Saints with Arms?

I had awesome conversations during the period of the last crisis in Jos – one first hand and the other narrated.

During the crisis, I was talking with my neighbours who are Christians and one of them said “we Christians will not be able to fight like the other fellows do because the next time we are in Church our pastors will preach to us to embrace peace and love while the other folks are being strategically positioned to be alert to fight for their god.

A friend, who teaches at a Christian secondary school in Jos discovered during the first week of resumption of school after the crisis that there was a daily increase in students’ attendance but plunged dramatically on Friday. He asked the students what could be responsible for the remarkable drop in attendance, the students responded “when Christians go to their services they come out pious and armless while the others go and strategise on how to foment uproar so as to deal with non-adherents of their faith.

What immediately came to me after the second discussion was that are Christians suppose to come out of their meetings and services weak and jelly-like? Should we also include in our order of service issues of arms and attack? Are we supposed to sit back and be content with defending ourselves when this kind of event happened? Is there not a way we can also launch an attack at certain times and situation?

I answered in my thoughts, if Elijah had strategized on a physical note, would he have escaped the siege of the Assyrians? If it was just the regular meetings, would Elijah have been able to give accurate intelligence report to the king of Israel about the plan of the Assyrian army? Did David win the battle against Goliath in the flesh? Didn’t he take the advantage of Goliath taking the battle to the Spirit?
It is sad to say that the meetings we have in most churches are so weightless, laced with uneducated enthusiasm, open-ended celebration, story-telling that have no bearing on equipping the saints.

Saints are to come out meetings, services, conventions, conferences strong, armed and dangerous that the enemies will not be able to handle. Is it impossible for us to pick up the slightest signals in the spirit before the crisis and alert the relevant authorities? Are we not supposed to be trained to have unequivocal aptitude to engage the ministering spirits in all of these issues? Why have forgotten so soon that angels are still at work?
Isa 1:11 "Why this frenzy of sacrifices?" GOD's asking. "Don't you think I've had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plump grain-fed calves? Don't you think I've had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats?
Isa 1:12 When you come before me, who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that-- all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
Isa 1:13 "Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings-- meetings, meetings, meetings--I can't stand one more!
Isa 1:14 Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning.
Isa 1:15 When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.

What Elijah did was not Old Testament it is a walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:25 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. The greatest danger facing the 21st century saint is that tendency to take everything on a physical note.

The fact remains that the curfew has affected our meetings and strategic sessions to equip the saints. The days of baseless prayers are over. It does not make sense to be encumbered with our needs all the time when God has promised to meet them in His sovereignty. We should be concerned with principality and powers, rulers of darkness in heavenly places.

The battle for the soul of Jos City is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit. The fact remains that if we flow with spirit, the might and the power to execute judgement and engage principalities will definitely come.

This is a challenge for me and all the saints in the city of Jos.

Jos Crisis – the salient Issue

Why will a dispute over a building project throw the whole city into predicament? Why would a difference of opinion in a section of the city grossly affect the entire Jos city? What would make neighbours and friends suddenly become enemies?
A simple disagreement claimed over 300 lives, destroyed hundreds of houses, cars and various properties.
These are issues I kept thinking about during this present mayhem in Jos City. I keep thinking why there is such a tensed atmosphere in this city. Trust seems elusive.
There must be more than meet the eye in this crisis. I strongly believe that the crisis in Jos is more spiritual than physical. Consider this: this crisis makes people sad unnecessarily, heightens blood pressure, creates hatred that eats into people’s emotion, brings about insomnia (sleeplessness), lack of appetite for those that have food and acute hunger for those that are caught off guard, loss of business(a friend of mine lost all of business equipments- I don’t how he is going to start again), economic loss due to sit-at-home situation,
Could this be mere fighting and claiming of rights?
The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way--never have and never will.
The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.

I think we should see beyond the fighting and religious disharmony? This crisis is meant to erode our sense of judgement and sensitivity to the flow of the spirit.
Consider Christians wishing that the Muslim community be evacuated to Toro in Bauchi state, calling those created in the image of God goats (am guilty of that, but am repenting right now), burning neighbours’ houses on the grounds of retaliating what has been done to some other Christians in some other parts of the city, leaving the city with no consideration for the will of God or express instructions from him.
I cannot be convinced otherwise that it can’t be the Holy Spirit that well up such hatred, violence, disorientation, fear and lack of compassion for fellow man.
We need to sit back and think deeply about the kind of spirit that is fuelling our reaction to the present situation. Our actions, reaction and non-action must be rooted in the Spirit of God.

