Exceeding at failing

“ But the men of Sodom were wicked and exceedingly great sinners against the Lord.” Genesis 13:13

Have you ever thought about the fact that someone could be so good at being bad, they could be considered great; and not just normal great, but exceedingly great.

Wow! That’s getting it done. I fancy myself as striving towards great, but not sure I’ve ever really thought about doing something that exceeded great.

What a chumpy slacker I am.

The verse above just interrupts Genesis 13 between Lot settling into his new tent locale and The Lord giving Abram a land survey. There has to be something pertinent to it. Here’s where my line of thinking went:

I know that I’m inefficient in my time usage at times. I get frustrated to think if I was just a bit more tight with my use that I could be much more productive. Would that get me to great? Maybe closer. But I can’t imagine how good one would have to be at being bad to be exceedingly great.

So, Genesis calls out a group, not just one, but an entire city of men who set a high standard for sin.

So, my mind wanders (welcome inefficiency) to wonder who would represent the polar opposite of the men of Sodom.

Who would be on the list of exceedingly great followers of God and/or Jesus? I’ll add that list to my topical dissection of the Bible.

This line relates to our “Just Walk Across the Room” Study. It speaks to the fact that there are many far from God and we need to be attuned to the nudging of the Holy Spirit to help bring the lost to know their Savior. There are far many more people who God longs to have a relationship with than those exceedingly-challenging-lost, great-sinners like the men of Sodom.

In either case, we aren’t called to witness and convert in a single encounter like a drive-by evangeliser. Instead, we need to be open to that Holy Spirit tug to be who we need to be, when we need to be, where we need to be, to reach the person who needs to know the gift of God’s grace and salvation (that’s one of my daily faith statements with “I’s” instead of “we’s”.)

And we don’t even need to go to Sodom or Gomorrah, maybe just across the room or around the cornah.

But I Was Just Getting Settled

1  NOW [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you. 2  And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].3  And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]. 4  So Abram departed, as the Lord had directed him; and Lot [his nephew] went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.” – Genesis 12:1-4 AMP (its emphasis)

So just about the time Abram was settling into a new land with his wife, father and nephew, God makes a call to Abram with a deal that was too hard to pass up. An inference could be made that he was doing alright in Haran as in 12:5 there’s reference Abram gathering up all of their possessions and servants they had acquired while there.

Now I’m sure there was discussion between Abram, Sarai, his father, Terah and nephew, Lot, but that got lost in the translation – maybe it’s covered more in the Hebrew – but off they go.

I can project/imagine some of the conversation along the lines of “What about the family?”, “We just got here.”, “Things are going well, why do we want to leave?”, “I’m happy/comfortable/familiar here.” and “Who told you to do what?”

Recently, I had a nudge to make a move that I attribute to God, again. Not that He spoke to me in so many words, directly, but to me through someone else. Funny thing was, though I missed it at first, it was an answer to a prayer for some clarity of direction. That came to me after the initial reaction.

I didn’t say it out loud, but I thought to myself while the opportunity was being explained “Why would I consider moving? I just changed and I’m just starting to get settled and comfort-a-b-l-e, (ugh).” (emphasis mine)

“Comfortable?!?” I’ve said at any given opportunity so many times in the past, “We’re not called to be comfortable!”

That wasn’t me preaching to the choir – in a moment – that became me preachin’ to me!

I know I wasn’t talking out loud, but I was pretty sure the conversation going on in my head was loud enough it was audible outside my cranium. Especially, when the next thought volleyed only to be quickly scuttled:

“What are people going to think about ‘jumping’ so quickly?” (I think I actually used air quotes in my brain.) I’m not even sure the thought was completed before another area of my brain, though I’m pretty sure my heart had the assist on the alley oop—“Umm, ‘hello’, by who are you interested in being judged?” (seriously, there were air quotes in my head again.)

Someplace, the grammar-centric node pointed out it should have been “whom"; hearts can’t be trusted with grammar.

