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Heart Diagnosis in Helping Others

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I’m currently working my way through Dave Furman’s Being There, a book which really builds a theology of walking with people through suffering.  Nestled in chapter 5, which is about Serving Like Jesus, are some questions to diagnose your heart (questions that help get at why you may be struggling to serve a hurting friend or family member).  Wowzers…here goes:

heart-diagnosis

  1. Do I get upset if no one recognizes me for my service?
  2. Am I ever inconvenienced in my service?
  3. Do I feel too embarrassed to be treated like a servant?
  4. Do I complain about the ministry of serving others that God has given me?

Here’s the helpful remedy…

“Maybe you’ve asked yourself those questions and you realize that you’re struggling at serving in a way that honors Christ.  How do we get the strength to do this?  On our own, selfless Christlike service is impossible and unattainable.  We can only love in these ways because God first loved us.  We can humble ourselves because God humbled himself.  Jesus came not be served, but to serve, and while we were still sinners, he gave his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

“We can go low in service because in Christ we are eternally rich.  We can be nothing, because we know that apart from Christ we are nothing.  But through the life and death of Christ we’ve been given everything we have as a gift.  Your significance, security, and eternal glory are yours without the risk of losing it.  This same gospel that encourages the hurting needs to be rehearsed in your own mind and heart.  Remembering this truth fuels your service especially in the difficult situations you find yourself in.  Only then can you turn and do the most menial tasks without caring what others will think about you.  Only then can you share healing words of encouragement again and again because the gospel is always true.  Only then can you find the energy to serve in unique ways out of true love for the hurting that comes not from their acceptance of you but from your acceptance in Christ.  Only then can you serve like Jesus.  (Locations 1111-1121 in the Kindle Version)

So, because of the amazing reality that is ours in Jesus, will you move out to the hurting?

All Hands On Deck

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I’m posting today over on our Church’s Missions Blog:

All hands on deck seems to be a cry used in times when all kinds of help is needed to accomplish something.  In our case, we have a value called Wholly Engaged, which we feel helps encapsulate our idea that all hands are needed for the work of global missions.  We are on a boat that is riding a tidal wave of God’s glory to the ends of the earth.  And, we need all hands on deck to contribute to this awesome campaign.  Where is your place?  What work could you do?  How glorious would your work help God’s great cause?  Today, answer the call for all hands on deck as we display God’s glory throughout the world.

My Weekend – Disciple Now

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Blessed to have an opportunity to serve my former student and (still my) friend, Dale Baker, and the students God’s entrusted to him at Parkway Baptist in my hometown, St. Louis.

Our theme for the weekend is “a heart for God” and we’ll be looking at how our hearts function (Biblically speaking not medical journal mumbo jumbo) and how our hearts can be changed by the Gospel.

Would you join me in praying for a great weekend for these students and asking God to raise up from this group worshippers who give Him glory.  And, if you think of it, pray for me, that I would serve in God’s strength so that He’s glorified through me.

A Modest Proposal…

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Ladies, there are simple ways you can serve men this summer. In this article, What Not To Wear, by Mary Kassian, she offers 3 questions to ask yourself as you dress:

Is it becoming or unbecoming?
Is it decent or indecent?
Is it moderate or excessive?

Check out this article to see the practical ways you can help serve others around you in the way you dress.

Weekend Recap – Helping The Church

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Sunday AM’s sermon (10/25), entitled Helpful People, is now online. We looked at the amazing example of Epaphras from Colossians 1:7-8 and saw how we can use our talents and abilities to benefit the body of Christ. Specifically, we can help others by: centering our lives on the Gospel, serving, being faithful, and being in step with the Spirit.

I thought Sunday nights small group material on “the Church and the Yo-Yo” really tied in nicely to the morning emphasis. We had a great small group and I’m really encouraged with all that God is doing in the life of our body.

One more thing: Have you checked out the women’s ministry page?

Servant?

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In Elder’s Meeting a few days ago, we discussed Ajith Fernando’s booklet An Authentic Servant (check out the link for it free online). A tension we felt was how we are so prone to selfish convenience and not wanting to bother with people. It can be so easy to move in that direction. But another tension is the fact that we need to rest effectively. The Sabbath in a concept in Scripture. How do we pursue rest, though, without being selfish. It all made for a good discussion. Any thoughts?

Thank You To My Peeps…

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Any time I leave and get some time away on vacation, it takes a lot of people to fill in. I am really grateful, then, to the Elders in allowing some inconvenience to come their way so I can enjoy rest and relaxation. My secretary, Jandee Oard, for being the rock of organization I can rely on to cover the details. The deacons and their wives who work extra hard to not let details slip through the cracks. Various members of our worship ministry step up in big ways. And, this time, Graham Hill and his wife Beth Ann, who have taken time away from their family in Edmond to provide pulpit supply for me. I want all of you to know how grateful to God I am for you. You have chosen to be a servant and, thus, positioned yourselves for greatness. Know that I am being refreshed and will miss everyone, but I can be refreshed due to your actions.