The 5th element - Dynamic Discipleship

In concluding our recap of the Five Elements of Verticalink Campus Ministries, we come to the one which we have titled Dynamic Discipleship.

Curiously, one dictionary defines discipleship as 'The state of attempting to follow the example of Jesus'. I look at it a little differently, in that I take issue with the suggestion that discipleship is 'trying to follow' Jesus. We don't try, we just follow, by faith. Thus, it becomes dynamic. It is a walk that is adventurous, exciting, and challenging. It is always changing, because we are constantly changing through this walk of Discipleship.

For many people today, life is unchanging. When asked how they have been, a common answer would be, ' Same as always', or 'Same stuff, different day'. This is because life without the Holy Spirit is static. It doesn't change, and the simple reason is that people do not change people. We can cause another person's behavior to change. We can alter someone's thinking. We can even force people into submission. But this does not change the one overwhelming truth that mankind lives under. All of us are under the inherent results of sin. This is a permanent state of being for man. There will always be guilt and the hundreds of ways in which it demonstrates itself. There will always be death. There will continue to be sin and evil in man's heart. These things are perpetual.

Unless....

Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right. (Romans 5:18-19 in The Message Bible)

We needed God to get us out of the mess we were in. He did it. We now need Jesus to bring us into a new life with Him. He did it, and is performing it daily in our lives, as we walk with Him.

Join us in this Dynamic Discipleship lifestyle! It is the only thing that can truly be called 'life changing'.

VL Element #4: Joyful Worship

Next in our list of VL Elements is Joyful Worship.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

I like to think of worship as 'ultimate focus' upon God. I focus upon Him and His leading in my life. I concentrate on His greatness. I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me in my thinking toward The Savior. I am drawn into prayer. The gift of salvation and the power of the resurrection are displayed clearly in my thoughts. This is worship!

The power of worship is revealed by its affects upon the worshipper. Peace is defined. Strength is renewed. Joy is abundant!

So, how do we 'perform' worship? I like to think of the 3 factors of worship.

1. Concentration. I give myself over to concentration on that which God is saying to me. He speaks to me through His Word. He also speaks to me in a still small voice. When there is preaching or teaching, He speaks to me in specifics. So, it is very important to listen.

2. Praise. Worship is not defined as praise, but praise is part of worship. When I praise God, I give thanks to Him and honor Him with my voice. I sing, making a joyful noise unto Him. I bless Him and magnify Him in the midst of my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Praise energizes man and blesses God.

3. Walk. Walking with God in obedience to His leading and guidance is worshipping Him in Spirit and Truth. As I work out my salvation, in learning and response, I bring Glory to Him, and thus I worship.

Joyful worship sets us apart from daily grind. It renews a right spirit in us. It takes the focus off of us and places it where it belongs, upon Him.

Come and worship with us!

VL Element #3 Is Engaging Fellowship

Fellowship could be defined as conversation among people that are associated with one another through a common union. Engaging fellowship takes it a step farther, into the realm of conversation with an attraction, or with the characteristics that draw another person into the fellowship.

Koinonia is the greek word that is translated as fellowship in the Bible. The meaning conveys fellowship that is intimate in that its participants have likeness of understanding and unity in purpose.

Element number 3 in our list is Engaging Fellowship. Like each of our elements, this one is vital to a healthy Christian walk. We, at Verticlink, understand and promote such fellowship often. Many of us have learned first hand the perils of being outside of fellowship, and the joy of joining in.

I love Psalm 119:63, which says:

I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

A companion is one that united with, or closely associated with another.

Our relationships with one another are vital to our Spiritual growth. We need each, not in a familiar, carnal way, but in a caring, involved way. I have always said that there are no happy Lone Rangers in Christianity.

It takes some getting used to for some people to have a close, pure relationship with others. The type of relationship where there are no expectations, except for God to work. The type of relationships where the other person is the most important.

Join with us for engaging conversations that can change your life!

