Final Post

OK, this is it. After 19 months, 347 posts, and more than 43, ooo views I’m calling it quits. This blog has outlived its usefulness and I’m shutting it down.

I thought I would revitalize it. I worked on a new look, different content, etc, but the passion to keep it going is not there, and whatever objective I started with has long since gone by the wayside. The Bible says, “in the multitude of words, sin is not lacking.” So, I’ll do myself–and you– a favor and reduce the number of words I use in a day or week.

Before I go, let me say, thanks for reading. On the days you came here and found a new posting, you endured a good bit of meaningless drivel. Other days, when I had nothing to add here, or no time to add it, you patiently got back on the information superhighway to find your information elsewhere. You have read of my family, our church, some fun (and funny) things that happened, and of my educational journey. I’m sure you’re not done reading, and I don’t expect to be done writing. But for now I want to focus on gaining content not giving it.

I plan to keep my facebook account active…so I can see what you’re up to. So, if you have a facebook account, add me as a friend, and we’ll stay in touch. And again, thanks for stopping by…for the LAST TIME!

How’s your marriage?

OK, it’s time to be honest. How’s your marriage these days? Is it better than ever? Or, in the language of present-day politics, are you looking for a bailout? I read a really practical article this morning, I’ve linked it here, so go check it out and take some time to revitalize your marriage.

Have Faith in God

The following comes from Charles Spurgeon, it was sent to me by a friend and I believe it can challenge you as it has me.

“Have faith in God.” – Mark 11:22

Faith is the foot of the soul by which it can march along the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move more swiftly; but faith is the foot which carries the soul. Faith is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of earnest piety to move well; and without faith the wheels are taken from the chariot, and we drag heavily. With faith I can do all things; without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to do anything in the service of God. If you would find the men who serve God the best, you must look for the men of the most faith. Little faith will save a man, but little faith cannot do great things for God. Poor Little-faith could not have fought “Apollyon;” it needed “Christian” to do that. Poor Little-faith could not have slain “Giant Despair;” it required “Great-heart’s” arm to knock that monster down. Little faith will go to heaven most certainly, but it often has to hide itself in a nut-shell, and it frequently loses all but its jewels. Little-faith says, “It is a rough road, beset with sharp thorns, and full of dangers; I am afraid to go;” but Great-faith remembers the promise, “Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; as thy days, so shall thy strength be:” and so she boldly ventures. Little-faith stands desponding, mingling her tears with the flood; but Great-faith sings, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:” and she fords the stream at once. Would you be comfortable and happy? Would you enjoy religion? Would you have the religion of cheerfulness and not that of gloom? Then “have faith in God.” If you love darkness, and are satisfied to dwell in gloom and misery, then be content with little faith; but if you love the sunshine, and would sing songs of rejoicing, covet earnestly this best gift, “great faith.”

Random Musings on Scripture

In my devotional reading this morning, the Spirit really opened the Word to me. Here are a few of the random observations I jotted down.

Observations in my reading of Job:
•    The first two chapters of the book are a record of what happened to Job, the rest (or nearly) is the record of his response to what happened to him. In chapter 15 Job speaks as though the affliction continues, that God is presently against him, and actively opposing him. He sees the distress as a present reality, when in fact it has passed. The only thing now distressing is these men haggling it out. Am I fretting about something that is already passed?

•    The conversation of Job’s “friends” is a great example of people saying way more than they know. We humans presume to know what’s really going on, why “so-n-so” is going through this or that hardship, or why Joe blow reacted as he did to a certain event. The truth is, mostly we don’t know. And the more we learn to keep our mouths shut and allow circumstances to work themselves out, the wiser we become, or at least the wiser we appear.  And indeed we are wise, if only for knowing when to remain silent.

Observations in reading Luke:
•    Luke is an amazing story-teller

•    “For with God nothing will be impossible.” There is incredible context to this statement of Gabriel in Luke 1:37. Elizabeth has already conceived in her old age, and now Mary is promised a Son (the Messiah), and she is a virgin. These are out of the ordinary kinds of events only because we have not grasped the truth of the angel’s claim.

•    John, chapter 1 verse 80, was “in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel”. Need I say more? The desert is the waiting room, the prep room, for effective (1:16) ministry. You won’t turn many hearts to the Lord without spending time, significant time, in the desert. Is it coincidental that the desert is where Jesus also began his ministry (Matthew 4)?

