The life of a pastor is always interesting, sometimes more so than others. Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit with two groups of people who will not see their families for the next twelve months. That's not all they have in common. Both groups find themselves in this state because of choices they have made. This is where the similarities end though.
One group has lost their freedom because of bad choices and behavior. They are incarcerated in the county jail, awaiting an open bed at a larger facility. They abused the freedom that is ours in this great nation, and therefor lost their freedom. When they have completed their sentence they will be released back into society hopefully as productive members who cherish the freedom they so wantonly discarded in favor of the satisfaction of their own selfish desires.
I met with the other group at the send off for the 1168th Transportation company of the Iowa National Guard. These men and women have chosen to serve because of the freedom we enjoy. Their commitment to preserving this freedom has lead them to choose to put their lives on the line. Tears of pride as well as sorrow were shed last night as family and friends said farewell to these brave men and women.
Quite a contrast, on the one hand those who had freedom and gave it up by abusing the freedom of others, and on the other hand those who have freedom and cherish it enough to risk their lives to keep it, not only for themselves but for the rest of us. In fact these men and women will be fighting to ensure the future freedom of those from the first group. Selfishness versus selflessness.
There is a tremendous spiritual message here. We were created with the utmost of freedom. We gave that up in search of something greater, and therefor lost the freedom God gave us in the garden. However, He loved us so much, and wanted to re-establish the freedom He intended for us, that He sent His son who was willing to give His life for it.
We have a choice to make. Will we continue in the incarcerated state of sin, not being able to enjoy the inalienable freedom with which we were created, or will we accept the freedom that was purchased at Calvary? If we chose freedom, we should stand boldly and be willing to risk all in order to bring this freedom to others.
Do you choose freedom today?
Enjoy the Java.
Jim
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Dreary Days and Sunshine
We in the midlands awoke to yet another cold, drizzly, dark grey day.
I suppose this is a regular occurrence this time of the year, yet every year it seems to be unusual. These are the mornings that I recall, vividly, all the abuse my body has taken over the years. Each area of my body relays it's ire to me for the way I have treated it by taking advantage of the cold to scream painful rebukes at me for the carelessness of the past. I really don't like these kinds of days, I'm a 'sunshine' sort of guy.
As I was driving to work this morning, generally feeling sorry that the Lord had not called me to the beaches of Florida or Hawaii, I began to wonder what it was like above the clouds. Ah, the wistful thoughts of one whose dreams of summer were waning.
The fact of the matter is this, the skies are thick with clouds, barely allowing the light and heat of the sun through. It is also a fact that the clouds, unlike the sun, are not a constant. The clouds will eventually float away revealing that which was always there, clear blue sky and a bright warm sun. The clouds are but a temporary situation, and the constant is always there.
This really is reflective of life. There is a constant Son in our lives if we will recognize Him. Though the clouds of life come, sometimes dimming the light and causing our souls to experience the pains of our previous abuses, they are transient and the Son is always there.
We need to focus our thoughts not on the clouds, but on what will be when those clouds roll away. We tend to assume whatever state we are currently in is the permanent state of our lives. This is of course not true. Our lives are dynamic, they change and shift. The dreams which we see as lost today, can in fact become the reality of tomorrow if we keep our eyes on this reality; God is always there.
Dare to dream today,
Enjoy the Java
Jim
I suppose this is a regular occurrence this time of the year, yet every year it seems to be unusual. These are the mornings that I recall, vividly, all the abuse my body has taken over the years. Each area of my body relays it's ire to me for the way I have treated it by taking advantage of the cold to scream painful rebukes at me for the carelessness of the past. I really don't like these kinds of days, I'm a 'sunshine' sort of guy.
As I was driving to work this morning, generally feeling sorry that the Lord had not called me to the beaches of Florida or Hawaii, I began to wonder what it was like above the clouds. Ah, the wistful thoughts of one whose dreams of summer were waning.
