A Little Light

The picture I have placed in this installment of 'Ramblings of a Follower' is of Mayor John Cook the mayor of the city of El Paso, Texas where I live.

Yesterday I experience a moment of joy that I want to share with you all. I am on a regular schedule of chaplains and ministers, here in our city, who are asked to do the invocation for our weekly City Council meetings. I arrived at my normal time and waited along with others for the meeting to start. The meeting started late, which is not unusual but yesterday as the mayor came in to the meeting room he was carrying his guitar. The mayor is a fine man and as with all who serve as mayors in cities across our nation he has a difficult job. He is a Christian man and from what I understand his faith is not just cultural which gives me a sense of security and hope in his leadership.

When the meeting should have finally been called to order the mayor picked up his guitar and announced to all that the meeting was going to be a little delayed because....... he hoped that we would all join him in singing some Christmas carols to honor the season. At first I found myself a little embarrassed for him and wondering what would happen and how many would sing. Well the mayor began with the song Noel and sure enough only a few people were singing with him and my embarrassment for him seem to grow stronger with each chord that was played.

But then it struck me, how wonderful this effort by the mayor was. In a day when the onslaught of political corruption seems to be growing in our nation; here was a man, a civic leader, a brother in the Lord, who was willing to be counted, at this time of the year, as a follower and worshiper of Jesus Christ. My heart was warmed and I found myself feeling proud to be identified with the mayor on this occasion. With that heart warming came a boldness within me and I began to sing louder and louder with the mayor.

I have hope for our nation not because we are perfect but because we have a savior name Jesus Christ and countless men and women like my mayor who are willing to bring a little light into the midst of growing darkness. God bless my mayor and all those who serve in my city with sincere hearts and efforts.

Let us pray for those in authority over us....in this we shall find peace.

Exposure of the Heart

There is an old saying that goes like this; "Out from within the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" In recent days there has been a shocking and ongoing revelation of corruption within the office of the governor of the state of Illinois. On the one hand it shocks us as a people because we would expect a governor to have a higher standard in all areas of their life but alas we have once again had an example that reinforces our frustration and loss of respect for those in the political arena. The governor not only was caught in bribery but clearly his heart has been exposed and his words only seem to enforce the truth of the corruption of the man.

I have attached an article to this blog from the writer Judy Gruen a contributing writer to the American Thinker Blog. She has something to say that perhaps we should consider.


As news broke about Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest on political corruption charges, even those who have become cynical about political miscreants expressed shock at the brazenness of his attempts to sell the U.S. Senate seat formerly occupied by President-elect Barack Obama.

Less shocking, unfortunately, was his incessant use of the "f-word" during conversations in which he plotted to cash in on his political power. Our society has become mired in both an endless parade of political graft (remember the congressman who hid $50,000 in the freezer?) as well as an endless parade of profane language in the media.

Fortunately, we are not so jaded that we will sit still for political miscreants -- we want them punished and justly so. I'm sure millions will cheer along with me on the day that Blagojevich is stripped of his governorship and sent for a long time-out in an Illinois prison, where he will have lots of time to spend in the library and work on expanding his limited vocabulary.

Perhaps it's no accident that Blagojevich used the most vulgar obscenities in nearly every sentence caught on tape. Minding your language and minding your behavior both require self-discipline and a respect for an established order in society. Clearly, the out-of-control, arrogant governor had neither. Foul language is almost always used by people who are angry and hostile, as the tapes plainly reveal Blagojevich to be. He also proved another truth about habitual obscenity users: the more they swear, the more limited their vocabulary becomes, to the point where they cannot go more than one sentence without a meaningless, yet still offensive, profanity. So in addition to adding to that anger management problem, chronic swearing also makes you lazy, unimaginative, and stupid.

Not that long ago, one rarely heard rough language among civilized people. Most found non-profane ways to express anger and frustration, using self-discipline and a far richer vocabulary than is commonly used today. As our society has normalized foul language, we have degraded ourselves in the process. Now, people yakking on cell phones in a doctor's full waiting room (even with children present) don't flinch from using the first four-letter word that pops into their sullied brains.

Of course, the governor's insufferable actions are worse than the language he used. But as Jim O'Conner, author of Cuss Control, the Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cursing, observes, "Profanity is part of the English language, but people have to be more discreet about when and where they use it. The governor was quoted in private conversations. Still, as a public figure, he should have known that even what he said in private is likely to be reported." Yes, especially considering that he knew he was under investigation.

