How big is your heart?

I know of a pastor whose first church was a small country church for almost 8 ½ years.  During that time, I saw numerous miracles performed at his church and giving way beyond the size of the church.  But due to his size of about 25 active members, very few other pastors in his organization took them seriously.  While he was pastoring that church, I relayed a conversation I had with a head pastor of an 8000-member church regarding pastoring a smaller-sized church. He asked me the question if I understood the difference between a church of 50 and 5000?  When I responded, “No, I do not.”  He simply smiled and said, “Only the number of zeros that follow the five.”  That pastor’s needs were the same as his.  The needs had not changed. Did he preach the Gospel and proclaim the Kingdom?  Would he have a successful children’s ministry? Is the church’s worship anointed? Is the sermon relevant to what God wants them to learn? And will they have enough in the offering this week to meet their budget?  Shepherding a flock of 25 did not make him less a shepherd than if his flock was 250 or 2,500.  He still had been entrusted with sheep placed into his care for which he would have to give an account to the owner.  They weren’t his sheep, but Jesus’ sheep.

In that small country church, the pastor saw about 5 people a year become saved.  But due to a lack of jobs in the area, they saw almost as many people leave that rural area for economic reasons. On one level, five does not seem very consequential, but considering his size, that small increase represented a 20% harvest. Each year that small church would host an outreach event whereby the 25 of them would invite and feed over 250 people for a wild game banquet.  Again, that may be a small number compared to some mega churches, but it represented an outreach event 10 times the size of the church. When was the last time someone saw a church of 10,000, feed at one time, 100,000 people with 100% participation by all 10,000 members?  Man looks at outward appearances, but God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16.7). That church was anything but small in God’s eyes.  

Yet at the same time, I have come across small churches that claim the reason that they remain small, and the community is not reached, is because they practice Holiness.  I have had the sad task of reminding them that Jesus was the perfect example of Holiness, yet sinners loved to hang out with him.  When people don’t want to be around us, perhaps it is not because we are holy, but annoying!   

The difference is not the size of the church but the size of one´s heart.

Planting Seeds of Self-Doubt

As I was pondering my last post on how cults love to preach about submission, it dawned on me that another one of the key ways they try to deceive you into thinking you need to rely upon their guidance is by planting the seeds of self-doubt into your mind. In other words, you would be lost without them. And once again, I have seen firsthand another Bible Verse they all love to take out of context:

  • Jeremiah 17:9 ESV – 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

They take this out of context by ignoring the two previous verses:

  • Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV – 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Those who trust in the Lord need not worry about their heart. Only by pursuing injustice does one have to fear the state of their heart:

  • Jeremiah 17:11 ESV – 11 Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.

The Prophet Ezekiel reminds us three times:

  • Ezekiel 11:19 ESV – 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
  • Ezekiel 18:31 ESV – 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?
  • Ezekiel 36:26 ESV – 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

The only one whose heart is desperately sick is the one who likes to amass control by getting you to doubt your salvation without their aid.

As in my previous post, run for the hills far away from church leadership that likes to remind you how sick your heart is, so you need the guidance from their heart to live your life. They are the ones who gather by injustice, by getting the newbie in the faith to trust more in them rather than the Lord.

Submission

If there is one word that cults like to throw around, it would be that of submission. And I usually find it starts with a Bible Verse taken way out of context:

  • Hebrews 13:17 ESV – 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Being a fan of unspoken truths, notice what it does NOT say:

  • Leaders, remind your followers to obey and submit to you. For you must keep watch over them and know what they are up to at all times so that you may give an account.

First of all, this verse is written for a follower to take note of, not the leader. If you have to ask for submission, then it is not submission, it is dominance. Submission is volunteering by choice. If one has a hard time submitting to anything, then it is a red flag that the leader has not earned the trust of submission. The trust issues may be on the part of the follower, but trust is earned; forced submission is never taught. There is no verse that encourages a leader to force a person to submit to a church leader.

Which brings me to the second point. The church leader will not have to one day give an account of why the church had members who were unruly or disobedient, but why their own actions did not earn the trust of their members, who likewise are followers of Christ. That is why the next verse is applied to leaders and not followers:

  • Hebrews 13:18 ESV – 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

It has been my experience that leaders who require submission do not act honorably in all things, and the follower senses that lack of integrity, even if they can’t quite put their finger on the specific issue.

