Recently after hearing a teaching about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, I heard our pastor say something that clarified a very difficult concept....at least it was difficult to explain.
He used the term "with" to describe why the father of the "prodigal son" in Luke 15 (New Testament of the Holy Bible) was so excited that his son had returned from. When the prodigal was away spending the money on self-destruction, he was "away"; but now that he'd returned home, he was "with" his father.
I don't believe Luke was writing only about the proximity of being "with" each other. The son's return was actually preceded by repentance. He "came to his senses" in the employment of a pig farmer. The son became so hungry that he'd decided that eating pig food was better than starving. This young man was truly at the lowest point of his life, and the prospects didn't look good for improvement in his circumstances. Then he got it...all of a sudden.
He realized he could go home and offer to be a servant in his father's house knowing that the servants back home had better food, more food, better living conditions, and a secure position. His heart changed from being brutal and uncaring to humble and self-aware.
When the son came home, he came home to be a slave who was "around" his father's house, but the father gave him back his status as "son" and accepted him back into his heart as a loved one. His dad wanted him to be "with" him as a son not just "around" him as a slave.
This is the clarity that came to me. Jesus said blessed are those "who mourn for they shall be comforted". Over the years I have developed several explanations of "comfort". The best I could offer - prior to hearing the message on the prodigal son - was that when any person comes into the presence of God, get's still enough and quiet enough to know that God is present and that His Holy Spirit (called the Comforter) comes alongside us, we know the comfort of God.
Here is my new explanation: Comfort is being "with" God or a person He sends to be "with" us. Being with God or caring others helps to remove aloneness, pain, sorrow, guilt, or despair. Aloneness is feeling that we are on our own, unknown, or isolated. Comfort is knowing care from one who is "with" not simply around us.
Our difficult life events, disappointing interaction with family or friends, or disillusionment from irrelevant religions can leave us feeling very alone and disconnected. When God comes near and we know we are "with" Him, then we are no longer alone and His being "with" us comforts us. His presence and the love He communicates bring comfort because we know we are "with" not "without". We may be "without" the person who left, died, hurt us, or was hurt by us. We may be "without" and feel alone in the pain of life events: illness, financial hardships, job loss, etc; but when we reconnect with Jesus and/or one of His emissaries we are "with" not "without".
I want to remember that when I feel "without" that I am never really "without", because He, Jesus, is "with" me. In fact, God lives in me by His Holy Spirit. It is true. The beauty of human relationships, when done well, is that being "with" another person where love connects our hearts is a picture of Christ's love for us. As marriage is designated as the best picture of that relationship between Christ and His church, then you can see why we are grateful to be called into helping "leaders live loved and give love freely...starting at home".
Knowing that God is "with" us and that Jesus, called Emmanuel, is "God with us". The Holy Spirit of God lives in the temple called the body. Simply put, as a follower of Jesus, God is "with" me and promises to never leave or forsake me. He comforts me when I mourn as father did the prodigal son. He went home to be around his dad, but the father welcomed him home and invited the young man to be "with" the family again. He was lost and dead to the father, but after his "pig feeding" experience, he came home to be found and alive. "With" feels much better than "without". God said "it is not good that the man should be alone", and created others so we could be "with" them and "with" Him.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Me, Steve, an Occupy Atlanta writer, and Jesus
Maybe I should title this one "I thought I heard Him correctly". When Carol, Jeanne, and I started this venture almost 2 years ago, the leap of faith was based on what I believed God was directing me/us to do with reference to investing our lives in a new ministry direction.
That was a big life-change for us and has proven to be a wonderful life-change, though there have been times of doubt. But there have not been many doubts nor have they been long-lived.
