Archive - May, 2008

Leadership Choice & Passion

May 27, 2008 in Acts Forum with 0 Comments

 

Leadership Choice & Passion (Acts 14-21)
 
Our daily decisions change the outcome of future choices. In the movie Prince Caspian, Lucy asks Aslan something like, “Would they still be alive if I had come sooner?” She felt remorse over her previous choices and the loss during the battle to take the castle.
 
Aslan responds, “To know what would have happened, child? No, nobody is ever told that.
 
The believers faced ridicule and a choice following the amazing events in verses 1-13 with the Holy Spirit coming and the speaking native languages of all the nations. “Oh, they’re just drunk!” (Acts 2:13).
 
A common ordinary fisherman made a choice. He stood up to lead, defend, and teach. The other eleven stood with him and didn’t bicker over his leadership. Jesus had established Peter as a leader. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), ? and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell?? will not conquer it. (Mt. 16:18, NLT)
 
Peter stood up for the eleven, with the eleven, and supported by the eleven. He spoke out with a raised voice to all who would listen. He denied the sneers concerning drunkenness based upon the early hour of the day. Then he cited the prophesy of Joel 2:28-32 as evidence of what had taken place.
 
The first part of the reference in Joel, Peter believes to have taken place. God poured out his Spirit upon them, made the sons and daughters prophesy, the young men see visions, and the old dream dreams. Peter believed the Spirit was poured out on the male and female slaves too. He witnessed these things and felt them to be the fulfillment of God’s promises in Joel.
 
About the last part of the quote from Joel, The Bible Knowledge Commentary says “the implication is that the remainder would be fulfilled if Israel would repent.”[1] Peter appears convinced that if the Jews would turn toward Jesus, these wonders in heaven would take place right then. The blood, fire, and cloud of smoke, the sun darkened, and the moon turning to blood all would happen before God’s great day. To Peter, the happenings of the morning meant this must be God’s great day. Surely the Jews would repent now, and God would do these other great things too.
 
I’ve been just as convinced by God’s movement that, “today must be the day,” and my day held nothing compared to this day of Peter’s. Experiencing God move creates an urgency in me to tell others before it’s too late. For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (vs. 21).
 
Today, I have a choice to expect God’s movement and be pumped about it telling others. I am not told what would’ve been if I had made better choices in the past, but today can be new as I stand with my fellow believers proclaiming the wonders of God to any who will listen. It’s not too late.
 



 

[1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:358.

Piney Wood Safari Hunt: Zebra Expectations!!

May 22, 2008 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife with 17 Comments

 

PineyWood Safari Hunt: ZEBRA Expectations!!
 
I recently posted about expecting the unexpected The Un-Expected Expectation, but this stripe really zigs! Really!
 
We always drive down the same forest service road through the National Forest between our house and our church.
 
Lake Stubblefield Rd.
 
 
It is a beautiful drive. The Forest Ranger consistently pulls me over to remind me of the speed limit. He must be afraid if vehicles go over 30 mph the animals can’t get out of the way (or maybe it is the potholes). I’ve seen deer, wild hog, possum, raccoon, bobcats, coyotes, fox, and all kinds of regular wildlife in the Piney Woods of East Texas on this drive.
 
Last evening just after dusk, along with a dozen or so deer, we drove up on something of a wilder hoof. It was bigger, and my girls and I weren’t sure what it was. As we drove closer (at a much slower speed than my normal), we saw the unbelievable. It was a ZEBRA.
 
 
The girls and I acted out John Wayne’s movie Hatari and tried to capture it on cell phone camera. We had to have proof! Who in their right mind would believe this? The thing ran down the road. I speed up. It watched us as a predator and began zigzagging across the road. (My husband will kill me if I mess up his car!) I slowed. Zebra slowed. We commenced the capture chase for .8 of a mile, then it took a side road.
 
The Piney Wood safari hunt left my heart pumping. What a thrill! Seeing a zebra in its natural reaction without a fence between us is a dream I never expected to come true, and in East Texas! Move over John Wayne. I’ve got a fever for the hunt. A broad with a cell phone camera. You’ll have to see the movie to understand the girl and camera thing. The pic isn’t the greatest. But under the circumstances, give a girl a break. We were on the lookout for the lion and other crew from Disney’s Madagascar.
 
