We Remember

Today we remember an event that happened in America eleven years ago. It was a terrorist attack that affected 168 people who lost their lives, many who were severely injured, and family and friends who had to cope with the tragedy.

The Oklahoma City bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995, was a horrific scene of chaos. I remember being home from school that day and seeing the aftermath of it on television through the day.

It is a reminder that our lives can be taken in an instant. This is why we need to know for sure that we’ll be on our way to heaven if a tragic event occurs. If you’re not sure, here is a link on the Maack Ministries website that explains the plan of salvation: Are You Saved?

Today, there is a great memorial site where the building stood. Grassy areas covered with 168 chairs, one for each life taken. There is a shallow area filled with water. A museum is located nearby with the history of the building and those who worked in it. There is still a spray-painted message on the nearby building wall from a rescue team. It’s a very peaceful place and a great place to remember.

I had the opportunity to visit this memorial in Oklahoma City last year for the tenth anniversary of the bombing. Below are some photos I took while at the site.

Oklahoma City National Memorial

What Is Spiritual Abuse? - Part 3

This is the third and final installment of what spiritual abuse is. It is written by Dr. Morris Chapman about a book written on this subject. Following are the four remaining characteristics of spiritual abuse.

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The first three characteristics of a spiritually abusive system were addressed in a previous blog. They are Power-Posturing, Performance Preoccupation, and Unspoken Rules. As in previous posts, I am quoting extensively from the authors of the book, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.

4. Lack of Balance

The fourth characteristic of a spiritually abusive system is an unbalanced approach to living out the truth of the Christian life. This shows itself in two extremes: extreme objectivism and extreme subjectivism.

Extreme Objectivism

The first extreme is an empirical approach to life that elevates objective truth to the exclusion of valid subjective experience. Even though the Holy Spirit’s work might be acknowledged theologically, on a practical level it would be suspect, or denied.

This approach to spirituality creates a spiritual system in which authority is based upon the level of education and intellectual capacity alone, rather than on intimacy with God, obedience and sensitivity to His Spirit. The New Testament says, “Now as [the religious leaders] observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Peter and John’s confidence and authority come from the fact that they had been with Jesus, and they were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8).

Extreme Subjectivism

The other manifestation in the lack of balance is seen in an extremely subjective approach to the Christian life. What is true is decided on the basis of feelings and experiences, giving more weight to them than to what the Bible declares.

As with the extreme objective approach, Christians who are highly subjective also have a view of education – most often, that education is bad or unnecessary. There is almost a pride in not being educated, and a disdain for those who are. We must remember that Paul wrote to Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB).

It is important to study the Word of God. And it is good, not bad, to acquire mental tools to handle God’s Word accurately. The guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives will never contradict the Word of God, therefore any “impression” God’s Spirit makes upon our minds and hearts will be in accord with God’s written Word.

Three reasons it is difficult to leave a spiritually abusive system--

The authors state, “People within spiritually abusive systems are wounded and tired. The first four characteristics of spiritual abuse explain why. Now we would like to examine why many find it difficult or impossible to leave, even after the abuse is recognized.”

Because of the focus on performance, things about a spiritual abusive situation may look good to those who have yet to follow a spiritually abusive leader. A system that concentrates upon spiritual abuse acts like a “spiritual magnet” pulling in people who are drawn by several factors, including the potential to join a ‘righteous cause,’ be on the winning side, and/or become the recipients of rewards for being submissive and obedient. However, the system acts like a black hole with spiritual gravity so strong it is very hard for people to get out.

Even information about what is going on within the system can’t get out. If you tell others your growing concerns about the control factors in place, you are then treated as if you are the problem. The following three characteristics of spiritual abuse have been identified by the authors as making spiritual systems difficult to escape.

