"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Whatever God wants to accomplish on earth, He does it through relationships. This is a truth, which helps us understand, why God is so intent on a relationship with us. He has a lot He wants us to do, the need is great, the time is short, and sadly the workers are few.
We everyday go before the Lord at least once and sometimes twice, praying for the workers in the harvest. We have our cell phone alarms set for 9:38 (MK 9:38) and 10:02 for ( LK 10:02), which states, the harvest is white and the workers are few, so pray for "Workers in the Harvest". (Notice He (Jesus) is not asking us to pray for the harvest, but the workers for the harvest.)
Here is the dilemma and tension that we live in.
Dilemma: The idea of commitment in today’s generation is not the same as it was in the past. People have a very hard time sticking to a task, an idea, and we’d submit to you even to the call of God on their lives. We see it time and again, that something good crowds out the best in their lives. Sadly they don’t understand the cause and effect that it has on Gods kingdom work and for those around them that are committed, it creates frustration as they try to go it alone. The world has painted a picture, that it all about them, their wants and desires, and has encouraged a lifestyle of not caring how their actions hurt those around them.
Tension: How do we confront, and disciple those that haven’t learned that commitment is key to their success, in any kind of relationship: whether it’s friends, their marriage, a ministry call, or consider this, their walk with the Lord.
Here are two other powerful one-liner:
"There's a difference between interest and commitment; when you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."
"Commitment is the igniter of momentum."
Here is our mission. And (it’s going to take an army of us, who are willing) that is to father a generation that has not been fathered or fathered well.
We know that this seems to be an overwhelming task, but as we recognize those few that God shows us who are willing to change, we can take them under or wings and change their culture. There is an apostolic anointing on this ministry to do this, so let’s step up to the plate.
We believe it has to be in context of what the Lord has called us to do, and that is minister to marriages; otherwise it’s one of those good things, which can take us away from doing Gods best. Let’s find those that are willing to strive for excellence's, come along side them, not as a project, but in a coaching role to help them be all that God wants them to be.
We have a couple of couples we are doing this with locally and other places also, that bring so much live to us, we seem to gain more than they do, in the process. They have become real energy givers not energy swipper's.
U2R1 4 a reason
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
"God allows these tests"
Evaluation of the past is the first step toward vision for the future.
Chris Widener
There is one thing about the past that almost everyone can agree with…”you won’t pay a plug nickel for the million dollar experiences”…you had to endure. We can think of many as an individual…and some as a couple, which we are not proud of and some have left their mark.
Here’s the deal though…are we going to be a victim of them or a victor over them? We choose to be victors. Another one-liner I’ve seen says, “A great Marriage consists of a couple forgiving each other many times every day” and I’d submit at least for me (Jim) at times, it can be many.
1 John 1:9 has the key to unlocking healing and victory over failures and the enemy. Keeping accounts short with your spouse (and everyone else for that matter) when these happen, is the key.
Here’s another address to look at: Revelation 12:11, stating “we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony”.
Maybe God allows these tests, so that others will see how we handle ourselves while going through them. Then again, for us to gain a deeper experience, so that we will see how the Lord might use what we have gone, or are going through, to create vision for us about how He wants to use us and our testimony to minister to others in the future.
These can be those first baby steps for us to evaluate what God wants to do with us. It would be such a waste if the trails were, just for our benefit only. Others are watching you and seeing how you do, and if we can keep that in focus, then others can benefit from our mistakes and our victories and the future looks brighter for us and them, because we were willing to share, and give God the Glory through them.
U2R1 4 a reason
Chris Widener
There is one thing about the past that almost everyone can agree with…”you won’t pay a plug nickel for the million dollar experiences”…you had to endure. We can think of many as an individual…and some as a couple, which we are not proud of and some have left their mark.
Here’s the deal though…are we going to be a victim of them or a victor over them? We choose to be victors. Another one-liner I’ve seen says, “A great Marriage consists of a couple forgiving each other many times every day” and I’d submit at least for me (Jim) at times, it can be many.
1 John 1:9 has the key to unlocking healing and victory over failures and the enemy. Keeping accounts short with your spouse (and everyone else for that matter) when these happen, is the key.
Here’s another address to look at: Revelation 12:11, stating “we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony”.
Maybe God allows these tests, so that others will see how we handle ourselves while going through them. Then again, for us to gain a deeper experience, so that we will see how the Lord might use what we have gone, or are going through, to create vision for us about how He wants to use us and our testimony to minister to others in the future.
These can be those first baby steps for us to evaluate what God wants to do with us. It would be such a waste if the trails were, just for our benefit only. Others are watching you and seeing how you do, and if we can keep that in focus, then others can benefit from our mistakes and our victories and the future looks brighter for us and them, because we were willing to share, and give God the Glory through them.
U2R1 4 a reason
Sunday, April 4, 2010
"Don't be a Lid"
"A leader's role is to raise people's aspirations for what they can become and to release their abilities so they will try to get there."
