"Direction--not intention--determines our destination."
"the end of this story was determined years ago when he chose a path that, from the very beginning had dishonor, disgrace and dismissal as the destination."
"First, we don't get lost on purpose."
"The second thing I've learned about getting lost is that I never know exactly when it happens."
"There's a thing thing about getting lost. The road I'm on always determines where I end up."
There are a few of the many quotes that could be lifted and perhaps should be lifted form this book and kept very close to our thoughts throughout our journey.
At this point in my life, I'm very much aware of the many poor choices that I've made. Each choice put me on a path that already had a destination attached to it. No matter what my intentions were, the path I chose ended up at a pre-determined destination. Perhaps I went about things wrong.
Instead of knowing where I wanted to end up and then working back from that point and establishing a plan of how to get there, I, along with so many others, started out with wonderful intentions, but without a map.....okay....GPS. I knew where I wanted to be, but didn't know how to get there.
Perhaps we are not capable of paying attention to maps when we are young......since we are convinced that we know what we're doing. (Maybe it was because no one could figure out to put the maps back together once we unfolded them......) We also had more resources available to us than any other generation that had come along. BUT, having the right tools doesn't make us a master carpenter or mechanic. Nor does it guarantee we will get started on the right path.
Yes, we need the wisdom of Solomon, but he demonstrated that wisdom wasn't enough. We need folks who can speak into our lives; but since we don't always listen, we need something more. We need to have attitudes that welcome the advice of those who have walked their own paths and learned a few things along the way. Plus we need to learn how to be dependent upon the guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Any one of these things has proven to not be sufficient for most of us. We need all three.
The quotes I cited at the beginning of this review are typical responses to those times when we get "lost." We need one another and we need God.
The take away for me is that I need to be involved in the lives of others as they come along; and I need others to be involved in my life; plus I need the leadership of God's Spirit.
One note regarding those that I need help from....they don't have to be older nor do they have to be smarter. That's an arrogant attitude and reeks of spiritual pride. I just need to make sure they care about me and are willing to ask the hard questions about where I'm going and how I'm getting there.
You need to get this book and read it. Mull it over. Then ask God what it is He would have you learn from these pages and what adjustments you need to make as you walk your own path. You just might be headed to a "dead end" or to a "closed road."
There are lots of lights out there that can confuse us.....lots of distractions. Most of us need help to stay on the right path and end up where God desires us to be.
Special thanks to Nelson Publishing and the Booksneeze.com website for sending this book to me and for the opportunity to review it.
Always in Pursuit!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
"The Power of a Whisper. Hearing God. Having the Guts to Respond."
I'm grateful to the Willow Creek Association for sending this book to me knowing that I would post a review of it on my blog,"In Pursuit" and on the Amazon.com web site.
I've been a fan of Bill Hybels and the Willow Creek Church from the beginning. I was a senior in High School, living in the northwest suburbs of Chicago when Bill began knocking on doors in Palatine to announce the start of Willow Creek in the local theater.
I've the read the books; listened to the tapes; watched the videos and DVDs all along the way. I've heard the criticisms and the praises. And I continue to respect this man and his ministry more than ever.
I've heard Hybels speak on the topic of leadership a number of times. It is obvious that he is a devoted student to the topic of leadership and an avid reader of books on the topic. I even have a list of the leadership books that Hybels has read and recommends. He has also surrounded himself with men and women who are renown for their own leadership abilities. But when I read "The Power of a Whisper" I came away knowing that Bill Hybels was a man who relied upon more than leadership principles for his ministry and life.
Very early in his life, Bill learned to hear God's whisper and learned to have the guts to respond. There were times when folks opposed him; were confused by him; but he always stood his ground knowing that he had heard God's voice.
It was refreshing to hear that someone like Bill Hybels continues to rely upon the voice of God to lead them. This doesn't mean there is anything wrong in studying how to be a more effective leader. It is not an "either/or" situation. To be effective, you need both. You need the ability to hear God's whisper and the ability to lead others as you follow God's instructions.