5. Paranoia

Johnson and Van Vonderen state that “In the spiritual abusive situation, there is a sense, spoken or unspoken, that ‘others will not understand what we’re all about, so let’s not let them know—that way they won’t be able to ridicule or persecute us.’” A silent spirit of paranoia is developed in the situation wherein people are being abused spiritually. Such a mentality builds a strong wall or bunker around the abusive system, isolates the abusers from scrutiny and accountability and makes it more difficult for people to leave. People are misled into thinking the only safety is in the system. Ironically, Jesus and Paul both warned that one of the worst dangers to the flock was from wolves in the house (Matthew 10:16; Acts 20:29-30).

In the utilization of spiritual abuse it is not uncommon for the abuser to focus on, even create, an external enemy in the minds of the abused in order to keep from answering legitimate questions.

6. Misplaced Loyalty

The next characteristic of spiritually abusive systems is that a misplaced sense of loyalty is fostered and even demanded. We’re not talking about loyalty to Christ, but about loyalty to a given organization, church, group, or leader. Because authority is assumed or legislated (and therefore not real) following must be legislated as well. A common way this is accomplished is by setting up a system where disloyalty to or disagreement with the leadership is construed as the same thing as disobeying God.

There are three factors that come into play, leading to a charge of misplaced loyalty, (1) leadership projects a “we alone are right” mentality, (2) leadership uses “scare tactics” to intimidate and/or threaten, and (3) leadership threatens humiliation.

“We Alone are Right”

Those who have given their allegiance to the leaders(s) must remain in the system if they want to be “safe,” and not be viewed as wrong or “backslidden.” The authors counsel that “you need to be in a situation where you can open up your heart and receive what God has to give you.”

Scare Tactics

The authors illustrate what they mean by scare tactics. They state that “not long ago a Christian man made it clear to us that he had separated himself from the world by not fellowshipping with ‘the infidels.’ As we talked, we learned that his definition of ‘infidel’ was not limited to non-Christians. It also included Christians from other denominations, certain Christians from his own denomination, and even Christians from his own church who didn’t think as he did. In fact, we were dismayed to learn that we were also considered ‘infidels’ because we failed to agree with him.” Scare tactics are used in a spiritually abusive setting as spiritual blackmail.

Humiliation

The third method leading to the charge of misplaced loyalty is the threat of humiliation. This is done by publicly shaming, exposing, or threatening to remove people from the group. The authors go on to say, “Unquestionably, there is a place for appropriate church discipline, but in the abusive system, it is the fear of being exposed, humiliated, or removed that insures your proper allegiance and insulate those in authority. You can be “exposed” for asking too many questions, for disobeying the unspoken rules, or for disagreeing with authority.

People are made public examples in order to send a message to those who remain. Others have phone campaigns launched against them to warn their friends and others in the group about how “dangerous” they are.

7. Secretive

Authors Johnson and Van Vonderen state that “when you see people in a religious system being secretive—watch out. People don’t hide what is appropriate; they hide what is inappropriate.” One reason spiritually abusive people are so secret is because they are so image conscious. They can’t live up to their own performance standards, so they have to hide what is real.

The leader’s “condescending, negative view of the laity” is another reason for secrecy. They tell themselves, ‘People are not mature enough to handle truth.’ This is patronizing, at best.

Defensive conspiracies too often develop among the ones being abused. Since it is not alright to talk about problems, people form conspiracies behind closed doors and over the telephone as they try to solve things informally, but nothing gets solved. All the while, building God’s true Kingdom is put on hold.

Conclusion

When these seven characteristics exist in a denomination, church, group, or family, the result will be spiritual abuse. It will be a closed system with rigid boundaries that prevent people from leaving.

The authors conclude the naming of the seven characteristics with the following observation. “We believe one answer lies in the abusive system’s use – or misuse – of Scripture.” They open the following chapter with these words, “Used rightly, the Word of God is a sword, exposing motives of the heart, and a lamp lighting the way for those who follow God.

