Our last discussion involved transformation of a person as he gives himself totally to the Father and His Son.

We covered the concern that some of us have that we have become lost in the world’s culture and therefore have lost our voice.

We learned that some are willing to send money for global ministries, but when it comes to glocal (local) ministries some are afraid that they will be politically incorrect if they speak of our Master to someone.

Personally, I want to be spiritually correct.

The questions are not how many people come to the 9:30 service as opposed to the 11:00 service or is the music the type we appreciate, but rather how can we find our evangelistic voice?

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Finding our Evangelistic Voice

You see, Jesus proclaimed that we are to be “salt” and “light” in our world and I fear that some Christians are flickering lights.  We need to be salt in our character before we can be effective as light.

The image of salt and light speaks of the eagerness to get out the message of Jesus Christ.  Transformation means we are to recapture the salt and light concept that Jesus lived.  We need to mirror Jesus in how we live.  The question is how does the church (people) fit into glocal evangelism?

Is the church the only true vessel for the kingdom of God?

No, but it is the local practical expression of it and it is the most underutilized vehicle for expanding the kingdom.

Instead of attempting to change society by more religious workers, we ought to focus on utilizing and transforming people who are already on the inside sitting in our pews.  If we are to truly be kingdom centered and truly transformed, we would not be fearful of sharing our faith within a perverse world.  We are to have faith not fear.  We need to overhaul our evangelistic life.

Can following Jesus ever be private?

No!  We as the Christian community must make a connection with the outside world.  For the most part community means different people.  The world itself means common unity.

I think the church today has confused community with socialization.  We come together for worship and let ourselves be a community.  The idea to me is to take that message and proclaim it to the surrounding community.

Connection is crucial

Connection is crucial to using your evangelistic voice in your glocal church (your Jerusalem).   Hebrews 12:1-3 indicates that the gospel proclamation is personal not private; it is a picture of connection.  Connection helps us with our call as Christians and that reflects the kingdom.

Glocal missionaries cause Glocal Impact

Glocal impact is where we challenge every member to serve the community locally and glocally.

Therefore the church is to be ready to serve God as the glocal missionary in order to have a glocal impact.  The Church (community unity) can have everyone be part of the action.

Is Transformation Possible?

Transformation is possible because we are in an interactive relationship with God,  accountable with other believers, and responding to ministry opportunities.

If we were all transformed, perhaps the church could turn the world right side up.

Next time we shall look at Renewed and Revived.

In His

Lou

As we sit at our table in Redd’s Diner, we want to look at some basic facts as we review some statistics in regard to boomers.

The first of the “baby boom” generation are now turning 65 at the rate of 8,000 a day.

They are the healthiest, best educated and wealthiest in the nation’s history.

As we celebrate their vitality we discover that they are a generation that;

• Loves the Beatles and Springsteen.
• Crusaded to end a war and stop the spread of “nukes.”
• Powered a new technology explosion.
• Fueled the feminist movement.
• Joined the battle for civil rights.

However, according to Jim Toedtman, Editor of the AARP Bulletin, there are challenges facing these Boomers who have saved too little, eaten too much and borrowed beyond their means.

It is not a fight among generations; it is a family working through the process.

In my estimation the problems that our society is experiencing were not caused by any single generation, nor can any single generation solve the problem.  It is not a fight among generations; it is a family working through the process.

According to a leading real estate firm, due to the 2010 real estate cost, more home buyers were looking for multi-generational homes.  With that statistic in mind, my thoughts in regard to ministry with or through the Encore Generation becomes my focus.

“Wake up son or daughter, I am still able to be erect each day.”

A ministry to older adults implies that older adults are passive receivers in the relationship.

There is the thought that you give me something because I am too old to contribute anything in ministry.  My response, “wake up son or daughter I am still able to be erect each day.”

A ministry with or through older adults is a ministry that all generations do together.  That way everyone in the family of God is serving together.

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

What churches fail to recognize in many cases is the potential to grow a church by growing the number of senior adults (one of the largest unchurched people groups) who comprise over 20% of our population.

Christian Boomers Characteristics

As we leave this session we shall look at some characteristics evident in Boomers commitment to ministry discovered and provided to us in a recent LifeWay “think-tank.”

