What should the motive be for giving money to God be? Guilt? Obedience? Joy?
I was talking to a friend this morning who is going to talk about giving before the church. The speech was good (as contribution speeches go), pointing out the need to support the local body of Christ and the need to be obedient to God in our stewardship. But I came away with guilt...I'm not giving enough, you should appreciate what the Lord has done for you by giving back...So I challenged the speech.
We already know that 10% of the membership gives 90% of the contribution and the speech isn't for those who are already giving. But how do we motivate the 90% non-givers to actually give? Will guilt help? Doubtful. So what will?
Vivien Hibbert once said to me that any church with strong praise and worship rarely has difficulty with finances. That got me to thinking: Why not pass the plate with strong praise music? Could the presence of God motivate them to give more? I think so.
So I rewrote the speech. Here is what I would do:
"Jesus is Lord. I would like for you to ask repeat after me...Jesus is Lord....Jesus is Lord...Now I want you to do this: Ask God what he wants you to give, then listen and obey...Jesus is Lord...Father, what do you want me to give right now, today.... Now listen for an answer..." Then sit down. Next, start a strong praise song (like Revelation Song by Kari Jobe) and halfway through the song, hand out the collection plates.
The idea is to get into the presence of God before giving to Him...Get God Himself to motivate the non-givers. No guilt, no shame, no begging or cajoling. Allow the Holy Spirit to begin His work in people's hearts, allow Him to admonish and encourage people to give. Do this for a month and see if people's attitude changes about giving so they can finally experience the joy of giving generously.
How would you get the 90% to give more and give generously?
Showing posts with label Jesus is Lord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus is Lord. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
How to say "Sorry," and mean it
"I'm sorry." Two very simple words that require no pride to utter successfully. Asking for forgiveness is about as difficult as granting forgiveness.
I wish I could be blameless, but I am not. I, like almost everyone, have hurt people that I care deeply for, have said things that were monumentally insensitive, stupid, occasionally mean, and have acted in ways that left pain and hurt in my wake. I have tried to get attention at others' expense and I end up feeling pretty lousy about myself. I wish their was a human 'reset' button that we could push and have a do-over. I wish I could blame others, my ADHD, my upbringing, painful life experiences, solar flares, or global warming but I can't. I have to take responsibility for my mistakes and admit that I have willfully hurt others. I am truly sorry for my actions. Ever been there yourself?
I have talked to so many people in the same boat. They feel stuck in a relationship because of something they said or did. Now, the cat is out of the bag....it is much easier to let the cat out of the bag than it is to get back it into the bag. Shame and guilt have caused many a good man or woman to stew in their own juices because they feel really bad about what happened...and can't move on. One must swallow their pride to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Saying, "I'm sorry" is a spiritual discipline.
Here are five things to do to say "I'm sorry" and mean it:
1. Ask God to give you a full understanding of the wrong you have done. "Jesus is Lord. Father show me how I have wronged xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. In your infinite mercy, help me to feel the true impact of my wrongs."
2. Make a list of your sin. Whether by accident or if it was intentional, make a full accounting of your wrongs. Write it down. Take full responsibility of your feelings, actions, and consequences. Pray for the person you hurt. "Father, comfort them. Heal the pain that I have caused and allow them to move beyond what I did."
3. If possible, talk to the person. Take responsibility for all your actions. Allow your emotions to show.
4. Ask for forgiveness. God says to ask. Leave it at that. Let the person you hurt think about it and do what they want. Let the healing work of God surround them. It takes time to work through the process. Just do your part. Continue to pray for them.
5. Forgive yourself. Move on yourself. If possible and appropriate, offer restitution. Resolve to do things differently. Ask for forgiveness for yourself of God.
To err is human. To humble yourself and work through is of God.
What are your experiences with, "I'm sorry?"
I wish I could be blameless, but I am not. I, like almost everyone, have hurt people that I care deeply for, have said things that were monumentally insensitive, stupid, occasionally mean, and have acted in ways that left pain and hurt in my wake. I have tried to get attention at others' expense and I end up feeling pretty lousy about myself. I wish their was a human 'reset' button that we could push and have a do-over. I wish I could blame others, my ADHD, my upbringing, painful life experiences, solar flares, or global warming but I can't. I have to take responsibility for my mistakes and admit that I have willfully hurt others. I am truly sorry for my actions. Ever been there yourself?
