152. That's an interesting number. Compared to 6, its big. Compared to 42,348,439 its small. When talking about teenagers at a youth service at Cornerstone Church in Chillicothe, Missouri, its big. There were 152 teenagers at church Wednesday night.
At Cornerstone Church, we love kids. Apparently, kids love us too. We are reorganizing our Wednesday night program for K-5th grade. We have lots of children coming to church also. Miss Lisa does a fabulous job with our children's department. Our Sunday school teachers are the best. Our Wednesday night program is developing where kids will be jamming into the building to hear about Jesus.
If you are bored with your life, help us love kids. The reward will be immediate. In addition, you will be laying up treasure for yourself in heaven.
We set out 175 chairs for this week at the newly expanded 228 Student Auditorium. As soon as we finished the construction, the building is not big enough! Kids may take over the adult space yet. What a problem?
Peace,
Stan
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Teamwork
To answer the question, “What would Jesus do,” we need to examine what did Jesus did? Early in Jesus’ ministry He formed a team. The Apostle Paul had a team. If we will accomplish our given assignment, it will be done as a team. What God has given us to accomplish is too large for any individual. Each of us is an individual member of the body of Christ. We need others.
Mark 3:13 - 15 (NASB) "And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons." Jesus chose twelve guys to hang out with Him. Then he sent them out to preach. When He sent them out, He sent them with authority to get the job done. We try to follow this example in everything we do at Cornerstone Church.
There are many reasons not to form a team. It is too messy. More people means more problems. In the beginning it is easier and faster to do things yourself, than to train others. Yet, ultimately this frees you to pursue other things. It requires organization—meetings, discussion, persuasion. There is the false belief that no one can do it as well as I can. There is an insecurity of being replaced.
We don't want to lose control. An inexperienced or insecure leader wants to give directives, not share leadership and decisions. This results in people feeling unappreciated and they become uninterested in helping you. Tradition keeps people from forming a team. “We’ve always do things this way. We’ve never done that before.” The people expect the pastor to perform certain duties based on tradition, not on actual Biblical mandate.
There are many great reasons to form a team. The Bible endorses it. Success is not limited to an individual effort. It builds true community and unity. Teamwork creates synergy, which generates results far greater than the sum of the parts could have achieved. There is a multiplying effect in group dynamics.
Teamwork multiplies love, joy, peace…fun! It reduces stress. Success and failure is shared. The work load is shared. I can do what I am equipped to do, knowing that others are doing what I am not good at doing. I am not stressed out trying to perform duties that I am ill equipped to perform. There is more innovation in a group than in an individual.
I have a great team around me. Michelle, my wife, is my key teammate. JD, Greg, and Brent work closely with me every day. Amy and Barb are so valuable. Miss Lisa is awesome with our children, especially in Jumpgate. Jame does a wonderful job leading our music TEAM. Ronda and Jen are great. Judy runs a wonderful day care. Miss Kay is the best preschool teacher around. David keeps our facilities clean and running great. Our volunteers minister to others every day. We have about 20 LIFE Groups operating between Cornerstone and KC Life Churches combined.
God is good. Jesus is Lord. Life is great. Teamwork is one of the great reasons why.
Peace,
Stan
Mark 3:13 - 15 (NASB) "And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons." Jesus chose twelve guys to hang out with Him. Then he sent them out to preach. When He sent them out, He sent them with authority to get the job done. We try to follow this example in everything we do at Cornerstone Church.
There are many reasons not to form a team. It is too messy. More people means more problems. In the beginning it is easier and faster to do things yourself, than to train others. Yet, ultimately this frees you to pursue other things. It requires organization—meetings, discussion, persuasion. There is the false belief that no one can do it as well as I can. There is an insecurity of being replaced.
We don't want to lose control. An inexperienced or insecure leader wants to give directives, not share leadership and decisions. This results in people feeling unappreciated and they become uninterested in helping you. Tradition keeps people from forming a team. “We’ve always do things this way. We’ve never done that before.” The people expect the pastor to perform certain duties based on tradition, not on actual Biblical mandate.
There are many great reasons to form a team. The Bible endorses it. Success is not limited to an individual effort. It builds true community and unity. Teamwork creates synergy, which generates results far greater than the sum of the parts could have achieved. There is a multiplying effect in group dynamics.
Teamwork multiplies love, joy, peace…fun! It reduces stress. Success and failure is shared. The work load is shared. I can do what I am equipped to do, knowing that others are doing what I am not good at doing. I am not stressed out trying to perform duties that I am ill equipped to perform. There is more innovation in a group than in an individual.
I have a great team around me. Michelle, my wife, is my key teammate. JD, Greg, and Brent work closely with me every day. Amy and Barb are so valuable. Miss Lisa is awesome with our children, especially in Jumpgate. Jame does a wonderful job leading our music TEAM. Ronda and Jen are great. Judy runs a wonderful day care. Miss Kay is the best preschool teacher around. David keeps our facilities clean and running great. Our volunteers minister to others every day. We have about 20 LIFE Groups operating between Cornerstone and KC Life Churches combined.
