Emotion Lotion

Someone has actually asked for more of my thoughts on a man’s version of modesty. So, here goes.

After reading some great books on this subject, with titles like, The Myth of the Greener Grass, Torn Asunder, For Women Only, Men Are from Mars, and Love and Respect, also from the classes I've taken on leadership and counseling at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC, I have gleaned some wonderful insights.

Other great insights come from books about temperaments, communication, and understanding people. All of these are invaluable resources for gaining a clear understanding of how to relate to the opposite sex.

It is common knowledge that most men are more visual than most women, while the non-physical, but just as powerful, intimacy language of women is largely avoided. I think this is because too many men are writing the books about sexuality and human attraction.

The fact, according to most professionals, is that women are very emotionally sensitive and are highly vulnerable to the “really nice guy.” Strangely enough, this doesn't mean he has to actually be a nice guy; he just has to be good at listening, helping, and complimenting. Most women enjoy the attention, (not to be confused with physical affection), of lots of men before marriage, and some can have a difficult time giving that up after the wedding.

The problem with men is that we are so hardwired for sight and touch that we are often not in tune with a woman’s ability to connect emotionally, without connecting physically. So, we think, if she's not flirting physically, then she's not flirting at all. That's why we usually see all the signs of a wife going wayward when it's too late.

Most men have no clue that most women don't think like men. For example, many of the songs written by men toward women have lyrics like, “How I’d love to lay you down,” thinking that's what women want to hear most (just like a man would). The truth is, most women would really enjoy songs like, “How I’d love to get your chair, cook your dinner, listen to how your day went,” but we men assume that women are just as visually stimulated as we are, and we try to appeal to them on that level.

This is not to say that women aren't visually stimulated; it is to say that on average most women are more likely to be emotionally stimulated. This may be an explanation to all those guys who wondered in high school, "What is that hot girl doing with that dorky guy?"

The three main types of adultery include 1) The one night stand 2) The sexual addict, and 3) The Emotional entanglement.

Number three is the most sinister and the one that women are more likely to get snagged by, because of the relational involvement. In fact, most infidelities of this nature are rarely sexual. The problem is that most women soon realize that this guy who is making me feel so great will not continue if I don’t take care of his visual and physical needs, so they eventually give in. The sex is usually less than satisfying and is more of a formality than an act of passion, but it keeps the emotional bond continuing. Remember, "Women give sex for love and men give love for sex."

Men have a giant role to play in the prevention of emotional entanglements. We have to pay closer attention to the way we treat “other” women.

Women have the ability to prevent a lot of lustful temptations in men by paying closer attention to how much skin they reveal, whereas men will have to cut back on the amount of favors, listening ears, and compliments they give. This is where men are to practice modesty.

When a man plays the hero by fixing a car, showing up to help out when the husband is out of town, or just being someone to listen, he is often becoming an emotional masseuse who lathers on an "Emotion Lotion" that only the female Psyche can detect.

So, if men are going to be responsible as followers of Jesus who truly love their neighbors, they will have to learn how to wear their best gentleman’s attitude around other women, while leaving the “Emotion Lotion” at home or with their wives.

The point of all of this is that women will have to be able to recognize their own emotions.

The same way a man has to look the other way when a little flesh is visible on a woman at the mall, women will have to refuse the favors of the "other man" whenever he starts to poor on the charm.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Why Sunday?

My two oldest sons are out mowing a lawn for a lady in the neighborhood who was struggling to start her mower. They came home and said, “Dad, we are going to mow a lawn for someone.” I asked them how much they were going to get paid, and they told me that they were going to mow it for free.

Wow! I really have some great kids.

Yes, today is Sunday; the Lord’s Day? We are told in the Scriptures that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. In that case, we would have to call it "The People’s Day.”

Besides, Sunday isn’t really the Sabbath, as Jesus would have recognized it.

I have always wondered why we have collective worship on Sunday, and when I ask those I think will know, I always get the same indoctrination: “It’s the day that Jesus rose from the grave.”

Based on study and research, I have reason to challenge that answer.

First of all the reason we worship on Sunday has nothing to do with Jesus being raised on Sunday. The fact is, according to Jewish time, Jesus rose on Saturday night. Secondly, the reason we worship on Sunday is due to an ancient spat between the surviving Pharisaic Jews and the surviving Nazarenes after the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D.

When the Temple was destroyed, the Pharisees escaped to Yavneh and the Jewish followers of Jesus ran to the mountains of Pella as they were told to do in Matthew 24:16. Since that time the Jews and the Church have created obstacles to keep one another from being unified. “The Church forbade believers from keeping the Jewish feasts and began to meet on Sundays, while, in reaction to the Christians kneeling for prayer, the Jews adopted the standing position while praying the Amidah." --Dr. Ron Moseley, Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church

Why do I believe that Jesus rose on Saturday night? The answer comes from research done by David Bivin and the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research.

To the Jews, the day always begins with night. That is because of Genesis 1:5, which reads, “And there was evening , and there was morning-the first day.” First century Jews, using Nehemiah 4:21 as their guide, defined Nightfall as the moment when the stars were visible, which was around 7:00 p.m. during the season of the Passover.

In Matthew 28:1 we read, “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.” in Greek the Scripture reads, "Opse de sabbaton te epiphoskouse eis mian sabbaton..." (Late [of] sabbath, in the lightening to one of Sabbath). This doesn’t make a whole lot of sense in Greek, but in Hebrew it makes perfect sense.

“Late of Sabbath” is a Greek form of the Hebrew phrase, "be-motsa'e shabat" (at the exiting of Sabbath), which means the hours that follow immediately after the Sabbath. "In the lightening to one of sabbath" comes from the Hebrew idiom, "'or le-'ehad ba-shabat" (light to [day] one of the week). Used in this way, “light” is a synonym for “night,” referring to the night before the next day. In Hebrew, “light” can be used as an antonym for its literal meaning to speak of the dark hours that exist before a new day.

An example of this usage is found in ancient Jewish writings that give instructions for carrying out the search for leaven as directed in Exodus 12:15. The ancient writing says, "Light to the fourteenth [of Nisan] one must carry out a search for leaven by the light of a lamp.” The use of the lamp gives us a clue that the search was done in the dark hours.

“With this understanding, the Galilean women returned to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body shortly after dark on Saturday evening. It was then that they found the tomb already empty. Jesus, therefore, may have remained entombed only slightly more than twenty-four hours, being raised from the dead on Saturday evening rather than on Sunday morning. By the method of reckoning time in Jesus society, such a short period, scarcely more than a day-a part of Friday, all of Saturday, and a part of Sunday-would have fulfilled his prophecy that he would be raised from the dead on the third day after his death.”—David Bivin, Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research

Based on this historical information, it seems that the reason we worship on Sunday has more to do with a 2000 year-old grudge than a God-honoring recognition of the Messiah’s defeat over death and the grave.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Meet My Twin Brother

I'd like to introduce you to my twin brother, Ronnie. We had a lot of fun on vacation. The kids loved the beach even though Ella was terrified of the "Giant Pool," otherwise known as the Atlantic Ocean.

And there is me with my Ella Bear and my twin brother's baby, Donivan. He is three weeks younger than Ella.

Grace and peace,
Johnny

A Unified Force of Action

After reading Bret’s blog and speaking with my mother today, who also told me of an experience she had with giving to a poor man with a sign, I decided to do a little research and recall.

Entrusting the $ that is given by individual families to the poor is not as easily understood as it should be. This is because of our individualized mentality as followers of Jesus.

When followers of Jesus saw themselves as a unified force of action rather than individual believers, all of the alms (monies given to the poor) were put into the hands of the elders who distributed them as the needy came for help.

Also, in the time of Jesus, everyone was to give to the poor "including the poor." That is why the widow brought her two small pieces of copper and put them into the coffer. Usually this story is told as if she didn't have to give, but out of faith she gave despite her lack.

The fact is she was obligated to give as all Jews were to give a portion of their money to the poor. The small amount of her monetary possessions was not an excuse for neglecting to give to the poor even though she herself was poor.

When a person gave, they either had a "good eye" or a "bad eye," which is a Hebraic idiom for being “generous” or “greedy.” It was taught during Jesus day that a person who gives 2.5% of their monetary possessions to the poor is a generous person. Since the widow could not give 2.5%, she gave everything.

That being said, her situation is much different than the situation of the poor in our culture today. She would have been fed and taken care of by what was received from all who came to give. Therefore, she was not really placing herself in dire straights. One of the major bragging rights of the Jews in Jesus’ day was that “no Jew ever did without.”

Today, many of the poor in our culture would place their selves in a very vulnerable position should they decide to depend on the Church for support. The alms of the church have been replaced by "tithes," which are generally used to pay church employee salaries and take care of the "church" property.

As for the importance of giving to the poor as a body of Christ, there is an ancient Jewish story told of how the poor receive from others that goes as follows:

"A poor man came to a wealthy landowner and asked for help. The rich man said, 'I am sorry. I had a bad year.' The poor man responded, 'Why does your bad year mean that I should not receive help.'"

