SERVING STRONG

The Way You Operate

Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
   or sit in the company of mockers, 
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
   and who meditates on his law day and night. 
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1.1-3

Delight - a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction; to be held spellbound.

Day and Night - Pretty much all the time.

Planted - Deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held

In Season - When the time comes, no earlier-no later; God's perfect timing.

God is the source of all strength. It's a law of nature just like gravity. Ignore it at your own peril. When we fully appreciate this fact - and structure our lives accordingly - we stand a good, solid chance of avoiding burnout in ministry leadership.

Read over this passage again.

Does this describe the way you operate? What do you think keeps us from living this way on a daily basis?

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Growth At The Speed Of Life

You're expecting a child, so you notice all the pregnant women and magazine ads for strollers.

You're studying the book of Jonah and an obscure article in the newspaper about a beached whale catches your eye.

You're nauseated and it seems like all the commercials are about food.

These are all clues to lasting personal growth. Ever read a passage of scripture - one you've read dozens of times before - only this time it spoke so profoundly to you? Why this time and not all the times before? Because of your context. The scripture was speaking into what you were going through at the time.

So how can you harness this principle of context-sensitive learning? Invite God into your "here and now". If you're struggling with an issue, don't fight it. Walk with God through it. Look for the learning. Look for the growth edges. If you're celebrating a win, keep your eyes open to what you can gain from it - what led to the success? what did you have to sacrifice?

Your context is what's top of mind. God speaks personal growth into that context if you're awake enough to see it.

What are you learning these days?

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The Belly Of Surrender

He prayed: “In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God. He answered me. From the belly of the grave I cried, ‘Help!’

You heard my cry." (Jonah 2.1)

___________________

Ever been there? Jonah has. I have. It's a terrifying place to be when we wake up and realize we have gone the opposite direct of God's desires.

The paradox of serving strong is that strength is actually conceived out of surrender. The moment I begin to take comfort in my skill, training, past successes, or experiences I sense a growing darkness in a strange, confining place.

But in the belly of my surrender God begins to act. I am vomited up out of the darkness and up on to shore with a mission.

Don't rely on your own strength. Be strong in God and in His purpose for your life.

What have YOU learned in your "belly of surrender"? Care to share?

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Building A Beach House?

Matthew 7.26 MSG:

“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach."

Are you leading others in ministry at the expense of growing yourself? If you are, you better keep an eye on the weather channel. Beach houses don't withstand strong storms.

What Are YOU Doing With It?

Prayer

People discussed it.

"You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed."  A.J. Gordon

"Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces."  S.D. Gordon

"Prayer is where the action is."  John Wesley

Jesus did it.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1.35)

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5.16)

"I can't do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide..." (Jesus, in John 5.30 MSG)

Satan fears it.

"Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying. Paul E. Billheimer

"In prayer we bring our spiritual enemies into the Presence of God and we fight them there."  J. H. Jowett

"Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees." William Cowper

What are YOU doing with it?

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Job #1

Job #1 for the ministry leader is... 

Not talking.

Not pursuading.

Not vision casting.

Not delegating.

Not preaching.

Not blogging.

Not teaching.

Not fund raising.

Not caring.

Not visiting.

Not evangelizing.

Not team building.

...no, Job #1 is quite simple: Listening...

360 Listening (related post)

 

 

What helps us be better listeners?

p.s. Kevin Martineau pointed out recently that LISTEN and SILENT have the same letters

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This post serves as a discussion board for the subscribers of the Serving Strong PowerMail. If you are not yet a subscriber you are invited to join in conversation as well. If you would like to know more about the PowerMail, Click here

Serving A Mute God

I pray into the night air...  nothing.

I cry for answers in the darkness...  not one ray of light.

I linger on my knees in expectation...  silence.

God goes mute.

I don't understand.

...so I sit.

Have you ever been there? Are you there now?

The world races forward while, it seems, you are sitting still... moving backward... making no difference at all... a waste... a disgrace... a shame...

These are the moments of deep testing of faith. It stinks when this happens (or does it?) Make no mistake: God can be present even though His voice is not reverberating. "Never will I leave you..."  God IS present. Like the air that enters your lungs... silent and still... yet very much present - and life-giving.

What do you do when God is mute?

My friend, Ron Edmondson, has written a tremendously helpful blog post that just might help you if you are trying to communicate with a mute God. It's titled, "7 Actions for the Times God is Silent".

Please read it. Don't despair. God may be temporarily mute. But He's still God.

 

To my Twitter followers: If this post hits you where you live and you would like a partner to pray with you over the next month or so, direct message (DM) the word "pray" to me and I will help take you and your situation to the Throne of grace. My Twitter home is http://www.twitter.com/ServingStrong

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Out of the Belly

"The King James Bible states [John 7.38] this way, 'Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.' The belly is the deepest place inside you - the place where you get anxious or afraid, where you feel hollow or empty when you are disappointed. The Greek word is koilia, and we speak of getting colitis when rivers of stress run in our belly. Scientists say we have a reptile brain - a 'brain in the gut' - that is, neurons in the digestive system that produce feelings of well-being or threat deeper than we can put into words. It is in that very deepest place that Jesus says he will produce vitality."     Quoted from "The Me I Want To Be, (becoming God's best version of you)"

So, whoever believes in Jesus Christ, as the scripture has said, streams of living water (vitality) will flow from within.

The USA Today reveals a study that says, among Americans:

24% see God as distant

28% see God as authoritative

22% see God as benevolent

21% see God as critical

5% are atheist or agnostic

What do YOU believe about God? Are you aware of the profound impact that belief has on your ministry leadership? When was the last time you could describe your life as having vitality?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe look helpful and will add value to my readers, whether I have personally read them or not. As with all suggested materials, be diligent to assess for yourself whether or not something is right for you.

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Bless My Efforts?

This post serves as a discussion board for the subscribers of the Serving Strong PowerMail. If you are not yet a subscriber you are invited to join in conversation as well. If you would like to know more about the PowerMail, Click here.

Bless My Efforts

God gives us gifts. God chooses to work through us to reach a lost and dying world.

You've heard people say, "God's given us brains. We should use them."

