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There Is An Escape

For this article in Spanish, clic Español

There is an escape from dominance by the spirit of the age, which is Christ and His grace. The systems and strategy that the enemy uses against us, we are no match for, in our own strength. This can be clearly seen in the example of the man and the woman in the garden of old. To face spiritual forces in natural strength creates a very predictable outcome. But let’s not lose heart! We have access to the Tree of Life, Himself!

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Spiritual Maturity

Esta es una traducción del texto original publicado en Inglés, si deseas leer el texto original haz click aquí: Madurez Espiritual

As we grow in spiritual maturity, our desire grows toward mutuality.  We want to have a contribution, and we want to grow in our contribution.  Often as we are in the beginning stages of our journey, we look for and seek everything and everyone who will make a contribution to and for us, with little thought toward contributing. This is normal and shouldn’t cause any alarm.  “What’s in it for me?” is an expression of immaturity, coming from an immature mind and perspective…

Dependence, Independence, Interdependence 

We can see this in Paul’s thoughts on impartation in Romans 1.  Here he explains that impartation is, in fact, mutual.  It’s not something that the “great man” or “great woman” comes to town to do, it’s something that we participate in, mutually.

10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be [h]established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
So much of what we see around us, and even the way things are constructed, in effect locks us into immaturity.  Don’t be alarmed, however, if Jesus is the one you are following, He will lead you on, beyond these things!

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False Security

Para leer la traducción al Español de éste arículo haz click aqui: Falsa Seguridad

This content may be controversial, and may talk about things you have no personal experience with.  I want to be careful to share this in a way that isn’t unnecessarily weird,  mystical or “super spiritual”.  Also, I want to ask you to hear me out and try to consider the entire content of what I am sharing, then process thru it, before making a judgement or having a reaction.  I’ll be happy to answer questions or clarify as needed, after the fact.  This is not intended to be a teaching on these kind of experiences.

I had an experience from the Holy Spirit in the early 2000s, something like 2001 or 2002, wherein I was shown some things from the perspective of the future, almost 20 years beyond where we are now.  It took me some years to get a sense of what was being communicated, and some things were immediately obvious. In my experience, I knew that false security was in the process of being removed from the earth.  It WAS NOT in the early stages.  Much of the false security was gone, whether those falsities that construct errant worldview, right on down to those that people use as coping mechanisms. It’s strange how in dreams or experiences like this you can just “know” something.  This was one of those types of experiences.  There was a lot more to the experience, most of which is not necessary to share at this moment.  I think the timely thing, the thing that needs to be shared now, is about false security.

Why is this important to share now after almost 20 years?

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Patriarchal Perspective

Photo by mari lezhava on Unsplash

Abraham was a man of vision, which was a result of the voice of God to him, relaying to him a prophecy of what was to come. In all likelihood, the expanse of the unfolded future relayed to him seemed a fantasy of sorts. It was big. It was long range. And it outsized his circumstances. This is only the beginning of the story, and Abraham as initial collaborator, embraced it.

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Painful Realization

The hardest thing to learn is what you think you already know, right?

Pain is a faithful instructor…

I read some years ago that the product of a team and the product of individuals aren’t the same. I’ve come to believe / realize the truth in this. Here’s the story that drove it home like no other. It was 2005 and I’d just returned from an extreme missions training pilot course. My mind was being brought into the light of teamwork in ways I thought I already knew.

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What We Have / What We Need

What we have is not what we need, no matter how appealing the marketing has become.

We can try to fit into what is, and find our place, but that will cost us the real fit and actual contribution that Jesus offers us. What is all around us, making its pitch for “membership”, is a religious framework, a construct of men. Taking the bait, we are being beguiled, robbed really, of the higher and better. It has to do with our perspective, our worldview, and the low and beggarly appeals that seek to distract us and prevent our farther entry into Christ. Now, we cannot escape the context we are in, but we can transcend it. This is why Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble, but cheer up, I have overcome the world.” Veiled In this elaboration, like a hidden treasure, is His invitation to you to overcome the world, with Him. Jesus was in this world, but not of it. That is our birthright in Him. Let’s walk in it.