Happy hunting the unexpected.
Robin

Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman Family

May 21, 2008 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

 

Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and family. This afternoon his 5 year old daughter has died from a horrible accident where she was hit by a car. The driver was her teenage brother. Pray for them all in this devastating time. Read the article here — http://snipurl.com/2a0sf 

 

The Un-expected Expectation

May 20, 2008 in Acts Forum with 0 Comments

 

The Un-expected Expectation (Acts 2:1-13)
 
What expectations do we have of God? I expect God to make sense of suffering, to give purpose to my struggles, and a reason for living. But isn’t that selfish expectations? Do I really expect God to do something wonderful, some unmistakable, divine work?
 
My expectations reflect my beliefs. Do I believe?  Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” (John 1:50) 
 
God has given many promises, but often I lack the faith to see them. It isn’t that I don’t believe God can. It is more, I don’t think he will. I’m not sure there’s a big difference in my way of thinking, but it makes me feel better. “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
 
The disciples were gathered together on the celebration day of Pentecost, 50 days, the final party of the 7 weeks of First Fruits Festival after the Passover (vs. 1). They had been given the promise to expect the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11, Acts 1:5).
 
When God does something new, how can we know what to expect? We have no context from which to relate the expectation. It is un-expected. When I was expecting my first born, I tried to understand what to expect from family, friends, and medical professionals. But without experience, I had no real understanding of what to expect. Yes, I was expecting. No turning back from where I was going (giving birth), but the pain, the process, the emotion was all very unexpected. Seeing and experiencing the expectation was more that I could have expected.
 
The believers were together when some extreme, weird stuff happened (vs. 2-4). A powerful noise from heaven filled the place, and then a flame appeared then rested on each one present. Imagine the deafening noise and the eye-popping sights. This was a new thing. Then they were able to speak the native languages of all the festival goers from the many different nations (vs. 4, 6, 8, 11).
 
Jerusalem was swollen with crowds of celebrants and when they heard the noise they ran to see what was up (vs. 6), sort of like rubbernecking accidents on the highway. When God works, he desires to have it shared with others, and provides an audience for the telling of his mighty works. It wasn’t for the disciples benefit alone.
 
Don’t miss the fact that these guys were not learned people. They were common fisherman and the likes, but God did a work through them for the purpose of telling the crowds “the wonderful things God has done!” (vs. 11) God’s promised work was to use the common to display his glory.
 
We can expect various reactions to God’s work (vs. 12-13). Some will be amazed and ask further questions to understand more, while others will discount God and his doings with rationalization or unbelief. Mine is to live my common life in God’s uncommon way of telling others about the wonderful things God has done, leaving the response to God.
 
Trying to expect God’s promises, believing them as truth,
Not for my glory, but his!
What a great life God has given!
Robin
 

I Have a Dream

May 17, 2008 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife with 2 Comments

I Have a Dream! 

I have a dream, radical like Martin Luther King’s dream. I have a message as reforming as the Theses nailed to the wall by Martin Luther. I have a passion to make a change. I have a dream, a vision, a great desire for . . . (searching for words) a new church—no, a new work, that’s better. The work in one sense is the church because it is a gathering of believers to build each other up, and reach the lost. Yes, it is a new church.
 
In case it has passed observation, the church is losing young adults. We can point fingers to all kinds of reasons, but I propose the main one is we members of the churches don’t live authentic relationships with Jesus. I’m not saying we don’t have relationships with Christ, but we don’t live them with open integrity causing a thirst, and desire in young adults to have anything we have. We are the problem.
 
I’ve heard some say the young adults are self-centered and full of ‘me,’ but my experience is they are no more selfish than previous generations, me included. They are searching for something worthy of living for and dying for. They want to be committed to something, but they won’t be duped with in-authenticity. They won’t give themselves for causes which they deem less than worthy.
 
How does this fit into my dream? There are great numbers of strong believers in this group of 20’s and 30’s that want to make a difference for Christ in their generation. The new work will be fresh, relevant, and biblically sound. My dream will not look like modern day traditions of churchianity. Here are some pictures of some of these kinds of believers taken during intermission at a Christian concert.
 
 
 
Possible Misfits in the mighty Army of God!
 
 
Does a girl have to ’Christianize’ herself by letting down her hair to cover the tatoo? The guy, how about a part down the middle? Many pew-sitters would not believe the respect and honor given God and His Word. They are different, but they are not unlike those who have hearts like King David. (A gathering of God’s mighty misfit army)
 
 
.
 
