WCC Resources Leader's thoughts

Raising a revival generation

This article (from www.leadershipjournal.net ) touched me deeply, and through it I felt a fresh anointing to pray for our kids – in our own family and in our church family as a whole.

I thought it would inspire and challenge you, too – for parents and all those who care about investing in a revival generation …  

This article touches at the very heart of the vision God has planted in us. May you and I do what we can to see a radical Christ-following generation grow up and change their worlds.

Let’s pray for our children that they may be ‘much improved versions’ of us and extend the kingdom of Jesus wherever God leads them, whatever the cost.

With love, Tim Roberts

Leader's Insight: My Little Shark Hunter
Always brave, my son tackles a new dangerous mission. At times, I wish I felt better about it.
by Phil Callaway, guest columnist

Ever since he was knee high to a Doberman, the boy was fearless. Take him to the ocean and he'd jump in looking for sharks. Take him to the mountains and he'd see how high he could climb. One day when he was five, I watched in horror as he jumped off a roof—a garbage bag duct-taped to his back. We couldn't be more opposite, my son and I. The higher he climbs, the more he believes God is with him. Not me. I believe God put us on dry land and says, "Lo, I am with you always."

In his first year of college, he called one night to ask me for money. "I'm sorry," I said. "You have reached this number in error. Please hang up and call your Uncle Dan."

"I scaled a 300-foot cliff today," he said, undaunted. "You'd have loved it."

Right. His father who contracts vertigo standing on a skateboard.

For years I've wondered what God would make of our son. Would he call him to be a crash-test dummy? A professional bungee jumper? Or would he fulfill every North American parent's dream by settling down in a huge house with a nice wife and provide us some grandchildren to spoil?

The unexpected answer arrived by e-mail one day:

Dear Dad and Mom,

I just want you to know that I met a couple nice girls and we're planning on being married. In Utah. Not really. But I did meet Lucy. You'll like her a lot. It's surprising how quickly you can find a Justice of the Peace down here. Lucy owns a tattoo parlor, but seldom works. Her father won some money in a lottery, so she's set for life. I won't need to work anymore either. I've bought a Mercedes convertible and you'll be happy to know I put a chrome fish on the bumper.

If you haven't fainted yet, here's the truth. It may be more shocking. In the country of Uganda, the Lord's Resistance Army is committing atrocities against children that are too awful for me to put in this letter. Over the years they've abducted 50,000 kids and turned the ones they haven't murdered into soldiers. I'd like to work with street children in Kampala. I'll be living with local missionaries. It will mean lots of needles and I'll need to raise a little money too.

Dad, you told me once that Jesus came to comfort us, not to make us comfortable. I guess I've been comforted enough; it's time to offer some to others.

Your son, Steve

"Where do you think we went wrong?" I asked his mother. "Couldn't he just have a beach ministry in Hawaii? Maybe we blew it taking him to other countries and showing him what the real world looks like. Don't you just hate it when your son practices what you've been preaching?"

"It's what we've prayed for all these years," she said with a grin, "that he would live life on purpose."

And so one month ago, we hugged our firstborn son goodbye as he embarked on a grand adventure half a world away. It's funny the questions people ask when they hear he's in Uganda. "Aren't you worried about his safety?" I have my moments. Check a list of the most dangerous spots on earth and Uganda nears the top. But is safety what we're here for? Isn't Complacency the most dangerous place on earth? Isn't Suburbia sucking the life out of our teenagers more than any foreign country ever could?

I sat with a missionary the other day who is pouring her life out in Pakistan, patching bodies and souls for Jesus. She's the only missionary in her area whose parents support her being there. I must be honest: I understand. There are times I'd rather Steve was home making good money—putting it away for my nursing home bills. Yet I cannot hope for more than this: that my children will hear God's voice despite a noisy culture, and that they will obey.

A few nights before he left I asked Steve what he'd miss most about home. "The dog," he said, smiling. Then why is it that I found him studying family photos and lounging on the sofa watching an old Disney movie with his brother and sister? Was he killing time? Or saying goodbye to the remnants of childhood?

I've shed a few tears, for sure. But mostly I've been giving thanks. For a son who's a much improved version of his father. For e-mail and cheap overseas phone rates. And I'm thankful there are no sharks in Uganda.

Phil Callaway is the best-selling author of a dozen books. Visit him at   HYPERLINK "http://www.laughagain.org" www.laughagain.org .

