I really am planning to finish my purpose/mission statement thoughts in the upcoming posts, but tonight there was something that came up naturally that I felt was worth relating to you.
Will has just started playing little league baseball, and it is fairly involved. When we first registered we were told that there would be two Saturdays of "try-outs" which would be attended by the coaches of the leagues (think 4 divisions -- A ball, AA, AAA, and majors). When I played as a 9 year old I just got stuck on the Blue Blazers team with a bunch of guys from my neighborhood. Knowing this arrangement about Will's league, however, we prayed that the Lord would place Will on the team that He wanted him on to further the mission of the Kingdom. When we found out his team, we thanked God for moving us to that spot.
Tonight, as we were saying goodnight, I asked Will to pray for the guys on his team and he prayed (earnestly as much as I could tell) that they would KNOW God and not just know about church or things like that. Needless to say I was very heartened.
After the prayer he excitedly shared that another boy on his team told the coach that he'd have to leave early from practice for a church event. And then he asked a huge question that thrilled me, "Dad, do you have to go to church to be a Christian?" I told him that I thought a mark of a Christ-follower was wanting to be with other Christ-followers, but that going to a place on Sunday morning was not the pinnacle of Jesus' plan when He talked about entering His Kingdom. This started a good discussion and Will shared his thoughts on what church could be like (very interesting).
As he shared his comments, I had a flood of my own thoughts and feelings centered around the idea that too often we want to know if we're making an impact immediately. We create measurements and evaluations designed to tell us quickly if things are going as they "should." Under these expectations, one could easily look at my life and qualify it as a failure at this stage since I am not leading/shepherding as many people as I used to, bearing as much emotional/spiritual weight as I have in the past, or even exercising as much responsibility as I've had up to this point in my life. Of course, I've heard it said that Jesus' life was an unqualified failure by many of the metrics that we use today to measure the health and success of our spiritual endeavors.
And with that in mind, what if one of God's biggest purposes for my life is not to have me accomplish anything of measurable significance, but rather to launch my son(s) well to be leaders in the Church of future that will likely be a pretty dark spot. Can I be content with that road, or do I have to be recognized and admired for my personal achievements and accomplishments in the present? This is a great question for me, and one that I am sure I will continue to wrestle with in the days ahead.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Back from the Retreat
I've been offline the past few days because I was with my family at Camp Dudley during the weekend. We were at Bethel's Alpha Retreat and my role was to speak at a Saturday session. "How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit" was my topic and I shared, among other things, the thoughts I offered in my last post.
I'm still processing the weekend, but I can tell you that one of my biggest joys in the whole time was the fact that I felt very little (if any at all) need to quantify how God "moved" on the weekend. Instead, I believe my role was to teach truth and trust that God is big enough to accomplish the things He wants -- regardless of whether I saw the "fruit" I expected/hoped/wanted to see. And really, if you look at the Kingdom parables that Jesus teaches, the Kingdom's evidence (fruit) is almost imperceptible in its movement.
And the reality is that over the past few months I've been realizing that the plan I expect to see unfold is rarely the one that God is weaving together. Instead, my call remains the same: be faithful in what is asked and trust Him with the results. Quantifying God's movement is a dangerous game because we reduce Him to our level of understanding and expectation. I pray He is pleased with my attempts at faithfulness and ask Him to continually fill me with His Spirit.
I'm still processing the weekend, but I can tell you that one of my biggest joys in the whole time was the fact that I felt very little (if any at all) need to quantify how God "moved" on the weekend. Instead, I believe my role was to teach truth and trust that God is big enough to accomplish the things He wants -- regardless of whether I saw the "fruit" I expected/hoped/wanted to see. And really, if you look at the Kingdom parables that Jesus teaches, the Kingdom's evidence (fruit) is almost imperceptible in its movement.
