Man After GOD’s Own Heart
I’ve been pondering of late what it means to be a man after GOD’s own heart. What is it that really sets a person apart? Are there tangibles that one can acquire that would lead to their becoming a man or woman… "after GOD’s own heart"?!
GOD says in 1 Samuel 13 that HE had sought out a man after HIS own heart to lead HIS people. This man turned out to be the shepherd boy David. A deeper look in to the life of David will reveal that the man after GOD’s own heart in no way was deemed so resulting from having a life all put together! David was no model of perfection!
Gary Greenberg, a student of Biblical history and specifically the account of David’s life, wrote that one could make the argument that, "David was a corrupt and ambitious mercenary who committed treason against Israel by working with its enemies to seize the throne from King Saul; an ambitious and ruthless politician who initiated, sanctioned, or condoned murder and assassination as a way to eliminate political rivals, royal or otherwise; a Philistine vassal who used an army of malcontents to terrorize and conquer the Kingdom of Judah while Saul was still on the throne; a usurper who went to war against Israel after Saul’s death and imposed himself as king over the nation of Israel by military force; a cruel and unjust tyrant who used foreign mercenaries to centralize power under his direct control and who oppressed the people of Israel with high taxes and forced labor; a military imperialist who waged wars of conquest against his neighbors and exposed the peaceful Israelites to military counter-attacks that left many dead, wounded, or widowed; and the beneficiary of tales and legends that made him the doer of other peoples’ heroic deeds."
In this light, David doesn’t seem all that impressive—and scripture confirms—David was no white-as-snow-pristine saintly man of GOD. But, if David was such a despicable guy, what in the world set him apart and led GOD to say of him, "I have sought out and found David to be a man after MY own heart"?
A further look into David’s life will demonstrate a consistent pattern in his life with regards to how he responded to his own sins. Time after time you will find that David was quick to run to GOD after he screwed up.
The one after GOD’s own heart is the one who after tripping, stumbling and falling, gets up and runs as fast as they can back to GOD. How we deal with our sin says a great deal about who we are. David would run to GOD and cling to HIM knowing that his true source of LIFE was GOD. The same is true of all who cling to GOD as their true source of life. A man after GOD’s own heart is not a man perfectly sinless—but, when they do fail, they run for their lives back to GOD—clinging to HIM as their only source of LIFE, HOPE, and FORGIVENESS!
the cover-up-and-hide method
There is also the more favored example set by our father Adam—the method of sinning followed by running and hiding from GOD. Adam after disobeying GOD in the garden ran together with Eve to hide from GOD. Many try to hide from GOD and deny sin in hopes of avoiding shame, guilt, and the admission of wrongdoing.
Just take a look at a couple of examples from today’s current headlines: Lindsay Lohan attempting and failing to convince a Judge in California that the Lohan version of reality was legit. Steve Jobs and Apple working hard to deny and cover up a widely proven flaw in the iPhone 4’s antenna design. The handling of BP's spill in the Gulf... and, let’s don’t’ even get started with all the mess of Washington Politics!
Truth is, examples of Adam’s cover-up-and-hide methodology abound. BUT... make no mistake... the cover-up-and-hide method of dealing with sin cannot bring a person true peace or abundant life.
There is a way to experience peace… it is the way of the man after GOD’s own heart! The way of bolting towards GOD after a screw-up! This is a way of life that results from a deep seated belief in GOD’s goodness and HIS good intentions towards us! It's also the way of a life freely admitting dependence to GOD.
Are you experiencing peace in your life? Do you feel it could be said of you that you were a man or a woman after GOD’s own heart? The key to living a life of peace and being known as such is all in how you deal with your sin. You’ll either live by the cover-up-and hide method denying your failure and denying GOD’s goodness—or, you’ll cling to GOD and run straight to HIM freely admitting your inability to attain a sinless perfection.
When's the last time you ran to GOD and admitted your need of HIM? If it's been a while, might I suggest you stop what you're doing now and go spend some time with your heavenly FATHER?! And, let’s all be quicker to run for dear life to GOD!
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GOD is with You
This week has been jam packed with activity as we find ourselves moving ever closer towards a way of life absent of vocational ministry. This new direction has certainly been full of challenges for us… and definitely necessitates a different means for meeting our financial needs. As a result, my attention over the last few weeks has shifted to finding a fulltime job outside of ministry.
