Tuesday Retreat...

It’s a rainy stormy day in Brookings SD where I am right now. The rain is more gentle at the moment but it was coming down in buckets early this a.m. The wind, of course the wind, it is South Dakota, moved my balcony furniture around. They are huddled in the corner as if to escape the fury of the wind.

Sometimes the Spirit of God is like that, it blows and we don’t know where it is taking us and so we huddle in the corner. Jesus used the metaphor of the wind in John 3 as He conversed with Nicodemus. There was a singer in NYC – not a gospel singer per se because that’s a different genre of music, but he sang scripture, almost chant like. Every song he sang was all scripture – when I think of John 3 I think of him singing in perfect KJV with an operatic tone: The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

So I’m thinking about the wind today as we enter the second week of our Tuesday retreat – where is the wind of God taking you? Are you ready to soar as an eagle dependent on that wind, or are you huddled like my chairs on the balcony? Let the wind blow as you do your mini-retreat and hear what the Spirit is saying to you today.

Remember our scripture? Read it out loud, hear the words with your ears and your heart. This time we’ll hear it from The Message:

2 Corinthians 3:12-18: With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn't notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn't notice. They didn't notice it then and they don't notice it now, don't notice that there's nothing left behind that veil. Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can't see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there's nothing there.

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

Beholding Your Face


Before you do your reflections, I have a question to ask you. Have you ever thought about what You would see if you looked at Jesus face. Some of you may be old enough to remember the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. 




A Pastor I had once asked this in a sermon. I’ll never forget it. I was always Miss Busy in the church. In fact, I am one of those people that every Pastor dreams about – I’ll do everything, I can preach, I can teach, I can do administrative work – at that time I did everything from checking the bathrooms for toilet paper early on Sunday morning, the bulletins, the Sunday School/Children’s church, prayer team and preach when he was gone. So you’d think this question would not have disturbed me. It did. Then he looked at the congregation and said, “some of you are afraid to look at the face of Jesus because you are sure He is frowning at you… if you’ll look you’ll see He’s smiling.”


You see, being busy didn’t mean that I thought I was loved or special. It was what I thought I had to do to be tolerated by God. Yep, you heard that right. I still have a hard time when I take the veil off my own self and stand exposed before Christ – I am afraid to look up and see Him – but my Pastor is right – He’s smiling at you – whether like me you are trying to be the dutiful child to be tolerated or you’ve wandered away and feel like you’ve done too much – if you’ll look, you’ll see He’s smiling at you. His eyes are saying I love you.


Find a quiet place, maybe you want to read that scripture again, out loud – now reflect on these things…

1. Lord, what is it that prevents me from seeing Your face?
   
2. What messages have I taken in that make seeing You seem foolish or unattainable?
   
3. What things have I tried to substitute for Your face?
   
4. What would change if I saw Your face before me in my everyday life?

The Black BMW - God Cares About Cars

As we grow in relationship with Christ, and begin to hear the voice of the Shepard, we may find ourselves deeply in love with Jesus. I did.

As I began to experience God’s presence-- as I heard His voice and looked for His divine steps, I realized for the first time that I could fail Him. For so many years God was at my service, He was to meet MY needs. Sure, I also wanted Him to meet your needs, and those around me. But something was impersonal about the arrangement; even selfish and a bit childish.

One day, I was praying and running errands in an old junky car that I was borrowing from a friend at church. I had been unemployed for about 6 months and I was just starting to get caught up. My new business was doing well too. As a company we were able to give and to be a blessing to our employees. That same morning, as I drove by a used car dealer not to far from my home, I saw a black 1988 BMW 325, and on the windshield was written $4999 in fluorescent yellow numbers. I heard the Lord say, “I want you to have that car.” Although I was used to hearing from God on occasion, this time it seemed selfish. After all, a good Christian does not need to have a nice shinny BMW! I felt like I didn’t really deserve it and I dismissed God.

That same afternoon I drove by the car again and I heard the Lord say, “I want you to have that car.” I thought, you know, I should stop and at least look, but I didn’t. I drove by it again two more times in the next day or so; finally I pulled up next to it and got out to take a look. The salesman came out to great me and asked if I wanted to take it for a test drive “It’s a nice car and it won’t last long.” He said. He opened the door, started it up and turned on the Blaupunkt radio. It was so sweet.

