Articles by Ron Rose at Heartlight

Drafting Your Thanksgiving Fantasy Team

ron@faithteam.org (Ron Rose) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Preparation

When you gathered around your Thanksgiving table this year, thank God for your human design. Thank him for your ability to be recharged, replenished and revived. It's all in your DNA, but to be recharged means you have to have been drained and the ultimate charge only comes when you have been drained to the limit.

Ready for a recharge? There is a faith secret about this recharging process; it requires you to get your focus off yourself and onto others. Self-focus will never recharge you.

Think of people for whom you are truly grateful -- people who during the year have made a measurable difference in your life. Jot down their names. They will become your draft picks for your 2009 Fantasy Thanksgiving Team.

By each name write down why you are thankful for him or her.

Now, during this week call or get face to face with your picks, and tell each one how your life has been touched. Thanksgiving is not about you, it's about them.

On the surface the talented, athletic, artistic, creative, and intelligent people grab our attention, the ones, who, in spite of overwhelming circumstances, survive and thrive; they inspire us.

But, what about the everyday, ordinary people who have a mysterious, yet profound impact on our lives? You know them! The thankful people! Gifted, yes, but they refuse to be stuck on themselves.

Not only do they overcome, they overflow with gratitude: like the cancer survivor who sees every day filled with opportunity to love, to serve, to live.

Or, the 65-year-old newlywed I know who, when her new husband had a stroke, said joyfully, "I am so thankful to have a husband to take care of!"

That kind of thankfulness WOWs me! And, they need to know it.

Inspiration

Former Miami Dolphin football coach Don Shula and his wife were on a vacation trip to a small town in Maine; they intended to relax without people recognizing them. When they arrived, it was raining so they decided to go see a movie.

As they entered the theatre, the house lights were on and a handful of people stood and gave them a warm little round of applause. Secretly pleased, Shula whispered to his wife, "I guess they recognize me everywhere."

Then a man stood up and said, "We're thankful to see you folks; the manager said he wouldn't start the film until at least ten people came in."

It's easy to slip into self-centeredness, but it tends to cloud the real story. Humility is always a step forward.

Thanksgiving is never about me, it's always about us, that's what makes it Thanksgiving.

Motivation

You know what you have been called to do, so do it! Let your Thanksgiving be a blessing to those who have been a blessing to you.

Ron Rose is a noted author and leader of Faith Team. His new email ministry, Faith Notes, provides practical resources for growing faith. Email Ron!

Website: Faith Team

Can You See It?

ron@faithteam.org (Ron Rose) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Preparation

There is a growing trend toward ugliness. The financial struggles this year are ugly. Both major political parties seem to have sunk into a new level of ugliness. Public discourse is becoming uglier. As news breaks from day to day we are exposed to all manner of creative ugliness. We hear of ugly weather and ugly moods, situations, architecture, even ugly truths.

"Uglyism" lives! It appears when we least expect it. Most of the time it is just below the surface, repulsive and largely invisible, but everywhere.
This week, even with your eyes closed, you will see ugliness. Without trying, you will be exposed to ugly comments, ugly injustices, ugly squabble, ugly arrogance, ugly attitudes, ugly confrontations, and a few other ugly messes.

What do you do when faced with ugliness? You can run; run as fast as you can. Deny the reality and escape to fantasyland. You can condemn the ugliness and talk constantly about how bad it is and how sad it is that we live in the middle of so much disgust. Or, you can become an agent of transformation. Hidden somewhere in the middle of ugliness is blessing and beauty put there by the Creator. He continues to allow ugliness to introduce us to new beauty. It's there, unseen, but there.

This is not the time to run. This is the time for faith to step up; it's time to see the unseen hidden inside our growing culture of ugliness.

Inspiration

One of the most challenging movies in my DVD collection is "The Green Mile." It's a story of ugliness and pain. Most of the movie is set in a death row prison of the 1930s. In a cell toward the end of the hall is an innocent large black man named John Coffey. He has few words to say, but he is the reason for making the movie.

