I wonder why they didn't name this holiday "Gratitude Day"?
I think maybe the word "thanksgiving" is more generic and can be recognized as a holiday quicker than a more precise, action demanding, and descriptive word like "gratitude". We have heard the word thanksgiving for so many generations that we automatically identify it with things such as:
1- Turkey and yams and cranberry sauce;
2- The eve of the biggest buying day of the year;
3- Sliced turkey sandwiches for days;
4- Turkey salad sandwiches; and then,
5- Going on a diet!
I realize that the Bible says to give thanks... but that is just an outward expression of an inner attitude of gratitude! Thanksgiving comes from the lips and maybe the actions, but gratitude is a 'gut' thing. It is a way of being, thinking, feeling, and speaking and doing! I am eternally grateful for the Cross of Christ and for His command to me to love my own cross! Now if I really love my cross I will embrace it and what it means for me, what it demands from me, and what it will do for me. i will have splinters in my lips from kissing both crosses.
I am also grateful for the hard decisions that were made by our leaders through the years concerning taking the fight to the enemy as a nation. I Am grateful for the men and boys and women who gave their lives for this country (the American people), and all of the oppresed countries around the globe. Some of the decisions were probably bad ones, but they were meant well! God forgive the ones who made the bad ones. I do!
We have done more of the will of God in our short existence than any nation ever has. We haved sent more missionaries, more bibles, more help to build church buildings in third world countries than any other nation. We have removed open prayer and bible readings from our own school classrooms and the Ten Commandments from many public places, but you know what? God hears silent prayers (so teach your kids thay can pray in school). I have heard that as long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in Schools!! Open Bible reading is gone for now but not private study of the Scriptures to etch them in our minds and our kids minds!
This would all be fruitless; from the wars, the deaths, the prayers, to the Bible studies, if it were not for the Lord of our battles, our dead, and our living. Without this reality there would be no one to hear and answer prayers, and the bible would be just another book. I AM "Grateful " in our year of our Lord, 2008! "Except the Lord keep the house, the watchman waketh in vain. Except the Lord build a house they labor in vain that build it!"
But He is there... he is listening... He loves us and I for one am SO GRATEFUL!
And i am grateful for you! JACK
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
..from house to house....
Hold on and lets take a ride with paul and the disciples...
First the disciples: In Acts 20:20 it says,"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,"
There is something supernatural in a relationship that gathers us "from house to house". Paul told the followers that he didn't keep back one single thing that would benefit them, or equip them in their ministry. He was wanting to reproduce himsef (in a sense) in them. Not a clone, just a reproduction as far as ministry goes. He said that he taught them these things in two locations: Publicly and from house to house. The "public" teaching speaks of his example to them in his actions and words as he ministered to the people who were in need. Teaching by demonstration and action!
There was also another method he used which is the more common. He academically taught them. He used the Scriptures and historicity of their race to give them a deeper understanding of why he did what he did. By having an understanding of these things, they would acquire a desire to follow his lead in actions. This 'method' is still used a lot, but the 'atmosphere' of Paul's teaching lends itself to a more realistic grasp of the more effective impact a person could have on the people he/she is attempting to reach with this Truth. The "house-to-house" atmosphere made them realize that this is not a 'sterile' nor 'static' word we have. This word is living, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword and it pierces and discerns!
Something about the "house-to-house" that brings the word to life. It suddenly becomes personal and isn't some ethereal, aloof, unreachable concept that makes us above other people because we are special just because we have now understood the theology of it! God's Word is a personal, approachable, understandable, house-to-house reality which is available to set anyone free or to instruct anyone in following the Lord!
There was also another method he used which is the more common. He academically taught them. He used the Scriptures and historicity of their race to give them a deeper understanding of why he did what he did. By having an understanding of these things, they would acquire a desire to follow his lead in actions. This 'method' is still used a lot, but the 'atmosphere' of Paul's teaching lends itself to a more realistic grasp of the more effective impact a person could have on the people he/she is attempting to reach with this Truth. The "house-to-house" atmosphere made them realize that this is not a 'sterile' nor 'static' word we have. This word is living, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword and it pierces and discerns!