Someone once said that people may not remember everything you say, but they will remember how you made them feel.

If someone has to ask for submission, run for the hills. It is a red flag indicating a leader who can not be trusted. Trustworthy people do not need to ask for submission; it is freely given. And as a leader, why would you want a follower who is unruly anyway? They will only cause problems. Let those people freely leave.

The only account anyone has to give is for the person in the mirror. Were you a troublemaker who posed as a follower? Or were you a leader who could not be trusted? Both try to force others to their will. Why would one want to hang around either of those people?

The Ghosts of History

Recently, I had a chance to visit Charleston, SC, over the Fourth of July Holiday here in the United States. For those that may not know, it is one of America’s oldest settlements and played a key role in the American Revolution, as well as a nefarious role in the start of our Civil War.

Many people find history boring. But I am in agreement with the famous quote:

  • “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905.

When one visits historical places, there are usually tour guides who will take you around town and point out where historical events transpired. And alongside of those, you will often see some sort of “Ghost Tours” to point out the most haunted locations in those places. Believe it or not, I like to not only take the legitimate tours, but also avail myself to a Ghost Tour as well. Not because I believe I will see any ghosts, but they are great at pointing out the various places where people have died as a result of history. Too many places are for referencing their significance, but not the cost of that significance. I find that knowing how people died can be just as important as how they lived. How people were treated as they died says much about the actual state of the culture and their value, or the lack of, they placed on life.

I once headed up a small town ministerium, made up of both conservative and liberal pastors. One day, we were visited by a federal goverment official who stated they needed our help. They were trying to compile a list of all the elderly and disabled in our community who would need assistance to evacuate in the case of an emergency disaster. Our jaws hit the ground in disbelief. And all eyes turned to me to respond.

I responded with, “Are you not aware that Hitler and the Nazis compiled such a list and then used it to round up those people to kill those who were considered a drain on their country’s resources or threatened their values because of their faith?” Not only would they have a record of the weak, but also a record of the religious group that nominated them for the list. “Oh, no,” she responded, “We are trying to help people.” And again I responded, “You may have good intentions, but what of the next person in power, can you guarantee that such a list would not be used that way?” The silence was heavy in the room. And finally, I responded, “If there is an emergency, we will be sure to have people in our churches ensure that the less fortunate make it to safety.” The representative quietly exited the meeting. Though she did call back one more time to make another appeal.

Knowing how people have died can save lives if you heed the warnings of history.

Recently, as of this writing, over 170 people died in flash flooding in Texas. Sad to say, this was not the first time this scenario had happened in that area. There is much finger-pointing going on as to how early warnings were issued to leave the area. While many were caught off guard, many stories have trickled out that despite being asked to leave the area, many people did not do so on the grounds because they thought somehow that dying in a flash flood could not happen to them. That was until it was too late, and the waters were already surrounding them.

But as I think back on the meeting with the government official, we remembered clearly the ghosts of history and understood that it could happen to us. And we decided not to let history repeat itself.

First Book Is Now Available

I had to take some time from my blog and video series in order to bring this to its completion. So please enjoy.

Leaving Room for Growth

There once was a young man driving through an unknown small town. Wanting to find out more about the small town, he decided to park his car and walk around a bit. He came upon an old man sitting on a park bench and asked, “Were there any famous men born in this town?” The old man looked off to the side for a brief moment in thoughtful reflection and then quipped, “No, just babies.”

I am part of a Christian Group of Men known as F3 – Fitness, faith, and fellowship. We usually meet up around 5:00 a.m. to engage in exercise, such as jogging, biking, and walking. Then afterwards, we meet for coffee to discuss life’s issues. On Mondays, we even work our way through a spiritual life-related book. We recently started out reading a particular book that I have been quite taken back by. It is very similar to the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but in it, the protagonist has the opportunity to travel through history to glean wisdom for living from famous historical people.

I must admit the book has been quite the let down. Because every time the protaginist encounters the historical figure in the midst of the crisis they had to over come which led them to become famous historical people, they all pass on advice as if they had already knew at that moment what their life would teach them. In movies and novels, these type of Characters are known as “Mary Sues.”

Dictionary.Com defines a Mary Sue as “a term used to describe a fictional character, … who is seen as too perfect and almost boring for lack of flaws …” That is why many look at Luke Skywalker as someone on a hero’s journey and Rey as a Mary Sue, one who could do all things well with no need for trials or struggles to learn.

