Asking the Right Question

In the last few weeks I have had more than one person approach me about feeling a lack of passion or dryness in their pursuit of Christ. Many seem to associate Christ with feelings of shame and guilt, so they want to avoid Him all together. So many of us have become so accustomed to living a legalistic, rule based Christianity that when our performance fails we cannot escape the guilt of our failures. Many of the thoughts below came from what God has helped me learn in my journey, what God taught me this Summer in studying to teach Bible Studies for Camp 220, and hearing others teach this summer.

First thing I need to remind you, IF you belong to God, meaning you have a relationship with Him, then Romans 8:1 tells us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This verse has meant so much to me, because it promises that in the midst of our failures God in his grace and mercy forgets our trespasses against Him. It is almost as if God is telling us I do not condemn you, QUIT CONDEMNING YOURSELF. Quit living a powerless Christianity swallowed up with guilt. When God looks at you as a Christian, he does not see your failures; He sees Christ’s righteousness that has covered you.

Zephaniah 3:12-19 is a beautiful picture of the joy that God finds in who we are. God sees someone worth singing over, he has taken away his judgments over you, he fights for you and he is near to you. God says you are so worth all Jesus did.

So first we must see ourselves in the way that God sees us, but second we must ask the right questions about how to get back the passion and zeal that seems absent. Many times we begin with the question how can I pray more, how can I read the Bible more, or what can I DO to draw closer to God? I believe this is the wrong question to begin our thought process.

1.) The question is not how much am I doing to draw close to Him, it is how much am I letting Him do in me?

Does he have my whole heart?

What things in my life steal my affection for Him?

Am I living out Philippians 3:7 that everything compared to Christ seems like dung, poop, or rubbish? It is not an obedience problem as much as it is a love problem. When Jesus has all of our affections no one has to tell us to pray, or read our Bible, we just desire to do it. The prayer is not God help me increase my Bible study time, but help increase my love for you, help remove the things that steal my affections from you… Come and have my whole heart.

Many of us are like the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2, we are checking off all the duties of a Christian, but we have lost our passion and love for him in the midst of doing things for Him. The question must come what am I letting him do in me?

Have I surrendered my spiritual gifts and passions to be used by him? These gifts are not accidents, but are intended to be used by him for his church. Some of the most excited students in my youth ministry right now are those who have realized their spiritual gifts, asked God to take those gifts and use them and seen God begin to work in them and through them. It is in giving God complete control that our passion and desire to be in word and pray increases.

2.) The next question we must ask is by whose power am I living in? 1 Corinthians 4:20 says the kingdom of God is not in Word but in power. Paul tells the people if he comes he will not judge their closeness to God by what they say, but by the power which they live by.

What are you living in that takes God’s power to complete? Are you living by his power or living in what is comfortable and manageable for you? The reason most Christians never move forward in their walk with Christ is they spend their whole life walking in and praying for things they can accomplish without God.

What are you letting him do in you? Have you been just a follower in words or are you living each breath, each step by his power?

3.) How big is your view of God? What God is able to do in and through us is relative to what we believe he is able to do. So many Christians spend so much time arguing what God can’t or doesn’t do anymore. I am persuaded that if we worship a small God who has a list of things he can’t do and we have a holy spirit who is mute and serves as just a glorified conscience then we limit what God is able to do in us and through us. Check out Mark 9, part of our drawing into a powerful life changing relationship with Christ is admitting the areas of unbelief and saying God help me believe in the depth of your power.

Is your God manageable, understandable and full of things he can’t do or doesn’t do anymore or is he the powerful God of the Bible? Part of letting him do what he wants in us is having an accurate view of Him.

4.) Lastly, we will all spend time in the desert or times of dryness; it is how we navigate through that time that tells if we fully belong to Him. It was in Jesus’ time in the desert (Matt 4) that he was tempted, he responds by clinging to Scripture. In dryness we must cling to the Word, not as a duty but because we need it.

What are you allowing God to do in you?

By Our Love

I always intend to write here, I really do, but somehow some way I find other things to occupy my time.  Today I HAD to write, something is stirring my spirit and I cannot put it aside.  I guess it even relates to some of the blogs I have posted in the past but this one is more than anything directed to all of us as who labor as Pastors.

