Firm Foundation

My mother and father divorced when I was very young and I have very little memory of my dad's family. There is a big gap in my life history from the paternal side and I don't know it will ever truly be filled. Too much time has passed and most of those older generations have passed on as well.

My mother has told me my paternal grandfather was a pastor. The picture above has him seated on the left hand side. The book next to the picture is The Star Book for Ministers, a helpful guide for functioning as a minister, and belonged to my grandfather. These two items were passed on to me after my father's death and while I don't know their complete story, these things signify a foundation.

Even though I am unsure of the depth of their influence, there were things established for me before I knew what path in life I would take. The personal path of ministry was chosen by my dad's father long before I even existed. I don't believe this means I was destined to become a pastor because of his choices. My awareness of this legacy has influenced me in some measure however.

I don't mean to overplay the significance of this book and picture, but it reminds me of the value of the foundation I am setting for my future generations. The decisions I make today are not just affecting me and my children, but also those generations I may never see. It helps me (and scares me a little too) to think about the influence my dedication, faith, and character may have on my future family.

At This Moment

There is an inner part of a leader that is programmed to desire greater things. When we acknowledge it, we realize that we genuinely want to be part of something more. We want our life to have powerful influence and impact. Leaders want to see growth increase and blessings in our life multiply.

As I think about asking God for these things and imagining the potential, I find myself asking this simple question, "Where are you presently being obedient?" We can't begin to think about where our next leap of faith will be if we aren't being faithful to the moment we are in.

The opportunity for future faith is formed through present obedience.

That's Mine

The picture above brings back fond memories of my athletic training days at Mainland High School and the great staff I worked with. What makes the picture exponentially special is the Olympic gold medal around my neck. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allowed me to snag a picture for posterity's sake. It's a picture sitting prominently on my shelf in the middle of other important memorabilia.

While the picture might portray a different reality to the unknowing observer the gold medal doesn't belong to me. I did nothing to earn it and even though I wore it briefly, that didn't make me an Olympian. 

Genuine faith is the same way. We can call ourselves faithful because of our family heritage or our regular church attendance, but without personal experience it doesn't mean much. It's not genuine to say we have faith because our grandmother did or because we never missed a Sunday service. Faith only becomes our own when we put the effort in to battle through understanding and real life application. 

Without individual investment we're just wearing what someone else has earned.

Coincidentally

I don't believe in coincidences, but in the sovereign plan of God that is always right on time. I've seen so much evidence in my own life of details coming together that I can't attribute it to chance. To  be honest, the statistical odds on things repeatedly coming together at just the right moment are astronomical. On the other hand, to assume that the universe is pulling strings merely for my benefit is demeaning to an all-powerful & all-loving God.

For this all to make sense and for us to find peace in uncertain times, I need to believe that there is a greater plan in play. There is a destiny and purpose that our world is moving rapidly towards and God is working all of the details out for the good of those that love Him. This doesn't mean that I comprehend it all and can even see all of the pieces that are in motion. It does mean that I have put my trust in a God who always seems to bring things together in a way that rejuvenates my faith and validates my confidence in Him. I'll gladly stake a claim on that kind of faith instead of occasional coincidences.

Faith Results

Your system is perfectly designed to produce the results you are getting.

I have written about this from a leadership perspective and it also has great spiritual principles. Your current spiritual disciplines are producing exactly what they are set up to produce.

If we want to see increased faith in God, are we doing something to increase our faith or maintaining the same habits and hoping they produce different results? If we want to speak more kindness and love to our family are we doing something uniquely different to change our thought & speech patterns? If we want God to provide us with more influence we can't continue to think, speak, and act the same way we always have. We've got to begin to trust God more with our lives and let Him rewire us even as He changes our future.

We can't foolishly expect our same habits to produce different results.

Legacy of Faith

We continued in our series, The Story, here at Northridge this morning as we looked at the story of
Abraham. He's an interesting man of faith who obviously trusted God with his future and even with the life of his son. There is a passage in Genesis 22 where God tells Abraham to go to a nearby mountain and offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. Abraham is obedient and gathers the necessary material and heads off with his teenage son. The drama builds to the moment where Abraham has tied his son Isaac to the altar and has a knife in his hand when God stops him and offers another sacrifice. It's a great picture of God providing a perfect solution for us and the reward found in our trust in God.

While we often tout Abraham's obedient faithfulness, I wondered what Isaac was thinking during all of this. The passage tells us that Isaac did ask his father a question about what was happening, but it still ended up with him tied up on the altar and his father prepared to offer him in sacrifice to God. The only thing that comes to mind is that Abraham had modeled a deep trust of God for his son and that is what brought him peace of mind during all of this. The legacy of faith that Abraham had built for his son was enough to trust that God was up to something bigger than they could currently see.

