8th August, 2008
Returning To The Fundamentals
I have really been thinking lately about all the good and bad stuff that has been going on in the “church” world and how it is impressing the secular world. In certain terms, I am applying that I have a deep concern, along with others, about the return to fundamentals. I truly believe that this is the step in the right direction for the churches and home groups to obtain a high level of success. Recently, I called Jon Stone, and we discussed this subject! Not at length, but securely to fashion that we were both in agreement that true success can have a base foundation of “fundamentals”.
Fundamental is defined as: serving as an original or generating source; of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts; of central importance; belonging to one’s innate or ingrained characteristics.
There is so much truth when this word is broken open for defined application. Not to mention, that there are plenty of stories of success from CEO’s and succesful businesses, that state the reason for such great success was staying with the fundamentals.
As a pastor I have sometimes moved away from the fundamentals looking for a more advanced way to be successful in ministry. Going to conferences and seminars to learn more about new ideas. Reading books and papers to find dynamic ways to be successful. You know, if it worked for them it may work for us scenario. However, I must admit I have never been able to testify of great success from these seminars. But what I can testify is that sticking to the fundamentals has brought the success that was needed.
I remember when Jack Hayford was asked about his success in Van Nuys, CA at the Church on the Way, he responded and said “I do not know how it happened.” What was insinuated was that he stuck to the fundamentals and success came.
The first fundamental I would ambly place in the #1 spot would be love! Paul even stated in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (ESV). It seems to me that this is actually the foundation to the foundation of success. What do you think?
Best
Dennis
Posted at 4:00 pm | Comments (2)
16th June, 2008
It Is Time To Break Silence
It seems that blogging in some spheres has come to a “silence” on issues that were “hot” topics in the past six months. Such as, where the Church of God is heading in future and who would be the catalyst of change or should I say what group would that be? I wrote a blog some time ago about the Elephant and Mouse myth (which really is not a myth) reflecting on these well discussed changes and hoped for turn of events for the Church of God. Well, as I had explained to some of the pursuers of such “fantasy” that the silence would come because the mouse has begun to roar. The event coordinators have become an intranet in themselves and also inward in their thoughts and private invitations to blog. Yes, I once was young and thought I could change the mouse with the heftiness of words and an over developed confidence. So I truly do understand the outcome of all this and quite frankly wisdom always speaks louder than short sided opinions and shallow aspirations. You cannot stop the mouse with an elephant but you can set an awesome mouse trap to study the habits of the creature before you learn to train it to your own maze. Yes, the mouse has begun to roar and everyone that used the blog-o-sphere to gain information has run back to the place and are waiting for promotion of some sort. You just cannot become public and then start your own social blog for the purpose of having a “by invitation only” fan club. That is how “weak” characters can feel strong by pulling on those who agree with marshmallow success. Popularity becomes unfamiliarity with reality when the world grows so small in a “club” of internal ”wanna be’s”
Best
Dennis
Posted at 9:52 pm | Comment (1)
12th June, 2008
His Mercy
Mercy is defined as: Compassion and in other words “ Mercy” is a form of love determined by the state or condition of its objects. Their state is one of suffering and need, while they may be unworthy or ill deserving. Mercy is at once the disposition of love respecting such, and the kindly ministry of love for their relief. One once said ‘that Mercy is a distinctive Bible word characterizing God as revealed to men.’ Another followed with words that were quite descriptive to humanity ‘compassion for the miserable.’ There is a wonderful scripture, as all scriptures are, which states: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chron. 16:34 The word “Mercy” is well defined and is definitely needed in the world. As Christian believers we need to show mercy to those around us and also to those that are not of the community. Being an example of Christ and living, as a Christian is very gratifying and also rewarding when we show mercy and reach out to the hurting and lost. God has chosen us as His very own, and we have been called to represent him to others. What we need to understand is that mercy and truth meet together in Christ. Mercy is a Christian grace and so that brings to the lifestyle we live the promotion of compassion at all times. Shakespeare’s question, “How canst thou hope for mercy rendering none?” is fully warranted by our Lord’s teaching and by Scripture. Mercy is God’s attitude toward man and we are the vessels that God uses to promote this posture. The Lord is not without mercy ever, the Word states: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, Ephes. 2:4 Thank God for His great love towards us. We receive mercy from God by the removing our sins and clothing us with the righteousness of Christ. He establishes us in “Kingdom” living and positions us in His Kingdom as “royalty” (1 Peter 2:9) When we walk humbly and push pride aside we receive mercy from the Lord also. He desires to show all mankind mercy and to pour upon them the blessings of His presence. The Lord showed mercy to all that came to Him. They would cry out to Him “Lord have mercy on us” (Luke 17:13) and He would do just that! He would heal them, He would forgive them and He would feed them. When anyone takes the time to seek the Lord they will find Him full of mercy and willing to listen and respond. As we bless others let mercy be part of the blessing and always remember to thank Him for His mercy toward you.