I have talked to so many people in the same boat. They feel stuck in a relationship because of something they said or did. Now, the cat is out of the bag....it is much easier to let the cat out of the bag than it is to get back it into the bag. Shame and guilt have caused many a good man or woman to stew in their own juices because they feel really bad about what happened...and can't move on. One must swallow their pride to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Saying, "I'm sorry" is a spiritual discipline.
Here are five things to do to say "I'm sorry" and mean it:
1. Ask God to give you a full understanding of the wrong you have done. "Jesus is Lord. Father show me how I have wronged xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. In your infinite mercy, help me to feel the true impact of my wrongs."
2. Make a list of your sin. Whether by accident or if it was intentional, make a full accounting of your wrongs. Write it down. Take full responsibility of your feelings, actions, and consequences. Pray for the person you hurt. "Father, comfort them. Heal the pain that I have caused and allow them to move beyond what I did."
3. If possible, talk to the person. Take responsibility for all your actions. Allow your emotions to show.
4. Ask for forgiveness. God says to ask. Leave it at that. Let the person you hurt think about it and do what they want. Let the healing work of God surround them. It takes time to work through the process. Just do your part. Continue to pray for them.
5. Forgive yourself. Move on yourself. If possible and appropriate, offer restitution. Resolve to do things differently. Ask for forgiveness for yourself of God.
To err is human. To humble yourself and work through is of God.
What are your experiences with, "I'm sorry?"
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Open Mouth, Insert...Praise
Praise is exalting the characteristics of God. When entering a time of praise, ask God to give you the words to praise Him. There are certain things God wants to hear from each of us, words He created us to say. We want to give God what He wants, not what we think He wants or what we feel comfortable with saying. God, in His infinite grace and mercy, not only wants us to praise and worship Him, He gives us the very words to speak to Him and will help us engage our hearts in a way that will please Him. We can't naturally do it ourselves (conjure it up in our flesh), we need God's help.
I could post some praise statements that God digs here but I would rather each person ask God (with the faith to know He will answer) to provide the words to speak, shout, or sing. God wants our hearts to be engaged. Say the statements several times until your heart gets into it, which is an old Jewish tradition. Rabbis ask their students to repeat scriptures 3 or 4 times (or more) until the Rabbi hears their heart engage into the words.
So try this:
1. Say, "Jesus is Lord."
2. "Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask you to place words of praise on my heart and on my lips."
3. Say the things that come to mind out loud.
4. Repeat until your heart engages or God gives you something else to say.
5. Enjoy.
Here is a song to help you by Chris Tomlin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y01rx_XzQ34&feature=related
And another song by delerious?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oADMOG89UPg&feature=related
Try it and see if it works for you. You may have to try it several time before it works. Report back about your results.
I could post some praise statements that God digs here but I would rather each person ask God (with the faith to know He will answer) to provide the words to speak, shout, or sing. God wants our hearts to be engaged. Say the statements several times until your heart gets into it, which is an old Jewish tradition. Rabbis ask their students to repeat scriptures 3 or 4 times (or more) until the Rabbi hears their heart engage into the words.
So try this:
1. Say, "Jesus is Lord."
2. "Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask you to place words of praise on my heart and on my lips."
3. Say the things that come to mind out loud.
4. Repeat until your heart engages or God gives you something else to say.
5. Enjoy.
Here is a song to help you by Chris Tomlin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y01rx_XzQ34&feature=related
And another song by delerious?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oADMOG89UPg&feature=related
Try it and see if it works for you. You may have to try it several time before it works. Report back about your results.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Feeding the Ants
Each Spring, we are visited by a colony of sugar ants. I don't know where they go during the rest of the year (I don't know if the little buggers are migratory; Winters in Mexico, Summers in Canada) but five days ago they came back. I was picking up a peice of what looked like cinnamon toast but it was a slice of bread covered in ants. After screaming like a little girl, I decided to declare war.
I bought sugar ant poison (Terro) and set out the traps. They swarmed to it like, well, ants to a picnic. Thousands of them think I dropped a delicious sugar-filled container but little do they realize (insert evil laugh here) they are killing themselves. I think they have even invited other tour buses of migratory ants for a rest stop (insert another evil laugh).
