Archive for June, 2009

It’s All About Family Reunions!

The past three days, the Garretts and extended family -NEALS- have had a blast at our 10th family reunion. We have laughed—swam—been sun-burned-eaten-sang together, played volleyball, horse shoes etc… We have celebrated together every 2 years over the past 20 years. Watching the oldest generation laugh together, reminisce over the past, share memories, and brag about their children and grand children is a staple part of each reunion. I watched this generation closely the past 3 days. All 4 siblings are dealing with health issues. All 4 are more unstable on their feet and require close attention. My generation conversed during the weekend as to who might not be at the next reunion. My thoughts moved to all the children and grandchildren, and great-grand children –the off spring of these 4 siblings. The majority know the Lord. They have been raised in god-fearing homes. My heart and prayers go out for any that do not have a personal relationship with Christ. None are perfect and none are without individual crisis of their own from time to time. But most of us, as far as I know, will join together for the greatest family reunion of all one day—and it could be sooner than we realize—when we all get to Heaven! We will not take any money or material things with us. But we will be re-united as family in a perfect place together with the whole of God’s family from all over the world. We cannot imagine what that will be like. But it is going to happen. And it will be a reunion like we’ve never attended or imagined before. Are you part of the Family? If not-Jesus is waiting for you. J

Our Governor–America—and the body of Christ…

My heart is saddened after the news we received yesterday afternoon concerning our Governor. I am grieved that once again a good Man has succumbed to the enemy’s snare and many have been hurt as a result, especially his wife and family. May I remind us all that not one of us does not have the capability of falling like the Governor in some way that can bring a black eye to our own families and most of all Christ? Our responsibility is to pray for Mark Sanford and his family as well as for our state leadership. I am hoping that though God’s grace and mercy is far big enough to handle all this, that we not excuse the dis-respect that has been shown to the public office of our state, and most of all to Mrs. Sanford. I pray God guards my own personal heart. Over my desk in my study are the words from Proverbs 4: 20-27 which I have been reading the past couple weeks, “Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning. Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” I have no doubt we are living in a deceptive day where the lines have been blurred and the grace of God has been maligned and re-defined as the glue and soothing oil for our own self-centered justification in the midst of spiritual lethargy and callousness. It is in the church all over America from mega churches to small rural churches. We have packaged it with the headlines of easy believism and tailor made shallow followship that requires simply a weekly sermon at whatever time is convenient and no further honest authentic journey into the depths of God’s wisdom and expectations for kingdom living. It is all over America. Little wonder there are not many pastors and spiritual leaders standing in the gap for America anymore. Little wonder, the pool of real-gutsy-strong-God-fearing Christian politicians has become shallow. And–to raise the alarm even more, what are we as leaders –pastors, parents, teachers, Americans–instilling in our young people today? What are we teaching them in our churches? Or-are we? Will we raise our generation of young people to live as close to the edge as possible and blur the lines of right and wrong, or will we teach them the wisdom of the Proverbs and the foundations of the Scriptures together with the grace and mercies of our great and awesome God. Let our Governor’s announcement yesterday be a wake up call for all of us to be on our personal guards and to be more emboldened than ever to raise up a generation of young people who know their Lord and are ready for battle in the coming days. The Day of the Lord must be near. The stage is set. The choirs of heaven are warming up and the trumpets are tuning for the call. The Omega is bringing about His will and purposes for the end of the age. It may be today. Men will continue to fall, but God will also continue to raise up Men and Women who will raise the standard for excellence and righteousness in America, and most importantly—the body of Christ. God give you and me the heart, the mind, the will, and the daily resolve to remain pure and humble at the foot of the cross. I pray God’s grace and healing for our Governor and his family today and in the days ahead.

Here’s a great book to read if you want to discern more about the advancement of God’s Kingdom in the times in which we live. I have it and have read it. Great to have some young wirters and thinkers today who are discerning in their approach to ministry. His website gives the following information and book review:

S. Michael Craven is the president of the Center for Christ & Culture located in Dallas, Texas, where he studies, writes, and lectures on the relevant intersection of theology, philosophy, and culture. A leading cultural apologist, he offers a rational biblical response to the various cultural forces that seek to reshape the philosophical consensus in America. Michael has authored numerous publications and articles; has been a featured speaker at national conferences, universities, and seminaries; and appeared on Fox News, CNN, ABC, NBC, and other national television and radio programs. His popular commentaries reach more than 4 million readers each month through subscription and syndication on Crosswalk.com, Christianity.com, and ChristianPost.com.

THE BOOK:

“UNCOMPROMISED FAITH: Overcoming Our Culturalized Christianity by Michael Craven. Forward by Josh McDowell

Tear down cultural barriers to the reception of the gospel, and learn how to advance Christ’s kingdom in today’s postmodern, post-Christian culture.

