Spiritual Leadership

Last night in my Wednesday class we wrapped up a series titled, "A Journey of Faith" We spent the bulk of our time in 1 Peter during this 7 week series (5 weeks in 1 Peter). Specifically, in Peter's letter we looked at the five times Peter tells his readers, "You have been 'called to'..._______" As we looked at being called to "Eternal glory in Christ" last night, we also looked at spiritual leadership and the lack of it in today's society, the homes and even in the church. While our currently leaders are getting older, there have not been any to replace or join and learn from the current spiritual leadership to take the baton further for the Kingdom's sake. We saw in 1 Peter 5 that there are 5 things Peter points out that consists of healthy spiritual leadership. The list in not a complete list to check off but a list to look for and long to be if I (you) am (are) a leader spiritually. Healthy spiritual leaders are: 1. Willing [v. 2] 2. Eager to serve [v. 3] 3. Examples (of holiness) [v. 3] 4. Humble [vs. 5-6]< 5. Self-Contolled [v. 8] 6. Alert [v. 8] 7. Resisting evil (and the devil) [v. 9] and last but not least 8. Stand firm in the faith. [v. 9]. The churches need to place signs outside our buildings that call for spiritual leaders to come in and lead. Tagged to this sign needs to be a warning post as well: Very dangerous to your overall health: mind, body and soul! Do you see a lack in spiritual leadership? What do you think you should do about it? NOTE: Spiritual leadership is not about a title, but a lifestyle. Maybe that is part of the problem - too many people want a title in order to be exempt from true leadership - servanthood! Any thoughts?

Daniel Fast Break!!!

For 21 days I have eaten nothing but vegetable, fruit, nuts and whole grain wheat and adding nothing but water to drink. I am honestly amazed at how much has changed. Now I am not talking about my physical body, though I have lost 10 lbs. I am talking about the perspective on life, food and God! Last night here at FC3, we had a celebration which included: a time of worship, several testimonies and fellowship with our favorite Daniel Fast Food. I think a first meal where the desert consisted of the same as the meal - no sugar. LOL. I was generously blessed by the stories of FC3 parnters who shared their experience and lessons from God with us all. Some healings took place, and definitely some changes in all who participated. Relationships healed. Many for the first time or first in a long time - heard from God on specific areas of struggle. God is so good, too often we don't notice because we fail to stop and listen and spend time with HIM. I said this last night, I will say it again, I am so very thankful for my FC# brothers and sisters. God has allowed us to grow together, love together and live together. May we all continue to press on towards the goal, our prize, eternity with the Father while we wait and live in HIS presence moment by moment. May God bless you all, all for HIS glory!

Day 18 of 21

Happy Valentines Day! It has come down to 3 days left (after today that is)! I am very thankful for the opportunity that I have had to participate in the fast. I know I won't be able to blog again until day 22 - the day of breaking the fast! I do think that this has shown me how much I really don't need when it comes to food. As far as coffee is concerned, I will drink again but most likely will drink decaffeinated. I am not going to be legalistic with it and avoid caffeine, but definitely drink it in moderation. I think my choices of food will have more options now as well. Who would have ever thought that I would be one to eat more healthy. I recognize very much how junk fills my life on the inside. I want to honor HIM with my body - better. I am very thankful for my older two kids and their going through this with Bettina and I. I am very very proud of them. I know that the journey was not an easy one, but sacrifice was never meant to be easy. They continue to amaze me at how far they are in their maturity than I was at their age. Praise the Lord, for HE is good, HIS love endures forever!!! God Bless.

Day 17 of 21! Almost there...

Wow! That is such a cheap way to explain how I feel. But words escape me. I feel as though God is teaching me so much during this fast. I really recongize little time I truly take to listen to HIM. God is a VERY communicating God, so why do I so often forget to stop and listen. A few big things that have come to me through listening and reading HIS Word. One came last week as I prepared for my Wednesday night class. We are currently studying the five times the word "called" appears in the letter of 1 Peter. We specifically looked at "Called to suffer" from 1 Peter 2:20-21. I saw three things in this text that we powerful for me! Of course those of you who know me know I teach from what God speaks to my heart, thinkgs I need to hear and areas I need to grow in. The three things were what I think every new disciple should be challenged with. They are brilliant. They are needed. First, I need to love everyone WITHOUT JUDGING THEM. Second, I need to DO GOOD EVERYWHERE I GO. ("do good" appears 7 times in 1 Peter and 6 times in Titus!) Last but not least I need to SUBMIT WHERE IT IS EXPECTED AND WANTED. This is what I think the beginning process of becoming a holy disicple looks like. Think about it. How does the church treat peope who struggle with sins such as these: homosexuality, pornography, pedophilia, adultery, etx. Often we treat them as leper of today. How would Jesus was HIS followers to treat them? Just as HE did. Peter calls us to "follow in HIS steps". W.W.J.D.! Jesus wants us to love without judging, do good everywhere in everything, and submit where needed an expected. You know what I think? That'll preach! May God continue to bless all disciples of Jesus.

Day 15 of 21 - The Home Stretch!

Well, another weekend has passed and we are in the final stretch of this Daniel Fast. I must say, it is very tempting to just think about the food. But some incredible things have happened along the way. FC3 partners are experincing great things. I hope to hear about many more this coming Sunday night. We are having a Daniel Fast Celebration. All those in the Fast are bringing their favorite Daniel Fast Dish to share. We will have celebration and worship and testimonies about what we have seen God do and what we have heard from HIM. I am thankful to HIm for the endurance for my kids, my wife and myself. HE continues to prove that HE is a provider even when things look dreary! Thank you Father, for the many good things you have done in my life both in the past and in the recent past and present. I am confident that you love me and will continue to do good thingks for me in the future!

Day 11 of 21!

Wow! We are over half way there. What a journey this has been! The difficult times still arise. For example, yesterday and today I was at the hospital and was surrounded by people eating while I was hungry. Then I had to drive 45 minutes home to get lunch. The smell of good food is a killer at times. When I got home today at 1:00, Bettina had just finished making brownies for the basketball refs at tonight tournament. I had the great privilege of delievering them. God is good and I stuck to the Daniel Fast. Great things are happening all over FC3 partners. We are hearing and seeing God do amazing things. All praise to HIM. Thank you Lord for you great mercy and grace!

Day 8 of 21!

What a great weekend! The Daniel Fast is going pretty good. There have been a few hiccups though. For example, last night I was at a Superbowl party - and I GOT to eat fruits and drink water when normally I would have been pigging out! :) But what is refreshing about it is I was not going it alone. I am thankful for my many friends in Christ who are on this journey with me. It would be much harder to do otherwise. Our Worship time yesterday was awesome. I could really sense God's presence. Being off of coffee, I was worried about having enought energy to preach, but how quickly I had forgotten who my provider was. HE was faithful once again. Praise the God of energy! Praise HIM for HIS love endures forever! I march on because of Jesus. I am excited about each new day along this journey.