1. Active Christian boomers love the Lord and their church.  They want to continue to be involved, lead and/or serve.
2. They see the church, para-church ministries as platforms for investing their skills and expertise in service that will make a difference.
3. Their dollars will follow their heart.  They may tend to do more designated giving for ministries that become close to their interests.
4. Conflict in the church could cause them to leave permanently.
5. Their attendance may be sporadic, interrupted by impromptu activities with grandchildren, short trips, vacations or illness.

*   *   *   *

At our next time together I look forward in speaking to you more about these characteristics, as well as,  see what impact tomorrow’s church can make on the Boomers,and the Builders generation (which is my generation).

Go and serve, Lou

I would like for you to hold onto that thought until the next time we meet mainly because I would like to take this time for us to focus upon ourselves as we hit the new year head on.

New Year’s Resolutions?  How about rebooting yourselves instead?

I never do New Year’s resolutions; instead, I like to think of it as an opportunity to reboot.   And just like you have to reboot your computer ever so often, you must reboot yourself at least once each year.  In other words, you must evaluate or re-evaluate yourselves periodically.

Let’s do a 2011 Reboot

Beginning with me let us look at some things we can do to reboot as we begin 2011.

• Realize that church is not a noun; it is a verb.  Do something to improve the thing you have been complaining about.

• Break the Bible into manageable portions for reading purposes.  Do not try to read it all in one month.  Our goal is to let God speak to us thought His Word, not speed reading.

• Select a Bible study workbook that fits into your everyday work and family schedule.  Select one that fits your personality and lifestyle.  If you choose one that is a five-day-a-week study with daily homework, you will need to work at pacing your progress.

• Choose the right time that you can spend in prayer with our Lord.  It may be morning or night or at several intervals during the day.

• Take the time to take several families in your church, or church community under your care.   You  do not need to take on the whole world.

Stop and get your bearings

Before we leave this topic of rebooting, we all need to stop and get our bearings.  Beginning with Lou Redd we all need to ask the following questions prayerfully in the presence of God:

• What is one thing I could do this year to increase my enjoyment of God?
• What is the single most important thing I can do to improve the quality of my family life this year?
• In which spiritual area of my life do I want to make progress in this year, and what will I do about it?
• What is the single biggest time waster in my life, and what will I do about it?
• What is the most helpful new way I can help my church?
• For whose salvation will I pray most fervently this year?
• What single thing that I plan this year will matter in 10 years? In eternity?

So let us evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live 2011 with biblical diligence.

It is now time for us to leave the diner, and go back to work thinking about doing things with and through older adults.

Until the next time,

Lou

*   *   *   *

Seniors are living longer and doing more in their later years than some people give them credit for.

Even in my own church some members are questioning why we are spending more for youth programs than we are for golden agers, and as I have stated before in my blog musings, seniors make up the larger percentage of our country’s population.  Even in our evangelistic outlook, seniors comprise one of the largest unchurched groups.

*   *   *   *

Society, in general, fails to look at seniors as individuals with skills and knowledge based upon a wealth of experience and history.

Today, let us look at a group that church executives have identified as the “new old.”  They are the boomers that bring much to the church, but often are “unnoticed.”

When you look at baby boomers such as my daughters (early 50′s), terms such as old, elderly, senior, golden-agers, etc. do not seem to fit or describe boomers.  Many of these boomers, who were involved in youth ministry, are now entering their fifth and sixth decades of life.

So you may be asking what changes do they bring?

• Baby Boomers are approaching aging in a different way than the preceding generations  They have no desire to spend their retirement years sitting in a rocking chair or playing shuffleboard.
• Just as when they were young, they are interested in changing the world.
• They do not want to get old and are doing everything they can to stay healthy and look young.
• Even if they continue to work, they work at jobs where they can make a difference in society.

The church has bought into the myth that younger is better.

They believe that a growing church has a lot of young people, and if you have too many older adults that must mean that you are a dying church.

Instead, we have the potential to grow a church by increasing the number of older adults because millions of adults over the age of 50 are not Christians.

If we will be intentional about reaching these people for Christ, our churches will grow, especially when you consider that there are 78 million boomers, many of whom are not connected to the church.

As you leave the diner, think about the distinction of doing things with or through older adults rather than seeing them as just older adults.