I said. “I am little busy right now, but I will drop by later. I just live down the street.”

Later never came, and the next morning as I drove my kids to school, I looked over to see the BMW that God wanted me to have. It was gone! Like a missing front tooth in a six-year-old’s mouth, the car was gone. I slowed to see if it had been moved to another place on the small lot, it wasn’t there.

After I dropped off the girls, I drove by again to look into the service bay, it wasn’t there either. My spirit sank. I knew that I had not obeyed God. I had tried to figure out how He would pay for it, I’d been too busy to listen, and worse, I had been given a number of chances. “God,” I said as I began to cry, “I am so sorry for not listening.” I sobbed all they way back to my office. All day I thought about that car; about disappointing God -- I felt miserable.

That afternoon I decided that if God wanted me to have a BMW, then I would go and get one. I took my kids after school and we drove to every car dealer in town, and some that weren’t. I could not find one BMW, any year, any make, any color-- not one. I took the kids home and went in my office. I was beside myself. I cried out to God again, and asked Him to forgive me. The Heavens were silent. After dinner I went to visit a couple of more gas stations that might be selling a used car—and hopefully a BMW. I knew it was a long shot. These last few places usually only had about five to eight cars on the lot. As I slowed to pull into the last one, there was no BMW there. I sat in the parking lot and was solidly convicted for not obeying God.

“OK, God, I messed up, I am wrong, and now I don’t know what to do.”

I heard that still small voice. “David, if you want a BMW, then you need to go to the BMW dealer.”

I was flabbergasted. I am sure it makes sense to you, however; I never would have thought about the BMW dealer. The prices would be high; even for a used car, and it just seemed so far out of my league. But I went, and I went now.

As I pulled into the parking lot at the local BMW dealer-- the one place I did not go -- as I turned the corner near that service department, there sat a black 1998 325 2-door. Not just the same car, but the exact same car with $4999 written on the windshield in fluorescent yellow numbers. I got on my cellular phone and called the dealer that very minute. “I am very interested in the black BMW 325 that you have out front, can someone please call me?” After all it was 9:30 at night, and they had closed.

Sunday morning came, and I left a second message on the way to church. No one called and drove by to make sure that it was still there. Finally on Monday morning, the phone rang. The salesman said, “I am calling about the 325, we don’t have a title for the car, and we don’t know when we can get one. Can we show you something else?”

In my mind, I am thinking, you have no idea what I have been though, if you don’t sell me that car, God is going to strike me dead!” But out of my mouth came these words. “No, I want that car; may I come leave a deposit on it in about 10 minutes?”

“I am sorry sir, but we can’t take a deposit until we have a clear title.”

I covered the receiver and look at the sky. “God is this some sort of cruel joke?” I was ready to start crying again.

I said the man on the phone, “I really want that car, please let me know when the title comes in.”

“OK, God, now what?” The heavens were again silent.

I went about my day at the office and I was convinced that I had done everything that I could to please God. I went off to the bank and got in line for the teller. Suddenly I realized that I didn’t have enough cash to buy the car. I decided to talk to the manager and see what my options were. After a quick credit check, she informed me there was no way they were going to give me a loan as a self employed person in my first six months of business.

On the way home I asked God where he thought I was going to get nearly $6000 for taxes, registration plates and insurance. I didn't get an answer.

About a week later the phone rang and it was the car dealer. They had a title to the car. Me, I didn’t have the money. I told them that I couldn’t get there that day, but I would tomorrow. They didn’t seem to mind. I confess, I was thinking maybe this whole thing was me, and not God. I was just mulling it over in my head and went out to get the mail. I was expecting a check for $6000 for a job that I had done for Kraft Foods and I was told it would take 90 days to get paid for. Again, it seemed just enough out of reach; I began to doubt the whole process.

About 4 pm, there was a knock at the front door. There was a man at the door that I had never seen. He handed me an envelope and said, "This was delivered to my house, and after I opened it, I realized it wasn't mine. I am sorry I didn't get here sooner -- I have had it for almost a week." It was the check I had been waiting for.

I went to get the car that night.

