Finding Your Identity

Simon, son of Jonah thought he was a fisherman. Like Andrew, his brother that is what he was told. He was expected to follow the way of life his family had known for generations. His forefathers raised the sails and cast the nets to make their livings. He grew up in Bethsaida and lived in Capernaum, two cities located near the Sea of Galilee. He partnered with cousins James and John, the sons of his uncle Zebedee. This trade marked his body and formed his physique. Hauling nets and cleaning fish made his hands rough and his back and shoulders broad. For years, six days each week he cast his nets into the sea dragging them into his boat. He lived in a family of fisherman in a culture and society dominated and identified by two things, fishing and their love for the God of Israel. Simon, son of Jonah was not a fisherman, at least not the kind society told him he was. He was a world changer, a foundational pillar of a holy new society with whom the Lord Jesus would construct a spiritual society that would change the entire course of human history. One of the foundations of the new Jerusalem would bear his name. He would call into awesome destiny the nations of the earth and help establish a whole new order of people. His life would be marked by the life of Jesus of Nazareth and he would die a similar cruel and painful death. How could catching fish ever compare to his true calling?

Jesus gave him a new and different name, Cephas, meaning rock or stone. We know him as Peter, one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Why did Jesus give him that name? Because, until he met Jesus, Simon, son of Jonah did not know who he was. None of us do until we know who Jesus is and until He tells us who we are! It's the responsibility and privilege of parents to name their children but only heaven can accurately identify you. Family and friends, society and culture, habit and relational imposition all try to 'name' us, but only heaven can do so accurately.

Much of life involves the discovery and process of realizing who He says we are. Even after meeting Jesus and having Him give him a new name Peter wavered and failed. That is not unusual. Each of us must learn how to walk in what He shows us. We never stop needing heavens input.

Who you are and what you are called to do are closely connected, but they are two different things. They must be separate in our minds. You are not your assignment, but until you know who you are you are not likely to know what you have been assigned to do. Until you know who you are you will be tempted with identity crises whenever your assignment changes, and change it will from season to season.

Who are you? Let Jesus tell you and let Him walk you through it to the end. You are much more than you think you are.

Power of Thanksgiving

Spiritual filled people function differently than the rest of the world. Paul the apostle was one of them. He hinted several times as to how he lived in a constant state of victory: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you". (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) And, "...giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Ephesians 5:20). Notice ...in everything, for everything, give thanks!

For a number of years I wondered how anyone could pray without ceasing and always rejoice. Is it that you pray in tongues under your breath all the time? That may be part of it, but I feel the truth lies somewhere else even simpler. Its by being thankful. Thanksgiving is the practical outworking of the exhortation to rejoice always and offer unceasing prayer to God.

Thanksgiving is not just an action, it is a state of being: "That we who first trusted in Christ should 'be' to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:12).

Some find it hard to give thanks in everything but eventually find a way to do it. Many have great conflict in thanking God for everything. 'Why would I thank God for evil people, bad circumstances, crooked politicians...et al?' First of all, because Paul said to, and secondly, because the power of thanksgiving doesn't lie within that for which we are thankful. It lies within itself. Thanksgiving contains redemptive and creative powers. At the very least it will transform you. At times it will even change your circumstances. Its power lies within the practice, not the object.

Prior to takeoff but after settling down in my seat on an airplane, I picked up my backpack from under the seat in front of me and searched for my iPad. I couldn't find it and began to feel that sick sense one gets when you lose something of value. I thought I must have left it at security when I sent my electronics through the x-ray machine. I became frustrated, anxious about it, and began to complain. I was on a ministry trip and my messages were on the iPad. As I complained the Lord reminded me to be thankful that I had lost it. That challenged me, because I was not thankful. Against all reason and personal feeling I began to thank Him that I had lost my iPad. I also called my wife before we took off and asked her to call airport security to see if it had been turned in. As I did, a person in the row behind me tapped me on the shoulder and asked if the iPad she had found on the floor was mine. Maybe I would have found it later. The person who found it could have kept it. Who knows? I believe my act of thanksgiving was the key to its return.

Thanksgiving is not just an aspect of the will of God. It is the will of God. Without it we will not become all He has called us to be and we will not find our ultimate fulfillment in Him.

