Daily Build Up

Shifting Energies

2011-05-27T14:30:00.000-05:00

Greetings! I am shifting my blogging energies to a new blog. This new effort is particularly focused on encouraging pastors. Through it I am encouraging pastors to build the habits, skills, and attitudes that lead to excellence in ministry over time. The blog is titled, "Enduring Ministry", and you can check it out at this link:

http://www.enduringministry.com

I plan to leave this (Daily Build Up) blog open, but my posting to it will be even more infrequent than it has been recently. Thank you for following this blog and for all of your encouragement.

Stay encouraged!

Lon

Essentials of Enduring Ministry: Balance

2011-04-21T06:47:00.000-05:00

The phrases "balanced lifestyle" and "pastoral ministry" are rarely found in the same paragraph. However, on the rare instance when we find them together they are not linked favorably. Why is that?

When I look at Christ's ministry, it doesn't seem overwrought. Rather, His way seemed cool, collected, and, dare I say it, rested. Instead of being wrung out, Jesus always appears to be the calm in the center of the scene.

I have often made the joke that military intelligence is an oxymoron (which I had to look up how to spell, so who's the real "moron"). However, the military outfits its platoon leaders with much less gear than the troops. Why? This way when heat-of-the-battle-decisions need to be made, the officer is not worn out from carrying 60-pounds of gear like the other soldiers. Instead, he is fresher and can make clear, life-saving decision.

Pastors need to be similarly prepared for their decision-making, because many of the "battles" they fight are about life and death, too. The significant difference is that pastors deal in things that last eternally.

And maybe, just maybe, could this apply to all the other people that follow Jesus, too?

Find balance.

Lon

Why I do Acorn Ministries.

2011-03-03T15:33:00.001-06:00

When I tell people about what "I do" at Acorn Ministries, I usually get a response something like "that's nice". The tone is usually the same as if I had just announced that I'm wearing a clean shirt today.

Perhaps when you read this excerpt from a blog by Micheal Hyatt you will better understand why "I do" what "I do".

According to an August 2, 2010 article in the New York Times, entitled, “Taking a Break from the Lord’s Work”:

Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.”

In addition, PastorBurnout.com reports that:
    1.    1,500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention in their churches.
    2.    75% report severe stress causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear, and alienation.
    3.    70% don’t have any close friends (this one about makes me cry).
    4.    57% would leave the pastorate if they had somewhere else to go or some other vocation they could do.
    5.    Clergy have the second highest divorce rate among all professions.

This makes the ministry one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. God never intended for us to go it alone.

Acorn Ministries builds up the body of Christ, the Church, one leader at a time.

That's what "I do".
Lon

www.AcornMinistries.com

Catching Us Being Good

2011-02-23T10:37:00.000-06:00

We all have a basic understanding that God is “all-knowing”, but do we really think about what that means? Certainly God doesn’t pay attention to every detail, does He? Surely God overlooks my momentary lapses and my insignificant “no-harm” sins, don’t you think?

I thought that could be true until I read this:

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13 NIV)

Ouch! According to this passage, God is aware of everything! Well, OK, so God sees what I’m up to, but that’s as far as it goes, right?

Psalm 139:1-4 NIV

You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.

Double ouch! You’re telling me that God knows my thoughts, my words? O man, I’m doomed. Why would God want to pay such close attention to me? I’m not a troublemaker. I go to church. Why is He scrutinizing my life? Is He trying to stack up enough “charges” to send me to Hell? Is He trying to get sufficient dirt on me to send me into eternal punishment?

But wait a minute, God is all about love. Scripture says:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son… (John 3:16 NIV)

And…

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1John 3:1 NIV)

If God loves me so much, it doesn’t make sense that He would search my life to condemn me, does it? What if God’s purpose for paying attention to the details of my life has a different purpose than to punish me? Instead, what if there is a loving purpose for concentrating on every detail of my life?

Parenting experts teach us to “catch our children being good”. That is, as a parent it is good for my children if I look in on them now and then with ”praise” in mind. Instead of looking for something that deserves a punishment, I look for an opportunity to praise their behavior.

What if this is what God is doing with us? What if He is paying attention to the details of our lives – even our thoughts – so that He can catch us being good? If that’s the case, then what does “being good” look like for God?

Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30 NIV)

Then what if God’s purpose in scrutinizing the tiniest details of our life is to catch us loving Him? What if He pays attention to our thoughts to see if we love Him with our hearts and our minds? Do you suppose He watches our every movement to see if we love Him with all our strength? Could it be that God watches every detail of our life to see if we love Him with our whole soul?

…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness… (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

Are you thinking about God?

Vulnerability

2011-01-25T08:36:00.000-06:00

Dr. Brene’ Brown studied the essence of human relations from the perspective of a social worker. She discovered, much to her chagrin, that at the heart of relationships in vulnerability. Her research taught her that relationally successful people, labeled “wholehearted” people, have the common trait of being vulnerable to others in their relationship.

The world we live in teaches us that vulnerability is something to be avoided. We are taught to protect ourselves, don’t take risks, and avoid looking weak. These lessons are learned from infancy, and we learn them well. We avoid the sense of vulnerability like it’s the plague.

The problem is that deep relationships depend upon two people making themselves vulnerable to each other. This could explain much. Why don’t marriages last? It could be that our relationships are stunted because of our culturally learned unwillingness to allow ourselves to be sufficiently vulnerable with one another.

Further, this vulnerability issue is a problem for us Christians. Jesus calls us to voluntarily take on the posture of vulnerability.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25 NIV)

Denying ourselves, carrying crosses, and losing our lives are images replete with a sense of vulnerability. Thereby, they are things, acculturated as we are, to be avoided.

Christ’s command to lose our lives is a command that He was willing to follow Himself. Jesus could have come as a king commanding thousands of troops. Jesus could have demanded the worship of the world. Instead, Jesus showed us the way. He showed us about vulnerability. Jesus laid down his life.

Jesus commands us to love one another. C.S. Lewis writes, “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.” Jesus commands us to be vulnerable in our relationships with people.

Please join me in striving to live according to Christ’s command to live counter culturally, to live vulnerably.

In Christ,
Lon Alderman
@leaderlifter
www.AcornMinistries.com

Walking with Jesus is no “happily ever after”!

2010-09-23T11:21:00.001-05:00

Well, if you’ve bothered to read on then you are either mad at me for this title or curious as to what I’ve been drinking with my coffee this morning. Let me first assure you that I love Jesus and that I count every moment in His presence as a blessing, because I have found joy there, in His presence, which cannot compare with any joy found on this earth. And, believe me, I have searched, and nothing this side of Heaven can compare. So, what’s my point?

We have this idea in our minds, which was planted in our infancy, about “happily ever after”. The stories we read (and viewed) all demonstrated a common conclusion. That is, at the end of the drama, when the villain has received his just desserts, then the story ends with, say it with me, “and they lived happily ever after”. Now, in our young minds we accept this to be true. We believe that the rest of their lives will be lived without conflict. After all, the villain has been vanquished; and all of the issues experienced by sub-characters have been resolved. Therefore, we conclude that the bad stuff is over, done, never to be seen again.

But that’s not how life is, is it? If you’ve lived more than 10 years on this planet, you already know that that understanding of “happily ever after” doesn’t exist. Or do we? My experience is that many people who follow Jesus actually expect a “happily ever after”. I’ll make this personal in an attempt to keep my offenses to a minimum. When I accepted Christ’s gift of salvation I FULLY expected that there would be no more difficulty in my life. Can you imagine my shock then when trouble arose? It knocked me off my pegs!

The truth about life is that it is full of trouble. There is no “happily ever after” that whisks us off carefree beyond the reach of pain and suffering.

1Peter 4:12-16

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

When we walk with Jesus we must expect trials and sufferings, but they are not to be feared. On the contrary, if we suffer because of our walking with Jesus, then we can celebrate. We celebrate because we are “blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on [us]”. Our response is not “poor me”, but rather “praise be to God for allowing me to bear Christ’s name and to share in His suffering”.

I understand that it is very easy for me to type such a statement, but it is a huge challenge to live it out. O but when we do live it out, what a magnificent witness it is to this world. What a tremendous story we make when we praise God in our suffering. But beyond our witness to the world there’s something else that comes with walking with Christ during our trials.

Even though our walk with Jesus is no “happily ever after” we actually experience something even better. Yes, we experience something BETTER than “happily ever after”. If we walk with Christ, even though we go through times of suffering, we will find peace. The peace of Christ is like nothing else on earth. And as for me, I’ll take Christ’s peace over “happily ever after” any day of the week.

If you are suffering, please turn your eyes to Jesus. Lay down your burden of pain before Him. Ask Jesus into your heart. Let Him carry you for a while. And you will find peace even in the face of suffering. For that matter you can find Christ’s peace in every circumstance.

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Find peace,
Lon Alderman
@leaderlifter

Stay Your Mind

2010-06-21T16:20:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
You will keep him in perfect peace,  
Whose mind is stayed on You, 
Because he trusts in You.

I watched a great skit once by two talented comics titled, “Distract and Confuse”. The story line was that these men were presenting a new product for capturing souls to a convention of devils. Their new product was touted as a sure-fire method. They taught that all one needs to do is to simply distract their intended victims attention away from God and then confuse them while they are distracted. The salesmen promoted this procedure as the best thing to hit their business since the “Apple Incident” back in the Garden of Eden.

Setting the humor aside, there is a scary and powerful point to this skit. The devil is out to get us and we are prone to distraction and confusion.

1Peter 5:6-11 (NIV)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The way to defend against the attacks of the devil is to focus our attention on God constantly. When we focus on God there is no distraction. And, when we concentrate on God we are far less susceptible to confusion.

2Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The result of our constant concentration on God is, in a word, peace.

Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified)
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

God has designed us with an early warning system regarding our distractions. We can quickly gage our attention on God by the state of our emotions. When confusion, anger, frustration, sadness, etc. present themselves we know that we have allowed ourselves to be distracted. These non-peaceful emotions serve to guide us back to God (the only real source of peace in this world).

Bottom line is this; if you want peace in your life, then turn your full attention on God.

Stay your mind!
Lon Alderman
@leaderlifter

A Fresh Look at the Golden Rule

2010-04-23T13:42:00.000-05:00

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

William Barclay calls this passage “the Everest of all ethical teaching”. Not only is Christ’s teaching the paramount lesson in social behavior, it is also unique. Barclay says, “This is something which had never been said before. It is new teaching, and a new view of life and of life’s obligations.” Those are strong statements! I invite you to join me in taking a fresh look at the Golden Rule.

Unique

The Golden Rule is unique in Christ’s positive presentation of the command. The negative form of Christ’s command would look something like this: “Don’t do anything to anyone that you wouldn’t want him or her to do to you.” This negative form has been presented throughout history in a variety of forms. But never before had the world heard this positive form of the command.

Negative -> Inaction

In the (negative) form of the command adherence is not very challenging. That is, all I have to do is to check my behavior and make sure that it is something I’d be willing to receive. In following the negative form, I will simply avoid certain actions, so they don’t come back and bite me. The natural response to this negative form of the Golden Rule is, in effect, inaction.

Positive -> Action

But that’s not the form in which Jesus gives this command. Instead, He taught it in the positive. In doing so Jesus calls, not for inaction, but for action. In order to live out the positive form of Christ’s command I must (first) determine how I would like to be acted upon and then (second) perform that action to others. The guide for my action is my sense of how the world ought to treat me. That part is actually pretty easy. I have a very clear idea of how I want the world to treat me. The challenge comes when I have to actually act that way to others! Christ’s teaching is about action!

A Note About Reciprocity

By the way, this isn’t about reciprocity. In other words, I don’t act toward others the way I want to be treated to get something in return. Nope. The command is to act for the other person’s good, and that’s the end of the story. The New Oxford Annotated Bible states it this way, “…the positive form here requires active contribution to the welfare and happiness of others.” No reciprocity there, just my action for the other person’s benefit.

Application

The next time you see someone acting sad and lonely, think about the Golden Rule. Christ directs us to two actions. First, ask yourself this question. “When I am sad and feeling lonely, how do I want to be treated?” Second, Jesus teaches us to treat that person accordingly. Take that action for the other person’s benefit.

The next time you see someone acting angry and misunderstood, think about the Golden Rule. Then, ask yourself this question. “When I am feeling angry and misunderstood, how do I want to be treated?” Then, Jesus teaches us to treat that person accordingly. Take that action for the other person’s benefit.

