Recently, you might have heard of a fatal crane collapse at Lyondell/Citgo Refinery in Pasadena, TX.
My father-in-law, a safety manager at this particular plant, watched the whole thing take place...
He saw the crane begin to waver...
Heard the groaning of the thick steel as it teetered precariously...
He was sending the call for help before the 2nd largest crane in the world crashed to the ground...
He prepped all four fatalities to be transported...
He sat up most of the night unable to sleep as each time his eyes closed he saw the falling crane over and over...
As the investigation ensued, the reports came back that it was the crane operator's first day to run this crane...
The Supervisor of the project had taken the day off...
So the entire crew on the crane that day was new to that particular project...
They were not new to the crane, but they were new to the project...
For some reason, they could not get the counter weights fastened securely to the backside of the crane...
So the order was given to tilt the crane more and more to one direction so they could fasten the clips to the crane itself...
Once it reached a certain angle, the crane could no longer bring itself upright...
And it began...
A painfully slow wavering...
A giant piece of steel that had no control of its movement any longer...
Those on the ground could hear the creaking, but they could not stabilize it...
They could see the uncertainty of its movements...
They could even see the look of terror on the face of the crane operator as he realized what was happening, unbuckled his seat belt, and tried to jump to safety...
All because there was a lack of counter-weight...
This crane fell...
Lives were lost...
Families were shattered...
Because of the unbalanced movements of newfound freedom...
I'm sure the crane felt great without the weights..
But there was imminent tragedy just after the abused freedom...
You know the situations...
You can hear the creaking as the wind begins to move that which should be strong enough to move the world...
You can see the wavering of the unweighted phenom...
No one questions his ability to produce...
No one has any doubts about his ability to do great things...
But all you can do is watch in horror as you realize with great despair that he has removed the counter weights and is feeling the false security of newfound freedoms...
Those things that seem to weigh you down and seemingly impede your instant success are the very things which will keep you from toppling and crushing everything beneath you...
Beware the peril of newfound freedom...
I have seen this principle in my own life...
I was raised in the home of an incredible man and woman of God...
Dad was a church builder of the like I have rarely seen since especially in my generation...
There were no gray areas with mom and dad...
The rules were never changed, or even bent a little for my siblings and I...
What a fine Christian example they have been in my life...
Time passed...
I became older...
Left home to attend Bible college...
Fell in love...
Married a beautiful girl...
Sat under another awesome pastor, Rev. Ron Macey...
For three years I listened...
Observed...
Cheered him on as he preached...
Thought to myself, "When I pastor I will ____________"
Then it happened!
A little church elected me as their pastor...
And I had IT!!
IT!!
Newfound freedom was mine...
I could do whatever I wanted...
No one telling me yes or no...
And I began to explore said freedom...
I began to look into all areas of life for inspiration...
Direction...
Friendship...
Etc...
I began to test certain boundaries...
See what the difference would be if I allowed this or that 'thing'...
It has led me to the realization...
While, as Apostolic ministers, we will never all agree on all of the 'standard' issues, there are some things that are non-negotiable...
In recent discussions with a minister friend of mine, we began exploring the subject of the "Emergent Church"
I told him, there are some new methods out there that might not be so bad in and of themselves...
But everything has its price...
I want to have a true Apostolic church in this present day...
To all of the young men out there who might read this, please be careful with your newfound freedom...
There are some things that are non negotiable!!
How long has it been since you have laid in the presence of God, unable to move, broken, unable to say anything but a sobbing "I love you Jesus" ?
Since you were in a church service where the power of God was so thick that no one could leave?
Since you saw a physical healing take place?
Since you were used in the operation of the gifts?
The church that I see emerging is a powerless one...
It is being built on absolutely no foundation...
When the current trends are no longer hip, what will it cling to?
The Apostolic message of the Cross, the New Birth, and consecration to God is timeless!
While creation changes, the Creator never does...
Be careful when you are presented with newfound liberties!
Your church... Your ministry is an algebraic equation where for whatever is subtracted from one side, something of equal value will be subtracted from the other...
You will give up something in the Spirit for every consecration in the flesh you remove...
I have seen it...
Please be careful with newfound freedoms...
