Elephants and Ice Cream: Get Your Spoon Out!

Could you eat two scoops of Ice cream?

This whole “Eating an elephant one bite at a time” thing can be problematic―especially when it comes to evangelism.  It lulls us into complacency because is it an example of something that none of us would ever do in reality.  I’m never going to eat an elephant―not one limb―not one shovelful―and not one bite at a time.  If evangelism is about starting with small steps likened to a bite of an elephant―then no thank you. 

       Eat an elephant? Yuck! Why even try.

A cow?

Maybe a cow…right?  Would it be better to ask,                   “How do you eat a cow?”

With the answer being, “You eat a cow one hamburger or tri-tip at a time.” 

Maybe. Realistically, however it would take the average person 10 years to eat the weight of a butchered cow… not including hooves and eye-balls and other body parts. Maybe it is easier to image eating a cow over the idea of eating an elephant, but in all reality “forget-about-it” because it’s still too big of a project for the mere mortal to engage over the course of a year.   

If the cow example doesn’t work, than let’s try this one? 

How do you eat a mountain of ice cream? 

I love ice cream and even though I’d like to give it a shot, I know it would be impossible for me to eat a mountain of ice cream as big as Mount Everest.

You just couldn’t do it!

But what if several million people all picked up a spoon and began eating.

                        Together, we could indeed eat an entire mountain of ice cream.

When we think of evangelism it would be easy to be overcome by the insurmountable odds of getting the message of the gospel out to the billions who are perishing―that is like eating an elephant, a cow or a mountain of ice cream. But when we understand that we are called into this together and that each one us only has to eat two scoops of ice cream it suddenly makes the whole idea seem very simple (and if not enjoyable). 

Even with the faith of a mustard seed WE can move mountains. Don’t even begin to think it is something you must do by yourself. Simply pick up your spoon and influence the couple people that God has placed around you. Trust God and have faith to be used by Him in the course of everyday living in making Him known and extending His glory. Become intentional with relationships. Pray for transformational encounters and actively encarnationally engage the world next door.   

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

                                                                                                                                       Eph 3:20-21

You are perfectly positioned and supernaturally equipped by God. Believe that He can use you to win one person in one year for the sake of His Holy Name.        Pick up your spoon! 

Solving the riddle of Biblical tension that has riddled the Church for 2000 years.

I was born into a a family of avid fisherman.


                However, I was different!

(That's me on the far right)


I'm sure that being forced to choose between having bamboo shoved under your fingernails and fishing I would choose fishing. Other than that, there are few things I like less than fishing.


Jesus said “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mk 1:17).

I'm just not wired for fishing. If you enjoy fishing like my father or brothers then odds are in your favor that you are not certifiably ADHD. I told my brothers that if they could put pole in my hands while I'm water skiing behind a speeding boat then there is a chance that they might have me hooked (that is a pun - of course). Although, fishing literally hurts something inside of me―the metaphor of fishing, however, is not lost on me.

What I do understand from fishing helps me to answer the biblical dichotomy between "rest" and "work."

You've have likely seen the plethora of bumper stickers that have to do with fishing. 

 

and the classic 

Okay, I might not like to fish... but I get it! 

What I do get is that most true fishermen―like my dad and brothers LOVE TO FISH. 

They set out with great expectation of catching fish, but love everything about it even when they don't catch fish. Whether sitting on the shore of a river or on a boat or standing knee deep―the WORK is relaxing, it is therapeutic, it is does something that refreshes the soul. 

Fishing is WORK and REST at the same time!  The terminology that Jesus used "just so happens" to be perfect metaphor for our Christian walk of faith. When He said "enter my rest" "you will be fishers of men" and that you are created "for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" solves the tension between the seemingly polar opposites of the works and rest debate that seems to get everyone bent out of shape.

When we are bent into His shape...transformed more and more in His image (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18), the more we long to be out fishing and the more we are refreshed in our inner-man as we engage in the activities that we were created for. 

The good news we don't ever go fishing alone. We sit in the boat right next to our heavenly Father. We draw closer and build intimacy with Him as we put our lines into the water...sometimes quietly―sometimes in conversation―but always together. 

This is work that is filled with hopeful expectation and that brings great joy. It is relaxing, it refreshes and it also means that we will eventually catch something if our line is in the water long enough ―i.e. bear fruit!  

As fishing was a lifestyle for those initial fishermen called by Jesus - being a fisher of men should be a lifestyle for all who are called by Him and bear His name: Christians. 

