Suffering Equals Credibility

My brother Andrew died of malaria. He was just 8 months old.  His fever reached 105-106F more than enough to cause brain damage.

My Mother knew.  She prayed that a loving and kind God would take him home to Heaven.

Little did we know then......what we know now.

In Congo, Africa, most families lose infants and toddlers to a whole host of opportunistic diseases.  Most families....except the white missionary families......until now.

We cried.

African families cried with us.....they knew our pain....they had lost children too....many had lost multiple children.

As the African women comforted my Mother they said, "When you first came to us you were just a worthless young single woman, but then you married a man.  We rejoiced with you because now you, like us, understood the joy and the sorrows of living with a man.  Later, you had a baby son, and we rejoiced with you because now, like us, you had endured the pain and experienced the joy of childbirth.  We were happy for you.

But you were not quite complete until you experienced the death of your child....today you are a complete woman.

From that day on, African women listened to my Mother, they received her advice and teaching with open hearts and minds.  She was considered trustworthy.  She was fully accepted in the African community.  She was credible.  As a result, my Mothers ministry was accepted, trusted, received, empowered and multiplied.

Why?  Because of suffering.  Without the death of my brother, my Mothers ministry would not have been empowered in the minds and hearts of African women.

To be credible in ministry, we must have experienced loss.   Suffering bridges the gap between the message and the man or woman who hears it.  Jesus was a "Man of sorrows and was acquainted with grief."   Jesus was credible....because he had experienced suffering himself.

What can I learn here?  What is the "takeaway?"

It's this:  Suffering equals credibility in the ministry.  Let your suffering make you credible.

Do we miss Andrew?  Yes.

I named my son Andrew in honor of his Uncle....and so that my Mom and Dad could catch a glimpse of what might have been on Earth.....until in Heaven, the tears run dry and we are all together again.

In the town of Isiro, Congo....there is a small grave....but for miles around there are families whose lives were changed by the message of the Gospel because suffering and loss made the Gospel credible!

CHRISTIAN? You're kidding right?

 I recently found this "Pastor" online job posting from a church that is looking for new pastoral leadership.  It was so strange, so disconnected from the Father God I know.

Quote: Please make sure you read all of the information thoroughly before contacting us. This is where we stand. We are not here to debate, argue, answer questions or get advice!!!!  If you meet these qualifications feel free to contact us.  If you fail to meet these qualifications please do not waste our time.

We are currently looking for a Bishop for our church in (name redacted).  Our church is very small and NOT looking for   "rapid growth ."  We simply want to hold fast to Biblical principals and not traditions!

We believe in biblical words such as Pastor, Bishop, Deacon etc. We Reject titles such as Reverend, Doctor, Minister, and Scholar. Reverend is used once in the bible and it is referring to God so unless you're God... Simply put don't give yourself a stupid name and we won't call you by it.

We believe that salvation is through faith and faith ALONE!  We do not believe in repentance of sins to be saved, to be a good person, or to go to church.   We believe that the Holy Spirit DOES NOT Convict you of sins!  It is NO WHERE in the bible unless you are reading an NIV. Salvation is not about emotion; it is about your FAITH.

We believe in Door to Door Soul winning as thee only biblical method to reach the lost. Tracts, Street Preaching, and Life Style Evangelism are all unscriptural and will never work.

We reject the false teaching of the pre-tribulation Rapture. We believe that Gods people always have and always will go through tribulation. The Great tribulation is not God pouring out his wrath.

We believe that God put in his word everything we needed to know, and he didn't write a sequel. We are 100% King James ONLY! We do not consult the History books to see if Man is smarter than God.

In addition to this we believe in a single church. No Sunday schools, Nurseries, Youth Groups etc. We also believe Bible colleges, Christian Schools, etc are biblically incorrect. You DO NOT have to be ordained by a bible college to be a Pastor considering it is NO WHERE in the qualifications! Also we believe that the church should not be selling ANYTHING and that includes an Education. Why do you think Jesus threw tables in the temple? TWICE!!!!!

We believe the women are to have NO PART in the Teaching at church! A woman is to keep SILENT during the Teaching and Preaching. This DOES NOT forbid a woman from singing.

We also believe the King James is the inspired word of God in English! We do not believe in going back to the Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, Sand Script, Native American Cave paintings, or Finger Paintings by children to   "interpret   " Gods word.   God can speak English just fine and since he promised to preserve his word there is no need to go outside the English language to find it.

Once again do not contact us if you are not interested in the position. Any questions, comments, rude remarks, or suggestions will be considered as an application since that is all we are looking for! If you are looking for an argument find a tree and maybe you will win!  End Quote.

