New Year's Eve 2011

"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!  But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."  1 Corinthians 13:12-13  The Message

2011 is rapidly drawing to a close - a new year will soon be here.

I, probably like many people, like to use this time to pause and reflect a little on what has gone before, whilst also giving consideration to what might lay ahead in the year that is to come.

Over the years I have used a variety of approaches and environments to provide me with the space and stimulation to assist me in my annual review. Sometimes I've sat and journalled in a favourite park or cafe. Other times I've wandered through a cemetery (always pretty quiet there!).

This year I'm hoping to do things a little differently and will involve my immediate family - up close and personal. This evening we will reflect honestly and openly around the meal table. It will be interesting to see what emerges as we eat and share and listen together. We'll then watch a movie together and we might even break out a few sparklers to light up our night as the evening progresses.

The questions I've written on our kitchen blackboard to guide our discussion are;

*What's one word that best describes what 2011 has been like for you?

*What's been a specific highlight for you this year?

*What have you found most challenging about the year?

*Name something you've done for the first time in 2011.

After we've thrown these questions around for a while, we'll then consider one final question (which I see as a prayer request) looking forward into the new year;

*What is one thing you're hoping for in 2012?

I really enjoy our round-table family discussions. Tonight I'm believing God for an enriching time together...might even hear his still small voice somewhere in the mix - I'd welcome that!

May the God of all seasons inform your 2011 reflections. May He also enable you to become someone who will trust steadily, hope unswervingly and love extravagently in 2012.

'Tis the season to be...

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…”   John 1:14

The Christmas season is well and truly upon us.

Some people refer to this time of year as the silly season.
Others call it the busy season. My letterbox tells me it’s the season for junk mail...LOTS of it. Some people say it is the season of giving and receiving. Yet, for others, it might be a lonely season...perhaps even a sad season.

What does this Christmas season look like for you? How would you describe it?

For the Christ-follower, Christmas is a time of year when we can especially remember and celebrate the arrival of God’s Son Jesus into our world.

John 1:14 says: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…”

Jesus is God’s gift to mankind…Jesus is the GREATEST gift of all!!

In John 1:12 we’re told; “to all who received the Word (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God...”   

God gave us Jesus to make it possible for us to become God’s children and by believing in and receiving Jesus, we can receive the free gift of eternal life.

Romans 6:23 reminds us of this where the Apostle Paul writes;”the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  

A key Christmas tradition in many families will be the giving and receiving of gifts.

For many children, this is perhaps the BIG DEAL at Christmas…

 Parents and Grandparents ask;

“What do you want for Christmas?”

Friends ask each other; 
"What are you getting for Christmas?" 
 

How about you? What do you really want for Christmas this year…?

The Bible tells us that as God’s children we have the privilege of being able to ask our Father God for what we need in accordance with His will and purpose.

1 John 5:14-15 says; "And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."

What an incredible privilege it is to be able to approach God with confidence, knowing that He hears and responds to our prayer requests.

In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus says; “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Jesus goes on to underscore the generosity and goodness of God by pointing out that even sinful people know how to give good gifts to their own children, so how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (vs 9-11).

The Bible makes it clear that God encourages His children to ask Him to provide for their needs.

Have you taken time out amongst the busyness of the season to stop and consider what you could ask God for this Christmas?  Can you identify one specific burden, need, or desire that is on your heart, which you can bring before God regularly in prayer, especially during this Christmas season?

I guess we'd all like to receive an early Christmas present - well, maybe God will bless us in this regard, yet, I can't help thinking that just as Jesus entered our world in the fullness of time (in accordance with God's perfect will and purpose), we may have to wait...

If this is the case for you, then my encouragement is to persit with the asking - keep bringing your request before God - He knows what you need and when you need it - be willing to bring this request before God until you get God’s answer, no matter how long it might take.

Merry Christmas!

extreme faith

"If there were never any clouds (sorrows and sufferings) in our lives, we would have no faith. God does not come near us without clouds."

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

How do you cope (or not cope) through the stormy seasons of life; especially when the clouds roll in and God seems to be silent or far away?

In the Old Testament Book of the same name we're given the story of a God-fearing man named Job whose faith is severely tested when some serious storm clouds roll in.

Job is described as a man who was blameless and upright; who shunned evil. He had a large family and a lot of property. Job was known as the greatest man in the East.

We will most likely be familiar with the story of Job. I suspect, if we were to be honest, that we will also be able to identify with some of the key characters and scenes that feature in the account of Job.

Job's story stretches across some 42 chapters - it's not exactly bedtime reading, there is a "happy" ending, but it's quite a journey to get there!

