There is a Hebrew word in the Old Testament of the Bible, 'abar'. The word means to crossover, or to go across and not be able to go back. The first time it is used is when Joshua and the children of Israel stand of the bank of the swollen Jordan River. The have been wondering through the wilderness for forty years under Moses' leadership. Moses is gone and Joshua is appointed to lead Israel to 'abar' the Jordan River and enter into the Promised land. Once they cross there is no going back. It is unfamiliar. It is unknown. The only thing they can rely on is that God goes on before them.
Today, we have had an 'abar' experience thrust upon us. We have crossed over and we cannot go back. The path in front of us is not clear. Some believe it is the Promise Land. Others believer we are heading into a wilderness experience. The comforting thought to me is that God goes before us and is with us. Faith is required at every 'abar' in our lives.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Inauguration And The Need For A Father
With the inauguration happening tomorrow I am hoping with the rest of the country that President Elect Obama will be what he said he will be for our nation. My greatest hope is that he will remain to be the good father that he showed forth during the campaign. There has been a war against families for decades now, more specifically fathers. My prayer for President Elect Obama is that the pressures of leading the greatest nation on earth will not distract him from who he needs to be as a dad and husband.
The lack of fathers in our inner city neighborhoods is overwhelming. I ministered to over 200 children in an inner city in Hampton, Virginia. We visited the children in their homes extensively. It was a shock when I realized that only two fathers were present in the homes amongst all those children! John Elderedge writes in his book "Wild at Heart", "Every boy in his journey to become a man, takes an arrow in his heart, in the place of his strength. Because the wound is rarely discussed and even more rarely healed, every man carries a wound. And the would is nearly always given by his father."
Multitudes of young men from urban and suburban streets of our cities and towns are walking wounded. They need an example of strong father. President Obama, please above all else speak to these walking wounded, give them a deep voice and a Godly example to follow. You are in my prayers.
The lack of fathers in our inner city neighborhoods is overwhelming. I ministered to over 200 children in an inner city in Hampton, Virginia. We visited the children in their homes extensively. It was a shock when I realized that only two fathers were present in the homes amongst all those children! John Elderedge writes in his book "Wild at Heart", "Every boy in his journey to become a man, takes an arrow in his heart, in the place of his strength. Because the wound is rarely discussed and even more rarely healed, every man carries a wound. And the would is nearly always given by his father."
Multitudes of young men from urban and suburban streets of our cities and towns are walking wounded. They need an example of strong father. President Obama, please above all else speak to these walking wounded, give them a deep voice and a Godly example to follow. You are in my prayers.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Missional Churches
I am reading a book called "Borderland Churches" by Gary Nelson. It is confirming ideas and feelings that I have had about the Church (The worldwide Body of Christ) for some years now.
In the introduction the author says, "...it is impossible to be effective as the church without crossing boundaries of comfort, culture, and convenience." I believe those who have been ministering and laboring in inner city communities have learned this truth long before this recent awareness by churches seeking to be relevant in these changing times. It has been my observation that most people today are brought to faith in Jesus Christ through relationships nurtured outside the walls of the church. Seeking and developing these relationships require a commitment to cross those boundaries of comfort, culture and convenience.
It brings us back to what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2 Cor 5:20
"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."
In these changing times we must come to that realization we are ambassadors in a time and place where people are asking questions and seeking answers. Every believer is being called to be a missionary to their world.
In the introduction the author says, "...it is impossible to be effective as the church without crossing boundaries of comfort, culture, and convenience." I believe those who have been ministering and laboring in inner city communities have learned this truth long before this recent awareness by churches seeking to be relevant in these changing times. It has been my observation that most people today are brought to faith in Jesus Christ through relationships nurtured outside the walls of the church. Seeking and developing these relationships require a commitment to cross those boundaries of comfort, culture and convenience.
It brings us back to what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2 Cor 5:20
"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."
In these changing times we must come to that realization we are ambassadors in a time and place where people are asking questions and seeking answers. Every believer is being called to be a missionary to their world.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The January Fast
Every January since 1998 I fast. It started when I was on staff at a church and it was required of all pastoral staff to fast through January. My rebellious nature resisted being forced to fast but I was submissive, even though I fussed everyday. Three years later I left the staff position and January came. I looked back and reflected about the past three years of fasting January and started to really value the physical and spiritual benefits. I have kept the January fast ever since and most of my family have joined in.
We spent New Year and the first week of January with my daughter and her family in Oceanside, California. My son-in-law, Shannon Kapp, is a pastor and he is encouraging his church to fast for the first twenty-one days of January. Chandler, my ten year old grandson has voluntarily decided to fast lunch and video games! Lunch for any ten year old is a sacrifice, but video games!
A spiritual principle we live by is "Whatever you give up for Jesus, He always gives back something better." I have witnessed the incredible results in my life of this time set apart for God. I can not wait to see what happens to this incredible grandson of mine as he sets himself apart for those twenty-one days.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Bible Lessons, Telling His Stories (Part Two)
I have written a blog and have a sermon series on “Keys Ingredients to Successful Ministry.” The three keys are: 1. Keep it relevant. 2. Keep it relational. 3. Keep it reverent. I believe if we use these keys in telling and teaching the Bible stories to children we will keep their interest, challenge their behavior and minister to their soul.
Let’s start off with keeping it relevant. As you share the stories of the Bible, the children need to be able to visualize it. It helps to be somewhat dramatic in the presentation but the key is bringing the situations in the stories up to date with what the children will relate to. Apart from maybe Shaquille Oneal or other NBA centers, the children have never seen a giant. So now we have Goliath against little David. “Alright kids, who is the biggest person you ever saw?” Allow interaction as you teach. In urban settings most kids know who Shaq is. Other kids may give you answers like a football player, their dad, a neighborhood bully. “Now kids, imagine someone this much bigger than that person. (Your hands are stretched to another three feet) That is how big this giant Goliath was that David went out to fight.
So, David killed this giant with the Lord’s help. How does that relate to me, little kid in 2009 suburb of America? Explain to the children that we all have giants in our lives that we have fight with the Lord’s help. Have you ever fought the giant called, “Afraid of the dark?” How about the giant called “Bad Report Card”? All of us have things in our lives that we struggle or fight with, but if we trust Jesus to help us like David did we can overcome these giants.
Keys to keeping it relevant are: be dramatic, bring the stories up to date and relate them to situations that are current in the children’s lives.
Let’s start off with keeping it relevant. As you share the stories of the Bible, the children need to be able to visualize it. It helps to be somewhat dramatic in the presentation but the key is bringing the situations in the stories up to date with what the children will relate to. Apart from maybe Shaquille Oneal or other NBA centers, the children have never seen a giant. So now we have Goliath against little David. “Alright kids, who is the biggest person you ever saw?” Allow interaction as you teach. In urban settings most kids know who Shaq is. Other kids may give you answers like a football player, their dad, a neighborhood bully. “Now kids, imagine someone this much bigger than that person. (Your hands are stretched to another three feet) That is how big this giant Goliath was that David went out to fight.
So, David killed this giant with the Lord’s help. How does that relate to me, little kid in 2009 suburb of America? Explain to the children that we all have giants in our lives that we have fight with the Lord’s help. Have you ever fought the giant called, “Afraid of the dark?” How about the giant called “Bad Report Card”? All of us have things in our lives that we struggle or fight with, but if we trust Jesus to help us like David did we can overcome these giants.
Keys to keeping it relevant are: be dramatic, bring the stories up to date and relate them to situations that are current in the children’s lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)