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3.5-8 that he, "...planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow..."  But that's been bothering me as I approach this week's issue of the PowerMail. I mean, does God give me a brain and then say, "Have at it"? When I think this way, I often end up serving in my own strength. I plan; prepare; practice; strategize and THEN ask God to bless my efforts. It's like we're two separate entities. I go off and do my thing, then think, "Oh, yeah. This is God's deal. I better ask Him to bless my efforts with His magical touch."

So, I've got some questions to kick around with you:

When does our effort end and God's power begin?

How much effort are we to expend on our own? Any?

Are we getting in God's way when we try too hard?

Is there such a thing as working too hard for God?

I bet you've got some great insight on this subject. I invite you to share your thoughts in a comment or two.

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You Mean I'm NOT?

Well, it has occurred to me that I have this terrible habit. I think I'm God. Problem is... I'm NOT.

"I'm NOT?!?"

"No, you're not."

"Hmmmph."

So, I decided to put a diagram in my Daily Sanity and it's always with me to refer back to (see the picture). I hereby share it with all my fellow God-Wanna-Be's.

 

(maybe I need a 12-step program??)
 

Broken-Nest

My wife and I are about 3 paragraphs into a new chapter in our married life. A month ago, we loaded all our son's stuff into his college dorm room and after a season of hugs and goodbyes, we drove away from the campus. He is our youngest. So for the first time in 21 years we are just the two of us...again.

Some call it the "empty nest". The baby birds take flight into adulthood, and leave momma and pappa bird. But after living about 30 days into the experience, I suppose it's more like a "broken nest". Don't get me wrong. My wife, Jennie and I love the new time alone together. It reminds us of when we were first married. But there's just something missing. The nest is... well, broken.

Time Together Is Richer...

I've noticed something about this broken nest. Phone calls from the kids, their weekend visits, even short texts have taken on a deeper significance; a stronger intimacy. We look forward to these short connections. We are eager to hear from the kids; to know how they're doing; to know they are okay. This wasn't necessarily the case when they were home all the time. I guess we tend to take for granted what we always have around. But time together is richer in the context of brokenness.

Are you taking your relationship with Christ for granted? If so, maybe you're not operating from a posture of dependence before Him. Perhaps you've gotten a little too comfortable because your ministry strategy is working. Maybe your self-reliance is weakening the power of God's Spirit through your life and ministry.

You and I serve strongest when we are broken. He is eager to hear from you. Remember Psalm 51.17? "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Time with Him is richer in the context of brokenness. I challenge you to pause and reflect on your walk with God. How dependent are you on God? How broken are you?

Thanks to Bridget Chumbley and her One Word Blog Carnival for the inspiration for this post.

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Are you experiencing the broken nest for the first time this school year? What are you experiencing?

Foundational

Ever wonder how strong your foundation is in Christ?

When was the last time you and He talked?

I mean REALLY had a heart to heart?

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How To Burn Out (revisited)

Back in May I posted about how to burn out in 5 steps. This was one of the most popular post of all time. Another 8 steps was added to the original 5 by way of readers' comments.

Here's a link to the original post

Therefore, I have compiled them all and made a free pdf download of them all for your enjoyment.

Click Here To Download

Note: This download is part of the Resources Page of the Serving Strong website.

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Happy burnout!!

Success Is...

Success.

Everybody wants it.

Some strive for quantity. Others strive for quality.

Bigger audiences. More ReTweets. A book deal. A lot of blog post comments...

{{ But }}

Success is neither a destination. Nor a state of being.

Success is overrated, oversold, and overworshipped.

It is a mean taskmaster. Seek it and you'll burnout. Lose out. Freak out.

The Truth?

Success.Is.God's.Alone.

In fact, God IS success. He's always right. Always timely. Always powerful. Always...

So stop looking for success. Stop striving for it. Stop hoping for it.

It's not yours to go after.reach.possess.

Mother Teresa once said, "I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness."

Are you faithful?

To your wife.kids.calling.

Then congratulations. For when you are faithful you are never closer to God.

And being close to God is a universe-sized better than mere success, right?

 

What does faithfulness look like to you?

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Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Ministry Leader: You did the best you knew how. You relied on God. You prepared the best you could. But somehow the weekend gatherings just didn't click the way you thought they would. This kind of thing happens. This post is for the discouraged at heart this Sunday afternoon. In 1923, Thomas O. Chisholm penned the following verse:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
_________________________________

Are you discouraged today? Remember Who it is you serve. Pleasing men is not the aim. It's all about Him. Let His Spirit envelope you as you reflect on these words today. And may God bless you deep in your soul.

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Harness The Wind

Wind.

It's useless until harnessed. Windmills harness the power of wind. But take a closer look at what's really going on between the wind and the windmill's blades: friction tension.

Some of the best spiritual growth on my journey has been the result of some knock-down, drag-out friction between God and me. I mean to tell you, the genuine fights. Can you relate?

So I'm thinking, friction tension isn't all that bad, really. Oh, it's mighty unpleasant at the time. But after a while I get tired from all my moaning and complaining. I drop to my knees....

what a minute!

I drop to my knees... hmmm.

I drop to my knees and harness the wind of God's Spirit in my life. Could it be that was God's design all along?

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When have you grown the most in your spiritual walk?

Effective Leaders Do This

Some of the things about effective leaders (in my humble opinion):

• Effective leaders listen as if their life depended on it.
• Effective leaders practice genuine humility on a daily basis.
• Effective leaders keep their eye on the back of Jesus' robe at all times.
• Effective leaders use process but develop people.
• Effective leaders know what they can and can't do.
• Effective leaders engage regularly in what Stephen Covey calls "Quadrant 2"
• Effective leaders exercise regularly.
• Effective leaders spend money wisely (personally and organizationally)
• Effective leaders have an exit strategy (they look for their replacement at all times)
• Effective leaders share their learning freely and openly.
• Effective leaders seek to understand; truly understand.
• Effective leaders seek input up and down the proverbial "chain of command".
• Effective leaders keep their sleeves rolled up in case they are needed at a moment's notice.
• Effective leaders are honest about the present struggle with an undying hope for the future.
• Effective leaders wait in the season of wait and act in the season of act.
• Effective leaders rarely carry the title of Leader.
• Effective leaders love their God, then their spouse, and go from there...
• Effective leaders parlay their learning experiences.
• Effective leaders are willing to serve in obscurity (and often do).
• Effective leaders aren't always widely followed in social media.
• Effective leaders maintain an open line of communication with the Father.
• Effective leaders lay down the mantel of independence each morning.
• Effective leaders pick up the mantel of dependence each morning.
• Effective leaders take time to sleep.
• Effective leaders are voracious readers.
• Effective leaders .....