Thank you God for being relationship with me, and being concerned about all these details!

A break from politics...let's talk God.

A post from Tony C Today (October 2008) right in the middle of the Presidential election.

Over the 18 months of managing the http://www.stickwithjesus.com/ website (sorry, no longer up), I received a number of interesting emails from both atheist and agnostics. For me, it's easier to relate and respond to the agnostics, because I've been where they are spiritually at a point in my own life. The arrogance of atheists, however, really bothers me (I know, that's not very Christ like…I'm working on it). I had a conversation of the atheist variety this past weekend.

Atheists always want to bring up Pascal's Wager in discussions. Of course, the lack of scientific evidence is also a popular point for atheists, but responding to the point that there is no proof God exists is too easy…"Prove He doesn't exist." I think Thomas Aquinas covered this best almost 800 years ago in Summa Theologica.

So what is Pascal's Wager? Here's a quick refresher for you:

Blaise Pascal was a famous French mathematician, physicist and religious philosopher in the mid-1660's. People my age probably remember the computer programming language named after him in the late 70's and early 80's (and the only subject in college I made a D, thanks Blaise). Needless to say, he was a pretty smart fellow. His philosophy, however, took on a very rigid, structured matrix that didn't allow for more pliable principles and concepts.

In his Wager, Pascal attempts to provide an analytical process for a person to evaluate options in regarding belief in God. This is often misinterpreted as simply believing in God or not. As Pascal sets it out, the options are two: live as if God exists, or live as if God does not exist. There is no third possibility.
Therefore, we are faced with the following possibilities:

You live as though God exists (and follow His word).

• If God exists, you go to heaven: your gain is infinite (best case).
• If God does not exist, you gain nothing & lose nothing.

You live as though God does not exist.

• If God exists, you go to hell: your loss is infinite (ouch, not good).
• If God does not exist, you gain nothing & lose nothing (no time to gloat either).

With these possibilities, and the principles of statistics, Pascal attempted to demonstrate that the only prudent course of action is to live as if God exists. Now that's a nutshell version of the Pascal's Wager, but if you want more detailed information, click on the link above. For those mathmatically challenged, like me, best leave it here...just trust me.

Atheist, for some reason, rally around the Wager as the only possible explanation a rational person could believe in a 'fantasy' like God. When backed into a corner during a heated debate on God, it will come flying from an atheist out of no where…"You're just hedging Pascal's Wager on heaven and hell!" Then you'll get a 'top-that' look in their mind that surely closes the deal…well, not quite.

You see, my belief in God has little, if anything, to do with the fear of going to hell. Besides, you can't base your committment to God on just logic. He wants your love willingly and true. God knows your heart, so you can't bluff or hedge your way into heaven.

I love God because He is gracious enough, merciful enough to love me…yes me. That still blows my mind! The Creator of all that is, all that was, and all that ever will be cares about the most insignificant creation He made…me. Wow!

And how do I know? Because I talk to Him every day. I feel His presence in my life every day. I have His word that has stood the test of thousands of years to read from daily. I don't need the logic of Mr. Pascal and his mathematical equation to tell me to put my faith in God. Jesus took care of that long before Blaise…Hey, maybe we need a programming language based on His teachings.

It would at least be crash-proof.

May God bless you today in your walk with Him.

When is it OK to judge?

By now you've recognized that this is "greatest hits" month here at Kingdom Bloggers; we're all posting some of our past favorites from our own blogs. The reason the following was a favorite of mine on my blog was simply because this topic interests me, your responses interest me; so please let me know your answers to the questions I raise at the end of this post.

When is it OK to judge?

I have a problem with judgmental Christians. I've been hurt by them.

I know I'm not alone in this.

Many non Christians are turned off toward Christianity due to these often well meaning people. Many Christians have suffered great pain due to insistence of how "right" their brothers are concerning issues where they do not agree. Some Christians have even wandered away from God in their pain induced by the self righteous judgmental attitude they've experienced in the body of Christ.

