tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63311861695658474822024-02-19T18:39:48.368-08:00IT'S YOUR CALLINGMOVING FROM THE ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY LIFE IN CHRIST JESUSJohn Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-77873631804408082202020-07-13T13:19:00.000-07:002020-07-13T13:19:51.797-07:00Created uniquely in God’s image<h2><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ_3rAus9VaGzM5KdwVA5kYr_9APKzwv7AbxvEZjPEdM8o4U3QsqWqK1jWpIzIXI6Mz7WqLskFUTxEoZPiQIPzZ5-IAhGQkYAkRDNkXarXXzUs3i0i-egXqsIaTxDw02cD3kxBdHvvHc/s3612/IMG_1471.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="3612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ_3rAus9VaGzM5KdwVA5kYr_9APKzwv7AbxvEZjPEdM8o4U3QsqWqK1jWpIzIXI6Mz7WqLskFUTxEoZPiQIPzZ5-IAhGQkYAkRDNkXarXXzUs3i0i-egXqsIaTxDw02cD3kxBdHvvHc/s320/IMG_1471.HEIC" width="320" /></a></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px;">In the beginning God created mankind in his own image. In the image of God, He created them male and female. Genesis 12:26</span></h2><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">All men and women are created in God’s image! Whether black, brown, red or white, we are all created in His image. And we are all created uniquely, designed for His purpose. No one is better than the other and we are loved equally by God. Just like children are different in every family, we all are different with unique skills and abilities and opportunities to do what we were created to do. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In 1 Corinthians 12 we are reminded that in the body of Christ there are many parts, toes, hands and eyes etc. All are needed and valuable in God’s world and none are more significant than the other. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Our sin comes when we start comparing ourselves to others. It is only natural to compare but when we measure our lives against others, we can sin in one of two ways. We can become prideful and feel superior like the righteous brother of the prodigal son, or we may become envious of others and feel cheated or a victim of unfairness. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In Galatians 5:25-26 we read “Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.” The Message translation. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I was perplexed at first when I was told by some of my black friends that we weren’t supposed to be “color blind”. I had been told most of my life that to be “color blind” to all races was the goal. Over time I began to understand their viewpoint. The goal is not to ignore differences but to acknowledge and celebrate our uniqueness. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Galatians 5:26 addresses this issue. We should realize there are differences in all of us and it is not a sin to recognize those differences. Differences are actually what make the world interesting. Ethnic differences extend way beyond the color of our skin, to cultural and values. I’ve been all over the world and enjoyed the unique cultures. One way to help you better understand this biblical truth is to take a mission trip to another country and work along side of the people in that country. Get to know them and experience their culture first hand. It is especially refreshing to experience the different culture but discover how bonded you are by the same biblical values. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Our struggle is how to live out of God’s reality that we are all created uniquely and different but no one more significant, while living in a world that constantly evaluates people and every action. We live in a world that loves to compete, and compare, reward or shame. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Perhaps the best way to fight our urge to compare is to not focus on our shortcomings, hardships and insecurities, but instead count our many blessings and focus on and be thankful for life itself and for what God has done for us individually.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Beyond our blessings of eternal life and a relationship with Jesus, we should also thank God every day for living in the greatest time in all of history, with the greatest opportunities, the most resources, food, tools, digital gadgets at our fingertips to make our lives safer, easier and more convenient. We can travel all over the world quickly and relatively cheap, communicate with anyone anywhere at anytime. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yes, and if you live in the United States, no matter your race or financial status, consider yourself privileged! We have more opportunities and freedoms to be successful than any country in the history of the world. Even if you are in the lowest income bracket, consider yourself fortunate because you could have lived in Europe in the 14th century during the Black Death or Bubonic plagues or any other country or time in history. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19.1px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In Christ, we are created with unique gifts to do amazing things and because we live in America in the 21 century, we have all the opportunities and everything we need at our disposal to accomplish God’s unique calling given to each of us. Let us focus on how we can best use our gifts to love God and love others. </p><div><br /></div><p style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13.1px;"><br /></p>John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-14686283907728641372018-12-07T13:11:00.000-08:002018-12-07T13:47:57.095-08:00Rare LeadershipA pastor recently recommended a book to me in passing, <b>Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits For Increasing Trust, Joy and Engagement in the People</b> <b>You Lead</b>, by Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder. I cannot remember a book in which I resonated with more and one that I have actually applied to situations in my life. It's as if God provided me with a special tool that fit just the occasion at just the right time.<br />
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In Rare Leadership, the authors Dr. Marcus Warner, a pastor, and Dr. Jim Wilder, a Neurotheologian who has studied and taught on brain science, share through stories, examples and looking at brain science, how to lead well. What I liked about it was that I received from both scripture and science not only important information but also very practical ideas on how to lead effectively.<br />
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Warner and Wilder contrast left brain leadership with right brain leadership and explain why leading from the right brain (relational) instead of managing from the left brain is so critical. The authors observe that leaders are usually hired solely on their skills and intellectual IQ. Seldom do employers and leaders take into account a person's emotional IQ (maturity) and people skills. And most leaders default to a very task-oriented, management style, motivating those under them through fear and control. But <i>rare leadership</i> sets a priority in being a healthy, emotionally mature person and is concerned more about who you are and not just what you do.<br />
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The authors describe four uncommon habits that define a <i>rare leader </i>as they lead their team, company, church or family: 1) To remain relational, 2) to act like your best self, 3) to return to joy, 4) and to endure hardship.<br />
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The book explains that through the study of Scripture and brain science, that joy, that feeling of well-being in the deepest part of our soul is what we most desire. Wilder explains that the brain is a joy-seeking machine, seeking joy above every other human experience. And joy is experienced primarily through relationships.<br />
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Leaders with emotional intelligence and relational skills always create joy around them. And the leadership that neglects joy rapidly becomes management instead of leadership. When we lead from joy, our relationships are bigger than the problems we face. Employees and team members work better when there is an atmosphere of joy in the workplace. You'll create a joyful workplace when there is a clear group identity, an awareness, and understanding of the purpose of the group, and a caring for each individual. This applies not only to businesses and churches but families as well. When a family lives in joy and the parents lead with joy, children grow up healthier, knowing their purpose in life, understanding who they are (identity), and that they are loved and appreciated for who they are.<br />
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The book makes note that we will never be able to avoid difficulties and pain. Leading requires us to work through trials, but in those times of trouble, stress, and conflict, <i>rare leaders</i> will always give the relationship priority over the problem. They will act like their best self in the middle of the problem (not blowing up with anger or melting down emotionally), and return to joy in spite of the pain and suffering. Rare leaders operate with greater love, peace, patience, and self-control and those under their leadership appreciate them more and respond better to their leadership.<br />
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I can look back over my 40 years of ministry experience in two churches and clearly see the times when pastors and administrators led from a left-brain management style and the times when we were led from a right-brain relational style. The years where I really enjoyed my work, and there was a great sense of joy in the ministry team, and the church, in general, were times when I had relational leaders. The difference in the amount of joy was remarkable.<br />
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In the middle of reading this book, a college student called to ask my advice. This young man is an incredibly talented and dedicated Christian who is on his church's college leadership team. He explained to me that he was having difficulty with the person who is in charge of leading their college ministry. He went on to say that the college minister was greatly admired for his great preaching but his leadership of the students was severely lacking. He said that in the two years under the ministry of the college minister, he had never met with him one on one. In fact, few of the men or women on their leadership team had ever met with this minister. They had leadership meetings once a week, but the college minister never attended, only the interns. No one knew him at all. My friend wanted to meet with and address this with the college minister and asked my advice on how to broach the subject with his leader. He said that it was his desire not to admonish him but to learn as much as he could from the college minister and he couldn't without getting to know him.<br />
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My mind went to the book and I recall thinking, my this could have been an illustration right out of the book. My friend really gets it and the college minister seems to need some encouragement to lead better through relationships. I shared some of the points in the book with my college friend and suggested that he read the book before they met and perhaps refer it to his college minister also. <br />
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When I saw him recently I asked how his meeting went with his college minister. He said it actually went well and the college minister seemed to take his concerns seriously. He said a few days after the meeting the college minister emailed all of the leaders and invited them all to his house for a fellowship. I gave my friend a high five. The conversation that my friend had with his college minister just may have changed the whole course of this man's ministry.<br />
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Perhaps this book will change the way you lead also. Check it out. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rare-Leadership-Uncommon-Increasing-Engagement-ebook/dp/B017AQVQFE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544215504&sr=8-1&keywords=rare+leadership+by+marcus+warner+and+jim+wilder" target="_blank">Rare Leadership</a><br />
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<br />John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-73862335143415945472018-04-25T09:09:00.001-07:002018-08-03T08:17:53.909-07:00The Greatest Gift<div style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;">For it is grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s masterpiece, created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to d</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">o. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">This past week I was preparing a sermon and I was trying to think of a way to illustrate God’s wonderful gifts we find in this incredible passage. In my office I glanced up and saw a nesting doll that I had bought for my wife during a trip to Russia. This is a hand painted figurine of Vince Young of the Texas Longhorns. And he comes apart and inside is another player, Jaamal Charles and in that doll is another player, etc. I was shocked that I would find a Texas Longhorns doll in Russia!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">It suddenly occurred to me that the nesting doll is a great illustration of God’s gifting as illustrated in the scripture passage. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">Eph. 2:8 tells of God’s greatest gift; </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: Arial-BoldMT; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">salvation</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">, a relationship with Jesus for eternity.</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial-bolditalicmt"; font-size: 14.00pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: Arial-ItalicMT; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial-bolditalicmt"; font-size: 14.00pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">not by works,</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">There is so much to this relationship and when we open the gift of salvation, we find another gift, that of </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: Arial-BoldMT; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">identity</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial-bolditalicmt"; font-size: 14.00pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">(For we are God’s masterpiece). </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">When we understand that </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: Arial-BoldMT; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">“it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me,” </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">and live from that new identity, we soon discover the gift of</span><span style="font-family: "arial-bolditalicmt"; font-size: 14.00pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> purpose (created in Christ Jesus to do good works). </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "arial-bolditalicmt"; font-size: 14.00pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">now know my purpose comes from God and why I was put on this earth. