Saturday, November 20, 2010

How does liberty affecte Thanksgiving for you, Evotion.

Colossians 3:1 If thenyou have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

What a weak week it has been for two weeks.  My oldest son has been deployed to a dangerous assignment.  A great friend in the battle for unity in the Kingdom moved over to spend all of his time with the Father.  After struggling, I discovered the router in my home is acting up and keeping me from doing normal activities like studying Spanish, and Facebooking, and talking to you.  Thank God we can pray no matter what.

Faithful in War: Faithfulness in my son as he engages his assignment is a joy to this father’s heart.  Danger exists in all places at all times.  He has chosen to engage and confront and defend and be faithful to his conscience.  Our lives have liberty because he choses service.

Faithful in Peace: Faithfulness in Dr. Client Wilburn to continually speak on non-violence in our streets and unity among the churches has been an inspiration to me.  Time with him as a friend will be sorely missed.  Our churchified world is still massively split along racial and cultural lines.  These things ought not so to be.  Our lives have had more liberty because of his choice of service.

Faitthful in Compassion:  Faithfulness in Dr. Carillo and the people of CAREVI in Matamoros to stay in the service of Christ though war rages in the streets is an inspiration to me.  For a few days people were afraid to go out to services due to battles between military and cartel mafia.  The people continue.  Our lives have more liberty when our neighbors have more liberty through service.

Faithful in Service:  Faithfulness in Pastor Velio Estrada and the people of Tabernaculo De Fe as we celebrate today the breaking of ground on a new facility is beautiful.  For years, they have done as others and occupied the abandoned buildings from which white churches have fled to more suburban ground.  These facilities were not made for urban ministry and do not fit the needs of the people.  Through faithful attention to service the people have prospered and are building a new Oklahoma City.  Our city is seeing more liberty because of these choices.

Faithful in Character:  Faithfulness in business and community and education displayed recently in the Oklahoma City Character Council awards stirs my heart.  How beautiful is the message businesses like Jasco, schools like Christian Heritage, prisons like Mabel Basset and individuals give out.  Faithfulness counts.  Character counts.  Thanks, Tom.  Our lives have more liberty because of these choices.

A little disruption in my life because the router for my wireless is dying seems like such a nit.  In the grander schema of God, there are big items needing big attention.  The things of heaven are the things of earth.  In this life we can bring the blessing of the Heavenly Father every day in some way to some person in the cause of liberty and justice while pursuing happiness.  The will of the Father be done on earth as it is in heaven and heaven is on earth.

I am thankful for the service of others in the cause of liberty of morality, character, Christ-likeness, culture, and community.

May Evotion be blessed with abundant liberty this week.

May Evotion discover many areas to which you can speak blessings in thankfulness.

May Evotion enjoy famiy and friend.

Stay faithful in service, Evotion.

Stay blessed.

You are loved and prayed over even when the router is down.

 

ps.  You can help the people of CAREVI (Casa De Restaracion Y Vida - House of Restoration and Life) through a tax deductible gift to PrayerMetro, 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok, 73099 or gifts of toys sent to the same or hosting a toy box collection in your congregation or group.  Call me if you would like a box.  The last batch to go down will leave Oklahoma City the week of the 12th.  The congregation now has enough money to buy a roof and men to do the work through help of people here and in Mexico. 

 

 

 

 


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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Knowing Hearts, Evotion.

The Irregular Daily Dose

Work Day Devotions That Work

Knowing Hearts

Matthew 9: 4: And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts"

An old friend reminded me this morning of an ancient saying, "And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!"

Every day we get that opportunity. What happens when you withhold? What happens when you are hiding intents by not speaking? What happens if the other withholds? When you want to believe in a relationship, you speak. Jesus wanted a good relationship with these even though they seemed against Him.

Yesterday I had a string of meetings that were all about messages and words. Lawyers debated disclosure language. Marketing executives debated targeting right segments. Sales executives debated response words in emails for prospects. MBA students debated areas of impact on our business plan. IT executives debated what to fix and when. Consultants quizzed me. All of it was words. What was really in their hearts?

Some did not like my chosen words. Others softly considered them. A few hotly resisted them. Many took on joy and surprise and excitement. The lawyers wanted a few days to debate them (duh!). A couple of friends cried with deep emotion. Through all of that, I had to sort my own responses and emotions.

Words are powerful. They communicate disgust, joy, relief, confidence, confusion, peace, and trust. Not expressing them can communicate distrust or assent or anger or fear or apathy. The problem in not speaking them is that the other person has to make up in their mind what you think and feel. You may not agree but they may think you do. You may agree, but they don’t know. That leaves the relationship in confusion.

Silence often communicates assent. I worked in a company once where that was stated meeting policy. We were not expected to speak, we were required to speak. Silence can communicate a lot of other positions. Know which you want to communicate and get it out.

The ability to respectfully disagree is one of the most sacred expressions of trust. When we can disagree, we trust the goodwill of the others involved. Open discussion and disclosure brings clarity. You might lose a friend for a moment, but if their heart is right and you prove true and reliable, they will be back with more trust later. Jesus confronted their silence. He wanted disclosure and communication.

Due season is when the word is needed. Leaving them unsaid too long can result in not having another moment to express them to an open ear.

Seize the day. Build some trust. Express yourself. Emote. Clarify. Trust the goodwill of others. Use wisdom. Use words. Trust is built on open communication agreement and disagreement.

ACT!  Sometimes the right thing means confronting. Unlike Jesus, we can’t see into the hearts of others. Don’t assume, ask. Don’t presuppose, open the communication so they have a change to speak back. Prime the pump.

PRAY! Father, looking to clarify when a relationship is at stake can be frightening. Help me. Help my friend, Evotion. Help us to speak our minds to find the hearts of others. Embrace our words with love and truth and mercy. Let them hang as pearls about our neck to bring grace and favor with You and others. Let the meditations of our hearts and the words of our mouth be acceptable in Your sight. Let them be true and just.

 

 
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Monday, November 1, 2010

On Election Day - Pray for courage to be who you are, Evotion.

 The Irregular Daily Dose

Work Day Devotions That Work - On Election Day

Blasphemy

Matthew 9:3: And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

The amazing truth is that no matter how much good you do, you will be dissed.  Yep, people will dis you.  If you heal, they will dis you. If you touch with care, they will dis you.  If you encourage, they will dis you.  If you slip, they will dis you.  If you stumble, they will dis you.

Someone will always be looking to take you down. Someone will always be ready to accuse you of doing something wrong.  If they can't attack your actions, they will attack your motivations.  Do they know them?  No, but they can make them up for their convenience.

So, remember you are in great company.  Even Jesus was called a blasphemer.  He was accused of not loving His own father and not respecting His own Dad.  How ludicrous, but when did people stop short of ludicrous?

ACT!  Do the right thing.  Say the right words.  Stand by the right friend.  Be the right person.  In spite of the accusations, stay right, do right, say right.

PRAY! Let courage sweep over my friend, Evotion.  Let power to do the right actions and say the right words pour over Evotion.  Yes, Father, You are able to make us able.  Your courage is available to move us into the next courageous act.  Help us to not give up in the face of accusations.  Help us to not fear the face of men and women and be faithful to who we are and what we need to do.


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