They say he committed a brutal crime; but, as the story unfolds, you learn he has miraculous gifts of healing and prophesy. Just by touching the arm of a fellow inmate, he can see the rapes and murders that the man has committed.

Tom Hanks plays the head guard who finally comes to the truth: John is innocent. He asks John if he wants him to fight to get him off death row. In a weeping response, Coffey explains, "I's tired, boss. Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. Tired of not ever having me a buddy to be with, or tell me where we's coming from or going to, or why. Mostly I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world ever' day. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head all the time. Can you understand?"

Tom's character did. Do you?

Motivation

You have a gift, maybe not one of Coffey's gifts, but you have a gift. The God of transformation has given you eyes to see the unseen, to see beauty when all around you is pain and ugliness. You CAN see the good when it's covered in badness, the hope in hopelessness, the healing in pain, the beauty in the middle of ugliness.

Now, the question: Do you choose to open the gift, or run with the ugly crowd?

For one week, just one week, try seeing the unseen.

Pray for eyes to see beyond the ugliness, to see hope and goodness and goodness and beauty. It's a gift from God. Believe it. Live it, for just one week and you will be transformed. Your mind will be renewed. You will become an agent of transformation.

Look for it!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things (Philippians 4:8 TNIV).

Ron Rose is a noted author and leader of Faith Team. His new email ministry, Faith Notes, provides practical resources for growing faith. Email Ron!

Website: Faith Team

Forgotten Anything?

ron@faithteam.org (Ron Rose) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Preparation

Perhaps the most challenging distinctive of Christianity is that our God wants us to love him. While world religions talk of studying about their gods, following teachings, keeping rules and living solemn, self-sacrificing lives, becoming more self-aware, our God asks for something more. He sent his son to show us how to love because that's what he wants. He wants us to love him, to love him with all our heart and mind and soul.

Love is longing for the presence of your loved one; you think about that person throughout the day. Much more than words, this relationship is a new way to live life. Jesus' disciples learned it through experience. Toward the end of his life, John could speak of nothing else, "... let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions" (1 John 3:18 NLT).

Love demands relationship. You can memorize stacks of facts and know a lot about someone, you could even develop a fairly accurate profile describing and explaining personality and predict future behavior, but not develop a relationship with that person. Making the choice to love someone forces you to see beyond your private world, beyond your words, beyond yourself altogether. Love feeds on shared history, affection, secrets, surprises, mysteries, generosity, and spontaneity. In a manner of speaking, you make history together.

Marcus Brecheen reminded the church Sunday, "It is an act of unfaithfulness, an act of rebellion, to forget what God has done ... to forget our history." Referring to Psalm 78, Marcus proclaimed the truth that our God, our passionate loving God, wants to be remembered.

Our shared history becomes part of heaven's highlight reel. It might have been awhile since you've sensed your presence on the highlight reel, but nothing marks a shelved relationship more than forgetting the memories. Share the stories; retelling your shared history honors him and makes him proud. And it keeps your focus on him, not on your fears or boot-straps. We are not designed for privacy; we are designed to be known, to be public. Our stories should be as public as God's story.

Don't forget. Loving God means we feel his presence, respond to his nudging, see him in others, hear him when he speaks, and tell of his mighty wonders when he is silent. All the while he never leaves us, he understands when we don't have the words to explain and listens when no one else will, and is constantly searching for ways to bring out the best in us.

He loves us. How do you know if you love him?

Inspiration

This song, from "Fiddler on the Roof," has a hidden message about loving in truth and action, with or without the words.

(Tevye, the patriarch of the Jewish family) Golde, I have decided to give Perchik permission to become engaged to our daughter Hodel.

(Golde, the patriarch's wife) What? He's poor! He has nothing, absolutely nothing!

(Tevye) He's a good man, Golde. I like him. And what's more important, Hodel likes him. Hodel loves him. So what can we do? It's a new world... A new world. Love! Golde, do you love me?

(Golde) Do I what?

(Tevye) Do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love you? With our daughters getting married and this trouble in the town, you're upset, you're worn out. Go inside. Go lie down! Maybe it's indigestion.

