Pastor, THANK YOU!

TODAY, Beverly and I celebrate 14 years of pastoral ministry at BFWC.  We've been celebrating this season in our lives with a much needed sabbatical.  A time or refreshing, renewing, re-strategizing and rest. :)

For every pastor out there...we send you a big THANK YOU!  No matter where you pastor, what your denomination is, the size of your church or even the preference you have regarding worship styles...THANK YOU for all you're doing for the work of The Lord!

THANK YOU for answering the call, receiving your gift, proclaiming His message and never quitting!

THANK YOU for waking up in the middle of the night to pray for those that the Lord put on your heart...even when they didn't know you were praying for them.

THANK YOU for fighting the good fight of faith and the spiritual warfare you've endured!  Although, you can't talk about all the things you've battled through, attacks on you and your family, feelings of inadequacy, weariness, etc., yet you've persevered forward because of the One who said He would never leave you or forsake you!

THANK YOU for the sacrifices you've made that no one will ever know about...time, personal preferences, money, sleep and your own reputation...you have paid the price that most people will never see this side of eternity, and the Lord IS USING your faithfulness to make a difference!

THANK YOU for not quitting when you thought about it...especially on Mondays! :)  And yet, Jesus gave you the courage to press on because when it's all said and done, you've been filled with the GOSPEL of Jesus and won't be sidetracked!

THANK YOU for not being detoured by criticism and slander by people who have never even talked with you and are clueless in regards to your heart for the Lord.  Misquoted, contextualized, the victim of assumicide and hate filled inaccuracies - yet you persevered...and have resisted the urge to give credence to those who have an opinion about what you do but have never done it themselves.  Thank you for staying on the wall and not coming down.


THANK YOU for the tears you've shed over the families in your church and the condition of people's souls.  For allowing what breaks God's heart to break yours!

THANK YOU for dreaming big, grandiose dreams and refusing to give up on what you know in your heart God has called you to do!


THANK YOU  for the children you've dedicated, funerals you've preached, weddings you've performed, people you've baptized, counseling sessions you've offered, hospital calls you've made, sermons you've prepared, meetings you've administered and the squabbles you've refereed.

No matter what you've had to endure, how much work load you've been under or even the feeling of being under appreciated...THANK YOU...from one pastor to another!  

Regardless of what size church you have, employ ten staff or one, whether you're located in the suburbs, inner-city or in the rural country...THANK YOU!  Whether you're full time in ministry or bi-vocational...THANK YOU!  We're on the same team...and truly, no one can rightly understand a pastor like a fellow pastor.  Others may offer their opinion - but NO ONE can identify with you like SOME ONE who is actually doing what you're doing.

You are not alone!
You matter!  
You are awesome!
Your best days are ahead of you!
You are a champion!

THANK YOU!

The God of the SWITCHEROO

We all have our preconceived notions of how we think things should "go" in the structure and strategy of our life, church, marriage, family, career, etc.  However, it's always interesting when God decides to perform a "SWITCHEROO on YOU!" 

God intentionally CHANGES things up in order to get us to FOCUS more on Him.  As a pastor, my prayer is often, "Lord, take away any preconceived notions of how church should be 'done' and place YOUR HEART, MIND and DESIRES in me."

Too often, we tend to FOCUS on what we think needs to be the priority and easily overlook what God is PRIORITIZING.

• It's like the rooster in the chicken yard who was overseeing the hens.  One day, two boys were next door playing kickball, with a brand new white kickball.  One of them accidentally kicked it over the fence, and it rolled into the chicken yard. The rooster walked over to the kickball and examined it carefully.  He then called for all the hens to come out into the barn yard.  When they had all gathered around, he said, "Now, girls, I don't mean to be negative, but here's the kind of eggs they're producing next door.  Ya'll need to step up your efforts!"

We can sometimes lose sight of what God has already blessed us with when we get our eyes on someone else's life, family, career, success, etc.  

Our FOCUS can become fuzzy due to health issues, problems, stress and even success.

God has to constantly push us towards remaining FOCUSED.  Churches are no different.

