It sure is easy to lose heart, isn’t it … to have the air let out of your balloon, to allow the rain on your parade to shape your entire day … maybe even your life?  I kinda had one of those weeks last week.  Things were actually looking up, encouraging even.  I had received a number of invitations to speak and the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the midst of those engagements was wonderful.  Book sales were up as well and I had received a couple of surprise email from old acquaintances with encouragement and support for what we are doing at Knight Vision. 

But then, of course, the rain came.  Another publisher turned down my latest book proposal, a grant that we applied for was denied, and a couple of ministry and business partners felt God leading them in a direction different from their involvement with us right now.  None of those were really that large of a surprise, and in fact, it was encouraging to see God directing the lives of those that I walk with; but in my flesh, it felt like a hemorrhage and before I knew it, there was this sensation of life slowly being suffocated, a resignation of sorts. 

Of course, it really wasn’t.  Nothing in the call that God has on my life was changed.  All that had really happened was that a number of ‘random’ events happened in close enough succession that I had not had the time to evaluate them objectively.  The truth is that my place in God’s Kingdom has absolutely nothing to do with how others respond to either me or to God, or in how I respond to them, but rather is centered solely around my response to Him.

And so my response is to go on, to continue to walk with Him, in the rain; to repent of my selfishness that demands others recognize my value, and to just enjoy the stroll. Hope to see you on the path, and don’t forget your umbrella.  

To the King,

David 

        

Last week I had the honor of addressing a number of Christian Business leaders in our city.  I spoke on the issue of failure, and was overwhelmed with the response.  One after another, men and women alike, some almost in tears, came up to me after and shared their deepest pains and how much they needed to hear that message.  Failure, it seems, is a common thread not just in those who are washed out, but in the stories of those who are moving ahead as well.

Much more dangerous than failing though, is our interpretation of our lack of success and our roadblocks.  You see, while failing is universal, responding appropriately is rare, and it is only as we understand the full extent of the story that we are caught up into that we can hope to construe the reason, and subsequently, our response to the onslaught of life.

That really is what is happening here, an onslaught.  Like barrage after barrage from enemy bombers, our lives are a story of constant opposition. And just as the spirits of those living in war torn villages are so often broken, our spirits too can feel hopeless. 

But understand this: that is exactly what our enemy wants, his plan is to take us to the point of despair, of just giving up, of agreeing with him that we were never meant to run this race anyway.  ‘Leave it to someone else, someone more talented, or better looking, or with more connections.’  Unfortunately, the more talented that you are (or the better looking that you appear, or the greater influence that you have) then the greater the resistance that you will encounter.  Someone needs to draw a line in the sand and say, ‘no.  No, we will not listen to your lies.  No, we will not back down.  No, we will not allow our failures to define us but rather to drive us forward.’

As I mentioned, failure is universal.  It is the acceptance of that truth, picking up our swords, and marching back to the front lines with our King that is the true measure of success.

To the  King,

David  

        

So my daughter’s Kia decided to throw a rod through the lower case on the way home from work the other day, resulting in a loud bang, a small car fire, and the need to go car shopping.   As we perused our local news paper, we found a large Ford Dealership in East Wichita offering a 2010 Ford Focus for only $8999.  The ad said you needed to be a college student for that pricing, which she is, but still I had my doubts.  So I called.  ‘Yes’, I was reassured, ‘that ad is accurate’.  I asked if they had any in stock and was told they had many.  So off we went to buy a new car.  Two hours of test driving and waiting for the salesperson to ‘confer with his manager’ later, we are presented with a piece of paper that has three numbers on it.  $16,999 for the car, a $3000 ‘discount’ since I am such a nice guy, for a final price of $13,999.  ‘What about the $8999 that you advertised in the paper,’ I ask?  ‘That was just a single car, we only sell one at that price and it has been gone for days now. We just offer those large discounts to bring customers in.’  Needless to say, we left the Ford dealer, more than a little disappointed, with a real sense that we had been had.

I understand their need to get our attention and try to get us in the door, but it just seems … well, kinda crooked, doesn’t it?  Unfortunately, I have often seen the same type of practice in the Church.  We invite others in to our events, trying as hard as we can to convince them that it will all be fun and games, that Jesus is really just a good-ole boy like anyone else.  We tell them that Christianity will change their life, and by that we imply that it will change their life for the easier and the more enjoyable.  We offer ‘church’ as a place of great friends, regular ‘clean’ entertainment, and social programs oriented specifically to their needs.  And so they come.  I mean, who wouldn’t?