What will you add to the list?

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Tap Out

This week has been, for me, an epic wrestling match with God. Changes outside of me have caused quite a stir inside of me.

On the mat. Me and God. Gloves up. Body poised. Did "the dance". God led. I bled.

The bell rang. I got up off the mat and I returned to my corner. I had some time to think. Here are some random things I thought:

• I don't enjoy wrestling with God.
• It hurts when I realize I was wrong.
• Letting go is easier to say than do.
• I drink too much caffeine (told you it was a random list).
• Change is no respecter of persons.
• Pulling away from it all is invaluable for perspective.
• Unaddressed anger lowers self esteem.
• Fears are better faced than avoided.
• God is never without a plan.
• God is never confused.
• God is never in a hurry.
• God is never frustrated.
• God grieves.
• "Whatever" is the darnedest word to say to God and mean it.
• From above I will heal.

I think it's time to tap out. I'm tired. I'm sore.

I think it's time to let God lead. He's willing. He's able.

Have you ever wrestled with God? If so, what have you learned?

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Ode To A Day's End

it's night time.

nothing you can do about it now.

it's over.

there was good. there was not-so-good.

things to be thankful for. things to still work on.

serving people is messy.

there are ups and there are downs.

"am I doing enough?" "should I have done more?"

questions waft in a faint air of uncertainty.

oh, but there is STILL a precious certainty.

God.

the effectiveness and precision of my doing comes and goes.

but the power of the Being remains because He is the Rock.

the Anchor.

the Constant.

and so there is rest. in God. alone.

and maybe it's not so night anymore.

and tomorrow... we'll try again.

 

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Trials, Trials, Trials

The scriptures tell me that if I am serious about serving Christ with your whole heart, I will face "trials of many kinds." The book of James talks about these sorts of trials and what they can do for the soul:

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (James 1.2-4)

Let's Set The Record Straight

Not all my trials come from following Christ. They come from my own silly, misguided, self-absorbed decisions. If I want that new lawn tractor or laptop or whatever, but don't have the money, my purchase puts me in a position of slave to debt. That's not from following Christ. That's from following the lust of my own desire.

The examples are numerous:

Staying angry at someone and not extending forgiveness is, as they say, like, "drinking rat poison and waiting for the other person to die". Unforgiveness eats away at its container.

Choosing to stay up late at night and get up for work early in the morning results in eventual fatigue.

Deciding to ignore the kids and deny them discipline at home results in some very interesting challenges in the stores or restaurants.

You and I were uniquely designed to serve God with all your heart, soul, body, and strength. Anything (ANY thing) that we choose to serve outside of that design will bring about trials - NOT the trials James talks about.

What other examples can add to the list which bring about non-scriptural trials?

Dog Poop

What is dog poop?

It's just about ANYTHING besides knowing Christ, according to the Apostle Paul. Check out what he wrote to the people of Philippi:

"The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness." Philippians 3.7

Hmmm. Just about covers it, doesn't it? Perhaps it should be more accurately called "god" poop (anything we let take the place of Christ in our lives).

So....... what in the world are you holding on to other than knowing Christ? Hold a pile of "god" poop in your hands. Smells, doesn't it?

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I Hate WWJD

I grew up in the WWJD era. There were bracelets (even cool ones for guys), bookmarks, necklaces, playing cards (really??), and on and on. I gave in to the cultural current. Bought my own bracelet. I even think I still have that bracelet hanging on my rear-view mirror (a cool one!) Which I never notice now that it's been up there so long.

But the longer I live and the more I read the enlightened print media (thank you Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet for investing in "Jesus Manifesto"), I am beginning to really take a disliking to the whole WWJD deal. Here's why:  The WWJD mentality promotes Jesus as absent. It's like, "Well, Sarah's not here right now and we really need this paperwork to go out. What would she do if she were here?"

But Jesus ISN'T absent, my friend! In fact, He's alive and thriving (in case you haven't noticed). Saying WWJD is like ignoring Him to His face (how rude!). At the very least, we should be asking WWYD (What Would YOU Do?) straight to the face of Jesus each day. Or better yet, WAYDTMT (What Are You Doing Through Me Today?)

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What about you? Are you stuck in the WWJD era? Or have you started to wake up and smell the coffee and realize Jesus is right.here.right.now?

A Prayer For Pastors

I have great admiration and respect for you, pastor. You are committed to God's will and His call on your life. You put up with a lot. Yet you continue to seek God's guidance and strength as you serve.

I have begun a book review of Shannon O'Dell's book, Transforming Church in Rural America (published by New Leaf Press). The forward, written by Mark Beeson, includes a prayer which Mark prays for Shannon (page 11). When I read it, I thought of you, pastors. Here is how I tweaked it:

"Oh Father God, I pray for pastors, for their families, for their marriages, for their ministries, and for their congregations. I pray for their witness and I pray for their minds, that they will think new thoughts and dream new dreams. I pray for their bodies that they will be healthy and strong, that they can run long the race that you have set before them.

I pray for their friends, that they will be true to their pastor and true to You; that they will always lift their pastors up, always encourage them, always help them on the journey. I pray for resources to flow into their ministries because it is Your work and what You have purposed to be done. I believe that you will resource what You have commanded to be done. And so I pray that people with money will give money, that people with time will give time, that people with faith will exercise their faith, that people with big ideas and big dreams and big visions will give those ideas and dreams and visions to the cause."

You are loved, pastor. You are appreciated. May God be everything you need as you read this post.

The Face I've Never Seen

My son* follows Christ.

I follow Christ.

My Dad follows Christ.

My Dad's Dad followed Christ... but not always:

My grandpa (William Isaac) was a hardened coal miner, bound for a life of misery followed by an eternal separation from God. And no doubt, his son (my Dad) would easily follow in his footsteps. But God had other plans.

