Tag: Bible

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Complimentary Brains

PrintThe battle of the sexes will probably forever exist. Everyone has a position and an opinion. Some believe that men and women are 100% the same, except for in their reproductive parts and therefore are equal in value and worth, and then others believe that men and women are uniquely designed and intrinsically different, even beyond their reproductive parts, but are still equal in value and worth (different but equal).

The battle of the sexes, as we all know, goes beyond the physical make-up and design of men and women into the role men and women should play in society. Please don’t mistake this post for that kind of statement, this is not a statement on the role men and women should play in everyday life.

This online article by the Independent,  shares new scientific evidence that men and women are different, in fact, based on the study results, we are completely wired differently than one another:

“A pioneering study has shown for the first time that the brains of men and women are wired up differently which could explain some of the stereotypical differences in male and female behavior, scientists have said.”

It continues by pointing out that…

Psychological testing has consistently indicated a significant difference between the sexes in the ability to perform various mental tasks, with men outperforming women in some tests and women outperforming men in others. Now there seems to be a physical explanation, scientists said.

So, does an article like this just add fuel to the fire of the ongoing war between the two sexes? Or, does it confirm a view of different but equal?

For me, it reminds me that God is a relational God and he designed both sexes to thrive in relationships; the first being marriage. In Genesis 2:18 we read, ‘Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him,”’ just before creating Eve out of Adam’s rib to give him a companion and a helper.

We like to get caught up on that word “helper” and I believe it honestly has been used by some as a battering ram to devalue women, to abuse them, and to look on them in a slave type mentality. But this article on the brain helps confirm my view that the word helper here is being used in a complimentary way. Simply put, there are just some things, by design, that women do better than men and there are some things, by design, that men do better than women. I believe that God designed us to NEED each other and to compliment each other. Husband and wife, man and woman, provide a unique bond with each other that makes life easier, together. Separate from each other, men and women can function and survive, but life is more difficult as we, all by ourselves, lack the capacity that God has given the other sex which was designed to compliment us. So, instead of battling against each other trying to determine who is better than the other, let’s be thankful for one another and be humble enough to admit that God did not make us superheroes on our own, we need each other.

In closing, I would like to point out two things:

  1. If you read the entire article, you will see for yourself that men, in fact, by design, do not get lost! We are hardwired not to 🙂
  2. I no longer have to feel guilty when I, by design, lack empathy. God gave that talent to my wife and I am so grateful to have her be who I am not 🙂

Join the Conversation…What are your thoughts?

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I Like The Way You Think: Encouraging the Church

think-lightbulbI was eating lunch with Jonothan, our worship leader, yesterday and he mentioned something I thought was pretty cool. So, since Jonothan does not blog and he just tweeted for the first time yesterday, I think I’ll post this myself. I like the way our people at New Passion think…it is scary what God can do through our church, if people will simply step out and follow what he is leading them to do.

Jonothan was talking about some of the books of the Bible he has been reading lately and mentioned that he noticed how Paul would travel to the various churches and would share what was taking place within the other churches, he would send encouragement from the other Christians that he was with at the time to those he was writing letters to. An example can be found Here and Here.

Jonothan mentioned that it would be a great ministry for someone to go around to other churches, spend time with them, and to find out what God is doing in their churches, not to copy them, or to enact their strategies, rather so they could come back to their home church and share the good news with their fellow believers. I believe it would be just as important and powerful to know how to pray for those other churches as well. Someone would not have to physically go to the churches, with Skype, Twitter, email, and phones, we could easily connect with a contact within the church that could speak for their body.

It’s funny. We’ll get on the internet and see what series another church is doing. We’ll go to conferences to see what new strategies and philosophies we can enact. But, if we can, we’ll take it and claim it as our own. I’m not pointing the finger, I’ve done it myself. However, I am trying to do a lot less of it. I want God to do new things through me and through New Passion, so I don’t want to bottleneck us where we are so reliant on doing what everyone else is doing. I think we as a church need to be willing to share what God is doing all over the world, through other churches. If it’s truly not a competition we should be willing to encourage our believers with what God is doing with the believers next door and in the next town.

Anyway, no telling what will ever come of this idea. I think it was a great thought. It’s definitely something new. I don’t know of anyone else who is taking time or giving space to spotlight what God is doing in other churches, but we sure like to brag on ourselves.

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Contrasting Visions

glasses

Last night at our launch team meeting we looked at two contrasting visions in the book of Acts. One is found in Acts 19 and the other in Acts 17.  Here are a few of my follow up thoughts and main points to the devotion:

About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. 24 It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy. 25 He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows:

“Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. 26 But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! 27 Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis-this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world-will be robbed of her great prestige!”

28 At this their anger boiled, and they began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” – – – 40 I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won’t know what to say.” 41 Then he dismissed them, and they dispersed.