I have no desire to be tested at this level, but I do pray that I am building a legacy of faith for my daughters. I hope that they see that I am flawed, imperfect, and sometimes doubting, but that I trust God above all else. If I teach them nothing else through my life but that they can and should trust God, then I can be assured that they are on the right path for their own lives. I certainly don't have all the answers they are looking for. I just pray that they will see that a life of faith in God will not disappoint.

Always

There is a word that I caution people not to use when they are dealing with conflict or going through counseling. It is the word, "always" as in "You always say that" or "You always ignore me!" It can be a very unhealthy word in conflict resolution and can come across as extremely accusatory. When used in the wrong context it's a word without patience and grace. Even if it's used in a positive light, it's not completely accurate since none of us are constant enough in our reactions and character to make this 100% true.

I do know that it is a word that I can use to describe God. His nature does not change and His desire to rescue His children never fades. He has promised to be our refuge and that if we are faithful enough to ask for help He will answer. God doesn't necessarily answer in my timing or in the fashion that I would hope, but I do know with complete certainty that He will not abandon His people. When we accept that truth, there is peace that comes with a sense of certainty.

We sang a song today called, "Always" that speaks of that confidence and that God will always hold to His promises. I watched as people were deeply moved by the words of this song, not because of the excellence of the band, but because of the truth of the words that were sung. They resonate deeply within us as we all need a promise to hang onto when our circumstances seem to be constantly shifting. When we say that God will always be there for us it changes our outlook and lets us know where to go in our time of need.

Or Not

When circumstances are difficult and tension is mounting many people respond with the answer, "everything will work itself out" and "everything will be fine." While these are meant to bring us comfort in trying times and even deliver some hope, they aren't necessarily true. Things might work out to our liking and ease the tension we are feeling OR they won't. The question is: what will we do when things don't work out? Will we abandon our faith? Will we look for someone to blame for the lack of satisfaction? Will we spiral downwards into depression, guilt, and anger?

The truth is that sometimes things will get better OR they won't. We might be able to influence part of what happens, but we are really only able to completely control our reactions. I'm not sure that accepting this truth automatically brings peace. Hopefully we'll learn through repeated trials that our response to good and bad outcomes is the key to our faith development and personal maturity.

One Direction

Knowing what direction to move in isn't always easy. We often make it more difficult than it should be because we rely entirely on ourselves instead of seeking God's wisdom. Humbling ourselves enough to hear what God has to say-even if it's painfully difficult-is the only way we can be assured of heading down the right path. When we have reached a point of exhausted desperation we have finally begun to open ourselves up to God's leading and perfect plan for our lives. Beginning with a simple prayer of submission, listening intently to where God directs us, and then being obedient to what He asks is the way to finding our true direction.

Father, I am tired of struggling to do things my way.

I am desperate for direction from You.

I want to follow Your lead for my life.

You know my heart and my desires.

Keep me in constant unity with Your Holy Spirit.

I trust You with my past, present, and future.

Reveal to me my next step.

Give me faith to trust You as I step forward.

Amen.

Standing Tall

My uncle Bob passed away today. His body had become too weak to bounce back from treatments and surgery. He has suffered from multiple physical ailments since I have known him and this last one become too much for him to overcome. The powerful balance to his weak physical form was in his tremendously strong spirit. His inner confidence came directly from his relationship with Jesus Christ and the passionate desire to share that hope with others. He was a faithful, praying man who was unapologetic and yet unobtrusive about his convictions. He carried himself with a strength of heart that belied his failing body and continued to serve and share until his last breath here with us. Uncle Bob's longevity-not just in years, but in steadfast commitment to Christ and family-will be a testimony of his life and an example for the rest of us to live up to. I can speak with 100% complete confidence when I say that he is now perfectly healed and in heaven. His witness will stand as tall as he is finally able to do again now.

Can't Earn It

I struggle with the idea of my own worth. I often feel as I have to win people's approval and that the positive things I do have to outweigh the negative. It's a mindset that leads me to try to live up to the nice things people do for me. I feel as if I have to earn their respect and cooperation and if I don't then I am unworthy of this favor. It doesn't just relate to personal circumstances either. It spills over into my career where I falsely believe that I am measured solely by the latest message or most recent successful initiative. It's a trap of performance that negates the gift of grace.

I'm sure that I am not alone in this trap. Too many of us believe in the concept of grace and yet live as if we are defined solely by our works. It's a faulty understanding of God that causes us to believe that our entire life is a ledger filled with debits and credits. It's an error that has us believing that other people are staring at us and asking the question, "What have you done for me lately?" While that thought might be true of some people (who obviously don't fully understand grace either), the incredibly good news is that God doesn't treat us this way. An obedient, serving life reflects devotion to God, but it isn't necessary to gain His approval. His grace truly cannot be earned, but can only be humbly accepted. It's the freedom found in accepting it that I struggle so often to comprehend. Fortunately, as I grow to understand God's generously loving character I find it easier to grab on to what He offers.

