Ordinary Wednesday?
Wednesday is sometimes called “hump day”. It’s an ordinary hum-drum day in the middle of the week that seems long. If we can get through it then the rest of the week is easy, or so goes the thinking.
If I make this an “ordinary” day, nothing will change in my world. This may seem pretty nice to some people, after all, consistency is not always bad.
But I am here to make a difference. God has a calling and plan for my life. That plan is to change the world for His glory. When I stop and think about THAT, then I don’t want today to be ordinary.
My prayer today?
God, show my YOUR way and will for me to somehow have people look in YOUR direction. My eyes and mind are open to what YOU want. I give you PERMISSION to use me as an instrument for YOUR purposes.
Yosemite Fires Bring Me a Reminder
This AP story shows a what is happening near Yosemite National Park. That park is just a few hours from where we live. In fact, we will actually be there next week on vacation.
We love the beauty of God’s creation. We will be doing some 4-wheeling, reading, watching sunsets, and once again we will visit Lake Eleanor — a hidden and pristine lake treasure.
Many years ago, we had a guest Revival Speaker come to our church. Leonard Ravenhill was a brash, straight-shooting, no-way-out kind of preacher. He scared us a little. But the fear was kind of authentic because of what his core message communicated.
The message was pretty simple. In comparison with the Holiness of God — how are we living out our faith? Is it sincere and active and honoring the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY?
Woah, it sure had us praying for a true move of God to be known in our individual lives.
Now for the fire reminder: Leonard Ravenhill was asked to provide promotional materials so we could get more of the public to respond to his visit. You know, we just wanted to advertise the event.
His response? “YOU NEVER HAVE TO ADVERTISE A FIRE!”
And it’s true, fire attracts attention. The attention goes directly to the source of the flames, to the heat and to the available fuel – in this case, believers willing to “burn” in order to keep God’s evidence in clear view.
What are You the King of?
We all want to be first. We want to be king of something. And for some people, unfortunately, that’s ALL that MATTERS.
What’s incredible with that is it is never enough no matter the quantity or even the visibility of power that one may become.
We see it if we reference the life of Solomon in the Bible. It becomes very clear what ended up being THE IMPORTANT summary of his life (See Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Question: What are you pouring your life into right now? What is your PASSION — right now? Are you making a difference? Are you leaving a legacy?
How are your kids, wife, other relationships doing?
And where does God fit in?
These questions matter. And please remember that God has a wonderful plan and purpose for your life. He loves you and made you to know Him.
Oh, another scripture? Jeremiah 29:11 … it’s one of my favorites!
- King of the Remote
Call a Friend Today
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
This encouraging Proverb says a lot. WHENEVER I do this it seems that it does something deep inside. We are all created in God’s image. The author of love is not a bad blueprint, if you ask me. Go ahead, try it. Then leave a comment and let us all know how it went.
Taste Test REPOST
I finally got the audio working so the music track and speaking track would both come through. I had to convert it to MONO in order for it to work.
This is a video that I made used to illustrate the basic idea of seaching for answers in life. Let me know what you thought of it by leaving a comment.
If you want a higher quality version, check here.
July 4 — Fireworks — and Jesus!
It’s the 4th of July weekend here in the USA. It represents FREEDOM.
I love that word, FREEDOM. And I have experienced it first-hand. I have enjoyed this freedom in my work, with my family, on holidays, and in my spiritual walk as well. I have learned a lot about what the term means.
When I think about the founders of this nation, there are many examples where God, faith, and an aspiration live the values of God’s Word was evident. They left us many important lessons that involved listening to each other, but not compromising that moral compass that led them to stop and worship their creator.
The scriptures state that the cornerstone or foundation of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ. Jesus was not a beaten-down-and-defeated-just-a-good-teacher figure in history. Like the buildings all over Washington DC are inscribed with Biblical passages and faith-inspired messages, God wrote His laws on the tablets of our hearts.
I love celebrating. I love FIREWORKS. I love the USA. And most of all, I love JESUS! And there will be that day that I anticipate so often, when He brings a light show that will blast us all into eternity!
For when the Son of Man returns, you will know it beyond all doubt. It will be as evident as the lightning that flashes across the sky. Luke 17:24
Afraid? Worrying? No Peace?
With gas prices advancing daily, the economy in shaky condition, and the war in Iraq continuing it truly leads to concern. In fact we have had over 800 fires started by lightning just here in Northern California. Smoke is in the air — and it is very thick in many areas.
Now … add that to the everyday pressures of life. Like your job. Like addictions. Like broken relationships. Like fear. Like anger and bitterness. Like … the unknown.
