The Greatest Life Ever

God is looking for?

I have spent the day in prayer for the church I pastor, it's leadership, staff and my family.  It has been very rewarding.  One of the most grabbing moments of the day was when read from one of my favorite authors, E.M. Bounds and his book "Power through Prayer".  I have quoted him directly.  Since he lived in the 1800's the language will reflect that.  It's interesting to hear him speak of the problems of and the solutions needed in the 1800's and how they most certainly apply today.

E.M. Bounds wrote, "We are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization.  God's plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else.  Men are God's method.  The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men...The glory and efficiency of the gospel is staked on the men who proclaim it...What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.  The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men.  He does not come on machinery, but on men.  He does not anoint plans, but men-men of prayer."

I kneel convicted.  Pray.  Pray.  Pray.

How Does this Happen?

I don't know how it happens.  It sneaks up on just about everyone I know.  One day your life in Christ is hot and growing and the next day you wake up and you realize that you're limping along.  Has that ever happened to you?  It happens to me. 

There have been plenty of times when my spiritual life was smok'in.  I was tight with Christ and doing the work he called me to.  I couldn't wait to get up early in the morning with my cup of coffee, a bible and my Lord.  I could spend an hour plus with my Rabbi and Master and think it had only been a few minutes.  And then it happens.  I begin to focus more and more on the work for Christ that I somehow drift away from Christ.  Does that make sense?  I get so busy with the work of the ministry that I find little time to be with the one who called me to the very ministry I'm engaged in.  How ironic that I could ever become so busy doing the work of Christ that I don't have time for Christ himself. 

I'm at a point where I have to ReThink how I'm using my time and make some adjustments.  How about you?

Sunday in Witch Country

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd find myself strolling through Salem on the Sabbath.  I have to admit I felt a little odd.  I'm on the middle of a family vacation from Arkansas to Massachusetts with many stops in between. 

Today I went to Salem and Plymouth, MA.  What a contrast.  Salem is known for the witch trials of 1629 and Plymouth is known for the Puritans who wanted a fresh start living for God.  As I strolled through Salem I couldn't help but notice all the stores related to the Wiccan market; hunted houses, gift shops filled with Crystals and ingredients for magic potions and New Age bookstores.  But just as conspicuous were the churches that stood tall downtown in the midst of what the scriptures would describe as evil.  Good and evil squared off against each other across a walking mall.  It's kind of ironic when I think about it.  Salem is now known for precisely that which the original inhabitants wanted to be rid of, witch craft.  How sad. 

Nonetheless, there are still some tall sentries of Christianity embedded in the culture there.  I remember walking past The Gathering thinking that it was just a place for locals to gather.  Which it was, but not in the way that I imagined.  I remember walking by the open front door hearing some singing.  I looked at a sign that said Thursday night - Lectio Divina.  And then it dawned on me that this was a church of Jesus Christ.  Located in the thick of evil was a church.  But not just one, about a block away stood Wesley United Methodist Church.  And meeting within it's facilities was a Free Methodist congregation and a Spanish speaking congregation, three churches sharing the same facility one block away from a different kind of ground zero. Somehow, these churches made me keenly aware of how important it is for me to stand my ground in my culture as a disciple of Jesus the Christ.  Even though evil assails me and be all around me, I am called to hold my ground like the Christian Churches flanking the "red line" in Salem.  The red line is a read paint strip that tourists follow on a self guided tour of Salem that takes a person through the heart of the city of sorcery.

The Puritans, or the Pilgrims as they are better known as, led a separatist life, at least at first.  They fled Europe for religious freedom.  They landed in what we now call Plymouth, MA.  They were the only ones there except for the Native Peoples who were very aware of their arrival.  The Pilgrims lived a life of Christianity separated from the "evils" of the world at least for awhile. 

As I reflected on this day I find myself wanting to live more like the Puritans.  I want to live in a Christian culture where everyone thinks like I do, who wants to worship Christ like I do, who uses the same lingo as I do.  But I suspect, that's not the way it really is.  I live in a fallen world.  I live in a world that is filled with evil and sin and I'm called as a disciple of Christ not to ignore it, or to stick my head in the sand.  I'm called to live in the midst of it.  To be in the world but not of the world.  I'm called to influence the world for the better.  And so when it gets tough, or I find myself wanting the easy way out, I hope I remember the site of the steeples of Salem keeping evil in check. 

Sunday in Witch county was a new experience for me.  And one that will make me a better disciple of Christ. 

Sleeping in could be good for your soul

It's been hard for me to make my weekly blog.  I have to confess I just have not put the time into it.  For those who don't know I have been appointed to serve as the Sr. Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas beginning June 29, 2008.  Although that seems far enough away, it's not.  I've spent this last week of vacation trying to ready our house to put on the market.  I was hoping to have it listed this weekend, but that "ain't" going to happen.  I've painted, re-painted, packed, re-packed, repaired etc trying to get the house ready to show.  And quite frankly, this disciple is plum worn out.  So much so that my devotional life has also taken a vacation. That's not the way I want it.  But, that's reality. 

This week has reminded me of two truths for disciples.  First, the importance of staying in contact with my Lord.  I believe that one of the most important activities a disciple can engage in is daily devotional time or prayer time.  Some designated and un-distracted time alone with Jesus.  I need to hear his voice.  And secondly, I remember hearing someone say that one of the most spiritual things we can do at times is sleep.  Sometimes we're so tired that even if we spent time in prayer we'd be too tired to listen.  When that is the case then sleeping or resting may be what is most important.  And that makes sense, after all the Lord is also the Lord of the Sabbath. 