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">As I live from my purpose, I discover my </span><span style="font-family: "arial-bolditalicmt"; font-size: 14.00pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">calling</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">, the way I fulfill my purpose (</span><span style="font-family: "arial-bolditalicmt"; font-size: 14.00pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">which God prepared in advance for us to do).</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">As I live out my calling, I discover my unique </span><span style="font-family: "arial-bolditalicmt"; font-size: 14.00pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">spiritual gifts </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">that help me do what God has called me to do. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">Just like the nesting doll, within each gift is another gift. But we must open each gift and apply it in order to realize the next gift. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">So often we receive the gift of salvation and never exercise the faith to realize the riches in Christ that come with salvation. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">Many search for an identity other than Christ and live for self rather than from their created purpose and never discover their calling or utilize their spiritual gifts. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus said I have come to give you the abundant life and we can realize life to the fullest when we open each gift given to us. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">Who, Why and How </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">Identity: Who we are</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">Purpose: Why we are here </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14pt;">Calling: How we fulfill our purpose</span></div>
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-64786033511610766632017-12-06T07:50:00.000-08:002017-12-06T07:54:41.936-08:00Keys To The Abundant Life<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSqRVl8iH0IVH9hCP4q18zVwRvUC6gy9dku-ZI5qRVYh_dC-7Raej54BwO53akWUiMnY1NeRSXkECSH-w4y_-z2uTQ_fAw5vH35p3N47vbMkAs4LkSuLd5EsIgcuQqf731peRdycOpsM/s1600/IMG_5562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSqRVl8iH0IVH9hCP4q18zVwRvUC6gy9dku-ZI5qRVYh_dC-7Raej54BwO53akWUiMnY1NeRSXkECSH-w4y_-z2uTQ_fAw5vH35p3N47vbMkAs4LkSuLd5EsIgcuQqf731peRdycOpsM/s320/IMG_5562.jpg" width="261" /></a>I recently had the opportunity to teach a large singles class at Hill Country Bible Church for three weeks and the topic was the abundant life. I explained how Jesus told us in John 10:10 that he had come to give us the abundant life, life to the fullest. So we talked about what this life was here on earth and and what it wasn’t. We discussed whether or not we personally had experienced the abundant life and whether you could say that God had done more in your life than you could have asked or imagined (Eph. 3:20). Or, had you felt that life had never met your expectations.</div>
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I asked the singles to help me come up with a list of the characteristics of the abundant life we experience while we are living. And through our discussions, these are the characteristics mentioned:</div>
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<li>Purpose and meaning</li>
<li>Gifts of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control</li>
<li>Receiving and giving Forgiveness</li>
<li>A new perspective of living for God and not self</li>
<li>Contentment</li>
<li>Power to overcome sin</li>
<li>Hope</li>
<li>Healthy Relationships with others</li>
<li>Grace-filled life</li>
<li>Healing</li>
<li>Generosity</li>
<li>Security and freedom (Bible is our road map and the Holy Spirit our guide)</li>
</ul>
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And a few things that the abundant life is not:</div>
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<li>Material things, prosperity</li>
<li>Status and power</li>
<li>The American dream</li>
<li>Life free of trouble</li>
<li>A perfect spouse. </li>
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We also talked about obstacles that prevent us from experiencing the abundant life and decided the four most important were:</div>
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<li>Disconnection from the vine John 15</li>
<li>Faulty Expectations</li>
<li>Living outside the boundaries God established (Seven deadly sins)</li>
<li>Living from fear instead of faith </li>
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We discussed how sad it is that some Christians never realize the life God would have them live. And yet many have experienced this life, whether for a moment in time or for long extended periods. And those times when we experience the full life are when we choose to die to self and walk through the doors of faith. God gives us opportunities and choice. But to experience the abundant life we have to say yes to God often. This usually takes risk and lots of faith and trust in Him. Those choices are not always the most logical ones and most of the time they require us to move from the security and safety of our comfort zone and to make changes in our lives. When we live from the purpose he called us to live, with passion from the unique talents He has given us, to love and impact others, we can and will experience this abundant life!</div>
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Keys to experiencing more of the abundant life:</div>
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<li>Stay connected to the vine. Prayer and reading the Bible</li>
<li>Stay within God’s boundaries </li>
<li>Dream God-size dreams that require risk and stepping out of your comfort and security zone</li>
<li>Say yes to God often when He presents you with opportunities</li>
<li>Choose people to join you on the journey who will encourage, direct and help you. You can’t do anything great by yourself! </li>
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-37607315164193383132017-08-07T10:51:00.000-07:002017-08-07T11:04:50.076-07:00How to choose the right path<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>“This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16 </i><br />
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Life pretty much consists of thousands of decisions, from the routine such as when to get up in the morning to the paramount like choosing your friends or picking a career. We often stand at the crossroads and must discern between right and wrong, good and evil, the godly way or the unrighteousness path. The choice we make can determine the course of our life.<br />
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Sometimes the choices are clear but more often than not, we can't see where the paths lead. Most of the time there are multiple paths, so many that we get overwhelmed and confused. And just like in a good detective movie or Sherlock Holmes story, there are obstacles and unseen impediments that muddy the waters and make the best choice unclear. So we must use our analytical skills to determine what is the best path to travel.<br />
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This verse in Jeremiah tells us to choose the ancient paths, the roads marked by the timeless truths given to us by God from the beginning of time. But the culture we live in is constantly challenging that ancient path, enticing us to take the newer, shinier, fancier road. It promises that this path is designed just for you, the one that will lead to happiness and success. But the end is always destruction. As Jesus says the thief comes to kill, still and destroy, but I have come to give you life, abundant life. John 10:10.<br />
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The ancient path is the road that leads to a full life. Yet, how does a person know which path to take when there is no sign declaring "God's path"? How do you choose the rocky, steep “old" trail when there is an alternate newer, smooth road beside it with a neon sign proclaiming "the road to happiness"?<br />
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Every believer struggles with discernment and the prince of this world's goal is to deceive us and keep us from taking the right path. But God has not left us defenseless to make the correct choice. He has provided every believer with a road map and the power to make right decisions. 1 Corinthians 16:13 tells us to "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love."<br />
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So when making a crucial decision, you can be confident of making a wise choice if you:<br />
* Be on your guard. Be aware of the deception of this world. Don’t be tempted to take the “in” path. <br />
* Stand firm in your faith. Choose the ancient path, the one that most aligns with your Christian values and principles. <br />
* Get on your knees. Communicate with God asking him to give you wisdom to make the right choice. He has given you the Holy Spirit which helps you make the wise decision. <br />
* Read the Word. The Bible is how God communicates with us. His Word is the road map to making the right choices that lead to an eternally abundant life. Become familiar and follow the road map!<br />
* Go to the wise. Discernment is better caught than taught. Seek counsel from experienced men and women of faith and follow their advice.<br />
* Be courageous and strong. Taking the ancient path instead of the socially popular choice takes courage. <br />
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What if I make a wrong choice? We all make bad decisions from time to time and oftentimes we will suffer the consequences. However, for the child of God there is no decision that will prevent you from being in God’s will. We think that if we venture off God’s path by making the wrong choice we are doomed to forever trying to find our way back to God’s will for our lives. But because of the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice, we don’t have to go searching for his will. Jesus plants the ancient path right in front of us, every time that we have strayed far from that path. He moves it so that our next step, our next decision, can be made to follow Him and that is God’s will. <br />
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So when making a choice, choose the ancient path and don’t look back. Know that God will be with you even if you should choose unwisely. And when you do make choices, do everything in love. John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-76534446834062505342017-07-29T09:11:00.003-07:002017-07-29T09:45:50.979-07:00Who are you in 25 words or less?<br />
Ask that question to someone today and see if they can answer. I’d bet most people couldn’t do it in 25 words. Can you? If you are a follower of Christ, you should be able to answer that question and the answer should include your purpose for living.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNQCh33dDB6dXhMvsHjX2J0a_j3hbpRKQhXCiZkh97-_KYg63W2V-nP65CcfOJWJkk8vpJdFGKEkdenHP9dxCmlsIO7ts-AXxms34do22vmvWi2lVPfCm_jfVjD2PYyVx8PWWEaGszhI/s1600/IMAGE_80C70846-6760-46AD-B16C-66698AA3B54F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNQCh33dDB6dXhMvsHjX2J0a_j3hbpRKQhXCiZkh97-_KYg63W2V-nP65CcfOJWJkk8vpJdFGKEkdenHP9dxCmlsIO7ts-AXxms34do22vmvWi2lVPfCm_jfVjD2PYyVx8PWWEaGszhI/s320/IMAGE_80C70846-6760-46AD-B16C-66698AA3B54F.JPG" width="320" /></a>Baylor’s new head football coach, <a href="http://footballscoop.com/news/every-one-players-wake-morning-think-one-thing/" target="_blank">Matt Rhule was asked at a conference recently</a>, “If you could have every one of your players wake up in the morning and think of one thing, what would it be?” He answered. "I think the biggest thing that I want to talk to our players about all the time, if I can get them to think about, is ‘Who am I? And what’s my purpose?”<br />
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Knowing your purpose and living from it is a crucial element to experiencing the abundant life that Jesus said he came to give us. But we often confuse our purpose with our passion. Coach Rhule explained it this way. <i>“My purpose in life is not to be a football coach. That’s my passion. I love it. I would do this, but I would do this for free. My purpose in life is to minister to kids, that’s what God put me on this Earth to do, is to work with young people. My passion is to do it through football. And our kids sometimes think that their purpose is to play football. No – it’s their passion. What their purpose is, is to be wonderful fathers, and sons, and people to grow in their walk with the Lord.” </i><br />
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Most people when asked “who are you?” answer by describing their job, what they do for a living and perhaps their marital status and family. It’s interesting what defines us. But the greatest thing that should truly define a person is the answer to the question, why am I here on this earth? What is my purpose for being?<br />
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If you are on Facebook or LinkedIn, you have an area where you can describe yourself in your profile. On Facebook you are allowed only to use 100 characters in the initial intro to describe yourself. Here is a great place to state your purpose but it is difficult to get into 100 characters. <br />
The point though is to describe yourself with a purpose statement and make it short enough where you can remember it, share it and live from it.<br />
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As a follower of Christ, my purpose comes from my relationship with Jesus. My passion is how I live out that purpose. When you get to serve in an area of passion, and fulfill your purpose through your passion, you will experience the abundant life Jesus said he came to give us. Know your purpose and live it out through your passion!<br />
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Here are links to other blogs I posted about purpose and calling.<br />
<a href="http://itisyourcalling.blogspot.com/search?q=The+power+of+purpose" target="_blank">The Power of Purpose talks about how purpose determines our path in life</a><br />
