I am still thinking this one through, OK?
The quote or attempt at remembering the quote listed as the title to this blog is a statement I am checking out.
A few weeks ago while at a Tennessee conference, I was praying early one morning when I ran into a fear. The fear concerned money...not having enough of it to pay bills. During the following minutes I wrestled with fear and doubt. Fear of failure and doubt of God's involvement in this dilemma I have faced more in the last year than in many years or perhaps more than ever.
We launched The Basic Idea Ministries on this premise:
"When you know how much God truly loves you, it changes everything and frees you to love and be loved." Since "perfect love casts out all fear", as John so beautifully stated in I John 4:18 (New Testament of the Bible), my fears are totally unfounded, because I know I am loved.
Sometimes I forget how much and on that early morning occasion, I struggled with believing and feeling loved. I chose to believe or remind myself of my long-held conviction. My fears gave way to calm and my calm to trust. In the next few moments I finished my reading and prayer, then popped open my computer to check emails as I began my day as one of the presenters at the marriage conference. My eyes were drawn immediately to an email from our "merchant services" provider. In other words, when a donation is made on our website, the company handling these secure transactions sends me an email to notify me that a donation has been made. One had been! It was made about the same moment or close to it that I stopped fearing and began trusting. The amount was a generous donation, and it was the gentle reminder and precious gift from my Father that I so needed. I rejoiced not in the amount of the donation, but in the goodness and personal involvement of my God. But, He was not done!
In the next few moments I received an email (not a donation notification) from a good friend. The quote he sent was from the "Jesus Calling - Devotional" by Sarah Young. What a great daily dose of light from scripture and Sarah's experience with God! The idea my friend conveyed was that when you admit your need to God, His provision is set in motion like metal to a magnet. How did he know what I had been thinking? How did he know at that moment I needed encouragement and affirmation? His God and my God are the same. That same God put on a donor's heart to give at the precise moment I needed help and admitted it. Abba put on the heart of my friend that I needed encouragement; he sent the affirming, instructive email at that time and the timing was perfect.
We were in need of several thousand dollars last week...again. (Kind of comes around regularly these days.) Donations began to come in and within a 3 or 4 day period, just after Carol and I returned from the TN conference. The need was great and God's provision was greater.
We have chosen to obey God in our finances and not ask for money. We have seen God use resources from many people to help us keep "eating and living indoors". At times I feel badly because our living depends on God placing it on the hearts of people who believe in Him, in us, and in what we are doing. Those people must then decide whether or not to obey God or not. I praise God for sending provision to others and their willingness to help us in this endeavor to change the world a couple or family or church or community at a time. I thank so many of you for listening to God and obeying.
Our prayer and hope is that God will continue to bless you and exalt you at the proper time as you and we humbly obey His calling and directions.
Carol, Jeanne, and I thank you.
We now have had partial or whole paychecks for 9 pay periods and have not, this year, had to go any more deeply into the remaining retirement funds.
Lastly: Today a pastor in South Carolina asked,"So if I want you and Carol to take a few couples through the Intimate Encounters material so we can learn to help other pastors, how much do you charge?' I said, "Well, we don't charge." He was silent for a few seconds and I added, "We don't send bills. We trust God working through those we serve and those who know what we're doing to give as God directs." His statement was that he didn't want us to come for free and would do the best they could at taking care of travel expenses and some extra. What a miracle to see God provide for our financial needs in ways we can't predict.
What a greater miracle to watch Him change marriages right in front of our eyes and to produce fruit that remains. What even greater miracle to see Him take those folks and free them to teach others also.....and the beat goes on!
Almost forgot to tell you.....
This last time ( a few days ago) we had more needs(bills are really regular) arise and God provided about $4000 in a few days to help us make another payday this week. My friend Shad Williams, who has lived this faith life for 35 years, says, "I know the provision for our needs must come from God's warehouse, but I have no idea what truck line He is going to use to get it to us." I understand what Shad means! Praise God for His faithfulness to you and to me.
So, admit your need and see how God's provisions are then drawn to the needs. I don't think God wants to send only money or physical resources. I think He sends love and friends and help and His Holy Spirit to those who ask and who admit our need of Him. Maybe Jesus' words, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven" have more to do with admitting our desperate need than we previously thought.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Jesus Loves Me and You....Really!
Do you remember a time when you did not feel loved? Are you living in that cloud currently?
Hopefully it has been a long, long time; or perhaps you've never felt unloved. Most of us, however, aren't as fortunate or as aware. I am not saying we weren't loved; I am saying we didn't feel it or believe it or enjoyed the knowledge of it.