I’m currently pursuing an opportunity in education. I spent most of the 2009-2010 school year subbing throughout Arlington ISD in order to supplement income. During this time I worked with all levels K-12 and enjoyed these experiences greatly. High School and Elementary were my favorite age groups though! I have always enjoyed the teaching process and feel some of my strongest spiritual gifts are teaching oriented. So, with these things in mind, Dawnita and I have prayerfully been moving forward with the idea of my becoming a fulltime teacher.
I have decided to make my primary focus on elementary ages. So, for the last couple of weeks I have been studying for the TExES 191 Generalist EC-6 certification. I'm scheduled to take this certification test on Thursday at 5pm.
A secondary focus will be on TExES 161 Special Education EC-12. At the moment I am scheduled to take this test on Friday morning at 8am. However, most of my time has been devoted to studying for the 191 Generalist certification test. So, I may end up rescheduling this test for later in July.
I would greatly appreciate your prayers for me (for our family) as I continue to study this week and then take these tests. I’ll be able to start searching for a teaching opportunity as soon as I pass either (or hopefully both) of the certification tests. So, it’s pretty important that I pass on my first try. It would be really great if I could begin looking for a job starting next Monday!
Either way, I greatly treasure your prayers for us as we continue to simply ask PAPPA to make sense of our future for us—to orchestrate our steps. The future is a little uncertain (especially in regards to finances) at the moment. Nonetheless, GOD is with us!
This morning GOD brought Deuteronomy 31:6 to my mind—reminded me that I have no need to be timid—“Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated because your GOD is striding ahead of you. I am right there with you. I won't let you down; I won't leave you!”
I’m not sure where you find yourself today. Maybe your future is a little unclear and uncertain also?! I would offer you the same WORD of encouragement found in this passage of scripture! GOD is with you! HE won't let you go. Hold tightly to HIM and move forward with deep faith and a bold confidence.
I'm praying GOD will interrupt and surprise your day! And, that you will be surrendered to HIM working in you, through you, AS you! Blessings friend!
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The Glory of GOD is Man Fully Alive
This weekend I had a wonderful time reconnected with family and friends at the Cozart Family Reunion. The Cozart family gathers together every summer around the last weekend in June at Possum Kingdom Lake—they’ve been doing so since 1971!
I love hanging out with these friends and family. It’s a time I look forward to each summer. I’ve only missed a couple of reunions in the twenty years I’ve been attending (and Dawnita has only missed two in her entire life!).
This weekend while thanking FATHER for these relationships and this time of family fun—I was reminded of how short life is—and, of the need to count as precious every moment we have together.
In James 4 we are compared to, “a wisp of fog, catching a bit of sun before disappearing.” This year I have experienced loss in ways that brings home the truth of this scripture in profound ways. Maybe you have experienced loss in similar ways. The bottom line is we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
We have this moment; we need to make the best use of each breath we are given!
The Speed Of Life
Sometimes life just happens around us. We don’t even realize we’re missing out on the beauty of blessings GOD has poured in to our lives. It’s not on purpose. It just happens. It’s almost like we are stumbling around, half-awake, not fully conscious enough to truly experience life. That’s no way to live!
The same is true spiritually. We are aware of spiritual things—just, not cognoscente of how these things impact our daily lives. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 says, “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.” I believe this is in part the plan of the enemy; his attempt to keep us paralyzed in a fog of confusion.
GOD Intends More Than A Comatose Life For Us
JESUS said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). “Come to me to have life” (John 5:40). “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48). “In HIM was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). And, Acts 5:20 instructs, “Tell the people the full Message of this new life.”
It’s clear GOD offers us life through JESUS. HE intends for us to live fully alive. And, more… that we are to share the Message of this new, fully alive life with everyone we meet! We are to take full advantage of every moment, making the most of each.
Friend, don’t let another day slip by… each day is a precious commodity! Each moment is a treasure to be savored and enjoyed to its fullest.
I have made a commitment to never miss another family gathering if at all possible! I don’t want to take for granted these moments that are passing by—to assume I’ll have opportunity to see family at a later date! I want to make every second count—to enjoy each and every opportunity we have with family, friends, and dear loved ones.