It's not complicated. Simply toss your line in where you live, where you work, where you go to school, and where you play. Live the gospel intentionally in front of others as the bait that draws people to Jesus.   

Have Fun! 

It is not out of compulsion but done out of love for God that works it way into loving others!

You are called!
You are perfectly positioned!
You are supernaturally outfitted!   

(Dad baiting hook for 6 boys off of the Santa Monica Pier)

The 14 Forgotten Words of Scripture

"Finish the Sentence for Pete's Sake"

I had a friend growing up who did everything he could to avoid work.

Basically he was lazy. He made all kinds of excuses and ironically worked hard at not working. For example, we would dig a ditch in the backyard or attempt to tame the encroaching bamboo and he decided it was easier to watch than join the work party. 

He decided that he would be much more comfortable under the shade of the pepper tree and would then proceed to carry one box of junk after another from one corner of the yard to the other―stacking them just right in order to build himself a “cardboard box” chaise lounge. 

By the time we were done working, he ended up working about twice as hard as any of us, working up a sweet―all with the goal in mind of avoiding work. 

I marvel at how many Christians are like my friend who put themselves through undo machinations and theological gymnastics as they wrestle against scripture. Ironically, the passage of Scripture I have in mind is 2 Timothy 3:16. This is one of those verses most Christians should have some familiarity with. 

    

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  

Leading Evangelical Commentators say, “2 Tim 3:16 [has] been foundational for our understanding of the nature of the divine inspiration of Scripture.” 

When people challenge our beliefs and ask, “How do you know the Bible is true?”

2 Tim 3:16 is our apologetic “go-to” verse when it comes to defending Scripture as the very Word of God―θεόπνευστος theopneustos―God breathed! AND, most Christians have a very reverential respect for the power of God’s Word to change our lives. 

After all, it is useful for “teaching” check―yep, it certainly is useful for teaching. 

"Rebuking" check―I can certainly testify to that. 

 

“Correcting”  OUCH, but okay, check. 

And for “training in all righteousness” Yay…less painful, probably more difficult, but bring it on―check that one off!

Look we have all the boxes filled in. We did great. I trust that Scripture is the very breath of God check!  

I can trust in God's Word to have impact in my life check! I know it will be a difficult process, but I’ll trust God’s Word to supernaturally effect my life. “I’ll submit to its authority and see the impact on my life; I’ll look more like Jesus. I desire to grow and to be more like Him.” 

There you have it. We made it through one verse. The only problem is we didn’t even make it through one sentence. WE QUIT READING AT THE COMMA and conveniently leave off the remaining 14 words that specifically tells us what effect the Word of God is to produce in us.

“Finish the sentence for Pete’s sake” (Technically Paul's sake), but you get the idea).

All four things, mentioned in verse 16, work together “SO THAT [ἵνα hina]...” Paul writes (under inspiration of the Holy Spirit), “the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

R. C. H. Lenski puts it this way. “The [ἵνα hina] clause denotes the contemplated result and is to be construed with all four phrases…and thus all these “so that…” he who belongs to God may be fitted up as having been fully fitted for every good work. There is nothing wanting in the Christian’s outfit for work, in his equipment for what God expects him to do.”

I find it so ironic in our land that flows with milk and honey, in a culture that values hard work that Christians find loop holes; and offer a clever theological work-around to explain away the equipping of God’s Word that equips us to do good work.  

It is at though “work” is a Christian four-letter word. We will work hard for advancement and self-improvement. We have no problem in working for financial reward, in climbing the corporate ladder and expend all kinds of energy at the gym in body building and becoming better athletes. 

We have a mantra of “No Pain. No gain” We have the willingness to work hard in a culture that provides opportunity for success. But when it comes to Christianity it is as though we get spiritual amnesia when it comes to these 14 “So That” words of 2 Tim 3:17 that are part and parcel to verse 16.   

Here is one such clever rationalization, "I don’t dare want to apply them to my life for fear that someone should accuse me of a “Works-Righteousness” theology."    

Serious?

Most Christians who have a basic understanding of Scripture and salvation know that we are not saved by works. We cease from striving in the work of our own self-righteousness and rest in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross that we receive as a free gift of grace.

And yet, we forget the purpose of the Word of God in our lives is to thoroughly equip us for every good work and like my friend we actually work harder at avoiding the very work God has ordained in advance that we should walk in (Eph 2:10). Like my friend, we spend a lot of time and energy defending a theology of personal laziness―when in reality we are busy doing everything else.