For nearly two-thousand years, Christians have been formulating and presenting a serious interpretation of life that was then applied to every aspect of society and culture. This “interpretation” once shaped the great institutions of Western civilization as well as the social and moral consensus. However, a serious shift began in the latter part of the eighteenth century that continues to this day. Christianity began to be supplanted by “new” ideas about life and reality—ideas that sought to elevate man and eliminate God.Initially, this challenge was met by serious and intellectually formidable Christians. However, by the end of the 1800s, an anti-intellectual spirit began to dominate the American Church and Christians—ill-equipped to contend for the truth—slowly surrendered the culture. “In comparison with its past   achievements, evangelical Christianity today is in a pathetic state of decadence and decline in the West.”

These are among the very real and serious conditions that have contributed to the marginalization of the Christian faith in American life and culture and it is these conditions that are now undermining our society. Sexual anarchy, moral relativism, individualism, narcissism, consumerism and a host of false and pernicious ideas have combined to create formidable barriers to both the reception of the gospel and the pursuit of Christ’s kingdom. In UNCOMPROMISED FAITH, S. Michael Craven peels back the layers of contemporary culture to expose the unwitting cultural captivity of the American Church and gives Christians the understanding necessary in order to tear down “false pretensions” that keep people from a knowledge of God.”

AGAIN IN THE NEWS THIS MORNING ..

Again in the news this morning, the government is claiming the jobless numbers are higher than expected. Seems they are constantly examining and analyzing the scope of America’s financial crisis-and understandably so. Vice-President Biden said yesterday that the numbers are worse than expected, but that the stimulus package should be making a difference soon. The “Bail-Out” package is thought to be the line of hope we all need to get back to prosperity as before. The fact of the matter however, is that for years, America has been living on a false line of prosperity based on debt and self indulgences. Now, the market is having to adjust our fat appetites and make us “go on a diet” in order to bring this train wrecked economy back to some sense of sensibility. I am hoping that America will return to Her Judeo-Christian roots rather than continuing to spiral down the “all-inclusive” path of moral and spiritual decadence. But even if She does not return, for those whose hope is in The Lord, there is a “bail-in” package that is guaranteed to work that will bring us healing, security, and God’s favor, even in the midst of global confusion and continuing crisis. “Now I know the Lord saves His anointed; he answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God!” Psalm 20: 6-8 Trust Him today!

Today is June 11^th and the reason I found myself

reading the words of Proverbs 11 this morning. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to rationalize and justify our own actions that we know are questionable—especially to someone else? Solomon wrote about this temptation in the first three verses of this chapter. He said –“¹ The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. ² When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”  Back in the days Solomon wrote, People would have one set of scales to measure weights for their own use, and another set to use when selling to others so as to “tip the scales” for their benefit, though dishonestly doing so. We do the same thing when we reason and try to justify ourselves in actions and agendas that might be questionable to others. Whether it is selling a clunker that we know will fall apart the next day, telling someone a ½ truth, or even in the name of “being spiritual” trying to persuade another person to believe what we believe about something that really is not the real –conclusive Truth of the matter. This is where legalism got its start. Pride takes us to this place of duplicity. And when this happens, it is evident we are not spending time in the word soaking up the authentic grace, love, and truth of God’s Word he died to give us. Next time you are tipping the scales—remember Solomon’s words of wisdom that came directly from the mind and heart of your creator.

I I Kings,when David was at the end of His life, He called his son Solomon to his side and said these words: ” So Be Strong, Show Yourself a Man. Observe what the Lord your God requires. Walk in His ways and Keep His decrees.”  Solomon loved God and asked for Wisdom to live His life and lead His people-God’s kingdom.He walked in His Father’s ways and followed the decrees of Jehovah. He was a Man of action and principle. Yet, he took a detour in the weakness of His flesh. He allowed His eyes to be taken off the prize-the goal. As a result, Solomon faces consequenses of His sin and broken fellowship with God. He comes to himself, and I wonder if those words of His father do not echo over and over again in his mind- “Show Yourself a Man! Observe what the Lord requires.” God make me a Man who follows the heart beat of the Sprit of God and never follow the whims of any man who may try packaging his error in something that appears good but yet is full of self ambition and conceit as Solomon did for a time. God wants Men who are not afraid to stand for truth in a loving way and who are not afraid to do what is right  even in the face of adversity. It may mean drawing a line. It may mean confrontation. Solomon came to his senses and realized the vanity of His own selfish agenda and confessed late in His life that it really is all about gloifying God and allowing Him to work in and through us. Child of God- be surrendered to the rock of our faith–the only one worthy of our affections and allegiance-Jesus. And-go with His agenda for your life and the body of Christ. Grow up into Him–the vine and treasure of life. Stay in His word. Refresh yourself continually in the streams of His word that bring life everlasting and strenth for today. Taste the living water, and never thirst again.

