Book # 5 - What Got You Here Won't Get You There

As Charter Oak Church continues to grow in maturity, attendance, staff, volunteers, square footage, etc. I realize that the way that we have always done things won't support us to do the things that God wants us to do in the future. Marshall Goldsmith's book, What Got You Here Won't Get You There, seemed to jump off the shelf at Barnes n Noble.

Goldsmith lists 20 workplace habits (really 21) that need to change if the organization is going to move forward in growth. These changes begin in the leader of the organization. That would be me, here at Charter Oak Church.

Let me tell you, this was not an easy process for me. I worked through this book very hard. I didn't take the easy way out. I got on my knees before God and asked Him to reveal some behaviors that needed to be changed in me. That kind of pruning is not easy, but is necessary to go to the next level. If you are a leader who wants to take a critical look at where you are so you can be prepared to go where God wants you, I highly recommend this book. This is not a spiritually centered book, it is a business, leadership book. But it didn't matter to me.

Book #4 - Lasting Impressions

Every once in a while I am surprised by a random act of kindness. Sometimes I am blown away. In January Mark Waltz sent me two free copies of his newest book - Lasting Impressions: From Visiting to Belonging, along with a great personal note of encouragement.

The reason I was blown away was that Mark was encouraging me at a time when his church, Granger Community Church, was getting ready to announce the layoff of a handful of employees and the reduction of hours for many more. He was blessing me in a time of difficulty in his life and ministry. That is an incredible display of Godly character and integrity.

Lasting Impressions really resonated with me because Mark touches on many aspects that we are talking about at Charter Oak Church. The part that I think I loved the most is the transition that needs to happen in churches from being responsible "to" people rather than responsible "for" their spiritual development. Part of our mission at Charter Oak Church is to "equip people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus." We are not responsible for people's walk with God - they are. We are here to equip and to love and to walk along side of, but not responsible for their growth and/or obedience.

I have already handed off both copies of my book and may be purchasing more for our First Impressions team.

Book #3 - The Reason YOUR CHURCH Must Twitter

Okay, I know I haven't posted the books I have been reading lately. I admit I am reading less this year so far. But I will try to catch up on what I have been reading.

I have been reading so much about how leaders are using a relatively new technology called Twitter. There are many people who I want to learn as much as possible from. So given the opportunity to catch a glimpse into their world I was open to trying it out.

Someone recommended reading Anthony Coppedge's book The Reason YOUR CHURCH Must Twitter. For $5 it is a good overview and how to book on Twitter.

I signed up for an account and decided to start following a handful of leaders. I don't need any more distractions in my life, but at the same time it is good to see what others are doing. I admit I don't tweet as much as those I follow, but I am working on it.

I also have not fully put to use the suggestions of the book, namely that Twitter can and should be used as a great tool for the local church. As I am continuing to figure out ways to communicate well and what that means for Charter Oak Church with all the growth that we have seen, I am trying to figure out if Twitter can be helpful to us. I want technology to serve us instead of me serving the technology.

Back from Study leave

Last week a family from our congregation graciously gave me the keys to their four bedroom home in a local ski resort so I could get away for one-on-one time with God. Since there is not any real snow left on the mountain, the whole resort was very quiet. Just what I needed, no distractions, nothing to capture my attention except God.

The one time I saw someone was the time I didn't want anyone to be able to see me. I had David Crowder cranked up and I was singing and dancing all over the house. But the house has very big windows that allows anyone who is driving by to see what is going on. Well, the only time I saw security was in that moment. They drove by very slowly - I'm sure wondering what in the world I was doing and if I was physically ok. Those of you who have seen me dance have a very clear picture of what I am talking about!

Anyway, I was able to gain some very good clarity for myself. As I am catching up this week, I want to share some things here that I was able to hear from God. It was a very good week for me. Just what I needed at just the right time.

I want to thank so many of you for praying for me while I was gone. Many of you have expressed that you were praying for me. I know God answered your prayers. Thank you.

Acts 9

Verse 15-17, “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’ The Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’”

We all play a role in the plan of God. Ananias could not have imagined that he was going to be asked to pray over the very man who came to persecute him and turn all of his friends over to imprisonment or death. Here’s the thing – he was obedient to the will of God. He said yes when God said go. That’s powerful stuff. He could have come up with every excuse not to go, but he did.

I want to have that kind of obedience in my life. When I can make every excuse in the world not to follow the leading of God, I want to set it aside and say yes. Who knows what my obedience will lead to? Only God knows. Who knew that God was going to use Saul the way that God did? Ananias certainly didn’t know the full extent. What would have happened to the whole plan of God is Ananias would have said no?