Something about the "house-to-house" that brings the word to life. It suddenly becomes personal and isn't some ethereal, aloof, unreachable concept that makes us above other people because we are special just because we have now understood the theology of it! God's Word is a personal, approachable, understandable, house-to-house reality which is available to set anyone free or to instruct anyone in following the Lord!
Again in Acts 2:46-47 "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
I want to talk a little about breaking bread from house to house. We need to understand that this isn't just their own homes! They are also eating in the homes of their unsaved friends in order to closer identify personally, and to demonstrate the absence of aloofness by facilitating much sharing and many questions. The are also eating in the homes of saved followers to bring this Gospel to life by demonstrating it in the flesh and teaching them to do the same!
My personal "second pulpit" is whatever table in whichever restaurant or cafe' or coffee shop I am in. One "house" I break bread in is Dino's Pizza and Sub Shop. It is "church" to me when I can encourage someone I see there. My breakfast pulpit is in the Gazebo. I have another on my patio in back of my hoouse. Of course there are no real pulpits there like you would see in church, but there is a spiritual pulpit from which a spiritual word flows!
They were in one accord in the temple! They had singleness of heart! They praised God together! They ate with sinners! This unusual demonstration gave them favor with all the people who observed it, and because of this, God added to the church as people accepted Christ. There is no more powerful witness tool than your very own life and the way you interact with, love, and treat, other people!
Shellie and I met L.A. and Teresa Joiner and Larry and Elaine Millinder to break bread in Tallahassee tonight. It wasn't just the loaf we broke, but our personal "loaf" as we shared and loved and laughed and "became one" as we did so! How beautiful the Body of Christ! Try it!
later... jack
Monday, November 17, 2008
Futile goals..
We live in a society that has placed value on the valuless! It has enamored the ugly and lured us with the unattractive and trapped us with a deadly snare called, "I've got to have one of those!" I recently wrote a poem to this situation and I named it "An Ode To A City Dump". I put it in my church bulletin and some people told me that I should put it in the blog, so here it is. Its not as shallow as it seems. Read carefully!
“Ode To A City Dump”
by: Jack Hollis
I passed a place the other day,
Where dreams were buried in the clay
The things that men just had to own
Were now entombed, and weeds have grown
I passed a place the other day
Where dreams were buried in the clay
Money was spent, lust satisfied
Those dreams have now forever died
Buried in a tomb of fill
Sealed from seeping from this hill
Corruption is the product known
Corruption is the seed that’s sown
All that work, all that labor
To have it better than your neighbor
All in vain, all conceited
Labored much, but now defeated
But rain will soak the tomb of fill
And filth will issue from the hill
Trash on trash exposed to nations
And proof will show of man’s frustrations
And rain will come from Heaven’s gate
Raining peace to all who wait
Looking up toward God’s portal
Changed from mortal to immortal
I passed a place the other day,
Where dreams were buried in the clay
The things that men just had to own
Were now entombed, and weeds have grown
Jack Hollis 12-3-2007
by: Jack Hollis
I passed a place the other day,
Where dreams were buried in the clay
The things that men just had to own
Were now entombed, and weeds have grown
I passed a place the other day
Where dreams were buried in the clay
Money was spent, lust satisfied
Those dreams have now forever died
Buried in a tomb of fill
Sealed from seeping from this hill
Corruption is the product known
Corruption is the seed that’s sown
All that work, all that labor
To have it better than your neighbor
All in vain, all conceited
Labored much, but now defeated
But rain will soak the tomb of fill
And filth will issue from the hill
Trash on trash exposed to nations
And proof will show of man’s frustrations
And rain will come from Heaven’s gate
Raining peace to all who wait
Looking up toward God’s portal
Changed from mortal to immortal
I passed a place the other day,
Where dreams were buried in the clay
The things that men just had to own
Were now entombed, and weeds have grown
Jack Hollis 12-3-2007
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Looking for a Moses!
