One man challenged another to an all-day wood chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day. At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had.
"I don't get it," he said. "Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did."
"But you didn't notice," said the winning woodsman, "that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest."
Luke 5:15-16, "But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." Of all of the wonderful truths we observe in the life of Jesus, this truth is often overlooked. After the demands of life and ministry, the Bible records for our benefit, "Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."
If Jesus needed to get away from the demands of life to recharge His batteries, then how much more you and me? We are to be imitators of Christ. So, let's learn how to pull away, rest and talk to our Heavenly Father, just like Jesus.
Here are a few suggestions. Eliminate “hurry” from your life. John Ortberg asked a wise friend what needed to be done to be more spiritually healthy. The reply, “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” Famous turn of the century psychologist Carl Jung wrote, "Hurry is not of the devil; hurry is the devil.” Ortberg wrote, “For many of us the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre version of it.” You can be busy without being in a hurry!
Here is a radical idea, "Just say, 'NO.'" Say no to almost everything. Let your priorities determine your schedule. Learn how to practice daily solitude. Here's how to do it:
Turn Off and Tune Out (TV, internet, and/or telephone)
Find a place to be alone
Invest that time with God
Invest that time in rest
Invite Jesus into your moment
Replay video of your day
Move from one scene to other
Pray for people & situations; ask forgiveness
Seek Guidance
Jesus took time to refresh (sharpen the ax), perhaps we should also!
Peace,
Stan
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Just Jesus
I am asked to teach on leadership periodically. I have read many books on the subject. Yet, I always come back to the gospels for my favorite leadership lessons. Jesus was the greatest leader ever. So, let’s learn leadership from Jesus.
On Amazon.com I found titles such as: Artist’s Way, Toyota Way, Wilderness Way, Way of the Turtle, The Way—Using the Wisdom of Kabala, and The Jesus Way. Let’s examine The Jesus Way.
Very often people outside of the church express great admiration for Jesus, while despising the church. They love Jesus, but not the church. The church to them is organized religion with various rules, conformity, and narrow-mindedness. They loathe the political agendas, both internal and external. They don’t like the holier-than-thou attitudes of some Christians.
So, I am not much interested in telling you what our church believes. I don’t want you to conform into our image of following Christ. You won’t hear much from me about the rules or religious ritual. You won’t hear much of my personal political leanings. You aren’t likely to hear condemnation of pet sins. We all sin. All sin is egregious, and should be repented of.
Hopefully, what you will hear from me is much teaching the Way of Jesus, the Jesus Way. I believe all of us, myself included, have some warped views concerning Jesus. These ideas, perhaps, have come from the opinions of others. Some misconceptions are of our own making. We put our mask over the “real Jesus.” The church, at times, has presented an angry, judgmental, narrow Jesus to the world. I am afraid people hear, “rules”, “religion”, or “politics.”
Christianity has been about achievement and retention of certain facts, like some academic endeavor. The Jesus Way is not concerned so much with accomplishment as with lifestyle and relationship, NOT rules, NOT religion, NOT politics—JUST JESUS! Jesus continually challenged individuals with this phrase, "Follow Me." Jesus' kingdom is relationship. We hang out with Jesus when we hang out with Jesus people, fellowship around His Word (The Bible), and talk with Him (prayer).
Jesus came to start a revolution. A revolution is a sudden, radical, or complete change, epecially the overthrow of a ruler and substitution of another by the governed. A revolution is a rebellion, a mutiny. I willingly choose to overthrow my selfish ambitions and replace them with Jesus. I believe we are living in a time and place where Christ followers are more interested in the kingdom of God than the kingdoms of this world. In previous generations these seasons where called revivals. To reach this condition requires rebellion and change. The question is, “Who’s going to rule my life?” Jesus said, “Follow me.” When I follow Jesus, I am going to become absorbed into what is important and priority to Him.
People are Jesus' priority. So, I need to value other people more than myself. People must believe that I like them. "Others" are not the enemy. People are hurting. Donald Miller wrote, "People are hurting. We need to take Jesus to people's wounds." Let's do church a new way, the Jesus Way.
Peace,
Stan
On Amazon.com I found titles such as: Artist’s Way, Toyota Way, Wilderness Way, Way of the Turtle, The Way—Using the Wisdom of Kabala, and The Jesus Way. Let’s examine The Jesus Way.
Very often people outside of the church express great admiration for Jesus, while despising the church. They love Jesus, but not the church. The church to them is organized religion with various rules, conformity, and narrow-mindedness. They loathe the political agendas, both internal and external. They don’t like the holier-than-thou attitudes of some Christians.
So, I am not much interested in telling you what our church believes. I don’t want you to conform into our image of following Christ. You won’t hear much from me about the rules or religious ritual. You won’t hear much of my personal political leanings. You aren’t likely to hear condemnation of pet sins. We all sin. All sin is egregious, and should be repented of.
