Psalm 101

Psalm 101

It is believed that this psalm was composed by David when he came to the throne of Israel. It may not apply to us in the sense that we have or will ascend to be the head of state. However, we do rule our own little kingdoms: at work, with friends and acquaintances, and especially in our home. As with David, it is critical that we check and monitor who the people are who influence and shape us. Someone said, “We are being discipled by our screens.” Who is shaping us via video and social media? Every interaction takes us a step in one direction or another, toward deeper faith or away from it.

But there is a particularly important phrase in verse 2. The psalmist says, "I will walk." While the phrase is not remarkable, the original Hebrew is very emphatic. He continues, “...within my house and the integrity of heart.” No place more than our home demonstrates and shapes the character of our hearts. We may hide our flawed hearts in the broader world, but it comes out at home. Also, the practices of the home will someday be expressed in very public ways in the lives of our children.

“Help me, Lord, to walk intentionally with integrity of heart. AMEN.”

So What?!

So there is a problem, but also a solution. And we, Lorie and Charlie, are committing ourselves to be a part of the solution. That bring us to a powerful and useful question, a question that ought to come with every, sermon, Bible study and discipleship conversation:

SO WHAT?

We need your partnership. There are three things we are asking from you. Most importantly, pray for us; this ministry is too great to trust to our abilities. Next, help Standing Stone Ministry network with ministers you know who are in need. Third, please help us by being a benefactor and partner with us in this ministry by being a part of our support team. Like most ministers, it is hard for me to ask for help, but without margins we can have no ministry. Please contact me if you would be willing to talk with us about becoming part of our team.

Let’s Talk

https://standingstoneministry.org/

Charlie’s Contact information: 334-249-5600

Charlie.Crowe@standingstoneministry.org

Lorie’s Contact information: 334-249-5081

Lorie.Crowe@standingstoneministry.org

If you are interested in seeing how desperate the situation has become let me recommend a documentary film fitting named Betrayed.

https://youtu.be/6M5mWed56vs?si=rp0g8wbgl45TkMwi

I hope to be in touch with you soon.

In the Cause of Christ.

Charlie and Lorie Crowe

Being part of the Solution

Yesterday I wrote about the crisis in ministry.  This is something we all know, many understand and not a few have experience.  It is not enough for us to look at the situation, shake our head in disgust and lament loudly the tragedy. There is a solution and we must work toward that solution.   

Being part of the Solution:

Lorie and I are going to be part of the solution to this crisis and turn it into an opportunity. We are partnering with the Standing Stone Ministry to provide care for pastors who are in the thick of spiritual warfare and who need an ally.

With Standing Stone we want to guide ministry leaders into healthy ministry and see those healthy ministries in every city transforming their communities for Christ. We will do this by establishing trusted, confidential relationships with ministry leaders and their spouses.

God never wastes a hurt, but uses it for good.

In our years of church ministry, Lorie and I have, on occasion, experienced deep emotional pain and loneliness. We have also experienced the power of inner healing and the impact of someone being there for us. We want to pass on that blessing to others. To provide trusted, confidential, no-cost care for ministers and their families in the moments of hardship.

We have decided to commit the last quarter of our lives to helping ministers and their spouses and thereby fulfill God's call on us for the Cause of Christ.

Tomorrow, the on going conversation.

At the crossroads of crisis and opportunity

This morning as you attend worship in your respective congregations there is a very strong likelihood that your minister is at, in or facing a crisis.  This crisis could prevent your congregation from fulfilling its God given opportunity and calling  

The church in America is at a crossroads with remarkable opportunity but also with a gigantic problem.

Opportunity: There appears to be a sort of revival occurring, especially among young adults and uniquely among young men. For this revival to take root, we need seasoned and experienced Christian leaders who will help nurture and disciple this next generation of believers.

Hence the gigantic problem:  Those seasoned and experienced Christian leaders are in big trouble.

Consider these chilling numbers.

• 47% of pastors report feeling lonely or isolated.

• 65% say they are not talking to a therapist, counselor, spiritual advisor, or mentor.

• 18% of Protestant pastors have considered quitting due to the stress of ministry.