God speaks into smaller, shorter term arenas, as well. Just last week, I was doing personal financial accounting when I saw the shortfall and wondered if it were time to tap the retirement resources to make sure our bills stay current. You see, we've not been late or missed a bill since God called us to The Basic Idea Ministries, Inc. That takes some miracles from the Lord. Sometimes I forget to count my blessings; consequently, I begin to panic or,at least, to worry. When I saw the potential impact of this lack of funds about to hit our personal finances, I heard inside my heart the message, "Don't move any funds."
Of course, you check to see if what you heard was just your own mind, some clandestine action from the devil to cause you to fail, or perhaps it was just indigestion. Maybe even, I could be hearing the voice of the God Who lives in me by His Spirit. I could not shake the thought or the feeling of confidence in God's provision. I think this may be called faith.
I shut the computer down and told God I would trust Him to meet our needs another way than the one I had considered, that is, tapping our retirement.
Within a few days after this directive from God, I had the opportunity to meet with another ministry team. We discussed an idea that had helped me while at NPM as director of Care Ministry. It resonated with them. It made me feel great that I could be of service to some people who'd given me life-changing help for almost 20 years. As Jeanne and I were leaving to come back to Atlanta, two of the ministry leaders revealed that they'd come to a conclusion separately to help our ministry financially.
They handed me a check for the second largest single donation that has come to TBI is 20 months. I was and am very grateful. On the way to the airport I was struck with the awareness that God had "done it again". He had provided, but this time He actually let me know ahead of time that it was coming soon. He did not reveal from whom it would come, but that it WOULD come. So, do you see how faithful God is and that He keeps His word. Philippians 4:19 is the written word and His message to me last week was His written word applied to my current need. How cool is that! The God of the universe knows my name and my needs.
I guess you could say, "He made me do it...., He made me trust Him", and I am glad!
That was a big life-change for us and has proven to be a wonderful life-change, though there have been times of doubt. But there have not been many doubts nor have they been long-lived.
God speaks into smaller, shorter term arenas, as well. Just last week, I was doing personal financial accounting when I saw the shortfall and wondered if it were time to tap the retirement resources to make sure our bills stay current. You see, we've not been late or missed a bill since God called us to The Basic Idea Ministries, Inc. That takes some miracles from the Lord. Sometimes I forget to count my blessings; consequently, I begin to panic or,at least, to worry. When I saw the potential impact of this lack of funds about to hit our personal finances, I heard inside my heart the message, "Don't move any funds."
Of course, you check to see if what you heard was just your own mind, some clandestine action from the devil to cause you to fail, or perhaps it was just indigestion. Maybe even, I could be hearing the voice of the God Who lives in me by His Spirit. I could not shake the thought or the feeling of confidence in God's provision. I think this may be called faith.
I shut the computer down and told God I would trust Him to meet our needs another way than the one I had considered, that is, tapping our retirement.
Within a few days after this directive from God, I had the opportunity to meet with another ministry team. We discussed an idea that had helped me while at NPM as director of Care Ministry. It resonated with them. It made me feel great that I could be of service to some people who'd given me life-changing help for almost 20 years. As Jeanne and I were leaving to come back to Atlanta, two of the ministry leaders revealed that they'd come to a conclusion separately to help our ministry financially.
They handed me a check for the second largest single donation that has come to TBI is 20 months. I was and am very grateful. On the way to the airport I was struck with the awareness that God had "done it again". He had provided, but this time He actually let me know ahead of time that it was coming soon. He did not reveal from whom it would come, but that it WOULD come. So, do you see how faithful God is and that He keeps His word. Philippians 4:19 is the written word and His message to me last week was His written word applied to my current need. How cool is that! The God of the universe knows my name and my needs.
I guess you could say, "He made me do it...., He made me trust Him", and I am glad!
Are You Crazy?
When God led us to leave North Point Ministries and launch The Basic Idea Ministries, one of our dear friends reacted to the news with the following calm, calculated, encouraging remark: "Are you crazy?" Though I know that probably remains to be determined, I don't think I am. Yes, we left a secure position in a great church, but the call I received...the download from God's heart to mine...was clear, increasingly strong to the point of being consuming.