I.D. -How to Get Yours.

After our Queen City Church meeting some college students interviewed me concerning the idea of personal identity. After answering their questions I began to think about how folks get their identities and how I've gotten mine. As you can see from the photo we meet in the old Visulite Movie Theater in downtown Charlotte, NC, renting it each Sunday night. The theater has been converted into a band venue/bar which may be rented by traveling bands and acts of other ilk when they come through our neck of the woods. The theater advertises our weekly meeting on their marquee. This particular week we were sandwiched between 'Big Mama's Burlesque', and 'The Band of Heathens'. I don't know anything about the 'Band of Heathens' although that's a pretty good description of most of the folks who attend QCC, at least before they met Jesus. I have heard that 'Big Momma's Burlesque' is  a group of strippers whose specialty is balloon dancing. The less any of us know about that the better. I only know that because the owner told me about them a while back. Bill Johnson told me that he pastored a church that met in a working cinema years ago. Once his church was advertised on their marquee just above the movie 'The God's Must be Crazy'. (He got a lot of interesting comments about that!.) It still doesn't beat our listing. One place I don't get my identity from is where we meet. It comes another way. None of us should get our identities from the external world, what we do, what people say about us, what we have, or what we've done or not done, what we look like or wished we looked like, or any of the many ways we may try to answer that all too significant question.

When asked by the young interviewers "Robin, where do you get your identity", I quickly answered, 'from being loved by Jesus.' I told them that like the apostle John, who described himself as 'the disciple whom Jesus loves', I too am the disciple whom Jesus loves. Turns out I am his favorite person. You may find that hard to believe, but its true. As I was waking up years ago the Lord once whispered to me, "Each of My children is My own personal favorite". His response captured my attention. His next comment gripped me as well; "but most don't believe it". I do believe it. You should believe that about yourself too.  That's who you are. It will change your life.

Skeleton Bones: My View

(My son John Mark asked me to offer some 'theo-commentary' on his song Skeleton Bones, to give it some theological context. What follows is my view. You can find his lyrics at the bottom of the page.) John Mark writes authentic songs, personal expressions reflecting his insight into the heart of God. He communicates his own brand of faith with nonreligious language that makes sense to him and deeply touches his generation and others.

Skeleton Bones is one of those songs. Some have found the term skeleton morbid or negative nevertheless the Lord Himself commanded the prophet Ezekiel to speak to a valley of 'skeleton bones'. It didn't seem to bother the Lord or, hopefully, the prophet. Ezekiel said that when he prophesied to them they literally rattled as they came together (Ezekiel 37:7). That's the sound resurrecting dead people must make, especially those dead for hundreds or thousands of years.

'Peel back our ribs', a heart cry for intimacy, describes accurately the act of God in Genesis when He operated on Adam, peeled back a rib, and made a woman from it (Genesis 2:21-23). How could Adam not love her. She came from him (Adam), and Him (the Lord).

Who would not want the Lord to 'peel back the veil of time' so that we can see Him, the timeless One (see Isaiah 64:1). Those who love Him want to see Him so they can love Him more. Its the desire to love God more that sneaks into John Mark's songs over and over...'we just wanna love you, we just wanna love you'.

The phrase, 'skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity on the lips of the found' speaks of the resurrection of the dead for those upon whose lips are the confession of faith in Him and His salvation. It takes a mouth and a heart. 'For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation' (Romans 10:10).

'Separate those doors and let the sun of resurrection in' is a plea for each of us to open the doors of our hearts to the light of the One who died for us and was raised from the dead for our justification.

'We want your blood inside our bodies' reflects the song writer’s desire for intimacy based on the very intent of Jesus the night before He was betrayed when He instituted the mystery of communion: Eat my body, drink my blood, He said (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).

'We want your wind inside our lungs', expresses the desire to be a 'God-breathed' person; like Adam in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7), like the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:2) when they breathed the rarified air of heaven. In both cases God released a supernatural life that changed Eden and changed the world. God...breathe into your people again. That's John Marks song! That's my prayer for His church too.

