For the Love of Money

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Carl Simmons

What’s one snack or other food you regularly craved as a kid? For me it was Buitoni Instant Pizza. (Sorry, this was the only image I could find — on a Facebook fan site, no less.) Well, any pizza. And any given bag of Doritos (before they ruined them with all those ridiculous “flavors”).

And, of course, if you know me, you know that Taylor Ham remains the bomb.

You’ve got your own your own comfort food that you enjoy. Maybe too much, even. Or maybe it was something you ate so constantly that you finally got sick of it.

Regardless, let’s apply this idea to what’s often a much bigger craving—our finances and possessions. For example, think about a significant purchase you made on an impulse or because you felt pressured to—and then wished you hadn’t. What took place between the time you bought it and when you regretted buying it?

Now, think of a time you didn’t have the money for what you wanted but were able to get by without it. What did God teach you during that time?

One more question: How easy or difficult is it for you to talk openly about money or your possessions? Why do you think that is?

I’m going to ask you to take your Bible reading offline today (or rather, just open a new tab and look). These passages come from a variety of angles, so as you read, also think about how these passages relate to one another. Here we go:

• Psalm 24:1
• Psalm 37:16-19, 25-26
• Proverbs 30:7-9
• Ecclesiastes 5:10-20
• Matthew 6:19-34
• Philippians 4:6-14
• 1 Timothy 6:5-10, 17-19
• James 4:13-17

What phrases or ideas jumped out to you? Taken together, what do these passages tell you about the things God gives us?

Here’s another question: Practically speaking, in what ways do you find yourself relying on money or “stuff” instead of on God? Be specific. How is your relationship with God affected by it?

Ronald Walborn and Frank Chan, in their booklet Stewardship and the Kingdom of God, hit the nail on the head when they said this about our attitudes toward our finances: “The crisis we face is not primarily a struggle of stewardship. It is a crisis of discipleship. Certainly, stewardship flows out of this broader category of discipleship, but the central issue is the totality of what it means to be a follower of Jesus in the twenty-first century.” John Calvin said it even more simply: “Stewardship is everything we do after we say, ‘I believe.’ ”

So let’s think about how consider being happier with what God has already given us. In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster provides a bunch of ideas on how to adopt an attitude of simplicity. And it’s not just about the money. Here’s a paraphrased version of it; check it out:

1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
2. Reject anything that’s producing an addiction in you.
3. Develop a habit of giving things away (especially if they fall into categories 1 and 2).
4. Refuse to be propagandized by “the latest conveniences.”
5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for creation.
7. View “buy now, pay later” schemes with healthy skepticism.
8. Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech.
9. Reject anything that contributes to the oppression of others.
10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God.*

Which of these principles are speaking to you the loudest right now? What would you add to this list?  How might practicing these things help you to better enjoy what God has given you?  What would it look like for you to put these principles into practice? And what (or who) could help you to start making that a reality?

If you’ve got your wallets or purse available, I’d like you to reach in and take a dollar or other bill out of it. Now, think about the dollar bill you’re holding. It’s really just a piece of paper, isn’t it? And yet this world—and we, too, quite often—attaches so much value to it and the things it can purchase, that it overshadows everything else in our lives. Think about how our possessions affect the way others see us. Now think about how we let our possessions affect the way we see ourselves. Now think about how we let possessions affect the way we see God.

Ask God to help break you of your dependence on material things. Think again about how you’ve become dependent on stuff and how the dollar bill you hold represents that. Ask God’s forgiveness for how we’ve let the things He’s given us—or the things we want—come between us and Him. Ask Him to help you make the changes you need to make, to receive every good thing He wants us to have.

Also remember that change doesn’t usually happen overnight and that we may still have to pay for some of the decisions we’ve made in the past. But also remember that as we’re faithful, God is even more faithful to us. Ask God to remind you daily that He’ll carry us past those mistakes and closer to Him and all the truly good things He has in store for us.

