had given. They were saying that it was not enough in their eyes. The result was they would be turned to a life of struggle and stress. When we choose to be our own masters or when we choose to follow any man made system to please God our the rules we think are right we subjigate ourselves to a life of stress. On the other hand when we choose to live trusting God, His Word and His judgment we are freed from the curse and the stress of living in this world. We are set free to live and love even as God lives and loves.

 

So today, you choose. You determine if you will continue on with your life centered on yourself or on God and his provision.

 

A few weeks ago I was reading an article about a pastor in Ft Worth, Texas. He told of a time that God asked Him the question, “Am I enough?” That question has echoed in my heart since then. So many times choose wrong attitudes wrong actions. Too many times I have put myself at the center of the garden. Each time I do that I am telling God He is not enough. And every time I give into that temptation I move from life and love to stress and judgment. So today I choose not to eat of the tree of judgment. I choose to eat of the tree of life. I choose to believe that God is true to His Word. I choose to believe that He is making right decisions for me. I choose to be free from being the centter. I choose to make Jesus the center of my life. I choose to let His life bring me life, and that life is a life of love.

 

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^‍a‍Or in the form of

^‍b‍Or the form

Choose #2

 

Choose

 

God, desiring a loving relationship with men and women gave them the precious ability to choose. It is only as that choice is made that men and women can love and trust God. This eternal choice first made in the Garden of Eden is more fundamental than the choice between good and evil. This choice rather is the choice to either trust God and the life that He has provided or choose to be one’s own judge. In taking from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Adam and Eve were saying they wanted to be god and they wanted to judge for themselves that which is good and that which is evil. Consequently as they entered into judgment they were placed under judgment and on that day they died to the life of God.

The essence of this choice is to exchange the truth of God for a lie. [1](see Romans 1:18-25) This choice is made because of a distorted view that Satan portrays of God. Satan planted the seed in Adam and Eve’s mind that God could not be trusted. Look at Genesis 3:1  “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”^[2] Satan is a liar. He is out to kill steal and destroy (John 10:10). Look how he plants the seed of doubt about God. ^‍4‍ “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  ^‍5‍ “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ^[3] (vs 4-5) Do you see this? The serpent is twisting this. He is inferring that God is withholding things from Adam and Eve. He is trying to scare them so that they will not be able to know what God knows. Satan is moving men and women to the place where they will judge God.

The beginning of all sin- the origin of all that is less than loving- is a judgment about God. The subtlety of the temptation does not lessen the impact of men and women who have a distorted view of God. Anytime we embrace a picture of God that is less full of life, less glorious, less gracious than God truly is we die to what live and love truly is. And in this adamic view we die.

When our picture of God is distorted we can no longer trust God to be our source of life and love. It is impossible to live in God’s love if you don’t believe that God is love. God is love. [4]It is the very essence of His nature. God doesn’t have to put on love because love emanates from His character. God cannot act in any other way towards you than to love. To do so would deny His very existence.

What is happening here is Satan is convincing Adam and Eve that they were lacking something good, and God was holding out on them. When men and women don’t trust God they turn to other things to find life and love. This is the essence of idolatry and sin. This disintegration of trust leads to separation from God and ultimately to sin.

Separation from God is death. Living in judgment is death.

I want to be a little more plain spoken here. What happened is the snake got Adam and Eve to believe that God was not good, that He was not love that He was not interested in their best. Adam and Eve then decided to look out for themselves and be their own judges… their own God. When they did they were separated from true love and life. Truthfully we all do this. We come to a rough spot where God or life is not acting according to our script and so we become judges of God himself. We too think He is holding out on us or something. He’s just testing us for His own warped satisfaction. When we ‘go there’ we have fallen to the deception of the serpent. When we are there we go to find something or someone that will love and approve of us. We begin to fashion for ourselves gods that will make us feel love. The truth is these gods are not capable of loving and giving life.

