Understanding Our Journey

One of my favorite movies growing up was, “The Wizard of Oz.”  We watched this movie every year without fail. The family would gather around the tube and watch the story unfold with great anticipation as if it were for the first time; it never got old.

As I have grown older, I have reflected back on this childhood memory and recognize how life is much like the journey Dorothy and her friends experienced on the Wizard of Oz. We all are on a journey with some expectation as to what the end result of our journey might be. We meet some friends along the way, who may not be all who they presented themselves to be. There will always be some surprises, not to mention a few flying monkeys and wicked witches that cross our path attempting to stop of from reaching our intended destination. Once we finally arrive, we realize that it wasn’t what we expected, but the end result is that we became better people in the process.

 How we expect the journey to unfold is rarely the way the journey unfolds. Life is filled with surprises, detours, set backs and disappointments. From an initial glance we might perceive these alterations as an irritation or hindrance to our intended goal, when in actuality may very well be the means God uses to do a deeper work in our lives.  In all my years of ‘following the yellow brick road’ I have discovered some important lessons along the way:

A.    The process develops your character

Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.

B.    The process reveals your weaknesses

James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing

C.    The process builds dependence on God

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

D.    The process strengthens your faith

1 Peter 1:6-7 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine…

E.    The process challenges your motives

Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

F.    The process brings you back to reality

Zechariah 13:9 I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”

G.    The process purges non-essentials

Hebrews 12:10-11 But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

H.    The process reminds you of what is most important

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

The next time you face a surprise along the road to your intended destination, be encouraged that God just might be working a great thing in your life.

Living Life Beyond the Mask

Life is much like a masquerade ball – A masquerade ball is an event which the participants attend in costume wearing a mask. The masked guests are supposedly dressed so as to be unidentifiable. This creates a type of game to see if a guest can determine each others’ identities. These gala events date back into the 15th century and were popular amongst royalty and the upper class. Many films and operas have been built around this mystic celebration including “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Although masquerade balls are intended to be a fun, isolated special event, many of us today live our lives daily, much like we are attending a Masquerade party. We begin by deciding who we want to become and what we want to look like (good or bad).  Then we pick out our outfits; the words we will choose, the lies we will tell, the secrets we will hide and the stories we will build. Next, we parade ourselves out into the real world, hiding our true identity behind the mask, never really allowing anyone to know who we really are.   We play the game, talk the talk  and do life together, but behind masks lies loneliness, hurts, wounds, insecurity and pain.

 Yet when we get all alone and take off the mask, we realize that our life is unfulfilling, non-meaningful and empty. We long for love and relationship yet we just don’t know how to get out from behind our masks and build healthy, lasting relationships.

A mask is simply, “a covering to disguise or conceal the face. To make unrecognizable.  To hide under a false appearance.” We may not literally walk around with a mask on our face, but many today do shroud themselves with invisible masks that paralyze their ability to build healthy relationships.  They disguise and conceal their real identity. They simply live a life in hiding. 

As long as you hide behind your ‘mask’ you will never fill the voids, heal the hurts of fix the problems!  Reality is, if we are totally honest with ourselves, EVERYONE has experienced life behind the mask.

Here are eight masks many of us wear today:

1. Mask of Pain – Caused by hurts and disappointments.  Psalm 73:14
2. Mask of Brokenness – Caused by life’s tragedies, trials and setbacks. Proverbs 17:22
3. Mask of Insecurity – Caused by lack of affirmation, low self-esteem, and wrong view of self. Psalm 129:33
4. Mask of Bitterness – Caused by offenses, misunderstandings and unresolved conflict.Psalm 73:21
5. Mask of Shame – Caused by embarrassment from wrong actions and mistakes you have made. Genesis 3:8
6. Mask of Selfishness – Caused by pride, arrogance and focusing regularly on your own needs.James 3:14
7. Mask of Fear – Caused by fear of the unknown, primarily in developing a new relationship. Psalm 55:5  
8. Mask of Wrong Motivations – Caused by ambition, busyness or preoccupation to pursue things of perceived value at the expense of relationships. James 4:3

In order to find true fulfillment in your life an unlock all of God’s blessings you must remove the masks and face reality.