The fact of the matter is this, the skies are thick with clouds, barely allowing the light and heat of the sun through. It is also a fact that the clouds, unlike the sun, are not a constant. The clouds will eventually float away revealing that which was always there, clear blue sky and a bright warm sun. The clouds are but a temporary situation, and the constant is always there.
This really is reflective of life. There is a constant Son in our lives if we will recognize Him. Though the clouds of life come, sometimes dimming the light and causing our souls to experience the pains of our previous abuses, they are transient and the Son is always there.
We need to focus our thoughts not on the clouds, but on what will be when those clouds roll away. We tend to assume whatever state we are currently in is the permanent state of our lives. This is of course not true. Our lives are dynamic, they change and shift. The dreams which we see as lost today, can in fact become the reality of tomorrow if we keep our eyes on this reality; God is always there.
Dare to dream today,
Enjoy the Java
Jim
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Freedom
I love watching eagles and hawks fly.
Just north of Moline Illinois, there is a park nestled up against the Mississippi River. In this park there is a very high cliff that was probably carved out by the rushing waters of the ‘Mighty Miss’ over the eons. Spread across the face of this cliff are several nesting areas used by Bald Eagles.
Many are the times I traveled to this park in search of a distraction from the pressures of life. One of the diversions I would indulge was watching these beautifully majestic birds as they flew high above the river, watching for an unsuspecting dinner guest. I could do that for hours on end. It fascinates me to watch as they simply turn into the wind and rise from the ground to effortlessly glide higher and higher.
I would sit and try to imagine how that feels, the total freedom of being suspended in the air, defying the laws of gravity, sentient only to the wind in my face and the magnificent view below. Unfortunately my wife and my insurance agent have no sense of adventure, therefore I have never ventured into the world of hang gliding. Someday…yes someday.
It occurs to me in some ways, the trials of life act as gravity upon our souls. While we watch others who are free to rise above the fray, and ‘catch a thermal’ rising ever higher enjoying the wonderful gifts of a loving God, we are many times bound to earth by the situations we find ourselves in. Our imagination, and sense of adventure are not great enough to look beyond the ‘way things are’ and consider ‘how they might be’. How sad.
Throughout the scripture we are called to be as eagles; mighty, fearless, majestic and free. True, even the eagle must return to earth, and we will always have to deal with the realities of life. However, we need to spread our wings and allow the wind of the Spirit of God to lift us from the facts of living, and allow us to dwell within the truth of His freedom.
We don’t have to long for what is already available to us, if we will only allow God to expand our vision.
Let’s take a flight today…
Enjoy the Java
Jim
Just north of Moline Illinois, there is a park nestled up against the Mississippi River. In this park there is a very high cliff that was probably carved out by the rushing waters of the ‘Mighty Miss’ over the eons. Spread across the face of this cliff are several nesting areas used by Bald Eagles.
Many are the times I traveled to this park in search of a distraction from the pressures of life. One of the diversions I would indulge was watching these beautifully majestic birds as they flew high above the river, watching for an unsuspecting dinner guest. I could do that for hours on end. It fascinates me to watch as they simply turn into the wind and rise from the ground to effortlessly glide higher and higher.
I would sit and try to imagine how that feels, the total freedom of being suspended in the air, defying the laws of gravity, sentient only to the wind in my face and the magnificent view below. Unfortunately my wife and my insurance agent have no sense of adventure, therefore I have never ventured into the world of hang gliding. Someday…yes someday.
It occurs to me in some ways, the trials of life act as gravity upon our souls. While we watch others who are free to rise above the fray, and ‘catch a thermal’ rising ever higher enjoying the wonderful gifts of a loving God, we are many times bound to earth by the situations we find ourselves in. Our imagination, and sense of adventure are not great enough to look beyond the ‘way things are’ and consider ‘how they might be’. How sad.
Throughout the scripture we are called to be as eagles; mighty, fearless, majestic and free. True, even the eagle must return to earth, and we will always have to deal with the realities of life. However, we need to spread our wings and allow the wind of the Spirit of God to lift us from the facts of living, and allow us to dwell within the truth of His freedom.