• In Acts 2 God changed the idea that the church was supposed to REMAIN a group of 120 people.  He did a SWITCHEROO and added 3000 converts in one day.
• In Acts 6 God changed the idea that the pastor needed to do everything and the people were merely to observe and not participate.  He did a SWITCHEROO and added deacons who would wait tables, minister to the widows, distribute food and bring assistance to the church leaders.
• In Acts 8 God changed the idea that church is always safe. He did a SWITCHEROO and the Christians were faced with heavy persecution for their faith.
• In Acts 9 God changed the idea that some people are beyond the reach of His grace. He did a SWITCHEROO and turned a murderer into a minister.
• In Acts 10 God did a SWITCHEROO and took Peter through a very uncomfortable experience in order to change the notion that the Gospel is limited to a group of people who looked and acted just like him.

When we FOCUS on allowing God to CHANGE US in order that our attention on Him may become more INTENSE...it's not always COMFORTABLE...but it is often NECESSARY!

Perhaps we are just a SWITCHEROO away from experiencing God's BLESSING and FAVOR like never before! :)

• How's your prayer life?
• How's your time in the Word?
• How's your church attendance?
• How's your tithing?
• How's your marriage?
• How's your relationship with your children?
• How's your health?
• How's your thoughts?
• How's your volunteerism?

Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

The God of the SWITCHEROO loves YOU!  

You Learn As You Leave

I walked up to the breakfast station this morning and placed my order for an omelet. An elderly lady walked up next and placed her order too.  She then asked for some wheat toast.  I didn't realize that you could only get toast from behind the counter, so I spoke up and said, "I'll have two pieces too."  The elderly lady turned to me and said, "By the time you learn the way they do things around here, it's time to leave."  She then said, "Isn't that just like life?"  I agreed and said to her, "Now that will preach!"  She smiled and we enjoyed a pleasant conversation until our omelets were made. 

What do you need to "get learned" before it's time to leave?  What do you need to take care of before the coming of the Lord?  

Reach For a Fathering Spirit

Have you ever been in a storm that was so fierce that there was no fight left in you?  The disciples experienced it first hand in Mark 6:48.

"And about the fourth watch of the night [the darkest hour] he cometh unto them walking upon the sea."

Fear had them by the throats, and they were certain that they weren't going to make it.  EVER BEEN THERE?

No matter how hard you try or who's right and who's wrong, you're clinging to principle and believing others will do the same.  If you've ever been through a storm that rocks the boat of your life then you know what I'm talking about.  If you haven't, I pray you never will.

Some of the harshest critics are mellowed when it comes knocking on their door or the door of someone they love.  Until you've walked in someone else's shoes you really don't have the right to speculate or assume.  Don't judge someone else's journey until you've walked it out for yourself.  Don't talk about someone until you've talked to them.

I've seen people devastated by unfortunate circumstances.  Today, we see it multiplied in the aftermath of DIVORCE.  God says that He "hates divorce."  Friends, if you or a family member has been through it then you know it can be a LIVING HELL!

• When someone you've shared your life with, and would have even given your life for, turns around and rips you apart...
• When friends say thoughtless things that only add insult to injury...
• When children and loved ones are caught in a war of words because it hurts too much not to talk...
• When loneliness is so real that it drains the very oxygen out of the room and peels the paint off the walls...
• When you feel like you have to offer an explanation to everyone you meet because you're not sure what they've heard...

I feel a sense of urgency today to tell someone that the answer to PAIN is PURPOSE!

If you are feeling LONELY or DEPRESSED...I want to encourage you to FIND A CAUSE GREATER THAN YOURSELF AND POUR LIFE INTO IT!

Isn't that what Jesus meant when He said, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone [it will always be lonely], but if it die [die to self: self-seeking, self-serving, and self-centered living] it brings forth much fruit [it will never lonely again]" - John 12:24 

Loneliness is not the absence of AFFECTION; 

it's the absence of DIRECTION.

Tommy Barnett says, "If you want to get God's attention, find a need that nobody's meeting and give you life to it; that'll get His attention every time."

Sure...you'll make mistakes in life but you'll also make good choices!  One of the choices in my own life was to reach for a FATHERING SPIRIT.

Apostle Paul says, "Ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers." (1 Corinthians 4:5)  Think about that.  A REAL FATHER has the kind of love and maturity needed to keep you from making bad decisions about your future at a time when you probably shouldn't be making decisions at all.  He'll also confront you about the areas in your life that must be changed; otherwise your past will just become your future.