It is also not enough for us to do something to earn this love and acceptance that we so crave. If we can earn love, then basically we are buying it and we are in control and we are god. Love should super cede performance. Love is a gift. It cannot be earned or it becomes a payment.

Man’s problem today is that we do not truly believe that God is love.

This lie about God was demolished by the exact representation of God, Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-3) Jesus is the one and only image and Word of God (Col 1:15, John 1:1, 2 Cor 4:4-6, John 14:7) And Jesus made God known to man (John 1:8). Jesus is the essence of the revelation of Moses. He is the wisdom of God revealed (1 Cor 1:24). In Him the “whole fullness” of deity dwells bodily (Col 2:9). He is the living concrete embodied picture of God. To see know God you must see Jesus.

For those who would be looking for a messiah. I want you to know that Jesus is much more than a messiah. He is that but the earthly construct of a political messiah misses the essence of what God was doing. God wanted to reveal himself to mankind. So he sent himself in the form of Jesus.

All of our thoughts conclusions or judgments about God ourselves and others must pass through the filter of Jesus. He reveals what God looks like…that is love.

The definitive thing to be said here about God’s character is found here. God dies for sinners on a God-forsaken cross. God allows himself to be crucified for sinners. God’s power and glory are revealed on a cross.

So here we stand today between the trees. One tree is a tree of mistrust and judgment and the other is a tree of love expressed. Which tree will you eat of?

Let me apply this to our lives a little more.

Are you asking God why? Are you asking Him when? Be very careful because in those questions is a seed of judgment. Today look at your situation through Jesus. Can you honestly think that the God who gave himself to die for you would now turn His back on your problem? Would the God who brought all of His wisdom to bear in the one act of the cross now forget about you? The answer of course is a resounding no. And knowing that this God loves, you are free to trust. Knowing that this God loves, you can believe that He heals and provides. Knowing that this God loves, you are able to love. Knowing this God is to know love.

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[1] Romans 1: 18-25 God’s Wrath Against Mankind

^‍18‍ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,  ^‍19‍ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  ^‍20‍ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

^‍21‍ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  ^‍22‍ Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools  ^‍23‍ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

^‍24‍ Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  ^‍25‍ They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. ^[1]

^[2]The Holy Bible  : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ge 3:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

^[3]The Holy Bible  : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ge 3:4). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[4] 1 John 4

God’s Love and Ours

^‍7‍ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  ^‍8‍ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  ^‍9‍ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^‍a‍ into the world that we might live through him.  ^‍10‍ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for^‍b‍ our sins.  ^‍11‍ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  ^‍12‍ No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

^‍13‍ We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  ^‍14‍ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  ^‍15‍ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  ^‍16‍ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  ^‍17‍ In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.  ^‍18‍ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. ^[4]

Choose #3

These are the notes from the third week in the choose series. Again I want to give credit to Gregory Boyd for the content. I have gleaned much from his book. More of the notes should be in quotes as it is a direct quote from time to time. 

 

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:5-6)

“Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

The Lie About Ourselves

Last week we discussed the lie that Adam and Eve bought into when they ate the forbidden fruit. This was a lie about God. They believed (and passed onto all of mankind) the lie that God was not trustworthy and completely loving. The false judgment about God then is followed by a false judgment about Adam and Eve and thus all of humanity. The heart of this lie is that we humans are not okay simply living in union with God. Our lives cannot simply just revolve around enjoying God’s provision – the Tree of Life and honoring God’s prohibition – the Tree of Knowledge. We can, and we must, provide for ourselves.

“Originally man was made in the image of God, but now his likeness to God is a stolen one…. What God had given man to be, man now desired to be through himself.”   Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Satan in essence had Adam and Eve believe that God had duped them. In their innocence they did not realize that there was more to life than what God had provided. To experience this they alone must get it.

