faithrunner

We began a new series of messages at Legacy this past Sunday. We call it Faith! We have adapted some materials from the 252 basics materials to partner with families for a month of family worship to help them trust Jesus as they return to school this month. The description of faith we are working from is: Faith--is trusting what you can't see because of what you can see . Our key verse for the value is Hebrews 11:1 . Of course, I have my own translation of the verse, and it reads like this: Faith is trusting what we hope for will happen and the confidence to act when we cannot see it yet. I want to emphasize that faith is not belief only. 85% of Americans "believe" in God, and we tend to ask people what they believe in order to define their faith. However, the biblical word has more to do with trusting a person rather than accepting a set of beliefs. Biblical faith is to trust the person of Jesus, the Christ, enough to stake your life on both where you live your life...

You've heard Miley Cyrus' tune, It's the Climb , I'm sure. The song calls us to consider that it's not the destination but the journey that counts. I must admit I resonate with the top-40 tune because the message reflects my view of life and ministry. Hebrews 11:13 reminds me that everyone--yes, everyone--who God called to join Him in His eternal purposes never--yes, never--saw what He called them to do, and they saw themselves as "aliens and strangers on earth." It's the climb that describes our time on earth. Our vacation in Red River this year with our Baylor clan was one of the most refreshing we have had. The week was filled with family, friends, creation, and the church--pretty much what the climb of life is all about. Sunday, whil e Legacy gathered to worship, I preached at the community worship service at the Community House in town . During the week, there is line dancing, concerts, and crafts in the room, but on Sundays people from all over...

Part of vacation is the freedom to read whatever you want, and you know my interest in health and exercise. This past week I read Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge's book Younger Next Year, A Guide to Living Life Like 50 Until You're 80 and Beyond . It was a gift from a couple in my LifeGroup, and I look into those before recommended reading lists. Once I got started, I didn't want to stop. The authors' premise is that if you slow down and/or stop, you decay . On the other hand, if you continue to move, exercise, and be active you will grow healthy --possibly healthier than you have ever been in your life--and, you can do this into your 80's. There's nothing radically different in this book regarding exercise ("Exercise six days a week the rest of your life.") and diet ("Stop eating crap!"), but the novelty of their plan is the last two "Harry's Rules:" 6: Care. 7. Connect and commit. Chris notes that "finding the selfless...

I heard someone describe a rhythm of rest this way: divert daily withdraw weekly quit quarterly, and abandon annually I'm pretty good to divert daily from the stress of ministry either by study or exercise. I withdraw weekly on Saturdays which I guard with my life not to do any thing related to doing ministry. I enjoy being with friends and family--almost all who are part of Legacy. I stink at the other two . The concept to quit quarterly is to take a two-day retreat from work in order every three months to evaluate and recharge. I have never adopted that rhythm. And, I never abandon annually well. It's not that I am afraid of the silence and solitude that abandonment brings. I'm afraid of getting behind . I have come to learn that my fear is based on my ego-centric estimate of myself which makes me think I'm the only one that can do all that stuff and my lack of trust in God to get his work done without me. That is, after all, what God called me to do, wasn...

I have finished reading (carefully, this time) Ruth Haley Barton's latest, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry . She observes that Moses, who "did not have a good day in his life," found his leadership strength through his times of solitude and silence with God . From his calling in the solitude of keeping sheep to the regular retreats to the tent of meeting in the wilderness, Moses found his strength and direction from God. Her psychological hermenutic, although pressed in some passages, holds up as she intreprets Moses' leadership strenghts and weaknesses. Her call to the "sacred rhythms" of solitude, silence, and sabbath challenged my own do-something-you-can-clean-up-the-damage-later tendency toward ministry. I confess her assessment that pastors speak a better game of solitude with God than practice it hit home. I agree with her conclusion that in leading people on mission with God and in spiritual matters...

Sunday I tried to apply Jacob's wrestling match with God to our own struggles to be blessed by God. Here are some of my observations: We wrestle with God often out of fear and helplessness . (Gen. 32:9-12) Jacob divided his tribe into two groups and sent his servants ahead with gifts to placate his brother. He then prayed a prayer born out of fear in which he reminded God of his promises. We pray like this; when we are afraid and reminding God what He said He would do. At least, Jacob is now admitting God--not him--is responsible for his wealth and well-being. We wrestle for a blessing we realize we can no longer acquire on our own . (Gen. 32:22-24) That night, with the river Jabbok between him and his brother, Jacob wrestled “a man,” “angel” (Hosea 12), “God” (v. 30). He begged for a blessing he had already received but refused to let go of God until he knew it was his. How often to we struggle with God for a blessing He has already given us as His covenant bearers ...

Sunday, I continued Jacob's journey with God as his father-in-law, Laban, chased him down in the desert . Jacob was getting heat from his brother-in-laws and Laban, and when God said to take his family back to Canaan, he did not need to be told twice. ( Genesis 31:1-3 ) When the Jedi Deceiver caught up with his padawan , two daughters and 11 grandsons, he was fighting mad. Not only had Jacob taken a superior flock and his children from him, someone had taken his household gods. After Rachael deceived her deceiving father and kept the gods hidden, Laban and Jacob worked things out . I applied how they resolved things to the relationships we may have with our fathers or others. I suggested that sometimes you must put distance between you and those who hurt you . Jacob did just that. ( Genesis 31:17-18 ) Sometimes you have no choice but to get out of town from those who have hurt you so deeply. If that is not the solution, boundaries of engagement must surely be put in place. I also o...