Roller Coaster In the Dark - What a ride!

I recently reviewed all of my blogs, posted on various sites. A regular theme of my writings has been waiting on God. The waiting journey has been amazing. It's like striking up many conversations while waiting in line to ride a roller coaster at a theme park - you learn so much!

However, after what seems like, and often is, hours, you finally find yourself at the gate that keeps you out of harms way from incoming and outgoing ride-cars. Your heart starts racing and your palms get sweaty as a brew of anticipation and apprehension develops in the pit of your stomach. Then a incoming chain of cars approaches and stops in front of you. The previous riders exit the ride and the gates open for you to climb aboard.

The thing is, once you're in and moving - that's it, you're IN for the entire ride! Imagine your surprise when you realize that this coaster is experienced completely in the dark. You don't know if you're going to go down a hill, turn left, or right until it actually happens.

Recently, God has revealed that he is leading us to the place of ministry he has ordained. A trusted individual gave me a confirming word, which I interpreted as God, opening the gate and saying, "Get in!" Funny thing is, we don't know where this ride is going as of yet, other than in staying in God's will. There are a couple of ministry opportunities that are open for further investigation to us. I pray that we stay "on track" with God's will and continue to enjoy the thrill of the ride in the process!

Impulsive Decisions

Yeah, I can be a little impulsive. OK, I admit it. My devotions today landed me in 1 Samuel, where David and Abishai, um, sneaked, snukked, ackk, were sneaking into Saul's camp. The impulsive Abishai, wanted to kill the sleeping Saul then and there, but David would not let him. I can hear Abishai saying, "Aw c'mon, give me just one shot!" However, it was David's respect for Saul's position and authority that prohibited him from harming Saul.

Abishai was getting ahead of God. As the account goes Saul lost his life, without blame on David or Abishai. Abishai was about to make a quick and possibly disastrous decision, one that could have not only hurt him but David and ultimately David's reign.

Robin and I are in a time of decision, I don't want to make impulsive decisions based on what I want, but what God wants. I pray that God will guide in his perfect will.

In response to Andy Warren's blog

If you etch the outline of a fly onto the porcelain of a urinal - guys will aim at it - thereby reducing spillage by 80%.

NOW!

This past Sunday, I watched as God did some amazing things in our morning and evening services. The ministry of the Holy Spirit was evident, as captives were being set free, the tears flowed and lives were being changed. I often find myself concentrating on the vision that God has given me for future ministry. It' easy to find myself so caught-up in anticipation for the time of that vision, that I miss what God is doing, right now, this day, this minute and even, this second.

God, I desire to be in your will now and in the future. Don't let me miss out on what you are doing now and miss a step for what you want to do in the future.

I sit here today, trying to concentrate on some school work, well, at least concentrate on starting to concentrate on school work. Um, yeah. I have noticed that several of my favorite bloggers have not blogged today, and I'm completely out of sorts about it.

My world , I'm sure, has rotated at least a half a degree off of it's axis and I don't think the sun has moved in the sky - oh wait, it's cloudy - strike that.

When a guy lives in the land of online school and and is connected to the internet nearly all day, every day, one tends to get into a routine... So guys, help me out ;)

Doors

I must admit, I've gotten used to looking at doors, especially closed, locked and even barricaded ones. Looking, watching and waiting for it to open. There is merit in waiting for the right door to open; however, when we wait for a particular door to open, wanting to go through that specific door, all the while ignoring all other doors, we may miss God's leading.

I wonder if we watch a particular door, wanting it to open because it would be easy to take that step. Maybe the door that God opens may look anything but easy. I'm reading the book, "In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. He writes about failing God, sins of ommission and ignored opportunities. Perhaps those opportunities are the opening doors that we are choosing to ignore because they don't fit the mold we've perceived and created for ourselves. Maybe, the opening door will make us stoop low to get through the doorway - acknowledging that it is only by God's power that we can succeed in the purposes behind that door. Maybe, behind the door is the lion that has been chasing us all of our lives. Do we dare miss the opportunity to slay it?