Years ago, a relationship was formed in a small, coal-mining town in Western Pennsylvania. Someone was serving strong enough to engage my grandfather in a series of conversations. God used these conversations to get into the heart of William Isaac. God turned his life around and called him to a life of full-time pastoral ministry. Today I reap the benefit of knowing Christ because of someone I haven't met yet.

I've never seen the face of the person who was instrumental in my grandpa's conversation / conversion process. But in heaven, after I see the face of Christ, he (or she) is the next face I want to see. And I'll say thanks... for serving strong!

Are YOU serving strong enough to recognize a key conversation today? You may just be setting the course of multiple generations in one family. Stay strong!

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*NOTE: The men were only mentioned for simplicity of a blog post. Of course the women of the family are an incredible force in our family too!

State of Grace

Life's questions outnumber the answers.

That bothers me...

So I went for a run tonight. Searched for "An Evening With John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess" on my iPod (a mad, driving beat). Slipped the earbuds in their place. Slid the volume to almost max. Started running.

It was hot. The humidity, like my attitude, had risen throughout the afternoon. The air was still. Not long before sweat became my running companion. I kept on running - periodically pushing my glasses back up on my nose; pushing my earbuds back into their place - as the sweat drops accumulated.

After a few miles I turned a corner and started up a long, grueling hill. The beat in my earbuds kept me on task and in focus. I was determined. I was going to go the distance. Half way up the hill, the driving beat finished and a new song started - this one, a bid slower. I reached for the iPod in my side pocket. Pulled it out. Looked at the display. I read the song title, "State of Grace".

Now, let me pause and tell you what went through my mind at that moment...

I was trying to earn God's answers to my questions. I felt that if I ran long enough, answers would magically appear. Then I envisioned Christ the night he was betrayed. You remember the scene. He left the disciples and went off to pray to the Father and uttered these words:

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." -Luke 22 (bold mine)

That moment in the garden, He had more questions than answers too. And sweat was his companion just like mine.  There was even a hill involved, just like the hill I was running. I want to say I can identify with Christ. But it's more accurate to say that Christ identifies with me. His choice to come to earth put Him in perfect position to know exactly what I am feeling and sensing in my life right this very moment.

Now, back to my run...

So, I reached the top of the hill and started walking. The journey up the hill, as I entered a "State of Grace," I realized I don't have to earn the answers to my questions. I don't have to earn anything. I walked until I caught my breath. Then I started running again until I reached the car.

Life's questions still outnumber the answers.

But I run with a God who identifies with me. I run in a "State of Grace".

For now, that's good enough for me.

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I hope you've found this to be true in your life as well. Have you ever tried to earn the answers to your questions, only to find Christ is all you need?

God of Toilets and Blue Skies

Some days are like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some days are like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our God is with us at the toilet moments.

Our God is with us at the blue sky moments.

It's just how our God rolls 'cause our God is consistent.

Hebrews 13.8 - read it.

What other moments have YOU found God?

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Declaration of Dependence

I live in America. July 4th is a pretty celebrated day across our country. A key word: Independence.

I like to take this time of year and flip things upside down. As the fireworks are in full bloom and my ears are taking in the constant pounding of instant bursts of sound, I think about these things:

• My heart beats without any prompting
• I can move my fingers with little or no thought
• I have a family who loves me
• I can breathe but don't think about it much all day
• I have seen some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, for free
• ... AND I AM COMPLETELY DEPENDENT ON GOD FOR IT ALL

So since it's almost July 4th, let this be my Declaration of Dependence...

...on God

...for everything

Check out these lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's song, Declaration of Dependence:

Now just the other day I overheard a flower talking to the sky
He said you know that I would be nothing without You
He said you give me rain, you give the sun a place to shine
You’re everything that my whole existence comes down to
And then the flower started singing a song
Before I knew it I was singing along
And we sang…

This is my declaration of dependence
This is my declaration of my need
This is my declaration of dependence
On the one who gave His life to me

Now, let me say that I’m the kind of guy who wants to do it all myself
Don’t want to ask for help, don’t like to stop for directions
But in reality I’m nothing on my own
It’s by God’s grace alone that I can make this confession
All that I am and all I’m hoping to be
Is all and only what He’s given to me
So I say…

And I know this is how my life was meant to be
I was made for this dependency
On the one who has created me
So I’ll sing my declaration song
For the one I am depending on
And I hope you’ll sing along

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RELATED POSTS:

The Lights Went Out

Are You THIS Dependent?

Raising Dependently-Independent Kids

 

Where do YOU find it hard to be dependent in YOUR life?

 

Flying Upside Down

How do you fly?

You know, how do you do your thing? How do you roll? How do you get it all done? From where do you get your strength?

Fly Right Side Up if you want to go with the flow. Operate within conventional wisdom. Rely on your own strength. Flying right side up follows our culture. It's intuitive. But we will eventually be disappointed. Flying this way, we don't need God. Life right side up is boring.

Fly Upside Down if you want to stand out. Operate within God's wisdom. Rely on the only true Source of strength. Flying upside down is counterculture; counter intuitive. We will never be disappointed. Flying this way, we need God. Life upside down is the adventure of a lifetime.

Check out part of God's "Flight Plan":

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15.5

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." 1 Corinthians 1.25

What other scriptures can be added to God's Flight Plan?

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This post is part of the One Word at a Time blog carnival: Strength. For more stories about Strength, please visit my new friend Bridget Chumbley at One Word At A Time.

 

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Hot To The Touch

Sitting on the deck in the hot sun the other day (rare for Ohio).

Took off my glasses. Put them on my chest and lay back in the chair. And basked.

A few moments passed.

Being a fair-skinned white boy, I felt it wise not to overplay my hand. I needed shade.

I grabbed for my glasses to put them back on by face.

OUCH! Man, were they hot!

You scientists reading this post could explain what happened with greater aplomb than I.

But I think it's quite simple:

The glasses absorbed the heat of the sun and became hot to the touch.

Do you absorb the heat of God's unconditional love to the point where you are "hot to the touch"? Other words, do people see God's grace and love through your life? I felt the sun's heat when I touched the glasses. Would I feel the love of Christ if I came in contact with your life? Would you feel the love of Christ if you came in contact with my life?

I certainly hope so.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5.14-16

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I need your input to complete this post. Help me out.

