SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #172 ---- 4/23/01
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight In This New Millennium
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #172 ---- 4/23/01
Title: "Fightings And Fears . . . Within"
(part 1 ---- "Overwhelmed By God's Call")
TO SUBSCRIBE to "Shoulder to Shoulder", send a blank message to
<[email protected]>.
To Subscribe for someone else, write <[email protected]>.
TO UNSUBSCRIBE, send a blank message to
<[email protected]>.
Dear Friend and Partner In Kingdom Work:
The Redbuds have bloomed in their splendor, the Dogwoods are beginning to
come on, the Daffodils and Tulips have been glorious in color, the Wild
Cherries are splashing their whites and pinks everywhere, the Bradford
Pears are proudly thrusting their conical whites skyward, and the
Flowering Crab Apples are shouting "Look at us!" with their deep rich
pink.
It's Springtime in full bloom. Soon to follow will be more and more wild
flowers and the snow white brilliance of the blackberry plants. What a
great time to be alive, and to be a Christian able to see all of this as
just another one of God's myriad ways of saying, "I love you!"
Just a few days ago Jo Ann and I watched six to seven deer grazing on the
new grass late one night as we turned into our driveway. A day or two
later I looked out my study window to see 30 to 35 wild turkeys leisurely
feeding their way across my yard. Eight of them were huge male gobblers
spreading their tail feathers and fluttering their wings, each one trying
to out do the other in impressing the ladies.
I must say that at times like this, with all our traveling to various
parts of the world, there's no place like home.
Of course, then when I have to get out and mow grass like I did Saturday,
I'm ready to hit the road again.
A couple of weeks ago I was looking through my date book from last year
and was shocked to discover that we were traveling all or part of over 40
weeks last year. No wonder my brain gets dull sometimes when writing
you! This next Sunday will be the first Sunday in over two and one half
years where we've not had a Sunday responsibility somewhere.
But I'm still so blessed to be able to do it.
Not everyone is as fond of Spring as I am. This past week our local
newspaper, the St. Clair County Courier, carried an interesting comment.
Now, mind you, this isn't a city paper ---- it's a county paper. And,
it's not a daily ---- it's a weekly. The grammar is not always the best,
and the proof reading often lacks something to be desired.
Nonetheless, it has some good features ---- such as the weekly, "Pulse of
the People" section that focuses on various individuals regarding certain
subjects. This last week the question was, "if you could have one wish,
what would it be?"
The respondents were all high school students. Sarah said, "to win the
lottery and run off somewhere." Cassie thoughtfully said, "that everyone
would come to know the Lord." (Yes, there is great freedom and courage
in the Ozarks to be bold in your witness.)
Katelynn is the one, however, that really got my attention. When she was
asked the question, she said, "I would wish for summer to come so I could
go on my mission trip to Hades."
Now . . . . . I don't know if that was a computer scribe's error, a
proof reader's oversight, or maybe a mistaken pastor, but you've got to
give that gal a medal for evangelistic courage!
What a mission field! What a trip that will be! What stories Katelynn
will have to tell! To be honest, though, I'd rather see her go to Haiti.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
One of my greatest joys is to share special opportunities and needs of
other ministries with you. Someone asked recently why I so seldom
discuss our own needs but frequently share needs of others. There are
really two reasons.
First, I promised the Lord I'd never use this letter to promote our own
ministry or solicit funds.
More importantly, though, is a lesson I learned years ago. One of the
greatest blessings you'll ever have is to, in your own time of need, pray
about a similar need in the life of someone else. Space won't allow me
opportunity to develop the concept; but take my word for it, and try it.
You'll be amazed, and you'll be blessed.
One such need Is the continuing one to which I referred last week ----
the three team members on our next Balkans team. This is a crucial time
for them; we are only four weeks away from departure, the tickets have
been purchased, and they still have major funding to secure. Ask God to
touch the hearts of those whom He chooses.