If you feel the same, make this your prayer today: “JESUS, take away the fog and the clouds and the veil, and help me to see… give me eyes to really see! I want to make the most of every moment YOU have given me. I want to love and be loved, to enjoy deep spirited friendships, and truly belong to the rich community of friends, family, and loved ones YOU have given me.”
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Missional Community Outreach
Friends, since October of 2009 I have prayerfully wrestled with GOD regarding HIS call on my life. Specifically, I have had trouble comprehending where HE has brought me—and the change in direction this new place necessitates. It hasn’t made much sense. As a result, I have been slow... maybe even reluctant… to let go of my understandings of how HE had previously shaped and ordered my life.
In all honesty, I have greatly enjoyed the last 20 years of my ministry experiences. Dawnita and I spent a good number of years in preparation for the types of ministry work we’ve been doing. And, I like to think… that maybe, we were even just a little bit good at what GOD had given us to do!
But, the ministry we’ve been engaged in was never of our own making. There was no time when we sat down and mapped out a five year plan! We were simply being obedient—day by day—to the things JESUS was asking us to be about.
Directing Everything
Letting JESUS direct the details of my daily life was a way of living that began for me at fourteen. In 1983-84, I began pressing in to know and follow JESUS with all of my heart, soul, and mind. My deep desire was to follow JESUS and allow HIM to direct me in everything. And, I truly mean EVERYTHING!
During these years I began prayerfully asking GOD to lead me to my future bride. I believed with all my heart that HE had created one perfect girl for me. I put all my trust in HIS ability to lead me to her! An odd thing for a thirteen year old to be concerned with, but this would end up being one of my most consistent prayers during my teenage years.
It is with great joy that I can report now that my bride of twenty years—Dawnita—is and has been the absolute perfect girl for me! GOD gave me such a wonderful partner and friend for a wife. In this matter (as well as many, many others) HE has proven HIMSELF time and time to be worthy of my trust in HIS ability to lead me in every area of life and faith.
Even so, the last year has been a confusing time for me in trying to comprehend this new place I found GOD had transplanted me and my family. This confusion was compounded some by wounds we received in the last few years of ministry. Wounds not given us by sheep, or even by the world—but, from supposed mature church leadership.
We’ll probably continue to feel the ache of these wounds from time to time. But, our integrity and the manner in which we have conducted our lives and ministry have been reaffirmed many times by both GOD and man. And, the SPIRIT has reminded me numerous times over the last year that the religious elite who sought to do us harm was of the very same spirit of the ones who crucified my MASTER JESUS. If they hated HIM, why would I be surprised that they would hate also HIS servants!?
GOD continues to direct us in EVERYTHING. And, though I have been slow at coming to this point, I have finally arrived and am whole-heartedly embracing the new thing GOD has brought us to.
So, it is with great excitement that I announce today that I will be taking a hiatus from vocational ministry for a time. I already have not been actively seeking a paid church staff position—but, I’m making it official—I anticipate taking a two to three year hiatus from vocational ministry.
During my hiatus, I will be taking a job outside of ministry in order to meet the financial obligations and responsibilities I have in caring for my family. In the last few months I’ve considered a couple of different options (including a job with the Dallas Police Department). GOD continues to guide us in these matters.
We would greatly treasure your continued prayers for us as we prayerfully consider a number of job possibilities. And, please let me know of any opportunities you are aware of that might be a good fit for me!
Missional Community Outreach
This does not mean I will be stepping away from ministry altogether. To the contrary, I fully intend to continue serving in whatever ways FATHER directs. GOD has only reaffirmed HIS call on my life. That's partly why I setup Little Worship Boy! Ministry and worshipboy.com.
However, GOD has refined some of the method by which I will pour myself out in ministry. This refinement has produced the Missional Community Outreach.
What is Missional Community Outreach? Well, GOD is still shaping my understanding of all that it will be! But, I can tell you that at its heart will be the Great Commission. It will be about planting the GOSPEL. It will also be about building healthy communities of fully developing followers of CHRIST. And, it will continue to incorporate teaching worship as a way of life!
I’ll be sharing more about Missional Community Outreach in the days and weeks ahead. I will also be looking at ways to gather support for this outreach work. I’m not sure what all will be needed to get things rolling just yet. BUT, I figure it’s going to take both finances and volunteers.