HOW do you absorb the heat of God's love?

 

Burn

Serving strong is anything but a life of hedonistic leisure in ministry. It has nothing to do with a new agey "find the answer within you" kind of lifestyle.

Ministry is anything but easy. Working with people is slippery and messy. When you add the dimension of good and evil with the backdrop of eternity, you've got the making of a life that burns out.

The coaching, blogging, and PowerNews I maintain through Serving Strong is "Anti-Burnout" and "Pro-Burn". Let's define Burn:

Burn is going full out. "Charging the hill" for God. Living any way but timid. Burn means spending yourself. Going home exhausted. Living in the moment. Working hard. Giving it everything you've got. Pulling no punches. Staying true. Staying focused. Taking no prisoners.

JACook tweeted today this quote: "Joy comes from using your potential." How great it is to come to the end of the day, lay down on the floor and sigh a deep sigh of contented exhaustion! Used by God for His purposes.

Burnout is simple. It's doing all the things above in your own strength.

God has laid it on my heart to help you, the ministry leader, serve in God's strength. To serve strong. I believe the better we are as spouses, parents, financial stewards.... the greater our serve will be (the more available we will be for God's work). God's coming back. In the meantime, there is work to be done. People hurt. Stay strong for them. Burn, baby, burn!

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How do you burn without burning out?

 

Revolving

Funny thing, the sun. It doesn't rise in the East nor set in the West.

We think it does.

That's what we've been taught.

But I say "nay nay."

Truth is... we revolve around the sun.

We. revolve. -- The sun. Is central.

JCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJC

Is Jesus Christ central to your life and ministry?

Are you arrogant enough to think God rises and sets based on your predetermined East and West -OR- do you subject everything you say, do, and think to the central command of Christ and His rightful place? Do you think you've "graduated" from Christ and moved on to deeper Biblical teachings -OR- are you finding all the depth you need in Christ Himself?

I'm readying Jesus Manifesto, by Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet. It's already opened by eyes in the first 30 pages.

I'm revolving around the Son. Are you?

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What Do You Want NOW, Jesus?

One of my best friends serves in a remote hillside community in a very needy area of Jamaica. Her name is Karen and she is known to the people (especially the children) as Nurse. She serves strong because she serves out of the strength Christ alone provides. The following is from an email I recently received from her. She gave her consent for me to publish it here. When you read it, listen for God to speak into your life. When you're done reading, please pray for Karen and the ministry to which God has called her. Thanks.

It’s early in the morning, barely daylight.  I’ve already had my two cups of strong coffee, packed my lunch, and am prepared to leave soon to drive down the mountain and across the valley and up the next mountain to my job in Mandeville.

My attention is drawn to Matthew 18.  “The disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” 

“Nurse?”  I hear a little voice from outside calling me.  “NURSE??”  I ignore it, a bit annoyed, and go on reading.  “But whosoever causes one of these little ones….” 

“N U R S E !!”

My thoughts totally interrupted now, I push back from my desk, knowing that the little voice won’t just go away.  It never does.  It persists until I answer, so I might as well go and as cheerfully as I can, say, “Yes, darling?”  (When really I’m thinking, “What do you want NOW?”)  

And then I hear it.  Well, I think I hear it.  If God has a throat, He cleared it, to get my attention.  And I’m sure He does, and He did, and it did.  The words I have just read come back in instant replay. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives me.”

Feeling like I want to drop to my knees and beg for mercy, I open my kitchen door to be greeted by a child, one of my little neighbors, who has gone to the mango tree (probably for his breakfast), and has brought a few beautiful mangoes to Nurse as well.

I received that child in a new way that morning… and I humbly received Jesus in a new way, too.

image: actual child who knows Nurse.

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The Pursuit Of God

 

The Pursuit Of God

The pursuit of God. This phrase can be interpreted in 2 ways. One from my perspective. The other from God's.

MY PURSUIT

I seek God. Well, truth be told, I have a bad habit of seeking God mostly when I'm in trouble or facing some sort of hardship. It's a common thing for me. I tend to go my own way when I'm feeling "successful". But the minute my world is rocked, there I am again chasing down God and all He can do to help me in my moment of need.

This past weekend we celebrated the graduation of our youngest. Like his sister three years ago, he wanted to have his graduation party at the house. Ohio in springtime presents quite an uncertain weather pattern especially when trying to plan anything outside. We were checking the weather several days ahead of the party. All the time, it looked like rain. In fact, the night before the party there were tremendous storms. Needless to say, we did a lot of "pursuing".

GOD'S PURSUIT

God seeks me. Truth be told, God seeks me pretty much ALL the time. When I am feeling "successful" or when I am completely down and distraught, God is right there pursuing me, chasing me down. I've come to believe God pursues a relationship. He desires relationship.

A very good friend of mine suggested I get a children's book, which I did. It's entitled, "Runaway Bunny." It's a cute little story of a young bunny who tries to be a lot of different things only to find his mother lovingly pursuing him all the time.

The pursuit of God. I like the perspective where the emphasis is on GOD. I like knowing He desires a relationship with me. Knowing that, I am compelled to pursue Him more consistently - not just when times are tough, but all the time - because He's always pursuing me.

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Got a blog post that speaks to this topic? Put it in a comment

 

Question: How do you find God pursuing you?

 

Are You This Dependent?

One habit shared by those who serve strong is what I call, "Centering". Not a new age kind of thing. But a consistent posture of brokenness and dependency on Christ for the strength to meet the demands of ministry leadership.

Occasionally, I run across an example of what it means to be Centered in Christ. I was mowing the other day and came up on a bush where a quartet of baby birds were sitting in their nest waiting for their next meal. I captured their song of dependency here:

 

The Epitome of Dependence from Scott Couchenour on Vimeo.

Are you this dependent?

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Uh Oh! The Lights Went Out!

 

My Shortest Post Ever

 

 

 

 

 

It all goes back in the box

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Intentional Or Hurried?

Pause: If the Serving Strong blog is helpful, feel free to subscribe to the RSS feed

I am an expert. I know that comes as no surprise to you (*smile*). But before you fall down and worship at my feet, let me go into a bit of detail...

What is Hurry?

