Late Bloomer Pt 2 - Three generations in one life!

Joshua 4:20–22 It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ ²² Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’

God created us to "digest" our life. How? By taking time to meditate on your life! Every rose has many petals; it is essential to examine each petal and see what treasure God wove into it. This cannot happen if you make life so busy you cannot just stop, quiet your spirit, calm your mind and reflect on the various episodes and seasons of your life and see God's work of Grace in your life. 

The example I want to share with you is how God brought three generations of Grace into my life. Three men impacted my life significantly.

Dave entered as I was planting a Church from scratch. He was a little older and very open to sharing what God had taught him in his life, and we spent time developing our friendship. God allowed Dave to be in my life for decades; we laughed, cried, prayed, and grew together. Some of my most precious memories are the times we would meet on the beach in Waikiki before the sun came up, or share a meal after a long week, or sit and look at the news and solve all the world's problems in less than an hour! LOL, We used to walk together every Tuesday night; one yard had a 10-foot thick hedge that looked like a wall! Every time we approached, we would hear blood-curdling growls, frightening barking, and then see the hedge shake! We both always wondered what that beast looked like...though God never allowed us that opportunity! PTL Personally, I think in eternity, if God has video we can look at, we will see a Chihuahua! Dave joined me as I took some significant steps in my life: Leaving the Church I planted and moving 4,800 miles away to a 101-year-old Church, his example at my home Church, which he was called to Shepherd, and his counsel allowed me not to split that Church. He encouraged and joined the board of GWM as I left that Church to move 8,500 miles away to a Culture I did not understand, a climate that I do not like. Dave never shared an opinion that would cause me to doubt; many others did. Instead, he shared tough questions that I needed to ask, so I understood the cost, and he encouraged me consistently to listen only to God as far as my final decision. 

When I was thirty years old, Lawrence came into my life, stepping into his Church, which was 101 yrs old. Lawrence immediately shared meals with my family. He made it clear his house was always open for a visit and had the courage to lovingly correct me when I needed it. I remember the first communion service I led. We spend time in soul searching and confession of sin — men with men, women with women. Then we share a simple meal together, enjoying fellowship and testimonies, followed by the bread and cup. I was used to a tiny group, this was very new for me, and I did not pay attention to the time. The next day Lawrence stopped by and asked if we could talk. Lawrence had a deep voice and sounded like he had gravel in his larynx! With the gentleness of a true friend, he shared how so many in this older Church loved the service but could not handle how long it was. That following Sunday, I stated from the Pulpit: "God has helped me see that last week I was insensitive, a man with 30yr old bones needs to remember those with older bones, Forgive me and know from now on we will have a service that fits the needs of all." Lawrence became a dear confidant and helped me navigate this wonderful family of God! He is with Jesus now...I hope he still has that very familiar rasp in his voice when I see him again. 

Steve was a young man when I met him. Before I knew it, we had grown into brothers and friends. Steve became the 2nd missionary in GWM and went to India. His unbelievable abandon for Christ allowed him to live in the poorest of the poor areas of India. I was awestruck at his dedication to do whatever it took to bring the Good news to those that did not know it. At one point, his life was endangered, so he left India and lived with us for quite a while. God led Steve to leave the field and become a Pastor. Without trying, not only did we have a deep friendship, but he saw me as an older brother model. Even now, just remembering brings such emotions! Steve and I had a special greeting that I cannot explain, except that we would try to make the noises unique each time, and both of us would begin our communication laughing! Whenever either of us was down, we would call, just to laugh before we talked about the serious issue. With Steve, the phone worked both ways! Recently, at 49, Steve went to be with the Lord, I still have his number on my phone; countless times in this past year, I have started to call, then remembered he is Home, not here. I miss Steve; as iron sharpens iron, he sharpened me, and I hope I sharpened him.

Here is what you need to know, hence the title. Each one of these men had the last name of Mitchell! Lawrence was Dave's father, and Dave was Steve's father! Three generations of godly men that the Lord brought into my life! This is a most precious petal on my bloom, and that is only one of many petals! What a great God we have!

The So What: Stop! Take a breath and reflect on this life God has given you. You will discover petals from the Holy Spirit. Your life is worth more than you understand and can impact countless individuals as the Lord opens doors and will bring that Peace that your heart craves! This world is a war due to sin. Do you fight to live...or live to fight?

Late Bloomer!

All my life I always believed there was a God. No matter what happened I could not escape that I believed He existed. He pursued me with His unconditional love, and thankfully, my heart responded. Being a fan of history, after I trusted in Christ and I began living as a believer, I read about the history of the Church and the men and women that followed my Lord. I was enamored by their testimony and how they exhibited Christ in their lives. I so desired to emulate them, but found myself falling short. I was amazed how so many of them were so on fire so early in their life.

1 Corinthians 4:5  So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God.

Now, at 65, I am digesting all that God has done in my life and feel a deep desire to share all that He is with those that I meet.

