Word to a Ministry Superstar

So before we get too far, I need you to forgive me. Forgive me, because I don’t have the guts to say this to your face.Forgive me, because my brain all to often locks on to something with such a veracious stranglehold that I just can’t let it go.Forgive me because I am going to make what should be a private conversation public, hopefully without giving up your identity.

I won't give you up..I promise.You are a star on the rise.You’re being heralded and bandied about as one of the next greats. You’re name has been scrawled on many district, special event, revival speakers list throughout the world. You are a powerful personality, to call you a merely a speaker or preacher would not do your impact justice. You my friend are a force. A human ball of energy that is rapidly gaining momentum like the currents of the Colorado River. Soon your ministry will be a froth of whirling whiteheads with unmistakable tow. Many will be caught in “your” vortex and their lives will be changed…. For the better. Forever.Yet you are headed for shipwreck.

Arrogant of me, I know. I haven’t even spent an entire day with you, but through some all too personal experiences coupled with observation, this is getting too painful to watch. Again, Painful and Personal. My star never has shown as brightly as yours, but at one time it was bright enough. At one point I had it all. Look at the list : Pretty wife? Check. Picture perfect family? Check. Beautiful home? Check. Sizable income? Check. Nice Church? Check. I traveled; I spoke at camps, conventions, special revivals. I was gathering momentum as a Pastor, a leader, a youth president. All was good. My back hurt from so many people patting it, My hair was a tangled a mess from all the “hair shakes” of approval from those I looked up to and loved. It was all good, until I forgot what it was all about. When’s the last time you heard a preacher say, I screwed up? You just did.

Warning; it is going to get uncomfortable. Every great life comes to a crossroads of crisis and in the crisis there is a choice that must be made and in that choice one is squeezed in the crucible of character. If you are not at this point in your journey just yet, it is somewhere on your map. Trust me. First of all I don't think you are evil. I believe wholeheartedly your intentions are nothing but honorable. In your heart you are doing everything for the Kingdom. I would even venture a guess that in your mind, you're not doing enough, not enough have been saved, not enough lives have been impacted. You are going where the doors are opening, because you were taught every open door must be God, yet while you fill-up your schedule with ministry what really matters is left with little time.

OK heavy and preachy I know , but let me add this;In the end how many people you preach to isn't gonna matter, how big your church or ministry is won't even be given special consideration................. at ALL.When your time in the spotlight is past, your day in the sun turns to evening you are going to want your wife and kids by your side. You are going to want to look at yourself in the mirror and be able to say "I put God first, My wife second, my kids two A and the ministry third. Right now your unaware just how close you are to heartbreak. While you work (preach)for a living and leave them behind you are justifying in your mind "they have to understand .......this is Kingdom stuff " and you are opening the door for the enemy and his home wrecking strategies.

Lets be honest, preaching is a serious job and as preachers we (should) carry a heavy burden for the souls of men and women. People who do not have this calling , cannot grasp its full weight.Yet it also has tremendous perks. Time, freedom, esteem, purpose, fulfillment. When we are engaged in the actual work we are never alone. We are surrounded by support and those who admire us and look to us. As a pentecostal preacher you have your own cheering section every night! Now add the fellowship, eating out, the golf, the shopping, the other things that come with it ( Come on its not all praying and fasting)and you have a enviable lifestyle.

When is the last time your wife got to fully participate in that. I honestly believe that there isn't a lonelier spot in the church than being a ministers wife. High expectations with little credit. High scrutiny with minimal tolerance. Pressure without the satisfaction.Now add that she sees you very little, while your finding your fulfillment in your ministry. Where is she finding hers? Hopefully you are not counting on the kids and raising them to be all she needs, because someday my friend it will be just the two of you. If she is involved in her own ministry wonderful support her and encourage her, but it won't take the place of her husband.Does she know that she is still the love of your life and that you will do anything to reinforce and cultivate that love as your highest priority? Does she sense you respect her and that she isn't just the little lady you come home to?Look, right now she is proud of you still, she is telling you to "go for it!" She is extremely proud to be your wife, but no matter what she says, she still wants to be cherished. She wants to know that she matters more than anyone else. She will need you to prove it not just say it.