I don’t even want to think about how many times I have been given the opportunity to join God where he was at work but because of busyness or because of a lack of faith I said no. I can’t even imagine the work of God that was limited or didn’t happen in the time or way that God desired because of my lack of obedience. Father, forgive me

Ruth 4

Verse 5, “Then Boaz said, ‘On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.’”

I love this comment from Boaz. He knows what he wants – to marry Ruth. He knows that he needs to get the person who has right of first refusal (if you will) to sign off on it. He also knows that he needs the elders of the town to be on board with all of this. Boaz obviously does his homework and he knows the law. He does everything right. He sets himself up for success. He doesn’t take the easy way out and say that if it is God’s will then it will happen. He puts himself into a situation that he knows that will work.

What a great learning for all of us. How often do I want something to happen and even know that it is God’s will but I am unwilling to do the hard work to make it a reality? Boaz was a man of noble character who wanted to marry a woman of noble character. He did what was right and legal, but he had to do the hard work to bring it to reality. I must be willing to do the same as I discern from God what the next right thing for me to do is.

Ruth 3

Verse 11, “And now, may daughter, don’t be afraid, I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.”

Character is always important. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your station in life is – your character matters. Ruth is known as a woman of noble character. Everyone knows it. It shines bright.

I want to be known as a man after God’s own heart, a man of noble character. That means that the things I do and the things I say are always on display before people and God. If I want to make a difference in the Kingdom of God then it begins with me – my day-to-day activities, the small things that are a part of my life that must demonstrate where my heart is. Anyone can do it for a day or two; I want to do it for a lifetime.

Ruth 2

Verse 13, “‘May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,’ she said. ‘You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant – though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls.’”

What an incredibly humble heart and attitude Ruth has. She and Naomi are unable to care for themselves except on the goodness and mercy of others who will allow them to eat the leftovers of their fields. Ruth finds someone (I think this is one of those God moments in the Bible that people don’t see in the midst of the moment) who is willing to allow her to glean and protect her. She finds Boaz, a man of Godly character.

There is a re-occurring word in the chapter – “favor” that really intrigues me. Ruth is looking for people for whom she can find favor. I take it as being a heart or an attitude that is open to the prompting of God that will go above and beyond what is expected.

I have found myself in the last month praying for favor as well. I really resonate with Ruth’s prayer here. I am praying that God would great me favor in this church, in this region, and wherever He may send me. I am praying the prayer of Ruth, a person lower than a servant, asking God to do immeasurable more than I could ask or imagine.

Ruth 1

Verses 16-17, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

What an incredible statement of devotion. A connection deeper than what most people experience in their life has occurred between Naomi and Ruth. It doesn’t say why or how this has happened, only this quote from Ruth proves it.

I wonder if this is about the character of Naomi or Ruth or maybe both. Whoever it is, this statement is powerful. Most marriages don’t have this deep spiritual connection, let alone friendships. It makes me think about my relationships and how I add value into other people’s lives. I’m not looking for people to say this about me as an endeavor of life. I doubt that Naomi did either. It happened out of a natural living out of her character. Ruth was drawn to her and was willing to do whatever it took to stay at her side and remain in her circle of influence. Do I have the character that draws people in like that?

Titus 3

Verses 4-7, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

I love those first two words “but when…” there was a time that I lived apart from God and there are still times I choose to live according to my will instead of God’s will. But when God comes on the scene everything changes. I mean EVERYTHING. Here’s the kicker – it’s has nothing to do with anything I did, it’s all on God. He initiated. He did it. He completed it.

Then get this, he didn’t just give me a little bit of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out on me generously!! God doesn’t go half way. He doesn’t leave us wanting more, he goes beyond satisfaction. He is generous with his love and his mercy and his power.

I have no idea why I would even want to live apart from this. I can’t believe that I choose to do things my way instead of God’s way. I read these words from Paul and realize that I have been offered so much more than what I have accepted. I am an heir of God. I want to live into the fullness of my inheritance

Titus 2

Verses 7-8, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

These leadership words from Paul to Titus still ring true today. I am to set an example. I have read that so goes the pastor, so goes the church. People in and outside the church are watching what I do and what I don’t do. I know I fail. I know people want to find anything negative about me. Paul doesn’t say that there may be people who oppose me, he states it as a fact. As long as I am a follower of Jesus who is living and teaching what is in accord with sound doctrine (verse 1), there will be people who oppose me – inside and outside the church.

