Hope Changes Everything, by John Boring #BlogParty2011

I'm so honored to get to introduce some of you to a dear friend of mine. John Boring has become very special to Stephen and to me over the past year or so. His writing inspires. His life encourages. And his warmth and hospitable spirit have captivated us both and made us his life-long friends and fans. He loves hugs and pie and people and his bride and friends and, most of all, Jesus Christ.

I asked John to join the blog party and was thrilled when he said "yes!" He shares with us a topic, not directly connected to our theme of "Hope Changes Everything," but his contribution here definitely conveys this theme. See if you don't see the dots connect....

Meet John Boring...

I’m not quite ancient and wise but I’m heading there fast.  Each tick of the clock takes me one second closer to where I can say I’m now a wise old man.  You don’t get to be considered old and wise, or even old and foolish - and get away with it - unless you put in the time. There’s no such thing as a venerable teenager, and no one listens to what a wise twenty-something has to say, but we all respect the sage old man whose words carry wisdom and experience.  I’m about to become that kind of man. I turn 80 in November.

LOVE

So, anticipating how wise I’ll be in a few months, let me jump the gun by telling you now what I consider to be the best advice I can give anyone.  Love.  Love everyone and love them well.  Let love rule your life. Give love generously and receive it graciously. Hand out love as easily as you would party favors but make it the kind of love that sticks, that can’t be ignored or destroyed, the kind of love that matters.  Love others the same way that God loves you; intentionally and relationally, without reservation and forever.

It took me 73 years to understand that advice and I give it to you here so that you don’t wait as long as I did to understand the power and the beauty of loving others.  Love is the great life-changing element that God placed inside each of us long before this world ever existed. He meant for us to share it with others and when we didn’t get that idea, He sent us His only son to remind us that love was His message.  One of the last things that Jesus had to say to us while He walked this earth, was for us to love others as He has loved us.

But, I’m not simply talking about spiritual love, the kind that Christians are supposed to sow and reap like farmers in a field, but also about the relational love between friends, lovers and families.  Love needs to be brought out into daylight, not hoarded in the darkness or kept locked up as a prized possession.  Love needs to be paraded openly where all can see, put on exhibit, waved like a flag, worn openly and proudly as you would a favorite blouse or shirt.  Love needs to be kept polished and bright and daily use will keep it that way.  Love needs to be shared with loved ones while they are here to appreciate it, not brought out only at funerals.  Love needs to flow from us as easily as water from a spigot and distributed to those we care about, not allowed to simply run into the drain and be lost forever. Love is more than a word it’s also a way of life; love can be seen in how we act, the things we do, the way we live.  Love is so many things but to us it’s what sets the quality of our life.  When we love, we live large.

Love is meant to be shared for it is meaningless if you keep it to yourself.  Love is especially valuable to your parents, your siblings and your children.  They need to know and believe that you love them.  Of course, you definitely need to give love to your sweetheart for the more you give to him or her, the more you will get in return. That’s the beauty of sharing love; the more you give, the more you get.

For many years I was a pretty self-centered guy, capable of love but using it best when it suited my purpose.  That was during a time when I considered myself to be a Christian but I really didn't understand the meaning of the word. It was only after I came fully to Christ in 2005 that I discovered what love was all about and how powerful of a force it can be in our lives.  Now, as a soon-to-be venerated, respected, wise, elderly dude, I am happy to pass on to you this valuable lesson that I learned about love and loving others.

So,  there you have it, but with one final thought:  You love others more easily when you have the love of Jesus in your heart.

Much love,

John Boring

"If I have not LOVE..."

 ¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never fails. ...
¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 

(I Corinthians 13, NKJV)

I read a lot. I didn't go to college after high school, although I was awarded some pretty great scholarships and offered some amazing opportunities. I only regret that decision from time to time. I am who I am due to the journey I've been on--so I learn to live with gratefulness rather than regret. Although I didn't go to college, I've never stopped learning. I read constantly and try to learn from the best and brightest teachers. As God has called me to be a leader, I've focused a lot of my mental energy on learning how to lead well and how to succeed in leading others.