And your kids? Your kids would rather have a daddy who is there, then a daddy who is superstar. Bottom line.Trust me, I know what it is like to wake up to a cruel reality. I was certain, sure, in control and had life all figured out. I was under the impression that I was a decent husband and that "we" were in this together, only to find out that while I was focused on succeeding in ministry / life I was failing at my marriage. I just wasn't awake. I am not asking for your sympathy, I am asking, for your attention.

Please ask your self the hard questions, challenge yourself to do the right thing. I know this could be construed as "Chicken Little" theology, maybe my impressions are wrong. Maybe I simply projected my painful past on to you. Maybe I am in the Holy Ghost.I have spent the past three years putting the pieces of my life back together and it hasn't been easy or technically fun. Yet, by the grace of God I am operating in a wholeness I never had before. I see ever so clearly what really matters.Thankfully for me, I have four kids to daily ( even though I only see them every other week) pour out my love on, to prove that I am a changed man. I have four blessings to connect with and nurture. I have friends who encourage me to find my ministry stride, get going full-time again but frankly it won't happen unless I can satisfy the deep needs of my kids first!

I was talking to my youngest son the other day, I mentioned I had to spend to a few more hours working that night because I needed to make some extra money. His reply was in his "shy" voice " I like the extra money but I don't like less daddy"Come on,Clean something off your schedule, cancel a meeting or two. Dedicate to being a husband and a dad. God will honor that commitment.

I am telling you it won't hurt your ministry to say "no" every once in awhile. Sometimes you gotta just put everyone and their needs aside to meet hers and the kids.Then and only then will you be a true superstar.

(this article was posted by a friend, Kevin Knudsen, on Facebook)

Buzzards, Bats, & Bumblebees

The following is from an email sent to me from a friend.

Sorry, I can't give credit to the author as I don't know where it originated from.

THE BUZZARD:

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT:

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painful ly, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up.

Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, But faith looks up!

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our Creator who loves us.

Powerful Example!

Oxford and Cambridge have now decided to remove the words

CAN'T and IMPOSSIBLE from their dictionary.

Jessica Cox, 25, a girl born without arms, stands inside an aircraft. The girl from Tucson, Arizona, got the Sport Pilot certificate lately and became the first pilot licensed to fly using only her feet.

Jessica was born without arms, but that has only stopped her from doing one thing: Using the word 'cant.'

Her latest flight into the seemingly impossible is becoming the first pilot licensed to fly using only her feet.

With one foot manning the controls and the other delicately guiding the steering column, Cox soared to achieve a Sport Pilot certificate. Her certificate qualifies her to fly a light-sport aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet.

'She's a good pilot. She's rock solid,' said Parrish Traweek, 42, the flying instructor at San Manuel's Ray Blair Airport.

Parrish Traweek runs PC Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Services and has trained many pilots, some of whom didn't come close to Cox's abilities.

'When she came up here driving a car,' Traweek recalled, 'I knew she'd have no problem flying a plane.'

Doctors never learned why she was born without arms, but she figured out early on that she didn't want to use prosthetic devices.

Jessica Cox, 25, earned a license to fly airplanes on October 10, 2008. Jessica also has two black belts in Tae Kwan-Do, a college degree in Psychology, and a thriving career as a motivational speaker. What doesn't Jessica Cox have? Arms. A bilateral congenital limb deficiency doesn't stop Ms. Cox from achieving and surpassing her goals. From birth on, her feet became her hands. She can drive a car, type 25 words per minute, and fly an airplane using her feet, without any special adaptations. She is the first woman without arms to earn a license to fly. 'I highly encourage people with disabilities to consider flying,' Cox said. 'It helps reverse the stereotype that people with disabilities are powerless into the belief that they are powerful and capable of setting high goals and achieving them. Jessica earned her Sport Pilot certificate after training with Able Flight, a North Carolina flight training company that specializes in helping people with disabilities learn to fly. Ms. Cox won an Able Flight scholarship and was able to train with instructor Parrish Traweek free of charge.

"LUV" one another!

Ever have to deal with someone who seemed impossible to convince even though you KNEW you were right? The following clip expresses this quite well:





Ever feel this way in your relationships? Your marriage? With your kids? People at work? At church? You're not alone!