We don’t have to long for what is already available to us, if we will only allow God to expand our vision.
Let’s take a flight today…
Enjoy the Java
Jim
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Integrity
There are some things in life upon which we can rely. The sun comes up each morning, the lush green of summer turns into the vibrant colors of fall before giving in to the bare vista of winter, and regardless of how cloudy it is, somewhere above the ceiling of grey there is a clear blue sky.
Having constants in life is important. A firm foundation is required for a safe home. Regardless of how many times one might redecorate the outside, changing its appearance, the foundation must never change. A shifting foundation cannot be trusted and causes the house to fall.
In one of the many men’s ministry meetings I have attended, the speaker commented that integrity was proved by what one did when no one else could know. That really struck a chord with me. I want to be someone that others can depend upon regardless of what is happening in my own life. I want very badly to be the foundation that others can depend upon. This can only happen if I consistently look at myself and ask the question; ‘Is what I am doing something I would be proud to tell others about?’ I am sorry to say that at times that is not the case. We all have things that we deal with that must be purged.
Honesty is one of the fundamentals of my existence. I strive to be truthful in every situation I find myself in. Many times that truthfulness has not served me well at a given moment. It might have been easier to tell a lie to avoid the consequences of my own actions, however the fact that those consequences and the consequences of the lie would have to be dealt with at sometime anyway convinced me that as old Abe said, ‘Honesty is the best policy’, was in fact how I should live my life.
I've learned how painful it is to not be trusted because of a lie, especially if the one who would not trust me was someone I loved and respected. I always found that the disappointment I saw in the eyes of my parents when I let them down was far greater punishment that any trip to the woodshed I made with my dad. I preferred the woodshed, as at least it was over and done with, but the disappointment and loss of faith in me would continue until I proved myself worthy of their trust once again.
I have also learned how painful it is to lose faith in someone you love because of their untruthfulness. I have found that the loss of faith is far more painful than the truth would have been. This has always been something I have had a difficult time overcoming. These have been the times that God has taken the opportunity to teach me what grace is all about.
I thank God He has been gracious to me in forgiving me and restoring me to a place of honor in His sight even after I have let Him down. This is the ultimate expression of His love to us, His willingness to pay the debt that we owe, and then clothing us in His glory to boot. How hard it is to reciprocate this grace to others when we have been wronged.
Integrity is more than being honest and righteous; it is about treating others as God has treated us. Forgiveness must be the central theme of our relationships. It is a fact that those around us will at sometime hurt us. Another fact is; it will sometimes be those to whom we are the closest who will hurt us the most.
It is truth that we should show the same grace that we so willingly accept from God.
Forgive someone today.
Enjoy the Java
Jim
Having constants in life is important. A firm foundation is required for a safe home. Regardless of how many times one might redecorate the outside, changing its appearance, the foundation must never change. A shifting foundation cannot be trusted and causes the house to fall.
In one of the many men’s ministry meetings I have attended, the speaker commented that integrity was proved by what one did when no one else could know. That really struck a chord with me. I want to be someone that others can depend upon regardless of what is happening in my own life. I want very badly to be the foundation that others can depend upon. This can only happen if I consistently look at myself and ask the question; ‘Is what I am doing something I would be proud to tell others about?’ I am sorry to say that at times that is not the case. We all have things that we deal with that must be purged.
Honesty is one of the fundamentals of my existence. I strive to be truthful in every situation I find myself in. Many times that truthfulness has not served me well at a given moment. It might have been easier to tell a lie to avoid the consequences of my own actions, however the fact that those consequences and the consequences of the lie would have to be dealt with at sometime anyway convinced me that as old Abe said, ‘Honesty is the best policy’, was in fact how I should live my life.
I've learned how painful it is to not be trusted because of a lie, especially if the one who would not trust me was someone I loved and respected. I always found that the disappointment I saw in the eyes of my parents when I let them down was far greater punishment that any trip to the woodshed I made with my dad. I preferred the woodshed, as at least it was over and done with, but the disappointment and loss of faith in me would continue until I proved myself worthy of their trust once again.