This verse has been really birthing repentance in my heart for the last few days as I have thought on it, meditated on it and have sought to be intentional about living in light of it.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.

I attended the C3 Pastors Conference last week and was really shaken by every single message that was preached.  Some were delivered by ministry legends like Ed Young Sr., others by pastors I had oftenly judged with scepticism like TD Jakes and Ed Young Jr and others by pastors whose name I had never heard like David Hughes, Leon Fontaine, Dr. John Cross, Samuel Chand, Dino Rizzo and others.  All that to say, I am different because these guys listened to God’s Spirit and shared from the depths of their soul what God had spoken to them.

It got me thinking, especially in light of all of the publicized attacks on Ed Young Jr, Pastor of Fellowship Church in the last few months, why do we as pastors seem to ” eat our own” so to speak.  It is obvious that Ed is anointed and gifted by God to be a voice to help those without Christ see their desperate need for them.  So in his time of attack, why are we blogging about him, slandering him, speaking out against him when I am sure most of us only know of him personally what the media has told us is truth.

What does it gain for us or the kingdom for us to be the cheerleading bloggers that are adding to the fire of those who are questioning his motives? It sickens me that  sometimes I feel it gives us some kind of joy when we see one of the “big dogs” in Church leadership fail because then we can pat ourselves on the back and feel better about our shortcomings as leaders.  All of us who pastor know how difficult being a pastor is, the behind the scenes stuff that can steal our joy and exhaust us if we do not stay intune with God himself for filling, contentment and power.  Many of us know the pain of slander that has been aimed at us or our family.  So why are we the ones sitting behind our comuter screens firing darts of accusation at one of our fellow co-laborers for Christ?

Don’t we believe that Ed needs prayer from us right now? If the pastors aren’t willing to stand with their own who will? Whether we agree with his actions, his theology, his method of ministry, he is still one of us. One of us who is impacting lives all over the globe for the kingdom. Rather than perpetuate the slander, lets unite to pray!

I was also convicted by my quickness to judge or be skeptical of the motives of pastors that I really knew little about.  I will tell you I felt pretty foolish that I had long been skeptical of TD Jakes when I heard him preach God’s Word Friday.  This man allowed God to work through him in a way I have seen few others do. He spoke with power, he spoke biblically, but most of all he allowed the Spirit to use him as a vessel. His message ate my lunch, gave me hope, pointed me toward Christ and helped trim away some dead branches in my life.

I guess in all of this the principal I learned is we can spend a lot of time slandering other leaders, jumping on our blogs and facebooks when another leader ”fails” legitmately or by our standards or we can be a people who stand with one another, pray with and for one another.

Does the world know we are followers of Christ by the way we love each other or conversely do they see people who are quick to cast a stone at easy targets. God is telling me to put my rock down, that unless I have not failed as a leader then my stone belongs as an ornament of the dust rather than a weapon of accusation. Honestly I think this is a universal principle, who needs more prayer than our government leaders right now? Who needs to know the Lord more than the celebrities and atheletes that we see fall into moral failure?

We can continue to comment on our opinions of peoples failures or we can become serious about standing in prayer before God as broken people praying for other broken people, I know the road of change God is leading me down. I have no voice nationally, no one knows who I am in the Christian world but my prayer is that the things God has convicted me of will affect and resonate with Christian leaders around the globe

Praying, Loving and Standing with other broken leaders,

Darrell Halk

Faith Required…

I just finished reading a book by Francis Chan entitled Crazy Love .  I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to live out Christianity in the crazy radical way that God has called us to pursue Christ.  So much of what he said really resonated with my heart but one reflective question he asked has been spinning through my mind for the last few days.  I thought it would be awesome to share that quote with you today.

“What are you currently doing in your life right now that requires faith in God?”

A life lived for Christ, is a life lived based on faith.

Thankful for our local body

On this day where we are reminded to remember all the reasons we are thankful, I began to reflect on a comment made by Brock Morgan, in one of my seminars at the National Youth Workers Convention.  Brock said,” If we closed the doors of our church would our community weep or would they care at all?”.  What struck me today is how many people in our community today that aren’t members of Lakeland Baptist Church, when reflecting on what they were thankful for, thought of our church?  How many sat down at their table and felt an overwhelming thankfulness for the way we are reaching to our community? If we closed the doors of Lakeland Baptist Church would anyone care? My hope is many would thank God for Lakeland, but it also challenges me to make sure we are loving Lewisville/ Flower Mound with the love of Christ.  My hope is that in every new month that comes that we will look for new and compassionate ways to reach people with the love of Christ.  My hope is that our motive would not be to gain anything but that people may gain Christ and experience His love.