Try this technique: Learn to "LUV" that person.

"LUV" is an acronym for L - listen U - understand V - validate

First, really listen to the person. Give them time to express their viewpoint. The try to understand their perspective. See if there is validity to what they're saying. Then validate them by expressing the fact that you've heard them and understand what they're saying.

An example of this is something that we've all experienced at some point, the drive-through window at a fast-food restaurant. Look at what takes place when you pull up to a McDonalds window.

"Welcome to McDonalds. May I take your order?"

"Yes. I'd like a Big Mac, small fries, and diet-coke."

"Would you like to super-size that?" (I had to add that. ;) )

"No, thanks."

"Ok, just to confirm. You ordered a Big Mac, small fries, and a diet-coke."

"Correct."

"That will be $5.82 at the next window. Thank you for coming to McDonalds today!"

Folks, they have the "LUV" down pat! They listened, understood, and validated. By repeating the order back correctly, they showed they heard you, clearly understood you, and validated you by giving you exactly what you wanted even though they "suggested" more. They did not look you over and insist you go with the McSalad instead! No, they understood what you wanted and were able to provide that for you.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you must always give in to the opposing person's viewpoint. Simply knowing that you've heard their viewpoint is often enough. For instance, when they verbalize their opinion, you are not over-talking them; you are genuinely listening. Then you show them you understand where they are coming from and validating that opinion by repeating what they said back to them. Often times what will happen is they will hear what they have said from you and either realize that it may be incorrect on their part or how you understood it is incorrect. Either way, you've narrowed the distance between your opinions.

If, after attempting to show them "LUV", there is still a vast disagreement, at least you've greatly decreased the possibility of hostility between you and them. "This is My commandment, that you LUV one another." Give it a try! I'm sure you'll have the opportunity to do so!

Broken Vessels

“I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.” Psalm 31:12

God wants what’s best for you…He wants to do something great in and with and through your life.

Someone once said, “Before God can use a man greatly, He must wound him deeply.”

“Before you can bless, you must bleed; before you can help, you must first hurt.”

Oswald Chambers was right when he said, “If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed—you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.”

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” II Corinthians 4:17

There is a clear pattern in the Bible that teaches us that brokenness precedes greatness:

1. Before Abraham became the father of many nations, he and Sarah were childless.
2. Before Jacob could be blessed, he was wounded by angel in a wrestling match.
3. Before Joseph ruled Egypt, he was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and falsely imprisoned.
4. Before Job’s estate was doubled, he lost everything he had, including his family, his fortune, and his future.
5. Before Moses became the great deliverer, he lost his position, his possessions, and his popularity.
6. Before Joshua conquered the Promised Land, he went through the wilderness.
7. Before Samson crushed the Philistines, he was blinded, bound, and mocked.
8. Before David became king, he was renounced by his family, ridiculed by his foes, and rejected by his friends.
9. Before Daniel could be used mightily, he had to spend the night in the lion’s den.
10. Before Hosea became a powerful spokesman for God, his wife betrayed him and returned to prostitution.
11. Before Peter preached 3,000 souls into the kingdom, he denied his Savior three times and went out and wept bitterly.
12. Before Paul brought the gospel to the Gentiles, he was blinded on the Damascus road.

Watchman Nee said, “Our spirit is released according to the degree of our brokenness. The one who has accepted the most discipline is the one who can best serve. The more one is broken, the more sensitive he is.”

Oswald Chambers commented, "When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship—when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us."

Sometimes God sees that our life is a mess and He breaks us so that He can remake us.

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” Jeremiah 18:4

The songwriter expressed the proper attitude we should have during the times when we are broken:

Have Thine own way, Lord.
Have Thine own way.
Thou art the Potter,
I am the clay.

Mold me and make me
After Thy will.
While I am waiting,
Yielded and still.

The Potter is able to mend the broken vessel and use it for His own purposes and pleasure!

The following is a poem written by Joan Clifton Costner:

It’s titled, “The Broken Harp”.

In the corner, of the basement,
Stood a cobweb covered harp.
Broken now and so forsaken,
There it stood back in the dark.

No one, in the little village,
Could repair the harp again.
And, you’d never guess the music ~
Or the places it had been.

