Some enter the church with a hope that, once in, nothing goes wrong again.
Bad entrance.
Mistaken entrance.
These soon leave for their root is shallow.
Others become a part of a church because they do not want to go to hell.
Another bad entrance.
Mistaken entrance.
This kind of mind-set is not discipleship; rather it is merely a weak membership.
We are called to follow the One who was always suspect, continually scrutinized, and perpetually misunderstood. His final robe was a crown and a cross. That's how Jesus' walk ended...sorta.
We, on the other hand, seem to think that we can skip the tough stuff. We view the fact that if we are going to "go" to church, we are owed special exemption from stresses and difficulties. When some find this to not be the case, they check out with great cynicism and pouting....and vocal disappointment.
One of the things I like about the Kingdom system is that even the bitter herbs of the walk contain promise, hope, and value. Sudden death of one always awakens ten or a hundred who had been asleep to spiritual need. Tragedy drives the uninterested to pray. Devastation opens quiet lips to speak of the need for God's intervention.
God will not waste a single crumb of life. Even the dogs feed off of them. It is always time for us to awaken to the sheer wonder of God in each moment; good or bad.
Unbelievers don't see it.
We can't miss it!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
WORLD ON FIRE
Something is going on.
I believe it is God.
Something is very different about today's today.
Spiritual hunger, hope, and effectiveness is brewing.
Present unity driven by the Spirit feels different than past efforts to unite orchestrated by men.
Things have gotten so bad that things are getting better.
Things will get worse so that things can reach best.
News coming out of Asia and Africa is raging with accomplishment of and for God.
Signs of imminent world-wide collapse merely ignites the fires of His impending return.
The darker the bad news the brighter the Good News; not spoken as cliche, but as reason to awaken to marvel and awe of now and the immediate future of the next now.
From what I am hearing, the world is on fire for God.
I believe it is God.
Something is very different about today's today.
Spiritual hunger, hope, and effectiveness is brewing.
Present unity driven by the Spirit feels different than past efforts to unite orchestrated by men.
Things have gotten so bad that things are getting better.
Things will get worse so that things can reach best.
News coming out of Asia and Africa is raging with accomplishment of and for God.
Signs of imminent world-wide collapse merely ignites the fires of His impending return.
The darker the bad news the brighter the Good News; not spoken as cliche, but as reason to awaken to marvel and awe of now and the immediate future of the next now.
From what I am hearing, the world is on fire for God.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
JUST HOW BIG OF A DEAL ARE WE?
I don't know about you. I've always had a need to be big. If I could have figured a way to be a Super-Star at something, I would have hurried. It isn't that I didn't try. I just couldn't reach the level of Rock Star at anything.
Still, I tend to think I am so important. I should be heard. Notice and accolades coming my way would seem fitting, I believe.
However....
However, in God's scheme of things I find myself a bit overshadowed. For one, how many millions drive down any major highway of any major city when I'm driving down the same lane, and few realize I AM THE ONE DRIVING MY CAR? Hey you! It's me. Terry Rush. Over here behind the wheel. See me?
Nope.
Snubbed once again by other big-shot people who think their business, their family, and their time is more important.
In the scheme of God's Kingdom Life, I'm pretty specky in importance. Swat me like a gnat and the bulk of millions wouldn't miss me because they never knew I existed.
So what shall I do? Feel sorry for myself that fans aren't at every airport calling for a picture or an autograph?
No.
I'm to give God incredible glory for all of Life centers upon Him. Removed from our own centering, God claims more and more of our hearts. And we love Him for it. Worship is totally about and for Him and not our long-sought good pleasure. He often notes life in terms of centuries as well as months and years. Jesus is our heartbeat and his Spirit is our power.
Just how big of a deal are we? Paul marked himself as least. He wasn't being pseudo-humble. He was being theologically and accurately......and honestly so.
And every bit like Paul, we matter. We count. We are important to God. But He is the BIG DEAL in life. Not us. When such begins to truly dawn upon our hearts, we find life beginning to finally flourish. And because of God, it will.
Still, I tend to think I am so important. I should be heard. Notice and accolades coming my way would seem fitting, I believe.
However....
However, in God's scheme of things I find myself a bit overshadowed. For one, how many millions drive down any major highway of any major city when I'm driving down the same lane, and few realize I AM THE ONE DRIVING MY CAR? Hey you! It's me. Terry Rush. Over here behind the wheel. See me?
Nope.
Snubbed once again by other big-shot people who think their business, their family, and their time is more important.