The next time you see someone who is completely wrong, think about the Golden Rule. Then, ask yourself this question. “When I am completely wrong, how do I want to be treated?” Then, Jesus teaches us to treat that person accordingly. Take that action for the other person’s benefit.

Do you get it? The Golden Rule is a revolutionary teaching! Can you imagine the impact we could have on the world if we lived by this command from Jesus? I don’t think it is an exaggeration to suggest that it would literally change the world!

Go change the world today; live by the Golden Rule.

Lon Alderman
@leaderlifter

Enduring Ministry

2010-02-24T13:32:00.011-06:00

Imagine a pitcher of water slowly being poured out. Now imagine a glass held under the stream of water slowly being filled up. When the cup moves away from the stream the cup stops filling.  

This is a great image of the way that God's blessings (the water) flow into our lives (the cup). We "catch" God's blessings when we position ourselves in the right relationship with God. If we move away from God, then His blessings stop filling us.  

The problem with many of us is that when we get some of these blessings we rush out into the world and start pouring out the little we have into other people. In and of itself this isn't bad. After all, we're expected to be a blessing to others (Matthew 5:16). The problem is that we can only hold so much and as we pour out (minister) to others we eventually run dry.   

With our cups empty we feel tired, overwhelmed, and spiritually dry. It is then that we run back to God and seek His blessings. We reposition ourselves under the stream by getting ourselves in the right relationship to God. Then, standing under the stream of God's blessings we get refreshed and filled up.  

The way to maintain an enduring ministry is to take up a position under the stream of God's blessings and stay there! Eventually God’s blessings will fill us to the point of overflowing. Our ministry is accomplished from what overflows. In this way our ministry will last and last, because God's blessings will not stop flowing.

  Jesus said, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:38)  

Minister from the overflow.

 Lon Alderman
@leaderlifter 
www.AcornMinistries.com  

The first time I saw this demonstration was by my friend Bill Allison (Cadre Ministries). Thanks for the great imagery, Bill!

The Name Game

2010-01-13T15:13:00.005-06:00

Have you ever wondered if Acorn Ministries has anything to do with the A.C.O.R.N. group that's in the news? If so, you're not alone.

The A.C.O.R.N. group found itself in hot water over some very suspect, if not criminal, behaviors. For the record, Acorn Ministries has nothing to do with that group!

Not surprisingly, I have had many people suggest that I should change the name of my ministry to avoid confusion. The truth is that after seven years (our "birth date" is January 2003) I'm pretty attached to the name. Plus, my office is full of acorn-related knickknacks that people have given as gifts of encouragement.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I believe that God is at work even in this, how to put it, inconvenience. Perhaps as I work to clear my name someone will take notice of my work that otherwise would have overlooked me. Who knows how, but I believe even in this, God is at work for my good.

If you'd like to learn how I came up with the Acorn Ministries name, please check out this link for the whole story:

The Acorn Ministries Name

Lon

Heart Starter #3: Tower

2009-11-11T12:45:00.005-06:00

Recently, I introduced a tool called "Heart Starters" to use at the beginning of church meetings, youth group, retreats, small group or anywhere else you want to focus a group on God. As I argued in the initial post (Introducing "Heart Starters") I believe that when the church gathers for a meeting it ought to look different than the secular meetings we attend. With this in mind I started creating Heart Starters.

Today I am excited to post a third Heart Starter titled "Towers"! This activity will guide your group into a discussion about the need for cooperation between the parts of the body of Christ. Click on this link for a one page PDF that describes the entire activity.

Heart Starter #3: Tower

Please let me know if you have any questions. Also, I'd love to hear (and share) how people are using these. And, if you have an idea for a Heart Starter, please let me know so we can share it with everyone!

Enjoy!
Lon

For a complete list of Heart Starters, click on the Heart Starters label below.

Now what?

2009-11-05T07:12:00.006-06:00

Last month was Pastor Appreciation Month and people all over the country celebrated their pastors! It was an awesome month for me for two reasons. First, as a part-time pastor myself I felt a great surge of appreciation from the people I serve. Second, as a person devoted to encouraging and equipping pastors, it was great having other people joining me in this work for the whole month!

The cards have been read and the gifts have been received.

Now what?

I can't get this article out of my mind:

Suicide: When Pastor's Silent Suffering Turns Tragic

In my work I interact with many pastors that are suffering silently. The expectations placed upon their work are, in a word, unattainable! Few if any are fully equipped for the tremendous breadth of professional skills and spiritual gifts needed for the job! This reality is exacerbated by the fact that most hurting pastors feel they can't ask for help and resign themselves to keeping silent!

The result is beat up, stressed out, and frustrated pastors. Seems to be a far cry from this scriptural directive:

1Timothy 5:17
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

I love Pastor Appreciation Month, AND there must be more we can do! I'd love to hear your thoughts! And, I'll start rolling out some of my own as well.

What can we do to change the cultures, systems, and habits that produce these outcomes?

Now what?
Lon

Creative Cooking in the Church

2009-11-04T15:19:00.003-06:00

As I travel from church to church, I hear a common lament. The details are different but the refrain is the same.

"If only..."

Sometimes the phrase culminates with longings for a younger congregation. Other times it concludes with musings of a different style of worship. Other times it ends with harsh judgments of the people that aren't participating in their church. Still others grieve the loss of generations of their own that have left for greener pastures.

"If only..."

But what if we took the creative cooking thoughts expressed in an earlier blog (Creating a Masterpiece) and applied them to the plight of the church? What if the local church looked around the "kitchen" and made a masterpiece out of what they found?

God has, in His almighty providence, allowed each church to remain open. Therefore, it seems clear that for each church God has a kingdom purpose in mind. And, with God's help the church has within itself all it needs to complete that task.

However, success requires a fresh assessment of the church's current reality! The church must remove its fixation from what is missing and begin to number its assets. These assets are the ingredients of a masterpiece! Then, the church must take these God-given ingredients and get cooking!

A creative masterpiece is waiting! A masterpiece that will bring wonderful glory to God.

Let's get cooking!
Lon

2Corinthians 12:9-10
But [Lord] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Heart Starter #2: Treasure

2009-10-30T08:00:00.004-05:00

A couple of days ago I introduced a tool called "Heart Starters" to use at the beginning of church meetings, youth group, retreats, small group or anywhere else you want to focus a group on God. As I argued in the initial post (Introducing "Heart Starters") I believe that when the church gathers for a meeting it ought to look different than the secular meetings we attend. With this in mind I started creating Heart Starters.

Today I am excited to post a second Heart Starter titled "Treasure"! This activity will guide your group into a discussion of what is God's treasure and what is not. Click on this link for a one page PDF that describes the entire activity.

files.me.com/lon.alderman/juhgle

Please let me know if you have any questions. Also, I'd love to hear (and share) how people are using these. And, if you have an idea for a Heart Starter, please let me know so we can share it with everyone!

Enjoy!
Lon

For a complete list of Heart Starters, click on the Heart Starters label below.

Creating a Masterpiece

2009-10-29T08:48:00.008-05:00

Here's another odd part of my personality. When I have sufficient time, I really enjoy creating meals out of whatever I can find in the kitchen. I enjoy the creative process of taking what is there and making it into something edible. I jokingly refer to these concoctions as masterpieces!

The goal of my creative endeavor is to make something to eat. The challenge is to make something edible out of the ingredients available to me in the house at that time. This isn't about running to the store for groceries or planning the menu in advance. It's simply using what is available to accomplish the goal.

What if we applied this to our walk as followers of Jesus?

Jesus said, "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:8)

If we are disciples of Jesus, then we will "bear much fruit" for the purpose of God receiving glory. In other words, the goal of our discipleship is to glorify the name of God, the Father, through the "fruit we bear" in Christ.

What then are the ingredients for achieving this goal? I propose that we creatively use whatever we find in the "kitchen".

Paul wrote, "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philippians 4:11)

The ingredients for the masterpieces we are creating are found in every circumstance, person, difficulty, and joy that we face today. Our masterpiece depends upon our willingness to take what we find and do something creatively with it with the goal of bringing God glory!

This isn't about wishing things were different. Rather, it's about taking what God places in our path and creating a masterpiece for His glory!

Get creative!
Lon

Introducing "Heart Starters"

2009-10-28T11:41:00.004-05:00

I attend a LOT of meetings! And, a LOT of the meetings I attend are church meetings! I struggle with the fact that church meetings don't look much different than the secular meetings I attend.

Wouldn't it be great if we could engage in an activity that would change the tone of the meeting? And, wouldn't it be great if these activities focused the meeting on God? And wouldn't it be great if along the way the participants grew together as people, parts of the body of Christ?

I answered "yes" to all three and began developing "Heart Starters: Defibrillation for the Heart of Christian Meetings". Heart Starters are simple activities designed to change the look of our church meetings! And [drum roll please] it is FREE!

Here's the first one:

files.me.com/lon.alderman/b357ja

Please let me know if you have any questions.

If you like these, please let me know and I'll share more of them!

Thanks!
Lon

Why We Must Study

2009-10-27T18:38:00.005-05:00

Imagine a child that quits school after completing eighth grade. Wouldn't we feel sorry for the kid? Wouldn't we be deeply concerned about how he will make it in this world with such a limited education.

Funny isn't it? Funny - in the sad ironic use of the word - that we don't think much at all about a child that stops learning about our faith at about that age. We do little beyond wringing our hands about the fact that most kids stop attending Bible study of any kind around eighth grade.

This past weekend I had, yet another, paradigm shift in my theology. I had previously held an understanding related to my faith as sacrosanct. That all changed when I participated in a relatively short and simple Bible study on the subject.

Now my understanding of God is expanded! Now my faith is deeper! Now my life is healthier! Now my walk as a man of Jesus is stronger!

There is so much to learn! How can we quit our faith education at such a tender young age? How can we stop studying?

2Timothy 3:16-17
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

Please pick up your Bible and start reading it today! Then join a small group or a Bible study!

We must study so we can be trained for our work in God's kingdom.
Lon

Pastor Appreciation Month

2009-10-09T15:22:00.005-05:00

I just read Robb McCoy's blog about Pastor Appreciation Month. Robb made a list of the pastors that have influenced his life (Robb's post) and I'm inspired to do the same thing!

My list will include both traditional pastors (those that had a pastoral responsibility for me) and non-traditional "pastors" that also influenced me. I will approach this chronologically.

David Bultemeier led my confirmation class. I remember his gentle spirit and his intelligent sermons. I also remember he and Joanne (his wife), my parents, and another couple (The Dillows) laughing hysterically in our dining room. He taught me that a pastor is a regular person with a sense of humor and everything! We're still in touch after almost 40 years!

Dan Moran for patiently guiding me to a relationship with Jesus during the summer of 1986 at YMCA Camp High Harbour (GA). Dan was involved with InterVarsity and working as the water front director that summer. I wish I knew where he ended up.

Dr. Mike McGowan taught me at Western Illinois University. I know that doesn't make him a pastor, but I credit Mike for putting the first intellectual legs on my faith.

Lori Bultemeier is a friend from high school who is an ordained deacon in our conference. I deeply appreciate her friendship and encouragement, because she knows where I've been and how far I've come!

Mark Caldwell is the director of Dickson Valley Camp and Retreat Center (Newark, IL). He is a tremendous influence on my faith walk.

Jason Woolever nursed me back to spiritual health after serving 6.5 years in our conference camp and retreat ministries program. He's incredibly well read and keeps my "books to read" list full! In addition, Jason asks me the toughest questions about my faith walk. Iron does sharpen iron!

Keith Zimmerman is my District Superintendent. He's a tremendous encourager and is responsible for my current appointment, which is going great! He also teaches me regularly that administrators can continue to be pastoral, encouraging, and competent!

Grant Armstrong is the associate pastor at my home church. He has taught me that "excellence" doesn't have to be a dirty word in the Church.

This list could go on and on...but I'll stop (for now).

Please take a few minutes to write your list. More importantly, please tell your "pastors" about the difference they have made in your life.

1Thessalonians 5:12-13 (The Message)
And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

Pancake Recipe - just for fun!

2009-09-24T07:30:00.003-05:00

I participated in a 46-hour retreat on September 17-19 with two great friends. Our purpose was to discern God's will for the future of Acorn Ministries (www.AcornMinistries.com). It was an awesome experience!