* adapted from Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster. Copyright © 1978 by Richard J. Foster. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

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Leading the Change

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Last Monday, we looked at the importance of communicating well, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable. Today, we come to the place where we need to communicate. When God calls us to take the lead, it means we’re leading people somewhere. And to go somewhere, you have to leave somewhere. It’s our job to help those we lead get from here to there—and when we’re done, get ready to lead them to the next place.

Helping people let go of where they’re at and embrace what’s up ahead is a huge part of leadership. And if we’re leading, the first people who need to let go and look forward are us. Jesus knew a little about letting go of the old to embrace the new, so let’s listen to Him:

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16-17, NIV).

• Think about a situation you’re involved in right now that you know needs changing—that needs a “new wineskin.” What might it look like in that situation?
• For that matter, think about a earlier time when you made changes in your life—even if it was scary or painful. Looking back now, would you go back to the way things were? Why or why not?

Ever seen the movie Hoosiers? Aw, c’mon, everyone has, even if you hate basketball. But just in case: The Hickory Huskers (enrollment 64) are hours away from playing the South Bend Central Mighty Bears (enrollment 2,800) for the Indiana state high-school basketball championship. Only hours before the game, Coach Dale of the Huskers does something unusual with his team. You can watch here.

• Why did Coach Dale have his team measure the foul line and the basket?
• Think about again about your situation that needs changing. What things do you need to keep in perspective as you start to make those changes?

Let’s add yet another couple perspectives, including a passage I never get tired of:

This is what the LORD says—
   he who made a way through the sea,
   a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
   the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
   extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
“Forget the former things;
   do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honor me,
   the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
the people I formed for myself
   that they may proclaim my praise (Isaiah 43:16-21, NIV).

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

• Why does God tell Israel to forget about when He delivered them from Egypt (Isaiah 43:18)—even though God’s goodness is worth remembering?
• Likewise, why do you need to be a living sacrifice before you can properly “test and approve what God’s will is” (Romans 12:2)?
• Think once more about your situation that needs changing. What’s keeping that change from happening?
• What could you potentially gain from those changes? Dream a little.
• Think about your last answer. How can you communicate what you just thought to those you’re leading?

Pray for those areas of change you’ve thought about today. Pray for God’s wisdom and courage—not only for yourself but for those you’re leading. Ask the Spirit to give you the right words to share that vision of change, and to prepare everyone else’s hearts to receive it and to work together to make it real. And may God bless and guide you as you lead the charge change.

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Lay Down Your Dreams: rough fragments about rough fragments

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Carl Simmons

I am becoming increasingly convinced, as I get older, that God does not demand our obedience simply because it honors Him. That is, of course, a true and healthy reason to do it. And I wouldn’t even put up an argument against someone who argues that it’s the primary reason.

Still, as I come to experience and better understand God’s love for us, I’d suggest that God demands our obedience because He desires us to become the people we were truly created to be. Because only God sees the final picture, He is therefore the only one capable of making it happen. Therefore, without our obedience — our submission to God’s vision of us, which is far bigger than any vision we could come up with — the end result is a tragedy that only God can comprehend and experience the full depths of. The suffering we see and experience is but a rough fragment of that.

By extension, I think that’s why Jesus became so angry with the Pharisees. They saw a broken law as an excuse to claim superiority. Jesus saw it as a sin so profound that only He could die to remove it.

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Joy and longing are not always related to one another. The joy produced by longing also delivers the promise of fulfilment, while longing without joy usually evolves into depression, decadence or both, depending on your moral inclination. It is the joy, not the longing, that should be desired.

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Show, Don’t Tell… maybe next time…

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Having read and enjoyed Leadership Journal editor Skye Jethani’s first book The Divine Commodity, I had high hopes for his new one. Specifically, as that first book had been long on well-placed criticisms and short on answers—and to be fair, a cry for imagination in the church that was a breath of fresh air—my hope was that those answers might start emerging. And I guess in a sense, they do. But in the end, I feel like I read two really strong chapters’ worth of material padded out into 200 pages.