In the scheme of God's Kingdom Life, I'm pretty specky in importance. Swat me like a gnat and the bulk of millions wouldn't miss me because they never knew I existed.
So what shall I do? Feel sorry for myself that fans aren't at every airport calling for a picture or an autograph?
No.
I'm to give God incredible glory for all of Life centers upon Him. Removed from our own centering, God claims more and more of our hearts. And we love Him for it. Worship is totally about and for Him and not our long-sought good pleasure. He often notes life in terms of centuries as well as months and years. Jesus is our heartbeat and his Spirit is our power.
Just how big of a deal are we? Paul marked himself as least. He wasn't being pseudo-humble. He was being theologically and accurately......and honestly so.
And every bit like Paul, we matter. We count. We are important to God. But He is the BIG DEAL in life. Not us. When such begins to truly dawn upon our hearts, we find life beginning to finally flourish. And because of God, it will.
WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO SEE BUT INVISIBLE HOPE
I will never be anything more than a funny little man trying to catch on to what so many have known all along. Yet, I don't mind being behind. The more I see of God the more I conclude I will always be wonderfully behind!
Steven Furtick speaks a language I like. He penned, Every big dream has a small beginning. No exceptions. Every tree was a seed once upon a time. The people who do big things for God are the ones who have the perspective to see the potential in these small beginnings.
Furtick goes on in reference to the one praying for rain, Elijah didn't waver in faith because of limited visibility.
Faith is a new kind of sight. It sees through the blockades and the hindrances to human estimation as well as calculation. Faith already perceives what visibility always refuses to show.
When there is nothing to see but invisible hope (and you go ahead an exert such hope), you are a wonderful, cheerful blessing to your family and your community. Hear God...and then believe Him when there are no markers along the way to verify your thrilling vision.
Faith thrills the world!
Steven Furtick speaks a language I like. He penned, Every big dream has a small beginning. No exceptions. Every tree was a seed once upon a time. The people who do big things for God are the ones who have the perspective to see the potential in these small beginnings.
Furtick goes on in reference to the one praying for rain, Elijah didn't waver in faith because of limited visibility.
Faith is a new kind of sight. It sees through the blockades and the hindrances to human estimation as well as calculation. Faith already perceives what visibility always refuses to show.
When there is nothing to see but invisible hope (and you go ahead an exert such hope), you are a wonderful, cheerful blessing to your family and your community. Hear God...and then believe Him when there are no markers along the way to verify your thrilling vision.
Faith thrills the world!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE?
Fortunately, most of my acquaintances have something in common; ambition. I don't seem to associate with those who don't. I like to hang with those of drive and determination. Truthfully, I had in mind when in high school that I wanted to grow up to be somebody.
I thought influence and prestige made us who we are and I wanted to be at a high level. I didn't need to be President, understand, or to own my own company. But I did want to be important. I wanted to be big.
But life doesn't work that way. Yes, a few get to be important in a big sort of way. I still admire them; those who work in special ways or have degrees (I have none), etc. But life doesn't work for all of us on the Big-Deal plane.
This is one factor that enamors me with the Kingdom. Weakness is central. I have much centrality to offer. Really, I think God uses me as an example of not much to inspire the rest of the many not muchers who feel stranded and hopeless.
What makes us who we are? It isn't a what. It is a person. Jesus is the who makes us who we are. He isn't a Sunday School icon. He is our reality. We are highly acceptable because Brother makes us somebody; even in our nobodyness.
Jesus is the best news for all of us wimps and fools. He empowers us with God's Holy Spirit because we can't make life click otherwise. He moves us from frustrated helplessnesses to satisfied hopefuls.
Jesus makes us who we are; powerful, influential, and effective. Don't ever take credit for accomplishing anything because we who are buried in him don't...on our own. He alone is the accomplisher. He has simply rented out our carcasses so that he can work from our shop.
Be a builder! Rent out well! Jesus alone makes us who we are!
I thought influence and prestige made us who we are and I wanted to be at a high level. I didn't need to be President, understand, or to own my own company. But I did want to be important. I wanted to be big.
But life doesn't work that way. Yes, a few get to be important in a big sort of way. I still admire them; those who work in special ways or have degrees (I have none), etc. But life doesn't work for all of us on the Big-Deal plane.
This is one factor that enamors me with the Kingdom. Weakness is central. I have much centrality to offer. Really, I think God uses me as an example of not much to inspire the rest of the many not muchers who feel stranded and hopeless.
What makes us who we are? It isn't a what. It is a person. Jesus is the who makes us who we are. He isn't a Sunday School icon. He is our reality. We are highly acceptable because Brother makes us somebody; even in our nobodyness.