What's the underlying theme of Job? Author Phillip Yancey says: "The point of the Book of Job is faith: Where is God when it hurts?"

Must say I'm fascinated by the collection of in-depth conversations that are recorded in this story.

Early on in the piece there are two fairly succinct convo's recorded between the LORD and Satan. An extreme season of God-allowed testing and suffering then follows.

After the first extreme test (Satan strikes everything Job has - property and people) we're told that Job did not sin by charging God with any wrongdoing. In fact, his response was to worship God through hardship and testing!

Following a second, more personally physical test for Job, Mrs Job tells her husband to curse God and die. He responds by calling her a foolish woman and refuses to throw away his integrity.

Job is soon joined by his three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. These guys clearly identified with Job in his pain then after a week of silent companionship the conversation really gets going - they clearly made up for the days of solitude!

There's a LOT that is being said - as I read it, I get the sense there are some pretty strong emotional tones and convictions flowing through all these words...it seems that there was a real faith-wrestle going on here!!

My take on it is that what these guys were basically saying to Job was that human suffering is always in proportion to one's sins! They were telling Job that he deserved to suffer.

When the three friends had finished having their say, another guy, Elihu, after waiting his turn and somehow having heard what had already been said, is compelled to add his own perspective; providing many more words of instruction to Job.

He essentially seems to be saying that God is far more knowledgeable, more powerful than man.  He, too, says that God repays man for what his conduct deserves and that there is nowhere anyone can hide from God. Elihu calls upon Job to stop and consider the wonders of God - a God Who is beyond man's reach.

During all this time God was silent. No apparent response to Job’s tough situation, or the advice of his mates. I wonder if Job was thinking..”Where is God in this…?”

Not until the end of the Book do we read of God breaking His silence (just imagine how God would have felt, listening in on so many words between those few guys!!).

God speaks from a storm (...clouds). The LORD rolls out a series of questions for Job. They're mostly a list of statements about just how powerful and creative and mighty and in-control He is.

Job then has his final word. He responds to God.

He acknowledges that God is in control. He repents.

The story closes out with Job praying for his friends. God accepts his prayer and makes Job prosperous again, giving him twice as much as he had before - a new season had come; so much so that the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first; before the clouds and the friends with their counsel rolled in. In fact, before he died Job got to see his children’s, children’s, children’s, children.

Happy ending..?

Does every cloud have a 'silver lining'..?

I'm not so sure, but we can be assured from this story that in the end, Job got to enjoy a delightful inheritance.

*        *         *         *         *         *         *         *

A few points to ponder, especially if you may be experiencing a stormy season at this time;

*How do you relate to God during a time of testing (praise, worship, maintain integrity, ask questions, curse Him)?

*How is God relating to you (is He silent or speaking?)

*Job teaches us that extreme seasons require extreme faith.

 

*some people (friends and others) may sit in silence or talk with us through our struggles. What is said may also test our faith.

*There are times when God will be silent, other times when God clearly speaks.

*There are times when God allows Satan to test God’s people.

*God welcomes our worship, even in the tough times.

"Where reasons are given, we don't need faith. Where only darkness surrounds us, we have no means for seeing except by faith."

Elisabeth Elliot

Called by God

The topic of God's call and ministry calling has come onto my radar from a variety of sources this week.

This is something I have wrestled with a lot over the years. From time-to-time I've studied in detail what God's Word (and especially the lives of certain Bible characters) have to say about the matter. Through dialogue with people in ministry, personal experience and facilitating a hefty amount of youth ministry training God's Spirit has helped me to develop some fairly deep convictions about what it means to be called by God.

Four key bible passages which I see as foundational concerning any consideration of God’s calling are;

Nehemiah 2:12 (heart burden)

“..what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem..”

Ephesians 4:1,2 (live worthy)

“..I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (power to fulfil)

“..we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”

Hebrews 3:1 (heavenly calling)

“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.”

So what then does it mean for us to be called into ministry…to be ministers of the gospel of Jesus?

As I’ve taken time to study a number of ‘call of God’ passages in the Old Testament I see a very clear pattern [not a formula!] emerging time and time again.

Men such as Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah and others have shown me that... 

