MOVIN' ON

Up to the task

2008-09-04T13:20:00.001-05:00

Note: This is published both on Movin' On and the Scribbles blog. I won't do this often; but this particular musing ideally fits the purpose of both blogs.

I was an entrepreneur almost my entire working career beginning several firms and partnering with others to form larger private corporations. It was satisfying and rewarding in many respects and I was willing to take risks because I felt strongly about my capabilities and those with whom I associated. Fortunately, we “won” much more often than we “lost.” That said...my first thoughts when International Leadership Institute approached me about spearheading a new initiative for them to create a product line of new curriculum, I said to myself, “sure I can do that. I’ve written audio tapes, a lot of articles published on the Internet, contributed to books and resource guides and really have enjoyed designing or “retrofitting” Christian teaching and studies for small groups and other venues.”

As it developed into much a much larger Kingdom project than either ILI or I first envisioned, I began thinking “wow...I’ve prayed about enlarging my territory for Kingdom purposes (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), but this may be over my pay grade”, as a certain Presidential candidate would declare in a debate setting.

As I scribble this, I wanted you to know what I was thinking...for a little while. Isn’t Kingdom living and accepting Kingdom purposes all what being a devoted Jesus Follower is all about? This new initiative is above my pay grade...and I’m thankful about that. I desire earnestly to have a deeper walk with Jehovah; I look forward to being entirely dependent on Him for this Kingdom adventure.

So this brings me to your journey. Is God speaking to you about stepping out in faith? I don’t know what that may look like for you...leading a Bible study for youth for the first time; entering TWUMC Special Blessings shadow ministry, becoming involved in September Serve, organizing a mission effort locally or internationally, becoming involved in a church plant or helping The Loft launch its new Saturday night service---I just know this---until you are willing to enlarge your territory, kick out your preset boundaries and ideas, and let God be God, you really aren’t being truly sold out to Jehovah for His Kingdom purpose in your life.

“How do I start”, you ask? First, earnestly seek God and His purpose for your life...for this season of your life. I’ve said this many times before, but just “Find out when God is working and be willing to join Him there."

On a personal basis, pray for ILI and their Kingdom purposes; for wisdom and direction with all their new initiatives and for the resources necessary to continue to enlarge their territory through changing lives every day in more than fifty nations by accelerating the life-transforming spread of the Gospel.

Selah

I AM is Who I Can Become

2008-09-01T21:37:00.000-05:00

Laurie Beth Jones in her book, Jesus CEO, has an interesting chapter titled "His "I AM" Statements are What He Became."

She states, "Jesus did not look back on the events of his life and say, Hmmm...I must have been the Son the God." He declared himself to be the Son of God, and the proof followed.

Do you believe that words have power? I do..I hope my life is a testament to that. In the last ten years or so, God's spiritual gift in me of exhortation has really taken off...I'm much more encouraging to others than I used to be. Maybe, I finally grew up or maybe I AM who I can Become? Yes, early on I realized that I had the gifts of leadership and teaching and these were confirmed in the body of Christ. But, its only been these last few years that I've realized that God was calling me to be more---a special encourager.

I have to confess that I like it. I like who I am becoming. The 2008 Olympics reminded me again how important "self-talk" really is---not only in athletics, in politics and in mega-corporations, but to YOU AND I as Jesus Followers.

So, here's the deal. If Jones is right in her book that Jesus' I AM statements are what he became, do you think it might just be a little important for us Jesus Followers to follow suit?

Here's something to try at her suggestion: "Whom do you tell yourself you are on a daily basis? Remember, words have power.

Selah.

Wanted: Special Friends

2008-08-31T20:53:00.000-05:00

I want special friends....let me rephrase that---I need special friends. Why, you may ask? Simply, because being a consistent, fully-devoted Jesus Follower is tough. We need special friends.

Let me give you one biblical example. Where would Moses have been when the going got tough without Josuha? Enough said...we need special
friends.