Jesus is the best news for all of us wimps and fools. He empowers us with God's Holy Spirit because we can't make life click otherwise. He moves us from frustrated helplessnesses to satisfied hopefuls.
Jesus makes us who we are; powerful, influential, and effective. Don't ever take credit for accomplishing anything because we who are buried in him don't...on our own. He alone is the accomplisher. He has simply rented out our carcasses so that he can work from our shop.
Be a builder! Rent out well! Jesus alone makes us who we are!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
DOCTRINE: GOD DELIVERED OR MAN DEVELOPED?
Jesus must be our Lord for we are too foolish to get this spiritual stuff right. It remains true, our righteousness is in Him.
From kids' interests to doctorate degrees, man faces profound challenges as we wade through the beauty God labels as Kingdom Life. The Glory remains enthusiastically, eternally explorable.
Man has studied and restudied God's Word to the extent we may have more than dotted every I. We may have begun to dot some of the Ds and a few of the Qs. In other words, our devotion at times has led us to conclude ideas and details God may have never intended.
We must be on guard against our own delving and digging.
A serious challenge for all is that, whatever the topic, humility must be in the lead. Strangely, ever since the Adamic centering of the self, this is surely more difficult than the most innocent of we egotists can grasp. And, each of us has significant Adam-ego pouring forth in abundance. This mistakenly thrusts one into the self-limelight of appearing spiritual when the truth is we have become blindly enamored with where we stand.
We, therefore, must be aware that our conclusions are a result of genuine revelation from God rather than flattery for our own perceptive research. Calvin Miller addressed this need when he wrote, Outwardness is good but easily spoiled. A few pats on the back can wean it from its first love and draw it toward self-interest. Soon outwardness, which first served Christ alone, finds ways to serve itself while it serves Christ. At last it moves away from Christ altogether and finds a godlike glory in its own interests.
If our positions are God delivered, great is the future to behold. If, on the other hand, our drive is due to man's burr under his own preferential saddle, we once again swallowed yet another camel while unaware of the gnatism embedded in our own muddled version of spiritual accuracy.
From kids' interests to doctorate degrees, man faces profound challenges as we wade through the beauty God labels as Kingdom Life. The Glory remains enthusiastically, eternally explorable.
Man has studied and restudied God's Word to the extent we may have more than dotted every I. We may have begun to dot some of the Ds and a few of the Qs. In other words, our devotion at times has led us to conclude ideas and details God may have never intended.
We must be on guard against our own delving and digging.
A serious challenge for all is that, whatever the topic, humility must be in the lead. Strangely, ever since the Adamic centering of the self, this is surely more difficult than the most innocent of we egotists can grasp. And, each of us has significant Adam-ego pouring forth in abundance. This mistakenly thrusts one into the self-limelight of appearing spiritual when the truth is we have become blindly enamored with where we stand.
We, therefore, must be aware that our conclusions are a result of genuine revelation from God rather than flattery for our own perceptive research. Calvin Miller addressed this need when he wrote, Outwardness is good but easily spoiled. A few pats on the back can wean it from its first love and draw it toward self-interest. Soon outwardness, which first served Christ alone, finds ways to serve itself while it serves Christ. At last it moves away from Christ altogether and finds a godlike glory in its own interests.
If our positions are God delivered, great is the future to behold. If, on the other hand, our drive is due to man's burr under his own preferential saddle, we once again swallowed yet another camel while unaware of the gnatism embedded in our own muddled version of spiritual accuracy.
Monday, May 13, 2013
THE INSANITY OF SIN
...a deeper reality seems all but forgotten: The main point of our spirituality, according to the Bible, is the furthering of God's glory, not the fixing of our lives. In other words, "God does not exist for us; we exist for Him."
So the question isn't whether God is on our side, responsive to our call, but whether we are genuinely on His side, responsive to His call. It isn't how God fits into what we're doing, but how we fit into what He is doing. He is the Creator, we are the creatures. He is the Sovereign, we are the subjects. He is the Master, we are the slaves. He runs the universe, we fit in.
Sin, however, has introduced the insane proposition that we can alter or even reverse these roles. If God cannot be dismissed, at least He can be utilized. The bumper-sticker slogan speaks for many: "God Is My Copilot." We supposedly honor God by extending to Him a place in the cockpit of our lives, inviting His input on how we can fly smoothly and successfully through life, and of course turning to Him in any emergency cases. But the true and living God is no one's copilot. He's in absolute and sole control of where we're headed and solicits no one's advice on how to get there. In each of our lives, He relentlessly pushes forward His own kingdom agenda to its inevitable, glorious conclusion.