We ate well during the retreat, too! I've had a request for my family's pancake recipe and thought it'd be fun to share it here:

Grampa's Pancake Recipe
* Note: makes "thin and rubbery" pancakes

Dry ingredients
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet ingredients
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoon sugar (I realize it's a dry ingredient, but this is where you mix it)
1 tablespoon melted butter (or vegetable oil)

Instructions
- mix "dry" and "wet" ingredients separately
- then mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients
- heat griddle until a sprinkle of water "dances" on the surface
- place desired amount of batter on griddle and gently swirl each pancake with laddle - flip when bubbles start to form
- when cooked, place pancakes on a plate and cover with a bowl to maintain heat/moisture

Enjoy!
Lon

Ask, and You Will Receive

2009-09-23T08:03:00.006-05:00

A strange pairing of the kid's show "Handy Manny" and an Oswald Chambers piece inspired this post.

While waking my children this morning a scene from "Handy Manny" caught my eye. Mr. Lopart had (once again) gotten himself in trouble. You see, he never asks for, or accepts, help from others. This causes him to get in lots of trouble. Today he had gotten his arm stuck in a door he'd installed for his cat.

Oswald Chambers teaches that the purpose of prayer is to allow Christ to grow in us. The more we look to Jesus for help, the more Christ grows in us. When we try to do life on our own, we stifle Christ's growth in us.

God wants to be a part of every aspect of our life. It follows that He wants to support us in our difficulties, too! Don't be a Mr. Lopart! Turn over to Jesus all your troubles and God will engage in them. In the meantime, our willingness to seek Christ's help will allow Jesus to grow in us.

"Ask, and you will receive..." John 16:24

Don't be a Mr. Lopart!
Lon

Encouragement to Ask, by Grant Armstrong

2009-09-01T14:47:00.008-05:00

I received this post as a comment on my earlier post about fundraising for ministry, called "To Ask, Or Not". It is so encouraging I thought I should share it as today's blog. Thanks, Grant!

1 Corinthians 9:3-14
It seems fairly clear. "In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel."

I also notice that in James 4:2 it says, "You do not have because you do not ask God." In Matthew 5:32 Christ says the omniscient Father knows we need those things, and we are still called to ask Him.

I suppose it's similar to the reason we are called to invite people into the kingdom of God according to Romans 10:14-15. How can people respond unless they are informed? Could it be that the Gospel that turns miserly hearts into generous hearts is by nature relational and invitational - like our Triune God? Could it be that inviting people into a relationship with Jesus Christ AND joyful giving for the sake of His kingdom are part and parcel of the Christian calling?

God uses us, earthen vessels though we may be, as instruments of His priceless grace so that He might be glorified. Perhaps God can do everything without our participation. A sovereign God can. In God's grace, we are invited to participate in God's works.

I also found this interesting:
http://fundraisingcoach.com/articles/fundraising-in-the-bible

This source runs across similar challenges, but lists several examples of people raising funds for God's glory. Typically those funds are used for something like the temple. In your case, Lon, it allows you to build up leaders...people...temples of the Holy Spirit...so that God's redeeming work in this world might multiply. Scripture doesn't say whether the temple or God's people are more valuable to Him, but I know for which of the two Christ offered His very life.

Thanks for building up the Body of Christ, Lon.

Your brother in Christ, Grant

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages. - 1 Timothy 5:17-18

To Ask, Or Not

2009-08-28T15:50:00.003-05:00

I have just completed a very challenging two-month journey. The quest of my journey was to answer this question:

Is it appropriate to ask people to support my family and me as I do God’s work as a missionary?

I have heard MANY opinions. The loudest, and frankly, the harshest, opinions came from people with this view: “If I’m doing God’s work, then God will provide the resources to get it done.”

To this point, I agree with them, but our thoughts quickly diverge on their next statement. They say, “It is wrong to ask people to support ministry, because it isn’t found anywhere in the New Testament.”

This makes sense at first blush. I can’t find a single place where someone raises funds for themselves. It just isn’t there! As someone that has been asking people to support his ministry for almost seven years, this fact really rattled my cage!

However, today I received a great word of encouragement from God through a colleague I’ve met through twitter:

Pastor Martha Spigener (@butterflybeacon) wrote:
Our culture here in America is not the culture of the Bible…the culture of the Bible was one in which it was expected, let me say that again, expected, that the people would pay to support their priests and Rabbis. Just look at the sacrificial laws and what was for the priest and what was actually burned. It isn’t written in the New Testament because it was an expected norm. Our society does not exist with those expectations.

In other words, we don’t hear Jesus asking people to support Him because it was unnecessary to do so. People were already expected to support people in ministry (see Luke 8:1-3). People during Christ’s ministry understood that it was their responsibility to support people in ministry. Jesus didn’t have to ask!

Yes, God will provide what is needed for His work. The culture in which we live does not understand its responsibility to care for those in ministry. Therefore, we must ask people to support us as we devote our lives to the ministry God has called us to.

In my case, I encourage and equip church leaders. My services are desperately needed, but church leaders don’t have resources to “pay” for my services. Only through God’s sustaining blessings will I be able to continue to “build up the body of Christ, the Church, one leader at a time”. And the way God provides is through donations from God’s people. And for those donations to happen in this culture I will have to ask!

In Christ,
Lon

If you would like to support Acorn Ministries, please send your tax deductible donations to:

Acorn Ministries/H2H
101 West 2nd Street
PO Box 237
Flanagan, IL 61740

OR, you can use your credit card or paypal account by clicking the following link: Donate

Myth of Impact

2009-06-24T09:00:00.007-05:00

This post is ripe for push back; however, if my premise is sound, then I don't expect any!

I struggle (regularly) with the tension between following Jesus and the felt need to measure the impact of my ministry. As a missionary, this "need" rises from the desire to encourage my supporters with inspiring demonstrations of impact. People want to know that their "investment" in my work is "profitable".

Frankly, I am making all the impact I am capable of. God uses me at His discretion. Some followers of Jesus are used for making an impact on a large amount of people. Others are used to make a large impact on just a few people. Honestly, I think the latter is more scriptural; however, the world leans toward the former. Our culture values the broader, arguably less deep, impact on more people, because, frankly, it is more financially profitable!

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Oswald Chambers writes...
We consider what we do in the way of Christian work as service, yet Jesus Christ calls service to be what we are to Him, not what we do for Him. Discipleship is based solely on devotion to Jesus Christ, not on following after a particular belief or doctrine. "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate . . . , he cannot be My disciple" ( Luke 14:26 ). In this verse, there is no argument and no pressure from Jesus to follow Him; He is simply saying, in effect, "If you want to be My disciple, you must be devoted solely to Me...

People do not really want to be devoted to Jesus, but only to the cause He started. Jesus Christ is deeply offensive to the educated minds of today, to those who only want Him to be their Friend, and who are unwilling to accept Him in any other way. Our Lord’s primary obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of people— the saving of people was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father. If I am devoted solely to the cause of humanity, I will soon be exhausted and come to the point where my love will waver and stumble. But if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity, even though people may treat me like a "doormat." The secret of a disciple’s life is devotion to Jesus Christ, and the characteristic of that life is its seeming insignificance and its meekness. Yet it is like a grain of wheat that "falls into the ground and dies"— it will spring up and change the entire landscape ( John 12:24 ).

Want impact? Devote yourself to Jesus!
Lon Alderman
www.AcornMinistries.com
@leaderlifter (twitter)

Give what you can!

2009-06-19T10:00:00.002-05:00

I know this title sounds like a fund raising plea, but that's not the direction I'm heading with this post. Rather, I'm looking at the question, "What can we give to God?"

In Getting There, Oswald Chambers writes: We have the idea that we can dedicate our gifts to God. However, you cannot dedicate what is not yours.

In other words, if God is the "owner" of the gifts He gave us, then how can we "give" them back? How can we give what is not ours to give?

Chambers continues: There is actually only one thing you can dedicate to God, and that is your right to yourself.

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Finally from Chambers: If you will give God your right to yourself, He will make a holy experiment out of you— and His experiments always succeed.

Give what you can and watch God succeed!

Lon Alderman
www.AcornMinistries.com
Follow me on twitter: @leaderlifter

Feedblitz Note: For those of you who receive these posts through Feedblitz, in order to see the Build UPs as I intended them, please click on the title to view the post. Otherwise, you miss out on videos, pictures and some of the formatting. You can also "follow" these posts through NetworkedBlogs. To follow, go to the blog site (click the title) and click on the "follow this blog" button under NetworkedBlogs.

Dancing in the Church, by Lon Alderman

2009-06-17T14:10:00.008-05:00

First, thank you to Bill Allison at Cadre Ministries for turning me on to this video! You can see Bill's take on this video at his blog, Cup O' Joe with Bill. Thank you, Bill!

This is an awesome example of contagious behavior! The man's dance is contagious, not pretty, just contagious! He doesn't invite or coerce anyone to join him, he just dances! People join him because it looks like something they want to be a part of. Frankly, it looks fun!!

I look around the Church and, generally speaking, I don't see much dancing. I don't see much uninhibited praising of the Lord. I don't see much that I want to join!

We tell people to join us in the Church because they will find joy in God, but we don't dance ourselves! We sit around playing the music and expect people to show up and dance to the music...

Luke 7:31-32 Jesus said,
"To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
" 'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance...' "

But, what if we danced?

Lon Alderman
www.AcornMinistries.com
Over 350 additional posts at: Daily Build UP

Around the Corner, by Lon Alderman

2009-06-15T16:47:00.005-05:00

This is another "re-post" (10-13-06) and it happens to have been my very first Build UP! Mark Sturgell's post reminded me of it. Thanks, Mark!

For most of my life I have looked for joy around the next corner. I'd think, "If I could just get through high school, then I'd be happy."

Later in life I continued that same kind of thinking, "If I only had a bigger house, a better job, or a newer car, then I'd be happy."

Then I read what Jesus said:

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:9-11 NIV)

Christ's joy is available to me here and now, not around the next corner! If I obey Christ's commands, I will remain in Christ's love. If I remain in Christ's love, then complete joy is available to me RIGHT NOW!

I pray that you will experience the joy of Christ, today!

Lon
www.AcornMinistries.com

Audience, by Lon Alderman

2009-06-13T09:10:00.006-05:00

I'm having a ball playing in the pit orchestra for "Singin' in the Rain" with the Vermilion Players! I was reminded of this post (June 18, 2007) and think it's time to post it again.

Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

I've just finished a very busy season of musical theatre. I played trumpet in the pit band for "West Side Story" in our local community theatre. Because of this experience the concept of "audience" is fresh in my head. Every ounce of effort that went into this production was for the purpose of pleasing the audience.

In this passage, Paul calls our attention to the most important audience of all. To whom are we performing? Singer and songwriter Sara Groves put it wonderfully in her song "This Journey is My Own". Here are some selected lyrics:

When I stand before the Lord,
I’ll be standing alone.
This journey is my own.
Still I want man’s advice,
and I need man’s approval,
but this journey is my own.

So much of what I do is to make a good impression.
This journey is my own.
So much of what I say is to make myself look better.
This journey is my own.

I have never felt relief like I feel it right now.
This journey is my own.
‘Cause trying to please the world
it was breaking me down...
Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one...
‘Cause I know this journey is my own

You can live for someone else
And it will only bring your pain
I can’t even judge myself
Only the Lord can say, “Well done.”

What are we afraid of?, by Lon Alderman

2009-06-09T14:57:00.006-05:00

Do you have dreams that you can't seem to reach? Do you feel nudges toward taking certain positive actions, but can't seem to "pull the trigger"? Do you see needs out there, but choose to turn the other way? I do.

I almost always know what I should do, but something keeps me from doing it! Instead of acting, I quickly surmise every possible negative outcome. I itemize the difficulties and the costs. I tally up my shortcomings. Then I choose not to act.

I'm beginning to realize that most of these obstacles have, at their root, FEAR!

According to Oswald Chambers...
What line of thinking do my thoughts take? Do I turn to what God says or to my own fears? Am I simply repeating what God says, or am I learning to truly hear Him and then to respond after I have heard what He says? "For He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ " (Hebrews 13:5-6).

If we believe what God has promised, then what place can fear occupy in our life? In other words, if God promises to never leave us and never forsake us, then what are we afraid of?

