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Giving Up On Your Dreams Can Sometimes Lead to Death and Destruction

IMG_0436Too many people in the world give up on their passions and dreams too early. The closets and back rooms of folks from every socio-economic background include dusty saxophone cases, unused canvases, unopened art supplies, unused tools, unread books, and old exercise bikes with 2.4 miles on the odometer.  Giving up on these dreams can be devastating to individuals, but it can also have disastrous results around the world. One young man from history desperately dreamed of becoming an artist, but he gave up too soon and took another path. His name was Adolph Hitler.

As a young man, Adolph Hitler applied to the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and endured a two day entrance exam where his drawing and painting techniques were evaluated. However, he did not pass the entrance exam. Upon receiving devastating news, he went to the school and demanded an explanation. He was told, in no uncertain terms, that his drawings and artistic works demonstrated that he had a lack of talent for artistic painting, especially when it related to the human form.

Hitler was devastated and vowed to develop his skills and reapply the next year. However, in the next year, he found it difficult to practice his art because of his mother’s illness and death and was often known for abandoning his artistic projects before they were completed. Hitler did reapply the next year at the Fine Arts Academy, but was not even allowed to take the final artistic exam.

Hitler soon became homeless for a time on the streets of Vienna, finally moving into a homeless shelter where he sold his paintings to Jewish merchants. Soon, Adoph Hitler left Vienna in order to join the German military. It is said that on the day war was declared that he fell to his knees and thanked heaven.

Steven Pressfield, in The War of Art, makes the following point about Hitler’s life and art:  “Call it an overstatement but I’ll say it anyway: it was easier for Hitler to start World War II than it was for him to face a blank square of canvas.”

Don’t give up on your art. Don’t give in to comfort and ease. Pursue it passionately. Pray for direction and work like your life, and mine, depended on it.

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Start

This morning is the start of many people’s real 2015. It seemed fitting to reshare this blogpost with you. Happy New Year.

johnfrady's avatarJohnJFrady.com

Leonardo da Vinci once said, I have been impressed with the urgency of doing.  Knowing is not enough; we must apply.  Being willing is not enough, we must do.  His words make a lot of sense.  When the time is right, we must take action.  Doing so is more important than understanding while doing nothing.

With this in mind, how are we supposed to respond to atrocious problems that exist both around the world and across the street?  How do we respond to the thousands of people still living in tent cities in Port au Prince, Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake?  What can we do about the problem of modern day slavery and sex trafficking in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America?  How can we end hunger in the United States?  These problems are daunting and seem impossible.

I’m convinced that the way to make a difference…

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She Came At Me With The Frying Pan

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There I was, relaxed in the recliner, watching a Christmas special on television, when she angrily stomped past me without a word and disappeared into the kitchen. Within seconds, my three year old sister was back holding a frying pan with both hands.

“Do you see this?” she cried out before she began swinging it viciously at me.

“Cut it out!” I yelled.

“This will teach you!” she screamed as she tried once again to hit my head with the frying pan.

I managed to dodge her efforts once again then quickly snatched the frying pan from her hands.

She lunged at me, so I dropped the pan and grabbed her hands before they smacked into my face. Since I was 14 years older than she, it was easy for me to pick her up, carry her to her room, toss her onto her bed, and hold her door shut.

She hated that even more, so she beat on the door, kicked the doorframe and screamed (quite loudly).

I finally released the door, but she didn’t know because she was still throwing a fit. I went back to the living room and continued watching my show, that is, after I placed the frying pan on top of the refrigerator.

Later, when she calmed down, I discovered that I had said something upsetting to her hours earlier and while had forgotten and was watching television, she was in her room festering. I apologized and she forgave me, but I left the frying pan on the refrigerator just in case.

There were 3 lessons I learned that day (although I still relearn them to this day):

  1. Be careful what you say. People hold grudges at varying lengths. Even if someone is offensive, answer calmly and try to resolve the conflict. Remember that a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 ESV)
  2. Apologizing can do a world of good even if you feel you’ve done nothing wrong. It shows you and the other person that your relationship is extremely important. Jesus once said Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24 NIV)
  3. Evaluate how to improve your continued relationship with the person. Are they sensitive about certain subjects? Have you honestly ever intentionally tried to offend them? Do you need to forgive them for anything? Remember the words of Paul when he wrote: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)

And if necessary, hide the frying pan until the relationship is restored.

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Will The Real Minister Please Stand Up?

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What do you think about when you hear the word Minister? Some may think of a person, most often a man, dressed in all black, possibly wearing a white backwards collar, who works professionally preaching from the Bible, ministering to the sick, and counseling the hurting. Others think of a missionary, in some remote country, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to unreached people groups. Still others may think of a hermit monk, priest, or televangelist.

So, what is the true definition of a Minister?

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines a Minister as “a person whose job involves leading church services, performing religious ceremonies (such as marriages), and providing spiritual or religious guidance to other people: a member of the clergy in some Protestant churches.”

