Selah!

I have been reading several psalms this morning. Several times the verses ended with the word "selah." Selah means to stop or rest. It means to pause. In other words the Psalmist is reminding us to reflect on what we have just read. Well, that got me to thinking. I am on vacation this week. It's my "selah" - a moment of time to stop, rest and reflect. I will be doing a lot of that out on the lake in my boat that will soon have a name on it . . . Selah!

A Church Planting Thought

I have been spending this week facilitating/coaching a small group of church planters here in Manchester, NH. These guys & gals are really fun to be around. They are passionate and excited about doing something big for God in His Kingdom. My group is really interesting. The couples come from different parts of the country. But what really intrigues me is the way in which they have been connceting to each other because of the extreme range of ages. There is twenty something couple, a thirty something couple, a forty something couple and a fifty something couple and me an almost fifty-six year old coach. To watch this group interact and connect has been something to behold. There sure is no generation gap in this group. They laugh, talk share, dream, ask questions, and learn from one another. It is almost as if there is no age difference. I am convinced that their driving passion to church plant has caused them to set aside differences in order to accomplish their goals. This group has connected with each other in a deep and powerful way. There must be a lesson here for all of us.

One of our presenters shared this thought with us today. If we can't serve the Lord with joy and gladness, then we will give ourselves and the work over to the enemy. He used Deuteronomy 28:47-48 as the scripture text:

"Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you."

I hope your ministry is a joy and not a burden!

Listening

One of the discussions at our bootcamp for church planting and revitalization centered around we as coaches, being able to listen. The following scripture was shared:

Proverbs 18:13 NIV
He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame.

Among those quoted:

Steve Ogne
"He who talks most listens least."

Peter Drucker
"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't being said."

The session ended with the question: "What happens when people feel listened to?"

Ministry Update

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of hanging out with 14 twenty somethings on the lake with my boat. These Gen-Xer's are probably the most forgotten generation in our churches. Yet, they have so much talent and ability if we will just tap into them by building relationships with them individually. We had an absolute blast, tubing, wake boarding, playing volleyball, and just plain "chill'in". Talking individually with them, I am learning alot about their hopes, dreams, struggles, and desire in wanting to be used of God.

Today begins a week long bootcamp in our District. It's an intense time of training in areas of church planting and church health. Our District in hosting it and I am looking forward to hanging out with some really serious "go getters" for the Kingdom of God. Hopefully, I will be able to post a few tidbits gleaned this week on my blog for you.

An Overcomer

This has been a very busy weekend for Jeanne and me. We have been celebrating the graduation of a very special young lady friend of ours. Her name is Joy. For the past three and a half years, Jeanne and I have been investing our lives into this teenager. as mentor, tutor and friend. We consider her family.

It all began while I was observing a fifteen year old young lady, with outstretched arms, desperately crying out to God on a Sunday morning for help. In that moment, God gently spoke to me that He was going to answer her cry through my obedience to Him. I went home that Sunday and told Jeanne about God’s impression upon me. Together, Jeanne and I entered into the journey fully committed to fulfill God’s plan, whatever that might be. It has been a wonderful journey for all of us, in spite of a few bumps and prodding along the way. Jeanne and I are so very proud of all her accomplishments in such a short time. God has truly blessed her commitment and hard work, as she tenaciously pursued to become all that He wanted her to become.

I clearly remember one of my very first conversations with Joy, not long after God impressed upon me, that I was to do whatever was necessary to encourage and lead her in His plan. It was a Sunday night at youth group, and I had asked Joy what her goals were. She basically answered that she didn’t have any, other than that she hoped she could complete her high school education, although at the time, it seemed like an impossible task. Over the course of the next few years much has occurred. Together, with her parent’s permission and encouragement, we embarked on an ambitious plan that included a more structured home school setting, tutoring, and eventual enrollment at Windham Christian Academy.

Joy has exceeded and surpassed everyone's expectations, including her own. She finished her Junior year at Windham with a 92 average and as an honor student. This year she has graduated with high honors and a 96 GPA (2nd in her class). I have watched her blossom and come alive with confidence during the past three years. She has overcome a low self-opinion of herself and turned into a bright, cheerful and confident young woman. She has taken advantage of the opportunities that have been afforded her, to develop academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Joy has had to work double hard to get to the point of where she is now. Where as before, she had little hope and few goals for life, now before her are visions and dreams and great opportunities. She has a hope filled future.

Joy is about to embark on a new journey. She is accepted to Valley Forge Christian College and has received several scholorships to help make her dream financially possible. Joy is an overcomer! Her successes did not come about the easy way. It was the result of having put God first in her life and by diligently and doggedly working hard. God has rewarded Joy's efforts. This all brings me to my point of this blog this morning.

God makes many promises to the overcomer. He mentions seven in Revelations:

Revelation 2:7 NIV
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:11 NIV
who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Revelation 2:17 NIV
To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Revelation 2:26 NIV
To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations . . .

Revelation 3:5-6 NIV
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.

Revelation 3:12 NIV
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.

Revelation 3:21-22 NIV
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

God rewards those who dilgently seek after Him. Congratulations Joy! Jeanne and I so very proud of you. I have always believed in you because God first believed in you. You are an inspiration to anyone who faces obstacles and difficulties. They can be overcome as we put our faith, trust, and confidence in Him. The Bible clearly states that we will reap what we sow.

I Say "Amen!"

