As a part of trying to be disciplined in completing things I start, I am finishing a follow up to a previous post.  Comparing church staff (core leaders) as soldiers in war time. Here’s the point from that post:

♣  They might not have liked getting shot at but they accepted the responsibility of fighting naked aggression.

Soooooo, what’s that got to do with church culture?

Simply put, we have an understanding that we are in a continual conflict with the world.  As the scripture states.

James 4:4

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

Now that is not to say we are not to be friends with the people of the world.  That was how Jesus lived.  But we are not to be friendly to the world.  We are not to support and live by the morals, values, and conduct of the world.  Those things are in direct conflict with God.  They are usually in direct opposition with Him and therefore these things become God’s enemy?!

So…when we take on the responsibility of becoming an engaged and supportive partner with the church we are in turn saying, “I’m in the fight”.  It is safe to assume now that because you are in the fight you will take some liks.  It is to be expected.

But that’s ok. and here’s why:

• When on the aggressive side damage is not felt as much.
• If you choose not to fight when you are a Christian it does not take you off the battlefield.  Therefore you are actually going to get hurt more.
• Taking pain for the cause of Christ let’s you know you are on the right side.
• Pain also let’s you know that you are growing.  Your ’spiritual muscles’ develop and scars make you tough.
• In the process of getting tougher when you face the next battle you are even more prepared.

By choosing to be engaged we are actually showing God we love Him.  Not to get love from Him but because it is an outpouring of gratitude for what He has done for you. He fought for you through someone that had to take some damage along the way.  Wasn’t it worth it?

Ok so I got a little time, so here are my thoughts on this past week before I take a break.

• In dealing with our home builder we have had to use the discipline of pestering nicely in stead of yelling angrily.  Just like you find everywhere else in the world there are some things worth fighting for like getting things done right on the house. Heather and I find the practice of pestering vs expressing anger works a lot better.  Check it out here for a biblical perspective Proverbs 15:1-5.  I will write about this specifically later next week.
• Sometimes I have avoided what I considered to be ‘hot topics’ with my wife.  Like disciplining kids, budgeting, management of the home.  What I have noticed lately is that Heather and I have been developing a closer relationship as we actually talk about it more.  We find out we are both on the same page and we discuss outcomes and wants instead of pointing fingers at each other.
• Still working through how to use pastoral influence instead of pastoral authority.  It’s a lot like counseling.  As a pastor we need to reserve the right for telling people what they ’should’ do and try to get people to ’see why’ they should be doing something.  We need to save the authority card for when we need it.
• For the past few weeks the staff has been working late about 1 night a week.  I am seeing this really cool thing happen.  As we get bogged down in the desk work of the day the evenings are coming alive with special projects.  What makes it fun is that we are engaging with our volunteers and attendees during these times.  I think I am going to be pushing for two office days and work two nights    Just so we can hang with our folks.
• I talked about Baptism with a few people who are getting baptized this weekend.  Great stories from all walks of life.  From people suffering job loss, pregnant moms, kids, and prodigal sons.  Just more testimony that Jesus is for everyone and He is definitely moving in our midst here at Oak Leaf.  By the way if you want to get baptized we do it at the end of every month so let me know if you want to get dunked and we’ll talk.

Alright I am about to go wrestle with the boy for a while but if you need some help in discovering what God has called you to do at Oak Leaf let me know. Now go and make sure to rest and reflect on what God is doing in your life.

Using the System for Effective Prayers from Jody May on Vimeo.

This video is a little something extra to go along with the sermon below. We can have more effective prayers when we decide to be in biblical community.

As I was laying in bed at 5am this morning with Charlee crying in the room above and trying to get comfortable while my lower back is sending me pain signals I was thinking about the week.  Then it occurred to me either I have had way too much coffee or this was a great way to start my Sabbath and reflect on what transpired.  So here is what I gathered from my week.

1. When visiting someone in jail the visiting hours are not for your convenience.  You have two choices, Sunday or Wednesday 8-11 am.  Not only that, but you have to get there the first hour to get on the waiting list or it won’t happen.  Bottom line when you get arrested you have rights but you don’t get a say.
2. It’s good to have a sermon done a week ahead.  It allows you to go through it in your head and tweak final thoughts.  Also, it never fails, usually all the kids are home which makes it impossible to practice delivery since wherever I am there they are .
3. Twitter is fun but just like emails communication can be misconstrued.   People will interpret your ‘tweets’ based on how their day is going.  When you lay your life on twitter people will post their comments on you publicly.  It seems they forget about DM.
4. Second twitter thought.  Twitter is not just about you but about others.  If you are using it just to fill people in on your things like going, “going to the broom”, “just ate” and “sleeping now” I am about to stop following you.  Tell us something that helps us, makes us laugh, ask a question, something!  Then the, “I just got home” tweets can be taken a lot easier.
5. There is something magical about walking past your 3 month old and then she coos and smiles at you trying to get your attention.  Then you stop and do baby talk for five minutes.  You have just given them a memory, even thought it won’t last forever, that this guy likes me and I like him.  Can’t beat that!
6. Often times the very things that you are studying or just reading in the Bible will be something that you encounter that week.  Call me crazy but I believe all that stuff is planned out.  God will use what you are learning, not just for you, but to help others.
7. Lastly we had a talk in staff about Systems about shaping people’s behaviors using your system which regulates intervals of times for rewards and consequences. I was in an occupation for 11 years where that was all I did.  That stuff comes easy to me.  So, I definitely will be righting more about that in the future because giving positive feedback seems to be a foreign concept to a lot of people.

You can also catch about how the Holy Spirit uses you (see #6 above) by checking out Suzy’s page and catch her message on how God expects you to listen and partner with Him.

Alright that’s all I remember from 5 am.  The kids are up and I am about to relax and enjoy my Sabbath.  I hope you get the chance to do the same.

Here’s my blog Post on the observation of Impatience while is the midst of dealing with it:)

“Just a little Patience Yeah, Yeah” from Jody May on Vimeo.