There are advantages to staying awake in church

For one, you can think with your eyes open

Our pastor who is approaching middle middle-age says lots of good get-you-thinking stuff over a range of Biblical and life themes.  Some are central in his message, others passing comments . . .  over the last six months there’s been three bytes on the “order of life and death” – this morning’s is the third one . . . 

• 100% of all people in any cemetery were once alive.

• This week I visited my doctor; he checked my heart and assured me it would work for as long as I live.

• Don’t over celebrate good health, it only means you are dying more slowly than other people.

Cogitating on this morning’s “giveaway”; “Don’t over celebrate good health, it only means you are dying more slowly than other people.” Got me right into ruminating, yet another advantage of staying awake in church . . .

Here’s my “think-train” . . .

1. He’s told us already (constantly and nicely), that belief in and confession of Jesus gives us the gift of eternal life – our soul and spirit will live forever, so it’s life all the way on that one, no work needed here!                                                                   
2. I’m going to die, it a human thing – just a matter of speed and time, so this is not a call-for-faith deal, just how it works.                                                                    
3. Two lives here, well I’m not a cat, so hey, can’t complain; two are better than one – One settled, the other still open, running and can be worked on. It’s a no-brainer, “what am I doing with life #2?” The first one is gained by faith in Jesus; the second one is out-working my faith in and with Jesus. So it’s working to grow and not to gain, that’s how faith and human life works.

Oh, by the way, he used this cool text . . .

 Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department." Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove. - James 2:17-18 (Message Bible)

“So, what did you think last time you were awake in Church?” 

If you weren’t awake . .

• “What did you dream about, which now you are awake, should be outliving by your faith in and with Jesus?”

I know what I’m chewing on, do you?

Working in my study right now – doing deep doctoral type writing; opening my drawer for something, found a “Christmas leftover” . . . 

Yes!!

Then as I was just about to eat this last of the “goodies/candy” from my Christmas stocking, it was so pretty seemed a shame to eat it, but “hey” – that’s what it was made for (sort of its’ destiny) . . . thought, "this is an historical event!!!” . . . This candy has never been eaten before, it’s reincarnation free!!!"

So to record the “passing” had a 68 year old photographer record the event . . . he was “really close to the action” – in more than one way!!!

It’s not a “pretty picture” . . . but it was a yummy one!!!

So, what am I chewing on? It's obvious from the picture - it’s what’s in my mouth. But what's in my mind?

What am I ruminating on?

• By the way, “God only knows is the wrong answer”

What are you ruminating on?

• By the way, “God only knows is still the wrong answer” . . . think about your thinking . . . 

Doing what’s always done isn’t always all bad

Taking a guess here . . . I’m guessing, that like me you’ve more-than-once heard the common “alleged” wisdom-saying . . . 

• “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got”

Such wisdom commonly assumes two things . . .

• What I’m already doing isn’t what I now require
• Changes only come when I change my methods or life activities

My Christian pilgrimage, a fifty-eight year journey so far (by the way - I’m older than the journey) contains an “always-done-that element” . . . a daily spiritual discipline.

I’m referring to the generalized evangelical discipleship practice of observing a daily routine of bible reading, prayer, reflection/meditation which may include the spiritual discipline of journaling; the bible reading element is frequently supported by published “reading support notes.” The common expectation is the timing of one’s daily devotions will be observed in the morning, often before breakfast, employment, or other larger responsibilities. This practice is also referred to as, “daily devotions” or “quiet time.”

I’m chewing over the thought how life’s a whole lot more than just doing things; it’s also remembering why the things I’m doing are being done. So I’m not just asking “what am I doing?”  I’m asking myself – “why am I doing this?”

Now, in thinking about my daily spiritual discipline  . . .

“Always doing what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got” – equals, time and opportunity for refreshing the journey with Jesus  . . .

“Now why should I change that?”

Renew YES – change NO!

Learning and leading in leadership is lifelong

In what seems like a former lifetime I managed an urban supermarket for a major chain of stores. It was there a concept first dawned on me, “management is task, leadership the means of effective operation.” Not merely to exercise a role of leadership; but to create and foster mission-structured community which produces continuous leadership. I was not just there as store manager; I was functionally there as leadership-force in mission-structured community. The store was not a mere organization it was a functional organism sort of “organic” before its time; with three key aspects in its organic-mix; leadership, community, and structure. Forty years ago next month that lifetime ended.

Been thinking; “so what have I been doing the last forty years?”