Misused, it can become nothing more than a club in the hands of those who equate pretending with obedience and silence with peace. If you care to read more, I give you the information needed to order the book from your Christian bookstore. The title of the book is The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen, and published by Bethany House (1991). What I have written draws extensively from the authors themselves and gives you the source for further study. As I have previously stated, I do not agree with every supposition made by the authors. Nevertheless, spiritual abuse is a little known subject, and merits study and better understanding.

http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=45

What is Spiritual Abuse? - Part 2

Here is a continuation of Part 1 on Spiritual Abuse.

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The authors, Johnson and Van Vonderen, have identified seven (7) of the most common characteristics of the truly abusive system. These characteristics are certain unhealthy dynamics that dictate how people function within spiritual abusive systems.

Spiritual abuse is not so readily recognizable to prevent it from occurring in any denomination, any church, or any para-church organization. In fact, even if individuals in a religious group observed spiritual abuse, most would choose to ignore it for any number of reasons.

1. Power-Posturing

The authors point out that the first characteristic of an abusive religious system is power-posturing. Power-posturing simply means that leaders spend a lot of time focused on their own authority and reminding others of it, as well.

Those who are true leaders demonstrate authority, spiritual power, and credibility by their lives and message. God gives authority, and He does so in the body of Christ to build them, serve them, equip them, and set them free to do God’s agenda – which may or may not coincide with the agenda of the leadership. Matthew 10:1 says, “And having summoned His twelve disciples, He gave them authority.”

Leaders to whom God has given authority shepherd the flock and in so doing, set people free. Yet leaders without genuine spiritual authority from God spend a lot of energy posturing about how much authority they have and how much everyone else is supposed to submit to it. The fact that they are eager to place people under them – under their word, under their “authority” – is one easy-to-spot clue that they are operating in their own authority.

2. Performance Preoccupation

In abusive religious systems, leaders are preoccupied with the performance of their members. Obedience and submission are two important words in these systems. Spiritually abusive systems do not foster holiness or obedience to God; they merely accommodate a leader’s distorted interpretation of spirituality and their need for control. In the larger context of spiritual leadership, you will see that it is only appropriate to obey and submit to leadership when their authority is from God and their spirit is consistent with His.

3. Unspoken Rules

Unspoken rules are those that govern unhealthy denominations, churches, other religious organizations, and families, but are not said out loud. Because they are not said out loud, you don’t find out that they are there until you break them. In this setting, if an individual disagrees with the leader, they will never again be trusted and loyalty becomes suspect. Rules like this remain unspoken because examining them in the light of mature dialogue would instantly reveal how illogical, unhealthy, and anti-Christian they are. So silence becomes the fortress wall of protection, shielding the leader’s power position from scrutiny or challenge.

The authors point out that “when you find unspoken rules by breaking them unintentionally, you will then suffer one of two consequences: either neglect (being ignored, overlooked, shunned) or aggressive legalism (questioned, openly censured, asked to leave)…”

In the conservative evangelical church, the spoken word is, “the Bible is the written authority.” In the same denomination, church, or family there may also be an unwritten rule that says, “It is better to be nice than to be honest.” The written rule, the Bible, says in Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”

In this context, now we have a conflict. The written rule says one thing, the unwritten rule another. The question is asked, “If you came from a system where both rules were in operation, which rule won most often? Was honesty suppressed, repressed, or even oppressed? In spiritually abusive groups, even though leaders may insist they stand upon the authority of Scripture, you will not always find Scripture to be considered by those leaders as powerful as the unwritten rules.

The most powerful of all unspoken rules in the abusive system is the “can’t talk” rule. The thinking goes like this, “The real problem cannot be exposed because then it would have to be dealt with and things would have to change; so it must be protected behind walls of silence or by legalistic assault. And if you speak about the problem out loud, you are the problem. Of course, the presupposition for talking about the problem out loud is that the one talking tells the truth and has a genuine concern for the “body” that supersedes personal, ambitious, self-serving goals.