Hurry is when we feel the pressure to go in 15 separate, but equally, important directions at the same time (at least we think they're important but don't know why). It's a feeling of uneasiness and angst. Perhaps you've felt it yourself. There is little peace. The further you go the more behind you get. You are stretched in an unhealthy way. Hurry is not of God. Hurry is of the Enemy. It is not healthy. It's no way to live.

I am an expert at Hurry. It's my default. It's my specialty. With God's help I am getting worse at it and better at...

What is Intention?

Intention is when we feel the passion to go in a direction that is in alignment with God's plan. It's a feeling of flow and rhythm. Perhaps you've felt it yourself. There is a deep, settled peace. The further you go the more you get accomplished. You are stretched in a healthy way. Intention is of God. Intention is not of the Enemy. It is healthy. It's the only way to live.

I am not an expert at Intention. It's my hobby. It's my ambition. With God's help I am getting better at it.

What about you? Do you hurry, feeling like there's this faceless force out there somewhere judging you if you don't please everyone as quickly as possible? Or are you intentional, doing what must get done, knowing it's the right thing to do?

The path from Hurry to Intention requires a dynamic, intimate walk with Jesus Christ. After all, how else will you know what to be intentional about in the first place? If you haven't cultivated this key relationship, perhaps that's the first step...

photo credit photo credit

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 I'm interested in your thoughts. Feel free to comment. 

It All Begins With Emptiness

Emptiness

Out of it God creates.

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be..." (Genesis 1.2) 

Out of it God moves.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7.14)

I want God to be creative in my life and work. I want God to move in my circumstances. As the song writer writes, "This is the air I breathe - You're holy Spirit living in me. And I'm desperate for You. I am lost without you."

So, I've found 3 steps to God's creativity and movement. They've worked every time I've tried them. I encourage you to try them yourself:

STEP ONE: Empty yourself of all your pride, understanding, and preconceived ideas of how things should be and just sit. Listen. Obey.

STEP TWO: Empty yourself of all your pride, understanding, and preconceived ideas of how things should be and just sit. Listen. Obey.

STEP THREE: Empty yourself of all your pride, understanding, and preconceived ideas of how things should be and just sit. Listen. Obey.

May God work His divine creativity and movement in your life this week!

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This post is part of the One Word At A Time blog carnival: Emptiness. For more stories about emptiness, visit Bridget Chumbley at One Word At A Time - Emptiness

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Of Wings And Worms

Some days I feel like I could conquer the world. Everything is going beautifully. My plans are playing out just as I had rehearsed in my mind. I am winning. I am capturing the wind and setting sail to destinations of excitement and jubilee. God is good.

I feel like am on the wings of eagles.

Other days...not so much. I am frightened about the future. I'm discouraged. I don't like the prospects that lay ahead of me. I am embarrassed by my circumstances. My plans aren't playing out right. I am losing. The wind has died down and I am sitting in the middle of despair and disillusionment. God is gone.

I feel like I am in the mud with the worms.

Feelings. They are slippery, aren't they? One day we're on top of the world soaring high over all the troubles of life. Other days we're drowning in the wormy mud self-pity.

In my roller coaster rides from the wings to the worms, back to wings then back to worms... I have discovered 2 things about feelings:

First, feelings are just that: feelings. There is nothing right nor wrong about them They just are. So I don't have to put too much stock in them. When I feel up, cool. When I feel down, okay.

Second, feelings are no match for the consistency of God's power and presence. When I feel like He's right beside me counseling me and encouraging me, cool. When I feel like He's as far from me as the East is from the West, okay - but that's not what's really happening. Psalm 139 reminds me, "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." (verse 8)

Are you soaring on wings of eagles today? Or are you wallowing in the mud of worms? Makes no difference to the Truth that God is still God. If you need a little reminding of that, I suggest you listen in on what God told Job in the 40th and 41st chapters. I admit, I have to read a passage like that every now and then to remind me that He's still in control (seems like I could almost have have the chapters memorized!)

What do you know about God today?

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Stop Right Now

Tired of the same old thing?

Wondering why everyone else isn't working as hard as you?

Walls seem to be squeezing in on you?

The people you serve starting to really get on your nerves?

Then STOP. Stop what you're doing. Hold on every initiative. Quit striving. Cease the planning and the strategizing. These are serious questions. If you are answering "yes" to most of them, you are on a train bound for disaster. These are signs of burnout. These are signs of overkill. You were not meant for this. You did not sign up for this.

Jesus is our great Model, right? Jesus is our great Example, right? Here's a bit of what He told us:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14.12)

"Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15.5)

Our burnout is directly linked to our self sufficiency. We were designed for great things - not of our own strength, but through our brokenness and dependency on Christ alone. When we slowly creep back on the throne which was designed just for Him, we are in the danger zone.

So stop. Now.

Wait for the strength He has promised you. 

Start serving strong.

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God. Is.

It was a rainy Monday night. It had been a tough day at work. More questions than answers. One step forward, ten steps backward. The invisible fingers of frustration were pulling me off the couch. Pushing me out the door.

To walk.

To find an escape.

To get away and think.

So I grabbed my windbreaker and I grabbed my ball cap and headed into town. And I walked. I walked fast. I walked alone. In the rain. In the wind. I walked with purpose. I was on a quest. An unknown quest, as if I was late to a vital appointment.

 

After a mile, soaked and feeling cold, I began to repeat a phrase. I don't know where it came from. It simply entered my consciousness without a lot of effort, really. Perhaps it was a Sunday School lesson when I was five. Perhaps it was an old worship chorus. Perhaps God just planted it there. Like a seed with a purposeful harvest.

Here's how the remaining mile and a half went....

 

"If God is for me, who can be against me." If God is for me, who can be against me. If God is for me, who can be against me. If God is for me, who can be against me. If God is for me, who can be against me. If God is for me, who can be against me. If God is for me, who can be against me.

If God is for me, who can be against me

If God is for me, who can be against me

If God is for me, who can be against me

If God is for me, who

If God is for me, who

If God is for me, who can be against me

If God is for me, who

If God is for me, who

If God is for me, who

If God is for me

If God is for me

If God is for me, who

If God is for me

If God is for me

If God is for me

If God is for me

If God

.....

If God

If God is for me

If God

If God

If God

God

God

If God

God

God

If God

If God

God

God

God

.....