But the real reason you need "a fathering spirit" is that only a father will love you unconditionally and do what it takes to get you back on our feet.  Why?  Because he's committed to the PURPOSE of God that must be fulfilled through you!  If your life fell apart tomorrow, would you know where to find such a person?

A real father will help you understand....

1. Panic is Pointless.  Everyone goes through crisis in their life.  The enemy's strategy is still the same.  If you're under attack today, listen: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalms 46:10). That means He's PRESENT, He's in CHARGE, and He has a SOLUTION!  Take time to listen to what God is saying.  Time is your friend.  Patience is the weapon that always forces deception to the surface.  Give God a chance to work on your behalf.
2. Seek Counsel.  "Where no counsel is, the people fall" (Proverbs 11:15).  Ignorance can be deadly.  Don't risk it!  Somebody knows something you need to know - something that can help you survie and even succeed in the most painful chapter of your life.  Reach for them!
3. Guard your Mind. You'll never be defeated as long as you're victorious in your mind; that's the birthplace for everything you do.  Satan knows that, and he'll try to get your mind so scattered that you won't be able to concentrate on what's important.  Don't let him. The Bible says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee" (Isaiah 26:3). Get back into focus!
4. You're not the only one.  The devil would love to convince you that you're the only one going through something.  Why? So you'll feel like a failure and quit, or cut yourself off from the support that comes from fellowship with others.  Don't let him do it to you.
5. You have to fight!  You'll be tempted to withdraw or become timid and passive; especially if you've been hurt.  Don't!  A wounded animal only attracts attack.  Satan loves shy, fearful types, but real fighters intimidate him.  Be bold!  "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
6. The Bigger Picture.  Nothing is ever as it first appears.  Look beyond the moment; something great is being birthed in you.  After adversity comes blessing and favor, so get your eyes back on the big pictures!  Paul says, "This short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing" (2 Corinthians 4:17 TLB).
7. Never Give Up! Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in God's kingdom" (Luke 9:62). Your dreams and goals are worth...any fight...any price...and any waiting period!  Your perseverance is what demoralizes the enemy.  Remember Joseph?  Every day of adversity was simply a stepping stone toward the throne.  So keep walking and keep believing for victory!

I encourage you to REACH for a FATHERING SPIRIT! God will position the right people in your life at the right time! 

The Heart of a Spiritual Father:

1. Not a Flatterer.  They aren't trying to butter anyone up just so they can get someone to like them or so they can get something from them.  (i.e., offerings, networks, etc.) (1 Thessalonians 2:5; 2 Corinthians 12:14)
2. Not Ego Driven. They aren't seeking to be exalted by gathering sons around them to feed their own ego. (1 Thessalonians 2:6)
3. Heart-felt Care. They have a deep concern for the well-being of their sons.  
• Gentle toward them. (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
• Cherishes them. (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
• Longs for them. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
• Lays his life down for them. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
• Holds them dear to his heart. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
• Exhorts, comforts and charges them. (1 Thessalonians 2:11)
4. Spiritual Development. They spend their energy and effort towards the spiritual development of their sons. (Galatians 4:19)
5. Not Brutish. They aren't interested in shaming their spiritual children, putting them on a guilt trip or making them feel intimidated. (1 Corinthians 4:14). 
6. Willing to spend and be spent.  In other words, they are willing to live and give sacrificially for their sons - for their advancement and their development. (2 Corinthians 12:15)

If you are in search of a father-figure, a mentor, or a role model in ministry, I trust you will keep these traits in mind as you look for someone who can be a good influence and example for you.

May God help us all to follow good examples and to be good examples.

Re-Routing

I love the GPS feature on my iPhone.  It provides 3D imagery and a friendly voice that gives turn-by-turn instructions.

This past week, Beverly and I headed north to visit Traders Point Creamery.  Before we left the house, we entered the address into my phone and we started out on our "one tank trip."

Somewhere en route, I was so caught up in talking with Bev and listening to music that I didn't hear the voice of the GPS.  As a result, I missed a turn.  Immediately, the GPS started "Re-Routing."

We got off at the next exit, thinking we would turn around, but noticed that there was a sign pointing to our destination.  We decided to ignore the GPS and follow the road signs.  We arrived at our destination and enjoyed some beautiful scenery to boot!