In spiritually abusive systems, there exists a “pretend peace”— the kind mentioned by Jeremiah when he decried, saying, “The prophets say ‘peace, peace’ when there is none.” If what unites us is our pretending to agree, even though we don’t agree, then we have nothing more than pretend peace…, with undercurrents of tension and backbiting.”

The “can’t talk” rule blames the person who talks, and the ensuing punishments pressure questioners into silence. On the other hand, when God’s Spirit draws us together, it is possible to disagree and yet not destroy the sense of God’s presence in our midst, the cooperation of working side by side for the sake of God’s Kingdom, and our very heartbeat for spanning the globe with our witness that “Jesus saves!”

http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=39

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The next post will contain the final four characteristics of spiritual abuse identified in the book entitled, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse written by Johnson and Van Vonderen and published in 1991 by Bethany House Publishers.

What is Spiritual Abuse? - Part 1

The next three posts will be excerpts taken from Dr. Morris Chapman as he reviews a book entitled The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen. It explains what some of today's pastors and leaders are doing in churches that appear to be biblical leadership but is not and what we need to be looking for if we suspect or feel God telling us that there is something wrong. Here is part 1:

The back cover of the paperback book, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse offers the hope of “breaking free from spiritual enslavement.” The promotional paragraph states that no one should leave church or any other place of shelter and encouragement feeling manipulated or controlled. The authors note that such places can become abusive if spiritual leaders begin to use their authority to meet their needs for importance, power, or spiritual gratification. If successful, they can rob individuals of their joy in Christ.

As with most, if not all books, statements are made with which I disagree, but I do think the topic is a worthy one. Most of the material written herein comes directly from the book. I am simply sharing the primary thesis of the book in the words of the authors. They ask the question, “What is spiritual abuse?” Then they define it.

Spiritual abuse is the mistreatment of a person who is in need of
help, support, or greater spiritual empowerment, with the result
of weakening, undermining, or decreasing that person’s spiritual
empowerment.

The definition is refined with some functional definitions.

* Spiritual abuse can occur when a leader uses his or her spiritual position to control or dominate another person. It often involves overriding the feelings and opinions of another, without regard to what will result in the other person’s state of living, emotions, or spiritual well-being. In this application, power is used to bolster the position or needs of a leader, over and above one who comes to them in need.

* Spiritual abuse can also occur when spirituality is used to make others live up to a “spiritual standard.” This promotes external “spiritual performance,” also without regard to an individual’s actual well-being, or is used as a means of proving a person’s spirituality.

One of the reasons the authors wrote the book is to help both leaders and followers recognize spiritual systems that have become abusive. For those who discover they’ve built a system that’s spiritually abusive – enslaving people to a system, a leader, a standard of performance – Johnson and Van Vonderen offer advice and guidance that can help you change and return to grace.
The apostle Paul wrote:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5.1 NIV).

At the root of the problem of spiritual abuse is having forgotten the incredible price that was paid, in blood, for our freedom in Christ. If you have opportunity to read the book you will discover the biblical examples and scriptural references contained therein.

After showing examples of perpetrators in the Old and New Testaments, the question is asked, “Who are the perpetrators today?” Their answer is, “First, there is the neglect of real needs in favor of the ‘needs’ of authority; then legalism replaces rest in God with demands for spiritual performance. Abuse is perpetrated by people in positions of power.

In Galatians, the teaching of the Judaizers went something like this: “Faith in Jesus is right, and you must have it. But it’s not enough. In order to really find positive standing in God’s eyes, you have to be circumcised.” In other words, false spiritual systems teach that right standing with God depends on what Jesus did, plus those “spiritual” acts that you do.

Legalism is a form of religious perfectionism that focuses on the careful performance and avoidance of certain behaviors. It teaches people to gain a sense of spiritual acceptance based on their performance, instead of accepting it as a gift on the basis of Christ. Living with Jesus as your only true source of life and acceptance is a confrontation to those who seek God’s approval on the basis of their own religious behavior.