(Tevye) Golde, I'm asking you a question...do you love me?

(Golde) You're a fool.

(Tevye) I know ... But do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love you? For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes, cooked your meals, cleaned your house, given you children, milked the cow. After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?

(Tevye) Golde, the first time I met you was on our wedding day. I was scared.

(Golde) I was shy.

(Tevye) I was nervous.

(Golde) So was I.

(Tevye) But my father and my mother said we'd learn to love each other. And now I'm asking, Golde, do you love me?

(Golde) I'm your wife.

(Tevye) I know ... But do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love him? For twenty-five years I've lived with him, fought him, starved with him. Twenty-five years my bed is his. If that's not love, what is?

(Tevye) Then you love me?

(Golde) I suppose I do.

(Tevye) And I suppose I love you too.

Motivation

So, God asks, do you love me? Yes, remember when we ...? Yes, we have shared history. Yes, I love you!

The task for the week is simple ... tell at least one story of God's invasion of your life. Tell about your love.

More will come ...

Ron Rose is a noted author and leader of Faith Team. His new email ministry, Faith Notes, provides practical resources for growing faith. Email Ron!

Website: Faith Team

Have You Heard these Words?

ron@faithteam.org (Ron Rose) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Preparation

Through the years, a handful of people have influenced me in such a dramatic way that their words still shape who I am and what I have become. Al Ware was one of the few who invested in me by showing up at the right place at just the right time with "just the right word."

It was his genuine transparency that attracted me to him and somehow God's Spirit pushed him my direction. He asked me to help him; then, before I knew I needed help, he helped me.

His family became my family. I learned to heed and cherish his words. But more crucial than his words of wisdom were the times when he blessed me with his confidence in me. On three different occasions he said, "Ron, you're going to be OK; you're going to do great."

Each time he said those words I was struggling with doubt and uncertainty. It was as though his confidence poured out into my heart and replaced my discouragement. Whether I did great or not, he believed in me. I desperately wanted to live up to what he saw in me.

I have been blessed by many, but none have given me confidence like Al. He is no longer with us on this planet; his time here was completed years ago, but his words and confidence in me still live in my heart.

In him, I saw faith alive and real. Through him, God touched me and called me to touch others. Thank you, Al, for showing me the way.

Inspiration

I love the "CSI NY" TV series. A few weeks ago the following dialogue took place near the end of the program. Mac, the lead investigator, and Ella, a needy, lonely person who tried to end her life, locked in a halfway house.

She called Mac crying for help ... no one seemed to be listening. Then, Mac shows up at the door:

Ella: I didn't think you'd come.

Mac: I had the time.

Ella: Somehow I don't believe that. I get out in a few days.

Mac: You know where you're going to go?

Ella: I've been trying to get in touch with a few friends and see if I can crash with them for a while and get a job, get an apartment and start over ... You don't think I'm ready?

Mac: No, No, I was just thinking of a friend of mine, Mitchell Davis. When we were kids his brother died in a skating accident and the last thing that Mitchell said to him was, "You're going to be OK!" And then he left him wobbling on the blades of his skates. He knew he could do it and he wanted him to stand on his own two feet. And then the ice broke and Randy went down and died. Mitchell stayed away from school for a long time after that. When he finally came back, nobody really knew what to say to him. "I'm sorry" just didn't seem to be enough, and I don't know why I said it or where the words came from, but I looked at him and said, "You're going to be OK, Mitchell." Then he smiled and then he started crying and we both were crying and I found out a few weeks later that those were the first tears that he'd shed ... You're going to be OK, Ella ... and if you ever need anything; if you ever have doubts ...

Ella: If I should feel a bit wobbly?

Mac: Yeah, you call me, OK?

Ella: OK

Motivation

Say the words, "You're going to be OK."

I know, they are simple and empty without your presence, but with your presence, with your undivided attention, with your faith in God and his power in life, those words are miraculous.

My prayer this week is that God will put you in a friend's life, that he gives you just the right moment and that you will open your mouth and say those words of faith, those miracle words that give confidence and certainty to another.