And the reality is that over the past few months I've been realizing that the plan I expect to see unfold is rarely the one that God is weaving together. Instead, my call remains the same: be faithful in what is asked and trust Him with the results. Quantifying God's movement is a dangerous game because we reduce Him to our level of understanding and expectation. I pray He is pleased with my attempts at faithfulness and ask Him to continually fill me with His Spirit.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
So aren't you broke yet?
I will continue with my thoughts on my life purpose statement, but I wanted to give a quick update on a topic that people seem to often (albeit hesitantly) bring up.
The two sources of income God has given me currently are substitute teaching (in the Richland School District) and speaking to different Christian groups. This week I did not work at subbing either Monday or yesterday. My attitude at this point is that it is a tremendous gift to be able to study on these "unpaid" days. Speaking opportunities have abounded (this is the generosity of God since I've not sought them). I am teaching at Bethel's Alpha retreat this weekend as well as preaching three times, and speaking at a fundraising banquet in the next month. In this, I often recall to mind Deuteronomy 8:18,
"But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today."
A few weeks ago I subbed 4 of 5 days and then I was "out of work" on Wednesday of that week. I must confess that it was a very hard day. I felt directionless and was very worried about our financial picture. In hindsight it seems silly to worry that one single day would sink us financially, but the truth is that the issue was bigger than the one day of no pay. The issue is trust in God's provision. Do I really believe that God, in this spot (where I am SURE He has led us), will really take care of us? I've had to wrestle with that, and it has truthfully been very challenging and humbling at times. Even though God has been so kind, I've struggled. But let me relay a story about God's kindness that has helped me in the past few months when it gets hard. Perhaps it will bless you too if you find yourself in a needy situation.
Last August when I first announced that I would be leaving Bethel staff, I had a man approach me right after the service. He was holding a $20 bill in his hand and explained that the day before he was cutting down tree limbs and clearing the debris from his yard. While hauling branches away, he noticed this money caught in the leaves and wondered why the Lord was giving him $20. Had this been me, I might have gone out to dinner or thought the gift was intended for me. This man, however, went on to say that when I shared about leaving Bethel that he felt the Lord tell him, "Give the money to John and tell him that I will provide all he needs."
We now have that $20 bill stuck on the mirror in our room as a constant reminder that with God, money really does grow on trees.
The two sources of income God has given me currently are substitute teaching (in the Richland School District) and speaking to different Christian groups. This week I did not work at subbing either Monday or yesterday. My attitude at this point is that it is a tremendous gift to be able to study on these "unpaid" days. Speaking opportunities have abounded (this is the generosity of God since I've not sought them). I am teaching at Bethel's Alpha retreat this weekend as well as preaching three times, and speaking at a fundraising banquet in the next month. In this, I often recall to mind Deuteronomy 8:18,
"But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today."
A few weeks ago I subbed 4 of 5 days and then I was "out of work" on Wednesday of that week. I must confess that it was a very hard day. I felt directionless and was very worried about our financial picture. In hindsight it seems silly to worry that one single day would sink us financially, but the truth is that the issue was bigger than the one day of no pay. The issue is trust in God's provision. Do I really believe that God, in this spot (where I am SURE He has led us), will really take care of us? I've had to wrestle with that, and it has truthfully been very challenging and humbling at times. Even though God has been so kind, I've struggled. But let me relay a story about God's kindness that has helped me in the past few months when it gets hard. Perhaps it will bless you too if you find yourself in a needy situation.
Last August when I first announced that I would be leaving Bethel staff, I had a man approach me right after the service. He was holding a $20 bill in his hand and explained that the day before he was cutting down tree limbs and clearing the debris from his yard. While hauling branches away, he noticed this money caught in the leaves and wondered why the Lord was giving him $20. Had this been me, I might have gone out to dinner or thought the gift was intended for me. This man, however, went on to say that when I shared about leaving Bethel that he felt the Lord tell him, "Give the money to John and tell him that I will provide all he needs."
We now have that $20 bill stuck on the mirror in our room as a constant reminder that with God, money really does grow on trees.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Filling of the Spirit
I resolve to be a mission-minded person, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, whose transforming life demonstrates the good news of the Kingdom of God in the midst of the darkness.