Consider Marc's story (not his name):
Marc's parents went A.W.O.L. pretty early. He ended up with grand-parents. Nothing unusual so far, huh? The message Marc received was that he was not good enough or worth enough to others for adults to stick around. Trouble found him about the same time he found it. With a brief period of "acceptance" based on performance (there were a few things he was really good at) Marc felt the pressure to prove to others that he was worth loving or having for a friend, or for a son. Talents seem to fade when accidents and injuries steal muscle tone and quickness. Then the physical strength mirrors the decline of the soul, or at least it did for Marc. Not until recently did Marc find love without condition in Jesus Christ. He now has a few solid friends and hope for a future based on the tenacious love of Jesus Who tracked him down and lifted Marc up. Marc's life is a miracle, and I have seen the influence of love. Though you could have fooled Marc along the way, he was always loved by God, the Father, and was always wanted and valued by Jesus. Those in Marc's life with the authority and honor to represent God's love to him failed and failed big-time! Since they would not love Marc well, Jesus sent others and then broke through into Marc's heart to convince him personally, privately that God has always loved him and welcomed Marc into the forever family.
I know Marc was loved by others along the way, but maybe they didn't know how to communicate it or picked really dysfunctional ways to try to show it. You know what I mean, don't you!
Some try to love us by working and paying bills and buying clothes or cars or stuff; but when it comes to love that is passionate, deep and inclusive, there is a breakdown and we get the stuff but not the closeness. We get some good stuff, but not the great stuff of God's love that is tender, welcoming, approving, accepting, and comforting. That stuff that all need and crave somehow is left out...mostly unintentionally, I feel.
The love of Jesus is very personal and deep. Yes, it includes the physical stuff of air, food, shelter, etc. for most, but it also is warm and tender, strong and lasting, and it invites us into a lasting relationship with God.
This love of Jesus is also very spiritual. That's right, spiritual. He knows our spiritual life can be filled with all kinds of "gods" that aren't God and spiritual stuff that is not only not from His Holy Spirit but actually from an unholy source that attempts to corrupt us or get us to settle for counterfeit faith in a counterfeit "god". We need mercy, forgiveness, peace, joy, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control, and above all --- we need love of the Jesus variety. Only God possesses and offers these commodities that, though initially spiritual, include the physical and the emotional, as well.
So, as my sweet wife said tonight, "Unless you believe you are loved and know it deeply, it is difficult to love others well." She and Jesus agree. He said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor (near ones) as you love yourself." I married a very wise woman; she married a wise-guy. :)
Marc knows much more deeply tonight that God loves him, others love him too. I think he may be in the early stages of liking himself and seeing through new eyes into a future with hope rather than despair and life worth living versus the suicidal tracks his ancestors left for him to follow. By the grace of our Lord Jesus, Marc will choose to live abundantly rather than die at his own hands.
See what I mean? Jesus Loves Me and You....Really!
Hopefully it has been a long, long time; or perhaps you've never felt unloved. Most of us, however, aren't as fortunate or as aware. I am not saying we weren't loved; I am saying we didn't feel it or believe it or enjoyed the knowledge of it.
Consider Marc's story (not his name):
Marc's parents went A.W.O.L. pretty early. He ended up with grand-parents. Nothing unusual so far, huh? The message Marc received was that he was not good enough or worth enough to others for adults to stick around. Trouble found him about the same time he found it. With a brief period of "acceptance" based on performance (there were a few things he was really good at) Marc felt the pressure to prove to others that he was worth loving or having for a friend, or for a son. Talents seem to fade when accidents and injuries steal muscle tone and quickness. Then the physical strength mirrors the decline of the soul, or at least it did for Marc. Not until recently did Marc find love without condition in Jesus Christ. He now has a few solid friends and hope for a future based on the tenacious love of Jesus Who tracked him down and lifted Marc up. Marc's life is a miracle, and I have seen the influence of love. Though you could have fooled Marc along the way, he was always loved by God, the Father, and was always wanted and valued by Jesus. Those in Marc's life with the authority and honor to represent God's love to him failed and failed big-time! Since they would not love Marc well, Jesus sent others and then broke through into Marc's heart to convince him personally, privately that God has always loved him and welcomed Marc into the forever family.
I know Marc was loved by others along the way, but maybe they didn't know how to communicate it or picked really dysfunctional ways to try to show it. You know what I mean, don't you!
Some try to love us by working and paying bills and buying clothes or cars or stuff; but when it comes to love that is passionate, deep and inclusive, there is a breakdown and we get the stuff but not the closeness. We get some good stuff, but not the great stuff of God's love that is tender, welcoming, approving, accepting, and comforting. That stuff that all need and crave somehow is left out...mostly unintentionally, I feel.
