The Shack

Last night, my wife and I, along with two other couples watched a DVD of the author of the Shack, William P. Young, giving a presentation at Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee. It was the story behind the story of the incredibly successful best-selling book, The Shack. It was a very emotionally- moving experience to see and hear the author share his life with the listeners. It got me to thinking about some reactions I have received concerning this book.

First of all, let me say that I have read the book and found it to be very moving and it was for me a spiritual journey that I believed enhanced my relationship to God -- more specifically to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity has always been a mystery and although the book is a fictional story, I came to the conclusion that we serve such an incredibly creative God that He would do what is needed to get our attention and to draw us into a closer relationship with Him. The Bible says that God is love and yet many who have suffered much pain in life's experiences struggle with that truth. Do you? Do you believe that God really loves you, and likes you and is so very fond of you? What hurts do you secretly hold deep down in your soul and maybe for years? Do you fear your secret may be exposed and then what would happen? Are you open to really hearing from God and letting those hurts be healed?

Some of the negative comments that I have heard came from people who haven't read the book. They have read negative comments online and then were afraid to read the book. Don't be. I know personal testimony of people coming to Christ as a result of the Holy Spirit helping to bring healing in their lives through The Shack. It may not affect you as it has others, but it might spark something in you to help you reach out to someone else.

God wants to heal the deep wounds that so many have suffered in life. Some of those wounds have to do with going through painful and unexplainable losses that have left them stunned, weakened, and questioning God in so many ways. Some have been so damaged by someone else that the word "trust" isn't even in their vocabulary. God is creative and wants to reveal Himself to you. Would you let Him do that?

Up North Wisdom says be open to hearing from God maybe in ways that are truly "out of the box" so to speak in terms of how you think He should speak to you. With truths like love, healing, restoration and forgiveness spoken about, you will find it worth your while to take the time to read The Shack and then see if you don't come to really like Papa. If nothing else, you will have a craving for some really interesting and tempting food. Oh no, I'm not going to say anything more. You have to read to find out what that means. Blessings!

Famine

Famine -- a widespread shortage of food that leads to starvation. There is nothing good about famines. Television allows us to see the effects of famine in many third world countries. It is hard to ignore the images of starving children with bloated stomachs and hollow eyes looking hopelessly into the camera lens.

There is a famine that is not so evident that is leading to spiritual starvation and extreme weakness in many peoples lives. That is a famine of God's Word. At a time in our world that Christians need to be fully armed spiritually and strong in the Lord, I see the effects of a lack of God's Word in so many people's lives. When Jesus said that people can not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God, He made clear the incredible importance of knowing God's Word. There are so many scriptures that tell us we absolutely must be into God's Word to be strong and effective in the world we live in. The Psalmist said that we stay pure by obeying God's Word and that we must hide the Word in our hearts to keep from sinning. By the way, he also said that the really joyful people are those who take in the Word.

It is a spiritual battle to be sure. Satan can't rob our Christianity but he does everything in his power to keep a Christian weak and ineffective and one big way is to use any and all methods to keep people from reading the Word. Christian, listen carefully. If you are not a regular person of the Word, you will never grow up spiritually and as far as the church is concerned, you will be part of the problem and not part of the solution. Paul liked to use the words spiritually babies. It is time to grow up and start being part of the solution for making disciples as per the Lord's command.

It is interesting that one of the excuses I have heard from some for not reading the Word is that it is too hard to read and understand. Have you ever used that one? I love it when someone tells me that. I was a reading specialist for several years in the public schools and as part of my master's degree program, I did some readability studies on various versions of the Bible. I think I used about eight versions at that time. The hardest version came out to be about 8th grade in terms of difficulty and the easiest was about fourth grade level. End of that argument.

Christian friend, there is much to done in our work for God's Kingdom. We must be fully armed for this battle -- this assignment from God. It is our weapon of choice, our sword to battle the forces of darkness. Ask God to give you a great desire to be a person of the Word. Or maybe ask Him for a desire to have a desire. Start where you need to start. Get into Christian education classes. We have some great choices starting in a few weeks at Living Hope Church. Parents need to not only send their kids and grandkids to Sunday School classes but they need to come themselves and take advantage of the many opportunities to learn and grow.

My wife Jeanne and I will be starting a class on Wednesday evening beginning Sept. 23rd called Breaking Intimidation. It is based on the scripture: "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind". It will help you break any power that would keep you from fulfilling your God-given destiny to be effective and powerful for the sake of His Kingdom..

Up North Wisdom says there are many great versions of the Bible. God will help make it exciting for you to read through His Word. Now more than ever, let's be people of the Word. For Christ's sake and for His Kingdom and His Glory. Amen!! No more famine. Let's start "eating".