 This posting is so confusing to me.  Is this how Jesus approached people during his ministry?  Jesus ate and drank with "publicans and sinners",  dined with hated tax collectors, healed outcast lepers, spoke with prostitutes, welcomed questioners like Nicodemus, and finally....with his last few breaths welcomed a thief....hanging on a cross.....into Paradise.

This isn't the Jesus I know.   I was a Prodigal Son who's Father welcome him back home with open arms, new clothes, a hot meal, and new friends.  I don't see that Jesus here.   This ad for a Pastor...made me sad.

I didn't apply for the position.  

PUZZLE PIECES

Have you seen those completed puzzles that have been framed and matted?

10,000 magnificent pieces all in their correct place, each complementing the panoramic scene that is the artist's vision.

I saw one the other day...a magnificent landscape with areas of dark and light, sun and shade. Some areas were bursting with colors, bright and vivid, while others were quite drab, subdued, almost monotone.

.....And inside of me a thought popped up...."That is a picture of the Kingdom."

1) Each puzzle piece is unique in size, shape and color. No two pieces are completely alike.

2) Each puzzle piece complements the others. There is a harmonious "fit" when a piece is placed in right relationship to it's peers.

3) Every single puzzle piece is valuable. A puzzle that includes all 10,000 pieces is valuable. A puzzle with 9,999 pieces is almost worthless.

4) Each puzzle piece contributes to the common goal and final vision of the creator.

5) When just one piece in 10,000 pieces is lost, misplaced, or otherwise absent from the whole, the vision is spoiled and incomplete.

1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

We are not all eyes, or hands, or feet....and if we were, how would the whole benefit and what would the final vision be? And why is there division and disunity over what kind of puzzle piece we may be...or want to be?

We must encourage each puzzle piece to discover it's size, color, calling and gifting. We must encourage each one to take their place in the Kingdom.... completing the intended vision of the creator.

I'd Rather Fly a Kite!

When I was a boy growing up in Africa, the temperature at 7,200 feet was a constant 70-80 degrees year round and the winds were mild, ideal weather for flying a kite.

As a kid, we made our own kites out of dried sticks, plastic bags, scotch tape and lightweight nylon string. They flew amazingly well, sometimes so high in the sky that you could hardly see them with the naked eye. Sometimes so high that they flew when the winds at the surface were calm.

I loved those days, carefree, footloose, and as an adult I remember the sheer happiness and joy that flying my kite gave me.

In America we live in a very autonomous, self determining culture where everyone is driven by the tyranny of becoming....rather than just being. There's nothing wrong with growth, progress, or success.....but sometimes just "being" is the best plan.

What if we all decided just to be.......what if we decided to fly a kite..........?

Some of the great things about kites....are really about us.

1) The kite was a part of us. We built it. It contained our personality, our character, our DNA. It represents us....it's almost as if we can fly.

2) We hold onto the string. We hold onto the string and when the kite is low we have a lot of control, but as the kite flies higher our control becomes less and the winds control becomes greater.

3) We let out more string. As the wind takes the kite higher, we grow by letting out more string, the uncertainty of what might become of the kite increases the higher it goes but so does the pleasure and excitement of flying it.

4) We fix our eyes on the kite. We would stand for hours watching our kites fly first this way then that way....it was a wonder that we never tired of.

So what is the point here?

What if we lived our lives like we were flying a kite?

1) What if we believed that God has made each of us to fly, each of us with our own DNA, personality, and characteristics...each one of us uniquely important to his Kingdom?

2) What if we understood that to begin with we must hold the string.....but that as we rise higher God begins blowing us this way and that way, causing our lives to fly with his purpose and his design, taking us to places and heights we have never known?

3) What if the longer we fly our kite the more string we let out.....the more insecure we become in our abilities and the more we lean on Gods ability.

4) Finally, as we watch our kite flying under the influence of the wind of God.....we realize things that would have never happened if we had chosen not to fly our kite.

The church sometimes says that we cannot be involved in ministry unless we fit into a traditional mold, look a certain way, or do ministry the way it has always been done. Sometimes that is good....but not always.

What about the "kite flyers" in the Bible?

Abraham.....just flying his kite, minding his business.....and God came along with a sky high adventure...."How would you like to fly your kite in a country you knew nothing about?"

David....just flying his kite.....watching his fathers sheep......when a prophet comes, finds him, and anoints him King of Israel!

All the people in the Bible were kite flyers......when God came along and took them on a sky high adventure.

So, I'm not agonizing, and frantically searching for the next step in my life. My next step is up to God....I'm just keeping my eyes on Him.

I'm not being insincere, I'm just flying a kite.

I'm holding onto my end of the string, watching my kite intently....leaning on God's ability. I know that God is kind and has everything under control....even the wind. And when that gust of wind comes along that takes my kite into a hard right turn....I'll feel the tug and know that God is leading me into the next phase of this sky high adventure.

SMALL or BIG.....What Size Is Your God?