It has been said of Jesus :

  • Luke 2:40, 52 ESV – [40] And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. … [52] And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Though scripture reveals Jesus as flawless, he still needs to grow as a human being. He is not immune to the same struggles we went through.

  • Hebrews 4:15 KJV – [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

To face struggles and grow from them is considered normal by even God’s standards. It is when we fail to learn from that the real tragedy happens. I once had a mentor from West Virginia who said, “There is no sense gained from the second kick of a mule.”

There are two prayers I like to say God always answers. The first is “Help.” The second is “What’s wrong with me?” And quite often, I find that the answer to the second prayer is also the answer to the first prayer. If we never stop to reflect on how and why we are who we are, there can be no growth.

We are fond as Christians to say, “We need to be more like Jesus.” If we truly mean that then we need to be open to the fact that we must to be open to the idea that no one has ever arrived on this planet fully mature and capable. Not even Jesus. We all need to grow and mature. Because to deny the need for personal or spiritual growth was not even an option for Jesus.

The Boost I Needed

I recall junior high school as a particularly awkward time for me. I had started school a year earlier than all my peers and as a result, was emotionally a year behind all of them. I always felt that I did not quite fit in at that time. And looking back on that time now, it was because I didn´t.

On top of all of that, I had an older brother who had gotten straight A’s in the fifth grade, and so all I ever heard at home was that I would never be as smart as he was. I find this ironic, as I was placed in advanced Reading and English while in elementary school, a year ahead of my peers and two years above my age level. But once again, being emotionally behind those students by two years did not help my self-confidence.

I remember earning a “C” in a math class in the first 8th-grade grading period and making an off-handed comment to my math teacher that I could get an “A” if I wanted to. She dismissed my comment out of hand, and I made a bet with her, though I did not take it too seriously. The next grading period, I did earn my “A,” and then the following grading period, once again earned my standard “C.” Needless to say, she took me to task for not trying hard enough.

However, a friend of mine later that week told me that some teenagers in another math class were making fun of me behind my back, and true to her style, she took them to task. She stated that I was a lot smarter than I let on, as I could do anything I set my mind to. It was the first time anyone ever stood up for me by saying that I was smart.

I went on to think about her comments that night and actually began to put forth the effort to do better, as I was smart after all. It was soon after that I made my first honor roll and then high honor roll. I eventually graduated from high school as part of the National Honor Society. That one comment she made changed my life.

I do not recall ever thanking her directly, but I did pass on a message to her as an adult through another teacher who knew her. You never know how a compliment can change someone’s life, even if made when they are not around.

So now I return the favor. Mrs. Calhoun, if you ever read this, you were an excellent math teacher, and your compliment was the boost I needed. You changed my life for the better. Thank you.

My Grandfather the Bigot

This may seem like a weird post for Memorial Day here in America, but I assure you it is not. I do not wish to memorialize my grandfather in a positive way, but expose him for who he was. A wee mind of a man who could not comprehend how insignificant he was to the world.

You see, I am not the only one who has had to come to grips with the fact that you can not control who your ancestors were. I do not apologize on his behalf as I am not responsible for who he was and his small mind. While the only positive thing I can say about him was that despite being a separatist, for which he was proud of, he did not wish harm to come to anyone regardless of their skin color or race, just that he did not want to ever have to live next people different from who he was. He fought in WWII to prove that point, but to only come home even more embittered as the civil rights movement was about to kick in full gear.

Many in my family want his story to be a skeleton in the closet that no one talks about. But I know abuse can only exist if it is kept a secret in the dark, to never be exposed to the light of day. He was a horrible racist person. I was, and still am, embarrassed by how he spoke to people and how he treated his neighbors.

My grandfather was pulled from high school at age 16 to work in the steel mills. Severely uneducated, he was always fearful that someone, no matter what their race, was after his job. Unfortunately, that lack of education spilled over to his social views as well.

Unbeknownst to him. His eldest daughter was to marry a quiet, loving man who lived a life based upon the belief that all men were created equal. My dad and his father had more sway and influence over me than the bigot who was my maternal grandfather. Even as a small kid I knew inside that there was something not right about my mother’s dad.