God

G-d

G-d

G-d

G-d

G-d

G-d

.....

G-d (period)

It took a mile for me to start shedding my frustrations in order to focus on God.

It took another mile and a half to go from what God could do for me to Who G-d is, period.

G-d. Is. (that's my perspective on a rainy Monday.) photo credit

Ever have a rainy Monday?

We All Have A But

The Book: Matthew

The Chapter: 14

The Section: 22-33

Here's how it reads...

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."  "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."  "Come," he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But... But  ...when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

We all have a "but" that plagues us. What is your "but"? Are you scared you will lose your job? Are you afraid of failure? Are you unsure of your future? What is keeping you from looking to Jesus in the storm?

Here's how the passage finishes out:

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"  And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Are you in danger of hearing from Jesus, "You of little faith"? After all is said and done, it's all about Jesus anyway... why not renew your faith in Him today?

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One Single Event

What makes a disciple stay true amid persecution? What inspires a Christ-follower to remain on course when culture seeks to grab them off course? What motivates long term the person who has surrendered all in the short term? What keeps us going even when the road is rough?

This one thing:     The Resurrection

Have you contemplated the gravity of this one, single event in history? It transcends all others. Christ's birth was cool. His miracles were amazing too. Even raising Lazarus from the dead was the berries. But the Resurrection? Now THAT'S head and shoulders above anything else about Jesus. Why?

Without the Resurrection we have no Hope.

Without Hope we have no Purpose.

Without Purpose... why try?

Here's a challenge: Take a block of time (preferably at least a day, maybe 2 or 3) and think of nothing else in your walk with Christ than His Resurrection. Reflect on it. Read about it in scripture. Read about it in history books and commentaries. Put yourself there at the foot of the tomb. Imagine witnessing the horrible event just a couple days prior on Good Friday. Use your imagination. What do you see? What do you smell? What are your wearing? What do you hear with your ears? What are you thinking? What are you saying among the other disciples?

Engage in the reality of the Resurrection and let it light up your world. The vivid awareness of the Resurrection is in the DNA of a ministry leader who serves strong!

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How To Burnout In 5 Easy Steps

Staying strong is overrated. All this talk about avoiding the wall? Hooey. You were born to burnout. You were meant for serving weak. Want a quick way to burnout in ministry leadership? Here are 5 easy steps:

1. Seek Unforgiveness. Someone hurt you lately? Cool. Here's what you do: Hold a grudge. That's right. Don't give in to the temptation to be the weaker one. Keep steady. Better yet, give them the silent treatment. Yeah! It will teach them a lesson and you'll be well on your way to burning out.
2. Pursue Passionlessness. Ask yourself this question: "What ministry fuels my passion?" Got your answer? Good. Now do something (anything) that is the opposite of your answer. Do the thing that is a total drag for you. Give it your all. Seek the boredom. Revel in the difficulty. It will annoy those around you and you'll be well on your way to burning out.
3. Engage In Prayerlessness. Got prayer concerns? Want to touch the heart of God? Want to seek and sense His will for your life? Forget it. You're looking to burnout, right? Good. Then cut ALL prayer from your routine. Don't pray in the morning. Don't pray when you're stressed or sad. And don't pray when things are going well. Think of the time you'll save.  It will grieve the Holy Spirit and you'll be well on your way to burning out.
4. Be An Impostor. Are you introverted by nature? Be extroverted. Are you methodical? Be spontaneous. Are you a people person? Then be a recluse. You have to understand that being yourself is simply going to keep you from burning out. So don't be yourself. Better yet, try to be just like someone else. It will irritate your loved ones and you'll be well on your way to burning out.
5. Over-identify. In your work with others, you will feel their pain. This is good. Dwell on it. Identify it so deeply that you begin to feel responsible for it. This will give you ownership of their pain, as though you were the cause. You will sink in the quicksand of their misery. You won't be able to help them because you'll be so depressed yourself. This will help others become co-dependent and you'll be well on your way to burning out.

So you see, if you are interested in burning out, it's quite simple really. Just follow these 5 easy steps and we'll see you in rehab!

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Question: Can you think of more than 5 steps to add to the list?

What Up?

Sometimes life gets heavy.

Heavy isn't always good.

Good depends on our perspective when heavy happens.

What's your perspective when the hot water heater explodes?

What's your perspective when the car breaks down...again?

What's your perspective when the person you've been helping hurts themselves again?

There's a slang phrase I've heard now and then: "What up?"

How about plucking that phrase from American culture and weaving it into your journey?

Every time something heavy happens, ask yourself: "What up?"  (What's God up to? What is my learning in this situation? What is God doing in and through me?...)

God possesses all the strength you'll ever need.

And that's good...

...when life gets heavy.  Wouldn't you agree?

photo credit: www.pictureapromise.com

The Next Pitch...

The score is tied 3 to 3. It’s the bottom of the ninth. Two outs. The count is 3 balls, 2 strikes. The pitcher has just received the signal from the catcher and is winding up to throw the next pitch.

[PUSH PAUSE]

Look into the eyes of the batter. Notice what’s going on. Everything around him fades away. It’s just his bat and the next oncoming ball. He has no idea how the ball is going to come at him. It could be high and outside, fast, slow, knuckle ball, changeup, or curve ball. But everything about the batter is completely still.

We must be ready for what comes our way when working with the needs of people.  One of my former coaching clients (a great thinker) put it well,

“There is a ‘right time’ to rest and a ‘right kind’ of rest – not based on the need to recover from a recent sprint or marathon, but based on the need to be prepared for the next pitch coming my way. There is a stillness, a single-mindedness, a centered calm that can be chosen, adopted, breathed into my heart and mind, as the key element of physical, emotional, and spiritual preparation for the next task to come.

“As I sit by the stream in my back yard on a cool, windy spring day, I am aware of coming storms. Some people only know how to prepare for storms by getting busy (batten down the hatches, stow away the patio furniture, stock up on batteries, and check the flashlights.) I am learning how to prepare for a storm – by being still.”

What about you? How do you prepare for what lies ahead of you? Do you hurry around fretting and worrying? Or are you focused and still – like a seasoned batter amid the pressure of a tied ballgame, count full, and the next pitch coming…?