Andrae Crouch wrote a song called, “Jesus is the Answer” many years ago. It is comforting and based on the peace that comes from having a relationship with Jesus. That relationship is outlined in the Bible and especially comes to life in the New Testament. There is hope. Perspective changes when you know and become a fully devoted follower of Christ. Do you know Him?
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
The Prayers of a Pastor
I don’t usually copy and paste articles verbatim, but this one by Dan Reiland was amazing. If you are a pastor, read and be encouraged.
If you know a pastor, pray for them… it’s a burden to carry even though the call of God on one’s life is amazing. May we reach others with a message of compassion, love, and the gospel of Jesus Christ!
—————– used by permission ——————-
“Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah 9 Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.” ~ Psalm 84:8-12, NIV
As I meditated over these words in Psalm 84 it struck me that we as pastors pray this kind of prayer hundreds if not thousands of times over the course of our ministry.
You can hear the plea of passion – “Hear my prayer” – “Listen to me.” Isn’t this at the core of what you want? You want God to hear your prayer and you want to hear His response. This is the beauty of communion with the Creator. It is the blessing of being in relationship with the Father. And it is, in fact, how we receive guidance, direction and power from the Holy Spirit.
“Look with favor” – These words are not just for special occasions. This is the daily cry of our hearts. We constantly seek the Lord’s favor for our church and our leadership that His Kingdom may be advanced! Praise and worship is carried in the acknowledgement of who God is as “Almighty,” and “Sun and Shield”. He is our everything! A heart of gratitude is declared, “I would rather be a doorkeeper…” We must always remember our servant status and that being a pastor is a great privilege. And the conditions are made plain. “No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” And, “Blessed is the man who trusts you.” We are required to live a life of integrity and trust in God!
Many Christians may pray a prayer like this, but surely it is the prayer of a pastor! This got me thinking about the kinds of prayers a pastor prays. Let me first say that it is not my intention to get mechanical or boxy about a pastor’s prayer life. If you are a pastor, your prayer life knows no boundaries except that which God Himself may place upon you. You are free to pray as the Spirit leads. That said, however, it seems to me that there are a few kinds of prayers that are common to pastoral life. They are:
- Prayers of Duty
- Prayers of Pain
- Prayers of Vision
- Prayers of Compassion
- Prayers of Gratitude
My hope is that this article will serve as a tool to help you reflect on your prayer life. You may tend to focus on one kind of prayer over the others. Or perhaps there is an absence of a kind of prayer that you believe should be more prevalent. And if so, the Spirit may prompt you to pray differently in some way. Here’s a closer look at these kinds of prayers that pastors pray.
Prayers of Duty
This is not as negative as it may sound. Prayers of duty are not about routines and ruts. These prayers are not faithless words from one who expects little. Prayers of duty find their way into the seasons of a pastor’s life when he or she is in a spiritual dry-spell. All pastors experience this. The good news is that God can and will breathe life back into your spiritual intensity and communion with Him will be refreshed. But sometimes you must wait. You may pray without hearing an answer to that prayer for days or weeks or even months. You return to your knees because it’s the right thing. Don’t give up. God has not forsaken you. The clarity and sweetness of His voice will return. Don’t beat yourself up about a dry-spell. Don’t let the Enemy tell you that your ministry is over. Don’t over-think the reasons why this is happening. Reflection on your life and leadership is good, but seeking the Lord’s presence is better.
Prayers of Pain
You may sense the closeness of God’s presence and power. You know and obey His voice, yet you face trouble, problems and heartache. This is not uncommon territory for a pastor. Perhaps you have physical pain and are in need of healing. It might be emotional pain over an important relationship in your family or church body. It may be more about leadership and your ministry. A pastor friend called me yesterday and poured out his heart about the huge financial burdens his church is bearing. He confessed that he doesn’t know what to do. We know this kind of prayer. They aren’t our favorite moments but God uses these prayers for His good and glory. When we are desperate we remember that it’s really all about God and His will and Kingdom. We remember that without Him we can do nothing. I don’t believe that God sends the pain, but He does allow it. And when He answers this prayer, our faith is increased.
Prayers of Vision
As pastors we love these prayers! Visionary prayers are the prayers of leaders, but they require no little effort, and they are the easiest prayers to miss on motive. It can be difficult to discern between our agenda and God’s agenda. That’s a big part of this prayer, staying fully submitted to and aligned with God’s heart and plan. We plead for conversions / baptisms, changed lives, new land and new territory, favor with the people, and a leader’s best friend – momentum. We pray that our prayers and our faith are not too small! We pray for large resources so that the vision may be realized, which means we pray for the people to mature to full followership of Christ so they will want to give to Kingdom matters. Prayers of vision are exhilarating, but they are hard work. They never end. The moment we get close to a vision being realized, we are on to the next one!
