We don't seek wisdom because it's a good idea; we seek wisdom because we're dead if we don't.

I received this in a daily email from Ransomed Heart Ministries:

"God has given us all sorts of counsel and direction in his written Word; thank God, we have it written down in black and white. We would do well to be familiar with it, study it with all the intensity of the men who studied the maps of the Normandy coastline before they hit the beaches on D-Day. The more that wisdom enters our hearts, the more we will be able to trust our hearts in difficult situations. Notice that wisdom is not cramming our head with principles. It is developing a discerning heart."

John Eldridge, "Waking the Dead", Page 100.

We are in a battle - how prepared am I today to engage?

Quote to Remember

I was watching "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" with my family the other day and came across this quote:

FRODO: "I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened."

GANDOLF: "So do all who live to see such times; but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given you."

How true! There is much in life that we do not get to decide. But every day we are faced with an awesome responsibility - What to do with the time the LORD has given us today. That I will always be able to choose! So I have a question for you: "What will you do today with the time you have been given?"

"I Can't Do That"

The following are nuggets I took away from a sermon by John Fuller at Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Sunday, April 29th.

When we are faced with a situation where we say that we "can't do that", what really lies behind this is the question, "Will I continue to be comfortable and safe?"

In Mark 6:6-13, Jesus challenged his disciples to do something they had never done before. They could have said, "I can't do that." But they did not. Instead they:

• Did what was risky - They left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They went to a people they did not know. They had a mission that would cause them to be accepted or rejected. They were asked to do what would be seen by many as "weird."
• Were obedient - They went in obedience to the Jesus' command.
• Took faith steps - They took one step at a time; only the next step is important.

The result: "They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them."

In Luke 14:25-27, Jesus points out the importance of our relationship with him if we are to do the things he asks us to do.

• When we follow Jesus there can be no other relationship more important.
• We must be prepared to give our very life for his purposes - daily.

"We were put on this planet to be an active partner with God and not to be a consuming spectator!"

Comfy and safe = Christ Fan
Risky, obedient, and faith steps = Christ Follower/Partner

A Christ follower believes that he "can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13 NIV1984)

So how can I be a "Can Do" Christ Follower/Partner

• It starts with a "burden." Is there something in your life that you feel like "I have to ..."
• What is happening around you that makes you angry? How can you be involved in something that could help correct it?
• Is there an area in your life where some "walls" need to be torn down? What would you be willing to do if this or that wasn't in your way?
• Make this statement a regular part of your prayer life: "Lord, I am open to ..." The blank is something you have been thinking about doing.
  

“We Can't Talk About That …”

On April 22^nd, 2012, Jesse Tink, Waterloo Campus Pastor, delivered a message titled, “We Can’t Talk About That …” at the 11:00 service for Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The following are nuggets I took away from his presentation.

We can no longer afford to follow the cultural norm of Iowa and classify certain things as topics “We cannot talk about” any longer. Iowa Christians have used this excuse to avoid talking about issues that are distancing brothers and sisters in Christ and holding back the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals and the church collectively. We must be willing to brave the tough conversations.

He used the example of Abigail going to meet David in 1Samuel 25. From that passage he outlined the following principals of how to have that conversation:

·         (v 18) Make It Right QUICK!

Delaying the conversation does NOT help or make it go away; it only makes it harder and bigger. When you know something is wrong, or when you have been wronged, go as soon as possible and set a time to talk with the other person. This is the principle behind Matthew 18.

·         (v 23) Go In Humility

Do not go in anger, judgment, resentment, bitterness, etc. Go in humility seeking to speak the truth in LOVE (Ephesians 4:15). I do not know all the facts and I am never completely innocent. Seek to find your part in the problem, ask for forgiveness, and make the necessary corrections so it doesn’t happen again. Go to learn.

·         (v 25) Tell The Truth

Do not message the truth. You must tell all the truth. God can only move through the whole truth. Understand that before having this conversation I can only know a part of the truth at best. I need to hear what the other person has to say and they need to hear what I have to say.

The Last 10% - We need to ask ourselves and others what hasn’t been said yet. The norm is for us to only communicate 90% of the truth. We instinctively leave the most important part of truth for the last and if possible will avoid revealing it if given a chance. Before a conversation is done ask yourself, “What am I not saying; what I have left out that needs to be said if the person is going to understand the whole truth?” When the other person has finished talking, be sure to ask, “Is there anything else that you need or want to say?”

·         (v 28) Trust The Truth

Believe that the truth is the only way and best way to move forward in your relationship with this person. God can only move through the truth.

·          (v 30) Go With Genuine Concern

Go with a genuine concern of what will happen to this relationship if you don’t get it worked out. Have enough love and concern for the other person that you cannot help but go and talk because they are too important to loose.

·         (vs 36-8) Timing Is EVERYTHING

Sometimes when you go right away you will realize that this is not the best time. If that is the case, don’t leave until you have set a time and place to talk.

This was a great presentation and really meant a lot to me. This is one area in which I need to work harder. If you want additional input on how to have this kind of conversation, I would highly suggest taking a look at the December1, 2011 post titled, “Speaking the Unspeakable” by Kim Sawyer.

"3 Ways My Faith Sustains Me"

I attended a Christian Business Luncheon sponsored by KLOVE 101.9 at the Clarion Inn on University Avenue in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012. The guest speaker was Tara Thomas, news co-anchor for KWWL. The following are some nuggets I took away from her talk.