Hybels did one other thing that impressed me. Perhaps it was solely for the purpose of research for this book, but there were other benefits from it.
Bill sent out an e-mail to the people of Willow Creek encouraging them to share with him about times when they too had heard God's whisper. The responses he shares from this exercise will bless you!
What a great encouragement to the people of Willow Creek. And what a great time of teaching to the people of Willow Creek. I'm sure many of them had heard God's whisper but didn't know it was God. Perhaps they didn't think God would speak to them. But with the encouragement of their pastor and some instruction along the way, "the whisper" became more clear; and they became more confident in hearing God's voice. After all, they now a new source of encouragment to respond to God's whisper in their pastor.
I highly recommend this book. It will bless you; it will challenge you; and it will cause you to be more attentive to the voice of God and encourage you to have the guts to respond!
Always in Pursuit!
I've been a fan of Bill Hybels and the Willow Creek Church from the beginning. I was a senior in High School, living in the northwest suburbs of Chicago when Bill began knocking on doors in Palatine to announce the start of Willow Creek in the local theater.
I've the read the books; listened to the tapes; watched the videos and DVDs all along the way. I've heard the criticisms and the praises. And I continue to respect this man and his ministry more than ever.
I've heard Hybels speak on the topic of leadership a number of times. It is obvious that he is a devoted student to the topic of leadership and an avid reader of books on the topic. I even have a list of the leadership books that Hybels has read and recommends. He has also surrounded himself with men and women who are renown for their own leadership abilities. But when I read "The Power of a Whisper" I came away knowing that Bill Hybels was a man who relied upon more than leadership principles for his ministry and life.
Very early in his life, Bill learned to hear God's whisper and learned to have the guts to respond. There were times when folks opposed him; were confused by him; but he always stood his ground knowing that he had heard God's voice.
It was refreshing to hear that someone like Bill Hybels continues to rely upon the voice of God to lead them. This doesn't mean there is anything wrong in studying how to be a more effective leader. It is not an "either/or" situation. To be effective, you need both. You need the ability to hear God's whisper and the ability to lead others as you follow God's instructions.
Hybels did one other thing that impressed me. Perhaps it was solely for the purpose of research for this book, but there were other benefits from it.
Bill sent out an e-mail to the people of Willow Creek encouraging them to share with him about times when they too had heard God's whisper. The responses he shares from this exercise will bless you!
What a great encouragement to the people of Willow Creek. And what a great time of teaching to the people of Willow Creek. I'm sure many of them had heard God's whisper but didn't know it was God. Perhaps they didn't think God would speak to them. But with the encouragement of their pastor and some instruction along the way, "the whisper" became more clear; and they became more confident in hearing God's voice. After all, they now a new source of encouragment to respond to God's whisper in their pastor.
I highly recommend this book. It will bless you; it will challenge you; and it will cause you to be more attentive to the voice of God and encourage you to have the guts to respond!
Always in Pursuit!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
How to Be a Giant Killer, Part V
The idea behind this part of the Giant Killer series is "Victim or Victor."
I wonder how many of us would have taken on a victim mentality had we been in David's sandals?
Let's look at the circumstances....his only assignment had been to watch the sheep and to carry supplies to his brothers (who didn't particularly care for him) and to take gifts to the king (who apparently took no notice of him).
For some reason he wasn't allowed to join the army and fight with his brothers. Perhaps he was too young....or perhaps Jesse just couldn't stand the thought of allowing his youngest son to go and fight. So, off to the sheep it was for David.
Up to this point the only battle experience he had had was with a lion and bear and perhaps with a mean old ram from time to time. Nothing there to really prepare him for battle with an experienced war hero from the Philistines.
In addition, he was not very tall and apparently not the best looking in the family. And we would assume that his personality left something to be desired at this point as well.
On top of this, his big brother Eliab thought he was conceited and questioned his integrity. He accused David of doing what he was doing just so he could watch the battle. And I think there was something said about David being wicked......now those kinds of things would give a little brother a complex....I think.
