I want to refer back to yesterday's reading because in 1 Chronicles 26:6-8 we find a leadership principle that has been a part of my philosophy of leadership for many years.
I remember being in an orientation for newly licensed ministers with the Assemblies of God in 2002. We were at the Potomac District Headquarters in Gainesville, VA and the Pastor Bob Rhoden, who was at that time the district superintendent, made the following statement, "Your gifts make room for themselves." He went on to say that the piece of paper we would soon receive declaring us to be credentialed ministers was in no way a permission for entitlement to ministry, title, or office in our respective church homes...our gifts had to make room for our ministry.
That has been a part of my approach to leadership ever since, for myself and for others. People who say they just need a title, an opportunity, authority...fail to understand how the Kingdom of God works. Here in 1 Chronicles 26:8 we find this principle in action! Verse six could not be more clear, "...sons with great ability who earned positions of great authority..."
Lazy leaders want to show up and take advantage of a crowd that others have sacrificed and labored to gather. They don't have the work-ethic or character to build a community of people so they invade someone else's. We see this happening all the time in local churches. Another sign of lazy leaders is that they have STRONG opinions about how things should be done but they don't want the responsibility that comes with being a leader. Healthy leaders understand the importance of deference, working with teams, loving people more than their own opinions, serving others at the expense of their own preferences, long meetings, much prayer, and great sacrifice. Lazy leaders bristle a the thought of such commitments but expect their opinions and perspectives to be heard and acted upon nonetheless.
I love City Life for many reasons but one of the lead causes of my deep affection for this precious community of faith is that we believe in 1 Chronicles 26:6-8...that one's gifts make room for themselves, that authority is earned, never granted...learn how to capture someone's heart before you expect to have their ear!
Pastor Fred
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Memorial Day
The timing of today's reading is wonderful! As I read 1 Chronicles 27, the heading in my translation (New Living Translation) is "Military Commanders and Divisions."
I was talking with a pastor friend recently who lives out of state and he asked about City Life and what about this church where Vannessa and I are privileged to serve is so special to us. One of the first things I shared was the profound sense of gratitude I have for those who serve our country through the military.
The Newport News campus is easily 25% active military and the Williamsburg campus breaks 50%. They are patriots, setting the greatest of examples for citizenship, simply stellar, each and every one! On this day of honoring, we applaud you, celebrate you, acknowledge you...with as much respect as a human heart can feel, ours overflow for each of you!
Pastor Fred
I was talking with a pastor friend recently who lives out of state and he asked about City Life and what about this church where Vannessa and I are privileged to serve is so special to us. One of the first things I shared was the profound sense of gratitude I have for those who serve our country through the military.
The Newport News campus is easily 25% active military and the Williamsburg campus breaks 50%. They are patriots, setting the greatest of examples for citizenship, simply stellar, each and every one! On this day of honoring, we applaud you, celebrate you, acknowledge you...with as much respect as a human heart can feel, ours overflow for each of you!
Pastor Fred
Friday, May 24, 2013
Commend, part 2
She said to her husband, “I am sure this man who stops in from time to time is a holy man of God...
This is 2 Kings 4:9, part of a story I hope you take the time to read today (2 Kings 4:9-37). Continuing from yesterday, we are weighing the meaning of Jesus' last eight words on the cross, "Father, into thy hands I commend My spirit" which is part of a series 47 Words, all 7 of His last saying during the last six hours of His earthly bodily existence. Admittedly, as with all Scripture, there is a vast body of truth that flows from every line of text! One of the profound principles I believe we find here is that our destiny is desperate for us to know how to trust the right people with the right things at the right time.
If that stirs your iterest, you can find our most recent sermon that connects that statement to the text on our church site (www.thecitylifechurch.com). Already, between the sermon and yesterday's blog, we have introduced three thoughts that flow from that statement: recognizing culminating moments, a dream too big for two hands, and having the courage to trust again.