On our way home, we took the same route we had traveled.  Instead of getting on the interstate, which would have made for a faster route, I looked over at Bev and said, "let's take the scenic route home."  With the sunroof open, the windows down and holding hands we were contently enjoying a beautiful Spring day.

We ended up at the entrance of Eagle Creek State Park.  With no cash on us, we were happy when the Park Ranger said, "we take debit cards."  So, with a $5 swipe we started our scenic journey through the park.

Our plan was to exit on the other side of the park (56th Street) and head home from there.  Keep in mind, had we not missed our turn, we wouldn't have even seen the park entrance and therefore would have bypassed natures beauty inside the park.

Inside the park, we parked near the marina.  We were walking along, holding hands, enjoying the beautiful sunshine...when our phone rang.  Our daughter, Kaitlyn, was on the other end saying, "My tire just blew on the interstate."  She was pulled over on the side of the highway and a little frazzled with what to do.  I asked her, "where are you", she said, "almost to 56th Street."  Immediately we knew where she was and told her we were on our way.

In less than 10 minutes we were able to reach her!  Even better, a police officer spotted her  and came to her aid before we could get to her!  He changed her tire in record time!  (We have some amazing public servants!)  We were able to swap vehicles with her so that she could get to her appointment and we could take her tire to the shop.

My point is...sometimes you get "re-routed" for a purpose.  I truly believe that God orders our steps.  A missed turn from our GPS allowed us to see another route that we wouldn't have noticed beforehand.  That missed turn opened up a scenic route that also caused us to SLOW DOWN...which in turn put us within minutes of our daughter when she needed our help.

Friends, sometimes we miss a couple of turns in life.  Perhaps we weren't paying attention when God was speaking.  Maybe we intentionally chose another voice over His. Maybe God re-routed our steps to help us avoid dangerous circumstances and hazardous people.

However, I've learned that even when you end up in a place you never expected to be...EVEN THERE God is RE-ROUTING and bringing His PURPOSE and GOOD to the forefront.

Enjoy the journey...God is working all things for your good! (Romans 8:28)

Do You Have Trespassers In Your LIfe?

Do you have any TRESPASSERS in your life?  I'm referring to the schemes that the enemy plots against you in the form of FEAR, REJECTION, INSECURITY, RESENTMENT, BITTERNESS and UNFORGIVENESS.

If so, they have NO RIGHT to be there!

Let me explain it this way.  Each of us have have a CIRCLE of PROTECTION around us.  However, when we allow the enemy's attacks to take root in our life, that circle breaks and a gap is formed that can leave us open for ongoing attacks and unresolved issues.

For a moment - look at UNFORGIVENESS.  Years ago, I read Jim Bakker's book, "I Was Wrong."  His "tell all" book was every bit informational as well as inspiring.  One of the things he really zeroed in on was FORGIVENESS.  Jim was quoted as saying, "God has forgiven me for so much; but He has also let me know that I'll never get out of here until I forgive every person that ever hurt me."

Think about that!  

Whether it's something you did or something that was done to you... 

The only way out of the PRISON of RESENTMENT is through the DOOR of FORGIVENESS!

Look at what Jesus said, "If you have anything against someone, forgive - only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to wipe your slate clean" (Mark 11:25 TM).

When you're hurt by something that someone has done to you or someone you love...it can bring a lot of emotions to the surface.  Anger is one of those emotions.  Is it wrong to FEEL that way? NO.  

The Bible teaches us to "be angry and sin not." (Ephesians 4:25 KJV)  It's not wrong to BE angry...it's just wrong to be angry and then sin because of that anger.

If you feel like sinning because of how you feel then here's how you deal with it:

Before you can CHANGE your feelings,

OWN them and then CONFRONT them!

Believe me, this will be a PROCESS!  The last thing you'll need while you're processing through this is some of "Job's Comforters" to come along and tell you that you have "no faith" or that you're "acting immaturely."

Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4).  Not only is it healthy to express your emotions in the right way, it's self-destructive not to.  When you try to "stuff" them, they just drop from our conscious into your sub-conscious, and what you refuse to deal with then begins to deal with you.

If you don't deal with those emotions, eventually they will begin to BREAK OUT in other areas of your life in things like workaholism, over-eating, substance abuse and other forms of compulsive behavior.