My concern for the condition of the country, the church, our communities...basically, the culture compels me to pray for God's direction. My question has become, "Am I (are you) part of the problem or part of the solution?"
Another "encouraging remark" that we heard at the beginning of this venture was, "You are not going to find pastors who will admit that they need help with their marriage or who want marriage ministries in their church." I admit that at first we thought that comment might be true, but it is not.
We were befriending couples almost from the first month. These couples knew us or were referred to us by those who knew TBI's purpose and plan. The first year saw lots of hours with couples in trouble or wanting to avoid trouble. There were more of the former than the latter designation..sad to say. We did some conferences along the way, some speaking engagements, helped with training leaders, and worked on foundational systems for TBI's future.
Then a huge breakthrough happened last fall. An organization that has connections with thousands of pastors both in the USA and in many other countries asked us to help build an ongoing follow-up plan for their network. Training happened in November, the leaders from TBI and the other organization worked well together, and TBI was given the role of finding, qualifying, and scheduling leaders for 5 retreats beginning in January and ending in May of 2012.
Now we are 1 day away from May, 2012 and the retreats have been very successful. We have our last one in Phase 1 on May 6 to 10, 2012. The pastor/leader couples have received encouragement, been able to rest, grown in their marriage, and have been challenged to take the intimacy message back to their churches and denominations. The plan is very simple actually.
The Plan: Lovingly disciple those in your own household then practice those same principles with others in the church, work place, and community.
Should our Father choose to bless us with partnerships from these pastors we will come alongside them and help with our A-B-C-D-E strategy and perhaps give their church and community another chance to participate in miracles of changing legacies for the glory of God. Wouldn't that be "crazy" - in the best sense of the word? :)
My concern for the condition of the country, the church, our communities...basically, the culture compels me to pray for God's direction. My question has become, "Am I (are you) part of the problem or part of the solution?"
Another "encouraging remark" that we heard at the beginning of this venture was, "You are not going to find pastors who will admit that they need help with their marriage or who want marriage ministries in their church." I admit that at first we thought that comment might be true, but it is not.
We were befriending couples almost from the first month. These couples knew us or were referred to us by those who knew TBI's purpose and plan. The first year saw lots of hours with couples in trouble or wanting to avoid trouble. There were more of the former than the latter designation..sad to say. We did some conferences along the way, some speaking engagements, helped with training leaders, and worked on foundational systems for TBI's future.
Then a huge breakthrough happened last fall. An organization that has connections with thousands of pastors both in the USA and in many other countries asked us to help build an ongoing follow-up plan for their network. Training happened in November, the leaders from TBI and the other organization worked well together, and TBI was given the role of finding, qualifying, and scheduling leaders for 5 retreats beginning in January and ending in May of 2012.
Now we are 1 day away from May, 2012 and the retreats have been very successful. We have our last one in Phase 1 on May 6 to 10, 2012. The pastor/leader couples have received encouragement, been able to rest, grown in their marriage, and have been challenged to take the intimacy message back to their churches and denominations. The plan is very simple actually.
The Plan: Lovingly disciple those in your own household then practice those same principles with others in the church, work place, and community.
Should our Father choose to bless us with partnerships from these pastors we will come alongside them and help with our A-B-C-D-E strategy and perhaps give their church and community another chance to participate in miracles of changing legacies for the glory of God. Wouldn't that be "crazy" - in the best sense of the word? :)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
I was losing then I won!
This list of conclusions came to me after church Sunday, April 15, 2012 as I thought about the ministry we are in and the challenges that get to me at times:
1. I was reminded that the call from God to do this ministry was clear and very personal.
2. I realized that when funds don't come in as I had hoped, faith and fear lock in a battle for my mind.
3. God's provision comes as He sees fit not as I expect or envision.
4. Expecting that certain people or groups will (should) support TBI is a set up for disappointment.
5. God's people use God's resources in ways He directs, and when resources come to us that means they cannot go to help others; therefore, I must use His resources wisely.
