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
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, May 25, 2009
Plow Now, by Lon Alderman
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
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
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Oswald Chambers on Siege
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!
. . . 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."
Friday, September 12, 2008
Numbers, by Rachel Smith
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.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Reflections, by Jarvis
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
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
Monday, August 11, 2008
What does God really want?, by Rachel Smith
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
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Clay, by Lon Alderman
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
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
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Forged, by Lon Alderman
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
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
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Build UP: Such a Time
Esther 4:14
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
What is your "royal position"? Are you an employer? Are you a leader in your church or in your community? Are you a teacher, a parent, a friend, or a neighbor? If so, then I believe that it is quite possible that God has placed you in that "royal position".
This begs the question, "For what purpose have I come to this position?"
Ephesians 1:11-12
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
No matter where God has placed us, there is a purpose to it, and that purpose is God's.
Achieve His purpose.
Lon
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
What is your "royal position"? Are you an employer? Are you a leader in your church or in your community? Are you a teacher, a parent, a friend, or a neighbor? If so, then I believe that it is quite possible that God has placed you in that "royal position".
This begs the question, "For what purpose have I come to this position?"
Ephesians 1:11-12
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
No matter where God has placed us, there is a purpose to it, and that purpose is God's.
Achieve His purpose.
Lon
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Acorn Build Up: God's Workmanship
God's Workmanship
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I once saw an awesome Christian singer/songwriter perform a song called "Masterpiece in Progress". The singer, Jeff Steinberg, is a man that has overcome tremendous obstacles in his life. You see Jeff has no arms and his legs are badly deformed. Now he sings of God's workmanship: "Jesus is working on me and I'm becoming what He wants me to be".
I'll likely never forget that night seeing Jeff belt out this amazing song. I sat across from Jeff at supper that night. Somehow my friends and I ended up in one of the very front tables and Jeff was seated with us. I had no idea he was performing that evening. Frankly, I thought he was seated there as a courtesy because of his disability. That's what I saw; his disability. When dinner was over, much to my surprise, Jeff was helped onto the stage to entertain and encourage us.
We truly are masterpieces in progress designed to do the good works God has placed before us. Thanks, Jeff!
If you have a moment, please check out Jeff's ministry by clicking on this link: Jeff Steinberg
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I once saw an awesome Christian singer/songwriter perform a song called "Masterpiece in Progress". The singer, Jeff Steinberg, is a man that has overcome tremendous obstacles in his life. You see Jeff has no arms and his legs are badly deformed. Now he sings of God's workmanship: "Jesus is working on me and I'm becoming what He wants me to be".
I'll likely never forget that night seeing Jeff belt out this amazing song. I sat across from Jeff at supper that night. Somehow my friends and I ended up in one of the very front tables and Jeff was seated with us. I had no idea he was performing that evening. Frankly, I thought he was seated there as a courtesy because of his disability. That's what I saw; his disability. When dinner was over, much to my surprise, Jeff was helped onto the stage to entertain and encourage us.
We truly are masterpieces in progress designed to do the good works God has placed before us. Thanks, Jeff!
If you have a moment, please check out Jeff's ministry by clicking on this link: Jeff Steinberg
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Acorn Build Up: Purpose
Purpose
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails
What is my purpose in life? This question haunted my thoughts for most of the first 30+ years of my life. And O the plans I've had! There have been hundreds of inventions that would bring wealth to my door. There have been dozens of jobs that would lead to happiness. There have been thousands of ideas hatched, countless books read, classes passed, and conferences attended. All with the expectation that each would bring wealth into my life.
I'm beginning to wonder if life is not so much about striking it rich as it is about living richly. Rich living seems to center around doing life God's way. God's purpose is to change me so I can become the man He intended me to be. Then, as I grow, God wants to use me to change the world around me.
Despite all the paths I've taken, God seems to bring me back to His purpose of making change in and through me.
Purposefully,
Lon
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails
What is my purpose in life? This question haunted my thoughts for most of the first 30+ years of my life. And O the plans I've had! There have been hundreds of inventions that would bring wealth to my door. There have been dozens of jobs that would lead to happiness. There have been thousands of ideas hatched, countless books read, classes passed, and conferences attended. All with the expectation that each would bring wealth into my life.
I'm beginning to wonder if life is not so much about striking it rich as it is about living richly. Rich living seems to center around doing life God's way. God's purpose is to change me so I can become the man He intended me to be. Then, as I grow, God wants to use me to change the world around me.
Despite all the paths I've taken, God seems to bring me back to His purpose of making change in and through me.
Purposefully,
Lon
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Acorn Build Up: Unstoppable
Unstoppable
Acts 5:38-39
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
Gamaliel argues on behalf of Peter and the other apostles. His argument is that previous upstarts have wound up dead, so he suggests letting these guys go and wait to see what happens. After all, if they are really from God, then nothing can stop them.
Is our purpose and activity from human origin or from God? If our purpose is of human origin, it is likely to end in failure. In other words, the expected outcome for serving our own selfish desires is failure.
On the other hand, if we are living and acting in concert with God and for His purposes, then there is nothing that can keep us from succeeding. Nothing!
Make God's purpose your purpose.
Lon
Acts 5:38-39
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
Gamaliel argues on behalf of Peter and the other apostles. His argument is that previous upstarts have wound up dead, so he suggests letting these guys go and wait to see what happens. After all, if they are really from God, then nothing can stop them.
Is our purpose and activity from human origin or from God? If our purpose is of human origin, it is likely to end in failure. In other words, the expected outcome for serving our own selfish desires is failure.
On the other hand, if we are living and acting in concert with God and for His purposes, then there is nothing that can keep us from succeeding. Nothing!
Make God's purpose your purpose.
Lon
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