• 40% of certain denominations reported mild or worse depression.

• Declining Well-being: the percentage of pastors reporting "excellent" mental/emotional health plummeted from 39% to 11%.

• High Stress & Burnout: Roughly 63% of U.S. Protestant pastors report stress as a major challenge; this disproportionately affects younger pastors.

• 70% of pastors lack a close friend, and 50% do not meet with an accountability group.

• Mental Health Stigma: Despite the crisis, nearly 50% of pastors rarely or never discuss mental health concerns, feeling they cannot discuss their own struggles.

• 20% of Protestant senior pastors report contemplating self-harm or suicide in the last year. 

Ministers who are living in a constant level of crisis will not be able to effectively lead their congregations, train new leaders and disciple new believers. Something needs, indeed must, be done.

Tomorrow being part of the solution.

Psalm 100

 Psalm 100

Sometimes it is hard to contain our emotions.  When it comes to our love for and praise of God that is a good thing.  This little Psalm has often been used in the public worship of the church.  There is a term in the Hebrews that is often used to describe this Psalm as a whole.  In verse 4 we read “Give thanks to Him”.  That is a translation of a single Hebrew word that means ‘a confessional offering’.  We are familiar with an offering of money, service or praise but this might be new for us.

What is a confessional offering anyway?  To confess is to tell the truth or to say that which agrees with reality.  The context of this Psalm is both the reality of who God is that is His character and how we respond to Him.  Emotions are powerful and wonderful things, God given reflections of our Maker.  Having been corrupted by the fall our emotions have to be guarded and stewarded.  The best way to do that is to know God and what He has done.  Reflecting on Him and allowing that to be the genesis of our emotions ought to be our goal in worship. 

“Lord, let my praise and emotions for You grow out of an understanding who You are and what You have done. AMEN.”

Psalm 99

 Psalm 99

This beautiful Psalm is so delightful to read that it is easy to enjoy it on the surface and fail to notice its powerful, majestic theme.  This Psalm is a wonderful point of meditation if, when we slowly say the Lord’s Prayer, we contemplate “hallowed be thy name.”  Worshiping God because of His holiness is expressed in three spheres.

While God revealed Himself to the Jews He is not just the God of the Jews, He is God over all. His special presence in Zion is an occasion for all people to honor and worship Him because “Holy is He.” (vs. 2-3)

His holiness or moral character is expressed in justice.  Justice is more than a ruling in court.  It also includes systems that are fair, that protect the weak and restrain the powerful.  Notice right treatment is closely linked; be at the “footstool” of God.  Noble ideals that are not connected to understanding God become second-hand ethics and will always spiral down into personal preference for our own ethics. Instead, we worship Him because “Holy is He.” (vs4-5)

Thankfully, God is not some distant deity but rather is here with us, interacting with us.  Verse 8 offers three powerful lines that every follower needs to remember.  God is involved in our lives.  First He answers us.  He is an active participant in our every day living.  Second God forgives us.  Were He completely retributive, we would all die with our first sin, but He is gracious to us. Third, at the same time, He chastises us for our misdeeds.  God’s discipline towards us is always corrective and not just punitive.  The last line of verse 9 returns to our theme, “For holy is the Lord our God.”  

Don’t read this psalm too fast and miss the power and the beauty it offers.  

“Thank you God for You. AMEN”

Psalm 98

 Psalm 98 

“O sing to the Lord a new song…” These words have at times been fighting words and what we called the worship wars: the battle of musical styles. What we see here is a call for our current living and active faith to be expressed. This is not about style but about the fact that the heart that is impressed with God must express itself. There is no merit in either old or new music. But a heart set on fire by love and adoration of God will swell with love in the old songs but will also have to express itself in a new way.

Notice also the three tenses in this psalm. Our praise is deeply rooted in the historic fact of God's interaction with man in history, the past. (vs 1-3) Second, and as a result, creation worships and praises God. From the music of human worshipers to the worship expressed in the functions of nature, everything before God worships Him. (vs 4-8). From the past to the present and into the future, God is praised as He comes to set all things right. (v. 9)

“Lord, help me to live a life that is constantly expressing my worship to You new and fresh. AMEN.”