Children's Requests to their Pastors

Dear Pastor,
I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister.
Yours sincerely,
Arnold
Age 8, Nashville


Dear Pastor,
Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson.
Sincerely,
Pete
Age 9, Phoenix


Dear Pastor,
My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something.
Robert
Age 11, Anderson


Dear Pastor,
I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance?
Love,
Patty
Age 10, New Haven


Dear Pastor,
I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there.
Stephen
Age 8, Chicago


Dear Pastor,
I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.
Loreen
Age 9, Tacoma


Dear Pastor,
Please pray for all the airline pilots. I am flying to California tomorrow.
Laurie
Age 10, New York City


Dear Pastor,
Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher.
Thank you.
Alexander
Age 10, Raleigh


Dear Pastor,
My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.
Joshua
Age 10, South Pasadena


Dear Pastor,
Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class.
Carla
Age 10, Salina


Dear Pastor,
I like your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished.
Ralph
Age 11, Akron


Dear Pastor,
How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers?
Sincerely,
Marie
Age 9, Lewiston

How Do You Serve Your Spouse?

"I make the bed every morning, and fix dinner once a week. It's not Mother Teresa stuff, but you gotta start somewhere."

—John Ortberg, pastor and author,
married to Nancy for 22 years

"Jesus served his followers by washing their feet. In his culture that was the job of a servant. I asked my wife and she had no desire for me to wash her feet, but she had a lot of other good ideas, such as: take out the garbage, vacuum the floors, wash the dishes, dust the blinds, and keep the lawn looking nice. I followed Jesus' example, and I live with a happy woman."

—Gary D. Chapman, marriage and family expert,
married to Karolyn for 43 years

"It may seem a small thing, but Dianna and I have gotten into the habit of always asking the other if we need anything when we're up. Just grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge or putting a dish in the sink is an act of servanthood that allows 'preferring others over yourself' to begin at home."

—Jerry B. Jenkins, best-selling novelist,
married to Dianna for 34 years

"Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Really listen. Rick is a methodical thinker and speaks only when he believes he has something worth saying; I, on the other hand, jump from thought to thought and talk all the time. For years I equated verbose communication (i.e., my ways) with greater wisdom and, yes, being right. I learned the hard way over the course of years that I was wrong. My husband has much to say if I'll only give him the time to do so and humble myself and listen."

—Julie Ann Barnhill, author and speaker,
married to Rick for 18 years

"One of the greatest ways a husband can serve in marriage is to lovingly touch his wife—in a non-sexual manner and without wanting sex. In my marriage, my wife loves having her scalp massaged. Many nights she falls asleep with me reading, holding my book with one hand and massaging her head with the other. She knows I'm not trying to manipulate her into 'something more,' and I know it's something she truly loves and feels served by—in spite of the shoulder pains or my arm falling asleep!"

—Tim Gardner, director, The Marriage Institute,
married to Amy for 16 years

"To really serve my mate, I need to 'go to school' and study her as if in pursuit of a Ph.D. In my case, it's 'Beckology,' and I have to know her like no other on the planet. I have to tune in to her feelings, her fears, and her dreams. Only then can I serve her as Christ served the church."

—H. Dale Burke, pastor and author,
married to Becky for 30 years

Expectations

by Os Hillman

"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." Philippians 1:20

Have you ever had expectations that did not get fulfilled? Perhaps a coworker let you down. Perhaps you were trusting God for something in your life that never materialized. Perhaps you became devastated by an unmet expectation that you felt you were entitled to. Expectations can be a difficult trap for each of us if we are not fully committed to God's purposes in our lives.

Paul wrote this verse from prison to the people of Philippi. He had an expectation that his life would bring glory to God, whether through his continued ministry or his death. His joy in living was not based on his expectations getting fulfilled, but on remaining true to the purpose for which God made him.

When we react to circumstances with bitterness and resentment as a result of unmet expectations, we are saying that we know better than God, and that God has made a mistake in not meeting our expectations. The process of resolving unmet expectations may require full disclosure to the individual who was the source of the unmet expectation, and of how the unmet expectation made you feel. This is not to make the person feel obligated to meet the expectation, but simply to share your feelings about it. If God was the source, then it is important to share this with the Lord. However, once we have done this we must let go of the situation and allow God to work in our hearts the grace that is needed to walk in freedom from the pain of the unmet expectation. If we do not do this, we will allow the seed of bitterness and resentment to enter in. This seed of bitterness will create leanness in our soul and eventually will spread to others.

Ask yourself today if you have any unmet expectations. How have you responded to them? Have you processed this with the Lord and others who may be involved? These are the steps to freedom from unmet expectations.

Wouldn't It Be Great if Every Class Had a Teacher Like That?

Dr. Jim Elsberry

has taught at all levels of education from kindergarten to graduate school, and has been an administrator in both private and public education. He currently is the chair of the division of education at Indiana Wesleyan University. He graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in 1970 with a degree in music education, and his master’s and doctorate degrees are in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

What is it about some teachers that makes students flock to their classes? Why are some teachers remembered fondly by students years after graduation, while others are all but forgotten? How is it that some students become eager, motivated learners while others languish? In short, why do some teachers pass on the fire of enthusiasm to students while others have difficulty even lighting the match?

