The Power of A Genuine Connection

so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.  1 Thessalonians 2:8

One of the most personal and touching moments for me while I was in Uganda was hearing from Jeslor, the young man who leads Trust Future Uganda, that Sharon and I were. “part of his inner circle of 3”.  During our time there we had come to a deeper level of family and partnership in ministry with him and the bond that we now share is undeniable.  When it comes to the gospel and the good news of a relationship with Jesus, it is recognizing how deep He longs for our connection to grow with Him and with each other as His followers. 

A little background on Jeslor…when his father left, his mother named him Jeslor (standing for Jesus is Lord). Jeslor's mother died around the time he was 3.  He was raised by his grandmother until she passed away when he was 15. Shortly afterwards he became a street child sleeping on a cardboard box.  However, he knew one day he would have a school.  He started the school when he was 17 and now here he is, an orphan, becoming a spiritual father to over 200 children at 25 years of age!

Here is a recent quote that Jeslor shared on his page and for me this is the gospel and true religion being lived out!

In the first place my goal was to help the orphans and the vulnerable kids I meant but after years of living with them, dinning and sharing meals with them, hearing their stories and who they wish to become in future, my new goal is to be a real friend and relative to them. That's gonna be my life.

James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world

There is something very powerful in understanding that we are called not just to an individual relationship with Jesus, but at the very core we are part of an amazing family.  Jesus told us he would not leave us as orphans in John 14:18 and our Heavenly Father said He would never leave us nor forsake us.

HOWEVER the reality of us experiencing this is through the connection we have with one another and the importance of recognizing that we are spiritual sons and daughters. We are called to be spiritual brothers and sisters and as we mature in the faith to become spiritual fathers and mothers. 

We read in 1 John 2:13-15

I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.

 I write to you, dear children,
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God lives in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

We absolutely need to lean on each other and find that strength in the beauty of a loving community.

I am presently reading the book, “Created For Connection” by Dr. Sue Johnson and learning so much about the power of attachment.  Here are a few excerpts from the first chapter on a new love.  While this book is focused on the relationship between husband and wife, there is some powerful truths that is explores and emphasizes for healthy relationships with each other.  

The book states

·         Love drives us to bond emotionally with a precious few others who offer us a safe haven from the storms of life.

Without that bond and connection, we wither, we dry up and we are emotionally cold. When we don’t initiate that sense of bonding with others, we fully don’t understand what is means to love one another.

Here’s another excellent point from the book

·         Distress in a relationship adversely affects our immune and hormonal systems and even our ability to heal.

Profound healing can occur when we seek out each other and not avoid others especially in our own personal pain.  The natural response when we are suffering is to avoid contact and withdraw from others.  However, that just compounds our problem.

Here’s a final thought

·         God longs to have a face to face and breath to breath relationship with us and in the same way He wants us to have deep and meaningful relationships with one another

As we enter 2020, my prayer is that I would be more connected than ever before.  I long for real intimacy with Jesus, with Sharon, with my children and within my spiritual family.  I don’t want to check off boxes and say I did it.  My desire is just to be present, to be in the moment and discover that intimacy in the midst of enjoying the depth of relationship.  I want to stop being so goal oriented and project driven and just start learning to be!

Here is a powerful reminder to really be in His presence and to allow His Word to take root in our heart.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1416796051820408

Being Bold In Our Prayers!

One of the things that has really struck me about the Lord's Prayer or as some say the pray Jesus taught His disciples to pray is this profound phrase, "your will be done on earth as it in heaven."  Well, what is the will of God in heaven?  It is the absence of sin, disease and torment.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Jesus didn't just die to give us life in heaven.  He died to bring us new life here on earth.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  We also know that there is healing in the atonement.  We can pray with confidence because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.  No longer should we doubt what God's will is in a given situation.  For me knowing this gives me incredible boldness and confidence when praying for others.

This past month I have been reading the book, The Way of Life by Bill Johnson

Bill writes, “Heaven itself thrives on the presence of God.  Our commission is only possible with the increase of the overwhelming atmosphere of the glory of God that increases as we pray our assignment with faith.  Those prayers must be followed with the risks necessary to display His will on earth.”

God longs for His kingdom to influence this one.  I believe with all my heart that we are called to bring his life giving presence to places of darkness, places of dread and disappointment.  We are called to true religion and that is ministry to widows and orphans in need.  God has continued to engrave on my heart how important it is to show His Father’s heart to a broken and fatherless generation.  It is also the reason that God is continuing to shift Sharon and my focus on to the incredible opportunity to be a blessing and bring life to schools and orphanages in Uganda.  