Best
Dennis
Scriptures used in this blog post are from The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Posted at 10:26 pm | Comment (0)
9th June, 2008
Committed To His Example
The cause of Christ was to save this world from her sin. In John 3:16-17 we read “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.
Having knowledge of this ‘love’ that Christ has shown us through His suffering proclaims to us the immense concern that God has for our character. In the serving the Lord we must also proclaim our concern for this world be living an exemplary life before all men. Jesus died and suffered many things when He did not deserve to suffer at all! He showed patience, meekness, calmness and confidence in what God had planned for the future. This was loyalty and perseverance in its truest sense. Christ took our place at Calvary and He died for our sins. This is called a substitutionary atonement. Those that follow Jesus must be prepared to suffer in this life. We realize Moses made that choice when we read Hebrews 11:25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. The suffering that we Christians partake in is a result of our doing well not a result of doing bad. If we suffer because we do bad and not say anything how will that glorify God? If we bear up under suffering for the sake of conscience toward God because we have done well we find favor with God. Jesus took all our sins and placed them on Himself so we could be called the sons and daughters of God. His wounds have healed us and we have been able to return to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. The importance in this life is that we live it as unto the Lord and having that knowledge in our hearts we should be able to bear up under circumstances that cause stress in our lives. Live a life that exemplifies Christ before all men and have confidence. God is in control of the future.
Best
Dennis
Scriptures used in this blog post are from The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thoma Nelson.
Posted at 9:20 pm | Comment (0)
1st June, 2008
Compassion Of The Heart
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain
Compassion is defined as a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.
When Jesus spoke of the heart in the Gospel of Mark, He mentions the evilness of it. (Mark 7:21) The heart is an evil thing and out of it comes the deepest and richest of sins and deceptions. Human nature is not very compassionate, especially in the day we live in. (Matthew 24:12). When Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem and noticed the people and how they acted and He was moved with compassion. (Mathew 9:36)
The heart of man holds in it the emotions and responses that can change a world. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 All mankind must have a heart transplant, spiritually speaking of course. As one matures in faith there is a “life” change that takes place in the heart. In other words take out the heart of stone (Job 41:24) and replace it with a heart of compassion! (Ezekiel 36:26) The heart of man can plan and most likely he will follow the plans, but the counsel of the Lord is what really matters (Proverbs 19:21.) The shed blood of Jesus can make the heart clean and restore it to its actual creative design. Not one person can make the heart clean, only the Lord can! (Proverbs 20:9) Thanks be to God, who was moved by the cries of this world, to send His Son to restore, once again, the compassion needed to show love one to another. A man’s heart will always reveal his real character (Proverbs 27:19) and that character will express the compassion toward evil or toward good. (Matthew 12:35).
Doing well to others and helping those carry their burden are “marks” of a pure heart that is compassionate and full of the mercies of God. Open your heart to the Lord and He will fill it with compassion and the desire to help those in need!
Best
Dennis
Posted at 12:09 am | Comment (0)
13th May, 2008
Pouring What You Are Into Someone Else
Paul when writing to Timothy wrote a few words that have had an enormous impact on people who desire to learn. Yes, people who learn want to share what they have learned to others that they may learn also.
Paul wrote: “And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [as a deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also. ” (2 Timothy 2:2, AMP)
This is truly a scriptural definition of mentoring. Today in this society we need to pour our lives into competent people. The “key” to this scripture is not so much the one that is teaching but the one receiving the teaching must be competent. Yes, the teacher must have a good character, implacable reputation and a great testimony throughout the community. We should never pour water into a bucket with holes or sand in a bag that has no closed bottom. Mentoring is truly an art form of communication and a tool of education that must never be set aside. More to come….
Best
Dennis
All Scripture in this blog post is from The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 9:26 pm | Comment (0)