Came a ragged man a beggin’
For a place out of the cold,
He was bent and slightly limpin’.
He was lookin’ frail and old.

So, the houseman gave permission.
He could sleep upon the floor
Of the basement, where was kept
The harp - with melody no more.

Soon, the house was filled with music!
’Twas as sweet as angels bring.
And, the household came a-runnin’,
Just to see the vibrant strings!

Dusted now, it stood in beauty.
Every web was cleared away.
And, the ragged man was singing
Very softly as he played.

In his song, he told the story
How he’d made that harp, when new.
Since he’d made its first beginning,
Fixing wasn’t hard to do.

Dear friend, if you are needing
Just a touch from God above,
Just remember Who has made you.
He can "fix" you with His love.

He can fill the empty corners
Of your heart with song anew.
He can take each day and make
A special melody for you!

He can fix the broken pieces,
Better even than before,
And open wide the storehouse
Of His blessing evermore!

Although not a BONE of our Lord was broken, when the Lord was crucified and bore our sins in His body, the Bible describes His body as being broken:

“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24

Our Lord was broken, but through His brokenness, the greatest blessing of them all –salvation, was made available for you and me.

My friend, you may be broken today. I’m not denying that. What I am denying is that you’re being hope, beyond usefulness to God, or beyond value in His kingdom. It’s not you or me who does the mending … it’s Him. You just need to allow Him to heal and mold you anyway He sees fit. May God bless you!

Resilience in the Face of Life's Hurricanes

When Janet Perez was twelve years old, she and her family left La Paz, Bolivia, to come to the United States. She now lives in Florida with her husband Gene Eckles. Two sons live nearby, and one son "lives in the glory of heaven," as she phrases it. In her thirties Janet lost her vision due to retinitis pigmentosa. "I've found that life is not about what you cannot do because of circumstances out of your control," she says. "Success comes when you recognize what you can do with what God has given you. The deepest desire of my heart is to serve Christ and to be an inspiration to others. I apply this principle as I begin each day. Some might think that because I'm blind, I wake up each morning and sink my feet into a cold bucket of self-pity. It's quite the opposite. Being aware of all the blessings around me warms my heart with gratitude."
Janet shares with us her perspective on facing "hurricanes that shake the foundations of our world."

Gems of Wisdom from the Hurricanes of Life
by Janet Perez Eckles

Life's events can take us through rough waters, sudden storms, or periods of calm seas. I've experienced them all. And when rating the intensity of storms, my blindness wasn't the worst. But really, do emotional storms have ratings? They all hurt, they all jolt us, and they all cause us to rethink our lives. In my case, these storms propelled me to a higher place. Actually, it's a good place--where the view is clear enough to see God, the Captain in control.

When hurricanes shook the foundation of my world, I threw my arms around the pillar of God's Word. And while fierce winds blasted my face and thunder roared above, nothing could pry me away from holding on to His promises. Then when dark clouds parted and winds died down, I dusted off emotional debris. To my delight, gems of wisdom shone through--gems that had fallen in the midst of the pouring rain. Here are some I collected in the pocket of my heart:

Trust in feelings and emotions, and your path will not be sound; trust in God and God alone, and you'll walk on solid ground.

We know defeat when our feet refuse to step out of the puddle of discouragement.

Pain is like a bucket of water. The longer we hold onto it, the heavier it gets.

More effective than sleeping pills is slipping gratitude into our thoughts.

Forgiveness opens the door to freedom.

Turmoil can boil only when fueled by worry.

Focus not on the real estate you hold but on the One who holds the real state of your destiny.

The green of envy highlights our worst features.

Life tastes better when seasoned with kind words.

Constant work may bring results; but work blended with commitment to God's Word results in sweet peace.

Patience is the muscle that strengthens the soul.

We know compassion only when love is our passion.

Anger visits places where fear dwells.

We miss the beauty ahead when gazing into the rearview mirror of life.

Broken plans are often God's divine detours.

Resentment clogs the pipeline of peace.

A positive attitude is the passport to places where others don't get to travel.