Many of us would have turned away from those circumstances thinking that everybody was against me; no one believed in me; no one likes me; think I'll eat a can of worms......And to be honest, there certainly was evidence that some of this could have been true. But David thought differently about it.
David viewed the lion and bear as preparation for the giant; he knew he was good with his sling; and he knew that God was on his side. He was not going to allow these things to make him a victim. In his heart, he knew he would be victorious because of God.
And while I woudl ben't be surpirsed to learn that deep down inside David wanted to be tall and handsome like his big brother he knew these things wouldn't be any help to him while facing the giant. He needed a heart that was after God's own heart.
That's why he announced that he was coming against the giant in the name of the Lord Almighty. He wasn't coming against the giant in the name of his father; his older brother; Saul or even the armies of Israel. His source was the LORD Almighty. And David knew that the LORD Almighty would make him the victor in spite of the things that could have made him a victim.
It's our choice....victim or victor. I know what I want to choose, how about you?
Always in Pursuit!
I wonder how many of us would have taken on a victim mentality had we been in David's sandals?
Let's look at the circumstances....his only assignment had been to watch the sheep and to carry supplies to his brothers (who didn't particularly care for him) and to take gifts to the king (who apparently took no notice of him).
For some reason he wasn't allowed to join the army and fight with his brothers. Perhaps he was too young....or perhaps Jesse just couldn't stand the thought of allowing his youngest son to go and fight. So, off to the sheep it was for David.
Up to this point the only battle experience he had had was with a lion and bear and perhaps with a mean old ram from time to time. Nothing there to really prepare him for battle with an experienced war hero from the Philistines.
In addition, he was not very tall and apparently not the best looking in the family. And we would assume that his personality left something to be desired at this point as well.
On top of this, his big brother Eliab thought he was conceited and questioned his integrity. He accused David of doing what he was doing just so he could watch the battle. And I think there was something said about David being wicked......now those kinds of things would give a little brother a complex....I think.
Many of us would have turned away from those circumstances thinking that everybody was against me; no one believed in me; no one likes me; think I'll eat a can of worms......And to be honest, there certainly was evidence that some of this could have been true. But David thought differently about it.
David viewed the lion and bear as preparation for the giant; he knew he was good with his sling; and he knew that God was on his side. He was not going to allow these things to make him a victim. In his heart, he knew he would be victorious because of God.
And while I woudl ben't be surpirsed to learn that deep down inside David wanted to be tall and handsome like his big brother he knew these things wouldn't be any help to him while facing the giant. He needed a heart that was after God's own heart.
That's why he announced that he was coming against the giant in the name of the Lord Almighty. He wasn't coming against the giant in the name of his father; his older brother; Saul or even the armies of Israel. His source was the LORD Almighty. And David knew that the LORD Almighty would make him the victor in spite of the things that could have made him a victim.
It's our choice....victim or victor. I know what I want to choose, how about you?
Always in Pursuit!
Friday, January 14, 2011
How To Be a Giant Killer, Part IV
I mentioned at the conclusion of "How To Be a Giant Killer Part III" that when I learned more about Giant Killing, I would write about it. Well.....I've learned some additional things about slaying giants and I want to share those things with you. I suspicion that learning how to slay giants (I like the word "slay" better than "kill." It sounds kinder......:) is an on-going process.
Recently while reading Victoria Boyson's book, "Giving Birth to Your Destiny" I discovered some additional insights into slaying giants. Thus, Part IV of that series. Additionally I will have part V ready to post in a day or so.
Vicky's book (which I would recommend to you, it's available from Arrow Publications. This is a ministry Francis Frangipane.) brought up the subject of David and his older brother. Now I've never been a younger brother. But I do have lots of experience as an older brother. I am the oldest of three boys. And while I have my own battles with being first born David was fighting his own battles with being the last born.
According to 1 Samuel 17:13, Eliab was the oldest of Jesse's sons. He was tall and handsome and reminded some of King Saul. At least that was Samuel's first reaction to him when he saw him for the first time as noted in 1 Samuel 16:6.