I also want you to do something that is an option.  Look up Dr. Amy Hanson’s website www.amyhanson.org. She is a specialist in gerontology.  Her book, “Baby Boomer and Beyond: Tapping The Ministry Talents and Passions of Adults over 50,“  has provided much of the material for this blog.

Until next time, blessings.

Lou

What is the next step that can be the most humanitarian thing you have ever done?

• Would you develop or ignite a personal vision to help someone, or some group, in order to be “salt and light” as God’s Word refers?
• Would you develop a behavior to impact others?

According to the Mitsubishi Research Institute the diversity of our world can be assessed in several ways.  If we shrink the world’s population to a village of 100 people.  It would look like the following:

• 57 Asians
• 21 Europeans
• 14 from the Western Hemisphere
• 8 Africans

Of these 100 villagers:

• 52 are female, 48 are male
• 70 are non-white, 30 are white
• 70 are non-christian, 30 are christian
• 89 are heterosexual, 11 are homosexual
• 59% of the wealth is held by 6 people
• 80% live in substandard housing
• 70% are unable to read
• 50% suffer from malnutrition
• 1 is near death, 1 is near birth
• 1 has a college education
• 1 owns a computer

Learning to live and embracing all that entails in a diverse culture is the heart of our survival.

What does it mean to you?

As you look at the list that you just read, what stands out that makes you want to do something about the problem?  As a servant of my Lord, I want to reach those and bring them to Christ.

At a Billy Hybels’ Summit in 2007, he introduced me to a stirring thought, “Holy Discontent.”  From that moment on I looked at the evil in the world and vow to fight it with more vigor.  However, I am not talking about evil as the only problem that we can help solve.

Let me use a personal example; I entertain in senior centers, churches, as well as, other venues.  Generally, I pick the style of music in regard to Gospel, 50′s, 60′s and so forth.  One of the senior centers that I entertain in has a large number of Asian participants.  Instead of doing comedy and ballads, I select a more upbeat music program in order to create audience participation.

What does this tell you?

Sometimes in order to be ministry effective we must get out of our comfort zone.  We might have to volunteer in a homeless shelter, or we might be convicted to learn a language in order to meet a need.  Dealing with diversity does not mean ignoring it; it means you are meeting a need head on with love for all people.

A pastor once told me that my age group does not keep pace with their younger counterparts.  I told him to ask a geezer like me to do something and it gets done.

We are not far behind in the electronic race.

According to Verizon FIOS:

• Older adults 65-74 access the Internet at rates higher than many expected with 58% stating they regularly log on.
• 28% of those over 65 discuss Internet health care information with their doctors, compared with 33%  of those under 65.

This short piece of information speaks of information necessary for me to listen to.

1. It indicates that all age groups can be wired for the future.
2. Each age group can have a desire for its individual members to know about world problems and do something about them.

All ages must consider the following and then identify one or more problems.  Then our “Holy Discontent”  will move us to do something.

• What about the poor?
• Who will care for the sick and dying?
• Will anyone visit the prisoners?
• Who will clothe the naked?
• Who will take in the orphans?
• Who will give water to the thirsty, and community to the outcast?

Remember Popeye and his famous statement, “That’s all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more?”

When all ages in our churches and communities recognize what is going on around us and we are stirred with “Holy Discontent,” we will become Popeye people loving our neighbors as ourselves.

The next time we have lunch together at Redd’s Diner (the written gathering) we shall look at the new old and their problems.

In His service

Lou

During past tough economic times, according to a March 7th article in  Parade Magazine, there was a decrease in volunteering.  However, today there is a compassion boom of people helping others.

An exclusive new Parade Poll of 1008 respondents demonstrate that our nation is in the midst of a volunteering boom. Thus, this blog will deal with how and why so many Americans are working to improve our communities and the world.

*   *   *   *   *

Public service has become more than a phrase or a school requirement in our country.

According to CEO, Patrick Corvington of the Federal Corporation for National and Community Service, public service has now become a way of life.

• Many people who are out of work are now volunteering to stay connected in their communities, as well as, help keep their job skills sharp.

Corvington also explains that 94% respondents believed that it is important to be personally involved in a course that they believe in and 90% said they are working hard to teach their children the importance of activism.

Parents are leading by example.

Parents are leading by example, talking to their children about issues and causes, and urging them to follow role models who are working for positive change.

It seems that compassion counts more than ever.