Then there is the great need still present for our friends at St. James
Bible College in Kiev, Ukraine. What an opportunity to encourage and
support a ministry responsible for training the vast majority of new
church leaders in former CIS countries.
Another need very close to my heart pertains to Crossroads International,
a Christian humanitarian organization operating out of Hong Kong and
supplying enormous amounts of computer equipment, clothing, furniture,
and other commodities to people around the world.
Currently they are in serious need of manpower ---- namely, receptionist,
warehouse cook, office personnel, muscle power, accountant, processing
coordinator, IT department personnel, and communications personnel. Most
of their volunteer staff have served their terms and will be going home
in May.
This is a crucial need. You may know of someone who would like to be
involved in short term missions; maybe your church would like to send
someone.
Check them out on <http://www.crossroads.org.hk> web site. My Canadian friend
Greg Slade heads up the computer renovation work there, and sends me his
regular e-mail letter describing the work and the need. Surely someone
out there would like to serve the Lord in this way.
I'm taking the liberty of pasting Greg's latest newsletter at the very
end of my note to you today. If you care to read it, please do.
REMEMBERING ITS PURPOSE:
The Holy Spirit reminds me every few weeks that the primary purpose of
these letters is to bring its readers encouragement first and foremost.
>From their inception I have not wanted my letters to be matters of
doctrinal debate or be just another "soap box" from which I can espouse
my beliefs, opinions, and preferences, although I'm sure that has
happened on occasion. You get enough of that from books, conventions,
denominational periodicals, and other writers.
About ten days ago the Lord reminded me again that an "encourager", like
Barnabas, simply "comes alongside" to lift up, cheer up, and help one
bear up under the load.
That is still my heart's desire.
One subscriber wrote recently, "It goes without saying. The value of
these weekly encouragements (not letters) has become a vital necessity.
For God's ministry has been through you and yes Jo Ann has given us
growth and a better understanding of hope and love in kingdom ministry.
Your weekly words advance us and keep us both challenged and better
because within the heart of the writer we see and find a reason to keep
on during what we're doing. We pray for you and Jo Ann. ([wife] says,
Hi and thank you for not only a new vision in me, but us)."
How that blessed me! Thank you, friend for lifting Me up.
Another recent letter has prompted me to ask myself a question ---- "What
have been some struggles that prompted significant battles in my
ministry?"
That was a good question for me to consider. In doing so, I'd have to
say that in all honesty the areas of greatest struggle have usually been
internal. Like the comic strip character Pogo, I've had to say, "I've
discovered the enemy, and the enemy is we."
So, considering that, if you don't mind, I'd like to share my heart for
the next few letters on that subject ---- "Fightings And Fears . . .
Within".
WHAT EATS YOUR CABBAGE?
If you were to pick one single thing with which you struggle most, what
would you choose? I believe that many good ministers never become great
ministers simply because they have not honestly faced the inner struggles
that haunt the dark hallways of their memories. Just about the time you
get the courage to strike out in renewed faith and vigor, something jumps
out of yesterday's darkness and yells, "BOO!" ---- and you retreat back
to the safety of routine and mundaneness.
Can you imagine where we'd be if people like Paul, Peter, Calvin, Luther,
Whitfield, Finney, Graham, and others had done the same? Wouldn't it be
terrible to come to the end of your ministry and realize your chief
contribution to the proclamation of the Gospel was mediocrity?
We have a saying here in America's Midwest ---- "You don't know which cow
ate the cabbage."
Well, when it comes to effective ministry . . . . we'd better know.
Otherwise we'll only be another "also . . . " in life's roster of
ministers.
I've really asked the Holy Spirit to reveal to me some specific inner
battles that I've had to vigorously fight over my 45 years of ministry.
And, I've also asked Him to enable me to be totally honest with you as I
share those struggles. I hope you'll be blessed . . . . and encouraged.