That’s a pretty good definition from the world’s viewpoint, but it’s incorrect.

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In Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT), Paul writes, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”

According to this scripture, the pastors, teachers, apostles, prophets, and evangelists are the ones who “equip” God’s people to do the work of the ministry. This can only mean that “God’s people” are the ones who do the work of the ministry.

Therefore, God’s people, those who have begun a relationship with Jesus Christ, who have asked the Lord for forgiveness for their sins, who have repented of their sins and made Jesus the Lord of their lives, are the Real Ministers in the body of Christ.

This means so much for all Christians everywhere:

  • It means that every Christian is responsible for the work of the ministry.
  • It means that everyone has a job to fulfill.
  • It means that pastors, teachers and leaders have a greater responsibility to teach others to serve and to lead.
  • It means that all believers in Jesus must live holy lives, not just those in vocational ministry.
  • It means we must all look for opportunities to serve.
  • It means that we are all interdependent upon each other.

So, greetings, fellow minister. It’s an honor serving with you.

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Welcome Back

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Last night, as I slept on my cushioned mattress topper in New Orleans, I dreamed of Nicaraguan sheet metal houses and dirt floors. As I woke, it was hard to rise and continue my regular life, because the life changing moments of the past week still held true in my mind.

I picture the 83 year old woman in the Batman t-shirt welcoming us to her home, the fruit distributor praying with one of our team members for the first time in his life, the young unwed mother to be holding her belly as she gave her life to Christ, and the faces of the children as they gathered in the church with their bowls, spoons, and cups to receive their most nutritious and filling meal of the week.

But then, I also can’t stop thinking about the conversation I had with the lady security officer in the Miami International Airport. She noticed the matching shirts on our smiling team and asked, “Where have you been?”

“Oh,” I replied, surprised by her question, “We’ve been in Granada, Nicaragua for a week serving together.”

“Serving together?” she asked. “What were you doing in Nicaragua?”

Suddenly moving into churchy language, I said, “We were doing evangelistic work.”

Hmm,” she replied. “I’m not sure what that means.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “What I meant to say is that we’ve been in Nicaragua sharing and showing the love of Jesus.”

Her face contorted. “Really?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Ok,” she said, no longer interested. “Move along now. Welcome back to the United States.”

I turned and continued through the airport, surprised at her resistance to the name of Jesus.

“Welcome back to reality,” I whispered to myself.

Our Nicaragua trip was awesome. I hope everyone on the trip has an opportunity to return and see more people won into the kingdom for Jesus. I pray that our church family will continue to support the ongoing work of the Lord in that place. I believe He will call more people from our congregations to serve in full time in remote areas.
However, my prayer for all of us, especially today, is that we will continue to live as missionaries in our everyday lives. For, that is where our everyday realities will meet our true convictions.

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We Are The Music Makers

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Arthur O’Shaughnessy once wrote, “We are the music-makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams, wandering by lone sea-breakers, and sitting by desolate streams, world-losers and world-forsakers, on whom the pale moon gleams: yet we are the movers and shakers of the world forever, it seems.”

When the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem, David told the Levites to appoint their relatives as musicians. The singers were to sing joyfully while the harps, cymbals, and lyres played. Seven priests were to go before the ark playing trumpets. A celebration was about to take place. David was going to dance before the Lord. There had to be music. And Chenaniah, who was skillful in music, was selected as the musical worship leader.

“Chenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was to direct the music because he was skillful.” 1 Chronicles 15:22 HCSB

Chenaniah was the music maker for King David that day. The entrance of the ark just wouldn’t have been the same without him. Today, those of us entrusted with the musical and artistic worship of the church are the music makers. We have been selected to lead the people of God in celebration of His new covenant with us.

That means several things:

We must strive to be skillful.

The body of Christ needs us.

And it wouldn’t be the same without us.

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The Permanence of Spiritual Gifts

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“For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn.” Romans 11:29

Devotional Thoughts

I know a Christian lady who moved to New Orleans after her marriage fell apart. For years, she had lived a holy, set apart lifestyle. However, upon her move, she decided to embrace the ways of the sinful world. She stopped attending worship services and life groups and started frequenting bars and night clubs. Late one evening, while in a bar on Bourbon Street, she was approached by a man who offered to buy her a drink. In the midst of their conversation, the man smiled and asked, “What are you doing here, Honey? There’s something good shining out from you and you’re trying to cover it up.”

Once the Holy Spirit enters us, He is there working in and through our lives even when we’re purposefully trying to sin.  In a similar fashion, the spiritual gifts we receive from the Lord are alive, working through us from the time of our salvation to bring about the purposes of the Lord. They are within us, working to accomplish the Lord’s will even if we are not purposefully activating them. In other words, the spiritual gifts we receive from the Lord are permanent. They cannot and will not be withdrawn, rejected, stolen, spoiled, re-gifted or returned.

Follow-Up Activity

Write out a prayer to the Lord, thanking Him for His constant presence in your life and for the permanence of the spiritual gifts He has given you.