Hopefully, what you will hear from me is much teaching the Way of Jesus, the Jesus Way. I believe all of us, myself included, have some warped views concerning Jesus. These ideas, perhaps, have come from the opinions of others. Some misconceptions are of our own making. We put our mask over the “real Jesus.” The church, at times, has presented an angry, judgmental, narrow Jesus to the world. I am afraid people hear, “rules”, “religion”, or “politics.”
Christianity has been about achievement and retention of certain facts, like some academic endeavor. The Jesus Way is not concerned so much with accomplishment as with lifestyle and relationship, NOT rules, NOT religion, NOT politics—JUST JESUS! Jesus continually challenged individuals with this phrase, "Follow Me." Jesus' kingdom is relationship. We hang out with Jesus when we hang out with Jesus people, fellowship around His Word (The Bible), and talk with Him (prayer).
Jesus came to start a revolution. A revolution is a sudden, radical, or complete change, epecially the overthrow of a ruler and substitution of another by the governed. A revolution is a rebellion, a mutiny. I willingly choose to overthrow my selfish ambitions and replace them with Jesus. I believe we are living in a time and place where Christ followers are more interested in the kingdom of God than the kingdoms of this world. In previous generations these seasons where called revivals. To reach this condition requires rebellion and change. The question is, “Who’s going to rule my life?” Jesus said, “Follow me.” When I follow Jesus, I am going to become absorbed into what is important and priority to Him.
People are Jesus' priority. So, I need to value other people more than myself. People must believe that I like them. "Others" are not the enemy. People are hurting. Donald Miller wrote, "People are hurting. We need to take Jesus to people's wounds." Let's do church a new way, the Jesus Way.
Peace,
Stan
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Making God's Dream Come True in Your Life
Jeremiah 29:11 - 14 (NKJV), "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive."
Imagine being dropped by parachute into an undisclosed, remote area of India. At your drop site is a fueled up Jeep with the keys in the ignition. Your goal is to see the Taj Mahal. But, you have no idea where the Taj Mahal is located. And, you have never been to India before.
How insane would it be to just start driving, hoping you will eventually get there? Too many of us treat goal setting this same way. We dream about where we want to go in life, but don’t have a map to get there.
What is a map? {a picture with written words and markings of locations and destinations} To accomplish our purposes in life, we will need a vision from God of where He wants us to go, and how to get there.What is a vision? Bill Hybels calls vision a picture of the future that produces passion.
To get to your destination you need a picture of your future. God wants to show you the picture He has for your future. God's vision for your life will light you on fire. Here are a few suggestions on how to fulfill God's plan for your life:
1. Is your goal Good or God?
· Proverbs 8:17
· Matthew 7:7-8
2. Goals cannot contradict one another.
3. Develop goals for a balanced life.
· Personal (spiritual, health, financial, community)
· Family
· Business
4. Write your goals.
· Habakkuk 2:2-3
· Write them in detail.
· Write positive statements, not negative ones.
5. Make sure your goals are high enough.
· Goals should stretch you.
· Isaiah 54:2-3
6. Keep your goals before your eyes.
· Proverbs 4:20-27
· Keep in a place where you will see them often.
7. Seek to be a blessing. Don’t seek to be successful.
· This will keep your heart and conscience pure.
. 1 Timothy 1:5
Peace,
Stan
Imagine being dropped by parachute into an undisclosed, remote area of India. At your drop site is a fueled up Jeep with the keys in the ignition. Your goal is to see the Taj Mahal. But, you have no idea where the Taj Mahal is located. And, you have never been to India before.
How insane would it be to just start driving, hoping you will eventually get there? Too many of us treat goal setting this same way. We dream about where we want to go in life, but don’t have a map to get there.
What is a map? {a picture with written words and markings of locations and destinations} To accomplish our purposes in life, we will need a vision from God of where He wants us to go, and how to get there.What is a vision? Bill Hybels calls vision a picture of the future that produces passion.
To get to your destination you need a picture of your future. God wants to show you the picture He has for your future. God's vision for your life will light you on fire. Here are a few suggestions on how to fulfill God's plan for your life:
1. Is your goal Good or God?
· Proverbs 8:17
· Matthew 7:7-8
2. Goals cannot contradict one another.
3. Develop goals for a balanced life.
· Personal (spiritual, health, financial, community)
· Family
· Business
4. Write your goals.
· Habakkuk 2:2-3
· Write them in detail.
· Write positive statements, not negative ones.
5. Make sure your goals are high enough.
· Goals should stretch you.
· Isaiah 54:2-3
6. Keep your goals before your eyes.
· Proverbs 4:20-27
· Keep in a place where you will see them often.