It doesn’t take long however, once in those ornate doors, to realize that all is not as advertised. The church expects something out of you.  Back stabbing and hurt feelings are just as common inside the walls as outside of them, and Jesus, while truly being a best friend, has also called you to stand with him in a great battle.  It’s really not about your comfort, you find out, but rather about your giving of yourself to a greater cause.  And if you do (God forbid), end up in one of those places that really does just entertain you and offer social programs, you eventually figure out that the world offers better, and frequently with more substance and meaning than Sunday afternoon potlucks.

Now before everyone starts sending me emails let me assure you that I believe the church should be relevant and contemporary.  I for one don’t really enjoy singing 500 year old hymns.  I also believe that it should be social.  Some of my best friends and memories are in churches.  However, I fear that much of the crisis that we have in the American Christian church today stems from the fact that we have failed to explain to our next generation what following Jesus really means.  We have failed to be totally honest in our ‘ads’, fearing that if they knew the truth, they would never come in. We may be right. But wouldn’t it be better to let them decide, knowing the truth, rather than risking them walking away feeling as if they had been had, vowing never to come back again?

We found a car by the way. We went down the street to a dealer that listed a no-haggle price in the car window.  It wasn’t the super low price of the newspaper ad, but it was a fair price.  No pressure, no manipulation, just the truth.  Nice idea.

To the King,

David

        

I was listening to a local radio station the other day, and they were interviewing this comedian that was doing a show here in Wichita. The day prior he had visited one of our local golf courses and was commenting on what it was like to swing a club in the 85% humidity, 105 degree heat we have been having.  ‘I just feel obliged to let the good people of Kansas know,’ he continued, ‘that there are other places in the world.  You don’t have to live in Hell!’  I was rock climbing at a local gym, and just about fell off the wall laughing.

After I thought about it for a while though, I realized what a brilliant quote that was.  For all of us, at one time or another, tend to live somewhere that we really don’t need to.  I’m not talking geographically here, I’m talking about the STUFF that we live in, those dark places that really do retch from the stink of hell, that sap our energy and our hope like a 105 degree day in Wichita.  And the craziest thing is that we just seem to grin and bear it. No attempt to move, no coming in out of the heat, we just accept it as the best that there is.

Jesus, however, said that he came to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and to release the oppressed (Luke 4:18).  And while He admitted that ‘the thief comes to steal and kill and destroy,’ He has come that we ‘may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10).  You see, Jesus is our ticket from Hell.  Not just Hell after we die, but from Hell here on earth. 

So come on, what are you waiting for?  Like the man said, ‘You don’t have to live in Hell!’  

To the King,

David

        

Joshua son of Nun is probably best known for marching around the walls of Jericho and watching the walls come falling down.  In doing so, he ushered the children of Israel into the Promised Land.  However, frequently we forget that Joshua didn’t just fall into this gig.  His story begins years earlier, probably at least sixty or seventy years earlier, in Egypt.  Joshua, you see, was born a slave.  His young life, I would guess, was filled with anything but dreams of conquering foreign lands.  The life of an Egyptian slave was consumed more with the immediate concerns of avoiding execution, finding enough food, and keeping on the good side of their task masters.

But then Joshua meets Moses, a man sent by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  Like most of his people, I’m sure the Joshua had his share of doubts as well, but he also appears early on to understand that the God that he serves really could do more than all he asked or imagined, and so we see him becoming a leader in his clan, the Ephraimites. Already, shortly after leaving Egypt, this young man, likely in his twenties, is chosen by Moses to go out and fight and defeat the Amalekites.  He is then later, of course, one of the spies that goes into the Promised Land and returns with a favorable report. 

Through all of this, Joshua experiences some pretty impressive opposition. Obviously there is the oppression that was happening in Egypt, but even harder had to be the increasing dissention among his own people against Moses.  Time and time again he witnesses these people complaining, rebelling and even threatening assassination.  And for all of their obstinance, he is rewarded with an extra forty years in the desert.

One thing is obvious about Joshua through out all of this though, he is a leader and a man who trusts God completely.  It is obvious in every encounter that he has, and so now his time has come.  Now his destiny is finally meeting his calling, and although I doubt that he really understood this was where it was all leading until well into the story, he did, I believe, recognize that God was leading him on an adventure throughout his life. 