Skye Jethani. with: reimagining the way you relate to God. Softcover, 212p., $15.99. Thomas Nelson.

The central premise—what you’ll want to pick this up for if you choose to do so—is that we tend to try to approach, or rather manipulate, God’s will for us in one of four ways:

Life From God—seeking God’s blessing and gifts rather than God Himself (example: the “prosperity gospel”)
Life Over God—abandoning God’s leading for human strategies and formulas (megachurches, certain publishers we’ll get to below)
Life Under God—the reasoning that says “If I’m/we’re obedient, God will bless me/us.” (i.e., the God Is an American crowd)
Life For God—those seeking “purpose” in their lives by serving God, and thus who also tend to be perpetually frustrated by those who don’t (Admittedly, this was the chapter where I felt most convicted, and hoped this was where the book would go to another level.)

Instead, Skye correctly proposes, our focus should be Life With God. So what does that look like, and how do we get there? Let’s just say he answers the first half of that question better than the second. Even though half the book is dedicated to this premise, there’s far more illustration (including literal ones) than instruction, and for me at least, little in the way of inspiration.

The sense of invective is here again—this time Radical, Joyce Meyer, and for the second time in two books, my former employer, are among those singled out as examples of what’s wrong with the church today. But unlike with The Divine Commodity, the shots don’t seem fresh or even necessarily helpful. Again, they feel more like padding than anything else.

And the “with” half of the book is especially guilty of this—secondhand anecdote after quote after retelling. Not that some of it isn’t useful, but ultimately as a result the message doesn’t feel very “lived in.” Sharing from his own experience of walking with God—the highs, the lows, the “have I turned the relationship into a law, and how do I get back to just being with God?” experiences—would’ve been so much more useful.

The appendices, for further individual and/or group study, are also curious. The first gives a quick overview of traditional practices such as lectio divina and Ignatian exercises; the second provides a handful of discussion questions for each chapter. Neither section is much in itself. But if groups were to do both—work through the spiritual practices, then debrief their times with God with the group, THEN do the maybe-half-hour of discussion about the chapters—you’d actually be on to something significant. But as this isn’t suggested anywhere, I’m pretty sure it’s an accidental epiphany on my part rather than the result of any intent on the part of publisher or author.

So bottom line: Yeah, I’m disappointed. Skye can certainly write, he certainly cares about deeper life in Christ, and I find it hard to believe he doesn’t live it out personally. But I’m still waiting for the book that expresses—and thus transmits—that life. Maybe next time.

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Address Your Stress

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Carl Simmons

When have you felt like you’ve had more things thrown at you than you could handle? How do you normally respond when that happens?

Not all stress is bad. But when it costs us life with God, we have a problem. In his book Hearing God, Dallas Willard puts it this way: “The visible world daily bludgeons us with its things and events. They pinch and pull and hammer away at our bodies. Few people arise in the morning as hungry for God as they are for cornflakes or toast and eggs.”

Last Wednesday we looked at one particular reaction to stress: anger and negative talk. But there are plenty of other poor ways to respond to stress. We’re going to touch on some of them today, as well as consider what we really need to do to have the kind of perspective God desires us to have.

But first, I’d like you to try an experiment. Grab a small pile of books—c’mon, I already know you’re a reader—and hold them straight out in front of you for as long as you can.

When you’re done, think about this:

• When you’re overwhelmed in real life, what do you normally do—unload everything on one person, “share the wealth” with as many people as possible, or try to grin and bear it? Explain.
• When is it OK to share your struggles with others, and when is it not OK? Think of specific examples of each, if you can.

If you’ve worked on simplifying your life in the past, you’ve probably encountered Richard Swenson’s groundbreaking (at the time) book Margin. Even if not, his words still ring true a quarter-century later: “People do not operate on the principle of overloading. Instead they operate on the basis of ‘one more thing won’t hurt.’ Yet this is only true if it is true. Once we are maximally loaded down, adding one more thing will hurt. The pain of overload is real pain.”