But when David carried supplies from his father to the front lines of the battle, David's big brother reacted poorly to David's presence. 1 Samuel 17:28 says that when Eliab saw David, he "burned with anger." He also insinuated that David had been irresponsible for leaving the sheep; and call him "conceited" claiming he had a wicked heart.
It's guys like Eliab that give us big brothers a bad name.
Verse 30 of 1 Samuel 17 tells us how David dealt with Eliab. He turned away from Eliab and searched for someone else to talk to. Have you ever had someone that you wanted to "turn away" from? I have. I wish I had paid attention to this portion of Scripture to see how best to handle situations like that. I'm not sure I handled either of these situations well. I didn't fight with them; or aruge with them; I simply internalized their comments and let them eat at me. Sorry for the confession.....it was bad judgment on my part.I should have turned away from them. Since I'm sure there will be more who are like Eliab come along, I will be prepared to do better. Hopefully you will be better prepared too.
My experiences involved two other ministers. After more than 20 years.....it's been more than 30 years now......one co-worker began to chide me about being a pastor's kid and how that made going into ministry so much easier. He also went on to imply that when he came into ministry,he had to work much harder than I did.
Well, I am a PK.....Preacher's Kid. I'm proud of it. Dad pastored churches that were difficult places to be. They were small churches and had been small churches for most of their existence. They were churches with no money. And they were churches that did not want to grow, no matter what he tried to do. I saw his discouragement. I saw his frustration. I saw the disappointments and I lived without many things due to there being no money. (God kept him humble and the church kept him poor.) I don't know that this was a great advantage for me. What was a great advantage though, was the faithfulness of my dad that I saw day in and day out. So, perhaps I did have an advantage from that standpoint.
At another time, a different co-worker decided that since I hadn't experienced the things of this world, as he had, that I probably wouldn't be that effective in ministry. He claimed that I could not related to folks who were coming from worldly backgrounds and lives that had been entrenched in sin. I'm still greatful that I don't know their pain. But I know that God knows their pain and He's the only one who can fix their pain, no matter what I have or haven't experienced.
Back to Eliab.....it would be easy to judge Eliab's heart based on what God said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 17:7. God said that while man looked on the outside, God looked at the heart and it sounds as if God didn't care for Eliab's heart.....or at least his heart wasn't right to become the next king.
Perhaps it's safer to say that Eliab's heart was just different than David's instead of saying it was bad.
That's the conclusion I came to with my co-workers. Their hearts weren't wicked, just different. No one was better; no one had it easier; no one was more effective than the other; we were all just different.
But sometimes when someone like Eliab begins to challenge you, with a different heart, it's just best to turn away and find someone with a heart similar to yours........if you really want to kill the giants.
Always in Pursuit!
Recently while reading Victoria Boyson's book, "Giving Birth to Your Destiny" I discovered some additional insights into slaying giants. Thus, Part IV of that series. Additionally I will have part V ready to post in a day or so.
Vicky's book (which I would recommend to you, it's available from Arrow Publications. This is a ministry Francis Frangipane.) brought up the subject of David and his older brother. Now I've never been a younger brother. But I do have lots of experience as an older brother. I am the oldest of three boys. And while I have my own battles with being first born David was fighting his own battles with being the last born.
According to 1 Samuel 17:13, Eliab was the oldest of Jesse's sons. He was tall and handsome and reminded some of King Saul. At least that was Samuel's first reaction to him when he saw him for the first time as noted in 1 Samuel 16:6.
But when David carried supplies from his father to the front lines of the battle, David's big brother reacted poorly to David's presence. 1 Samuel 17:28 says that when Eliab saw David, he "burned with anger." He also insinuated that David had been irresponsible for leaving the sheep; and call him "conceited" claiming he had a wicked heart.
It's guys like Eliab that give us big brothers a bad name.