Here are some simple steps you can take to removing your masks:

1. Get alone with God and ask Him to show you your masks – You probably know them well.
2. Be honest with yourself and face the issues – Ask someone else to be honest with you.
3. Pray and overcome them – Pray until breakthrough, daily! Every time it shows up confront i.
4. Bury your mask – Renounce it, don’t let it define you, walk from it, never to return.
5. Take the risk to live life beyond the mask – Make practical plan to step out in new ways.

Choosing Right Relationships

Relationships have a profound shaping power in your life.  Much of what you become in life is a result of relationships. Your parents played a key role in shaping your morals, values, and world view. Your teachers have shaped your perspective in many foundational areas. Your friends have a huge impact on the way you act as well.

If relationships are so critical to the outcome of who we become, it would behoove us to carefully consider the friends we choose to integrate into our lives. A few months ago I shared the seven “C’s” for developing relationships that would be a great benefit to a person’s life. As you review these seven areas, consider the relationships that you currently have or are beginning to establish with others:

Assess Their Convictions

1.    Beliefs

2.   Values

3.  Morals

 

  Clarify their Core Values

1.    Loyalty

2.   Faithfulness

3.   Honesty

4.  Encouragment

5.  Giving

6. Accountability

7.  Purity

8.  Level of Love

9.  Willingness to Sacrifice

 

Discern their Character

1.    Personal Standards

2.    Attitudes

3.    Actions

4.    Reputation

5.    Maturity levels – Spiritual, relational, emotional

 

Discover their Chemistry

1.    Hobbies and Interests

2.    Passions

3.    Gifts and Talents

4.    Personality

 

Understand their Calling

1.    Identify their purpose

2.    Ministry involvement (or lack of)

3.    Long term vision for life

 

Check out their Companions

1.    Friends and Acquaintances

2.    Girl or Boy Friend (or spouse)

3.    Their children (if applicable),

 

Review their Commitments

1.    Commitment to other relationships (God, parents, pastors, peers)

2.    Commitment to their local church

3.    Commitment to their jobs.

4.    Commitment to themselves.

 

Hopefully, these simple, yet important guidelines will help you to build lasting relationships that will propel you towards all that God has destined you to be. Give it a shot and see if you are pleasantly surprised.

Praying the Promises of God

Praying God’s Word is one of the most powerful acts a human being can initiate. When you activate the principle of prayer along with the promises of God, their is a synergistic power that is released in  your life.

Knowing that 2010 will bring us great surprises and opportunities, our faith must be secure in who God is, and who He promises to be in our lives. Here a great scripture to apply to your prayer life this  year. It is taken from Psalm 23 and outlines the seven characteristics of God, derived from the Hebrew names of God. Try if for a week, and see if you aren’t encouraged with a fresh perspective for 2010:

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my Shepherd…” -

Prayer -”Lord you are Jehovah Rohi, MY Shepherd, the one who cares and protects me in all that I face. Thank you for loving me and caring for me.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:1 – “I shall not want…”

Prayer – “Lord, you are Jehovah Jireh, MY Provider and you will supply my every need according to your riches and glory. I will trust in you to take care of my needs.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:2 – “He makes me lie down in green pastures…”

Prayer – “You are Jehovah-Shalom, MY Peace and you will give me the peace that passes all my human understanding and reasoning, despite what I see or feel.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:3 – “He restores my soul…”

Prayer – “You are Jehovah-Rapha, MY Healer, and you will restore my body, soul and spirit and make me complete in you. I believe this year to be replenished in You.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:3 – “He guides me in the path of righteousness…”

Prayer – “You youre Jehovah-Tsidkenu, MY Righteousness and you will guide me to do what is right in your sight in all that I do. Let me live a live of purity and integrity this year.”

* * * * * * * *

Pslam 23:4 – “Though I walk through the valley of shadow of death… you are with me…”

Prayer – “You are Jehovah-Shammah, MY Presence and I thank you that you are always with me and will never leave or forsake me. Whether I feel you, or not, I know you are by my side.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”

Prayer – You are Jehovah-Nissi, MY Defender, and you will alway protect me from the evil one. Lord build hedge around me today.”

2010 – A year of Promise or Uncertainty?

I am sitting in my office, sipping on a fresh pot of french press,  veering out the window at the downpour of NW liquid sunshine.  A time of reflection and contemplating what 2010 will bring.  If it is anything like 2009,  it will be a year of surprises.  How you have perceived this year’s events in your life, may greatly dictate how you perceive the coming year.