I have also learned how painful it is to lose faith in someone you love because of their untruthfulness. I have found that the loss of faith is far more painful than the truth would have been. This has always been something I have had a difficult time overcoming. These have been the times that God has taken the opportunity to teach me what grace is all about.
I thank God He has been gracious to me in forgiving me and restoring me to a place of honor in His sight even after I have let Him down. This is the ultimate expression of His love to us, His willingness to pay the debt that we owe, and then clothing us in His glory to boot. How hard it is to reciprocate this grace to others when we have been wronged.
Integrity is more than being honest and righteous; it is about treating others as God has treated us. Forgiveness must be the central theme of our relationships. It is a fact that those around us will at sometime hurt us. Another fact is; it will sometimes be those to whom we are the closest who will hurt us the most.
It is truth that we should show the same grace that we so willingly accept from God.
Forgive someone today.
Enjoy the Java
Jim
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Looking Across HWY 59
Last week I found myself waiting to have lunch with a client. I had arrived early and was watching for her from the parking lot. I find it so interesting to just stop occasionally and observe what is around me. I generally find that I miss so many meaningful sights as I rush along my way. Perhaps that is why the writings of our predecessors who rode from place to place on horseback seems to be deeper and more descriptive. They took time to see life. We have few Louisa Mae Alcott's, or James Finamore Cooper's amongst our writers today. Alas I digress.
As I waited I became aware of a rather trichotomous vista spread out before me. You see, I was in the little town of Avoca Iowa, at a restaurant just off the interchange of I 80 and US Highway 59. Highway 59 is a very busy road being a major north south artery. As I watched the travelers speed past me rushing to their next appointment, I became aware of the back drop. Directly across from where I was sitting, was a cemetery on a hill. The thought occurred to me that the people who were passing this spot had on their minds what their next destination was, but were probably not too concerned about their ultimate destination. While they were speeding past me, headed to some specified objective, the final destination for each of them would someday be either this cemetery or one very similar. It really caused me to consider that whatever the goal of my life is, if it does not include touching others, it will have been futile.
I said this was a trichotomous vista, for in the background of the cemetery I noticed a farmer on his combine harvesting the crop that had been planted and was ready to be taken from the field and put to the use for which it was grown. The recondite symbolism of what I was watching was not lost on me. In the foreground we have people who are mindlessly rushing from point to point doing things they have made important, all the while ignoring the limitations of time placed on all of us because our physical lives have a definite beginning and ending point. While this is happening, God is harvesting His field. Some of that harvest will be the good grain that will live eternally, others will be the chaff that has no value and will be disposed of in the fire.
We need to be sure of our status. We need to be the good grain, and if we are,we need to be about the things which are eternally important. It's not the next contract, or the grocery list, or even getting the kids from place to place, it is who you touch along the way. You are an important part of what God is doing in your world today.
Enjoy the Java,
Jim
As I waited I became aware of a rather trichotomous vista spread out before me. You see, I was in the little town of Avoca Iowa, at a restaurant just off the interchange of I 80 and US Highway 59. Highway 59 is a very busy road being a major north south artery. As I watched the travelers speed past me rushing to their next appointment, I became aware of the back drop. Directly across from where I was sitting, was a cemetery on a hill. The thought occurred to me that the people who were passing this spot had on their minds what their next destination was, but were probably not too concerned about their ultimate destination. While they were speeding past me, headed to some specified objective, the final destination for each of them would someday be either this cemetery or one very similar. It really caused me to consider that whatever the goal of my life is, if it does not include touching others, it will have been futile.
I said this was a trichotomous vista, for in the background of the cemetery I noticed a farmer on his combine harvesting the crop that had been planted and was ready to be taken from the field and put to the use for which it was grown. The recondite symbolism of what I was watching was not lost on me. In the foreground we have people who are mindlessly rushing from point to point doing things they have made important, all the while ignoring the limitations of time placed on all of us because our physical lives have a definite beginning and ending point. While this is happening, God is harvesting His field. Some of that harvest will be the good grain that will live eternally, others will be the chaff that has no value and will be disposed of in the fire.