One of the respondents polled is an attorney who volunteers at an elder-care facility and takes his young daughter with him.  He teaches her that those out of the public view need attention.

What would you do if given a $100,000?

One of the questions asked  the 1008 Americans in the Parade poll was, what would they do if given $100,000 to donate to charity?  I have listed the top ten responses:

1. Food and shelter for the needy
2. Disease research
3. Disaster relief
4. Animal welfare
5. Youth programs
6. Poverty relief/job assistance
7. Education
8. My religious charity
9. Global environment
10. Public health

It seems that a lot of people have been reshaped for service as the “mindset of Christ” becomes the focus instead of our “me” focus.

As we have looked briefly at the why people are becoming involved in more volunteerism, let us now look at the how aspect of the respondents.

Making a difference.

Almost all of the respondents (98%) have engaged in at least one activity to make a difference.

• 91% to the hungry.
• 30% helped organize a fund raising event.
• 32% participated in service projects such as clean up at a local beach, park, or public area.
• 24% volunteers at a soup kitchen or food bank.

What do you think is responsible for this great change in our country today in regard to this boom in volunteering?

In my study I have found it is not what but who.

In today’s population, based upon the Parade Poll, there are three distinct types of Americans who are driving the change in our communities and country.

“Yeppies, Rapid Responders, and The Mission Minded”

Just as this 76 year old was glad to see  how the Boomers changed some of the ways we do church, I am now glad to meet the new groups which are the “Yeppies,” (Young, Engaged Problem Solvers), “Rapid Responders,” and “The Mission Minded.”

• “Yeppies” rely on social media and socializing to fuel their activism and volunteerism.  They have faith that individuals can solve social problems.  They are open to a variety of causes.

• “Rapid Responders” are not out to improve the entire world.  Their focus is more personal as their causes tend to stem from specific problems such as health or a neighborhood issue.  Responders often organize community events to raise awareness or money for the causes.

• “The Mission-Minded” consist of older Americans for the most part who are motivated by their faith.  To them, supporting basic needs like food and shelter is a faith duty.  They feel that the world’s problems can be fixed by faith groups.

There you have it in a few paragraphs, but I assure you, I shall study these groups in my future research.

Next time, we shall look at our diverse population.

Lou

Once we accept that guarantee the Lord expects you to work for Him.

No matter what vocation you have you are expected to be a full-time Christian in that vocation.  The message we send to others around us will determine the effectiveness of your full-time Christian experience.

Words are powerful tools; they can build up or tear down.  You and I can not carelessly say whatever we want and then expect a quick apology to heal all wounds.  Even words spoken in haste can deeply hurt someone.

Of course, not all messages we send are verbal.  Facial expressions and body language can communicate acceptance or rejection, like or dislike, love or hate.

We should also consider whether we are making the most of every opportunity to encourage those around us.  We can be tremendous instruments of God’s blessing to others if we will closely monitor what we communicate.

The apostle Paul instructed believers in Ephesians 4:29 in regard to words.

• “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment so it will give grace to those who hear.”

That does not just mean that we should avoid cursing, but gossiping as well.  What we say should bless others.

Many times we have been victims of the power of words.  Parents, teachers, other authority figures, and friends have encouraged or discouraged us through their words.

• The tongue has influenced nations; Hitler destroyed nations with his lies while Churchill energized England with his words.

How effective we are in living the Christian life also involves involving the examples of Christ-like living and how joyful and appreciative are we in what He has given us in life.

When students in school would ask me if I was rich I would reply,

• “Yes, I have a God who loves me, a Savior that died for me, and Holy Spirit that guides me, a family that loves me, and many church people who are my friends.

If I would react with a negative response, why would anyone want to belong to Christ?

We, of course in living the Christ-like life, need to obey the Christ-like principles as given in His Word, but we need to convey to others how much we really care.

Each person must have a sense of belonging, worthiness, and competency.  When you accept Christ as Lord these three emotions fulfill those basic needs.

1. Through our belonging to God, we feel acceptance.
2. Through the worthiness evident by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we feel loved.
3. Through the competence made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we feel secure.

Why not speak like, live like, and look like our God has satisfied those basic needs.  Then you can pass on the message to others.

Through a personal relationship with Jesus anyone can find freedom from the negative messages they have endured.

