Would You Clean A Latrine?

In my quite time this year one of the devotional tools I am using is a book called A World of Wonders by Doug Batchelor. It is a fascinating book chalked full of some of the most interesting stories, facts, and figures that one can imagine. The following is an adaptation from Day 49 in this devotional book. 

On the morning of Sept. 17, 1862 (during the Battle of Antietam which was one of the bloodiest battles and turning point in the Civil War) a Union commander named Colonel Hays ordered his men to the firing line before sunrise with no breakfast. I can’t imagine a morning without breakfast; breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. By afternoon the men were exhausted and famished. 

A 19 year old mess sergeant by the name of Billy heard about this predicament and took pity on the hungry men and loaded up a wagon with buckets of coffee and all the food the wagon could carry. Then he drove the wagon into the front lines under fire. The soldiers sent up a cheer for their new hero Billy. They hurriedly scarfed down the food and headed back to fight the advancing Confederates with renewed strength and vigor. 


When Colonel Hays (Rutherford B. Hayes who became the 19th President of the United States) heard about Billy’s heroic actions he recommended Billy (who was William McKinley who became the 25th President of the United States) be promoted to the rank of second lieutenant.  

Luke 16:10 says, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much."  It is often used to measure the potential of a person becoming a future leader. Though the duties in front of us today may not seem great and often times even mundane  if we perform them faithfully it will soon become apparent to those around us that we can be trusted with greater things. And even if we're never given earthly recognition for our efforts, Paul reminds us that whatever we do, we should "do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Col. 3:23). 

If we do that we can be confident that we’ll hear our Commander say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21) 

RETURN CUSTOMERS

    I have often mentioned to our church planters that if God is gracious enough to bring people to your church, you better find the best ways possible to keep them coming back for more. Outreach Magazine (which I highly recommend for anyone interested in making disciples) recently published the results of why visitors return to your church. This list was compiled by accumulating over 10 years of information from “Mystery Visitors” that attended various churches and then wrote a report for Outreach Magazine. Here are the results:

• Visitors return to your church because you post clear signage on your campus. 
• Visitors return to your church because you provide a good parking experience. 
• Visitors return to your church because you are aware and eliminate sensory problems (smells on your campus).
• Visitors return to your church because you were friendly, sincere and genuine.
• Visitors return to your church because your Children’s Ministry area is clean and secure.
• Visitors return to your church because the sermons relate to their lives.
• Visitors return to your church because of your church has an outward focus. 
• Visitors return to your church because you consider how the unchurched perceive what you say. 
• Visitors return to your church because your church is diverse.

    There you have it, how would you evaluate your church? All of these “Mystery Visitors” gave each church they visited a letter grade, what would you grade out at? Maybe a better way of determining how many “return customers” a church get is to measure its retention rate. What is the percentage of first time, second time, and third time guests that return to your church?  If we don’t get “return customers” we will eventually go out of business. The only way the unchurched can eventually start the journey with Jesus is to return to hear the Story!

Strangers In A Strange Land

Have you ever felt like a stranger in a strange land? I am sure if you have been on a mission trip to a foreign land you might have experienced that type of feeling. Sometimes when I watch the national news I imagine myself living in some of the foreign countries they are reporting about. It would be quite different than living at home. Do you think a person that is unchurched and visits a church would feel like a stranger in a strange land? What do you think makes a person feel like a stranger in a strange land?

There are many reasons why we could feel like we are strangers in a strange land. We could be unfamiliar with the customs and living conditions of the new surroundings. There might be language barriers that prevent us from communicating. Maybe the dress code in this strange land is quite foreign to us. The laws and moral codes could be different than what we are accustomed to. The practicing religions could cause us to be very uncomfortable.

Why do you think the scriptures ask us no fewer than 36 times to love the stranger. Ex. 23:9 states, "You shall not oppress the stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt." You were strangers once, and were mistreated, therefore do not do to others what had been done to your forefathers. In Deut. 10: 17-19 the Bible says, "For the Lord your God is God supreme and Lord supreme, the great and mighty, and the awesome God who.... befriends the stranger, providing him with food and clothing. You must befriend the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."  

Why do you think God commands us to “love the stranger”? I believe feeling like a stranger is probably one of the most uncomfortable emotions a person wants to or has to endure. Just think about a time you personally felt like a stranger. Did you feel unaccepted? Did you feel uncomfortable? Did you feel threatened? Did you feel a little sick to your stomach? Did you feel unloved? I couldn't imagine any of us enjoying being a stranger if some of the above were symptoms of this label.

I know that people who attend church for the first time do feel like strangers in a strange land! All you have to do is ask them what they feel like; it will be eye opening and give you a better understanding about what it takes to be a missionary in the culture you live in. Take God’s word to heart and just love them. What does love look like in practical terms to that stranger in your church? And how does that love in your church make that stranger feel. If it’s God’s love they won’t feel like strangers in a strange land, but members of a family who feel right at home.