I love this passage - (Psalms 84:5-7 TLB) "Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps.  When they walk through the valley of weeping, it will become a place of...blessing and refreshment...they will grow constantly in strength."

I LOVE THIS!  You've got to WALK THROUGH THE PLACE OF WEEPING TO GET TO THE PLACE OF BLESSING!  There is no other way.

More to come...

Line Your Words Up With God's Words

I grew up in a great church!  The "old time" saints, I remember, were some of the most loving, caring, committed Christians I knew.  These folks were the REAL DEAL!  They were constantly loving, giving, helping and serving.

Their GIVING affected my LIVING.

However, along the way, I've encountered some who can focus like a laser beam on - what's WRONG rather than what's RIGHT.

I mean, a thousand good things can pass them by without comment, but when a problem arises, they come to life.  They are "experts" in such subjects as - why things are not the way they should be, why nothing ever changes, why nobody cares, and why things are not as good as they used to be.

People have a way of using their words to STING others.  I heard a story about a lady who once wrote to a newspaper editor and complained, "Your paper is not as good as it used to be!"  He wrote back and said, "It never has been."

Words are POWERFUL things; they either BUILD you up or TEAR you down.  They literally create a CEILING above which your faith cannot rise.  That's why it's so important to line YOUR WORDS with GOD'S WORDS.

To walk in VICTORY you must begin to say what God says, regardless of the situation in which you find yourself.  To say anything different is to put yourself in disagreement with Him.  When you do that, you "pull the plug" on your POTENTIAL, and short-circuit the very power that works on your behalf!

You are what God says you are!

If others disagree, SO WHAT!  When you've got God's opinion, what difference does anybody else's make?

Once you find God's opinion of you, you'll find a solid and enduring foundation of self-worth.  You'll find that in His WORD!  When you do, BUILD your life around it and FILL your conversation with it.  

Whether you're STRUGGLING or SOARING,
STAND on the Word of God!

I challenge you to read the following words and NOT get excited:

• Romans 8:31-39 (MSG) "So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us...by sending His own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?"
• Romans 8:33-34 (MSG) "And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare to even point a finger? The one who died for us - who was raised to life for us! - is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us."
• Romans 8:35-39 (MSG) "Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us?  There's no way!  Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not back-stabbing ... not even the worst sins listed in scripture ... none of this phases us because Jesus loves us."
• Romans 8:31-19 (TM) "I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable, absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love."

If you really knew how God felt about you...you wouldn't be so critical of yourself or so conscious of the opinions of others!

God made up His mind about you BEFORE
you made up your mind about Him!

Stop running from place to place, looking for love and security.  Just open your heart; God's speaking to you today in the very circumstances you're trying to escape.  He's the one you need when life has wounded you and you've fallen from your nesting place like a bird.  Only His hand can catch your falling soul, cast it to the wind, and give you the strength to fly again.

Check this Scripture out...Isaiah 57:8 (NAS) "I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him."

The problem is, we've never been loved by anyone the way God loves us, so we've nothing to compare it to.  Some fo us have never been secure in the love of our natural parents, so we haven't learned how to relate to our Heavenly Father.  

Go back to His Word and see what He has to say about you.  The Bible is a living LOVE LETTER; it's a statement of intent from God who wants nothing but THE BEST for you!

Nothing you've done has changed His mind about you, and nothing ever will.  His love remains - it's unconditional.  David said, "Your faithful love, Oh, Lord, endures forever." (Psalms 138:8 NLT).  It has no CUTOFF point!

You are an OVERCOMER...because your BUILD your life on the Word of God and practice it's principles in all your affairs!

Today, line your words up with God's Words!

ivalue

What do people value the most?  Most people would say family, faith, friends, pets and even possessions.  Of course what matters the most to us varies considerably from person to person between age groups.

Several months ago, our daughter, Kaitlyn, called us and said she had just been in an accident.  One of the first questions we asked her was "are you ok?"  Fortunately, it was just a fender bender and she was fine.  Obviously, what valued the most to Beverly and I was not the car...because it's just a bucket of bolts and some metal.  What mattered the most was our daughters health and safety...she's more valuable than any bucket of bolts.

Our values give birth to our motivations.  

Our motivations are revealed by our actions.

What did Jesus value the most?

• Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moths and rust destroy, where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Whatever you value the most is what you will follow after or try to achieve.  If family means the most to you...you'll focus the most on your family.  If work means the most to you...you'll focus most on your work.  If entertainment means the most to you...you'll focus the most on entertainment. etc.

What we value most determines the decisions we make.

• What you treasure will determine where you heart will be.
• Where your heart is will determine the decisions you make in life.
• If we value the wrong things, we will often make wrong decisions. 

Have you ever made a dumb decision based on emotions?

• Perhaps you went in debt for something you should have saved up for.
• Perhaps you rushed into a relationship without knowing a person well enough.
• Perhaps you let other people's influence cause you to agree to the wrong thing.
• Perhaps you purchased something that was trendy rather than timeless.

How often do we let our treasure determine our decisions and choices in life?  Almost always.

As a Christian, my values line up with what Jesus values.  Of course, I had a set of values before I met Christ...but all that changed when I was given a new nature.

What does Jesus value?

• Matthew 25:35-36 "For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

Obviously what Jesus said mattered the most to Him was...

• Feeding the hungry.
• Giving water to the thirsty.
• Providing shelter to strangers.
• Clothing the naked.
• Visiting the sick.
• Visiting those in prison.

Look at Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

• Preaching the Gospel to the poor.
• Healing broken hearts.
• Preaching deliverance.
• Restoring eyesight to the blind.
• Liberating them that are bruised.
• Preaching about the Lord's return.

This is what JESUS VALUES.  This is what He did.  This is what the Church must do.  If we're not doing these things...then perhaps we do not value what Jesus values.

The Return of Apostolic Fathers (Part 2)

1 Corinthians 4:15 "For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ you do not have many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel."

It takes a father to give birth to a son.  Son from the Latin root "su" means "to give birth."  Obviously, not everyone that follows you is a spiritual son or daughter that you have 'begotten through the gospel."  Franky, some may be autonomous sheep, disgruntled goats or barbarous wolves.  While others are just good people passing through.  So, how do you constitute who your spiritual sons and daughters are?

One clear indicator is PURSUIT.  Those who pursue you relentlessly.  You don't even have to be the one who led them to the Lord.  I've had many people ask me to be their spiritual father...but one of the defining factors is PURSUIT.

My calendar stays full and if I don't set it...other people will.  I normally do not have enough hours in a day to accomplish all that needs done.  Just like you, my time is very valuable to me to the degree that I have to be selective and make sure I'm spending my time in the right way with the right people.  I want every minute to count! 

When traveling to serve in various ministry conferences and meetings, I try to be aware of who is present.  If I take the time and expense to travel to the meeting and the people who've asked me to mentor them or enter into a spiritual father/son relationship with them won't attend (when they live there)...then I know they are just talkers.

I would rather spend my time with
WORKERS, not TALKERS.

PURSUIT is how you identify spiritual sons and daughters.  Talk is cheap...but PURSUIT tells you who they are.  If they are not pursuing you then you need to focus your premium time with those who ARE pursuing.  It's those who pursue that you can actually do great things with and help them become CHAMPIONS!  These are the people who you'll end up making the greatest impact with!

It's just like I said previously, I've had people ask me to be their spiritual father...but when I tell them that they need to meet with me on a weekly basis...and I even provide a one hour session (it varies from group to group) on Tuesday mornings at 5:30 AM...that's when you find out who is just a TALKER.  

If we can't do the easy thing (motivate ourselves to get out of bed early once a week...and tell our flesh that our spirit man is in control) then we'll never survive the tough places of ministry.  

I recall one time having a leader tell me "all I ever do is teach leadership lessons when I bring our leaders together."  She continued to say, "I hear you preach and teach all the time already."  I wasn't shocked by her statement (although it was very rude)...I simply looked at the fruit of her life and it was screaming "lazy, burned out, cold & indifferent."  It didn't take long until she resigned her ministry, backslid and left the church all together.  Obviously, I did everything I could to keep her encouraged, communicate and lead her in the right direction.  However, you can't make people come UP...they simply have to have it in them!  AGAIN it boils down to...PURSUIT!

I've learned over time to make myself available to everyone...but only give my premium time to those whose TALK matches their WALK.  