This morning I want to suggest the importance of the right people. The story in 2 Kings in verse four is an example of a moment we too must find...certainty about people. As you read the story, you find that this family had a destiny that was dependent upon the help of someone esle, a powerful metaphor for each of us...our destiny is desperate for us to know how to trust the right people with the right things at the right time! Here are four questions you should be asking before you step into a trusting relationship with someone:
This is 2 Kings 4:9, part of a story I hope you take the time to read today (2 Kings 4:9-37). Continuing from yesterday, we are weighing the meaning of Jesus' last eight words on the cross, "Father, into thy hands I commend My spirit" which is part of a series 47 Words, all 7 of His last saying during the last six hours of His earthly bodily existence. Admittedly, as with all Scripture, there is a vast body of truth that flows from every line of text! One of the profound principles I believe we find here is that our destiny is desperate for us to know how to trust the right people with the right things at the right time.
If that stirs your iterest, you can find our most recent sermon that connects that statement to the text on our church site (www.thecitylifechurch.com). Already, between the sermon and yesterday's blog, we have introduced three thoughts that flow from that statement: recognizing culminating moments, a dream too big for two hands, and having the courage to trust again.
This morning I want to suggest the importance of the right people. The story in 2 Kings in verse four is an example of a moment we too must find...certainty about people. As you read the story, you find that this family had a destiny that was dependent upon the help of someone esle, a powerful metaphor for each of us...our destiny is desperate for us to know how to trust the right people with the right things at the right time! Here are four questions you should be asking before you step into a trusting relationship with someone:
- How long have you know them?
- What is their reputation amongh others?
- What is the fruit of their lives?
- What do others you trust say about them?
I am leaving New York today after having been here for the annual Elim Fellowship conferance. When our church was searching for a movement to join, the answers to these four questions were critical in our search. So too they have been for me personally...and are equally prominent in our leadership team's discussions about inviting new people into new places of leadership. Even Jesus in His final, culminating moments had a dream too big for two hands and He knew exactly who to trust...do you?
Pastor Fred
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Commend
We finished our series 47 Words this past weekend, listening to Jesus' last words, His last 7 sayings, His last 47 words in His last 6 hours. Luke 23:44:49 gives us the final 8, "Father, into thy hands I commend My spirit."
This moment wasn't Jesus being melodramatic, theatrical, broadwayish...He was speaking volumes of truth through every one of the 7 sayings and this last one is certainly no exception. I believe one of the Kingdom principles Jesus was teaching in His final moments was this, "Your destiny is desperate for you to know how to trust the right people with the right things at the right time!" In our weekend services (you can catch the podcast at www.thecitylifechurch.com) we introduced this principle by talking about culminating moments and a dream for your life that is too big for two hands. We did not quite make it to the last two points at both campuses.
The third point was having the courage to trust again (we hit this one briefly in NN but not in WMB). You might be saying, "Don't talk to me about trust...you don't know what I've been through." That is true, but we are told what Jesus has been through and if His life is a study of anything, it is most certainly a study of betrayal! We have Lucifer's betrayal in the Heavens, there is Israel's betrayal of rejecting their own Messiah, of course there is Judas, and also Peter. He knows what it is like to have His trust betrayed. And yet, at the very end, He trusts. That is what this word that is translated "commend" in the text means...trust. Without trust, we will never fulfill our destiny because the dream God has dreamed for us is too big for two hands!
Deuteronomy 32:30 reminds us that while one can put one thousand to flight, two can put ten thousand to flight! Can you hear Him today? I can hear Him saying, "Your destiny is desperate for you to know how to trust the right people with the right things at the right time!"
We'll cover the last point tomorrow...
Pastor Fred
This moment wasn't Jesus being melodramatic, theatrical, broadwayish...He was speaking volumes of truth through every one of the 7 sayings and this last one is certainly no exception. I believe one of the Kingdom principles Jesus was teaching in His final moments was this, "Your destiny is desperate for you to know how to trust the right people with the right things at the right time!" In our weekend services (you can catch the podcast at www.thecitylifechurch.com) we introduced this principle by talking about culminating moments and a dream for your life that is too big for two hands. We did not quite make it to the last two points at both campuses.