My defining experience with judgmental Christians was when I was in my late teens. I went away to a Christian college. I won't say the name of the school because the pastor who has been president of that school for decades is a very well known Christian author, speaker, preacher and evangelist. I've seen many people come to Jesus through this man's ministry and when I look at his doctrine, every single bit of it is accurate. But when I hear him preach, there's always this under current of judgmentalism; this feeling that he's very interested in you and he both being "right" way more than he likes you. My experience at that college was that there was a constant expectation that everyone was to believe all the time in a very specific manner, questioning was not something encouraged. Issues such as if dressing fashionably was acceptable, if it was a sin to go to the movies, if one did watch movies (at home of course) what movies were acceptable, the "fact" that drinking alcohol or dancing were unquestionably "super sins", the need to follow rules to the letter - these were the big issues of the day. This environment left my heart hollow, parched and damaged; so I ended up transferring to a University of California for my last two years. There I joyfully participated in Bible study groups on campus, engaged in meaningful relationships with non-Believers, questioned my professors about everything of interest to me, exultantly wrote papers discussing issues of faith when appropriate, and generally grew greatly.

I think Galations 5:1-6:10 really speaks to the heart of this issue. When I read this passage I'm overcome by a profound gratitude at how great God's incredible grace is toward me. This passage refers to the law of Moses, that law which shows us right behavior. The fact that none of us could ever measure up to this exact standard of right behavior is underscored. I see these words in Galatians 5:4-6(MSG):

I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.

I already know from Ephesians 2:8-9 that it is God, in His supreme goodness, who gave me the ability to believe/have faith in Him. It is His great love that drew me to Himself and His salvation. For me to start this microscopic focus on the external life, on my own and others' behaviors, is to go back to the law which can only bring condemnation. God wants my life to be about loving Him and loving others. In Matthew 22:36-38 I read how Jesus said that loving God and loving others are what makes the rest of the law work.

So, is it always wrong to judge? Is there ever a time when exercising judgment is correct? Do I have a responsibility, out of love, to tell others when they are in error?

Let me tell you what I think, and then I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts on these questions:

1. Each of us must judge doctrinal truth for ourselves.
1 John 4:1-3 tells me to test for doctrinal truth. I believe that I'm to be a student of scripture, to compare passages with other passages, to be in prayer, to let the Holy Spirit guide me into truth, rather than to just believe what ever someone tells me. I can not read this particular scripture in any way other than to see it as addressed to the individual Believer. I do not see this specific scripture as a call for me to go around judging others doctrine so I can tell them where they are in error, but rather as a call for me to be accountable for what I believe.

2. My role in judgment regarding those who do not know Christ is to proclaim the Kingdom to them.
In Matthew 9:36-38 I see Jesus telling His followers that people are in great need of Him, He directed His followers to pray that God would send out laborers to bring people into His kingdom. I believe that there is the implication here that we should both pray for laborers and be laborers to show others how they can come into God's Kingdom.

3. One of my roles in judgment toward other Believers is to help them learn to judge scriptures themselves and to grow in their faith.
I see the model established in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 where we are to teach others who have chosen to follow after Jesus the scriptures. The entire 17th chapter of John shows how Christ's followers are given His Holy Spirit to be their guide and teacher; to help them understand God's truth. I believe that after someone has come into a relationship with Christ, that the Holy Spirit will reveal truth to that person through God's Word. God will grow that person in His timing and it's not up to me to force my time table onto someone else.

4. Another one of my roles in judgment toward other Believers is to care enough to see if they are caught up in sin and to try to help them out of it.
There are times when a brother or sister in Christ gets caught up in sin. Galations 6:1-10 tells me that that my response to these situations should be about restoration. It's interesting to me how that word "gently" (New International Version) from the first verse is translated - in the Message paraphrase it's says "forgivingly restore him", in the New Living Translation is says "gently and humbly help that person back", in the New American Standard Bible it states "restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness" - every translation or paraphrase that I can find has this tone of kindness. I do not see a heavy handed I'm gonna tell you the truth and you'd better get in line with it attitude; instead I see a kind, compassionate, considerate approach. The goal here is to stay in relationship with the brother/sister in Christ, to live together and help one another; not condemn one another.

There is also the whole thing of church discipline toward one who confesses to be a follower of Christ who is dead set on continuing in sin. But there is so much to in that whole discussion that it requires at least one post all to itself. These 4 points are in no way meant to be all inclusive and to completely cover this topic; these are more of a starting point in my own thoughts on this matter.

