Trust is Everything

February 9, 2012

Trust is everything. When trust exists between people, within families or organizations, large or small, there is significant room for both empowerment and failure, unity and general well-being. However, when trust is not present, there exists at least a profound measure of insecurity and at most the dehumanization of the those involved. Everything is in disarray. Consider the following simple reflections on trust. Trust is not about the presence of perfection. Sometimes we do not extend trust because the slightest infractions of those to whom we might grant trust breeches our sense of confidence. Yet except for Jesus Christ no one is perfect. If the standard for extending trust is the perfection of the recipient then we are dooming every person and every opportunity to abject failure. No context can effectively sustain such an environment. Indeed, an environment in which there is freedom to fail might actually enhance trust, for within that environment people are empowered to learn from mistakes, demonstrating teachability and humility, and they may indeed achieve greater success because thoughtful responses to failure often procure greater victories for products and people and practices. Trust is not about position. Sometimes we assume that because an individual has a title or a pedigree that he or she automatically should be trusted. Now it is generally acceptable to give measures of trust to someone with a particular title or position because there is an appropriate expectation that a healthy vetting process has taken place as a precursor to someone accepting …See Entire Article

Equipping Our Realm to Live Above & Beyond

At Bethel Church we are continuing a very important sermon series entitled “Living Above & Beyond.” The purpose of the whole series, and this season in which we find ourselves, is to equip followers of Jesus to live above and beyond material slavery, spiritual complancency, and small-minded eternal vision. We want God to meet us where he finds us today, and to transform us toward greater maturity and sensitivity to his Spirit. Recent weeks have found us giving attention to Deuteronomy 26:5-11, from which we have been equipped to understand what it could look like for us to “make a …See Entire Article

He Who Rides Through The Deserts

Every single one of us, if we’re honest, can think of a time when we could feel the proverbial desert sands stinging our eyes and burning our feet. We have all had seasons of spiritual drought. We have all had drawn out periods of time when our strength was sapped, our souls in anguish, our minds weary, and our vision dimmed. The loss of a loved one, dashed expectations regarding work, a relationship that has turned sour, a family member who has hurt us, an economy that is a wreck—these things and so many more can push us right into …See Entire Article

Worshippers Who Live Above & Beyond

This post finds us continuing in our series entitled, “Living Above & Beyond.” The purpose of the whole series, and this season in which we find ourselves at Bethel Church, is to equip us as followers of Jesus to live above and beyond material slavery, spiritual complancency, and small-minded eternal vision. We want God to meet us where he finds us today, and to transform us toward greater maturity and sensitivity to his Spirit. Recent weeks have found us giving attention to Deuteronomy 26:5-11, from which we have been equipped to understand what it could look like for us to …See Entire Article

Five Signs Regarding Church Health

Bethel Church just held its annual meeting yesterday evening, and it was a great time, though just a hair longer than normal. Really. It was an excellent evening. The Bethel Church family is united and eager to step still further into the purposes that our Father has for us as followers of Jesus Christ. Frankly, being here is a lot of fun; it is fulfilling and exciting. The leadership culture is healthy (we do have the best board of elders anywhere!). The ministry team is together. The congregation is sobered by its unusual role in its region and beyond. There …See Entire Article

Preserve My Life from Dread

January 25, 2012
Preserve My Life from Dread

Psalm 64:1 finds King David wrestling with shadows instead of substance. By so doing he seemingly represents you and me. Countless are the shadows that I box. Consider the actual verse: Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. The observation that this ancient king wrestles with shadows and not substance rests upon the simple word “dread.” Note from what it is he is asking relief. It is not the enemy. It is dread of the enemy. It is fear. I cannot help but think of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s apt statement in …See Entire Article

Living Above & Beyond with Extravagant Rejoicing

This post finds us continuing our series and Bethel Church’s special season entitled, “Living Above & Beyond,” an opportunity to mature as followers of Christ, with the goal of becoming the church that lives above and beyond material slavery, spiritual complacency and small-minded eternal vision. We want to raise our spiritual bar; indeed, we must and will, through the power of the Holy Spirit and for the declaration of God’s infinite glory (Psalm 96:3). In recent weeks we have been bathing ourselves in the final sermon of Moses, particularly the twenty-sixth chapter of that scripted message, a passage that reminds …See Entire Article