Suffice to say, while I’m not sure Abram had the same conversation before pulling up the tent stakes, loading up the camels and hitting the dusty road, he did just that – buoyed by the promise of blessings and being a blessing. I’m not sure how much I thought to that end, but after some quiet-ish time (it’s never really quiet behind my ear drums), some prayer and discussion with my Sariai, I felt an amazing, peaceful, excitement for where my dusty road would take me.

While it’s not so much dusty as salty right now, my journey led not to Canaan or Egypt, but Wanatah to a place called Living Faith Fellowship. Living Faith – seems far more like a statement of how I’m trying to live, and why I’m there, than a name.

So Abram departed, as the Lord had directed him…

Sometimes It’s Better to be in the Boat

Tonight I was struck by the verse – "he (Noah) sent forth a dove…(which) found no resting-place…and she returned to *him* to the ark…So he (Noah) put forth *his hand* and drew her to *him* into the ark." Gen 8:8-9 AMP (emphasis mine)

In a number of messages and studies recently, I have been given insight to the larger significance of the ark – representing God saving Noah much like later Christ, our ark, saves us.

This particular verse jumped out to me as an pre-quel to the Prodigal Son – The Father lets his son go to find something new. Upon searching and finding "no resting-place" each returns to either an outstretched hand or the open arms of the Father and is brought back into the safety of the family or ark.

Isn’t it just like God to give me the opportunity to wander off on my own, seeking something other than Him, only to find Him there to pick me up when I realize there isn’t another place of rest, riches or resource elsewhere. (I originally wrote that in the third person plural, but thought I’d speak it to myself, ‘cause I’m due to be called out for it.)

And literally as I typed that – these lyrics from SevenGlory’s "Presence" echoed in my ears and heart:

Even when I turn from you, And go the way that I choose.
Even then you show me all your love and I’m set free.
Your presence makes me sing;
Your power gives me wings – to soar beyond my fears.
And your presence makes me sing, Lord; I sing to You, My King
Your presence makes me sing.

Tonight I watched night 5 of the Code Red Revival from Elevation Church. The theme tonight went down the road of rescue. Pastor Ed Young shared a story of saving a drowning man in the Florida Keys who fell out of his boat. The story eventually lead to a pastorism:

The ring (lifesaver) is the thing.
The rope is the hope.
Pull so the house will be full.

There’s a need for people who are missing something – maybe a hard to define or even unconscious something – to know there are some answers and some holes that can only be be made whole through Him.

Who can you toss a ring to in order to get on the boat?

Hmm. How about the fact that three completely disconnected items all folded together in less than 500 words to help me better understand His Message.

Hmmm, Thank you.

Amen

Taking Apart and Taking a Part

(the sound of blowing off dust)

Hey, is this thing still on? (tap, tap). We’ll see.

Sometimes – okay, more than sometimes – I’ll say something without really thinking about what I’m saying. Heck, many times, I’ll be saying something and not really thinking about it as I’m saying it. It was a either a “skill” I picked up in my early days in radio or something that worked well for radio, not sure, but either way, it’s me.

It’s funny when someone checks to make sure I’m paying attention when s/he is talking, I want to say “I don’t listen to myself half the time, I’m sure it carries over.” in the most loving way possible.

Either way, I think I had a thought prior to it coming out of my mouth, but on the air with Frank Guzzo (Wednesday mornings, 8-9am on www.WITW935.com) a week or so back, I said something to the effect that I wanted to study the Bible in such a way that I could categorize all the verses I could into a topical breakdown so I could more readily recall aspects later. (I also said I want to learn Hebrew – this is where I’m starting).

I am really not good at memorizing stuff like phrases, formulas, stats, etc., …useless, trivia and song lyrics, I’m your guy. I have found Bible verses fall in to the former category in my mess of brain wiring.

So, this sounded like a good resource I could build for myself while diligently studying The Word.