As you may know we have just returned from spending three weeks there and we have been so inspired by world changers there like our African son, Jeslor along with Shaka, Pastor Patrick, Pastor Elijah and his amazing wife Naomie.  It amazes me to see the incredible sacrifice, the commitment and passion that they serve with.  There is a genuine love and commitment to the next generation. They pray bold prayers like the ability to take more children in, to purchase 3 acres of land for their school to expand, to believe God for provision.  They sacrifice building their own home so their church and schools can thrive!  They start schools even when they don’t know how the LORD will provide, but He does, He shows up and we capture glimpses of heaven on earth!

The world changer that invited us to Uganda was Pastor Grace and he is an amazing father to so many. Here is a post that he recently shared on Facebook.

For the last 10 years we have been in the place, Entebbe Lunyo the home of My People Ministries. In that scope of time; Christ City Kayabwe came into exisistance now giving hope to many girl and boys. Through this place more 27 churches have been planted in different parts of Uganda - giving hope to million lives of people......!!! Through this place many souls have come to Christ through monthly crusades, conferences and outreaches; alcoholics, bandits, drug-addicts, thugs, thieves, hopeless etc....Through this place we have seen supernatural healings, miracles, signs and wonders, the home of Shalom Healing Rooms...  Jealousy developed in the Landlord and all who saw us from scratch to grace.... what came up is to receive ANOTHER LAWYER LETTER OF VACATING THIS PLACE OR THE CHURCH WILL BE BROKEN DOWN WITHIN FEW MONTHS!!!!!

The amazing news is that is God is answering the prayer for new land and provision is already being made for the purchase of their own property.  We had the joy to walk and pray over their potential new landing spot.

Sharon and I also had the joy of dedicating two trees in the prayer garden of Pastor Grace’s school / orphanage that is home to over 600 students in Christ City.  It was on October 26th Rylan’s birthday that we named one tree after him and prayed for the success of our businesses here in Canada to generously support these ministries.  We also named another Jeslor and dedicated it to his vision for Trust Future Uganda.  It was an amazing experience!

Bill Johnson closes one chapter in his book by asking the following question, “How much of the prayer “on earth as it in heaven” are we willing to pursue?

It is a question that I am wrestling right now with and my Ugandan brothers and sisters have certainly stretched me in every way to be a giant risk taker for the kingdom of heaven!!

The Water of Life In Uganda!

Sharon and I have been in Uganda for the last 10 days and are just at the halfway point of our visit here.  We have had the incredible joy to serve along Pastor Grace and My People Ministries in Entebee participating and being involved in a conference and an evening crusade here.  There have been many here who have been praying and fasting for 14 days prior to us coming… it’s humbling. At the conference I was able to speak on the Father heart of God.  It was a powerful opportunity for me to break off the orphan spirit for a fatherless generation and focus on receiving the Spirit of sonship into the Father’s family.  (see my blog from last month). At the crusade, we have been told that over 75 people came to faith in Jesus Christ during our time there.  A number of people were healed as well and we also dealt with demonic spirits and that brought intense deliverance ministry as well.  It was so encouraging to hear reports of the incredible freedom and release that people experienced afterwards. 

We brought over 500 Bibles and were able to distribute them. We met with the mayor and city council to pray over them and I was able to share a devotional on seeking God for wisdom and decision making from James 1. We did a number of church visits and the passion and worship is like I’ve never seen before!  There is such a hunger and thirst after God here and it is so obvious.  We also participated in a graduation of students into their secondary school program at My People Ministries orphanage/ school that is home to over 600 students.

Yesterday we switched gears and made our way up to Kampala and we have been spending time with Jeslor Ssozi, the head of our Manor ministries mission partner, Trust Future Uganda.  TFU is a school to over 200 students of which 40 live in the orphanage there.  I have already had the opportunity to teach here, play sports, hug so many children and just lavish the Father’s love on them.  I’m adjusting to showers from a bucket and squatting over a pit latrine!

Ok, on now to a devotional reflecting on what I’m discovering here…

Revelation 21:6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

It has often been said that when you go on missions trip that you are changed more by going than the people you minister to and I certainly agree.  I am humbled and in awe of the people that we serve with here and the way that they go after the LORD.  We even feel like what possibly could we say to people with such great faith, but as was shared with us, some believe that making it to our part of the world is the biggest miracle.  We were there to say that even in our world there is incredible brokenness and dissatisfaction and how we even more need to desperately seek His presence in our life amidst all of distractions.

The real water, the rivers of living water are the power of the Holy Spirit and it is undeniable here.  I have just finished reading Revelation and some of the inspiration at the end of the book is what I have shared here.

Jesus is the beginning, the “arche” where we get our word architecture.  Jesus is the pattern for everything in our lives and the lives of others.  Creativity, design, initiation all has their source in the Alpha, our Jesus!

