Praying with you on Monday . . .

Father I thank you today for burdens that come with your calling. For the struggle that draws me closer to you; yes, and even the pain that comes with it. Lord, when you walked among us, you did not avoid the difficult, the unpleasant, you faced them by seeking the Father’s help and direction, help me as learn this lesson as well.

What I’m faced with is no different than yourself. You had to find the money to pay your taxes, why should I be different? You had nowhere to call your own home, but you did have a small group around you who loved you, even while they didn’t always (or often) understand you. Did you ever ask, why me, why now, why here? Perhaps you did in those mornings alone in prayer, but even then, when you came to us, you faced what had to be, with the strength of the Holy Spirit to do what must be done.

So now as we face a another week, may I (and we) sit alone in our office or room be comforted with your real presence; even when there is noise and rushing around outside our door or window, let your peace abide with us; or the gentle sound of the water fountain that often sound like laughter or tears; remind me, you’re saying to me, “I’m here, I’m near.” May someone stop by that will place their arm around these your sons and daughters and say, “I love you, He loves you.”

You called us to yourself that you might sent us out; now that we’re out, tell me again, that you are my shepherd, how does your rod and staff work again; thank you for that table, it must be just around the next corner; and those footsteps I hear behind me, must be goodness and mercy. Lord, there are moments when frankly, I’m unsure of myself, (Okay, Jesus, I’m SCARIED!) There I’ve said it! Grant grace for the sheep bites, and wounds from last week, and beyond. So, if you don’t mind, a little light for the cave, I’m hiding in, Thank you.

This prayer Lord, isn’t meant to sound pretty, and theologically correct, but from a real heart and real man. Trying to understand what you’re doing now, but being willing to follow your lead. I love you Jesus, but I know you love me more, a Lot more. Thanks for holding me tight. With thanksgiving for your abiding presence, in the STRONG Name of Jesus, Amen!

Love ya, T

Praying with you on Monday . . .

Father, as we begin another week, I ask for your help as we face the difficult and the unknown. We who love you and feel called to serve you and your people too often find ourselves feeling alone, empty and yes, abandoned. We work alone, pray alone, study alone, and sometimes wonder where is your voice in the silence.

What’s that you say, “. . . fear not, I Am with you.” I didn’t hear those words this morning at 3 A.M. when sleep ran from me like a sprinter. I didn’t ‘feel’ your presence as I struggled to find rest  and could not. Yet, you speak even now, “I Am with you.” Then why am I so lonely at times? I thanks you for your reassurance now as I pray, comfort the hearts of these dear ones, who trust only in your merit. The words of one of my dear fathers in the Gospel, ring again in my ears as if he sang these words only yesterday, “In shady green pastures so rich and so sweet, God leads his dear children along. . . . Some through the waters, some through the floods, some through fire, but all through the blood.” Thank you for being here, now in this moment, you hold my hand when I could not see it or even feel it. You hold my heart and life in your hand as precious to you as they are to me.

Loving you is worshipping you and worshipping you is loving you, Each moment, each step I take, you are there; you go before me, but stay with me in this troubling present. And even in the days, when I see blue skies and gentle breezes you remind me, “I’m here, ever near you. Thank you!

So bless this week ahead, each new minute, and hour, until the hands of clock stand still for me and I meet you face to face, and remind me, I was there all the time. There is no challenge I face alone, not hatred thrown my way, no denial of your gifting in my life, that you won’t right, just at that correct moment. You reward is certain, and absolute, you cannot lie or fail, not for me or anyone of us. You are God alone, and I love you for yourself, not just what you do for me but for who you are. I love you Jesus. Thank you for your caring presence, back there, right here and wherever I am forever.

Strengthen by your abiding presence In the strong Name of Jesus, Amen.

Relationships in ministry. Well here goes . . .

What I'm about to share with you may be one of the most difficult I've shared to date. I hope you can hear my heart. I was catching up on my reading and a copy of Charisma J. Lee Grady wrote the following:

I'M TIRED OF THE PHONY STUFF

For three years I've wanted to gather a group of friends for a time of encouragement and personal ministry. I couldn't afford to host a fancy event, and I didn't think these guys wanted a big hoopla with expensive hotels and high-priced speakers.

So we went with a simple format that involved a donated church facility, totally informal dress code, sub sandwiches, North Carolina barbecue and cheap rooms at a Hampton Inn. What surprised me was that 91 men from 20 states and four foreign countries showed up for three days of worship, small-group interaction and inspiring messages from 32 of the guys. (don't worry, they kept comments brief.)

