Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 07:51AM You can never expect to lead well until you really are well. Perspective is important. We are all given to error, greed, selfishness and tempted to untruth in our lives. It seems that it is part of our humanity - our flesh. When we realize that great goals of great followers - not in numbers but quality - can never be realized until we are of the same quality that we seek for them, we gain perspective.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 07:39AM Whoever sits in solitude and is quiet
has escaped from three wars;
those of hearing, speaking and seeing.
Then there is only one war left to fight,
and that is the battle of your own heart.
Sayings of the Elders
I just knew that I had to speak. It was almost busting out inside of me. I wanted to jump to my feet. I had had this feeling before. It needed to be said. It must be said. I was certain of it.
So went most of the early church meetings and many business meetings when I was younger and more immature. I always thought that it was the way God was urging me on to speak. I have learned that it was my heart that "had to", not His. God's voice is a still small voice not an anxious voice. God's voice does not scream inside of us but speaks quietly and is not heard well over the din of our hearts. As I have grown, I have learned to fear speaking for God. It is a terribly fearful thing to say before a group - "I believe" or "God has told me" or "I have heard" or "I am certain". To miss the mark on such comments dooms me to heresy. Likewise, I have learned that if I sway followers or believers with any words other than those that I am sure are God's, is equally horrible.
The first battles find peace and the ability to hear from God. Then one must conquer the passion and selfishness of the heart - in order to hear that quiet voice of which we are certain.
Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 08:09AM If I prayed to God
that all men should approve of my conduct,
I should find myself endlessly penitent
before each man's door.
I shall not ask this;
I shall pray instead
that my heart be pure toward all.
Amma Sarra
If I am doing His work, I am then challenged and find myself fighting directly or indirectly to defend myself. If I find myself waging a war for my opinion, if I find myself embittered - most certainly, my heart is not pure toward all. My soul's struggle shows this. If in the same situation, I find myself scared, insecure or changing for everyone - most certainly, I serve only man not God.
I, one amongst millions, have faced these things too. Even recently, these truths ring true in my ear. One must be certain that what they do is of God and backed by His Words - then one can find the strength to simply have their heart pure to anyone who might disagree.
Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 08:25AM A pure heart does not put wood on a fire.
A wise heart does not try to extinguish a fire.
It is satan who starts fires.
It is only God who will put them out.
There are fires that we cannot put out and there are troubles in following God. True followers of God will find those that disagree along the way as they do some of the "hard things" of the faith like honesty, reproof, teaching and unconditional love. Even when people simply follow their own paths and do a ministry that God calls them to, another will often challenge it for really no reason.
I suggest we pray instead of try to do His work.
Monday, February 20, 2006 at 08:45AM Set your mind on following the path of the saints;
Prefer a simple style of life;
Wear unremarkable clothes.
Eat simple food.
Behave in an unaffected manner.
Don’t strut around as if you were important.
Speak from the heart.
Abba Philemon
I have often found myself troubled when traveling to Third World Countries on relief missions. There are a few common culprits that usher trouble to me – one of them are the well fed, rounded and plump pastors and mission leaders who live among the starving, under-clothed and ill. It never seemed to make sense that they lived so well – not that I think they should starve, for then who would they be able to help – amongst those who did not. It did not seem to be good stewardship to be given so much and to not share or, even worse, to withhold the gifts from afar and take preferential treatment.
It is wrong both abroad and at home though. How many ministers have far more than those they serve? How many Christian leaders take more from the top than they need to ensure that they live well? It is horrific as well, though, that most of the Christians take care of themselves far better than those that they wish to show Christ.
Do we think, “I don’t think of myself as more important than those in need,” or, “I am not worried about what anyone else thinks?” Perhaps then, we should sell our houses, our belongings, dress simply, never brag over anything, and give everything to the poor.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 07:48AM After our baptism, an even greater baptism –
If I may make so bold as to put it that way -
Is the baptism provided by our tears.
Our first baptism cleansed all our former sins…
The baptism of our tears cleanses us anew
By the gift of compassion
God gives to the human race.
John Klimakos
Forgiveness is one thing – if not seemingly the only thing – for most believers in North America. Forgiveness is the only argument to justify most leaders even though there should be three: forgiveness, qualification, and call.
If I was asked to give but one requirement to the one desiring to lead believers, it would be that they sit among the dying, care for the insane, attend many divorce proceedings, work in an orphanage, and comfort the parents of a child gone awry before they are allowed to proceed.
Perhaps there would be less leaders but we would all be more prepared for real ministry which is not founded upon teaching, publication and popularity but on caring, comforting and compassion. It is easy to preach at people until you walk an hour in their personal hell. I am so glad that God led me to step out of the pulpit and into real life.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 07:36AM Our Lord told us to pray in secret –
That means in your heart –
and he instructed us to “shut the door.”
What is the door he says we must shut,
If not the mouth?
For we are the temple in which Christ dwells,
For as the Apostle said:
“You are the temple of the Lord.”
And the Lord enters into your inner self,
Into this house,
To cleanse it from all that is unclean,
But only while the door – that is, your mouth –
Is closed shut.
Aphrahat the Persian
It was at the first real men’s retreat that I ever attended that I was challenged to not speak for 8 hours while amongst many men. It was hard – in fact, impossible. I could not entertain myself and silence held new thoughts among old thoughts that I did not want to think.
The voice of God came clearer then as I learned an important truth. It is good to shut up. Distraction steals the words of God that are whispered quietly – only quietly. It is hard for God to reprove, rebuke, convict and clean unless He is allowed the run of the house of our minds.
It was painful at first – the silence – but now, the silence brings wisdom, peace and surety. Wisdom fills the clean house.