After the last blog, I got a note from Greg lancaster and to quote him directly, "Good word! I agree. When I first started teaching people to hear God ,I was shocked that many didn't want to. They just wanted to go to Moses. I still hold fast to helpimg fulfill the the plan of God "My sheep know My voice.... To this I strive!"
This "going to Moses" thing is so real. But I have to admit that many men of God have become "pulpiteers" and are convinced that is the way to grow a church! Well, it is if you are looking for numbers not maturity. I personally want both in the people at Christian Center and all of the AMI churches!
Not only that but pastors must watch for the trap set by the enemy that catches them and creates the thought pattern that unless the people are somehow 'bound' to them personally their position is not secure! Any pastoral office that is not secure in the preaching of Truth, innocence dying for guilt, the necessity of us dying daily for the Lord, and separation from the influence of the world, will never be secure for any length of time anyway!
If my personality is required for keeping a flock in the "pen", I really have something to worry about! On the other hand, we can't run rough-shod over the feelings and emotions and love of the "sheep" either! God says that the sheep of His pasture are men, people! He wants them fed spiritually just as a shepherd feeds his flock....
I felt you agreeing with that so I will go farther and tell you that a shepherd never hand-feeds his flock, except for the weak or injured ones which can't do it themselves! Even that is for a season to develop them and strengthen them so thay can feed themselves. His job is to lead them to "green pastures" where they can rest in security, not weeds of tradition and flesh-pleasing doctrines of material prosperity and other such things. The "green pastures" represent a living habitatiion or 'house', quality food from the Word, good doctrines. Doctrines like I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Any shepherd worth his salt will remember he is merely a shepherd, not a rancher! The "sheep" are not his!
The still waters represent the fearless relationship with the shepherd that creates a place of security. They are not afraid to "let their guard down" and drink when he is watching over the flock. He helps to rebuild their "soul" (not spirit), this is who we are in the world. He leads (not drives) his sheep in a track of righteousness... I could go on but I think you get the point.
Pastors (shepherds) need to be hearing God for the flock on a REGULAR basis and giving the m a word that is relevant for where they are, not simply a study of the Bible. We need to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches, not what we learned from some book that we have paraphrased to make it our message! Spiritual plagiarism is a real problem when it takes the place of accepting responsibility for the office!
I guess that's enough for today...
jack
This "going to Moses" thing is so real. But I have to admit that many men of God have become "pulpiteers" and are convinced that is the way to grow a church! Well, it is if you are looking for numbers not maturity. I personally want both in the people at Christian Center and all of the AMI churches!
Not only that but pastors must watch for the trap set by the enemy that catches them and creates the thought pattern that unless the people are somehow 'bound' to them personally their position is not secure! Any pastoral office that is not secure in the preaching of Truth, innocence dying for guilt, the necessity of us dying daily for the Lord, and separation from the influence of the world, will never be secure for any length of time anyway!
If my personality is required for keeping a flock in the "pen", I really have something to worry about! On the other hand, we can't run rough-shod over the feelings and emotions and love of the "sheep" either! God says that the sheep of His pasture are men, people! He wants them fed spiritually just as a shepherd feeds his flock....
I felt you agreeing with that so I will go farther and tell you that a shepherd never hand-feeds his flock, except for the weak or injured ones which can't do it themselves! Even that is for a season to develop them and strengthen them so thay can feed themselves. His job is to lead them to "green pastures" where they can rest in security, not weeds of tradition and flesh-pleasing doctrines of material prosperity and other such things. The "green pastures" represent a living habitatiion or 'house', quality food from the Word, good doctrines. Doctrines like I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Any shepherd worth his salt will remember he is merely a shepherd, not a rancher! The "sheep" are not his!
