I like writing for many reasons.  One of the reasons I like writing in my journal is that I don’t have to follow any particular structure.  I write in first, second, and third person – and it’s quite possible that it’s all in the same sentence.  I admit it’s a bit unconventional, but that’s what I like about it. I’ve never been very good with grammar and sentence structure.  So it doesn’t always read very well.  It’s probably akin to more of the way I talk. . .and yes, that can be confusing at times.

Side note:  OK, I have to ask, how many of actually speak the way things are written?  If you’re from the south, not many!  Let’s just name it and claim it! Testify y’all!

My journal is just a conglomeration of me being me! It’s a collection of thoughts, struggles, time with God, notes, and just about anything that comes to mind. There’s pictures I’ve drawn of how I feel or what God has impressed upon me.  You would also find a process, or two, that I’ve been working through, complete with arrows, boxes, notes,  and scribbles.  Within the covers of my journal there are my quiet time discoveries and the testaments to some my greatest theological wrestling matches.  In there is where I vent about life.  And it’s  the launching pad of a thousand dreams.

I keep thinking about what I could do with that?  How could  God use something like the love of unconventional writing?  I could blog – that’s what you’re reading now.  I’ve been doing that off and on for several years now.  My other two blogs are:

1. In the Midst of the Valley – It’s my journey/story of loosing my first wife, Karen, to cancer
2. Soakin’ Up Life at a 100 mph – This is my  “whatever is on my mind” blog – that ought to tell you a lot

I’m still  trying to figure this one out.  Maybe it’s just an outlet for all that rumbles around inside this warehouse of body and mind.  Then again, what if God wants to use it somehow.  I wonder how He would do that and what shape it would take?  Like I said, I’m still working on it.  It’s smoldering.

But what about you?  What do you like to do?  And what if. . .what if you allowed God access to that like?  What would it look like for you?  What if you could do what you like to do and do it for God?

Just something to think about.

Mike

I think there’s some truth in his comment.  I think that we think it’s the structure – creating and filling leadership positions, developing accountability groups, setting the expectations, etc. – that does grow an organization.  Don’t get me wrong.  I think that these are important and necessary to a point.  If we don’t create a place to serve and invite people to serve out of their passion and giftedness in these areas you have to ask yourself, “Will it get done?” I often wonder about who’s doing what?  What are the expectations of the organization?  Where’s it going?  How will people know if they are really doing what’s needed?  OK, you get the idea.  Please remember, I’m a process guy.   I developed them in the corporate world and I still develop them now.

But let me throw this monkey wrench in the mix,  isn’t it people that grow an organization, especially an organization like Sunday School or small groups?  Isn’t it people who love people, love God, and have a passion for their community that grows an organization. . .that grows a ministry?

We do need structure and expectations.  But I also believe we can become so caught up in building and maintaining the structure that we really miss the heart of the matter. . .people. . .reaching them and discipling them.

What do you think?

So, I’m back.  Thanks for waiting.

Mike

In Numbers 13:30 & 14:6-9 we get a full-blown, unobstructed view of what it looks like to pick up our sword and fight for our King.

13:30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

14:6-9 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Hope you didn’t miss it, but in case you did let me help. First, Caleb stood against his peers. These weren’t run of the mill Israelites (if there is such a thing). These were leaders from the 12 tribes of Judah – hand picked by Moses himself. These were men of esteem, men of wisdom, men who could be trusted. But when they saw the people of Canaan, they gave in to their fears and gave the people of Israel a bad report and eventually persuaded the Israelites to rebel against Moses and ultimately God. Then Joshua steps up. I love it. With confidence to spare – not in himself, but in his God – he tells the people that they should go up and take the land – take possession of it. As in, it will be ours, not theirs. As in, we will overcome whatever and whoever is in our way. As in, we shouldn’t care who owns the land now, we CAN do it! His entire report is the complete opposite of these men of renown.