My Faith Sustains Me:

• by remaining unchanged in a world of constant flux. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, NIV1984)

What a great reminder that when the world around us seems to change faster than we can keep up with, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is always the same. Who he is, what he is, and how he loves and cares for us will never change. He is the one thing in our life that we can count on always being there with us and for us in exactly the same way.

• by opening my eyes to its manifestations around me. "... faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (James 2:17-18, NIV1984)

James reminds us that Faith, the kind that saves, is not just a belief in a truth but the application of that truth in every aspect of our life. Faith should motivate us to be and act differently. Seeing people around us act according to their faith encourages me to do the same. Faith changes people.

• by giving me what I need when I need it. "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, NIV1984)

It is faith that allows us to get up and do one more day when we do not feel like it. It is the belief that when this tough time has past, it will be worth it on the other side of the challenge because God has promised to use it for his purposes in my life through his good pleasing and perfect will.

When we are weak, He is right there to give us strength; when we are discouraged, He is right there to give us encouragement; when we are unsettled; He is right there to give us peace; when we are tired; He is right there to give us rest. Faith shows us where to go for what we need if we will but go to Him.

Thank you for the reminder Tara.

"The Sun Always Shines"

These are the nuggets I took away from Dr. Roy Farmer's talk on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 at the morning Senior Manager's group for Between Job Ministries (BJM).

"Though we may not see the sun with our natural eyes, yet we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is there." The same is true of God, though our natural eyes cannot see Him, there is no doubt that He is there!

"God is always working for our good." (Romans 8:28)

Know this well: (Philippians 2:13)

• God is for you
• God is with you
• God is in you

"Submit yourself to Him and to His will for your life, and see where He will take you next." (Psalm 84:11)

"Renewing your mind is a LIFESTYLE not an EXPERIENCE." (Romans 12:1-2)

"There are no unimportant people in this world. " (Ephesians 2:10)

"You are a key person and needed very much" (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)

Remember:
You Are A Fabulous Creation of God!
Psalm 139

"Do Not Be Afraid to Be YOU!"

These are the nuggets I took away from Dr. Roy Farmer's talk on Wednesday, February8th, 2012 at the morning Senior Manager's group for Between Job Ministries (BJM)

Do you start each day by putting on the armor of God: "¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:14-18 NIV1984

Remember: Nothing you are facing is too hard for the Lord to work out; "Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." Genesis 18:14 NIV1984

"It takes just as much effort to live a bad life as it does a good life." proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. " NASB

"What you set your heart on will determine how you spend your life."

"A person without conviction is like a ship without a rudder."

"It is not the man with a will, but the man with a purpose who prevails."

Don't be afraid to be You!"
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well." (Psalm 139:14 NIV1984)

"Start Your Day Right and Never Look Back"

These are the nuggets I took away from Dr. Roy Farmer's talk on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 at the morning Senior Manager's group for Between Job Ministries (BJM)

"What you do in the future is more important than anything you have done in the past."

"I must decide everyday who is going to dominate my day -- Satan or God."

How to have God Dominate your Day:

1. Thank God each morning for your salvation. Pray the blood of Jesus over yourself and each member of your family.
2. Claim James 1:5-6. Remember, if God says it, I believe it, and that settles it for me.
3. Claim Psalm 118:24 and Nehemiah 8:10.
4. I need to see myself through the eyes of God. I need to see others through the eyes of God. I need to help others see themselves through the eyes of God.
5. Name 10 new blessings from God each morning. Keep them in a journal.
6. Ask God to help you walk today in the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Thank God for reserving for you the best job you have ever had.
8. Commit the day to the Lord for his purposes.
9. Read "A Love Letter From God ..."
   

You Are Vitally Important
because ...
God Loves You!

"Psalm 23"

These are the nuggets I took away from Dr. Roy Farmer's talk on Psalm 23 at the Senior Managers meeting of BJM on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012.

Statistics for 2011:

• More than 3,200 people went through BJM in 2011. (Did someone get the actual number?)
• BJM was notified by 1,270 people that they had landed in 2011.
• 75% of those landings were people who had joined a JSWT.

"Don't consume your tomorrow feeding your yesterday"

"God is the source of our successes"

"God does not take, divide, add, or subtract -- He is a Multiplier"

PSALM 23

The LORD is my shepherd, (that's relationship)
I shall not want. (that's supply)
He makes me lie down in green pastures; (that's rest)
He leads me beside the quiet waters. (that's refreshment)
He restores my soul; (that's healing)
He guides me in the paths of righteousness (that's guidance)
For His name's sake. (that's purpose)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (that's testing)
I fear no evil, (that's safety)
for You are with me; (that's faithfulness)
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (that's discipline)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; (that's hope)
You have anointed my head with oil; (that's consecration)
My cup overflows (that's abundance)
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, (that's blessings)
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD (that's fellowship)
forever. (that's eternal)

Summary: God wants a relationship with us so that we can have fellowship with Him for all eternity. Along the way he will supply, give rest, refreshment, and healing as He guides us for His purposes. When testings come, He will keep us safe, for He is faithful to never leave us.  Because he loves us He disciplines us. He is our hope. He has consecrated us. He gives to us in abundance. He blesses us.