The fact is, a little self-censorship is good for the soul, while also building that elusive kinder, gentler society. In addition to the joy of seeing an arrogant creep like this get his comeuppance, we'll all benefit if we let bad boy Blagojevich become a poster child for what mindless profanity can do to us. As he has shown, it isn't pretty.

Judy Gruen is the author of The Women's Daily Irony Supplement.

Relationships

How fragile are relationships....my mother and fathers marriage lasted over 50 years, that makes them real gems of perseverance and hope. Their marriage was not without its difficulties, on a couple of different occasions they almost got a divorce, I remember the confusion of those times and the pain I felt as a young boy trying to figure what I had done to cause the problem that my parents were having. This perspective is so typical of young children when they see their parents struggle within their marriage.

Well my parents never did divorce and continued on through the years to make the choices for commitment that led them to the fifty year mark, truly an amazing mile stone in marriage.

Why do I bring up this topic today?

Tonight I found out about a couple that my wife and I knew many years ago with whom we have recently been in touch with again that are now in the process of possibly getting a divorce. When I found this out I was speechless, for those that know me, being speechless is not a common thing for me, I was grieved, overwhelmed and just wanting to reach out and help.

How does this happen, what do we do that leads to broken relationships?

Although the circumstances vary and are complicated that lead to broken relationship what is at the core of the issues and complications that lead to broken relationships is simple.

Back to my conversation with my friend;

In the midst of the conversation with my friend I found myself being stirred regarding a friendship I and my wife have with a couple here in our city. We have wanted to see them for a while but circumstances being what they have, has not allowed that to happen. Over the process of time I recently found myself being offended by what appeared to be a lack of mutual concern for the relationship by this couple, this lead me down to the twisting maze of the victim/poor me mentality. By the time I was done going through this maze I was ready to "give them a piece of my mind" regarding their lack of effort to at least maintain the relationship.....ah the victim always seems to be so right, at least to themselves.

Well as things would have it I happened to be able to have lunch with the husband and found out about all the challenges that they are having as a family and as he spoke I felt extremely selfish and stupid, to say the least, for my self-righteous victim mentality, and that I a pastor, a man of God, a.......fool, had made a terrible and yet simple mistake that could of led to a broken relationship with some precious people whom I admire and love.

So where does this episode of my life lead to? To the simple beginning of all relationship breakdowns; self, and the deifying of self in any relationship. Thats where it all simply comes down to, it all begins with some one in the relationship deifying there need or want as supremely important above everything and everyone else. I use the word 'deifying' because of the way we all fawn over and seem to place above and before everything else OURSELF. All to often when this happens we don't even realize it because it seems that we are just so right in our understanding and knowledge of the assumed relationship difficulty.

Jesus is the master of relationship building and he proved it by allowing himself to be crucified so that we might have a restored relationship with our heavenly Father, that pretty much demonstrates to us what we must do with our deified selfs and how we can at least begin to see good relationship start in our lives and or be restored in our lives.

Just a thought or two for us as we journey together.

God's Glory

"Are we jealous for God's glory?
To me that is what revival is all about."
- Leonard Ravenhill

In a time when narcissism seems to be reigning within the church is it possible that what we are looking for is just another narcissistic moment? Should we not call out with great faith to the Lord for a man or group of men whose whole passion in life is the glory of God. Surely they are there but perhaps not seen yet and those that need to hear from them are being prepared to hear. Oh that the time would come soon Lord Jesus!!!!

"Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

And dare we say that Christianity, true faith must include; Christ and discipleship and anything less is not Christianity at all. In our submission to Christ there are no options....it is his way or the highway.

Matthew 4:19, 10:38, 16:24 Mark 8:34, 10:21 Luke 5:27-28, 9:57-62 John 10:27, 12:26

These are just a few scriptures that speak of our call to discipleship and our call to Christ. Mr. Bonhoeffer had it right, do we? do you? do I?

Are You A Bridge Builder ?

I had a great Thanksgiving yesterday, ate to much food(what else is new)enjoyed a lot of laughter, listened to people be encouraged and built up, saw a bunch of kids just hanging out and enjoying each others company, it was for all intent purposes a church meeting.....absolutely wonderful.