If you perform as perpetrators say you must: (1) it will make them look good; (2) their self-righteousness will escape the scrutiny of the cross of Christ as the only means to God’s favor; (3) it will allow them to examine you instead of themselves; (4) they will be able to “boast in” or gain a sense of validation from your religious performance.

In Timothy 6:5 he warns that these erring teachers “suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” They act godly to gain something. “But, Paul says, “godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment (v.6). Have you ever met a contented legalist, a truly restful religious “performer?” There’s no such person.

What are spiritual leaders to do? Protect the flock from legalists who push religious performance as the means to right standing or favor with God. It is not wrong to notice legalism and protect yourself from being abused.

In ending this week’s blog, I quote a conclusion of the authors. “We believe that all of us, as Christians, need to be on guard – not only against specific leaders and systems that throw their spiritual weight (legalism) around, but against the subtle use of “formulas” and doctrines that are so often used to press good people of the faith into conformity with a religious system instead of conformity to Christ.”

http://www.morrischapman.com/article.asp?id=38

Statement for Christ

The following statement was in a note found in the office of a young pastor in Zimbabwe following his martyrdom for his faith in Jesus Christ. It was published in the book The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning. I have worked to live this way and pray that each Christian would strive for the same.


Fellowship of the Unashamed:

I’m part of the following of the unashamed.

I have the Holy Spirit power

The die has been cast.

I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made-I’m a disciple of His.

I will not look back, let up, slow down or be still.

My past is redeemed; my present makes sense; my future is secure.

I’m vanished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity.

I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with power.

My face is set; my gait is fast, my goal is heaven; my road is narrow; my way rough, my companions are few; my Guide reliable; my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus.

I must go ‘till He comes; give ‘till I drop, speak ‘till all know and work ‘till He stops me.

And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear.

Bible Study

Next week I have the opportunity to once again minister for a community of believers. This group meets every Wednesday morning from all over their community. People of different ages and denominations coming from different churches and backgrounds all to study God’s Word, the Bible.

I have played the piano many times for this group and each time I arrive I am welcomed with excitement in their voices that I have returned to play some songs for them again. I don’t play for long but long enough to be a blessing for them and for me.

What I find just as exciting is that after I finish my set and they pray for the time together, people immediately split into groups and start studying the Bible. You can see the joy they have in coming together not to be in a social club or to be entertained but to really dive into God’s Word and to find out more about Jesus and His will for their lives.

I know that there are communities around the United States that participate in this program. They get together once a week to study, meditate, and feed off each other for meanings and instructions from above.

How I wish all Christians would pick up their Bible each day and read through it. A great place to start is the book of John in the New Testament. There are even Bibles online that you can read for free anywhere there is an internet connection.

If you’ve been out of the habit of reading and studying the Bible, try it today. Go to Bible Gateway and give it a try. You’ll soon find that joy in studying God’s Word just like those in the community Bible study.

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:2-5

In His Grip!





www.maackministries.com

Two Churches

Church One:
This church wants more people to attend. To do so, the pastor says to the congregation that he wants to see souls saved. But what he tells insiders is that he wants more money in the offering plate. He works with one person to purchase brand-new equipment for the church that no one even knows how to use. He has blueprints made to build a steeple on a building built decades ago because that is what a church is. No one at the church is to know about it until the plan is already in motion. A video is made showing how much they need to spend money with little attention to actual ministries or changed lives. All brings attention to the church and to the pastor himself.

Church Two:
This church has put something interesting in their constitution. It says that no matter what the income is in the offering plates, the budget for the missionaries that the church supports will never go down and will actually increase. If ever the church gets less income, it is the staff members that will get a pay cut, not the ministries and not the missionaries. They work to not bring attention to themselves but to God and servants around the world.

Both are actual churches I came across while doing an online search and real scenarios that were posted on their sites. Which church is more in tune with God and His will?