As a principal in both Christian schools and public schools, I engaged my teachers at the beginning of the school year in an exercise that asked them to think about teachers from their own school days who had a positive impact on them. Now in my role of preparing young men and women for service as teachers in God’s kingdom, I ask my students the same question: Think about teachers who made a difference in your life. What were they like? In the dozens of times I have used this exercise—with teachers, with students, and with parents of students—the answers have been remarkably similar. My informal research has revealed three characteristics of teachers who make a lasting difference in the lives of students:

Passion and Enthusiasm

Teachers who make a difference in the lives of their students are enthusiastic and passionate about their subject areas. They love what they teach, and it shows in class. One student said, “I could tell by his teaching that he loves math. He loves to talk about it all the time, and he wants his students to share his passion.” Another said, “My teacher thought literature was the most wonderful thing there was. She would tell us about one of her favorite passages, and tears would come to her eyes. I couldn’t help but love it too.” These teachers bring an in-depth knowledge of their subjects to the classroom, and they talk about them with excitement. They are continuous learners, and they share their discoveries with their students. One of the benefits of enthusiasm in teachers is that these teachers often draw reluctant students into active learning. Students will say that the subject was a difficult one or was one they did not particularly care about but that they became interested because the teacher made it so interesting.

Strong Personal Relationships

Effective teachers get to know their students on a personal level, and they care about what happens to students both at home and inside the classroom. One student explained, “I was going through a difficult time at home, and I didn’t have anybody to talk to but my teacher. It wasn’t like she was trying to be my buddy, but she took the time to listen to what I had to say without judging me. That really meant a lot to me.” Effective teachers also make an effort to establish positive relationships with parents. They will often call parents or write notes of encouragement and praise, especially for students who are having a particularly difficult time in school. Effective teachers find ways to encourage and support students in the classroom. Carl Jung said, “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary new material, but the warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”

High Expectations

Just because effective teachers care about and support students does not mean they are pushovers—quite the contrary. Effective teachers expect students to show self-discipline and achieve high levels of learning in the classroom. They give challenging assignments and expect students to do the work and do it well. One student said, “My teacher didn’t let things slip. He expected top-notch quality for everything. He expected me to be the best I could be.” Descriptions of these teachers include words such as strict, hard grader, and tough.

An interesting note about the characteristics of strong personal relationships and high expectations is that one will not work without the other. Many of us know teachers who try to make friends with students by getting down on their level. In a misguided attempt to win respect, these teachers do just the opposite—they lose whatever chance they had at being effective in the classroom by giving up their authority. Other teachers hold high academic standards for students but do not provide personal support for students’ efforts. These teachers tend to be cold, distant, and removed from the very students who want to do well but don’t get the support they need to succeed. Teachers who make a difference combine all three characteristics effectively. As they show enthusiasm, they maintain appropriately high standards in the classroom while supporting students in achieving them.

Parental Involvement: A Covenant

Cynthia M. Gant, Children’s Tuition Fund Coordinator

“As the child’s parent, you are the first and foremost teacher of your child.” I often made this statement to parents at the schools where I served as an administrator. I usually received a response of surprise and wonderment. Many of the parents at the schools where I served never heard that they were part of their child’s academic development. I told them not only that they were part but that they were the most vital part of the process. Most of the parents were single mothers, and the majority of them were also economically disadvantaged and undereducated. They had believed that it was the school’s job to teach their children, not theirs.

To engage the parents in the academic process, we as school personnel realized that we had to empower these parents. They needed to feel a sense of importance, and they needed to take part in the process. To accomplish both objectives, we established a school covenant whereby we would enter with each parent into a covenant relationship that focused on the success of the child. A statement by Nehemiah motivated us. Concerning the great task before him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he asserted, “The God of heaven will give us success” (Nehemiah 2:20). All of the parents wanted their children to succeed, and so did we. No disagreement or confusion occurred regarding this common ground. In order to accomplish the goal, I explained that it was necessary for us to covenant together. I did not refer to this agreement as a contract because the term contract sounds too institutional. I knew that success would largely be a relational matter, and a covenant is a relational agreement.

The covenant contained two parts. The first part included what we committed ourselves to do as a school to promote the success of the child. We would provide the child with an education that was academically excellent; Bible based, and character shaping. All the parents agreed that this type of education was what they wanted for their child and that it would make for success. The second part of the covenant acknowledged that if we were to succeed with the child, the parents also had an equally crucial role to play. They had to covenant with us that they would commit to specific ways of supporting and reinforcing what we were doing at the school. Examples included assisting with homework, attending parent-teacher meetings, and meeting their financial obligations to the school.

The covenant focused on the student—not on the school, the teachers, the administration, or even anyone’s parenting skills. And because the focus remained on the student, when we had to address situations in which parents were violating the covenant, we emphasized what was necessary for the success of the child, without indicating that the problem was a reflection of parenting ability. The point was always that if any party of the covenant did not live up to the agreement, we could not succeed in educating the child effectively.

Parental empowerment makes for parental involvement. And parental involvement is a critical factor in the successful education of children.