Then, God, in his infinite Wisdom, told me to take notice. That is the way of sin. Man, we think we are feasting when all along, slowly but surely, we are killing ourselves. Whether our poison is overeating, fear, sex, alcohol, drugs, coveting, jealosy, lust, bitterness, spiritual pride, or greed, the more we eat, the more we kill ourselves. We do it until we gorge ourselves then the consequences hit. Then things fall apart. We have to declare that 'Jesus is Lord' then fall upon the mercy of God for forgiveness and grace....again. And then brothers and sisters in Christ help put the pieces back together.
I hate that cycle. It has claimed the lives of too many people that I know and has cause untold hurt and heartache. But so goes life, a battle between the spiritual and flesh that never ends. At least with God, we have power and strength on our side.
I know I am projecting on a little herd of ants but I sure hope the poison takes effects soon.
What's your poison?
I bought sugar ant poison (Terro) and set out the traps. They swarmed to it like, well, ants to a picnic. Thousands of them think I dropped a delicious sugar-filled container but little do they realize (insert evil laugh here) they are killing themselves. I think they have even invited other tour buses of migratory ants for a rest stop (insert another evil laugh).
Then, God, in his infinite Wisdom, told me to take notice. That is the way of sin. Man, we think we are feasting when all along, slowly but surely, we are killing ourselves. Whether our poison is overeating, fear, sex, alcohol, drugs, coveting, jealosy, lust, bitterness, spiritual pride, or greed, the more we eat, the more we kill ourselves. We do it until we gorge ourselves then the consequences hit. Then things fall apart. We have to declare that 'Jesus is Lord' then fall upon the mercy of God for forgiveness and grace....again. And then brothers and sisters in Christ help put the pieces back together.
I hate that cycle. It has claimed the lives of too many people that I know and has cause untold hurt and heartache. But so goes life, a battle between the spiritual and flesh that never ends. At least with God, we have power and strength on our side.
I know I am projecting on a little herd of ants but I sure hope the poison takes effects soon.
What's your poison?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Spiritual Exercises 1-15
These exercises are processes we tried and found that they helped us grow closer together as a group of men and, more importantly, grow closer to God. As the leader, I didn’t plan an agenda for meetings, rather, I asked God to direct the meetings as He saw fit. These are not a definitive list of things to do; most of these exercises were a result of a couple hours of praise and a worship then being led by God to ‘try something new.’ These are some examples of where the Spirit of God led us and that we were willing to follow.
Each meeting had a personality of its own. Each meeting developed a theme of what God wanted from us and we just tried to be faithful. That is my hope for anyone who wants to lead a Worship Group or want to have a more active presence of the Spirit involved in worship...to approach God and ask what He wants to you to do and do it; ask what He wants to hear and say or sing it.
1. Ask participants to try something new each and every group. Have them ask God what He wants them to do different and ask them to be faithful. If they aren’t used to raising their hands, have them raise their hands for at least one song. Tell them that when they do something different, it is natural to feel uncomfortable. Other things they can do different is worshiping on their knees, praying for someone, sing prophetically, dance before the Lord, speak what God is laying on their heart.
2. Say ‘Jesus is Lord.’ Scripture says we can only say ‘Jesus is Lord’ by the Holy Spirit. When one feels disconnected, has intrusive thoughts, is in the presence, or having trouble connecting to Christ, ‘Jesus is Lord’ acknowledges that I can’t do it myself and need the Lord to do it for me.
3. Ask participants to take a body position that best represents ‘praise’ and ask them to hold the
position. Have them pray from this position then sing a praise song from that position. Ask them to experiment with different positions to find one that fits best for them. During worship time, ask participants to experiment with different positions to get a feel to which position seems most congruent with the words being sung.
4. Have participants ask God for the words to praise him. There are certain things God wants to hear from each of us, words God created us to say. We want to give God what he wants, not what we think he wants or that we feel comfortable with saying. God wants our hearts engaged when we say what he wants to hear. Jewish teachers ask their students to repeat scripture 3 or 4 times (or more) until the Rabbi hears their heart engage into the words. Say the statement several times until your heart gets into it.
5. Ask someone to play a simple melody (3 or 4 chords, repeated) on an instrument that is easy to follow. Members of the group ask God for words to sing with the music or ask God for a scripture to put to music. One member may start singing the words and others join in as they hear the words (or add new words). Keeps the words simple and repeatable. The song may sound like a round, or may have other words or melodies woven into it as the main melody is sung. Or a new melody and new words may overpower the old melody, just allow there to be a flow of the Spirit as the music and words are sung. Let this exercise go at least 5 to 45 minutes.