The 2nd Element - Scripture Discovery

They said to one another, "Didn't our hearts burn within us when He talked with us along the road, and He opened the scriptures to us?" Luke 24:32

There are not many things more astonishing than discovering the marvels of the Scriptures. There are 31173 verses in the Bible, and they make up the most wonderful garden of Grace, Mercy, and Love known to mankind. At any time, any paragraph in the Bible could come alive to us with rich and full meaning. There is no end to its impact. It continues to be fresh and new each day.

I can imagine the disciples talking about it, as they compared the passion that was stirred in their hearts from just one Bible Study with Jesus. There was probably very little sleep that evening for them. The Word's came alive to them, and energized them in the faith. They saw things they had never seen before about themselves and about God. Things correlated for them. Confusion was gone. Realization was thrilling. It was a remarkable thing.

I cannot begin to recall all the times that I have had similar experiences. I do know that the most recent time was today, however. Before that, it was last night. It all works together for a truly exceptional life.

Don't you agree? I think you do, if you have had a discovery in the Scriptures.

We can help others explore the Bible for discoveries. It is, in fact, what we do. It is what is done for us, as well, as we fellowship together with those that know the Word.

Our desire for others is that they come to know the calling that God has for them, and the riches that they have inherited. So we guide each other into the Word. Ephesians 1:17-18

Discover new things in the Scriptures today!

The Five Elements of Verticalink Revisited

Relevant outreach, Scripture discovery, engaging fellowship, joyful worship, and dynamic discipleship are the key elements to which Verticalink Campus Ministries adheres.

Each of these represent a topic that worthy of discussion on its own, and I think each should be revisited from time to time.

The elements of an organization are those points that have been identified as the rudiments, or the foundational points of the workings of it. This is important to help keep a steady course as circumstances and people change.

In the Bible, we have many key elements of our faith. These are truths that are not subject to change, but are solid and dependable. We must have these foundational structures upon which to build solid, stable lives. Additionally, once we have identified them, we must rest upon them, and not waver away from them into destruction. See Matthew 7:24-27

Thus, we begin to, once again, take a close look at these five elements. From this, we hope to find hidden treasures that will refresh our thinking and increase our faith.

The first is relevant outreach. When we speak of relevancy, we are pointing toward God and Truth, and not toward the world system of philosophy and secularism. In other words, outreach is related to the absolutes of Biblical Truth, and not to the ever changing winds of modern thought. See Ephesians 4:14-15

Reaching out in evangelism is simply offering an opportunity to a person. It is an opportunity to receive the life that God has designed for the individual, and to link up with the God of the Universe. Knowing God is the greatest of all knowledge, and without it, the lesser practicums are seriously deficient. How can I know anything clearly if I do not yet know the One Who created all things?

In outreach we may debate on issues. We might reason over philosophies. We could even enter into long conversations about issues in society or history. Through all of this, however, we will strive to keep the relevance where it belongs, that being God and HIs care for desire for the person.

Whether we use a few words or long discourses, the end of the matter is the same. Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which is lost. If a person will transfer their trust to Him, and receive Him as their Saviour, meaningful life will begin for them, and that life will be everlasting!

A Time Of Brilliance

We just enjoyed an amazing evening of anointed fellowship with a local Cru group. Thanks to them for their hospitality and their edifying fellowship! As I meditate on what we all received this evening, I am sure I will be provoked to write about it, so tune in!

Some Things Old, All Things New

It is written in Ecclesiastes 1:9 that there is no new thing under the sun. The verse speaks of life as cyclical. The things which are are as the things which will be. The things that are done are as the things that will be done. To Solomon, life had been defined in this way.

For the Christian, it is important to keep things in perspective pertaining to life. Existence on this planet is indeed cyclical. As one studies history, the events on the time line do seem to be derived from the same desires, the same deeds, the same motives, as the events both before and after. Yet, to the 'players' in history, each series of events seems to be very relevant and timely; spontaneous as opposed to mechanical.