The point being that the poor are always to be taken care of by their community. And still, there exists the responsibility among the poor to make monetary contributions to and for others in need.

Hide It In Your Heart

Recently, I purchased a new book from Jerusalemperspective.com. The book is a collaborative effort of Christian scholars fluent in Hebrew and living in the land of Israel, along with Jewish scholars. They have worked for the past half-century examining the sayings of Jesus from a Judaic and Hebraic perspective.

However, this is not a book I would advise to those with more faith in the Bible than in God. It is not a book I would advise for those who think that all there is to know is known about the Bible, its history, and its translators.

“In antiquity, before the invention of printing, the situation of the readers facilitated the method of falsification. There existed at that time a way to falsify texts which today is practically impossible. As manuscripts were often rare, one had to return the book to its first owner. Meanwhile a falsifier could be at work, and if a reader borrowed another (falsified) copy of the book, he would be easily misled. In reading the false passage he could believe that in the prior reading the real meaning of the passage was not preserved. The Christian reviser of Josephus’ testimony about Jesus applied such a method of falsifying. He used the original wording of Josephus and ‘corrected’ them to become unequivocally Christian. By this he reveals an exceptional cunning. Josephus became popular precisely because all Greek manuscripts of Josephus accepted the Christianized text of the passage.”—Jesus’ Last Week, pg 31, paragraph 2

The excuse often used by some to defend what is read in the Bible is that God has perfectly preserved the printed text. Should this be the case, then we would have to ask why Jews regarded memorization above written record throughout their history, including today.

We would also have to wonder why we are able to remember every word of hundreds, even thousands of songs, yet we, Westerners, are unable to adequately quote more than a sentence or a paragraph of more than a few books that we’ve read, without intentionally committing a portion of the text to memory.

Finally, we would have to wonder why a child, loved by the same God who ‘protects’ His printed word, can be abused and raped, yet we assume the ink of a book can never be misprinted or purposefully corrupted.

Over and over God tells us to hide his Word in our hearts, yet we constantly commit His Word to paper, trusting it to those we assume are keeping their word to keep His Word.

Don’t be afraid to question human beings who are responsible for preserving writings that are vital to our being. More people have spent time investigating the original meaning of rock songs than they have the origin of God's Word.

Hide it in your heart where no one can destroy it. This is the true meaning of treasures in heaven.

Forever learning,

Should I drop off my toddler at the mall?

I’m going to open a giant can of worms, and I believe that we can all learn from these worms.

As controversial as the subject is, I will do my best to remain detached from any bias, and work hard to play God’s advocate.

Also, for those of you who choose to comment, please, do not respond offensively or judgmentally. For all of our opinions of the sins of others, others hold opinions toward our sins, which are just as offensive to God. So, let’s all realize that no one is perfect and that God’s Word is a tool to be used as a means of living in a right relationship with one another.

The subject of modesty comes up so often that it is very difficult to ignore the fact that we need clarity.

To begin, let’s realize that modesty for men and women is often two very different things, because, for the majority of men and women, temptation is brought on by two different provocations. The majority of men are very visual, which means that they can actually have a sexual encounter using only their eyes. The majority of women are relational, which means that they can actually develop deep, emotional connections using only their tools of non-physical communication.

For example, when a man sees his wife take off her clothes, for him, sex has begun. For most women, the sexual encounter is usually a result of how her husband communicates with her during the day.

In other words, men, don’t try lighting candles, sprawling out on the bed, and calling “Yoo-hoo, Honey, I’m in the bedroom,” especially if you haven’t taken out the trash for the last two weeks (or you aren’t a newly-wed who has actually waited until marriage to have sex).

So what does this all mean? It means that men can steal sexual encounters all day long from women who believe that men should be able to control their selves and not look when their clothes are a bit revealing. And it means that women can steal emotionally fulfilling encounters from men who are overly nice in the office, at the party, or during the carpool to work.

So, here’s the point:

For men who say, “I should be able to be as caring as I want and women should have enough self-control to avoid temptations” And for women who say, “I should be able to wear whatever I want and men should have enough self-control to avoid temptations,” my challenge is this:

Would I offer the same defense with my money and children?

Would I leave my money in the front yard and say, “I should be able to leave my money anywhere I choose, and people should have enough self-control to leave it alone.”

Or, would I leave my two-year-old daughter alone at the mall and say, “I should be able to leave my daughter anywhere I choose, and people should have enough self-control to leave her alone.”


What if God is interested in my willingness and determination to remove any temptations that I am able to invoke on others?

What if leaving my money in the yard or my toddler alone in a public place is no less irresponsible than neglecting to protect my brothers and sisters from temptations of lust and adulterous fantasies?

What if I really am my brother's keeper?

I pray that we are pleasing God in our own lives and in our desires and abilities to do whatever we can to protect others.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Mine to give or another's to deliver?

The subject of saving ourselves for marriage has been on my mind lately, probably because my sons are growing up so fast.

There are two conflicting views about premarital sex—protection or abstinence. But, what if neither was the complete answer to the dilemma?

What if intimacy was like holding someone else’s money?

I mean, Jesus tells men to be careful not to even look at a woman lustfully. Contextually speaking, He said that because he was placing a hedge around the instruction from God to avoid adultery.

But what if God didn’t give my intimacy to me? What if God gave me intimacy to hold…intimacy that actually belongs to another person? What if saying, “I’m saving myself for the person I marry” is actually not true? What if what I’m saving is not mine at all?

Think about it. Is it possible that God gave intimacy to Jonathan Paul Gainey to keep on the day I was conceived until the day I meet the person that I am to deliver it to, once and for all, and on our wedding night I gave Staci the affection that belonged to her all along?

Could it be that when I kissed other girls as a teenager that I was actually giving away something that wasn’t mine to give and taking from another that which wasn’t hers to give? There are a lot of people who don't really consider kissing that much of a sensual act, but what about all of the more intimate things that young people do when their passions get away from them and they are alone?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if young children were no longer considering their sexual desires as personal belongings to be exchanged with whomever he or she wanted, when it "feels right?"

Wouldn’t it be beautiful, if our sensuality and sexual pleasures were held and guarded as priceless objects, belonging to someone else, who would someday come to receive his or her possessions?

What if wedding nights were filled with two people who have been carrying incredibly valuable, fragile packages for years, waiting to be delivered to the owner on that very day when the two are joined as one?''

And what if, for those who do not marry, the passions and desires of a person were symbolically, yet literally preserved as the possessions of God himself?

Forever learning,
Johnny

"Be the Church Going"

This is a response to a good friend's blog:

The Salvation Army may be the best equipped and prepared Christian mission, among God's people, to withstand the unstoppable trends that are impacting the Christian world.

As the needs and expectations of ministry change, including less dependence on institutional religion and professional pastors, The Salvation Army will lead the way in providing a real “church” experience and opportunity.

Although we do not prefer to separate our ministry in terms of “church” and “social services organization,” the fact remains that they are often beneficial to two separate groups of people. That is not necessarily a bad thing.

As studies and research indicate from highly trusted and respected organizations like “The Barna Group,” as to the way people are worshiping and serving as Christians, as well as what attracts people to the Church today, we are learning a lot.

Both believers and non-believers are stating that opportunity for hands-on, missional, meaningful, and genuine opportunities to help others is of great importance. This makes The Salvation Army stand out among other Christian movements, because of the many avenues of service through which new generations will be able to reach others.

Despite the criticism of some concerning The Army's lack of emphasis on church, the small size of the majority of our congregations and the strong emphasis on raising funds to offer social services to our communities may be exactly how God is moving in this and coming generations.

Christians who are no longer part of an active congregation and non-believers who are asked what they would look for, should they choose to go to a church, are responding with some very interesting answers.

The majority say:
1. They want to be a part of a small group of people and a congregation of no more than 30-40 people.

2. They are not interested in perfection in worship services. They are looking for something “real.”

3. They do not want to be a part of an institutional church with a professional pastor. They want to be a part of a Christian mission whereby people are “doing” the will of God as they serve each other and others, together.

4. They are not interested in “going to the church.” They want to “be the church going.”

5. They don’t want to “join” a church. They want to be actively ministering and being ministered to in the world of which they are a part, rather than in programs and church services. This will pose a major problem to those who insist on church membership or soldiership.

We can shun these responses and choose to treat them as if they are ridiculous requests, or we can focus on the realization that The Salvation Army has been prepared in advance for the new thing that God is doing.

George Barna is predicting that more and more small churches will be disappearing and that “professional” pastors will be forced back into secular work places. Salvation Army Officers are well suited for this change in the culture of the church, because of the demand on Christian social service organizations. In other words, the “pastors” of The Salvation Army will already have a “vocation,” which has long been a part of their ministry, while other churches may be forced to close down their “buildings” and send their pastor away to look for employment.

I believe that The Salvation Army is one of God’s anointed missions for “being the church going” for this and upcoming generations.

Servants, be wise!

Okay, I’m back.

Wow! It’s been a long time.