Skeleton Bones Peel back our ribs again and stand inside of our chest. We just wanna' love you We just wanna' love you

Peel back the veil of time And let us see You with our naked eyes We just wanna' love you We just wanna' love you

Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity On the lips of the found And gravestones roll To the rhythm of the sound of you Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity On the lips of the found So separate those doors And let the sun of resurrection in.

Oh let us adore the Son of Glory dress ed in love Open up your gates before him Crown Him, stand Him up

We want your blood to flow inside our body We want your wind inside our lungs We just wanna' love you We just wanna' love you

Boys, Still Under Construction

One of the wonders of the Bible is that it rarely sugarcoats the lives of even some of the finest of saints. David's sins are described for all the world to see. Murder and adultery don't commend you very well as a high level servant of God, nevertheless David was one. Rahab the harlot's bold faith saved her entire family and several courageous Hebrew spies. Yet, she is still known down through posterity as, you guessed it -'Rahab the harlot'. These are but two examples of the lives the Bible describes plainly. You have got to love that Book. This being Resurrection season, I have been re-reading the passion sections of the Gospels. After the trying days of Jesus' death and resurrection the disciples, to the man, seemed not to believe in His promise of rising from the dead... even after appearing to some of his closest associates. The women got it. Few others did.

In the midst of this confusion the apostles had been told to look for Jesus in Galilee. By closely reading John's gospel one realizes that Peter had given up hope and returned to his occupation of fishing. His misguided leadership influenced several other 'apostle/former business associates' to join him in it. They fished together all night and caught nothing. I don't blame them. I understand some of what they felt. I became disillusioned myself many years ago. After a season in full time ministry I gave up and returned to my former occupation.

Jesus has a way of helping us through all our illusions and disillusionment. He appeared in Galilee in the midst of Peter's unsuccessful fishing venture.  As they finalized their fruitless night of fishing, He called to them; "Boys, still under construction, you don't have any fish do you?" They hadn't. Then Jesus told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and they would catch some then. They obeyed and they caught a huge number. Peter and his friends had fished that water all their lives as had their fathers before them. They knew the location of every hot spot. They knew the habits of the fish and the lake as well as they knew the backs of their own hands. Jesus knew something that worked on a higher plane; the intuitive realm of the Holy Spirit. Medical science has determined, at least it's arguable, that the right side of the brain is intuitive while the left side is analytical, reason oriented. When Jesus told them to cast on the right side He was asking them to do something intuitive, spiritual. Their 'left side' attempts had proven fruitless.

We are all children, 'still under construction'. The most mature among us still have so much to discover about the ways of God. We will continue to be 'boys still under construction' until we learn to live like Jesus did, in touch with and in harmony with the realm of the Spirit. That's the 'right' way to live. It's much more productive too. Ask Peter!

On Being Southern

(Some people re-tweet. I re-blog... my own blogs. I want to dedicate this re-blog to J.D. Swilley. He reminded me of how great it is to have a Southern heritage, and I like people who's first name is initials!) I remember back in my College days in the late 60's early 70's that being Southern was not popular. Racism marked our history and Southerners were often depicted as ignorant backwoods red necks. Many of my peers rebelled against the norm trying to find inner freedom and meaning in life. Those who did became known as hippies, grew their hair long, did drugs and tried to talk differently. I did some of that myself. It was considered hip. Many of my college friends even began speaking with a Northern affectation, as though that made them more intelligent, more sophisticated. Being Southern was not cool.

Some of my closest college friends were from New Jersey, were great guys, and took me home with them one time. Sorensen's father delighted in calling me 'Little Abner', the stereotypical Southern bumpkin who wore blue jean overalls and had straw sticking out of his mouth. I never had straw sticking out of my mouth. He congratulated himself for making such an astute yet humorous observation. I was not amused. However, over the years I noticed something about my northern college friends. Almost none of them moved back home after graduation. They liked it too much down here. Makes you wonder...don't it!

A number of years ago my mom and dad moved from Charlotte, NC into a retirement golf community on Lake Wylie, across the border in South Carolina. When some of the residents transplanted from places like New York, Chicago, and other parts up north, questioned her very Southern drawl she reminded them of where they were now living. She was born and raised in the great state of South Carolina, and spoke that way all her life.  "I'm not the one with the accent. Y'all are!", she informed her imported friends. That went over well.

