Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. (Ruth 2:11 NLT)
Sacrifice is never overlooked by God. And anything that is done great for God's kingdom comes with sacrifice.
Ruth sacrificed everything because of commitment and relationship to Naomi. She left comfort, security and familiarity.
All great movements come with great sacrifice. The issue is that we live in a generation that wants great success without great sacrifice. This generation, especially the "Generation X" wants the houses and cars their parents have- NOW.....without the sacrifices, so they get in debt.
Sacrifice is never overlooked by God. Anytime you sacrifice, view it as a seed. You will eventually reap a harvest.
Think about this. We don't celebrate heroes because of their status, but the level of sacrifice it took to get them there.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Anatomy of the Assignment
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT)
Your life is made up of many, "mini" assignments. The Apostle Paul had assignments in the book of Acts. We call these assignments, "journeys." Every assignment Paul engaged had two important elements; length and purpose. We can sound cool like T.D Jakes and make it rhyme by saying, "season and reason (in your best preacher voice)."
Every time you enter an assignment these two elements must be at the forefront of your mind.
Know that your assignment has an expiration date. There is a length to how long this assignment is. Enjoy it. Make use of everyday. Once you step into that city, the hour glass is going.
Your assignment also has a reason or purpose. Like Nehemiah, survey what your purpose may be there. What problem has God assigned you to solve?
People who look upon previous assignments in a negative manner did not keep the anatomy of the assignment at the forefront of their mind. Pray over it. Think about it. Journal. Don't leave this assignment not knowing this important principle.
a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT)
Your life is made up of many, "mini" assignments. The Apostle Paul had assignments in the book of Acts. We call these assignments, "journeys." Every assignment Paul engaged had two important elements; length and purpose. We can sound cool like T.D Jakes and make it rhyme by saying, "season and reason (in your best preacher voice)."
Every time you enter an assignment these two elements must be at the forefront of your mind.
Know that your assignment has an expiration date. There is a length to how long this assignment is. Enjoy it. Make use of everyday. Once you step into that city, the hour glass is going.
Your assignment also has a reason or purpose. Like Nehemiah, survey what your purpose may be there. What problem has God assigned you to solve?
People who look upon previous assignments in a negative manner did not keep the anatomy of the assignment at the forefront of their mind. Pray over it. Think about it. Journal. Don't leave this assignment not knowing this important principle.
Monday, February 6, 2012
As a Team Corporately
The last post talked about the importance of "team" versus "individual." The Giants have won the Super Bowl and it shows the value of the team mindset.
My last post was about the local church body. This post is about the Body of Christ as a whole.
Too many churches have the "individual" mindset. They see other churches as competition and view themselves as superior because of style or methodology. I experienced this first hand several years back. There was a church that split off from another church in a city. The bigger church that was split from offered me a position. The pastor that splintered off also wanted me to come and serve. Dianna and I felt the Lord leading us in this decision to go with the established church, not the splinter church. I had breakfast with Pastor "Split." He trashed that church and broke off our friendship in a professional manner when I accepted a position there. Funny thing is that I approached him for breakfast because he preached Kingdom. He just could not live it.
How are you connecting the churches in your community?
Do you make meetings about your vision or do you seek to help others?
Do you praise or trash other churches?
Jesus sees the churches in our city as one. Why can't we? We are a TEAM.
For more on this concept, read Jason Dukes new book- BEYOND MY CHURCH.
My last post was about the local church body. This post is about the Body of Christ as a whole.
Too many churches have the "individual" mindset. They see other churches as competition and view themselves as superior because of style or methodology. I experienced this first hand several years back. There was a church that split off from another church in a city. The bigger church that was split from offered me a position. The pastor that splintered off also wanted me to come and serve. Dianna and I felt the Lord leading us in this decision to go with the established church, not the splinter church. I had breakfast with Pastor "Split." He trashed that church and broke off our friendship in a professional manner when I accepted a position there. Funny thing is that I approached him for breakfast because he preached Kingdom. He just could not live it.
How are you connecting the churches in your community?
Do you make meetings about your vision or do you seek to help others?
Do you praise or trash other churches?
