Badge of Honor? #236

Exodus 3:5 Then He said, “Do not come near here; for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”                                                                       

What is your badge of honor? Maybe when you are asked how you are doing or who you are the answer is, “I’m busy” or “I’m tired.” It appears that the measure of your worth may be determined by the amount of work, the achievements you have accomplished, or what your newest project is.

Gordon McDonald in his book, Ordering Your Private World, discusses the measurement of success not on your public life, but on your private life. He differentiates between a person who is called and one that is driven. People who are busy and tired often fit the driven personality. He says of driven people:1. Driven people are most often only gratified by accomplishments and symbols of achievement.  2. Driven people are caught up in the uncontrolled pursuit of expansion. 3. Driven people often have a limited regard for integrity. 4. Driven people are not likely to bother themselves with the honing of people skills. 5. Driven people tend to be highly competitive. It’s not enough to compete. Driven people have to win, no matter what it takes to do so.  6. Driven people often possess a volcanic force of anger. 7. Driven people are usually abnormally busy, are averse to play, and usually avoid spiritual worship.

It may be a badge of honor, but it more likely is a cause of conflict, broken relationships, inner turmoil, poor ethical choices, poor self-image, and a lackluster relationship with God. Do you find yourself driven for approval, acceptance and recognition? It just could be you are more driven than called.

Are you tempted to find status or power in material success? Are you struggling with relationships because you are more concerned about your position than your caring for others? Is your relationship with God shallow because you are more concerned with your public life than your private one?

Maybe it is time you took inventory of what is really important in life. The temptations of Jesus in the wilderness took the form of finding public life more important than His personal life. Who are you was the question of Satan to Jesus. Since you are the Son of God turn the stone to bread, jump from the temple, and just worship me for a minute. Turn aside from your real purpose of Glorifying the Heavenly Father and setting up the Kingdom of God and find approval in men’s applause. What is your struggle? Maybe it is time to ‘order your private world.’   

_________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ 

Charles Spurgeon, the famous British Baptist preacher, once said, "If God has called you to be a missionary, don't stoop to be a king." Sandy and I had the privilege of speaking to volunteer missionaries Monday and Tuesday and saw in their lives the call of God to glorify Him by making Jesus known. Some worked in resort ministry caring for the spiritual and physical needs of people in RV parks. Some served in Collegiate Ministry called, Christian Challenge. Some worked on the Indian Reservations in Arizona. Their stories of God bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ brought joy to my heart, and sometimes tears to my eyes. If you know a missionary; pray for them right now. Sandy and I encouraged them to develop friendships and partners in ministry and beyond. It reminded me again how important all of you are to me. Thanks for your friendship. 

Sandy is enjoying baby-sitting a couple of days a week with Johnny, and one day with both him and Justin. She so loves all five of her grandsons. I think the feeling is mutual. They love their Grammie. Several of you have enquired about Justin. He is doing fine after his bout with RSV and a week in the pediatric intensive care. Thanks for your prayers. 

Collin is headed to our church's Children's Winter Camp Retreat this week-end. They are headed to Prescott, AZ. The weather is predicted to be in the 20's at night and 40's in the day with a possibility of snow on Saturday. Collin is a true desert rat. I imagine he will freeze. Pray for him to grow in his relationship with Jesus during the time at camp. 

Wednesday my friend, Dr. Bob Moser was in town. I had the joy of meeting him at the airport and having lunch together. He was on the Pastor Search Committee that called us to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1973. In many ways it seems like a life-time ago and in some ways like yesterday. We have had the enjoyment of seeing Bob and Pat off and on during those forty years even though miles separated us. True friends far supersede time and distance. 

I have canceled two speaking engagements because of health reasons. Both meetings would have required travel and right now due to the Carcinoid Syndrome I find it difficult to travel and being too far from my doctors and hospital. Hopefully it will get better and I can resume the travel schedule; something for me to ask you to pray for me. (for those of you who are curious check out Carcinoid Syndrome and Carcinoid Crisis at the Carcinoid Foundation on the internet atwww.carcinoid.org. I do appreciate your prayers. The oncologist stopped my chemo because it was actually making the Syndrome worse. I am glad he stopped. Currently his medical advice to me is to do nothing. He believes any treatment I would receive would cause more problems, not less. 

I will be preaching at the First Baptist Church of Tempe on the 17th of February at 9:30 AM in the Intersect Service. Please pray for my preparation and for the service itself. Join me if you can. 

Do you have any idea how much God loves you? I ask you to look at the cross of Jesus and see his life and his death and thank God He loved you so much He died for you. He took away your sins and gave you His life. He resurrected from the dead three days later to give you what He promised. John 10:10 "I have come to give you life and life more abundantly." He did not say a life without struggles, difficulties, or trials. He came to give you His abundant life. Praise the Lord for that. 

 May Jesus bless you this coming week with His presence. I pray you will be aware of His love and provisions for you. May God bless you with friends. Share your life with someone. Be their friend and see if it doesn't come back to you.  ~  DGW