God, help me to walk where and when you lead, help me to face my fears and give you all the praise and glory for the victory over those fears!

GO - OOPS

Matt 28:18 - 20 NIV
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

We see the word GO on sanctuary posters depicting missions themes. A Christian band used this word to title their latest CD. Entire sermon series are preached from this word. But what does this word in Matthews Gospel really mean?

I was recently studying this passage (again) for a hermeneutics II (interpreting the Bible) class and was excited to find that the imperative verb is modified in these verses and is not "Go" but the verb form of the noun, "make disciples," or simply, "disciple". So where does that leave the word go in our understanding?

According to Dr. Leroy Bartel, in my opinion one of the greatest Bible scholars in our fellowship, the word go takes on a more relational meaning. Therefore the mandate or commission takes a more personal approach to winning souls for Christ and discipling the new believers. It speaks of "as we go about our life" we should be reaching, discipling and teaching people all the things that Christ teaches us through his Word.

It is no secret that the church has a discipleship crisis. Perhaps that is because we have been lulled into believing that if we are not called to be a missionary or pastor and we are able to say a quick prayer and write a check of support, we are excused from the great commission.

All of those things are great and necessary, but none of those things gets any of us off the hook. OOPS- I think we've been missing it.

He's Coming Home

The hospital just called. Justin is being discharged today! Robin and I will be leaving shortly to go get him. I pray that he will indeed shine like the dawn and be as bright as the noon-day sun. (See Wednesdays post)

Your prayers are still needed and appreciated.

Justin

God reminded me of this verse again today.

Ps 37:5-6 NIV
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Justin - (meaning) Righteous, just

Friends

They say that you realize who your true friends are during the bad times. This week has been bad and some true friends have really stepped up to support us. I don't know what we would have done without them. I pray that God will bless them for their selfless gift of their time and tears.

Where do you hide your heart?

It's a thought provoking question isn't it? We humans easily fall victim to conditioning. We attempt something once, maybe a few times and if we get hurt we avoid that experience at any cost. Some individuals; however, may paste on a grin and force themselves to confront the very same issue again. They know that it is probably going to hurt - not a pain so much from the issue itself, but pain from the initial wound as memories are stirred.

Floor to ceiling bathroom stalls can cause problems. Sure, for privacy it's great. But, you never can be sure if anyone is in there. Such was the case during a sport show in 1999. I was giving seminars (on walleye fishing - I used to compete on the professional tournament trail) and working at my sponsor's booth, promoting product. About half way through the day, I was encouraged by some positive remarks from a company exec. as to my future with their product and company. Later that same day, a friend of mine, took me aside and told me of a conversation he overheard while, well, sitting in just such a bathroom stall. In short, he heard the very same company exec, who hours before was singing my praises, tell someone how he had it made. "Dave Kidd mentions our product in his seminars, magazine articles or when he's on ESPN or TNN and we sell a bunch of product. But, we're just using him now when he's cheap, when his name demands any significant money, we'll dump him!" I'll never forget that day - it crushed me. I vowed that no one would ever use me again!

A while back I finished reading Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeschell. In it he says not to take too seriously the comments of either your fans or your critics. Wise words. Sometimes the very same ones who give you the highest compliments will turn and hand you your head on a platter minutes, hours, days or years later. That's human relationship. Knowing that, it is so tempting to just hang out the "closed" sign and live my life in peaceful obscurity. But I have this problem. I can't hide my heart. If I do, I can't help people. I can't get close enough to people, or allow them to get close enough to me if I have hidden my heart in an effort to protect it. Hiding my heart would turn everything God has called me to do into a train wreck.

Are you hiding your heart? Are you too afraid to get close enough to people to reach them for Christ? Think you'll be hurt? Guess what? You will be, and the sting of it will always be a memory in this life. Again, are you hiding your heart? Imagine if Christ hid his!