I want to share a quick insight:

There are so many of us who offer help to others. And those who come for help are people of many different backgrounds and experiences. Yet, there are those that have no intention of really helping themselves and can become nasty and even dangerous when the help stops coming.

Still, there are Christians out there who not only give these people lots of help, but actually believe that they can change these people with their help and even build them into leaders of the Kingdom.

Allow me to share an ancient story that will help us to see the reality of this situation.

Dr. Heron’s Fee
“Once a wolf had a bone lodged in his throat. He promised a heron that he would give a suitable fee if the latter would let his neck down inside and draw out the bone, thus providing a remedy for his suffering. The heron drew out the bone and immediately demanded his pay. The wolf grinned at him, baring his sharp teeth, and said: ‘It’s enough pay for your medical services to have taken your neck out of a wolf’s mouth safe and sound.’

You’ll get no good in return for giving aid to scoundrels, and you’ll do well not to suffer some injury yourself in the process.”

--Brad H. Young, The Parables: Jewish Traditions and Christian Interpretation

It’s good to remember that many people whom we help are actually, truthfully, and literally dangerous people. We are wise to offer help and back away at times.

Don’t feel guilty when you get that feeling that you are not safe as you offer help to someone. The fact is, even Jesus escaped at times to prevent being stoned (John 8:59).

We are to be wise as we help others.

Forever learning,
Johnny

"Paul Must Have Been A Liar!"

A great question was asked by a friend who responded to one of my responses on another blog.

Paraphrase of the question: “If Paul became like a Jew to the Jews, like one under the law to those under the law, like those not having the law to those not having the law, and like the weak to those who are weak, then how did he remain a practicing Jew, without disobeying his obedience to God’s instruction for the Jews?”

This question is based on 1 Corinthians 9.

The two criticisms that are usually posed, due to a misunderstanding of Paul’s Eastern context, is that he is either a deceiver or a chameleon.

Paul is neither.

To “become like” means to "empathize with."

When Paul is with the Jews who do not understand that Jesus is the promised Messiah, he understands that their “no” to Jesus, is a “yes” to God, in their thinking.

When he becomes like those “under the law,” which means “legalists” who follow God’s instructions as a means of payment for their salvation, he understands that they aren’t familiar with God’s intent of grace, and not “law.”

When he becomes like those “without the law,” meaning those who don’t know the “Torah” of God, which is God’s loving instruction for living a prosperous life, he understands that they are ignorant of God’s Word as Gentiles and non-Jews.

When he becomes like the “weak,” referring to those who are legalists with overactive consciences, he understands that they are missing the point of God’s instructions as a means of living well, rather than gaining God’s approval.

Paul does not join homosexual orgies to reach the homosexuals, steal from homes to reach the thieves, or worship idols to reach the Gentiles; he has compassion for their lack of ability to understand the ways of God, so that he can reach them, without telling them things like, "Homosexuals will burn in hell!"

Paul recognizes that most people who steal have a lack of good parenting or perhaps they are hungry, rather than telling them that they are good-for-nothing thieves who should rot in jail.

By understanding their perspective, Paul is able to have compassion and reach all people from a standpoint of love, rather than judgment.

Paul remained a practicing Jew until his death, to "behave" like Jesus, who did the same. And he shared the Good News with those who were offered the opportunity to be grafted into the root, Isra ‘el, through the Messiah.

“Becoming like” does not mean “behaving like.” “Becoming like” means “empathizing with.”

Forever learning,
Johnny

"We're In This Boat Together"

Just the other day, I was working with my three boys to get the house cleaned up, as I do every day when they get home from school.

Each son cleans his own room, along with a couple of other jobs, like sweeping the kitchen or vacuuming upstairs. I have chores of my own as well.

I find it interesting that every day millions of Christians spend life in a vacuum; many of us living as if no one else exists in the world, doing my job, driving my car, buying my food.

The chores that my sons and I do in our house help us to live in a more comfortable and sanitary home. And with six of us, it’s easy to come home to a wreck, when we don’t all do our part.

So, I realized as we were well into our chores that two of the boys were sitting in the living room playing video games, because they were finished. And while they were having fun, one of my sons, with a slightly more demanding chore, was busy finishing up. For some reason I suddenly realized, after sixteen years of raising children, that my children are learning to do “his” part—and that’s all. I walked into the den, with a smile, and told the two virtual “Tony Hawks” to get up and go upstairs with me to help their brother get finished, so that he can play too.

Jesus taught us to be unified. And somehow we have managed to live alone, no matter how many people we are near. Our Messiah taught us all that we are part of a family—a community.

Paul teaches us in his first letter to the Corinthian believers that we are all one body (1 Cor. 12:13).

And before Paul, the ancient Jewish teachers taught that everyone is his brother’s keeper (Genesis 4:9). The sages of Jerusalem also believed that when a person destroyed a single life, it is as if he has destroyed the whole world.

My children need me to teach them that we serve a God who believes that we belong to each other and that everything we do has an affect on all of us.

There’s an old story, which is at least 1900 years old that brings this point home clearly.

“The story is about three men in a boat. Suddenly one of the men begins to drill a hole beneath his seat. When his friends immediately plead with him to stop, he replies, ‘What are you worrying about? I’m only drilling under my seat.’ The moral drawn by the rabbis has been repeated again and again: “We’re all in the same boat.” –Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, Pages 188-189

I pray that today, we will all learn that none of us is a community of one. I pray that we will all work together until our jobs as followers of Jesus are done. I pray that none of us will ever trust in the doctrine of self-sufficiency , which has been passed down along with the doctrine of “private confessions,” “personal Saviors,” and “individual Scripture interpreters.”

I pray that you will be my keeper and that I will be yours as long as we are in this boat together.

Forever learning,
Johnny

"What's for Dinner?"

“A body of Christian believers is only as strong as the sum of its individual members, for the Church, like Israel, functions as a corporate personality. The lives of its members are intertwined and find their truest meaning in a network of relationships within this body. As a Jewish sage once observed, ‘There is no room for God in him who is full of himself.’” –Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

As a person who believes in ripping the guts out of the status quo with deadly force, figuratively speaking, there have been plenty of opportunities for me to experience criticism.

Usually the criticism is focused on where the idea for ministry strategies and techniques are gleaned. A common response to informing a congregation of an effective ministry done by such and such a church leader would be, “Why do we always have to do what “other” churches are doing?”

Let’s never forget that there is only one church. Within the Christian world, we are all members of the same family.

I like to think of other bodies of Christ as my brothers and sisters who live in a different house. They don’t want me lying in their bed, but they are more than willing to let me hang out in their kitchen to experience their menu.

The wonderful thing about us all being one family is that there are parts of our family that have learned, experienced, and perfected healthier ways to prepare food. Why should one of our family members be kept from that wealth of health?

So, when someone in another city, state, or country has figured out a ministry method that is effective for feeding “His” sheep, we should not say that the method belongs to another church, but it is the food that Christ is using to nourish his sheep.

There are still restaurants that refuse to update their menus, continuing to serve foods that are loaded in sugars and saturated fats. There are also plenty of people who still eat those foods. Look closely and you will identify selfishness, arrogance, and/or ignorance as the reason for the unwillingness to serve and eat healthier.

We should all be privy to the details, preparation, and serving methods of the effective recipes that are feeding the sheep.

It is not our responsibility to have “our own” menu, but to find out what God is serving.

"The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep'" (John 21:17 New International Version).

Forever learning,
Johnny

Why Should We Be So Afraid to Say Good-Bye?

Discussing the subject of covenant among some circles can raise some highly sensitive emotions. Noticing that people are particularly aware of their opinions about covenants does not require much more than an ear. So, it is with a keen sense of consciousness that I approach this topic.

More and more, the subject of covenant comes up, especially as people are questioning the methods and traditions of some organizations such as The Salvation Army. I would like the opportunity to give my opinion and ask some questions as an attempt to relieve any pressure based solely on misinformation, ignorance, propaganda, or any other form of misunderstanding.

When we speak of covenant, most people, especially in religious circles, think of promises made to God, which are to be kept for life. The Salvation Army also asks its soldiers and officers to sign a covenant between The Salvation Army and the individual, with the understanding that this covenant is made in the presence of God. Some also suggest that the covenant is made between three participants—The Salvation Army, the individual, and God himself.

In biblical times a covenant was made between two participants, usually nations. The smaller nation was known as the vassal. The stronger nation was known as the suzerain. The vassal would go to the suzerain and propose a covenant, whereby the vassal would pay taxes and serve as a subordinate to the suzerain in exchange for military protection. Should the vassal break the covenant; there would be a penalty, which would include loss of the promised military protection. It was during the time that the covenant was being made that the penalties were set.

In the cases where people made covenants with God, they may lose their lives, such as the 3000 who died at Mount Sinai after making golden idols, or they may lose opportunities, such as Moses’ losing the privilege to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land.

In any covenant, the stipulations and penalties are preset, even in a denominational covenant. In the case of the covenant made with The Salvation Army for a soldier or officer, the covenants vary, but the penalty is somewhat similar. The covenant is a life-promise, with the expectation that a soldier or officer will remain faithful to The Army until death. Here is where things get confusing.

