Connections

Experiencing the Father's Embrace

For years the Lord has used this picture to stir in me the concept of Sonship. John Jr. was more concerned about being a son than he was his father running the country. As a son, John Jr. had every right to be as close to his father as he could get. 

I'm learning a ton lately about sonship.  I read a book years ago called, "Experiencing Father's Embrace" by Jack Frost. This book and the Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning wrecked me with the Father's love and grace for me. In it I realized that we have a Prodigal Father, one who recklessly lavished everything He had on us.  When we refuse to approach the Father because of guilt or shame, we are declaring that the sacrifice of Jesus was not enough. The purpose of the incarnation is so that we could have a daddy!

Steve was preaching today and stated, "Sin does not cut off your sonship, it cuts off your fellowship." Fellowship with the Father is the tangible gift of sonship. Wow!  That is a good word right there.

It's possible to be born again and still have an orphan spirit....one that stays far away from the Father. I think if the enemy can't keep us from being adopted into God's family, he will try and keep us thinking that we are still orphans.

Better Than I Know

Just finished the book of Hebrews with 9 other guys.  We meet every Wednesday morning at 6:45 to dig into the Word and ask a few simple questions:

 1.) What was the author saying to them? 

 2.) What is God saying to me? 

 3.) What is He asking me to do about it?

It's been simple but transformative.  You can never be reminded too much that Jesus is better than you know.  

At the beginning of the study God reminded me about losing my wedding ring 3 months into our marriage, over 10 years ago, at the beach.  I was playing football with a buddy and the ring was gone.  I did not know where I lost it...it just slipped off and was gone in the murky S.C. water.

Sometimes taking on the waves of life, ministry, sermon prep and business can cause intimacy with Jesus to slip away like a ring off of your finger. Being conscious of the ring at all times is the only way to take on the waves and have it remain in tact.

2 Michaels, Falling Whistles and Coffee

My day started hanging out with Michael for breakfast.  We talked about a ministry that his friend started called Falling Whistles (full website coming soon).  It is a ministry, much like Invisible Children, yet unique in it's strategy.  We talked about Jesus, the Book of Hebrews and relationships. My generation is not afraid to charge hell with a water pistol....I love it!

Then......

As I was walking to the car, I met a young man named Michael that was released from jail the night before and was looking for a ride to Pensacola, Florida.  After I had him take his knife out of his pocket and zip it up, we got in the car and went shopping.  Shopping for some snacks as I prepared to drop him off on the side of I-385 S so that he could catch his next ride.  The journey took over an hour.  We prayed, laughed, set goals, and talked about Jesus. 

God not only moved on my heart concerning the murder of children in Africa from rebel military groups with the Falling Whistle story, He then gave me a tangible opportunity to minister to a man named Michael.  What a great way to start a Thursday.

Kabobs, Liquid Smoke and Painful Processes

JoAnna and Ella Tays are in Columbia tonight for our niece's birthday party.  I had to stay at home because of some appointments tomorrow.  Before you feel sorry for me....I want to tell you that I got to eat left over chicken and steak kabobs without having to share them.

I love grilling....I have been on a kick lately.  Kabobs 3 days in the last week.  I love the smoky taste of the chicken, bell peppers and the onions.  

What I hate about cooking kabobs is the slow grilling that takes place and the constant rotating of the sticks (that have been soaked in water for an hour so they don't burn up) and the profuse sweating that takes place while hovering over the grill.

I thought tonight about that disgusting additive called liguid smoke.  You can buy a liquid that is flavored like smoke. Did you know that?  You can skip the slow rotation of the kakobs, the sweat, and the constant observation of the meat on the grill and just move to the taste. Well....you can get close to the taste.

I was reminded how some of the things we value the most.... cost the most.  There are always "short cuts" and "manufactured additives" that allow you to omit the painful process. But everyone knows that there is not as much satisfaction in skipping the process.

What process is the Lord calling you to that you are tempted to skip?  

Christmas Roots

Spiritual business looks impressive, but lacks rootage (new word). Roots take time, they are slowly grown, patiently cultivated in the secret place of intimacy and necessary for effectiveness in the Kingdom.