I pray that you will become a people-shaper, a blessing-giver, a giver of miracles.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29 TNIV).

Ron Rose is a noted author and leader of Faith Team. His new email ministry, Faith Notes, provides practical resources for growing faith. Email Ron!

Website: Faith Team

All About the Layers

ron@faithteam.org (Ron Rose) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Preparation

Once home from a photography outing, I download the pictures and relive the moments. Before I take the picture, I look for light, perspective, depth of field, angles, and color; but, loaded into Photoshop I begin thinking of the layers. It's the marvel of the software. Adding layers allows me to see beneath the surface and discover the complexities and potential interest hidden in even an ordinary snapshot. Layers give the finished photo interest and life.

My friend Bernie produces promos and programs for replay on the radio. He has an ear for silence and sound. In his studio, any given radio spot has a collection of sound layers: the voice, the music-bed, ambient sound, sound effects, other voices, and produced pieces. Each layer of sound is added till Bernie's ears are happy. Layers give the finished promo staying power.

On any given day your life is a collection of layers. Nothing is as it seems on the surface; there are always layers underneath. Some are easy to see, but others are hidden deep and locked tight. The surface or background layer only defines the time and place; God made us to do more than take a name and mark some time. He made us to discover life in layers.

In each layer there is a constant battle raging. It is a war between life and death. Sometimes we feel the tension; sometimes we don't, but on every layer we are invited to make a choice. Choose wisely. God sent Jesus to give us life, abundant life on all layers. Layers give us life, transformed life

Faith is the only link between the multiple layers.

Just below the surface are the social layers of family and friends, education and workplace, status and politics. Then, there are layers of unpacked baggage and broken promises, accompanied by broken bodies and broken hearts. Down deeper there are layers of fears, ambitions, resentments, abuses, misunderstandings, dreams, guilt, unreal-expectations, arrogance, and unrealized potential. Deeper still we find a desperate desire for the war to stop. But, in one layer or another, the war is always present.

Only faith has the power to peel back all the layers, to reveal the life-choice we face. The gift of life in multiple layers has already been given. Do you believe it?

Paul was pretty clear when he stated we are in process: being transformed, growing, changing from what we have been, to what God intends. It takes time for God's Spirit to invade our layers and empower us to choose life. We died, so God's Spirit could live in us, but not all our layers got the message.

There is a theological word for this; it's called sanctification. It's God's transformation on every layer...God's life from the inside out.

The Holy Spirit is God's invasion agent. Too many believers have been duped into thinking the Christian life is about being justified by faith and sanctified by ourselves ... they have told "transform yourself." Trust me, that kind of gospel isn't good news, it doesn't work, and it drives you crazy.

So what happens when God's Spirit grabs hold of a new layer? A miracle!

Inspiration

In October of last year Bob received a devastating call from his 35 year-old single daughter. She wanted to talk and asked if she could pick him up at the airport.

Before they got out of the airport, she poured out her shame and pain. "I've gotten involved with a married man," she confessed. "And, that's not the worst of it, you know him."

This affair had been going on for three years. The man involved was her brother's roommate in college and the best man at his wedding. He was still close to the whole family. The shock was difficult to absorb and as this shameful layer was peeled away and made public, the poison infected everyone.

A divorce was filed and Bob's son was furious. He was PO'd with his friend and his sister. In the process, Bob's daughter was rejected by the friend and the family was a mess. You could see it in Bob's eyes; his family was dying a slow and painful death.

Bob felt powerless; he was used to fixing things, but this time, he could do nothing. So, he prayed for God to work a miracle, to bring life out of death. He met with each one praying for God to bring forgiveness and grace and reconciliation.

"NO WAY!" was the response.

God had the power, but would he be allowed to use it?

The more Bob prayed, the worse it seemed to be.

Just a few days ago Bob's daughter requested a meeting with the family. "In tears," Bob said, "she shared her shame, she confessed her sin without excuse, and announced her plan for rebuilding our trust. My daughter stood before us broken and contrite and full of a new Spirit." Bob was in tears.