With great enthusiasm, we often point out 2 Timothy 3:16 professing our complete devotion and trust in God’s word, yet in the same breath deny the power of God’s Word to bring about the intended effect in our lives. 

Maybe, this is why "The Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, was prompted to say, "Do something! Do Something" Do Something!" 

So let me remind you in case any of us have forgotten those 14 words. 

You are called by God.

You are uniquely and supernaturally equipped by His Spirit.

You were created for good works.

You are perfectly positioned for the work of ministry that makes Him known and brings Him Glory. 

Stop defending your right to be lazy and Do Something. With lives impacted by the grace of God and the Power of His Holy Presence―

                                                              GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 

Q. By the grace or God and the empowerment of His Word and of His Holy            Spirit at work in you - guess what?   

A. YOU CAN DO IT...   "Have the vision, make the decision"  Mark Dahlin

   

I Prayed and Charlie Died: The Greater Miracle.

Meet My Neighbor Charlie

Charlie had a terrible accident that broke his spine 35 years ago. Confined to a wheelchair, he had grown to become resentful and crotchety. He was in constant conflict with his family and was highly suspicious of anyone he felt might be trying to take advantage of him. 

My mission was to show him the love of God and live the gospel in front of him. This was not a haphazard plan of random kindness, but required sacrifice of time and resources. 

My family and I had made a decision to be very intentional in this relationship.  For about a year it was just, “hellos” and “goodbyes” and “can I help you with your mail, with your groceries or with your trashcans?”  He was a tough Norwegian and prided himself on his independence and felt it was weakness to rely on anyone else. 

Then the ambulance came and took Charlie to the hospital. In addition to being a paraplegic, Charlie had cancer that he had beaten years before, but this time the doctors gave him 5 days to live. There was a battle between hospice and Adult Services and they required that someone look after Charlie in order for him to be released from the hospital. 

This was the opportunity for me to die to self and to show the love of God. With my wife’s blessing I moved in next door for his last few days in order to take care of him as his family members were too busy or flat out refused to help. 

Charlie made another miraculous recovery - Prayer? Maybe! Why not?

During this new time he had left on earth I had a chance to earn his trust and quite possibly became his closest friend. We played dominos and watched programs on the history channel together. After he got stronger, I moved back home next door. Each day I went over and helped him out of his bed into his wheelchair and again in the evening helped him back into his bed. I helped him with his oxygen, with meals and by emptying and cleaning up the urine and colostomy bags (what makes this story even more interesting is that I had a very bad back and a very weak stomach). 

This outreach was not just a solo event.  

Not only was my family fully invested, but it also included other faithful members of my church. Nurse Nancy had come by and helped attend to hygiene needs, others committed to sitting, visiting and reading with Charlie and a family who was close, pinched-hit when I had to be away.

It had become a real community effort.

Seven months later

When things were looking grim, I told Charlie that I was worried about his eternity. He let me share the gospel with him. He prayed an earnest prayer of salvation.

His family had no explanation as to the change of his personality. He rewrote his estranged sister back into his will. His nephew wanted to know what had happened and why Charlie hadn’t cussed him out for walking into his room unannounced.

Charlie was a different man and everyone who knew him witnessed the change and began to ask me what had happened. This was my opportunity to tell them that Charlie had prayed with me to accept the Lord and that they had witnessed the power of God to change his heart. When I told his sister that I held his hands and prayed with him every night she couldn’t believe it. Charlie was not a touchy-feely guy and I told her that the highlight of his day was when we prayed together.

One Monday, a new hospice team showed up and told me that Charlie was as healthy as an ox and would most likely live another 10 years. I didn’t think so and on that Monday night my daughter and I went over and put him to bed praying his name into Psalm 23 and laid him down with the promises of God, “…and Charlie shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.”

   

I went over in the morning and discovered that my friend had indeed passed over into glory. Ascertaining the time of death it turned out that Charlie may have died within minutes of that prayer. Not only was I sad that I had lost a good friend, but also felt blessed that God had allowed me the opportunity to be a part of that transformational encounter through intentional surrendered living. 

I discovered the simple truth that this is what faith is all about. Not that I had to move to China, Malawi or India, but be moved wherever I am by the love I have for Christ.  

I Hope this Ministry can create the vision and thirst for Christians to look upward – stare into the face of Christ and begin to embrace the high call in the small things of everyday living.   