He is also our end, the “telos” meaning He is the inherent destiny of every human being.  May we fully rest our plans, purposes in the hands of the one who holds the keys to us fulfilling our destiny!

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

The Morning Star as I have been reading appears when the night has reached it greatest degree of darkness.  The Morning Star appears between 2-3am, some say closer to 3am and when you see it, you know that the night has been defeated!!  The Morning Star pulls the morning behind it and likewise Jesus pulls the kingdom in behind HIM! 

It is that very reason that we don’t have to fear the night.  There were times in the prayer ministry following the services that the demonic oppression that people were experiencing was really intense.  They were flailing about and slithering around and it took incredible effort to hold them down and then to pray for their deliverance in the name of Jesus and by His blood shed on the cross!  However the deliverance came, eyes were opened and freedom came flooding in!  I was so blessed to be a part of it.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to:

1.       Embrace the agenda of the day

2.       Resist the agenda of the night 

Here’s a prayer to keep our focus.

Jesus, you are my very beginning and end.  Cleanse me and make me clean in your righteousness alone.  Thank you for your living presence and keep me from straying from this place of intimacy where my joy, purpose and passion is found. Draw me closer, deeper.  I want to know your heart for the people that you will place in my path today.

The Father's Healing Love!

It is hard to believe that it has been over 30 years since I lost my dad to colon cancer.  It does make my heart sad that he never did have the chance to meet my children and for them to get to know him as well.  However, having said that, I know that I had more of a dad in the 21 years that I knew him than some people have in a lifetime.  In many ways he shaped my understanding of God as Father in a healthy, loving and affirming way that enabled me to embrace my Heavenly Father.

Last weekend Sharon and I took in a conference on the Father’s Healing Love.  It was a really good reminder of the importance to soak in the Father’s love.  So often the perception we have of God is linked to the relationship we have had with our earthly father.  This couldn’t have been any more clearly seen than in the conversation that Sharon and I had with a guy named Matthew that we met at Sauble Beach at the end of the summer.  It started off as a pretty funny exchange as he approached Sharon and asked her if she had fire.  He was looking for a light, but that was a completely open door that she couldn’t resist so we started to talk about God, Jesus and of course, the Holy Spirit.  As we got to know him, it turned out he only seen his dad once or twice and that he was a member of  the Hell’s Angels.  As we talked about God, the only thing that He could focus on was that God is distant and violent.

At the conference, we were reminded about the importance of the Spirit of Sonship vs the spirit of an orphan and how we need to properly come into alignment with the love of God as our heavenly Father who is the one that “lavishes His love on us”  1 John 3:1  We are the ones who have become his sons and his daughters.  John 1:12,13 and that He will not leave us as orphans.  John 14:18

Orphans are rarely able to receive affection, affirmation , security, comfort and protection.  WE live as if we do not have a loving and affirming home with Father God.  Sonship is about security, significance, identity, patience, basic trust, faithfulness, loyalty, humility and being others-oriented.  Dan Slade

 During our time in Milverton at the conference, we were given an opportunity to discover and experience the Father’s love.  It really goes hand in hand with understanding how to hear God’s voice.  Most people stayed in the building as music was playing quietly but I knew I needed to go outside.  It was a beautiful afternoon and as I laid down in the grass the first lyrics that came into my mind were, “You are good, you are good and your love endures today!”  It was simple and yet it was profound.  I was near a community garden with an array of flowers and so I wrote,

I am reminded that You are a beautiful designer.  A butterfly reminds me of your transforming presence.  The wind rustling through the pine trees is a reminder of your Holy Spirit and horses here that remind of the strength you give.  Teach me to flush any false images of You and rise up in me to share a new fresh message of your goodness. 

So as I laid still there, I sensed very simply Father saying to me, I have loved you with an everlasting love, with lovingkindness I will draw you.  I then saw a water pump and it was the Lord teaching me to once again, go back to the source.

Another element to the school was the time the leaders took to pray over us and to pray for healing.  God was absolutely moving in our midst  and there were powerful encounters of the Father healing, deliverance and words of encouragement. 

It was Lillian, one of the leaders, who prayed over me and told me that God is sharpening my sword like a blacksmith and He will have me wield my sword again.  It was a such an encouraging affirmation  for me as in only three weeks Sharon and I will be travelling with a team of six people to minister in Entebbe, Africa.  I have been asked to speak on the Father heart of God and so I absolutely appreciate your prayers as I share from the Word of God, that I might wield it in the way that it was meant to be.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

A Bride, A Wedding and A Call To Intimacy!

On Sunday August 4th we celebrated the wedding of our first born son Jordan to his beautiful bride Katelyn at Whispering Springs in Grafton, ON

For me personally, it was such an honor to pray over them the high priestly blessing at their ceremony.  