Would you prayerfully consider the possibility of becoming involved with what GOD has planned for worshipboy.com and the Missional Community Outreach? I'm looking forward to watching how GOD puts it all together. I would love for you to be part of the team!
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Which Character in the Story are You?
Remember the movie Rudy? I recently caught the tail end of it with my youngest son, @aaronelson. He and I both have seen the movie and caught bits and pieces of reruns on television numerous times. But, it never gets old! It really is a great story.
Aaron and I came in on the part of the movie where Rudy had been promised an opportunity to suit out for the last Notre Dame home game. The promise however, had been lost in the transitions of a head coaching change. Having left no stone unturned, Rudy had done everything humanly possible to see his dream of playing for Notre Dame become reality. But, the odds having been so deeply stacked against him... it seems only inevitable that his last chance at suiting out and his dream is now lost.
This is a pivotal moment in the story. Every great story has these moments. Its times like this when right and wrong are easily distinguishable… and the ability for good to triumph lay in the hands of others.
You see, Rudy was all out of options. There was nothing left for him to do. But, he was still (pardon the expression) shy of the goal line. He needed a miracle. And, as the story goes… in the eleventh hour, Rudy got one!
Rudy's teammates stood in the gap. Moved with compassion and a sense of justice, they each individually go to the head coach to plead Rudy's case. One by one they lay their jerseys on the coach’s desk and say, "Let Rudy play in my place."
In the movie, the first one to make that request was team captain and All-American Roland Steele. The head coach responds to Steele's request by saying, "Don't be ridiculous. Georgia Tech is one of the top offensive teams in the country. You're an All-American and our team captain; act like it."
Steele replies by saying, "I believe I am."
This would not have been a popular or easy thing for Steele to do. He risked a great deal to stand up for Rudy... to stand up for what was right... to lead his team in such an unpopular campaign.
Doing right never really is an easy thing to do. There has always been and always will be great opposition against that which is good and right. But I would encourage you to stand fast and hold true to that which you know to be right and just.
The Rudy movie included some adaptations to the storyline in order to make the movie more dramatic. In real life, there was no Roland Steele and… in real life, the Coach had already approved Rudy to dress for the final home game. These things didn’t really occur the way the movie portrayed the events. BUT, events like the ones portrayed in the movie are played out in every day life all the time and all around us.
We each play the various parts of these stories. You will have the opportunity to be a “Rudy” at some point in your life. You will also have the opportunity to be a “Roland Steele” and the “head coach.” Your actions and your conduct will have both an impact on lives in this time and space as well as leaving a mark for all eternity.
Proverbs 3
When the time comes for you to play the part of Rudy… “Don’t lose your grip on love and loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in GOD’s eyes and the eyes of all people.”
When the time comes for you to play the part of a Roland Steele… “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is GOD’s hand for that person.”
When the time comes for you to play the part of the coach… “Don’t look for ways to take advantage of others who are trusting and unsuspecting. GOD cannot tolerate a twisted soul. It’s the straightforward who get HIS respect.”
Friends, in all things… let's be fully surrendered to the FATHER and allow HIM to direct our every thought, word, and action!
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Good Business… or, New god?
Have you ever noticed there are a great many churches "in business" today?! I stress those words in business because for many, the true focus of their collective efforts is on being successful in their church-business enterprise.
What is success anyway? And, how does one go about measuring the success of a church? Success should be measured in the real production of healthy, SPIRIT-led followers of CHRIST. But, to be honest… that’s a pretty difficult thing to tangibly measure.
That’s where many church leaders get tripped up—this idea of tangibly measuring results. Many leaders begin to define success in ways more measureable… like, say… with finances. Once the focus becomes finances, a church leader can justify just about any failure as long as financially the church tithes and offerings received are greater than the weekly budgeted needs.
Success in ministry becomes financial stability. Leadership becomes less concerned about mission, vision, or the leading of the SPIRIT, than they are on achieving success financially.
In this model, the means to achieving success relies on the smarts of the leaders in charge. As a result, you typically find individuals in elder/deacon roles that have proven themselves successful in the market place. They are not necessarily spiritually mature... but, they typically do have lots of money.