7. Seek to be a blessing. Don’t seek to be successful.
· This will keep your heart and conscience pure.
. 1 Timothy 1:5
Peace,
Stan
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Bethlehem Star
From our earliest memories of the Christmas story, we have heard of the magi who came to visit the Christ child, but what do we really know about them? Where did they come from? Why were they interested in a king born in Palestine? Who were they? There is a great deal of myth & mystery about them.
Psalms 19:1 - 4 (NLT) 1The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
In the Book of Job, Chapter 9, Job credits God with creation of the stars and constellations:
(9) He is the Maker of the Bear [Ursa Major] and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
And in Job Chapter 38, God makes much the same point. He, not man, is sovereign over the creation, particularly the constellations:
(31) "Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion? (32) Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons...
God reveals Himself in many ways. One place to find God is in the stars. Astrology is often defined as the the study of the influences of the cosmos on life on earth. Astrology is dangerous and wrong spirited. The cosmos does not determine life of earth. However, God can declare His plans through the stars. Wikipedia states, "Astrology and astronomy were often indistinguishable before the modern era, with the desire for predictive and divinatory knowledge one of the primary motivating factors for astronomical observation. Astronomy began to diverge from astrology after a period of gradual separation from the Renaissance up until the 18th century. Eventually, astronomy distinguished itself as the scientific study of astronomical objects and phenomena without regard to the astrological meaning of these phenomena."
Christ followers should have no fear of science. In fact, I believe an unbiased view of science reinforces Bible truths. Bethlehemstar.net is a great source for more information concerning the Star of Bethlehem. Plan to be amazed. Give yourself plenty of time to peruse.
Merry Christmas,
Stan
Psalms 19:1 - 4 (NLT) 1The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
In the Book of Job, Chapter 9, Job credits God with creation of the stars and constellations:
(9) He is the Maker of the Bear [Ursa Major] and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
And in Job Chapter 38, God makes much the same point. He, not man, is sovereign over the creation, particularly the constellations:
(31) "Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion? (32) Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons...
God reveals Himself in many ways. One place to find God is in the stars. Astrology is often defined as the the study of the influences of the cosmos on life on earth. Astrology is dangerous and wrong spirited. The cosmos does not determine life of earth. However, God can declare His plans through the stars. Wikipedia states, "Astrology and astronomy were often indistinguishable before the modern era, with the desire for predictive and divinatory knowledge one of the primary motivating factors for astronomical observation. Astronomy began to diverge from astrology after a period of gradual separation from the Renaissance up until the 18th century. Eventually, astronomy distinguished itself as the scientific study of astronomical objects and phenomena without regard to the astrological meaning of these phenomena."
Christ followers should have no fear of science. In fact, I believe an unbiased view of science reinforces Bible truths. Bethlehemstar.net is a great source for more information concerning the Star of Bethlehem. Plan to be amazed. Give yourself plenty of time to peruse.
Merry Christmas,
Stan
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Christmas Island
Christmas Island is a dot in the Indian Ocean, located 1600 miles north-west of Perth, Western Australia. Even though it is an Australian Territory, its closest neighbor is Java, 220 miles away. 63% of it is national park containing species of flora & fauna found nowhere else in the world! Probably the most noticeable local is the Red Crab with over 100 million of these vivid red creatures living on the forest floor.
Exploring the waters surrounding the island is an experience not to be missed. Myriads of tropical fish swim by in only a few feet of water, while a short distance away, divers can cruise the drop-off which plunges dramatically into the abyss. A person may even bump into one of the local spinner dolphins or at certain times of the year meet the majestic whaleshark!
Christmas is always an island; an island of hope in a world of despair, an island of love in a world of indifference, an island of giving in a self-centered world. The angelic host on the night of our Savior’s birth summoned all to come to Christmas Island!
Merry Christmas,
Stan
Exploring the waters surrounding the island is an experience not to be missed. Myriads of tropical fish swim by in only a few feet of water, while a short distance away, divers can cruise the drop-off which plunges dramatically into the abyss. A person may even bump into one of the local spinner dolphins or at certain times of the year meet the majestic whaleshark!
Christmas is always an island; an island of hope in a world of despair, an island of love in a world of indifference, an island of giving in a self-centered world. The angelic host on the night of our Savior’s birth summoned all to come to Christmas Island!
Merry Christmas,
Stan
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Why Christmas?
It was a bit surreal to see Christmas trees and decorations in a predominately Buddhist country, Thailand. It was wonderful and strange hearing Joy to the World in the shopping mall, knowing that most of the shoppers had no idea what the words meant. In the airport in Tokyo, Michelle and I heard a beautiful rendition of Silent Night. I am sure the savvy Japanese shop owners were trying to get the European and American travelers into a buying mood.
