Christmas, being what it is in its true sense, stirrs many things in us. Many emotions press their way to the surface when we contemplate Christmases past, present and hopes for the future...emotions strong enough that "beg" for tears. Unfortunately, tears in our culture, are not well perceived in most situations and usually seen as weakness. And when we find ourselves feeling "on the brink", we steel ourselves to maintain a composure that is deemed most acceptable, especially from those supposedly more mature and wiser.
But why? Why does anyone wrestle to achieve this type of restraint when most of us would admit that deep feelings are worthwhile and noble. Why is there shame in being moved by memories, present realities or joys? What do we have to gain by the "grown up" exercise of forcing tears back into the inner parts of our being?
Long before any of you knew me, there was a hard and emotionally controlled Mitch [along with all the negatives that go with this culturally imposed facade]. But, I came to a defining moment where I asked God to give me genuine tears, the ability to feel and express those feelings. And those of you who know me, know that He did it...I've never been the same since.
Of course, it took me a while to get used to the idea...time to become comfortable with my tears...but I did...and continue to be, even in places where it is misunderstood...and it is. But I can't tell you the joy that has come by being moved in the many things that God allows to come my way and feeling the freedom to let my eyes respond to my heart in those moments, whether it is beauty beyond description, relational disappointments, losses, gains, fears, pain my friends are going through, and yes, the broad spectrum of feelings associated with Christmas and its message, family and the possibilities of a New Year to come.
I've made up my mind, I'm finished with the phony "adult male decorum". I believe spiritual maturity would never deny anyone the widsom and pleasure of proper emotions and their healthy release. In my opinion, it is good at every season, and especially this one.
Love, joy, wonder, sympathy, concern, compassion, all the emotions of Christmas past, present and for its future, deserve to be seen if they seek to be. Life is too short to sacrifice meaningful moments by stiffling their fullest expression.
Christmas and all we feel in it, is too valuable to quench in the name of self-control or to maintain image. Our family, friends and close associates deserve to know our deepest feelings. There is no good reason to shield our dearest from our real selves, unless it be the the lame reason of a tiresome pride, over-wary of "emotionalism".
It has taken me many years to get where I am...I plan to hang on to it. I'll continue to pursue maturity, but a maturity that can disclose heartfelt feelings about life's precious things. And who knows, as time goes on, I just might become grown up enough to really be a child at Christmas again. I think God would like that....
A heartfelt Merry Christmas to all of you...because I am...
Indebted,
Mitch
(Several thoughts and text adapted from "Come and Behold Him" by Jack Hayford)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Advent Means "Coming"
I've long been a fan of Richard C. Halverson, past Chaplain of the Senate. His publication, "The PERSPECTIVE", printed these thoughts, Christmas of 1997.
Advent means coming. It's a time to reflect on the coming of God to man.
Traditionally Advent commemorates two of God's appearances:
First Advent, which looks to the past, to God's coming as a humble Savior. And Second Advent, which looks to the future, to God's coming as a triumphant Lord.
There is yet another advent to celebrate - when God comes to you personally.
Has God come to reside in your body, His living temple?
Yes, we must seek Him. But God is so far beyond us that we can't find Him, unless He takes the initiative.
Those who testify: "I found God," should first say, "God found me!"
That's where Jesus comes in. Jesus is the only one known among men who has come to seek and save the lost.
If we have a problem with this statement, we may be spurning God's best way of getting through to us.
The first step God takes in your direction is to send the message you just read - that Jesus is God's way of coming to you.
If you are hearing these words without reacting against them, it means that God is at your doorstep!
Don't fight it. Don't complicate it. Just open the door.
You are about to be found!
Behold I stand at the door, and knock; If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with Him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Merry Christmas!
Mitch
Advent means coming. It's a time to reflect on the coming of God to man.
Traditionally Advent commemorates two of God's appearances:
First Advent, which looks to the past, to God's coming as a humble Savior. And Second Advent, which looks to the future, to God's coming as a triumphant Lord.
There is yet another advent to celebrate - when God comes to you personally.
Has God come to reside in your body, His living temple?
Yes, we must seek Him. But God is so far beyond us that we can't find Him, unless He takes the initiative.
Those who testify: "I found God," should first say, "God found me!"
That's where Jesus comes in. Jesus is the only one known among men who has come to seek and save the lost.
If we have a problem with this statement, we may be spurning God's best way of getting through to us.
The first step God takes in your direction is to send the message you just read - that Jesus is God's way of coming to you.
If you are hearing these words without reacting against them, it means that God is at your doorstep!
Don't fight it. Don't complicate it. Just open the door.
You are about to be found!
Behold I stand at the door, and knock; If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with Him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Merry Christmas!
Mitch
Monday, December 08, 2008
Christmas Hopes and Anticipation
The childhood visions and hopes that the Christmas season brings still lives in the hearts of us adults. The only difference is between what children and adults dream. Theirs about toys, video games, bicycles and maybe favorite food. Ours, though including some material things, is a longing for a Christmas vision, a hope toward the promise of this season. And, we are not alone. All of Israel longed and hoped for centuries for one who would come to establish a Messianic Kingdom. All of heaven, its angelic host, rejoiced in the hope of earth's Savior. Mankind's bondage would at last be broken. The Wise Men, scientists of their day, embarked upon a dangerous journey with high hopes of finding something extraordinary. We all, looking back through the ages, find ourselves being summoned by the Spirit to open our heart as a child...
To welcome the expectation of God's promise and power
To transform what needs to be
To forgive what failed to be
And to restore what cries out to be
The promise of Christmas then is still God's promise today: "Behold I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people...for...there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Contained in the person of Jesus is every gift we will ever need, to fulfill every longing, that will take our lifetime to unwrap and all eternity to unfold His glory.
So start now...dream big...envision all the potential, all the possibilities His Life postures us for...the Gift that keeps on giving and never disappoints.
Adapted from "Come and Behold Him" by Jack Hayford
To welcome the expectation of God's promise and power
To transform what needs to be
To forgive what failed to be
And to restore what cries out to be
The promise of Christmas then is still God's promise today: "Behold I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people...for...there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Contained in the person of Jesus is every gift we will ever need, to fulfill every longing, that will take our lifetime to unwrap and all eternity to unfold His glory.
So start now...dream big...envision all the potential, all the possibilities His Life postures us for...the Gift that keeps on giving and never disappoints.
Adapted from "Come and Behold Him" by Jack Hayford
Merry Christmas!
Mitch
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Advent...His Arrival
Following Thanksgiving, thoughts of Christmas, the advent of Jesus Christ and the “good tidings” His arrival brought, are everywhere.
We all love good news. In a fallen world, good news brings hope, bright thoughts of the future, joy and relief. When He arrived, Jesus Christ was the best news our world had ever heard. And today, He still is.
Though CNN and FOX may perennially bring us disturbing reports, the Good News is that the God of the Ages is managing all we see and hear [guiding the world to His desired end] and this is the only thing that could keep us from despair. The Good News contained in the Gospel is still at work and available for all who believe, no matter what and without exception.
In a humanistic world, our best will never bring a good final result. Our best, whether politically, economically, socially, intellectually or morally, will always come up short. But the good news of the coming of Jesus Christ, the King Of Kings, tells us that we have new opportunity [everyday] to let Him rule and reign over our lives and world. His Life and Sovereign oversight, is far superior to ours and will guarantee the bright future, peace, hope and relief we all long for.
A great spiritual man once said, “…Hope does not come from positive predictions about the state of our world. Nor does hope depend on the ups and downs of our life’s particulars. Hope rather has to do with God! We have hope and joy…because we believe that, while the world in which we live is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world! In the world, said Jesus, you face persecution. But take courage, I have overcome the world.”
We love and follow the One who is not limited by the enemy nor the world and its systems. He is the Light of Life that came to bring order from chaos, substance where there is void, life where there is death, light where there is darkness, peace where there is war, hope where there is despair, love where there is hatred and...where there is doubt, faith.
The angel said over 2000 years ago, “I’ve come to bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY! Wow, was he ever right. GIVE HIM PRAISE!!!
Amazed,
Mitch
We all love good news. In a fallen world, good news brings hope, bright thoughts of the future, joy and relief. When He arrived, Jesus Christ was the best news our world had ever heard. And today, He still is.
Though CNN and FOX may perennially bring us disturbing reports, the Good News is that the God of the Ages is managing all we see and hear [guiding the world to His desired end] and this is the only thing that could keep us from despair. The Good News contained in the Gospel is still at work and available for all who believe, no matter what and without exception.
In a humanistic world, our best will never bring a good final result. Our best, whether politically, economically, socially, intellectually or morally, will always come up short. But the good news of the coming of Jesus Christ, the King Of Kings, tells us that we have new opportunity [everyday] to let Him rule and reign over our lives and world. His Life and Sovereign oversight, is far superior to ours and will guarantee the bright future, peace, hope and relief we all long for.
A great spiritual man once said, “…Hope does not come from positive predictions about the state of our world. Nor does hope depend on the ups and downs of our life’s particulars. Hope rather has to do with God! We have hope and joy…because we believe that, while the world in which we live is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world! In the world, said Jesus, you face persecution. But take courage, I have overcome the world.”
We love and follow the One who is not limited by the enemy nor the world and its systems. He is the Light of Life that came to bring order from chaos, substance where there is void, life where there is death, light where there is darkness, peace where there is war, hope where there is despair, love where there is hatred and...where there is doubt, faith.
The angel said over 2000 years ago, “I’ve come to bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY! Wow, was he ever right. GIVE HIM PRAISE!!!
Amazed,
Mitch
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thanksgiving...
The words of the Psalmist are so compelling. Enjoy and...a Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours.
O give thanks unto the Lord... it is a good thing to give thanks...and sing praises unto His name.
For:
He is good!
His mercy endures forever.
He is Holy.
His wondrous deeds among the people.
He delivers.
He gives.
He forgives.
He hears us!
He knows us.
He leads us.
He loves us.
He teaches us.
He saves us.
He cares for us.
He heals us.
He's coming again!!
He gives us the victory.
He causes us to triumph in Christ.
All things.
Father, thanks for the riches we know because of your Indescribable Gift. Thanks for this season where we can especially focus on Thanksgiving and remember your mercies to us all. Would you cause our lives to be characterized by thankfulness, a gratitude attitude, more and more and not just in November but every day of the year. For the Apostle Paul has said, "...Rooted and built up in Him...established, we are to abound therein with thanksgiving...giving thanks in all things, continually offering the sacrifice of praise...giving thanks to His name...."
You, Sir, are generous, we are rich and we are...
Amazed...Amen....
Love you all,
Mitch
O give thanks unto the Lord... it is a good thing to give thanks...and sing praises unto His name.
For:
He is good!
His mercy endures forever.
He is Holy.
His wondrous deeds among the people.
He delivers.
He gives.
He forgives.
He hears us!
He knows us.
He leads us.
He loves us.
He teaches us.
He saves us.
He cares for us.
He heals us.
He's coming again!!
He gives us the victory.
He causes us to triumph in Christ.
All things.
Father, thanks for the riches we know because of your Indescribable Gift. Thanks for this season where we can especially focus on Thanksgiving and remember your mercies to us all. Would you cause our lives to be characterized by thankfulness, a gratitude attitude, more and more and not just in November but every day of the year. For the Apostle Paul has said, "...Rooted and built up in Him...established, we are to abound therein with thanksgiving...giving thanks in all things, continually offering the sacrifice of praise...giving thanks to His name...."
You, Sir, are generous, we are rich and we are...
Amazed...Amen....
Love you all,
Mitch
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Forgiveness
Last Sunday's message on Relationships focused a good bit on forgiving others...a difficult, yet essential step to maintain healthy connections with the people in our lives. I leave with you thoughts by Henri Nouwen on this topic.
We are all wounded people. Who wounds us? Often those whom we love and those who love us. When we feel rejected, abandoned, abused, manipulated, or violated, it is mostly by those very close to us: our parents, our friends, our spouses, our lovers, our children, our neighbors, our teachers, our pastors. Those who love us wound us too. That's the tragedy of our lives. This is what makes forgiveness from the heart so difficult. It is precisely our hearts that are wounded. We cry out, "You, who I expected to be there for me, you have abandoned me. How can I ever forgive you for that?"
Forgiveness often seems impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The God who lives within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves and say, "In the name of Jesus you are forgiven."
So forgiveness means that I am continually willing to forgive the other person for...not fulfilling all my needs or satisfying me in some way. Understanding that our human companions and associates are limited and cannot fulfill my needs is helpful. Actually, that is God's job and many times we project that task onto others. Knowing that I am limited and cannot meet the needs of others helps me to be gracious toward them when they fail me, knowing that I'm just like them. It also compels us to turn more fully to God, the One who has promised to meet all of our needs. Humans cannot offer us what only God can give.
...So let's exercise this great spiritual weapon against the Evil One. For as long as we remain victims of anger and resentment, the power of darkness can continue to divide us and tempt us with endless power games. When we forgive those who threaten our lives, they lose their power over us...and we who have loved poorly will find new beginnings in our relationships and come to understand more and more that forgiveness is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak...the abundance of love which has been freely given to us and from which we freely want to give. Adapted
Indebted,
Mitch
We are all wounded people. Who wounds us? Often those whom we love and those who love us. When we feel rejected, abandoned, abused, manipulated, or violated, it is mostly by those very close to us: our parents, our friends, our spouses, our lovers, our children, our neighbors, our teachers, our pastors. Those who love us wound us too. That's the tragedy of our lives. This is what makes forgiveness from the heart so difficult. It is precisely our hearts that are wounded. We cry out, "You, who I expected to be there for me, you have abandoned me. How can I ever forgive you for that?"
Forgiveness often seems impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The God who lives within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves and say, "In the name of Jesus you are forgiven."
So forgiveness means that I am continually willing to forgive the other person for...not fulfilling all my needs or satisfying me in some way. Understanding that our human companions and associates are limited and cannot fulfill my needs is helpful. Actually, that is God's job and many times we project that task onto others. Knowing that I am limited and cannot meet the needs of others helps me to be gracious toward them when they fail me, knowing that I'm just like them. It also compels us to turn more fully to God, the One who has promised to meet all of our needs. Humans cannot offer us what only God can give.