Reading a great book called – Good To Great In God’s Eyes by Chip Ingram. Here is a line from the introduction: Pick up a copy to read and let me know your thoughts as you read.

“…In fact, a half hazard. go with the flow approach will almost always guarantee a mediocre spiritual life. In order for God to accomplish a great measure of his highest purposes for your life, you must give yourself permission to live out that passion with purpose and intentionality. Your faith can’t be a random growth process. Proactive discipleship–longing to be great in God’s eyes–will produce greater maturity and fruit than reactive discipleship. The Bible and experience are  clear on that point. God urges us repeatedlyin Scripture ot be diligent about the disciplines and practices that lead to excellence, maturity, and impact.”  What’s your goal and plan for today-this week-this year–as it pertains to growing your own personal spiritual life ? Or-do you have a plan ? Or -are you content with showing up to one church event a week with no other thought or passion for growing spiritual disciplines in your life ? I challenge you to evaluate what disciplines you do have for growing spiritually and then work out a plan to go further than before in developing your whole person into that Christ Follower who is growing in the wisdom and grace of Christ,rather than just veg-gin out on a sermon a week. Little wonder we run out of fuel. Little wonder we give in to the temptations of life. Little wonder we have no discernment. Little wonder we bring reproach on the name of Christ. Psalm 1 – “Blessed is the Man that …..” –check it out…your blessing may be right around the corner, but it come with your initiative and passion for growing in Him. This is the reason –we do disciplehip at GraceView. To offer you opportunities for growth. For expanding your mind-heart-soul-and passions in the treasure of God’s infinite-inexhasutable resoursesfor life. We have life to it’s fullest (John 10:10) when we actively pursue Him rather than just going with the flow of spiritual mediocrity. We are called to live out our lives with purpose and intentionality no doubt.    Have a great super sized super natural day WITH HIM!  Robbie

What’s your agenda for the day? Work –? Balancing the check book? Shopping? Don’t know yet? This morning I was reminded of the call of God on my life—and yours. Jesus gave some direct priorities for a Christ Follower’s Life in Matthew 16. He said, …“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Jesus was teaching these Men the priority of discipleship. That is to follow—to increase in knowledge and wisdom of the Scriptures, and share the good news of Christ. This was in fact the “great commission” WAS IT NOT ? It really is a model for daily living. Read the book of Psalms and Proverbs. Read Solomon’s prayer for success. Read the Epistles and you will find the admonition to strengthen yourself in the Word and to use it in spreading the life changing message of the gospel-good news. Read Ephesians and you find the mandate for the church to teach and equip the body of Christ for this work—the call of carrying a personal cross. I’m aware of a church that God has blessed and grown both spiritually and numerically. Now the intention of new leadership is to remove Adult and Student Bible Study from the Sunday Morning schedule as well as all other discipleship venues throughout the week with the exception of Home Groups (which I think are great!) in order to accommodate the “busy parishioners” and not “require or make them feel obligated” to attend more than one main event a week. And—they are doing it while splitting the church and labeling their intentions as “evangelistic” –caring for those outside the church, while forgetting about and shunning those within who would still like to keep Bible study and spiritual discipleship front and center of the churches mission. I am all about change by the way. God gave me the opportunity before coming to GraceView to be part of moving a dead traditional church to a new awakening of the Holy Spirit in both spiritual and numerical growth with fresh new innovative ways of doing church. We kept and strengthened the “baby” while removing the old ineffective bath water. But what I see today on the part of some pastors in both mega churches and small rural churches is an effort to accommodate and tailor make the church priorities to suit the people’s schedule and preferences rather than the biblical mandated commission for the church which leads to throwing the baby out with the bath water. And now—often this attempt is camouflaged with the new definition of discipleship to exclude spiritual formation and emphasize evangelism. After all, God does need our help. Therefore, it’s o.k. to use reproachable language and illustrations from pulpits and blogs, criticize other churches who have not yet discovered the enlightened truth about watering down the mission of the local church, and laugh about and scorn those Men and Women in ministry who might still hand out flowers on Mothers Day and allow children to worship with their parents. These are days that call for serious evaluation of what a Christ Follower is to do. Let’s get back to the Word and to the commission of Jesus Himself, forget the blogs (except mine of course! –coming back to our web site this weekJ)– and most current church growth fads that rely on whoever has the biggest church and most “baptisms”, (although I do enjoy reading the lame excuses of some people who think they have outsmarted God and are now helping Him rebuild His church) and stay the course doing Kingdom ministry effectively and creatively, but with a discerning and maturing heart. Time to pick up some crosses and leave the entertainment room. Time to did deeper and strengthen our roots in the knowledge and wisdom of an all knowing God. Time to get closer to the heart of Abba Father rather than the beat of blogs, books, and the latest music of cultured depravity. What about Paul’s words in Colossians to end this rambling—“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves”. Take up your cross this morning! Spend time with Him—then go and share the awesome news of His love and power! J