To be empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, we must consider a small, but powerful verse in Ephesians. "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit..." (5:18).
That phrase, "be filled" is fascinating in its nuance. In Greek (like English), verbs have tense (past, present, future, etc.), number (singular or plural), type (command, statement of action, etc.), and all verbs are either active (subject does the action) or passive (subject receives the action). You have to understand this because the nuance of "be filled" relies on the following four truths:
1. It is present or continuous. Understand that a good translation for this phrase could literally read, "be being filled." This means filling isn't a one-time happening. In fact, it likely isn't a monthly, weekly or even daily filling. I've heard that D.L. Moody once said, "I get filled with the Holy Spirit, but I leak [due to sinfulness]." We must seek the filling throughout the day -- continually.
2. It is plural. This means that Paul is writing to everyone. Not simply the really spiritual among the church at Ephesus. This is not only a word for the leadership or the elders of the church. This is a plural verb form meaning, "Everybody (young, old, new believer, long-lived saint, etc.) -- be filled."
3. It is a command. This is a biblical command in the same way that the Ten Commandments were commands. Somehow, however, we've made it so that this command to "be filled" doesn't have quite the urgency of "Do not commit murder." Same emphasis. Same God commanding it. This isn't an optional activity for a Christian.
4. Here's where it gets crazy exciting -- "Be filled" is passive. Again, a passive verb means that the subject (an understood "You" in this case -- "You" be filled) does NOT do the action (filling). In plain words, you do not fill yourself. But wait -- this is a command verb form! How can God command us to "be filled" if we lack the ability to fill ourselves? This is the very thrilling part: God knows that we CANNOT fill ourselves, but He has graciously made provision for our filling through the simple matter of asking for it. In other words, God (the Filler) is ready to fill us to fullness when we simply stop and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
You do not have to earn tokens, brownie points, or act really godly in order to receive filling. You cannot be filled through your own goodness. Interestingly, when Simon the Sorcerer sought to buy the Holy Spirit's power in Acts he was sharply rebuked (Acts 8:18-24). We cannot buy or earn the Spirit. We can only ask for the filling of the Spirit. Without this filling, we lack power to live credible, Kingdom lifestyles. Are you asking for a filling of the Spirit today?
"You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2b)
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:13)
To be empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, we must consider a small, but powerful verse in Ephesians. "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit..." (5:18).
That phrase, "be filled" is fascinating in its nuance. In Greek (like English), verbs have tense (past, present, future, etc.), number (singular or plural), type (command, statement of action, etc.), and all verbs are either active (subject does the action) or passive (subject receives the action). You have to understand this because the nuance of "be filled" relies on the following four truths:
1. It is present or continuous. Understand that a good translation for this phrase could literally read, "be being filled." This means filling isn't a one-time happening. In fact, it likely isn't a monthly, weekly or even daily filling. I've heard that D.L. Moody once said, "I get filled with the Holy Spirit, but I leak [due to sinfulness]." We must seek the filling throughout the day -- continually.
2. It is plural. This means that Paul is writing to everyone. Not simply the really spiritual among the church at Ephesus. This is not only a word for the leadership or the elders of the church. This is a plural verb form meaning, "Everybody (young, old, new believer, long-lived saint, etc.) -- be filled."
3. It is a command. This is a biblical command in the same way that the Ten Commandments were commands. Somehow, however, we've made it so that this command to "be filled" doesn't have quite the urgency of "Do not commit murder." Same emphasis. Same God commanding it. This isn't an optional activity for a Christian.
