“Survivor Church” ─ Do you know how to play the game?

March 14th, 2007 1 comment »

I have come to the unfortunate realization that all too often, we are not living as the Church, but playing the game of church. And we play the game of church using the rules of Survivor; OUTWIT, OUTPLAY, OUTLAST. The other thing I have noticed is that nobody really needs instructions on how to play this game, it seems to come very natural to us humans.
Have you had this kind of experience? There is a conflict between two people, but because we are “Christian” we find it best to simply ignore it and “get along.” So the hurt feelings and disagreements get shoved under the carpet. Of course people still gossip, but only so others can “pray” about it and so they can find support for their perspective. As the game moves along, each side gets entrenched in their game plan, and then it all comes down to who can stay standing the longest.
The Survivor Church is all too common and we need to quit playing the game and discover that God’s desire is not that we OUTWIT, OUTPLAY, and OUTLAST, but that we OUT-LOVE, OUT-SERVE, and OUT-SUBMIT.
Let’s stop playing the game and start living the Life!
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Legacy of a Daddy

March 12th, 2007 1 comment »
John Piper is a popular author, pastor, and well respected follower of Jesus. Recently his Dad, Bill Piper, died. Here is just a short excerpt, from John’s memory of that day.

Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for sixty-one years of faithfulness to me. I am simply looking into his face now. Thank you. You were a good father. You never put me down. Discipline, yes. Spankings, yes. But you never scorned me. You never treated me with contempt. You never spoke of my future with hopelessness in your voice. You believed God’s hand was on me. You pproved of my ministry. You prayed for me. Everyday. That may be the biggest change in these new days: Daddy is no longer praying for me.

I look you in the face and promise you with all my heart: Never will I forsake your gospel. O how you believed in hell and heaven and Christ and cross and blood and righteousness and faith and salvation and the Holy Spirit and the life of holiness and love. I rededicate myself, Daddy, to serve your great and glorious Lord Jesus with all my heart and with all my strength. You have not lived in vain. Your life goes on in thousands. I am glad to be one.

I kissed him on his cold cheek and on his forehead. I love you, Daddy. Thank you.

Listen closely men; do you hear the heartbeat of Fatherhood? This is the legacy of a real Daddy and lover of their son. If my kids can speak these words over me when I die, I will have proven a worthy Dad. If my kids can tell me these things while I am still alive, I will be a happy Dad.

Today is a day of choice for every Dad. Do you work hard, but never take time to play. Do you speak words of affirmation to your kids? You may not have lots of money to leave your children or a big house to in which to shelter them from the rain, but being a Daddy is so much more…

Dads; what will you chose as your legacy?

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Faithful Leaders Exhibit God’s Power & Presence

March 10th, 2007 No comments »

“Leaders do not have to prove God is guiding them, God’s presence will be unmistakable.” — Henry Blackaby

I remember the first time I ever heard a preacher utter the phrase, “thus sayeth the Lord!” I had recently started seminary at Oral Roberts University and I found myself surrounded by people who had a different kind of faith. I remember clearly how this phrase was used to manipulate the people into following after this pastor’s lead. It was made clear that; to stand against the preacher was to stand against God—no questions asked! But is this really what biblical Christ-honoring leadership is all about? Is the proof of our leadership really based on how well we can influence people to follow?

I am reminded of Moses when he came down from the mountain after receiving the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 34:29-32 Now when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand – when he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moses called to them, so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and Moses spoke to them. 32 After this all the Israelites approached, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. (NET)

Before Moses spoke a single word, the people knew he was God’s leader. Moses did not have to defend the Law and force the people to accept it. Moses did not have to give a resume of his past deeds to establish his credentials. Moses did not have to manipulate them with “holy” language or threaten them with punishment—it was clear to everyone that saw Moses’ face that YWHW chose Moses to lead. The people knew Moses was speaking for God because his face glowed with the power of the Lord.

The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Prove to us that you are sent from God.” Jesus’ answered, “I can’t prove anything to you and I don’t have to.” The Father was in the face, the smile, the hands and the feet of Jesus—it was plain to everyone who had eyes to see.

Unlike Moses, my face does not shine like a light bulb and I can’t tell you the last time I raised someone from the dead. So what can I do to prove my leadership? Nothing! I cannot prove anything and if I try to prove it, I am missing out on the essence of what it means to be a faithful leader. As I seek the Lord and spend time with Him; people will see it. They will see the power of God in my face. They will see His presence in my actions and hear Him speak in my tender words.

Are you God’s leader? Ask yourself this simple question, “is my leadership power based on the techniques of the world, or do people follow me because they see the unmistakable presence and power of God in my life?”

Go back to the DNA of Faith
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Homosexuals Are Right About Marriage

March 9th, 2007 3 comments »

Okay, now that I have your attention, I want you to hear me out because in a very significant way, those groups which endorse homosexual marriage have understood something that many conservative Christians have missed. Congregations who officiate over marriages that are illegal in the eyes of United States law, have understood a very important truth; marriage is not something that can be established through a government contract.

Far too many Christians are fighting over the issue of the marriage as a government contract, and have forgotten about marriage as the Divine covenant. True, those who support same-sex marriage have missed the biblical truth that marriage is only between one man and one woman, but they have learned one important lesson; marriage is not about a piece of paper or approval by the human institution of government. People on both sides of this issue would be served much better if we began once again to see marriage as the institution of Divine-Covenant which forms the foundation upon which all else is built.

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