The still waters represent the fearless relationship with the shepherd that creates a place of security. They are not afraid to "let their guard down" and drink when he is watching over the flock. He helps to rebuild their "soul" (not spirit), this is who we are in the world. He leads (not drives) his sheep in a track of righteousness... I could go on but I think you get the point.
Pastors (shepherds) need to be hearing God for the flock on a REGULAR basis and giving the m a word that is relevant for where they are, not simply a study of the Bible. We need to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches, not what we learned from some book that we have paraphrased to make it our message! Spiritual plagiarism is a real problem when it takes the place of accepting responsibility for the office!
I guess that's enough for today...
jack
Monday, November 10, 2008
Deception at the top...
I do not believe there is a better way for the enemy to deceive a nation than to deceive its SPIRITUAL LEADERS!
He destroys their vision (sight), and they wander like blind men!
He weakens and corrupts the Word of God through traditions and lies until it has ceased to have any effect on the leader.
Without the veracity of God's Word there is nothing to guide and direct the leader. He winds up moving in his own sphere of wisdom and knowledge and experience! Every decision is based on changing principles and ideals and there is absolutely no continuity to his leadership and life! Leaders MUST go beyond what man can possibly know and find direction in an ongoing relationship with the Almighty! He knows all and wants us to tap into His knowledge. Paul said that "..we have the mind of Christ"! (1 Cor 2:16b) and John also told us, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20) and again in v- 27 "..But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:"
I personally believe that all I need to teach my people is (1)- They need to understand the necessity of hearing God. (2)- They need to be able to hear God! (3)- Do what He says and not let anyone deter them! (Read 1 kings 13:7-32). If the efforts of God's ministers today were focused on these things I have no doubt that our people would learn to walk with the Lord in far more powerful way! This BROADENS THE BASE of Christian ministry!
But alas! We have, for many reasons, taken on ourselves the task of hearing the Lord for our people. Mostly unintentional, but nonetheless counter-productive to their personal directives from Him. I said "mostly" because it is sad to say but many ministers today desire to bring people under their control and into a needful relationship with them. They get their identity that way. Trust me, we only need to preach and teach the things that enhance their abilities to walk their own walk with the Master.
I don't think this is threatening to the role of Apsotle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher! I believe it sets forth the truth about their role as laid out in Ephesians 4:10-16! We are to equip saints to do the work of the ministry. They do not need to be "clones" of us, God forbid that! Each person can reach someone that few others can reach and if they become like us or Billy Graham they can no longer reach that one!
Enough for today...
jack
He destroys their vision (sight), and they wander like blind men!
He weakens and corrupts the Word of God through traditions and lies until it has ceased to have any effect on the leader.
Without the veracity of God's Word there is nothing to guide and direct the leader. He winds up moving in his own sphere of wisdom and knowledge and experience! Every decision is based on changing principles and ideals and there is absolutely no continuity to his leadership and life! Leaders MUST go beyond what man can possibly know and find direction in an ongoing relationship with the Almighty! He knows all and wants us to tap into His knowledge. Paul said that "..we have the mind of Christ"! (1 Cor 2:16b) and John also told us, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20) and again in v- 27 "..But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:"
I personally believe that all I need to teach my people is (1)- They need to understand the necessity of hearing God. (2)- They need to be able to hear God! (3)- Do what He says and not let anyone deter them! (Read 1 kings 13:7-32). If the efforts of God's ministers today were focused on these things I have no doubt that our people would learn to walk with the Lord in far more powerful way! This BROADENS THE BASE of Christian ministry!
But alas! We have, for many reasons, taken on ourselves the task of hearing the Lord for our people. Mostly unintentional, but nonetheless counter-productive to their personal directives from Him. I said "mostly" because it is sad to say but many ministers today desire to bring people under their control and into a needful relationship with them. They get their identity that way. Trust me, we only need to preach and teach the things that enhance their abilities to walk their own walk with the Master.