Jesus sees the churches in our city as one. Why can't we? We are a TEAM.
For more on this concept, read Jason Dukes new book- BEYOND MY CHURCH.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Team vs. Individual
Watching the Superbowl media day interviews of the 2 teams in Superbowl 46 was very telling of why they are there.
The players from the Patriots and Giants both had a "team" concept versus an "individual" concept. Eli Manning even said, "It's not about my legacy. It's about these guys and our team accomplishing all they can."
Why don't churches have this mindset? As individuals and church bodies. There are way too many people that are about themselves and their legacy. The reason many churches and cities don't win us because they are full of diva church members. They want what's best for them versus what is best for the team.
I have seen these type of folks spark up and spark out at The Well. They may preach a team concept, but the second they don't get the ball they start crying. They make it about themselves. They complain to other team members because they don't get their way. They don't get involved unless they can be the spotlight.
These folks are cancers and consumers.
Thank God I have folks at The Well that want the team to win and the body of Christ to win. They see what needs to be done and will take on any role to help the team. Team players don't have to tell you they are team players. Everyone knows it.
You can never start a God-honoring movement without those with a team mindset. Ask God to remove and prine your ministry of the Terrell Owen's type players. Start rewarding team players who serve and look for TEAM first.
You ready for the Superbowl?
(next post will be about churches in the body of Christ)
The players from the Patriots and Giants both had a "team" concept versus an "individual" concept. Eli Manning even said, "It's not about my legacy. It's about these guys and our team accomplishing all they can."
Why don't churches have this mindset? As individuals and church bodies. There are way too many people that are about themselves and their legacy. The reason many churches and cities don't win us because they are full of diva church members. They want what's best for them versus what is best for the team.
I have seen these type of folks spark up and spark out at The Well. They may preach a team concept, but the second they don't get the ball they start crying. They make it about themselves. They complain to other team members because they don't get their way. They don't get involved unless they can be the spotlight.
These folks are cancers and consumers.
Thank God I have folks at The Well that want the team to win and the body of Christ to win. They see what needs to be done and will take on any role to help the team. Team players don't have to tell you they are team players. Everyone knows it.
You can never start a God-honoring movement without those with a team mindset. Ask God to remove and prine your ministry of the Terrell Owen's type players. Start rewarding team players who serve and look for TEAM first.
You ready for the Superbowl?
(next post will be about churches in the body of Christ)
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The Secret of a Dark Season
Dark Season- Matt 10:27 Whatever I tell you in the dark...preach on the rooftops.
Os Hillman said in his book, "The Upside of Adversity,"
Songbirds are taught to sing in the dark. There are something's that only God can do in you in a dark season.
My last blog was on the topic of a dark season as well. God allows dark seasons in our lives for different reasons. One of those reasons is because there are only certain things God can speak to us in a dark season. It is then that we are postured to listen. Most people stop listening because of the intense pain and loneliness those seasons can bring. It is in those times God wants to shift your paradigms. We all set up these theological beliefs about our methodologies that God has to crush. We have methodologies that some guy on TV taught us, but it is not found in Scripture. God will allow these methodologies and mindsets to fail so He can reshape us. Most people get bitter and jaded when this happens.
God wants to share things with you in the dark so you can preach it from the rooftops (high places). If you allow yourself to get bitter, damaged and jaded, your revelation in the dark place will be of no use.
What methodologies is God trying to break in you?
What is God trying to speak to you in your dark season?
How will it help people when you "preach it from the rooftops?"
Os Hillman said in his book, "The Upside of Adversity,"
Songbirds are taught to sing in the dark. There are something's that only God can do in you in a dark season.
My last blog was on the topic of a dark season as well. God allows dark seasons in our lives for different reasons. One of those reasons is because there are only certain things God can speak to us in a dark season. It is then that we are postured to listen. Most people stop listening because of the intense pain and loneliness those seasons can bring. It is in those times God wants to shift your paradigms. We all set up these theological beliefs about our methodologies that God has to crush. We have methodologies that some guy on TV taught us, but it is not found in Scripture. God will allow these methodologies and mindsets to fail so He can reshape us. Most people get bitter and jaded when this happens.
