Foundations

Dad always said he loved the smell that accompanied dirt being rearranged by the bulldozers that roamed the lots where he built his houses. I can remember him standing there at the edge of a piece of land, where the street ended and the trees began, with a far away look in his eye. This aroma triggered a creative 'saliva' that would send him on a journey to build something. I have never known another individual that had such a drive to build something. He was never happy unless he was creating/building.
While visible progress was desired, it was not the main focus. This seems a little weird to me. While working on these projects with Dad (oh yeah, I was working on them from the time I could manhandle a broom!), I liked the days when the frame was erected, and huge progress was noticeable from the street. I was bored to tears by tractors. I was bored to tears watching Mr. Max, the concrete contractor, dig beams (I think that is what he called them) in the forms for the foundation. I was ready for these guys to get out of the way so that the REAL work could begin, and we could, as they called it, "Make a showing."
Dad 'got it.' He got excited about those initial, boring afternoons. I couldn't care less about tractors, Mr. Max and his shovel, concrete trucks, or exterminators. (I liked nail guns, and similar power operated tools) Why did he enjoy this part so much? I understand now. He spent a lot of money and time during this stage of the project, because he understood the value of a good foundation. He wanted all of the other contractors' work to be the icing on the cake. He wanted it to be level and sturdy.
Dad- "Max, make sure you build those forms 'squarr' (square)."
Max- "Yes sir, Rev. They'll be squarr. Don't they need you at the church right now? Or anywhere other than here, peering over my shoulder?"
Matthew 7
²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

²⁵And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

²⁶And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

²⁷And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The only distinction made in Scripture between the wise man and foolish man is the type of foundation that was constructed. Both built houses! No one ever accused the foolish man of failing to build a house! The success of ministries, churches, families, and organizations is not measured by how quickly buildings are constructed, but by how they endure the storm.

The foundation is the stability of the home. How's yours? The foundation is the stability of the heart. How's yours? The foundation is the stability of the emotions. How's yours? Most individuals could trace the turmoil in their lives back to a lack of order and stability.

There is nothing cool about a foundation. No one slams on their brakes while texting and driving, to pull over and stare at an 'awesome' slab of concrete! However, 50 years from now, when great grandchildren gather at this house, huddle around the kitchen table and cheat at checkers, they should thank folks like Dad and Mr. Max for slowing down and construction a proper foundation.

Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

At the beginning of this new year, take some time to verify that God is building with you, and that you are doing life upon the right foundation.

The Lonely Dance Called Leadership

Have you ever felt like you were dancing alone? You knew God had given you a vision for what 'can be', but you are the only one that can see it?

There have been times in my life/ministry when I felt like the guy in the following video.

Some people choose to be ministry managers, while others choose to be ministry leaders. There is a huge difference.

I challenge someone who is feeling like you are the only one who can hear the beat to keep dancing....

Keep dancing until others can't resist joining you....

If God has given you a vision for your future, your church, your ministry, your family, believe it, and dance like nobody's watching...

You are making a difference..

Don't Get Cocky

Recently I became aware of the incredible hand of God at work again in my life. It was the undeniable favor of my Creator as He began to arrange and rearrange various circumstances and details in order to accomplish His plan for me. I love it when that happens!

Let's be honest... There are days when you do not feel this way. Yes, I am talking to you! You know there are days when you are painfully aware of your human frailties and shortcomings, and feel like God is giving you just enough rope to hang yourself. You might not hasten to admit this, but we all feel alone at some time or another.

But this was not one of those times. I had been seeing the miraculous hand of God orchestrating the events of my ministry like a master director of symphonic melodies. There I was floating along on cloud nine, feeling invincible, to say the least.

My preaching seemed to be flowing without effort. My kids were behaving. My wife seemed to swoon when I entered the room. I was happily enjoying life in the sweet spot.

Then I woke up this morning, and it seemed like I somehow had developed a hate for humanity sometime during the night. What? Where did that come from? No one had offended me, hurt my feelings, stolen from me, etc. I just seemed to be harboring a bitter dislike for humans in general.

As I drove away from the house this morning, I felt God speaking to me, "Don't get cocky, Hotshot."

