Will Davis Jr.'s Blog, page 71
February 14, 2013
A Love Poem
Happy Valentine’s Day. I wrote Susie a poem today. I’m not going to share it with you. 
But I will share another poem. It’s a love poem about a different kind of love.
Years ago I heard the hymn The Love of God for the first time. I cried then and still do so whenever I hear it sung. I actually felt a lump in my throat today when I was pasting the words in below. In my opinion, the third verse is one of the most beautiful descriptions of God’s love ever written. Scholars believe that this verse was written in the 11th Century A.D. by a Jewish resident in a German insane asylum. I hope it encourages you today and makes you even more grateful for God’s rich love.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell.
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;
When men who here refuse to pray
On rocks and hills and mountains call
God’s love, so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/28#ixzz2Kt2id6T6
February 13, 2013
How Do You Respond When Tragedy Strikes?
I met J.J. Jasper on a radio interview last week. He briefly shared his story of losing his young son in a tragic accident. Then he told me about the video that had been produced about, not just the accident, but how God had worked through it.
One word: Amazing.
Click the image below to visit JJ’s website and watch the video.
February 11, 2013
Leadership Lessons from Pope Benedict’s Resignation
Pope Benedict shocked the world over the weekend by announcing his resignation from the papacy (read the article here). He is the first Pope in 600 years to resign the position and not serve until death. It’s an unbelievably courageous leadership move and one that all of us who lead anything should learn from.
The Pope cited his weakening physical condition as one of the reasons for his stepping aside. He had recently been advised by his physician to stop transatlantic flights. Bottom line: The Pope was the most powerful religious leader in the world and he willingly walked away from the job for the benefit of the organization (Church) he led. To say that such a decision was uncommon in leadership circles, and specifically church leadership circles, would be an understatement.
How many times have you heard of pastors, politicians, professors or executives staying in a position way beyond his or her effectiveness. It’s almost as if the leader feels like he’s owed the position, or worse, owns it.
Benedict’s decision is a refreshing reminder and example of the fact that the best leaders exist to serve, not rule, and release power rather than grasp and grab for it. We could all name tyrants and thugs in power right now around the world who refuse to let go of power. They need it, they crave it. The position exists to serve them; they don’t exist to serve the position.
Real leaders know better. Pope Benedict’s radical decision to part ways with his power is a shot across the bow for all of us who lead anything, large or small. Leadership is not a right or an entitlement. It’s a privilege. The best leaders seek to make less of themselves, not more.
Are You a Good Investor?
What does it mean to be a people-investor? In the language of Jesus, what does it mean to be a fisher of men? In week two of the Linked series at ACF, we took a deep dive into the world–the who, what, why and how–of good people development. Click the image to watch or listen.
February 8, 2013
Spiritual Fire Starters
Two days ago I enjoyed a day of prayer with part of our church’s staff. As part of the morning worship time I asked them to write one of their favorite ways to get into God’s presence on a card. Then we all swapped cards and did what the card we had suggested. It was amazing. The ideas my staff gave each other were great ways kick off your day with God. So good, in fact, that I decided to share them with you.
Over the next several Fridays I’ll post an entry called Friday Fire Starters. I’ll post one of the ideas from my staff as an encouragement to you in fanning the flame of your relationship with God. Use them, tweak them, and feel free to share them with your friends. We’ll see where this goes, bit it might turn into a long-term Friday gig.
Friday Fire Starter #1–Read Psalm 46 – Three Times – Pause for one minute in between. Sit, be still, and reflect on the nature of God’s goodness.
February 7, 2013
Let’s Turn the Heat Up a Bit
My friend Angela Sansone is a true intercessor and spiritual warrior. She recently called my attention to a great opportunity for believers and churches to recognize and fight back against spiritual oppression. I thought I’d share it with you. Click the image below to see the full story on Angela’s blog.
February 6, 2013
Would You Do This?
Yesterday I mentioned Bannockburn Baptist Church and the great time I had with them last weekend. I also mentioned in passing the great Special Needs ministry they have. Let me say a bit more about that.