I’m sure it’s been done and I could buy it. Additionally, I could cut and paste verses from an online Bible to some page assortment. Instead, I have decided (to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus – sorry, old hymn on the brain lately) that I will use www.youversion.com with the Amplified Bible and King James Versions in parallel, but transcribing the AMP into topical pages in what should become a rather large Excel Workbook.

So far, my topics include: Miracles, Promises, Charges, God Action, Time, Location, Statements of God, Statements of Man, Responses to God, Names of God, Meanings of Names, Temptations, Falls and Genealogy.

Any additions/suggestions would be appreciated.

My Goal is two chapters a night (or early morning is more like it). So far, each night I have found a verse or two that pop out at me that elicit some additional discernment. Those will become the thing of future blog posts and “updates” on Facebook & Twitter.

We are told “Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and they you shall deal wisely and have good success.” (Joshua 1:7-8 AMP)

Here’s where I’m at:

“OK”

I’ll take that charge. And that’s what I’ll strive to.

I’ve tried it my way and haven’t found much in the way of consistency; and how could I with the inconsistent being that I am. I’m centering up on God, His Son, Jesus Christ, a constant (consistent) companion in the Holy Spirit build on the foundation of The Word, The Truth. (see Luke 6:47-49 re: building a foundation on the rock).

So, while Jesus in Luke 6:47 invites us all to “listen” to His words, I’ll focus on reading, studying and talking about/through The Word to better know my path.

Join me if you will – to read, learn, study and put into action (I borrowed some of that from Rick Warren) – The Word.

Don’t ask “What’s Your Will” or “If it be Thy Will”.

Let’s find His Will in His Word.

Try to Listen to the Sound–My Music Industry Headache, Part I

So I was writing a comment on a review of Building 429′s new album (do we still call them albums?) “Listen to the Sound” which either was too long or the article didn’t really allow comments…mine would have been the first comment. Either way, I couldn’t post my thought, but it started me thinking about the challenges in the music industry. Result: a short series, rant, brain dump about the situation. Here’s Part I.

BTW – I’ve only heard the first song – the title track from B429 – and I really like it. (Preview it at their website). 

So what came to mind when completing my comment was how the music industry is its own worst enemy. At the beginning of the year, I began programming a little LPFM Contemporary Christian Music radio station – (WITW 95.3 FM, Valpo). LPFM – or Low Power FM – means it covers a portion of a community; in our case, a decent portion of Valpo. It is a great idea that the FCC messed up (pretty sure the NAB played a role – but that’s for another time) which brought radio back to being local.

One of the major challenges facing artists is getting exposure so people can hear their music at which such time they may be inspired enough to actually buy it. Unfortunately, it appears their (Industry) fears that building such interest may just lead to downloading without paying. This results in an over-reaction by the industry to limit who can even get music to play.

Some background, years ago (hard for me to accept the fact it is that many years ago) when record companies (of which there were many more) would send out 45′s of songs from artists that they were trying to get played on the air.

The first station I worked for was a CHR Triple A reporter. That meant we burned through a list of songs and reported to several reporting agencies/magazines our Top 30 or so songs

- it was the stuff that made Kasey Kasem famous with American Top 40.

Now even back then, most big labels were a bit hesitant to give everyone music to play, but there were other services available that would get music out to stations. Back then there were fewer station, but that was rapidly changing, and product had to be mailed. Remember though, getting music played meant people got paid. Plus as people heard music, at least one person had to go out to buy it before it could be handed around and recorded to cassette.

Fast forward, there are now more frequencies being occupied (even over occupied in some cases where stations start bumping into each other), but in reality fewer opportunities for artist to gain airplay.

“How can that be?” you might ask. There are two separate tracks I’ll travel to answer that: The Labels and Station Ownership.

That’s where we’ll pick it up next time.

In the meantime, I’m looking for a couple songs if you an hook a brother up.