The third point was having the courage to trust again (we hit this one briefly in NN but not in WMB). You might be saying, "Don't talk to me about trust...you don't know what I've been through." That is true, but we are told what Jesus has been through and if His life is a study of anything, it is most certainly a study of betrayal! We have Lucifer's betrayal in the Heavens, there is Israel's betrayal of rejecting their own Messiah, of course there is Judas, and also Peter. He knows what it is like to have His trust betrayed. And yet, at the very end, He trusts. That is what this word that is translated "commend" in the text means...trust. Without trust, we will never fulfill our destiny because the dream God has dreamed for us is too big for two hands!
Deuteronomy 32:30 reminds us that while one can put one thousand to flight, two can put ten thousand to flight! Can you hear Him today? I can hear Him saying, "Your destiny is desperate for you to know how to trust the right people with the right things at the right time!"
We'll cover the last point tomorrow...
Pastor Fred
Friday, May 17, 2013
Mahanaim
In 2 Samuel 17:24 we have a passing mention of the place where David chose to set up camp as he and his forces prepared to defend themselves against his son Absalom and the army of Israel, who were making a play for the throne, a coup.
The place is Mahanaim. I love the story of the geography of the Bible, in fact, I believe we find much truth not just in the story of the people in Scripture but also the story of the places. We are introduced to this place in Genesis 32. Jacob is on his way back from Padan-Aram where he has lived as a fugitive from his brother's wrath, Esau. On his return journey he comes across a camp of angels...that may be why I have never seen an angel because I am always at the Marriott, never camping! Jacob declares that he has discovered the camp of God. Now remember, when Jacob years prior was leaving for Padan-Aram he had a dream where he saw angels ascending and descending between Heaven and earth...he named that place Bethel which translates "house of God." Mahanaim translates roughly "two camps." At two of Jacob's most desperate moments in life, God affirmed His care of Jacob in amazingly dramatic fashion! He named this new place Mahanaim "two camps" because he decided to make his camp next to God's camp, two camps.
Now travel forward in time...here is David, on the run, desperate, clinging to the memory of God's many promises over his life yet his circumstances were a mounting witness against God's Word. Where does he go? Is it a coincidence? Was Mahanaim just a place that David found out of convenience? I think David knew that this could be his last stand, and he knew exactly where he wanted to be...next to God's camp.
Where do you camp? Where are you most easily awakened to His presence? Where are you the most inclined to believe that over you is an open Heaven? I'll tell you where that is with me...every Saturday night and every Sunday with the people in this world, besides my family, that I love the most! Friday for me is the day I wake up the most excited...the weekend is coming...not for the same reasons that many long for the weekend...I can't wait to return to Mahanaim...I love our church and I long for every opportunity I have to get my camp next to that camp!
Pastor Fred
The place is Mahanaim. I love the story of the geography of the Bible, in fact, I believe we find much truth not just in the story of the people in Scripture but also the story of the places. We are introduced to this place in Genesis 32. Jacob is on his way back from Padan-Aram where he has lived as a fugitive from his brother's wrath, Esau. On his return journey he comes across a camp of angels...that may be why I have never seen an angel because I am always at the Marriott, never camping! Jacob declares that he has discovered the camp of God. Now remember, when Jacob years prior was leaving for Padan-Aram he had a dream where he saw angels ascending and descending between Heaven and earth...he named that place Bethel which translates "house of God." Mahanaim translates roughly "two camps." At two of Jacob's most desperate moments in life, God affirmed His care of Jacob in amazingly dramatic fashion! He named this new place Mahanaim "two camps" because he decided to make his camp next to God's camp, two camps.
Now travel forward in time...here is David, on the run, desperate, clinging to the memory of God's many promises over his life yet his circumstances were a mounting witness against God's Word. Where does he go? Is it a coincidence? Was Mahanaim just a place that David found out of convenience? I think David knew that this could be his last stand, and he knew exactly where he wanted to be...next to God's camp.
Where do you camp? Where are you most easily awakened to His presence? Where are you the most inclined to believe that over you is an open Heaven? I'll tell you where that is with me...every Saturday night and every Sunday with the people in this world, besides my family, that I love the most! Friday for me is the day I wake up the most excited...the weekend is coming...not for the same reasons that many long for the weekend...I can't wait to return to Mahanaim...I love our church and I long for every opportunity I have to get my camp next to that camp!