Demetrius had a vision. His vision was for his own personal gain. He had an agenda to have a successful business and to make a lot of money. The worship of the false goddess, Artemis, is what fueled Demetrius’ towards achieving his vision of a successful business. Demetrius was smart because he played on the emotions of his employees. He understood that a man will do whatever he has to do to provide for his family, so Demetrius painted a picture that Paul was taking there ability to provide for their family and to make money by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus. Two things stick out about Demetrius and I believe we can say the same thing for anyone who pursues their own agenda over God’s vision:

  1. They are not Willing to Sacrifice – (Vs. 23-26, 28) For Demetrius to abandon the vision he had for his business to embrace the vision of God as carried out by Paul and the other Apostles, it would have cost Demetrius a ton of money (Reminds me of the rich young ruler in Luke 18). His businesses relied on the worship of the false goddess, Artemis, and if lives were being changed, there would be less people worshiping Artemis, and therefore less demand for handcrafted idols.
  2. They are not Willing to Suffer – (Vs. 27, 40-41) People who follow their own agenda over God’s vision, try to control their lives and every situation around them to forcibly make what they desire to come to pass. They absolutely have to maintain some level of control, because their vision has no power. In this scripture, God’s movement was prevailing, and Demetrius and the city council tried their hardest to stop it, but it couldn’t be done. Demetrius and the city council were more worried about losing respect and facing trouble by the Romans, so they backed away from their uprising at the movement of God. When there is no power in what you are trying to do, it won’t be long, when trouble arises, that you’ll be jumping ship!

In Acts 17:3-9, there is an opposing reaction to God’s vision and movement. Check it out…

He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. 7 And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”

8 The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. 9 So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them.

Christ’s movement was increasing through the influence of Paul and Silas. Many people  were placing their faith in Jesus Christ. Jason caught this vision from God and through his actions we can see a couple of things that is evident when we embrace God’s vision for his church and his people:

  1. They are Willing to Suffer Personally (Vs. 3-7) – Jason did nothing more than open his home for Paul and Silas to have a place to stay. The Scripture never says that he even opened his mouth to proclaim the Gospel, yet the mob came and attacked his home, drug him before the city council, accused him, and threatened greater consequences for being a part of this vision. Jason could have saved his own Butt by telling the council where Paul and Silas were. What did he have to gain from keeping them hid? Nothing earthly. The Scripture never says that Paul gave him recognition for his act of bravery and self surrender. Jason didn’t need that. He willingly kept his mouth shut, endured his home being attacked, endured being roughed up physically, and being accused. Simply so the movement could continue and God’s vision could prevail.
  2. They are Willing to Sacrifice Personally (Vs. 8-9) – This whole thing started with Jason being willing to open his home to Paul and Silas to give them a place to stay. This was extra cleaning for two additional people in their household, extra food to provide for them to eat…his hospitality alone was a great sacrifice, but in verse 9 the scripture says that they were forced to post bail to be released. Jason has already faced personal suffering for the vision that Paul and Silas were carrying out, but now, its costing him money. Now most people draw the line right here! When suffering begins to start costing us financially, all of a sudden, it must not be God anymore. Not for Jason…he believed in the vision to the place where he was willing to sacrifice to see it come to pass. At any moment Jason could have renounced this movement, protected his home, saved face from public humiliation, and saved his money…but the vision had POWER and when God is in the middle of something, those who do not have their own agendas are drawn to it.
  • Are you willing to suffer and sacrifice personally to see God’s vision come to pass? Or do you have your own personal agenda that is hindering you from diving all the way in?
  • God’s vision has no room for personal agendas. Those who only seek power, recognition, financial security,  positions, etc. prevent the movement of God from happening through them.
  • Let’s lay our personal agendas aside, fully embrace God’s vision for our lives (New Passion: to lead people to a passionate relationship with Jesus) and see a Revolutionary God Movement take place in our lives and in our cities!
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Hunting for Treasure

treasure-map

I’ve been hunting for treasure lately. It’s amazing how much I’ve already found, its only been small amounts here or there, but the amazing thing is…the more smaller ‘pots of gold’ that I find the  the hungrier I get to find the big treasure chest!

This is where I have been lately…

My child, listen to what I say,  and treasure my commands.  2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.  3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.  4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.  6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.  8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.  9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,  and you will find the right way to go.  10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.  11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. 12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those those words are twisted… 16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. Proverbs 2:1-11 (NLT)

I love this scripture, it challenges me everytime I read it…”Search for Wisdom, understanding, and insight like I would for silver or for hidden treasure.” I don’t do that…I have been lately, but I don’t want it to be a lately thing, I need it to be an everyday thing! The older I am getting (and yes it is happening…I found 3 grey hairs Saturday) the more I am realizing I need God’s wisdom, his understanding, and his insight. As a husband, a father, a Christ Follower, an employee, a church member, a citizen…you name it and I need wisdom to accomplish it or to lead in it. So I am on a treasure hunt for what I believe Solomon thought was the most valuable possession, Wisdom!

I love what scripture promises if we search for wisdom, my thought is, what if we searched for it like it was hidden treasure? I mean passionately, whole heartedly, recklessly sought after wisdom? That’s what I need to do!

[Wisdom] “I love all who love me.  Those who search will surely find me…For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 8:17, 35 (NLT)

Join the Conversation: If you’ve learned one nugget of wisdom in your life that would benefit someone else, what would it be?