Needful Things

I have heard since I was a child that I needed to have more faith. While I understand this in principle, it still bears some thought on my part to ask the big question: what do I need faith for?

• To keep pursuing my calling
  
• To trust in my children's salvation
• Believing that my extended family will follow Christ
• Vision for ministry here
• That's God's ways are best even when it seems like my prayers go unanswered
• That God will make up the difference between my parenting skills and my hopes for our kids
• God's revealed vision for my calling will take place in His timing and not mine
• That God is able (and willing) to make the most terrible situation better
• To keep my confidence in His wisdom when my circumstances don't make sense
• Regardless of my foolish actions (and reactions) God still sees me as His son

Do you know what you need faith for? It might help to know the details as we ask for an increase in faith.

The Best

"I'm doing the best I can!"

We won't ever be completely prepared for what life brings us. We won't have all of the knowledge we think we need to accurately process what's happening. No matter how much experience we might have we won't be able to predict the future with 100% accuracy. Even when it seems like we are making the right decision we can't guarantee that the consequences and benefits will unfold how we hoped. This unpredictability is a factor of life.

What I do know is that I can continue to do what I know is right as I am guided by God. I can put my trust in Him above all other things and continue to do the very best that I can in this moment. I can deliberately decide to keep doing what is right and trust that my God (who sees & know all things) will make all things work out for the good of those who love Him. My cry of "I'm doing the best I can!" doesn't have to be one of exasperation, but a confident claim in God's ability to work through the most fulfilling and most trying of my circumstances. It means that I will continue to do the best I can right now and trust that God will reward my faithful intentions.

There is a life-affirming value in bringing our best to the One who is the best.

Generational Influence

After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10 

It can be too easy to blame the current generation for their poor choices. We can sit back and shake our heads at the decline of morality and the apparent lack of old-school values. Unfortunately, it's not entirely accurate to point fingers of accusation at the present generation without admitting our own faults. Where is our level of blame?

• Have we taken the time to engage in dialogue about values so that they can be passed on?
  
• Are we sharing stories of victory in trials and how we managed to make it through?
  
• Are we also sharing stories of defeat and the lessons that we learned?
  
• Are we engaging this generation in a way that respects their passion & abilities while giving them a chance to contribute to the overall story?
  
• Do we recognize the need to be loving, patient mentors--not for our own sake, but for the purpose of helping someone mature and fulfill their potential?
  
• Do we understand that this has to be a journey together? It should be a shared investment of respect and unconditional love for it to truly benefit both people.

Leaders, churches, and families can't sit back and complain about the upcoming generation without realizing our responsibility to help raise them the right way. If we aren't willing to be part of the solution then we're just perpetuating the problem.

Never Seen

And the man did it--got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous--and then praised God, saying, "We've never seen anything like this!"       Mark 2:12

God promises that if we will faithfully trust and seek Him with our prayers that we will see things that are beyond our imagination. My personal & ministry experience contains enough evidence for that to be true:

• Cancer healed (in multiple people)
• Addictions beaten (alcohol, pornography, drugs)
• Passionate worship (in circumstances where it most unexpected)
• Marriages healed (when they seemed destined to fail)
• Suicide attempt overcome (when depression seemed to have too strong of a grip)
• New, beautiful marriages made from broken pasts (genuine Christ-like love from people who had lost hope)
• Me as a pastor (knowing where I've come from & my many faults)
• Churches growing exponentially (while they are closing by thousands in other places)
• Ridiculous generosity (from the faithful hearts of people with little to share)

God isn't done showing us things we've never seen if we are ready to keep asking to see them. Will we have enough faith to believe He is able and willing?

Sent With Power

The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you? Judges 6:14

I've known too many people who are clearly jealous of other leaders. They spend most of their time talking about the abilities that they wish they had, the experience that they are lacking, and the impossibility of the challenges in front of them. They become paralyzed by their perception of what they don't have instead of seeking success with what they possess. 

God makes the formula fairly clear for godly leaders to be successful. We are called to use the talents that we are blessed with and move forward to achieve this vision even if it seems overwhelming. Our confidence is in our submission to God's power to fulfill the mission. No matter how daunting the challenge in front of us might seem, He is asking us to take the abilities that we possess and be obedient to His direction. God is the one that will make up the difference between our current competencies and what is necessary to see the task completed. We just need to trust Him to cover that gap and bring all of what we have. God's strength and power combined with our complete submission will deliver almost unbelievable results.

Losing

What do I have to lose?