Look for opportunities to build people up by your words and your style of living.  I leave you with the thought of what we should do as we wait upon the Lord:

1. Continue to do what you believe to be the right thing, trusting in the Holy Spirit (John 16:13)
2. Listen for guidance God may be giving you through your pastor or other church leaders.  (Acts 17:11)
3. Pray and seek God’s guidance.  let Him help you think outside the box. (Isaiah 55:8)

Our next get together we shall deal with, “A Positive Side During Economic Troubles.”

Lou

Anger, resentment, doubt, procrastination, failure, and jealousy are giants in our life.  They can all be conquered by our God in his Word.

*     *     *     *     *

ANGER is a giant that manifests itself through us in society today.

In many cases it is an uncontrollable emotion that causes harm to people whether physically or emotionally.  Sometimes it causes more harm to the individual who directs his/her anger toward another individual.

• Ephesians 4:26a Paul said, “Be angry and do not sin”

The greatest example of this thought has to be Jesus in the temple.  He never was angry about His stuff, but He was angry about the worship of God being obstructed by booths and tables.  His response was an example of sinless anger, or as we sometimes call it, “righteous indignation”.

There are some ways in dealing with anger that will help us not to be defeated by it.

• First, do not nurse your anger.

As the apostle Paul stated in Ephesians 4, do not nurse your anger.  In other words, do not dwell on anger as it will turn into resentment which turns into bitterness.  If we release it our Lord the giant will be defeated.

• Secondly, do not converse about your anger to another person.

That causes corrupt communication to come out of your mouth.  If you talk about your anger with other person, then you keep anger fresh in your mind.

• Thirdly, Paul says in Romans 12 that you should heap coals of fire upon that person’s head.  In other words be extra nice to that person.

RESENTMENT is a situation that many people find themselves in today.

When people find themselves in a state of a high degree of bitterness and many times it was caused by resentment.

If you look at resentment according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, love thinks no evil.

• One way to look at this is that God does not keep records of our sin if we are in Christ.

Perhaps, an example of resentment would be if a person wronged you in some way you would keep bringing that wrong up over and over again.  The only person that suffers psychologically and physically is the one that harbors resentment.

• We pay a high price if we choose to possess resentment in our lives.

Basically there are five ways among others that we can live free from resentment if we want to live free.

1. Think about it, is it worth the obsession?
2. Write it out in a journal as to why we are resentful.
3. Work it out; in my position as an assistant principal if something became a problem I worked it out by rehearsing music.
4. Pray; talk it out with Jesus.
5. Get over yourself and give it up.

Your life free from the giant of resentment will be healthier.

DOUBT can either be a positive motivation in our life in order to make us dig deep to prove a truth, OR it can make us very cynical.

Very often, if we are alone for a period of time, we start to feel so isolated that doubts begin to rise within us.  Many of our doubts linger because we have just kept them inside. We need to redefine our faith if a doubt has cast a cloud over a belief.

In order to fight the giant of doubt, we have to do several things to force Satan to back off.

1. Admit your doubts personally to yourself or a trusted friend.
2. Be clear about your doubts and where did you doubters come from.  Turn your doubts into items of prayer.
3. God waits to hear from you.
4. Be willing to read writers that are Christian writers an order to find answers.

We must be willing to seek and find our answers.

PROCRASTINATION is a dangerous giant because we fail to act on what we know.

Many times we have good reasons for our inaction’s, but other time it is just laziness.  I feel that Satan’s favorite word is tomorrow.  Whether it is your salvation or service after salvation, Satan wants you to put it off.

Not only does procrastination rob you of opportunity for service, it also robs you of the opportunity to be successful.  Do no put off doing anything that needs to be done today.  You have no guarantee about tomorrow.

FAILURE can be a private or it can be made public when one is a nationally known individual.

• Life is filled with failure, whether presidential, corporate, or personal.

The problem exists when one does not know how to handle failure.  He or she may not be able to recover and many fall into depression.

If one is able to learn how to profit from failure, he or she can move on to accomplishment.  In my estimation, one should “fail” forward which allows them to benefit from looking ahead in life.

David Jeremiah wrote the following, which originally came from a Wall Street Journal advertisement,

• “You failed many times.  Although you may not remember, you fell down the first time you tried to walk”.  Did you hit the ball the first time you swung the bat?  Heavy hitters who hit the most home runs strike out a lot. R.H. Macy failed seven times before his store in NY caught on.  You should worry more about the chances you miss if you don’t try!