Here's a simple action plan for overcoming fear-related obstacles:
1. Examine the obstacle
2. Identify the fear
3. Trust God
4. Move forward

With God, we can overcome our fears!
Lon Alderman
www.AcornMinistries.com

Check out over 350 additional posts (accessible according to topic) by clicking on this link: Daily Build UP

Loops, by Lon Alderman

2009-06-02T10:00:00.015-05:00

Jesus says, "Follow me."

And often we answer, "Lord, I will follow You, but..." (Luke 9:61)

Following Jesus requires submitting our will to God's will. If, when Jesus calls, we choose to follow our common sense instead, then we find ourselves in, what I call, a loop.

Oswald Chambers teaches it this way...
If you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination. And the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time you will turn back at the point of testing, until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender.

When we fail to follow God's will then He loops us back to face the same test again. These loops continue until we submit. During these loops our relationship with God stops growing. However, when we finally pass the test by surrendering ourselves we (again) move forward in our relationship with Christ. Are you currently caught in a loop? The way forward is to submit to God's will even when it doesn't make sense.

Submit,
Lon Alderman
www.AcornMinistries.com

Forward to the Dawn

2009-05-28T12:19:00.010-05:00

I ran across this in today's sermon preparation:

Luke 9:61-62
Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Here are William Barclay's thoughts on this passage...

[Jesus'] words to the third man state a truth which no one can deny. No ploughman ever ploughed a straight furrow looking back over his shoulder. There are some whose hearts are in the past. They walk forever looking backwards and thinking wistfully of the good old days.

Watkinson, the great preacher, tells how once at the seaside, when he was with his little grandson, he met an old minister. The old man was very disgruntled and, to add to all his troubles, he had a slight touch of sunstroke. The little boy had been listening but had not picked it up quite correctly; and when they left the grumbling complaints of the old man, he turned to Watkinson and said, “Granddad, I hope you never suffer from a sunset!”

The Christian marches on, not to the sunset, but to the dawn. The watchword of the kingdom is not, “Backwards!” but “Forwards!” To this man Jesus did not say either, “Follow!” or “Return!” he said, “I accept no lukewarm service,” and left the man to make his own decision.

Need I say more?

By the way, you can listen to my weekly sermons and find out where I'm preaching by clicking on the following links:

Weekly Sermons
Preaching Schedule

Forward to the dawn!
Lon Alderman
www.AcornMinistries.com

Plow Now, by Lon Alderman

2009-05-25T14:20:00.005-05:00

Today's Build UP is inspired by my friend Mark Sturgell. His blog post today really hit me between the eyes. You can check out his post through this link:

The Intersection of Purpose and Now

Mark teaches...

Time is linear. We have no control over time. Each of us has 24 hours in each day. That will not change. There is no such thing as time management. We have the moment – this moment - to work with. We have Now. That’s all we own, all we are given true stewardship over. We cannot travel into the past or the future, even for a moment. This one is all we have.

My purpose is to build up the body of Christ, the Church. I do this by encouraging and equipping church leaders. Today, after reading Mark's blog, I realized that the most purposeful use of my "now" was to construct a Build UP. So...

I opened up my blog page and started keyboarding. The next thing I knew the blog was written! My hope is that you will be encouraged by this post. If you are, then my purpose is achieved!

Proverbs 20:4
A sluggard does not plow in season;
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

Plow now!
Lon
www.AcornMinistries.com

Adventure III, by Lon Alderman

2009-05-19T07:09:00.010-05:00

Every real adventure I've experienced contains a portion that is very difficult. Whether it's a tough hill to climb, running out of water in the desert, capsizing the canoe, or an injury, every adventure carries with it a significant challenge. Frankly, that's why we go! There's something awesome about surviving one of these challenges! And, they make the best stories!

Paul writes of the persecutions and challenges he and other disciples have endured (see 2Corinthians 4:8-9). He goes on to explain that there is a purpose being served in this suffering.

2Corinthians 4:10b
...so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Every real faith walk contains portions that are very difficult. Whether it's enduring a tough church meeting, a search process for a key church leader, personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or the death of a friend, every faith walk carries with it significant challenges.

When we face these challenges leaning on God, it is God that gets us through them. It is, therefore, appropriate that God gets the credit for our "survival". And, these adventures make the best stories!

As you face today's adventure, lean fully upon God. He will get you through and in the process Jesus will be revealed!

Have a great adventure!
Lon

Adventure II, by Lon Alderman

2009-05-15T14:02:00.019-05:00

Most churches have lost their sense of adventure! Instead of striding forward into the fray, our primary effort has become more defensive, leaning more toward fortification.

Should we really stay in the temporary safety of the "fort"?

Or, should we boldly risk a "charge"?

Luke 14:25-27 (The Message)
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.

Oswald Chambers
This verse teaches us that the only men and women our Lord will use in His building enterprises are those who love Him personally, passionately, and with great devotion— those who have a love for Him that goes far beyond any of the closest relationships on earth. The conditions are strict, but they are glorious.

That's an incredibly poignant statement for the Church, particularly since "letting go" is not very culturally acceptable these days. Rather, we hear the church responding to the challenges in the world with statements like: "save for a rainy day" and "batten down the hatches"! Many churches are taking up defensive positions, and hoping to out last the the tough times, just when action is needed most!

The New Oxford American Dictionary on "adventure":
Ad - denoting motion or direction
Venture - dare to do something or go somewhere that may be dangerous or unpleasant

In order to be disciples of Jesus we must move! In order to be disciples of Jesus we must "dare to do something or go somewhere that may be dangerous or unpleasant"! Jesus demands that we let it all go and follow Him!

Discipleship is an adventure!
Lon

Adventure Lost, by Lon Alderman

2009-05-14T14:24:00.007-05:00

I read this prayer on my friend Bill Dahlberg's facebook page:

"O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

This prayer smacks of adventure to me. Going where we haven't gone before and not knowing what will happen is a formula for adventure. It is also the stuff that makes many people nervous these days!

This country was "settled" by people heading (west) where few (like them) had gone before. For the most part, however, we have grown uncomfortable with the unknown since those adventurous days.

Today, we excel at subduing our world into tidy little boxes. We move away from the unknown preferring the predictable. We settle for private rather than run the risk of public. We schedule and organize. We develop habits and rituals. And we slowly develop safe, unchanging, comfortable cocoons around ourselves.

Then someone suggests a change and people come unglued!

It would be good to remember Who it is that calls us and the adventure that commonly accompanies His call.

Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Luke 14:33
...any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Lifter or Leaner

2009-05-13T08:13:00.005-05:00

Are you a lifter or a leaner?
Submitted by Pastor Jason Woolever
[originally posted on July 10, 2007]

1Thessalonians 5:11
"...encourage one another and build each other up..."

Check out this old poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

There are two kinds of people on earth today,
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.
Not the good and the bad, for 'tis well understood
That the good are half-bad and the bad are half-good.
No! The two kinds of people on earth I mean
Are the people who lift and the people who lean.

Are you a person who lifts the loads of others with your attitude, words, and actions? Or are you the type who makes people's loads feel heavier than they were before you entered the room? What would your family/co-workers say?

To read more from Pastor Jason, check out his blog at:
http://post-methodist.blogspot.com

"Fruit", by Lon Alderman

2009-04-09T15:00:00.000-05:00

John 15:5
[Jesus said] "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

I've always struggled with this passage, because I know a lot of good fruitful people that are "apart" from Jesus. The world is full of generous, kind, hospitable, and gracious people that don't have any kind of a relationship with Jesus. How can they bear fruit apart from Jesus?

What is "fruit"?

John 15:8
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

William Barclay wrote:
God is glorified, when we bear much fruit and show ourselves to be disciples of Jesus. The greatest glory of the Christian life is that by our life and conduct we can bring glory to God.

According to Barclay, when we bear "much fruit" we demonstrate to the world that we are Jesus' disciples. Showing ourselves to be Christ's disciples brings glory to God. What we do, our fruit, can be tested by whether it shows us to be disciples of Jesus.

It's not enough to just do good things. Fruit is behaving in a way that shows that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. Fruit is a life that brings glory to God.

Bear much fruit!
Lon
www.AcornMinistries.com

Benefit Concert - Acorn Ministries

2009-04-03T22:20:00.004-05:00

I'd love to have you join us for our Fourth Annual Benefit Concert! The concert will be held on April 4th at 7:00pm in the First United Methodist Church in Pontiac (IL)!

The funds that are raised are used to support me in my Acorn Ministries work! This is my only fund raising event of the year!

Here are some helpful links:

To order a CD of the concert: ORDER A CD

To learn more about the concert: CONCERT INFORMATION

To make a tax-deductible donation: MAKE A DONATION

Thank you!
Lon

LIfting Exercises, by Lon Alderman

2009-03-18T16:04:00.006-05:00

1Thessalonians 5:12-13 (The Message)
And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

------------

If you hadn't heard, church leadership is challenging! The demands and expectations of the job are off the charts! Once upon a time being a church leader was a high status and low stress occupation. Not anymore! I think it is pretty safe to say that the opposite is true today!

One of the cool things on our church calendars is the "Pastor Appreciation" month! I've actually communicated with the guy that started this movement! (BTW, please pray for Jerry!) What I'd love to see is for this cool month of celebrating our church leaders to spill out into the rest of the calendar. Toward that end, I've started compiling a resource of different ways to encourage church leaders. Here's the link: Lifting Exercises

Please consider telling me about the ways you lift your leaders and I'll share them with our fellow "Lifters"!

Happy lifting!
Lon

Which half?, by Lon Alderman

2009-03-06T07:29:00.010-06:00

Matthew 14:28-30
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

-------

Peter was doing it! He was walking on water! However, in the midst of this miracle, Peter gets distracted. His focus on Jesus is broken as Peter concentrates on his surroundings. Granted, Peter is in the midst of a storm, but he was in the storm when he first stepped out of the boat. Something changed! Now his eyes are on the storm, not Jesus. And he begins to sink!

It is at these times in our life when we see the glass half empty. We focus on the negatives of our surroundings. We concentrate on the storms and not on Jesus. Selfishness fills our heart and we start to sink!

There is another way to view the glass, and that is to see it half full. This is attained when we focus on Jesus in the midst of the storm. With our eyes on Christ we see His amazing blessings and His perfect provision right there in the middle of the storm! Gratitude fills our heart and we walk on water!

Matthew 14:31-33
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Keep your eyes on the Son of God!
Lon

www.AcornMinistries.com

Out of the Mouth, by Lon Alderman

2009-03-05T14:03:00.006-06:00

Proverbs 10:11 (The Message)
The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well,
but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.

What flows from our mouths? Are we a source of life or abuse?

Our mouths can speak the words that bring encouragement to anyone we meet. Out of our mouth we can build up and give life to our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family. Even in the most dire storms in life we can deliver the silver-lining with the words we choose. We always have the option!

Our mouths can speak the words that destroy anyone we meet. Out of our mouth we can tear down and rip to shreds our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family. Even in the most wonderful sunny day we can deliver the dark storm cloud with the words we choose. We always have the option!

The choice of words is ours: "deep, life-giving" or "dark cave of abuse".

What will come out of your mouth, today?

Lon

Please check out the all-new Acorn Ministries website! Check out all of the great resources and learn more about my ministry. Check it out at: www.AcornMinistries.com

In Your Hands, by Lon Alderman

2009-02-23T16:02:00.005-06:00

Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Two boys were walking through the woods and discovered a small bird with a broken wing. The boys caught the bird and decided to use it to play a trick on one of their neighbors. As the boys made their way to the neighbors house with the bird held tightly in one of the boys hands, they made up their plan.

Upon arriving at the old man's house the boy holding the bird explained to his neighbor that he had a bird in his hands and he wanted him to guess if it was alive or dead. If the man had said that the bird was dead, then the boy would open his hands and show the man that he was wrong. However, if the man said that the bird was alive, then the boy would gently push the life out of the bird with his hands and show the man that he was wrong by displaying the dead bird. The boys were very excited because they planned to prove the old man to be wrong no matter which way the man answered.

The man was slow to answer which made the boys excitement turn to impatience. Finally, the boy holding the bird shouted out, "What's your answer old man?"

The man slowly responded, "The answer is in your hands."

Choose well!
Lon

The Perfect Storm, by Lon Alderman

2009-02-20T13:51:00.000-06:00

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The movie "Perfect Storm" is a dramatic portrayal of a violent and destructive natural phenomenon. A "perfect storm" is defined as:

a particularly violent storm arising from a rare combination of adverse meteorological factors.
a particularly bad or critical state of affairs, arising from a number of negative and unpredictable factors : the past two years have been a perfect storm for the travel industry.