All that being said, I am extremely thankful for LBC.  I have never felt so loved and supported as I do by the people of Lakeland.  The people of Lakeland are like family to me and have helped Tiffany and I walk through times of joy and times of pain.  We feel so blessed that God has brought us to serve this group of His people called Lakeland Baptist. Thank God for all of you!!

Practical Applications for Ministers

Yes, yes, it is finally new post time.  I found this list of practical applications for ministers from a chapel service led by Dr. Jimmy Draper Jr. at SWBTS.  I think this was from my first semester there, but I am not sure.  I thought these might be helpful for other ministers out there.

1) Don’t neglect your personal relationship with God

2) Make time for your family

3) Everyone needs encouragement- be kind

4) Never make decisions when you are depressed or discouraged

5) doubt never means yes

6) be open and honest- be transparent

7) answer all phone calls, mail and email

8.) don’t let anger be a pattern of your behavior

9) Few people make mistakes on purpose

10) Let your preaching be from the Bible

11) There is no excuse for being unprepared to preach

12) Don’t flirt with temptation ( Ephesians 4:27: 2 Corinthians 4:2)

13) Cooperate with your fellow believers

14) Be a good steward of your position, influence and all your experiences

15) Pour your life into a few people

16) Cherish and protect friendships

17) Give credit to others

18) Keep cpnfidences

19) Lead by example

20) No premadonnas in God’s service- you have to earn the right to be the leader

21) You’re not always right so admit it

One Thing

 

I have begun reading a book called ” One Thing” by Sam Storms and already it is renewing my spirit and my focus.  There is one quote that I thought I would share with you today regarding our purpose on this Earth.  Storm says, ” You weren’t created for boredom or burnout or bondage to sexual lust or greed or ambition but for the incomparable pleasure and matchless joy  that knowing Jesus alone can bring.  Only then in Him, will you encounter the life-changing, thirst-quenching, soul-satisfying delight that God, for His glory, created you to experience.”

Remember in all we do, His glory should be the focus and the issue.

Wisdom from Mr. Magorium

 

Well here I am with another installment of the bald man ramblings.  This Sunday night I went to the movie Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium at the dollar theater.  Most of the movie was outlandish, maybe better described as a play-land for people with ADD. 

In spite of that, there was one quote in the movie that really made me think. It was when Mr. Magorium tells Mahoney, “Life is an occasion, rise to it.”  Although his point was about succeeding in a worldly sense, God really spoke to me in that moment.  I took it as we are only here on this Earth but a short time, life is but a vapor or an occasion, and while we are here we should rise to that occasion. 

Rising to the occasion as a Christian is not about succeeding financially or stepping up to lead a business but as Paul says in Philippians 3 that we would be found in Him, know Him, fellowship in His sufferings and lay hold of that which Christ saved us for.

I want to rise to the occasion.  I want to lay hold of that which Christ laid hold of me for.  I want my life to be about knowing Him.  I want to be found in Him.  I want my life to reflect back to Him the glory he deserves.  I want to become all he wants me to become.  I want to reach the goal for which he called me heavenward.  I want to be holy. I want to be like Him.

Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”

Next Up: Quotes and discussion from Sam Storms book “One Thing”

Calling God’s People to Prayer

Well I am back in the land of the living. I have a lot to write about stuff that God has been showing me in the past few weeks but I wanted to use this post to plead with all of you to go to God in prayer for my dear friends John and Kelly Sherrill. Their story is below and I invite you to go to their blog. The blog will bless you as you see God’s people stand up in the midst of trials. More than that John,Kelly, Jadon, Jack and Baby Kyle need your prayers as the walk through this journey.

This story begins with 5 people. John, Kelly, Jadon, Jack, and Kyle (he is only 23 weeks old… and he is still safely tucked away in his mommy’s belly) In an hour’s time Kyle made his way into the world. 1 pound, 5 ounces- 11 and a half inches long. This family will never be the same.