My question falls in the category of why we get so uptight when someone breaks this covenant. The covenant is a life-promise of which the covenantal terms state that the vassal will remain a soldier or officer of The Salvation Army until death. If the vassal breaks the covenant, then what happens to the vassal? Does he or she go to hell? Does he or she become separated eternally from God? What is so awful about breaking a covenant that has the penalty set at losing one’s officership or soldiership? That’s what it boils down to.
There was no agreement that, upon covenantal severance, the vassal would be giving up salvation or anything more than a formal denominational affiliation. I’d really like to know what all the fuss is about. When did the covenant with a denomination become this unbreakable, except by pain of shame equal to giving up salvation from God, get added to the penalty clause?

Before anyone goes off half-cocked, allow me to explain that I don’t ask these questions with a tone of arrogance, but with a genuine desire to find out why there is so much danger in saying, “I can no longer pay tribute to the suzerain.”

Lastly, I want to make sure that everyone is aware of my intentions in raising this sensitive issue. My intention is “not” to justify my own desires to depart from the protection of my suzerain, but to glean some truly insightful answers that I may be able to share with those who struggle with the guilt of departure, those who may be considering departure, and those may may consider covenantal severance with thier denomination in the future.

Again, I am safe and sound, satisfied and settled, and proud and positive to be the vassal of God and the suzerain, that is The Salvation Army.

Forever learning,Johnny

"Hell, Fire, Brimstone, and...Polyester?"

It's always good to remember the quote, of which I am unable to remember the author, "Before taking down the fence, find out why it was put up."

The reason I quote that contemporary proverb is because I try to remember that William Booth started with a plan, which was to never get stuck in a plan.

Booth wanted The Army to be continually transitioning into a movement that was ahead of its time. Right now many would say that we are falling behind the times.

I also keep in mind that being a Zealot for Christ is not synonymous with being a staunch Salvationist, especially when the staunch becomes a stench. And for many, we stink to high heaven in the areas of speaking a language that people can understand.

Sometimes a tradition can have the same affect that the KJV of the Bible has on the ears of a ten-year-old. If we have to explain everything we say and do, are we really sending a clear message or an apology for being outdated?

Ready or not, I'm moving forward! Christ is leading His children to reach the world for Him, not to reach the few who are willing to wear uniforms or say "Fire a volley!"

When we revue the history of The Salvation Army, we will find that The Army grew as it changed and stagnancy came when The Army began to claim traditions. The only true tradition of The Salvation Army is its refusal to settle down.

Today there is a new push for spiritual development, which is revealing that the church culture of the twentieth century was missing a few screws. It’s not traditions and garb that make Christ’s Kingdom great; it is the effectiveness of His people, regardless of any classical habits.

"Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me" (Jeremiah 35:14 NIV).

I honestly believe that there will be Salvationists on Judgment Day who will, upon a guilty verdict, turn to Jesus and smugly say, "I might be going to hell, but I'll be going to hell wearing polyester!"

Forever changing,
Johnny

Who Is Grading Me?

“Relationships cause people to want to be with you, but respect causes them to want to be empowered by you. Mutual respect is essential to the empowerment process…When you believe in people, care about them, and trust them, they know it. And that respect inspires them to want to follow where you lead.” John C. Maxwell, Becoming a Person of Influence (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1997), 186.

Some places are filled with advisors. In these places, there are people who come solely for the purpose of critique.

Where they receive their authority to share is a mystery. One could search a lifetime and never locate the legacy that is the evidence of their wisdom, and yet they share it as if a throng of pupils is following behind them.

It is good to be careful about who a person allows to teach him or her. It is even more important to be careful about who we allow to grade us. Often the person with the red ink pen is like a boy with a hammer…everything looks like a nail.

Forever learning, sometimes by force from poor teachers with red ink pens,
Johnny

Christian is a Synonym for Team

As I studied this week to prepare a teaching on the subject of marriage, I learned a very valuable truth, which I shared in the message on Sunday. One part of a Jewish wedding ceremony, during, before, and after the time of Jesus, consists of an ancient custom which is the sharing of two cups of wine by the marrying couple. The first cup is called the “cup of joy.” The “cup of joy” is a reminder that when a person shares joy with another person, the joy is doubled. The second cup is called the “cup of sacrifice.” The “cup of sacrifice” is a reminder that when a person shares a burden with another, the burden is halved. The marrying couple drink from the same cups as a symbol that they are sharing in the promises of their covenant. Another interesting point is that during the wedding feast, the word “companion” was used, which literally meant, “those who break bread together.” Though those are very interesting facts about the important traditions of a Jewish wedding, the real interest I found is in the way the tradition is performed and what it has to do with you and me today. A cup of wine shared by two or more people in Jesus day was the common act of strengthening an alliance. This was not only done in weddings, but among all people who were promising to stick together as a team. The custom of sharing a cup of wine was the equivalent of today’s Western handshake, when done as a pact between two partnering businesspeople. All of this teaches us that when Jesus shared a cup of wine and a loaf of bread with the disciples in the upper room, the act was a common way of saying, “Those of you who choose to stick together with me and each other through the joy and suffering of following your Messiah, drink from one cup and eat from one loaf as a promise to do so.” Those who find it easy to be faithful to each other during the joyful times and hard to stick together through the tough times have chosen to share the "cup of joy," yet choose not to share the "cup of sacrifice." The next time you and I share a cup or eat from the same loaf, let’s do it as a reminder that we are promising to stick together in joy and in suffering. Forever learning, Johnny

Leading Change With Diplomacy

The following is an article, quoting the words of Andy Stanley in Ministry Today Magazine:

"Many talented leaders have 'led' themselves right out of a job because their desire to challenge the process was misunderstood, or perhaps even threatening, to those in charge. While on the other side of the spectrum, many skilled leaders have resigned themselves to conform to the status quo, squelching and squashing their natural instincts because there's no obvious opportunity to be who God made them to be.

As leaders, we must keep a sense of diplomacy without shrinking from our scrutinizing nature. When you stop challenging the process, you cease to be a leader and you become a manager.

Not that there's anything wrong with managers. The world needs those too. But it's a different job description from the leader's. And if you cease to challenge, then you have abdicated your true calling and giftedness in the world.

Successful leaders must learn how to alienate the process without alienating the people who created it, or the people who work it faithfully every day."

Harem Husbands, There is Hope

Covenant is a serious matter. I believe in covenants, because they remind us of the value of commitment. Without commitment, we would have no reason to believe anything anyone tells us.

An example of a covenant is marriage. I promise to her and she promises to me to be faithful and grow together with mutual goals as one in this life.

Another example of covenant is the covenant made to a denomination as a leader who promises to commit his or herself to that denomination and spend life together as one.

Now, let’s say that we make this promise to be faithful to one another as we are joined by a covenant. And on the honeymoon we find that our covenant partner is already married to something else.

We walk into the bedroom (metaphorically speaking) and there on the bed, spread out for all to see, is the covenant partner’s first love—Traditions!

This is not unlike getting married and finding your new bride’s other husband and children have joined you for the honeymoon.

So, you learn that she doesn’t actually have any interest in what you bring to the marriage. She married you because her family has outgrown her ability to care for it and she needs you to help baby-sit her 50-year-old kids.

So, do we stay married? Nope! Not in a real marriage.

Is a denominational covenant any different? Perhaps...but survival will require some new ground rules for realizing, appreciating, and using the gifts and abilities that the “Harem Husband” brings into the marriage. Unless this happens, the new husband will feel used and worthless.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How Do I See Others?

"A traveler nearing a great city asked an old man seated by the road, 'What are the people like in this city?'

'What were they like where you came from?' the man asked.
'Horrible,' the traveler reported. 'Mean, untrustworthy, detestable in all respects.'
'Ah,' said the old man, 'you will find them the same in the city ahead.'

Scarcely had the first traveler gone on his way when another stopped to inquire about the people in the city before him. Again the old man asked about the people in the place the traveler has just left.

'They were fine people: honest, industrious, and generous to a fault,' declared the second traveler. 'I was sorry to leave.'

The old man responded, 'That's exactly how you’ll find the people here.'

The way people see others is a reflection of themselves…Your personality comes through when you talk about others and interact with them. Someone who doesn’t know you would be able to tell a lot about who you are based on simple observation."

John Maxwell, "Winning With People" (Nashville: Thomas Nelson , 2004), 7-8.

Every day is a test. We can choose to pass or fail by our choice to encourage or discourage the people around us. Let’s see others in a positive light, thereby casting light on ourselves. Let's see ourselves in a positive light, thereby casting light on others.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Confessing to a Priest (Response to a question from the last blog.)

Priests, in Jesus day, were decedents of Aaron, just as they had been since the time of Aaron who, with Miriam and Moses, led God's people out of Egypt.

Priests were to bring the sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people to the altar. From this practice evolved the modern form of confessing sins to the priest.