I thought this was worth thinking about. See if you agree.

I don’t know about you but I’ve spent most of my life making myself bigger than God.

My problems.
My feelings.
My husband.
My children.
My friends.
My dreams.
My job.
My money.
My body.
My hair.
My health.
My meals.
My strengths.
My weaknesses.
My sins.
My success.
My calendar.
My past.
My future.
My life.
Me, me and more me.

Why?

Because I had a small view of God and a big view of me. I became my god.

Me, first.

God, second.

Day after day, I lived for me, while trying to love God. Something was off. I was planet size and God was a resort destination spot in my world. I had life all backwards.

In order for God to be big in my heart, soul, and mind, big enough for my problems, feelings, and my entire life, I need to become small.

The beautiful thing is God is faithfully answering my prayers over time. I’ve prayed for Him to show Himself to me more and more. And as He does, God’s love is growing and taking up space in my life where there was once only room for me. He is big, beyond huge. And I am small, very small.

Shrinking is a good thing for someone like me. Expanding God’s place in my heart and mind is a good thing.

So tell me how big is your God today? When you look at this picture, who’s in the “big” position? You or God?

Think God isn’t big enough for your problems? Think again.

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you,” Jeremiah 32:17(NIV).

Thank you, Father God, for invading my world. Thank You for making my heart Your destination spot. You are big. You love with big love. Remind me of Your size when I am tempted to doubt You. Remind me nothing is too hard for You. Help me resist trying to take Your place as big. It’s easy to fall back to what I know so well. I’m always tempted to be big, but I know You’ve designed me to live small. I’m learning to be okay with that. The best part of being small is knowing I fit safely in the palm of Your hand. Please teach little me to love You and others big. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany

The Parenting Formula

There is no formula for raising kids....or is there?

We bang our heads against this wall....wanting to be great parents but not really knowing how.

WHY?

Because we are all parents for the first time!

Even when it's child number three.....they all come with special challenges!

BUT.......

Whatever the case may be......here is the best formula for raising kids that I have ever seen. (Thanks Pastor Aumack)

The "STAGES OF PARENTING"

1) DISCIPLINE: Age 0-5. Setting rules and guidelines.
2) TRAINING: Ages 6-12. Setting the example and training. They are watching you.
3) COACHING: Ages 13-19. They are in the game and you coach from the sidelines.
4) FRIENDSHIP: Ages 20 and up. You become friends because you have turned them loose to
become the person God created them to be.

It's a great starting place......now, get out there and be the best parent you can be.

PS: Taking God along on the parenting journey helps alot! Really.

"What's The BIG Idea?"

We are all looking for a BIG idea....the one that will change everything. The BIG idea that will make our marriage work better, improve the relationship we have with our kids, our friends and our boss.

BIG ideas shape our thoughts, our lives and our world.....even our politics.

What is the BIG Idea?

For most of the second half of the 20th century, 4 Big Ideas shaped world politics:

1) Peace is better than war.

God has a BIGGER IDEA: Personal Peace.

Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety.

2) Capitalism is better than socialism.

God has a BIGGER IDEA: Personal Wealth

Proverbs 24: 3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

3) Democracy is better than dictatorship.

God has a BIGGER IDEA: Personal Freedom

John 8:36-37 Jesus said, "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will.

God’s Son, though, has an established position, and the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.

4) Western culture is better than all the rest.

God has a BIGGER IDEA: Personal Equality

1 Corinthians 8:5-6

⁵For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), ⁶yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

APPLICATION: BIG ideas are great. God has BIG ideas that will revolutionize our lives like the Ford revolutionized transportation. Get a hold of God and His BIG idea for your life.

I Don't Drink Beer

OK, just for fun....thought this was pretty funny! Off the record, grid, radar....not judging or making any kind of statement....Enjoy!

The Terrible Thing About Sin

Click here for the Powerpoint file download.

Sin is not a casual deal....it is serious...it has a lethal agenda.

Sin is destructive.

See what sin is really about.

Understand why Christ was compelled to go to the cross.

Understand sin, and understand Christ's love more deeply than ever before.

Be a Spoon!

"Be a Spoon"

Philippians 3:4b-14

Theme: Spoons have only one purpose: they are designed to serve. In a world of knives and forks -- be a spoon.

Illustration: While setting the table for dinner one evening, a little girl entertained herself by bringing the utensils to life. Her mother listened as knives, forks and spoons carried on conversation and wrestled their way onto the table.

Suddenly the girl looked over at her mother and declared, "If I had to choose -- I'd be a spoon!"

"A spoon," her mother replied, intrigued. "Why would you want to be a spoon? What would be wrong with being a knife or a fork?"

"Well," the girl explained, "forks are too grabby -- always stabbing stuff and taking it like it's theirs. Like in school -- I hate it when somebody takes a piece of my dessert with their fork and eats it."