Most churches want these believers to clean themselves up, dress right, and for goodness sakes cover that tat in order to play church with us. The message is they don’t belong. I dream of a new work where looking upon the heart matters, not what man sees, but what God sees (1 Samuel 16:7). Chuck Swindoll wrote a great book many years ago on this topic called The Grace Awakening. Dusting off that old book, or better yet the even older one about grace, forgiveness, and un-pharisaical ministry (The Bible), might help us embrace, mentor, and aid these young adults as they become the future church evangelizing the world.
 
Yes, I have a dream, a re-formation of how we ‘do church’ remaining steadfast in evangelization with truth of Jesus about sin, love, and hope.
 
My re-forming thoughts.
Robin ‘Luther Queen”
Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife

Who Me? Fill a Traitor’s Shoes!

May 13, 2008 in Acts Forum with 0 Comments

Who Me, Fill a Traitor’s Shoes? (Acts 1:20-26)

Just how would you feel if you were chosen to fill a traitor’s position? Imagine the suspicion, the unjust scrutiny, and the subsequent caution from which to live. Who in their right mind would want to volunteer for such a position, or even accept an appointment for the same? The fact that the ‘shoes’ were once worn by someone who had betrayed places a great cautious trust in the one called to fill them now.

As one who has been betrayed, I understand the struggle with trust, the desire to have the trust proven, the cleansing of my mind from the past pain to move forward. Can this one (new disciple) be trusted? Should I allow them in, to get close? Imagine how the eleven remaining disciples felt as they kept coming together to pray those days after Jesus was taken from them into heaven. Then Peter stood up . . .

Why would the one Jesus chose to feed his lambs stand up to encourage replacing the traitor? Remembering all the scriptures concerning the Messiah, Peter recognized that the Lord’s enemies would no longer live, and another would be chosen to fill his place (vs.20, Ps. 69:25, 109:8). Other than Peter’s belief in the scripture, Jesus had previously chosen 12, promised their reign on 12 thrones (Mt. 19:28), and 12 represents a number of completion and is repeated throughout scripture. Why go back to having 12? Could another reason be that as humans the disciples needed to learn to trust God in their relationships?

The replacement had to meet certain criteria for the job opening. Many followers (120 at one point, vs. 15) might have applied for the position. The qualifications weeded from the group two that stood out. Both Joseph and Matthias were equally qualified and suitable for the position. They had followed Jesus from his baptism by John until he was taken from them into heaven. Because of this they both witnessed his resurrection and could witness to others about his resurrection.

Easy, right? Now it’s down to two. Let’s form teams and have a democratic runoff, vote included, to decide who our leader ought to be. Somehow, our Americanized way of making decisions doesn’t feel right in this circumstance. All opinions of the strengths and weaknesses of one over the other didn’t matter. The eleven men along with all the other followers did the right thing. They prayed. They prayed. And they prayed! Not some shopping list prayer for Aunt Edna’s bad knee, or Uncle Harry’s failing business. No, this was a prayer seeking God, seeking his face, his will, and his purpose. No agendas of a personal nature, only God’s counted. Then they placed their trust in God, cast the lots and accepted God’s decision.

What is casting lots? Let’s say we pick up two rocks, write Joseph on one and Matthias on the other, place them in a coffee can, shake and toss them to the ground. The first rock to hit the ground would bear God’s decision on the named replacement for Judas. Sounds like gambling, playing craps or something unholy, but it is God’s decision and trusted after praying the way they had. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Pr. 16:33)

But what about how Matthias felt. Consider the pressure of filling a traitor’s shoes. I have felt the pressure of being part of the church that has let down our young adults. Many of which may consider the church a traitor to authentic Christianity. Others have filled such positions as in the case of remarriage where their partner had been betrayed. I can imagine the distrust, the skeptical withholding, the endurance and hoops to jump through to keep the trust. All at once feeling both blessed at being chosen and humbled by the enormous trust given.

I am Matthias. Once I was Judas, but now I’ve been chosen and feel the blessing of that position as well as the responsibility of the trust given me. I have been amongst the eleven learning to trust, but now I’m to minister to others fulfilling the calling to witness to others all that Jesus has done for me. God help me always seek you in prayer, understand the blessing of your choosing me, and exercise the trust you’ve given me. Lord, use me.