I am to live with such integrity that I cannot be condemned. That’s huge because I do fail. I do have character flaws. I do say things and do things that I regret. I must be very intentional about how I live – what I say and what I do. Eternity hangs in the balance. I want to point people to Jesus. And it all begins with my integrity and my character. That’s true for every follower of Jesus.

Titus 1

Verses 8-9, “Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

Character is everything. The foundation of a leader is in who he is, when people are watching and when no one is. A leader can have all the talent in the world but if he doesn’t display the kind of character that Paul describes here, he is not a leader after God’s own heart.

Out of this very short list I think that the two that strike me the most are “holy and disciplined.” I realize we are to be holy and to strive after the life of Jesus, but to be honest that is a monumental task that if I seek to accomplish alone I will fail. However, I do believe it is connected to “disciplined” for a reason. That is my part. I am to take care of today, not worrying about tomorrow. My responsibility is to take care of my relationship with God right now. That means I follow the Rule of Life. That means I take care of my life – spiritually, physically, emotionally. This one is on me. I am responsible for my discipline. As I am disciplined in my walk with God, then God will take care of His part – the growth, and that will lead to being holy.

Genesis 9

verse 5b, "And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man."

I don't know how many times I have read this chapter, but missed this verse. I am struck by how direct this statement is from God in regards of our connection to one another. This brings "love each other" into a more powerful light.

I am responsible if I want to be or not for the people around me in some way. I believe that responsibility is to care for the poor, serve, and spread the love of Jesus. I believe I will be judged on whether or not I lived like this. Therefore I am responsible in some sense to those around me, not for their actions but for truly loving them.

Spring Forward

Don’t forget to wind your clock forward an hour this Saturday night. That’s right!!! It’s “daylight savings time!” The weekend we all lose an hour of sleep!

Genesis 8

verse 18, "So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives."

As I read that sentence I realize how powerful God's protective hand is. The entire world, everything living in it, was destroyed by a flood. And yet, this simple, righteous man and his family was saved in this boat.

I have lived through a hurricane and have seen the damage where we lived in-land. I cannot imagine what it would be like on the ocean. I picture this 40-day storm much worse than any hurricane anyone has experienced. But Noah was safe and he was saved through the water.

We aren't saved by the water of baptism, but it is a symbolic act of what God is doing within us to draw us to Him. In a sense I believe that the flood was a symbolic act of baptism to draw all of humanity out of the depths of sin and into the protective arms of God.

Great Quote

Dallas Willard said: "The greatest enemy of intimacy with God is service for God."

Genesis 7

verse 22, "Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died."

This is a painful verse. I believe God's nature is love. I know He sent His Son to die for me because of my sin. I know God's love is perfect because of that one act, let alone all of the other acts of love He has displayed throughout time.

This is a tough verse, but it reminds me that love is not always easy. Doing the next right thing isn't always popular and most of the time it will be criticized. God is not interested in making people happy. He is interested in making people holy.

There was one man and one family that was found to be righteous in God's eyes. They lived - the rest died. I want to be holy. I want to be about the business of my Heavenly Father.

Unpopular

The more I think about places in scripture where there is a break thru, whether it is spiritual or numerical, there is always fallout. People didn't like it when Jesus made a call to discipleship and people didn't like it when Peter preached in Acts and thousands gave their lives to Jesus.

Why should I be surprised when we are obedient to God that it isn't popular?

Reading Together

Starting this morning the staff of Charter Oak Church will be reading Refuel: An Uncomplicated Guide to Connecting with God by Doug Fields.

Doug is the senior youth pastor at Saddleback Community Church. This is his first attempt at writing a non-youth oriented book. I have heard many good things about this book.

We have these six weeks of time leading up to Easter to prepare ourselves for the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is also an extremely busy season for us, more than anything we need to stay connected to God. As a staff, we have been reading the same Bible chapters for over 80 days now. I believe this is the next right thing for us to do to be equipped to become more like Jesus.

I hope and pray you are finding ways to connect with God too.

Genesis 6

verse 22, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him."

The most unbelievable proclamation up to that point in history - God is going to destroy all things living. Not just a little bit or in a little area, but all the earth.

So God has this little conversation with Noah and he is told to build a boat (what's a boat?) because it's going to rain (what's rain?). Noah's reaction is priceless - whatever, whatever God wants he will do just as he is commanded.

That's what I want for my life. I want to do whatever God commands of me. I don't want to question or doubt, I want to be obedient.

Earlier in the chapter it says that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. I want to find favor in God's eyes. I know that comes from years and years of walking with God - moment by moment listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and saying yes. That's how I want to live everyday.