God is good. Jesus is Lord. Life is great. Teamwork is one of the great reasons why.
Peace,
Stan
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Identity Crisis
Since Adam and Eve, most people consistently suffer from insecurity and inadequacy. Most people do not even understand themselves very well. Most of life is spent on a search to find myself—FINDING ME! Many look to culture find themselves and to improve their own self-image. Everyone needs to have positive self-image. This takes nothing away from God. Many in the church world would suggest that self-image steals from the proper emphasis on God. I disagree.
Proper self-image is found in the believer’s relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Isaiah wrote that our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64.5-7). Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. In myself, I may have good reason to have a poor self-image. IN CHRIST, I have every reason to have a confident and positive image of myself. “… it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2.20).So many things are attempting to shape my life. There are so many traps to avoid in this world. Too may societal, cultural paths lead to no where, like a treadmill. I like to workout, but I really detest treadmills. I work so hard, and get no where. Let’s examine a few treadmills that many use to try to boost their self-image…
The Appearance Treadmill is all about body image—beauty products, lotions, creams, tanning beds, hair styles, weight loss products, workout programs, etc. It is fashion—clothes, shoes, jewelry. 1 Peter 3:3 - 4 (NLT) "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." Status, materialism, automobiles, houses, toys, … How much is enough? Confidence cannot be purchased. Self-worth is not for sale.
There is the Popularity Treadmill. Do I matter to anyone? Do I fit in? Many sell their own soul to fit in with the “popular” crowd. Girls (women) give their bodies sexually to be with the “right” guy—athletic, funny, rich, smart. Kids will shoplift, cuss, drink, do vandalism to fit in.
Many climb the social ladder to find nothing at the top, after they achieve the status they seeking. Yet, the truly popular march to their own beat. They set the pace, and lead the parade. Everyone else is just a want-to-be.
Far too many suffer from approval addiction. This is the Achievement Treadmill. These are driven by a craving for success. Life is measure by achievement of money, awards, degrees, recognition. These are the workaholics. Muhammad Ali said, “I had the world, and it wasn’t nothin’.” The cultural route to self-worth is an endless routine of running on one treadmill or another, which never get you to your destination.
Where can a person find true identity and worth? What does God think about me? The one who created me is the only one with whom my esteem is safe. Others do not know my true value. I don't even know myself. Value is determined by the price paid. 1 Peter 1:18 - 19 "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." You and I are valuable, because Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.
Proper self-image is found in the believer’s relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Isaiah wrote that our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64.5-7). Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. In myself, I may have good reason to have a poor self-image. IN CHRIST, I have every reason to have a confident and positive image of myself. “… it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2.20).So many things are attempting to shape my life. There are so many traps to avoid in this world. Too may societal, cultural paths lead to no where, like a treadmill. I like to workout, but I really detest treadmills. I work so hard, and get no where. Let’s examine a few treadmills that many use to try to boost their self-image…
The Appearance Treadmill is all about body image—beauty products, lotions, creams, tanning beds, hair styles, weight loss products, workout programs, etc. It is fashion—clothes, shoes, jewelry. 1 Peter 3:3 - 4 (NLT) "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." Status, materialism, automobiles, houses, toys, … How much is enough? Confidence cannot be purchased. Self-worth is not for sale.
There is the Popularity Treadmill. Do I matter to anyone? Do I fit in? Many sell their own soul to fit in with the “popular” crowd. Girls (women) give their bodies sexually to be with the “right” guy—athletic, funny, rich, smart. Kids will shoplift, cuss, drink, do vandalism to fit in.
Many climb the social ladder to find nothing at the top, after they achieve the status they seeking. Yet, the truly popular march to their own beat. They set the pace, and lead the parade. Everyone else is just a want-to-be.
Far too many suffer from approval addiction. This is the Achievement Treadmill. These are driven by a craving for success. Life is measure by achievement of money, awards, degrees, recognition. These are the workaholics. Muhammad Ali said, “I had the world, and it wasn’t nothin’.” The cultural route to self-worth is an endless routine of running on one treadmill or another, which never get you to your destination.
Where can a person find true identity and worth? What does God think about me? The one who created me is the only one with whom my esteem is safe. Others do not know my true value. I don't even know myself. Value is determined by the price paid. 1 Peter 1:18 - 19 "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." You and I are valuable, because Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Pusuit of Happiness
Imagine actually living the life of which you have always dreamed. This is possible. The most wonderful life you can imagine can be yours. To obtain this wonderful & happy life, you may need a guide—A Guide To a Happy Life. Happiness really begins by engaging in worthwhile activities. Here are a list of ten suggestions to guide your way.