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THE BROTHERS MAGEE:

A poem about work. Tim Roberts, Oct 9th 2006

This is the story of the brothers Magee
Edwin, Eddie and Earnest
Three strapping men had various quirks,
But all fit and healthy and able to work

These brothers Magee had one thing in common
Besides the same mother and father,
Each Monday morning the factory beckoned
All three had to work, getting paid by the second

The job they all had was the same every day
It involved putting balls into boxes
They’d clock in at the start and out at the end
After a month, they got money to spend

These three brothers all starting with E
Edwin, Eddie and Earnest
Had a very different approach to working life
For one it was a joy, for the others, strife

Take Edwin Magee, the slob of the year
For him work was a punishment
When a new week was dawning, he’d be yawning
And setting his mind on underperforming

He hated work and avoided it daily
To sleep was his favourite pastime
If dragged to the factory his heels would follow
He’d avoid every task and ‘do it tomorrow’

His brother Eddie was a little bit different
For him to work was a duty
He’d fill boxes with balls just as expected
But go home in a huff, tired, dejected

Eddie did his job to a reasonable level
It was better than watching paint dry
He kept himself to himself and got the job done
Didn’t often laugh, didn’t hurt anyone

These brothers Magee, a typical three
Edwin, Eddie and Earnest
They had work to do and skills to use
But the way they worked they had to choose

Finally, Earnest, the quality Magee
His approach to work is a lesson
Glad to be living, each day was a gift
He worked hard, worked well, in every shift

He loved using his skills, receiving his pay
He thought of his friends unemployed
Working hard was good, it paid for his food
He filled boxes with balls, sustained a good mood

The difference you see, was Earnest’s real boss
And I don’t mean his line manager
Others worked for the suited dictator
But Earnest was working for his loving Creator

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In Good Faith - for Watford Observer, 15/9/06

I am not an astronomer, but I have marvelled at the beauty of the sky at night. On a clear autumn evening, the majesty of creation hangs gracefully above us, effortlessly declaring how small we are, and how great God is.

I am not a physicist, but I have got hold of the fact that the universe, still expanding second by second, is beyond getting hold of. Man’s greatest technology can only point at distant galaxies, and we haven’t seen the edge yet after all these years.

I am not a doctor, but I have seen babies born to ‘barren’ couples, cancer healed in response to prayer and the wonders of modern medicine overruled by Almighty God, who responds with power and compassion to the likes of you and me.

I am a Christ-follower, and it gives me great joy to be a very small part in God’s global plan: to gather to himself a diverse yet united Church. A people who will believe his resurrection, accept his forgiveness, acknowledge his greatness, and joyfully share his kindness to the world he loves.

I am also a Watford-lover, and I am excited about this town’s potential. Such a diverse community, filled with incredible people all created uniquely and with different lives to lead. As I talk and pray with other community leaders, I know I am not alone in perceiving a fresh and growing sense of hope and life in our town.

Even here, in this tiny community, this minute corner of the universe, God is at work creating new people, bringing new hope and giving new life.

Rev Tim Roberts,
Moderator, Christians Across Watford

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King David was no stranger to pain, suffering or the gritty realities of life in a broken world. He had experienced the depths of loneliness, regret and despair and revelled in the heights of glory and celebrity. On innumerable occasions this famous leader of Israel saw God deliver him from ‘hopeless’ situations. From bloodthirsty enemies his heavenly Father had saved him and his nation, and on so many occasions David’s gratitude burst into poetry and song.

One of those songs, Psalm 68, reveals the power of God to preserve those he loves, protect them from their enemies and inspire the nations to draw near to him in praise. In the midst of this David writes these powerful, timeless words:

‘Praise the Lord: praise God our saviour! For each day he carries us in his arms.' (v19)

For David this is not some religious claptrap or wishful thinking, this is a real and present experience. The God who scattered the stars and created the chrysanthemum also cradles the galaxies and holds us in his arms. Each day, he carries us.

This is the essence of the Christian life—total trust in God through his son, Jesus Christ. Utter faith in his strong arms. The most authentically Christian people you ever meet are those most at peace in the arms of our heavenly Father. Wonderfully safe. Carried.

True faith in him is finding deep rest even when surrounded by enemies and agitated by anxiety. We can only do this if we know we are forgiven, that everything is right between us and God.  Then we can rest, assured, at peace.

Reflect on this and you might be reminded of the loving invitation of Jesus our Lord:  ‘Come to me, you who carry heavy burdens,’ he said, ‘and I will give you rest’ (Matt 11:28). The Lord doesn’t take away our burdens and make life easy, he carries them and us and gives us rest. Every day. Praise the Lord!

As we think of the weeks and months ahead, this truth is like water to our souls. As if checking in baggage for the journey ahead we might weigh up some of our burdens: friends and family; our colleagues at work; financial concerns; career hopes; nagging bad habits; physical challenges; plans for the future; dreams and desires; enemies and opposition; the future of the church and the fruitfulness of our ministries...

Some of this is excess baggage, perhaps—we carry burdens we ought not to. However, one thing we can be sure of is this: our loving Father in heaven does not point the finger in vindictive anger; instead he joyfully gathers us in his loving arms. Then we find ourselves—and our burdens—effortlessly carried.

Tim Roberts

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Tim Roberts
March 2006

Some of the most helpful things my father ever did for me involved the word, ‘No!’ Often it was followed with disobedience, a firm rebuke, a belt across my backside and a period of regretful tears. What followed, in good time, was a gentle forgiving embrace. This process seemed to be necessary on innumerable occasions!

As I reflect on this, I also remember profound experiences of being forgiven. I got in major trouble once with the Police for some rural teenage vandalism. I was so sorry I had joined my peers to commit these crimes. After the police left my house I sobbed on my bed. I recall my parents coming up the stairs after me—were they coming to rub salt into the wounds of my remorse? No. On this occasion I felt their loving, praying hands on my shoulders. They didn’t say very much. They discretely paid my debts and never reminded me of what I had done. I was forgiven.