The love of Jesus is very personal and deep. Yes, it includes the physical stuff of air, food, shelter, etc. for most, but it also is warm and tender, strong and lasting, and it invites us into a lasting relationship with God.
This love of Jesus is also very spiritual. That's right, spiritual. He knows our spiritual life can be filled with all kinds of "gods" that aren't God and spiritual stuff that is not only not from His Holy Spirit but actually from an unholy source that attempts to corrupt us or get us to settle for counterfeit faith in a counterfeit "god". We need mercy, forgiveness, peace, joy, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control, and above all --- we need love of the Jesus variety. Only God possesses and offers these commodities that, though initially spiritual, include the physical and the emotional, as well.
So, as my sweet wife said tonight, "Unless you believe you are loved and know it deeply, it is difficult to love others well." She and Jesus agree. He said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor (near ones) as you love yourself." I married a very wise woman; she married a wise-guy. :)
Marc knows much more deeply tonight that God loves him, others love him too. I think he may be in the early stages of liking himself and seeing through new eyes into a future with hope rather than despair and life worth living versus the suicidal tracks his ancestors left for him to follow. By the grace of our Lord Jesus, Marc will choose to live abundantly rather than die at his own hands.
See what I mean? Jesus Loves Me and You....Really!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
They're Everywhere!!
The Basic Idea and the reason we named our ministry "The Basic Idea" is that when we know how loved we are by our Heavenly Father, it changes everything. Of all the basic ideas out there, this one seems to me the most profound and powerful.
A friend commented recently that though Steve Jobs wanted to make a dent in the universe, he really only managed to make a dent in the computer world, but when God changes a life, a marriage, a family, a church...well, that is truly denting the universe.
Wherever we go and recently it has been to Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, and here in Georgia, we are discovering pastor/leader couples and "just regular folks" couples who want more from life than an average or below family. They want an abundant marriage, a family where love abounds, and churches that can come alongside them and others to help them get to the relationships they crave!
And, they are everywhere!
We are pumped to be in this ministry and to see God regularly changing us and many others, giving us hope that not only is abundant love attainable but also it is sustainable in the power of the Holy Spirit Who indwells each believer.
Several of the couples trained at our church in marriage ministry skills are coming alongside TBI to become "Encourager Couples". E-Couples is our designation for those who want to volunteer through TBI and help us with Activating Marriage Mentoring, Building Marriage Ministries, Creating Marriage Conferences, Developing Teams of Dedicated Volunteers, and Equipping Other E-Couples.
March 15-18, 2012, in Pennsylvania - Darrell and Pam Flowe accompanied us to the Tuscarora Conference Center and helped by leading small groups and presenting marriage principles during the training times. That was the first time we had a couple present at a conference. They did an awesome job! Many others have served with us to lead small groups and encourage couples on location.
March 18-22, 2012, in Tennessee - Bob and Jeanne Ward served as an Encourager Couple, while Jim and Jean Price apprenticed under our friends Andy and Paulette Ainsworth from California. Matt and Bev Thomas, Carol, and I rounded out the field of leaders at Whitestone Inn for the Contagious Hope Retreat. Eighteen couples attended, mostly pastors and denominational leaders, and it was fantastic.
Steve and Donna Taylor are preparing to leave for Kenya in a few months, but in the meantime are leading couples small groups on their own and with us. What a joy to watch as God prepares them for the huge transition to ministry in another country.
Jeff and Heather Love helped us for the last several months lead an Intimate Encounters small group in Alpharetta. We could not have done it without them and the couples were blessed to experience the real life story and influence of the Loves' love.
Much more could be said, but the day is calling! Thank you for reading and please continue to pray for God to do "exceedingly abundantly above everything we've ever asked or imagined".
A friend commented recently that though Steve Jobs wanted to make a dent in the universe, he really only managed to make a dent in the computer world, but when God changes a life, a marriage, a family, a church...well, that is truly denting the universe.
Wherever we go and recently it has been to Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, and here in Georgia, we are discovering pastor/leader couples and "just regular folks" couples who want more from life than an average or below family. They want an abundant marriage, a family where love abounds, and churches that can come alongside them and others to help them get to the relationships they crave!
And, they are everywhere!
We are pumped to be in this ministry and to see God regularly changing us and many others, giving us hope that not only is abundant love attainable but also it is sustainable in the power of the Holy Spirit Who indwells each believer.
Several of the couples trained at our church in marriage ministry skills are coming alongside TBI to become "Encourager Couples". E-Couples is our designation for those who want to volunteer through TBI and help us with Activating Marriage Mentoring, Building Marriage Ministries, Creating Marriage Conferences, Developing Teams of Dedicated Volunteers, and Equipping Other E-Couples.