After the death of the Messiah, Jesus, the Most High Priest, became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people for all time. We are now able to confess our sins directly to our Savior without mediation between a priest and God. As Paul stated in his first letter to Timothy: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (2:5 NIV)

The priests of today are a mixture between rabbi and priest (teacher and atoner), but this is not a biblical model due to the fact that we are to confess our sins to Jesus who is our holy representative to the throne of God's grace and forgiveness.

Still, it is biblical to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), as we are all members of the priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

Yet, beyond our responsibility to confess daily, there is a very crucial element that must not be overlooked in our desire for God's forgiveness.

In the Talmud, Rabbi Gamaliel Berabbi taught: He who shows mercy to others, mercy is shown to him by Heaven. But he who does not show mercy to others, mercy is not shown to him by Heaven. (Shabbat 151b)

The fact that we are required to offer forgiveness before asking for it is also represented throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Jewish Wesleyans

Based on this ancient "King Parable" taught by first century sages, like Jesus, there is evidence for the legitimacy of Wesleyanism, among the Jews.

From Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus, New Insights From a Hebraic Perspective, written by David Bivin and Roy Blizzard, Jr.

"Rabbi Eliezer said, 'Repent one day before your death.' His disciples asked him, 'But can a man know on what day he will die?' He said, 'So much the more must he repent today. Perhaps he will die tomorrow. It follows that a man should repent every day. Thus in his wisdom Solomon said: 'Let your garments always be white, and let not oil be lacking on your head' [Ecclesiastes 9:8].'"

Forever learning,
Johnny

Blogging Etiquette (It's worth a read)

I thought it would be helpful to share some basic rules of posting onto the Forum of a very popular website called Jerusalemperspective.com. They post these rules as a guideline to help keep the Forum from becoming a place to vent.

I have posted those which I feel are appropriate to blogging for me and those who respond.

Beginning with rule #2:
2. Do not be confrontational. Be polite. Be tactful. Adhere to the Golden Rule.

3. No "flames" (heated messages). Your posts should be constructive. Resist the temptation to "flame" (respond emotionally). If you disagree with something a group member has written, disagree respectfully.

4. Do not troll, that is, attempt to provoke or "get a rise out of" another member.

5. No advertisements.

6. Do not "shout," that is, type in all caps. (even in the subject line). Type in mixed case. Studies have shown that material typed in all caps is more difficult to read.

7. Offensive language will not be tolerated. Posts that contain such language will be deleted. A group member who uses abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, or sexually oriented language will be permanently banned.

8. As a courtesy to other Forum participants, before submitting your post please reread its contents and correct grammatical and spelling mistakes.

9. You can utilize emoticons (smilies) to indicate tone of voice, but use them sparingly. Do not assume that the inclusion of a smiley will wipe out an otherwise insulting comment.

10. If a group member writes to you privately, be careful not to inadvertently post his message to other members of the group.

11. If, in your opinion, a group member has posted something inappropriate, please ask the moderator to remove it. Do not express your reservations to the discussion group. This will only draw more attention to the post in question.

Equally Powerful

From the reading of an incredible book by Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham, Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, I have learned a powerful truth about God's magnificent creation, which we call "woman."

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'...So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found." (Genesis 2:18, 20 NIV)

The word "helper", found in this passage of Scripture comes from the original Hebrew word ezer. Ezer is often translated "helper." But according to Hebrew scholars the word actually means "power" or "strength," just as it is used elsewhere in the Hebrew Scriptures.

The phrase "make a helper suitable" in the original Hebrew is, "ezer kenegdo," meaning "a power equal to him," which is found in other ancient Hebrew writings.

This tells us that the woman was not merely created to be the man's "helper," but to be a "powerful partner" with him. She is neither less nor more than he; they are "One Equally Powerful Flesh."

Forever learning,
Johnny

Answering questions concerning the "Building Tax"

As to how much should we give:
That would be based on how many your congregation starts with, assuming you don't yet have a building. With established churches, this practice will take some time to develop. It's like convincing Americans to stop eating cheeseburgers.

The practice of tithing was advocated by the Council of Tours in 567 and the second Council of Macon in 585, and it became obligatory (by law) in the Carolingian empire (in 765). So we've been doing this for a long time.

Implementing this idea would be best for a "NEW" congregation.

You would start by having a house group who would bring 5 or 10 dollars per week to support the ministry. John Wesley started this idea in the early 1700’s, when he required a penny and would pay the penny for anyone who literally couldn’t.

As the small groups grow, you would need to make a decision as to where you will worship corporately.

A group of 1000 people giving $10 each per week would raise $520,000.00 per year. This would be enough to build a chapel and maintain salaries and the building every year, with some left over. My church costs around $200,000 with building and cost of leadership. We could minister to 1000 people on Sunday with 3 services, which is quite common.

Also, it is not uncommon for a "small group" based ministry to grow to 1000 in the course of 3 to 5 years. Patience is required.

With the biblical model of giving, an individual in a church of 1000 could give no more than $15.00 per week to his or her “church” and with all of those people giving the same $15.00 the church would raise over $750,000.00 per year. Therefore, if someone were to ask, “How much do I need to give?” my answer would be, “$15.00 to maintain the place of worship, which will also allow for a $250,000.00 per year “help the poor” fund. Then any giving after that would be up to the giver for helping people in the community and oversees.

There is no reason why a church should require its people to give 10% of their income just to the “church.” There is no biblical justification for a building any longer, but if we choose to have one, then we should be willing to pay a “Building tax.” The Building tax should be something that everyone can pay, just as it was done in biblical times. $10 or $15 is a fair cost in today's economy.

Forever learning,
Johnny

10% Temple Tax

A few weeks ago I posted some info about the fact that tithing was an instruction for farmers and Levites. Farmers/shepherds were to tithe a tenth of their produce and flocks to take care of the Levites who weren't allowed to own land or do other work. The Levites tithed to the priests.

Every male over 20-years-old paid the Temple tax, and everyone was to give to the poor.

With this (VERY BIBLICAL) model it would cost a congregation of 300 people less than $12 dollars a week per person to finance a worship building and leadership with a budget of $200,000.00 per year.

Imagine being a part of a ministry where the leaders say, "Bring $12.00 a week for upkeep and leadership costs. Anything beyond that will be an offering to the poor. We, as a body, can decide where it will go."

With this biblical model, a church of 300 could have a major impact on its community that would never be a burden on the Christians who supported it.

I currently give $70.00 per week. $12.00 of that would go to the upkeep of the church and I could give $58.00 directly to help the needs in my community and to people oversees. If all 300 people were to match that, we would meet the church budget and contribute an additional $904,800.00 to help people in our world.

Currently, with the imposed 10% (unbiblical) temple tax, which an estimated 20% of churchgoers actually contribute, most churches don't make their building and leadership budget and depend on gifts from outside to help the poor.

Imagine if all churches were to take on the biblical model of giving. There would be no need for government funding or community chest funds.

The church could do its job!

Forever learning,Johnny

A New Yoke Is Hard to Hear

Today I taught at the "Center of Hope" on Spratt Street in Charlotte. The people were wonderful. And I was able to share some insights with them that deepened their understanding of the Scriptures.

There was one lady who I noticed had a sense of anger about her the minute she walked in. I placed ten or twelve chairs in a circle and placed a laptop on the chair beside me to use in place of a printed manuscript. This particular woman walked into the room and didn't sit in the circle. Instead, she sat in one of the rows of chairs behind the circle.

I asked her to join us and she did, but immediately asked if she could get up to get something. She came back and sat down after a minute or so.

She was the only person of eleven who challenged me. (The sign of a choleric temperament.) I knew she'd bring on more, and I was prepared to be patient.

Her challenge was to tell me that not believing in ourselves to do what God asks us to do is not arrogance. So, I gently explained: "To tell God, who created me, that he doesn't know me as well as he thinks he does and shouldn't have called me, is to tell the one who made me that he doesn't know what he made." She concurred, but remained stoic.

She never smiled.

About 25 minutes into the teaching, and about 5 minutes before I was finished, she interrupted and said, "I am going to need to leave." Her body language and tone expressed frustration. She wanted everyone to know she had power by challenging, interrupting, sitting in a different place, and, finally, by leaving.

Her intent was to challenge me for control and I realized what was happening.

Shelters are filled with people whose lives are out of their control. Nothing is stable, nothing is predictable, and they have no ability to get a handle on anything. My teaching represented, for me, new insight, for her, one more thing that she was not used to and couldn't control. Her situation was so powerfully negative that she would do anything to have some control, if only to attempt control of everyone's mood.

I silently prayed for her as she left. She must be in tremendous pain.

I'm sure that Jesus must have dealt with a lot of people who were simply unable to listen to his words when he taught of his light yoke. Many people would have walked out on him for interpreting the Scriptures in a way they had never heard.

My experience today gave me a tiny glimpse of the disappointment that Jesus must have felt many times when people refused to see and listen to what he wanted them to understand.

"He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 11:15 NIV)

Forever learning,Johnny

Need Acceptance? Must be dirty. Apply within.