These leaders—spiritually blind—turn ministry into little more than a good marketing scheme. The demand for having or acquiring the nicest facilities becomes a high priority. Staff is tasked with providing programs which will attract and keep membership plugged-in and happy. And, the need for a dynamic lead pastor capable of delivering the goods with regards to the financial equation is an absolute necessity.
There is a church like this in every town… and probably more than one! These churches are little more than social clubs. Little ministry of any value is accomplished. And, anything of eternal consequence that does occur often does so in spite of the efforts and programs of “the club.”
Word of warning to the financially driven…
You have chosen a dog and pony show and financial stability over freedom and faith in GOD. Money is your god. And, no doubt, your business of religion will produce the measure of success you so singularly desire. But in exchange for financial gain you have welcomed death and oppression in to your homes.
In short order, you'll come to despise and mourn the decisions you've made. In the same fashion that Judas despised the silver pieces he obtained in exchange for selling JESUS—you’ll despise what you become as the result of your own compromise.
In 1 Timothy 6, Paul says, "If you have leaders who refuse the solid words of our MASTER JESUS, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, and suspicious rumors. They cause an epidemic of backstabbing. Truth becomes but a distant memory under their leadership. They are out to use religion to make a fast buck.”
What does this sort of leader sound like? They say things like, "...god will get your tithe—either you'll give your money to the church, or you'll get cancer and end up paying the doctors."
These guys are ignorant windbags interested only in twisting truth to manipulate money out of your pocket! If you find yourself here, Paul says, "Run for your life!"
For the church focused on worshipping money, “will cause some to lose their footing in the faith altogether. And, all who make money their god will live to regret it bitterly ever after.”
Run hard and fast in the faith
Be sure, “a devout life does bring wealth; but, it's the rich simplicity of being able to be yourself before GOD! Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.”
Avoid the business of religion. "Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, and courtesy. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to!"
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A Beautiful Act of Trust
The last few posts have been reflections on events surrounding the accidental gunshot wound I suffered back in 1984. The main thrust of these posts has been on living a fully surrendered life to JESUS. Self is at the root of all of mans deepest problems! Learning how to die to self is a necessary step to becoming a fully developing follower of CHRIST.
I’m sure I will have occasion in the future to ponder and write some more regarding my accident… but, for now… I have one last story I’d like to share.
A story about a godly woman who prayed a selfless prayer
My family lived in Altamont, Utah, at the time of my accident. A few days prior to my accident, my parents had driven to TEXAS to pick up my nephew and nieces for summer vacation. They were still in TEXAS when they received the call informing them of my accident. My sister, Kathy, was the one who had to make that call to my parents from the hospital that night. I know it was one of the most difficult calls my sister ever had to make!
Hearing of the news, my parents made arrangements for my mom to fly in to Salt Lake City on the very next flight available. She would travel to Lubbock and wait through the dark hours of the night into the early morning hours for her flight to prep, board, and depart for Dallas, in order to make the connecting flight to Salt Lake City.
My dad stayed in TEXAS. He was able to listen in on the phone as a nurse at the hospital in Salt Lake City gave him moment by moment updates on what was happening as the team performed my open heart surgery. He knew long before morning that there was reason for optimism. Once the team finished my surgery, Dr. Ford gave my dad an update. I still had hours and days ahead of me… but, I had survived and the outlook was hopeful.
But, my mom at this point was on a plane headed to Dallas where she would make the connecting flight to Salt Lake City. The whole long, dark night… she sat waiting, armed with little more than the knowledge that I’d been shot in the heart and was critically wounded.
Time warp
Have you ever had something happen where you enter into what can only be explained as a sort of time warp? It’s a place of existence where, for the one inside the bubble, time slows to a crawl. The hustle and bustle of life might be happening all around, but you become unaware of the existence of anyone or anything. Gasping for breath, the sound of each single heart beat reverberates—deafening—no other sound or noises register. You are isolated and alone in a dark void of shock and grief. It’s an agonizing place.
My mom spent about twelve hours in her time warp. Her trip from West Texas to Utah gave her lots of time alone with only her thoughts and her GOD. Her greatest desire was simply for me to be ok. I am, after all, her baby! And, let’s be honest… I’m probably her favorite of the six children she gave birth to! No, I’m kidding. My mom has no favorites (except for me). 