What happened in that small window of time amazed me. Weary pastors met new friends. Younger guys bonded with new mentors. men opened their hearts about their deepest struggles. And best of all God showed up and spoke to many of the guys about their insecurities and fears.

On the second day a panel of six young men shared about their need for godly role models. some admitted that they have dysfunctional relationships with their dads. Others said they found it difficult to connect with spiritual fathers.

One man Charles, said that in his church, young men were never allowed to develop real friendships with pastors and leaders. They were expected to be "armor bears" who acted like personal valets - by shining the pastor's shoes, carrying his water bottle and escorting him to the pulpit.

The young men who came to our Bold Venture discipleship weekend were crying out for authentic relationships. They aren't going to receive the mentoring or the spiritual nurture they need by carrying a preacher's Bible or serving as his bodyguard. True discipleship only happens in a loving, relational context.
This was the apostle Paul's method of discipleship. Though he did speak in church meetings, his ministry wasn't focused on events, sermons or a flashy delivery style. And it certainly wasn't about high-pressure offerings, pulpit showmanship or grand entrances. There was nothing fake or phony about New Testament Christianity.

Paul told the Thessalonians that he was "well-pleased to impart to you not only the Gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thess. 2:8, NASB). he knew ministry was all about investing in people. he did not live for applause, silk suits or swooning crowds.

The reason he could endure beatings, shipwrecks, betrayal, riots, hunger and imprisonments is that he loved the men and women on his ministry team. Everything he did was about pouring the life of Jesus into Timothy, Silvanus, mark, Phoebe, Priscilla, Euodia and all the other New Testament heroes who called Paul a spiritual father.

How would Paul react if he were alive to see the warped version of 'ministry' we've created? I imagine he would tear his robe and call us all back to raw humility.

Robert , a Ugandan pastor, wrote me a week after our retreat to share with me his plan for disciplining men. he said, "Next week I will meet about 24 guys to deposit what I experienced. We are going to do life together, laugh, cry, be vulnerable and open with each other. This is not and African thing, but I know it is the way to go."

Like Robert, I don't want an armor bearer, a bodyguard or an entourage. But I do want to spend the rest of my life mentoring and empowering young people. It was Paul's style. And it's the Jesus way.

Discipleship is a simple concept - too simple for some of us who have become addicted to the fancy bells and whistles of American religion. But if you listen carefully, amid the noise of the crowd, you'll hear the Holy Spirit calling us back to new Testament basics.

This is where my heart is, and I will be spending the rest of my life and ministry investing in the lives of those pastors, ministers and those who hunger to be in relationship Jesus and 'a brother' in Christ. I'd love to walk together with you on the journey.

God’s Math – By R. T. Kendall

The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:8

There are two operative words in this text: the first is the word one; the second is the word own. The two roles of planting and watering when added up are one. It is what God does, no matter how many plant and how many water. God makes things grow. One plus one equals one – that is God’s mathematics! Ten plus ten equals one; one hundred plus one hundred equals on one: God, who makes things grow.

There are a number of points I want to explore in this text.

The first is teamwork. The Oxford English Dictionary defines team as “a set of people working together.” Why? They are one. This will mean that each member surrenders a high profile. For those who have an ego problem this is quite a task! You say, “Well, this won’t apply to me; I don’t have a problem with ego.” Don’t you? Let me ask you a question: If you look at a group photograph you are in, whose face do you look for first?

So the operative word, one leads to another word, surrender -  of seven things:

1.       Identity

2.       Independence

3.       Individuality

4.       Inflexibility

5.       Indifference

6.       Inequality

7.       Personal interest

Incidentally, it is not a question whether or not we will result in one, because God will see to that. What is sobering is how this oneness will happen. Either we will do it voluntarily and get a reward, or we do it involuntarily and suffer loss.

The second point is this verse is talent. The man who plants – is that your talent? The waters – is that your talent? Planting and watering are metaphors that refer to the kind of ministry that God gives to particular Christians. Now that does not mean that they have to be one or the other, for Paul was both. The point is that each Christian has a gift, and all these combined together add up to one.

