Often times, we find ourselves being spoken to with words of wisdom and we take them for granted. This is because we are listening with our physical ears. But, sometimes we listen and we feel the prick at our hearts and we obey, opening our spiritual ears - then, we receive something great - true wisdom.
Not too long ago, Liz and I went to Tommy Barnett's Pastor's School in Phoenix, AZ. Let me tell you, if you have any ministry (which you do) and you have some money (which you can scrounge up) you need to head over there next February. Anyway, on the last night, we met the mother of a great violinist. She was chatting with us, a bit more that with other customers (we were buying a CD). Then, she dropped some spiritual wisdom on us. She said "when you fight, stop, and pray together! I guarantee that you will not be able to be as mad at each other."
Today, as most days, there is a lot on my mind. I was thinking about something my pastor was telling me about the congregation. He was saying that he'll have some people call, they'll be fighting (claiming to be irreconcilable) and he will go over most of the time. Now, the specific time he was referring to was in the middle of the night. Yes, in the middle of the night, someone is having a fight and needs council. Fair enough. But I asked myself the typical 90's question: What would Jesus do?
Today I was reading in Luke chapter 9 and I was caught by a few things Jesus said. More importantly to me, how He was saying it. "If they do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them" (9:5), "You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you and put up with you?" (9:41), "Let these words sink in..." (9:44), and in response to other people casting out demons in His name "don't stop him, for whoever is for you is not against you" (9:50).
To me, I was understanding the authority Jesus had, but also how he prioritized things in His mind. To one, He could say, "Ok, I'm coming now." to another, "Prepare yourself, I will come tomorrow". He always had something for the moment though. But He didn't necessarily have to jump when people commanded or asked Him to.
Many Hispanic pastors feel this need jump to their feet as soon as anything comes up. That is a good thing; and it is a bad thing as well.
One, when you are raising a child, when he/she screams at night, do you rush in the room 100% of the time to comfort the baby? No! It is common knowledge that if you do, the baby will never learn to comfort itself and get over its problem. So, why then, whenever one of our members has a problem do we 100% of the time feel it necessary to go over to them and comfort them? Doing such a thing prevents that person or persons from learning (properly) how to comfort and adapt to the situation at hand.
Two, as a pastor, you have family and personal needs. When you leave in the middle of the night 4 nights out of the week to comfort families and people, you are running yourself ragged; and if you have family, you are running them ragged too.
"Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" Don't you know that sleep deprivation ends life early? Don't you know that sleep reduces stress, aka the number one killer? Don't you know that "worrying never added a day to your life. But in prayer and petition in thanksgiving ask your heavenly Father and you will receive the Peace that surpasses all understanding."
Your family worries about you when you are not home too. Your wives and husbands lay in bed incomplete, while their other half is away. Your children feel the emptiness when their parent is not there, so that they feel protected.
Tell this family who calls you in the middle of the night: "Separate and pray for no less than three minutes. Then, reconvene and pray together, out loud for no less than five minutes. For in this, you make time to restore yourselves to God." Then, make an appointment with them the following day.
In this, you teach them well how to depend on each other and God foremost, not a third party.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Shhh...I'm not done talking yet...
Two days ago, I got a call from a man named Eli Martinez. He said that he had an event going on that he would like to inform me on and also sit down and chat - just to have some one on one conversation. I obliged him and said excitedly that I would like to meet him as soon as possible; which turned out to be the following day.
My wife, Liz, informed me later that I had double booked myself. I had forgotten that we were going to go to a spaghetti feed at Wapato High School for the benefit of those who had lost their homes in White Swan (to the fire). But, as you will see...it all worked out.
The next day rolled around and before I knew it, it was about that time. So, we went to the spaghetti feed...their were tons of people there! A large part of the community came to support the families - it was quite moving! However, (here's where is it worked out) because so many in the community were there, the line was Gigantour! So, we stood around for a bit, talked to a few people, gave a donation and left to go to our meeting (in 30 mins). PS - this worked out because our meeting was at Miner's.
Skipping to the good part: Eli and his wife Sara, and his three handsome boys were there when we got there. We say down and he began to share his vision and how it is coming to be. I watched and listened and became even filled myself he poured out his passion to see the body of Christ unified and united on one front...all denominations and all races together!!
Well, if you don't know me (and you probably don't) - one of my biggest passions and I believe callings is to see the body of Christ united! So, you can imagine as I am sitting there, listening to my Hispanic brother enunciate eloquently his elaborate vision - I became elated to the max (nice alliteration, huh?)!!