Paul in 2 Corinthians 4, and I urge you to read this chapter, has covered what you need to face when it comes to failure. He states that you need to face the reality, reason, and results of failure.

Perhaps the greatest way to defeat the giant of failure is to strive to received Jesus final words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.

JEALOUSY when it is self-centered is a giant to be avoided.  It is a sin that eats at the insides of a person.

This last giant on my list can erode the peace and joy that is gained by conquering all the other giants.

• Jealousy can be a problem in the areas of possessions and wealth.

God has blessed many Christians with wealth, and many have learned to give gratitude to God.  However, generally speaking,  jealousy and envy have an easy time of causing trouble among the wealthy.

• Power is something that causes problems as power invites power.

In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron were jealous of Moses’ power.  In the Gospels and Acts we read that the Jewish leaders were jealous of Jesus’ power and influence.

Power circles can be a problem in the church.  Two characteristics of jealousy, in a large number of cases, is that it destroys others, as well as, ourselves.

Like many of the other giants we have discussed, jealousy is a personal choice.

• We need to face jealousy and renounce it as a sin.

We also need to reaffirm God’s goodness to you and take an inventory of God’s blessings to you.

Just as I sited scripture in the first six giants in Facing Giants Pt 1, I am going to cite scripture involving these last six.

ANGER: Proverbs 15:1, Romans 12:19, Ephesians 4:31

RESENTMENT: 1 Corinthians 13:5, Ephesians 4:32, Hebrews 12:15

DOUBT: Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 59:1, Hebrews 11:1

PROCRASTINATION: Psalm 90:12, Proverbs 27:1, 2 Corinthians 6:23

FAILURE: Psalm 37:24, Habakkuk 3:19, Philippians 1:6

JEALOUSY: Proverbs 10:22, Proverbs 14:30, 1 Peter 2:1-1

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Next time we shall look at, “Messages to Others”

God Bless!

Lou

You may say, “I have never thought or will never think of being a suicide statistic.” Yet, Dr. David Jeremiah, the pastor of Shadow Mountain Church in California, has noted that many of God’s people have “Giants” in their lives.

In the Old Testament giants were present as the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land. They were actual people that threatened the lives of God’s people.

Later, David faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-51)

Today, many of God’s children face several ‘Giants” in their lives that intimidate and do not allow them to have a joyful life in the Lord.

____________________________________________________________________

Let us now take a look at some of these “Giants” that Dr. Jeremiah referenced, they may be one, two or ALL of the following.

* After commenting on Dr. Jeremiah’s “Giants” we shall claim scripture pertaining to each one.

______________________________________________________________________________

These 12 “Giants” invade our lives and seek to destroy the work of God in us.

1. Fear
2. Guilt
3. Doubt
4. Discouragement
5. Temptation
6. Procrastination
7. Loneliness
8. Anger
9. Failure
10. Worry
11. Resentment
12. Jealousy

___________________________________________________________________________

FEAR:

• Fear disregards God’s plan for us; after all His desire for us is that we walk not in fear, but in the power of His love.

• In a way when we live in fear we let it distort Gods purpose for our Life. Fear causes one to not believe God’s promises and could cause one to disobey God’s principles.

How can you overcome fear?  Claim scripture from God’s Word as fear is being disobedient to God.

_________________________________________________________

DISCOURAGEMENT:

• Discouragement is bound to hit us at one or two points in our life.  However, to dwell upon discouragement can cause problems.

• The best way to combat discouragement is to recognize what makes you vulnerable to it.  Then you can keep it at a distance.

• Basically, according to Christian psychologist, Larry Crabb, there are four factors that cause discouragement to be a giant in our life:  Note:  two of these are giants by themselves.

1. 1. Fatigue
   2. Frustration
   3. Failure
   4. Fear

How do you respond to discouragement?  Do as Nehemiah did, cry out to God, continue the work that He has given you to do and concentrate on the big picture.  Claim the encouragement of God’s promises that He is with you.

_____________________________________________________________________

FATIGUE:

• Fatigue is a factor that makes us vulnerable to discouragement.  Sometimes we push ourselves too hard.  Though It is necessary to work hard,  it is also necessary to rest and recuperate.