So, now that I've shared my thoughts, I'd be interested in hearing yours:
Is it always wrong to judge? Is there ever a time when exercising judgment is correct? Do I have a responsibility, out of love, to tell others when they are in error?

Up or Down

"It is those types of incendiary comments that prevents us from moving forward and advancing the dialogue of peace" she said with her head tilted in disgust.

"I find it deplorable that you are unwilling to make concessions that would benefit the majority" he quickly retorted. Without stopping he took control of the discussion with a tiring list of statistics and opinion polls that would overwhelm Sean Hannity.

"The disincentives that have been forced upon a minority in this house are inexcusable and are based in selfishness." she declaring now standing with both her hands on her hips.

While still dismissively waving his hand to combat her strong tone and posture he replied, "Your person is your responsibility, not mine! If I am to be held culpable for all the woe that befalls you now, when will I be absolved from being your personal guardian? Clearly, your agenda is not limited to hindering my inalienable rights but to usurp them "

After a very pronounced sigh and a slow shaking of her head, she spewed a rant with such repugnance that Keith Olbermann would plagiarize. After a lengthy pause she concluded, "It is imperative that a stand be taken now to prevent your fascist ideals from taking root and destroying the liberties and responsibilities which others have worked so hard to establish and ensure."

I finally could not take it anymore. I had to turn off the tv because I could no longer endure the fruitless 'debate'. "Logan start putting the toilet seat up before you potty or else sit down when you do."

What? You can't imagine my 7 and 6 year old debating the merits and responsibilities of putting the toilet seat up in such a manner? To me this sort of 'dialogue' is a real and constructive as a lot of the 'debates' that are on tv, radio and online

The sports and politics 'news programs' seem to be no longer about informing viewers but in promoting the opinions of 'experts'. These 'experts' bolster their agendas with words and tones that are not engaging but are intended to spurn any other view point. And if the expert's opinions are not enough to hold our attention, we can go online, text or call in our opinion. This allows us to make sure our 'voice is heard' on issues that will continue to be issues long after the 'polls' have closed.

Somehow, by knowing my opinion is 'supported' by a percentage of others that happen to be listening, reading or watching the same source I am is supposed to comfort to me?

It seems our culture disguises opinions as facts and rants as discussions. Too easily, I get caught up in conversations that become competitions. Too easily, I lose focus of what is really productive and get caught up in the futility of trying to prove that my view point is the only view point anyone should have.

Way too easily, I forget how foolish I look and the responsibility my words have.

Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;

with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28

"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak,

they will give account of it in the Day of Judgement.

Mathew 12:36

Tuesday Retreat...

Okay, so we are supposed to do a “best of” for the month of August. I think I want to be the rebellious one and create some new “best of.”  Life is a journey and so is our walk with the Lord. It’s all journey. The journey can be very stressful and long at times. At other times, like on your birthday and you realize how old you are and that life is moving fast, you wonder where the time went.

I have been to lots and lots of retreats.  I often wonder why some of the things we call retreat, are called that. Picking up on David’s use of the battle/warfare metaphor yesterday, retreating doesn’t sound like a good idea either.  Often we go to retreats that should probably be called motivational or pep-talk events. Nothing wrong with them, we like them, we need them; yet, sometimes we mistakenly call them retreats.

Last weekend I went on a retreat.  I went to a Catholic Abbey with a group of women.  We had no famous named speaker.  We didn’t sit in chairs for hours listening to someone teach us.  We didn’t have any showmanship.  Excuse the sarcasm, I don’t mean to sound as harsh as this might sound. I like those things and perhaps showmanship is a bad word. But I can’t think of another one right now. 

So often we go to meetings, events and retreats to see the stuff…To get excited.  We are like the crowd following Jesus waiting to see Him cast out another demon, raise the dead or heal someone. That’s okay. I want to see more of that stuff because I believe Jesus is alive and still does miracles.

However, that activity is very passive. We just wait to see someone demonstrate the power of God.  We get excited. We go home. We talk about it for days. Then it becomes a memory that fades. 