From a natural perspective, the times in which we live are uncertain. We have no idea what will happen with our economy; it may rebound or collapse. There isn’t much hope in the near future for the employment issues to turn around either. Our political situation doesn’t seem very bright. The decline in morals and values appears to be on a continual spiral downward. If we look at this  year through our “natural eyes” and attempt to interpret the onslaught coming our ways, it will have an adverse affect on how we move forward in 2010. Unfortunately, many will travel down this predictable path of uncertainty, living another year of “holding the fort” and “looking out for #1.”

The other option, which I highly suggest you consider, is to look at this year as a year of promise. A supernatural perspective will give you the ability to see this next year’s from God’s point of view. From his eyes, this will be a year on  unprecedented opportunity. It will be a year where more people come to Christ. This will be a  year where our faith is strengthened as God’s continued hand of provision is poured out on our lives. It will be a time to remember what is most important in our lives. It will be a year where we can fulfill God’s purposes in our lives!

The bottom line is that the choice is yours. Each perspective requires that same amount of calories. Will you choose to believe God for His unfailing promises to shower your life daily throughout 2010 or will you find a corner to mentally rehearse all the doom and gloom that might come your way. I choose to make this a year of Promise!

Marc’s Book Recommendations for 2009

I am often asked by young leaders, “What book would you recommend?”   Although, I am encouraged with their desire to expand their knowledge base with something more than an evening of Facebook conversations, I am reluctant to just give them a few hot titles.

What encouraged and strengthened me, may not have the same benefit to another person based on their season of life.  I am a firm believer that if you are going to invest 5-10 hours of your time to read a book, it should be a book that will have a lasting impact on your life.  Therefore,  you might consider a few questions before choosing a book to read:

1. Choose books that focus on an area of your life that needs improvement and development - A few questions you might ask are,  ”What areas of my life need the most attention?”  “What area of my life needs the most improvement?” “What skills should I develop to better myself, my ministry or my career?”

2. Once a subject is determined, take the time to research books on that subject. Ask those that excel in the area you looking at.  Conduct a search on a few book sites.

3. Once a book is chosen, research the author and investigate their background and education. Make sure they have the authority to be speaking about the subject they are writing about.

4. Go to www.amazon.com and read the reviews and comments on the book.

5. Read the table of contents and sample chapters offered on Amazon as well.

6. If you are an avid reader, you might consider purchasing a Kindle. This great new device allows you to search through over 300,000 books and download your choice within a few seconds. You can download sample chapters, read them and determine if the book catches your attention before purchasing, all in your recliner. The cost of books are also about 40-60% cheaper than the bookstore price.

During 2009, I have spent a great deal of time ingesting books that deal with our culture and their perception with the church today. As an executive pastor at a large church in Portland I feel the responsibility to understand those we are trying to reach and how we might position ourselves to be more effective in reaching people for Christ. Although these books may not fit the season you are in personally, these would be my top picks for 2009:

Understanding those we are attempting to reach recommendations:

• Preaching to a Post Modern World               By Graham Johnston
• UnChristian                                                By David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
• The Shape of Faith to Come                        By Brad Waggoner
• The Seven Faith Tribes                                By George Barna
• Lost and Found                                           By Ed Stetzer
• The Quitting Church                                     By Julia Duin

 

Connecting to those we are reaching recommendations:

• First Impressions                                         By Mark Waltz
• Lasting Impressions                                    By Mark Waltz
• Fusion                                                         By Nelson Searcy
• No Perfect People Allowed                             By John Burke
• Multi Site Churches                                      By Scott McConnell           

               

Who are we Reaching?

 

What is the culture look like that we are trying to reach?  As a leader, this is a question you must constantly be asking yourself. If you are going to be effective in reaching people you must understand how they believe and behave. With the massive belief/behavior shift taking place in our society today it is impearative that we take the time necessary to understand those within our reach.   

How a person believes plays a critical part as to how we connect with those coming into the church. What they believe, how they behave and their perceptions of us greatly affect how we should relate to them as well as how they will relate to us. In this post, we will deal specifically with their beliefs.