6. Have participants do a ‘Go God’ cheer with the same exuberance you would give your favorite sports team scoring a game winning shot right before the buzzer. Have them clap and whoop and holler and cheer for God.
7. Have a mini prophetic workshop that takes 5 minutes. After praise and worship, have participants declare ‘Jesus is Lord’ then ask God "Father do you love me?" Have them listen with their heart and see if they can sense God’s ‘yes.’ Some may have to repeat this exercise several times. Make it OK not to hear but encourage those to keep trying. Once someone can sense a movement of the Spirit, have them ask other ‘yes/no’ questions just to get used to hearing and sensing God.
8. Only play one new song per worship session if you play one at all. Why? New songs break the flow as people have to engage their brains to learn and remember the melodies and words instead of engaging their spirits. Play a new song at the beginning to learn then bring it back up during worship. This way the flow of worship continues.
9. How to start:
A. Ask each person to introduce themselves to someone.
B. Explain the purpose of the meeting.
C. Ask one of these questions: "What brings you here? What do you want to happen during this meeting? What do you need from God during this time together?
D. Invite them to participate. Even if they don’t know the words to songs, invite them to
make up words to sing and sing along.
E. Explain why we pray out loud. Verbal prayers help us to get outside our thinking and
engages our hearts. Encourage them to pray out loud during prayers times, to
tolerate the chaos of everyone praying to together.
10. Be patient. Don’t rush. Keep it simple. Allow there to be times of silence during the breaks between songs and prayers. Give God an opportunity to speak and work.
11. Singing the psalms is a great way of engaging with God and each other. Have someone choose a number between 1 and 150...they choose a number...turn to that psalm. Pray as a group, "Jesus is Lord...Father give us a melody to sing to you." Have a musician play a simple melody then go around the circle and each member sing a verse, in order. The person can either sing the verse as it is written or paraphrase the verse.
12. Say praise statements from revelations several times. I figure if God has the heavenly creatures and angels saying and singing these statements for eternity, then these statements have meaning and importance to him. Plus, we don’t have to make up statements that he wants from us, they are already written down.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come.
You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor, and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Just and true are all your ways, King of the Ages.
For you alone are holy.
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.
Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God
forever and ever.
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be all praise and honor and glory and
power for ever and ever.
13. Tell participants to not wait their turn but to pray as the Spirit moves them. Tell them it is okay to talk over, sing, praise, shout during the praise and worship period. Have them verbalize their prayers instead of thinking their prayers. Practice praying with everyone speaking at the same time, and agreeing with others’ prayers around them. Scripture says that if two or more agree on what they are praying for, it shall be done. Read that scripture and encourage vocal agreement during prayer and worship time.
14. There are several references in scripture of God requiring people to take off their shoes when they came into God’s presence. What if God was serious about ditching your shoes when you come into his presence? Ask participants to worship with their shoes off...see if it makes a difference in their quality of worship.
15. Sometimes in group, some will "sit back and observe" instead of engaging their hearts in praise, worship and prayer. At the beginning, I gently encourage each person to express and actively participate. Refusing to express during praise and worship time, in my experience, seems to shut off the flow of the Spirit to that person. It is important to have an upbeat praise song at the beginning that encourages everyone to clap, raise their hands, dance, etc. to get them more engaged right off. Encourage them to vocalize, sing or say, to help them engage.
Each meeting had a personality of its own. Each meeting developed a theme of what God wanted from us and we just tried to be faithful. That is my hope for anyone who wants to lead a Worship Group or want to have a more active presence of the Spirit involved in worship...to approach God and ask what He wants to you to do and do it; ask what He wants to hear and say or sing it.
1. Ask participants to try something new each and every group. Have them ask God what He wants them to do different and ask them to be faithful. If they aren’t used to raising their hands, have them raise their hands for at least one song. Tell them that when they do something different, it is natural to feel uncomfortable. Other things they can do different is worshiping on their knees, praying for someone, sing prophetically, dance before the Lord, speak what God is laying on their heart.
2. Say ‘Jesus is Lord.’ Scripture says we can only say ‘Jesus is Lord’ by the Holy Spirit. When one feels disconnected, has intrusive thoughts, is in the presence, or having trouble connecting to Christ, ‘Jesus is Lord’ acknowledges that I can’t do it myself and need the Lord to do it for me.