I encourage you to open yourself to some friends; to enter into deeper intimacy with others through small groups, accountability groups---men to men and women to women. Special friends will lift us up; will pray for us; will rejoice with us and will hold us accountable, not only to them, but to our heavenly Father.

It's too easy for us to hid; to always be in safe places where no one really knows what's going on, isn't it? I've been there and I don't want to go back there again. It's draining, curbs one's passion as a Jesus Follower and, frankly, it is safe, but not joy-filled.

Here's a simple tip on picking special friends...don't pick "yes" people; pick Jesus Followers who are passionate about being one and sharing their lives with others.

This makes sense to me; I hope it does to you...as Jesus Followers who desire to remain fully devoted, we need special friends.

Selah

I'm working on not being a whiner

2008-08-29T23:01:00.000-05:00

When I was waiting in a long line at the store today getting another four gallons of water for the big blow called Gustav coming into the Gulf area on Monday, I was in back of a old guy just humming away...how irritating.

Of course, like everyone else, I needed gas before it went back up to four bucks a gallon and I was in a hurry; why am I in a hurry all of the time...I really don't have much to do? Any way, you can tell I was angry, because I said this guy was old and you already know that I'm old as dirt.

When I got back to the car, I thought about Laurie Beth Jones' book Jesus in Blue Jeans. Like all of her books, it's an easy read and filled with profound Jesus truths---if you take the time to muse about it. Being a practical guy, I need all the help I can get from the easy reads.

So I sit here at 11:00 pm, scribbling away as the Holy Spirit leads realizing that Jesus was no whiner. Jones' book includes a chapter titled "He Was No Whiner--He Hummed." Jones proposes that we need more hummers in world, not whinners...hummers make the desperate situations more tolerable...brings comfort...is a sign of creativity..brings more energy into the world---you get the idea.

Well, Jesus Followers, I've been working on it. No one likes a grump---even a Christan one. I don't know about you, but I've seen my share of "Christan grumps" to last a lifetime.

So here's the deal. Read John 4:14, can't you see Jesus humming? I think the old guy was an angel sent to encourage me. What do you think? I'd like to hear from you.

Selah

Who you are

2008-08-26T10:16:00.008-05:00

Today is confession day. I confess that I love good movies, fine food, and well written books. How about you? One of my favorite movies is A Good Year, the Russell Crowe movie based on the book by Peter Mayle. The story line is about a wealthy British investment broker who inherits his uncle's chateau and vineyard in the Provence region of France and discovers who he was meant to be was not who he was.

I always enjoy a good read or movie with a deeper meaning. In this case, Max Skinner, discovered a truly purpose-filled life of love, deep friendships and contentment in a simpler life with meaning beyond self.

You may have never discovered the movie as it was not a box office hit. My prayer is that you have discovered the meaning to a purpose-filled life and that who you were meant to be in Christ was not who you was.

Often we need a time to reorder our lives. Let me ask you this, are you now (even in Christ) who you were, or are you now living the purpose-filled life that you were meant to live as a Jesus Follower? Need more? Check out my blog at "A Lofters Life" which is enclosed...begin with ordering your life around the eight core values discussed in yesterday's blog. Until....

Selah

Teamwork

2008-08-25T18:20:00.006-05:00

Some of you may have watched this video or a similar one before.

Lofters are focused on “being the hands and feet” of Jesus. Andy mentioned Sunday that we are not alone on mission…that’s what being a permission giving organic body of believers is all about.

As you watch the video, think about your cause…your passion…your mission. Wouldn’t it be sweet if those who surround you and uplift you had this teamwork for the common cause as Jesus Followers. Selah

Living a Purpose-Filled Life

2008-08-21T11:38:00.003-05:00

I love to read and one of my favorite authors is John Ortberg. I particularly like “If You Want To Walk On Water---you’ve got to get out of the boat.” It is Ortberg’s retelling of Peter’s walking water story (Matt. 14:22ff) and challenges us to live a life on mission with God.