What if we were like Jesus? What did Jesus do? Oh yeah, you have a bracelet for that, don’t you? What would Jesus do?  I have one of those also, it’s in the bottom of a drawer somewhere.  In order to be the One who had compassion on people, the one with the energy to stand and preach and proclaim the deliverance of God – Jesus took retreats.  Someone probably has counted how many times the Gospels record that Jesus withdrew to a quiet place. I don’t know how many that is, but I am sure it is a lot.

At the Abbey we did something quite radical for a bunch of charismatics. We were still before the Lord. We let the Lord alone be our main speaker.  For the next few Tuesdays, as my turn to blog comes, I want to invite you to a retreat like the one I just led at the Abbey.  

Here’s what we are going to do. I am going to post the same scripture each week but in a different translation.  That is going to be followed by some questions.  The questions are called reflections. As you reflection on these things, they are going to lead you to places of quiet, of knowing, know yourself and God, places of peace and calm, places of repentance and intimacy.

• Read the scripture out loud.
• Take a half an hour or so to reflect on the questions.
• Pray.
• Put on worship music if that helps you.
• Get in the presence of God and you’ll be amazed at how He will speak to you.

Ready?

2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the LORD, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the LORD's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit. (NIV)

Reflection Questions:

Lord, remind me of time and places when I have powerfully encountered Your presence.

Please help me to see what practices have been (or could be) truly fruitful in helping me spend time in Your presence. (Are there practices that seem to work for other people, but not for you? Talk with God about those too).

Lord, please help me see the obstacles occurring right now that are a veil to my eyes. I want to see you this month. What are some of those obstacles? In prayer, bring them to the Lord and ask Him to remove them.

As the month goes on, I’ll share some of my reflections as we journey together on a virtual Tuesday retreat. 

Rhema - Hearing God Right Now

"You're in God's Army now. Drop your baggage, put on your armor and let's join the battle!" Robert Stearns says emphatically while pointing at what seemed to be directly at my wife. She and I have talked about that moment a number of times over the year. It was an important statement that was full of life in some strange way. "God was talking to me," she said.

Normally we work hard to flow with weekly topics, and give you a number of viewpoints. Not in August! We are having a free-for-all. For the entire month of August your faithful Kingdom Bloggers are taking a break, and publishing some of their Greatest Hits from their personal blogs.

The rhema (Greek "expressed energized") word has power and life, unlike the logos (Greek "written") word (Bible) which is meant to instruct us and help us to put on the mind of Christ. Each type of word has value, but the rhema word is the one that speaks directly to our life in a very personal way. Sometimes playing Bible roulette, is never going to give us what a true rhema word can.

It's interesting the both logos and rhema are always translated the same way, word. You can check out the specific verses that use each Greek word HERE. (Amazingly, I went to a Bible study at church last night, after I started this blog topic, and these verses were given, so I decided to use them. There are many more.) However; here are a few important ones from the KJV because the Greek references are coded to those.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (KJV)

Jesus said that the words that He spoke were spirit and life. I guess these could be rendered red in the red letter Bible. But more importantly God wants to have a relationship with us, not for us to have a relationship with a book; regardless of how inspired it is.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (KJV)

I don't know about you, but this verse is used as a supporting text in every "read your Bible" sermon I have ever heard. Some "word of faith" folks said the we needed to speak and pray the word over each other, and listen to it read for the purpose of building our faith. All of these things are AWESOME, but, it is much more personal and meaningful to hear the voice of God-- the "expressed and energized word" for us, right now, so we know that we are listening to Him, and following Him.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (KJV)

I used to attend a church where they would ask us to take out our sword (Bible) out so we could look up a verse for the sermon. However, when you consider the fact that this verse too, is rhema, it changes everything. His Word is Spirit!

Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (KJV)

This verse takes on a very new meaning when we see it using the "expressed and energized word" of God as opposed to something that Peter might have read in the Torah years before.

Here is my point. Rhema means that we hear hear God now; expressed-ly. Can this be an illuminated logos Word? Absolutely! However; do not short change yourself in your ability to hear from God by assuming that He will only speak through the book. Here is a brief list of how God speaks to His sheep, and the ability for rhema is ever present:

-1 The scriptures - The infallible guide to Christianity. There is no other authoritative text.