<a href="http://itisyourcalling.blogspot.com/search?q=City+Slickers" target="_blank">Find Your One Thing talks about God's purpose for the Jews during Moses' time</a><br />
<a href="http://itisyourcalling.blogspot.com/2011/11/most-important-thing.html" target="_blank">The Most Important Thing talks about what is really important in our lives</a><br />
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<br />John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-45459871317032161352017-07-04T08:35:00.000-07:002017-07-06T14:36:39.320-07:00Abundant Life or Redundant Life, your choice<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey on the left, Brandon in the middle and team Heart of Texas</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus said as recorded in John 10:10 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This verse came to my mind while reading the testimony of Joey Kelly. Joey is my wife’s stepbrother’s son. He posted his incredible story on Facebook recently to expound on a story alluded to on the NBC show <span style="font-weight: bold;">Spartan: The Ultimate Team Challenge.</span> Joey is competing with his adopted brother/cousin, Brandon, in the competition which is aired on Monday nights. Joey’s sister Ally won the American Gladiator competition several years ago, and turned that into a successful business, Camp Gladiator. So this is a very athletic, physically fit family, made for a team competition like the Spartan team challenge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During their team’s introduction, the show makes a brief statement that Brandon lost his mother and brother in a fire when he was a teenager. Well that wasn’t totally true and it's hardly the whole story. His mother and brother were killed by his father, John Brickley with a butcher knife and his father set the house on fire to cover up the crime, setting himself on fire in the process. Joey, age12, at the time was there at the house, spending the night with his cousin Mikey when the attack occurred. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is a miraculous story of how Joey avoided death but also overcame years of pain, heartache, and psychological affliction dealing with the nightmarish experience in which he witnessed his cousin stabbed to death and survived an attack. It beautifully illustrates Jesus' statement in John 10:10.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joey decided to tell the whole story and he has written beautifully on Facebook about what actually happened and how his faith in Christ saved his life. He writes in detail how his cousin Mikey died and how close he was to dying also. Joey said he watched as the father stabbed Mikey and he couldn’t move. He wanted to save Mikey but perhaps something held him back because he would have probably been killed also if he had tried to rescue Mikey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joey wrote, <span style="font-style: italic;">I couldn’t and didn’t move even as John, the father, got up and slowly walked over to me. He slammed me against the wall and I vividly remember thinking “I’m about to die...this is how I’m gonna die.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I closed my eyes and had my arms up in front of my chest like I was trying to curl up into a ball. This was ridiculously divine as John attempted to stab me in the chest, but accidentally stabbed me through my arm and the knife just barely scratched my chest right over my heart. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not only was I thinking about how I was about to die, I remember a feeling of complete acceptance of that notion and I gave up even attempting to survive. A grown man had me pinned against the wall and had a knife in me. I just wanted to die quickly. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;">He took the knife out and tried to stab me again. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;">God intervened on my behalf. This is really hard for me to explain, but it’s true. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;">I blinked...and I was gone. I was about 10 feet away from John. I remember opening my eyes and thinking “how did I get over here?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know it sounds crazy, but God pushed me out of the way or something...whatever it was, I know with everything in me that it was a miracle. There is absolutely no way I should be alive today. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He chased me downstairs and we went around the bottom floor for a while. It’s hard to judge time in that situation. I don’t know if that went on for 5 minutes or 30 minutes, but I do remember thinking I might bleed to death. I did a lot of begging for my life and he never said anything. He was determined to kill me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, I heard him go back upstairs and felt it was my chance to make a break for it. I escaped to the neighbors, told them what happened, and they called the police. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few minutes later, the house went up in flames. John accidentally lit himself on fire too and was rolling around in the front yard. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In no time police and fire trucks were there, followed by my parents. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;">That is the true, full story. Phyllis and Mikey were stabbed to death, and then burned. I’m also a victim of domestic violence and by God’s grace had my life saved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joey goes on to tell how he grew up in a Christian home and gave his life to Christ at the age of 7 but the tragedy pushed him away from God, not understanding why God would allow this to happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He writes in his story, <span style="font-style: italic;">In high school, I was also holding on to that bitterness towards God. Considering what I had been through, I felt that I had the right to act out...to go “crazy”...so I did just that. My senior year especially, I chased anything and everything but God. Partying, girls, popularity, etc. I was living life for me and lost sight of my identity in Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those were the problems on the surface. Along the way I battled a slew of issues...depression, post-traumatic stress, survivor’s guilt, guilt that I didn’t try to save Mikey, and unforgiveness towards my uncle. I chased all of those shallow things to distract me from dealing with all of those issues and to fill the void of not living for God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At that point, the thief was winning the battle. Satan had stolen whatever abundant life Joey had, but the story didn’t end there. Satan would not be victorious over Joey or Brandon. Joey's turning point was early on in his freshman year in college. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I was attending Grace Bible Church and I can’t even remember the message, but it hit me like a ton of bricks that God had saved my life for a reason and that for the most part, I had been wasting my second chance by living for myself. God wanted me to live for him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joey sought Christian counseling, getting the help he needed to deal with all of the trauma, pain and guilt and turn his life around. He started putting his life and faith in Christ, trusting Him, walking with Him on a daily basis, and began to heal. He is now experiencing the true abundant life, fully alive, living for God and sharing his story so that others might choose the abundant life over the redundant life. He explains it this way in his post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Chasing things outside of what God had for me was pretty much always fun in the moment, but always left me feeling empty and unsatisfied. In a weird way, I’m glad I experienced a lot of earthly pleasures, because now I know for sure that </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">nothing compares </span><span style="font-style: italic;">to living for the Lord. Ever since turning my life around, I’ve never experienced so much joy and satisfaction. Life is meant to be about loving and serving God and people. I have never looked back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The apostle Paul wrote similar words in Philippians 3:8 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul too contrasted life before Christ with that after his encounter with Christ, and like Joey, expresses that there is no comparison. His other life, of self-righteousness, power and prestige was “dung” when compared to what he is now experiencing. And Paul is writing from a prison cell! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many Christians today either take for granted the “riches in Christ” they have or just never access them. As Paul says, they are <span style="font-weight: bold;">unfathomable</span>, deeper and far greater than we can imagine. Many of those riches can be quantified, and they include purpose, direction, identity, freedom, hope, wise counsel, love, forgiveness, security, comfort, spiritual gifts and the ability to love and forgive. Joey received every one of these as he began to wade into that relationship with Jesus. And the deeper he waded in, the more of the blessings he received. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joey's cousin and adopted brother Brandon’s story is just as compelling. Brandon was asleep at his dad’s apartment when all this occurred. He was awakened early in the morning by the police and his uncle Neal to be told that his mother and brother had been killed and his father seriously burned in a fire. Brandon seemed to make the transition to his new family (he was adopted after the tragedy by Joey's family), without the rebellion and depression. His faith and walk with Jesus was strong and helped him overcome the grief and pain. Brandon served several years on the mission field and has shared his heart-rending story of overcoming tragedy and evil to many around the world to bring them to Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of the blessings of an abundant life and more are available to all Christians. But the interesting thing is we cannot realize the abundant life by pursuing the blessings. The only way we can realize this amazing life is if we pursue the Blessed One, Jesus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Actually, the relationship with Jesus is the greatest blessing. As Max Lucado so eloquently wrote, <span style="font-style: italic;">the cache of faith is Christ! Fellowship with him…walking with him…pondering him. The heart-stopping realization that in Christ you are part of something endless, unstoppable, unfathomable! And that he, who can dig the Grand Canyon with his pinkie, thinks you’re worth his death on Roman cross! </span> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Jesus Christ is the reward of Christianity!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s your choice, though. Abundant life or a redundant life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Read <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/joey-kelly/my-story-and-testimony/10155466531369669/" target="_blank">Joey’s full Facebook story here.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joey and Brandon’s team, Heart of Texas, won their first challenge and will compete again Monday, July 10 at 9:00 pm on NBC.</span></div>
John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-15041013360522900222017-06-12T10:30:00.004-07:002017-06-12T10:30:36.504-07:00A new low on violating religious freedom in the USA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmfuVg7yszi4d90TJ_rwUiAH6HfS_Q1JQ-YglU0kBupAdg38lsWt0kUo_hTeQ4x1tx54V7qvOrmIideGoIrmMKs-sa5eTjNQ2xn_M86mQ82FqIkU3Zfi589iCTq4i0JX7pmbZZsKrK2s/s1600/american-flag-514662_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmfuVg7yszi4d90TJ_rwUiAH6HfS_Q1JQ-YglU0kBupAdg38lsWt0kUo_hTeQ4x1tx54V7qvOrmIideGoIrmMKs-sa5eTjNQ2xn_M86mQ82FqIkU3Zfi589iCTq4i0JX7pmbZZsKrK2s/s320/american-flag-514662_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I read in dismay this past week about a powerful senator indicating he would vote no for Russell Vought, President Donald Trump’s nominee for deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, because of his Christian Faith. Bernie Sanders challenged Vought's belief that those who reject Jesus Christ are "condemned" as being racist and Islamaphobic. Sanders indicated that Vought was not qualified for this government post because of his belief that those who did not believe in Jesus were "condemned".<br />
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As I read more about the questioning, the more upset I got. This senator had taken political correctness to a new low, way past the realm of politics. He has insulted all authentic followers of Jesus, claiming that their faith is dangerous to the country. Sanders said Vought's belief is "indefensible, hateful, Islamophobic, and an insult to over a billion Muslims throughout the world."<br />
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The idea that our faith is racist is indefensible. All of Christianity rests on Jesus' statement, <i>"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but through me,"</i> The crux of Christian doctrine is that everyone falls short of God's standard for salvation. (Romans 3:23). The Gospel is that God's son, Jesus, came to this earth to pay the price for our sin so that we would have a way to be reconciled and receive salvation through Jesus Christ. Our faith is built on this truth and millions of Christians live their lives so that others will come to the life giving relationship with Jesus Christ. Our motivation is out of love for our neighbors and respect for every human being created in the image of God.<br />
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It is hard to believe that a former candidate for president would take this kind of position. To say that this Christian belief is somehow racist, hateful and dangerous is in itself extremely dangerous. You can certainly have your own views on theology but when you as a government office holder representing the people including millions of Christians, decide which theology is correct and make it some kind of litmus test for public office, you have crossed the line. This is indeed a violation of Vought's first amendment right of freedom of religion and threatens all Christians and people of all faith's religious rights. <br />
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Perhaps this is just another sign of the end times. But I promise it will not deter my faith and my desire to share the Good News of the Gospel to those who do not have a relationship with Jesus. <br />