While traveling through the empty spaces of those twelve hours, my mom prayed, and prayed… and prayed. She so desperately wanted to say, “GOD, please heal my little boy! Just let him be ok! Don’t let him die!”
And, what’s really wrong with a prayer of that sort?! Why shouldn’t we ask GOD for the things we want most? Aren’t we encouraged to do so, “ask, and you shall receive…” Doesn’t Luke 11:9-12 seem to be the “ok” we need for justifying the prayer that asks GOD for the things that suit our hopes and dreams?
In Philippians 4:6, we are encouraged to pray rather than worry—to, "let petitions and praises shape our worries into praying, letting GOD know our concerns.”
JESUS, while in the garden, spoke HIS desires to GOD while wrestling with the coming difficulty of the cross. HE asked the FATHER to, “let this cup pass.” But, HE followed those words with a statement that painted a clearer picture of HIS truest heart motive: “But, YOUR will be done, not MINE.”
There is nothing wrong with letting GOD know what’s on your heart and mind. There is nothing wrong with asking GOD to allow a certain outcome. BUT, in all things... GOD knows what is truly best for us. The surrender of ones heart and will to HIS perfect sovereignty in all things is a beautiful act of trust. Our "petitions and letting GOD know of our concerns" must be done so under the umbrella of, “but LORD, YOUR will be done, not mine.”
YOUR will, not mine
This was the formula my mother used for her prayers regarding me during those twelve hours in the dark. She could have prayerfully insisted that GOD deliver on only an outcome she most desired. She could have prayed, “GOD, don’t YOU let my little boy die!”
She, however... did not.
Instead, in her prayers she did the very best thing she could have done for me—she gave me back to the FATHER. She acknowledged that... I belonged to HIM. She was thankful and grateful for the gift I had been in her life. And, she still wanted desperately for me to be ok. But, her deepest heartfelt prayer was, "LORD, YOUR will, not mine be done."
She prayed a very selfless prayer. Everything in her wanted to beg and plead and bargain… but, instead, she did just as her MASTER had done in the garden. And, in a beautiful act of trust, she surrendered her will to HIS. She placed everything that was most precious to her in HIS hands and said, “YOUR will be done.”
I love my momma. She is a very special lady. She has taught me so much about GOD and of love and grace. She also taught me by her example what it is to live fully surrendered to JESUS—to trust HIS purpose and plans, even in times when seemingly everything around us was falling apart.
How is your prayer life looking?
Are your prayers based more on the desire for specific outcomes than they are on a posture of simple trust? No matter the answer, the good news is… it’s never too late to begin anew!
Begin each day with a proper context from which to frame the events of your days. Spend time with the FATHER in prayer. Embrace the truth that GOD loves and cares for you deeply! That HE has good in store for you. Then the definition of “good” can take shape in the light of understanding GOD’s love and commitment to you!
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The Motives of the Heart Matter
In 1984 I suffered an accidental gunshot would to my heart. I almost died. Technically speaking… I did die, several times! Earlier this week, I identified a number of key individuals whose motivations and actions (regarding the efforts to save my life) were absolutely selfless!
Our lives and the choices we make have an impact. The motives that drive our decisions tip the scales one way or another resulting in either positive or negative impacts. Not only in our own lives and in the lives of our friends and loved ones... but also in the lives of people we may never even have the chance to know personally!
The people identified: my friend’s parents, the EMT’s, doctors, nurses, and the care flight crew... all acted selflessly. Each motivated by the single desire to do what they could, contributing to the efforts to save my life!
But, what if my friend’s parents, instead of acknowledging the severity of the situation, had simply broken out the first aid kit and treated my gunshot wound with ointment and a band-aid? Or, embarrassed at having an accident of this sort happen at their home… what if they had waited just 10 more minutes in making the decision to call for help?
What if the EMT studying to become an ER doctor had bought into the lie that he was just too old to go back to school? Or, a low self esteem had convinced him he just wasn’t smart enough to be a doctor? What dire consequences to me could have resulted if he had put off returning to college and training by even one semester? What if he had decided the attempt to save my life just too risky to gamble his future on?