However, without an understanding of life, as God defines it, the one who is living is simply a player. He is in a dynamic that he really knows very little about, and finds himself looking for answers within the realm of the cycle. His view becomes much like the view we have on a merry-go-round. That is, a distorted, out of focus view of his surroundings. A view that can be overwhelming to the senses, especially if the ride goes too fast.

Verticalink brings to the college campus an understanding that, to most people, the events of life seem new and overwhelming at times. We have learned that in order to live life to the fullest, people must have answers. And we know that, even though the answers are very old, they are brand new to the one that is seeking.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says that, for the Christian, all things become new! No more cycles, if you will. Life is now linear. It is an eternal adventure, containing, as the very next verse says, all the things of God!

If you are involved with Verticalink, cultivate your call as an answer bearer. You have Good News, and God will help you to share it.

If you do not know us, seek us out on your campus, or write us. We would love to meet you.

What is a VL meeting?
I am thinking about that which makes a great Verticalink meeting. Think about it and check back in with your ideas!

I just signed up for mobile blogging because i thought it might be fun. Maybe now i can post on the fly!

Verticalink International

I haven't posted on this site for a few days. But I have posted a page on Facebook titled Verticalink International. This will be another resource for news and updates regarding VL. Visit it often, as we will try to keep it fresh with updates.

I Wish I Were There

A cold is upon me. I have to remember to thank Micah, my toddler son for that. My task this evening is to study for my church history class tomorrow, where we will be teaching on the crusades. As I prepare, the Bible Study at Towson University is happening, and I wish I was there. Also, the team meeting for VL JHU is in progress, and I wish I were there, as well. We have opportunities in various schools throughout Maryland and other states, as well as some in other countries. I wish I were there, and there, and there....

But God knows, and He will provide. We have some amazing team members in our organization. I am routinely humbled by their walks with God. He has provided, and will provide more.

We will soon be initiating a team in Ghana, Africa. Stay tuned for details concerning this.

I must get back to preparation. I love to teach, and I love the campus!

Don't you?

Imaginations, The Framework of Thinking

The human has a framework to his thinking. I think you agree with me. Each one has a way of thinking, with a predisposition in temperament and context. Some think more analytically, others more subjectively. Some have a greater capacity for learning, and some are creative thinkers. I have seen people attempt to alter their framework of thinking and then struggle with self-image issues. What we discover is that we can change how we think, but our framework of thinking is a part of what makes us an individual.

How do I change how I think? I believe it is by appropriating truth. Our minds are created to find the absolute in a given dynamic. We do not cope well with imaginations that stray from the static of truth. Our minds tire easily if allowed to wander from truth, and if the process of attempting to re-align is interfered with, the thoughts can become unstable and imbalanced.

I must say here that I have no laboratory analyses or comprehensive studies to scientifically support my thoughts on this subject. These are thoughts that I have formulated through the years, in the learning process of discerning truth and applying it to life.

In the Bible, in 1 Chronicles 28:9, we see that God understands each of the frameworks of man's thinking. In other words, He knows how He made me, and He leads me into right thinking within that framework of thought. Thus, the analytical thinker can have an anointed thought life, and be a blessing to others with his type of thinking. Similarly, the creative mind becomes valuable when God is allowed to instruct it in the ways of thought. Each of us, in our God given constructs, can become extraordinary in our relationship to life and living, when we accept the truth of the Word of God, and humbly receive His instruction.

We do not have to change ourselves. God molds us into the treasure that we are. It is a wonderful thing.

So think boldly in your imagination, or your framework of thought. Open yourself to God's loving intruction. You will not be disappointed.

Examine the Evidence

Good leadership displays many characteristics. We can look at a leader's history and find keys to the successes in their life. It is a fascinating and enlightening exercise to study the lives of influential people, and I recommend it.