Pastor Fred
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Psalm 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55
Have you ever wanted to slap someone? No? Just live a little while longer! There is that moment when you come to the conclusion that if you just stood up, drew back your hand, let loose with all the velocity that your anger and frustration could bring forth...yeah, you can feel it already...sweet relief! But alas, we know that giving in to our humanity in moments such as this are not relief but a dangerous trap that sinks us deeper and deeper into the grip of our own anger.
In Psalm 4:4 we read "Don't sin by letting anger control you!" So what do we do with all these feeling? The verse continues and then picks up in verse 5, "...Think about it overnight and remain silent. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust in the Lord."
Now this word silent doesn't mean "don't talk about it." We know because Psalm 3 comes before Psalm 4. There in verse 7 we read, "Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap ALL my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!" Our silence is being self-controlled enough to not take our anger out into the world, not in public but rather work it out on our knees in prayer, the sacrifice of prayer. In the right spirit here, I believe, means knowing to whom to take our complaint.
If they need slapping, if they need their teeth knocked out, let's trust that to God. If we take matters into our own hands, we insult the sovereignty of God. What we are really saying is, "God I can't trust You with this." This comforts me because if they are going to get slapped, His hand is much, MUCH bigger than mine!
Psalm 55 really brings home the reality of life sometimes by reminding us that often, the enemy of whom we speak was a friend. Nothing cuts deeper than the betrayal of someone you trusted...look at your hand. It wasn't made to strike. It was made to be joined together with your other hand on bended knee.
"But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me." (Psalm 13:5-6)
Pastor Fred
In Psalm 4:4 we read "Don't sin by letting anger control you!" So what do we do with all these feeling? The verse continues and then picks up in verse 5, "...Think about it overnight and remain silent. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust in the Lord."
Now this word silent doesn't mean "don't talk about it." We know because Psalm 3 comes before Psalm 4. There in verse 7 we read, "Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap ALL my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!" Our silence is being self-controlled enough to not take our anger out into the world, not in public but rather work it out on our knees in prayer, the sacrifice of prayer. In the right spirit here, I believe, means knowing to whom to take our complaint.
If they need slapping, if they need their teeth knocked out, let's trust that to God. If we take matters into our own hands, we insult the sovereignty of God. What we are really saying is, "God I can't trust You with this." This comforts me because if they are going to get slapped, His hand is much, MUCH bigger than mine!
Psalm 55 really brings home the reality of life sometimes by reminding us that often, the enemy of whom we speak was a friend. Nothing cuts deeper than the betrayal of someone you trusted...look at your hand. It wasn't made to strike. It was made to be joined together with your other hand on bended knee.
"But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me." (Psalm 13:5-6)
Pastor Fred
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Psalm 32
One of my favorite childhood memories was in elementary school. I had a friend whose family owned horses and while spending weekends there we had the most wonderful adventures! John Wayne was my hero, watching every western that came on television (that's right, black and white tv, 4 channels...getting up to turn a knob to change the station and adjust the antenna!) so riding trails in the woods, galloping through fields on a horse...I was John Wayne! We would build a maze out of bails of hay, have horse manure fights, build forts...a child's world before Wii and iPods!
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
That's verse 8 and 9 out of Psalm 32. Funny thing about those horses, never rode one that didn't need a bit and bridle. Actually, the most trained horse benefited from the bit and bridle, using those devices to understand and communicate with the rider. I find this Psalm interesting. I imagine it should have said, "Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that resists..." But that's not the text. It actually reads "need."
I want to be a child of God who knows His heart for me...riding every trail, galloping ever field, making every turn, embracing whatever pace, yielding to my Master because of a mind that discerns His will and heart that longs to follow.
Pastor Fred
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
That's verse 8 and 9 out of Psalm 32. Funny thing about those horses, never rode one that didn't need a bit and bridle. Actually, the most trained horse benefited from the bit and bridle, using those devices to understand and communicate with the rider. I find this Psalm interesting. I imagine it should have said, "Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that resists..." But that's not the text. It actually reads "need."
I want to be a child of God who knows His heart for me...riding every trail, galloping ever field, making every turn, embracing whatever pace, yielding to my Master because of a mind that discerns His will and heart that longs to follow.
Pastor Fred
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