Verse 30 of 1 Samuel 17 tells us how David dealt with Eliab. He turned away from Eliab and searched for someone else to talk to. Have you ever had someone that you wanted to "turn away" from? I have. I wish I had paid attention to this portion of Scripture to see how best to handle situations like that. I'm not sure I handled either of these situations well. I didn't fight with them; or aruge with them; I simply internalized their comments and let them eat at me. Sorry for the confession.....it was bad judgment on my part.I should have turned away from them. Since I'm sure there will be more who are like Eliab come along, I will be prepared to do better. Hopefully you will be better prepared too.
My experiences involved two other ministers. After more than 20 years.....it's been more than 30 years now......one co-worker began to chide me about being a pastor's kid and how that made going into ministry so much easier. He also went on to imply that when he came into ministry,he had to work much harder than I did.
Well, I am a PK.....Preacher's Kid. I'm proud of it. Dad pastored churches that were difficult places to be. They were small churches and had been small churches for most of their existence. They were churches with no money. And they were churches that did not want to grow, no matter what he tried to do. I saw his discouragement. I saw his frustration. I saw the disappointments and I lived without many things due to there being no money. (God kept him humble and the church kept him poor.) I don't know that this was a great advantage for me. What was a great advantage though, was the faithfulness of my dad that I saw day in and day out. So, perhaps I did have an advantage from that standpoint.
At another time, a different co-worker decided that since I hadn't experienced the things of this world, as he had, that I probably wouldn't be that effective in ministry. He claimed that I could not related to folks who were coming from worldly backgrounds and lives that had been entrenched in sin. I'm still greatful that I don't know their pain. But I know that God knows their pain and He's the only one who can fix their pain, no matter what I have or haven't experienced.
Back to Eliab.....it would be easy to judge Eliab's heart based on what God said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 17:7. God said that while man looked on the outside, God looked at the heart and it sounds as if God didn't care for Eliab's heart.....or at least his heart wasn't right to become the next king.
Perhaps it's safer to say that Eliab's heart was just different than David's instead of saying it was bad.
That's the conclusion I came to with my co-workers. Their hearts weren't wicked, just different. No one was better; no one had it easier; no one was more effective than the other; we were all just different.
But sometimes when someone like Eliab begins to challenge you, with a different heart, it's just best to turn away and find someone with a heart similar to yours........if you really want to kill the giants.
Always in Pursuit!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Characteristics of Young Davids....continued
The first characteristic of Young Davids was faithfulness. (If you didn't read the first part of this series, please feel free to do so.)
The second characteristic that needs to be understood is that Young Davids are willing to tackle whatever task is placed in front of them to do.
Disclaimer.....in a way. I should point out that the goal of a Young David is not to get away with the sins King David committed but to be known as a man or woman "after God's own heart." We can't excuse David's behavior. And he didn't try to excuse himself. Just as David did, we have to learn own up to our own sin; confess our sin; repent of our sin; and then move forward into the things God has prepared in advance for us to do. Sin derails us from staying the course, but the forgiveness, mercy and grace of God help us get back to where we need to be.
As a shepherd, David was given the responsibility to find good pasture; water; and safety for his father's flock. We also know that he probably spent time practicing with his sling; playing his harp; and writing poems/songs.
we also know that David's father would also assign him other tasks to do besides watching sheep. For example in 1 Samuel 17:15 we discover that Jesse, David's father, would ask him to go to the battle front to take supplies to his brothers and gifts to the King.
David could have opted out....I think...and said, "No, I'm a shepherd," or "No, I'm a poet/musician and can't get involved in situations such as that." Or he could have said, "I'm the Lord's anointed and can't get involved with low level supplies line duty such as this." But he didn't say those things. He did what was assigned to him to do. And I also find it interesting, he didn't look for someone to delegate the task to. (I've seen some folks who spend more time and energy searching for someone to do the menial tasks than it would have taken for them to simply get it done. But since they were above and beyond doing things like that or because it wasn't their job.........you know people like that too.....don't you? Sure hope we don't ever do that.)
There was also a point when the shepherd, supply clerk and poet was asked to come and play his harp before the king to calm him down. Again, David willingly did so.