It seemed like God was saying "Hey, you asked to be a part of this movement. Well, here's your chance!" He totally was, by the way. For after we left the meeting, we were driving home and Liz and I began to sing praises in the car. Then, all of the sudden I felt kind of strange. I noticed this kind of feeling of blockage, I guess you would say, over top my chest. Not like a physical blockage, it seemed emotional or spiritual. I was thinking about that and what God was doing...and Liz said "The Lord wants you to open your heart, He has something to tell you". Or something to that effect.
So, I focused, I prayed forgiveness of my sins and then said "Lord, now I am blameless. Speak to your servant." Boy did He. He spoke to me about things on my mind; things that were holding me back. Things that I worried about that I needed not worry about.
Then...I got excited...and I started thinking on my own....I stopped listening. I caught myself though...and God said "Hey! Shhhhh! I'm not done talking yet!" So, I promptly shut the heck up and let Him continue. He continued on and even gave me visions of some in my youth group - the least and the smallest all filled with the Holy Spirit and changing their generation. I asked Him if certain people would be a part of this...and the answer was yes and no.
I realize on a deeper understanding now - how we can even block out God when our intentions are pure. I sensed God earlier - before the conversation took place and I didn't recognize it fast enough. He had to speak to another servant, luckily more sensitive than I, to get my attention. Then, in the midst of hearing from the CREATOR, I began to blabber in my head excitedly, effectively not listening.
Even those more spiritual or righteous than myself I'm sure find themselves cutting God off. Samuel answered God "Speak, for your servant hears" (1 Sam. 3:10). You know when the Jesus says "You have not because you ask not"? Well, congruently, you hear not because you listen not.
How will I be unified with my people if I am not even unified with my Creator? Unity comes through communication...learn to communicate with God first...then your people.
Speak and then listen
But listen more than speak
An arrogant mouth is rotten
But the Voice of God in one's ears makes one meek.
My wife, Liz, informed me later that I had double booked myself. I had forgotten that we were going to go to a spaghetti feed at Wapato High School for the benefit of those who had lost their homes in White Swan (to the fire). But, as you will see...it all worked out.
The next day rolled around and before I knew it, it was about that time. So, we went to the spaghetti feed...their were tons of people there! A large part of the community came to support the families - it was quite moving! However, (here's where is it worked out) because so many in the community were there, the line was Gigantour! So, we stood around for a bit, talked to a few people, gave a donation and left to go to our meeting (in 30 mins). PS - this worked out because our meeting was at Miner's.
Skipping to the good part: Eli and his wife Sara, and his three handsome boys were there when we got there. We say down and he began to share his vision and how it is coming to be. I watched and listened and became even filled myself he poured out his passion to see the body of Christ unified and united on one front...all denominations and all races together!!
Well, if you don't know me (and you probably don't) - one of my biggest passions and I believe callings is to see the body of Christ united! So, you can imagine as I am sitting there, listening to my Hispanic brother enunciate eloquently his elaborate vision - I became elated to the max (nice alliteration, huh?)!!
It seemed like God was saying "Hey, you asked to be a part of this movement. Well, here's your chance!" He totally was, by the way. For after we left the meeting, we were driving home and Liz and I began to sing praises in the car. Then, all of the sudden I felt kind of strange. I noticed this kind of feeling of blockage, I guess you would say, over top my chest. Not like a physical blockage, it seemed emotional or spiritual. I was thinking about that and what God was doing...and Liz said "The Lord wants you to open your heart, He has something to tell you". Or something to that effect.
So, I focused, I prayed forgiveness of my sins and then said "Lord, now I am blameless. Speak to your servant." Boy did He. He spoke to me about things on my mind; things that were holding me back. Things that I worried about that I needed not worry about.
Then...I got excited...and I started thinking on my own....I stopped listening. I caught myself though...and God said "Hey! Shhhhh! I'm not done talking yet!" So, I promptly shut the heck up and let Him continue. He continued on and even gave me visions of some in my youth group - the least and the smallest all filled with the Holy Spirit and changing their generation. I asked Him if certain people would be a part of this...and the answer was yes and no.
I realize on a deeper understanding now - how we can even block out God when our intentions are pure. I sensed God earlier - before the conversation took place and I didn't recognize it fast enough. He had to speak to another servant, luckily more sensitive than I, to get my attention. Then, in the midst of hearing from the CREATOR, I began to blabber in my head excitedly, effectively not listening.
Even those more spiritual or righteous than myself I'm sure find themselves cutting God off. Samuel answered God "Speak, for your servant hears" (1 Sam. 3:10). You know when the Jesus says "You have not because you ask not"? Well, congruently, you hear not because you listen not.
How will I be unified with my people if I am not even unified with my Creator? Unity comes through communication...learn to communicate with God first...then your people.
Speak and then listen
But listen more than speak
An arrogant mouth is rotten
But the Voice of God in one's ears makes one meek.
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