Which Side Of "IF"

A few years ago I had an annual physical examination and I remember a short conversation I had with my doctor. He was talking to me about ten risk factors for heart disease. He said that two of them we can't control but eight of them we could. When I asked him which were the two we couldn't control he said: "Your age and your genetics. They are what they are but the other eight factors are in your hands." In other words "IF" I would do this and this and this (good food, good exercise, good habits,etc), my risk factors would be much less and I would in all probability enjoy the blessings of good health for many more years.

Do you know that there are 1522 "ifs" in the Bible? Amazing, isn't it. There are so many promises made to us by God in His Word, but we must remember that many of them have "if" clauses in front of them. "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want (need), and it will be granted." (John 15:7) Wow! What a promise! However, often we forget about the "if" part of the promise. It said just previous to this verse that only "fruitful Christians" will remain in Him.

I like to call these "ifs" conditional promises. So much of what God said He will bless us with are conditional on our response to what He expects of us. A big one concerns the area of forgiveness.

"If we forgive others when they offend (sin against) us, then we would also be forgiven our sins. We did a study a few years ago called "The Bait Of Satan". It exposed one of the most deceptive snares Satan uses to get believers out of the will of God -- offense. So many people who are ensnared by the bait of satan don't even know it. The are ensnared by offenses.

So, as John Bevere said so clearly, don't be fooled. We will all encounter offense and it is up to you how it will affect your relationship with God and with others. Has someone hurt you recently or not so recently? Are you hanging onto that offense? It will bring you down if you don't handle it the biblical way and that is to forgive and release -- In Jesus' Name.

So Up North Wisdom says, IF you want to experience the blessings of God and feel His presense closely, then let the Holy Spirit help you escape the enemy's "offensive trap" as well as empower you to stay free of offense and be an awesome force for the Kingdom of God. It is God's plan. You are God's plan. Believe it! And experience -- Blessings.

Independence From God

In one of his daily devotional blogs, David Wilkerson defined pride as simply "independence from God". Proverbs 8:13 says this: All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech." Wow!

Living Hope Church is a so-called "independent" church. What that means really is that we are not affiliated with any certain denomination. Since we are an independent church does that mean I am an independent pastor. I certainly pray not-- at least as far as being independent from God equaling pride and God hating that. As Wilkerson indicates, we often have a false definition of pride as needing to think that I am a nothing and a nobody.

The truth is that each morning as I get in my car and head to this place, I need to confess to God that I am absolute "dependent" on Him for everything in my life and ministry. I totally need His direction, His power, His wisdom, His discernment and His strength and without that I am done for. It should never be a shame to us to confess to God each day how dependent we are on Him for everything that really counts in life.

We all need to stay in the place where we recognize the importance of being teachable and understanding that we don't "know it all". Wilkerson says that if pride is independence than true humility is dependence. To say with understanding: "God, I turn full control of my life to You and I will do it each and every day.

Up North Wisdom says that we in America pride ourselves on our independent spirit. Let's make sure we understand that in the Kingdom of God there is not an elected leader who rules but a King whose name is Jesus. We bow to You and You alone, Lord.

When we pray and ask God to keep a humble spirit within us, He will always answer that prayer. But watch out for that answer because our flesh may fight against it; let's make sure that our spirit, God's Spirit, always wins the battle. For His Glory and for His Honor. Amen!!

More Precious Than Rubies

Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful that Jeanne said yes to being my wife. Other than giving my life to Christ, marrying Jeanne was certainly the best decision I have ever made.

The 40th wedding anniversary is supposed to be the "ruby" anniversary. I didn't buy any rubies for Jeanne because she had something else in mind which is still in the process. But it is interesting that almost all of the verses in the Bible that refer to rubies use it in reference to the fact that Godly wisdom is more valuable than this beautiful jewel. Proverbs 31:10 says that a virtuous, wise and capable wife is far more valuable than any ruby. And to that I say "Amen!"

Someone once asked me a serious question and wanted a serious answer. The question was "Does God ever speak to me in an audible voice?" The person wasn't kidding so I considered before answering. After thinking about it for a few moments it came to me so clearly and this is how I answered: "Yes, God speaks to me often in an audible voice and He sounds just like my wife." (and sometimes other people who love and care for me) So the problem isn't if God speaks to me clearly, the problem is that I don't often choose to listen.

God's great definition of love in 1 Cor. 13 mentions the following qualities: patience, trust, peace, not boastful, not proud, not wanting my own way, not bring up past injustices. In other words, it is giving 100 % of myself to my wife. I will admit that is the goal and not always achieved. But as Pastor Erickson used to say, "if you don't have a target, you'll never accomplish anything good."

I love being married to my wife. I hope for 40 more wonderful years. A marriage is what two people want to make it. What do you want for your marriage? Up North Wisdom says don't wait for your spouse to make the first moves. Trust God that when you start to love like 1 Cor 13, it will demand a response. Don't make your marriage about you. Ask God what you can do to make your marriage better than it is. And then listen, my friend because that is a question He will always answer. Do you want the answer? I hope so.