My point in all of this is as I have said, you have no control over who were relatives were, but you do have control over the future you wish to be known for. I worked hard to instill into my children that there is only one race, the human race.

Today, I celebrate having a daughter-in-law-law from Latin America, a daughter who is in a committed relationship with someone from Asia, and another son who married into a family that emigrated here from Eastern Europe. All of which I am proud to say I considered to be some of the best people here in the United States, though they were not born here. I also pastor a bi-racial church.

My life has been so blessed and enriched, being touched by cultures that derive from all around the world. My grandfather today would be rolling over in his grave at my life and family. And what better way to memorialize my bigoted grandfather than by reminding the world of just how wrong he was.

Your family legacy is in your hands.

A Lesson Learned

I have always taught both my children and step children a very valuable mindset that I have driven home repeatedly.

You Can’t Have Fun with the Fundamentals

No matter what you undertake in life, until you get the basics down, your just average. The fun starts when you train yourself and do the fundamentals without thinking about what is needed.

I play a daily basketball game with my youngest step son of HORSE. Basically you have to make the last shot the person before you does or you gain a letter with each miss. Once upon a time I could play that game effortlessly, but the last four years as he has increased in athleticisms, my winning percentage had dropped to almost nil.

Finally with exasperation, as he would like to at least have a challenge, he turned to me and said, “Do you know what your problem is?” (Now I admit, that’s the last thing one wants to hear from a mouthy teenager.) So I respond “No, tell me” as I let out a big sigh.

He responded, “You have no form.” You’re always reminding me to practice the fundamentals, but how have you been doing with practicing the fundamentals lately in basketball. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. So I swallowed my pride and said “Show Me.”

And he did. And sure enough, I started to make some of the more challenging shots. Now, I am still not near ready yet to give him a full run for his money. But without telling him, I went out and purchased my own basketball to practice with while on my lunch breaks. There is some signs that I am indeed improving, but I am confident that if I do keep up working on my fundamentals, my game will improve.

Consider it a lessoned learned.

The Road Test

As I approached the upcoming on-ramp, my car began to sputter, and the engine cut out. Two hours earlier, my car began to sputter slightly while idling. Then, while on my way to do a home visitation for the church I co-pastor, the car began to stall while stopped at an intersection. After praying quietly to myself during the visitation, I decided to cut the visit short in case I had car trouble on the way home as my wife and I had a very important dinner engagement for which I could not be late. And now here I was, stopped cold in the middle of the four-lane highway. As I put on my blinkers, I quickly prayed that I would not be rear-ended as I got out of my vehicle.

Three hours earlier, I just got the news that I was going to be published for the very first time. My book is on the subject of spiritual warfare; how not to give aid and comfort to the enemy by exaggerating his abilities out of fear. I have heard of too many Christians insisting that it was demons keeping them from their appointed destinations by tampering directly with their car engines. Now here I was with a car that had been running perfectly fine before the news, now broken down completely after the news. Coincidence or demonic attack?

I chose to stick to my guns, which I knew to be scripturally accurate, and said out loud as I got out of my car. “Lord, I refuse to give credit to the enemy for my car breaking down!” The test was on. I also prayed to God for help and wisdom to handle the situation.

Immediately, a stranger at a gasoline station by the road where I was came running over and helped me push the car to the side. He left before I could even thank him or offer him a cash reward. I next called AAA and they said they were only 15 minutes away and could tow me to the location of my garage mechanic. I next called up a friend and explained my dilemma, and he agreed to meet me at the auto repair shop. My wife agreed to meet me at our dinner engagement, as my friend rode me home to change. My oldest stepson had left me his car for me to drive to the dinner. I arrived right before dinner was about to be served. God more than answered my prayers. I was reminded:

  • James 1:3-8 ESV – 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

This was my moment of testing before God. Would I faithfully stick to my guns and proclaim His sovereignty over my life, or would I cower in fear that we have an enemy more powerful than he is actually described as in scripture? Needless to say, I chose the former, as Jesus said:

  • Luke 10:19 ESV – 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

If nothing shall hurt us, then how can my travels fall victim to a powerless force?

This was the moment where my careful study of God’s word showed me in real life just how much of a liar the kingdom of darkness is. I am glad to report that I passed the test. I look forward to sharing how insignificant the enemy really is once the book is released to the public. But let it be known, now it has been officially “road tested.”