 This type of outward living to glorify God does not happen by accident, but must come from the vision of having hearts and minds fixed fully on Christ and allow Him to move you into the world to which you are sent. Before anyone engages the divine purposes of this high call, we must have our hearts in touch with God’s heart and understand the glory for which He has called us as members of His church. 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21

With the radical numbers of decline of those professing to be christian we have failed to make impact in the culture. it is time to get back to the basics and make the decision to say, “Yes” to all that God has for us as His “set apart” People.  In His conversation with the Samaritan woman Jesus said, “a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks" (Jn 4:23).  

Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father. Obedience coming from a heart of worship is never out of compulsion nor will it ever be joyless drudgery.   

I make no promises that this type of intentional Gospel-informed living will be easy, but I guarantee that when you say, “yes” to God, your life will never be boring again. 

It doesn't take rocket science or being a rock star... only simple obedience to the Great Commission that is demonstrated in the Great Command...  LOVE GOD...Love others!    

Pastor Nervously Biting His Fingernails: THEN THE MIRACLE!

As the pastor of small church every week becomes a surprise. One family doesn't show up and attendance is down 10%.
"Who is going to show up?"
"Who isn't?"

This past weekend was even more of the same anxiousness. Before church began, I sat in a chair in the front knowing that attendance would be extremely sparse (it's probably a sin - I know, but it's the way I felt anyway).  

That was because the women were away on a retreat.

Serving as a Pastor on staff of a large affluent church in Southern California, here is one of the many things I learned. When we send 300 women away on a retreat... attendance is down TRIPLE that number. Wives aren't home to help get families out the door on Sunday and it is easier for dad's not to show up. Motivation dwindles and it's easier for men to sleep in - wash the car - watch the kickoff...tipoff...or catch up on the backlog of chores.

Who would show up, I wondered?

I prayed and asked God to do something special and tried to ease my anxiousness and asked for His help to trust Him with my expectations.

Time for church to begin! The numbers were low, as I expected. God helped me through the feelings of disappointment.

A new family returned.
Another new member returned.

Okay God!

Then the Miracle! 

Our numbers were reasonably okay... but we had 5 new un-churched people show up.

This was no accident. Their choice to come, was not as a result of a spontaneous spur-of-the-moment decision or as a result of an recent invitation, rather it was the product of long-term, intentional relationships that stretched back over a two year period.

In tears, three of them prayed to accept the offer of God's grace through the blood of Jesus' sacrifice and put their trust in Him as Savior. The young lady (who had invited her mother and friend to join her at church) had recently suffered a physically debilitating crisis in her life. At Starbucks (maybe a year ago or so ago) a faithful man of God, lived his faith in front of his co-workers. He prayed for this young lady who was suffering a migraine headache and subsequently felt some measure of relief. He has since moved on and had no idea of the effect this incarnational encounter would have. He left Starbucks without seeing visible fruit of this intentional living out of his faith.

The other couple came as a result of one man who was committed to building a relationship with the neighbor who lived directly above him. One year... then coffee.. then church! It is like building equity; it doesn't happen all at once and it takes time. It requires long term vision and trust in God for the results.

In an society of instantaneous everything; we want the results of evangelism and formulas that happen in a minute.

These lives having been changed by the gospel was a result of relational evangelism that wasn't instantaneous that took the investment of living out the gospel right where God had put both of these faithful people who had the patience to live and to walk Christ into their present sphere of influence (Acts17:26-27).

It takes Vision and it takes making a Decision!  

We can change the world one life at time... with the long term transformational strategy (Acts 1:8) of living Gospel Formed lives...  Join the Movement.. One year!  One life!

Go to Facebook  DeadReckoningMinistries  and hit the join button.     
     

What On Earth have we Created!?

Could providing bigger and better programs and ministry services be backfiring on us? Erwin McManus, pastor of Mosaic church in Los Angeles, writes: “‘We’re looking for a church that meets our needs.’ It seems like I’ve heard this one a thousand times. 

The phenomenon of church shoppers has profoundly shaped the contemporary church. The entire conversation is not about relevance but convenience. The focus is not in serving the world; the church itself became the focal point. 

Our motto degenerated from ‘We are the church, here to serve the lost and broken world’ to ‘What does this church have to offer me?’ 

For I believe this is the root of the problem the modern church has created. As the leadership subtly focuses on the programs and not the mission, we become known in the community for our programs, our preaching, or our music rather than for the qualities the Thessalonian church was commended for. 