Prayers of Compassion
This is a pastor’s heart, a heart for the people. Ultimately I want to see people saved and mature in their faith. I’m sure you do to. This is connected to a prayer of vision, but this is more personal. The prayer of vision is seeing the big picture advance. It is seeing the body of Christ make progress. It’s about big and often new ideas. This prayer is about individual people. It is about conversions, one name at a time. It’s about those who are sick, living in broken marriages, lonely people, hurting people, confused and misguided people, needy and impoverished people, addicted people, and the list goes on. It’s overwhelming. Jesus doesn’t call you to reach everyone, but He does hold you responsible to reach some. These prayers are for healing of all kinds and for help to reach the people He has placed within the scope of your ministry.
Prayers of Gratitude
No matter what the circumstances, how can we not pray prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude? I’m currently reading a biography of Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary to China. Whoa, that guy was amazing. His life completely humbles me. All that he sacrificed and endured for the sake of serving the Savior is staggering. And throughout his ministry he counted it not sacrifice, but privilege. What are you thanking God for? The price He paid for you in the person of His Son Jesus? For all that He has given you? As pastors we must be careful of comparison. If we compare upward we fall short and begin to complain of what we don’t have. If we compare downward, we can fill up with pride about how good we are. It’s best not to compare. Just stay on track with the work Jesus has given you to do. Pray specific prayers of gratitude daily, and thank God for even the smallest of blessings.
What a gift prayer is! At times it’s beyond our comprehension – actually talking with the Creator of the universe. But it’s true! Pray on pastor!
“This article is used by permission from Dr. Dan Reiland’s free monthly e-newsletter, “The Pastor’s Coach,” available at www.INJOY.com.”
Congratulations Graduates! Class of 2008!
Each year our church’s school, EL Sobrante Christian School, has graduation ceremonies. Last year, the very FIRST ESCS High School class graduated — the Class of 2007. We also have a ceremony for the 8th graders.
Graduations, milestones, memories, change. I have been to many of these special occasions. The pledge to the flag, student speeches, then speeches by adults. Then maybe a song or two, the reading of all the graduates as they walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.
It’s kind of long, can be a little boring, but never-the-less it is an event that usually is reflected upon as life unfolds.
I am proud of all these graduates. As a Pastor, the call of God somehow seems a little fresher when things are seen — like a graduation ceremony.
But, I’m also no different than anyone reading this blog. We all go through times of victories and of distance in our thoughts. It is really part of life and part of how God wired us. Ultimately, there is a prize. In the marathon of life, I truly WANT to make a difference. And THAT DIFFERENCE MUST include a compass pointing to God’s True North and to my living life to the full – for HIM!
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26a (NLT)
Making a Difference
We all want to change things from time-to-time.
Here is a list that comes to my mind and what I’m praying about.
- Economy
- Broken Marriages
- Financial Freedom for Families
- Disconnected Fathers
- Moms who Feel Worthless
- People with Complacency as a Way of Life
- My Prayer Life
- Phone Calls to Friends
- Turning Pessimism to Optimism
Some of these depend on MY choices and are in my direct control. Other items on this list will take a miracle from God Himself.
ALL of them certainly will be easier if I rely on the Holy Spirit to lead, remind, and renew my strength. Thank you, Father, for loving me and using me to make a difference for such a time as THIS!
“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” Psalm 39:4-5 NLT
Tasting Life
“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NLT)
Solomon was challenged by his father, David, to seek God and find God.
After much searching and “tasting” in life, he came full circle to appreciate the RIGHT THING and the truth. He learned the hard way, explored everything and was not happy. But in the end, Solomon left incredible words that have lived on long after his life was over. Check out the end of verse 13!
“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NLT)
Easter is AMAZING!
On Sunday, I will be speaking on the “AMAZING!” life of Jesus Christ. You can’t deny it. History reveals it and the Bible unwraps it even more thoroughly.
The principles, morals, stories, and truths of God’s Word have changed my life. It’s more than positive thinking, adopting a philosophy or learning “religious” terms. When you get really practical and build a true relationship with Jesus, it MUST change you. So now, when I help the poor in a Third-World nation or when I pray for a crying girl on public transit, it makes a lot of sense.
Jesus set the example to LIVE out the life He called into. One that is all about knowing God and making Him known. Meditation doesn’t cut it, being “nice” isn’t enough, and as admirable as social work is — it is nothing — unless you introduce the love that was authored God.
So we celebrate Easter this weekend, and actually take the underlying message of Easter with us daily.
Matthew 12:23 “The crowd was AMAZED. ‘Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?’ . . .