My wife is a great gardener, and I have enjoyed seeing her works. Just the other day, as I looked out my window, being that fall is coming and most things are dying, I was amazed when I saw one rosebush blooming. This late! As I thought about it, I realized that I have the opportunity to be just like that bush! A late bloomer! This season in my life has been difficult. My RA has really done a number on me, I now understand what my mother went through. She died at 49, so I am far ahead of  her at 65! The x-rays of my right hip really blew me away. The “ball” and the “cup”…both are supposed to be round – the ball looked like a triangle; the cup looked like a rectangle. Now I understand the clicking  I heard for the last 8 months! Also, I have sand pouring out of my eyes 24/7, another problem caused by RA. I saw the ophthalmologist today, he said he was shocked I could blink without pain, because my eyes were so dry. My primary doctor is trying to figure out why I am having the sleep deprivation I am experiencing. I wake up every 1-2 hours all through the night. I am averaging about 4 hours of sleep each night, never in a row, even with sleeping pills. Add to that, and more detrimental to my spiritual, emotional, and mental health, my sin and failures. Things I thought I would be done with, never have entered into, and really cannot explain in my own mind... it's maddening!

Yet, let me say this. I have experienced a deeper intimacy with my Maker than any other time in my life! I sense His presence, His love, His grace in a way I cannot recall. I am amazed how so much of my health issues do not seem to matter to me. I also, hurt and regret my sins more than ever, understanding they insult, grieve and do not honor the One that gave His all for me. He has undone me, and I love it! All I can think of is how to let everyone I know how loving and gracious He is! In a world that seeks to blame anything and everyone for why they have problems, God, my God, seeks to give comfort, remove our shame, and teach us how to live life abundantly!  

The adversary and my own sin nature desire me to be discouraged, grow weary, and quit. And I have those moments, however, the Holy Spirit taught me long ago that a moment is only a moment and that it is wrong to measure a life by a moment. My sin and failure are not what defines me, not what I am, it is what I struggle with! The fact that I continue to struggle establishes my heart for my God! 

The So What? How about you...you still struggling? Then you are still in the race! Thank God for that! In your bloom, what are you learning, sharing with others? My following Devos on this will share what I have learned. 

Anatomy of Grace #5 - Wrods doen’t mater?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

"a"...One little letter inserted in a line of Scripture has produced a belief system that takes the Oneness of a Triune God - monotheism to polytheism - where Christ is a "little" god, and the Father is the Big God. 

What the Scriptures state is significant! When we add, take away or leave out context, the Holy Spirit power of Scripture is lost and replaced with the adversary's deceptive, evil schemes. Consider this passage:

"For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For money is a root of all sorts of evil! 1 Timothy 6:7-10 

 

I hope you caught the mistake...I will return to that...but a lot of folks believe the Bible teaches how this verse reads...as misquoted by me.

Sadly, many folks believe God hates money, and those that are rich He disdains! On the contrary, God Loves His creation...wretched, invisible, famous, handsome, ugly or whatever, no matter the economic level, God loves humans! 

Money is a neutral, a thing, and most of us like it, and to be honest, I wish I possessed more of it! The problem comes when I lose contentment where I am at and believe the lie that more money will bring me contentment. If I find myself there, I will begin to long to have it! This is how the Scripture states it: 

"For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil" 

 

Much of the world, and many in "Churchianity" believe God favors the poor because of manipulated Scriptures: "Blessed are the poor in spirit" "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;"

 

Neither of these Scriptures are referring to economics only; though money is seen here, the issue is God does not exalt and honor what this world honors. Jesus, and those who trust and follow Him clearly have a heart for economically poor and weak or are what the proud of this world think are worthless. God desires us always to remember the "have nots" of this world when we serve Him.* 

This is one of the most used tactics of the adversary in the HW&P movement. They manipulate Scripture so it will fit their lusts for money, fame, and comfort. A clear example is when we are told to ask in "Jesus' name" ** it is treated as the magic ingredient to get what we want. This pattern continues with words like "Claim" or "Boldly", all in context communicating that when we ask our Lord for anything that is in His will, we can have confidence that we will get an answer. Remember…NO is an answer!

 

In Eternity, how many things will we see clearly and discover that when God said "no" He actually protected us from harm or sin? Prayer is an unbelievable privilege given by a Sovereign God to His creation, it is not a way to manipulate God, or a power we hold over God. Remember, the adversary misquoted Scripture to the Author of Scripture; his arrogance knows no limit!    

The So What!

 

When you talk to your "Abba" (Papa – intimacy) do you also remember Who He is? (Sovereign, All-Powerful, Holy GOD) Does prayer make you feel powerful or confident? Do you try to answer (manipulate) your own prayers?

 

Next, we will look at - 3. A "me first" mentality, 4. A path that leads to doubting God. 5. A faith that demands God perform.  

* Galatians 2:10

** John 14:13–14, 1 John 5:14–15