The emerging church must address this and shift from being consumer oriented to mission oriented. If people really see themselves as the church on a mission, everything changes. Everything!" 

(Pictured above: Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee playing upside down on a rotating drum kit http://www.imaging-resource.com/news)    

    

FREE AIRFARE: I'LL MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE!

How far do you need to go to fulfill the great commission AND how much would it cost? 

The answer might shock you! 

The price of airfare is costly and most of us cannot afford to travel that far - both in terms of time and money...

                  SO...

HERE IS MY OFFER: I want to send you enough money in order to support you on a long distance missionary journey this year (enough to take you to the ends of the earth). 

THAT'S RIGHT! 

This summer in July, I will have the opportunity to fly 30,000 miles to Malawi Africa and back for a mission trip in fulfilling the Great Commission!  I feel blessed to partner with Water Wells for Africa in bringing much needed clean drinking water that is literally saving thousands of lives each day and making an impact in the world,

I also feel privileged to be part of a team that during this trip will also give the message of the gospel to thousands of people which Jesus likens to “Living Water.” 

In fulfilling the Great Commission there should be no place that we should neglect in going for the sake of making Christ known and extending the glory of God.  From LA to Tokyo (hum…almost sounds like lyrics to a song – right?), it’s 5,500 miles. To Shanghai, it’s about 8,000 miles. 

Would we be willing to go that far for the sake of the sharing the love of God expressed through His Son, Jesus Christ.  How far would we be willing to go to do good things, to help human suffering, to reach out to the “least of these” in the Name of Jesus?

The cunning religious establishment in Jerusalem tried to trap Jesus by forcing Him to do the seemingly impossible task of having to choose one commandment over all the rest –of the equally important commandments. 

      THEY HAD HIM! 

One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 

And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’   Matt 22:36-37

Jesus reduces all of scripture down to one command. That one command is to love God with all of your being… by doing that... everything else falls into line. All the law ―all the prophets ―all the Old Testament hinges on this ONE COMMAND!              LOVE GOD!

And... we can only love Him, because (as his beloved Apostle, John, writes) “He first loved us” (1 Jn 4:10).

When God pours His Love into us we cannot contain it. It overflows… Jesus says “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (Jn 7:37b-38).  

That being said, Jesus finishes summing up the Great Command by saying this,  

      ^“The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Now Listen – this next part just might shock you! He didn’t say love the person in the pew next to you.  He didn’t say love your pastor. He didn’t say love the Christian down the street with the fish sticker on the back window of their SUV. Yes, we are to do that!  Men will know that we are His disciples by our love for one another (Jn 13:35).  BUT THIS IS WHAT JESUS DID SAY,                             “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!”  

We pretty much have the art of loving God down to a science and loving our brothers and sisters in Christ… We got that down pat in our holy huddles! We are good at it and we should be! But your neighbor might be 14, 281 miles away in Malawi… EVEN MORE SHOCKING – your neighbor – the neighbor that Jesus was talking about just might be the person who lives right next door to you.      CRAZY RIGHT - who would have ever thought? 

CHECK THIS OUT. If I got in a plane and headed due east to the utmost ends of the earth and flew as far east as I could... I would end up 24,000 miles later at the house directly next door to me. THE ENDS OF THE EARTH IS YOUR NEIGHBOR. 

We need better to have the art of loving our neighbor down. It was Jesus’ idea! He sends you into the world as His ambassador -  RIGHT WHERE YOU LIVE!

Go to Africa, or China, or Brazil if you want to…THAT’s GOOD… but it also fulfills the Great Commission through the Great Command to go and live Christ intentionally right where He put you. That’s why Jesus told the Apostles to “Look up” they didn’t have to go far for the harvest! He was saying, ‘here it is, right in front of you” just look up and the harvest of souls is right here – IT IS around you!  

How much does it cost to travel east some 24,000 miles for this mission trip – that ends up at the house next door - or at your job - or to the clerk at the grocery store - nothing! 

Get out of the door and live the gospel intentionally right where God has put you– to make Christ Known and to extend the Glory of God to the ends of the earth!     

Jesus makes it all pretty simple and He supernaturally equips you for this task. You might be thinking "I can't do this, my only spiritual gifting is hospitality. I'm not a Pastor or a street evangelist." Even if you "only" had the gift of hospitality and could find the time to share a meal or have a conversation with your neighbor you are probably more suited for the job of effectively sharing the gospel and can have more impact for the Kingdom than the annoying "street evangelist."  

               Take me up on my offer and book your flight now!