May God bless you as you seek him and to be used by him.

Blessings,

Robin

Come! Charge! Retreat!

May 8, 2008 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife with 8 Comments

 

In response to a HighCallingBlogs Group Writing Project on the importance of taking time to get away in retreat, I laughed at my first thoughts on the project’s title, “Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!”

 

I didn’t envision a soft, cushy, comfort. I heard a battle command. Maybe it’s because I recently watched a movie with Charlton Heston from the 1960’s called Major Dundee. He consistently reminded his men he had only three commands. “Come. Charge. And run like…” Well, you can watch the movie, but retreat is part of the battle planning.

 

As a Christian equipped with armor, burdened with mission, and awaiting orders, I look to the Lord for when to retreat. If I listen carefully and obey quickly, I’ll know when to get out of the daily grind or battles and run for the “strong tower” of refuge.

 

My retreat brings healing, rest, and renewed vigor to accomplish the tasks of life. I can’t always get away to attend a nice retreat center like Laity Lodge, but I am able to take a walk alone, go to a coffee shop and sit, or drive with God and my thoughts (although driving retreats have recently proven dangerous).

 

For more serious retreats, I need a deeper withdrawal, somewhere safe to sleep, to “lick my wounds” (have God’s healing comfort applied), to recoup and regroup. My serious retreat locations can be at home, on vacations, and at retreat centers, but always they include those I love and trust, those who believe in God within me. I call upon proven prayer warriors, mentors, family, and friends.

 

During quiet, comforting retreats I get a clearer focus on my part in God’s mission, and retune my ears for the “Major’s” voice.

 

What’s that? Come! Charge! Or Retreat!

 

One to be change,

Robin

It Will Be! But the Choice is up to Me (Acts 1:16-19)

May 6, 2008 in Acts Forum with 0 Comments

It Will Be! But the Choice is up to Me (Acts 1:16-19)
God’s promises will be fulfilled. His word is true. It will be as God says it will be. “The Scripture had to be fulfilled” (vs. 16). Those statements are true, but consider how our life fits into the promises of God. What part do we play? How do our choices in life position us in relation to God’s promises? Are we playing on God’s side of the fence or not? The promise is a reality!

Judas. Here’s a guy that didn’t look closely at the promises of God, or consider his choices wisely. But don’t be too rough on him without taking a hard look at ourselves. Jesus chose him to take a share in his ministry (vs. 17). Aren’t we as believers also chosen to share in Jesus’ ministry, to be his witnesses, to love people like he did? Have we considered our daily choices? Are we going through religious motions or rituals without all heart or sincerity in seeking God? Or do our choices reveal apathy concerning anything related to God? For me, pretenders are harder to stomach. Maybe it’s because I struggle with authenticity at times. Pretending is a great temptation. Daily choices are hard to make, but they position us in God’s promises.

The blood price. Judas’ unbelief caused his blood to be spilt at his own hands (vs. 18-19). By faith, believers are covered with Jesus’ blood that takes away sin—Jesus paid the price. Without belief, our blood is on our own hands. Wrong choices mess up our insides. If we’ve made bad choices—figuratively hung ourselves, we can bring our messed up lives to Jesus and ‘spill our guts’ out with him, begging forgiveness, and accepting his blood to cover us, rather than buying our own field of blood to die in. Jesus has already paid the blood price for us.

God’s promises are as good as done. Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy are available for our asking. Where do we stand in God’s reality, his promise? In what portion of his ministry do we give all heart? What do our daily choices reveal? God, help us to be authentic—not pretenders, to make wise choices.

Join me in living authentic lives, making good faith-filled choices, and please help me keep to this task! I could use the assistance.

I pray, God, that you help us make a difference by being real and making choices out of belief in you.
Robin

Which Way?

May 1, 2008 in Confessions of a Preacher's Wife with 2 Comments

If ever a believer sat in a quandary filled with emotion, indecision, and lots of ideas, it’s me. It would take me way to many types to tell all. All options seem good, but then again bad at the same time. I don’t know what to do, who to ask, or … yuk, I hate this ministry stuff. I think I should sit and be nothing. Oh goodness, I know that’s not right either. Where’s the chocolate? These pounds aren’t good, that is for sure. At least I’ve got one thing figured out!

If you have a minute, pray for my clarity of direction. Thanks!