This child is a warrior. He has the spirit of a Lion, and more courage than a whole pride. He is fierce, and fearless- and he is teaching us to fear the Lord- and to believe that God is in our midst and healing even now. Join us as pray, as we praise, and as we journey through this life as lovers of God and all His glory

http://www.prayforkyle.com

Guess whose back, back again

That’s right blog readers of America, the bald guy is back to share my heart with you.  A verse that has been really speaking to me this week is Philippians 3:3.  In this passage Paul proclaims, ” for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.”

This verse hits me for many reasons.  First I think it gives us a clear picture of what a true worshipper looks like.  This is helpful in our discerning process in trying to determine if someone is a false teacher or a true worshipper of God.  This is what the church in Philippa was facing as the Judiazers were teaching false doctrines about salvation and confusing the new Christians.

A true worshipper:

a.) Worships in the Spirit of God

This proclamation is reminiscent for me of the John 4:23-24 passage in which Jesus says that he is seeking out the true worshippers, those who worship Him in spirit and in truth.  True worshippers are filled with God’s Spirit and rely on his direction.  Someone who is labeled as a true worshipper must have evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in their life.

b.) Gives all glory to Christ

I had a professor in seminary named Gordon Borror who proclaimed that in every breath, thought and action in our life that God’s glory should always be the issue for us.  Someone who is a true worshipper of Christ does not seek fame for his own name, but to make Jesus famous.  I love 1 Peter 2:9b which proclaims we are,”… a people for God’s own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;”.  Our purpose in existence is to proclaim how awesome Jesus is.  If we come across someone who is proclaiming to be equal or better than Jesus, we can bet they are a false prophet.

c.) Puts no confidence in his own flesh

A true worshipper realizes what the old hymn says, ” Without Him I could do nothing. Without Him I’d surely fail. Without Him I would be drifting, Like a ship without a sail.”  Without Christ I am without hope, and I am utterly powerless.  Without Him, I am truly nothing. He gave me purpose, he adopted me into His family and I have no reason to boast except in what He has done.

Thoughts? 

Random Ramblings

I am starting to realize that I am way too forgetful to be the writer of a widely read blog. Although I am sure few read these ramblings and those who do read them find them to be elementary in nature, I still have this pressing need to pour myself into this page. I thought today I would just share a short list of things I have been learning: through God, through reading, through people, through life. Feel free to comment on these discoveries.

1.) Prayer is foundational. I have always known this, but for once I am learning to apply this truth. It is foundational: for life, for decision making, for ministry, for the sustaining of my intimacy with God, for understanding of the scriptures, for personal healing, for ministring to others, for evangelism…. need I continue??? I guess for once I realize that if I want to see the miraculous happen, I must consult the one who has infinite power to bring these things to pass.

2.) Picking the right cab driver is important. My experience riding in cabs was limited until taking my recent trip to Boston. I learned that cabs are expensive, cab drivers appreciate loyalty and that rival cab companies are cut throat. I can’t imagine my trip without our amazing cab driver Gary ” The Guvnah” Griswold. Picking the right cab driver can be the key to a positive experience or a negative experience in the city you visit. We spoke with multiple people who said their cab drivers did not know where any of the sites in Boston were, that they got lost and the cab driver was not friendly to them. They were not enjoying boston, until they met the Guvnah. If you find a good cab driver see if they are willing to take you around the duration of your trip. Good cabbies are few and far between.

3.) Chinese Food for Breakfast isn’t as weird as it sounds. In the Atlanta Airport Andrew ordered chinese food at Panda Express for breakfast. I am talking it was like 8:30 am. I thought that was idiotic and gross, until he was unable to finish his meal and I consumed the rest and realized great chinese is far better than icy hashbrowns from a restuarant (Arby’s) that no one knew even had a breakfast menu.

4.) An awesome quote that speaks for itself by Jerry Bridges,” The Gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history.” I am learning the magnitude of what Jesus did on the cross and how that should affect every inch of my life. Jesus died on the cross so I must die to myself; Jesus died on the cross so I must show grace to others, Jesus died on the cross so everything in my life I must count as loss in comparison to knowing Him.

These are four for now… stay tuned for more COMMENTS????????