What if hearing me complain of chest pains and not wanting to be bothered with the stress of a gunshot wound, the team in Roosevelt had given me antacid and waited to see if that worked? Or, the care flight crew, learning I’d never flown in a helicopter before, opted to take me sightseeing instead of straight to the hospital and open heart surgery in Salt Lake City?
All along that path any number of choices motivated by varying conflicts of self interest could have led to a drastically different outcome for me. Had even one person in that team of people been motivated by self interest and consequently made a selfish choice, I likely would not be here today pondering, writing… alive!
I am very thankful to GOD!
GOD orchestrated these events and I’m so thankful for each individual who contributed to giving me the opportunity to survive my accident. GOD used the hands and feet of these selfless individuals to give me a second chance at life.
What an awesome thing to be used of GOD in such miraculous ways!
When is the last time GOD used you to be a miracle in someone else’s life? Our motives have great bearing on our decisions... and in turn, the ability or inability for GOD to use us in HIS work! HE has invited us to be participants… but, we have to submit to doing it HIS way.
Oh, we can (and do) try to force participation via means of our own making! Any number of "things" can drive our lives and our decisions. Sometimes, even being driven by bad motive, we can accomplish seemingly great things. BUT, apart from CHRIST, we can have no part in the FATHER’s work. The end product cannot and does not justify the means.
Either you are fully surrendered to the FATHER, motivated and moved by HIS love alone—or you are not, and whatever fruit produced is not of HIS doing or power.
JESUS is our example. In all things, HE lived a totally surrendered life to the FATHER. There were no actions HE took without first the FATHER directing it. We are called to that same life. JESUS has made the way possible for us to be dead to our old self-centered nature and fully alive in HIM.
And, JESUS wants to live HIS life in you, through you, AS YOU! But, we must surrender our life before HE can give HIS life for us to live it.
A great resource for discovering this truth more deeply is the book The Rest of the Gospel by Dan Stone and David Gregory.
How are you doing?
We all must continually check the motives of the heart. It's easy to be motivated by self-centeredness and selfish gain. And, once thusly motivated, we easily find ways to justify our self-centeredness.
Take some time with FATHER today to do a bit of diagnosis! Is your life and ministry motivated by anything other than FATHER’s love? Are you busy doing anything FATHER has not directed you to be doing? Are miracles a common occurrence in and around you… or, are they few and far between—or worse, only stories that you've heard about in others lives?
Whatever you discover, talk it over with FATHER. Commit anew to the surrendering of the old nature to the grave—and to allowing JESUS to inhabit you fully and in every area and corner of your life.
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The Impact of a Life
A few days back, I wrote about Happy Alive Day—a day I recognize and celebrate every April 30th!
I woke up this morning thinking about the events and the people involved that led to this annual celebration. It truly was an incredible team of people who contributed to the efforts to save my life back in 1984!
Starting at the friend’s house where the accident took place—his parents had just the previous weekend taken a first aid course and knew exactly how to render aid for this situation.
Then there was the ambulance crew. One of the EMTs was training to become a paramedic and hoped one day to become an ER doctor. Uncertified and unauthorized to perform procedures that kept me alive, this man risked everything to give me a chance at surviving! Without his courage to take action, my life surely would have expired during transport from the house to the hospital in Roosevelt.
Next, the ER staff at the hospital in Roosevelt worked feverishly to stabilize me for the care flight transport. The care flight staff did everything right getting me from Roosevelt to Salt Lake City.
Concluding with the open heart surgery performed by the staff at the Salt Lake City hospital.
There are numerous leadership and team lessons to be explored and drawn out regarding the events surrounding my accident in 1984. And, I will be discussing some of these lessons in a series of future posts.
But, this morning as I pondered these events, my mind turned to what would have happened if any one of those individuals along the way had acted differently—or, misdiagnosed the true cause of what had put my life in such jeopardy?
What if their actions had been motivated by guilt, or selfishness, greed, or fear?
It's important to recognize that our choices and the focus of our lives have consequences and do greatly impact the people who occupy the spaces of our lives all around us. That's why it is so crucially important to choose each day… to live and to lead from a life fully surrendered to JESUS!
What are you motivated by today? Where will your life have it's greatest impact? Will it be on things that pass away—or, on things that have eternal consequence?
We must be honest with ourselves when asking these questions. It's all to easy to justify a self-centered way of living.