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Becoming

The constant undertow of pleasure, self-centeredness, and vanity draws us away from a life of meaning and consequence. How do we fight against these foes? To fight them directly, or head on, can be an exercise in futility. We never transcend our problems by focusing on them. We have to realize (and believe) that there is a overarching intention in life, generally, and in our lives, specifically. What are we / what am I called to do or be? It’s important to take onboard that your creation was, and is, intentional. Surely you were made for more than just what you can produce…. Right? I think so.

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Pastor Centric Leadership – LM0162


Recorded on location in Central Mexico, during an FXMissions Leaders Summit. Jonathan and Anna Ceci, a young couple from Mexico City, join us to add some generational perspective on church / ministry leadership in Latin America. Pastor Centric…. what does that term mean to you? Find out what it means from their perspective.

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One Road Leads Home…

And a thousand into the wilderness.

The road leading home is the road of obedience. Unless your course is fixed, you are powerless before a thousand options, regardless of how “empowered” you may feel.

This reference to the wilderness, tho I am not sure it was CS Lewis’ meaning in his original statement, has a curious parallel to the children of Israel’s trek, a trek we are all on, in a manner of speaking. Our individual journeys will fill up a lifetime, but will it be a lifetime of wandering here and there, filled with false hopes & failing motivations, distractions, misleadings and unfulfilled promise? The choice was theirs, and it is ours, as well. Continue reading “One Road Leads Home…”

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5 Levels of Leadership

Some years ago, I came into contact with the idea of 5 Levels of Leadership, I believe through a “cassette tape”… remember those? 🙂 To my knowledge (and memory, haha) it was an audiobook by John Maxwell, entitled, Developing The Leader Within You. Even tho it was years back, I haven’t forgotten it. It has helped my perspective on leadership and influence since that time, and has helped me understand more about how leadership works.

Recently I had an encounter that reminded me of this concept, and discussed it one of our core team members. I pass it on here, in hopes that it will add to your growing perspective and worldview on the subject of influence, authority and leadership.

At the time I initially encountered the 5 Levels of Leadership idea, I have to admit most of the authority I was familiar with (and was operating in) was level 1. Surprisingly, that was no discouragement to me. I was happy to find out that this was a good place to start and that you could only grow (or go up) from there.

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Lauren Roth and Julian of Norwich on Leadership – LM0199

Never heard of Julian of Norwich? If not, you may be in a large group. Born in the mid 1300’s, she is obscure to most of our conversations on leadership. Learn what it was about Julian’s life that so inspired and challenged Lauren in this third installment of her time with us.

  • Reach Lauren at lauren@adventive.ca
  • Find out more about the little book about Julian of Norwich that inspired / challenged Lauren here: I Promise You a Crown: A 40-Day Journey in the Company of Julian of Norwich (Rekindling the Inner Fire) by Marks Bookmarks
  • Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1556616066/

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Allowing the Resurrected Jesus to Lead (Guest Post)

Lauren Roth recently joined us for a short series on Leadership. You’ll do yourself a favor if you listen, all three installments, btw. First one – Click here for that. And also if you read this blog. Her complete blog here.

Resurrection Sunday

After reading through all the Gospels and their different accounts of the Resurrection, I have been struck by two things: 

  1. How everyone who encountered Jesus’ resurrected body either didn’t recognize him or doubted him. 
  2. That Mary Magdalene was there at the Crucifixion, was present as Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus in his personal tomb and was present on the Resurrection day. She was also the first person to see Jesus in His resurrected body.
Continue reading “Allowing the Resurrected Jesus to Lead (Guest Post)”
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Lauren Roth and Mary Magdalene on Leadership – LM0198

Mary Magdalene is a polarizing figure, from the time she first makes an appearance in the gospels. Demonic, wayward soul, etc., etc.. That is certainly part of her story, as it is part of ours. But after having been delivered by Jesus, she went forward to set a clear example, as a woman, as a follower, and as an ambassador of the resurrection of Jesus!

Learn more as to how her relational closeness to Jesus informed her example in this session.

For more information on Lauren or ACCI, have a look at www.adventive.ca

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Philosophy of Spiritual Leadership – LM0197

Lauren Roth, International Director of ACCI, joins us for session one of three sessions, explaining her perspective and philosophy of spiritual leadership.

  • Does spirituality increase or diminish our leadership capacity?
  • How has it informed or changed Lauren’s leadership style and approach?

Join us as Lauren sits in for us from Ottawa, Canada, and shares her first session, which is an intro to two profiles sessions where she will share some who have influenced her approach, and strengthened her as a leader!