-2 His people - As God assembles his saints locally and regionally, they have a voice. Hopefully it is Him.

-3 Your circumstances - Because God knew you before your were born, He will continually try to set up circumstances that bring you closer to Him.

- 4 The internal audible voice (sense or feeling - direct revelation) - often during prayer or during times of direct ministry.Revelatory utterances from on High: for the edification of the church and sometimes individuals

- 5 Tongues and interpretations, words of wisdom, knowledge and faith (internal revelation).

- 6 Spiritual Song, both vocal an instrumental (internal revelation) - a form of prophecy

- 7 Dreams and interpretations (internal revelation) - a form of prophecy

- 8 Prophets (internal/external revelation)

- 9 Angels (direct revelation) - Generally reserved for significant information to be brought to earth.

- 10 His audible voice (direct revelation) - Generally reserved for significant information to be brought to earth.

-11 Sermons and books (biblically based of course)

-12 The beauty of creation

- 13 My blog ;o]

I hope this will get you thinking about how God would speak to you personally. Some of the above maybe outside of your experience, and others very rare, but that does not mean that God will not use that venue if you let Him. Here is another take on this subject HERE.

John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (KJV)

I love you anyway...that's just one word too many.

I overheard the toddler telling the teenager just the other day, 'Clean your room. You've got a lot of stuff in the floor, and Jesus wants you to clean your room!'

Now I know I've told the teenager to clean her room at least once daily since way before the toddler came to realize she had feet...much less know anything about Jesus...but what struck me as odd was her choice to use Jesus instead of me as the authoritative figure to challenge her sister.

Don't get me wrong. That's exactly the way it should be. We should worry about keeping our Savior happy with our thoughts and actions far before anyone else. What struck me as odd was she had both seen and been victim to the consequences of not listening at my hand, not that of Jesus. Granted, the two sisters are disciplined in much different manners when the situation dictates, but she still knew that her sister keeping her room clean was akin to her keeping her toys picked up when not playing with them...or not jumping on the furniture...or not messing with the different devices in the entertainment center...or not, oh...you get the point! When she messes up, mommy and daddy aren't happy, so Jesus must not be happy too.

I hold my kids to high expectations and subscribe to the 'Do Hard Things' philosophy in life. Good grades are expected just as good manners are too. God must come first in every situation. Attitude and effort are not things you sell short. The end doesn't justify the means because there are always a number of right and wrong ways to get to the end. Compromise and morals are very dangerous words to use together in a sentence much less in practice.

Both of my girls (and I'm sure number 3) are strong willed almost to the point of stubbornness. I would say it drives me absolutely nuts, but my wife is often there to remind me exactly where the trait comes from in them...with a mirror. That fact causes me a lot of anxiety because I know the trials and troubles caused in my own life by it. So I pray...

Prayer has been woven throughout our blogs this week and was mentioned in each post. Important? More like essential if you expect to succeed as a parent. Our relationships at home are based on a model of the most holy order. Inevitably, you are going to be heart broken if you have children. Deal with it. God graciously loves us in spite.

Now let me get all James Lehman on you. Consistency is the key when dealing with your kids at whatever age. We have the ultimate example of that fact in our Heavenly Father who gave us life, gave us His expectations in a written Word, gave us promises He will fulfill, and set us on our way to serve His Kingdom.

That my friends hasn't changed since life was first breathed into dust.

Love your kids with all your heart by showing them the ways of the Lord...He comes first, then your spouse, and they are firmly next through thick and thin. Always give honor to your own parents, so they see your example. I believe God intends family to be an eternal thing because He dedicates so much of His word to the subject matter. You won't find a specific doctrine or Scripture that confirms my belief, but I must not be alone in feeling that way...

...because Satan sure spends a lot of effort on evil ways to break our families apart.

May God bless you and your family this weekend. I encourage you to spend time with your family this weekend in a House of the Lord and lift your praises up to Him together. Nothing could do more to draw you closer to one another.

Ephesians 6:1-4

¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." ⁴Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

What if you do theRight things but don't appear to have the Right Results?

You know those sharp looking articles that you find that tell you stuff such as the 7 steps to becoming a strong spiritual leader in the home? Well, this post isn't one of those..