I don't think this is threatening to the role of Apsotle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher! I believe it sets forth the truth about their role as laid out in Ephesians 4:10-16! We are to equip saints to do the work of the ministry. They do not need to be "clones" of us, God forbid that! Each person can reach someone that few others can reach and if they become like us or Billy Graham they can no longer reach that one!
Enough for today...
jack
It's gonna be alright...
Bro. Ken Sumrall, my spiritual papa, spoke for me this weekend and he spoke on the same Scripture I did the week before. According to him, he did it the way I should have! (haha). I agree, he did a great job reminding us again of the reality that we have noting to fear but fear itself. (FDR)
We are in the Kingdom of God and I am sure that the Kingdom is okay. I believe that in the middle of a storm if you are in a safe building, you will be safe as well. We can't fly, but if we are in a vehicle (airplane, baloon, etc.), designed to defeat gravity, we will be safe, but if we try to fly by jumping out of the vehicle... well, you know the rest! And by the way, there are no parachutes for escaping our position in Christ!
If all this is true, and I know it is, we are in the safest economy, safest superpower, and the safest Kingdom there is and everything will be alright! I'm not talking about America, even though I believe God will continue to bless her again, I am talking about the one and only Kingdom Of God!
He will never have a "great depression" nor be defeated at war in His Kingdom! Stay "indoors" like they did in Egypt and you will be okay! By the way... I wonder if those Israelites sat around and chewed their nails and paced the floor wondering what was going to happen... I think so! But not us! We have so much more than they had to bolster our faith in His provision, deliverance, and our safety that we have no right to fear nor fuss!
jack
We are in the Kingdom of God and I am sure that the Kingdom is okay. I believe that in the middle of a storm if you are in a safe building, you will be safe as well. We can't fly, but if we are in a vehicle (airplane, baloon, etc.), designed to defeat gravity, we will be safe, but if we try to fly by jumping out of the vehicle... well, you know the rest! And by the way, there are no parachutes for escaping our position in Christ!
If all this is true, and I know it is, we are in the safest economy, safest superpower, and the safest Kingdom there is and everything will be alright! I'm not talking about America, even though I believe God will continue to bless her again, I am talking about the one and only Kingdom Of God!
He will never have a "great depression" nor be defeated at war in His Kingdom! Stay "indoors" like they did in Egypt and you will be okay! By the way... I wonder if those Israelites sat around and chewed their nails and paced the floor wondering what was going to happen... I think so! But not us! We have so much more than they had to bolster our faith in His provision, deliverance, and our safety that we have no right to fear nor fuss!
jack
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Do this in hard times... In the Valley of Baca!
This is what you do in hard times... You may not be in one today and maybe never! But if you are, here is your answer and feel free to share it with others!
"How wonderful are thy tents oh Lord of Hosts! My soul longs and even faints to be in your courts and my heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God. Sure, the sparrow found a family and the swift bird a nest for herself where she may lay her young. And it is your altar oh Lord of Hosts, my King and my God! (what safer place than the place of death to the Lord?) Blessed are they that are part of your family, they will be repeatedly bragging on you! Also the man whose strength is in his relationship with you is blessed. In his heart are the ways (turnpike, causeway, and staircase to extreme happiness) for them who, when they pass through the valley of Baca (weeping), turn this bad experience into an opportunity to learn! He is blessed with spiritual prosperity as your holy 'rain' fills the empty places in his life. These men move from resource to resource, ever learning and never fading in the power of the Lord! They will be graced into His presence for His glory!"
That is my version of Psalm 84:1-7 It is a true comfort for those of us who pass thru these "Valleys of BACA" or weeping... the difficult times! When we cite truth about who the Lord is in, our lives, Our hearts, and on our minds, we agree with Him and His Word about our situation instead of agreeing with the enemy, or even our best friends or pastors!