My spiritual fathers taught me that when they "SET THE TABLE"...then it's up to me to get to the table with my plate & fork while they're serving the meal. (AKA...Bible, journal and ink pen!)  They serve the food...I have to be there to receive it...and NO EXCUSE is good enough to be a "NO SHOW" when they're serving up a gourmet feast or even just a snack!

If I can make it to sports games, practices, dinners, movie nights, etc...then surely I can push my lazy carcass to do what's NEEDFUL for my spiritual development...thus strengthening my PURSUIT to become a spiritual son.  Come on somebody...say amen! (SMILE)

More to come...

The Return of Apostolic Fathers

Having been raised in the church, having been exposed to ministry as a pastor's kid (PK), having seen the inner workings of ministry from a youth upward...it is my conviction that we ALL need a spiritual father in our life.  In fact, I believe that apostolic ministries must have apostolic fathers.

When I reflect on my father's generation, I wonder how many of my elders had the benefit of a healthy father/son relationship in the ministry?  From the stories I've heard, many of my elders in the Lord weren't afforded this type of relationship...but rather were forced to learn what they could by scavenging through books, seminars and brief meetings with men of God who were hurried off platforms away from the people.  Many have shared that their only interaction with a spiritual father was one of correction...also known as "being taken to the woodshed."

Obviously, a spiritual father does more than just correct...they instruct, train, admonish, guide, believe and invest in their sons.

I wonder how much more effective we would be today if someone would have taken a personal interest in the call of God on our life?

We are seeing a fulfillment of Scripture today (Malachi 4:6) as the hearts of spiritual fathers are being restored toward the sons of God.  Spiritual fatherhood comes from the heart of apostleship.  Apostle Paul is our example, he had a vested interest in the success of his spiritual son Timothy.  You hear his fatherly heart when Paul says, 

"For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ you do not have many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." (1 Corinthians 4:15)

Today, we see horrible examples of fathers who are abandoning their wives, children and responsibilities.  Could it be that this is a direct reflection of the spiritual condition of our world as we note the same pattern of abandonment taking place in ministry?

Cross denominational statistics reveal that over 1500 pastors quit the ministry each month and thousands more leave churches without cause.  Pastors are leaving because the ministry is tough and a lack of understanding the roles of fivefold fatherhood leads to abuse. 

If you don't understand the role of your leader then you can abuse that leader.  Some leaders protect themselves by becoming insensitive.  Callousness, however, can damage the work of ministry...causing a true spiritual father to withdraw from the time it takes to raise spiritual sons or daughters...due to the fear of being betrayed, hurt and disappointed by the people they've poured their lives into.

It's risky when you attempt to raise up sons.  Some sons and daughters only want blessing, NOT correction and guidance by loving apostolic fathers.  As a result, many of God's leaders have begun to follow the path of least resistance and avoiding further aggravation.

It takes more time to raise a spiritual son or daughter than it does to convert a sinner!

The cry of the Spirit is the return of apostolic fathers toward the sons and daughters and sons and daughters toward fathers.  For decades, we have been missing the spirit of the father in our churches and homes.

Look at society...it is a mirror of the spiritual condition of our nation.  A lack of fathers in the home is the main social problem facing America today.  Children of single parent homes are:

• 5 times more likely to commit suicide.
• 32 times more likely to run away.
• 14 times more likely to commit rape.
• 9 times more likely to drop out of high school.
• 20 times more likely to end up in prison.

The outcome of a lack of both parents in the home is lawlessness.  The family is under attack but hope is on the way!  God spoke of the turning spirit of Elijah returning to His Church in the last days.

Malachi 4:6 "And he will turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

I believe a shift is taking place.  

• Spiritual fathers do not replace natural fathers.  Don't expect them to take you on fishing trips or out to ball games.  They are spiritual fathers.  
• Spiritual fathers are mentors that offer wise and trusted counsel designed to get you to think.  Submission to their oversight is Biblical, voluntary and comes through relationship.  It also affords you spiritual covering and accountability.  
• A mentor offers instruction, advice, guidance and counsel.  
• A spiritual father also corrects.  Don't expect a true spiritual father to ignore your mistakes and personality malfunctions.  Correction is designed to help you grow both spiritually and emotionally.
• Spiritual fathers do not replace your relationship with God.  They point you toward dependency on the Lord.

More to come...