4. Here's where it gets crazy exciting -- "Be filled" is passive. Again, a passive verb means that the subject (an understood "You" in this case -- "You" be filled) does NOT do the action (filling). In plain words, you do not fill yourself. But wait -- this is a command verb form! How can God command us to "be filled" if we lack the ability to fill ourselves? This is the very thrilling part: God knows that we CANNOT fill ourselves, but He has graciously made provision for our filling through the simple matter of asking for it. In other words, God (the Filler) is ready to fill us to fullness when we simply stop and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
You do not have to earn tokens, brownie points, or act really godly in order to receive filling. You cannot be filled through your own goodness. Interestingly, when Simon the Sorcerer sought to buy the Holy Spirit's power in Acts he was sharply rebuked (Acts 8:18-24). We cannot buy or earn the Spirit. We can only ask for the filling of the Spirit. Without this filling, we lack power to live credible, Kingdom lifestyles. Are you asking for a filling of the Spirit today?
"You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2b)
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:13)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Mission-Minded pt. 2
Another thing that has struck me again recently is the importance of prayer in the life of the mission.
Greg Frizzell, author of Developing a Powerful Prayer Life, suggests that all believers should be fervently praying for the Lord to cultivate in them the fruit of the Spirit. This morning I was walking through each one and asking for the Lord to develop in me an attitude of love (helping me to seek the highest good for my wife and sons), of joy (not just optimism or happiness, but deep-seated, lasting joy), and peace (restfulness and confidence in Christ regardless of the fact that I did not have a paying job today). As a quick aside, I have 5 copies of another Frizzell book that are free for anyone reading this if you'll respond to me and agree to read them or find another good home. The book is about repentance and is titled, "Iceberg Dead Ahead!"
Reinforcing this emphasis on prayer, today I received an update from a friend who serves as a missionary in Germany. Part of his letter included the comment that European missionaries have been visiting India to see how God is rapidly multiplying the church there. They realized the following:
"Indian believers are experiencing an unprecedented movement of God's Spirit, fostered by their commitment to prayer. Many Indian 'missionaries' spend 40 hours a week prayer-walking and God is answering."
How this puts me to shame! I am sure that I speak for many of us that prayer is rarely our first inclination to accomplish the mission. Instead we feel we need to spend much time on preparation, planning, strategy and execution of these plans. I am not saying we should do either/or as God isn't about to bless our laziness, but I believe to accomplish His mission we must become greater people of prayer. Before I seek to "do" the mission, I must spend significant time in prayer for the Lord to go before me on the mission.
Israel's greatest victories were when the Lord fought on behalf of His people and "went before them" to clear out their enemies. May we ask Him to do that with the forces of darkness that stand in opposition to Him.
Greg Frizzell, author of Developing a Powerful Prayer Life, suggests that all believers should be fervently praying for the Lord to cultivate in them the fruit of the Spirit. This morning I was walking through each one and asking for the Lord to develop in me an attitude of love (helping me to seek the highest good for my wife and sons), of joy (not just optimism or happiness, but deep-seated, lasting joy), and peace (restfulness and confidence in Christ regardless of the fact that I did not have a paying job today). As a quick aside, I have 5 copies of another Frizzell book that are free for anyone reading this if you'll respond to me and agree to read them or find another good home. The book is about repentance and is titled, "Iceberg Dead Ahead!"
Reinforcing this emphasis on prayer, today I received an update from a friend who serves as a missionary in Germany. Part of his letter included the comment that European missionaries have been visiting India to see how God is rapidly multiplying the church there. They realized the following:
"Indian believers are experiencing an unprecedented movement of God's Spirit, fostered by their commitment to prayer. Many Indian 'missionaries' spend 40 hours a week prayer-walking and God is answering."
How this puts me to shame! I am sure that I speak for many of us that prayer is rarely our first inclination to accomplish the mission. Instead we feel we need to spend much time on preparation, planning, strategy and execution of these plans. I am not saying we should do either/or as God isn't about to bless our laziness, but I believe to accomplish His mission we must become greater people of prayer. Before I seek to "do" the mission, I must spend significant time in prayer for the Lord to go before me on the mission.
Israel's greatest victories were when the Lord fought on behalf of His people and "went before them" to clear out their enemies. May we ask Him to do that with the forces of darkness that stand in opposition to Him.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Mission-Minded
I resolve to be a mission-minded person, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, whose transforming life demonstrates the good news of the Kingdom of God in the midst of the darkness.