Answer - same old, same old.  Still learning, living, and leading what I learned, lived, and led in back then; or should I say from and since then. Not for a national chain of stores, but within and through an international, trans-cultural mission-structured community – you guessed it (I hope) the church as God’s Kingdom mission structured community; the only truly global organism operating a continuous production of leadership. 

The continuity of leadership is a product of healthy community structure and function. Methinks the very nature of the church as community produces, responds to, and ensures the continuity of fresh or new leadership.

I’ve been ruminating on some organic codes of belief for church leadership continuity. . .

• Existing leaders equip, enable, or facilitate the growth of community
• The church as nurturing community arises from the self-structuring of the Spirit’s work within a group of related persons
• Life and growing lessons of ministry are experienced and passed on through the church community
•  Leaders beget other leaders through equipping in the environment of community
•  Leadership formation is proactive function in the community as context of ministry formation
•  The continuity of leadership is a natural-product of healthy community structure and function.

“So JCD, your thoughts on what you will do with the next forty years?” 

Answer - well as I would be turning one hundred and eight at the end of that period, best I focus on this week and the next. I anticipate to be still learning, living, and leading what I’m learning, living, and leading in today and my tomorrows. Still hear the challenge to Tim . . .

“So, my man, throw yourself into this work for Jesus. Pass on what you heard —the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others.”                                         II Timothy 2:1-2 (Message/DPV)

Read the author’s heart first, then their words

Reading is part of life; it’s a major aspect of my life. 

I read cerebral stuff, devotional stuff, informational stuff, and ... well, I read all sorts of stuff.

Reading and thinking are connected.  Sometimes I read first, think second; other times think first then read. This week I’ve been reading about thinking, so stopped to ruminate about reading.

As well as reading the thinking (cognitive processing theory) stuff, read some old stuff.  Just read Thomas A’Kempis’s fifth chapter “About reading the holy writings.”  In it he highlights to me the “normal human danger” of being influenced by the academic status of others, how through curiosity and ego we try to master difficulties of comprehension, rather than being inspired by simplicity, humility and applying faith. 

Here’s my chew on “faith or spiritual formation reading” . . .

“When you read, read for the author’s heart, before you seek to analyse their head.   Consider that the author, no matter how intellectually developed they are, wrote from heart before head.  Their head served their heart as they sought to capture and communicate authentic and actualised faith.” 

I think I have this one “dynamically right” but I should never assume I have the essence of A‘Kempis’ warning, “statically-historically right.”  Reading right is an ongoing developmental discipline, not achieved competency.

Heart first, words second.

A good recipe needs Ingredients . . . before it requires Method

In devotional life and practices Bible reading and praying are common ingredients. They are important. Though as important as reading the Bible and praying are, a refreshing devotional practice calls for more elements and diversities within our accepted spiritual observances. Devotional life practice has range in ingredients, and an even greater range in methods/recipes or spiritual disciplines ... not unlike the time honoured customs of home-cooking.

A clear memory of growing up as a “hollow-legged” boy in the forties was food.   There was always a good supply of the stuff.  The greater variety things eaten in our household were either grown (or caught) by dad or baked at home by mum.   Eating in our household was not merely consuming, that was the last matter – along with strict table etiquette; I grew an understanding, “great meals prepared from good recipes always start with right ingredients.”  So what’s the range of ingredients and recipes that make for refreshing devotional practice?

Well, for starters in biblical and Christian history there’s four recurring ingredients; 1) reading of Scripture, 2) prayer and praying, 3) meditation or ruminating on your reading, and 4) active responsiveness towards God. 

Then there’s the great range of methods/recipes or spiritual disciplines to consider, such as; Bible Study, breath prayer, celebration, centering prayer, confession, contemplation, conversational prayer, devotional reading of Christian classics, examen prayer, fasting,  fellowship, gratitude, intercessory prayer, journaling, lectio divina, memorization, practicing the presence, self examination, service, silence, simplicity, solitude, submission, theological reflection, and worship.

“So JCD, where do I start?”   Simple, get the right ingredients first, then the possibilities of developing a range of good recipes . . . “bon appétit.”

There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. 
Otherwise how will we find our way? 
Or know when we play the fool? 
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! 
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; 
then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. 
These are the words in my mouth; 
these are what I chew on and pray. 
Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, 
O God, my Altar-Rock, 
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

Psalm 19:11-14 (Message Bible)

I’m not double-minded, like you, I’m two-minded

As a human you and I have "two minds" .... one between our ears, and another between our ribs ... in life situations we usually use one-before-the-other ... which one did you use first today? 

The challenge is how to use both in varying order - not how to keep one of them in pristine condition!