Okay…with this post, I am reducing my list from 49 to 10. In my heart, I still feel that further reductions are needed, perhaps to as little as two or three. To pursue more at any one time, I think, could put me "under law" (and out from under grace—yikes!!) as my focus might become a little too much on the actual recalibrations themselves rather than on my partnership with Jesus. In all these things, I want my focus to be on Jesus and NOT on my behavioral successes or failures.
Yes...there are changes that need to take place within me—that is a definite given, but the changes need to be initiated and brought about through the working of God’s Spirit in, with, and right along side me. Any recalibration that takes place—if it is, in fact, a true recalibration—will be the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work as I am transformed through my observation of the "ways” of Jesus—in the Gospels, in the hearts and lives of those around me, and in my own heart and life. My “role”—for lack of a better term—in all this, is, quite simply, just to observe Jesus and, as God Himself empowers, begin to imitate what I see in Him. Any and all recalibrations that occur are completely up to God.
...as I yield to Him.
...in all humility and gratefulness (which, in and of itself, is impossible for me to do without God's enabling help).
Yes...there are changes that need to take place within me—that is a definite given, but the changes need to be initiated and brought about through the working of God’s Spirit in, with, and right along side me. Any recalibration that takes place—if it is, in fact, a true recalibration—will be the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work as I am transformed through my observation of the "ways” of Jesus—in the Gospels, in the hearts and lives of those around me, and in my own heart and life. My “role”—for lack of a better term—in all this, is, quite simply, just to observe Jesus and, as God Himself empowers, begin to imitate what I see in Him. Any and all recalibrations that occur are completely up to God.
...as I yield to Him.
...in all humility and gratefulness (which, in and of itself, is impossible for me to do without God's enabling help).
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.—1 Corinthians 15:56
But we all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled faces, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord the Spirit.—2 Corinthians 3:18
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.—Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God Who is at work within you both to will and to do His good pleasure.—Philippians 2:12-13
...let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.—Hebrews 12:2
So, without any further adieu, here’s my narrowed list…
- Go out of your way to be the first to greet another—be it a friend or a total stranger. Be the first to smile and say "hello." Greet people properly. Smile, look them in the eye, and speak clearly and genuinely. Respond to others with an almost overwhelming kindness, respect, dignity, and compassion. Smile before you answer the phone or before someone even says “hello” to you. Go out of your way to acknowledge the person waiting on you in a restaurant or in the check-out line at the grocery store. Learn—and remember—his or her name. When someone comes in to your office, stop what you’re doing—immediately (unless you’re on the phone)—and give that person your full time and attention.
- Be super-expressively grateful, and open yourself up to those around you—almost to a point that’s pretty much unheard of in our culture. But do so in a manner that's sensitive to others, though. Be open, but in a kindly manner. Write with all your heart and mind, and let what’s inside you come out. Share who you are with as many people as possible. Speak the truth (or what you know or believe to be the truth) in kindness with everyone (even yourself), all the time, in every situation, and without hesitation.
- Devote considerable time to the personal (meaning, in-person) cultivation of missional partnerships.
- Enjoy your friends, and tell those you love how much you love them and what they’ve meant to you in your life.
- Create missional culture by living it and by inviting those you love to practice such things with you. Pursue Acts 2 community living within the newhope community.
- Pray for people on the spot.
- Stop thinking about what you’re going to say while someone else is talking. Take the time to really listen and absorb what another is saying to you. Then, after that person feels that he or she has been heard, think about what you might like to say. Dine on your conversations with others. Sip—don’t gulp-their soul’s wine. It will change your life, dude. And theirs, too!
- Spend some time every day working on your business contacts—Ummm...not your website, Dave; your contacts. :o)
- Pursue up-to-date news about Haiti and Kenya. KNOW what’s going on in both of those countries.
- Engage in language training (especially Haitian Creole, Dave!) weekly.
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