As I've studied the greatest leaders I can find, I've noticed that there are some leaders I (and many others) gravitate towards naturally, and others whom I lose interest in pretty quickly. It took me a while to recognize what made some so attractive and others less so. I've told my husband that there were some leaders I liked more before I could 'follow' them so easily now that we have the tool of social networking. ;-)

I think that the biggest difference is something really pretty simple: does that leader love the ones he/she has been called to lead? Does his/her love show in evident ways? Does that leader recognize that leaders truly are called to lead others, not lord over others? There's such a huge difference! 

We have all experienced a relationship with a leader who was more about his/her own ego rather than making a difference by loving well.

Lately, I find myself asking God to show me creative and intentional ways to love those whom He has graciously entrusted me to lead--i.e. to serve. After all, what draws us to God is His unfailing love, isn't it? I'm trusting the Holy Spirit to work this kind of love in me that I might love others well. Who really cares if a leader can lead well or speak well or delegate well if that leader never demonstrates LOVE well?

My Prayer: "Lord Jesus, if I am going to lead, may I love others and desire what is in their best interest over what would make me feel loved. May I trust in your unfailing love so much that I can pour out of that overflow into the lives of others, empowering them to soar to new heights, inspiring them to love well, too!"

A Slave by Choice

The idea I want to share might take me a few steps to unpack, so I hope you'll hang with me. I think you'll be glad you did. :-)

In different places in the New Testament, writers would refer to themselves as a "slave" or as a "bondservant" of Jesus Christ. For example, I'm reading through the Book of James in my daily reading right now, and James opens his letter by saying in the NKJV, "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…" The word 'bondservant' is the one I'd like to focus on in this post.

In the early days of the Church, people who heard this term knew exactly what it meant. A bondservant was a person, previously 'owned' by another who had been set free by his/her master. Their freedom could have come as a result of their debt being paid off by their labor. It could have come as a result of the traditional holidays that gave slave owners a set time to set slaves free. It could have been for any number of reasons. But the bottom line for us in our understanding is that a bondservant was someone who had previously been a slave, but who now could enjoy liberty as a free man or woman.

But there is more.

There were those relationships that existed between slave and master that were actually really good relationships. There were good masters who genuinely loved and provided for their slaves. There were masters who treated their slaves with dignity and integrity and who provided well for the slaves and even the families of the slaves who worked for them. When the time came, and for whatever reason, the slave was set free, there were those who, because of their master's trustworthiness and love, chose to remain with their masters. (See Exodus 21:1-6)

A slave by choice.

Whenever this happened, the slave, now a free man or woman, would go before the authority of the land (i.e. a judge) and present him/herself as one making the choice to serve his/her master for life. And, in addition to this public vow, the master would give his bondservant a physical sign of this commitment. He would pierce the ear of the servant with an awl. This was an outward symbol of an inward commitment—much like a wedding band signifies a commitment between one man and one woman.

From this point onward, the slave was no longer a slave by circumstance, but was now a slave by choice. It was his decision to become a servant for life to the master who had proven his goodness over time. Anytime the bondservant began to question his own loyalty or decision in becoming a slave for life, he had the outward symbol which was a visible reminder of his reason for making that commitment in the first place.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are given this same opportunity—but one that will never be forced upon us. Jesus Himself told his disciples,

"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 15:15)