I was reminded of the story in 2 Chronicles 31 where Hezekiah destroyed all of the idols and other methods of worshipping false gods of that day. He organized the priesthood again, and seemed to be doing all things right. Much spiritual progress was made in chapter 31.

However, chapter 32 begins like this, "After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself."

What is the significance of this?

It is a simple reminder to each of us. Don't get cocky!! Many times, we fight our most difficult battles immediately after our biggest wins. There is never a time to relax your mind, spirit, emotions, or body. Just when you think you have finally made the progress you needed to make, you find yourself besieged by an opponent who desires to destroy you.

1 Peter 5:8-11: (The Message)

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

or...

Don't Get Cocky. You still need Him.

I Can't Win Like This

I have always wondered why early American armies fought the way they did. I have never understood the concept of marching in a tightly formed line directly into the opposing line of the enemy, just hoping that you had them outnumbered. While I do not profess to be an expert on military strategy, I do know that, in most cases, the act of standing in the middle of a prairie, with bullets whistling by one's head, while fumbling with gunpowder, flint, and a musket does not seem to be the wisest way to fight a war. But it worked. There is no questioning that fact.

As the Frontier stretched westward, Union forces began encountering a new type of opposition. They were no longer fighting opposing armies who utilized the same strategies they did. Subsequently, it did not take long for them to realize that they were fighting a new war the old way, and the outcome was not looking promising.

All throughout the fighting careers of these intelligent, experienced commanders, they had learned to accomplish great victories while utilizing these methods. However, I can imagine the first time they were ambushed by their enemy, as warriors sprang from hidden areas, trees in various camouflaging patterns of war paint, they realized, "I can't win like this!" Never before had an enemy fought them in this manner. This Guerilla Warfare was not familiar to them.

Remember this: New frontiers and revised strategies go hand in hand.

When the commander of the brigade began dodging arrows, tomahawks and spears thrown at him from an enemy hidden by the roadside, I am sure the first though on his mind was, "I must get off this horse and change uniforms." It would be foolish of this experienced leader to wake up and put on his dress uniform and storm the battlefield.

In the frontier of propagating the Gospel, the cause is still the same. There has not been, nor can there be a change in the reason we fight. There is a frontier ahead of this generation that remains unclaimed for the cause of Christ. I am not suggesting a change in our cause, but we must realize that it might be time for a change of uniform. The methods that defeated the British armies and won freedom for the Thirteen Early American Colonies were effective in Massachusetts, but would fail miserably in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada.

While I am aware of the criticism this line of thinking will generate, I also realize that I am not winning this new war by doing the same old things. We have all heard the famous Albert Einstein quote, "The definition of insanity id doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." While this quote has been overused, it has not lost its truth.

Why do you think our troops in the middle east are not wearing basic "army green" uniforms? Because they will be easily spotted and endangered by their old uniform. Notice, a desert camo pattern DID NOT EXIST prior to the 1980's, but a new enemy dictated a change in uniforms. In fact, the desert camo pattern was updated again in 1999 to afford our troop the best advantage available.

I am not suggesting any changes to the flag. Just pointing out that we could use a few modifications to the uniforms and methods.

Good leaders can admit when they are losing a battle because of improper methods.

Are you facing new frontiers? Is there a new war ahead of you as you stand in the sunrise of 2010? Are you afraid to saddle up and go back out there into the fight because you know your strategy is not correct for this fight? Take some time this week and analyze your methods. You just might come to the realization, "I can't win like this."

Finding Your Way

John 9
6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

7And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.



There is something to be said about finding one's way...

He was just a blind man...

He had no vision of the road ahead...

Never had...

Not once had he been able to look down the road and detect danger approaching...

Driving instructors tell us to look as far as we can down the road...

To anticipate change...

For it takes vision to look ahead and anticipate danger...

However, this young man had no way to forecast the upcoming dangers which lay ahead...

Yet Jesus spat upon the ground, made clay, rubbed it into the man's eyes, and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam...

So the only way he had to get to the miracle was to go HIS WAY...

His way was not the easiest...

His way was most likely not the shortest distance between two points...

It was a wandering way...

A stumbling way...

A way which hesitated at times...

A way of uncertainty...

A way of failure...

A way of mistakes...

A way of desperation...

