Moral Integrity

This week I became aware of a moral failure of an individual (not from the PennDel Ministry Network) involved in ministry. The moral fabric of America has fallen on hard time, but one would hope those in ministry could rise above the temptations and live morally pure lives. The reality is that no one is above the potential of a moral failure. I do not mean to minimize sin in any form, particularly for a minister of the Gospel. Still, he who is without sin may cast the first stone. This post is not about casting stones or about excusing failure.

How can anyone be sure to avoid a moral failure and maintain moral integrity? There are no guarantees but we can all take some precautions.

1. Make sure your personal relationship with the Lord is up to date and healthy.
2. Make yourself accountable to people who will ask you the hard questions.
3. Don't put yourself in compromising situations.
4. Monitor your thought life.
5. Keep yourself healthy; body, soul, spirit, getting adequate rest, nutrition, and exercise.
6. Think before you act. What could be the natural results of your choices. How would you feel if your spouse became aware of your actions? How would you face your children? What would people in your church think. What impact would this have on your witness to people outside the church, the unsaved or unchurched? How would you face the Lord?
7. Are you feeling appreciated and affirmed in you personal life and ministry? If not you are vulnerable.

No one has an adequate excuse to fall into temptation, but we can keep watch on ourselves and monitor our lives for areas of weakness and vulnerability. Once a failure occurs it is too late. Now is the time for self-examination and personal reflection. Remember that the little foxes spoil the vines.

Evangelism

I just returned from a whirlwind trip to the West Coast (Sacramento, CA) where I had the privilege of being a part of the development of the National Slavic District Council of the Assemblies of God. Between forty and fifty Slavic speaking ministers, mostly Russian and Ukrainian, met together to discuss the possibility of coming into the Assemblies of God and forming a district in our fellowship. I was thoroughly impressed with the spiritual dynamic, commitment to the Word of God, passion to reach lost people, musical anointing, and earnest desire to see God do a work among the Slavic immigrants into the United States as well as those back home. Many of these individuals have a testimony of persecution resulting in prison incarceration because of their faith. Each of them are gracious and dedicated people of God.

These are amazing days in which we live. Only a few years ago the Iron Curtain posed one of the most significant threats to world peace. Today the Soviet Union no longer exists. Interestingly, Russia recently declared the Russian Orthodox Church to be the official state religion. It would appear that with this development, repression of other religious faiths will become the norm. Please pray for the church in Russia. Many believers are concerned that freedom of religion will be more curtailed under this new policy that it was under Communism. US missionaries, including AG, are being examined as to their ability to operate in the nation.

Still the church in Russia is strong and those here in the USA are committed reaching the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ. Our world continues to change and we must be vigilant and prayerful for our brothers around the world. "Father, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Amen!

PA Primary

Politics is tricky business. Christians have a civic responsibility to exercise their right to vote. It has been said, "For evil to triumph, all it takes is for good people to do nothing." Followers of Jesus should be involved in the process of choosing those who will lead this country, both nationally and locally. Some Christians are involved in the process through employment to campaigns organizations or working for various politically aligned groups. There are a few individuals that choose to run for office and are therefore employed as governmental workers. In my opinion, all of these roles are legitimate areas of involvement for believers. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The challenge, in my opinion, is when individuals attempt to involve the church in politics. What do you think? Is it permissible for the church to be involved in politic and if so, at what level? What are the pitfalls to be avoided? What biblical texts speak to this issue and how do we apply them to our current democratic process? Is the question, "What would Jesus do?" a fair or unfair question? Why?

The Visit

The media has given the Pope a great deal of coverage. There seems to be a contradiction between the secular nature of the media and the influence and "sacred" nature of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. It might be likened to a love-hate relationship. There is a desire for a deeper reality to actually exist while being too skeptical to believe some actually does. The disgrace of the church reaches its worst through the pedophilia of her priests. The best of the church lies in the symbol it provides for hope and purity.

The world's system needs the grandeur of ritual, ceremony, and splendor. The heart of man easily succumbs to the enticement of glory. The Almighty has a very different agenda. His ways are not our ways. Contrary to man's will, it is "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit." He is not impressed with our excellence, prestige, and display of pageantry. His glory is over all and covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. There is none like unto Him!

Tax Time

They say the inevitability's of life are taxes and death. Why is it we tend to postpone both of these issues as long as possible? We attempt to avoid death largely because we are created with a self-preservation instinct. Even Christians, who believe they go to be with the Lord at death, put off death as long as possible. We do not fear death, but we usually avoid it as long as possible.

The same is true of taxes. They must be paid, but not today. Some wait until the last minute; some even file for an extension in order to delay filing. At times, there are very good reasons why this is done. Sometimes it is just putting off the inevitable. Human nature is often blamed for procrastination. Perhaps the question ask of Jesus and His response is appropriate in this context. He said, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

No one likes to pay taxes. We often feel the dollars sent to the government are poured down a black hole with little benefit resulting. Christians have a civic responsibility to fulfill their responsibilities. On the other hand, we should not pay more than required or necessary. It seems to me our attitude becomes the critical piece. As is true with many other issues, the way we fulfill our obligations says as much about our walk with the Lord as anything. We will pay taxes! How we approach this responsibility can make a difference in our own sense of peace and contentment. Complaining and criticizing the process opens a door for a negative attitude to undermine our character and diminish our testimony. Giving to God what belongs to him will include the disposition of our heart in joyfully fulfilling our responsibilities. Our heart is the primary issue, not our checkbook.

April 15 is gone forever! Faithfully giving our heart/affection to the Lord will continue as a challenge.

American Idol

OK. I admit it! I watched American Idol last night. I was amazed the way the show started.

"My Jesus, My Savior. Lord there is none like you."

What an incredible expression of praise and worship to the Lord. God receives glory in some of the most unlikely places. I realize some of the contestants seem to have a personal relationship with the Lord. However, for the entire group to give such a powerful expression of exaltation to the Lord was astounding to me.

What is going on in our culture today? Is the AI incorporation of a song with such lyrics indicative of something profound going on in our nation? Is this just symptomatic of those who are smart enough to realize there are profits available when Christian music and values are a part of the program? Does this indicate a spiritual awakening may be under way? Is this just an incorporation of good music into the American process and has no spiritual significance? To you, what might this indicate is happening in American culture, if anything?

I would like to hear your thought on this as we traverse this journey together.

Spiritual Parenting

Traversing the journey of this spiritual life presents many challenges. Going it along virtually guarantees failure. I just finished reading The Cry for Spiritual Fathers and Mothers by Larry Kreider. This volume addresses a critical issue facing the Church in America. With the continuing demise of the family, the people of God must become more intentional about discipling or mentoring young believers in the faith. While a great emphasis has correctly been placed on reaching those outside the Church, an equal emphasis needs to be placed on maturing those who become a part of the family of God.

One of the stories I enjoyed was about a seventy year old, mature believer who had never had the blessing of a spiritual father. A twenty-nine year old man took him out to lunch and initiated a relationship of prayer, support, and accountability that the elder had never before experienced. This new found friendship became a source of great encouragement to both individuals. The older man told Larry, "I finally have a spiritual father. He's twenty-nine years old."

Each of us needs a variety of mentors throughout our lives. Sadly, many never have enjoyed that special relationship. Do you have a spiritual father/mentor? What area of your life has that individual been able to strengthen you? Have you found that multiple spiritual fathers/mentors is helpful or confusing for you? How can you become a spiritual father/mentor to someone else? Is it a formal or informal relationship? I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.