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One of the few things you can do to voice your disapproval of Sanders' action is to sign The <a href="https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=CHECKOUT&dmy=9D00907E-D863-DCEE-2736AE11EDB03D3B&srcItem=PT17F01&fromItem=AD17F06&x=0&CFID=108275443&CFTOKEN=ab243af75c4e6f3a-8EDA650B-EC43-C78F-1B29627261612E7B" target="_blank">Family Research Council's petition drive</a> stating “Our Constitution guarantees there will be no religious litmus test. Americans should never be forced to choose between their faith and public service.” <br />
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<br />John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-19921544922817036742017-05-24T09:19:00.000-07:002017-05-24T11:29:05.856-07:00This is what's missing for many Americans today!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZOAEUJhRNkUlYeyV8TdHnNSL8gdmdPqLgD-wNE3NwMBxKGbDIpi1FjUrX6uEvQo1AlByUfTAxPSaEA9ybZliMJvfVFDcp5x0LtQd4l_OoQRJLfz_H_tAv-TcbHktUfQHCIMXHcBS-H0/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1ea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZOAEUJhRNkUlYeyV8TdHnNSL8gdmdPqLgD-wNE3NwMBxKGbDIpi1FjUrX6uEvQo1AlByUfTAxPSaEA9ybZliMJvfVFDcp5x0LtQd4l_OoQRJLfz_H_tAv-TcbHktUfQHCIMXHcBS-H0/s320/fullsizeoutput_1ea.jpeg" width="320" /></a>A <a href="https://relevantmagazine.com/slice/study-more-americans-than-ever-before-are-suffering-from-depression-stress-and-anxiety/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=RELEVANT&utm_content=Study:%20More%20Americans%20Than%20Ever%20Before%20Are%20Suffering%20From%20Depression,%20Stress%20and%20Anxiety" target="_blank">recent study</a> showed that more Americans than ever before are suffering from depression, stress, and anxiety. It doesn't go into the reasons but I can surmise that it has a lot to do with hope...the absence of hope. It only goes to reason in today's crazy politicized, immoral, violent, and super charged society, where every ounce of bad news is made known almost instantaneously, that there is a very real sense of gloom and despair. Often when the future looks hopeless and you find yourself in a no way out situation, you can experience anxiety, stress and even depression.<br />
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My wife and I experienced that on a small scale during our recent vacation to Yellowstone. We had flown to Denver, rented a car and drove to Yellowstone, spending time in Grand Teton National Park on the way up. It was a fantastic trip, but while we were in Yellowstone an unexpected storm dumped a large amount of snow throughout Wyoming and Colorado. On our way back to Denver, we stayed overnight in Rock Springs, Wyoming.<br />
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We got up early the next day to drive the remaining 300 miles to Denver only to find that Interstate 80 was closed because of the huge amount of snowfall. So we programmed our GPS to give us another route and we headed out on a state road south of Rock Springs that was the fastest course to Denver.<br />
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I had a half a tank of gas and had planned to get gas in Colorado, figuring it would be cheaper. But as we traveled away from Rock Springs and began to examine our route we realized that we were out in the middle of nowhere. There were no towns, not even farm or ranch houses, and there were few cars on the road, which was fairly clear except for some spotty ice. We only had a map of Wyoming and a slim part of northern Colorado. When we lost connection for our GPS, I really began to become anxious. The further we got from Rock Springs the more worried I became. I didn't want to turn back and waste all that time but the path ahead was very uncertain and I didn't know if we had enough gas to get to the next town and we couldn't even see another town.<br />
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When we hit the Colorado border the highway turned into a dirt road! I'm thinking, they closed an interstate highway and I'm on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and there are storm clouds ahead! Now I had gone from anxious to near panic mode. I had lost most all hope because I didn't have any confidence in where I as going, no road map or clear path.<br />
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So even though we had driven for a full hour, we turned around and went back to Rock Springs to try another route. As we headed out of Rock Springs a sign declared, "road closed ahead, take alternative route," so we turned back again and sought some advice at the visitor center. We were told there was a third route which required us to backtrack even further but it seemed to be open and the road was a state highway.<br />
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Off we went after filling the gas tank, and headed to Denver a third time. It took us a lot longer but the route was clear and the scenery was spectacular. Having a full tank of gas and a confident path, knowing my destination made all the difference in the world. All the stress and anxiety was lifted and I could enjoy the trip and the incredible mountains and canyons of Utah and Colorado.<br />
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I was reminded of the verse in 1 Peter 3:15 which says <i>"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for <b>the hope </b>that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." </i><br />
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Having hope, knowing the destination, and that no matter what we are going through, Jesus is with us and we will be victorious in the end makes all the difference in how we live our lives today. Without hope, it is difficult to have joy and peace. With hope we can enjoy life even when we go through the storms of life. It is this hope that is missing in so many of our citizens today. Everyone needs the hope of Jesus Christ and the assurance that even death is not our final destination.John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-88202476154512352017-05-12T08:27:00.000-07:002017-05-12T08:28:58.927-07:00Learning from the Spurs way: TRUST AND OBEY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #48494a; font-family: "georgia";">The San Antonio Spurs did it again, shocking the basketball world and doing what few thought possible, winning a playoff series against Houston without their two best players. Not just winning, but blowing away the Rockets on the Rockets home court by a record amount. No one saw this coming.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #48494a; font-family: "georgia";">I love the Spurs not just because they win a lot, but how they win and how they so often provide such great life lessons in the process. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #48494a; font-family: "georgia";">As I often do, I try to analyze what the Spurs do and find the parallel principles that I can apply to life. The lesson from the win last night was pretty profound, simply <b>trust and obey</b>. It's like that old gospel hymn, <i>trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #48494a; font-family: "georgia";">I can imagine coach Pop telling his players before the game that if you trust our system and your teammates and do what we've told you to do, follow the game plan, we can win even without Kawhi and Tony. You all have certain abilities, great skills or you wouldn’t be playing for the Spurs. And the coaches have put you in position to win. If you play hard and smart and follow the game plan, you will win! <b>Just trust, obey and play</b>! And what a great motto for life in Christ also!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #48494a; font-family: "georgia";">Jesus said I've come to give you, not just an ordinary life but extraordinary, abundant life. This is a life of joy, fullfillment, significance and contentment. I've given you all you need to succeed. You are a masterpiece, created to do good works that I've already prepared for you to do and given you the skill and ability to do them (Ephesians 2:10). Now if you would just trust me, follow me, obey the instructions I give you, you will experience that victorious, abundant life. Proverbs 16:20 – Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #48494a; font-family: "georgia";">I know that the playoffs are not over. Am I saying that the Spurs are guaranteed a championship? There is no guarantee. They certainly won’t be the favorites against the Golden State Warriors. And chances are they won’t win. Even when we trust and obey, victory over every battle is no certainty. The Spurs won’t win every championship and just like in life, t<span style="color: #48494a; font-family: "georgia";">his fallen world has a way of knocking us down at times. </span>However, if we trust and obey, <b>especially in the difficult times</b> when we've been knocked down, received a set back like losing our best player, we can turn a sure loss into an incredible victory. Trust, obey and go play! </span></div>
John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-3982767295164156842017-04-26T08:19:00.000-07:002017-04-26T08:19:17.919-07:00The power over worry and anxiety <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDKHpZYnWRloNMXRIUmclDhsKhkAqh0jFmS89F3YGv36z1rTClxgDRnebAtThD-de7zRNbnGaXCiN-2flWp6MQ61gwiYPYW67GP5wrKkggjm9wNLNXxUFIIUtrZITlsmj0nkGnXybIB0/s1600/stress-1837384_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDKHpZYnWRloNMXRIUmclDhsKhkAqh0jFmS89F3YGv36z1rTClxgDRnebAtThD-de7zRNbnGaXCiN-2flWp6MQ61gwiYPYW67GP5wrKkggjm9wNLNXxUFIIUtrZITlsmj0nkGnXybIB0/s320/stress-1837384_640.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by John Hain Pixaby.com</td></tr>
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During the early morning hours I often find myself thinking the most pessimistic thoughts. I’m not sure exactly why it is, but it's in the waking up period as I contemplate what I have to do that I seem to have the most anxiety. The self talk focuses on the negative and I have to fight the mental battle to stay positive. Once I'm up and going, I don't seem to have a problem.<br />
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One way I’ve discovered to overcome the early morning anxiety is to remember what my purpose is, what I was created by God to do. I remind myself with a statement asking God to go with me and declaring my faith and trust in Him. Meditating on that statement and spending time in prayer helps me overcome my worry.<br />
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David Guinn recently posted what the men and women of the Bible might have said as they readied themselves to take on the day. We can use these examples to help us with our personal declaration. When we start each day off on a positive note, it helps relieve our anxieties and makes our day much more productive. <br />
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● Moses would say, "Lord, if You don't go with us or before us, we are not going anywhere."<br />
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● Abraham would say, "The Lord will provide."<br />
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● Jacob would say, "I won't let go of You unless You bless me."<br />
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● Joshua would say, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."<br />
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● Samuel would say, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening."<br />
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● Nehemiah would say, "The joy of the Lord is my strength."<br />
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● David would say, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." and "This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it."<br />
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● Solomon would say, "Trust in the Lord, oh my soul, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."<br />
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● Isaiah would say, "Arise and shine for my Glory has come." and "No weapon formed against me shall prosper."<br />
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● Jeremiah would say, "The Lord has plans to prosper me and not to harm or fail me."<br />
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● Jabez would say, "Oh, that you may bless me and enlarge my territory."<br />
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● Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would say, "We will not bow down to any image but will serve the Lord."<br />
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● Ezekiel would say, "Any dry bones in my life, live again."<br />
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Choose your daily statement of faith. Meditate on it! Speak it over your life every morning! What is your daily declaration? Mine would be, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!"<br />
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-89352481238774897272017-04-07T11:25:00.000-07:002017-04-12T08:17:04.139-07:00Is your church growing an audience or building an army?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the greatest hinderances to the expansion of God's Kingdom is the failure of churches to develop new leaders, pastors and missionaries. We have been pretty good at gathering an audience to worship services and even into bible studies and small groups but are very poor in discipling leaders who reproduce other leaders. When asked in a recent leadership study, 92% of the 2,000 pastors surveyed said developing leaders was critical to the health and development of the church. Yet only one in four churches said they had any plan to develop leaders. <br />
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For many pastors, missionaries and leaders, their path to the ministry was that they participated in ministry and were inspired, felt a call by God or conviction to serve full time and "surrendered" to the ministry. They were the bi-product of ministry. For me, I was offered an opportunity to get paid for what I loved to do in an area of ministry (sports). As I developed my faith and leadership skills another door of ministry would open and I simply walked through it.<br />
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But for me, and many others, there was never an intentional effort from my church to develop me or anyone else for ministry beyond the specific needs of their church. And even when we needed a paid staff position, we never looked to the members who were being developed because none were. No, the staff just sent out a search comittee to interview candidates outside the church and hired the best one. I was the exception, one of the few members who went from volunteer to a ministry position.<br />