How is it with your devotional life?  Do you need to take a sabbath and rest so that you can give yourself more fully to the Lord in your quiet time?  Or is it time for you to Nike it (just do it) and make that appointment to spend unhurried time with Jesus tomorrow?

Secrets for Staying in the Study of Scripture IV

   

    A really good secret is hard to keep isn't it?  I don't know about you, but the greater a secret is the more I want to share it.  Some secrets are just not meant to be kept secret.  And that's where I find myself this morning.  I'm going to share a secret with you. 
    What I'm about to share with you God has used to motivate me to study the Scriptures.  This more than anything else has had the greatest impact over all.  Are you ready?  Here it comes.  Ask the God of heaven to give you that desire. 
    Kick back and meditate on that for a moment and let it sink in.  When I find it increasingly difficult to stay in the word I start praying, "Lord God, give me the desire to want to read and study your word."  It's as simple as that.  Always, and I repeat, always, God has answered this prayer for me. 
    And why wouldn't He?  We know it's God's desire for people to read and study the Scripture, so why wouldn't God answer that prayer?  One reason would be that people aren't asking this of the Spirit.  If people don't ask the scripture tells us they won't receive.  Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." 
    It really is as simple as that.  If you, or if you know someone who is not in the word on a consistent basis pray daily for God to give you the hunger and thirst for the word your spirit needs.  And then do not be surprised when you find yourself wanting to pick up the bible and read it just for the sake of reading it.  And don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for a bible study opportunity.  And don't be surprised if you start carrying the bible to worship and other venues or sticking it in your briefcase to enjoy later that day.
    This is one secret that is not supposed to be kept.  So, blab this one and the others in this mini-series to all you know.  I believe doing so will impact the lives of many.

Secrets for Staying in the study of Scripture II

A second tip for jump starting one's study of the Scriptures might be found in the following rabbinical saying.  "Lest Satan accuse the Jewish people of being glad that they have finished with the Torah and they're done with it." 

Jewish worship consists of dividing the Torah up in 52-54 readings a year.  During the Simhot Torah which celebrates God giving the Torah, readers read the last portion of Deuteronomy completing the readings of the year.  But, instead of stopping there another reader comes forward and begins reading from Genesis 1.  Why?  So that the annual cycle of reading Scripture never stops.  The explanation given by the Rabbi's for this practice is "lest Satan accuse the Jewish people of being glad that they have finished with the Torah and they're done with it."

The statement of the Rabbi's has caused me to reflect on how I really feel about the study of God's Scripture.  Do I approach it with the attitude of drudgery?  Do I count the days until I can say I'm "finally" done with a bible study or the reading of the bible?  Do I think, "When I'm done with this study I'm going to take a break from the word?"  I suppose there have been times in the past like after an intense 9 month study of Disciple Bible Study.  The thought that my action would appear to communicate to anyone, let alone Satan, that I'm tired of the word and need a break from it pains me.  What about you?

God has used the rabbinical teaching to increase my desire to study the Scripture and motivated me to make sure that my study of the word NEVER ceases.  I vow never to stop studying the Word of God.  When I finish one study or plan of reading I WILL begin another, "lest Satan accuse me of being glad that I have finished with the Scripture and I'm done with it."

Reflections from my 2007 Journal

I thought I would review my journal entries for 2007 before attempting to make any resolutions for the new year.  Although, I'm not sure I'll make any new resolutions this year.  It seems if anything I need to "hunker" down on the ones I made last year and take them to the next level.  What I've done is simply list key words and phrases from the journal I keep (which was not as regular as I would have liked by the way).  I've also included thoughts or realizations that may have just popped into my mind.  Here we go.

I'm still a sinner.

I love my wife more now than I did when I first met her.  I would have never believed that was possible.

Being a dad is hard, sometimes painful, and yet very joyful and rewarding.

I'm actually very content with my life.  This is huge as I don't think I've ever really been "content".

I'm tired of playing it safe. 

I'm very blessed.

The year of the disciple for me.

Made some headway in becoming a disciple among my neighbors instead of a "professional" pastor among my neighbors.

I'm scared when the phone rings wondering if it's dad or mom calling to tell me that something has happened to the other.  I think more and more about the less and less time I have with my parents.

Sin and evil is still a present reality.  But God and good is more powerful.

The New Testament is really very Old Testament.

I have learned more about Jesus this year than any other year ever.

I struggled with discerning God's immediate purpose for my life. Sometimes I have felt like Tarzan swinging from a vine looking for the next vine to transfer too but not seeing one.  I will just swing back and forth on the vine I have until the next one presents itself.

Specific words from God over the year that have been:  "Get ready." "Don't be afraid."  "Wait."  "Quit playing it safe."  And, "Do you trust me?"

The first act of My new year on March 14 was to re-commit myself to being a devoted disciple of Jesus.

The realization that I had become a mercenary for Christ and not the true warrior I had been was disturbing.

Lost and found.  The realization that Bryan had been sequestered. 

Jesus died.  I was struck by these words at the end of the Tennabrae service on Maundy Thursday.

Jesus rose from the dead!  Easter.

To launch or not to launch?  That is the question.

Jesus was most likely a Pharisee.

Renewed mission and vision.

As I reviewed my journal I realized it's been a great year.

I could have written more, but I've all ready spent 2-3 hours reviewing last year.  So, it might be time to look to 2008 building on what happened in 2007. 

Have a blessed a New Year!