We often ask this question when we are thinking about taking a risk. We ask it in a passing fashion without really stopping to answer the question, but cursorily dismissing the possible risks and simply forging ahead. I'm not opposed to risk taking (in fact, it's the only way to see truly great things happen) but there is wisdom in stopping to ask what we could potentially lose with this choice. Are we really taking a leap of faith that will bring growth & benefit or are we simply pursuing selfish ambition & satisfaction?

With some decisions, we can lose everything that matters to us:

• Financial stability
• Our marriages
• The respect of our children
• Trust
• Confidence in our faith
• The right to speak with wisdom
• The right to lead

Be wise in your decision-making. Don't let people influence you who don't have the same things to lose that you do. Make sure that God is the one guiding you to take a risk of faith. Understand that there will be consequences for all decisions (both good and bad) and be sure you're ready to face them as a result of your choice. Know what it is that you have to lose & make the right move before taking the leap. 

No Clue

I don't know what I'm doing. That used to be harder for me to admit, but I am starting to get used to that simple fact. It may seem defeatist to some people, but I choose to recognize it as a sign of my weakness and and the possibility of God's strength in action. 

If I'm honest with myself I can see this in the different roles in my life:

• Christ-follower: struggling to live a life of purity and devotion to my Father & King and making it a consistent part of my character

• Pastor: listening intently to God's direction and yet always cautious of what the exact next steps are as we seek to expand our influence and reach more lost people

• Father: understanding my impact on three young ladies and knowing that what I say, do, and think will not only shape them, but the men they choose to spend the rest of their lives with. How am I loving them as God does and helping to prepare them for their future in Him?

• Husband: thinking of her emotions and thoughts first & wanting to lead her to a growing relationship with Christ. It is a heavy responsibility to be the spiritual leader in our home and to understand the impact of my attitude, words, and personal spiritual health on her.

There is the potential of great frustration when you realize you aren't sure what to do next for the best possible impact and influence. I instead choose to look at it as the chance to trust God and allow Him to direct my steps. It sets up a powerful opportunity to see my faith increase as I have no choice but to rely on God's direction and plan to see a chance at success.

Failure of Nerve: Faithfully

(This is the final blog on of a series of blogs on failure of nerve. Click here to read the introduction blog or find any previous installment in the column to the right.)

I believe that God has called us to something greater than the life we are currently leading. Even if we are actively living in faith, God has a grander plan than we can imagine. I feel that we get glimpses of this as we invest more relational energy in seeking Him, but I also think that we become afraid of what the next steps will be and what they will potentially cost us. This particular failure of nerve keeps us trapped in the same location following a replica of the pattern we've followed for years. We are afraid to take the next step of obedience and follow through in baptism, sacrifice money and time to go on a missions trip, re-prioritize our finances to practice deliberate generosity, intentionally invest in our community, or leave our comfortable position to travel somewhere new and do something ridiculously big for God's Kingdom. 

There is a grand adventure of faith waiting for each of us--I have no doubt about that. The choice to follow it is a matter of faith for each of us. Overcoming this failure of nerve is the difference between living a good, safe life or risking it all for an adventure with greater challenges and rewards than we can begin to fathom. Where is the step of faith that you have been afraid to take? How you can you overcome that failure of nerve and begin to move forward today?

Failure of Nerve: Money Talk

This is part four of a series of blogs on failure of nerve. Click here to read the introduction blog.)

I love being generous. I enjoy treating my family and friends to meals, events, and gifts and watching their reactions and pleasure. We didn't have any expendable income when I was growing up so I'm sure that contributes to my desire to spoil those that I care about. My wife and I also love to be generous for the sake of God's Kingdom. We want to support missionaries, sponsor children, and contribute to the growth of our local church. It's a way to feel that our God-given resources are being used in a way that makes a difference that is bigger than we are. 

This wasn't always our mindset. Early in our marriage we were consumed with the next best thing and how we could enjoy something now by paying for it later. It led us down a nasty road of debt and poor financial management and constrained the freedom of our resources. We were also a one-income family after children arrived and had limited earning potential working in the school system. In the midst of an unbalanced checkbook we couldn't even see the possibility of giving generously for the cause of Christ. It was easier to put a $20 bill in the offering plate to appease temporary guilt than doing more and trusting God to cover the gap. 

It isn't an easy transition in the beginning, but a failure of nerve in our finances will never lead to a balanced budget. As difficult as it may seem at the start, we have to prayerfully commit to taking the first step of faith and giving to God's Kingdom work first. It might mean saying no to the newest outfit, car, dining experience or road trip, but it will bring deeper satisfaction when we see the impact we are having in lives beyond our own. Start trusting God with the management of your resources first instead of doing what we think is best and then asking Him to bless the decisions we made without His input in the first place.