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But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

1 Corinthians 5:11

Mouths And Hearts

There are a lot of Christians in this world that say all the right things. They know the right verses to quote, they say "Amen" when appropriate, they praise God with cliches and songs. But what they're saying doesn't reflect what their heart is doing.

Too many times I have seen even church leaders say one thing on Sunday and then do just the opposite on Monday and work on hurting people's lives. People can get up in the morning and read a passage of Scripture that tells them to live a certain way; by the afternoon, they are doing just the opposite.

Isaiah noted this problem among the followers of God in Isaiah 29:13 when the Israelites were doing their best to put on a good front for people. However, their faith was superficial. Centuries later, Jesus quoted this verse from Isaiah in Mark 7:6-7 when He saw people in His time doing the same things.

We have this same problem today. With all of the distractions around us, we can get sidetracked from what's right. A person may have every translation of the Bible in their house and a commentary on each but not look at them and not learn from them. A church can say that God comes first but through decorations or TV's or service broadcasts, they can lose the focus of the ministry, of a true worship of God.

As we continue through this year, let's not just say things that sound good. Let's do things that ARE good. Let's not just honor God with our lips but honor Him with our lives! Let's get the focus off of all the materialism of this world and get back to the faith we hold so strongly in Jesus.

Before any new project that I take on with the ministries whether it be a new CD, website addition, multimedia for the concerts, or anything else, I always pray and ask God if this is what He wants. I look to see if each will be a distraction to the message of Christ or a help to getting His message heard. You can do the same in your life with everything you do. Will this task be glorifying to Christ or am I just telling people it will be?

That's a part of living life for the glory of God! Enjoy life!

In His Grip!

www.maackministries.com

The Old/New Testaments

Have you ever wondered the differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament or how they easily work together? I got this a while ago and thought it was a great and simple explanation of how the Bible works together.

The New Testament is CONTAINED in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is EXPLAINED in the New Testament.

The New Testament is CONCEALED in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is REVEALED in the New Testament.

The New Testament AUTHENTICATES the Old Testament.

The Old Testament ANTICIPATES the New Testament.

The New Testament LIES HIDDEN in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament LIES OPEN in the New Testament.

The Old Testament PREDICTS a Person.

The New Testament PRESENTS that Person.1

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Here’s what was written about the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as paraphrased by The Message:

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

1 From Food for Thought by Roy Gustafson


In His Grip!





www.maackministries.com

True Respect

There was once a man who went around calling himself a pastor and expecting everyone to do the same even though he never made it clear to anyone they were to address him that way. A person would go up to him and say, “Hello [insert first and last name], how are you today?” Days later, that person would find out that the pastor through gossip had been whining and complaining about him to others because of a lack of respect.

I think back to John 15 when Jesus was sitting with the disciples telling them about the vine and the branches. I’m sure the disciples were trying to figure out why such an important man was spending his time talking about plants. However, it soon became clear that Jesus wasn’t speaking about botany.

Jesus was talking about love and respect for one another. He pointed out that a name does not give you respect, nor does a title. True respect comes from love. That’s why Jesus didn’t say the second greatest commandment is “Love those who have a fancy title because they are deserving of respect.” He said in Matthew 22:39 to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s where respect comes from.

Jesus was in fact not just a man sitting in a field with a few followers, He was God in the flesh. He could have demanded that His followers address Him as “My Lord” or “Son of God” or “Your Greatest Majesty of a Man who ever stepped onto the Planet Earth”. But Jesus knew the names meant nothing if there was no love.

Instead, Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus did just that and He called you and me His friends. Verse 14 goes on to say that we are His friends.

The wrong done in the first paragraph isn’t the person who called the pastor by his first and last name. The wrong was the pastor going to others and demanding respect through a position. We can wonder if he truly had love for those he chose to complain to others about.

Your position and title will never be higher or of more value than that of Jesus. He called us friends and we can call him a friend. Love others like you do yourself, and know that you have respected that person.

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
- John 15:9-15 (NIV)

In His Grip,





www.maackministries.com

One Of Those Days

Happy New Year!