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I was fortunate to have had a mentor that spent countless hours pouring into me, but I was never exhorted to develop others or pursue a calling outside of my ministry at this church. I learned by osmosis and when I led our Singles ministry, I developed leaders in our Singles ministry because I needed young adults leaders to attract and disciple other young adults. I didn't really know what I was doing or had any plan. I discipled out of a need and did what my mentor had done with me. I had the pleasure of investing my life into many young leaders and continue to this day.<br />
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In most churches that I am familiar with, the pastor or the staff does all the leading and most all of the ministry in the church. Yet, there is really only one job description in the Bible for pastors. Ephesians 4:12 tells us that we are to <b>equip the saints for ministry.</b> And even when a church makes an effort to do just that, equipping the saints consists of teaching and training. We tend to either <b>dump </b>ministry upon volunteers (tell and command), or <b>delegate</b> (teach and train). But there is a higher level that gets neglected because of a lack of time or incentive to <b>develop</b> leaders (mentoring, modeling and coaching).<br />
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There is little immediate benefit in <b>developing</b> so for most pastors, the weight of the desire and or need to grow the church, to get bodies into seats, money in the plate and volunteers into ministry positions takes precedence. The developing takes time, investing hours into another’s life. Yet it is critical for the long term growth of the church and the Kingdom that pastors make a priority to develop leaders. Not out of a selfish, what can this person do for my church motive but for sake of the Kingdom. <b>Every</b> leader in the church should always be mentoring, encouraging and developing at least two or three people who can be sent wherever God leads them to serve, minister and multiply other leaders.<br />
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If you are in ministry in a church or non-profit, what was your path to ministry? What part did your church play in your development? Who are you developing now? What strategy does your church employ to develop leaders?<br />
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For a great perspective on developing leaders in your church, check out this <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/carey-nieuwhof-leadership-podcast-lead-like-never-before/id912753163?mt=2&i=383212950" target="_blank">Carey Nieuwhof podcast.</a><br />
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-358940674225670212017-03-09T09:54:00.000-08:002017-03-09T14:37:54.812-08:00Learning from the Spurs Way<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6v7TvwmXyEvj92dxpqFUeHD1hLQ1l1Mk5mvY_qfY_7bl6MFWplE3hiGEmHUiDk7a8wcG0-eTHiYa3dkdfPeEbDSww6DtQvfVnyuQfiVqIvqYtMSRJ4hvmlVRLu_3LnNJsoQ84a8Ik-k/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6v7TvwmXyEvj92dxpqFUeHD1hLQ1l1Mk5mvY_qfY_7bl6MFWplE3hiGEmHUiDk7a8wcG0-eTHiYa3dkdfPeEbDSww6DtQvfVnyuQfiVqIvqYtMSRJ4hvmlVRLu_3LnNJsoQ84a8Ik-k/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" width="320" /></a>"We don't talk about MVP awards. We don't talk about any awards," Gregg Popovich said, when asked if Kawhi Leonard should be MVP. The buzz was all about Kawhi and his amazing late game heroics in the Spurs come-from-behind victory over the Houston Rockets. "We don't talk about championships. We just play the game. Everybody tries to do what they can to make the team better, and whatever records or awards or wins that come, that's the way it is," Coach Pop exclaimed to reporters.<br />
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The San Antonio Spurs do things differently in the NBA. While most of the teams pride themselves in having flashy players and promote their players as MVP candidates, the Spurs intentionally keep out of the limelight and focus on one thing: playing their best. Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs soft spoken forward certainly has risen to become one of the top players in the league and a Most Valuable Player candidate this year. But you won't hear coach Gregg Popovich promoting any Spur for MVP.<br />
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What is refreshing in this world that keeps detailed statistics of most everything and celebrates records of every sort, comparing individuals and teams, the Spurs don't care about any of it. They focus on each player doing their best for the good of the team. Their attitude is that <i>we can't control all outcomes. The only real thing we can control is our effort. When we focus on effort and execution, then we can let go of our need to control the outcome.</i><br />
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I'm reminded of the scripture in Colossians 3:23, <i><b>Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.</b></i> When we focus on doing our best for Jesus, we can always be content with the outcome even if we come in second. Sure we want to win but our world doesn't fall apart when we don't.<br />
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Our true measuring stick should be our own capacity to excel. There will be others who are naturally better and we will not win every contest or challenge in life. But if we do our best for God, we can always hold our heads high and be encouraged to press on. The awards may or may not come on this earth, but far greater awaits us in heaven.<br />
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-62189015067713758322017-03-06T10:53:00.001-08:002017-03-06T10:53:45.532-08:00Study shows Christians influence in the U.S. declining rapidly. Is the church responsible?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrjrxjr9yliPdlPGEktcUo-zyL9Jli6Cr2UK2uRy9nnZPUCu1fuOJNPPscutSmH70cFFbsQ0QdnhZDeuv1JdYLgTEvIZ71bYkydyVqiO9FBNn-uohkoOMzLdYc1ZxJ06uSwjp2f5IR_c/s1600/IMAGE_95DA752D-9EA3-4CF7-8AE5-E2B500ED3034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrjrxjr9yliPdlPGEktcUo-zyL9Jli6Cr2UK2uRy9nnZPUCu1fuOJNPPscutSmH70cFFbsQ0QdnhZDeuv1JdYLgTEvIZ71bYkydyVqiO9FBNn-uohkoOMzLdYc1ZxJ06uSwjp2f5IR_c/s320/IMAGE_95DA752D-9EA3-4CF7-8AE5-E2B500ED3034.JPG" width="320" /></a>A new survey released last week revealed just 10 percent of Americans truly have a biblical worldview, despite four times that amount believing that they do. *<i>The American Culture and Faith Institute</i>, headed by pollster George Barna, interviewed approximately 6,000 people from the general population and in church leadership in early February. <br />
The <a href="https://www.culturefaith.com/groundbreaking-survey-by-acfi-reveals-how-many-american-adults-have-a-biblical-worldview/" target="_blank">ACFI survey</a> determined that only 10 percent of the 6,000 surveyed answered the 40 question survey regarding biblical principles and lifestyle in a way consistent with a biblical worldview (way of understanding the world).<br />
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Using 40 questions on both belief and behavior, 20 on each, the researchers determined that someone with a biblical worldview answered positively 80% or 16 out of 20 questions in both belief and behavior categories. A large percentage of those who claimed to have a Biblical world view answered questions that would not be consistent with the Bible.<br />
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For example, among the views adopted are a belief that people are basically good (74 percent) and having faith matters more than what faith a person has (66 percent). Other indicators that are consistent with a biblical worldview include a belief that moral truths are unchanging and absolute; that God created man in a miraculous event (not through evolution); and the Bible is totally accurate in all the life principles it teaches.<br />
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The survey indicated that the younger an adult is, the less likely they are to have a biblical worldview. Among adults 18 to 29 years old – commonly referred to as Millennials – just 4% were described as having and living out a biblical worldview. The number rose to 7% among those in the 30-to-49 age bracket; doubled to 15% among the 50-to-64 year olds; and peaked at 17% among those 65 or older.<br />
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The study gives a bleak view of the future of Christianity in America and indicates that our churches are failing to disciple. We may be drawing crowds but the big question is how many of those that are attending church are really being discipled? Can you disciple a person who comes to an hour service an average of twice a month?<br />
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One of the problems Christians face is the declining belief that we are responsible for sharing our faith. (1 Peter 3:15). As many as 25% of the most theologically conservative pastors did not embrace this statement. Perhaps we are being silenced by the wave of culture which demands that faith is only personal and must be kept to oneself while trumpeting their secular worldview to anyone. <br />
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The truth is that the secular world is discipling 24/7 through education, government, media, arts and business. The two mountains of influence that Christians have, religion and family are having less and less of an impact while education, government, media and arts (film and entertainment) are increasing rapidly. This is nothing new but perhaps this is the greatest challenge the church faces today because we have been swimming up stream in a rapid current for many years and falling further and further behind. This survey helps us take our heads out of the water long enough to see just where we are in the river of culture.<br />
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<i><b>I’d love to hear from pastors and laymen. As a pastor and follower of Christ, what can you do to counter the secular current of ideas and worldview?</b></i><br />
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*<i>The American Culture & Faith Institute</i> is a division of United in Purpose, a non-partisan, non-profit organization. The mission of United in Purpose is to educate, motivate and activate conservative Christians to engage in cultural transformation, in ways that are consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The organization does not support or promote individual political candidates or parties.<br />
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<br />John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-69821485543365794622017-02-16T07:01:00.000-08:002017-02-16T07:01:48.657-08:00Life Giving vs. Life Saving<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYP5uBFw_rlqcbCrq6nKstW7Ng9UR_JuaSY1taJVmkoPoiWaKJWwyed4kM_dE-7X0tJHsPC4AqQMwtkC8JV-FliWoNjdt3qdptIx-Wcw2y1r9_G9x-i2-v7doM8Kp3j-pixvUmnprdtI/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYP5uBFw_rlqcbCrq6nKstW7Ng9UR_JuaSY1taJVmkoPoiWaKJWwyed4kM_dE-7X0tJHsPC4AqQMwtkC8JV-FliWoNjdt3qdptIx-Wcw2y1r9_G9x-i2-v7doM8Kp3j-pixvUmnprdtI/s320/IMG_4911.JPG" width="320" /></a>We all have been told when talking about finances that saving is critically important. Yes, in the world's economy, we must save a certain percentage of our income for the future. When it comes to Gods economy, we take this same mindset when considering our spiritual lives as well. But nowhere does God tell us to save our lives. He tells us to give it away, Luke <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">6:38</a></div>
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Our natural tendacy is to save, protect and preserve our life. So when God leads us to give our life away, we tend to avoid any risk so as not to experience rejection, failure or anything that might bring us physical or emotional pain. Go on a mission trip overseas? No way, it's too dangerous! Share the Gospel with a neighbor? No, I'm afraid I might be thought of as a zealot. Get involved helping a friend whose son is on drugs and spinning out of control? No, I don't want to get involved in that drama. No telling what might happen. Spend a day working and sweating in an impoverished neighborhood? Nope, I'd rather watch my favorite football team and rest up for church on Sunday. </div>
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I love how Paul describes his life in his second letter to Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He had spent his life serving God, enduring all manner of hardships, from beatings and stonings, to imprisonment to shipwreck. There was no consideration to save his life. God had saved him so that he could spend his life on something much greater than himself. </div>
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When I get to the finish line and come face to face with Jesus, I'm surely not going to talk about how I saved my life. I'm not showing him my wonderful collection of rare coins I saved or my cool baseball card collection. No, I think Jesus will be much more impressed with the battle scars from sharing my faith, and the blood, sweat and tears shed from taking risks and obeying Christ when he was leading me to give my life away. Then I can say as Paul did, "I've fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith." </div>
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I was created so that I may be spent.</div>