 Jesus made it possible for us to become friends of the Most High. Let that sink in for a minute. God did not come into the world or even create the world in order to be served by it or anyone in it. He loves us as He loves Himself—He loves us as much as He loves His own Son. Jesus even told us that He did not come into the world to be served, but to serve. And, in God's goodness, and in His wisdom, He patiently teaches us that our greatest fulfillment will not come as a result of having others serve us. It will not come as a result of getting everything we think we want. It won't come as a result of climbing a ladder or getting ahead. Our greatest fulfillment will come as a result of our becoming servants ("slaves") by choice.
I, for one, have found God to be a very good master. He is a very good provider. He is far more trustworthy and reliable than anyone else I've ever known. I never have to worry that He will lead me into anything that is harmful for me or for those I love. Obeying Him provides a place of rest and security—not because He'll get me back if I don't, but because He loves me enough to lead me into the right places to begin with.
Anytime you see someone serving by choice, rather than compulsion, you'll find a person full of joy and peace and zest for life. It's amazing!

It is an honor to be a bondservant of the Most High God. And, in those times when I begin to wonder if I made the right decision, I can reach up and feel the "awl" in my ear and remember why I made this decision in the first place.
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What about you? What helps you remember why you've chosen to serve rather than be served?

Heart Condition, Part 2

Theologians teach that the Bible's definition of the heart is "the seat of reflection." Therefore, we can examine the state of our heart by the decisions we make. Faulty decisions can come from a faulty heart, but they can also come from false beliefs about the real condition of our hearts as well. If we believe our hearts to be something other than they are, we're going to make a lot of faulty decisions in life because from our thoughts our actions follow.

Before we come to Christ, we do have a very serious heart condition. Scripture teaches that those who are still "in Adam" are going to display the realities of that family line. In order to have hope, lasting change, and peace, the fruits of the Spirit, etc--not to mention eternal life!--we must not simply be changed, or improved, we must be made brand new. We must become a part of a different family line.

Enter Christ Jesus.

When God sent His Son into the world, it wasn't just to teach us a better way to live. He could have used a prophet or even an angel to communicate a message like that. It wasn't to teach us how we can change our behaviors, He could have continued to send the Law. It wasn't even just to forgive us for all of our sins so we could go to heaven when we die. God could have established another way of getting folks to heaven. God sent Jesus to take our place for us as a man so that we could become a part of a different blood line through that sacrifice, through that atonement, and through our identification with Christ on His bloody cross. Only God could fulfill God's Holy Laws of perfection. Only God Himself could fix what man had broken. Only God would love the whole messy world enough to do so.

For those of us who are "in Christ," we no longer have ties to our Adam blood line. We weren't merely given a blood transfusion to empower us, we were given a complete heart transplant! We were made brand new! God has already changed us. We have a brand new identity. We have a brand new name. We have a brand new spirit. And now, it is His purpose and plan to mature us into who we already are. This new genetic identity allows us to reflect on events and circumstances differently, and by this, confirm to ourself and the world our new nature.

My friend, John Lynch, says this so much better than I ever could:



If you feel like a berated little caterpillar, have hope! God sees you, and God loves you. He knows where you've been. He knows all your stuff. Nothing you can do can make Him love you more and nothing you can do can make Him love you less. He is slap-happy crazy about you. What He desires most is that you would trust Him.

You see, most of us know that God wants us to draw close to Him. Most of us know God is concerned with our behaviors. Most of us know that God is holy and has called us to be a holy people. But what we don't realize is that God also knows we can only draw as close to Him to the degree that we trust Him. This is true of any relationship. He knows we can force behaviors, fake attitudes, and deceive people--even ourselves--into believing that our behaviors, good or bad, are an accurate measure of our faith. Trust, though, can't be faked. You either trust or you don't. And, eventually, that will make itself evident in our lives.

God also knows that we will only trust someone to the degree that we feel loved by that person. If we question their love, it will decrease our trust level.

You have an enemy who is going to do everything he can do to convince you God doesn't really love you. Or maybe, he'll just try to convince you that God doesn't like you as much as He likes someone else. Don't buy it.

You are loved. The One who made you loves you and desires to be close to you and to have you come up close to Him. And, He also knows that real, honest trust that leads to maturity, takes time. I still don't believe this myself at times. I need the reminder of truth when the world is bombarding me with lies on a regular basis. I thought maybe you could use a reminder today, too.