When Eve turned from God, she broke fellowship with God and created a vacuum in her heart where there had been fullness. The lie she believed about God created its own truth. The thought that Eve was on her own, caused her to be on her own. The thought that she was deficient in what God had provided created its own deficiency. Believing a lie we judge God to be untrustworthy or inadequate to fill us completely with love and life. Our judgment then blocks God’s fullness and makes us fill empty on our own. Our emptiness then makes other things seem desirable to fill the vacuum. Things like religion, sexual pleasure, riches, fame and power take on a god-like appeal when viewed with hungry eyes of our vacuous (empty) souls.

Our emptiness makes it seem like these things can actually fill us. But they are never truly satisfying and certainly never permanent.

Oddly enough Adam and Eve were trying to acquire what they already had. They were made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27) and yet they believed the lie that by taking the forbidden fruit they would be made like God. The difference is that they have to do so by their own efforts.

The knowledge of good and evil is a curse for finite individuals like you and me because it blocks the unsurpassable life-giving love of God flowing to us, abiding in us and flowing through us to others. This can only be known by relationship and reliance upon God Almighty.

The choice resulted in:

Hiding & Performing

The first manifestation of Adam and Eve living under judgment was their hiding and shame. They accused God but they also accused themselves and each other. As soon as their ‘eyes were opened’ and they heard God coming to spend time with them they were threatened. The same presence that was once enjoyable and pleasant now threatened them (Gen 3:8). Before God and each other they were ashamed. They covered themselves and hid.

This is the story of all of us. Instead of being able to relate to God and each other open and honest we choose to hide. In our ‘enlightenment’ we cannot relate to God and each other in love. We can no longer be open, vulnerable and ‘naked’ as it were. We now feel the need to evaluate ourselves, others and God.

The full truth is that we all fall short of God’s glory (Rm 3:23). And we are in bondage to this judgment. We cannot be free from this fact by performing better. Instead we must be set free from the need to perform. We must come to the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). There we will be freed, and there we can be changed into God’s likeness. This glory can be revealed more and more day in and day out as we unite with the life-giving source.

Deflecting Responsibilities by blaming others

Blaming others is another manifestation of Adam and Eve living under the curse (Gen 3:10-13). It was another attempt to hide. Adam and Eve’s statements were technically true, but they were intended to conceal rather than reveal. They had taken on the character of the serpent that is the Accuser (Rev 12:10). We too will deflect attention away from ourselves by blaming others. We point out other’s dust particles rather than deal with the log that is in our own eye (Matt 7:3).

This is once again a misjudgment about the nature of God. Rather than being open and honest before God and realizing that He would defend them and cover them, they blamed. The beautiful story of God’s heart is found when God made garments for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). God’s heart is always to cover us.

We are so quick to judge God and we miss His true character every time. Like Job and his friends we ‘condemn God to justify ourselves’ (Job 40:8). We miss the true heart of the God that would cover us. We miss the beautiful heart of Jesus that would be our advocate (1 John 2:1-2).

Banishment from the garden (toil, stress and separation from God)

Adam and Eve were banished from the garden. Again, the serpent had told partial truth. God did not want man to try to be like Him in exercising judgment and being the source of truth and what is good.

 

 ^‍22‍ And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever. ^23‍ So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.  ^‍24‍ After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24)

 

Man is incapable of fulfilling the need for good and love without God. If God had allowed Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of life after eating of the forbidden fruit, he would have in effect sentenced them to eternity without God, without true love and life. If Adam and Eve had chosen to respect the boundary between themselves and God that was the center of paradise, they could have freely eaten from God’s provision for the deathless life that was at the center of that provision. But to enjoy God’s provision at the center they had to respect God’s prohibition at the center.

God loves you so much that He will not allow you to try to be god. God will not share His glory not out of jealousy for himself but rather for jealousy for you. God desires for you and me to know what it is to be the recipient of His good pleasure, his great love. To be the recipient of God’s love we must allow God to be God!