Then Caleb stands against the people. When only two guys – Moses and Aaron – are hurt by the people’s rebellious attitude, Caleb, along with Joshua, join them. He stands when no one else will. He stands for God and against an entire nation. Now this is what it looks like to take up your sword and fight for the heart of your King when all those around you are running. Why were they running from their inheritance? One word – FEAR! But Caleb didn’t give in to fear. He didn’t give in because he didn’t see giants he saw God. Caleb knew and trusted God’s power – his ability – to overcome the giants of the land flowing with milk and honey. He didn’t give in to his fears – I don’t even know if he was afraid. Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn’t any different than ten of the other men that went on that trip. Maybe he wasn’t any different than me and you. Maybe. . .Then again, Caleb also knew of the incredible power of God. Instead of seeing giants he saw God. He saw the God of deliverance – the God that brought them out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. He saw the God who goes with us – and provides for our needs just like He provided food, meat, and water for the Israelites throughout their journey. He saw the God of protection. He saw God!

So how do you get to this point in your life with God. That’s a great question. In Joshua 14:9 and 13-14 we get a hint of what it takes. Joshua is dolling out the land to each of the tribes and Caleb comes to Joshua to collect his inheritance. Read these words.

9 That was the day that Moses solemnly promised, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance, you and your children’s, forever. Yes, you have lived totally for God.’

13-14 Joshua blessed him. He gave Hebron to Caleb son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Hebron belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite still today, because he gave himself totally to God, the God of Israel.

Twice during Caleb’s conversation with Joshua he is referred to as a man who gave himself totally to God. Want to be a Caleb? Want to get past your fears? What to overcome the giants in your life? Want to see God in your situations? Do what Caleb had learned to do – give yourself totally to God. Don’t hold anything back. It doesn’t matter what you think you must have control of – turn it over to God. This is what it looks like when we come under the LORDship of God. This is what is looks like when we place ourselves under God’s authority.
Caleb, what a man! A man of vision – for he saw God instead of his fears. A man of God – he gave himself totally to God.

What about you? What are your fears? What are the giants in your life? What’s getting in your way of seeing God – protector, deliverer, provider, King of heaven and earth? What’s keeping you from giving yourself totally to God today. Do you want to see God instead of your giants?
Take some time to list your fears. . .to answer the hard questions. Ask your wife. She’ll definitely let you know. Ask other godly men who know you and your heart. Then open yourself up to God. Confess those fears and ask God show Himself afresh to you right now.

Me – my giant is trusting God to provide. It’s such a giant in my life right now that I can’t see the God who has, time and time again, provided for my every need. I weep at times because of my lack of faith. My fear shoves me into the closet so I can’t be used of God. I’m working through this with God as I write this. I want to fight for the heart of my King and to be a man with a heart for God! Join me!!

So. . .here we have this young man and this very young woman in a legally binding relationship and he finds out she’s pregnant. I don’t know about you, but someone would be coming up with some answers pretty quick. And a divorce decree would be the least of anyone’s worries. Needless to say, I would be a bit emotional about the whole situation. Given their situation there would be disgrace, shame, guilt, and a whole host of emotions and perspectives placed upon the two families, especially Mary’s family.
What does Joseph do? He first decides to quietly divorce her. He was going to do the “right” thing according to the law, but he was going to respect her and do it quietly. He wasn’t going to make a big stink about it. He wasn’t going embarrass her anymore than she and her family had already been embarrassed. Then he’s visited by an angel of the Lord in a dream who tells him everything and tells him to take her as his wife. So what does this young man of God do? He wakes from his nap and immediately goes to Mary’s house. He receives her as his wife and takes her to their home – to love her, care for her, lead her, and treat her as his own. Not only that, but he doesn’t have sex with her until after Jesus is born. OK – I can see the caring, leading, loving part, but the no sex until after the baby’s born? Come on!! This guy is way more man than I am. Part of the reason I got married was to have sex!! Anyone out there with me? Or am I the only sap who will admit that the whole ” ’till death do you part” went in one ear and out the other because I was thinking, “let’s get on with it and get to the wedding night festivities!”? Any man denying they weren’t thinking about their wedding night is either so spiritual I can’t relate to him or lying.

Anyway. . .let’s give it up for Joseph! Not only did he display incredible manhood for taking Mary to be his wife and treating her as his own, but for respecting what God was doing in and through her that he waited until Jesus was born to consummate their marriage.

Joseph. . here’s to you!