Yesterday I explained my choice of the word "resolve," and today I want to highlight the object of my resolve: to be a mission-minded person. The mission's aim is defined in Matthew 28:19-20 when Jesus says,
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Jesus charges His followers in this mission to make disciples through teaching obedience to His commands. This process, in turn, fulfills the goal of the mission which is to increase the scope of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom isn't a geographical place or a location, but rather it exists in the hearts of people when they act in accordance with His will and commands. God is most glorified when His Kingdom expands by holding greater sway over the hearts of people. Thus, whenever we surrender more control to Him or use our abilities and efforts to encourage others to do the same, we are on the mission. We are mission-minded people who are expanding the Kingdom of God and participating in the central mission in all of history (glorifying God).
Allow me to be eminently practical for a moment. Being a mission-minded person starts with surrendering yourself to the will of Christ. Is there an attitude or action in you right now that the Lord has been asking for you to address and change? If so, your first missional step is to do business with God in that area.
Only then are we able to use our lives to point those around us to Christ. More on that tomorrow, Lord willing.
Yesterday I explained my choice of the word "resolve," and today I want to highlight the object of my resolve: to be a mission-minded person. The mission's aim is defined in Matthew 28:19-20 when Jesus says,
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Jesus charges His followers in this mission to make disciples through teaching obedience to His commands. This process, in turn, fulfills the goal of the mission which is to increase the scope of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom isn't a geographical place or a location, but rather it exists in the hearts of people when they act in accordance with His will and commands. God is most glorified when His Kingdom expands by holding greater sway over the hearts of people. Thus, whenever we surrender more control to Him or use our abilities and efforts to encourage others to do the same, we are on the mission. We are mission-minded people who are expanding the Kingdom of God and participating in the central mission in all of history (glorifying God).
Allow me to be eminently practical for a moment. Being a mission-minded person starts with surrendering yourself to the will of Christ. Is there an attitude or action in you right now that the Lord has been asking for you to address and change? If so, your first missional step is to do business with God in that area.
Only then are we able to use our lives to point those around us to Christ. More on that tomorrow, Lord willing.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Preaching Tomorrow
So I am excited to have the opportunity in Pasco to share with a congregration! This is the third time that I'll speak at the church, and tomorrow I am planning to share the first of a two-part message regarding my resolution (that I think is applicable for all believers).
It reads like this:
I resolve to be a mission-minded person, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, whose transforming life demonstrates the good news of the Kingdom of God in the midst of the darkness.
For the next few days I'll share snatches of what I think this means and why I think that we all need to be running in this direction. I shared many of these thoughts with the Bethel High School students about a year and a half or so ago.
The first point is that we must be resolved. Think unswerving pursuit of something. I liken this to a bloodhound that catches the scent of an intended target and then doggedly pursues the scent until he arrives! Nothing is going to deter him or cause him to turn to the right or the left. Not that I think I've arrived (or may ever in this life), so each day I want to avoid distractions that will sidetrack me from living missionally (more about missional tomorrow). What distractions have I seen in my own life recently? Too much "zoning" on the computer, listening to inane talk radio in the car that really doesn't feed me spiritually, and using my words in a harsh or discouraging manner. These are habits that I am asking the Lord to change in me so that I can doggedly pursue both Him and the mission He has given me on this earth. I am resolved to do this.
For more great reading on this topic, check out Jonathan Edwards' resolutions (70 of them total -- I'm doing well with one). You may not agree with all of them, but they will make you think and perhaps even evaluate your current spiritual condition! You can read them here.
It reads like this:
I resolve to be a mission-minded person, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit, whose transforming life demonstrates the good news of the Kingdom of God in the midst of the darkness.
For the next few days I'll share snatches of what I think this means and why I think that we all need to be running in this direction. I shared many of these thoughts with the Bethel High School students about a year and a half or so ago.