If I were to summarize them, I'd have to include the following:
Fear
Memories of failure
Being overwhelmed by God's call
Unrealistic expectations
Pressures
Laziness and slothfulness
Underachieving contentment
Intimidation by "big" things
Inadequate time in God's Word
Prayerlessness
Distractions by "good" things
Maybe you've faced some of the same.
I don't know how many of these I'll write about in the next few letters,
but I do want to cover some of them, beginning with Being overwhelmed by
God's call.
Frankly, I find God's call on my life to be a mystery. It is too much to
understand. On the one hand it is too much to accept, while on the other
it is too big to refuse. On the one hand it is too awesome to
accomplish, while on the other it is too practical to ignore. It is
indeed a mystery . . . . and it's too much. It was such when I began,
and, after all these years, it still is today. Never a day goes by but
what I think not so much of what all I've done, but rather what all
didn't get done.
In real truth, my call to the ministry is one that is too enormous, too
grand and glorious, and far too misunderstood.
As a result, I find myself even today still struggling with the unique
call of God on my life to serve Him vocationally ---- first as a minister
of music, youth, and education, then as a pastor, and now as an
evangelist and missionary.
Like David, "it is too much; I cannot comprehend it".
Why?
Because it is . . . . .
A CALL THAT IS TOO ENORMOUS:
Yesterday I preached to the church where I am interim pastor on the
subject of "Having The Greatest Pastor Possible". They will listen to a
young man next Sunday (and vote the following) and will seek the mind of
the Lord as to whether or not he is the one whom God has chosen to be
their shepherd. It stirred some memories of my own about God's call on
my life.
One thing is certain ---- such a call is too enormous . . . . too
overwhelming . . . . too big. It is beyond us! We cannot attain it!
David said about God's awareness of both his call and his limitations,
"You have . . . laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it" (139:5-6).
Well then . . . . in what ways is it too enormous?
First, it is too enormous because God has called us to serve in a
divinely created entity, the Church, that has been placed in a
demonically corrupt society. How can you handle that? Here in your
hands God has placed the Bride of His Son, and has given you charge to
nurture, equip, motivate, challenge, correct, love, and care for them
---- and a whole bunch more.
How in heaven's name can you and I successfully do that?
It's also too enormous because I'm too inadequate. Here I am, a mere
man, fully and 100% human, facing a call that is fully divine from a
sovereign God.
How can I ever understand the truth that God sees something in me that is
usable? Like the songwriter said, "I am amazed that God could ever love
me" much less that He could and would use me. How can He use a person in
whom there still remains so much lethargy, so much selfishness, so much
compromise, so much inconsistency?
Of all the things that mystify me about the ministry, I must say this may
be the most astounding. I still, after 57 years as a Christian, can't
figure it out. It really does blow my mind.
The only answer I can find that satisfies my heart is in II Corinthians
4:7 ---- "but we have this treasure in earthen vessels (clay pots) that
the excellency of the power may be of God and not of ourselves."
"Amen!" to that! I at least find some measure of consolation in knowing
that Paul, Peter, and all the others struggled with the same thing.
Then, I also think it is too enormous because the message God gives us is
beyond human comprehension, but we are responsible to communicate it in
understandable and applicable ways.
Think about it, my friend . . . .
You and I have been given an eternally life changing message that is
beyond understanding, beyond description, and beyond explaining ---- and
yet God has declared to us that "through the foolishness of preaching"
people will want to know God.
Go figure . . . .
There are other reasons I struggle with the enormity of God's call on me,
but that'll do for now.
A CALL THAT IS TOO MISUNDERSTOOD:
My call to ministry is too misunderstood because members of churches are
in varying stages of maturity and in need of specific attention through
the ministry of just one person. How do you minister to members so
diverse in age, education, economics, and comprehension of spiritual
truth? It's mind boggling. It will keep you awake at nights.
It is also too misunderstood on my part as well. It's easy for me to
forget what the church is and why it is here ---- and who it belongs to.
The Church is the body of Christ, the army of the Lord, the family of
God, and a host of other descriptives that help us identify the divine
nature and purpose of the Church. Sometimes I think it's just a bunch of
people . . . . or a denomination . . . . or a building on a corner.