We need to be sure of our status. We need to be the good grain, and if we are,we need to be about the things which are eternally important. It's not the next contract, or the grocery list, or even getting the kids from place to place, it is who you touch along the way. You are an important part of what God is doing in your world today.
Enjoy the Java,
Jim
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Only Thing
First I would like to express just how much I hate the city. As a boy who has spent much of his life living in cities, some of which were rather large, I want to express my utmost gratitude to God for delivering me from the rat race, and allowing me to live in a one horse paradise. Viva La small town Iowa!!
I have spent the last two days in Des Moines attending a conference our fellowship puts on for it's pastors. While I did not like venue city, (Des Moines is at the top of the list for my least favorite cities), the conference was timely and I feel will produce bushels of fruit.
The conference centered on the concept of church planting and growth. Over the years I have been a part of a great number of these sorts of conferences. Whether they be about growing a church, or growing a business, they are always informative but somehow irrelevant to what I am doing at the given time. It was not so at this conference. God prepared this conference for the team that I am a part of. I hope that others got something from it, I'm sure they did, but it was prepared for us.
One theme that came shining through, and a message that I have been preaching for some time is this; it is time for us to forget the way things have been done, we don't need to shift paradigms, we need to shatter them.
In both our personal and corporate ministries we need to be able to shift with the move of God as He applies His word in a relevant manner to our society. Remember the move of God is always fresh, but it is not new. The move of the Spirit started with the words of Jesus as He declared 'It is finished'. The Spirit has not ceased moving since, we have however placed our selves in protective shelters at times to avoid it.
When the Spirit is moving things change, just as a high wind moves things from where they are to a new location, so is the wind of God. It is sometimes uncomfortable for us as most of us do not like change. The days of Status Quo in ALL ministry is over. We cannot afford to be complacent about the return of Christ or the fate that awaits lost souls. Introducing people to Jesus Christ must be the air we breath, the purpose of our lives.
After a tragic event that befell our family several years ago, my wise mother turned to me and said something that God has burned into my mind. She said; "Telling people about Christ is not the most important thing...it's the only thing."
Make it a profitable day for the Kingdom in your neighborhood today.
Enjoy the Coffee,
Jim
I have spent the last two days in Des Moines attending a conference our fellowship puts on for it's pastors. While I did not like venue city, (Des Moines is at the top of the list for my least favorite cities), the conference was timely and I feel will produce bushels of fruit.
The conference centered on the concept of church planting and growth. Over the years I have been a part of a great number of these sorts of conferences. Whether they be about growing a church, or growing a business, they are always informative but somehow irrelevant to what I am doing at the given time. It was not so at this conference. God prepared this conference for the team that I am a part of. I hope that others got something from it, I'm sure they did, but it was prepared for us.
One theme that came shining through, and a message that I have been preaching for some time is this; it is time for us to forget the way things have been done, we don't need to shift paradigms, we need to shatter them.
In both our personal and corporate ministries we need to be able to shift with the move of God as He applies His word in a relevant manner to our society. Remember the move of God is always fresh, but it is not new. The move of the Spirit started with the words of Jesus as He declared 'It is finished'. The Spirit has not ceased moving since, we have however placed our selves in protective shelters at times to avoid it.
When the Spirit is moving things change, just as a high wind moves things from where they are to a new location, so is the wind of God. It is sometimes uncomfortable for us as most of us do not like change. The days of Status Quo in ALL ministry is over. We cannot afford to be complacent about the return of Christ or the fate that awaits lost souls. Introducing people to Jesus Christ must be the air we breath, the purpose of our lives.
After a tragic event that befell our family several years ago, my wise mother turned to me and said something that God has burned into my mind. She said; "Telling people about Christ is not the most important thing...it's the only thing."
Make it a profitable day for the Kingdom in your neighborhood today.
Enjoy the Coffee,
Jim
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