No matter what conditions, circumstances, or cares blow your way; no matter how vehemently you may deny it, God, the Captain of your destiny, has each moment planned, each day designed, and each moment orchestrated by His skillful hand.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, help me trust in You at all times, even during life's storms. And when I'm discouraged, remind me of the many blessings You have already given me. Amen.

© 2008 by Janet Perez Eckles, “Faith and Love with Latin Flair.” Reprinted with permission.

Below is a quick review of the above author's book.

Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow
By Janet Perez Eckles

Without being "preachy," Jan Eckles shares how faith and focus can overcome tremendous sorrow and adversity. She has obviously learned to turn handicap to advantage and has a bright way of expressing herself through quiet humor. She shared her journey from the culturally shocked naiveté of a young immigrant girl, through the torment of total blindness, to devastating loss, to ultimate triumph. It isn't a long read, but one that is worth revisiting whenever a heart-lift is in order.

Christianity Like It Was Meant To Be

Once upon a time, deep in the heart of the Treasure Valley, lived a family of squirrels. Sheltered in the strong branches of a giant oak tree, they enjoyed the “good life”, gladly sharing a plentiful supply of acorns and a fresh- water spring. Although gathering food took a great deal of work and enduring the winters was difficult, these happy critters had a sense that this was how things ought to be.

One spring morning these country squirrels were awakened by the screaming of chain saws and the rumblings of a bulldozer. It seems a visionary developer had devised a plan that would bring "improvements" to the area. Architects had designed a huge mall that would surround the great oak, incorporating it into a beautiful courtyard which would be covered with enormous skylights.

The building process was unsettling at first, but soon they became accustomed to commotion and, eventually, adjusted to the many changes. Now the climate was milder, the food was different, and they had much less interaction with nature. Their beloved acorns were regularly swept up and disposed of, but now there was caramel corn, salted peanuts and milkshakes a-plenty. And, the trash bins were gold mines!

Years passed. Now, younger squirrels rolled their eyes as grandma and grandpa squirrel chattered about the good old days. They talked about acorns, fresh water, and warm sunlight, but everyone knew they had over-active memories. Two generations lived and died in this new man-made environment. Due to the mild climate and unhealthy food many of squirrels were sickly. Because of their confinement, they were always on each other's nerves. They often wondered about the meaning of life; what was the purpose of waking up, eating garbage, and watching frenzied shoppers rush by?

Then, one glorious day a daring squirrel escaped. Curious about the bright skylights, he jumped from an upper branch of the tree to a pole. Climbing the pole he came to a ceiling beam which took him to an air vent. Slipping through the vent he plopped out onto the roof. What sensations accosted him! Dazzling sunlight, warm, fresh air and new vistas overwhelmed his senses. Scurrying down a rain gutter to a parking lot, he dodged traffic and darted into the undeveloped woods nearby. For hours he roamed, discovering nuts, acorns, fresh water and healthy squirrels.

Thrilled with his new life, he retraced his steps and breathlessly told his peers of the wonderful “real” world outside. They laughed, declaring, “That kind of world doesn’t exist any more!” Disappointed that they would not believe, the squirrel quietly slipped back out into life - as it was meant to be.

Once upon a time not long after the Day of Pentecost, some Christians were having church like it was meant to be. But then developers came along. “Progress” was made. Creeds were written, rituals were developed, and soon the climate seemed to be a little more controlled. Eventually services were planned to the smallest detail, politically incorrect doctrines were carefully altered, action was taken to make the church more culturally sensitive, and institutions and procedures were established to insure that all interaction with the real spiritual world was carefully buffered by "the church". No longer were people challenged to pick up their crosses. Money or good works became the means to forgiveness rather than godly sorrow and repentance. Baptism was redefined and being Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and Spirit-controlled was considered a thing of the past. Now, coming to church was simply entertainment or a social event. Soon, nothing more than obscure references to real Christianity survived. Christians became emaciated and sickly.

But occasionally some brave soul will escape back to the original. (see the book of Acts) Upon doing so, their spiritual senses are overwhelmed with God’s love and power. Their lives are drastically changed. Of course, others often laugh or persecute them. Nevertheless, Christianity - like it was meant to be - can still be a reality. Maybe you should slip out and take a peek.

(many thanks to Pastor John Hanson for the content of this blog.)