Excerpted from When God Says “Well Done!”(Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 1993)

Today's Servant of Christ - R. T. Kendall

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10

Part of the sacrifice of being today's servant of Christ is that vindication usually comes tomorrow, possibly after we are in heaven. Partly what made those in Hebrews 11 "today's" servants in their day was that they were willing to have the fruits of their labors borne by a successive generation. "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect" (Heb. 11:39 - 40).

Peter reminded his readers that, as for the prophets of the Old Testament, "it was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things" (1 Pet. 1:12).

This is an example when those with the Lord continue to be today's men and women. Those Hebrews Christians who did not succumb to the pressures of their day would never be forgotten.

We are all guilty of thinking of ourselves and how we will be remembered. But the irony of church history is that those who prepared most for tomorrow's church were the most remembered; those who wanted to build their own empires became yesterday's men and women while they were still alive - and hardly remembered afterwards.

The late president Ronald Reagan kept a little plaque on his desk that read. "There is no limit to how far one can go as long as he doesn't care who gets the credit." That to me is profound. If you and I can bring that into our own lives, I suspect it would make a considerable difference - not only in our usefulness, but also in how we are remembered. It would mean wanting, first of all, the honor that comes from God only, then to affirm His servants, no matter who they are. That is the challenge of being today's man or women.

Excerpted from The Anointing: yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Charisma House, 2003)

How to Handle Jealousy - R. T. Kendall

For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? . . .The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:3,8

There are few people who have not been either the subject or the object of jealousy at some time in their lives. Someone has said that jealousy is the sin nobody talks about; I think it is the sin nobody admits to - at least, readily. We do not like admitting to being jealous because this exposes our insecurity and weakness; the last thing we want another person to know is that we are insecure. Yet the chances are, our jealousy is one malady everybody else can see but us, and although we cannot deny that there are also psychological implications, fundamentally, jealousy is sin.

We may define jealousy as an attitude of envy or resentment toward a more successful rival. Sometimes it results from frustrated attempts to achieve an ambition, and sometimes it results from seeing somebody who has more talent, greater social advantages, more money, better looks, or a better personality than we have. It may also arise when we another succeeding where we have failed and we allow our resentment to grow into jealousy.

The reason it is easy to detect jealousy in others is they inevitably behave in a way that betrays their feelings. However, being the object of jealousy is also problematic. Most of us know what it is to have somebody jealous of us.

Yet what if another's jealousy of you is real? How do you handle a situation like this? You need to identify the real enemy. Paul identified the real enemy: the devil. So if you are the target of unjust criticism aimed to hurt you by attacking your character or by diminishing your influence, know that Satan is behind it all. However, you should also realize that you are no different, and in similar circumstances the chances are that you would react in the same way.

Only god can deal with jealousy, and only God can forgive it. But the Bible says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9).

Excepted from A Vision of Jesus (Christian Focus Publications Lld., 1999)

Joy Is Coming - R. T. Kendall

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. Psalms 126:5 - 6
Has something ever broken your heart? Have you ever felt that because your heart is breaking, all you can do is weep? Some people can cry at the drop of a hat, but I'm not referring to that kind of tears. Some men are afraid to cry, because they feel that it is not manly. But the greatest man that ever was, Jesus of Nazareth, wept. (John 11:35).

Psalm 126 refers to the end of the nightmare: "When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed" (v. 1). In other words, it seemed too good to be true. But while the nightmare was on, they thought it would never end.

A nightmare is an awful thing. I think that some of them may be caused by the devil. The last thing I do before I fall asleep is to pray for the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus upon my family and myself. I pray so every night, because I know the devil likes to seize upon us in our sleep, when we cannot control what is happening.

The nightmare referred to in Psalm 126 was that of Israel living in captivity in Babylon, a captivity that lasted for seventy years. Many died there, and others were born there. The whole time they lived in Babylon, all they could think about was going home.

You may be enduring a psychological or emotional nightmare, where you think you are losing your mind because the depression is so severe and the anxiety so intense.

Maybe you are facing financial nightmare, being deep in debt. I think of those in our society who are elderly and have to survive on small incomes. It is very sad to think of them being put under that kind of pressure.

Perhaps it is a physical nightmare that you face, where something has gone wrong inside your body and the outlook is bleak.

Perhaps you are going through a social nightmare. You have been ostracized because of the color of your skin or because of your accent.

here is a promise that is based on a condition. The promise is joy, even success, but the condition is tears.
Excerpted from Higher Ground (Christian Focus Publications Ltd. 1995)