The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you

The Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor],

And be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness];

The Lord lift up His face upon you [with divine approval],

And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].

Numbers 6:24-26 AMP   

and the Ninaber family blessing, the verse as chosen by my dad,

The Lord is good, He is a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him

Nahum 1:7

It has been really fascinating that during this very special time in our family's life, I have been also

reading discipleship on the Edge by Darryl W. Johnson, a really great expository study on the book of Revelation.  Revelation has a lot to say about the bride of Christ!

The call the discipleship is a call to intimacy and simplicity.  He challenges us men who are married to remember when we were engaged.  For me, the only thing that mattered was being with Sharon!    In fact I went so far as to make sure we had matching outfits when we were out on dates lol.  

The challenge for us is to learn what it means just to be with the Lord!  The message of Revelation is the call to loyalty and fidelity.  It is that desire to always be ready for the Lord in my house.  I do not want to be found with anything that outweighs my love for him.  Darryl Johnson takes it a step further when he says "we do not want to be found in bed with another lover!" When we talk about the purity of the bride of Christ, we need to recognize that His desire for us is profoundly relational. Jesus wants lovers who enjoy His presence.

Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean,was given her to wear.”

Revelation 19:7,8

As I reflected on this it really struck me.  I wrote to the Lord, "teach me to dwell in your presence to taste and see that you are so good!". as I listen to the Lord I sensed Him saying to me, "Jack, my son, keep seeking, keep knocking, keep pressing in.  I will be found by you. dwell richly in my love, my provision, my goodness, I AM your rock, your fortress, I AM your dwelling place!

and my response...

clothe me once again in your righteousness, your strength, your joy, your truth!

Dancing In The Streets!

Once again I have been reminded of the power and presence of worship music to change the atmosphere.  We sometimes hear in church that people just want to get the music over to get to the message but that is an adventure in missing how important it is for us to sing in adoration, surrender and humility and allowing our hearts are transformed in that moment.  Our friend, Pastor Michael Harris, has been leading Joy In The Park for a number of years here in Guelph at Riverside.  However, due to renovations there, it was not possible for them to hold the event there so the City of Guelph said they could use St. George’s Square downtown!  Helloooo!!! So Joy in the Park became Joy in the Square.  What an amazing opportunity so we partnered with Kingdom Life Church last week and we were able to belt out His praises in the heart of Guelph.  Sharon also prayed passionately over the city and it was just awesome to watch as people were drawn to the Square last week.  God showed up of course and it truly was a great outreach.  There was lots of water on hand, freezies , Gospel of John booklets and other Scripture literature on hand.

They Are The Ones!

Bill Johnson in the Way of Life shares how Jesus chooses people long before they could ever earn such favor. Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 when he begins His public ministry in Luke 4. This is where the Spirit of the Lord comes on Him for healing, deliverance and the restoration of broken lives.  He points to the fact that the passage states then “they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations, they will repair the ruined cities… Who are they???  It’s the afflicted, brokenhearted, captives, prisoners.  They are the most broken in society, the  ones that  the church often rejects or neglects.  They are the anointed ones who will rebuild our cities!  All I can say is WOW and Jesus showed me that once again this week!  They are the people that I have the amazing privilege to minister to.  So, I was shorthanded this week and needed help working on the roof and the Lord brought me Johnny*.  He is one of our Manor peeps who has been in and out of jail.  We were writing back and forth while he was doing rehab there as well.  He gave it his all and did amazing.  Do you know what Johnny’s dream is?  He has a dream of becoming an addictions counsellor and helping people from making the same mistakes he has made and winding down the same dead end streets.  It was Tiara this week who was out walking her dog, Tanna, our church mascot when she lived at the Manor.  She lives near the Manor now and she bumped into one of the dancers, Cindy* one of the girls our team is working with.  As they talked about pets and people, Tiara had the simple opportunity to share God’s love with her!  The LORD is definitely pursuing Cindy.

BYOB  (bring your own Bible)

We continue our walk through the book of Romans and we have travelled to Romans 6 most recently.  It is inspiring to be challenged by the very realization that we were meant for so much more than as some might call it “fire insurance”.  It’s not just about the “get out of hell free card”, but that we are continually on this journey of freedom!  We are being reminded of the call to experience greater levels of newness as we abandon all those things that suck the life right out of us.

What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of grace may increase and overflow? 2 Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer? 3 Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways].

Together with HOPE Ministries

We have had the wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Phil and Jen Snell who lead Hope Ministries in João Pessoa,  Brazil.  They have spoken at Church at the Manor in the past and we have a really great parallel ministry as they reach out to prostitutes and are in the process of creating a home to help girls get out of the industry.  They also run a church right on the beach where they have a tent facing the ocean with three white sides so the focus can be on who God created them to be without worrying about all the outside distractions.