He and He alone is capable of turning our "Valleys of Baca" into a place of learning, infilling, faith, endurance, blessing and strength for whatever comes! Memorize it and quote it to yourself, the devil, and the Lord! He is mighty to save!
jack
"How wonderful are thy tents oh Lord of Hosts! My soul longs and even faints to be in your courts and my heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God. Sure, the sparrow found a family and the swift bird a nest for herself where she may lay her young. And it is your altar oh Lord of Hosts, my King and my God! (what safer place than the place of death to the Lord?) Blessed are they that are part of your family, they will be repeatedly bragging on you! Also the man whose strength is in his relationship with you is blessed. In his heart are the ways (turnpike, causeway, and staircase to extreme happiness) for them who, when they pass through the valley of Baca (weeping), turn this bad experience into an opportunity to learn! He is blessed with spiritual prosperity as your holy 'rain' fills the empty places in his life. These men move from resource to resource, ever learning and never fading in the power of the Lord! They will be graced into His presence for His glory!"
That is my version of Psalm 84:1-7 It is a true comfort for those of us who pass thru these "Valleys of BACA" or weeping... the difficult times! When we cite truth about who the Lord is in, our lives, Our hearts, and on our minds, we agree with Him and His Word about our situation instead of agreeing with the enemy, or even our best friends or pastors!
He and He alone is capable of turning our "Valleys of Baca" into a place of learning, infilling, faith, endurance, blessing and strength for whatever comes! Memorize it and quote it to yourself, the devil, and the Lord! He is mighty to save!
jack
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Change.
You know, I have learned in my life that change isn't always good! Changing a dirty diaper is good and changing the water filter in the kitchen sink is good, BUT CHANGE NEEDS TO BE EXPOUNDED ON AND CLARIFIED OR IT NEEDS TO BE SCRAPPED!
Now change from Glory to Glory is good. Remember, it isn't change from misery to Glory , it is Glory to Glory! Recently I heard of a minister who told one of his people that to be "a work in progress", meant that they were living in defeat... I don't agree! If we are not individually "works in progress", we are not being changed from Glory to Glory and there is no future for us in the spirit! If you do not need change, then you have obviously arrived!
Holy Spirit is constantly forming Christ in us. Paul said in Galatians 4:19 "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you!" I feel the same way about the people God has placed me over for ministry. I am longingand yearning to see Christ formed in so many of them! Now they aren't neccesarily bad people, as a matter of fact they are wonderful folks! But we cannot ever become content with ourselves. It is not good to be critical of your self nor to carry introspection to an extreme, but we just need to listen to, and obey, the Holy Spirit when He corrects or direct us in or lives!
I told the church today that we should ask for guidance from the Lord and His Spirit before making major decisions such as marriage, changing employment, or even building a house! God's people often got in trouble for not inquiring of Him first! He has told us that if we would acknowledge Him in all our ways, He would direct our paths! Seek Him and you will find Him, ask and it shall be given, knock and it will be opened unto you!
Now change from Glory to Glory is good. Remember, it isn't change from misery to Glory , it is Glory to Glory! Recently I heard of a minister who told one of his people that to be "a work in progress", meant that they were living in defeat... I don't agree! If we are not individually "works in progress", we are not being changed from Glory to Glory and there is no future for us in the spirit! If you do not need change, then you have obviously arrived!
Holy Spirit is constantly forming Christ in us. Paul said in Galatians 4:19 "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you!" I feel the same way about the people God has placed me over for ministry. I am longingand yearning to see Christ formed in so many of them! Now they aren't neccesarily bad people, as a matter of fact they are wonderful folks! But we cannot ever become content with ourselves. It is not good to be critical of your self nor to carry introspection to an extreme, but we just need to listen to, and obey, the Holy Spirit when He corrects or direct us in or lives!
I told the church today that we should ask for guidance from the Lord and His Spirit before making major decisions such as marriage, changing employment, or even building a house! God's people often got in trouble for not inquiring of Him first! He has told us that if we would acknowledge Him in all our ways, He would direct our paths! Seek Him and you will find Him, ask and it shall be given, knock and it will be opened unto you!
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