Again, "God works through all things for the good of those who love Him..."

The challenge for us is to understand that sometimes we have to go through difficulty in order to become the men and women God desires us to be. The "storms" in our life are perfectly designed for the good of those they affect, particularly those that love God.

For example, until I had been fired from a job I had almost no empathy for people going through that crisis. Now that I've experienced being fired I have regular opportunities to encourage people as they work through this painful process.

When we find ourselves in a one of the storms of life, try to keep in mind that the storm is perfectly capable of producing "good" results in us. God is, in fact, at work for our good rain and shine!

What storms are brewing in your life?
Lon

I Had Forgotten, by Lon Alderman

2009-01-20T12:07:00.006-06:00

Galatians 3:26-29
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Today, I was having a wonderful discussion with a dear friend and colleague over breakfast. In the midst of our effort to solve all the problems that effect the Church, we were interrupted by the restaurant owner. He shouted for us to draw our attention to the large screen television which showed pictures of the preparations being made for today's inauguration of President Barack Obama. This was an unusual thing for the owner to do. Actually, I'd never heard him speak until today. But that wasn't what upset me...

Before his words had finished settling onto the flour of this small diner an over-fed man in his sixties let go with a politically and racially charged remark! I couldn't believe he had said it! I don't know this man, but I can tell you a great deal about him as a result of his attempt at humor! This was so unsettling to me because I guess I had forgotten just how divided we are in this world by such things as political party and the color of a person's skin.

Lord Jesus, heal this land. Heal it from its divisions of gender, political affiliation, wealth, and race. Keep my mind sharpened to the need for healing, because I had forgotten...

In God we trust,
Lon

Seasons, by Lon Alderman

2009-01-06T15:16:00.007-06:00

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...

You may have noticed that my blog has been a bit, what shall I say, dormant. I believe that you deserve an explanation, but I'll give you two. First, I have been using up much of my creativity in the development of my brand new website for Acorn Ministries. I'm thrilled about the progress; however, this effort has taken me "away" from my blogging ministry.

Second, this has been a season in which I've invested in my family. God blessed our socks off with a gift from my parents of two weeks free lodging in Florida! It was awesome!

It's been a wonderful season, but I do realize that I've not been very encouraging during it. If I'm ever absent again, please visit the blog (Daily Build UP!) where you can find over 300 encouraging messages! You can also find posts on particular subjects by clicking on a "topic" from the right-hand column (scroll down a bit to find these).

May God bless you richly in 2009!
Lon

Time Part II, by Rachel Smith

2008-12-12T12:13:00.000-06:00

My youngest son's best friend lives across the street. Every time he has even 5 minutes free he wants to run and see him. My practical mind says you really need at least a free hour to make a real play date. But the boys don't seem to care. Even a few minutes here and there help solidify their relationship.

Maybe I should learn from his example. God doesn't seem to care if my time with Him is a solid hour or five minutes here and there. Just that I run to see Him with full enthusiasm and commitment.

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Time Part I, by Rachel Smith

2008-12-11T13:29:00.002-06:00

Do you have a minute?

I mean really, just one?

If you are like 90% of Americans the answer is no. In our fast paced culture we rarely find time to squeeze in an extra trip to the bathroom or a coffee break.

We cringe at those words, "Do you have a minute" We focus on the predicted outcome. We have already decided this other person is going to request something that will take much more than a minute to accomplish. And in our over booked lives we feel exhausted to fit in one more persons "do you have a minute" request. So in your head you scream, "NO! I DO NOT HAVE A MINUTE AND IF I DID, I WOULD ______" But you smile, tilt your head and reluctantly say “sure" all the while formulating a way out of the request that has yet to be uttered.

Do we respond the same when God calls? Or are we coming up with a reason for not having the time?

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Believe II, by Rachel Smith

2008-12-10T21:23:00.002-06:00

God believes in the power of one.

In an earlier post I asked you if you believe in the ability of one person to make a difference in this world.

Jesus makes the biggest impact in the world and calls us to partner with Him in this work.

We are to be his disciples, his students. We are to learn from his teachings. If Jesus, being fully man and fully God, took the time as one person to touch the lives of those around Him, shouldn’t we do the same?

The impact to the kingdom is huge. And it all starts with one person. You.

Whose life will you impact today?

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Do you believe?, by Rachel Smith

2008-12-03T18:37:00.002-06:00

Do you believe?

It's getting to be that time of year where people ask this question. Do you believe? In what? In whom?

My question is similar, do you believe in the power of one?

Well do you?

Does one person make a difference? In a world where things sometimes seem so large and overwhelming can one person have an impact? I have read wonderful stories of that one person who voted and turned the election. Or the one person who took the time with a child to nurture and care. But, can you actually affirm your life in the power of one?

God does. He believes in the power of one.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Breaking Out - Leadership, by Lon Alderman

2008-11-30T19:43:00.004-06:00

Acts 10:27-29
Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection...

Peter took the message of Jesus to the Gentiles. This act, which defied Jewish law, breached the "siege-wall" surrounding the Hebrews. Previously, the early Christ-followers held the Gospel of Jesus within the Jewish community. Peter went where no Jew had gone. He took the message of Christ outside the faith community. He led!

Acts 13:46-47
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
" 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

The breach in the siege-wall created by Peter's leadership became a pathway for Paul. Paul stepped through the breach and took the message of Christ to the Gentiles with tremendous zeal. Paul led, too!

Breaking out of the self-siege requires sustained, courageous, and zealous leadership.

Break out!
Lon

Give Thanks!, by Rachel Smith

2008-11-26T14:26:00.002-06:00

1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Our music minister gave our youngest son a wonderful gift this Sunday. We have been in the market for a student size guitar and out of the blue, he gave one to our son. While this is an answer to prayer in helping us give our child something he wants in such tight economic times, it was also a lesson in thanks.

Upon hearing the news of the gift, our child literally leapt in the air. His face lit up. He ran to tell his brother. He could not believe his good fortune and wanted to share the news. He was excited and I was happy for him. He then ran for the sanctuary to thank the one who gave him this present. He had to. He just couldn't keep his feet still. He couldn't find the young man at first and started asking everyone, anyone, until he was directed to his benefactor.

This week, as we reflect on Thanksgiving and on the gift-giving season, I hope we all leap for joy, share the good news and run to the one that gives us all good things praising Him for all.

Thanks be to Jesus!

Breaking Out - Vision, by Lon Alderman

2008-11-25T09:51:00.011-06:00

Acts 10:9-16
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Peter receives a vision reversing previously held rules regarding what Jews could eat. God made it clear that what was once seen as unclean is now to be regarded as clean. Next, the Lord provides Peter the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus with a bunch of Gentiles (i.e., non-Jews). Peter's vision encourages him to step out into this new territory, that is, to go to the home of a Gentile (which was illegal for Jews).

I was told this morning that the pastor of a church in my state spent years preaching about the vision of the church once every month. The result was that everyone even loosely affiliated with that church knew the purpose and hoped for future of it. I'm confident that it is not a coincidence that that church today is the fastest growing church in its denomination in our region!

Who are we? What do we do? Where are we going? How do we get there? The answers to these questions must be answered regularly and communicated clearly. If the church doesn't answer these questions, then there is confusion of purpose! Without a clear purpose, churches default to trying to keep the church exactly as it is, which leads to siege!

A clear and shared vision is required to break out of a siege.

Seek the Lord!
Lon

Breaking Out - Defiance, by Lon Alderman

2008-11-22T09:24:00.011-06:00

Acts 10:9-16
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Even the early apostles faced a siege of their own making! They believed that the only people "clean" enough to hear the Gospel of Jesus were those already in the Jewish faith. God expands Peter's understanding through this vision of clean and unclean food. [I'll try to come back the role of "vision" in breaking out.]

Immediately thereafter, God presents Peter with a perfect opportunity to break out of the siege.

Acts 10:19-20
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."

Peter went with them. Peter went where he wasn't supposed to go! Peter went to the house of someone outside the faith! Peter defied Jewish law. Peter broke out!

Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Peter defied the rules that maintained the siege. The Holy Spirit moved. And, the siege was broken.

What's maintaining your siege?
Lon

Oswald Chambers on Siege

2008-11-20T10:07:00.004-06:00

I read from Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest", almost every day. I couldn't help but notice the "siege" theme in what I read this morning. Instead of relating it to you, I've decided to simply share it. Surrender!

Fellowship in the Gospel

. . . fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ . . . —1 Thessalonians 3:2

After sanctification, it is difficult to state what your purpose in life is, because God has moved you into His purpose through the Holy Spirit. He is using you now for His purposes throughout the world as He used His Son for the purpose of our salvation. If you seek great things for yourself, thinking, "God has called me for this and for that," you barricade God from using you. As long as you maintain your own personal interests and ambitions, you cannot be completely aligned or identified with God’s interests. This can only be accomplished by giving up all of your personal plans once and for all, and by allowing God to take you directly into His purpose for the world. Your understanding of your ways must also be surrendered, because they are now the ways of the Lord.

I must learn that the purpose of my life belongs to God, not me. God is using me from His great personal perspective, and all He asks of me is that I trust Him. I should never say, "Lord, this causes me such heartache." To talk that way makes me a stumbling block. When I stop telling God what I want, He can freely work His will in me without any hindrance. He can crush me, exalt me, or do anything else He chooses. He simply asks me to have absolute faith in Him and His goodness. Self-pity is of the devil, and if I wallow in it I cannot be used by God for His purpose in the world. Doing this creates for me my own cozy "world within the world," and God will not be allowed to move me from it because of my fear of being "frost-bitten."

Breaking the Siege, by Lon Alderman

2008-11-19T14:24:00.008-06:00

Pheaney commented on yesterday's post:
Let's say hypothetically we see the self-siege happening to our church. How do we change it?

First, if I had the answer to this question, I would be a VERY popular guy! The problem is complicated and somewhat peculiar to the individual church; however, I believe that there is a general principle that may apply in every case. It is the application of the principle that would take on unique characteristics.

Mark 8:34-35
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Letting go or surrendering our life to Christ is the way that we gain real life, eternal life. Is it possible that for a church to "save [its] life" it must "lose" or surrender its "life"? In other words, what if the church would put its very "life" on the line; risk every gift?

I know of a church that determined to save the money that had been given them. They said someday a rainy day will come and then we'll need this money to survive, so they "buried it". In the current year those "safe investments" lost over $250,000! Think of the ministry that could have been "risked". Think of the money that could have been "thrown away" on feeding or clothing the poor.

The "gifts" a church may possess might not always be money. However, if the church is still open then I'm confident there are gifts there. Every church needs to take those gifts and completely surrender them to Jesus and see how He directs. I'm confident that the directions in which Jesus guides us to invest our gifts will be contrary to the ways, or patterns, of the world (Romans 12:2)!

William Barclay
If a man has a talent and exercises it, he is progressively able to do more with it. But, if he has a talent and fails to exercise it, he will inevitably lose it. If we have some proficiency at a game or an art, if we have some gift for doing something, the more we exercise that proficiency and that gift, the harder the work and the bigger the task we will be able to tackle. Whereas, if we fail to use it, we lose it. That is equally true of playing golf or playing the piano, or singing songs or writing sermons, of carving wood or thinking out ideas. It is the lesson of life that the only way to keep a gift is to use it in the service of God and in the service of our fellow-men.

Break the siege!
Lon

Self-Siege, by Lon Alderman

2008-11-17T10:10:00.004-06:00

Matthew 25:18
But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

William Barclay wrote, "the useless servant buried his talent in the ground, in order that he might hand it back to his master exactly as it was. The whole aim of the Scribes and Pharisees was to keep the Law exactly as it was. In their own phrase, they sought 'to build a fence around the Law.'”

Back in the days of knights and fiefdoms attackers would often "lay siege" to an enemy's castle. A siege is "a military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling the surrender of those inside". By cutting off the flow of supplies, the enemy would starve out those in the castle.

I have spent a lot of time around churches that are in the process of dying. One sad fact is that many don't realize that they are in the process. They perceive their sacred duty as keeping the church alive by keeping it just like it was. As time moves forward and the world around the church changes, the very fence they construct to preserve the church becomes in essence a siege wall. Eventually, those in the church are starved out.