Downtown San Francisco Focus Focus Focus
I’m waiting at a Starbucks to go to a focus group. This one is about blogging and how I use it in my life and how I connect with associates.
Focus is pretty, cool. I love diverse focus pictures in photography. You know the kind, the flower is in perfect focus and the child looking at the flower is blurry. And I also love perfectly clear photos, the kind that just pop off the page or computer screen.
In life, focus is important. There is a cliche’ that says, “Keep the main thing the main thing!”
So what’s vital in your life regarding clarity? Faith? God? Your wife? Your children? People? Stuff? Money? Your job? Sports? TV? ______________?
Leave a comment and let us know.
Depression and Light and Springtime
You have probably heard of S.A.D. where light deficiency becomes a problem for some people during the low-light become depressed. It is also known as Winter Depression.
Now, I’m not sure this winter and it’s dim and cloudy days had that kind of effect on me, but I have really been glad the past few days here in Northern California. For like 6 or 7 days in a row it has been sunny and mild, like near 70 degrees! Although I love the “seasons” weather-wise, I REALLY love the spring and summer. Mild weather and riding on winding roads on my motorcycle or spending time at the coast are just awesome to me.
Of course we all have these “seasons” in life, too. Dim and cloudy skies, longer nights, colder feelings. They are all there with a time-line that sometimes seems endless. Depressing.
Well, let me leave you with these verses to encourage you. Because I know with faith in God we actually have hope no matter the season. Here you go!
Psalm 30:5 (NLT) … weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalms 112:4 (MSG) Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people— God’s grace and mercy and justice!
True Love — Happy Valentine’s Day!
This is one of the most prolific and poetic ways to say love. God’s Word expresses it so well that it has stood the test of time for some 2000 years.
Have a wonderful time with those special people you love. Make the day count!1 Corinthians 13 (THE MESSAGE)
The Way of Love
(1) If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. (2) If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. (3-7) If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end. 8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
(11) When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
(12) We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
(13) But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
Plan to Talk to Someone Close to You Today
Go ahead. Pick up the phone and spend like 6 minutes. Call someone you love.
How long has it been since you did something like that? What if you called your spouse and ask them how their day is going. Have you spoken to your dad or mom in a while? Do they know what is happening in your world?
We get so busy, right? We all use our cell phones for these short conversations. Many times they are interruptions in our day, many times it involves business or we may even be working our to-do list right during our drive to and from somewhere. Drive, hurry, errand, lunch, work — busy, busy, busy.
So add one more thing. Add something that may just make a difference in your grandmother’s life. Call your daughter. Oh, and have no agenda when you do this. Just tell them you love them and were thinking about them. Well? What are you waiting for??? 
Psalm 9:1 (NLT) I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
True Freedom — Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesus Christ
Last year on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, Ginger and I celebrated with the band she sings and plays keyboards in called L-Rey.
I was truly impressed as thousands gathered in the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco and express their appreciation for what he did for freedom in our nation. Of course, there is still much to do, but in the past 40+ years the landscape has changed for millions of people.
God created us in His image! We must never forget that. And He created us to know Him and to love Him. And that certainly means everyone. So let us take our time, offer a prayer of thanksgiving, to our creator.
Genesis 1:27 (New Living Translation)
So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Along these lines, we also can read on to find much deeper and forever-lasting freedom. That freedom is found in none other than faith in Jesus. We often pray for peace for our neighborhoods, in our families, in our nation, and in our world. But how much more does God long for us to have absolute freedom in our spirits … in our hearts.
John 8:36 (Amplified Bible)
Tags: revtim, revtim.com, hope, inspiration, martin luther king, mlk, martin luther king jr, free, freedom, jesus, christ, bible study, image of god, god’s image
Iron, Friendship, Caring, and Comfort in 2008
So, because we’re brothers in the Lord, do something for me. Give me some comfort because of Christ. Philemon 1:20 (GW)
Here is Paul. He has a great friend, Onesimus. And he misses him greatly.
Have you ever had or needed a friend so close that you could actually be yourself? One that KNOWS YOU. One that CARES much about what you are going through. And you care about them, too, right?
2008. No matter what you are going through right now, no matter what you will find yourself in the future — you should never neglect a close friend. We tend to withdraw and to become this “automatic-garage-door” society. We drive in and shut the door. Then we become an island.
But, we are ripping ourselves off when we do that. God created us to be a blessing to Him AND to others. Just like we need a close friend, they need us.
In the coming year, I plan on facilitating more relationships. I want closer friends. And like Paul, I know they can comfort me, refresh me, and keep me all the more alive.
Proverbs 27:17 tells us that we actually sharpen other by our interaction.
Flickr Photos
|