March 15-18, 2012, in Pennsylvania - Darrell and Pam Flowe accompanied us to the Tuscarora Conference Center and helped by leading small groups and presenting marriage principles during the training times. That was the first time we had a couple present at a conference. They did an awesome job! Many others have served with us to lead small groups and encourage couples on location.
March 18-22, 2012, in Tennessee - Bob and Jeanne Ward served as an Encourager Couple, while Jim and Jean Price apprenticed under our friends Andy and Paulette Ainsworth from California. Matt and Bev Thomas, Carol, and I rounded out the field of leaders at Whitestone Inn for the Contagious Hope Retreat. Eighteen couples attended, mostly pastors and denominational leaders, and it was fantastic.
Steve and Donna Taylor are preparing to leave for Kenya in a few months, but in the meantime are leading couples small groups on their own and with us. What a joy to watch as God prepares them for the huge transition to ministry in another country.
Jeff and Heather Love helped us for the last several months lead an Intimate Encounters small group in Alpharetta. We could not have done it without them and the couples were blessed to experience the real life story and influence of the Loves' love.
Much more could be said, but the day is calling! Thank you for reading and please continue to pray for God to do "exceedingly abundantly above everything we've ever asked or imagined".
Thursday, March 8, 2012
New Treasures as well as Old
What do you think about that?
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Matthew 13: 52
And it is true - the more I learn about he kingdom of heaven, the more I am reminded of the old treasures and the more I learn about new treasures that keep me wanting more. This is an addiction that is OK to have!
Old: Life is all about love. We want to find it and give it.
New: The exhilaration of new love is in many ways a hopeful dream that this new relationship will bring love to us and give a person to love in return.
Old: Marriage is to reflect Christ's love for His bride the Church...you and me.
New: The way many have treated marriage in the public eye has led to those in and outside the Church either not wanting it or not being willing to fight for it when love grows cold or old.
Old: The love of God described in I Corinthians 13 clearly reveals that love is more than obedient behavior or miraculous gifts. It is passion and joy and an attitude that communicates that "I cherish you and see in you more value than you see in yourself".
New: I am not to allow myself to feel "neutral" toward my wife. Neutral is not the abundance Jesus describes in John 10:10. Jesus "loves us with a passion and without regret" to quote the singer Michael Card. I am to reveal to my wife and others, but especially my wife, that Christ loves them deeply and earnestly and emotionally. When I slip to a dispassionate or negatively charged attitude, I am to yield to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to move me out of the way so He can love through me as God designed. He is to produce His fruit in me and I am to give it away...freely....just as I received it.
Old: Our family of origin and other early influences may have left us immature in our emotional intelligence so that we may be 30+ in physical growth but only 5 years old relationally. I Corinthians 13 has a beautiful quote about "when I became a man I put away childish things". I did not do that well.
New: I am being conformed to Christ. He is mature emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. I am not where I was, but I am not yet what I will be and am becoming. Thank God through Jesus Christ, I belong to Him and what He started in me He will finish. Philippians 1:6
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Matthew 13: 52
And it is true - the more I learn about he kingdom of heaven, the more I am reminded of the old treasures and the more I learn about new treasures that keep me wanting more. This is an addiction that is OK to have!
Old: Life is all about love. We want to find it and give it.
New: The exhilaration of new love is in many ways a hopeful dream that this new relationship will bring love to us and give a person to love in return.
Old: Marriage is to reflect Christ's love for His bride the Church...you and me.
New: The way many have treated marriage in the public eye has led to those in and outside the Church either not wanting it or not being willing to fight for it when love grows cold or old.
Old: The love of God described in I Corinthians 13 clearly reveals that love is more than obedient behavior or miraculous gifts. It is passion and joy and an attitude that communicates that "I cherish you and see in you more value than you see in yourself".
New: I am not to allow myself to feel "neutral" toward my wife. Neutral is not the abundance Jesus describes in John 10:10. Jesus "loves us with a passion and without regret" to quote the singer Michael Card. I am to reveal to my wife and others, but especially my wife, that Christ loves them deeply and earnestly and emotionally. When I slip to a dispassionate or negatively charged attitude, I am to yield to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to move me out of the way so He can love through me as God designed. He is to produce His fruit in me and I am to give it away...freely....just as I received it.
Old: Our family of origin and other early influences may have left us immature in our emotional intelligence so that we may be 30+ in physical growth but only 5 years old relationally. I Corinthians 13 has a beautiful quote about "when I became a man I put away childish things". I did not do that well.
New: I am being conformed to Christ. He is mature emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. I am not where I was, but I am not yet what I will be and am becoming. Thank God through Jesus Christ, I belong to Him and what He started in me He will finish. Philippians 1:6
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