1. Live by the golden rule
"Do for others as you would like them to do for you." (Luke 6:31)
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”" (Galatians 5:14)
2. Forgive quickly
"’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (Ephesians 4:26-27)
"... Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37)
3. Take care of yourself
"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:16)
Stay spiritually, mentally (emotionally), physically strong.
You cannot help others unless you are strong.
Get proper care when you are ill—Jesus said, “The sick need a physician.”
Wash your hands often.
Eat properly.
Get plenty on rest.
Make sure there is plenty of humor in your life.
4. Be temperate
"And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." (1 Corinthians 9:25, NKJV)
Temperate: Marked by moderation: as
a: keeping or held within limits : not extreme or excessive: mild
b: moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire
c: moderate in the use of intoxicating liquors
d: marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence: restrained
Uncontrolled appetites and emotions will bring great stress to your life and to those closest to you.
5. Love and help children
"Pure 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. " (James 1:27)
"Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”" (Matthew 19:13-14)
6. Be generous
Proverbs 22:9 (NASB) 9He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.
Be a giver, not a taker. Takers are never happy or satisfied. Givers are blessed and happy.
Proverbs 11:24-25 (NASB) 24There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. 25The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.
7. Don’t break the laws of man
There are a multitude of Scriptures exhorting believers to obey rulers and authority.
"Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." (1 Peter 2:13-17, NIV)
It is very liberating to live free from the fear of getting caught!
8. Mind your own business
"This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before." (1 Thessalonians 4:11, NLT)
I have more than enough to mind, trying to keep myself and my immediate family well off—spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically.
When I take on responsibilities that are not God-given, I become stressed out without cause.
9. Build and value highly strong relationships
We should know many people and be friendly with nearly everyone.
However, each of us needs a few close friends that we can talk to about anything, who will challenge us to be the best we can be, and will challenge us to grow.
Everyone needs “safe” people in our lives.
We all need someone who believes in us, and encourages us.
Be a person worthy of the trust of others
Keep your word, once given.
Don’t break confidences.
The key to having great friends is to be one!
Become a good listener.
Bring joy to others.
Send cards, write notes, make phone calls.
Don’t be promiscuous
Be faithful.
The urge of the moment can become the sorrow of a lifetime!
10. Have a grateful heart
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Answers come in a positive mindset much easier and faster than to a negative, hopeless mind.
Every great story includes great struggle, some suffering, even temporary defeats. AND every great story includes individuals overcoming such trials.
Be that kind of person!
It starts with a grateful heart.
1. Live by the golden rule
"Do for others as you would like them to do for you." (Luke 6:31)
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”" (Galatians 5:14)
2. Forgive quickly
"’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (Ephesians 4:26-27)
"... Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37)
3. Take care of yourself
"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:16)
Stay spiritually, mentally (emotionally), physically strong.
You cannot help others unless you are strong.
Get proper care when you are ill—Jesus said, “The sick need a physician.”
Wash your hands often.
Eat properly.
Get plenty on rest.
Make sure there is plenty of humor in your life.
4. Be temperate
"And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." (1 Corinthians 9:25, NKJV)
Temperate: Marked by moderation: as
a: keeping or held within limits : not extreme or excessive: mild
b: moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire
c: moderate in the use of intoxicating liquors
d: marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence: restrained
Uncontrolled appetites and emotions will bring great stress to your life and to those closest to you.
5. Love and help children
"Pure 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. " (James 1:27)
"Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”" (Matthew 19:13-14)
6. Be generous
Proverbs 22:9 (NASB) 9He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.
Be a giver, not a taker. Takers are never happy or satisfied. Givers are blessed and happy.
Proverbs 11:24-25 (NASB) 24There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. 25The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.
7. Don’t break the laws of man
There are a multitude of Scriptures exhorting believers to obey rulers and authority.
"Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." (1 Peter 2:13-17, NIV)
It is very liberating to live free from the fear of getting caught!
8. Mind your own business
"This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before." (1 Thessalonians 4:11, NLT)
I have more than enough to mind, trying to keep myself and my immediate family well off—spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically.
When I take on responsibilities that are not God-given, I become stressed out without cause.
9. Build and value highly strong relationships
We should know many people and be friendly with nearly everyone.
However, each of us needs a few close friends that we can talk to about anything, who will challenge us to be the best we can be, and will challenge us to grow.
Everyone needs “safe” people in our lives.
We all need someone who believes in us, and encourages us.
Be a person worthy of the trust of others
Keep your word, once given.
Don’t break confidences.
The key to having great friends is to be one!
Become a good listener.
Bring joy to others.
Send cards, write notes, make phone calls.
Don’t be promiscuous
Be faithful.
The urge of the moment can become the sorrow of a lifetime!
10. Have a grateful heart
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Answers come in a positive mindset much easier and faster than to a negative, hopeless mind.
Every great story includes great struggle, some suffering, even temporary defeats. AND every great story includes individuals overcoming such trials.
Be that kind of person!
It starts with a grateful heart.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sharpen the Ax
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
"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
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
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