Phil and Jen are home presently on furlough and they were able to join in our ministry to the Manor this past week as Jen joined our To.Get.Her team in the club and Phil joined me in visiting with some of the men who live at the Manor. 

*name changed for the sake of privacy

A Month of FIRSTS!

It has truly been an amazing month of firsts for our Manor Ministries.  We welcomed our friends and ministry mentors, Justin and Tanya Brewer, from Flagstaff, Arizona.  During their visit, we watched in amazement as the Holy Spirit brought breakthrough. It started with just one lady who works at the Manor joining us for a worship service on a Sunday morning.  We have been inviting them to join us at River of Life since it is so close to the downtown.  Since she accepted the invitation there have been multiple weeks with “newbies” joining us and experiencing freedom, faith building messages and church like they never knew existed because most have come out of a Catholic or more formal setting.

We also had one of our greatest turnouts to a Manor Church gathering at our place on a Sunday afternoon.  It was here that many of our peeps really opened up about themselves and we saw healing prayer happen over marriages and relationships.  The following Monday we took Justin and Tanya for a bike ride through Guelph and it was just incredible to see how many “divine appointments” the Holy Spirit set up as we stopped numerous times to connect with those connected to our ministry, but some that we hadn’t seen in months.  The bicycle trip became a ministry event as we visited with Tina, then Butch, prayed for him, then Diana, prayed for healing as she had recently been in a accident.  We then had a visit with Derek as well who had been sitting out by a food truck.

On Tuesday we met Pastor Grace from Entebbe, Uganda through a mutual friend, Jim Johnson.  As we listened to his story, it was so obvious that the Lord was creating a bond between us.  He spoke about Holy Spirit being his best friend and shared how God raised him back to life after being dead in a morgue after a serious motorcycle accident!  He prayed in such a powerful way over every one of us.  He absolutely nailed my heart.  We then accepted an invitation to come and speak at a pastor’s conference there in October and that is just crazy, but we know God is in it.  Sometimes we wonder honestly what do we really have to share, they are the ones with incredible faith.  However, as Pastor Grace shared, it is the fact that we still trust and put our faith in the LORD in the midst of all of our abundance.  We are also super excited that this will be followed by our visit with Jeslor Szosi, from Trust Future Uganda, the school for over 200 children and home to over 50 orphans that we are the Canadian Ambassadors for!!

Another first for me personally took place more recently.  On Tuesday I needed to help Tiara and Bob get to an appointment at the hospital.  It was in the middle of a roofing job when I came back to pick them up.  As I was lifting her wheelchair into the back of the van (something I have done numerous times) my lower back completely gave out.  It was a scary moment for me and I felt like I had completely lost my strength.  I could hardly walk, let alone move.  I knew I needed to go back to the job and yet I the was on the verge of tears.  I prayed and rolled out my back on a foam roller and was barely able to finish that day on a very steep pitch.  I came home and Sharon had invited Pastor Fule and his wife, Adwoa over.  I really enjoyed their visit, but I was still in a lot of pain, stiffness and discomfort.  They asked to pray for me towards the end of their visit and it was a powerful time.  Although, I didn’t experience immediate healing, I remember Adwoa saying the inflammation will go down tomorrow and it really did.  It didn’t help that I underestimated my bundle count and had to carry up bundles on the roof, but I did and today, Friday, I can honestly say that I’m pain free and God is good!

I want to close by sharing a verse in the Amplified version reminding us all of the true change that Holy Spirit is longing for in our lives.  It is the fruit of repentance.  I believe this type of fruit does not come through will power or our own strength.  For me losing the strength in my back was a great reminder that even my ability to work is all a gift from God.  I never want to take for granted what He has blessed me and enabled me to do. 

Matthew 3:8 So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]

So, Holy Spirit, bring that new behavior, that renewed dependence on you as I turn away from my own vices, my own way of “getting things done” and bring that love, joy, peace, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!

You CAN’T STAND on your own two feet!!

Often when we hear those words it is usually used disparagingly in that we are unable to do it, we can’t get it done and we have failed.  Well, when it comes to making yourself approved before God that is exactly right.  I have a fun moment at our latest BYOB (bring your own Bible…lol) and I was teaching on Romans 3. I looked at Bob who was sitting next to me and I told him that I was give him or anyone of our Manor Church peeps a good slap if I heard them trying to start a list of the reasons they would be accepted into God’s presence in eternity if it was a list of the things they personally did. 

I want to make it sooooo clear.  There is absolutely nothing that you can do to make yourself acceptable before God.