...So let's exercise this great spiritual weapon against the Evil One. For as long as we remain victims of anger and resentment, the power of darkness can continue to divide us and tempt us with endless power games. When we forgive those who threaten our lives, they lose their power over us...and we who have loved poorly will find new beginnings in our relationships and come to understand more and more that forgiveness is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak...the abundance of love which has been freely given to us and from which we freely want to give. Adapted
Indebted,
Mitch
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Praise - Session 4 - An Imperative
The Scriptures clearly tell us the importance of praise, so important, that it repeatedly commands us to do so. Mankind is the apex of God's creative activity and above all the works of creation, we have the ability to do it best.
This command does not say, "praise if" things go well, or if you feel like it. The command is not conditional or needing prerequisite. It says: "Praise ye the Lord!" Let me leave with you a few of the verses that make certain that this privilege is an imperative and not an elective. And as you obey in it, may He gloriously bless and work His work in you.
Praise ye the Lord! O give thanks to His name.
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness...and wonderful works...for
who can utter...and show forth all of His praise? (In other words...is there any way
one could possibly overdo it?)
Yes, let them (us humans) exalt Him in the congregation and in the assembly of the elders.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be
praised!
All ye servants of the Lord, praise His name...bless Him from this time forth and forever...
...For He is good and singing praises is pleasant.
Praise Him for He alone is excellent and His glory is above the earth...
...The Lord takes pleasure in His people...
...A chosen generation...a priesthood, a holy nation, a unique people that should
show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkenss and into His
marvelous light!
PRAISE THE LORD!
This command does not say, "praise if" things go well, or if you feel like it. The command is not conditional or needing prerequisite. It says: "Praise ye the Lord!" Let me leave with you a few of the verses that make certain that this privilege is an imperative and not an elective. And as you obey in it, may He gloriously bless and work His work in you.
Praise ye the Lord! O give thanks to His name.
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness...and wonderful works...for
who can utter...and show forth all of His praise? (In other words...is there any way
one could possibly overdo it?)
Yes, let them (us humans) exalt Him in the congregation and in the assembly of the elders.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be
praised!
All ye servants of the Lord, praise His name...bless Him from this time forth and forever...
...For He is good and singing praises is pleasant.
Praise Him for He alone is excellent and His glory is above the earth...
...The Lord takes pleasure in His people...
...A chosen generation...a priesthood, a holy nation, a unique people that should
show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkenss and into His
marvelous light!
PRAISE THE LORD!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Praise...Session 3
Praise is essentially the acknowledging of God's virtues, qualities and attributes that He uniquely possesses. The names of God reveal aspects of His person and personality and a knowledge and understanding of His names not only helps us know Him better, but provides a broader vocabulary for those who would praise Him more, and more effectively. Consider the following covenant names of God linked to your reading of Psalm 103.
Jehovah - The Self-Exixtent One Who Reveals Himself
I am the Alpha and Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty, says the
Lord - Rev. 1:8
Jehovah M'Kaddesh - The Lord Who Sanctifies
Bless the Lord, O my soul who pardons all your iniquities;
Jehovah Rophe - The Lord Who Heals
...Who heals all your diseases;
Jehovah Nissi - The Lord Our Banner, Our victory
...Who redeems your life from the pit;
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord Our Peace
...Who crowns your life with lovingkindness and compassion;
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord Our Provider
...Who satisfies your years with good things;
Jehovah Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness
...Who performs righteous deeds;
Jehovah Rohi - The Lord Our Shepherd
...Who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in
lovingkindness;
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord Is Present
...Whose dominion is in all places.
Psalm 103
Selah...
Mitch
Jehovah - The Self-Exixtent One Who Reveals Himself
I am the Alpha and Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty, says the
Lord - Rev. 1:8
Jehovah M'Kaddesh - The Lord Who Sanctifies
Bless the Lord, O my soul who pardons all your iniquities;
Jehovah Rophe - The Lord Who Heals
...Who heals all your diseases;
Jehovah Nissi - The Lord Our Banner, Our victory
...Who redeems your life from the pit;
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord Our Peace
...Who crowns your life with lovingkindness and compassion;
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord Our Provider
...Who satisfies your years with good things;
Jehovah Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness
...Who performs righteous deeds;
Jehovah Rohi - The Lord Our Shepherd
...Who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in
lovingkindness;
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord Is Present
...Whose dominion is in all places.
Psalm 103
Selah...
Mitch
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Praise...continued...
In last week's blog, I mentioned that praise has "theraputic" value. One of the great challenges of our walk with God is staying centered...focused...maintaining proper perspective....seeing all of life from God's view as opposed to some other.
Psychology tells us that insanity is one's inability to see reality, life, as it really is. One who responds to his environment in aberrant ways, based on his view of it, is considered to have some measure of insanity, and may need assistance to restore proper thinking and behavior.
Having any perspective on life other than God's can put a lot of hurt on you...I call it spiritual insanity. We all know that God's perspective on life is the only accurate one and, getting "God's view for you" may be the most important thing we could seek after, as opposed to something the world or self might impose as true. The scripture teaches that "Nebuchanezzar, raised his eyes to heaven near the end of a time of insanity, and his sanity was restored...he praised the Most High...honored and glorified Him Who lives forever...."
Consider Jack Taylor's thoughts on this:
Praise decentralizes self and centralizes God and his love in the pattern of one's thinking. When God is forgotten, the mind is thrown off center. When love is restored, God is enthroned in his rightful place. Praise is the ax which cuts at the root of all those disorders which disintegrate us. Eternity alone will reveal how many people populate the institutions of our land who are there because of the absence of praise-and who stay there because it is not introduced.... Yet, no therapy would prove as immediately valuable as praise therapy. Whether the 'spirit of heaviness' mentioned in Isaiah 61 or a human spirit dominated by defeat, the fact remains that praise is a garment which will neutralize the spirit of despair!"
Let me challenge you, no matter what your life's issues are, begin to praise the Lord and notice how your perspective changes and your personal emotional and spiritual stability returns. The Psalmist declares: I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving...and it will please Him better than an ox or a young bull.... You who seek God, let your heart revive...for He will bring you up again from the depths...increase your greatness and turn to comfort you!!!
Praise The Lord!!!
Selah....
Mitch
Psychology tells us that insanity is one's inability to see reality, life, as it really is. One who responds to his environment in aberrant ways, based on his view of it, is considered to have some measure of insanity, and may need assistance to restore proper thinking and behavior.
Having any perspective on life other than God's can put a lot of hurt on you...I call it spiritual insanity. We all know that God's perspective on life is the only accurate one and, getting "God's view for you" may be the most important thing we could seek after, as opposed to something the world or self might impose as true. The scripture teaches that "Nebuchanezzar, raised his eyes to heaven near the end of a time of insanity, and his sanity was restored...he praised the Most High...honored and glorified Him Who lives forever...."
Consider Jack Taylor's thoughts on this:
Praise decentralizes self and centralizes God and his love in the pattern of one's thinking. When God is forgotten, the mind is thrown off center. When love is restored, God is enthroned in his rightful place. Praise is the ax which cuts at the root of all those disorders which disintegrate us. Eternity alone will reveal how many people populate the institutions of our land who are there because of the absence of praise-and who stay there because it is not introduced.... Yet, no therapy would prove as immediately valuable as praise therapy. Whether the 'spirit of heaviness' mentioned in Isaiah 61 or a human spirit dominated by defeat, the fact remains that praise is a garment which will neutralize the spirit of despair!"
Let me challenge you, no matter what your life's issues are, begin to praise the Lord and notice how your perspective changes and your personal emotional and spiritual stability returns. The Psalmist declares: I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving...and it will please Him better than an ox or a young bull.... You who seek God, let your heart revive...for He will bring you up again from the depths...increase your greatness and turn to comfort you!!!
Praise The Lord!!!
Selah....
Mitch
Monday, October 20, 2008
Praise!
Praise...is probably one of the most important weapons in the arsenal God has entrusted to us. In Jack Taylor's book "The Hallelujah Factor", he identifies 230 different reasons why we should praise the Lord. As I've been sitting here reading the list, it immediately compels me, in a profound and irresistable way, to begin singing! The Word of God commands it. But as I consider His greatness [230 reasons to praise], I find that what God issues as a command, suddenly becomes a reflexive joy and privilege, and a theraputic salve to my thirsty, needy inner man.
The Scriptures tell us that praise is where God "lives" (...O Thou that inhabits the praises of Israel). Praise is tangible proof of faith in Our Father and His words to us. The Psalmist says, "...seven times a day will I praise Thee". Another place he says "...praise is comely for the righteous", meaning, it is appropriate "attire" and fitting for those who claim to know God. Still another verse, he declares, "Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts...", literally meaning, prepare a highway for Our God, who moves about to bless those whose heart is properly postured toward Him. In these verses, I seem to hear God saying: "Praise Me, for it is not only the appropriate thing for my children to do, but it is also the quickest way to get Me active in your situation, present, in tangible ways, in your environment and sphere of influence.
God has been teaching me, in recent years, about praise. But you would say, Mitch, you're the praise leader, why would you need to.... Yes, I've studied and sought God on this topic for a long time. But He's showing me that in all things pertaining to Him, there is "much more".
What would happen, if all God's kids at Fellowship, began to seize this glorious endeavor of praise? What would happen, personally, for us who would choose to obey Him with all of our might in this? What would happen in our church? What could an explosion of praise to our God, in the hearts of God's people, do in a community...the world?
This environment would free God to move, be "Himself", move in and settle down ("inhabit") in that "home of praise", that place and people. Isn't that what we want...isn't that what we need...isn't the presence and closeness of God the ultimate and only remedy for the desperate needs of our lives?
Let me encourage you...Praise the Lord, all of you, His saints! And then...get ready!
Selah!
Mitch
The Scriptures tell us that praise is where God "lives" (...O Thou that inhabits the praises of Israel). Praise is tangible proof of faith in Our Father and His words to us. The Psalmist says, "...seven times a day will I praise Thee". Another place he says "...praise is comely for the righteous", meaning, it is appropriate "attire" and fitting for those who claim to know God. Still another verse, he declares, "Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts...", literally meaning, prepare a highway for Our God, who moves about to bless those whose heart is properly postured toward Him. In these verses, I seem to hear God saying: "Praise Me, for it is not only the appropriate thing for my children to do, but it is also the quickest way to get Me active in your situation, present, in tangible ways, in your environment and sphere of influence.
God has been teaching me, in recent years, about praise. But you would say, Mitch, you're the praise leader, why would you need to.... Yes, I've studied and sought God on this topic for a long time. But He's showing me that in all things pertaining to Him, there is "much more".
What would happen, if all God's kids at Fellowship, began to seize this glorious endeavor of praise? What would happen, personally, for us who would choose to obey Him with all of our might in this? What would happen in our church? What could an explosion of praise to our God, in the hearts of God's people, do in a community...the world?
This environment would free God to move, be "Himself", move in and settle down ("inhabit") in that "home of praise", that place and people. Isn't that what we want...isn't that what we need...isn't the presence and closeness of God the ultimate and only remedy for the desperate needs of our lives?
Let me encourage you...Praise the Lord, all of you, His saints! And then...get ready!
Selah!
Mitch
Monday, October 13, 2008
Fear...
Hundreds of times Our Father, through the Scriptures, reminds us that we do not need to be afraid. I've selected these verses from Psalm 37. Allow them to sooth and calm the anxious places in your being....
Do not fret...rather trust in the Lord and keep on doing what is right. Settle down, plant your feet where you are and cultivate faithfulness [keep on staying true to the Truth that is in you]. Keep on letting the Lord be your greatest joy, destination and satisfaction.
Keep on committing your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it [...for He is the secret that makes us succeed, find fulfillment and arrive at His desired goals for us]. Certainly, He will allow every right thing done and God-action taken, at His command and for His purposes, to be rewarded and vindicated.
Rest in Him...wait patiently for Him...don't fret...Cease from anger, abandon angry actions and activities. No, don't fret, it leads to evil doing [and will land you in places you didn't intend to go].
Just remember, God-humble people, will inherit the land and take great joy in the abundant prosperity that trust, faithfulness and delighting in God merits. Adapted
Selah....
Be Blessed,
Mitch
Do not fret...rather trust in the Lord and keep on doing what is right. Settle down, plant your feet where you are and cultivate faithfulness [keep on staying true to the Truth that is in you]. Keep on letting the Lord be your greatest joy, destination and satisfaction.
Keep on committing your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it [...for He is the secret that makes us succeed, find fulfillment and arrive at His desired goals for us]. Certainly, He will allow every right thing done and God-action taken, at His command and for His purposes, to be rewarded and vindicated.
Rest in Him...wait patiently for Him...don't fret...Cease from anger, abandon angry actions and activities. No, don't fret, it leads to evil doing [and will land you in places you didn't intend to go].
Just remember, God-humble people, will inherit the land and take great joy in the abundant prosperity that trust, faithfulness and delighting in God merits. Adapted
Selah....
Be Blessed,
Mitch
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Preferences
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away."
Oswald Chambers comments on this verse. His thoughts are penetrating and painful, but helpful in understanding His way with us:
Our Lord never tolerates our preferences / prejudices. ...He puts them to death. We may think that God has some special interest in our particular ideas and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We may say to ourselves, "God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right." But we must learn that...He is deliberately removing these things from us...as part of our moral education...and is no respecter of persons. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.
How do we become this "new creature" the scripture speaks of...how are we going to get the life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that "is kind...is not provoked, and thinks no evil"? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple trust in God - such a trust, that we no longer want God's blessings, but only want God Himself! Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.
Profound thoughts to soak in...Selah.
Mitch
Oswald Chambers comments on this verse. His thoughts are penetrating and painful, but helpful in understanding His way with us:
Our Lord never tolerates our preferences / prejudices. ...He puts them to death. We may think that God has some special interest in our particular ideas and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We may say to ourselves, "God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right." But we must learn that...He is deliberately removing these things from us...as part of our moral education...and is no respecter of persons. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.