Ortberg asks each of us a simple question...do we want to the life of a “boat potato” (aka couch potato) or do we want to be a “water-walker.” As we reflect on living a missional life these next few weeks, I believe this is the key question for each of us to ask ourselves---“Am I living a purpose-filled life “going and doing” in Jesus’ name?”

The book challenges us to “keep our eyes on Jesus (less we sink) and step out of our comfort zone.” As I continue this journey as a Jesus Follower, I am continually drawn to this passage of Scripture; how about you?

My passion (and purpose) is to encourage the post-Christian remnant in Europe; I do that in a number of ways. Others may be called and are passionate about providing housing for the needy, ministering to the widows and orphans, being involved in the lives of troubled teens, comforting those who have experienced loss...the list of what Jesus has called us to is limitless...the needs immediate. Yet, we must always remember to do it with a Kingdom purpose and in Jesus’ name. I hope I am an encourager always (here in The Woodlands as well as around the world) and I pray that others see Jesus in me.

This “missional life thing” can be difficult at times; life gets in the way! (We always have important things to do for us, don’t we?) When I get too self-centered and less of encourager, I have to reorder my life...again. Maybe, it’s as easy as keeping our eyes on Jesus; what do you think?

Our Prayer
“Jehovah God, keep us focused on Kingdom work. Create inside of me the desire and the passion to live a life on mission. Open my eyes to see where you, Lord Jesus, are working in this world and create the desire in my heart to join you there.”

Selah

Jacob's Crossing Outcome

2008-08-18T13:11:00.004-05:00

One of my all time favorite biblical characters is Jacob; perhaps it is because I am also a twin---but I suspect it is because I am a dreamer and schemer. I return often to Jacob's WWF wrestling match with God found in Genesis 32. A few weeks ago during some time in the Word while preparing for a trip to Romania, I again reviewed the story. As a "bottom-line" sort, I jotted some thoughts about Jacob's WWF match outcome:

First, I like the fact that God gave Jacob a new name (Gen 32:28); he became known as Israel, or in Hebrew, "one who strugges with God." I don't know about you...but I've had my own struggles with God---haven't you?

Second, I really appreciate it that Jacob (now Israel) found a new direction--he was going to cross the Jabbok and no longer fear facing his brother. Since Rick Warren's book Purpose Driven Life became so popular, much has been written about discovering one's unique purpose for serving God...for placing Jehovah first in one's life...for being open to expanding one's territory (Prayer of Jabez), etc. As one well past half-time in my life and ministry, I often muse about legacy making...making a difference, so, "A New Direction makes sense to me." How about you?

It also is clear to me, that like Jacob, a new direction brings A New Reverence toward our Holy God. (Gen 3:30). "So Jacob called this place Peniel, saying It is because I saw God face to ace yet my life was spared". I can remember clearly the times that God spoke to me directly....can you?

Finally, we always need to be reminded of this renewed commitment, don't we? Jacob was no different than you or I. (Gen 32:31) Yes, Lord God bring me back to this place Peniel...return us often to the mountain.

Selah.

The Window of My Soul

2008-08-16T10:20:00.004-05:00

Well, its that time of year that I take my annual trek back to rereading another favorite book--"Ordering Your Private World" by Gordon MacDonald. It's timeless...real...moving. I read it each year for fresh insight; to regain balance in my life; for hope.

As I blogged earlier on Andy Nixon's blog for The Loft, I'm always drawn to MacDonald's guote "If just one person could look into the window of my soul and see me for what I really am before God … they would catch a glimpse of several frustrated forces—some good, some bad—fighting for the dominance of my heart. Were it not for the promise of God in Philippians 1:6, I should have doubts regarding the outcome. No one could chart my desperate desire to love Christ. Few would appreciate my hunger to see him break forth in power in my life. Perhaps it is the fate of the Christian never to be satisfied with the status quo."

I'm thankful that I am not satisfied with the status quo---of my soul; of my church; of the mission that God has placed me on. How about you? Is it time for a fresh awakening?

Selah until next time.