• God has a specific purpose/assignment at a point or season in time,
• Because it is from God, the purpose/assignment is God-sized - it’s not something man can complete or fulfil on his own.
• God calls a particular person to serve Him and the fulfilment of His purpose.
• The person tends to stand out for their ordinariness!! They’re often not the kind of person that would be chosen by the people of the day.
• The person is in no doubt that they have heard from God – He gets their attention!
• God’s call is often accompanied by some kind of visual sign or imagery (burning bush, branch of almond tree, fleece, etc).
• The person responding to God’s voice & God’s call says something like; “Who me?” “Why me?” “Not me!!”, or (to paraphrase in today's language) “you’ve got to be kidding!”
• The person experiences some form of personal crisis of belief  or test of faith.
• When the person eventually says ‘yes’ to accepting God’s call, God tends to confirm and affirm His call and person, & finally,
• God gets the job done through the person and the glory goes to…God - His purpose prevails!

I see it all as a process of alignment. Applied to the person of faith I think Henry Blackaby says it best;

 “You have to decide whether you are going to do what you want and ask God to bless it, or to go to work where he is working.”

 *           *           *           *           *           *   

Some time ago I asked my wife Judy to give me her perspective on God's calling. She always shoots pretty straight. She outlined three key points;

1. Always be open to God’s leading.
2. Don’t stay somewhere just because you might be comfortable there.
3. God does move people on in ministry.

A few questions for further consideration...

What do your own experiences and heart convictions teach you about what it means to be called by God?

What are the greatest hindrances to being effective in fulfilling your calling to stay the course in ministry?

What are some practical ways we can help an emerging generation of leaders discern God’s call upon their lives?  What do they most need from us?

Do you see any links between recruitment and God’s calling into ministry, or are the two mutually exclusive?

"The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self - all your wishes and precautions - to Christ."               CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

Retreat Reflections

I really appreciated the opportunity to get away for some much-needed personal time out during a relaxing few days away in Torquay last week.

I walked, explored, took photos, prayed and read a few books. Each one contained some timely gems of wisdom and relatively fresh revelation used by God to speak directly into my own faith and ministry journey.

I enjoyed journalling, drinking coffee and reflecting upon these wise words...

I thought I'd highlight just a few key sentences from each book here in this post - I might expand on some ideas and personal applications later.

YOUR MINISTRY'S NEXT CHAPTER - Gary Fenton

"The stages of life require me to change my approach to ministry but not why I do ministry."

"In our youth we see what we are doing for God; but as we grow older we see what God is doing through us."

"Somewhere along the line...we have to own responsibility for the state of our soul - or we run the risk of one day looking into it and finding it empty."

 

LEADING CHARACTER - Dan Allender

"We are to be a character who offers our unique story as a lens for others to better see the life of Jesus."

"Most people will not follow a leader whose life is disconnected from their own story."

"Be prepared to tell the truth about yourself - appropriately, winsomely, age-appropriately, within a context...be prepared to share failures."

MAKING VISION STICK - Andy Stanley

"Stating the vision...people don't remember or embrace paragraphs. They remember and embrace sentences."

"You need to find ways to build vision casting into the rhythm of your organisation."

"Vision drift is slow...leaders must keep their antennae up for new things that have the potential to distract from the main thing."

OVERCOMING YOUR SHADOW MISSION - John Ortberg

"You and I were created to have a mission in life. We were made to make a difference. But if we do not pursue the mission for which God designed and gifted us, we will find a substitute."

"We cannot live in the absence of purpose. Without an authentic mission, we will be tempted to drift on autopilot, to let our lives centre around something that is unworthy, something selfish, something dark - a shadow mission."

GOD'S BOOK - ECCLESIASTES 3:15

"Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past into account."

 

Plenty of food for thought...

Juggling

Definition of 'juggle' (Encarta Dictionary): 

to try to make something fit into a satisfactory pattern or schedule      by careful arranging;

to keep adjusting your grip or stance in order to balance objects       being held;

to keep several objects in motion in the air at the same time by throwing them and catching them in quick succession.

When I was in primary school we had someone come in to try and teach us how to juggle. I can vaguely remember some kind of class instruction session taking place out on the school oval with a group of us being shown how to start juggling using just one ball in one hand (go figure!). We were told to keep our eyes on the ball whilst it was in the air. After a while we progressed to juggling two balls (still using only the one hand) and then some time later we attempted to introduce a third ball into the mix, using both hands.

We had a lot of fun as we attempted to master the art of juggling. For a while there were probably more balls hitting the ground than staying in the air, but eventually, with some practice I can recall that I actually started to get the hang of it…finding some rhythm…keeping my eyes on the balls in the air…not dropping too many, too often.

I think the novelty of trying to perfect this new technique lasted me a few weeks at best. Around home I had a go at juggling three balls and sometimes more, but I soon lost interest – maybe it was because my hands weren’t large enough to hold all the balls properly or that I just couldn’t be bothered practising. Maybe it was simply because I found something more exciting for me to get into.