• Think about a time you’ve experienced the truth of this quote. What part did you play in that overloading? What parts were out of your control?
• When is it appropriate to take on extra burdens? When isn’t it?
• What are some unhealthy ways that people try to deal with their stresses and burdens when they become too much?
• When have you been guilty of one of these “escapes”?

So let’s see what Jesus had to say about it, and break it down some: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).

• Let’s be honest: In what ways does taking Jesus’ yoke and letting Him teach you just sound like one more thing you can’t deal with right now?
• What would you say to someone who gave you that excuse?
• How can we learn of Jesus, instead of just facts about Him? What clues does Jesus give us in this passage, and what would those things look like in your life?
• How would doing these things help us deal with burdens we’re facing?

Let’s reflect once more on this passage.  “All of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens.” Apply that phrase to yourself. It might mean: All of you who are tired. All of you who are stressed out. All of you who are burned out. All of you who feel you don’t have it in you anymore. All of you who are tired of living this way. All of you who are tired of living—period. “Come to me,” Jesus says,” and I will give you rest.”

Take one more minute to reflect quietly on what this promise of Jesus means to you, and where you are in relation to that promise right now. If we really can find our rest in Jesus, what’s holding you back from trusting Him and finding that rest right now? What can you do about it? More to the point, what burden do you need to give to Jesus?

As we choose to serve Jesus and take his yoke upon us, Jesus takes our burdens and gives us His burdens in return. It’s not just submission—it’s a trade. It’s us saying, “Jesus, I don’t want this kind of life anymore; You died to take it away, so take it.”

As we allow Jesus to change our lives more and more into his life, the burden He places upon us is far lighter than the ones we laid at His feet.

Jesus, You know our struggles better than we do—and You know the answers to those struggles better than we do, too. We ask You to reveal the areas of our lives we haven’t given to You. Help us let go of them and commit them to You, and, as we do, help us find our rest in You. Amen.

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Making What You Know… Known

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Read the sentence below, repeatedly.  In fact, each time, emphasize a different word in the sentence  until you’ve tried all six versions. Ready? Go:

“I didn’t say you were ugly.”

What different meanings did you get out of this one sentence?

Likewise, what causes your words to get misinterpreted? What helps people “get” what you’re saying? How do you respond when others misunderstand what you say? How does your response change when it involves others close to you?

We all want to be understood. The fact is, if we ever want to accomplish anything together, we need to be understood. But sometimes our words and our actions get misinterpreted. And sometimes we really haven’t fully communicated what’s in our heads and hearts, even when we think we have. Just because we’ve played something back in our own heads dozens of times, it doesn’t always mean the person standing in front of us has grasped, or even heard, it once.

So let’s examine what good communication looks like, and how we can do it better. Let’s start with a couple examples of leaders communicating to their co-workers in the faith, and then break them down a little more.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:3-14, NIV).

• What are some things Paul’s communicating to the Corinthian church here?
• What doesn’t he express here that he clearly could have, and why do you think he doesn’t?
• How did knowing it was God’s message affect what Paul was saying?
• How would our own speech change if we were more conscious about representing God?

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you (John 15:11-15).

• What things do we enjoy telling our friends? Why don’t we share those things as much with other people?
• If we’re all Jesus’ friends, what keeps us from sharing with other Christians—Jesus’ other friends—what Jesus has shared with us?

Shane Claiborne, in his book The Irresistible Revolution, observes: “People are drawn toward folks who have it all together, or who look like they do. People are also drawn toward folks who know they don’t have it all together and are not willing to fake it.” So which one do you tend to fall under, and why? A few more questions to consider:

• In what ways does fear stop us from communicating with others—even (or maybe especially) other Christians—who need to know what we’re not sharing? How do we show a lack of love when we hold back?
• What things do we often do instead of communicating openly?
• When should we hold back information or feelings, even when it involves something important?
• What situation are you facing right now that requires you to get out of your comfort zone—say it: past your fear—and communicate with someone more openly and directly?

Be open with God, about what you’re facing right now—and honestly listen for His instruction about what your next steps might be. Ask God to open  you up, and to open up the lines of communication with those you’re struggling to get through to right now. And may God bless you as you obey His voice and use your own.