"Okay," her mother agreed, "what about being a knife?"

"No, knives are scary -- like, they cut things, and you can't really eat with them, just slice stuff up," she responded.

"But," the little girl continued, holding a shiny spoon in front of her face, "spoons can scoop up lots of stuff and even pass it around. They're just --"

"-- Nice and round and smooth and friendly," her mother suggested.

Her daughter's eyes lit up. "Right!" she said. "I'd rather be a spoon!"

Be a spoon!? It's not just silly childhood make-believe. It is a great image of a Christian lifestyle. That little girl's analysis of silverware was right on the nose. But it was also a revealing insight into the way various types of people operate in this world.

1) Fork Type People:

Wanna be a fork? We've all known plenty of "forks."

These are the "gimme" people, those who never seem to have enough on their own plate to satisfy themselves. So they are constantly on the lookout for something more, something better, something different. The infamous "corporate raiders" of the "gimme-more" '80s were classic "forks." They stabbed up anything they could sink their tines into, whether it suited their tastes or not. In their greed, "gimme-more" fork people can't stop to savor the morsels they are collecting. The only craving they care to satisfy is the "stab-it-so-you-can-consume-it" desire.

2) Knife Type People:

Wanna be a knife? Knife people are fixated on what lies before them -- but only because they are trying to figure out how they can carve it up into a new shape -- especially a new form that they will wholly determine.

Knife people are control freaks. Knives try to reconstruct reality so that it will serve their purposes, so it will suit their preferences. No matter what is placed before knife people, it is never quite right. The sharp blade of the knife goes to work, slicing off anything they find offensive, cutting down any big goals into tiny piecemeal projects, dissecting the heart out of ideas, never leaving anything whole.

3) Being a Spoon:

Wanna be a spoon? Spoons are distinctly different, because instead of taking, spoons are designed to serve. A spoon offers sustenance to others. It is not just concerned with scooping up everything in its path for itself, or reconstituting everything to fit into a preconceived image. Spoons exist for one purpose only: to serve and save.

Spoon people are adaptable -- they can operate in a variety of venues. Whether it's hot soup or freezing ice cream, they can scoop it up. Spoon people serve others, but they are also the best at stirring things up.

Ever notice that in good silverware sets there are always twice as many spoons as anything else? A service for four includes four knives, four dinner forks, four salad forks, but eight spoons. That is because everyone -- the utensil manufacturers included -- knows that spoons get used for more things and in more ways than do knives and forks. Because their shape is less specialized, spoons are more adaptable. You can eat steak, spaghetti or soup if you have a spoon. If necessary, a spoon can even do some cutting. Who hasn't successfully sliced through a reluctant, rock-hard cantaloupe with the edge of a spoon?

Paul, before his Damascus road experience, was a knife person. As a zealous Pharisee, he tried to cut off Christianity, which he thought was an offensive growth on the body of the Jewish faith.

But after Paul relinquished his "confidence in the flesh" for his commitment to Christ, Paul found his honed edges beaten flat and smooth, his narrowness pulled into a wide bowl, his rigidity bent into a gentle curve. In other words, Paul was transformed into a spoon.

What would it take to replace those actions with spoonlike service?

To be in service to others, instead of being in competition with strangers and "others."

To give up trying to "have it all," and instead commit to "sharing it all."

To stop worrying about what is on your own plate, and instead start paying attention to the nutritional needs of others who sit around you every day.

Wanna be a spoon? Dish up a "one another" helping and heap it on someone's plate:

"Love one another," Romans 12:10; 13:8; 1 John 4:7

"Outdo one another in showing honor," Romans 12:10

"Live in harmony with one another," Romans 12:16,15:5

"Welcome one another," Romans 15:7

"Instruct one another," Romans 15:14

"Greet one another," Romans 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20

"Agree with one another," 2 Corinthians 13:11

"Become slaves to one another," Galatians 5:13

"Wait for one another," 1 Corinthians 11:33

"Have the same care for one another," 1 Cor 12:25

"Encourage one another," 1 Thessalonians 4:18

"Be at peace with one another," Mark 9:50

"Seek [the] advantage of the other," 1 Cor 10:24

"Bear one another's burdens," Galatians 6:2

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another," Ephesians 4:32

"Teach and admonish one another in all wisdom," Colossians 3:16

"[Bear] with one another in love," Eph. 4:2

"Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another," Galatians 5:26

"Be subject to one another," Ephesians 5:21

"Be hospitable to one another without complaining," 1 Peter 4:9

"No longer pass judgment on one another," Romans 14:13

"Confess your sins to one another," James 5:16

"Pray for one another," James 5:16.

When Christians spoon up these "one anothers," there will be no need for just knives and forks! Be a spoon!