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

 In my prayer journal I pray twice a month that I would understand and experience the love of God so that I can love God more intimately and also His creation (His people). I believe it is every believer’s goal to learn how to love God and love people (the Greatest Commandment) with a greater understanding and internationalism. It is one of those mysteries that I have not yet mastered and continue to struggle with at times.

I spent last year studying the Torah as part of my quite time. On September 25th I was fascinated about the reading and as a result the pondering I did involving the love of God in my heart. Three times the Torah asks us to love: twice in Leviticus (19:18,34), we are commanded to love human beings; then, in Deuteronomy, our love is directed toward God. “Only after we have learned to love people can we come to love God.” ~ Chasidic

However, it seems to me that a man/woman cannot love God as he/she loves another human being. The love of God involves a holy fear or reverence (Deut. 6:13) which in my mind impossible to achieve toward another human being. Love expresses itself in that devoted and single minded loyalty which issues itself in wholehearted and obedient service to God. “The love of God without obedience is not love.” ~ G.E. Wright

Even more so will the lovers of God experience this constant obsession in their hearts, as we are bidden to love "with all our hearts and with all our souls.  As Solomon expressed allegorically "I am love sick" (Song of Songs 5:8); the entire Song of Songs is, in fact, an allegorical expression of this love.” ~ Mamonides I have to admit that I am not “love sick” with God near as often as I should be.

Of course, love cannot be commanded. No third party can command it or extort it. No third party can, but The One can. The commandment to love can only proceed from the mouth of the Lover. Only the Lover can and does say: love me! And He really does so. In His mouth the commandment to love is not a strange commandment; it is none other than the voice of love itself. “The love of the Lover has, in fact, no word to express itself other than the commandment." ~ F. Rosenzweig

While we were yet sinners Christ died of us. The ultimate expression of “Love” in the New Testament. It is my desire of all of us that we would fall more deeply in love with our Father this year. As we absorb His love into every single pore of our being it will be such a miraculous experience! The result from this experience will be for that love to leave every pore of our body and attach itself to our lost and dying world which will lead to an attraction to the Lover Himself.

How the Church Lost the Election!

You could have cut the silence with a knife on my Facebook account after the November election. That means I probably have too many Right Wing, Christian, Republican friends - I guess. It was amazing to me that there was more than enough blame to go around from everyone. Unfortunately, much of the blame didn't have a whole lot of  Biblical basis. My suggestion was unless we start praying more for our President, the Congress, and the Supreme Court, we won’t be the “United States of America”, but the “Divided States” (red and blue) of American. So why did we lose the election, presuming “we” to be the Christians of this country? And "losing" meaning we didn't elect a candidate who represent more Biblical views. 
  
Many have stated that Mitt Romney wasn't a strong enough presidential candidate. I believe that if God directs and controls the government (Romans 13:1-4) then the only way we can influence this process is through prayer. How much did the “Church” (we) pray about this whole election? How much were we encouraged to pray? Did any of us fast once a week during this election process? Did our churches hold twenty-four hour prayer vigils before the elections? Did we pray without ceasing on this matter? I know I could have prayed a lot more, shame on me! 
  
What contingency elected the president? From all the reports that I reviewed it was the combined Black, Hispanic, Asian, Millennial, and Women vote that turned the tide.
> Asian, Black, Hispanic: http://www.csmonitor.com
> Millennial: http://www.forbes.com 
> Women: http://www.politico.com 
How many Asian, Black and Hispanic people go to your church? In most churches I visit, these groups are either non-existent or in the extreme minority. Why aren't we reaching these people groups with the Gospel? Let’s look briefly at these groups in light of the “Church” making disciples. 

It is no secret that most Hispanic people tend to be largely Roman Catholic. Most of us know the Catholic Church, like most Protestant Churches, holds a position against abortion. So if Hispanics are following their faith this is a decisive issue. Hispanics also tend to stay away from candidates that are too extreme on immigration laws (more on both of these issues later). I recognize that our church planting efforts are woefully behind in the U.S. with all ethnic type church planting. We essentially aren't making many disciples in non-Caucasian people groups.
  

Where are the 19-28 year olds in our churches? (http://en.wikipedia.org) 
Most often they are in the minority, sometimes again the extreme minority. Let’s face it; most churches in American are white and graying out. We usually plant churches to try and reach this people group. However, too many of our church plants often times end up only as holy receptacles for reshuffling the deck of the saints. Here again the Church is not doing a very good job of making disciples in this people group.
  