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Lay Down Your Agenda — some opening fragments

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Carl Simmons

We want to do the right thing, but very often we don’t know what the right thing is. Oddly enough, this is often when prayer is most effective. There are times where God gives us the confidence to pray for something, knowing it’s in His will, but usually our most effective prayers come when we’re empty. When we have no agenda except, “Not my will, but Thine.”

This doesn’t mean we have to sit around passively and be willing, waiting for God to move us. We can move around and be willing. We can do the things we had planned, but holding onto them loosely, with the attitude that should the Spirit leads elsewhere, that’s where we should go.

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Whatever it is I do for Jesus, He is already there. I’m the one who’s showing up—and who’s arguably late for the party—not Him.

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We want a stake in the ground, a fixed point, because it’s easier than following wherever the Spirit leads. To follow is to lay down your control.

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Let’s Welcome a New Voice….

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Carl Simmons

You’ll notice a new member of our blog roll today… and if not, I’m here to make you notice. 🙂

Justin Morrisroe—whose blog Between 2 Trees… now graces our rolls—is a youth director/minister out of Tampa, who comes from ridiculously good stock (no, not mine—but I’m sure I would’ve guessed that too if I’d been you).

He’s also brand-new to this blogging thing. So check him out. Enjoy his writings. Embrace him as a brother—if only because the Bible says you have to. Encourage him to express himself further, ’cause after all that’s what I’m doing here.

And we’ll pick it up—and Lay It all Down again—come Friday….

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Temper, Temper

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Even if you’re not into “chick flicks” (present company included), there’s a great scene in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes  that sets today’s message up perfectly. Watch here, have a good laugh, then let’s get down to business:

• What irritates you to no end (even if it’s not a big deal to anyone else)?
• How do you normally react when you’re irritated? How long do you hold onto your reactions afterward?
• Now that we’ve discussed things that irritate us, let’s take things up a notch: What’s the one circumstance or behavior that truly angers you the most? How do you react?
• Why do you think that particular circumstance or behavior sets you off?

We all have our hot buttons—things that annoy, upset or anger us. They might be trivial, or they might be so serious that we feel justified in our anger and maybe even in the things we say and do as a result. The Bible has a lot to say about our anger and our reactions to it. It points us to the deeper causes of our anger, and it tells us how anger affects not only us but those around us. Anger usually isn’t pretty, but it’s something we all need to address. So let’s begin.

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water (James 3:2-12, NIV).

• What are some ways the tongue is described here? Which description resonates with you the most, and why?
• What are some ways we leave a bitter taste in the mouths of others by the “salty” things we say to them, or by our reactions to them?

Let’s look at another quote, from a decidedly different but nonetheless authoritative source in its own way:

“ar·ro·gant: exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one’s own worth or importance often by an overbearing manner”—Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

• What’s the connection between being arrogant and being quick-tempered? When have you seen this connection in your own life?
• You may not let loose on others or be overbearing; then again, you might. In any case, what are some ways your temper—and arrogance—do come through?

And with that, let’s circle back to James:

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness (James 3:13-18, NIV)

• What reasons are given in this passage for the negative or hurtful things that come out of our mouths? What are some others you can think of?
• Think about those times you feel “squeezed” or “wrung out.” What “dirt” tends to come out of you that you wish you could take back?
• What alternatives to anger and speaking badly about others does James give us here? How would you do each of these things?
• What things can we put into ourselves—instead of dirt—that would help us to respond better under pressure or stress?

Let’s consider one more passage today:

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 4:26–5:2, NIV).

• Think about a time when anger controlled your relationship with someone else, and gave “a foothold to the devil.” How did you finally get past it—or did you? Explain.
• How would you like to see God change your communication so it becomes more “good and helpful”—so it builds people up rather than tearing them down?