I have discovered an attribute that is common to great leaders. These are people who have cultivated the ability to gather evidence and formulate decisions based upon reasoning derived from said evidence. This may seem like an understatement, after you think about it. But, amazingly enough, there are relatively few men and women that form their decisions and ideals based upon proven evidence. Most times, a person's direction comes from emotional need, peer pressure, or herd mentality. I am a watcher for those who are sound in their thinking and communication.

Jesus, during His time walking on the earth, was a master at discerning the thinking of men. I was reading Matthew 21:23-27. In this portion, the religious leaders asked Jesus to tell them from where he received His authority. His answer to them was that first they must answer a question for Him. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? The priests began to reason. The evidence took second place to reasoning which was based in suppositions of what might happen upon whichever answer they gave. Neither of the 2 possible answers would leave them in a postive light, so they said that they could not answer the question. These were leaders. Men who were influential in other's lives. Men who had the evidence. They were aware of the facts and they chose to ignore them for the cause of self-protection. Jesus revealed their wrong thinking for the ages to see. It is one of many examples for us to distinquish non-thinking rhetoric. It was prevelant in the 1st century, and is much more prevelent today.

God gives us information. He supplies all the evidence necessary to reason correctly in any situation.

My advice is to gather up the evidence that God has given us. His Word contains the evidence. Get it. Read it. Learn it. Love it.

Inauguration

Don't you think it is remarkable that this nation has maintained such a great system of leadership for over 230 years? The amazing thing about the inauguration is that demonstrates a peaceful transfer of power. We each have strong opinions about the issues in our society. I have my own beliefs, (which I do not want to voice in this posting), about this particular presidential change. Yet, we do not allow our differences to interfere with the due course!

We are a peaceful nation. We are a nation rooted in the notions of care, service, protection, and rights. The USA was founded on such beliefs, backing them up with Scripture and with unwavering faith. We have maintained it, and for that we can be proud!

There is another issue inside of all of this, however. It is the issue of the individual, and his/her ability to hear and make decisions based upon a world view that does not waver or contradict itself. If this nation's government has kept to it's precepts, then why not the individual, and the the governing of the soul? It is an apathetic system of thought that leads a person to believe that whatever they feel must be truth. Truth itself, then, changes with the emotions of the individual, with no standard from which to voice itself. Without truth, how can there be care, service, protection? Who would define it? Would it be the one with the greatest need? Who would determine that? There has to be a reference point, and the founders of this great found it! It was the Word of God. The unchanging Word!

Maybe you do not agree with this. Well, many have not and do not, but yet, the Word has not changed. It is old news to disagree with God. It is older news, however, that God prevails!

I think inauguration day would be a good day to swear, in faith, that you will follow Truth and Righteousness in your life. Join the fanfare that is going on today, but apply it to your heart that you will seek for truth, not opinion, in the remainder of your walk on earth. If you commit to that, God will show you Truth.

I promise

Daddy Help!

My toddler son awakened me very early this morning with his call for daddy. It seems that something had scared him, something visible only in the imaginations of his little world.

Of course I went to him and brought him, safe and sound, to that place where everything is alright, that is, close to daddy.

We never grow out of the basic need for help in time of trouble. We are not self-sufficient creatures, or, at least should not be. We are created to need our Father. When we were young children, we needed our earthly father in times of need or distress. When we became older, our earthly father deferred to our Heavenly One, and our more substantial needs and fears were met by an infinitely more capable Father. He is a "very present" help in trouble! (Psalms 46:1)

I think of the times that I have had fears that are only seen through the imaginations of my own little world. They are the sum of the accumulated details of life. When I, often in the dark of night, consider them, they add up to calamity or distress. It is then that I can, and should, call upon my Father, just as young Micah called upon me this morning. He called me by the only name that carries great authority and comfort for him in trouble, daddy. For us, that name is God!

Call upon Him in your time of trouble today. He will run to you, and bring you to that place of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3)

Belief Without Doctrine?