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-10182049919444073132017-02-03T10:21:00.000-08:002017-02-03T10:29:00.637-08:00When seeking a miracle from God; Pray. Believe. Pursue. <div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1YPa5T6gRd4vAkfOPjzGihNn3uI2p5mMJdzrrwUY3W9DfXgRLsjvHPXQ90216Oo8Ie5FY8jIjlaQc-fZMcMTA0PJ6KSJ4kAe7Ey98DRg03kRF30Z-ibRl_OcTX2q-svE7feqsrrprhY/s1600/14046073_980603268732210_3272444385342926988_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1YPa5T6gRd4vAkfOPjzGihNn3uI2p5mMJdzrrwUY3W9DfXgRLsjvHPXQ90216Oo8Ie5FY8jIjlaQc-fZMcMTA0PJ6KSJ4kAe7Ey98DRg03kRF30Z-ibRl_OcTX2q-svE7feqsrrprhY/s320/14046073_980603268732210_3272444385342926988_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ben Chapman's church plant is growing and flourishing. Luminous church located in San Antonio near the University of Texas at San Antonio caters to college students and young adults and meets in a movie theatre off of I10.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the the two year contract for their use of the theatre was not renewed, Ben and his church faced a dilemma. They needed a church space large enough for 200+ people close to UTSA, because of their campus ministry. Available properties in this area are rare and expensive. Ben says that the theatre wasn't a good option anyway since they had upgraded their seating to the new high backed recliner chairs. He explained laughing, "they may be great while watching a movie but try preaching to a crowd of people practically lying on their backs. So we were contemplating moving when the theatre management informed us they would not be renewing our contract."</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Chapman encourages risk</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So Ben and his congregation had no option but to move and prayed for a miracle. A church filled with college aged adults is not going to be able to afford the type of space they needed. Yet, they believed God would come through some way, somehow and started the search. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ben was led to a property within the 15 mile radius of UTSA which they had set as their target. He explained to the owner their predicament and the owner replied, "yes I know, I'm a member of your church! I just recently started attending." When he told Ben what he was asking to lease the property, Ben's spirit sank. No way could they afford it. He explained to the owner that the space was perfect and everything lined up except the price and left feeling as if that door which seemed like a miracle had been closed. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few days later the owner called back with a new offer, exactly the amount that the church had set as "affordable". Ben had not told the owner their price thinking it was too low. God however, using the faith and generosity of another believer, delivered the miracle. Luminous Church is moving in March and praising God for a miracle! A great reminder for us all when seeking a miracle; pray big, believe, and then pursue your dream! </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For more stories of God's </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">miraculous movements go to <a href="http://missionfieldmiracles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miracles on the Mission Field</a>.</span></div>
John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-69973407609380184422017-01-10T07:10:00.000-08:002017-01-10T07:10:02.556-08:00The biggest obstacle to accomplishing your goals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRTTckBnlL34Yg-hBJI5IQufLDrd8dopMjawsXPWgU5PRy4WKztol5gzfRoYyCXIPwYDq1Z-S6_g7Sxk7v7CJhLraq-9vwLORceF2MBTxe_LcV1CZJlVLWzhGUEwi9PgXx-j3hyphenhyphenOjKrE/s1600/IMG_0337.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRTTckBnlL34Yg-hBJI5IQufLDrd8dopMjawsXPWgU5PRy4WKztol5gzfRoYyCXIPwYDq1Z-S6_g7Sxk7v7CJhLraq-9vwLORceF2MBTxe_LcV1CZJlVLWzhGUEwi9PgXx-j3hyphenhyphenOjKrE/s320/IMG_0337.GIF" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was in a men's small group discussion about our new year's resolutions. We were asked to come up with and share one word for the year, a word that would sum up our personal goals and pursuits for the next few months. There were many great words like focus, family, faith, service, availability but as we went around the group sharing, there seemed to be a common struggle that everyone was addressing. The biggest obstacle to achieving our goals was busyness. Almost every man wanted more time to read his Bible, pray, serve, spend time with family and the excuse was that there just didn't seem to be enough hours in the day to do what we all deemed "vital" to our joy, health and quality of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone seems to be busy now days. Even my 89 year old dad complains about not having enough time to get done what needs to be done each day. But busyness is not the problem. How we manage our time is the issue. I know that It's become even harder in today's high tech, faced paced world to carve out time for God. It's ironic because we thought all these hi tech gadgets would give us more time. Instead it seems to be just the opposite. We can easily get pulled away from the very important activities by the tyranny of the urgent. Our co-workers and friends have instant access to us by way of smart phones and we become slaves to our computers. But we don't have to be controlled by all of this. It's just a matter of the will and priorities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can use those same tools that make us busy to manage our time and accomplish the vital. There are countless Bible reading apps and programs for your smart devices that will help you be consistent in a devotional time. You can listen to the audio Bible, podcasts, or Bible studies in your car to and from work each day. You can set a timer to go off periodically on your phone to remind you to stop and say a prayer. Yes, we can overcome our busy, out of kilter life if we so choose. Busyness should not be an excuse. We have the ability and time to do whatever we really need to do if we set our priorities and make time for them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus set the example of one who had to accomplish his father's will in an incredibly short amount of time. And yet Jesus took time to be with the father and to get away from the demands of the crowds to spend time alone in prayer. On the night Jesus died in his great prayer of John 17 he said to his Father, "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can accomplish God's will also without sacrificing the "vitals". Actually we can't do the Father's will without it. The graphic is a great tool to help prioritize our time. The four boxes categorize our time. Most people spend a majority of their time in boxes III and IV. Box II is the one we neglect the most and it is the most important. Here are are some steps to take to help manage your time and accomplish the life you really desire. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Decide what and who is important. Outline what is vital, your priorities. These are usually things in box II, those that are not urgent, like prayer and Bible study, personal development and family time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Discover where your time goes. Make an inventory of the activities that you do each day and which categories they fall into to. Making a list and then color coding activities to the box categories is a good way to visualize where you spend most of your time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Get into a routine of spending a certain amount of time each day on the "vitally important" things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* To achieve this, cut back on the things in box III, those that are not important and not urgent, like watching tv, surfing the Internet or playing video games. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Don't allow the not important but urgent distractions (box IV) like email, texts and phone calls to interrupt your quality time. Put your phone away while you are spending time with your children, spouse or friend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Use your high tech tools to help you spend more time in box II. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Find someone to hold you accountable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The new year brings new opportunities. What is your one word for the year?</span><br />
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-73154111228509128532016-12-30T10:01:00.000-08:002016-12-30T10:02:21.278-08:00Disappointing Christmas Worship Services<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub9YyCG0Wd4hmTrdPhl3Brg_JPWXbwADbalj5tfilQm3crDp1FnXhWCthsSI5VgyYQzri4peaWsCiYLu59pKMjPcVZktn_KolMCbPOd8gzXdREurF0o3ybT6_T_4FGMNdyIYlGn8XbO8/s1600/candles-141892_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub9YyCG0Wd4hmTrdPhl3Brg_JPWXbwADbalj5tfilQm3crDp1FnXhWCthsSI5VgyYQzri4peaWsCiYLu59pKMjPcVZktn_KolMCbPOd8gzXdREurF0o3ybT6_T_4FGMNdyIYlGn8XbO8/s320/candles-141892_640.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am curious about your Christmas worship experience at your church. Churches today have different philosophies and styles concerning Christmas and I'm wondering if I am out of touch with my expectations. My wife and I were invited to a friend's church for worship the week before Christmas. We went with high expectations because the church is a traditional large main line denomination with a solid reputation. We were looking forward to singing some Christmas carols which our church, a small satellite church, was not singing in their morning worship services. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We sat through the worship service, literally, and left very disappointed, trying to make sense of what we had just watched. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The service started with a choir singing a somewhat different rendition of a familiar Christmas carol. Dancers with flags came on stage and moved around the stage in sync to the song. This was followed by a couple of songs that we had not ever heard before sung by a praise team with more dancers. We were given candles and during the third song and had a lighting ceremony. The song ended and we kept holding the candles awkwardly not knowing what to do with them. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for the candles except that we needed to have a candle lighting time during the service. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The two traditional hymns were altered with different arrangements as if the soloists were singing on <i>The Voice</i> and were changing a well-known tune to make it their own. All the songs were performed well enough. But it was definitely a performance. We never stood or sang along with the choir or praise team. The only participation was the candle lighting ceremony. The pastor preached his sermon and we sat and listened to two more Christmas songs, including a solo of another odd arrangement of Silent Night. My wife said it should be illegal to mess with Silent Night!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the service I realized we had sat through the entire service and never sang along to any of the songs. We were never prompted to sing. I'm not sure I've ever gone to a worship service and did not participate at all. My friend who had invited us, was also confounded over the service. Later in the week during the same church's Christmas Eve service, my friend who is a 40 something former pastor, texted me to let me know that the church was consistent in this service also, singing mostly secular Christmas songs. He texted, "you won't believe their first song, "Feliz Navidad"! Then later said they had another candle lighting ceremony to a rock in roll version of Joy To The World. He was beside himself, wondering just who was in charge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To me it seemed as if the church was trying a little too hard to be cool or culturally relevant. I'm not sure how others perceived the services but when a somewhat traditional church does this, it can come across as pretentious and contrived, even hokey. This church has a new pastor, (middle age) so I'm guessing they are trying to reach younger generations. But it reminded me of the a 70's style traditional church trying to be contemporary by playing 80's music. It doesn't work and can turn off not only your older members but the younger ones you are trying to reach as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel for my friend who attends the church. My advice to him was to talk to the pastor and share in a loving way your feelings. He needs the input of experienced leaders. He doesn't need to hear complaints and whining but constructive critique that will help going forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, I received this post from church leaders.com after I had written this blog as if God was speaking to me. Ironically it is also titled <a href="http://churchleaders.com/worship/worship-articles/296559-disappointing-worship-services-matthew-westerholm.html?utm_source=outreach-cl-daily-nl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text-link&utm_content=text-link&utm_campaign=cl-daily-nl&maropost_id=742238825&mpweb=256-2413409-742238825" target="_blank">Disappointing Worship Services</a>. The final paragraph is great advice:</span><br />
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<i>As we worship Christ together this week, may he give us this expectation. May he rewire our hearts so that our joy and goal would be found in honoring him. The Father is working the entire universe toward that glorious end. May we relinquish our selfish expectations for our church’s surroundings, people and future, and instead take up the expectation that Christ will be honored in our worship service, and in lives of worship. Place your hope in that invincible purpose, and you will never be disappointed.</i><br />
<br />John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-26210361232452069232016-12-19T09:33:00.000-08:002016-12-19T09:33:13.380-08:00Study reveals a lack of discipleship for a shocking percentage of evangelicals<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A recent study conducted by <a href="https://thestateoftheology.com/" target="_blank">Lifeway and Ligonire ministries</a> indicates a distressing amount of evangelical Christians don't believe foundational Christian doctrine. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphyA9GqfxLFe0nZGw4IK7qdyLe0t4eCWKpKQl938Y1b3tN1OMkveBdl-kl_0pNjpYTDPItLmFlpLcz-3Li2X_8APgTpyIcLxtHHXh2UBatSmXsgpyS2XSCoyLG5p7sabDc0i-HbgMDUs/s1600/greece-1890122_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphyA9GqfxLFe0nZGw4IK7qdyLe0t4eCWKpKQl938Y1b3tN1OMkveBdl-kl_0pNjpYTDPItLmFlpLcz-3Li2X_8APgTpyIcLxtHHXh2UBatSmXsgpyS2XSCoyLG5p7sabDc0i-HbgMDUs/s320/greece-1890122_640.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When asked if they agreed or disagreed with the statement, God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam, 46% of self-identified evangelicals agreed or somewhat agreed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another statement in the study that raises some questions about what Christians believe was about salvation:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the good deeds that I do, I partly contribute to earning my place in heaven. A third of the evangelicals agreed with this statement. I would not be surprised if this was the response of Christians in general but to have a third of those who profess to be evangelicals say that salvation is based on some works is a head scratcher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is an emphasis on discipleship in many evangelical churches today but I wonder just what we are teaching Christians theses days if so many don't believe in the basic tenets of the Christian Faith. Are we failing to disciple believers or have we not taught and emphasized the basics in our discipleship?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a period of time where discipleship focused on teaching doctrine but we seemed to drift away from the basics to arguing about lesser doctrinal differences. Perhaps we got lost in the details. In the past few years evangelicals have shifted discipleship to more practice, missions and application of our faith, all good things. But have we so focused on the mission that we have forsaken the basics? Have we just assumed new believers had a foundational belief system that you are saved by grace through faith and not by works? Have we forgotten to emphasize that Jesus is the way, truth, and life and no one comes to the Father except through Jesus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two tenets of our faith pave the way for the way we see the world and live in it. But they are not politically correct and go counter to the world's values of "inclusion" and "tolerance". However, if we compromise on these beliefs then we don't have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we have a pagan synchronized religion. Perhaps we need to go back to the Gospel 101 and re-educate every believer about the pillars of our faith and how these are what distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. </span><br />