Whatever the answer, it's not to late to surrender! Today is the day. Hand the controls for your life back over to GOD and adopt the attitude of a servant: "LORD, YOUR will, not mine!"
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“NO AMIGOS” Directive
I recently posted a tweet inspired by 2 John 1:10-11 (msg) ... my tweet was, "If anyone shows up who doesn't hold true to the teachings of CHRIST—don't become their partner by giving them a platform to perpetuate evil."
A dear friend of mine (@wilandlisa) responded to my tweet and asked, "As Christians, how do we really do this while at the same time helping those who struggle with staying true to Christ's teachings by their un-Christ like actions?"
Her question is not a new one with regards to the instructions given here by John in this scripture. It seems people have been debating over the exact meaning of these instructions for as long as the book of 2 John has been in the Canon of Scripture!
So, ok… well, the statement made from 2 John 1:10-11 (msg) is not necessarily directed at the type of person Lisa was inquiring about in her question. There is a BIG difference between the one she described in her question and the one defined by John in this scripture.
The person Lisa describes is an individual who is immature in their faith. Unfortunately, there are lots and lots of these types of folks populating the church. The failure occurs when leaders neglect teaching people the full gospel MESSAGE! To many focus only on leading people to CHRIST for eternal salvation, but then do little to instruct those babies in CHRIST on how to discover freedom through surrendered daily living!
Our mission as leaders is to foster the opportunities where lives can be transformed through the work of the SPIRIT into fully developing followers of CHRIST!
In an environment absent of that sort of atmosphere, many babes in CHRIST end up going to church for the entertainment value—rather than being challenged to continued transformation into CHRIST-likeness. Or, they go to get propped up by a set of man-centered rules by which they can feel better about their inability to live the life (see the Abundant Life post dated March 2).
The end result is that immature believers remain immature and continue to live out of selfish motives.
BUT sometimes… worse still… immature believers and unbelievers alike can be lulled into a comma by the types of “leader” John speaks of in 2 John 1. John defines this type of leader as a charlatan—an anti-Christ!! Yikes!! That’s pretty extreme language used to define this type of person that we (the church) are to be on the lookout for!
Thus, the reason for John's... Uhm... "NO AMIGOS" Directive! Ok, well... I actually came up with the name there... but, pretty clear instructions by John here nonetheless!
Make no mistake, this is not simply one seeking truth, or one stumbling along due to immaturity. Rather, this is one intent on twisting and distorting truth—a deceiver. Sadly, there are many “religious leaders” in the church today who fall into this category! These Charlatans don’t share the whole MESSAGE of the gospel—and worse, they distort the MESSAGE. They lead people astray. Sometimes those led astray are believers—but, sometimes they are not, stumbling through life believing they are Christians.
Followers of CHRIST are called to die to self. Paul said, “for me to live is CHRIST.” Not, for me to live is to be CHRIST-like… or, for me to live is to read my Bible… or, for me to live is to tithe! For me to live IS CHRIST. That means no agenda of our own. That means a total surrender of every area of our lives. The old life—that self-centered, live for myself life—is gone. It was buried in the grave the moment I received CHRIST as my SAVIOR. My new life IS CHRIST—a wholly surrendered, CHRIST-centered life. One that allows JESUS to live HIS life in us, through us, AS US!! That means I’m no longer agenda driven by selfish motive or by a misguided attempt to impress GOD.
My whole life is open for GOD to direct me in whatever way HE chooses to lead.
JESUS was the first to live that life perfectly. HE was not driven by HIS own self-centered motives either! You’ll find over and over in the GOSPEL accounts, JESUS saying, “I’m not doing any of these things of my own accord—I’m doing the will of my FATHER!”
JESUS was totally surrendered—HIS whole life, open for GOD the FATHER to direct in whatever way HE chose to lead HIS SON.
We are to live that same life! Let’s live lives wholly surrendered to the MASTER! AND, be willing as JESUS was to overturn tables, rebuke religious leaders, and wash the feet of doubters… every time HE leads us to do so, no matter how uncomfortable those activities can be to us personally!
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- Oh shoot!! Cowboys are up by 2 now... 10 minutes left in the 4th. We gotta have some offense! Come on let's go Colts!!
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