There is a distinction between being a Mary or a Martha. One prepares the setting, while the other enjoys the company of the One present.

It's a real task during the holiday season to cultivate our Roots instead of getting sucked into the busy pace of making preparations.

How can we cultivate roots this Christmas season?

I'm Hungry so Just Say My Name

I'm realizing that the Kingdom of God is completely backwards from my reality.

"It's an inside, outside, upside down Kingdom, where you lose to win and die to live." Misty Edwards

I'm jumping on the bandwagon with my own list of the Character Assassins, Creeps and all other avoidable pitfalls.

I will call this list, the barriers to Revival.

Barrier #1:

I'm still hungry.

We live in a culture where seasoned Christians are waiting at the table with a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other yelling, "I want food...I want food...I want food."

I'm not saying this is an excuse for preachers not to preah and teachers not to teach, but what happened to moving from the rubber tipped spoon to feeding ourselves? That's the goal!

Barrier #2

Say my name, Say my name

We have a struggle with greatness...nothing knew. The disciples had the same issue.

If the world is staring at us, they can't see Jesus. Jesus does not contend with us on who's name will be the greatest. Most empires, most great moves of God, and a ton of fabulous churches are paralyzed by these barriers.

Humilty is a commodity of the Kingdom. It's not an option.... it's required.

Same story, yet so refreshing

On my way to staff meeting today, I stopped by Starbucks to get my coffee fix. This is nothing unusual, however my "routine" experience turned into a nice suprise when I reached out to get my "Venti Red Cup" of bold. My first red cup of the year in fact.

The coffee is consistent, but the presentation was so different. The presentation introduced a whole new realm of "sipping enjoyment."

Jesus was/is always consistent....fully God, fully Man...the exact representation of the Father...image of the invisible God, yet the presentation of Himself was/is often times like the "Red Cup" at Starbucks.

A relationship with Him is so timeless and consistent, yet so refreshing and exhillerating.

Positional Authority

It's important in Chess, basketball, government and a veritable cornicopia of other things.....and it's vital to the Christian life. It's called POSITION.

In the beginning Adam was given dominion and authority over God's creation. In other words, he was given position.

Fact: Satan is after your position. Your authority. He can only have it when you give it to him.

Adam gave Satan position when he sinned. Before Adam lost his position, he was subduing what God had entrusted to him. Once he gave up his position, the animals now under his control were ravishing each other for the first time, the earth groaned and the spiral of depravity ran it's course.

Good News: Jesus said in Luke 10, that "He saw satan fall like lightening from heaven....and He has given us authority to trample on snakes and scorpions.

The position that the snake (satan) took has now been given back to those who are in Christ. Satan is still fighting for position. He would rather have your position and authority than he would you be a mass murderer.

Starve him by abiding in Christ. You are an heir to the throne and coheirs with Christ. Stand firm in your authority and take your position.

That's going to leave a mark

Jason Malone and the guys from Summit Church are really making a dent in the city for the Kingdom of God. They actually came to CRCC Sunday as a small group and gave their offerings here, as well as, joined us for worship.

They had other small goups visiting other churches in the city as well.....for no other reason than to bless our city and the Body of Christ here. That's just awesome!

Thanks Jason for setting the example for our city!

Divine Exchange

This week has been one of "those" weeks. It comes in waves like this at times. It's been a week of tragedy, as I had the opportunity to pray with a father who lost his daughter this week. It's been a week of crisis', sickness and stress.

It's easy for anyone to carry these burdens and make them your own. What happens to me, not sure about you, is I get so heavy and burdened to the point of inactivity.

And then I come across passages like this that offer a solution.

Jesus offers an EXCHANGE.

You take REST and He'll take your BURDENS. Sounds like a good deal.

When prayer and intercession don't result in an EXCHANGE, it's just WORRYING OUT LOUD and INFORMING GOD ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS.

Ministry to Jesus involves exchange.

Thank goodness, Jesus thought for us. He knew that ministry and grief were not meant to be carried, but rather exchanged.