In case you hadn’t heard, it’s a new year! If you’re like me, you love new years. It’s a chance once again to work on those resolutions you made 10 years ago. Especially that one about going to the Maack Ministries website everyday – LOL. No, Seriously.

You’ll want to check on the blog this year as I have many things in my head to get out on screen (formerly known as paper). It’s going to be a great year and I want you to be a part of it. I heard recently that much of what makes a good year is attitude. I’ve got a great attitude this year because I have a great God! I hope you do too.

I came across this song recently again that is just perfect to start out each day of this year. I’m so glad that God created music to help us through our struggles and help us get through each moment. Here’s some of the lyrics to the song One Of Those Days below.

Looked out my window to the eastern sky.
Early this morning I saw the sunrise.
It once again reminded me to kneel down and pray,
To thank the Lord for giving me another day.

It’s one of those days, one more day along the way,
Another day to give the Lord all of my praise.
Got another opportunity to testify, I’m saved and sanctified.
What a happy day it’s one of those days.

Phil Cross/Cameronhill Music/Chris White Music/BMI

I pray that you have one of those days today!

In His Grip!





www.maackministries.com

Shopping With Patience

I was one of the few (million) who went shopping this morning. I braved the traffic and walked through the chaos to find that the few items I was looking for were sold out. Of course, that could be because I didn’t get to the stores that opened at 5AM until 9AM.

While going from store to store in different locations in the city, I ran into lots of traffic. At one store, I had just about walked in when one car crashed into another. Inside some of the stores, the check-out lines were from the front of the store to the back. On TV, clips were shown of actual fights breaking out between shoppers just to get one product. People were really on the ground fighting each other! Did I mention the lines people were waiting in? How about the fact that I hate shopping?

I think I’ve gotten off track a little here. As I was watching the long lines of traffic going in and out of stores, the people waiting for just the right parking space, and the long lines just to check-out, I was reminded of a principle found all through the Bible.

Patience. It’s something that everyone at one time or another has very little of. It’s something that we could all use a little more of. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word patient as:

“bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint, manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain, not hasty or impetuous, steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.”

Sounds like something the Bible talks about. In fact, the Bible doesn’t just tell us to be patient, the Bible says that God will help us with our patience! How’s that for a great deal! Colossians 1:10-13 says:

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves…”

God will strengthen us with power so that we can have the endurance we need and patience to go along with it. Whether you’re standing in a long line today, waiting for the next green traffic light, or are waiting for news that’s hard to hear, remember that you can have that patience from God above if you just ask for it!

By the way, I did finally get one thing I was looking for at a store and I didn’t have to wait in any lines!

In His Grip!

Nathan
www.maackministries.com

The 1st Post - Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello Everyone!

I’ve wanted to start a weblog for several months now and thought Thanksgiving would be the perfect day to start. This blog is an addition to the Living Life website, new CD next year, and the current Living Life Tour. You’ll read observations I make about life, updates on the Living Life happenings, devotionals, and much more. I love to be able to share life’s observations with you. I have always loved being an encourager to others. You just never know what I may come up with to write!

It’s been an interesting year so far. I’ve grown so much as a worship leader and a follower of Christ. I graduated from college. I’ve learned first-hand that there are some Christian leaders who are not what they seem and not in the ministry for the glory of God (of course, the Bible tells us that this will happen), - and thank God for the good ones - and I’ve learned personally that God does have a plan and a will for everyone.

On this day and as we begin the Christmas season, let’s celebrate the blessings God has given us this year. Though it may not have been the greatest year for some of you out there, remember the blessing of knowing Jesus and if you don’t, please e-mail with any questions you have to make sure that you get saved and know for sure that you’re on your way to heaven!

I leave you with these verses from Psalm 100:3-5 (NIV):

“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

And I leave you with this quote from President Abraham Lincoln:

The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In His Grip!

Nathan
http://www.maackministries.com