Their Beliefs – The United states is home to over 200 different types of religions and belief systems, but is dominated by seven major faith groups. The breakdown of these groups was taken from the book,  The Seven Faith Tribes, by George Barna

• Casual Christians - There are about 225 million adults in America and approximately 150 million fit into this category.  Their belief system is differs greatly from Biblical Christian beliefs:   
  • 74% claim to have personal relationship with Jesus.
  • 38% are certain they will have eternal life.
  • Only 18% spiritual maturity equates to making commitment to community of faith.
  • 18% engage in big three weekly: church attendance, read bible, and pray.
  • Less than 5% tithe their income, average about 1.5% of income to all contributions.

 

• Captive Christians – There are roughly 36 million that fit into this category, about 16% of population.  This segment of Christian would be a combination of evangelicals and Protestants.  Their combination of Bible-based conviction and spiritual practices has transformed them into different people. Conversion is real, they live what they believe.

 

• American Jews – The largest population of Jews now reside in United States, 6.5 million, which is close to half of Jews worldwide. 2% of U.S. population. Contemporary Judaism has its roots in the Middle East, but its heart is in postmodern West.  The changes redefining the beliefs of Judaism are extensive, too much to mention, but do play a role in the make-up in the belief structure of USA.  It has become more of a culture than an actual religion.

 

•  Mormons – There are 13 million Mormons worldwide and approximately 5 million living in the U.S., 40% living in Utah alone. Almost as many leave the church as are added to the church resulting only in small net gain annually.  Although there are varying degrees of awareness of Church doctrine over 77% state that family values are their top priority.

 

• Pantheists – The 31 Flavors of America’s belief system, which include Hindus, Buddhists, New Agers, and most religions rooted in Eastern religion.  This group represents about 1.5% of U.S. Population, about 3.5 million.  57% of this entire group is of Asian descent.

 

• Muslims – A collection of vastly different Muslim segments and theological views.  Varying studies show this group to be between 1.5 to 4 million, best estimate to be around 2.3 million.  Over 50% of this group lives in Northeastern United States.  Most feel highly rejected and grossly misunderstood and wrongly labeled with extreme radical Muslims.

 

• Spiritual Skeptics – About 11% of Americans are either Atheist (9%) or Agnostic (2%). This group has doubled in size in last quarter century now totaling about 25 million Americans. One of the fastest growing groups with expectation for aggressive growth in the coming years.

What is your Passion?

While casually perusing through the Sunday newspaper, during one of those, ‘planned brain-free, caffeine overdose’ mornings, I was side-swiped by a comment written in a side bar of the living section (a section that I never read of course), which torpedoed my morning coach potato intentions and then launched me into a deep philosophical and reflective moment with myself and…well no one (ever have one of these moments?)

The placement of these words was so obscure as if they were never intended to be read by anyone. So why in the world did I have to see them? Yet there they were bottom right hand corner, left column, 8 point Arial font, below the Macy’s ad of course, they read, “, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”

These simple eight words seem to agitate my comfort zone more than expected, by peculating deep thoughts that were not allowed on the coach on Sunday afternoons. As much as I tried to subdue these little rascals, the more they surfaced. Finally, I gave in and the journey to interpret the impact of this statement, in the long run, was well worth the mental vertical toboggan ride.  I found myself asking the question over and over as if my memory bank was incapable of inching forward any further, “What do I think about all day long?” “What gets my goat?” “What pulls my chain?” It was evident that  my brain demanded an answer to the question one that was sure to begat a slew of other questions (that’s how my mind works).

To my surprise, the answer flowed out quite clearly and quickly, I think about two things all day long. My family and the local church. What I realized after answering the question, was that what  I thought about all day long was what I was most passionate about as well… duh, there is a connection between the two.

Passion, we can see, is one of mankind’s most powerful driving forces. Passion is consuming. It’s tinged with discontent, restlessness, and determination that propel one to action. And these are not necessarily unholy things (though they can be); within the context of pursuing godly purpose, consuming dissatisfaction can be the point at which you make the beautifully reckless decision to abandon yourself in pursuit of fulfilling your divine calling. But passion also has its effect on other causes. You don’t have to go far before bumping into some.

In other words, passion is a tool God has given you to help you achieve your purpose. It’s the coal in your internal locomotive engine. It’s what causes you to dream. It inspires you, it captivates your thoughts, it invades your emotions, and, in fact, it challenges you when you don’t give it enough attention.