How do we become this "new creature" the scripture speaks of...how are we going to get the life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that "is kind...is not provoked, and thinks no evil"? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple trust in God - such a trust, that we no longer want God's blessings, but only want God Himself! Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.
Profound thoughts to soak in...Selah.
Mitch
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Creator...
Teresa and I just got back from a week out west. What a stunning place to be...a place where God, in all of his ability, got a bit flamboyant in His creative activities...things that can't really be adequately described or easily caught on camera. So amazing that you just kinda have to be there.
To say the least, you can't look at mountains and majestic expanse like that and not be wowed by God's ability. What can you say...speechless. As I thought about this, I remembered the prayer of the Psalmist, who asked: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." It freshly bolstered exceptional confidence and hope, that if He can do what I was looking at there, how much more can He transform and re-create in all of us, what sin has destroyed; fashioning in us, all that He intended...all the possibilities, all the potential, the unmarred image and likeness of Him in and on us...and since we are the apex of His creation (like those mountains I saw, yet greater), be living manifestations of the glory and majesty of God himself.
Great stuff and it's not just for the "cool guys". It's for all who come...just as you are.... Selah
Mitch
To say the least, you can't look at mountains and majestic expanse like that and not be wowed by God's ability. What can you say...speechless. As I thought about this, I remembered the prayer of the Psalmist, who asked: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." It freshly bolstered exceptional confidence and hope, that if He can do what I was looking at there, how much more can He transform and re-create in all of us, what sin has destroyed; fashioning in us, all that He intended...all the possibilities, all the potential, the unmarred image and likeness of Him in and on us...and since we are the apex of His creation (like those mountains I saw, yet greater), be living manifestations of the glory and majesty of God himself.
Great stuff and it's not just for the "cool guys". It's for all who come...just as you are.... Selah
Mitch
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Power Of Prayer
Amazing thoughts from a great man of a previous generation. As you read this make sure that you don't hear him talking down necessarily on the things we do in church, but rather the absence of the essential ingredient of prayer.
We do not live in a praying age....
We live in an age of hustle and bustle, of man's efforts and man's determination, of man's confidence in himself and in his own power to achieve things, an age of human organization and human machinery, human push and human scheming, and human achievement, which in the things of God means no real achievement at all.
I think it would be perfectly safe to say that the church of Christ was never in all its history so fully, so skillfully, so thoroughly and so perfectly organized as it is today. Our machinery is wonderful; it is just perfect, but alas, it is machinery without power; and when things do not go right, instead of going to the real source of our failure, our neglect to depend on God and look to God for power, we look around to see if there is not some new organization we can get up, some new wheel that we can add to our machinery. We have altogether too many wheels already....
I believe that the devil stands and looks at the church today and laughs in his sleeve as he sees how its members depend on their own scheming and power of organization and skillfully devised machinery. "Ha, Ha", he laughs, "you may have...your costly church edifices, your musical instruments, your university-bred preachers, your high priced musicians, your immense men's Bible classes, yes, and your conferences, institutes and evangelistic services, all you please of them; it does not in the least trouble me, unless you will only leave out of them the power of the Lord God Almighty sought and obtained by the earnest, persistent, believing prayer that will not take no for an answer." But when the devil sees a man or woman who really believes in prayer, who knows how to pray, and who really does pray, and, above all, when he sees a whole church on its face before God in prayer, "he trembles" as much as he ever did, for he knows that this [his] day in that church or community is at an end.
Father, God, make us a people and house of prayer that will vividly display thy supernatural glory, splendor and mercies toward those who wait for it from You. In Jesus' name...Amen....
We do not live in a praying age....
We live in an age of hustle and bustle, of man's efforts and man's determination, of man's confidence in himself and in his own power to achieve things, an age of human organization and human machinery, human push and human scheming, and human achievement, which in the things of God means no real achievement at all.
I think it would be perfectly safe to say that the church of Christ was never in all its history so fully, so skillfully, so thoroughly and so perfectly organized as it is today. Our machinery is wonderful; it is just perfect, but alas, it is machinery without power; and when things do not go right, instead of going to the real source of our failure, our neglect to depend on God and look to God for power, we look around to see if there is not some new organization we can get up, some new wheel that we can add to our machinery. We have altogether too many wheels already....
I believe that the devil stands and looks at the church today and laughs in his sleeve as he sees how its members depend on their own scheming and power of organization and skillfully devised machinery. "Ha, Ha", he laughs, "you may have...your costly church edifices, your musical instruments, your university-bred preachers, your high priced musicians, your immense men's Bible classes, yes, and your conferences, institutes and evangelistic services, all you please of them; it does not in the least trouble me, unless you will only leave out of them the power of the Lord God Almighty sought and obtained by the earnest, persistent, believing prayer that will not take no for an answer." But when the devil sees a man or woman who really believes in prayer, who knows how to pray, and who really does pray, and, above all, when he sees a whole church on its face before God in prayer, "he trembles" as much as he ever did, for he knows that this [his] day in that church or community is at an end.
From "The Power of Prayer" by R. A. Torrey
Father, God, make us a people and house of prayer that will vividly display thy supernatural glory, splendor and mercies toward those who wait for it from You. In Jesus' name...Amen....
Monday, September 08, 2008
The Relentless River
Oswald Chambers discusses "life-flow" and the potential for our effectiveness:
A river touches places of which its source knows nothing. If we have received of His fulness...out of us will flow the rivers that will bless the world around us. We have nothing to do with the outflow.... Our job is this:"This is the work of God that we believe."
A river is persistent, it overcomes all barriers and soon finds a pathway around obstacles. As obstacles come to our lives we may sense that we are not being of any use. Keep paying attention to the Source! ...The Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never get your eyes on obstacles or difficulties. They are of no consequence if we remain at the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus, no emotions, experience...nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.
...Guard well your belief in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow for you and the lives of others...no dryness and no deadness.
Last week we considered spiritual reading that can help us stay centered [at the Source]. I encourage you [if you're not] to find the necessary time and place to present yourself to Him. Allow Him to feed and restore your soul, to "steady" the flow of Life from Him to and through you...to keep speaking peace and order in a very chaotic and antagonistic world. Keep straining to hear [in a very noisy and distracting life - culture] the Voice and Words of First Love, words we cannot triumphantly and effectively live without. Don't ever forget His amazing eternal invitation, "...Come unto me...."
Indebted,
Mitch
A river touches places of which its source knows nothing. If we have received of His fulness...out of us will flow the rivers that will bless the world around us. We have nothing to do with the outflow.... Our job is this:"This is the work of God that we believe."
A river is persistent, it overcomes all barriers and soon finds a pathway around obstacles. As obstacles come to our lives we may sense that we are not being of any use. Keep paying attention to the Source! ...The Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never get your eyes on obstacles or difficulties. They are of no consequence if we remain at the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus, no emotions, experience...nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.
...Guard well your belief in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow for you and the lives of others...no dryness and no deadness.
Last week we considered spiritual reading that can help us stay centered [at the Source]. I encourage you [if you're not] to find the necessary time and place to present yourself to Him. Allow Him to feed and restore your soul, to "steady" the flow of Life from Him to and through you...to keep speaking peace and order in a very chaotic and antagonistic world. Keep straining to hear [in a very noisy and distracting life - culture] the Voice and Words of First Love, words we cannot triumphantly and effectively live without. Don't ever forget His amazing eternal invitation, "...Come unto me...."
Indebted,
Mitch
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Staying Centered...
One of the great challenges of this life in the Spirit is staying focused in spite of the many distractions and influences that approach us. This quote from Henri Nouwen is helpful:
An important discipline...is spiritual reading. This will help us have some say over what enters our minds. Each day...we are bombarded with a myriad of images and sounds. While going through the daily routines of life so many things demand our attention...things that come in all sizes, colors and with gestures and noises. Their words yell at us and most of the time, compel us toward things that take us away from our intimacy with God. Whether we ask for it or not is not the question; we simply cannot go far without being engulfed with words and images forcibly intruding themselves into our minds. But do we really want our mind to become the garbage can of the world?...
Clearly we do not, but it requires real discipline to let God and not the world be the Lord of our mind. But that asks of us not just to be gentle as doves, but also cunning as serpents! Therefore spiritual reading is such a helpful discipline. Is there a book [assuming we are reading the Word of God as well] we are presently reading, a book that we have selected because it nurtures our mind and brings us closer to God? Our thoughts and feelings would be deeply affected if we were always to carry with us a book that puts our minds again and again in the direction we want [He wants us] to go.... Even if we were to read for only fifteen minutes a day in such a book, we would soon find our mind becoming less of a garbage can and more of a vase filled with good thoughts.
This encouraged me and I thought it might you too, toward more and effective times of reading.
Blessings,
Mitch
An important discipline...is spiritual reading. This will help us have some say over what enters our minds. Each day...we are bombarded with a myriad of images and sounds. While going through the daily routines of life so many things demand our attention...things that come in all sizes, colors and with gestures and noises. Their words yell at us and most of the time, compel us toward things that take us away from our intimacy with God. Whether we ask for it or not is not the question; we simply cannot go far without being engulfed with words and images forcibly intruding themselves into our minds. But do we really want our mind to become the garbage can of the world?...
Clearly we do not, but it requires real discipline to let God and not the world be the Lord of our mind. But that asks of us not just to be gentle as doves, but also cunning as serpents! Therefore spiritual reading is such a helpful discipline. Is there a book [assuming we are reading the Word of God as well] we are presently reading, a book that we have selected because it nurtures our mind and brings us closer to God? Our thoughts and feelings would be deeply affected if we were always to carry with us a book that puts our minds again and again in the direction we want [He wants us] to go.... Even if we were to read for only fifteen minutes a day in such a book, we would soon find our mind becoming less of a garbage can and more of a vase filled with good thoughts.
This encouraged me and I thought it might you too, toward more and effective times of reading.
Blessings,
Mitch
Monday, August 25, 2008
Complacency...
I wanted to pass this excerpt on to you from The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer. He was a man who became one of America's most well known pastor-theologians without any formal education. Honestly, I think I've shared this before, but it bears repeating....
How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers. Everything is made to center upon the initial act of "accepting" Christ...and we are not expected thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our soul....
In the midst of this great chill there are some, I rejoice to acknowledge, who...turn away with tears to hunt some lonely place to pray,"O God, show me thy glory." They want to taste, to touch with their hearts, to see with their inner eyes the wonder that is God.
I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire.
May Our Father give us a fresh and earnest hunger for Him that will upstage any other quest in our lives...a hunger that He will satisfy...and satisfied we will indeed be.
Headed North,
Mitch
How tragic that we in this dark day have had our seeking done for us by our teachers. Everything is made to center upon the initial act of "accepting" Christ...and we are not expected thereafter to crave any further revelation of God to our soul....
In the midst of this great chill there are some, I rejoice to acknowledge, who...turn away with tears to hunt some lonely place to pray,"O God, show me thy glory." They want to taste, to touch with their hearts, to see with their inner eyes the wonder that is God.
I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire.
May Our Father give us a fresh and earnest hunger for Him that will upstage any other quest in our lives...a hunger that He will satisfy...and satisfied we will indeed be.
Headed North,
Mitch
Monday, August 18, 2008
You Think So...?
So much of what we think we know isn't true at all...regarding others, ourselves, our situations / circumstances, our economy, the current presidential candidates and even our favorite football team [its players, coaches and strategies]. Go Gators!! Coaching from the couch might make us feel better, but doesn't usually offer informed solutions.
I kind of pride myself in knowing a bit about plants and gardening, even though I'm not doing much in those areas these days. Not long ago, I was discussing some plants with a noted landscape professional. I pointed to a plant and called it a ___________. He immediately retorted back, "No, that's a __________." Being confident in what I thought I knew, I asked if he was sure. I probably shouldn't have done that.... Obviously, I was wrong.
So much of what we think comes filtered to us through a multiplicity of sources and generally never due to direct communication or linking with the person, organization or issue in question.
If the truth were known, we often speak "out of school" for most things not in close proximity to our direct sphere of influence or living environment.
When we think about this to its logical end, you can see why the scripture speaks so strongly about what we say. James is particularly strong [ruthless, actually] on this and reveals why..."the tongue is a fire...igniting the course of our life and set on fire by hell." Wow...that's pretty hard to hear and as I think back over my own life remembering what I say, I'm profoundly compelled to "shut up". The Scripture says: ...quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ...he who has knowledge, spares his words...is of a calm spirit; where there is an abundance of words, transgression is unavoidable; just to name a few.
It's so easy to make a value judgement regarding a person / situation apart from direct involvement and then share our assumptions or myoptic gleanings with others? How many times have you heard said: "Don't you think so-and-so did this (whatever this might be)because...? Or: "I think this thing happened because...." And then, guess what? We project something onto the situation birthed out of our own limited understanding and many times, that thought is passed on and, as we say, "sticks". Inevitably, irreparable damage is done.
Frequently it is incumbant upon us to discern and respond to things with limited information. That's part of living in this complex world. But it's not necessary to say everything that we may think.
Lord, this is painful to write...a mirror I don't want to look into. But Colossians 4:6 exhorts us:
"...Let your speech always be seasoned with grace (gracious), seasoned as it were with salt, so that you may know how to respond to each person (or situation appropriately - my words).
Lord, thanks for your patience and helpful words to me in these things.
Indebted,
Mitch
I kind of pride myself in knowing a bit about plants and gardening, even though I'm not doing much in those areas these days. Not long ago, I was discussing some plants with a noted landscape professional. I pointed to a plant and called it a ___________. He immediately retorted back, "No, that's a __________." Being confident in what I thought I knew, I asked if he was sure. I probably shouldn't have done that.... Obviously, I was wrong.
So much of what we think comes filtered to us through a multiplicity of sources and generally never due to direct communication or linking with the person, organization or issue in question.
If the truth were known, we often speak "out of school" for most things not in close proximity to our direct sphere of influence or living environment.