The first point is that we must be resolved. Think unswerving pursuit of something. I liken this to a bloodhound that catches the scent of an intended target and then doggedly pursues the scent until he arrives! Nothing is going to deter him or cause him to turn to the right or the left. Not that I think I've arrived (or may ever in this life), so each day I want to avoid distractions that will sidetrack me from living missionally (more about missional tomorrow). What distractions have I seen in my own life recently? Too much "zoning" on the computer, listening to inane talk radio in the car that really doesn't feed me spiritually, and using my words in a harsh or discouraging manner. These are habits that I am asking the Lord to change in me so that I can doggedly pursue both Him and the mission He has given me on this earth. I am resolved to do this.
For more great reading on this topic, check out Jonathan Edwards' resolutions (70 of them total -- I'm doing well with one). You may not agree with all of them, but they will make you think and perhaps even evaluate your current spiritual condition! You can read them here.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Since I haven't posted for nearly 2 months, I don't know if anyone will even read this. However, there have been a few prompts in my life lately that have led me to think I should re-enter the blogging mode.
First, for any interested, let me catch you up to speed with the past two months vocationally:
I have been substitute teaching at Enterprise Middle School all but three days since late January. This means that God has been incredibly faithful to provide finances for our family and given me a real purpose in the days. While there, I have subbed for Art, PE, Math, Science, Language Arts, Home and Family (Home Ec.), Mythology, and Technology -- all grades (6-8). I believe at last count I have subbed for 21 different teachers! I know most names of students in the 6th grade well (where I've taught most often) and often hear some student call out, "Hey Mr. Stone!
I have so many stories from these days that I have recorded in a journal, and perhaps someday they will see the light of day on this blog...
For today, I want to offer an intriguing thought from my personal reading in Daniel. I've always read about Daniel not accepting the King's food and drink and thought that those tasty vittles must have been hard to pass up (it was food fit for a King, you know). However, as I read yesterday, it struck me that the hardest part of not eating and drinking (had I been in that situation) would be giving up the strokes or affirmations that were inherently granted to one so favored to eat the King's food! What strong praise the Babylonians were offering to Daniel -- we think you're so good looking/talented/ smart/impressive, that we want you to eat the King's food! I know how important that would have made me feel.
And then it hit me that I still long to be thought important by those around me. I want people to sit up and take notice that I am wonderful and valuable. And that, while perhaps not being sin inherently, leads quickly to a death spot of longing for fulfillment from man -- not God. That has made me think, and I am asking the Lord for the gift of repentance in this area. It's likely worth considering in whatever spot you find yourself today.
First, for any interested, let me catch you up to speed with the past two months vocationally:
I have been substitute teaching at Enterprise Middle School all but three days since late January. This means that God has been incredibly faithful to provide finances for our family and given me a real purpose in the days. While there, I have subbed for Art, PE, Math, Science, Language Arts, Home and Family (Home Ec.), Mythology, and Technology -- all grades (6-8). I believe at last count I have subbed for 21 different teachers! I know most names of students in the 6th grade well (where I've taught most often) and often hear some student call out, "Hey Mr. Stone!
I have so many stories from these days that I have recorded in a journal, and perhaps someday they will see the light of day on this blog...
For today, I want to offer an intriguing thought from my personal reading in Daniel. I've always read about Daniel not accepting the King's food and drink and thought that those tasty vittles must have been hard to pass up (it was food fit for a King, you know). However, as I read yesterday, it struck me that the hardest part of not eating and drinking (had I been in that situation) would be giving up the strokes or affirmations that were inherently granted to one so favored to eat the King's food! What strong praise the Babylonians were offering to Daniel -- we think you're so good looking/talented/ smart/impressive, that we want you to eat the King's food! I know how important that would have made me feel.
And then it hit me that I still long to be thought important by those around me. I want people to sit up and take notice that I am wonderful and valuable. And that, while perhaps not being sin inherently, leads quickly to a death spot of longing for fulfillment from man -- not God. That has made me think, and I am asking the Lord for the gift of repentance in this area. It's likely worth considering in whatever spot you find yourself today.
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