What is the Lord teaching you from Scripture? I would love to be encouraged by hearing what you are learning.

Weekend Reflections

We’ve been studying the book of Esther “for such a time as this”, and yesterday got into chapter three, perhaps the turning point of the story. The Holy Spirit challenged us regarding making right choices. Here is what we learned from the example of Mordecai.

Right choices:
•    Become increasingly important when your adversary is promoted—v.1
•    Many times set you at odds with the majority—v 2
•    Are not always figured to be right choices—v 3
•    Will test your mettle and reveal your TRUE identity—v 4
•    Often unleash the fury of men—v 5ff.
•    Don’t always seem to turn out right. v12ff.

•    Are a means to unveiling the glory of God…(think of the ways God has manifested Himself throughout the Bible and history –and how he does in the story of Esther– because men and women have made difficult–but right–choices.

And remember, this week you will make plenty of choice. Be sure they are the right ones by asking,

What should I do?  — Action

How should I respond?  — ReAction

What is my attitude?  –This is perhaps the most constant choice we make, with implications for every other choice. Choose the right attitude!

One more thing. We said the thing Mordecai did constituted a series of choices because the Bible indicates that is was “day after day”. The consistency he demonstrates came, I believe, from conviction that rested at the core of who Mordecai was. He didn’t need opinion polls to figure what to do at any given time. He did the right thing because he believed the right things.

As you develop core convictions you too will make consistently right choices. I am praying for you this week.

Prayer and Fasting

How’s your start to our 40 days of prayer and fasting? On Wednesday we launched our corporate prayer and fasting emphasis and I have heard from some of you regarding it, that you are excited to be making a sacrifice and commitment, and encouraged by the potential results.

Let me just encourage you to remain diligent, perservering and commited. If at first you don’t succeed, try again. But don’t be satisifed with poor performance. Find an accountability partner, share your commitment, and pray together for success. God will be glorified through your effort.

See you Sunday!

Evaluation

A few of the thoughts I shared at our church’s annual business meeting…

I read an insightful article this week about the churches near-obsession with evaluation. The author, John Ortberg, reflected on the last presidential debates by pointing to “those little voter-tracker-instant-graph-analysis devices (that now make it possible) to rate a crowd’s response—not just to a candidate’s performance in the debate overall—but every moment. You can see exactly where you lose them.” He wondered when such devices would be available in churches. Sign me up.

The real meat of the article though comes in the next couple of paragraphs as Ortberg wonders how biblical characters such as Jeremiah must have evaluated their ministry. In 40 years of preaching he apparently never had a convert. And if that’s not enough, at one point the Bible says, “as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, ‘You must die’” (Jeremiah 26:8 NIV)! That’s a pretty serious call for resignation wouldn’t you say?

But Ortberg gets to the ultimate question when he asks, “If God had a little tracker, how would he be rating what we say and how we preach and ‘how the service went?” Or to put it in the context of our annual meeting, if God were reporting on us over the previous year, how would it read?

The reason this thought captures me is that we sometimes (maybe most times) celebrate the things we deem significant and overlook the things that are truly so…

We evaluate ourselves based on the things we value. God evaluates on the basis of what He values. So let me say this. I am committed to my values fully reflecting His so that this year and beyond I pursue only those things of ultimate value. I trust you will join me in that pursuit.

What to do with all that time?

On Monday I completed my work on a Master of Arts Degree. For the last 22 months I have been spending 15 to 20 hours per week on my course work and final project and I am both glad to be finished and glad to have some extra time to devote to family and ministry. But, will there be extra time?

I talked to Josh Jensen on Sunday. He finished his Doctoral work in August and said he has since wondered where the 30-35 hours a week he was devoting to school actually went. It doesn’t seem like he has any more time than before. I imagine he works longer hours and spends more time with family, but just in case I’m taking steps to insure I don’t “lose” that time. Here are a few of them:

1. Getting up earlier.
2. Mornings devoted to reading, study, praying and planning–because these are high priority and must not be neglected. The gym fits here also, most days just before noon.
3. Meetings will generally take place in the afternoon. Then they can run long and I’m not distracted by what I haven’t gotten done.
4. Family time is sacred. No books or computers (for me) in the evening before the kids are in bed.