I was thinking about this the other day. What if David, after he had been anointed by Samuel to be the second king of Israel, refused to do these things. After all, he was to be the next king. How would it look to have the crown placed on the kings head and it slipped down because he was missing an ear from a battle with a lion or a bear?
I don't know how conscious David was of being the next king, but I do know that he had an attitude of "get it done" or "getter done" long before a cable guy named Larry came along.
Always in Pursuit!
The second characteristic that needs to be understood is that Young Davids are willing to tackle whatever task is placed in front of them to do.
Disclaimer.....in a way. I should point out that the goal of a Young David is not to get away with the sins King David committed but to be known as a man or woman "after God's own heart." We can't excuse David's behavior. And he didn't try to excuse himself. Just as David did, we have to learn own up to our own sin; confess our sin; repent of our sin; and then move forward into the things God has prepared in advance for us to do. Sin derails us from staying the course, but the forgiveness, mercy and grace of God help us get back to where we need to be.
As a shepherd, David was given the responsibility to find good pasture; water; and safety for his father's flock. We also know that he probably spent time practicing with his sling; playing his harp; and writing poems/songs.
we also know that David's father would also assign him other tasks to do besides watching sheep. For example in 1 Samuel 17:15 we discover that Jesse, David's father, would ask him to go to the battle front to take supplies to his brothers and gifts to the King.
David could have opted out....I think...and said, "No, I'm a shepherd," or "No, I'm a poet/musician and can't get involved in situations such as that." Or he could have said, "I'm the Lord's anointed and can't get involved with low level supplies line duty such as this." But he didn't say those things. He did what was assigned to him to do. And I also find it interesting, he didn't look for someone to delegate the task to. (I've seen some folks who spend more time and energy searching for someone to do the menial tasks than it would have taken for them to simply get it done. But since they were above and beyond doing things like that or because it wasn't their job.........you know people like that too.....don't you? Sure hope we don't ever do that.)
There was also a point when the shepherd, supply clerk and poet was asked to come and play his harp before the king to calm him down. Again, David willingly did so.
I was thinking about this the other day. What if David, after he had been anointed by Samuel to be the second king of Israel, refused to do these things. After all, he was to be the next king. How would it look to have the crown placed on the kings head and it slipped down because he was missing an ear from a battle with a lion or a bear?
I don't know how conscious David was of being the next king, but I do know that he had an attitude of "get it done" or "getter done" long before a cable guy named Larry came along.
Always in Pursuit!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Characteristics of Young David's
A number of years ago I shared a teaching with students in Master's Commission and in the School of Ministry at First Assembly in Cedar Rapids. I was on staff there from August of 1989 to August of 2009.
The study was called, "Ten Characteristics of Young David's." It encompassed ten character traits from David's life. I believe the Holy Spirit used these ten things and our time together to challenge the young people I was working with at that time. Many of them have gone on to be great shepherds in their own right and serve the Lord as faithful servants. I'm so proud of them!
Since that time I've discovered that "young" is not chronological but is a matter of the heart and attitude within us.
I've met many "young" people that are old. They are relying upon their past; their heritage; their education; and their own abilities instead of learning to trust God. (Please know there is nothing wrong with youth, heritage, education or abilities...but these things just won't cut it in and of themselves. We ALL need the power of God pulsating through our lives on a daily basis.
I know many people in their 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond that are young at heart; desire to God do a new thing; and are more than ready to forget the former things and step into the new things God has for His Church.
I pray that these ten characteristics from David's life will challenge each of us to stay "young in Him." May God help each of us follow the principles and practices of these characteristics and become men and women after God's own heart! May the throne and heart of David live on in the hearts and actions of men and women until the end of time.
The first characteristic of Young David is that he was faithful.
David was the youngest son of Jesse and assigned the task of watching his father's sheep. This he did while his brothers were being looked over by the prophet Samuel to see if they were "anointable" to be the next king (1 Samuel 16). And David was also watching the sheep while his brothers were off fighting the Philistines.