When we think about this to its logical end, you can see why the scripture speaks so strongly about what we say. James is particularly strong [ruthless, actually] on this and reveals why..."the tongue is a fire...igniting the course of our life and set on fire by hell." Wow...that's pretty hard to hear and as I think back over my own life remembering what I say, I'm profoundly compelled to "shut up". The Scripture says: ...quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ...he who has knowledge, spares his words...is of a calm spirit; where there is an abundance of words, transgression is unavoidable; just to name a few.
It's so easy to make a value judgement regarding a person / situation apart from direct involvement and then share our assumptions or myoptic gleanings with others? How many times have you heard said: "Don't you think so-and-so did this (whatever this might be)because...? Or: "I think this thing happened because...." And then, guess what? We project something onto the situation birthed out of our own limited understanding and many times, that thought is passed on and, as we say, "sticks". Inevitably, irreparable damage is done.
Frequently it is incumbant upon us to discern and respond to things with limited information. That's part of living in this complex world. But it's not necessary to say everything that we may think.
Lord, this is painful to write...a mirror I don't want to look into. But Colossians 4:6 exhorts us:
"...Let your speech always be seasoned with grace (gracious), seasoned as it were with salt, so that you may know how to respond to each person (or situation appropriately - my words).
Lord, thanks for your patience and helpful words to me in these things.
Indebted,
Mitch
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Ability To See...
One of life's most difficult tasks is seeing ourselves as others see us. Most of us hate mirrors because of what it reflects back. Many times it surprises us with realities we don't like: ...Where did those extra pounds come from...Is that really me..?Old age is creeping up on me...I thought I had more hair than that...Gosh, I didn't know I dribbled ice cream on my shirt, etc.
In our culture, we hate what we see so much that we're willing to go to extreme measures to "correct" our perceived imperfections: liposuction, face lifts, cosmetic surgery, hairpieces, drastic diets, botox and more. Sometimes I wonder if we place such importance on these things because of the way we personally react to others with the same "flaws". Or maybe, the thought of old age coming upon us, in a culture that is infatuated with youth, makes us fearful of what is to come or that we'll be replaced by a "newer model". My, what we put ourselves through.
Often, we know how others perceive us is skewed...looking at our exterior and not really knowing what's inside...simply being misunderstood.
But there is One, who sees us as we really are, flaws and all. I'd like to think that we would be at least equally motivated to "adjust" our lives and lifestyles out of a healthy fear of Him [in order to please and honor Him] as we are to please and maintain favor from those we live around. The scripture says the fear of man is a snare but fear of God is the beginning of wisdom!
What is your response when you look into the mirror of the Word and it reflects back something ugly from Gods' view? Do we dare stand in front of His mirror? Do we have the courage to hear what our Father's kind words would reveal? And do we respect [fear] Him enough that whatever it might take, we'll make the adjustments necessary to bring our lives in line with His?
The Psalmist said: "...Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; ...See if there be any hurtful way in me, THEN [my addition] lead me in the everlasting way [and I'll follow, no matter what]."
Looking our best and displaying a positive demeanor in our sphere of influence is a good thing, but I need to make sure that my deportment before Him is my top priority...not only does He really know and see me as I truly am, but He's commited to get intimately involved in the process that will make change happen and, walk with me to make sure I stay there.
That's the mirror I need...Search me, O God....
Headed North,
Mitch
In our culture, we hate what we see so much that we're willing to go to extreme measures to "correct" our perceived imperfections: liposuction, face lifts, cosmetic surgery, hairpieces, drastic diets, botox and more. Sometimes I wonder if we place such importance on these things because of the way we personally react to others with the same "flaws". Or maybe, the thought of old age coming upon us, in a culture that is infatuated with youth, makes us fearful of what is to come or that we'll be replaced by a "newer model". My, what we put ourselves through.
Often, we know how others perceive us is skewed...looking at our exterior and not really knowing what's inside...simply being misunderstood.
But there is One, who sees us as we really are, flaws and all. I'd like to think that we would be at least equally motivated to "adjust" our lives and lifestyles out of a healthy fear of Him [in order to please and honor Him] as we are to please and maintain favor from those we live around. The scripture says the fear of man is a snare but fear of God is the beginning of wisdom!
What is your response when you look into the mirror of the Word and it reflects back something ugly from Gods' view? Do we dare stand in front of His mirror? Do we have the courage to hear what our Father's kind words would reveal? And do we respect [fear] Him enough that whatever it might take, we'll make the adjustments necessary to bring our lives in line with His?
The Psalmist said: "...Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; ...See if there be any hurtful way in me, THEN [my addition] lead me in the everlasting way [and I'll follow, no matter what]."
Looking our best and displaying a positive demeanor in our sphere of influence is a good thing, but I need to make sure that my deportment before Him is my top priority...not only does He really know and see me as I truly am, but He's commited to get intimately involved in the process that will make change happen and, walk with me to make sure I stay there.
That's the mirror I need...Search me, O God....
Headed North,
Mitch
Monday, August 04, 2008
You Won't Reach It On Tiptoe
The Life that the Gospel compels us to live is impossible apart from the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:7 says: "Add to your brotherly kindness...love." That's a tough one! Being a loving person in an unlovely world stretches us beyond our limits and demands the resources of God.
Oswald Chambers writes:
...Love is the sovereign preference of one person for another, and spiritually, Jesus demands that that preference be for Him (Lk. 14:26). When the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is easily first; then we must practice the working out of these things mentioned by Peter.
The first thing God does is to knock pretence and the pious pose right out of me. The Holy Spirit reveals that God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so. Now, He says to me, show the same love to others - "Love as I have loved you." "I will bring any number of people about you whom you cannot respect, and you must exhibit My love to them as I have exhibited it to you." You won't reach it on tiptoe! Some of us have tried to, but we were soon tired.
...The knowledge that God has loved me to the uttermost, to the end of all my sin, meanness, selfishness and wrong, will send me forth into the world to love in the same way. God's love to me is inexhaustible, and I must love others from the bedrock of God's love to me. Growth in grace stops the moment I get huffed. I get huffed because I have a peculiar person to live with. Just think how disagreeable I have been to God! Am I prepared to be so identified with the Lord Jesus that His life and sweetness are being poured out all the time? Neither natural or Divine love will remain unless it is cultivated...maintained by discipline...and [I would add] resourced by the Life Of God in me, by faith.
Loving God and loving people...our greatest joy...and...the fulfillment of the two greatest commandments.
Love you all,
Mitch
Oswald Chambers writes:
...Love is the sovereign preference of one person for another, and spiritually, Jesus demands that that preference be for Him (Lk. 14:26). When the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is easily first; then we must practice the working out of these things mentioned by Peter.
The first thing God does is to knock pretence and the pious pose right out of me. The Holy Spirit reveals that God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so. Now, He says to me, show the same love to others - "Love as I have loved you." "I will bring any number of people about you whom you cannot respect, and you must exhibit My love to them as I have exhibited it to you." You won't reach it on tiptoe! Some of us have tried to, but we were soon tired.
...The knowledge that God has loved me to the uttermost, to the end of all my sin, meanness, selfishness and wrong, will send me forth into the world to love in the same way. God's love to me is inexhaustible, and I must love others from the bedrock of God's love to me. Growth in grace stops the moment I get huffed. I get huffed because I have a peculiar person to live with. Just think how disagreeable I have been to God! Am I prepared to be so identified with the Lord Jesus that His life and sweetness are being poured out all the time? Neither natural or Divine love will remain unless it is cultivated...maintained by discipline...and [I would add] resourced by the Life Of God in me, by faith.
Loving God and loving people...our greatest joy...and...the fulfillment of the two greatest commandments.
Love you all,
Mitch
Monday, July 28, 2008
God's Longing...
My apologies for not getting a new blog up last week. The week simply got away and somehow that didn't get included in it. For those of you who are regular readers, thanks for your patience.
I've discovered a new devotional book, "God Calling" by A. J. Russell. I've not completed reading it yet, so I'm not sure I can recommend it, but what I've read so far has been exceptional. I pass on to you what I read yesterday....
As if Jesus is speaking:
To the listering ear I speak, to the waiting heart I come. Sometimes, I may not speak. I may ask you merely to wait in My Presence, to know that I am with you.
Think of the multitudes who thronged Me when I was on earth, all eager for something. Eager to be healed, or taught, or fed.
Think as I supplied their many wants, and granted their manifold requests, what it meant to Me to find amid the crowd some one or two, who followed Me just to be near me, just to dwell in My Presence. How some longing of the Eternal Heart was satisfied thereby.
Comfort Me, a while, by letting Me know that you would seek Me just to dwell in My Presence, to be near Me, not even for teaching, not for material gain, not even for a message - but for Me. The longing of the human heart to be loved for itself is a something caught from the Great Divine Heart....
I'm amazed how much of my relationship with Him is about getting something rather than bringing something to Him. I'm still learning more how to walk with Him so that "in my manner of life...I'll be worthy of the Lord and entirely pleasing to Him." [Colossians 1:10)
So amazed and...
Indebted,
Mitch
I've discovered a new devotional book, "God Calling" by A. J. Russell. I've not completed reading it yet, so I'm not sure I can recommend it, but what I've read so far has been exceptional. I pass on to you what I read yesterday....
As if Jesus is speaking:
To the listering ear I speak, to the waiting heart I come. Sometimes, I may not speak. I may ask you merely to wait in My Presence, to know that I am with you.
Think of the multitudes who thronged Me when I was on earth, all eager for something. Eager to be healed, or taught, or fed.
Think as I supplied their many wants, and granted their manifold requests, what it meant to Me to find amid the crowd some one or two, who followed Me just to be near me, just to dwell in My Presence. How some longing of the Eternal Heart was satisfied thereby.
Comfort Me, a while, by letting Me know that you would seek Me just to dwell in My Presence, to be near Me, not even for teaching, not for material gain, not even for a message - but for Me. The longing of the human heart to be loved for itself is a something caught from the Great Divine Heart....
I'm amazed how much of my relationship with Him is about getting something rather than bringing something to Him. I'm still learning more how to walk with Him so that "in my manner of life...I'll be worthy of the Lord and entirely pleasing to Him." [Colossians 1:10)
So amazed and...
Indebted,
Mitch
Monday, July 14, 2008
God Only Wise
Much happens in the life of the believer that doesn't make sense. I'm sure we've all had conversations with God that included the question: Lord, would you help me understand? I firmly believe that we won't know nearly all of what God is "up to" with us, until this life is over and the hindrances that dim our vision are removed.
The scripture tells us that "wilderness wanderings" are necessary. Jesus spent some time in the wilderness. I'm sure it was important or it wouldn't have happened. Everything God does is important.
The best thing I know to carry us through times like this, is knowing that God is good and wise, He loves perfectly, and all He does is good [whether I can see it now or not].
J. I. Packer in his book "Knowing God" says: "God's almighty wisdom is always active, and never fails. ...We must recognize the end that He is working to. ...Many go wrong...understanding the Bible when it says, God is love, that He intends a trouble-free life for all...and conclude that anything painful or upsetting (illness, accident, injury, loss of job, the suffering of a loved one) indicates that His love, wisdom, power [or some combination of these] has broken down for some reason or doesn't exist.... But this is a mistake. God's wisdom is not...intended so much to make us happy, comfortable or trouble-free...but His aim is that we should love and honor Him. ...Though we have fallen, God has not abandoned His first purpose...that we should bring Him glory and please Him entirely." (Colossians 1)
Our loving Heavenly Father is busy! He is working for our best end and destiny...to teach us, train us in right living. And our response to this work of His? This prayer says it for me...enjoy:
Help me, O God,
To realize the role the wilderness plays in my continuing education.
Thank you that even in the wilderness there are windows,
Revealing what you want from me,
Showing that you care,
And clarifying, when I look back,
What you were doing in my life.
Thank you, God, for the wild and untamed theology
You have taught me in the wilderness,
And for the assurance that,
Though you are not "safe",
You are good. (Ken Gire)
Headed North,
Mitch
The scripture tells us that "wilderness wanderings" are necessary. Jesus spent some time in the wilderness. I'm sure it was important or it wouldn't have happened. Everything God does is important.
The best thing I know to carry us through times like this, is knowing that God is good and wise, He loves perfectly, and all He does is good [whether I can see it now or not].
J. I. Packer in his book "Knowing God" says: "God's almighty wisdom is always active, and never fails. ...We must recognize the end that He is working to. ...Many go wrong...understanding the Bible when it says, God is love, that He intends a trouble-free life for all...and conclude that anything painful or upsetting (illness, accident, injury, loss of job, the suffering of a loved one) indicates that His love, wisdom, power [or some combination of these] has broken down for some reason or doesn't exist.... But this is a mistake. God's wisdom is not...intended so much to make us happy, comfortable or trouble-free...but His aim is that we should love and honor Him. ...Though we have fallen, God has not abandoned His first purpose...that we should bring Him glory and please Him entirely." (Colossians 1)
Our loving Heavenly Father is busy! He is working for our best end and destiny...to teach us, train us in right living. And our response to this work of His? This prayer says it for me...enjoy:
Help me, O God,
To realize the role the wilderness plays in my continuing education.
Thank you that even in the wilderness there are windows,
Revealing what you want from me,
Showing that you care,
And clarifying, when I look back,
What you were doing in my life.
Thank you, God, for the wild and untamed theology
You have taught me in the wilderness,
And for the assurance that,
Though you are not "safe",
You are good. (Ken Gire)
Headed North,
Mitch
Monday, July 07, 2008
He's Everywhere!
Everything in life is speaking something to us. Practicing the presence of God, in part, is becoming aware that God is not only everywhere but He has something to say in everything that is going on around us. I read the following prayer recently. It reminded me that in all I do, [even at the movies] God is revealing Himself.... "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord...I want to see you..."everywhere.
Help me, O God,
Whenever I go to a movie, not to go just for entertainment,
But also for enlightenment.
Meet me there, I pray, and speak to me.
Tell me something I need to know so I may live my life
More graciously, more compassionately.