As Moses is commissioning Joshua to take on this mantle of leadership, he speaks God’s words to him:  “Be strong and courageous … The Lord himself goes with you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut 31:7,8).  He had probably heard those words numerous times in his life, and he will hear them many more times in the days ahead.  They are the key for Joshua, and they are the key for us: 'Be strong and courageous, the Lord himself goes with you.'   They are the road that leads to that place where destiny meets calling.

Fight well,

David

        

I don't believe that I can add anything to this other than the scripture below which is really resonating within my heart and spirit right now.  I pray that this same message resonates within your very soul and that in the midst of your own personal experience right now, you know and have a personal relationship with Him who is our Voice of Truth.

Oh what I would do
To have the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again
Boy, you'll never win, You'll never win

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have hade the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me time and time again
Boy, you'll never win, You'll never win

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size to put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

"Voice of Truth", by Casting Crowns

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.  Do not let me be put to shame, not let my enemies triumph over me.  No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.  Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  Psalm 25:1-5

Your brother in Christ,

Jim

        

We have this hospital in town that a number of years ago changed its name to Via Christi.  I love that name: the way of Christ.  I think most of us Christians would like to live that life.  The problem of course, besides just plain old selfishness and sin, is that we are never sure what exactly the way of Christ is.  Some would say just do what Jesus did.  However, if we look at what He did, it really doesn’t seem to have much of a pattern to it.  To those who were the most serious about following God, He often had the harshest of words.  At other times, to those who morally blew it, he demonstrated a compassion and acceptance that hardly seemed appropriate to the crime at hand.  The common thread of course was that He knew their hearts.  Jesus was in intimate relationship with His Father, and it was via that relationship, that way of Christ, that our Lord walked this earth.

A friend of mine recently shared with me a concern about his mother.  It seems that she has been involved with a rather peculiar ‘Christian’ sect for some time.  He is concerned about the control that they have on her life.  Not really believing in any actual presence or ministry of the Holy Spirit and even being very vague on the deity of Jesus, they are left with almost a cultish method of behavioral control as one is subject to the authority of a superior.  I agree with his concern, but I also fear that many of us mainline Christians are not that far off from this fringe group.  For us as well, it is sometimes far too easy to listen to what our denomination or our pastor tells us to do, rather than listen intimately to the Spirit.  They are not the same.

One of my favorite movie quotes comes from The Kingdom of Heaven.  In one scene, Balian, a young troubled knight meets King Baldwin for the first time.  The King, a very good and wise man, offers Balian some advice.  He says, ‘But remember that, even when those who move you be kings or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God you cannot say "but I was told by others to do thus" or that "virtue was not convenient at the time.” This will not suffice. Remember that.’

That is Via Christi; that is the way of Christ.  It is having an ear to hear and eyes to see. It is walking intimately with our King, with our God, and trusting him alone as our only hope from the religiosity that can poison the way of Christ. 

To the King,

David

        

So Nehemiah finally gets to Jerusalem and begins his life’s work, rebuilding the wall of the city, and what happens?  First the naysayers show up.  Enemies of God’s people, those who would prefer to keep them quiet and controlled, begin to ridicule the project, telling them they are too weak and unskilled to complete such a task.  Clearly an attempt to break their spirit.  Yet, the work continued and the wall began to take form.

But of course, enemies don’t give up that easily, and so Sanballat and his followers decide to use a more direct approach, physically attacking and threatening those working on the wall.  No longer was it just honor that was at risk, now their very lives were in danger.  Once again, Nehemiah could have backed down, but instead he redirects, instructing some to stand as guards and watchmen while others continued on the work, now not just with hammer and chisel, but with sword in hand as well.

Still, all is not calm in Israel’s camp.  All of the work and sacrifice was taking its toll.  Families were going hungry, Homes were being lost.  The wall was going up, but the spirits of the people were being torn down.  This is perhaps where we witness Nehemiah’s heart the clearest.  He could have told them to suck it up, hang in there, trust God, but instead he demonstrates commitment, depriving himself and his men and even inviting those suffering to eat at his table.

We could learn so much from this cupbearer to the king.  So much about following our Lord, about staying the course and about living truly sacrificial lives; for his story really is the story of all of us who chose to follow our King on such a great adventure.