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So grateful for help with this post from Dr. Brenda Wagner. You can meet her and hear her on August 17, 2010 at Church 4 Chicks!

Tired of waiting?

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 KJV

or, in other words...

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

TNIV

Ever get tired of it all?

~Tired of working hard and seeing few or little results?

~Tired of investing in others and not seeing the rewards you hoped for when you started out?

~Tired of one "dangled carrot" after another?

You can even fill in the blank, I'm sure, of the area(s) where you most struggle to keep on keepin' on. I know I can.

I've been in full-time ministry, really most of my life, but officially since 2005. I can't even count how many times I've used the term "dangled carrot" in my talks with Stephen and close friends as it relates to ministry and family dreams that seem unfulfilled at worst, and partially fulfilled at best. We experience times of wondering, did we really hear from God? Is this still what we're supposed to be doing? It seems whenever we begin to think we're making some progress in one area, something happens to dash our hopes and pressure us to give up.

There have been many times when I've battled with the temptation to quit. I have often struggled with guilt when I would hear others declare that they never get tired of the work they do. That they don't allow themselves to get discouraged. I would begin to pack my bags, because I knew I was about to go on a guilt trip.

But then I heard a hero and mentor of mine say a few months back, "God doesn't give brownie points for not giving in to sin you aren't tempted to do." (Bill Thrall)

Recently I had a coffee date with my dear friend, Ginger Garrett. I always love getting together with her. She is a breath of fresh air. She is wise and genuine and humble and funny and just an absolute delight to everyone she comes in contact with. Not to mention the fact that she is an incredible author and communicator. What a woman! I count it a privilege indeed to be her friend and to have her as my friend. She said something that continues to echo in my mind:

"God always does the most loving thing."

God IS love. So, He won't necessarily do what I want Him to do. What I prefer He does. What I beg, cry out, and even try to convince Him to do. He won't necessarily do what makes me most comfortable or even happy. But, I can absolutely, unequivocally bank on the fact that He WILL do the best, most loving, thing. Always. For me. For my husband. For my children. And, yes, for YOU.

As I've contemplated these different statements, I realized even just last week, that these things I was visualizing as "dangled carrots" are in reality, more like sign posts along the journey to lead me along the path God has for me. In His love, He sends me one sign post after another. He doesn't give me dead-end dangled carrots that I'll never be able to reach. He sends me one sign after the next and each one is guiding me to the intended destination. Each one is part of the journey. Each one is meaningful and purposeful.

This "a-ha!" discovery or realization is truly enabling me to enjoy where I'm at on the way to where I'm going. This is helping me to trust my God that much more with each step of this journey. This is helping me to believe more wholeheartedly that HE is enjoying ME through each step of this maturing process because He is both the initiator and sustainer of the entire process.

So, as I go about this personal journey my God has created just for me, I keep the map (the vision He has given me) in view, and I allow His voice to guide me from one stop on the journey to the next. This helps me to walk in trust. With determination. Without fear of failure (for we've all heard that God allows U-turns when we make a mistake!) I can trust Him for the necessary detours and stops along the way. He is indeed working from and for eternity. He is in no rush.

What a precious thing is this Christian life. Not just a life that lives forgiven and free; but a life that is continually being transformed into who we were intended to be all along. What a gift!

Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." or in another translation "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint..." May it never be said of us that we allowed the vision to become invisible to us or hidden from us by our own unbelief. Keep it before you. Consider the Message paraphrase which says,

If people can't see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed.

So, where does God have you on your journey? Please don't give up! Hang on to Him and hang in there. Each sign post is leading you to a place that is more amazing than you could have ever dreamed or imagined. I'm on this journey with you. Please pray that I won't give up or lose sight of the vision either. I would love to hear from you! Take a moment and write to me using the comment form available.

Don't give up! He who promised IS faithful!!