It’s not a perfect plan, but as a husband, father of 7, and pastor, what plan is perfect? My aim is simply to do the most I can with the time I’m given. No going through the motions.

By the way, if you’re a pastor or church leader and want a copy of the leadership development curriculum I wrote for my Master’s Capstone Project, send me an email and I’ll shoot you a copy. I won’t charge too much for it:)

“The Motions”-Matthew West

This song expresses my heart. I found this photo montage to go along with it. I pray this is the way you feel also!

more about ““The Motions”-Matthew West“, posted with vodpod

Eliminating the Urgent

I had lunch with Mark Stanley yesterday. It had been awhile since we’d had a chance to fellowship so we spent a little time catching up. At one point our conversation turned to what God had been teaching Mark from the Word. He shared something very encouraging with me…

He has been reading in Acts and came to chapter eight, specifically the occasion of Philips encounter with the Etheopian eunuch. Mark told me, “I had never noticed what happened to Philip after he had baptized the eunuch and they came out of the water.” Philip was carried away by the Spirit. Here is the observation Mark made and what the Spirit showed him. It’s likely Philip had a prior engagement, an appointment if you will, and was headed there when he encountered the Etheopian eunuch. Regardless, he took as much time as necessary with the man, explained the Scriptures to him, lead him to salvation, and baptized him. By this time he was way behind schedule, what was he going to do about it? This is where it gets good.

The Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away–more than likely to where he was scheduled to be–and in doing so, made up for lost time. Mark said, “this is what the Spirit showed me. When we take time for people, even at the interruption of our schedule (especially at the interruption of our own schedule), God will always make up the ‘lost’ time.”

If you’re like me, you sometimes–maybe often–neglect things that are important because of all that clamors for immediate attention . But if what Mark told me is true, and I am certain it is, than it actually eliminates the stressful demands of the urgent. In fact, though many things may be important, nothing is really urgent. Follow the Spirit, invest in people, and whatever you lack in terms of time, energy and resource, God will make up the difference!

Whew! That’s refreshing news.

Monday Reflections

It’s Monday morning, the kids didn’t have to go to school today (thanks former U.S Presidents), and our family has had a relaxing morning at home. It’s a fitting climax to a great weekend, and rejuvenation for the week ahead.

Yesterday was a great day! We introduced Brian and Jamie Taylor — new Pastors of Outreach and Young Adult Ministry. I am very excited about them being here and believe they are going to make an immediate impact on our church. Pray for them as they make the adjustments to a new place, a new ministry, etc.

Today I am going to see Velma Williams. This sweet lady has been very sick and is missing our church incredibly. I hope you’ve sent her a card, or made a phone call, to encourage her.

This week I’m finishing my final project. A week from today, Lord willing, my Master’s will be completed. I have enjoyed the journey, but I am looking forward to it’s conclusion.

Hope you have a great week…remember, God is at work for our good and His glory…and He has not overlooked YOU!

New Pastor

Brian Taylor got into town today with the moving truck. His wife Jamie and the girls flew in a couple days ago, but now the whole family is together again and I am so excited to have them here to begin working at Grace.

Brian will be our Pastor of Outreach and Young Adult Ministry. He will focus on the continued development of our outreach ministries, and he’ll begin working to bring some cohesion to the group of married adults with young families. As you know, there are a lot of new folks in that category, Brian and Jamie will be working to bring everyone together, to develop relationships and build community. I know they are going to do a fantastic job!

Welcome Brian, Jamie, Megan and Katelyn! I’m glad to have you in Idaho!

The end is in sight!

A few minutes ago I submitted the first draft of my final project. This has been a long, interesting and incredibly beneficial journey, but I’ve got to tell you, I’m very glad to be (almost) done! A Master’s Degree is in sight, and while I’ve certianly considered pursuing my education further, I will definitely take some time before I do. My family, my friends, my church deserve my undivided attention for a while and I am happy to give it.

Anyway, I’m not done with this degree yet, just almost.

It’s much clearer now

I attended a funeral today, not as a preacher or even a pastor, but in silent support of the family and those who knew them.

It was an amazing service. The Chaplain who officiated and the others who spoke were thoughtful, compassionate and very real. They spoke well of the man who died, but more importantly they spoke directly and careingly to the wife and two kids left behind. I was moved by their words and deeply touched by the service.