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-61129305812100646502016-12-08T09:50:00.000-08:002016-12-09T19:24:01.113-08:00How to help your child, employee or congregation take more responsibility<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uaJwy-3P7HbD6Yuh3F0Pl656IdHkmgiWkwvXjTM3poS7MMp8IXG1XtQD0470N9Rt7G6xqtgiqOS84ZBRhKuOK6hjfYAce786_bQ3X_iNSMbamnhc6sRDToH63B_OFvSd54Ufz7Kmu34/s1600/fruit-tree-md.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uaJwy-3P7HbD6Yuh3F0Pl656IdHkmgiWkwvXjTM3poS7MMp8IXG1XtQD0470N9Rt7G6xqtgiqOS84ZBRhKuOK6hjfYAce786_bQ3X_iNSMbamnhc6sRDToH63B_OFvSd54Ufz7Kmu34/s200/fruit-tree-md.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11px;">I've had several conversations recently with frustrated parents and grandparents over the lack of responsibility their older children or grandchildren have even as teenagers and young adults. One mark of a mature person is the ability to make wise decisions. And the same goes for a company, church or organization. What makes them successful (bear fruit) is their ability to make good decisions from the leadership down through all of the organization. And the one big obstacle that hinders good decision making skills is the inability for the leaders to know when and how to release control and delegate responsibility and decision making to others. Too early and bad choices are often made. Too late and the leader gets burdened with an overload of stress and work which can also lead to bad decisions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In a family, do you give your teenage son or daughter the authority to make decisions on their own? Sure there are many things you would like for them to decide for themselves each and every day, but there are other decisions that need to be made with the parents approval. How do you conclude which decisions they can make on their own and how do you communicate this?<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is a great visual tool (The Decision Tree) that will help you as a leader or parent in the decision making process from the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Conversations-Achieving-Success-Conversation-ebook/dp/B000P28V2M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481218376&sr=1-1&keywords=fierce+conversations" target="_blank">Fierce Conversations</a> by Susan Scott. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Decision Tree will help your organization be more productive (bear fruit) by identifying clearly, which categories decisions and actions fall into, so that an employee, child or volunteer knows exactly where he or she has the authority to make decisions and act and how to grow and empower others to get along without you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Decisions are arranged in categories based on their importance and impact on the organization. The analogy of root, trunk, branch, and leaf decisions indicates the degree of potential harm or good to the organization an action is taken at each level. <br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Poor decisions at any level can hurt an organization, but if you unwittingly yank a leaf off a tree, the tree won’t die. A Root Decision if poorly made and implemented could cause major harm to the person or organization. Giving a teenager or employee this visual picture and using it to categorize your decisions will give them a better understanding of what choices they can make on their own and what needs to be decided by the group.<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Leaf Decisions </b>Make the decision<b>.</b> Act on it. Do not report the action you took.<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Branch Decisions</b> Make the decision. Act on it. Report the action you took daily, weekly, or monthly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Trunk Decisions</b> Make the decision. Talk about your decision before you take action</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Root Decisions</b> Make the decision jointly, with input from many people. Leadership gives final approval.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The goal is to provide employees or volunteers a clear upward path of professional development. Progress is made when decisions are moved from root to trunk to branch to leaf. As an employee demonstrates a track record of making good decisions in the trunk category, for example, it will be satisfying to both the employee and the person to whom she reports when those decisions can be moved to the branch category. This works similarly with a child. The more responsible he or she is making branch decisions, the more responsibility they will be given to make decisions. </span></div>
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The Decision Tree also raises the level of personal accountability. Whenever we work diligently and brilliantly, without having to be told exactly what to do, it gives more ownership to the employee and unburdens the manager or executive of work. It also teaches the child responsibility, confidence and increases their decision making skills. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Where might the Decision Tree work in your life?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Home, with your children. </span></div>
John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-30543040848384456432016-11-15T09:30:00.001-08:002016-11-17T13:21:08.993-08:00Big and Small, God uses it all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I experienced two amazing extreme versions of following God's vision to bring people to Christ in the past couple of weeks. These two expressions of faith were as far removed from each other as possible, one as extravagant and immense as one could imagine, the other as humble and primative as could be here in the United States. But both incredibly moving and inspirational and both reminded me that God can use every person I whether rich or poor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The grand experience was visiting a life-sized replica of Noah's Ark. My wife and I vacationed in Kentucky for a week and decided to experience the Ark Encounter, which had opened this past summer. This "theme park" was the dream of Ken Hamm whose vision was to educate the masses about the Genesis account of the ark and flood. So he decided to build the ark based on the dimensions from scripture. It is 510 feet long and 85 feet wide and 51 feet high, the largest wooden structure in the world. It has three decks which spam more than 120,000 square feet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is a truly awesome structure out in the middle of nowhere, much like what it would have been during Noah's time. We spent a couple of hours with a few hundred visitors walking the three levels inside the ark, reading the educational material and seeing the exhibits. It is an impressive and massive undertaking, reportedly 33 million dollars to build and much more to operate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within a few days of the Ark Encounter I spent a Sunday on a small mission project at a RV park, helping clean up and build some picnic tables for this very low income neighborhood. Our church chooses to do mission projects when there is a fifth Sunday instead of meeting for worship. This RV park was actually the permanent housing for about 300 people, all living in small RV's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr9QMA5F2_cbC0MVbkgi2WMV82cmw0TLtsDy-OwrOZS7kEtMVXjczkb21IpQ8a-1d1VZkB9zX83bjX7NADq5TpLnfx2pEV5I_fyFRM56c1dTUTnnFHxuEMmHpr60dlphvZ9R5lnZvEJk/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr9QMA5F2_cbC0MVbkgi2WMV82cmw0TLtsDy-OwrOZS7kEtMVXjczkb21IpQ8a-1d1VZkB9zX83bjX7NADq5TpLnfx2pEV5I_fyFRM56c1dTUTnnFHxuEMmHpr60dlphvZ9R5lnZvEJk/s200/IMG_4602.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I arrived, I was directed to the back of the park to help with another project, where there was this odd looking structure that had been built out of cedar branches. There I met a woman named Donna who explained what we were to work on. This woman said she was the park manager. She was probably in her fifties but you could tell had weathered a rough life and was wearing a tie-died shirt. She was enthusiastic and animated as she told us all about this structure was similar to an Indian longhouse, how it could withstand a tornado. It stood next to a smaller version which had been used as a greenhouse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Donna explained that they decided they needed a church building to house their Bible study during the winter and thought a bigger longhouse would be perfect. She said that she had given the idea to one of the residents and explained how this uneducated man who spoke little English, looked at the old structure and built a larger version just by sight without any drawings or plans. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were to help put the outside covering on the building which was rolls of heavy plastic. She described in detail where to start and end leaving the bottom third uncovered for ventilation. Donna told us they would put a stove inside to heat the structure, running the stove pipe through the roof to carry the smoke out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I asked her if they had a pastor she said "no, I guess I'm the pastor." I was amazed at the excitement and passion this woman had as she talked about their small church. They would meet here in this longhouse during the winter when the weather turned cold on Sundays and for Bible study during the week. Her enthusiasm for God inspired me. This middle aged lady with the smoker's voice living in an old weathered tiny RV took her job as manager to a higher level, one as a priest or pastor to her community. I have a notion that she was not ordained or anointed by some church authority to do this. She just stepped into the void doing what God wanted her to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two visions, one grand the other incredibly primative, both expressions of faith you'd be very surprised to see in the United States. And I'm not sure which I was more impressed with. All I know is God uses us all in amazing ways when we say yes to His dreams he gives us. </span></div>
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-67314056696901745052016-10-26T08:35:00.000-07:002016-10-26T08:35:09.308-07:00The one thing we want most from our leaders is missing<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUDnWQGjGS7-4jD29AkPxyjj2Nr8B_oORiqh31lyVvxLEMNRfTB5qNc-Mq5YCV-OY7ds3wy2-yAti5RCvNaqBjnxXHGk9xKd9qfKApakpwBwr9ivFFVKF-gUyUmdDKo0GJXDJNffyXRg/s1600/IMG_4588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUDnWQGjGS7-4jD29AkPxyjj2Nr8B_oORiqh31lyVvxLEMNRfTB5qNc-Mq5YCV-OY7ds3wy2-yAti5RCvNaqBjnxXHGk9xKd9qfKApakpwBwr9ivFFVKF-gUyUmdDKo0GJXDJNffyXRg/s320/IMG_4588.JPG" width="320" /></a>I voted yesterday. Yes, neither of the candidates is my first, second or third choice. Through the whole process I've wondered if God is playing a joke on us or maybe just giving America what it deserves. I know many people share my concern for our country and are really dismayed by our choices for president. The reason is pretty simple but I haven’t heard many express it. <u><b>The one characteristic that people want most from their leaders is lacking from both candidates for president.</b> </u> A survey of thousands of people around the world found that the characteristic they most desired in their leaders is <u><b>integrity.</b></u></div>
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So we have two candidates, one who has a record of habitual lying and corruption of power and the other who comes across as a pompous, impetuous billionaire with a reputation as a womanizer. If we want candidates with integrity, candidates that are honest, moral, principled, stable and virtuous, all words to describe integrity, how then did we end up with Hillary and Donald?</div>
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Perhaps this is an indictment on the people of America, that we have chosen candidates with the least quality we want in leaders. Maybe we don't really value character and integrity. Perhaps we have fallen so low as a nation that we want leaders who get things done by whatever means possible more than persons of integrity. So we are left with two candidates who specialize in getting their way; Hillary with a history of manipulation and down right criminal actions and Donald who has mastered the art of negotiating and making good deals by whatever means possible. </div>
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I long for the time when I supported a candidate I really admired and liked personally. Unfortunately I don’t have that choice in this election so I seem to be left with voting for <b>policy over personality</b>. I’m left with deciding which candidate will help bring to fruition the type of country in which I want to live and the government in which I want over me.</div>
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<b>So my second observation is this: As I see it, Trump and Clinton, personalities aside, are extreme caricatures of the government types they represent</b>. There is Hillary the consummate politician who has used and abused her government power to gain wealth and even more power. She distrusts business and the free enterprise system and relies on government to “fix" the country. So in her administration there will be more regulation, more taxes and controls on businesses. There is also a distrust of the regular American citizen to make decisions for themselves. So there will be more and more government intrusion into the lives of American citizens, more thought police, rules and more government control. The government's role in Hillary’s administration will be to make life more equal for those who don’t have as much as others and safer for those who are abused by the capitalistic system. </div>