Dwight Edwards
So the question isn't whether God is on our side, responsive to our call, but whether we are genuinely on His side, responsive to His call. It isn't how God fits into what we're doing, but how we fit into what He is doing. He is the Creator, we are the creatures. He is the Sovereign, we are the subjects. He is the Master, we are the slaves. He runs the universe, we fit in.
Sin, however, has introduced the insane proposition that we can alter or even reverse these roles. If God cannot be dismissed, at least He can be utilized. The bumper-sticker slogan speaks for many: "God Is My Copilot." We supposedly honor God by extending to Him a place in the cockpit of our lives, inviting His input on how we can fly smoothly and successfully through life, and of course turning to Him in any emergency cases. But the true and living God is no one's copilot. He's in absolute and sole control of where we're headed and solicits no one's advice on how to get there. In each of our lives, He relentlessly pushes forward His own kingdom agenda to its inevitable, glorious conclusion.
Dwight Edwards
Sunday, May 12, 2013
HOW TO ENTER INTO THE WORKINGS OF THE KINGDOM
Self-conscience is usually a game-stopper. Being aware of self can sometimes serve as a bandit holding up a stagecoach. It is most sensitive to the loud perspective of others.
I would know.
I'm a champion of worry and an expert at being intimidated. Just this week a friend back home said, I remember the days you were so timid. I lived a self-imposed inner prison sentence due to fear of what others thought.
Of course, a major problem linked with this dis-ease is that once stricken, hesitancy becomes the norm. Restriction is practiced. And then criticism of others becomes prominent because we are limited in our space with little to do but bark at others.
Is there any chance of breakthrough? Absolutely.
Jesus sets us free. He really does. Life isn't about our perspective of another's perspective. Such is not our boss. It seems at every turn Jesus was accepting the put-down and the insecure ones. He associated with....those exactly like us!
How, then, do we enter the workings of the Kingdom? We relax. We lean into him. He makes us good enough. We are hidden in him, remember? We can actually enjoy.
Whether in leadership meetings, or church gatherings, or at baseball camp, or in the local cafe, one thing consistently lets me engage with confidence. I am ever-aware of my complete nothingness coupled with the same alertness to the fact Jesus uses me from that very same setting. I live coming through the back door. Whether through inquiry of needing information or making fun of myself, I enter through the back because that's the most I have to offer...and most of the time it works.
Jesus never called an expert on board for anything. He consistently employed the weak, the goofy, and the clumsy. That would include me.
We are free to imagine and to roar because God is the one doing the work; not me...not any of us. The person who has made it big is the same person who has no audience for he is the only one convinced of his greatness.
We are to make it little!
We are to marvel at our failure. We are not to die because we discover our lack. We are to arise with him in resurrection power because we have successfully attached ourselves to the mighty arm of God.
Yippee!
I would know.
I'm a champion of worry and an expert at being intimidated. Just this week a friend back home said, I remember the days you were so timid. I lived a self-imposed inner prison sentence due to fear of what others thought.
Of course, a major problem linked with this dis-ease is that once stricken, hesitancy becomes the norm. Restriction is practiced. And then criticism of others becomes prominent because we are limited in our space with little to do but bark at others.
Is there any chance of breakthrough? Absolutely.
Jesus sets us free. He really does. Life isn't about our perspective of another's perspective. Such is not our boss. It seems at every turn Jesus was accepting the put-down and the insecure ones. He associated with....those exactly like us!
How, then, do we enter the workings of the Kingdom? We relax. We lean into him. He makes us good enough. We are hidden in him, remember? We can actually enjoy.
Whether in leadership meetings, or church gatherings, or at baseball camp, or in the local cafe, one thing consistently lets me engage with confidence. I am ever-aware of my complete nothingness coupled with the same alertness to the fact Jesus uses me from that very same setting. I live coming through the back door. Whether through inquiry of needing information or making fun of myself, I enter through the back because that's the most I have to offer...and most of the time it works.
Jesus never called an expert on board for anything. He consistently employed the weak, the goofy, and the clumsy. That would include me.
We are free to imagine and to roar because God is the one doing the work; not me...not any of us. The person who has made it big is the same person who has no audience for he is the only one convinced of his greatness.
We are to make it little!
We are to marvel at our failure. We are not to die because we discover our lack. We are to arise with him in resurrection power because we have successfully attached ourselves to the mighty arm of God.
Yippee!
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