My oldest son is experiencing employment for the first time in his life. He also filled out his first job application. I helped him fill it out.

On an application for employment there are a lot of questions that pry into your life to make sure there is no "dirt."

Some questions include:
1. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
2. Have you ever been convicted of a sex crime?

There is also the "Please list all prior employment." This is so they can check with former employees to get a good idea of your work ethic.

Most of this, mind you, is to find the "dirt." And if they find the dirt, you don't get the job. The employer is depending on you not having any dirt and you are depending on your ability to hide your dirt in order to get your foot in the door.

God uses a completely opposite entry criterion. He says, "Confess your 'dirt' and I'll gladly let you in. If your application is spotless, go back home."

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8 NIV). Have you ever met an employer, a Dad whose daughter you want to marry, or a lender who will say that?

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NIV) Who lets us in their house, their employment, their lives, when we confess all our temptations and sins?

This, I believe, is the importance of community for Christians. If we are going to be Christ to the world, then it is important that we are able to let people in, not in spite of their confessions, but by expecting and encouraging confessions.

Hiding our 'dirt' only prolongs the inability to help or get help cleaning it up.

Remember, we all have dirt.

Some have learned to use makeup and pretend it isn't there, while others have been washed in the shower of forgiveness with support, encouragement, and guidance from God's community.

Isn't it strange that when we tell people our faults, most will keep us out, but God won't let us in until we tell Him our faults?

When we are able to accept people with all their "dirt", we are experiencing godliness.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Stop Judging Me!

How many of us have quoted Scripture when we don’t want to be held accountable? “Don’t judge me!” we scream. The meaning of ”not judging” that is used in Scripture has little to do with looking the other way when someone sins.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’” –Jesus (Luke 6:36-38) NIV.

Judging in the context used by Jesus is a reference to “giving people the benefit of the doubt when they hurt you.” It is a direct allusion to Leviticus 19:15, which says, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”

Also keep in mind the Hebrew word for neighbor is “rea,” which means friend and enemy.

The Scripture of Leviticus 19:15 is an instruction from God to judge fairly, giving others the benefit of the doubt, such as when someone hurts you and you say, “He only did that because he was hurting or was angry” as apposed to, “He is a jerk! Hang him.”

The way we judge by giving the benefit of doubt is the way others will judge us. If I am quick to assume the worst in others, then others will be quick to assume the worst in me. However, if I am a person who is quick to assume the best, then others will assume the best in me when I hurt them.

Jesus lived by what he taught while being nailed to a cross, when he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) NIV.

There is a rabbinic saying from the Oral Torah of the Jews, which states, “Judge every person in favorable terms.” (Mishnah, Avot 1:6).

Jesus is a fair judge who looks for a reason to pardon, rather than a reason to punish.

Judge the motives of others in the way you would appreciate being judged.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Sunday Sermons...Why?

By listening to the expressed frustration of many well-intentioned Christians, I have discovered that there are a few who wonder about the purpose of preaching in worship meetings.

Among the complaints, is the thought that preaching is wasted on those who attend worship when it could be used so much more productively in the streets or other venues where there are no Christians. Wasting words on altar calls comes up in these conversations as well.

Perhaps the assumption is that the Holy Spirit gifts people to preach as a means of evangelism only.

It's true that we are called to go and make disciples and preach the Word of God. This is a command to teach God's people and to invite non-Christians to enter the Kingdom.

There is no directive in Scripture for altar calls, but only an invitation to know God's Word and obey Christ through faithful service to Him and others. This is how people enter the Kingdom of God (Community of God).When people accept the “yoke” of the Kingdom, they have entered the Kingdom and are expected to learn from the teacher/preacher how to interpret and apply Christ's teaching.

Altar calls may not be necessary in some worship experiences, in fact they may serve as little more than an annoying, traditional formality, though effective teaching is always the goal when sharing the Word of God with others.

“Others” is not only the lost, but those who walk beside the leader, faithfully seeking knowledge and direction. It seems to me that the call to preach has been misinterpreted as only a call to evangelize.

Evangelism alone is not the intention for teaching or preaching. The model of teaching and preaching is given to us by Jesus and His disciples. They taught as a means of instruction and evangelism. That should be our intention as well, even when the altars aren't filled with the knees of repentance.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How Important is Having a Teacher (Preacher) for Christians?

The following is a response that I posted in somone else's blog and feel should be shared.

Many well-meaning Christians are continuing to experience confusion over the importance of having a teacher.

In the first century A.D., also known as the Second Temple Period, teaching was highly regarded. Sages who taught their interpretation of the Torah, or "yoke," were so appreciated and sought after that every Jew considered it an honor to have a teacher in his or her home.

The most honorable place to be was at the feet of the teacher. This is exactly where we find Mary, as Martha continues to work in Luke 10:39.

Open Airs weren't forced, because the value of hearing the teaching was so high that people would flock to the feet of the teacher. This is why you will often read of teachers of the Torah, Pharisees, et cetera being present when John the Baptist and others are teaching.

Jesus taught in synagogues (gatherings of Jews) and at the Temple just as all Jewish teachers of his time. He also taught in homes, because every home was open to the teachers in Palestine. (Those that weren't open belonged to pagan settlers and Gentiles.)

When preaching and teaching is not valued, it's because the people listening no longer see its relevance for life. The Torah was life for people in the first century. It wasn't religious instruction, but practical, utilitarian, and useful guidance for every aspect of life. Biblical teaching is still to be practical and relevant.

Flippant rants were never a part of Jesus teaching. As someone said to me recently, “In everything you do, reflect Jesus.” Teaching is a serious responsibility and one that requires constant preparation and hard work, along with fervent prayer and a loving presentation.

Preaching is not our privilege from God to bark at His people, but the responsibility and authority to guide them according to His Word.

Forever learning,
Johnny

"Yesterday Ended Last Night"

Over and over, I hear people say, “Why can’t we do the things that we used to do; the things that made The Salvation Army great?”

If The Salvation Army did the things it used to do, then it would be doing things it has never done.

It wasn't past accomplishments, but creative progression that made The Salvation Army a great force for the mission of Christ in its early years.

Today is a new day, with a new song, and a fresh idea. As John Maxwell says, "Yesterday ended last night!"

Let’s not stifle the creative spirit of God’s people. Encourage one another to share ideas and be enthusiastic for one another as we work together to see those ideas suited to God’s will.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Questions I Am Finally Able to Answer

In my studies this week, I have discovered some wonderful answers to questions that I’ve been asking for years. Why didn't my Sunday school teachers ever tell me this stuff? Oh yeah...they didn't know it either.

Question:
Why does Jesus say that there will be those who are standing there today who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming into his kingdom (Matthew, chapter 16)?
Answer:
Jesus called his movement “the Kingdom of Heaven”. To enter the kingdom of Heaven (community of God), you chose to follow Christ and once you become a follower you have entered the Kingdom of Heaven. Death is not the doorway to heaven—faithfully following Christ is. When Christ returns, the Kingdom of God will be in its full glory, until then "the Kingdom of God" moves forward as the followers of Christ waiting on His return.

Question:
Are we supposed to tithe?

Answer:
The instruction to tithe was given to farmers and Levites. They tithed as a form of “Social Security” as their tithes of produce and flocks were used immediately to feed everyone who came to the worship festivals including orphans and widows.

Everyone was to pay the Temple tax, which was a half shekel (not 10 percent of everyone’s income).

Giving to the poor or “Giving Alms” was and is a Biblical mandate that even Jesus preached constantly. This was for all to do and it was and is the opportunity for all followers of Christ to share with those who don’t have. This is what we are to give according to what our hearts tell us to give.

It appears that the church has confused these commands and has created a new Temple tax, which is set at 10 percent of everyone’s income and doesn’t include the Biblical command to give to the poor. Helping the poor is extra!

FINALLY
The question that will blow your mind is the one that I will post soon with more elaboration on the findings. The question is: Why do we worship on Sunday? The answer is sure to threaten the less than solid in faith. It may even convince Chic-Fil-A to close on Saturday and be ready for business Sunday morning.

Forever learning,
Johnny

"There Is No God Jehovah"

Hamakom, hagavoah, halashon, hag'vurah, and shamayim were all names used by the ancient people of God in order to avoid misusing the name YHWH (yah-WEH) when having daily conversation or even in teaching. This is still the practice for modern Jews.

‘Adonai or ‘elohim was used when reciting or reading Scripture. Yet, even ‘elohim was not used in conversation.

The reason these other names, literally meaning the Place, the High, the Tongue, the Power, and the Heaven, were used in place of the tetragrammaton, YHWH was due to a literal translation of the third commandment, which was to never use the name of YHWH in vain.

Until some time around the third century B.C., but definitely up until the exile in 586 B.C. the name YHWH was used regularly. But in the third century B.C. the name YHWH was only spoken by the priests during Temple liturgies.

Until the sixth century A.D. there were no vowels used in writing the Hebrew language. But at that time, due to the deficite of people who were still fluent in Hebrew, vowels were used to help future generations pronounce the words of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Here is where the name Jehovah was accidentally invented.