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Then there is Trump, the outsider with no government experience, the capitalist who has used the economic system to gain wealth and power. His side distrusts government and wants to limit the power and control that the government has over business and the individual. He will reduce regulations and make policy that will help the American business owners prosper which in turn will mean more jobs for Americans and theoretically a renewed economy and more opportunities for all people. As I see it, these are our choices. It’s all a matter of which country in which you want to live.</div>
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John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-53402038628308682132016-10-18T06:23:00.000-07:002016-10-18T06:26:51.058-07:00Integrity? What is it and how do I live it?<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthFsLLe75HED2Dop8Jqr2FSY__n0FKtRmxAeKM1Wh27k2DFRL93NijwxiX6pmQtyQ1Vt_6vvqI4P7ldrOfVvOrRXvoPw8HQfDDDFDIMs6uzHTb9iC_RzdySPIXke4qHfyEYFl-0GBHts/s1600/compartment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthFsLLe75HED2Dop8Jqr2FSY__n0FKtRmxAeKM1Wh27k2DFRL93NijwxiX6pmQtyQ1Vt_6vvqI4P7ldrOfVvOrRXvoPw8HQfDDDFDIMs6uzHTb9iC_RzdySPIXke4qHfyEYFl-0GBHts/s1600/compartment.jpg" /></a>With the crazy election and all of the accusations, I’ve thought a lot recently about integrity and what it means to live a life of integrity. So I’d like to dig a little deeper into what that life looks like in the next few blog posts. </div>
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One of my favorite quotes is from James Michener:</div>
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<i><b>The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.”</b></i></div>
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I am a relational person who seeks to have fun in whatever I'm doing, so this quote really resonates with me. When my faith, work, and play intermix and harmonize, I feel as much alive as ever. An integrated (whole) life is one major aspect of living a life of integrity.</div>
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Yet this is not easy because most of us live our lives compartmentalizing work, play, family, and religion, especially those of my generation or older. I can easily act one way for my family, another at work and play and wear another suit on Sunday and this feels as natural as eating and drinking. It is not even something I consciously do but is a built-in defense mechanism to keep certain beliefs and relationships separated from one another so they don't conflict.</div>
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That is why there is this perception of hypocrisy in the church. People see believers out on the town on a Friday or Saturday night partying it up and then in church on Sunday morning hearing about the evils of what they partook on Friday. It's the reason a pastor can preach on the sin of lust while having an affair or a business man who uses unethical business practices to make a bigger pay day and then sit with his family on Sunday morning listening to a sermon on integrity. <b>Living a compartmentalized life is living a life of hypocrisy and sin. </b></div>
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I remember a skit that was done in one of the many summer youth camps I helped lead. The skit was about a teenage girl hanging out with Jesus (a boy playing the role of Jesus) in her room. The girl gets a call from a friend inviting her to a party. She excitedly accepts the invitation and quickly gets ready and starts to walk out the door. “Jesus” starts to go with her. She turns around and tells him, “you must stay here”. She turns to walk to the door again and Jesus continues to follow her. This time she turns and adamantly proclaims, “I’m sorry but you can’t go! You don’t belong at this party, stay put!” The point was clearly made. There are places and areas of our life where we don’t exercise our faith, where we would rather not have Jesus taking part.</div>
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How well do you live an integrated as opposed to a compartmentalized life? Consider how you keep your religious life separate. Think about how much your faith has spilled over into other areas of your life. Have you kept your faith life only for Sundays or do you take Jesus everywhere you go? If not, how can you better integrate your faith in the other areas?</div>
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More on living an integrated life in next week’s blog: the good news about the millennial generation and the church’s response. </div>
John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-24356760255441661292016-10-03T08:31:00.001-07:002016-10-03T08:31:41.243-07:00America's greatest problem few talk about<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My wife had cataract surgery a couple of weeks ago on one eye and she has been declaring what a difference her now "repaired" eye is from the other. She'll look at an object and remark how much brighter and colorful it looks viewing from her surgically repaired eye minus the cataract as from her other eye which also needs cataract surgery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was thinking just how her experience with new vision is like how our lives can also become distorted, discolored and in need of some sort of operation. Our culture is much like a cataract which slowly forms over our spirit and blinds us from the true life God has called us to live, the abundant life that we were created to experience. This distortion makes it difficult to see the world clearly and so we can easily be enticed to live a fraudulent life of death and destruction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So many young adults have been deceived into believing that the good life is one of drugs, alcohol and sex. <a href="http://www.drugfree.org/new-data-show-millions-of-americans-with-alcohol-and-drug-addiction-could-benefit-from-health-care-r/" target="_blank">One study</a> indicated that 23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. That’s approximately one in every 10 Americans over the age of 12 – roughly equal to the entire population of Texas. And that is only those who have admitted to having a drug or alcohol problem, perhaps only the tip of the iceberg.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd say we have a serious problem - an epidemic. I have personally felt the impact of this problem indirectly. I am close to seven couples, some friends and some family, who have young adult children struggling with drugs or alcohol. All of these young adults, men and women ages 18 to 37 have had children out of wedlock, that they are not able to take care of because they are not capable or just don't want the responsibility. And much of the problem stems from their addiction to drugs or alcohol. And so this problem is not just one that affects the addicted person but it also wrecks havoc on the lives of their parents and has a great chance of being passed on to their children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a lot of problems in our country but I can't </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">think of anything that does more harm to the individual, families and to society than this. None of the presidential candidates are discussing this problem. There are no demonstrations or protests. I think many families keep these problems hidden so we don't really understand the scope of the problem. You may hear people complain about the drug culture being an inner city problem but this goes much farther than the inner city. We have a rotten culture nationwide which leads to broken lives of drug and alcohol abuse and it is an epidemic in all areas of our nation. And its tentacles reach into all areas of society.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faith based rehab facilities are our best solution now to this problem. They serve much like cataract surgeons. These facilities remove the addicted person from the destructive culture that has so discolored their world view, so they can begin to see clearly, that there is another world full of color that is available to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, only a small percentage choose to check into rehab and there are not enough facilities to handle all those addicted if they did. The Church is best positioned and has the potential to not only treat and heal but be the key to winning the war on drugs. <a href="http://www.celebraterecovery.com/" target="_blank">Celebrate Recovery</a> and<a href="http://www.gracepoint.org/identitygroups" target="_blank"> identity groups</a> are ways the church has addressed the problem but many churches aren't equipped or even want to do the messy work needed. Ironically ministry to those struggling with addiction may be the church's best opportunity for evangelism and life transformation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only until one admits there is a problem and gets treatment will he or she be able to see the difference. Then they can begin to understand their true purpose, their identity and the role they can play to make a difference in the world. Then they will see a world of color and potential and hopefully be more inclined to choose life over death. God said <i>"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live!" Deut. 30:19 </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is much easier to choose life when we see clearly the choices before us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps we should take a look at our culture that promotes and encourages this life of death and destruction. Maybe if we dealt with the root issue, to understand that we do have a culture of death that permeates our society, then we could prevent so many broken and wasted lives.</span><br />
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<br />John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6331186169565847482.post-9442742463320609922016-09-19T08:45:00.000-07:002016-09-19T08:47:07.545-07:00Keeping the main thing the main thing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW7OWH3FiybbFK7f-OiGORu1cW095UkMUJEvSCVE3aDKCW8vwPorM4d3I-1A-J4sFbYhyphenhyphen6n-UxBB0FprTQHsSTrGxUUSAQuykSgMrul8KwTz34v-Nx1oQFQXPdWnRrb4kUQ2fYpJPcyI/s1600/people-1164926_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW7OWH3FiybbFK7f-OiGORu1cW095UkMUJEvSCVE3aDKCW8vwPorM4d3I-1A-J4sFbYhyphenhyphen6n-UxBB0FprTQHsSTrGxUUSAQuykSgMrul8KwTz34v-Nx1oQFQXPdWnRrb4kUQ2fYpJPcyI/s320/people-1164926_640.jpg" width="320" /></a>One of the biggest problems we face in life is keeping focused on the most important thing. Whether it's in our personal lives, business or church, the temptation to drift from your purpose is always a concern. We see it in politics when candidates drift from the important issues and sports when players get distracted and hurt their teams by getting unsportsmanlike penalties. When we lose our focus, we seldom accomplish our goal.<br />
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One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 12:1-3 which speaks to the importance of maintaining focus "fixing our eyes on Jesus" and removing anything that distracts from that purpose, "throw off everything that hinders” or anything that keeps us from living the life God intended us to live. This is so important that there is a crowd of heroes of the faith cheering you on, to not be distracted and bound by the world's temptations and sin, to keep focused on the main thing.<br />
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For churches, keeping focused on the main thing is extremely difficult also. The 21st century church in America has drifted a long way from what the early church focused on which was to make disciples who make disciples. Now the church has become many things to all of us and the pastor's dilemma is that we get into so many well meaning activities that the main purpose gets put on the back burner for a season or sometimes gets neglected altogether.<br />
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I recently met with a staff member of a church who was hired to oversee several ministries of the church including missions. He was frustrated because there seemed to be no direction for any of the ministries. Many voices expressed a variety of opinions about what they should be doing and there was no limit on what "ministries" the church offered. The general rule was the more we provide, the more people we will reach.<br />
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Lost in all of the activities was the original purpose; to reproduce disciples. It's as if the church itself was ADHD. The staff, lay leaders and volunteers would jump from one emphasis to the next, juggling countless number of jobs but failing to do well the one thing that the church was created to do; multiply disciples.<br />
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When contemplating any ministry, shouldn't we begin by asking the question, will this help us accomplish our main purpose? If so, then what is the best way we can do this to reproduce followers of Jesus?<br />
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Even in the ministry of missions, the purpose can get lost. We can do a lot of great things, supporting all kinds of beneficial missions from social support to missionaries on the field. We can send mission teams all over the world to work with all types of programs and churches. We can pat ourselves on the back, for all of our efforts but we often don't slow down enough to evaluate our missions, ministries and programs and whether they are accomplishing our goal of multiplying disciples.<br />
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When we view and filter ministry from that perspective, then a lot changes. We don't do ministry because that's the way our denomination has always done it. We don't do ministry because so and so wants it. We don't do ministry because it puts butts in the seats. We do ministry to multiply disciples. Some ministries, even good things, may need to be tweaked or eliminated. Some long term, traditional acivities may need to be put on the shelf. This probably means some member’s pet ministry may have to be sacrificed.<br />
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These are difficult decisions and can be painful but Hebrews 12 conveys just how critical it is. The whole spiritual world is rooting, cheering, encouraging you to not be distracted and keep your eye on, your focus on the main thing: Jesus.<br />
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<a href="http://itisyourcalling.blogspot.com/2013/08/keeping-your-eye-on-prize.html" target="_blank">More on keeping your focus click here</a>John Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07863307378885677106noreply@blogger.com1