The Holy Spirit invaded that meeting. Many honest and straightforward comments were made by everyone; and in the end the young woman who thought her brother would hate her forever, stood in the middle of the room, buried in his forgiving arms.

Total transformation on multiple layers takes time. So, they still have choices to make, but now God's Spirit is providing the power.

So Bob continues to pray. He thanks God for the invasion and for the mark his Spirit has left in their hearts.

Motivation

Pray for insight. Ask God to reveal the layers of your life that need transformation. Let him have the layer that is causing your pain. If you don't know where it is, that's OK, He does.

Get friends to join you in praying for a miracle, one that heals hearts and empowers life.

While layers of death are all around us, it's time to choose life.

It's a faith step. Where is your pain?

Check out Ron's Focal Point Faith Events!

Ron Rose is a noted author and leader of Faith Team. His new email ministry, Faith Notes, provides practical resources for growing faith. Email Ron!

Website: Faith Team

Addicted to Legalism

ron@faithteam.org (Ron Rose) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Preparation

I grew up in what many would call an ultra-conservative church. For us there was one definition of disciple: Bible-Learner. So, to be a good disciple we had to study. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). From the first grade, I was convinced that when Jesus returned, the safest place would be in my room studying the Bible.

For most of us, the Bible was a textbook to be studied and quoted, even if it felt like punishment to do so. Before I graduated high school, I could prove where everyone else was wrong about doctrine and details.

I think that's where I developed my addiction to legalism. I knew all the "right" answers to the "right" questions. I could quote all the passages, but didn't buy into the spirit of condemnation and judgment that I heard from the pulpit. Somehow, I learned how to separate the teaching from the attitude. I was a good boy, I obeyed the rules, most of the time, but I couldn't shake that lingering fear of God and the Judgment Day.

I was a functioning legalism addict. I had to have the rules to feel normal. Church attendance became a burden, but at least I could see my friends. My body was there, but my heart was far, far away.

Then out of the blue, a friend introduced me to the "Good News." Grace was life-altering. For the first time I understood the significance of faith -- transformational faith. And, discovered a more correct translation of 2 Timothy 2:15.

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in the pages of a book; it is meant to write a new book, the Book of Life, outside the walls of church. Church was not intended as a retreat, it was intended as an unquenchable source of energy -- the spiritual place where we spur one another on to love and good works (Hebrews 10:25).

Grace forced me to re-think what I thought was already set in stone. I had to unlearn what I had spent a lifetime learning. I had to give up legalism. It was easy to say the words, but much more difficult to put into practice. Even then, it was only accomplished through the undeserved and unexpected power of the Holy Spirit.

I had always been aware of the power resident in the church -- gathered, but now I have experienced the unlimited power in the church -- scattered. Remember, Jesus went to the mountains to pray, but he didn't stay there. He never stayed inside the walls. His ministry was always outside the walls.

Now, I know what it's like to be a follower of Jesus. I still study, but I study to know Jesus, to learn to live like HIM. As I follow him, he transforms me; I find myself helping the blind to see, the left-out to belong, the broken to be mended, the rejected to acceptance in spite of the past, and the legalistic to find grace. After all, I am a follower of the Giver of Life.

How about you?

Inspiration

A number of years ago I was part of a small group of men we called an A-team (short for Accountability Team). We closed each of our meetings by sharing prayer requests. It was during one of those prayer times that God rocked my world.

David was praying for God to provide $200 by the end of the day for an out-of-work neighbor. In mid-sentence Tom interrupted, "Stop!" It was the first time I had ever heard an adult interrupt someone else talking to God. I wondered if lightning was about to strike.

Tom pulled out two $100 bills from his wallet and handed them to David, "I just heard God say, 'David doesn't have to ask me, you've got the money in your pocket.' So here."

For the rest of day I couldn't get this incident out of my mind. How many times do we think we are doing the "spiritual thing" by praying for God to do something for us or someone else, when really a follower of Jesus would just take care of it?

When should we quit praying and start acting?

Motivation

Time for some re-think.