God wants to share things with you in the dark so you can preach it from the rooftops (high places). If you allow yourself to get bitter, damaged and jaded, your revelation in the dark place will be of no use.
What methodologies is God trying to break in you?
What is God trying to speak to you in your dark season?
How will it help people when you "preach it from the rooftops?"
Thursday, January 26, 2012
God Allows Dark Seasons
But God kept them from recognizing him. (Luke 24:16 NLT)
I believe this happened because he wanted to hear their heart and their true feelings; not religious talk. Jesus wanted to have a heart felt conversation. They were 7 miles away from their destination. They just lost their leader and hope. Jesus wanted to walk with them through their toughest situation. He wanted to be present in their pain.
So many times we approach God with "faith" talk and Christianese. We try to wear a mask. God knows that the things we are telling Him, we don't even believe. God desires that we are truthful and pour out our whole hearts to Him. He knows you are hurting. He knows that you are scared.
Could it be that God allows dark seasons, times when we don't feel Him, so that we will be real and show our true feelings?
What I love about this is that Jesus walked with them on their loneliest journey. He loved them that much.
Be real with God today. Cry before Him. Share your heart with Him. Leaders who start movements are transparent before God and to others.
I believe this happened because he wanted to hear their heart and their true feelings; not religious talk. Jesus wanted to have a heart felt conversation. They were 7 miles away from their destination. They just lost their leader and hope. Jesus wanted to walk with them through their toughest situation. He wanted to be present in their pain.
So many times we approach God with "faith" talk and Christianese. We try to wear a mask. God knows that the things we are telling Him, we don't even believe. God desires that we are truthful and pour out our whole hearts to Him. He knows you are hurting. He knows that you are scared.
Could it be that God allows dark seasons, times when we don't feel Him, so that we will be real and show our true feelings?
What I love about this is that Jesus walked with them on their loneliest journey. He loved them that much.
Be real with God today. Cry before Him. Share your heart with Him. Leaders who start movements are transparent before God and to others.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Rest
Perry Noble recently quoted his counselor by saying, "Those who don't work are considered lazy by the Bible, but those who don't rest are considered disobedient."
I remember talking to a guy who was the epitome of this statement. He proudly told me that their staff were so busy that they never took a day off. I replied, "Wow bro, you would not have been allowed to work on Jesus' staff because even He rested."
We all want to change our world. Hopefully inside of you is a big dream. If that is the case, you will have to learn to rest and have down time.
*Note: Some people are lazy, never meet deadlines and do not work. My only advice is- step up your game. This blog is not for you.
Here are some questions to help you see where you are at.
1. How often do you have time for fun and recreation? What do you do for fun? (writing sermons or reading theology books DON'T count)
2. Do you feel guilty for taking time off? Why?
3. What do your wife or friends say about your balance? Have you asked them to honestly tell you if they think you work too much?
Burnout is real for everyone. Learn to rest properly. Ask your spouse to help you have time to recharge. Help your spouse as well. Fight guilt. It is mostly internal, self-imposed guilt. The people you serve want you rested, in a good mood and refreshed. If they don't, change positions, jobs or churches immediately.
Let's go for the long haul!
I remember talking to a guy who was the epitome of this statement. He proudly told me that their staff were so busy that they never took a day off. I replied, "Wow bro, you would not have been allowed to work on Jesus' staff because even He rested."
We all want to change our world. Hopefully inside of you is a big dream. If that is the case, you will have to learn to rest and have down time.
*Note: Some people are lazy, never meet deadlines and do not work. My only advice is- step up your game. This blog is not for you.
Here are some questions to help you see where you are at.
1. How often do you have time for fun and recreation? What do you do for fun? (writing sermons or reading theology books DON'T count)
2. Do you feel guilty for taking time off? Why?
3. What do your wife or friends say about your balance? Have you asked them to honestly tell you if they think you work too much?
Burnout is real for everyone. Learn to rest properly. Ask your spouse to help you have time to recharge. Help your spouse as well. Fight guilt. It is mostly internal, self-imposed guilt. The people you serve want you rested, in a good mood and refreshed. If they don't, change positions, jobs or churches immediately.
Let's go for the long haul!
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