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Your Launch Pad

NASA’s rocket launch site, known as “Launch Complex 39”, is located on Merritt Island in Florida. One thing you may see there is what is known as a Mobile Launcher Platform (MLP). This is a 2-story structure used by NASA to support the Space Shuttle stack during its transportation from the vehicle assembly building to Complex 39. It also serves as the vehicles launch platform.

According to Wikipedia, the MLP was designed as part of NASA’s strategy for vertical assembly and transport of space vehicles. That way, they can avoid the additional step of lifting and craning a horizontally-assembled vehicle onto the launch pad (as the engineers of the Soviet space program chose to do).

 

 

In order to accomplish this task, NASA had to make the Mobile Launcher Platform in massive proportions. Each MLP weighs 8.23 million points unloaded (about 11 million pounds with an unfueled Shuttle aboard).  It measures 160 feet by 135 feet and is 25 feet high.  That’s pretty big! Of course, it would have to be in order to handle the pressure of the start of the Shuttle’s mission.

 

 

As ministry leaders and people helpers, we are on a mission. God has called us to perform tasks and meet the needs of others. Each day we wake up to the job at hand until the day ends and we lay our heads back on our pillows for sleep.

 

 

What gets you up each morning? What keeps you motivated? It’s the call of God.  It’s His love that compels you, right? Maybe this unconditional love (this calling) is like a launch pad – a massive platform from which we begin each day and pursue the mission to which we are called. It’s a launch pad that is capable of handling the pressure of the mission.

 

 

So what’s your morning routine? How do you renew your awareness of God’s love and calling on your life?

 

photo credit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Launch_Platform

Grass Is Always Greener

"The grass is always greener..."

I have an idea what likely went through your mind. You finished out the saying, didn't you? Something like "...on the other side of the fence", huh? If you did, you were right. According to DeProverbio.com:

"This proverb...expresses the only too human idea of discontent, envy, and jealousy in a metaphor which is easily understood. Interestingly enough, the proverb is also literally true as has been demonstrated by James Pomerantz in a scientific article on "'The Grass is always Greener': An Ecological Analysis of an Old Aphorism" (1983). This scholar proves that optical and perceptual laws alone will make the grass at a distance look greener to the human eye than the blades of grass perpendicular to the ground."

Did you catch that? It's an illusion. A trick of the eye.

So it's true. Blades of grass truly DO look greener... at a distance. May I repeat? Grass looks greener at a distance.

Opposite of Distance? Nearness

Who, or what, do you find in your "Nearness" (God. Your spouse. Your kids. Your current assignment in ministry, ...)?

So, what is missing about your Nearness that you are entertaining the "Distance"? What has you so captivated from the illusive Distance that you are willing to give up your precious Nearness? Or flip the question upside down: When was the last time you were so present in your Nearness that you saw, for the first time, something new and wonderful about God, about your spouse, about your kids, about your assignment that the Distance didn't even matter to you?

Forfeit your Nearness and you run the risk of finding yourself in the Distance, nose to nose with illusion (and disappointment).

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Free Dependency

It may seem contrary to today's culture of independence, but to truly be free, one must first learn to become totally dependent upon God. Human beings require complete life support to achieve the highest aims.

Take the space suit, for example. Astronauts like Alan Shepard, John Glenn, and those who followed, demonstrate how dependence upon a space suit life-support system, can fit them for an entirely different kind of freedom:

__ Freedom from the world and its natural laws, like gravity.

__ Freedom to float about freely, even outside the space capsule, finding the satisfaction of achieving a much greater mission, benefiting a larger group of people.

As astronauts depend upon their suits for oxygen, protection, pressure, temperature regulation, and even waste elimination, Christians depend upon God for life, strength, direction, and forgiveness and cleansing of sins.

"In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28) 

Jesus is our example. He checked in with mission control often and only did what the Father wanted done. Talk about dependence! Yet, he was free from the gravity of sin, able to rise up for the whole world, achieving the greatest mission of all. If we want to experience the freedom of Christ, then we must also begin with complete and utter dependence upon God. Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

 

Thanks to guest blogger and pastor, Tim McPherson, for this post.

photo credit: www.pictureapromise.com

Guess What...

Remember the day Christ died?

Well, today He's...

...risen, won, pulled ahead, made headway, got ahead, gained ground, succeeded, come through, brought home the bacon, delivered the goods, got the better of, overcame, defeated, subdued, surmounted, mastered, beat, beat out, crushed, shelled, trounced, vanquished, overwhelmed, overpowered, swept over, overtaken, kindled, whitewashed, evoked, fired up, raised, whaled, provoked, visibly moved, affected, beaten, overthrown, run-over, swamped, swept off one's feet, taken, come out on top, conquered, crushed, hurdled, knocked over, knocked the socks off, licked, mastered, outlived, prevailed, rendered speechless, risen above, trashed, subjugated, surmounted, survived, weathered, KO'd, annihilated, broken up, conquested, destroyed, exterminated, massacred, thrashed, rebuffed, routed, blotted out, scalped, shellacked, slaughtered, waxed, whipped, abolished, annulled, crushed, decimated, did in, erased, expunged, extinguished, extirpated, finished off, invalidated, razed, liquidated, obliterated, quashed, quelled, rooted out, rubbed out, ruined, vituated, wracked, wrecked, revived, saved, abrogated, cancelled, disestablished, put the kibosh on, repealed, overturned, put an end to, scrubbed, squelched, stamped out, subverted, superseded, suppressed, terminated, zapped.

He is risen... indeed!

photo credit

He Is Risen (not yet)

"It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin'."

Ever heard that before? I bet you have.

The body of believers where I attend & serve will be doing a service called "The Tenebrea" on Good Friday. Here's how we do it: We start with lights low and only a few candles lit. One by one, someone comes to a microphone, reads a phrase, and blows out a candle until all the candles are extinguished.

Then a new candle is brought up to the front. Everyone leaves in a somber mood as they reflect on the agonizing events represented by the Friday "holiday".

The best view of the open tomb is from the cross

As you celebrate the risen Lord this Sunday, are you going to precede that celebration by a "celebration" of the agony?

Jesus went through hell... and triumphed. Is there anything more beautiful than that?

photo credit: www.pictureapromise.com