It is here for one simple purpose ---- to glorify God by gathering to
worship Him fully, meeting to equip one another, and scattering to
proclaim the Gospel. There is no other reason for its existence.
It belongs to God, and not to me. Therefore, what little control I may
have over it is purely delegated to me, but never claimed by me. I
possess neither authority over or ownership of the Church.
Sometimes I misunderstand that hard and fast line in the sand, and I
cross over.
Of course, it is also clearly misunderstood by the world. The world sees
it as another system . . . . as an unwanted obstacle to personal pleasure
and self grandiosement. The Church is a mirror into which they don't
want to look because, if it is walking with God, it reflects back their
own need and sinfulness. If it is walking according to the world, it is
a broken mirror that has lost its reflectiveness and now through which
the world peers in shock and disgust to see the hypocrisy inside that is
hidden by structure and institutionalism outside. It is as corrupt as
the church of the Dark Ages.
You better believe it my friend . . . . . the call to ministry is too
misunderstood ---- by everyone but Jesus.
A CALL THAT IS TOO GRAND AND GLORIOUS:
Have you ever found yourself in a church situation that was beating you
down so much that you found yourself saying, "I don't deserve this!"
Wrong!
Whatever type and grade of "heavenly sandpaper" God puts in our lives as
ministers . . . . we deserve it all!
However, none of us deserve the fact that God chose us and ordained us to
be ministers of the Gospel, whether vocational or volunteer. Who among
us, dear friend, deserves such a grand and glorious call?
It is first too grand and glorious for me because I am a man who is fully
human while the call itself is fully divine. There is no nobler call
anywhere in the world to anything in the world that holds a candle to the
call to declare the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And, frankly, I don't have what it takes in myself to do the job. It's
too grand, and it's too glorious.
It's also too grand and glorious because our message is beyond human
comprehension, and yet we are to communicate it in an understandable and
applicable way.
If anything good has changed in my ministry over the years, it has been
the ability to communicate in practical down-to-earth ways instead of
trying to impress people with my knowledge of scripture or my skills of
oratory. I still cringe when I think of the many times when I have tried
to expose some great truth in a catchy way rather than explain it in a
constructive way.
I love expositional preaching; I love to hear it and I love to do it.
But God has so convicted me of the arrogance that can often accompany it
that it sometimes nauseates me when I think of those many times in my
earlier years when I tried to impress people with my skill rather than
impact people with the person of Jesus.
I love what my dearest friend Jim Hylton once said. While I can't
remember verbatim (it was over 30 years ago, mind you), it was something
like this.
"We have turned preaching into an art form. We go to church and we
critique it to see if it meets with our approval. When we get there, we
spend more time evaluating the frame than we do the painting. If we
don't like the frame (the preacher with all his mannerisms), then we
criticize the frame and discount the painting."
I might add that those of us who are "doing the painting" far too often
spend too much time painting, touching up, and polishing the frame,
thereby both leaving the painting unfinished and detracting away from the
detail, shadows, and focal points of the painting itself.
You might as well face it, friend ---- whether by preaching, writing,
teaching, singing, or any other media, God has given you a message that
is beyond human comprehension. You and I don't even understand it, so
why should we expect others to do so?
Finally, I believe the call to ministry is too grand and glorious
because, while it is housed in a setting of temporal society, it speaks
of eternality. It's of another world, yet being proclaimed in this one.
The message is coming out of a human body, but speaks of an unseen and
unexplainable One.
It has to use terms and words fit for human understanding in trying to
explain a concept that is from an entirely different realm of rationale'.
It tries to explain in the visible world that which can only exist on an
invisible plane.
FINALLY:
Oh, my soul! The more I think about it, the more overwhelmed I am with
the call of God on my life to serve Him! How can it be???