There is no way on God’s green earth that we can accomplish by ourselves, the task that is before us, without others buying into the idea, and then releasing them to pass us up in the process, (if they have a mind too). Our job is to lead them so far…then allow them to go passed you with a Blessing. We find in some measure, leaders threatened by their abilities and aspirations. When what we should be doing is rejoicing and encouraging them to pass us up. We have seen many good people, stopped dead in their tracks, because of this and move on to other ministries, that don’t create this lid for them to get through.
Sometimes we can be a lid, (as John Maxwell states in the “Law of the Lid” concept) and that is very frustrating for someone who aspires to greater things. What I have noticed with these people is an honoring of those they serve with, not to create havoc or discontent in the ranks, and just back off after being rebuffed, and eventually move on after a time to other things so they can be fulfilled in the abilities and aspirations.
Let’s not be threatened in anyway, by somebody who can do things better and faster then we can. Hold your position of leadership lightly and with an open handed approach, and be prepared to release them sooner then you expected, when you see that they really have gotten It.
The "IT" is the vision and anointing of what we are called to do, in the ministry that we are working in together. Set things up for their success, and not roadblocks to control and suppress, the vision an anointing God has placed on them, then it takes us to the next level also when Gods timing is right.
Now don’t take us wrong on this next thought, there are some that see the POWER (Holy Spirit) that we operate under and want it badly. Be every discerning, and realize that is ambition, not abilities and aspiration, in fact it can be a form of witchcraft. (You might have to come to an understanding of what we mean here and do a little study.)
Witchcraft can be about motives, but with the Holy Spirits help, you’ll be able to tell the difference. Please don’t get stuck here, this is not the norm, praise the Lord; it is the exception to the rule most times. Our point here is always seek to know their heart and God will show you what is going on in there. Then don’t be threatened in any way by the people the Lord brings your way for a season to disciple. Then as soon as you can, delegate more responsibility to them. Whenever you can take them along with you do it.
God has given you a leadership anointing to recognize other leaders, and when you are around them encourage them to bigger and great things in their walk with the Lord and ministry. Challenge them with duties early on in their training, and work harder for their success, than yours. Step aside and let them pass when it’s time and Bless them when they do. Don’t hold them back or you will loss them.
We are so excited about what the Lord has shown us, on our trip around the nation, (2009) about the quality of the young couples coming up in this ministry of 2=1. The 20, 30, and 40 year old couples, are just waiting in the wings to be released to do what God is calling them to do for marriages and families, not just in this nation but all around the world. The new technology does not scare them, they embraces it, and want us to do more in that arena, and Lord willing we’ll be able to keep up with them as they pass us by.
U2R1 4 a reason
There is no way on God’s green earth that we can accomplish by ourselves, the task that is before us, without others buying into the idea, and then releasing them to pass us up in the process, (if they have a mind too). Our job is to lead them so far…then allow them to go passed you with a Blessing. We find in some measure, leaders threatened by their abilities and aspirations. When what we should be doing is rejoicing and encouraging them to pass us up. We have seen many good people, stopped dead in their tracks, because of this and move on to other ministries, that don’t create this lid for them to get through.
Sometimes we can be a lid, (as John Maxwell states in the “Law of the Lid” concept) and that is very frustrating for someone who aspires to greater things. What I have noticed with these people is an honoring of those they serve with, not to create havoc or discontent in the ranks, and just back off after being rebuffed, and eventually move on after a time to other things so they can be fulfilled in the abilities and aspirations.
Let’s not be threatened in anyway, by somebody who can do things better and faster then we can. Hold your position of leadership lightly and with an open handed approach, and be prepared to release them sooner then you expected, when you see that they really have gotten It.
The "IT" is the vision and anointing of what we are called to do, in the ministry that we are working in together. Set things up for their success, and not roadblocks to control and suppress, the vision an anointing God has placed on them, then it takes us to the next level also when Gods timing is right.
Now don’t take us wrong on this next thought, there are some that see the POWER (Holy Spirit) that we operate under and want it badly. Be every discerning, and realize that is ambition, not abilities and aspiration, in fact it can be a form of witchcraft. (You might have to come to an understanding of what we mean here and do a little study.)
Witchcraft can be about motives, but with the Holy Spirits help, you’ll be able to tell the difference. Please don’t get stuck here, this is not the norm, praise the Lord; it is the exception to the rule most times. Our point here is always seek to know their heart and God will show you what is going on in there. Then don’t be threatened in any way by the people the Lord brings your way for a season to disciple. Then as soon as you can, delegate more responsibility to them. Whenever you can take them along with you do it.
God has given you a leadership anointing to recognize other leaders, and when you are around them encourage them to bigger and great things in their walk with the Lord and ministry. Challenge them with duties early on in their training, and work harder for their success, than yours. Step aside and let them pass when it’s time and Bless them when they do. Don’t hold them back or you will loss them.
We are so excited about what the Lord has shown us, on our trip around the nation, (2009) about the quality of the young couples coming up in this ministry of 2=1. The 20, 30, and 40 year old couples, are just waiting in the wings to be released to do what God is calling them to do for marriages and families, not just in this nation but all around the world. The new technology does not scare them, they embraces it, and want us to do more in that arena, and Lord willing we’ll be able to keep up with them as they pass us by.
U2R1 4 a reason
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