Here’re some ideas to consider as you allow God to deal with your anger:

• Read and pray over this week’s Scriptures. Ask God to reveal how you’ve let bad attitudes come through in your words and actions. Then ask God for forgiveness and direction. What good words and actions can you substitute so you can respond with grace when “squeezed”? How can you build others up instead of tearing them down?

• If you’ve hurt others with your words—or others have hurt you with theirs—seek them out and set things right this week. Be sure to prepare your heart beforehand. Consider whether you need help seeing the other side of the argument and/or creative solutions to the problem. Do you need to own up to a part of the disagreement and receive forgiveness as well? Pray about these things as you prepare to meet.

• Do you know someone who’s “taken a beating” from others recently? Seek that person out this week, and encourage him or her. Set aside time to listen and possibly field some of the hurt and anger they’ve been feeling. And if that happens, don’t react—pray. Invite God into the situation.

• Get formal training to be a peacemaker in your church, workplace, or neighborhood. Perhaps your church, your job, or another organization in the area offers this kind of training. One such organization is Peacemaker Ministries (HisPeace.org). You may know others. In any case, make it happen!

• Is there a divisive situation in your town, neighborhood, or church right now? As a group, plan an event that will help people on both sides to look past their differences and focus on their commonalities. It could be as uncomplicated as a block party or something formal that gets both sides to sit down and talk through their differences.

Good luck, and may God give you the ability to show grace to those people and situations that push your buttons.

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Getting Healthy Together

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Last week we explored how we’re all members of the body of Christ, and that we all have our parts to play within it. Let’s take one more look at that idea before moving forward today.

Think about a time your physical body wasn’t healthy—for example, you had a major illness, or you broke a bone (or several). What “normal” things couldn’t you do during that time, or do without someone’s help? How did your illness/injury affect others and their “normal” routines?

Now, let’s kick it spiritually:

“On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:22-27, NIV).

• When have you seen a church or ministry rally around and “pick up” someone who was hurting—physically or any other way?

• How did that experience affect that person? your church/ministry? you?

So far, we’ve talked about leadership in broader terms—that is, not only church but other venues where we lead or are led. Now, let’s sharpen our focus and explore what a healthy ministry looks like, and how the ministries you’re in can function. Maybe you’re leading a ministry right now, maybe not, but let’s go on the assumption you’re involved somewhere right now. Wherever and however you’re involved, you want your team and your ministry to be healthy and working together. When that happens, the effects can reach far beyond your team and your ministry.

Conversely, when one part of your team suffers or isn’t functioning correctly, everyone’s affected. But God can use that to do something even more powerful. We’re never in this alone, and no matter how much responsibility does or doesn’t fall to us, we can always play a part in helping others on our team get stronger—or to help them until they get stronger.

Think about these questions (and if you like, refer to passages like 2 Corinthians 6:3-13, Ephesians 4:14-16, Philippians 1:29–2:18, and Colossians 3:12-17):

• What does it take to serve alongside others—particularly, other Christians? What does it look like, in practice?
• What comes easiest to you? hardest? Why?
• Putting all this together, what does a healthy ministry or team look like? Try to come up with a concise one- or two-sentence answer.

In his book The Crucifixion of Ministry, Andrew Purves states, “The test case for ministry is that Jesus present by His Spirit shows up and does something only God can do…. The danger for us and especially for our parishioners comes when we insist on displacing the ministry of Jesus with our own ministries. When that happens, our ministries must be crucified.”

That’s a tall order, and a true one. So here’s a couple more questions to chew on:

• What’s the connection between trusting God and trusting those you serve God with?
• How can you make those connections even stronger in the days to come?

Think about this idea next time your ministry gathers together, and do with it what you will: Re-read Colossians 3:16, and worship together, with or without instruments. Whatever kind of worship music fits your group, join together and sing it. Build up one another’s spirits with your voices.

When you’re done, thank God again for the people he’s put you with—both here and elsewhere. Pray for the ministries you’re all currently involved in, and ask God to give each of you the wisdom to see how you can help make the ministries and the teams you’re serving God with even stronger. And may God answer your prayers beyond what you can conceive.

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