The Marbridge Community is one of the best kept secrets in Austin. Located in South Austin, Marbridge specializes in residential care for adults with all types of cognitive disorders, and this year they’re celebrating 60 years of great care to Austin’s special needs adults. Here’s the Marbridge mission in their own words: Marbridge is a non-profit residential community that offers transitional and lifetime care to adults with a wide range of cognitive abilities and—through compassion and faith—provides them opportunities to learn, experience and achieve a whole new life. Marbridge serves its residents through activties and education that include equine therapy, gardening, music and a host of other opportunities.
They also bus out many of their residents on Sundays to Bannockburn.
That’s right, as I made my way through the halls of BBC on Sunday before the first service, I met at least a dozen special needs adults. They were greeting, laughing, hugging and pretty much charming the socks off of everyone who passed by them. These beautiful men and women have so much joy that it spills out of them. They made my day instantly.
Now with a busload of Marbridge adults comes an equal busload of opportunities, or what other churches might call problems. Special needs adults often lack some of the social skills or . . . . well . . . decorum . . . . that some of us want in our churches. They often dress, talk, sing and worship in ways that those of us with more inhibitions don’t. In short, they’d make us uncomfortable.
So how would your church respond if you bused in 50 adults with Downs Syndrome or other cognitive disabilities and turned them loose in your congregation for Sunday worship?
Ryan Rush, Sr. Pastor of BBC, put it this way, “Let’s just say they keep us from thinking too highly of ourselves.”
There’s even one young man who has his own place on the corner of the stage in the first Sunday service. It’s his spot. He was there last Sunday, smile on his face, guitar on his lap and cutoff shorts on his legs, singing and playing along with the choir and worship leader. Would your church stand for that?
I love that Ryan and BBC have the class and humility to serve and welcome the Marbridge folks in such an open way. I’m glad they don’t segregate them. I pray that the church I lead and each of yours will be as radical in our love for the least of these.
Well done Bannockburn!!!!
February 5, 2013
A Great Weekend at a Great Church
I had the privilege of teaching on Enough last Sunday at Bannockburn Baptist Church here in Austin. My good friend Ryan Rush is the Sr. Pastor. BBC is a thriving, multi-generation church with excellent children, youth, adults and senior adults, missions and even special needs ministries. For those of you who doubt that a mainline denomination church can still be relevant, you need to check out BBC. You’ll be inspired.
And stay tuned tomorrow as I’ll tell you about how this church does one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen a church do.
BBC’s rowdy worship choir and even rowdier worship leader. These guys were awesome!
My good friend Pastor Ryan Rush
Part of the 11:00 AM worship crowd at BBC. Yes, I took this pic from the stage during my sermon!
Click here to listen to my Enough message at Bannockburn.
February 4, 2013
Are You a Good Follower?
What does it mean to be a disciple? Is it more than simply good teaching? And what is our purpose in discipleship? ACF Discipleship Pastor Steve Shaver launches this compelling teaching series. Click the image to watch or listen.
January 31, 2013
Raise Your Sails
Consider two boats. Both set out to cross a lake at the same time. One is a sailboat, the other a rowboat. The rowboat gets off to a quick start as its pilot sets a furious pace with his rowing. The sailboat moves a little slower as that ship’s pilot raises his sails and waits for the wind. Soon, the wind begins to blow steadily and the sailboat moves rapidly past the rowboat. In an hour, the sailboat is miles beyond the rowboat, and yet the pilot of the rowboat has worked much, much harder. The difference? Wind.
Now consider the Christian life. Some Christians, after receiving their salvation, set out to live the best life they can. They have some good days and bad, but they never really seem to pick up any spiritual momentum. Others seek the anointing and favor of God’s Spirit in their lives on a moment-to-moment basis. They ask for his filling and guidance. They pray for the grace to live and love in each moment as Christ himself would. At the end of a decade, the second group of believers appears to be more Christ-like and is bearing significantly more fruit than the first group. What’s the difference? God’s Spirit. One group was depending on him, one wasn’t.
Remember what Jesus told Nicodemus, a Pharisee, in John 3. He told him that Christians are like the wind. They move as and when God’s Spirit guides them along (see John 3:8).
Are you rowing or are you waiting for the wind? Are you spiritually exhausted or spiritually refreshed? Is your hope for righteousness your best efforts, or is it God’s Spirit? I can personally tell you that the wind of God’s Spirit is worth the wait.