Oh, the struggle of the call! With our hearts in the heavenlies and our
feet on the sod, how can we ever live this way? How can we ever fulfill
it? It's in some ways, almost like a punishment. Yet, it's a punishment
we cherish and embrace. It's a punishment we don't deserve, not because
we don't deserve punishment, but because we don't deserve the honor of
suffering for Christ with the agonies that accompany proclaiming the
Gospel of the Lord Jesus.
Yet, like Paul, you and I can acclaim, " . . . I count all things to be
loss in view of the surpassing knowledge of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but
rubbish so that I may gain Christ. . . . that I may know Him and the
power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being
conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection
from the dead." (Phil 3: 8-11).
Obviously, it is clearly Not a punishment! But in our minds, we may
think it is simply because we're being called to do something which we
absolutely cannot do. It is as if God somehow takes pleasure in it all.
Well . . . . He does! He does take pleasure in our battle, but He sees
no humor in it. He is pleased, because He knows we know what He knows
---- it can't be done!
We don't have it in us!
That, though, is what brings Him pleasure ---- because He knows the next
step is simply for us to admit it. Then, He takes over, and gets out of
us what He wanted in the first place ---- just a vessel . . . . an object
to contain the treasure . . . . a simple ordinary display case.
If you want to display diamonds, you don't decorate the case so that
everyone's attention is drawn to it instead of the diamonds.
That's why God picked me, my friend . . . .
And You.
So ---- there's my struggle. It's an ongoing battle . . . . I'm
overwhelmed by the call of God itself. I'll never get over it . . . .
and glad I won't.
I hope you feel the same. If you do, praise Him all the days of your
life.
If you don't . . . . get with God.
In His Bond of Matchless Mercy,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright April, 2001. All rights reserved.
--------------
^
/ |
(_/____)
/ ^ ^
{ (O) (O) }
------oOOOo--------U-------oOOOo------
Hang in there! I'm with you!
--------ooooO----------------Ooooo--------
( ) /
| | /
(_) (_)
Our heart is to "Lift up hands that hang down". We'd love to hear from
you. Drop us a note with reports, observations, prayer requests, etc.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know.
----------------------
GREG SLADE'S LETTER: (An excerpt)
MAYDAY
On, or near, the first of May, we will see an exodus of short-termers as
nine finish their current term with us. We give thanks for the tremendous
blessing and encouragement all have been, serving wholeheartedly in their
individual areas of the work.
a.. We do ask, however, that you would be upholding us during this
time.
It will be a period of re-adjustment and re-training.
b.. Please continue to remember our need for long-termers. The
distribution of the workload is not and cannot be equal, unfortunately,
with a shortage of long-termers. Too few end up carrying too heavy an
administrative and staff management load.
Those we need are in the following categories:
COMMUNICATION: People with strong mass media skills. This is becoming a
desperate need as our communication team members will be busy with study
for Masters' degrees. One needs a two year study leave for this, while
the other is undertaking part-time study. Please be chatting to the MD.
We urgently need to find extra people!
IT DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL: We can use almost any level of computer
hardware or software training. We are rejoicing that one gifted IT
person, who has already been of huge help, may be able to come. We need
two or three more.
PROCESSING CO-ORDINATORS: We still need help in overseeing the
processing of donated goods within various departments in the warehouse.
ACCOUNTANT: We remain in dire need of someone with experience in
processing company records to financial statement and beyond.
MUSCLE: We still need a few more strong guys looking for a
work-out.
RECEPTIONISTS: These are a desperate need. The only qualifications:
a friendly voice and caring manner. (Office experience would be helpful
but not essential)
SENIOR MANAGEMENT: We urgently need people with senior management
experience to lift the administration load.
WAREHOUSE COOK: This has become particularly urgent in recent times.
It is now a full-time job. No special qualifications needed. Home cooking
experience is fine!
OFFICE PERSONNEL: Strong administration skills and computer literacy
would be helpful.
Greg Slade 16 Man Tong
[email protected] Silvermine Bay
http://www.crossroads.org.hk Lantau Island
Hong Kong