Romans 3 AMP

10 10 As it is written and forever remains written, “There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.

11 “There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God.

12 “All have turned aside, together they have become useless;There is none who does good, no, not one.”

Paul was of course stating what already was clear from David in the OT in Psalm 14 and in Psalm 53

We don’t have any defense, we don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to our own righteousness.  We are spiritually dead without an awakening from God through the awareness that comes from the Holy Spirit. 

So, don’t tell me that you are going to have a conversation with God about why you are worthy, why you are good enough, because you aren’t and I’m certainly not.    All of our eggs so to speak are in one basket, and our hope rests in Jesus and Christ alone!  He is our righteousness, He is our only hope and only way and He is our LIFE period!

If we were good enough then there would be no reason for Jesus to die.

So it was soooo good to come to the end of the chapter and read the gospel in all its fullness.

21 But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. 22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved]  grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,

Let’s review:

Being made good in His sight has nothing to do with keeping a list of religious rules, rites and passages. 

Righteousness, being clothed in the person of Jesus, standing only because of what He did for me on the cross is by FAITH.  I rest in HIM alone.  There is nothing that I need to add to the perfect white clothing He has placed on me as a garment of salvation.  I stand because of His purity and perfection and it completely overwhelms me.  I didn’t do anything to deserve it and it doesn’t matter how many Bible studies I attended, how and when I was baptized as important as that is.  I couldn’t do enough generous deeds to get His attention.    I always have and will always fall soooo short of His expectations and thanks be to God for His rich and undeserving gift, His one and only Son, Jesus.  He is sooooo good and in Him I am made absolutely acceptable before God.  I have been granted eternity in His presence and that makes me want to SING and get my worship ON!

When You Are Facing Taxing Deadlines!

Tax deadline is upon us all and hopefully you're all good and have it all done...and just maybe, just maybe a refund!  It's never fun to find out that you still have a balance owing, but some things are certain in life and one is that you will pay taxes one way or another.  However, what about when life gets taxing and how do we deal with it?

I know that often I feel like a failure for not following through or when my life gets so full I drop commitments that with all my heart I want to keep.  I wrestle with the pressure I place on myself to perform, to execute, to provide to be a good husband and not just a good husband, but a 'present' husband, a 'present' father.  The expectations and demands of our daily grind can get so easily in the way and then often I fall asleep at the most important times.  I'm tired, exhausted physically and sometimes emotionally.  I don't know the right words to say and I go silent...

I think for me one of my challenges is to easily minimize a situation or avoid it all together. Insert 'avoid confrontation' here.   I would rather give people a better impression of myself, but in doing so I don't live with the honesty that is required for real change.

It is then that I have a decision to make do I listen to my inner critic and allow my failure to push me into staying down on the mat and not trying again or do I hold on to the time I did get it right, the feeling and the reward and allow that to motivate me to start again?

I was reading Matthew 5:4 in the Amplified Version a few days ago as part of the Daily Verse on my YouVersion app.  This verse really jumped off the page for me.

Blessed (forgiven, refreshed by God's grace) are those who mourn (over their sins and repent), for they will be comforted (when the burden of sin is lifted.)

When I read this verse in other versions I really just thought of those who mourn with regard to a sense of loss, whether that be the loss of a loved one, a family member.  I really do believe comfort those people with an amazing sense of His tangible presence; however this expanded look into the verse shows me there is a place for healthy shame, a recognition of when we have failed, missed the mark and fallen terribly short.  I know it's healthy to grieve in the way that I own my failure.  However,  I don't stay there.  I confess my sin to the LORD and I experience forgiveness, freedom and an incredible sense of release.

1 John 1:9

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

I've been reading "To Be A Man" by Robert Masters and he has some great insight on healthy shame vs unhealthy shame.

• healthy shame is directed at a specific action, but unhealthy shame is directed at the doer of the action
• healthy shame triggers our conscience, but unhealthy shame triggers our inner critic
• healthy shame includes remorse and some degree of atonement for any harm that's been done, unhealthy shame doesn't  (thankfully the ultimate atonement has been done by Jesus on the cross for us)
• healthy shame mobilizes us, but unhealthy shame immobilizes us
• healthy shame opens up our heart after initially closing it, but unhealthy shame closes our hearts and keeps it shut.
• healthy shame features humility; unhealthy shame features humiliation.

My prayer is that this post mobilizes you and me to action that is healthy, strong, confident and moves forward in faith and hope, believing that we were never meant to stay down on the mat! As Robert shares,

disempower your inner critic, the one with a heartless negative self-appraisal,the voice that toxically self-shames. 

Ultimately recognize the voice of the inner critic who comes like a thief only to steal, kill and destroy hope and start listening to the voice of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Allow the Spirit of God to wash over you with songs of victory, shouts of praise and declarations of truth.