3. Ask participants to take a body position that best represents ‘praise’ and ask them to hold the
position. Have them pray from this position then sing a praise song from that position. Ask them to experiment with different positions to find one that fits best for them. During worship time, ask participants to experiment with different positions to get a feel to which position seems most congruent with the words being sung.
4. Have participants ask God for the words to praise him. There are certain things God wants to hear from each of us, words God created us to say. We want to give God what he wants, not what we think he wants or that we feel comfortable with saying. God wants our hearts engaged when we say what he wants to hear. Jewish teachers ask their students to repeat scripture 3 or 4 times (or more) until the Rabbi hears their heart engage into the words. Say the statement several times until your heart gets into it.
5. Ask someone to play a simple melody (3 or 4 chords, repeated) on an instrument that is easy to follow. Members of the group ask God for words to sing with the music or ask God for a scripture to put to music. One member may start singing the words and others join in as they hear the words (or add new words). Keeps the words simple and repeatable. The song may sound like a round, or may have other words or melodies woven into it as the main melody is sung. Or a new melody and new words may overpower the old melody, just allow there to be a flow of the Spirit as the music and words are sung. Let this exercise go at least 5 to 45 minutes.
6. Have participants do a ‘Go God’ cheer with the same exuberance you would give your favorite sports team scoring a game winning shot right before the buzzer. Have them clap and whoop and holler and cheer for God.
7. Have a mini prophetic workshop that takes 5 minutes. After praise and worship, have participants declare ‘Jesus is Lord’ then ask God "Father do you love me?" Have them listen with their heart and see if they can sense God’s ‘yes.’ Some may have to repeat this exercise several times. Make it OK not to hear but encourage those to keep trying. Once someone can sense a movement of the Spirit, have them ask other ‘yes/no’ questions just to get used to hearing and sensing God.
8. Only play one new song per worship session if you play one at all. Why? New songs break the flow as people have to engage their brains to learn and remember the melodies and words instead of engaging their spirits. Play a new song at the beginning to learn then bring it back up during worship. This way the flow of worship continues.
9. How to start:
A. Ask each person to introduce themselves to someone.
B. Explain the purpose of the meeting.
C. Ask one of these questions: "What brings you here? What do you want to happen during this meeting? What do you need from God during this time together?
D. Invite them to participate. Even if they don’t know the words to songs, invite them to
make up words to sing and sing along.
E. Explain why we pray out loud. Verbal prayers help us to get outside our thinking and
engages our hearts. Encourage them to pray out loud during prayers times, to
tolerate the chaos of everyone praying to together.
10. Be patient. Don’t rush. Keep it simple. Allow there to be times of silence during the breaks between songs and prayers. Give God an opportunity to speak and work.
11. Singing the psalms is a great way of engaging with God and each other. Have someone choose a number between 1 and 150...they choose a number...turn to that psalm. Pray as a group, "Jesus is Lord...Father give us a melody to sing to you." Have a musician play a simple melody then go around the circle and each member sing a verse, in order. The person can either sing the verse as it is written or paraphrase the verse.
12. Say praise statements from revelations several times. I figure if God has the heavenly creatures and angels saying and singing these statements for eternity, then these statements have meaning and importance to him. Plus, we don’t have to make up statements that he wants from us, they are already written down.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come.
You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor, and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Just and true are all your ways, King of the Ages.
For you alone are holy.
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.
Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God
forever and ever.
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be all praise and honor and glory and
power for ever and ever.
13. Tell participants to not wait their turn but to pray as the Spirit moves them. Tell them it is okay to talk over, sing, praise, shout during the praise and worship period. Have them verbalize their prayers instead of thinking their prayers. Practice praying with everyone speaking at the same time, and agreeing with others’ prayers around them. Scripture says that if two or more agree on what they are praying for, it shall be done. Read that scripture and encourage vocal agreement during prayer and worship time.
14. There are several references in scripture of God requiring people to take off their shoes when they came into God’s presence. What if God was serious about ditching your shoes when you come into his presence? Ask participants to worship with their shoes off...see if it makes a difference in their quality of worship.
15. Sometimes in group, some will "sit back and observe" instead of engaging their hearts in praise, worship and prayer. At the beginning, I gently encourage each person to express and actively participate. Refusing to express during praise and worship time, in my experience, seems to shut off the flow of the Spirit to that person. It is important to have an upbeat praise song at the beginning that encourages everyone to clap, raise their hands, dance, etc. to get them more engaged right off. Encourage them to vocalize, sing or say, to help them engage.
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