I'm sitting at my favorite coffee shop in Windham, Maine, sipping some good coffee and catching up on some reading. I just got done reading The Pastor's Weekly Briefing by H.B. London and was deeply moved by it. I want to share the article with you.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN?

It is very difficult not to get caught up in the adventures and consequences of Hollywood's "bad girls." The names Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie dominate news shows, newspapers and magazines. These young ladies, all under the age of 26, have become famous more for their misdeeds than their accomplishments. It has been said, "Fame, money and power change everything." Would you agree?

It is also a sad commentary on our society when the young ladies mentioned above become the role models for pre-teen and teenage girls around the world. Paris Hilton was in jail (apparently now under house arrest), Lindsay Lohan is in re-hab, Nicole Richie is fighting to stay out of jail, and Britney Spears, the mother of two, is saying she has hit bottom ... and yet they are role models? Go figure.

In a USAToday survey taken last weekend, people said money, fame and the negative influence of Hollywood had more to do with their bad behavior than parents doing a poor job. I wonder? I believe parents matter and they matter a lot. I also would think the parents of the four troubled ladies are heartsick at what they see.

Pastors, your children live in a fishbowl. The smaller the church, the larger the bowl — simply because your children find themselves in the spotlight.

Bev and I are very proud of our two sons. They are both married with two children. Each of them has a teenage daughter. I know our girls are aware of the "famous four" we have been discussing.

I wish the following for my two granddaughters:

I want them to experience unconditional love, but with limits and parameters.

I want them to grow under Christian influence. I want them to model their parents' values.

I want their fathers to be their heroes, not some rock star or movie celebrity.

I also want for them good guidance from their moms on what they wear, and how they look in public. Sometimes, parents must say "no" regardless of the reaction.

I want for my granddaughters open communication. I want them to be able to discuss anything with their parents.

I also want them to understand the value of a dollar.

I want for them friends who have good morals themselves, and good parental influence.

I don't want my granddaughters to think Britney, Lindsay, Nicole and Paris are "cool." I love them too much.

What do you want for your children?

Be blessed and be a blessing. —HBL

All I can say is "AMEN!"

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Power of the Lord

I am inspired and intrigued whenever I read this verse.

1 Kings 18:46 NIV
The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

I am inspired by the thought of imagining and experiencing such power. He had already faced and won the challenge with the false prophets of Baal. Now, here he is filled with power. My thought is that he was filled with power when he stood against the false prophets moments before. Why the mention of "power" now? Yet, it was the power of the Spirit that undoubtedly gave him strength and stamina to out run King Ahab's chariot to Jezreel. My mind conjures up the picture of Road Runner, the cartoon character, taking off like a shot out of a cannon. This is the inspirational point for me.

I am intrigued that after all this, Elijah retreats and hides, almost immediately, out of fear for his life (1 Kings 19). What happened to "the power of the Lord" that had been on him? I guess we have all at some point in our ministry experienced a let down after a great spiritual victory. We might refer to it as the "Monday morning blahs." The good news is that the Lord will refresh us. If you are feeling a spiritual let down at the moment, let the Lord refresh you. Eat and drink, Elijah was told. We can feast on Jesus's words, which is bread and water for us.

Miracle Thoughts

This morning I read from 1 Kings 17 about Elijah and the widow from Zarephath. Two miraculous incidents occurred. First the widow was able to feed Elijah during the famine without her flour and oil running out. By the way, she only had enough to make one meal for her child and herself and then she was going to die. The second miracle was that later after the famine had ended, the widow's son died, Elijah prayed for his recovery and he came back to life.

How do miracles occur? Just some real quick observations:

They occur at a great cost. What is the price you are willing to pay in order for a miracle to occur? The widow had to offer her last bit of food. The widow had to see her son die. Life can be hard on us.

Miracles are the result of perseverance. Elijah had to travel through the countryside where the famine occured. He had to ask a widow who looked as though she had little to offer for help. In the case of the dead son, he had to plead with God three times for his life. He didn't give up after his first attempt.

Miracles occur because of obedience. We find that Elijah obeyed the Lord's instruction, regardless how odd the instruction appeared to be outside the natural realm.

Miracles require humility. A widow about to die was used. Imagine - asking someone who appeared to be less than you for help.

Do you need a miracle in your life?

Interesting Reading

With my shoulder seperation slowing down my activity level, I spent the weekend reading former Attorney General John Ashcroft's book, Never Again: Securing America and Restoring Justice. I don't know about you, but I am not enjoying the media's portrayal or attention that is being projected into politics. In fact, such an early attention being given to a presidential election that is so far away, is turning me off. I wonder how many others are also being turned off?

I found John Ashcroft's book enjoyable and surprisingly refreshing for several reasons. First he is a deeply committed Christian, secondly he was born and raised up in an Assembly of God minister's home, and thirdly, his father preached at my ordination service in 1984. The media and liberal politicians battered John during his tenure as Attorney General. Thus reading the book provided me a great deal of insight into John's handling of misinformation and outright lies. What stood out throughout my reading was Jesus' warning, that world would hate his followers. Jesus teaching about how to rerspond to such attacks are summed up in the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

As I read John's book, I am deeply thankful for a man who attempted to live according to Jesus' words and not according to the ways and thoughts of men. The political races are just beginning to heat up. I suspect that we are going to hear and see a lot nasty things being said and done. We need to pray for our country - and for a revival to sweep across the political scene. Policticians need to stop talking about their religion and begin living out their faith in a Godly manner - no excuses!