Remember the power of life and death is in the tongue!  We have to learn to speak His Words of truth over dead situations.

I absolutely just love the song It Is Finished for any and all situations.  Happy Resurrection Celebration!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkxcGLID3Y8&list=RDQkxcGLID3Y8&start_radio=1


Here's the lyrics

The cross is my beginning
The line drawn in the sand
The end of all my striving
Now I am born again
There, Jesus was forsaken
So I will never be
His grace is my salvation
The gift of God, the work of Calvary

It is done, it is finished
Christ has won, He is risen
Grace is here
Love has triumphed over death forever

The cross needs no addition
His mercy is complete
His love is not in question
The Son of God has spoken over me

It is done, it is finished

Christ has won, He is risen
Grace is here

Love has triumphed over death forever

Strongholds bowing to the Savior
Resurrection power over every circumstance
His word stands final and forever
It will not be shaken, He alone has won it all
Strongholds bowing to the Savior
Resurrection power over every circumstance

Every team and everyone has a story!

Well the story of the Orange Crush that I captained in 2018-2019 wasn't a pretty one.  The official website credited us one more victory than we actually had lol.  We had 5 wins and 13 losses and a goal differential of -32.  We didn't like to play defense. However, having said that, the guys I bonded with on this team were a great bunch not to mention that two players were my sons!  Last year we were on a team that won it all...this year not so much.  However, I could tell you stories about each of the guys, don't worry, I won't guys.  My highlight had to be Mark giving us the scouting report on the Silver Bullets before our last playoff game...the first place team that only lost one game all year.  It can be an empty feeling for sure to go down in defeat; however, hockey is just fun.  When I think of the real journey that people are on, I wonder how many feel defeated as they walk through their life.

In Acts 17, Paul was in the middle of his second missionary journey.  Paul’s conviction was that he was on a global mission to the spiritual emptiness that was felt by so many. He could see the desperation with the array of idols and he had to get the message out.  He had seen God miraculously provide, seen incredible people come to faith, experienced an incredible jailbreak and now he finds himself in Athens.

·         a city that once was the world leader in art, theatre, philosophy and education, the home of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. But in the first century A.D., Athens was a mere shell of that glory. There was nothing significant to it economically or militarily.  It traded on its reputation of greatness,

Paul could see masses of people in spiritual need.  They had spirituality in the form of mythology, they have a belief in a number of different gods and different belief systems about each.
1.  A confident faith begins at home v16
Let’s consider some of the elements of the account we read. Stirred by what he saw, Paul began to speak in the first place he always did—a synagogue. He starts with those who are in the spiritual house of the day.  In every other city, speaking of Jesus in a synagogue had two predictable results: some people would believe, fall in love with Christ, and begin a life of following him; and some people would actively resist. The ones who often resisted him the most were those who already believed they had a corner on the truth about God.
2.  A confident faith takes it to the streets V17b -21
Having left the synagogue, Paul went to the marketplace, and in verse 18 he was challenged by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. In the marketplace, people loved the sound of their own voices and theories, it was a new talk show every day and when Paul showed up as a guest, they were ready to dismiss him right away…   “What is this babbler trying to say?” translation MEH, shoulder shrug, whatever. “He seems to be proclaiming foreign gods.” (If it’s not Zeus, Hercules or the like, well then they’re useless.
Then in verse 19 it says they took him to the council of city leaders, the Areopagus, and there he was invited to speak. “May we know what this teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” The attitude in Athens was like that of a king who has jesters come into his court to entertain him. The Athenians were bored and wanted to hear something novel and new. “Entertain us, man! Say something that we haven’t heard before.”

“The central idea of Epicureanism is that life has no meaning. Everything happens by chance. There is no predictability, no reason, no order, no direction. Nothing about you will live on when you die, so there is no meaning to be found in a life to come. Therefore the recommendation is this: ENJOY LIFE take care of yourself, avoid pain, and maximize your pleasure, because there is nothing higher to live for.”

“The central idea of Stoicism, on the other hand, is that everything is determined by an inexorable fate. You are just a drop in the ocean. There is no reason to value yourself particularly, because great forces in the world are grinding forward, and nothing you do or think or say or hope is going to change any of it. Your life is going to happen to you exactly as it has been determined.” ENDURE LIFE
The problem with these philosophies is that they leave you with no hope.
That is the reason the city of Athens was completely awash in idols. No matter how much you say about fate or random events, you want somebody to listen when you cry. You want something to hope for. So the idols grew more and more numerous in first-century Athens, and they grow as much today.
We live in an age that is addicted and desperate. People are buying every promise that is made, trusting the next technology, adopting the latest fad, believing the last guarantee.  Idolatries pop up all over the place in our culture.  Look at the price people will pay for sports memorabilia as if to live somehow through the athletes they watch.
Paul starts by paying attention, picking up on cultural cues, norms, attitudes.  v22,23
How do you think Paul would connect with people in our culture?  What would be his conversation connector?
Sports Teams? 