Jesus teaches us to take risks with the "talents" that He's given to us! After all, religion is nothing without a little adventure!

Have a great adventure!
Lon

Pastor Appreciation, by Lon Alderman

2008-11-09T20:50:00.006-06:00

1Thessalonians 5:12-13 (The Message)
And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

October was “Clergy Appreciation Month”! This is the time of year that we are reminded to pray for and appreciate our pastors.

Frankly, I don't know why we have to set aside a time for something we should do every day! It's the same with Mother's Day, Secretaries Day, and Veterans Day. We should appreciate mothers, secretaries, and veterans every day!

My passion is the encouragement and equipment of church leaders. Church leadership is challenging and regularly thankless.

If you really want to “overwhelm [your pastor] with appreciation and love”, try some of these:
• Provide a meal for your pastor and the pastor’s family
• Put together a work crew to winterize the pastor’s yard
• Send your pastor a note of encouragement
• Volunteer to assist your pastor with a project around the church
• Commit to praying for your pastor
• Send the pastor and his family on a week-long vacation

How do you encourage your pastor? Send me your good ideas at:

Lon@AcornMinistries.com or comment on this blog!

Overwhelm your church leaders this week!
Lon

Work, by Lon Alderman

2008-11-03T19:09:00.004-06:00

Hebrew 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

This passage has challenged me deeply over the years! After all, I've worked for some very, how should I say it, interesting bosses. Scripture teaches submission. Man, that can be a tough lesson!

Christ submitted to the authorities. His submission, even to death, allowed the turning point for all humankind to happen. His submission led to the cross and to our salvation! Christ's submission had purpose!

In Matthew 16:24, we are called to "pick up [our] cross and follow [Him]". There is a purpose in God's decision to place us where we find ourselves. Our responsibility is to submit and allow God's purposes to be fulfilled.

Bring your boss some joy!
Lon

The Rich Life, by Lon Alderman

2008-11-03T06:19:00.007-06:00

Luke 11:15-21
Then [Jesus] said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

The world screams at us to store up our treasures so we can live a life of leisure later in life. We place our hope of the rich life upon those retirement years. To make this happen, we expend every ounce of our life working. Sadly, how often do we hear of people that don't live to see their retirement? What then has all their effort gained them?

Jesus suggests an alternative. He teaches that we should be "rich toward God", instead of "stor[-ing] up things for himself". Living a life rich in God gives us the real rich life! We don't have to wait for retirement to enjoy His rich life. We can have this real rich life now!

Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Invest your life in a rich life found in Jesus Christ!
Lon

Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Son Tanned, By Lon Alderman

2008-10-29T07:49:00.006-05:00

During the pursuit of my bachelors degree (which took seven years and five schools) I recall noticing certain people as we returned from Christmas breaks. I could clearly see from their freshly tanned faces that they had spent their break somewhere warm. They stuck out in the crowd because the winter weather had caused most of the rest of us to become pretty pasty!

I deduced from their tans that they had the necessary wealth to spend their break in a warm and exotic location. I remember thinking, "Wouldn't it be great to have enough money to spend my vacations on the beach?" I wanted to be like them; to have what they had!

We make assumptions about people by the way they look. What are we telling people about Jesus by the way we look?

The town I live in is currently in turmoil as the local state prison is slated to close. As I scan the crowd I see here and there a face that sticks out. These faces aren't panicked. They aren't downcast and gloomy. Instead, I see in their faces a peace and confidence that is remarkable.

One shining example is my friend Troy. He works at the prison and will be directly affected by this closure. However, his response to this circumstance is strikingly different than the crowd. Troy's response, "God is in this situation, so He will get me through it."

That's what I call Son-tanned! I want to be like him, and have what he has!

Thanks, Troy!
Lon

Matthew 5:15-16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Anniversary Post, by Lon Alderman

2008-10-23T16:25:00.006-05:00

I began this blog in October 2006. During these two years I've posted 300 messages! In that time we have encouraged people from more than 25 foreign countries! It has been a great and blessed journey! I want to thank all of you who have contributed, including the following guest contributors: Rachel Smith, Jarvis, and Sandy Egle.

To celebrate our two year anniversary, I decided to re-post the very first Build UP (below). Please be encouraged! - Lon

For most of my life I have looked for joy around the next corner. I'd think, "If I could just get through high school, then I'd be happy."

Later in life I continued that same kind of thinking, "If I only had a bigger house, a better job, or a newer car, then I'd be happy."

Then I read what Jesus said:

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:9-11 NIV)

Christ's joy is available to me here and now, not around the next corner! If I obey Christ's commands, I will remain in Christ's love. If I remain in Christ's love, then complete joy is available to me RIGHT NOW!

I pray that you will experience the joy of Christ, today!

Ministry and Numbers, by Lon Alderman

2008-10-18T08:01:00.008-05:00

Mark 4:14-20
The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.

The world teaches us to measure our success. Efforts that demonstrate an increase in numerical strength are deemed worthy/successful. Declining numbers are viewed as failure. Somehow this mentality has slithered into the church. Those churches that are growing are viewed as good ministries. All the rest are bad ministries.

When I read this passage from Mark I get the impression that the sower is not evaluated as good or bad based on the success of the seed. Yes, some of those seeds produce, but some also die. Regardless of the production, or lack there of, the sower is not seen as having succeeded or failed. His job appears to be sowing, not productivity.

I understand that there really are unhealthy churches, but to determine health based on numbers alone is misguided.

Oswald Chambers spells it out this way: I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot make atonement for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I cannot right what is wrong, purify what is impure, or make holy what is unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God.

Let's count less and throw more seed.
Lon

Distracted-Again, by Lon Alderman

2008-10-17T13:01:00.007-05:00

Luke 10:41-42
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

As I'm sure you've noticed I have not been posting to this blog much. I've been distracted with a project that has exacted a great deal of time. I'm in the process of developing a "page" on facebook where I can post information about Acorn Ministries.

My thought has been that if I get this page up and running then more people will hear about and come to understand my ministry. In the process, I got distracted from the ministry of encouraging people through the Build UP!

This happens spiritually, too! We get all balled up in serving God and forget to relate to Him. We get entangled in the issues within the church and forget to be the church. We get distracted with trying to preserve the church and forget the God it serves.

Stay focused!
Lon

By the way, you can check out my work on facebook by clicking on this link: Acorn on facebook

What's your attitude?, by Rachel Smith

2008-10-13T21:35:00.001-05:00

Today a friend of mine called to get a jump for her van that decided to stop working. I must admit I always find these random events intriguing. I think about God and often wonder what He has planned with this one. So I got into my van and headed to the local Dairy Queen to help her out.

Now I have to say, if you are going to get stranded Dairy Queen is a great place to do it. I pulled in and from the angle I was noticed I would have to wait for a car to move to get to my friends van. So I waited. And in this very ordinary, very boring everyday occurrence God moved. Right there in the Dairy Queen parking lot. Right in plain sight. Well, plain to anyone looking for God.

I waited for this car to back out and noticed the two people in it bickering.
They grumped and grumbled. I couldn't really tell what was being said, but I know angry when I see it. Then I realized it was me they were mad at. They gestured my way and grumped some more. I smiled.

The car had plenty of room to back out and I was in no hurry (my friend certainly wasn't going anywhere) but these two women were not happy. That's when the irony hit me.

Really shouldn't my friend be grumpy? After all her van broke down! Or me- I was inconvenienced by a needy friend. But nope, the ice cream women were not happy over having to move. I grinned as I saw their WWJD bumper sticker pull out of the parking lot.

Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

How will we respond?, by Donnie Case

2008-10-07T15:02:00.006-05:00

Matthew 6:19-24

These indeed are troubling times for our country. We find ourselves in the middle of a Presidential election year, a time when campaigners are eager to promote themselves and their agendas above the needs of the people they are called to serve.

As Americans we have definitely encountered times like these in the past and will more than likely encounter them in the future.

As Christians, however, God has assured us that this life is not the most important, but that there is a life to come that matters so much more. Though in times when gas is sky rocketing and grocery bills make it seem as though it is impossible to feed a family of four, we, Christ-followers are to remain faithful and put our hope and trust in God alone.

These are times to truly examine the really important things in life. It appears that our insatiable appetite for materialism has finally consumed us as the main course and the country’s that we have been offering aid to will more than likely be the dessert.

What shall we do? Pray! Prayer is what God desires of his children. Lean not on our own understanding but on the understanding of God who is the giver and sustainer of life.

God’s people have been through hardships much worse than the one we find ourselves in today and how we respond to this “crisis” situation could be an opportunity to either affirm the Christ-followers believe in the Word of God or give ammunition to those who do not consider God the creator, sustainer, and sovereign ruler of the universe.

How will we respond? Please pray and continue to pray.

Courage, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-30T14:00:00.004-05:00

Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Paul understood his purpose in life, and that purpose was to "exalt" Jesus. No matter whether Paul lived or died, his role was to point people to Christ. If you knew Paul, then you knew his Jesus.

I don't know about where you live, but around here there is a great deal of fear. It seems that "everyone" is afraid about the current "financial crisis" in this country. Church people don't seem to be exempt from this fear!

What church people don't understand is that we are always pointing people to Jesus. Whether we behave well or behave badly we reflect on our Lord. This current "crisis" gives us an extraordinary stage upon which to tell people about our Jesus.

What will our message of Jesus sound like?

Take courage!
Lon

Character, by Rachel Smith

2008-09-25T07:18:00.002-05:00

Romans 5:3-5 (New International Version)
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

I am not defined by the situations I am given, but how I react to the situations I am given. This reaction shows my character. Reacting consistently in line with God's will shows perseverance. I have been given some pretty character building situations and must admit I do not always react in a way pleasing to God. But the last line of this verse caught my attention today.

God has poured out His love into our hearts. It is His love that gives us hope. That hope is our salvation. And for that I can rejoice in sufferings.

Jarvis responds to: Where is your faith?, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-24T07:48:00.003-05:00

I hope you enjoy Jarvis' response to: Where is your faith?, by Lon Alderman

I have found that many people's faith is in direct proportion to the intensity of the storms they have previously weathered. This may not sound like faith at all, but a sailor’s experiential confidence based upon what he now feels he can withstand. Or is it?

If we consider faith being "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" from Hebrews 11:1, my assurance and convictions will fall or stand on one of two premises. Either in the integrity of the One I have trusted my life to, or in my perceived ability (or others) to rescue me. At the heart of faith truly is an expectancy of something or someone to deliver.

There's a revised version of Luke 8 in my head where Jesus says instead of "Where's you faith?", but rather "In whom or what do you place your confidence?" I know it's semantics, but for me that more clearly articulates the core of the issue. Something over the years that has helped me to truly determine where my faith or confidence lies is in my reactions. The disciple's reaction to the storm was very telling. My reactions to life's storms have also been telling. I am endeavoring to purposefully change those responses. I do not steal or lie because I know it would break my Father's heart. But what about fear? Jesus also commanded us not to fear, but how remorseful (and repentant) have I been about that?

My daughter has often had more faith in me as a father, than I have in my Father. If her routine response to the storms over the last 17 years had been fear for lack of belief that I would take care of her, I would have been broken hearted, I can tell you that, knowing how much I love her. What motivates the children of the Living-Loving God to make the irrational decision to fear? My only conclusion is that what we really fear, for the believer and non-believer alike, is loss, and the pain it will cause either us, and/or someone we love. Loss or the possibility of loss can obviously be very difficult. What has proved to be more difficult for me is to remember is that what is truly of eternal value I shall never lose...

So who commands your winds and waves today? And what will be your response?

Jarvis

Where is your faith?, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-23T13:31:00.006-05:00

Luke 8:23-25
As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

I don't know about where you live, but people around here are starting to get a little skittish. Fear about the economy, jobs, retirement, and the general affordability of life has gripped this portion of the world. People look forward and only see trouble!

The disciples must have felt the same way. Looking around them they saw only bad news! They thought, "Surely this is the end!"

Jesus asks a simple, but profound question, "Where is your faith?"

Is our faith in our portfolio? Is our faith in our job? Is our faith in our government? If so, then our faith is set upon things of this world. Nothing of this world will last. It will all fail in the end. However, Jesus, who controls the wind and waters, is the same for eternity. Jesus will never fail!

Where is your faith?
Lon

Plans and Steps, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-20T09:21:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

Plan, yes, but be prepared to take the steps that God determines. The problem arises when we get so caught up in our plan that we forget to consult with the very God that we're trying to serve. Our plan, conceived with God in mind and for His glory, can in this way become a god.