When we are tired, we have trouble accomplishing our goals.  Therefore, we become discouraged.

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FRUSTRATION:

Frustration is a factor that faces us at some time in our lives.

• Nehemiah’s workers in (Nehemiah 4:10)  faced both fatigue and frustration.  They had worked 25 to 30 days without a break and as a result they were tired and their strength was failing.

• In order to finish the wall they were faced with the frustration of moving the prior stones that the Babylonians had left when they tore down the old walls.  However, they persevered  and completed the task at hand.

• If you live your life without purpose or you can not accomplish the task that you have set out to complete, you will become frustrated

You can live life three ways; you can live out, wear out, or burn out.

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FAILURE:

Failure is a factor that affects people in various ways.  Failure is not always the issue, it is how you respond to that particular failure.

I truly believed in my playing and coaching sports, that a setback was a setup for a comeback.

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LONELINESS:

Loneliness is a “giant” that manifest itself in different stages in life.

One thing that is encouraging despite the fact your life may be devoid of human relationships is that God is always with you.

Many of us have passed through one or more of these stages in our lifetime.  It is not a sin to be lonely, but it can be a sin if you indulge in it and allow it to turn to self pity.

Whether you are a lonely single, a lonely spouse, a lonely survivor or a lonely senior citizen, you can be a servant for our Lord with a purpose.

Many lonely servants go to the mission field either as a short-term or long term missionary.

Dr. David Jeremiah has suggested four ways to accept loneliness and how we can escape from loneliness engulfing us by:

• Acknowledging not denying we are alone
• Accepting God’s provision for our loneliness
• Allowing God’s Word to fill our heart and mind
• To activate a network of Christian friends.

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WORRY:

• Worry is future focused.  Worry can not change the future nor can it control the future.

In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus said, “Don’t worry” three times.  These are our marching orders for defeating the “giants” of worry.

Jesus was not saying we should not plan or be concerned about things in life that concern us spiritually or morally. He meant do not worry about things over which you have no control that paralyze you and those who depend upon you.

Jesus said to focus on only one thing in life, the Kingdom of God and the values which it stands for. To win over worry, we need to set our priorities.

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GUILT:

David had two “giants’ in his life.  Early in his life he faced Goliath and later, as King David, he had to deal with the “giant” of guilt.  Defeating the guilt in his sin was far more difficult than dealing with Goliath.

Two Psalms – Psalms 32 and 52 give us the story of how David lived with his sin (Psalm 32) and confessed his sin (Psalm 51).

• In Psalm 32 David agonized over his sin while in Psalm 51 he admitted his sin.

• In Psalm 32 David could not even talk to the Lord about his sin nor could he talk to anyone else about it.

Guilt had shut David down into a world of sorrow and silence.  He stayed in that world until God sent Nathan the prophet to confront him.  Then David realized it was time to admit his guilt.

The admission of Psalm 51 is something that all of use need to use as we open our facebook to God.

It is not just for David in his time and situation but also for Lou Redd to admit to my Lord my sin, and accept responsibility for it.

This will allow me to restore the joy and fellowship with my Lord and refocus upon what He has called me to do.

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The last one we shall deal with in this time frame is temptation (we shall cover the other six next time).

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TEMPTATION:

The word temptation is exposure to the possibility of doing the wrong thing.  Acting upon that exposure is where sin comes into our life.

There is a good passage that speaks of temptation.  1 Corinthians 10:12-14 speaks of standing firm and the fact that God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

If we resist the Devil, he will leave us.

We need to flee from temptation.  Whatever it is that blocks you from a right fellowship with God, you need to flee from that temptation.

• We all need to resolve to get off the low road of non-commitment and live on God’s high road.
• The high road is not free of temptation, but it provides a route of escape.

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I leave you with scripture that may help you to defeat those “giants” that we dealt with in this part 1 of giants.

Fear:  Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, he is the one that goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Fear:  Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation, who shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life, of who shall I be afraid?

Discouragement:  2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Discouragement:  Psalm 27:14

Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, wait I say on the Lord.

Loneliness:  Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. Though you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Loneliness:  Matthew 28: 20

Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Worry:  Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Worry:  Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Guilt:  Psalm 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us

Guilt:  Isaiah 43: 25

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions or my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.