Give me moments of transcendence
So I can leave the theater in some way changed,
Even if it is a very small way.
Speak to me through a character, a scene, a line of dialogue, a musical score,
Tell me something that will help me become
A more understanding person,
Kinder and more compassionate.
Thank you for those moments at the movies
That have touched my heart.
And for the fact that there is no place on earth
That some echo of Your voice cannot be heard
For the one who is listening....
Indebted,
Mitch
Help me, O God,
Whenever I go to a movie, not to go just for entertainment,
But also for enlightenment.
Meet me there, I pray, and speak to me.
Tell me something I need to know so I may live my life
More graciously, more compassionately.
Give me moments of transcendence
So I can leave the theater in some way changed,
Even if it is a very small way.
Speak to me through a character, a scene, a line of dialogue, a musical score,
Tell me something that will help me become
A more understanding person,
Kinder and more compassionate.
Thank you for those moments at the movies
That have touched my heart.
And for the fact that there is no place on earth
That some echo of Your voice cannot be heard
For the one who is listening....
Indebted,
Mitch
Monday, June 30, 2008
Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves
Henri Nouwen was one of the great spiritual leaders of the 1900's. He left behind the best of his thinking on a variety of topics, through his books. In a compilation of his on prayer, he writes:
...Jesus desires to meet us..., to make his love known to us, to free us from our fears, and make our own deepest self known to us. In the privacy of our own heart, therefore, we can learn not only to know Jesus, but through Jesus to know ourselves as well. If you reflect on this a bit more you will see an interaction between God's love revealing itself to you and a constant growth in self-knowledge. Each time you let the love of God penetrate deeper into your heart, you lose a bit of your anxiety; and every time you shed a bit of your anxiety, you learn to know yourself better and long all the more to be known by your loving God.
Thus the more you learn to love God the more you learn to know and to cherish yourself. Self-knowledge and self-love are the fruit of knowing and loving God. You can see better now what is inteded by the great commandment to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself." Laying our hearts totally open to God leads to a love of ourselves that enables us to give whole-hearted love to our fellow human beings. In the seclusion of our hearts we learn to know the hidden presence of God; and with that spiritual knowledge we can lead a loving life.
O to know the height, breadth and depth of His indescribable love for us! What would happen if...? Let your thoughts complete that statement and explore the possiblities and potential of a life fully cognizant of the love of God toward all who believe.
Deeply Indebted,
Mitch
...Jesus desires to meet us..., to make his love known to us, to free us from our fears, and make our own deepest self known to us. In the privacy of our own heart, therefore, we can learn not only to know Jesus, but through Jesus to know ourselves as well. If you reflect on this a bit more you will see an interaction between God's love revealing itself to you and a constant growth in self-knowledge. Each time you let the love of God penetrate deeper into your heart, you lose a bit of your anxiety; and every time you shed a bit of your anxiety, you learn to know yourself better and long all the more to be known by your loving God.
Thus the more you learn to love God the more you learn to know and to cherish yourself. Self-knowledge and self-love are the fruit of knowing and loving God. You can see better now what is inteded by the great commandment to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself." Laying our hearts totally open to God leads to a love of ourselves that enables us to give whole-hearted love to our fellow human beings. In the seclusion of our hearts we learn to know the hidden presence of God; and with that spiritual knowledge we can lead a loving life.
O to know the height, breadth and depth of His indescribable love for us! What would happen if...? Let your thoughts complete that statement and explore the possiblities and potential of a life fully cognizant of the love of God toward all who believe.
Deeply Indebted,
Mitch
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A Prayer For Understanding...
I found this in some of my reading this week and thought it worthy of passing along to you...great stuff to "soak" in...things we know but so easily forget. Well, you probably don't, but I sure do. I have a great memory, it's just short, and I need constant reminders that keep me centered, focused and at peace, God's intended lifestyle for all of us. Be blessed....
Help me, God,
To realize it is in being crippled that I learn to cling and in limping that I learn to lean,
That victory comes not in how courageously I struggle
but in how completely I surrender,
And that this is how I am to grow,
by being defeated,
decisively,
by constantly greater things.
Help me to understand that Your power is perfected in weakness,
so that when I am rendered weak,
You are given the opportunity to be shown strong.
Help me to understand, too,
that "more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,
for so the whole round earth is every way
bound in gold chains about the feet of God...."
From "Windows of the Soul" by Ken Gire
Headed "North",
Mitch
Help me, God,
To realize it is in being crippled that I learn to cling and in limping that I learn to lean,
That victory comes not in how courageously I struggle
but in how completely I surrender,
And that this is how I am to grow,
by being defeated,
decisively,
by constantly greater things.
Help me to understand that Your power is perfected in weakness,
so that when I am rendered weak,
You are given the opportunity to be shown strong.
Help me to understand, too,
that "more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,
for so the whole round earth is every way
bound in gold chains about the feet of God...."
From "Windows of the Soul" by Ken Gire
Headed "North",
Mitch
Monday, June 16, 2008
Prayer
There is much to be learned about this tremendous privilege. It is without dispute, the most important thing we give ourselves to. So much of the time it is hard to "get there" and when we do, the conflict begins. Read Oswald Chambers thoughts on this. They are so helpful.
"When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and...pray to thy Father which is in secret." Matthew 6:6
Jesus did not say-Dream about thy Father in secret, but pray to thy Father in secret. Prayer is an effort of will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that conflicts is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is the overcoming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful prayer.
We must have a selected place for prayer and when we get there the plague of flies begins - This needs to be done, and I have to do that today. Jesus says to "Shut thy door." A secret silence means to shut the door deliberately on emotions and remember God! God is in secret, and He sees us from the secret place. He does not see us as others see us or as we see ourselves. When we live in the secret place, it becomes impossible for us to doubt God, and we become more sure of Him than anyone or anything else. Your Father, Jesus says, is in secret and nowhere else. Enter the secret place, and you will find God was there in the middle of your everyday circumstances all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day! (...think about this in light of the daunting responsibilities, tasks and leadership posts this life brings us at home, work and church). But swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the lasting imprint of the presence of God!
Soak in these great thoughts...sup with Him. He wants it...and we need it.
Blessed,
Mitch
"When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and...pray to thy Father which is in secret." Matthew 6:6
Jesus did not say-Dream about thy Father in secret, but pray to thy Father in secret. Prayer is an effort of will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that conflicts is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is the overcoming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful prayer.
We must have a selected place for prayer and when we get there the plague of flies begins - This needs to be done, and I have to do that today. Jesus says to "Shut thy door." A secret silence means to shut the door deliberately on emotions and remember God! God is in secret, and He sees us from the secret place. He does not see us as others see us or as we see ourselves. When we live in the secret place, it becomes impossible for us to doubt God, and we become more sure of Him than anyone or anything else. Your Father, Jesus says, is in secret and nowhere else. Enter the secret place, and you will find God was there in the middle of your everyday circumstances all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day! (...think about this in light of the daunting responsibilities, tasks and leadership posts this life brings us at home, work and church). But swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the lasting imprint of the presence of God!
Soak in these great thoughts...sup with Him. He wants it...and we need it.
Blessed,
Mitch
Monday, June 09, 2008
Seeing It for What It Is
Those of us who have a bit of a nostalgic bent realize as we look back to the past relationships, times, events and places, that we didn't fully appreciate what we had. Somehow we didn't recognize what was before us. Some would say that this is a function of selective memory and our tendency to remember the "good old days", positive things of the past over the negatives. This is certainly true, but we all would admit there is much in the past that we didn't value and seize for all its benefits to us and others.
How many times have we looked back and regret ending a relationship, changing jobs or careers, not taking an opportunity to travel that came, having been discontent with material things we had, quitting piano lessons, giving up on school when it would have been much simpler then to have endured and graduated. The list could go on and on.
We've all got some of these in our lives. But there is one thing that I hope we will not find ourselves looking back and regretting; that we failed to make the most of our relationship with God. We live in a time when the grace and riches of God are abundantly supplied to all who will ask and receive. And Paul the Apostle admonishes the church at Corinth [and us]: "...We urge this appeal on you; you have received the Grace of God. Do not let it go for nothing." The NASB says we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain [to no effect]. In Colossians 1:5-7 Paul is so pleased that this grace, the True Gospel in them, has produced much fruit...since they recognized it for what in truth it is [The New English Bible - Oxford].
We all know in our nostalgic moments, that our lives could be different had we recognized what we had then. What would happen if we were to seize now [recognize it for what, in truth it is], as the Colossian Church did, the full height, breadth and depth of the glorious gospel for us who believe? Contemplate the possibilities, the potential that God sees!
Read His Word...study it! Dedicate yourselves to prayer. Begin to practice what you know and ask for more. Be a seeker of the "much more". Hey, no telling where you'll end up or what you might be doing. You might find your self living out the "spiritual bucket list [things to do before you kick the bucket]" that God sees...and you've dreamed of. It'll blow your mind and...the world will be a better place because of it.
Amazed,
Mitch
How many times have we looked back and regret ending a relationship, changing jobs or careers, not taking an opportunity to travel that came, having been discontent with material things we had, quitting piano lessons, giving up on school when it would have been much simpler then to have endured and graduated. The list could go on and on.
We've all got some of these in our lives. But there is one thing that I hope we will not find ourselves looking back and regretting; that we failed to make the most of our relationship with God. We live in a time when the grace and riches of God are abundantly supplied to all who will ask and receive. And Paul the Apostle admonishes the church at Corinth [and us]: "...We urge this appeal on you; you have received the Grace of God. Do not let it go for nothing." The NASB says we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain [to no effect]. In Colossians 1:5-7 Paul is so pleased that this grace, the True Gospel in them, has produced much fruit...since they recognized it for what in truth it is [The New English Bible - Oxford].
We all know in our nostalgic moments, that our lives could be different had we recognized what we had then. What would happen if we were to seize now [recognize it for what, in truth it is], as the Colossian Church did, the full height, breadth and depth of the glorious gospel for us who believe? Contemplate the possibilities, the potential that God sees!
Read His Word...study it! Dedicate yourselves to prayer. Begin to practice what you know and ask for more. Be a seeker of the "much more". Hey, no telling where you'll end up or what you might be doing. You might find your self living out the "spiritual bucket list [things to do before you kick the bucket]" that God sees...and you've dreamed of. It'll blow your mind and...the world will be a better place because of it.
Amazed,
Mitch
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
We Are What We Do
I'm reading a secular book that's full of pungent and pithy comments that have much to say to us Christians. One of the chapters is titled: "We are what we do." One of my favorite preachers says "we practice daily what we believe...all the rest is just religious talk." ...The more you think about these sayings, the more uncomfortable it will make you.
The book goes on to say: "...When observing other people, we need to pay attention not to what they promise but how they behave." I agree! I've discovered that it's much more revealing to pay attention to the subtle, than the obvious; observing not so much what people want us to see but rather what is "leaking out" in other places. He says we are drowning in words, many of which turn out to not be true...lies we tell ourselves, and others.
As I've thought about these things, I realize we Christians profess much more than we do. We say we believe much more than we live out. Those who contemplate "joining us" are not fooled by our rhetoric.
More specifically... we believe in prayer but do we pray? How often? We believe it is noble to sacrifice but do we give ourselves gratituitously? We say we believe the Bible, but do we even read it [and if we do, how often]? We say we believe in biblical fellowship [our church name], communing and sharing in common with those of the faith, but in actuality, what boundaries have we drawn that compromise that essential church-life component? I could go on for quite a while but the pain on me alone is a bit more than I want to prolong. Lord, HELP us [me] to BE!
St. Francis of Assisi exhorted: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words!
Just a few weeks ago I had to go to my neighbor and ask her to forgive me for saying I'd do something that I DIDN'T do. She knows who I am...where I work. I felt it imperative to go to her and acknowledge my failure. She was gracious but, I still walked away feeling I had compromised the Kingdom...it was painful.
Father God, cause our lives to agree with our words. Make us true on the outside to what we say is on the inside. That is what You are like, for your Word says you are faithful [or true] - How you act is exactly who You are and NOTHING will ever change about that. Father, make us like You.
In Jesus Name, Amen
The book goes on to say: "...When observing other people, we need to pay attention not to what they promise but how they behave." I agree! I've discovered that it's much more revealing to pay attention to the subtle, than the obvious; observing not so much what people want us to see but rather what is "leaking out" in other places. He says we are drowning in words, many of which turn out to not be true...lies we tell ourselves, and others.
As I've thought about these things, I realize we Christians profess much more than we do. We say we believe much more than we live out. Those who contemplate "joining us" are not fooled by our rhetoric.
More specifically... we believe in prayer but do we pray? How often? We believe it is noble to sacrifice but do we give ourselves gratituitously? We say we believe the Bible, but do we even read it [and if we do, how often]? We say we believe in biblical fellowship [our church name], communing and sharing in common with those of the faith, but in actuality, what boundaries have we drawn that compromise that essential church-life component? I could go on for quite a while but the pain on me alone is a bit more than I want to prolong. Lord, HELP us [me] to BE!
St. Francis of Assisi exhorted: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words!
Just a few weeks ago I had to go to my neighbor and ask her to forgive me for saying I'd do something that I DIDN'T do. She knows who I am...where I work. I felt it imperative to go to her and acknowledge my failure. She was gracious but, I still walked away feeling I had compromised the Kingdom...it was painful.
Father God, cause our lives to agree with our words. Make us true on the outside to what we say is on the inside. That is what You are like, for your Word says you are faithful [or true] - How you act is exactly who You are and NOTHING will ever change about that. Father, make us like You.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Monday, May 26, 2008
Rx: for Fear...
I'm amazed at how much stuff in our culture elicits fear. News, advertising, health-promoting organizations and more, fuel our tendency for fear. I find it can be a primary motivator in what we do and how we direct our lives. We're all vulnerable, some more than others. The degree to which it influences us is determined by perspective and information flow we allow [either positive or negative] and what we do with it.