Prayer Focus
Lord, it is comforting to know the permanence of the spiritual gifts You give to us. Help me to always use them to serve others and to glorify Your name.

(This devotion is featured in today’s HOLY OTHER Devotion Series at Celebration Church. If you would like to subscribe to this devotion series Click Here

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The Holy Spirit Decides Which Gift(s) I Receive

Holy Spirit

“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” 1 Corinthians 12:11

“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it.”

1 Corinthians 12:18

Devotional Thoughts

When I was a new Christian, I took a spiritual gifts assessment which was supposed to indicate my top spiritual gifts. One of my top gifts, according to this assessment, was Voluntary Poverty. I was so surprised, I cried out, “I don’t want that gift! I’d rather have the spiritual gift of Prophecy. That one sounds pretty good to me.”

Fortunately, I don’t get to decide which Spiritual Gifts I receive. Neither do you. The Holy Spirit decides on spiritual gift assignments and distributes them accordingly. The Lord has the big picture of His own purposes for our lives, our church and our world. Through His perfect management and distribution, He keeps the church in perfect order and balance.

Follow-Up Activity

Find a friend, family member, or life group member who is participating in this devotional reading. Ask them to share their spiritual gift with you as you do the same with them. Discuss how these unique giftings can benefit each other, the local church, and the worldwide body of Christ.

Prayer Focus

Lord, You know what’s best for me. Help me to use my spiritual gifts wisely. Thank You for giving me a spiritual gift which benefits Your kingdom.

(This devotion is featured in today’s Celebration Church HOLY OTHER Devotion series. To subscribe to the series of devotions based on different aspects of the Holy Spirit, Click Here

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I Am Greater Than You

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I am greater than you.

We say it all the time, in many different ways to various people around us.

Kids say it on the playground.

Teenagers express it through segregation at lunchtime.

Adults express it when they drive off of the new car lot.

Pastors, deacons, teachers, and worship leaders convey it in their attitudes toward each other and toward others in the church.

I am greater than you.

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Huge ministries sometimes fall because of leadership corruption and abuse, small church plants often begin out of spite, and confusing divisiveness invades the worship services, Bible studies, and prayer times of countless congregations. And all the while, the unchurched learn more about our vindictiveness and positional desires than our Christlike compassion and concern for their eternal destiny. What they see is Christians pointing fingers at each other, declaring to the world and the rest of the church:

I am greater than you.

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Jesus had the same problem with His disciples. Shortly after His transfiguration, Luke reports that His disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest (Luke 9:46 NLT).

I first heard this story when I was a child in the 70’s. I envisioned the disciples walking behind Jesus, acting like Muhammad Ali, saying, “I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, and everyone knows I am greater than thee.”  Even as an elementary student, it seemed so childish and stupid to me that the disciples were standing right behind Jesus, God the Son, and they had the audacity to argue with each other and say:

I am greater than you.

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I love how Jesus handled the situation:

But Jesus knew their thoughts, so He brought a little child to His side. Then He said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” (Luke 9:47-48 NLT)

In Jesus’ day, children were not regarded as highly as they are today. This helps us see that He was saying that whoever welcomes and is willing to serve the lowest of the low welcomes and serves God Himself. It’s not hard to discern that this is not an attitude most often exhibited from those who want to exalt themselves over others.

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The apostles learned this lesson when James and John asked Jesus if they could sit on His right and His left in the kingdom. The Bible reports that the other disciples were angry with these brothers because of their request.

“So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His live as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45)

Jesus, the greatest person who has ever lived, took on Himself the attitude and position of a servant. He did this, even though He could have looked at us all and said:

I am greater than you.

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If Jesus, the Son of Man, came not to be served but to serve others, shouldn’t we be able to do the same in our dealings with each other and with the world around us. If we do, we’ll be showing the world and other Christians that we believe:
He is greater than us

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Nuestras rojas elefantes beben fresa leche

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I’ve been trying to learn Spanish for a few weeks now. Instead of paying for the Rosetta Stone materials, which I understand is extremely helpful; I opted for the free language-learning app called Duolingo. On this app, a happy owl leads you through lessons titled basics, phrases, food, plurals, animals, possessives, etc… and allows you to learn in a game like setting on your phone, varying the questions to keep it interesting.

Here are 5 lessons I’ve learned while trying to learn Spanish with the Duolingo app:

  1. Yo is more than a statement yelled out by Rocky.
  2. It’s surprising to me that almost anything can drink milk (bebe leche).
  3. Yo no hablo espanol
  4. Very rarely does an English word translate into a Spanish word by adding the letter o to the end.
  5. This would have been a lot easier 20 years ago.

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However, through the tenacity of the owl, I’ve made it to level 5 on Duolingo. If any of you have any tips on the Duolingo app or in learning Spanish altogether, please share.

Adios. Nuestras rojas elefantes beben fresa leche. Lo siento.

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