Peter and most of the original 12 apostles were Galileans and spoke with an accent. The  metropolitan Pharisee elitists despised them. Interestingly enough, to the Jerusalem crowd the Galileans were Northern redneck fishermen. Even a servant girl could identify Peter as one of Jesus' followers because of his accent: ..."And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it (Mark 14:70)." Every generation faces the same issues. How will you estimate the worth of a person and will you live a genuine life.

I am not a racist, not backwoods, not a supporter of restoring the Confederate flag, not a Christian only because I was born in the Bible belt, never been a member of the KKK, do like grits and biscuits, like to go to the beach in the summer, wear buttoned down collared shirts and Polo shirts but don't play polo, khaki pants, and shoes without socks, but speak with a distinctly Southern accent, and have no thought of changing it. As for me and my house -we are Southern and being Southern is cool, ...if in fact that's what you are.

This brings me to my real point. It is essential for each of us to discover who we are and to live authentic lives. Now, no one should defend poor behavior or boorish activity and claim that it is part of living authentically. Bad manners should be acknowledged for what it is, disrespect and poor breeding. But, affectations adapted for fear of being criticized and changing who we are to please people is a fruitless endeavor. It is living to men. At its core, it is seeking their honor. It is important to give honor, It is foolish to seek it from men. Jesus said He did not receive honor from men and that those who do would not have functional faith (see John 5:41-44). He sought honor from His Father and His Father honored Him, with the ability to help, heal, deliver, and transform people's lives. We need to do the same.

Enjoy who you are, where you come from, and who God has uniquely made you. It is one of the fundamental keys to power.

'Bracketology' ...and Other Pet Peeves

Yessir! It's the 16th and March Madness is in full swing. Sixty-four college teams are fighting through the yearly NCAA basketball tournament to determine who is the best in the land. In my universe most folks are pulling for Carolina or Duke. Some for NC State or Virginia. I actually heard the other day that some folks want Kentucky to win it. Go figure. Can any good thing come out of the blue grass state. Well, I know some folks that are good and hail from there, but you get what I mean if you grew up on Tobacco Road like I did. One editorial writer in the Charlotte Observer was decrying the mis-usage of the non-word 'bracketology'. It has been coined by basketball aficionados as a term describing the science of determining who should play whom, when, and in what 'bracket' of the tournament. And I quote him, "Bracketology" is not a word, so stop saying it. When you hear someone else say it, tell them to knock it off. Other than that, please revel in March Madness."

How's that for one writer's pet peeve. I disagree. That's word discrimination. Every word at some point or another was not a word until someone said it, and others liked it. And kept saying it. Why discriminate against a brand new word, and one that has such a marvelous ring to it! I like it. Bracketology! There. I said it. What are you doing to do about it, call the NAACP? That would be the National Association Against Coining Phrases, not the other one. Those fine folks understand discrimination well and would side with me.

Most people have pet peeves. One of mine must be 'people who have pet peeves that I don't agree with'. I have others, but that's another blog for another day.

My train of thought brought me to this: What are God's pet peeves? If He has some, and I have read that He does, should we adopt them too? Yes. We should. What are they?

I'm not going to get in to all of them but one for sure is un-forgiveness. God apparently does not forgive un-forgiveness (see Mark 11:26). We should take note. Having un-forgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. It works well, only we die, not them.

The writer of the proverbs reveals some more:

"These six things the Lord hates. Yes, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."

Ouch. We should pay attention to the things that the Lord hates, and refuse to participate in them as much as possible. Amazing thing about the Lord Jesus. Both love and hatred drove Him to the cross; love for us, hatred of these things. He died and rose again to deliver us from them all. When you see Him as He is, you've got to love Him. He's Wonderful.

Hole in My Shoe

In any given room I may not be considered the most normal person there, but still, I never cease to be amazed at how awkward some people can be. Over the years I have developed certain relational skills that keep me from being terribly rude but they don't always work that well. At a wake a few days ago I ran into a woman I didn't know who remembered me from teaching in a home group in her city over 20 years ago. This dear woman, in a very awkward way, took great delight in reminding me that I had a hole in my shoe that day. During that season Donna and I had been called back into ministry along with our four children and were barely making ends meet. Replacing half-soles on my shoes weren't on the top of the list -eating was.