One of the not so shiny examples of this happens in our churches. We seek God and plan and carry out a very cool ministry and God is glorified, but then something happens. It was such a great success that we decide to do it again, and off we run. Years down the road this ministry that started so purely turns out to be a tradition that no longer gives God glory. We undertake these programs because we've always done it, not because of the benefit that it provides God.

Yes, make plans, but be willing to follow God's leading even if that means abandoning a program that, once upon a time, was a great success. The practical test to apply is to determine the eternal purpose found in every ministry in which we're involved. If a ministry no longer serves to glorify God, then it may be time to abandon, or redirect, it.

Plan and seek God for the placement of your steps.
Lon

Response to "Intentionality", by Jarvis

2008-09-19T07:32:00.004-05:00

Jarvis posted this great comment in response to yesterday's post (Intentionality). I hope you are encouraged by his thoughts. - Lon

We are told the Holy Spirit is our Counselor. What need is there for a counselor, if we have nothing to consider, nothing to plan, if we don't need wisdom for direction.

The first chapters of Genesis make the act of creation sound like the beginning of God's activity. However, He would have had eternity to plan every detail about our lives, the layout of the earth, what animals to create, etc., and how all of these details would co-exist, within man's free-will, and even once sin has entered the world. I believe if you look around you will realize there must have been some extensive planning involved. The bible also tells us that during all of this, Wisdom was there.

Having said all of that I know how you feel, Lon. Honestly at times I have thought, "What's the point? He's going to have His way anyway, right?" Yes, but, I believe the creation story also teaches us something else here. God wants us to [participate] in not just the process, but the experience. Too many people are just going through the process; that sounds so cold, and lifeless. "Life," someone said, "is not a problem to be figured out, but an experience to be lived" (loosely translated). Are there things to be figured out? Absolutely! But, that's not the point. You don't get a prize for figuring it all out. I don't have to be MacGuyver and rescue myself from this life with a piece of duct tape, some chewing gum, a ball point pen, and my Swiss Army knife.

I believe the opportunity (I didn't say 'task') we have been given to plan is part of this life experience God wants to share with us, and be a part of, because it is also something He Himself does and wants to share that wonder, that creativity, and joy in creating something. The next time you have to plan something out, remember that is an opportunity and ability given to you by God, for your enjoyment. I think we fail to understand all of the experiences available to us when we sit back and don't exercise our ability to plan and create. God certainly would like to be a part of this experience with you, but I fail to see in scripture where He has declared our plans to be a joke, or not worth conceiving. At least that's not the Father I have come know. My experience has been and still is of a father who loves to be with and encourage his children when they play on the floor with their building blocks. As a natural father I derived so much joy doing that with my daughter. In some small way that helps me understand how mu joy God takes in doing the same with us throughout my life.

Intentionality, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-18T18:31:00.005-05:00

Luke 9:51
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

Jesus had only recently come down from the mountain upon which He was "transfigured". There Jesus spoke with Elijah and Moses about His "departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem" (Luke 9:31). It appears to me that Jesus knew what would happen to Him when He went to Jerusalem, and Jesus went anyway.

I've been struggling lately with the appropriateness of planning, particularly making plans in ministry. I've asked, "Isn't it arrogant to make plans when God is sovereign?" You know the old joke: "If you want to make God laugh, then tell Him your plans!"

Then I reread this passage. I'm struck by the intentionality with which Jesus approached Jerusalem. It seems clear that Jesus had a plan (to enter Jerusalem at which time He would be lifted up). And, that Jesus carried out that plan "resolutely"!

This puts planning in a new and positive light for me. I hope it encourages you to seek God and make good plans. And, to carry them out resolutely.

Lon

Eight Percent, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-15T10:58:00.005-05:00

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

This will come across as a strange encouragement, but please see it through to the end. This thought was inspired during a conversation with my friend Jason Woolever. Actually, Jason, thanks for messing up my week!

I've always dismissed this passage, because I didn't think it pertained to me. After all, I'm not rich! Then Jason shared this statistic with me: "only 8% of the world owns cars". Even if that statistic is off, I mean WAY off, like 50% off, then only 16% of the world owns cars! By my math, that makes me, who owns two cars, in a word; RICH! Just because I don't measure up to the Jones family (nothing personal, Dale!) doesn't mean that I'm poor.

I've spent the last five days recognizing the amazing blessings that God has provided for me! I praise God for clean water, a safe neighborhood, schools for my children, a home to live in, safe food to eat, electricity, indoor plumbing, etc., etc., etc.

Friends, if we can access the internet and read this blog, then we are rich. Let's recognize our prosperity and the challenge that comes with riches. Let us sing God's praises for the wealth He has lovingly given us. Let's take our minds off of what we don't have and focus on what we already possess.

The result will be encouraging!
Lon

Living in the Clouds, by Rachel Smith

2008-09-13T17:44:00.005-05:00

Some days I feel like a cloud has settled over me. Actually, in hindsight, some YEARS I feel like I was living in a cloud. Just kinda going through the motions of life and doing life but not actually living life. In tragedy or great stress our bodies begin to shut down as a coping mechanism. We often go through the routine of life without much thought or feeling as to why.

I spent most of last year in this cloud due to so many losses and tragedies in our family. It's only now that the clouds have cleared out of my head and I feel normal that I realize what a dazed state I was in. It sounds sad, I'm sure, to think I was in such a haze for so long

But I rejoice because I know this cloud was God's protection around me. He kept me safely close to home to give me time to heal and now that the cloud has lifted, it's time for me to obey and pick up my tent and follow. Perhaps you too are in God's protective cloud.

Take comfort in your rest, but be watchful for when He tells you to set out. Obedience is our expression of love to God. Obedience is a way to thank God for His protection and guidance.

Numbers 9:17-23 (New International Version)
Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the LORD's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD's order and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

Numbers, by Rachel Smith

2008-09-12T11:11:00.004-05:00

Have you ever seen that tv show? Basically all these mysteries can be solved by following some numeric pattern or equation. Well, I have been a little stuck in Numbers myself. Not mathematics, but the book of Numbers.

Admittedly, I tend to skim this book rather than read it word for word. But lately I find it fascinating. There is so much detail and care given by God to the people of Israel about how to organize the work of the people! God truly cares what everyone's job is. He sets apart specific families for specific tasks and determines exactly where they are to live.

He does this with you and me as well. You are placed exactly where you are for a purpose! Try to find out why- maybe look in Numbers.

See Numbers 1:1-54, 2: 1-34, 3:5-10, 4:21-49, 8:14-19

Story Telling, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-11T11:29:00.007-05:00

Matthew 11:1-3
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables...

I have two ways of telling my story about life as a missionary. One way is full of self-pity. This telling involves the specters of future financial obligations and our inadequacy (translated "fear") to meet those demands. It includes hand wringing and a droopy countenance.

The other telling is full of God's glory. In this story I focus on God's amazing provision today and the sufficiency of His grace (2Corinthians 12:9) for today. It includes uplifted hands and a joyful countenance.

How are you telling your story?
Lon

House on the Rock, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-09T21:43:00.005-05:00

Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

We are emerging from yet another storm! This one was a whopper! The wind howled and the rain battered! The storm grew from our anxiety about future things. Stuff that hasn't gotten here, yet! Oh, but what a storm we brewed up!

We, my wife and I, headed for the basement. We finally found real shelter by returning our trust to God. As soon as we changed our focus to trusting God today, then the storm subsided. Even more, the blessings started flowing!

Where's your foundation?
Lon

Matthew 7:26-27
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

In the Dark, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-07T20:36:00.007-05:00

Matthew 10:27
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

"Don't keep me in the dark!" That's a plea to be included; kept in the loop. Sometimes in our relationship with Jesus it feels like He's keeping us in the dark. During these times our attempts to communicate with God seem fruitless.

I find Oswald Chamber's ideas regarding this passage very interesting:

"Sometimes God puts us through the experience and discipline of darkness to teach us to hear and obey Him. Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and God puts us into "the shadow of His hand" until we learn to hear Him (Isaiah 49:2)...darkness is the time to listen. Don’t talk to other people about it; don’t read books to find out the reason for the darkness; just listen and obey. If you talk to other people, you cannot hear what God is saying. When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else once you are back in the light." [View the entire article: Chambers]

Habit Forming, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-03T13:03:00.007-05:00

Psalm 85:7-9

Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.

I will listen to what God the LORD will say;
he promises peace to his people, his saints—
but let them not return to folly.

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

I'm currently taking a 40-Day virtual journey with 9 other men from around the country. We are investing time, energy, and prayer (for 40 days) in the development of healthy habits in the area of our spiritual and physical life. A theme is emerging related to our efforts to hear God speak.

One of the men presented the following passage. I am taking the liberty of passing it on as today's Build UP. This comes from a book entitled, "The Practice of the Presence of God"

Enjoy!

Brother Lawrence insisted that, to be constantly aware of God’s presence, it is necessary to form the habit of continually talking with Him throughout each day. To think that we must abandon conversation with Him in order to deal with the world is erroneous. Instead, as we nourish our souls by seeing God in His exaltation, we will derive a great joy at being His.

Details, by Rachel Smith

2008-09-02T10:30:00.006-05:00

Are you a crisis prayer-er? You know when things are going bad we throw a prayer up for some help. I did this for many years. Part of it was because I felt God was really too busy to hear about every little detail of every persons life and I know I was too busy when things were going good to stop and chat with God.

Then I reread Exodus. There are all these very detailed directions on how to do things. God is most certainly concerned with the details of our lives. He cares so much about how we do every little thing.

My prayers have turned more into daily worship. Praise to God.

Exodus 25:10-16
“And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.

Listen, by Lon Alderman

2008-09-01T20:40:00.007-05:00

1Kings 19:12-13 (NKJV)
and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Have you ever watched children when one child doesn't want to hear what another child is saying. The non-listener sticks his fingers in his ears and shouts, "I can't hear you!"

Take away the sing-song chorus and the fingers in the ears and you'll be left with a very common adult phenomenon. Us grown up adults spend a great deal of our lives pretending not to be able to hear God. We spend too much time talking and plugging our ears. Then, we wonder why we haven't heard from Jesus lately.

God is always with us! If we're not hearing Him, it may be because we've got our fingers in our ears and we're talking too much!

Listen for "the still small voice".
Lon

Intersections, by Jarvis

2008-08-28T12:30:00.005-05:00

Acts 17:26-27
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Lon said "Developing the habit of looking for God," (Presence, by Lon Alderman) and recognizing God, I might add, in every situation, that He is close. I have had a similar week to yours. Too many things flying at me, yet I was calmed and awed at the same time as well. One evening I'm out in the proverbial sticks and my cell phone stops working, conflicting meeting schedules, vehicle making concerning sounds, and last night I snapped my $100 fishing rod in the tailgate, and that was all just yesterday.

All opportunities that tempt you to think you're about to be stranded, alone, or financially drained. This time though I found myself calmly turning and smiling at God, as it were, and without having to speak a word, I handed my dilemma over, and went back to the task at hand.

I am coming to learn that these disconcerting "opportunities" that present themselves are actually intersections, not roadblocks, avalanches, or dead ends. Opportunities to acknowledge God, and his supremacy over your situations.

Presence, by Lon Alderman

2008-08-27T06:12:00.009-05:00

Acts 17:26-27
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Thanks to Jamie for pointing me to this passage! I love these verses (particularly verse 27) because it speaks about the closeness of God. This week I have felt the presence of the God in a new and fresh way. The experience has been awesome!

As I've traveled through some VERY busy and challenging times over the last few days, I have regularly experienced a quiet, yet powerful, presence. The experience has simultaneously calmed and awed me! I have recognized this presence in a variety of settings - some quite stressful! This presence has to be the Holy Spirit!

Now I'm working on developing the habit of looking for God as I navigate my day. I'm learning that no matter where I am or what I'm doing, "He is not far from" me!

Seek Him!
Lon

I will help you, by Rachel Smith

2008-08-24T14:45:00.008-05:00

Writing is a funny thing. Sometimes I think I have something great to say and then it comes out all gibberish. Other times I have nothing to say and then I get all this great feedback that it helped someone.

I think that's how I know if I have prayed enough before I write. Come to think of it, that's how I know if I have prayed enough before any decision or action in my life. If it goes well (not necessarily easy mind you) and I feel at peace, then to me this is a sign God is in it.