The Curse and Conquering Love

Out of the fullness of life that we were to receive from God, humans were given the authority and responsibility to mediate this provision on earth (Matt 6:10). We were created in the image of God (Gen 1:26). We surrendered this authority over to Satan, God’s adversary when we accepted his lie (Luke 4:6). Now Satan is

described as the god of this present world system ( 2 Cor 4:4) the principality of the air (Eph 2:2) the ruler who exercises his destructive influence over everyone and everything (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 and 1 John 5:19) All of creation is subject to this futility (Rom 8:20) It was our sin that opened the floodgates of this corruption.

This is the curse. We were created in love to live under and exercise the love God in this world. Despite the fall and this curse one thing remains: GOD IS LOVE. God’s nature did not change with our failure. Listen to me today, God’s nature does not change with your failure. God’s nature does not change when another one fails. God is love. And God demonstrated that love for us that in while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

This God of love does have an adversary. And he is our adversary. Listen how God in the midst of pronouncing the curse also tell of the victor over this adversary.

^‍15‍ And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

 

Satan will always be striking at mankind’s heal, but the offspring of Eve shall strike his head. This was fulfilled in Christ (Rev 12:13-17). Through the death and resurrection of Christ a fatal blow was struck at the Accuser who made us accusers. (Rev 12:10-11) When Christ allowed himself to be struck down by the oppressive powers of this age Christ defeated these powers (Eph 2:6-8) In becoming a curse, Christ in principle broke the curse (Gal 3:13).

 

^‍13‍ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,  ^‍14‍ having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.  ^‍15‍ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

 

                                                                                                                                                (Col 2:13-15)

God’s love has to take on the form of judgment and mercy now that man filters everything through the prison bars of our knowledge of good and evil. But for all who will accept it, his mercy always triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). And to as many who believed on his name he gives (restores) the right to be called sons of God (John 1:12).

 

Living In Love

Having been born of God:

We trust God to provide love, life, forgiveness, & protection.

Having been born of God will love even as we are loved!

King of the New Thing

I have always enjoyed being a part of something new. I have been drawn to church planting for that reason and also because I believe in the local church. Today I was challenged by God with this question: Do I like to start something new because it is new or do I like to start something new so I can be king? In leadership is it a call to lead that I follow or am I just trying to get my own way?

To know ask yourself: “Am I doing this new thing because the world needs it or do I just need something to do.” It scares me to consider that many things in ministry are done because the minister needs to do it rather than because people need it.

I love it when God reminds me of the heart behind the call!

Courageous Leadership

Bill Hybels wrote a book on the topic of courageous leadership. The only thing I remember of it is the title. No offense Bill.
I am recognizing the importance of leading courageously. Many times when someone receives direction for the first time they resist. I am finding that a leader must not take it personal. People need a chance to see something work. When vision is set forth people will give various reasons why the vision will or will not succeed. But I think true vision should not be judged based upon the same success quotient as others. Godly leaders will cast a vision that flies in the face of the culture. This is perhaps the most important vision to cast. But the leader must recognize the present culture will resist. But culture changing vision must be expressed boldly and then patiently worked towards achieving.
In working for the vision of changing the culture the godly leader will still lead with love. Though God may instill a vision for what the culture must become, the leader must not be at war as it were with the people of the present culture. They can and must be led into that fresh approach. This is what it means to be salt and light. People will respond to leadership. But they may be reluctant at first. This reluctance sometimes is a result of past failures in leadership. Disillusioned people have troubles responding to vision. Even more difficult perhaps is when people have been a part of something that they perceived to be successful. Why change if something worked? These people may feel like the model they were a part of was so successful that it is ‘the way’ to do things. The leader must be bold to proclaim the vision that God has given him or her and then the leader must trust God to help others follow. Credibility will come to the leader who leads courageously and with love. But stay power is a must for this leader.
I love what God has called me to be a part of. I love where we are going at New Hope. I love the challenge of leading a “cross cultural” revolution. I pray for God’s grace to love and to lead courageously.