Call this the "Unlimited Commission." Grab a partner and spend this week following Jesus outside the walls. Be the story in your world. Let God open your eyes to a world of adventure outside the walls of church. Just follow HIS lead. At just the right time, HE will tell you when to act.

Stop praying for God to intervene in your life and become HIS hand of intervention for others. That's what followers do. That's what Jesus did and still does.

Ron Rose is a noted author and leader of Faith Team. His new email ministry, Faith Notes, provides practical resources for growing faith. Email Ron!

Website: Faith Team

Learning To Be Watched

ron@faithteam.org (Ron Rose) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Preparation

There is a mighty cloud of witnesses watching you. They are looking for something in you that is worth passing along to the next generation. They aren't listening for words; they are looking to see what you do. Are you aware of this Google search inside your soul?

The most valuable inheritance a grandchild could receive is not the savings account, it's the life given as a grandparent. I was blessed by a living inheritance more valuable than property or possessions.

My grandfather was a storyteller. His adventures become part of my heritage and he remembered how mom used to act when she was my age.

My grandfather was a mentor. For many he was a spiritual giant, for me he was a patient helper. His wood-shop was always full of tools and extra wood and he loved to spend time helping me build wooden boats and personal character.

My grandfather was a hero. There was a sense of wonder about his life. People always came first. To grandma and grandpa giving was much more important than having.

Thank you, Jesse T. and Myrtle Dotson, for your living inheritance which you lovingly gave to your children's children. We were blessed to watch you live.

Inspiration

Two days before Thanksgiving, 1957, I was in my orthodontist's chair trying to open my mouth wide enough for two hands, a mirror and a roll of stainless steel wire. The metal bands had been hugging my teeth for weeks, but this was the day for the wire to be installed. Only those who have had braces will understand the unexpected results of being "wired."

For the next 24 hours, it felt like every tooth in my head was being pulled in slow motion by a giant claw-hammer. Even drinking Nehi through a straw caused pain.

By Thanksgiving Day, I had gotten used to the wire. As long as I didn't use my teeth, the pain was tolerable. But this was a day when teeth had to work overtime.

We were gathered at my grandparent's house with relatives stuffed in every room. The house was filled with all those wonderful Thanksgiving smells that condition young and old alike to ask every 15 seconds: "When are we going to eat?"

Everything happened the way it was supposed to happen at the beginning. J.D. carved the turkey. Grandma said the magic words, "We're ready!" Grandpa led the prayer. And all the kids rushed to be first in line. I was so excited; I forgot about my braces and forced my way up to the head of the line just behind Larry. When it came to Thanksgiving food lines, Larry was the fastest in four states.

I piled my plate high with turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes with nuts on the top, and my favorite kind of corn -- corn-on-the-cob. Larry and I scurried off to the living room to "chow-down." I slathered that ear of corn with butter, salt and pepper and with taste buds ready, opened my mouth and chomped. The pain was unbearable. I would never be able to eat again. I shoved my plate away and ran outside in tears.

Grandma had been secretly watching. She took my plate to the kitchen and with a sharp knife she cut all the corn off that cob. Then she rescued me from my misery.

"Ronnie," she yelled out the back door. I came and she handed me my plate piled high with corn, fresh cut from the cob.

"Thanks," I muttered. Then without thinking, I looked up and caught a strange sparkle in her eye, a sparkle that still is a mystery to me more than fifty years later. That was the Thanksgiving when I discovered something more lasting than the taste of good food.

To this day, I'm not sure how my grandma understood as she never had braces. Her teeth were perfectly straight, I know, because she kept them in a glass in the bathroom at night.

Motivation

You are being watched. There is a mighty cloud of witnesses cheering you on to live a life worthy of being watched.

So, two things this week:

Spend some time remembering the sparkle you have seen in others. What does real faith in action look like?

Forget about the words this week. DO something worth watching. Make a difference in someone's life and let that holy sparkle shine.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1 TNIV).

Ron Rose is a noted author and leader of Faith Team. His new email ministry, Faith Notes, provides practical resources for growing faith. Email Ron!

Website: Faith Team