I think I've written on this topic before but I'm impressed to go this way again, compelled by the Scripture's prescription [Rx:] for it [given in Psalm 37] , knowing that we don't have to live this way, fretting and anxious. Our fears are an opportunity for courage to rise and the Psalmist gives us these directives:
DON'T Fret.
Trust in the Lord
Keep on doing good [the right things]
Dwell in the land [settle down!]
Keep learning how to be more and more faithful
Delight yourself in the Lord
Commit your way to Him
And finally...
REST in the Lord
And why is this so important?
Verse 8b tells us that fretting will take us places we don't want to go...actually, places God doesn't want us to go. We mentioned earlier doing the right things...but it [fear] leads to doing the wrong things [which he enumerates throughout the chapter - envy, impatience, pride, wrong emotions and anger, and it squelches generosity and graciousness, etc.]. I'm certain that his list does not exhaust the negative possibilities!
So, I leave this chapter with you and encourage you to soak in it for a few days, reading and contemplating what it is speaking to you personally. It's feeding me fresh today and it is important. For one writer has said: "Keep your spirit-life calm and unruffled...nothing else matters. Leave all to Him. This is your great task, to get calm in His presence and not allow any blessing from Him to be checked or diverted."
Who knows...I might even stop biting my nails....
Amazed,
Mitch
I think I've written on this topic before but I'm impressed to go this way again, compelled by the Scripture's prescription [Rx:] for it [given in Psalm 37] , knowing that we don't have to live this way, fretting and anxious. Our fears are an opportunity for courage to rise and the Psalmist gives us these directives:
DON'T Fret.
Trust in the Lord
Keep on doing good [the right things]
Dwell in the land [settle down!]
Keep learning how to be more and more faithful
Delight yourself in the Lord
Commit your way to Him
And finally...
REST in the Lord
And why is this so important?
Verse 8b tells us that fretting will take us places we don't want to go...actually, places God doesn't want us to go. We mentioned earlier doing the right things...but it [fear] leads to doing the wrong things [which he enumerates throughout the chapter - envy, impatience, pride, wrong emotions and anger, and it squelches generosity and graciousness, etc.]. I'm certain that his list does not exhaust the negative possibilities!
So, I leave this chapter with you and encourage you to soak in it for a few days, reading and contemplating what it is speaking to you personally. It's feeding me fresh today and it is important. For one writer has said: "Keep your spirit-life calm and unruffled...nothing else matters. Leave all to Him. This is your great task, to get calm in His presence and not allow any blessing from Him to be checked or diverted."
Who knows...I might even stop biting my nails....
Amazed,
Mitch
Monday, May 19, 2008
Aspirations...
Personally, I can get bogged down in the complexity of life. For years I've been on a search for simplicity. Yes, for years. I've made a number of adjustments and I find that one must stay focused and determined not only to gain but maintain it.
In my blog two weeks ago I talked around the "too soon old, too late wise" adage. We don't have to be wise late! We can have it now. Thinking on this has brought me to another thought and one that seems to make all the seeming complexity of spiritual disciplines very simple. It's this; there is no higher aspiration than to "be one with Him". Jesus' prayer in John 17 is where I get this phrase. His priestly prayer over those men regarding their "oneness" with Him and His Father, immediately preceeding Gethsemane and the Cross, is so compelling...powerful in its implications and staggering in its simplicity.
The more I think about it, I realize that Jesus implied it throughout his earthly ministry to those near to Him [for example His admonition to Martha, that Mary was doing the only necessary thing...sitting at His feet...enjoying oneness with Him]. Oswald Chambers says it this way: "...Believe on Me (Jesus' words) - pay attention to the Source, and out of you will flow rivers of living water...we don't get at these springs of our natural life by common sense...Jesus is teaching that growth in spiritual life...comes by our concentration on our Father in heaven."
Brother Lawrence wrote a landmark book about simply "Practicing The Presence of God" and how that one thing charted his course and kept him there!
"One with Him"... because I'm a slow learner and since many times, complexity can baffle me, a simple statement like this can settle me down and get me back to where I need to be, in simplicity and essentials. I'm working on it, being one with Him, and...I recommend it.
Blessings,
Mitch
In my blog two weeks ago I talked around the "too soon old, too late wise" adage. We don't have to be wise late! We can have it now. Thinking on this has brought me to another thought and one that seems to make all the seeming complexity of spiritual disciplines very simple. It's this; there is no higher aspiration than to "be one with Him". Jesus' prayer in John 17 is where I get this phrase. His priestly prayer over those men regarding their "oneness" with Him and His Father, immediately preceeding Gethsemane and the Cross, is so compelling...powerful in its implications and staggering in its simplicity.
The more I think about it, I realize that Jesus implied it throughout his earthly ministry to those near to Him [for example His admonition to Martha, that Mary was doing the only necessary thing...sitting at His feet...enjoying oneness with Him]. Oswald Chambers says it this way: "...Believe on Me (Jesus' words) - pay attention to the Source, and out of you will flow rivers of living water...we don't get at these springs of our natural life by common sense...Jesus is teaching that growth in spiritual life...comes by our concentration on our Father in heaven."
Brother Lawrence wrote a landmark book about simply "Practicing The Presence of God" and how that one thing charted his course and kept him there!
"One with Him"... because I'm a slow learner and since many times, complexity can baffle me, a simple statement like this can settle me down and get me back to where I need to be, in simplicity and essentials. I'm working on it, being one with Him, and...I recommend it.
Blessings,
Mitch
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Prince Caspian...
Through the years, I've never been a strong reader but I've discovered the tremendous value in it and have determined to make it an important part of my life. My wife tells me that I don't include any "fun" reading in my routine...like a good novel, christian fiction or whatever. I'm working on that...sort of....
I've always been a bit envious when she [and others] go to the theatre to see a movie of which previously, they have read the book. The conversation afterwards goes something like this: "It was a great movie but the book was better!"
In my working on "reading more fun stuff" [kind of] and since C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia have been showing in the theatres, I've decided to read the books first, then see the movies...and not until. This Friday Prince Caspian debuts in the theatres here and I'm proud to say "I've read the book!" I'll now be able to fellowship with those who have done the same.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was my first. I'm so glad I've started this! It has opened another dimension of joy for me. And as I discover new things, I want to pass them along for those of you who may consider it for the first time. Others have done that for me...and I'm so indebted....
Blessings,
Mitch
I've always been a bit envious when she [and others] go to the theatre to see a movie of which previously, they have read the book. The conversation afterwards goes something like this: "It was a great movie but the book was better!"
In my working on "reading more fun stuff" [kind of] and since C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia have been showing in the theatres, I've decided to read the books first, then see the movies...and not until. This Friday Prince Caspian debuts in the theatres here and I'm proud to say "I've read the book!" I'll now be able to fellowship with those who have done the same.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was my first. I'm so glad I've started this! It has opened another dimension of joy for me. And as I discover new things, I want to pass them along for those of you who may consider it for the first time. Others have done that for me...and I'm so indebted....
Blessings,
Mitch
Monday, May 05, 2008
What Time Teaches...(And God)
Those who have lived life a bit have discovered this adage: "Too soon old, too late wise" I've got to admit that this is true of me. This truth raises many questions in my mind, the most important one being: "Why does it have to be this way?"
As I read His Word, I realize that it doesn't! Our Father has offered to generously give us wisdom, promising not to make little of us for asking. He wants to see us succeed and is willing to give us information that can guarantee that outcome.
Oswald Chambers says that when there is a "break through" for us spiritually, two things happen. First of all, we are thrilled that we've experienced His activity in our lives. The other is, we are usually humiliated that we didn't "get there sooner" because we know there was some type of "clog" that prevented the progress [and it wasn't God's fault].
I told someone recently that God and His Word are the key to everything. Most would say: "Why of course He is...why state the obvious?" My question is, if we really believe that, then why do we find ourselves looking for answers in so many other places? I find it is entirely too easy for me to do this. I'm humiliated that I am "too soon old and too late wise".
In Psalm 119:127, 128 the Psalmist says: "...I love your commandments...more than anything; I acknowledge that all You say is not only right, but You have something to say about everything [and everything MEANS everything]. Consequently, I'm learning to hate every other voice or way, but Yours."(MWPV - Mitch White Paraphrase Version)
I'm a slow learner. But the way of wisdom, sooner, is before us. Let's take it...NOW!
"Headed North",
Mitch
As I read His Word, I realize that it doesn't! Our Father has offered to generously give us wisdom, promising not to make little of us for asking. He wants to see us succeed and is willing to give us information that can guarantee that outcome.
Oswald Chambers says that when there is a "break through" for us spiritually, two things happen. First of all, we are thrilled that we've experienced His activity in our lives. The other is, we are usually humiliated that we didn't "get there sooner" because we know there was some type of "clog" that prevented the progress [and it wasn't God's fault].
I told someone recently that God and His Word are the key to everything. Most would say: "Why of course He is...why state the obvious?" My question is, if we really believe that, then why do we find ourselves looking for answers in so many other places? I find it is entirely too easy for me to do this. I'm humiliated that I am "too soon old and too late wise".
In Psalm 119:127, 128 the Psalmist says: "...I love your commandments...more than anything; I acknowledge that all You say is not only right, but You have something to say about everything [and everything MEANS everything]. Consequently, I'm learning to hate every other voice or way, but Yours."(MWPV - Mitch White Paraphrase Version)
I'm a slow learner. But the way of wisdom, sooner, is before us. Let's take it...NOW!
"Headed North",
Mitch
Monday, April 28, 2008
His Word in Us...
"...Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
"In Humility," James says, "receive the word implanted...." Tracing the verse backwards, we see a divine progression:
The salvation of our souls
The word implanted
Our reception of that Word
Humility
Humility is what prepares the soil (heart / soul) to be receptive so that it desperately clings to the word that has been planted in it. Then in time, as with all good "seed" there comes germination, new life, luxurious growth and ultimately fruit and multiplied seed to be dispersed and the process begins again in others.
The Psalmist, through much dealings with God, reproofs and affliction realized that all of the difficulty was necessary for him to grow and change. In order for him to be genuinely affected by the Word, it was necessary that he be afflicted. He discovered that being humiliated and humbled, though painful, was well worth the price, for he says: "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your Word...it is good for me that I was afflicted...that I may learn...for the law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces." It seems that he's not only different in how he lives but his value system has been transformed.
So, to add to the progression in the first lines of this blog, we must add affliction, leading to humility, etc. So as the difficult things come, and they will, envision the Hand of our loving Father working and dealing bountifully with you for your good and His purposes. It'll make the "trip" much more bearable and maybe even comforting to know that Our Father not only loves us but is busy doing good things to benefit us... and others.
Blessings,
Mitch
"In Humility," James says, "receive the word implanted...." Tracing the verse backwards, we see a divine progression:
The salvation of our souls
The word implanted
Our reception of that Word
Humility
Humility is what prepares the soil (heart / soul) to be receptive so that it desperately clings to the word that has been planted in it. Then in time, as with all good "seed" there comes germination, new life, luxurious growth and ultimately fruit and multiplied seed to be dispersed and the process begins again in others.
The Psalmist, through much dealings with God, reproofs and affliction realized that all of the difficulty was necessary for him to grow and change. In order for him to be genuinely affected by the Word, it was necessary that he be afflicted. He discovered that being humiliated and humbled, though painful, was well worth the price, for he says: "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your Word...it is good for me that I was afflicted...that I may learn...for the law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces." It seems that he's not only different in how he lives but his value system has been transformed.
So, to add to the progression in the first lines of this blog, we must add affliction, leading to humility, etc. So as the difficult things come, and they will, envision the Hand of our loving Father working and dealing bountifully with you for your good and His purposes. It'll make the "trip" much more bearable and maybe even comforting to know that Our Father not only loves us but is busy doing good things to benefit us... and others.
Blessings,
Mitch
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wisdom...
Wisdom...is for all of us something we desperately need. The scripture tells us it is available in abundance from Our Father if we will simply ask in faith. It's hard to know which direction or what source this information may come from but be assured, if we ask, it will come and when it does, we'll know it is from Him!
I found a book titled "The Little Red Book of Wisdom" by Mark DeMoss. It is a small book with big benefits to anyone who will read it....practical advice for living that touches so many arenas we move in and out of. I commend it to you...it's a great read!
I'm always asking God for wisdom. I've found I have some preconceived ideas as to where it may come from. For me it showed up in a seemingly insignificant red book. I know if you'll ask, it will come "knocking on your door". Who knows how it will be "dressed" or what form it will take. But know it will be from Him, the faithful keeper of our soul. "...Wisdom...she cries out in the streets" The Psalmist
Be blessed this week. I am indebted to you all here at Fellowship.
Amazed,
Mitch
I found a book titled "The Little Red Book of Wisdom" by Mark DeMoss. It is a small book with big benefits to anyone who will read it....practical advice for living that touches so many arenas we move in and out of. I commend it to you...it's a great read!
I'm always asking God for wisdom. I've found I have some preconceived ideas as to where it may come from. For me it showed up in a seemingly insignificant red book. I know if you'll ask, it will come "knocking on your door". Who knows how it will be "dressed" or what form it will take. But know it will be from Him, the faithful keeper of our soul. "...Wisdom...she cries out in the streets" The Psalmist
Be blessed this week. I am indebted to you all here at Fellowship.
Amazed,
Mitch
Monday, April 14, 2008
I'm BACK!
Teresa and I are back from a week of vacation. We're always so thankful for the privilege and we enjoy these times of refreshment so much. Thanks to all who covered things in our absence.
While away, we purposed to have good rest and re-charge time and that always includes reading good books and reflecting on what God is saying. Our God is so faithful when He assures us that He will feed, satisfy and be the keeper of our soul. I'll be sharing with all some of the things that I've learned.
Trusting that your week will be a good one in every way.
Blessings,
Mitch
While away, we purposed to have good rest and re-charge time and that always includes reading good books and reflecting on what God is saying. Our God is so faithful when He assures us that He will feed, satisfy and be the keeper of our soul. I'll be sharing with all some of the things that I've learned.
Trusting that your week will be a good one in every way.
Blessings,
Mitch
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
He says, "Come"...