From time-to-time, I’m reminded of my early attempts of learning how to juggle. I’ve occasionally seen someone performing on one of those TV talent shows, managing to keep a number of balls or bowling pins or flaming torches in the air without dropping any, even as additional items are introduced to the performance. I once watched a guy at a Sydney railway station juggling with working chainsaws whilst perched high on a modified uni-cycle – pretty risky business, but he seemed to know what he was doing and he still had all his limbs!!

In recent months the term ‘juggling’ has become a regular part of my vocabulary; specifically relating to the multiple ministry balls (roles, tasks and people) I’m needing to manage at the moment.

The Lord has been stretching my capacity to serve beyond one or two specified (and familiar) areas of responsibility - He’s introduced a few new ‘balls’. Whilst I’m certainly up for the challenge, I’m becoming ever so conscious of having to concentrate intently just to keep my eyes on the (right) balls; not wanting to drop any.

The challenge not to drop the ball extends beyond my vocational commitments. There are other people in my life I care deeply for – they also deserve my focused attention. There’s my immediate family and my extended family. There are those ministry partners who faithfully support me in my calling. There’s my local church involvement. And, of course, there’s my relationship with Jesus.  

Consequently I’m finding the need to make some adjustments to help maintain focus and balance.

One such adjustment has been to lower my own expectations of myself. I find this difficult as by nature I’m a perfectionist -  I’m into doing things right and I like to be well organised!  I need to accept the reality that there is a limit to what I can achieve (even in God’s strength) each day.

The words of Moses (he was a juggler!) found in Psalm 90 speak to me in this regard;

 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  Ps 90:12

Another adjustment I’ve been learning to make has been about what I say ‘yes’ to, when I have the opportunity to make a choice.

And yet another adjustment has to do with maintaining a reasonable degree of margin in my schedule, even when life is hectic.

With this in mind, I've intentionally carved out some personal retreat time for these next few days.

I’ll be heading down the coast, alone. I need to set aside my regular juggling routine to simply ‘be’.  

I’m desperate for some uninterrupted, unhurried time with God. I want to wait on Him. I’m asking Him to restore my soul. I’m hopeful that through this time I will gain some fresh perspective - maybe even some fresh revelation.

No doubt, my juggling ‘act of service’ will continue once I return from my retreat; but at least for a few days I can appreciate the opportunity of not having to worry too much about dropping any balls.

I will close this post with a few questions to ponder;

1. How many 'balls' are you presently juggling - can you name them?

2. What can you do to ensure you keep your eyes on each ball?

3. Can you identify any adjustments required to maintain balance? 

"Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:15,16

blank canvas

"Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”    James 4;13-15 NLT

As part of my recent 50th birthday celebrations my wife Judy designed a creative visual display entitled; ‘Five decades of life.’ She obtained five large blank canvas frames and on each one she attached a variety of photos and statements that highlighted  some key personal memories from each of the decades I have been alive.

The display came up really well and proved an interesting talking point at my birthday party - it even generated a few laughs!

After the party one of our children, Tim, said something interesting – I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Tim said; “If someone had a canvas for each decade of their life, I wonder if they’d be willing to leave the next canvas blank before God, not knowing what would happen?”

Quite profound, don’t you think?

Tim’s question brings to mind the theme of consecration.

From a biblical perspective, when used in the Old Testament, to consecrate a specific person or item meant to devote, separate, set apart or make that person or item  holy (ie for God and His purposes). In the New Testamant, consecrate means to make perfect, to make new.

I am incredibly challenged by M.H. Miller’s brilliant definition of consecration;

“Consecration is handing God a blank sheet to fill in with your name signed at the bottom.”

That’s a lot like giving God a blank canvas; allowing Him to cover it with whatever He so chooses…

In reality, none of us knows what’s ahead. With spiritual hindsight, I can certainly testify to the very tangible evidence of God having been working in my life; across the years; across the decades.

As a person of faith, and based on my own experience of God to date, I am certain that He is still working – he hasn’t finished with me just yet. My life is in His hands. He is faithful. He has a plan. He knows what’s ahead. He can be trusted.

As I begin to contemplate the next decade of my life I guess the main question for me at the moment is; “Will I continue to trust Him?” Am I prepared to ‘sign off’ on the blank canvas that is my life moving forward, allowing God to fill it in as He so chooses, when He so chooses..?

Today I reflected and prayed about this using the words of Frances Havergal’s wonderful old hymn, Take my life and let it be.

Perhaps this will be your prayer as well…

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days;

let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move

at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.

Take my lips, and let them be

filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect, and use

every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

at Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Chris Tomlin performs a great version of this song