A way of hunger...

Not the best way...

But it was his way...

The only way he could make it was his way...

There are some who will criticize you for your methods...

Criticize your decisions...

Criticize your choices...

See, your way might not be their way, and that makes them uncomfortable...

But they are not blind and they don't know your way...

Their feet do not fit your shoes...

And they cannot decipher your way...

Do not be discouraged or distracted...

For true vision awaits just beyond your way..

If you are following the instruction of the Master, follow it to the best of your ability...

Follow the only way you know...



Of course there are Biblical absolutes which we must follow...

The command was to "go wash in the pool of Siloam"...

But no further instruction was given...

Make sure your way leads you to and through the unchanging, absolute instructions of the Word of God...

But find your way to the promised vision...

I promise it is worth the trip...

Protecting the Stuff

I Samuel 30

Ziklag:

Destroyed…

Families captive…

David’s family and the families of his men are captives…

When you think all is burned, stolen, and destroyed…

You still have some stuff worth fighting for…

You might be sick…

But guard your stuff…

You might be battle weary…

But guard your stuff…

You might be wounded…

But guard your stuff…


While you are fighting for the stuff that you lost,

Make sure you protect the stuff you still have…


When you are reaching for new believers…

Hang on to what you have…


You are a hero if you successfully guard your stuff…

In reaching for your new successes…

Keep a firm grip on the stuff that got you there…



While you are enjoying the spoil of victories, remember the importance of those who guard the stuff…

Congratulations to those of you who have successfully protected the stuff…



Pastor, I can’t walk the streets and evangelize…

Then cover us with prayer…

That’s called protecting the stuff…


I can’t give like I want to…

Nobody is going to make a big deal out of my tithe or offering…

Guard your stuff…


No matter what your life looks like, you have some stuff worth protecting...

Your life is valuable...

You bring a talent/gift to the table...

Protect the most important things in your life...

Your stuff...

Take Me There

During the past few days, I have been considering some things that I have been reading and hearing concerning the future of our movement. I am weary of rhetoric... Rhetoric that changes nothing.... Not a single opinion regarding these issues has changed, regardless of how much posturing, pontificating, postulating, or other forms of posting has been done... I am convinced that, where issues of outward holiness are concerened, opinions will be similar to the brotherly relationship of Isaac and Ishmael... They are brothers, but they have differing core values, and entirely different methods of expressing and executing these values/agendas... Debate will be constant... Tempers will flare... This may come as a shock to you, but I might never come around to your way of thinking on a particular issue...as dismaying as this might be.... However, this morning, my heart aches in my chest... Something inside longs to be fulfilled and satisfied...my soul is a sponge...a vacuum...a repository which, to be brutally honest, is unfortunately devoid of the element necessary for its true satisfaction in this particular area... I am not referring to us being able to reach a consensus on the forum, a middle ground where all parties can come together and sing cumbyah, a place of blissful utopia where there is no difference of opinion... Rather, today, thy cry of my heart is, "Take me away..." Take me away to a place of meaningful purpose...not a place of trivial pursuit... I need a place of renewed passion for the real... I need a place where things are settled in me... I need a place where questions are answered... Recently, I have become aware that I can justify just about any change of 'standard' of 'issue' if I think long enough... My mind will break down data to a place where everything is relative if I so desire... Guys, this is the easy way... However what I am craving this morning is another place... Take me away... To a place... A place where... James 1 is revealed and expressed: 19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. God, take me to a place where relativism is not allowed to dilute pure religion... I will not continue this, if my religion is relegated to simple vanity, repetition, and rehearsal of tradition alone... God, help me to recognize the right of my brethren to apply that, "perfect law of liberty" without my criticism... Most importantly, help me to learn the crux of pure religion--to keep MYSELF unspotted from the world... I live in a world where sin cannot be relegated to a list of black and white rules... That would be great, but impractical... The world is changing at a rapid pace, one in which it is my responsibilty to keep myself unspotted from the world... This requires my following of the Spirit as I navigate through life and its pitfalls, and applying the principles of His word in every situation... Rules can be affected by relativism...principles remain unchanged... Take me there, God... A place where I can really find and exemplify pure religion... I am not there now... Jesus, take me there...