I spoke with my two boys today, just to see how they are doing on their journey's....both are doing well and so much better then I was at their age. You know so many of us "older" ones look back over our lives and wonder how well we did, I guess that comes from wanting to be reassured that in spite of our mistakes and weakness we have left something good behind us. My children bless me so much and make we want to be sure that I am faithful with the time I have left so that perhaps I can see grandchildren and experience the blessing of seeing the favor of God extend to another generation.

I have added a writing from "The Book of Virtues" by William Bennett that I think speaks to the gift of an older generation's responsibility to be faithful for the coming generation.

The Bridge Builder

Will Allen Dromgoole

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide--
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

Will Allen Dromgoole

Are We Captive Lions

As I am walking through this journey, that the Lord has been gracious to place me on, I have found my heart is straining to recapture the "joy of my salvation" that has been lost to the business, methods and means that I embraced over the years thinking that it was ministry. This embracing not only curtailed my 'joy' but in fact robbed me of the great gift of freedom that there is in Christ.

This was sent to me by a friend and follower of Jesus who has been on the journey longer then I and has some great insights. I feel like a lion that has been set free, the adventure begins and oh how I look forward to the hunt.

Lions Set Free

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not be entangled with the yoke of slavery again." Galatians 5:1

A friend of mine recently told me about a conservation group in Zimbabwe that is taking captive lions and rehabilitating them back into the wild.

This is a difficult, four phase process, but they are having success with it. The rehabilitation process has many snags involved because of the effects of captivity on an African lion. When lions are bred and raised out of their natural habitat, some very abnormal patterns begin to develop. In short, they become domesticated. Yet lions were born to be wild.

In captivity, the lions basically forget that they are lions. The forget how to hunt. They forget how to live in the wild. And they forget how to live in a pride. The "pride" is the name for a community of lions. Lions are by and large social creatures and do not do well as loners.

The Effects of Captivity

You and I were born (again) to be spiritual lions. That's who we are, but we have forgotten our true nature because of our captivity in the religious system. Captivity has conditioned us to believe things that are just not true. We have become something less than our true calling and destiny because of this conditioning. We have become domesticated.

We have become isolated pew warmers; a mutated race that sits and listens instead of participating and functioning. The clergy/laity system has made us passive and spiritually lazy. In other words, we have sold out our birthrights. Just like Esau we have sold out for the comfort of a bowl of lentil stew, that is, our warm and comfy pews. We no longer wanted to bother with functioning as members of the Body of Christ, so we sold out and instituted the clergy/laity system.

We Have Forgotten How to Hunt

This is definitely one of the most important aspects of a lion's life. Without the act of hunting, how will you eat?

How will the pride eat?

We have forgotten how to hunt for our own food. Part of our conditioning has been that everyday (or every Sunday!) someone opens our cage and throws us a piece of meat. This bypasses the whole hunting process.

Who is this person that throws in that piece of meat? Where did he get it? Apparently, he went and hunted for it himself. But that is not my prey! And I never had to hunt for it myself.

Hunting is much more than just killing an animal and then eating it. There is the encounter of the hunt itself: finding the right place and time; having the right equipment; getting very quiet; smelling the prey; stalking the prey; taking aim, etc. Sometimes you come up empty handed, but the actual engagement is the thrilling part.

As believers, our food is Jesus Christ Himself! Not just teaching and doctrine about Christ, but the very Person and experience of Christ. You need to hunt for this "food" yourself. Sharing someone else's food is alright at times. But there is nothing like you going out on your own "hunt" and capturing some new revelation or insight into your Lord. This is exciting. This is discovery. This is how you were born to live!

But then what? What do lions do after they have captured the prey?

They bring it home and share it with the pride.

As I said before, lions are very social creatures and they live in a pride. But in captivity there is no hunt and there is no pride. Lions are thrown their food everyday and they do not live as a pride. They are just individual lions living a mutant life of individualism.

A lion in captivity never has to hunt for his own food. He becomes lazy and complacent. He actually believes that this is normal. He believes that someone else is responsible.

We Have Forgotten How to Live in the Wild

"Because we do not regard the things which are seen but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Cor. 4:18

There are two kinds of realms that exist. There is the unseen realm (or the eternals) and there is the seen realm (or the physicals). Both of these realms exist together at the same time.