The scholars of the sixth century, known as Masoretes, are the ones who began using vowels in writing the Hebrew Scriptures. In their attempt to preserve the third century B.C. law of not saying YHWH, the Masoretes superimposed the vowels of ‘adonai into the tetragrammaton YHWH. This was a protection for those who stumbled across the name YHWH in their reading and prevented them from saying the “sacred name.”

In 1516 A.D. an Italian theologian named Franciscan friar Galatinus came across this superimposed “warning” and misinterpreted it to be a name used for God. He then transliterated the Hebrew Y with the Latin equivalent J and the Hebrew W with the Latin equivalent V and presto…JeHoVaH was created.

Remember that as you sing, “There’s no God like Jehovah,” just take out the “like” and you have a more theologically correct song.

I raya and ahava you!

Life is never short of surprises. I gained some freedom tonight in my small group.

I know for a fact that I am among the top 10 luckiest people on the planet to have such great friends and a fantastic family.

The world seems so much lighter when great friends surround us. I raya and ahava all of you. Staci is also blessed with my expression of dod. Sorry that's exclusively reserved for her.

Thank you everyone for being so wonderful.

Grace and peace,
Johnny

A Foil

Life is very complex. There are so many real people with real problems who are searching for real solutions.

At the same time, there are too many actors pretending to be people with answers. Actaully, I think we are all actors in some capacity. The most reliable actors research the works of other actors and claim them as authority. The least reliable simply rely on our own acting.

At least the authority of other actors comes with some kind of experiences, even if they are only acted out expreiences.

Cynicism is a wonderful expression, isn't it? It's a popular one anyway, so I thought I'd use it for a moment.

Actually, I'm not convinced that cynicism is all it's cracked up to be.

Forever learning or acting like I'm learning,
Johnny

Posting to post.

Have a good day.

Good bye.

Passive Friendship Evangelism Committee

Words from Dr. William Willimon: "We, as the church, need to mock the world, instead of being so accepting and encouraging of it. We celebrate sin, by honoring sinners."

This is very true. Lately I am seeing more and more honor given to the lost as if this is a way of showing them Christ. Remember Christ told them to go and sin no more, sell all that you have and give it to the poor, come and follow me.

Sure, he had parties with sinners, but he didn't give them a big hug and say, "It's okay, you just keep trying and you'll get better while I love you." He said, "Go and sin NO MORE!"

It's time for the church to start mocking the world and stop treating sin and sinners as if they are a project for the "Passive Friendship Evangelism Committee."

Sin is real
Hell is hot
Christ saves
Friendships do not

Forever learning,
Johnny

Another Pentecost?"

I’m not going to do the study for everyone, but I will give my best, according to my own study and the insight of great teachers, professors, and, of course, the Word of God.

To ask for another Pentecost, is like asking for another crucifixion, another risen Christ, or another Ark of the Covenant to be built. Pentecost happened as it was prophesied to happen…once!

The Spirit of God was present in “Tongues of Fire” or, to give a clearer translation, “Languages of Power.” The “fire” of God, was at Pentecost and is today, His powerful spoken Word, given by those who are faithful to share it.

I have always cringed a bit when I hear this song led in worship. Next we’ll be writing a song asking for another crucifixion.

Forever Learning,

Walking Examples of Joy in Suffering

Tuesday, I went to a seminar led by Dr. William Willimon. WOW! He is an amazing communicator; considered to be one of the top 12 preachers in the country.

He has written 50 books and I know why; he has a lot to teach us.

I want to share specifically his point on pastoral pride.

He brought to the attention of everyone present that Christian leaders are quickly sucked into the "entitlement" syndrome.

When we (Christian leaders) first begin, we are looking to serve God regardless of the perks and pay, but it doesn't take long before we'll quit if we aren't allowed to have a laptop.

Think about it: how many Christian leaders do you know that aren't concerned about what neighborhood they live in, what kind of car they drive, or how much of an expense account they are alotted? I'll give you a hint. They are those who are asking of God, "Where do you want me to go Lord?" They are not those who are saying to the congregation and the church leadership, "Don't you realize how called and gifted I am?"

PRIDE is going to destroy us, if we don't take a good look in the mirror.

I am so proud of Rob and Heather who are leading a powerful outreach ministry in Charlotte, NC. They haven't received a paycheck in months, they are borrowing a car from a friend, they receive all of their meals from shelters and soup kitchens, they live in the ghetto, and their biggest request is for someone to give them something to stop up holes that allow cold air to come into their apartment.

I saw Rob last Wednesday night and the man is a "WALKING EXAMPLE OF JOY IN SUFFERING." How many of us have someone saying that about us? Not many.

It's tough to suffer the lack of constant needs for upgrades on technological gear and living arrangements. God should understand how important I am and how much I need to live comfortably. (Hope you're picking up on the sarcasm.)

Today is Ash Wendesday, therefore it is appropriate for me to remind all of you that you are dirt. You started as dirt and you're heading back to dirt. You've already been given the gift of God making you something out of nothing. To feel intitled to more is the equivelant of your hamburger asking for more ketchup. Thanks for returning this reminder to me--I am dirt too!

I have seen Rob many times in Charlotte and never knew of any of his suffering until someone told me this morning. He is always clean, joyful, and never puts on a bit of air that he is struggling. This is what Jesus meant when he said not to tell people when you are fasting. That's Rob and Heather; they don't whine and complain. They just move ahead with the calling to share Jesus with the world.

Thank you Rob and Heather for reminding me of what's important...Following the will of God and reaching others for His purposes, regardless of how comfortable life is for me.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Clarifying Clarification

Please allow me to take a moment to clarify my last clarification.

My last blog was an attempt to say, "Please don't think that I am a staunch advocate of my own views." I also have great respect for the insights and views of other Christians and Christian leaders. There are people who are reading my blogs, specifically "Amnesty Box" and are thinking that I am an advocate of a strict militant style of leadership for every ministry of The Salvation Army.

Amnesty Box is something that I truly believe in and it has its place as a prophetic voice. However, there is much more to my views than the two dimensions of my writing that may paint me as some kind of voice for Salvationists who believe in strict militant leadership.

I believe there is a place for those who need to be led strongly.

I also believe that God speaks through patience and tenderness of which some leaders in The Army must present to be effective for some people.

For instance, the poorest of the poor are also among some of the most verbally and physically abused. Do we really want to go into their neighborhoods barking out orders? Personally, I think they could use a little tenderness.

So, again, thank you everyone for your encouragement and support of my philosophies and teaching. And another thank you for your Christ-like patience with those whose views you may disagree with, including my own.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Keeping It In Context

Well, just in case you happen to come across Stephen Court's blog, "Amnesty Box vs. The Salvationist Mind for the 21st Century" on ARMYBARMY and see that one of my articles has become a source of inspiration, know this:

Context means everything.

I'm not sure how people will take my words when I write them, but those who know me best know that I am constantly learning and developing.

I believe The Salvation Army needs to stand and not be so flaky when it comes to serving the world. There is way too much compromise in the ranks and in our purpose. It’s very difficult to move forward when you don’t know which direction is forward.

I want it to be clear that The Salvation Army is the vehicle of which I choose to serve Christ and I am always looking for the most effective way to serve Him for the Kingdom.

Church growth and personal recognition are not any less divisive than rigidity and irrelevance in Christian expression and ministry.

I don’t know that a dogmatic stance, which moves us to see the opinions of others as an opportunity to judge them as if they have no other dimensions, is justifiable Christian behavior.

We must constantly understand that sometimes God is represented by the prophet who stands on the side of God with a warning of judgment to the people; sometimes He is represented by the priest who stands on the side of the people pleading to God for mercy; still sometimes He is represented by the king who makes a decision based on God's will.

In all of these roles, God is often represented by a human being in the form of a Christian leader. God's leaders are sent to represent the role God calls that leader to be for each individual or congregation.

As Doctor Rick Lints, Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary so adequately stated, “There are some who are standing and need to fall on their knees and pray for mercy, while there are others who are kneeling who need to stand up and trust that God has given it to them.” God's representatives are often used to help His flock know whether they are to stand or kneel when their pride or self-pity blind them to the direct message from God.

Every message or philosophy deserves to be heard for what it is--an attempt at finding and revealing the truth. I believe that no matter how wrong one person sees the views of another, we must always remember that those who are brave enough to voice their views and are within biblical parameters of doing so, are also those who care enough to speak.

Let’s not discourage vocal expression, as each expresser is a child of God who seeks to find and share Christ with deep conviction and sincerity.

Thank you to everyone who encourages me and stands beside me as a REVOLUTIONARY and wants what is best for The Salvation Army and, most importantly, The Kindgom of God.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Why?

There is a time in every person's life when we just have to ask, "WHY?" Why are we? Why do we? Why have we? Why did we? Why will we?

I was walking around a Supercuts today, which used to be a bank. The old drive thru tellers are still there, but I could tell they were from the 80's.

Ella walked around the old machine where people would drive up and put their money or whatever in a big plastic tube, which was then sucked up into a vacuum. For her, it meant nothing.