But that’s not what I really wanted to write about. In the hour or so that I was in that funeral chapel, life seemed to stand still for me. There’s not a more grim and real reminder of how terminal life is than watching a funeral director close a casket on a man for the last time. And in staring at death I realized there are a lot of things in life that occupy time, energy and effort that really aren’t worth the investment. Few things are really important, and I felt a strong desire to strip from my life everything that isn’t in that category.

I left with a different perspective than when I arrived. It’s as though my vision was adjusted. Everything is much clearer. Without question the urgent will continue to press for more time than it deserves. I pray I will have the wisdom and discernment to recognize and guard against it.

By the way, I recommend attending a funeral every couple of months, just to maintain an eternal perspective.

The problem

Some of the thoughts I shared tonight in our Wednesday evening Bible study. Gives some insight into our culture…

Edward Gibbon, author of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, has attributed the fall of the Empire to:
•    The rapid increase of divorce; the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society.
•    Higher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace.
•    The mad craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.
•    The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was within, the decadence of the people.
•    The decay of religion—faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people.

Sounds all too familiar doesn’t it? But here’s what’s most alarming. These are the result of a philosophy of life that fails to account for God.  This means significant changes will come only as the result of a spiritual awakening that arouses in men a new and meaningful “fear of God.”

Here are two observations regarding “the fear of the Lord”

a.    It is the starting point of wisdom. Wisdom, we have determined, is seeing life from God’s point of view; these verses inform us that it cannot be obtained without “the fear of the Lord”. Prov. 9:10
b.    It is the foundation of knowledge.  While you can know a lot of things, your knowledge makes no sense, nor does it make any difference apart from the fear of the Lord.  In other words, what is the end of knowledge (or anything else for that matter)  if there is no fear of God? Prov. 1:7

What does it mean to fear the Lord? In Genesis 22, the fear of the Lord is illustrated in the life of Abraham.

The Bible says, “now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” What are the things God learned about Abraham in the course of these events that led Him to that conclusion? Here are a few:
•    Abraham believed in God;
•    His belief was demonstrated by a willingness to trust God with himself and his son;
•    His trust led to obedience in the face of confusing circumstances and unbelievable questions;
•    His obedience manifested the greatest possible sacrifice.

What difference does all of this make? I discovered at least five benefits to fearing the Lord, let’s look at them:

A.    Long Life
Deut. 6:2 (NKJV) that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.
Proverbs 10:27 (NKJV) The fear of the Lord prolongs days,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
B.    Provision & Blessing
Psalm 34:9 (NKJV)  Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
Psalm 115:13 (NKJV) He will bless those who fear the Lord,
Both small and great.
Deut. 6:24 (NKJV)  And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.
Proverbs 22:4 (NKJV) By humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches and honor and life.
C.    Strong confidence, Safety & Satisfaction
Proverbs 14:26-27 (NKJV) In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge. [27] The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
Proverbs 19:23 (NKJV) The fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
D.    Holy Living
Proverbs 3:7 (NKJV)  Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:6 (NKJV) In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV) The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
2 Cor. 7:1 (NKJV) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
E.    Healthy Relationships
Ephes. 5:21 (NKJV)  submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Let’s make this practical. Three final questions will sum up our look at this subject. You are the target of these questions, they are meant to assess in you the fear of the Lord.

What are you learning? We are constantly being shaped by something or someone.  If society at large is shaping the way you think, you are learning from the world. In contrast, if your understanding of the culture is being shaped by the fear of God, you are being taught by Him. Let me give you an example. Within the last week a legislator from the state of California introduced a bill that would outlaw spanking as a means of discipline for children 4 years old and below. What is your opinion on the matter? If you agree with it, you do not properly fear the Lord. If however, you see it to be the humanistic bunk that it is, you are on your way to a biblical fear of the Lord.

To fear Him you must know Him. To know Him you must pursue Him diligently. Other things will lead you in other directions.

How are you living? If the fear of the Lord affects each area of life, it’s fair to evaluate our lives and see if our actions and attitudes reflect His values.

Who are you loving? That Abraham loved God most is conclusive by what he was willing to sacrifice. “Now I know that you fear God.”