I was reading this morning of a church group that does not believe in adopting a doctrinal statement. The contention, they say, is that such statements of faith, or creeds of any kind, exclude people from fellowship. This church group, which is very large, with nearly 4000 churches, holds a decidedly liberal view of worship and faith, yet still claiming to be christian and Christ followers. Salvation, for them, can mean many things. It can mean deliverance of any kind. It seems that such deliverance is obtained through a kind of redirection of thinking, or a different outlook on things.

This is interesting. No creeds. No absolutes. But still church. That is convenient. Let's not exclude anyone by revealing the error of their ways to them. (Of course, if I am lost, it is the error of my way that I want defined, isn't it?)

This is not new thinking. The original creeds in 3rd and 4th centuries were intended as measuring rods of doctrine. The need for such a thing was becoming evident, as the New Testament church, with it's dogmatic belief in 'the Apostles doctrine', (Acts 2:42), was being contested by groups looking for something with a more liberal stance, or something that would not isolate those of differing beliefs.

There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

I am glad for doctrine. I struggle with wrong thinking in my life, and I need to be reproved, admonished, by the standard of thought. For me, doctrine is God's way of informing me throughout life. Without it, my thinking becomes subjective, autonomous, and liberal (nonliteral, nonspecific, imprecise).

Oh, fyi, you can hear the leader of the church that I was reading about this morning speak, if you want. She is giving the inaugural sermon at the National Prayer Service on January 21st.

Hmmm...

Power vs. Power

Twice in the Bible the following two words are used together: all power.

Once it is used in Matthew 28:18, and is speaking of the power of God in Christ Jesus.

The other time is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 and is referring to the power of Satan.

So how can both God and Satan have all power? I am glad you asked. The answer is that these two words for power are really very descriptive in the original language. In Matthew 28:18, the word is "exousia", which speaks of authority. Judicial, managing, governmental authority. God has ALL of that.

In 2 Thessalonians, the word is "dunamis", which means strength, power, ability. But not authority.

Think about it. God has all power with authority. All authority. Over everything.

Satan is, at best, a strong man.

There will come a day when the Authority of God will pull the plug on the power of Satan.

Oh, and here is another thing. That which God has, we have when we are walking with Him!
Now, that is great news!

So, which would you rather have, power or Power?

Richard Dawkins Might Believe in the Tooth Fairy

Richard Dawkins, the latest and greatest voice for skepticism and atheism, has launched a campaign in which he has paid to have large signs placed on the sides of some 800 buses in Great Britain. The signs say, "There probably is no God, so stop worrying and enjoy your life".

Probably. I like that! Thank you, Mr. Dawkins. This is a good marketing campaign...for God. I can imagine hundreds, if not thousands of people viewing these signs, with the results being each of them having some thoughts about God. (I will get back to that thought.)

Mr. Dawkins is quoted to have said that he did not want to use the word 'probably', but that organizers wanted it because they did not want to be dogmatic like Christians are.

Hmmmm....skeptical about their skepticism, it seems.

Mr Dawkins said that the existence of God is about as likely as that of the tooth fairy.

So there is a chance that there is a Tooth Fairy! Profound!

Well, anyway, concerning probability, consider this. Say you were a healthy person who, one day began to have some chest discomfort. A friend might tell you that it is probably nothing. They might be right, but I think you would have it checked so you could know for sure. That is why I like this bus campaign. I think that when people read the sign, the word 'probably' will naturally cause them to question the statement.

And that is all it takes. Just a thought toward God opens the door for Him to reveal himself to a person who was previously closed to Him. Acts 26:18 speaks of opening the eyes of man, so that he may see the difference between darkness and light, and receive all that is for him.

There is much darkness in today's world. But, it cannot get so dark that light does not work! We want all people to see the Light of the World, and receive the new life of walking with God!

Oh, and, after much investigation (tonque in cheek), I am dogmatic that there is no tooth fairy! However, after one touch from God, I became absolutely dogmatic that God is with us!