I have been profoundly moved by the number of times our Father, through the scriptures, invites us to "come" to Him. For every need, concern or perplexity, as you search the scriptures, you will soon find a word in His Word that invites you to come to Him and find the supply, consolation or answer that is needed.
Our problem usually lies in the fact the we so easily look in other directions, rather than to His Face for these resources and, to our shame, and without fail, we sooner or later come up short and are not only disappointed but in greater need than before.
I'm finding that one of the secrets of this Life with Him is to make up our minds that He will be the ONLY remedy that we'll seek, and that we'll wait, even if it hurts, and if the answer lingers, for Him and Him alone! A great preacher said it this way: "We need to make Him our first choice and not our last chance."
How many times I've found myself humiliated after all these years, that this is a lesson I am still learning...always needing to make Him my first choice...to be incorrigibly and stubbornly riveted to the Only One who can satisfy my soul.
"Come", He says...and "...at this Fountain, all you're longing for will be found" in great quantity and quality. Come and be blessed!
Amazed,
Mitch
Our problem usually lies in the fact the we so easily look in other directions, rather than to His Face for these resources and, to our shame, and without fail, we sooner or later come up short and are not only disappointed but in greater need than before.
I'm finding that one of the secrets of this Life with Him is to make up our minds that He will be the ONLY remedy that we'll seek, and that we'll wait, even if it hurts, and if the answer lingers, for Him and Him alone! A great preacher said it this way: "We need to make Him our first choice and not our last chance."
How many times I've found myself humiliated after all these years, that this is a lesson I am still learning...always needing to make Him my first choice...to be incorrigibly and stubbornly riveted to the Only One who can satisfy my soul.
"Come", He says...and "...at this Fountain, all you're longing for will be found" in great quantity and quality. Come and be blessed!
Amazed,
Mitch
Monday, March 24, 2008
Great Verses from our Great God!
I want to pass some verses along that I read just last week. The Word is so refreshing, so practical and timeless as it's applied to our contemporary lives. Read and be blessed...
If the Lord had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Thy lovingkindness, O Lord
will hold me up.
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Thy consolations delight my soul.
...The Lord has been my stronghold and my God, the rock of my refuge.
Yes...light is sown like seed for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
...The Lord will light my candle,
The Lord will enlighten my darkness.
So be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones;
And give thanks to His holy name.
Psalm 94:17-19, 22; Psalm 18:28; Psalm 97:11,12
May these Words of Life sustain you, feed your soul and cause you to stretch increasingly for the "much more" of God, no matter what.
Indebted,
Mitch
If the Lord had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Thy lovingkindness, O Lord
will hold me up.
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Thy consolations delight my soul.
...The Lord has been my stronghold and my God, the rock of my refuge.
Yes...light is sown like seed for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
...The Lord will light my candle,
The Lord will enlighten my darkness.
So be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones;
And give thanks to His holy name.
Psalm 94:17-19, 22; Psalm 18:28; Psalm 97:11,12
May these Words of Life sustain you, feed your soul and cause you to stretch increasingly for the "much more" of God, no matter what.
Indebted,
Mitch
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Extra!
Well, I bet you didn't expect to get two blogs this week! I had an extra moment and something I read has encouraged me and I wanted to pass it on to you.
I've been a Richard Halverson fan for years. He was chaplain of the U.S. Senate for quite some time. His devotional thoughts have touched me deeply. His life, though now in heaven, continues to influence many through his writings. Enjoy...
You go no place by accident. Wherever you go, Christ is sending you. You are no place by mistake. Wherever you are, Christ has placed you. You go nowhere by accident -- you are nowhere by accident. Wherever you go -- wherever you are—Christ is placing you or sending you, because Christ has a job He wants to do where you are and He can only do it in your body. Think -- wherever you are, Jesus Christ is literally present in the flesh. Believe that, and go in that confidence. In the words of a beloved devotional writer, Oswald Chambers: "Never allow the thought, 'I am of no use where I am.' You certainly are of no use where you are not." Richard C. Halverson
Blessed Easter to all of you...for the resurrection Life of Jesus in you is what makes these words reality and truth! Go! And be Him wherever you are.
Indebted,
Mitch
I've been a Richard Halverson fan for years. He was chaplain of the U.S. Senate for quite some time. His devotional thoughts have touched me deeply. His life, though now in heaven, continues to influence many through his writings. Enjoy...
You go no place by accident. Wherever you go, Christ is sending you. You are no place by mistake. Wherever you are, Christ has placed you. You go nowhere by accident -- you are nowhere by accident. Wherever you go -- wherever you are—Christ is placing you or sending you, because Christ has a job He wants to do where you are and He can only do it in your body. Think -- wherever you are, Jesus Christ is literally present in the flesh. Believe that, and go in that confidence. In the words of a beloved devotional writer, Oswald Chambers: "Never allow the thought, 'I am of no use where I am.' You certainly are of no use where you are not." Richard C. Halverson
Blessed Easter to all of you...for the resurrection Life of Jesus in you is what makes these words reality and truth! Go! And be Him wherever you are.
Indebted,
Mitch
Monday, March 17, 2008
Worship's Conclusion
Psalm 96:1-3, 7-9 says: "Sing to the Lord a new song...sing to Him and bless His name...proclaim good tidings of His salvation everyday...tell of His glory...and wonderful deeds; for great is the Lord and greatly to be praised....
So, ascribe to the Lord...glory and strength, give Him the glory due His name, bring an offering, come into His courts and worship Him in holy attire."
We've said that worship is not just what we do in church but especially what we do when we're not at church. More practical "things" than have been listed could be enumerated. I'm sure you have some, much better than have been listed these last weeks.
Probably one of the strongest motivators in giving ourselves to Him in worship is the deep seated realization that He (Jesus) gave himself to and for us. Knowing, in greater degrees, the great price that gave us our JOY, compels us to do the same. Maybe as we remember this week, the events of the days leading up to His crucifixion, burial and resurrection, He'll show us more of what it means to "give Him what he wants", for His purposes in worship, whether it is in church or "out there". He'll be pleased, we'll be blessed indeed, and the world around us will see Him (in us) more clearly...the authenticity they seem to be looking for.
"After" His Heart...
Mitch
Many of the thoughts in this series were prompted and adapted from "14 Ways to Worship with Your Life" by Laura MacCorkle in the publication Integrity Today. Thank you, Laura!
So, ascribe to the Lord...glory and strength, give Him the glory due His name, bring an offering, come into His courts and worship Him in holy attire."
We've said that worship is not just what we do in church but especially what we do when we're not at church. More practical "things" than have been listed could be enumerated. I'm sure you have some, much better than have been listed these last weeks.
Probably one of the strongest motivators in giving ourselves to Him in worship is the deep seated realization that He (Jesus) gave himself to and for us. Knowing, in greater degrees, the great price that gave us our JOY, compels us to do the same. Maybe as we remember this week, the events of the days leading up to His crucifixion, burial and resurrection, He'll show us more of what it means to "give Him what he wants", for His purposes in worship, whether it is in church or "out there". He'll be pleased, we'll be blessed indeed, and the world around us will see Him (in us) more clearly...the authenticity they seem to be looking for.
"After" His Heart...
Mitch
Many of the thoughts in this series were prompted and adapted from "14 Ways to Worship with Your Life" by Laura MacCorkle in the publication Integrity Today. Thank you, Laura!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Practical Worship Continues...
...Forget about the dust bunnies. Open up your home (Luke 10:38). It may seem like a no-brainer, but the simple act of opening up your home to others can be pleasing to the Lord. Whether you're living on the side of a cliff in a glass house or in a trailer park, your home can be used for God's glory. A comfy place to sit, a hot cup of coffee and meaningful conversation are all that's needed. One great man said that our three greatest ministry tools are the telephone, pen and paper (for note writing) and your dining room table...so...put out the welcome mat and see what He can do.
Take care of yourself (Romans 12:1). Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. And as a living sacrifice, it represents the totality of all that you are and do for the Lord. Do you treat it as you should? Or is your visible form merely a receptacle for the fast-food drive-thru, a pack of smokes and the effects of daily couch time? Take inventory and ask the Lord how to make your body a better home for His Spirit. We sing the song, ...come and make my heart Your home.... The physical container that is His dwelling place should represent Him well.
Drive the speed limit (Romans 13:1-5). How does one worship the Lord by keeping the speedometer in check? By submitting to an earthly authority and obeying its rules and regulations, we are submitting to God, our heavenly ruler who has established this system. Remember this the next time you're passing through a school speed zone when you're late for work.
Next week we'll recap and complete this series...we'll "see" you here next week.
Blessings,
Mitch
Take care of yourself (Romans 12:1). Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. And as a living sacrifice, it represents the totality of all that you are and do for the Lord. Do you treat it as you should? Or is your visible form merely a receptacle for the fast-food drive-thru, a pack of smokes and the effects of daily couch time? Take inventory and ask the Lord how to make your body a better home for His Spirit. We sing the song, ...come and make my heart Your home.... The physical container that is His dwelling place should represent Him well.
Drive the speed limit (Romans 13:1-5). How does one worship the Lord by keeping the speedometer in check? By submitting to an earthly authority and obeying its rules and regulations, we are submitting to God, our heavenly ruler who has established this system. Remember this the next time you're passing through a school speed zone when you're late for work.
Next week we'll recap and complete this series...we'll "see" you here next week.
Blessings,
Mitch
Monday, March 03, 2008
Worship...continued
Worship, ways it's practically lived out continues...
- Show your muscle. Help the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Do you know someone who is spiritually weaker than you? Come alongside your brother or sister in Christ and walk with them, as the Lord guides you in helping to strengthen their faith. Discipleship and mentoring opportunities abound for all ages and levels of spiritual maturity. Ask the Lord how you can help someone learn to lean more heavily on Him.
- Cut out the distractions. Turn off the tube (Philippians 4:8). We're talking radical. Go ahead and turn off your television for a day. A week. A month. A year! See if you're less distracted and more in tune with what the Lord is saying in your life. See if "miraculously" you have more time to meditate on God's Word and serve Him better.
- Give up the gossip (Proverbs 18:8). Sure, at first it seems fun to dish. There's laughter involved and you feel better about yourself when you magnify someone else's failures and foibles, right? WRONG.... What goes down smooth and tasty will later only promote dissension and damage your heart and mind. The next time you encounter a gossip circle or situation, try saying something nice about the person in question. Or better yet, be drastic and just walk away.
To be continued...
Indebted,
Mitch
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Worship...continued
Worship...not only what we do in church, but practically, a lifestyle lived out in the visible and secret place, the mundane and the siginificant, the seemingly trivial and the strategic.... We've mentioned:
- Love the unlovely
- Give God your firstfruits
- Pick up litter
- Be neighborly
- Say "please" and "thank you"
And today...
Invest yourself in something / someone that can't possibly "pay you back"! So many times without knowing it, we do what we do because of the kudos or perks that may come from our work and giving. God will always bless us for doing what is right. But I've discovered that many times the return anticipated will come from a totally different direction than expected. Giving gratuitously is a selfless evidence of God-life in you...and this authentic quality will be seen.
Be Stealthy. Give in secret (Matthew 6:1-4). Have you ever noticed how exciting it is to do something nice for someone anonymously? If you found your newspaper at your front door instead of all the way down at the end of the driveway, would you be upset? Or if your dinner bill was already covered when it came time to pay up, would you refuse such kindness? Your "giving in secret" opportunities are endless.
Try some of these on "for size" if you haven't already. You'll be amazed how satisfying and fulfilling it will be...to say nothing of how it will please the heart of God.
So Amazed...
Mitch
Monday, February 25, 2008
Worship, Continued...
Practical ways to live out a worshipful life.... The last post we mentioned:
- Love the unlovely
- Give God your firstfruits
This week:
Pick up litter (1 Peter 4:10). How many times do you pass the same crushed up Coke can that's been on the sidewalk for a week now? Trash pickup isn't listed as a specific spiritual gift per se, but perhaps lifting a hand, and a plastic baggy, to clean up the world around you is exactly what God is calling you to do.
Be neighborly. Borrow some sugar (Luke 10:25-37). As believers, everyone is our neighbor. But sometimes we forget that our neighbors are really our neighbors as described in Luke. Whether we live in a high-rise or on several country acres, we all have people who live next to us. Become a fisher of neighbors and extend your hand to them. Make them wonder why you should care. Now would be a great time to be cultivating your neighbors and invite them to church this Easter.
Say "please" and "thank you" (1 Peter 2:17). These three words do secure second glances these days. When you are polite to whom you are talking, people will notice. And hopefully they will be changed. Plus, since we are made in God's image, we are ultimately showing respect to our heavenly King. Remember that the next time you think a cashier is rude and not worthy.
To be continued...
Indebted,
Mitch
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Worship - More Than Music, continued
What are some other ways I can worship and let (as the contemporary song says) my "lifesong sing to Him"?
1. Love the unlovely (Leviticus 19:18). It is easy to love the people you like. But how about those you don't? Like the person who incessantly talks about themself. You don't want to hear another word about them! But like this person, YOU are someone else's "unlovely". Think about that the next time you are "assaulted" by an excessive talker. Try seeing and loving this person the way God sees and loves you.
2. Give God your first fruits (Proverbs 3:9). Whatever is precious to you right now in your life, try giving it to God and see what happens. Perhaps it's a chunk...or all of your bonus check from work. Maybe one of your first fruits is your time. Try giving your entire day off to the Lord. And, by the way, don't tell anyone you're doing it...make it one of those gifts to Him that is "given in secret that He can joyously reward you openly with!" Spend that time in prayer or reading the scripture. Maybe there are some long-promised items on your honey-do list....
...More to come....
Blessings,
Mitch
1. Love the unlovely (Leviticus 19:18). It is easy to love the people you like. But how about those you don't? Like the person who incessantly talks about themself. You don't want to hear another word about them! But like this person, YOU are someone else's "unlovely". Think about that the next time you are "assaulted" by an excessive talker. Try seeing and loving this person the way God sees and loves you.