7. I am to love others and speak truth from a heart that is not anxious about whether that person will give to us or will change as a result of the truths shared in love.
8. God has provided and will continue, but not as I dictate. His resources are just that...His resources.
9. Though at times I fear and become ungrateful, I must not live in either place for long.
10. Jesus deserves to be worshiped in spirit and truth by those who call others to do the same.
11. Carol and I must be in agreement on financial issues so we don't breed fear or resentment into our marriage.
12. Changing lives is God's work. Loving God, myself, and others in His power and speaking His truths are my clear marching orders.
I love Jesus and so appreciate His tender care for me, my family, and those we serve and with whom we serve.
1. I was reminded that the call from God to do this ministry was clear and very personal.
2. I realized that when funds don't come in as I had hoped, faith and fear lock in a battle for my mind.
3. God's provision comes as He sees fit not as I expect or envision.
4. Expecting that certain people or groups will (should) support TBI is a set up for disappointment.
5. God's people use God's resources in ways He directs, and when resources come to us that means they cannot go to help others; therefore, I must use His resources wisely.
7. I am to love others and speak truth from a heart that is not anxious about whether that person will give to us or will change as a result of the truths shared in love.
8. God has provided and will continue, but not as I dictate. His resources are just that...His resources.
9. Though at times I fear and become ungrateful, I must not live in either place for long.
10. Jesus deserves to be worshiped in spirit and truth by those who call others to do the same.
11. Carol and I must be in agreement on financial issues so we don't breed fear or resentment into our marriage.
12. Changing lives is God's work. Loving God, myself, and others in His power and speaking His truths are my clear marching orders.
I love Jesus and so appreciate His tender care for me, my family, and those we serve and with whom we serve.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Just Another April Fool
For some reason the last few days have been an emotional roller-coaster. I wish I could say that these ups and downs don't happen to me any more because I am so mature and super-spiritual, but I can't. Well I could say it, but I'd be lying.
Perhaps it is the pollen?!
I don't think so. I think it is being too focused on my situation rather than the God who is over my situation.
Really my situation isn't all that bad. In fact, it is rather enviable, really. I have a wonderful, loving wife of 39 years, 3 children who love Jesus and me, 6 grandchildren who are healthy and happy, some really good friends who actually care about me, two paid-for automobiles, food in the pantry, ministry involvement with people in several states and a few other countries, live in a wonderful house, and am in very good health.
After re-reading the list I just made in the paragraph above, I guess I am just another April fool whose eyes have been focused on my lack of predictable income rather than the Lord Jesus Who loves me, gave Himself for me, and promised to meet all my needs according to His riches in glory. He knows my needs and invites me to bring them to Him daily for the reassurance of His love and His awareness and His caring involvement.
God is faithful to me. No more "April fool" today. OK? We'll see about tomorrow when it comes! :)
Perhaps it is the pollen?!
I don't think so. I think it is being too focused on my situation rather than the God who is over my situation.
Really my situation isn't all that bad. In fact, it is rather enviable, really. I have a wonderful, loving wife of 39 years, 3 children who love Jesus and me, 6 grandchildren who are healthy and happy, some really good friends who actually care about me, two paid-for automobiles, food in the pantry, ministry involvement with people in several states and a few other countries, live in a wonderful house, and am in very good health.
After re-reading the list I just made in the paragraph above, I guess I am just another April fool whose eyes have been focused on my lack of predictable income rather than the Lord Jesus Who loves me, gave Himself for me, and promised to meet all my needs according to His riches in glory. He knows my needs and invites me to bring them to Him daily for the reassurance of His love and His awareness and His caring involvement.
God is faithful to me. No more "April fool" today. OK? We'll see about tomorrow when it comes! :)
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