And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...Ehesians 6:18a
God, source of my strength, keep me praying all day long...Amen
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Ambassador...Who me?
We are Christ ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" 2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT
Truth...There are some days that I just don't feel like it! That is being an ambassador...
I met Malcolm Boyd, writer of Are you Running with me, Jesus? while in LA attending the Kaleidoscope Institute, Media and Faith seminar, at the Episcopal Cathedral Center of St Paul last week. I had an extensive conversation with Malcolm about Professor Gates' encounter with police, Malcolm's work as a spiritual director, and his long served participation in the civil rights movement, which led me to purchase of this book, considered by many a spiritual classic. The opening poem spoke to me and now I share it with others who may not just feel like it today:
"It's morning, Jesus. It's morning, and here's that light and sound all over again.
-I've got to move fast...get into the bathroom, wash up, grab a bite to eat and run some more.
-I just don't feel like it. What I really want to do is get back into bed, pull up the covers, and sleep. All I seem to want today is the big sleep, and here I've got to run all over again.
-Where am I running? You know these things I can't understand. It's not that I need to have you tell me. What counts most is just that somebody knows, and it's you. That helps a lot.
-So I'll follow along, OK? But lead, please. Now I've got to run. Are you running with me, Jesus?
...Malcolm Boyd
Truth...There are some days that I just don't feel like it! That is being an ambassador...
I met Malcolm Boyd, writer of Are you Running with me, Jesus? while in LA attending the Kaleidoscope Institute, Media and Faith seminar, at the Episcopal Cathedral Center of St Paul last week. I had an extensive conversation with Malcolm about Professor Gates' encounter with police, Malcolm's work as a spiritual director, and his long served participation in the civil rights movement, which led me to purchase of this book, considered by many a spiritual classic. The opening poem spoke to me and now I share it with others who may not just feel like it today:
"It's morning, Jesus. It's morning, and here's that light and sound all over again.
-I've got to move fast...get into the bathroom, wash up, grab a bite to eat and run some more.
-I just don't feel like it. What I really want to do is get back into bed, pull up the covers, and sleep. All I seem to want today is the big sleep, and here I've got to run all over again.
-Where am I running? You know these things I can't understand. It's not that I need to have you tell me. What counts most is just that somebody knows, and it's you. That helps a lot.
-So I'll follow along, OK? But lead, please. Now I've got to run. Are you running with me, Jesus?
...Malcolm Boyd
Monday, July 27, 2009
Pray
"Pray", a cooperative prayer videoproject between the GBOD and the Kaleidoscope Institute is in full swing. Listening to Safiyah Fosua teach and preach "Prayer Essentials" has been a spiritual renewing of the mind. Reflection on how we teach our congregations to pray, language of the church that may not connect with an unchurched populace as well as music that moves my heart that is unfamiliar with those new to the faith awakens again my sense of the need for greater intentionality of purpose in presentation of the Gospel. I wonder...
Monday, July 20, 2009
Truth in the Message
"Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
Do others know from how we act at home, at work, at play, that we have Jesus in our heart and live for Him each day? D. DeHaan
Hypocrite is a Mask-Wearer
Hypocrisy is living life with a double standard so that there is a discrepancy between what one is and the image one projects to others...Living with integrity starts with being transparent...its not about life style--being good, doing the right thing, not sinning....We must stop presenting ourselves as the message and begin presenting Jesus as the message
Live the message of Christ...Love
I invite you to take the "love" test: read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 but substitute you name each place the word "love" is used or implied. How do you measure up?
Read a Gospel this week...Hear Jesus' call to commitment.
1 Timothy 4:12
Do others know from how we act at home, at work, at play, that we have Jesus in our heart and live for Him each day? D. DeHaan
Hypocrite is a Mask-Wearer
Hypocrisy is living life with a double standard so that there is a discrepancy between what one is and the image one projects to others...Living with integrity starts with being transparent...its not about life style--being good, doing the right thing, not sinning....We must stop presenting ourselves as the message and begin presenting Jesus as the message
Live the message of Christ...Love
I invite you to take the "love" test: read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 but substitute you name each place the word "love" is used or implied. How do you measure up?
Read a Gospel this week...Hear Jesus' call to commitment.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Lead Where You Are...
Leadership defined by James C Hunter author of The World's Most Powerful Leadership Principles:"The skills of influencing people to enthusiastically work toward goals identified as being for the common good, with character that inspires confidence".
The author highlights skills, influencing and character as key to effective leadership. I find the foundation upon which these keys are to be developed in Mark 12:29-31. From this I connect that to lead is to serve...wherein it follows that we must become the change we wish to see in the world!
Are you willing to sacrifice ego, lust for power, pride and other self-interest for the greater good? ...Jesus did!
Are you willing to serve others, forgive, apologize, and give others credit even when you don't fell like? ...Jesus would!
Are you willing to extend yourself for others, be rejected, under appreciated and even taken advantage of at times? ...Jesus did!
Are you willing to sacrifice and subordinate anything that gets in the way of doing the right thing? ...Jesus would!
Will you say yes? ...Jesus did!
The author highlights skills, influencing and character as key to effective leadership. I find the foundation upon which these keys are to be developed in Mark 12:29-31. From this I connect that to lead is to serve...wherein it follows that we must become the change we wish to see in the world!
Are you willing to sacrifice ego, lust for power, pride and other self-interest for the greater good? ...Jesus did!
Are you willing to serve others, forgive, apologize, and give others credit even when you don't fell like? ...Jesus would!
Are you willing to extend yourself for others, be rejected, under appreciated and even taken advantage of at times? ...Jesus did!
Are you willing to sacrifice and subordinate anything that gets in the way of doing the right thing? ...Jesus would!
Will you say yes? ...Jesus did!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Lead Where You Are! ...
God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple hours. This is for keep, a life or death fight to the finish against the Devil and his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your fee....God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your bothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out... Ephesians 6:10-20 Message
We find that empowered and equipped by God through the Holy Spirit we are to stand...pray...and keep alert in order to be the lived change, reflecting life in Christ, that God desires for the world He so deeply loves. Let our prayer this week be: God, let me know your strength today so that I may be a faithful disciple and witness to your power. Amen.
We find that empowered and equipped by God through the Holy Spirit we are to stand...pray...and keep alert in order to be the lived change, reflecting life in Christ, that God desires for the world He so deeply loves. Let our prayer this week be: God, let me know your strength today so that I may be a faithful disciple and witness to your power. Amen.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Lead Where You Are!
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here I am: send Me!" Isaiah 6:8 NRSV
We often hear that God does not call the equipped but equips the called...So it was with Isaiah, he felt himself to be unworthy to be in the presence of God but God touched Him and removed His guilt before his sacrifice was made....
Christians, if we will hear God's Word with our souls, be deeply moved by what He says, and speak a simple message of the gospel of Christ to others, God will use us too.
Pray: Lord, as I read Your Word, speak to my heart and give me the desire to follow Your will. Amen.
We are called and equipped to lead where we are!
We often hear that God does not call the equipped but equips the called...So it was with Isaiah, he felt himself to be unworthy to be in the presence of God but God touched Him and removed His guilt before his sacrifice was made....
Christians, if we will hear God's Word with our souls, be deeply moved by what He says, and speak a simple message of the gospel of Christ to others, God will use us too.
Pray: Lord, as I read Your Word, speak to my heart and give me the desire to follow Your will. Amen.
We are called and equipped to lead where we are!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