While I find talking about spiritual leadership fascinating, I find providing it in the home challenging

I really appreciate what Joyce had to say about how you must start by leading yourself. If I don't have a vital, intimate, connection with, and commitment to, God - then how I can I spiritually lead my family? I adored what David said about knowing the dreams of those you're leading, and having an investment in seeing them fulfill their dreams. Constantly seeking how God can use you to help them accomplish their dreams. Good stuff.

I struggle.

If you would have asked me about this topic three years ago I would have had a whole lot to say. That was when my oldest son was finishing up his first year at West Point (the college he'd dreamed of attending), my youngest son was exceptionally interested in spiritual matters, and both my youngest and middle sons were getting top grades, excelling in sports, and consistent in their personal times in the Word and church attendance. Yes, in those days I would have thought I knew how to make things happen.

Since that time I've continued to do that which I knew to do: have a vital & growing personal relationship with God that included reaching out to others on an ongoing basis, have family dinners together, have prayer and praise be as natural to our home as breathing oxygen, encourage my children in their areas of giftedness, fervently pray on a regular basis with my husband for our children. But, now things are different.

My two younger sons aren't thinking I'm too great; in fact, they're thinking I'm rather terrible. Some of this is due to my allowing them to experience the natural consequences of some poor choices on their parts. Because a big part of my goals in parenting is to develop independent, competent in daily life, Christ centered, adults - I can't cushion their blows. Sometimes they've got to learn the hard way, from life consequences, why I've always told them to do, or refrain from, certain things. Some of this may also simply be part of the whole "teenage angst" thing - they don't feel so great and don't really know why, so it must be mom's fault. Some of this may do to that whole individuation process - them become separate, independent, adults. Some of this may be due to my own mistakes, sins, and poor choices. Whatever the cause, I question how I can be much of a leader to two young men who don't think much of me, who certainly wouldn't follow me anywhere that they didn't have to.

So - what's God teaching me about leadership in the home?

I guess that can be summarized by saying that I'm learning how live dependent on Him when I'm doing all I know to do, but am not right at this moment seeing the results that I think I should.

The Holy Spirit has encouraged my heart countless times with the words from Galatians 6:8-10 (MSG):

^7-8 Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

^9-10 So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

I'm grateful that when it's all said and done, what is expected of me is obedience to what I know to do and then to trust God with the results.

What about you, what's God been teaching you about spiritual leadership in the home?

Supertastic Leadership

I have learned more about God since becoming a Dad.  I have come to understand how He can love me even when I am at my absolute worst or most rebellious.  I understand the need for Grace and how it should never be earned, but given freely.  The love I have for my kids cannot even compare to the Love that God has for each one of His kids.

 Every night, each one of prays for all the moms and dads, all the grandmas and grandpas and all of our family and friends.  With the blended family and the competitiveness between Naomi and Logan, we had to group all those outside of our house together just so prayers wouldn't last 2 hours. After each individual prayers for the groups, one at a time, we will lay hands on each other and pray that Jesus would bless each Supertastic.

Jensen, the youngest Supertastic at 18 month old, has recently begun 'joining' us in prayers. When each one of will begin laying hands on the rest of the family, he will put his hands upon his head.  Pretty amusing and pretty cool that Jensen is growing up in a house of prayer.

Now I could wind up this entry about leadership with a verse (Proverbs 22.6)and how important it is we are aware of all the eyes upon us.  But I wanna go a little deeper.

See, even before Jensen began 'praying' with us, he was already intimating my leadership. One day when I got home from work, Nikki told me how Jensen was stomping around the living room with a scowl, an angry tone barking "NOW" while jabbing his little index finger at Nikki, Naomi and Logan.  Both older kids agreed, "He looks like Daddy!"A couple of days later I got to witness Jensen's 'outrage'. I gotta admit it was pretty funny, but even more convicting.

Is this what Jensen saw more of out of me? Is that what my family saw me as?  An angry, demanding Dad, that could only get his point across through fear or intimidation?  Is this what my kids are gonna remember the most about? 

So I will conclude with two verses.  Two verses that can instantly lead to confession to my Dad in Heaven about the kind of Dad I wanna be.  The kind of Dad I am supposed to be.

The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

Psalm 20.7

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 17.6