Jeanne, you are the love of my life. God certainly knew what He was doing when He brought you into my life. I will always remember what my mother said when we were dating: "Don't let that girl get away." I didn't, and I thank you for saying "yes". Marrying your best friend is so cool. Happy "Ruby" anniversary.

You Are God's Plan

Now that Camp Daniel is over, I have had a few days to reflect and think about the experience and its effect on me and those who were there. I am exhausted, battling a viral infection and still mentally woozy. (many think that is normal for me) I said in my previous post that I believed miracles were going to happen and in ways that were not expected. I shared this with the other camp counselors and workers the last night and I fully expect to get reports of these miracles yet to take place.

Here are some of my thoughts:

Tony, Karol and the rest of the Camp Daniel staff are awesome people. They set the foundation for a week that stretches, challenges, and motivates each one who is there, from the counselors to the workers to the staff of the camp as well as the campers themselves. They are to be commended for their love and dedication to doing what God has directed them to do as are the many others who are absolutely committed to the ministry of Camp Daniel. It was an inspiration to be around all of them. I know that all involved were blessed to be able make the lives of many campers with disabilities richer for the week they were there.

I issued a challenge to the workers from Living Hope Church to take that energy, focus, commitment, and passion back to their homes, places of work and school and certainly back to their church. If "I Am God's Plan" at Camp Daniel, then I must be God's Plan in those places as well. People come into a church each Sunday carrying many disabilities that are not seen, yet are still very real. Things like addictions, abuse, abortion guilt, broken relationships, backslidden souls, depression, discouragement just to mention some. God calls each and every Christian to be instruments of healing to those who hurt. The hurting were very evident at Camp Daniel but are not so evident in church. God is in the restoring business and we are to be His hands extended.

All the implications of what took place this last week at Camp Daniel are yet to be seen but I believe the impact will bring some changes that God intends to happen to individuals as well as to our church. I believe I will be a better pastor, husband, father and man of God for having given a week to this incredible ministry.

So to wrap it up, I ask you, "do you believe that you are God's plan?" Wherever you are in life and whatever things you may be going through, it is of utmost importance to really believe that. Say to yourself often, "I am God's plan, I am God's plan, I am God's plan." And He will show you clearly just what that means. Be open to His voice. Ask for a listening ear.

And, by the way, the counselor shirt that said, "It's not about me!" -- It really isn't you know. If your church attendance has been about you then repent and ask God to show you how to make it about others. There is a place for you to serve. Let your response be, "Lord, I am ready to do your will and serve where I am needed. Even if it isn't in a "see me" ministry. Even if it isn't my choice but it is where a need exists."

You are God's plan. And because of that it really is true: "THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!

Now Up North Wisdom is telling me to get home and get some sleep.

Submission

Next week, I will be serving as a counselor at Camp Daniel along with so many others from Living Hope Church who will counsel, cook, clean, teach, worship and basically, just help wherever it is needed: to submit to the leadership of God and the leadership of Camp Daniel.

Tim Kelly, one of the missionaries at Camp Daniel, asked (required) each of us to write in response to the two following questions: What does God want to teach me on this trip or why does God want me to go on this trip. And secondly, what does Eph. 6:10-20 (putting on the armor of God) mean to me. I suppose that this was meant to be between Tim and each of us but I am letting you on what I have written. Take it for what it's worth.

Tim, here it is for you in a nutshell.

1. I don't think I have any idea right now why God wants me to go to Camp Daniel. I would like to sound spiritual and say: " to be a great example of servant leadership for Living Hope Church". Or something like: "to be a humble servant of Jesus" etc. But it is more likely something like this: "I got tired of being nagged about not doing this" or "I didn't want to let Little Tony down and I want to be a good example of encouragement to him".

So, my friends, let me leave it at this: "I hope I can in some way help make this a really good week for a camper with a disability."

2. I know that I have to come to Camp Daniel spiritually prepared. Something tells me this is the easier part of the "armor" teaching. I mean, surrounded by the great Camp Daniel leadership team, surrounded by Living Hope Church servants who are awesome encouragers who will battle for each other in prayer; to be exposed each day of Camp to praise, worship, and the teaching of the Word, in some ways it seems like a slam-dunk to succeed. Time will tell.

I am reminded regularly that I need the armor of God when I am alone at home, or struggling with an unsettled spirit in my office and just the tendency to feel sorry for myself on a regular basis. It seems I battle temptation more now than ever in my Christian life and why not, if Satan has a plan to destroy me, my family and my church. I am regularly reminded that all temptations are winnable if I keep alert and strong. (1 Cor. 10:13) At Camp Daniel, I know we will help each fight the good fight and I know it will be won. But alone with my thoughts and feelings, that's when I know I really need God's armor. It is a daily fight but Praise God, we are guaranteed victory if we don't give in or give up. What a great God we serve!!

There you go, Tim. Submission to my authorities for the upcoming week. I am looking for miracles in ways that we may not even think about. See you Sunday.