If Paul had come here and was reading our newspapers, looking at our inscriptions, he might say something like this:  “I’ve looked at the kind of country you are, and I see that you are great on equality of rights with an enormous desire to do good. But you are so morally weak that you have very little to offer, and your influence is waning. Let me tell you how you can become what you want to be, the answer to what you are missing.”
Let me tell you about the God who can make you who you hope to be.”  He affirmed their spiritual quest
He looks for an opportunity to plant a seed of truth v24-28
Paul looked at the Athenian culture, read its literature, and found a way to open the door to conversation. Then he said, “The fatalism of Epicureanism and Stoicism is killing you. You long for significance, and you think that you can serve deities by making them temples or statues. But God needs none of those things. He is the giver of life. We give nothing to him by these kinds of efforts. You have gotten lost groping for a way to know God. But I will tell you about him. He has made us. He has given us our very breath. We are his offspring! He knows the history of each place and people. He is intimately acquainted with us. He has made us long for him, and he is near enough for us to find him.
The things your idol worship is saying you hope for, I am telling you how to find! There is a God who is powerful and intimate and personal, and he is reaching out to you. He can be known. You are significant. He cares for you. He knows you. He will listen to you if you call.”

Reaping – bringing people to a decision v29-34
Then Paul brought his teaching to a sharper point: “This God establishes justice. The most important decision we will make in our life is to either accept or reject the offer of God’s love in His Son Jesus.  The climax of Paul’s message is the Man whom God had raised from the dead and a few believed.
Sometimes we get hooked on #s and what is first and foremost is that we are faithful to God’s message and we share it and Jesus showed us that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents than 99 righteous
What about us?

1.      A confident faith must begin in our church with each of us and we need to be open to the leading of the Spirit and when we are, it will be contagious.

2.      A confident faith must engage its community.  We must be missional.

So how do we engage our community?

1.      Take the school class picture approach!

Do you remember back in the day when we would get our class pictures back and look at them with our friends?  The first place people look is themselves…what was I wearing, how was my hair, did I have a stupid face???   I'm sure you were interested in your friends and what kind of faces they may have been making, but you first wanted to see how you looked in the picture. That's because no matter the person, everyone's favorite subject is themselves.
So, we start by learning to listen well and listen more than you talk.  We take a genuine interest in the life of others that the Holy Spirit can lead us to a place of understanding and an opportunity to share.
Don’t critique their statement, or launch into a barrage railing them for having screwed up beliefs…just listen to build trust, to let them know that you won’t judge them, and won’t look down upon them for their views (or lack of) on faith.

2.      Be sensitive to the signal light in the intersection.

Where is this conversation going…red light, yellow light, green light.
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead the conversation.
Share your challenges, struggles and how your faith has made a difference.
Is there an opportunity to pray for them?
Are they interested in knowing more?

3.      Sharing The Truth  3 circles

Planting seeds of truth-  It is at times such as these that we can talk more openly about the hope that we have in Christ and how it impacts our lives. 

Reaping the harvest-  The opportunity to lead someone to the Lord.

People Need Jesus  - everyone has a story.

We have grown too used to living with idolatry, with the sorrow of our world, with its decay. We don’t care enough any more. Or if we do care, we don’t listen long enough to have something to say that is meaningful. I urge upon you the example of Paul, who for the sake of love cared enough to listen and speak.
We need to start listening to our unchurched friends.  Nothing is more simple, more accurate than to understand where they are coming from.  There is a lot of brokenness and openness.  People are asking questions now and do we have answers when they ask what is the hope for this world?  Do we have hope?  Are we ready to be open to the Spirit leading us to speak to what God has given us?

At the same time Jesus himself reminded us that wars, disease, lawlessness, and earthquakes would increase as the time of his return approaches. He is the calm in the midst of the storm, He is our refuge.  There is a sense of urgency, we need to act.  May we not lose the opportunities afforded to us to cultivate friendships and spiritual conversations.

Songwriter Steve Green sung this song, "People need the Lord ... At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door ... When will we realize that we must give our lives, For people need the Lord. People need the Lord."

And that's what the message of Christianity is all about ... it's about helping people find God ... helping them find God's assurance of hope, love, spiritual renewal and best of all, his gift of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life in Jesus. 

Would you commit today to praying for three friends who need the Lord?

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

Philemon 1:6 ESV  I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.