2. Give God your first fruits (Proverbs 3:9). Whatever is precious to you right now in your life, try giving it to God and see what happens. Perhaps it's a chunk...or all of your bonus check from work. Maybe one of your first fruits is your time. Try giving your entire day off to the Lord. And, by the way, don't tell anyone you're doing it...make it one of those gifts to Him that is "given in secret that He can joyously reward you openly with!" Spend that time in prayer or reading the scripture. Maybe there are some long-promised items on your honey-do list....
...More to come....
Blessings,
Mitch
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Worship...More Than Just Music...
Recently I've been sharing brief thoughts on worship in our services. We've observed that great music doesn't necessarily mean great worship...that worship is not so much about art or being "state of the art" but rather a matter of the heart...and, it's not about us. Rather, it's all about Him. There are many how-to's of worship but if they are not rendered to the Lord in His designed way, we've missed it all.
We also remembered that worship transcends or goes beyond the music and how-to's and encompasses all of our life and lifestyle. If worship is giving God what He wants from us, then what He wants is not limited to what we do in a worship service at any given time but inclusive of everything from the "big" stuff down to brushing our teeth.
It's really easy to do the Sunday morning thing, but quite another to take it out of the church building and into our homes and culture. It's one thing to want our culture to come and participate with us...but the main focus is for us to go and penetrate our culture with the uniquenesses the Life Of God in us produces.
For the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be suggesting practical ways to worship with our life "out there" which should be a natural result of the Life and Grace we've been given. I hope you'll join me for the next few publications.
Amazed,
Mitch
We also remembered that worship transcends or goes beyond the music and how-to's and encompasses all of our life and lifestyle. If worship is giving God what He wants from us, then what He wants is not limited to what we do in a worship service at any given time but inclusive of everything from the "big" stuff down to brushing our teeth.
It's really easy to do the Sunday morning thing, but quite another to take it out of the church building and into our homes and culture. It's one thing to want our culture to come and participate with us...but the main focus is for us to go and penetrate our culture with the uniquenesses the Life Of God in us produces.
For the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be suggesting practical ways to worship with our life "out there" which should be a natural result of the Life and Grace we've been given. I hope you'll join me for the next few publications.
Amazed,
Mitch
Thursday, January 31, 2008
A Thought From The Psalmist...
Psalm 69:29-32 (New American Standard Bible)
29 ...I am afflicted and in pain; May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high. 30 I will praise the name of God with song, and magnify Him with thanksgiving. 31 It will please the LORD better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs. 32 The humble have seen it and are glad; you who seek God, let your heart revive.
I love this passage! Though struggling in the difficult things of life, he cries out to God, his creator and says: I'll praise your name, O God and magnify You with thanksgiving. The next thing he says is amazing. ...And it will please You.... It actually suggests that praising Him and magnifying Him with thanksgiving will bless Him more than any religious excercise we may engage in. ...The "sacrifice of praise...the fruit of lips giving thanks...especially when life is hard, blesses our Father's heart.
Father, help us all to give You the things You want most. For me, today, I will praise Your name and magnify You with thanksgiving. As a matter of fact, "seven times today, I will praise you."
Graced,
Mitch
29 ...I am afflicted and in pain; May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high. 30 I will praise the name of God with song, and magnify Him with thanksgiving. 31 It will please the LORD better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs. 32 The humble have seen it and are glad; you who seek God, let your heart revive.
I love this passage! Though struggling in the difficult things of life, he cries out to God, his creator and says: I'll praise your name, O God and magnify You with thanksgiving. The next thing he says is amazing. ...And it will please You.... It actually suggests that praising Him and magnifying Him with thanksgiving will bless Him more than any religious excercise we may engage in. ...The "sacrifice of praise...the fruit of lips giving thanks...especially when life is hard, blesses our Father's heart.
Father, help us all to give You the things You want most. For me, today, I will praise Your name and magnify You with thanksgiving. As a matter of fact, "seven times today, I will praise you."
Graced,
Mitch
Monday, January 28, 2008
Prayer...
A favorite book I frequently read from for devotional material is The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. With the recent emphasis at Fellowship on prayer, fasting and looking toward revival, this prayer from the collection was particularly poignant...thought I'd share it with you.
O Thou that hearest prayer,
Teach me to pray.
I confess that in religious exercises,
The language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed,
That I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue a name never pronounced above without reverence and humility,
That I have often desired things which would have injured me,
That I have depreciated some of my chief mercies,
That I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears,
That I am unfit to choose for myself,
For it is not in me to direct my steps.
Let thy Spirit help my infirmities,
For I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let Him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask right things,
Then I shall know thou hearest me.
May I never be importunate for temporal blessings,
But always for refer them to thy fatherly goodness,
For thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers,
Or that I am rich unless rich toward thee,
Or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised and have thy blessing,
Rather than be successful in enterprise,
Or have more than my heart can wish,
Or be admired by my fellow men,
If thereby these things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexation of spirit,
and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in thy favour, image, presence, service.
...Much to soak in and reflect on. Lord, teach us to pray....
Indebted,
Mitch
O Thou that hearest prayer,
Teach me to pray.
I confess that in religious exercises,
The language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed,
That I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue a name never pronounced above without reverence and humility,
That I have often desired things which would have injured me,
That I have depreciated some of my chief mercies,
That I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears,
That I am unfit to choose for myself,
For it is not in me to direct my steps.
Let thy Spirit help my infirmities,
For I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let Him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask right things,
Then I shall know thou hearest me.
May I never be importunate for temporal blessings,
But always for refer them to thy fatherly goodness,
For thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers,
Or that I am rich unless rich toward thee,
Or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I seek first thy kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised and have thy blessing,
Rather than be successful in enterprise,
Or have more than my heart can wish,
Or be admired by my fellow men,
If thereby these things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexation of spirit,
and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in thy favour, image, presence, service.
...Much to soak in and reflect on. Lord, teach us to pray....
Indebted,
Mitch
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Germination
Germination is an interesting process, containing both death and life. Like the new year, the old is cast aside and the new begins. ...Water, soil, and nutrients combined awakens the life inside the seed and the miraculous occurs. From the seed's point of view, germination is not a pleasant process but life is quickened, and penetrating the shell, it emerges.
This is so much like the Word of God. Jesus gave us the parable of the sower, seeds and soil. Without water though, germination is not possible. What the water is to the seed, the Spirit of God is to His Word. When the two come together in the human heart (Word and Spirit), a miracle happens...Life! Two forces cooperating in a willing human heart, predisposed by God to produce new Life, Christlikeness, a rebirth of the lost or compromised image of God.
The beautiful thing about this wondeful miracle is that it is not for just a few "special" people. It's for everyone who will let it happen in them. Our Father has no favorites. His promises are true and available to all who will hear and present themselves.
The Psalmist says, "O taste and see that the Lord is good!" When was the last time you sat down and supped (dined) with Him to rediscover the delicacies and wonders of His person, and experienced the miraculous transformation and new life that can come as you present your heart to His glorious forces? I highly recommend it. You can't go wrong, for the Psalmist says' "...In Thee...they trusted and were not disappointed."
Adapted from Ken Gire's book "The Reflective Life"
Blessings,
Mitch
This is so much like the Word of God. Jesus gave us the parable of the sower, seeds and soil. Without water though, germination is not possible. What the water is to the seed, the Spirit of God is to His Word. When the two come together in the human heart (Word and Spirit), a miracle happens...Life! Two forces cooperating in a willing human heart, predisposed by God to produce new Life, Christlikeness, a rebirth of the lost or compromised image of God.
The beautiful thing about this wondeful miracle is that it is not for just a few "special" people. It's for everyone who will let it happen in them. Our Father has no favorites. His promises are true and available to all who will hear and present themselves.
The Psalmist says, "O taste and see that the Lord is good!" When was the last time you sat down and supped (dined) with Him to rediscover the delicacies and wonders of His person, and experienced the miraculous transformation and new life that can come as you present your heart to His glorious forces? I highly recommend it. You can't go wrong, for the Psalmist says' "...In Thee...they trusted and were not disappointed."
Adapted from Ken Gire's book "The Reflective Life"
Blessings,
Mitch
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Busy?
Thought you'd be encouraged by these adapted and expanded thoughts from Ken Gire's book "The Reflective Life"....
Today, more than any time in history, the plates set before us are filled with all sorts of good things. Modes of transportation can take us anywhere we want to go (even off road). We have great books and mags (and now mobile DVD) to keep the ride from ever getting boring. We have sports, nice clothes to make us more attractive. We have TV, movies, the theater to entertain us, tools, electronic gadgets and computers to make us more efficient. Vacations, educational opportunities, social events, volunteer organizations, small group meetings and even church to make our lives richer...more meaningful...?
With all this filling our lives, why aren't we fulfilled? Maybe it's because life is like an all-you-can-eat buffet...it looks good going through the line, but when we're finished eating, everything has lost its taste...instead of feeling satisfied, we're bloated!
Sometimes less is more, and sometimes a few well-prepared servings are more satisfying, ones we have time to chew...savor. The scripture calls this supping. Enjoying a meal in small bites, savoring even the subtlest of spices and the flavor lingers long after we've finished (especially if it had lots of garlic in it... : ) Jesus did invite us to sup with Him....
We can't savor anything, if we're stuffed, if we're heaping serving after serving onto our schedule. What would happen if we put planned pauses into our lives enabling us to maximize the "servings" of our day...began to be more selective about what we add and remember, that at some point, when we add something, we have to take something away...always, "good" and "better" should give way to "best".
Let me encourage you to begin adjusting your "menu". You might find you're more "fit" to live the life God intended.
Indebted,
Mitch
Today, more than any time in history, the plates set before us are filled with all sorts of good things. Modes of transportation can take us anywhere we want to go (even off road). We have great books and mags (and now mobile DVD) to keep the ride from ever getting boring. We have sports, nice clothes to make us more attractive. We have TV, movies, the theater to entertain us, tools, electronic gadgets and computers to make us more efficient. Vacations, educational opportunities, social events, volunteer organizations, small group meetings and even church to make our lives richer...more meaningful...?
With all this filling our lives, why aren't we fulfilled? Maybe it's because life is like an all-you-can-eat buffet...it looks good going through the line, but when we're finished eating, everything has lost its taste...instead of feeling satisfied, we're bloated!
Sometimes less is more, and sometimes a few well-prepared servings are more satisfying, ones we have time to chew...savor. The scripture calls this supping. Enjoying a meal in small bites, savoring even the subtlest of spices and the flavor lingers long after we've finished (especially if it had lots of garlic in it... : ) Jesus did invite us to sup with Him....
We can't savor anything, if we're stuffed, if we're heaping serving after serving onto our schedule. What would happen if we put planned pauses into our lives enabling us to maximize the "servings" of our day...began to be more selective about what we add and remember, that at some point, when we add something, we have to take something away...always, "good" and "better" should give way to "best".
Let me encourage you to begin adjusting your "menu". You might find you're more "fit" to live the life God intended.
Indebted,
Mitch
Monday, January 14, 2008
Seeds...
God is always speaking, "planting seeds" and He uses all of life to do it. As a matter of fact life can be very eloquent...and when we least expect it. My prayer for us all is that we become attentive and sensitive to His voice. Solomon says it this way in Proverbs.
Wisdom shouts in the street,
She lifts her voice in the square;
At the head of the noisy streets she cries out.
At the entrance of the gates in the city, she utters her words. (Prov. 1:20-21)
Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?
On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
Beside the gates, at the opening to the city.
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out.
"To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.
O naive ones, discern prudence,
And, O fools, discern wisdom." (Prov. 8:1-5)
Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
For he who finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the Lord." (Prov. 8:34-35)
The voice of wisdom may call from anywhere. It calls us to a different way of living. In the Hebrew, the word for wisdom means the skill of living or as another writer says" "wisdom is the information that makes life work...sucessful...effective. Oh that we all might cultivate the ability to see and hear wisdom displayed before us..."Open the eyes of my heart, Lord...I want to see YOU!"
Indebted,
Mitch
Wisdom shouts in the street,
She lifts her voice in the square;
At the head of the noisy streets she cries out.
At the entrance of the gates in the city, she utters her words. (Prov. 1:20-21)
Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?
On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
Beside the gates, at the opening to the city.
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out.
"To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.
O naive ones, discern prudence,
And, O fools, discern wisdom." (Prov. 8:1-5)
Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
For he who finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the Lord." (Prov. 8:34-35)
The voice of wisdom may call from anywhere. It calls us to a different way of living. In the Hebrew, the word for wisdom means the skill of living or as another writer says" "wisdom is the information that makes life work...sucessful...effective. Oh that we all might cultivate the ability to see and hear wisdom displayed before us..."Open the eyes of my heart, Lord...I want to see YOU!"
Indebted,
Mitch
Monday, January 07, 2008
A Great Passage for the Week
Soak in these healing and replenishing words from His Word...be blessed.
I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.
Thou wilt make known to me the path of life;
In Thy presence is fulness of joy;
In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.
(Psalm 16:7-11)
Great week to you all!
Full to Overflowing,
Mitch
I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.
Thou wilt make known to me the path of life;
In Thy presence is fulness of joy;
In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.
(Psalm 16:7-11)
Great week to you all!
Full to Overflowing,
Mitch
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Great Perspective for the New Year
I found these thoughts in the writings of Mother Teresa. I've decided to keep them visible to me as a constant reminder in '08.
People are often unreasonable and self-centered - FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives - BE KIND ANYWAY.
If you are honest, people may cheat you - BE HONEST ANYWAY.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous - BE HAPPY ANYWAY.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow - DO GOOD ANYWAY.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough - GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. IT NEVER WAS BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY. Mother Teresa
Happy, blessed and prosperous New Year!
Mitch
People are often unreasonable and self-centered - FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives - BE KIND ANYWAY.
If you are honest, people may cheat you - BE HONEST ANYWAY.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous - BE HAPPY ANYWAY.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow - DO GOOD ANYWAY.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough - GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. IT NEVER WAS BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY. Mother Teresa
Happy, blessed and prosperous New Year!
Mitch
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