personal comments – Page 31

Dressing Up to Please, [Authenticity]

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”

– Colossians 3:12, ESV

I used to always get dressed up for Sunday church, hey– our whole family dressed in their best. “Windsor knots” and jewelry, and we looked good. I was pastoring at this time, and we felt compelled to make a statement. We were examples, after all. (But we were also idiots.)

This now seems a little ‘kooky’ living in rural Alaska. During the spring breakup, we would wear big rubber boots as we navigated the mud, and then in the church foyer we would all change into our dress shoes before we entered into the sanctuary. I admit, I’m glad that we are no longer compelled to do this.

But “dress up” is a major spiritual issue with real consequences.

Not the physical dressing, nor our preening and posturing– but spiritually, getting dressed. Paul urges us to put on our spiritual man clothing that will honor our Father. He lists the clothes in our “wardrobe”. These are the things we should put on, and be seen in. We are to cover ourselves in what really matters.

“Put on…compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”

This is a list of items the Lord wants us to wear. If my dear wife Lynn tells me she really likes to see me in a particular sweater, I will wear it and frequently. I know she likes it on me, and I want to please her. The list just above is what the Father really wants you to wear. He wants to see you in these things.

I just want to urge you today, that you would think about your spiritual clothing. What is covering your spiritual man? What do you look like? This might mean changing your clothes and putting on something that the Father really thinks you look good in.

“Father, when will I learn to dress the inside? Help me attend to the things that really matter to You. Amen.”

Hardly Indispensable: A Leader’s View

^13″The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.

¹⁴When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”

Exodus 18

Often your father-in-law will observe things clearly and honestly. I believe most can perceive situations that our own fathers will overlook. I think this is because our own fathers are often functioning out of their hearts. They are emotionally attached. But a father-in-law has a different view.

Jethro has come, most likely to escort the grandkids, and his daughter. He is probably quite curious about Moses new direction. Jethro has only known that his son-in-law as a shepherd. But now, things are changing quickly. And Jethro is praising God for what He did over the Egyptians.

Jethro is enthusiastic. But he is also alert and aware. As Moses schedules his day, Jethro sees an inordinate amount of time given to judging, not leading. He watches and than asks some questions. This is the sign of good correction. Moses faces these questions really well. He is a great model for teachability.

Leadership is almost always a shared work.

Many aspects of it should be collaborative and plural. The singular view of leading people– out of my own resources alone, will not end well. Moses was teachable and Jethro needed to share this word of correction. If Moses had not took the wise advice of Jethro, they would’ve died in the desert.

When Moses released these things to others who were qualified, he commences on a new understanding of ministry. He actually becomes a better man because of the advice of Jethro. He must become “expendable.”

^{24 “}Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. ²⁵He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.²⁶These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.”

None are ever indispensable and no one can do everything. We may try, but that usually is ego. We will do better if we will relinquish control. I think that the Father designs it this way.

Dwight L. Moody once said that he would rather put a thousand men to work than do the work of a thousand men. I believe that is a Kingdom concept that we should activate.

Exodus Chapter 18 (maryrubow.wordpress.com)
Exodus 18. Jethro visits Moses. The appointment of Judges (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Wisdom of the wise. (faithfuldailyread.wordpress.com)

Another Tree, and He Still Speaks

My heart is that you would comprehend His love, and turn and hear Him whisper peace and kindness to you. There is no question– we’ve sinned and rebelled and screwed things up. But He doesn’t judge, or give us what we deserve. Jesus gives us the most wonderful present ever.

We really have nothing to bring. We are like the poor shepherds– and not at all like the three kings. When it comes to spiritual, or eternal things we are completely bankrupt. The Holy Spirit who wants to speak to us, we more or less confuse His voice. People tell us about Jesus, and we turn it into ‘gobbledygook.’ We simply can’t connect the dots. Don’t you wonder why you think there must be something more? That is the plight of a fallen heart.

But Jesus did die for us. And, furthermore He paid the ‘sin-debt’ that we owed. When we receive Him as our personal Savior, we will find the forgiveness that we need. Seek Him, and ask for understanding. Things are really not what they seem. His deep love for you goes beyond what you can possibly imagine.

There is another tree. One we decorate with sparkling lights, the other becomes the only way we can be saved. ^“And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” (John 12:32).

But dear one, there is another tree.

If you would like, I’m just an e-mail away. I would be honored if I could offer you some kind of simple guidance. No weirdness, just a friend.

You can also call 24/7, 1-888-NEEDHIM.

Hell Bound (raptureimminent.wordpress.com)
Why Jesus Came (marck.me)
Actions Speak Louder Than Words! (work4christ.wordpress.com)

Some of My Paintings

Here are some paintings I’ve done over the last few years. I hope that they bless you somehow. All were painted out of a long season of deep depression. Painting these (and a lot of others) was the only thing that kept me sliding off the edge. Some might ask, how can you create these out of your Bipolar Disorder? To be honest, I am just as mystified as you. None of these are ‘perfect,’ But made in a time when I was under a certain ‘strain.’ But they are what they are.

31038_395860324101_595434101_4245531_648237_n — One of my favorites.

“An artist has been defined as a neurotic who continually cures himself with his art.” (Lee Simonson)

“The Bipolar Mind”

“Three Crows Having Lunch”

All of these paintings have been given to various non-profit organizations, for the handicapped and the mentally ill. To me, that is the place they belong. “If you have two loaves of bread, keep one to nourish the body, but sell the other to buy hyacinths for the soul.” (Herodotus)