One realm is spiritual and unseen. That is, it has no physical substance or what we would call matter. It has no size or dimension, and it exists without time or space. You could say that this spiritual realm is totally "other than" the seen, physical realm.

Of course, we know that the seen physical realm does have matter, energy, space, time, and dimension. Science tells us all about electrons, protons, neutrons, atoms, and molecules. We seem to know a lot about the seen realm. But the scriptures tell us that this realm is only temporary.

It is the unseen realm which is eternal, and yet, we really don't know much about that realm at all. How do we live in that realm? How do we live in spirit?

The Creature of Two Realms

As lions, we are called to live in two realms at the same time. But we should live mostly in the unseen realm. This is the "wild" for us. And it is mostly unexplored. It really is the "wild." It is our natural habitat. And we can never be fulfilled with anything less. And yet, because we have forgotten who we are, we have become comfortable in captivity. We have become comfortable in the seen realm. We actually start believing that the physical realm is everything and then we start investing our lives into it.

Yet we have a Lord who is both Lion and Lamb. He is definitely gentle. But make no mistake about it, He is not tame! He is as wild as they come and the wild realm that is our home is inside of Him (Eph. 1:3).

But our natural habitat is not lived alone. This is a place of community. This is the place of the pride.

We Have Forgotten How to Live as a Pride

The "pride" is the social unit for the wild lion. They do not live alone. They interact in small groups know as prides.

Dear believer, a very important part of your natural habitat is the spiritual "pride." This has been lost to us as well. Lions in captivity don't live in prides. That is a special feature only found in the wild. When you discover that you are already free and begin living in the other realm, you will see the need of community life. This wild life is a shared life. Shared with your Lord and shared with His people.

But we are not used to sharing our lives with others. We have been isolated (held captive) for so long that we have forgotten that this is just the normal life for wild lions. In a true pride, you all share your food, share your joys, share your sorrows, and share everything in life with one another.

The big question is: how do we get to this place of freedom? How do we remember how to hunt? How do we remember how to live in the wild? How do we remember how to live in a pride?

Our great God has already provided a solution to this situation. And this solution was in force as early as the first century.

God's Solution: Walking with Lions

As I told you in the beginning of this article, there is a conservationist group in Zimbabwe that is successfully rehabilitating lions back into the wild. But how do they do it?

They take the young cubs for walks everyday in the wild. An experienced lion "handler" (not trainer) will take a cub on long walks everyday to introduce the young lion to life in the wild. Eventually, the lion's natural instincts will begin to kick in. They will begin to respond to their natural prey and eventually begin to stalk them. Then, one day, they will learn to hunt for themselves. The lion handlers will also introduce them to a pride in the wild so they can be socially integrated.

God does the same thing with His people. He re-introduces His "lions" back into the wild by the use of "handlers." These are men and women who are called, prepared, and sent by Him for this difficult task. They do not become caretakers of the believers, but their job is to be re-introducers. Then the believers re-discover their spiritual instincts and habitat that has been long forgotten in captivity.

We can see these people at work in the first century. They were sent out by God as itinerant apostolic workers (or church planters) to lay a foundation of Christ for the assemblies of believers. Their job was to work themselves out of a job. Peter, John, Paul, Barnabas, Titus, Silas, Timothy, and others did this work or re-introducing God's people to the wild. Then they would leave them on their own to live as wild lions! Every one of these workers had already experienced true "pride life" for themselves and knew about the hunt, the wild, and the pride by personal experience.

In the Zimbabwe program, the handlers have less and less contact with the lions. The goal is to completely release them to the wild, not to control them and keep them domesticated.

Christians are leaving the religious institutions in droves. They are seeking more reality, a deeper spirituality, and freedom. They are being set free from the captivity of the religious system and it is a beautiful thing to see. But that creates an altogether different problem.

Now that all of these believers are being set free from captivity, what will happen next? How will they now be re-introduced to the wild? How will they remember how to hunt? How will they be introduced to the "pride" life?

God's own rehabilitation program must be the answer. We need to pray that God will raise up many "handlers" who have been called, prepared, and sent to walk with the lions.

You are a lion and you have a divine right to be free in the wild with His pride!

by Milt Rodriguez