For me, it was a mark, a step, a yesterday. Sometimes I get really tired of yesterdays and all I want to do is see right now. Life seems to be nothing but memory making moments. I can’t quite get to the next minute and then suddenly I’m past it.

Sometimes I just want to scream out, “STOP! Let me look at you for a moment." I want a chance to stare life in the face. I want to stare at it just like staring closely at a leaf and noticing all its specks and lines. When do we get to just take some time to look at life and enjoy the beauty of it?

"Why?" may be the wrong question. Maybe there is no question.
Who knows? Hey! Maybe "Who Knows?" is the question.

Forever wondering,
Johnny

The Gainey Sweat Shop

Ella has called an attorney and is demanding better working conditions.

Small Group Agenda Info and Birth of a new group update

For the next 23 weeks, we will not be posting the Small Group Agendas.

Reason:

We will be using the Rob Bell NOOMA videos and using a basic format for accompishing the Welcome, Word, Worship, and Witness based on the Videos and the book that accompanies the video.

However, I would like to share that a New Small Group/Interest Group has begun at DHQ during the lunch hour in the break room. The group met today and there were 8 in attendance. One of those eight was with us via Skype. Thanks for being there in voice Kristy.

The Interest Group meets to discuss the Velvet Elvis book written by Rob Bell. It was great. I had a wonderful time as I'm sure we all did.

Have a great day everyone.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How was your day?

Today was a beautiful day.

The skies were blue.

My children are healthy.

My marriage is happy.

I have a headache.

My dog is aggravating.

My grandparents are dead.

My Dad has a liver disease.

Today was a beautiful day.

The coffee was wonderful. (Tim Hortons from Jeff. Thanks Jeff.)

I've put on three pounds in two weeks.

I'm losing my hair.

I love being a Salvation Army Officer.

Some people are mean.

Some people give me energy.

My wife is so pretty.

Today was a beautiful day.

Good and not so good, God is always good.

Today was a beautiful day.

How was your day?

No Dogs Allowed!

Is it just me or is there an immense amount of spiritual gluttony among Christians.

Tonight I was privy to a wonderful conversation with friends at my dining room table and in that conversation some wonderful points were brought before us.

The conversation caused me to think more about this situation of spiritual gluttony.

The root of the problem appears to be grounded in selfishness. There appears to be a sense that Christianity is a calling to go to church, rather than be the church. Over and over I hear this phrase, “We need to be fed!” There is no more a sickening phrase on the planet. But, that’s just my opinion. If it’s not yours, please allow me to be loved by you anyway.

Jesus calls us to feed sheep. It appears that everybody thinks they are all sheep. My question is, “If everyone is a sheep, who does the feeding?” I don’t think God intended for one or two to be shepherds and the rest of the millions of Christians on earth to be "Get-fed-only" sheep. Again, this is my opinion. Please continue to love me.

Eternal sheep have a habit of taking up so much time and energy from the shepherds that shepherds never have time to look for lost sheep.

I think we need to be intellectually fed by the Word of God and spiritually fed by the Spirit of God and physically fed by the servants of God, but then it’s time to do some feeding ourselves.

No sheep eats all day, every day, with no concern for becoming a shepherd.
That is what shepherds do. Shepherds train sheep to be shepherds. Not all shepherds are shepherds of a lot of sheep. Some shepherds merely feed their family and maybe a friend. Some shepherds don’t have the capacity to feed, but they help those who do.

Wouldn’t a sheep that only eats be a glutton of a lamb?

I like sheep and I don’t think they’re as stupid as most preachers try to portray them to be. I believe that any animal that can convince its master that it only exists to eat and is never responsible to feed is pretty darn smart.

In fact, I think these sheep are not sheep at all…they are dogs. They show up, eat, sleep, get a few pats on the head and wait for the next feeding.

Let’s all be sheep that become shepherds and shepherds who don’t allow dogs to pose as sheep.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Cell Group Agenda for the week of Febuary 5, 2006

Welcome
Have everyone come in, place their food or drinks on the table, get something to snack on and join each other in a comfortable room to talk.

Give everyone an opportunity to tell when he or she feels the most safe.

Tip: Some may try to spiritualize this question and give obvious answers, such as all the time, because God is with me. Ask them to be more specific and speak of a specific place or when they’re with a specific person.

After everyone has a chance to share, talk with Jesus and tell Him how grateful we are for safety in our lives.

Word
Play the Rob Bell’s Nooma DVD #001 “Rain.”

After the DVD is played have your group break up into small groups of three or four. Give each person a list of the questions from Rob Bell's study guide, which accompanies the DVD.

In each breakout group ask the questions from the book that accompanies the DVD starting on page 2 and ending (this week) on page 8:

After everyone gets a chance to answer the question on page 8, have the people in your breakout group take turns reading the list of Scriptures found on page 10 of Bell’s Nooma DVD book.

[I do not feel that it would be an ethically correct decision to list the questions from Rob Bell’s book. These videos are incredible and well worth you purchasing for your group.
I purchased the DVDs, which came with the study book, for $12.99 per DVD at Family Christian Book Store.]

After reading the verses of Scripture, have everyone join together in one room for worship.

Tip: When individual breakout groups are finished have them go into the room where everyone will be together for worship. Don’t wait for everyone to be done. This will help everyone to respect each other’s time and keep from giving too much time for those who are finished to engage in unrelated topics.

Worship
Play a CD of peaceful, worship conducive music with no words.
While the music plays take a few minutes to sit in silence and have each person picture a moment in his or her mind that he or she wishes could have been avoided.

After 5 minutes have the group pray that God will show them how He was able to draw closer to them because of that scary time. Then ask God to give them the wisdom to see how God was using the moment to get closer to him or her.
Witness
Your act of taking your experience of being with Jesus tonight will be to share your excitement for what you’re learning with someone who is not a part of your group. Then invite them to come next week, when we will watch the same video again and go through the Scriptures and questions in the remainder of Rob Bell’s study guide.

Retro-New and Different

Every morning I drive for about an hour and fifteen minutes before I finally arrive at my destination of the office. And during that time I chat with Jesus about life. Sometimes we talk about family, tragedies, fun stuff, sad stuff. Sometimes I just try to listen to Him speak.

This morning He spoke through the silence and taught me something wonderful. I have been working so hard on affecting change in the part of God’s Kingdom that He has called me to and this morning I realized something wonderful.

Change is not about something new and different. Change is about retro-new and different.

As I pondered on the frustration of how to get people to see that change is necessary for effective Christian ministry, I realized that the threat is usually a fear that we will be leaving the place where God has put us. But I learned that change is really about bringing us back to the right place.

Change is the equivalent of the ref blowing his whistle during a football game when the ball has gone out of bounds. Change in ministry is the equivalent of the ref blowing the whistle because the whole team has begun to play out of bounds.

There are times, moments, decades, eras, when ministry has gone so far out of bounds that God calls a leader to blow the whistle and get people back on the playing field.

That is when leaders have to listen to God, share that vision, and inspire the team to get back on the field. The tough part is getting the players to see that they have moved away from where God wants the team to be. These are the moments when the players actually believe they are still on the field and everyone else has gone home because they don't care about the game or the team anymore.

However there is a strange and wonderful difference between football fields and ministry fields. With football the field never moves. With ministry, if we don't keep our eyes open, the field will slip right out from under us and some will never even notice it's gone.

One day the team looks up and asks, “Where is everybody? Don’t they care about the game?" The fact is God has moved the field to a whole new place where the spectators have new faces, wear different clothes, speak a different language, and may not even sit in the bleachers.

Change is what a leader does when he says to the team, It’s time to get back on the field. There is an entire world of people who need to see and be a part of the game, but they can't see us play anymore, because we have completely left the field or the field has left us."

Change is about getting the team back on the field.

Ministry Is Not Messy!

How do I balance Johnny the person with Captain Gainey the Corps Officer/Pastor?

I am learning more and more that being a leader of God's flock is synonymous with self-ostracizing. The lessons I’ve learned after three and a half years of pastoring have taught me why so many church leaders end up bitter and alone, questioning their calling, and pampering a low self-image.

I don’t agree that ministry is messy. That may sound catchy, but the truth of the matter is that Satan’s intervention in ministry is messy, not ministry. Ministry is an extension of the love of Jesus Christ. How can that be anything but beautiful?

In Marshall Shelley’s book, ‘WELL-INTENTIONED Dragons’, Shelley says, “A pastor’s authority requires two ingredients: God’s appointment and call, and the body’s respect for his leadership. Losing either side of the equation spells an end to effective ministry.” pgs115-116

Shelly also says, “Every pastor walks that delicate line between steering and being steered by the congregation. As they weigh the criticisms, most ministers occasionally wonder, Am I being followed or chased?” pg. 115

This is a serious dilemma in the church, because too often God’s flock forgets the role of the shepherd, which is to lead. Too many sheep believe that they are supposed to train the shepherd to listen to sheep, rather than assist the shepherd in listening to God.

I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong before.

Forever learning,
Johnny