I guess as I sat in the room with them sharing my heart, as I crossed my legs the sole of my 'holey' shoe must have stared her in the face. She didn't seem to remember anything I taught on but had been mightily impressed with the condition of my loafer! She told me she recalled saying to the Lord, "Someone ought to buy him some shoes!"

I responded, "The Lord wanted you to buy me some shoes! Who else better to be the answer to that prayer than yourself!" According to CSI and all the other crime shows on TV she fulfilled all the necessary characteristics of a typical perpetrator: motive, means, and opportunity. Motive...'someone should'. Means...all those women were rich in that home group with whom I was sharing. Opportunity...I sat before her with the hole in my shoe.

I have learned over the years that certain folks feel like it is their responsibility to humble you when possible. Why people want to do that is beyond me. Life does it well enough without any additional awkward help from total strangers.

Also. We need to help people when we can. Many times we are the answers to the prayers we pray.

Wearing the Shirt...or Playing?

The family of Wade Taylor asked me to speak on their behalf last week at his memorial service in the Washington, D.C. area. He was a dear friend to me, a devoted follower of Jesus, and an unusual spiritual man. I wanted my remarks to represent him well, so I asked the Lord to help me to that end. I boarded the plane to Dulles International Airport wearing a black polo shirt with a large emblem of a polo player and pony emblazoned on the front left breast and a big number '3' on the sleeve. As folks boarded the plane a man approached me with a big smile on his face, stopped and asked, "Do you play polo?"

"No", I said.  "I just wear the shirt, do you?"

His smile diminished greatly at my response as he replied, "Yes, I play."

I responded, "Oh..." That ended our conversation.

The next morning as I prepared my message for Wade's memorial the Lord reminded me of my conversation on the plane. He made this point: 'Some people play while others just wear the shirt.' Wade Taylor lived an incredible life of faith. Among other things he established a Bible school, founded a retirement home, established a Long Island retreat center, published books, and raised a family of godly children. He lived an incredible life of faith that spanned more than 50 years.

Wade Taylor did not just wear the shirt. He played and his playing inspired me to play as well.

After considering the life he lived, allow me ask you a question. How you answer it may define the rest of your life.

'Do you play, or do you just wear the shirt?" 

Wade Taylor's Passing

Wade Taylor passed away at 1:01 p.m. February 29, 2012. I think it was fitting that he left on the 29th of February, a unique day that only occurs every four years in the leap year. Brother Wade was a unique man who often 'leaped' beyond many of his contemporaries in revelation and vision. Wade established Pinecrest Bible Training Center in Salisbury Center, NY in 1968 and led the school as its President until 1996. His primary desire for the school was for it to be a place for cultivating and enjoying the presence of the Lord. In his own words: "Our constant prayer should be that we might become so available to the Lord that He can, at anytime, speak through us a “present word” – a word that will turn both lives and the nations to the Lord."

I attribute much of my hunger for the presence and power of God to his influence. His experience with the fountain of New Wine at the Green Lane Bible school in the late 1950's fed me for years until I discovered my own fountain. His testimony of being caught up into the heavenly realm fueled my desire and encouraged my faith to encounter the Lord myself, which I have in ways sometimes difficult to describe and yet precious beyond words.

I understand that as recently as his last board meeting he was planning his future and preparing for the next major project he had determined to undertake. That clearly describes Wade, always dreaming always moving toward the next thing he knew God was going to do.

In a way like no other man I ever knew Wade loved the Lord and valued His presence. Did he do it perfectly? Not even close. Did he make his share of mistakes? By the bushel basket full. Everyone I have known who followed the Lord, even those who did so wholeheartedly, still suffered setbacks and at times 'missed the mark'.

What then is the sum of his life? It is probably too soon to determine that. I'm confident I'm not the one who can determine that either. This I know; he encouraged me like few others have. I am much the better for having known him. He left an indelible impression on my life for hunger for God, I loved him and I will certainly miss him.

Wade, thank you for all you brought to the Body of Christ. Your labor was not in vain. I'll see you once again.