In 1 Samuel 17:12-15, we find that David was relegated to be the supply convoy between his father and his older brothers. All the while David stayed faithful to the task his father gave him to do, even in the face of taunting from his older siblings.
Here's the take away....if David had not been a faithful shepherd and faithful son and brother, he never would have been a faithful King to the people of Israel or the sheep of God's pasture.
It may not have been very challenging, although there was a lion and a bear; and it may not have been very glamorous. And we know that shepherds did not always have the best of reputations among the Jews, but David remained faithful and God took note of his heart.
Another thing about watching the sheep......apparently David put the time to good use. He became proficient with his sling; he learned to play the harp; and he wrote a lot of songs (Psalms) that were used in worship for generations to come, including our generation.
It's amazing what can happen when we stay faithful to the things God gives us to do. Kind of reminds me of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!"
Always in Pursuit!
The study was called, "Ten Characteristics of Young David's." It encompassed ten character traits from David's life. I believe the Holy Spirit used these ten things and our time together to challenge the young people I was working with at that time. Many of them have gone on to be great shepherds in their own right and serve the Lord as faithful servants. I'm so proud of them!
Since that time I've discovered that "young" is not chronological but is a matter of the heart and attitude within us.
I've met many "young" people that are old. They are relying upon their past; their heritage; their education; and their own abilities instead of learning to trust God. (Please know there is nothing wrong with youth, heritage, education or abilities...but these things just won't cut it in and of themselves. We ALL need the power of God pulsating through our lives on a daily basis.
I know many people in their 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond that are young at heart; desire to God do a new thing; and are more than ready to forget the former things and step into the new things God has for His Church.
I pray that these ten characteristics from David's life will challenge each of us to stay "young in Him." May God help each of us follow the principles and practices of these characteristics and become men and women after God's own heart! May the throne and heart of David live on in the hearts and actions of men and women until the end of time.
The first characteristic of Young David is that he was faithful.
David was the youngest son of Jesse and assigned the task of watching his father's sheep. This he did while his brothers were being looked over by the prophet Samuel to see if they were "anointable" to be the next king (1 Samuel 16). And David was also watching the sheep while his brothers were off fighting the Philistines.
In 1 Samuel 17:12-15, we find that David was relegated to be the supply convoy between his father and his older brothers. All the while David stayed faithful to the task his father gave him to do, even in the face of taunting from his older siblings.
Here's the take away....if David had not been a faithful shepherd and faithful son and brother, he never would have been a faithful King to the people of Israel or the sheep of God's pasture.
It may not have been very challenging, although there was a lion and a bear; and it may not have been very glamorous. And we know that shepherds did not always have the best of reputations among the Jews, but David remained faithful and God took note of his heart.
Another thing about watching the sheep......apparently David put the time to good use. He became proficient with his sling; he learned to play the harp; and he wrote a lot of songs (Psalms) that were used in worship for generations to come, including our generation.
It's amazing what can happen when we stay faithful to the things God gives us to do. Kind of reminds me of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!"
Always in Pursuit!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
How To Be A Giant Killer, Part III
This will be the final part of the series, "How To Be a Giant Killer." It's probably not all that needs to be said, but it's all I know to say at this point. I'm still learning about giants and how to slay them.
Which brings me to this final point.....the weapons used to slay giants.
Please keep in mind when you find the giant killer in your life to hang around, you aren't supposed to become a clone. They are one of a kind, just as you are one of a kind. God created you to be what He intends for you to be. He does have a plan.....just for you.....just as unique as you are, too.
If you read in 1Samuel 17:38-39 you fill find the part of the story where Saul tries to talk David into wearing his suit of armor. By the way....this suit of armor actually represented compromise on Saul's part since the only ones who had steel or any metal were the Philistines. They kept all the blacksmiths away from the Jews. None of the Jewish shops carried that line of clothing or weapons made of steel. Wood or rocks were more their speciality. Wonder how Saul got his armor?
A little rabbit trail there.