The inference here is that what you are passionate about is exactly the thing you have the greatest potential of becoming. So where is your passion focused? That passion you have for golf … where is it leading you? What about your passion for success … is it for God’s good pleasure and delight, or your own?

Passion directed by God is an unstoppable force. But make no mistake, the devil conspires to arrest your passion and redirect it to futile motives. Passion that isn’t carefully understood for its motive and regularly monitored for its effect has the potential to send anyone, even the most disciplined person, careening off course. This detour is, at minimum, a distraction and, in some cases, quite devastating.

One of the greatest sins we commit against God is not reaching the potential he has placed in us. Every person has been chosen, then given a purpose and a measure of passion. How you direct your passion in everyday life will greatly determine whether you are successful in fulfilling your purpose. Like a sharp knife in your kitchen drawer, passion can be extremely helpful or extremely harmful. It must be carefully directed and used for its intended purpose. Make it your aim today to set your passions in alignment with your purpose. In doing so, you will see God do great things with your life and your future.

And the next time you are reading the Sunday Newspaper, keep your eyes off of little dumb quotes pasted in the far outreaching portions of the page. They just my mash your planned coach potato moment, and cause you do something radical; like think about who you are and where you are going.

The world in which we live is a fast paced society, that brings great challenges to building and sustaining healthy relationships. Relationships are such a key to our existence and take concentrated time and energy in order to develop. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The only way to have a friend is to be one first.”  I came across a challenging poem by Charles Towne and thought I would share it with you:

“Around the corner I have a friend, In this great city that has no end.

Yet days go by and weeks rush on, and before I know it, a year is gone.

I never see my old friend’s face, for life is a swift and terrible race.

He knows I like him just as well, as in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine, we were younger then, and now we are busy tired men.

Tired of playing a foolish game, tired of tring to make a name.

“Tomorrow” I say, “I will call on Jim, just to show that I am thinking of him.”

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, and the distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner, yet miles away, comes a telegram that says, “Jim died today.”

 And that’s what we get and deserve in the end; around the corner a vanished friend.”

How Sold Out Are You?

The Bible is pretty clear about just how much of our lives—time, energy, thoughts, and passions—should be directed toward fulfilling our purpose. Some might think merely attending a weekend service is giving enough of themselves to God. Others might see a deeper commitment of attending, serving, and tithing as the acceptable measure of giving. Unfortunately, the idea of compartmentalizing life into “church” and “personal” categories misses the point altogether; God is after our everything. The Bible says, “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price” (1 Cor. 6:19–20, NLT). Remember Mike’s eternal words, “If He isn’t Lord of all, He isn’t Lord at all.” The standard has been set and the requirement is simple: give it all you’ve got!

There is a repeated theme in Scripture that is worth mentioning known as the law of sowing and reaping. Some have identified this prevailing tenet as the law of divine retribution. It’s pretty simple … you get out of life what you put into it. The apostle Paul used the analogy of a farmer, telling the church in Corinth, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give” (2 Cor. 9:6–7, NLT). Although the context for these verses is the giving of finances, the principle of sowing and reaping applies to every area of your life, which includes fulfilling your purpose.

If you want to see a few people’s lives changed with Christ’s message of redemption and eternal life, then only tell a few people about it. If you want to see God’s presence operating occasionally in your day, then only say a few prayers. If you want to live an average life, then just devote an average part of your life to pursuing average greatness.

However, if you want to know and see God’s Word in full operation in your everyday life, you must ingest it every day. If you desire for God to speak to you and use you in great exploits, you must spend quality time in prayer listening and being prompt to obey every time He speaks. If you want God to bless your finances beyond measure, give beyond measure, release funds far beyond what is comfortable. And if you want to fulfill your purpose, you have to give it all you’ve got. It’s the law of divine retribution; God requires all!

You see, you will end up devoting your time, energy, and life to the things you perceive to bring you the greatest return. Solomon, who had everything he could have possibly wanted, reflected back on his life, looking over the sum of all his mistakes and successes and made one sweeping, final, poignant statement about life: “Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (Eccles. 12:13–14, NLT).

Jesus gave His all, and He requires that we also give nothing less than whole-hearted dedication to Him and His purposes. In essence, we need to be like a postage stamp, stuck in our place until we arrive at our ultimate and final destination.