The naysayers tell us we are unqualified, unprepared and hopelessly doomed to failure.  Even if they don’t say it to our face, we feel it in their stares, or imagine it in those dark places that too often our foe takes us.  And then there are the attacks.  Oh, the barrages can be ceaseless: financial challenges, relationship conflicts, health issues, our enemy really knows no bounds.  The daily struggle can tear even the mightiest of men down, and our work on the wall can be at risk of abandonment as we run for cover, for some type of reprieve.

But it is when all hell breaks loose in camp that we most lose heart.  Satan has a way of slowly wearing down our patience with those closest to us, and as their need become overwhelming, our mission can be in imminent danger.  Fatigue, frustration, fear, they build up like a mountain on our shoulders and even the simplest of tasks seems impossible.

I wish there were an easier way, but there is not.  The wall, our faith, is opposed at every corner, and more is coming as Nehemiah soon discovers.  But restoring the wall, restoring our faith, is crucial … and the reward will be great.  I love Chapter Three. It recounts how each man was responsible for just a portion of the wall.  You don’t need to do it all, and there are others who are also working; just understand that you are needed, that each brick that you lay is progress.  Join us, join me, and together we will rebuild the walls of our faith.

To the King,

David

        

‘“Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace.  The wall of  Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”.
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.’
Nehemiah 1:3-4

The Church today has a lot in common with Jerusalem back in the days of Nehemiah.  It too has transitioned from a time of great glory and anointing from God to a time of exile, being attacked by an enemy with ruthless intent, and unable or unwilling to defend itself.  As the battle has raged, so many have been taken captive, so many homes have been broken, and so many more have just lost heart, unsure where to go now.  As a result, the walls of our great faith, the very essence or our faith, have been battered, bombarded, and left in disrepair, so much so that the very thought of rebuilding seems almost unthinkable.

But this is where Nehemiah decides to step up to the plate. You’ve got to love Nehemiah.  As cupbearer to the king, he had a pretty cush life, living in the castle, away from the chaos, it would be easy for him to read this as someone else’s problem. Yet Nehemiah is broken, for his love is for his people, the people of God.  He repents, both for his sin and that of his people, and then he goes before the king and shares his pain, his heartache.

I love how the king replies, “What is it that you want?”  (Neh 2:4).  What an incredible invitation: the then known leader of the world offers Nehemiah his resources.  The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have the same freedom with our King, ‘Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:14).  Jesus, our King, is asking us, ‘What is it that you want?’ and in doing so is offering us His recourses:  tools and materials to rebuild, protection for our journey, and His blessings on our efforts. And suddenly, rebuilding doesn’t seem so unthinkable. 

There is still much more ahead in Nehemiah’s journey, as there is in ours.  Work is still to be done, opposition is still to be met, and surely disappointment and frustration will continue to loom heavy, but the walls can be rebuilt, faith can be restored.  The question for us right now is whether we will take courage and leave the comfort of the castle to embark on this great adventure.

To the King,

David

        

                                                     My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? 
                                                                                       Psalm 22:1

David penned those words, Jesus repeated them on the cross, and I … well honestly, I often wonder the same.  David goes on to ask, ‘Why are you so far from me, so far from the words of my groaning?’  It’s perhaps even more of a quandary now, in this day of grace, when Jesus promised that he would be with us always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28::20). 

Was Jesus lying?  Or have I maybe just done something so bad that He has finally given up on me?  How do I, living in the twenty first century with all of my own personal crises come to terms with those two divergent realities: Jesus’ promise to be with me and my sense that He is not.  Surely He has heard my groanings, surely He has seen my need.

I think where we usually land is on the second conclusion, that we must have done something, or not done something.  And there may be some truth in that.  Surely sin, lack of discipline, distractions and the like really do result in the consequences of missing what He is up to and of sensing the absence of Jesus in our lives.  Yet, even that doesn’t answer all of our questions. What about that presence of the righteousness of Christ in us?  What about the Holy Spirit that Paul assures us groans and intercedes for us even when we don’t know what to pray?  It is actually in my weakness that Jesus promises to be the strongest.

As always, Jesus is our example here.  As His time on the cross is coming to a close and as death was certain and deliverance seemed distant if not non-existent, our King declares, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’ (Luke 23:46), for as David had proclaimed later in that 22nd Psalm, ‘He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one.’ (v. 24). 
 
Jesus understood that His Father was up to something, something much larger than His temporary circumstances, something that would transcend all that He may or may not understand or feel at the time.  You see, Jesus really has been tempted in every way that we have, with every fear and doubt that we have, and I ... well I need only to look to the resurrection and understand that I need not to fear, for He is with me always.

To the King,

David