How much more gracious and just is our heavenly Father? The letters to the churches in Revelation  paint a clear picture of God who is our Father and Friend. He sternly rebukes us when we stray and gently invites himself for lunch.

To the Laodiceans he writes, “I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.” A stern call to repent from The Holy God who often says ‘No!’…

The next sentence: “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.” (Rev 3:19-20 NLT)

So what does this mean for us, today? I think it forms a fresh  call for us to accept a more Biblical view of God as our Father. We are his (often wayward) children. We misunderstand his directions and we make up our own plans, spiritualising selfish desires and unyielded hearts. We are like sheep that, as the Message puts it, ’wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.’ (Isa 53:6). 

We need a Father who loves us enough to sternly say ’no!’ when we’ve left the path of his plan. Though it hurts to hear, it pays to listen.

The complementary  picture we have to respond to, though, is that of a Heavenly Father who is also a Holy Friend. He wants to draw us near, to have supper with us, to hang out at our place.

May God himself through the work of his Holy Spirit quicken us to a multi-dimensional relationship with him, where we are as ready to respond to him when he says ‘no!’ as we are when he knocks on our door.

Tim Roberts

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In Good Faith,
Watford Observer, 20/1/06

 

On Wednesday evening this week Roy Young, a local church leader, led a group of 60 or so people in the first in a series of events called ‘Watford Prayer United.’ The congregation, small but dynamic, was drawn from many different churches. I don’t know which churches; no-one was wearing a badge. A foretaste of heaven, perhaps, where denominational differences will be cast aside?

 

Those who were present saw a glimpse of the Church of Jesus Christ in her beauty. Humble believers took on the challenges and troubles that face our town and brought them to God in prayer.

We prayed for the criminalised and outcast, that God in his mercy would help those with broken hearts and broken lives who go on to bring pain to others. Remembering that Christ is the friend of all sinners, we confessed our own need for forgiveness and healing.

We finished our gathering by praying for our police force, that God would give great wisdom to the officers in charge as they face massive challenges and uncertainties in dealing with crime of every kind. Asking for the Lord to encourage police officers and their support staff, we were encouraged to give thanks for the work they do. How often we seem to take their efforts for granted, focussing instead on their mistakes and failures. In the presence of Almighty God, with one voice we gave thanks for the police and the peace and freedom they preserve for us.

It was no ordinary meeting, it was an encounter with God; a dialogue with the Creator. Uniting in the name of Jesus Christ, we talked with him about the things that matter to us. As simple people from all over Watford, we asked the God who cares and forgives to bless our town.

We mustn’t stop meeting like this.

Tim Roberts

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Tim Roberts,
January 2006

Whatever your dreams, plans and hopes for 2006, the truth behind our verse/theme for the year (Matt 5:14) is not about what will be, but how things already are.

At WCC we began the New Year with a powerful exhortation from Haddy Mboob to remember what God has done in saving us, calling us from the darkness of our selfish loneliness into the community of his perfect light. A fresh challenge to us all to not forget the benefits of being called children of God! We already are forgiven and accepted by the Holy God of all.

In a similar vein, we must all as Christians come to the awareness that God not only wants to use us in the future, but he is already using us! Read the current edition of the Outward Bound prayer guide for a glance at the lives of some of Jesus’ Special Agents; full time ministers who are touching lives, building ‘kingdom’ businesses, caring for others.

Be encouraged, you and I have already started to reach people with the love of Christ in Watford and the nations. We are seeing our vision as a Church fulfilled day by day!

As we study Matthew 5 together this month, and revisit the foundational values of this church, we will come to see that the beauty of God’s work in us is the way it spans our lifetime… He has done great things in the past, he will do great things in the future and he is doing great things today!

We long for change in our society, in our town. It grieves us that tens of thousands in Watford do not know that there is a God who loves them and makes forgiveness and the healing of the heart freely available through Jesus. Boys and girls are growing up in fatherless homes; thousands are trapped in lifestyles of too much work, alcohol, food and debt, not enough sleep or exercise, and no peace in their hearts. It should not be this way! Thousands of the elderly, handicapped and socially marginalised are in desperate need to know the love of God. These things must change!

What’s more, to so many in our community the Christian Church is an irrelevance… they think that church is cold, boring, lifeless and full of idiots who are out of touch with the real world. Change is needed. What is needed in this hour of challenge is a well-equipped ‘elite’ squad of focussed, committed Special Agents who can infiltrate the world with the Good News and unconditional love of Christ. We need a band of brothers and sisters who can change a few people’s lives, for the better…

You are (already) that Special Agent. You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. You are already strategically positioned to change people’s lives.

Looking ahead, let’s make the most of every opportunity… I prophesy that you will change lives this year—of this be confident. You have been expertly placed, perhaps the only light (at work, for instance) in a place full of darkness, to shine as a glorious light.

The future must be bright and our town must be changed. So, shine!

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