David chose not to wear Saul's armor. It didn't fit him. He couldn't move in it. He was convinced that if he went out trying to do things as Saul would do them, he'd end up dead.....dog meat and/or a full meal deal for the birds of the air, just as Goliath had threatened.
So, David put the armor down and reached for his own weapon of choice, a shepherds sling and a shepherd's bag. Then he picked up five smooth stones and headed out to face the giant.
Have you ever wondered why "five smooth stones?" I suppose smooth stones flew through the air better. And I've always heard the extra stones were for the giants brothers. I guess that might be so since in my experience giants do come in numbers greater than one. But the Scriptures don't tell us why. But let your imagination run with mine for a minute.....how about if David bent down to pick up the first stone, looked up at Goliath and decided to pick up an additional stone in case the first one didn't work. And then in case he needed more than two, he picked up a third one, a fourth and finally a fifth one. He was determined to get this giant. The giant was NOT going to win, and David had a bag full of stones to enure victory.
Sometimes determination to defeat the giant is that greatest weapon we can have......just sayin'.
Now, let's move forward a bit in time and take note of the other giant killers in 2 Samuel 21;15-22. No mention of slings or smooth stones. They weren't shepherds. They were well trained warriors who used spears, swords and other weapons of warfare.
What's the take away? When you find your giant killer to hang around with, hoping the stuff that makes them a giant killer will rub off on you, don't try to copy them. David knew that if he tried to be like Saul, he would be like all those who preceded him in life.......dead.
And if you find a giant killer to hang around that insists you do things the way they did, find another giant killer to hang around with. You weren't 'meant to be like them.
God has uniquely created you to be unique. Don't die a copy.
Always in Pursuit!
Which brings me to this final point.....the weapons used to slay giants.
Please keep in mind when you find the giant killer in your life to hang around, you aren't supposed to become a clone. They are one of a kind, just as you are one of a kind. God created you to be what He intends for you to be. He does have a plan.....just for you.....just as unique as you are, too.
If you read in 1Samuel 17:38-39 you fill find the part of the story where Saul tries to talk David into wearing his suit of armor. By the way....this suit of armor actually represented compromise on Saul's part since the only ones who had steel or any metal were the Philistines. They kept all the blacksmiths away from the Jews. None of the Jewish shops carried that line of clothing or weapons made of steel. Wood or rocks were more their speciality. Wonder how Saul got his armor?
A little rabbit trail there.
David chose not to wear Saul's armor. It didn't fit him. He couldn't move in it. He was convinced that if he went out trying to do things as Saul would do them, he'd end up dead.....dog meat and/or a full meal deal for the birds of the air, just as Goliath had threatened.
So, David put the armor down and reached for his own weapon of choice, a shepherds sling and a shepherd's bag. Then he picked up five smooth stones and headed out to face the giant.
Have you ever wondered why "five smooth stones?" I suppose smooth stones flew through the air better. And I've always heard the extra stones were for the giants brothers. I guess that might be so since in my experience giants do come in numbers greater than one. But the Scriptures don't tell us why. But let your imagination run with mine for a minute.....how about if David bent down to pick up the first stone, looked up at Goliath and decided to pick up an additional stone in case the first one didn't work. And then in case he needed more than two, he picked up a third one, a fourth and finally a fifth one. He was determined to get this giant. The giant was NOT going to win, and David had a bag full of stones to enure victory.
Sometimes determination to defeat the giant is that greatest weapon we can have......just sayin'.
Now, let's move forward a bit in time and take note of the other giant killers in 2 Samuel 21;15-22. No mention of slings or smooth stones. They weren't shepherds. They were well trained warriors who used spears, swords and other weapons of warfare.
What's the take away? When you find your giant killer to hang around with, hoping the stuff that makes them a giant killer will rub off on you, don't try to copy them. David knew that if he tried to be like Saul, he would be like all those who preceded him in life.......dead.
And if you find a giant killer to hang around that insists you do things the way they did, find another giant killer to hang around with. You weren't 'meant to be like them.
God has uniquely created you to be unique. Don't die a copy.
Always in Pursuit!
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