Ironically, I tend to fight this. I want to rush in and decide, move, get it done. In my defense I am a leader and normally these qualities are seen as positive. But God is the ultimate leader. And when I lead under His guidance things go so much better. Today I will learn to follow and trust in the one that created me.

Moses had these same troubles.

Exodus 4:10-12

Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

Reflections, by Jarvis

2008-08-23T09:41:00.005-05:00

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

My head is spinning! I couldn't get past the scripture verse. "...for this is God's will for you..." How many times have I asked (more like demanded) to know God's will in a given situation? What does He want me [to do] in this situation? Be joyful, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. Honestly, most of time I just wanted to know that I was doing what I should be doing, while waiting on a prayer to be answered. Or at the very least that I was not producing the very barrier(s) I was seeking to get over or around. So now I know...again. Yes, I continually need reminded!

My second revelation here is "joy". "Be joyful always." I have prayed for joy to return to my life for years, but this verse indicates that joy is my choice; an act of the will. It would seem my revelation has become an indictment. I over-think too many things. I suppose my comments on this Blog may attest to that, but knowledge is no substitute for joy. After all, Adam and Eve gained knowledge after they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and what joy did that bring them?

Third thing that has rattled my cage this morning: Compartmentalizing God. Lon said (Immediacy of God), "The vast, and I mean VAST, majority of my time is not focused on Jesus!" We cannot escape from God's presence, so if I know this, why don't I at least acknowledge his presence, like I would if my best earthly friend were to follow us throughout the day? In my mind, that would be praying (communicating) continually. Of course, there are ways of communicating without speaking, but that's for another time...

Jarvis

Immediacy of God, by Lon Alderman

2008-08-22T09:34:00.003-05:00

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

It might be an attempt to manage the overflow of information that swamps my mind. It might be the inability to handle more than five or six thoughts at one time. Or, it might just be laziness. Regardless of the reason, I tend to compartmentalize my life.

There is family time, work time, time to eat, and time to relax. There is time to be serious, time to have fun, and time to zone out. Oh ya, and there is time for God. I "give" Him 30-45 minutes each morning and a couple of hours on Sunday. I give Him a short nod before eating and, depending on the meeting, I give Him 90 seconds before we start.

Do you see the problem? The vast, and I mean VAST, majority of my time is not focused on Jesus! God is always with us - He promised! (Hebrews 13:5) As a matter of fact, we can't escape His presence even if we tried! (Psalm 139:7-12)

Today, let's be aware of the immediacy of God. Then in each moment we can prayerfully, joyously, and thankfully experience His presence.

Lon

Free-Care, by Rachel Smith

2008-08-21T09:15:00.004-05:00

I'm a member of this Freecycle group online. Basically if you have something that you want to give away you post it and your trash may just be some one else's treasurer. In turn you can accept free items from others. It's a pretty neat way to recycle. I've seen just about everything from 1/2 used bottles of shampoo to old bicycles and guitars. I have also seen people post a "wanted" item and end up being able to fulfill some needs.

Sometimes people's needs go beyond a twin bed frame. I wish there was a "Freecycle" to meet emotional needs as well.

Offer: unconditional love and encouragement, pick up anytime.

I guess we would call that Christianity.

Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

300th Post - Celebrate!, by Lon Alderman

2008-08-19T07:05:00.005-05:00

Psalm 145:3-7

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

This is the 300th Daily Build Up posting! I celebrate the Lord's goodness for it His hand that has accomplished this milestone. Sing praises to the Lord!

Through God's awesome work in this blog, God has encouraged hundreds of people around the world! Praise the Lord!

God is abundantly good!

Lon

PP (ie., post-post) Please send your praises for how God is moving in your life. You can make a comment on this post or email your thoughts to: Lon@AcornMinistries.com

Reversed Flow, by Lon Alderman

2008-08-15T16:02:00.008-05:00

1Thessalonians 5:11
"...encourage one another and build each other up..."

My ministry is to lift the hands of church leaders like Aaron and Hur lifted the hands of Moses. I come alongside pastors and lay leaders to "lift" them through one-on-one coaching, training workshops, or any other way I can encourage them. It's a wonderful honor to be used by God in this way.

And, it can be taxing.

Over the last two weeks God has awesomely reversed the flow! Different people have come alongside and lifted my hands! I have been encouraged in a wide variety of ways. I received kind words, slaps on the back, unexpected donations, compliments, and some very challenging questions.

Thank you to Tim, Jim, Dale, Andrew, Martha, Mary Ellen, Ed, and Ray for your encouragement.

You lifted me!
Lon

Step By Step, by Lon Alderman

2008-08-14T12:04:00.005-05:00

John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

I am confident that through God's grace my life's journey will end in heaven. It is the daily steps of life that trip me up.

I allow the challenges and disappointments of the day to distract me. Instead of trusting God moment by moment as I travel through the day, I most often go on auto pilot. I take my eyes off of Jesus and get to work. It is then that the tripping begins.

Here's the fourth stanza to a great old hymn, "God Will Take Care of You":

Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
when dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.

Every step of the way!
Lon

Success, by Rachel Smith

2008-08-12T15:11:00.002-05:00

How do you know when you have become successful? By what measurement do you gauge your accomplishments?

We often get wrapped up in the expected cycle of our culture. Go to school to the highest grade, graduate. Go to another school to the highest grade, graduate. Get a job to the highest level, promote. Get another job to the highest level, promote. And on and on we go. So do you ever wonder when you're done? Is it retirement? Death? Are we busy doing life rather than living it?

And if so what do you miss out on by trying to get to the top level of every circumstance? or rather, who do you miss?

I'm not saying that success is a bad thing. But moving up the ladder blindly to the next ladder without checking out those around you can be dangerous.

In the book of 2 Peter 1:5-7 we are given a ladder to help us in progress in God's kingdom.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Start climbing

What does God really want?, by Rachel Smith

2008-08-11T09:43:00.001-05:00

I'd like a sign. You know, a great big neon flashing sign "God's will here"

I've been praying lately for God's will in my life and I got to thinking I better watch what I ask for. Or at least understand what I'm asking for. Thankfully, He did give us a guide book to tell us His will. He also encourages us to enter into an ongoing relationship with Him so we can understand His will.

I guess I got my sign.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will

Clay, by Lon Alderman

2008-08-10T21:39:00.006-05:00

Romans 9:21
Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

I think this is one of the great challenges of following Jesus. That is, we must realize and accept that the purpose for which God is forming us may be more "common" than "noble".

God makes some people to have Billy Graham type impacts. You know, headliners that become almost household names even outside of the Christian community.

For the rest of us though, our purpose is not so "noble". However, we mustn't think that "common" means unimportant. It is awesome and terribly important to be made for even a common purpose when the Potter is God Almighty!

God is good!
Lon

Forged, by Lon Alderman

2008-08-09T09:16:00.007-05:00

Isaiah 54:16
See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work...

I'm attempting, for the first time, to read the entire Bible in a year. At present, I am (only) four days behind. In today's reading in Isaiah, I ran across this interesting passage. It reminded me of God's ongoing creative process.

We are continuously being "forged" into becoming a particular "weapon" for a particular "work". One might think that as the one being forged that there isn't much for us to do but wait for the next pounding or shove into the hot coals. However, there is something the "forged" can do. We can seek the Lord.

As we seek the Lord two wonderful things will happen. First, our relationship with Jesus will grow and flourish as we weather each pounding. Second, God's purposes will become our purposes as we withstand each overheating. In this way He will make us fit for our work.

Seek the Lord!
Lon

Indiana Jones, by Rachel Smith

2008-08-07T21:12:00.004-05:00

I have been enjoying the early Indiana Jones movies with my children. My favorite scene is from the original movie. This samurai guy is throwing a sword around in a wonderful display of skill and beauty. It shows just how great he is at sword fighting. Indiana assesses the situation and then shoots him.

You can see it here
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1qXlFNYoyQg&feature=related

I remember watching this in the theater as the audience rushed with laughter. This huge display of fighting technique ended in one bullet.

It made me think about the battles we face every day.
When I go into a battle do I prepare and train to show my enemy just how great I am? Am I so worried about how I will do that I forget the other guy could just pull a bullet? Or do I ensure my victory by giving the battle and the Glory to God? I think sometimes we make it harder than we have to. Thanks Indy for the reminder!

2 Chronicles 20:15
'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.

Unite and Pray, by Rachel Smith

2008-08-06T20:55:00.003-05:00

I was reading in the old testament today the story of Jehoshaphat defeating Moab. (2 Chronicles 20) I would encourage you to read it.

We are often in battles where there is no possible way we can win. The numbers tell the story. The other side has more people to fight and appear to be in better condition to advance their position. This was the case for Jehoshaphat.

But, instead of hanging his head low and giving up he did a very interesting thing. He gathered all the people to fast and pray. They praised God. He even prays, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (vs12).

When you don't know what to do- gather the troops. Unite in praise and prayer and fix your eyes on God.

2 Chronicles 20:12-13
O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.

Do you ever wonder?, by Rachel Smith

2008-08-04T21:05:00.003-05:00

Do you ever wonder? I do. I wonder a lot. It seems I wonder even more as my kids ask me those hard to answer questions. "Why is the sky blue?" "Where do leaves come from?" 'Why are they called leaves?" "Why does it always rain on the day we are suppose to go to the pool?"

Too many times my answer is, "Let's google that and see."
The Internet is a great tool and there is a lot you can google, but for the real answers you need the Bible. So the next time you are asked a hard question- see what the Creator has to say.

"Where is snow stored?"
"Does the rain have a father?"
"Who directs the lightening?"
"Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?"
Check out Job 38.

All I Need, by Lon Alderman

2008-08-03T20:04:00.001-05:00

Philippians 4:18-20
I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

These are challenging times for those of us that depend on donations to keep their ministry afloat! Two tough factors have converged. First, this is summer, which is a chronically challenging time to raise funds. Second, this economy has people running a bit scared. The result in my case is that donations have decreased to a disconcerting level.

If I’m not very careful, my concerns about the financial future of this ministry can become overwhelming. The truth is that the circumstances are overwhelming, just like God planned it! That is, if I could fund this ministry on my own merits, then I would expect the glory for it, too. But nothing could be further from the truth. It is only through God’s provision that we are serving in our sixth year!

“To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Lon

What if...?, by Rachel Smith

2008-08-01T07:42:00.006-05:00

We all wonder this sometimes. What if...and the dot dot dot is usually some concern for the future or our health or our finances or even our children. While those concerns may all be very real and valid just wondering and worrying won't change anything.
Prayer changes things.

We are to be told not to be anxious, about anything. This includes all of those what ifs. But rather be thankful and prayerful.

Just for today try to pray rather than worry. Anytime your brain says, "well, what are you going to do about that" answer by praying. Instead of coming up with solutions or worrying about not having any, let God be in charge. Go to Him with everything today.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

A Few Things, by Lon Alderman

2008-07-26T14:23:00.004-05:00

Matthew 25:21
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

My mom tried for years to teach me a truth found in this passage. The subject always surfaced when I was dissatisfied with my job. She would say, "Do the best you can with the job you have and things will work out."

I tend to grow frustrated when things don't go my way. If my frustration gets too overwhelming, then you will find me "looking", again! I think that there must be something better for me out there...I just have to find it.

What I forget is that God has placed me where I am, even if I don't think it's the perfect job for me. And, God has a plan for me to grow in the place He's placed me. He's given me a little bit to handle now, in hopes that I'll handle it and be prepared to handle more later.

Let's be faithful with our few things!
Lon

The Law of Gravity, by Lon Alderman

2008-07-24T11:43:00.005-05:00

Matthew 14:30
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Rachel's article, Fear and Success, inspired me regarding the thoughts that fly through my brain when I step out in faith. I don't always respond well when God calls me, but when I do take a step of faith I find that I immediately feel the gravity of the situation.

As Peter stepped down out of that boat, he must have felt the strangest of feelings. He was a fisherman taught by years of time spent on the water that water will not hold a person up. His experience taught him that "in the boat" was the place to be. These established laws in his life must have been screaming in his mind as he began to do the impossible.

That must have been the moment he began to sink. That moment when he realized the impossibility of what he was doing. This same devastating thought sinks many a good step of faith. We forget the Jesus that got us out of the boat, because our "laws" tell us we can't.

Defy gravity and follow Jesus!
Lon

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