Let’s turn to the Women vote. It seems most women want the freedom to choose life in the voting booth, even though polls tell us that people for and against abortion in this country are pretty even. Strategist for future elections have already said that the Republican Party is out of touch with the general populace and must not stay a white, suburban, rich represented party if it wants to win future elections. I don’t think this is the real issue.

  

As I have alluded to the “Church” lost the election - plain and simple. You are asking, “How?” The “Church” has failed to make disciples not only in the above mentioned people groups, but we are also seeing “Christians” who are in the “Church” not voting like they are Jesus’ disciples. I don’t believe any disciple of Christ could argue that abortion is right, or same sex marriage is right, or doing something illegal is right! The Biblical evidence in all three of these areas is indisputable. You can’t argue Biblically for abortion, same sex marriage, or doing something that is illegal. We have simply failed to make disciples. If you were a Disciple of Christ how could you vote for any candidate that opposed Biblical Truths? You can’t tell me if there weren't more Disciples of Christ in this country that what is happening in our country currently wouldn't be drastically different. You see, a disciple is suppose to be different than people that are not disciples. We have four years, “Church,” to get busy and make disciples!

Spiritual Fitness: Membership Special!

 I bet everyone knows which film won the Oscar for the Best Picture in 1981. That’s right! You remembered the film because you heard the famous music score in your mind, “Chariots of Fire.” The film is a classic. If you haven’t seen it, please do. The film is based on two runners in the 1924 Olympics. Eric Liddell (a Scottish Christian) who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrams (an English Jew) who runs to overcome prejudice.

For Eric Liddell it was all about God. In the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, he was forced to withdraw from the 100 meter race, his best event, because one of the qualifying heats was scheduled on a Sunday. Liddell kept the Sabbath holy; he would not run on Sunday.

His critics suggested that Liddell needed to change his approach to training if he really wanted to successfully compete at high levels. His response was brief and direct: “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

He went on in this Olympics to win the bronze medal in the 200 meters and the gold in the 400 meters (pictured above) for Great Britain. After reaching the pinnacle of competitive running, Liddell left for China as a missionary, again simply to honor God. He would do this up until the day he died in a POW camp.

I Timothy 4:7-8 says, “Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

I try to swim six days of the week because it is the only cardio exercise I can do that doesn't further irritate my spine. I also try and get to the gym three days a week to lift weights. Having the discipline to physically work out is easy for me because of my athletic and coaching background. I am amazed at how many people have the personal discipline to physically workout and measure their progress, but when it comes to spiritual exercising they can be pretty hap hazard about it. If you are disciplined about your physical training, consider being as disciplined with “godly training” in your life as well.

Adopt a spiritual training program. Get a trainer (mentor, accountability partner, or coach). Put a Bible reading program in place. Pray, fast, and journal your progress. What will you do to serve the community? What will you do to reach the lost? Will you get into a small group study to learn and develop relationships? How will you measure your progress to determine if you are becoming spiritually fit?
Let’s get in shape spiritually and physically!

Apply Duct Tape If Needed

“Wow, whose voice is that? It sounds so eloquent and convincing. This person really has many great strategies and a lot of good ideas. When he speaks it sounds like it is straight from the lips of God’s mouth. Why would he need to listen to anyone for advice or counsel, he seems so wise.” You just listened to the evil side of my conscience voicing his opinion about me. Isn’t he great? I could actually listen to him all day. Smile . . .

“Yes honey, yes dear, I agree whole heartedly with what you said, ‘What did you say?” I am sure none of you have ever been accused of selective listening by your wife? I have never heard of wives getting accused of this, but I have witnessed my wife doing this with me as well.

As most of you know I travel and speak all over the country in many different size churches, many different models of churches, and in many different geographical locations. However, there is one thing I have noticed about most of these churches including newly planted churches. We seem to be enamored with hearing ourselves speak and not listening much to what God has to say during our worship services. Could you imagine attending a worship service where all we did was be quick to listen and slow to speak?

 James 1:19-20 says, "You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." Do we need to improve our listening skills? It's one of the least-used skills that people seem to practice. How can we learn to identify when we should stop talking and just relax and listen to the person speaking. We should learn how to accomplish this because the Bible also says that we should “be still and know that He is God.” God seems to be saying if we can’t stop talking and start to hear and recognize His voice we won’t even know that He is God.

Communication is made up of talking and listening, listening and talking. It is amazing to me that if I enter a conversation without an agenda or a determination to present my case or get in the last word and just listen how much I tend to learn what God is telling me through someone else. They say you can use duct tape for just about anything. Maybe a strip over God’s vocal cord creation would assist us in achieving our listening goal? I know from experience everyone has a story to tell if we would just listen. Our relationships with others and especially with God would improve drastically if we just applied some duct tape. Perhaps this is another usage for Wikipedia to consider? Do less talking and more listening today!