Temptation:  Romans 13:14

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Temptation:  Hebrews 2:18

For in that He himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

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I wish to thank you for the many kind remarks that you have provided in regard to the blog.

I ask that you to encourage your family, friends and church members to read the material.  If church members and friends would also urge others to read the information, perhaps they would be encouraged as well.

Until the next time, may you have peaceful journeys.

Lou

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Let us look at stress factors for older adults who are believers as reported by the geriatric study department at the University of Alabama.  Then we shall turn to AARP’s study of suicide.

Professor, Michael Parker, cited several stress factors or concerns among believers pertaining to a “youth oriented culture” (the world has left us behind).

Some of those stress factors are:

• Financial concerns (real or preceived)
• Loneliness (loss of family, friends and work)
• Physical loss (real or perceived)
• Feeling of uselessness (real or perceived)
• “The past” (the cumulative effects of life-unresolved issues)
• Pride (real or perceived loss of appearance, physical and/or mental abilities)
• Spiritual immaturity (the more mature we are as believers, the better we can deal with life-changing circumstances.)

It is important for the church (us) to find the “down and discouraged” and develop a relationship with those brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Now we shall look at the AARP study as of September 15, 2009 in regard to suicide.

Diane Griffin, the AARP health writer, has compiled the following information:

1. Every 90 minutes an older American commits suicide.  Most are white males over the age of 85.  Among the young, there is about one suicide for every 100 to 200 attempts.
2. In adults over 65, there is approximately one suicide for every four attempts.
3. Older adults are successful more often than any other group.
4. Suicide rates in the elderly are highest among the divorced and widowed.
5. Although the older Americans make up only 13% of the U.S. population, they account for approximately 18% of suicides each year.

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About seven million elderly Americans suffer from some form of depression, which interferes with their ability to function.

It is important to remember that depression is not a normal part of aging.

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Conditions that increase the risk of suicide are:

1. Death or terminal illness of a loved one.
2. Divorce or separation.
3. Heath problems.
4. Loss of job.
5. Substance abuse.
6. Depression.

Warning signs of suicide:

1. Depression that quickly disappears.  This may indicate that your loved one has finalized a suicide plan.
2. Pain that can not be controlled.
3. Hopelessness, feeling that things will never improve.
4. Withdrawal, anger, irritability, sadness.
5. Declining performance.
6. Loss of interest in things that were once enjoyable.
7. Social isolation.
8. Poor Hygiene.
9. Change in sleeping or eating habits.
10. Self Starvation.
11. Ignoring medical instruction.
12. Giving away favorite possessions.
13. Talking about suicide.

Helping to prevent suicide:

• First and foremost – Take any one of these signs seriously! If a loved one expresses suicidal feelings, he/she needs immediate attention.  75% of all suicides happen after the person makes statements about suicide.

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Now that we have examined some AARP facts regarding suicide, how can the Christian community help those persons contemplating suicide?

Jesus took the initiative to seek out those that needed healing.  We have a responsibility to offer hope to those planning suicide.

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How to help:

• Listen: Let the person express his/her feelings.  You do not need to say much as long as you show your concern.  Arguing and giving advice will not help.
• Ask: Ask the person if he/she is considering suicide.  Find out if he/she has a plan.
• Do not leave: If the person is considering suicide never leave him or her alone.
• Seek professional help: This indicates that you care.

The church (you and me) has a responsibility to help those in the community where your church is located, as well as, those in our congregations.

Even if you are not a member of a church, you can do the “Jesus thing” by touching the lives of those who need help.  We need to save lives as the Holy Spirit saves souls.

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Help is out there.

Below I have listed some names of organizations that are informational, as well as, inspirational.  To access their websites I have posted, for your convenience, their links in the right-hand column of the blog page under “Blogroll”.

• National Prayer Center
• Healthfinder
• Social Security
• The Department of Health and Human Services
• National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
• AARP
• National Institute on Aging
• The Joyful Heart Newsletter
• Elderhostel
• The Christian Association of Senior Adult Ministries
• Focus Over Fifty
• The Sonshine Society
• Quiet Place
• Life Quest
• Single and Senior
• Eldercare
• Aging In America

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Next time we shall deal with the believers and the “GIANT” in his/her life.

Until then…”Godspeed”

Lou