While in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Michelle and I attended a luncheon, organized by Todd and Julie Powers, for missionaries. I spoke to the group of about 50 missionaries, who are preaching the good news of Jesus Christ in several Asian countries. Many help orphans, others have Bible training schools, others teach English, some are Bible translators, etc. I am in awe of those who leave home and familiar culture to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. It was an honor to encourage them.
Many theologians today claim the efforts of these missionaries is a less than noble cause, even arrogant, judgmental and wrong. Many today profess that we should not change the beliefs of others. They claim that all roads lead to heaven, and all religions are wonderful. Because God loves everyone and Jesus died to save everyone, then no person will be sent to hell, according to this line of thinking. We should not be proselytizing those of other faiths, according to this theory.There are difficult questions to consider. What about those who never hear the gospel? Is this an argument for not preaching the gospel around the world? If a loving God will not send anyone to hell; if all roads lead to heaven, then why Christmas? Why did God send His Son into this world? If there is no need for a Savior, then why did Jesus suffer and die? If Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and others are sufficient ways to attain eternal life, then why Christmas?
While in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Michelle and I attended a luncheon, organized by Todd and Julie Powers, for missionaries. I spoke to the group of about 50 missionaries, who are preaching the good news of Jesus Christ in several Asian countries. Many help orphans, others have Bible training schools, others teach English, some are Bible translators, etc. I am in awe of those who leave home and familiar culture to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. It was an honor to encourage them.
Many theologians today claim the efforts of these missionaries is a less than noble cause, even arrogant, judgmental and wrong. Many today profess that we should not change the beliefs of others. They claim that all roads lead to heaven, and all religions are wonderful. Because God loves everyone and Jesus died to save everyone, then no person will be sent to hell, according to this line of thinking. We should not be proselytizing those of other faiths, according to this theory.There are difficult questions to consider. What about those who never hear the gospel? Is this an argument for not preaching the gospel around the world? If a loving God will not send anyone to hell; if all roads lead to heaven, then why Christmas? Why did God send His Son into this world? If there is no need for a Savior, then why did Jesus suffer and die? If Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and others are sufficient ways to attain eternal life, then why Christmas?
Monday, November 19, 2007
Give Thanks
Psalms 95:1 - 7, "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand."
An outward look at creation makes me thankful. Who can gaze upon the wonders of this earth and not acknowledge God? When I see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, I am thankful. Sitting in the Rocky Mountains in Winter or Summer beholding the immense beauty, I am thankful. Seeing the thousands of stars littering the sky from the bush of Mozambique on a clear night, I am thankful. With my toes in the sand on any beach in the world, I am thankful. Looking with wonder and amazement at the balancing rocks or the great Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, I am thankful to the God of Creation.
An outward look at the world makes be thankful to be a Christ follower. If the 6.5 billion people of earth were reduced to a village of 100 people, 60 would come from Asia, 14 from Africa, 11 from Europe, 8 from North America, 6 from South America and 1 from Australia and Oceania. 34 world be Christians, 18 Muslims, 16 non-religious/athiests, 15 Hindus, 5 Buddhists and 12 others. The majority of the starving and illiterate people in that village would come from the countries with the least amount of Christians. Most of the wealth would belong to those from the predominately Christian nations. I am thankful to be a Christ follower, because He takes care of His followers much better than the other "gods."
An outward look at salvation causes me to be thankful. I realize that I cannot save myself. My sins have separated me from God. I have been given the gift of eternal life through my belief in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. God loved me, before I loved Him.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Stan
An outward look at creation makes me thankful. Who can gaze upon the wonders of this earth and not acknowledge God? When I see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, I am thankful. Sitting in the Rocky Mountains in Winter or Summer beholding the immense beauty, I am thankful. Seeing the thousands of stars littering the sky from the bush of Mozambique on a clear night, I am thankful. With my toes in the sand on any beach in the world, I am thankful. Looking with wonder and amazement at the balancing rocks or the great Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, I am thankful to the God of Creation.
An outward look at the world makes be thankful to be a Christ follower. If the 6.5 billion people of earth were reduced to a village of 100 people, 60 would come from Asia, 14 from Africa, 11 from Europe, 8 from North America, 6 from South America and 1 from Australia and Oceania. 34 world be Christians, 18 Muslims, 16 non-religious/athiests, 15 Hindus, 5 Buddhists and 12 others. The majority of the starving and illiterate people in that village would come from the countries with the least amount of Christians. Most of the wealth would belong to those from the predominately Christian nations. I am thankful to be a Christ follower, because He takes care of His followers much better than the other "gods."
An outward look at salvation causes me to be thankful. I realize that I cannot save myself. My sins have separated me from God. I have been given the gift of eternal life through my belief in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. God loved me, before I loved Him.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Stan
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