 Jason Cruise Founder of Outdoor Ministry Network The Man Minute sixty second investments in Christ-like manhood
A year ago if you'd ask me what are the greatest challenges facing churches today, I'd have most certainly offered up an answer that in some way leaned toward issues where churches are failing to "do church" in ways that make sense to people in a modern culture. It's true that while our message must never change, our practical ministry approaches must always change. However, today, if you were to ask me the same question, "What are the greatest challenges facing churches today?" I'd bring you a simple answer. For I am convinced that what is missing in churches today is not simply a better way to do ministry. What's missing in our churches is ... favor. The New Testament church we see in Acts had no money, no technology, no marketing plan, no multi-million dollar children's ministry, nor did they have a staff where most ministers carry a post-graduate degree. All of those things are wonderful, and those assets certainly help. Yet, the New Testament church did not have any of that, and still, those small band of Holy Spirit fueled believers created complete anarchy for established religious systems and state governments who had no option but to deal with these "Christians." Our American churches have everything we need and then some, but we pose little if no threat to our culture. What is missing is favor. God gave His favor to His people. Favor is the X factor. It's what money cannot buy. Favor follows through when marketing plans run out of budget. Favor keeps preachers preaching straight up truth regardless of what it does to their 401k. Favor comes from God, and He gives it to churches who want His favor more than they want a campus for others churches to envy. Favor comes when people who fill the pews are more interested in His presence than simply living out a retail form of Christianity where folks shop churches just like they'd shop at Target. Favor ... not ministry solutions ... is the Bethel to which we must return. Without it, we can do everything we want to in order to grow a church, but we'll never grow a Kingdom. www.jasoncruisespeaks.com and www.outdoorministrynetwork.com
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 Jason Cruise- Founder of Outdoor Ministry Network The Man Minute "Sixty Second Investments in Christ Like Manhood" Just this past week I was speaking at a men's conference in New Mexico. The men gather to study the Scriptures in the morning, then fly fish the rest of the day. I was working what has become one of my all-time favorite stretches of water, The Rio Grande, in northern New Mexico. Along the Texas border it's a muddy river. In New Mexico and Colorado, it's an entirely new river all together. It can be great water for large trout, yet to navigate this stream means that you also must traverse larger boulders. In the fly fishing world we call it "boulder hopping."  Old Toy Truck I clutched a large, purple, lava rock with my right hand so as to steady my descent back to the water's edge, and as I looked down, tucked on top of a stream side rock, was a lost treasure. A toy truck. An old toy truck. Made for the entertainment of generation before me. Almost as if someone had put it there on display, but I'm certain that the river gently pushed it there over time, for no little feet ever play near these fast waters. I didn't know what to make of it, really. The first emotion I felt, for some odd reason, was a short moment of sadness. It looked battered by the rocks, water, and sun. Being the father of a son, my mind drifted to some little boy who'd been distracted and probably forgot about his favorite truck, and left it down by the river, somewhere upstream where the water is more gentle, only to remember it on the way home. I wondered where he is today. The question ran through my soul, "Where are you today, brother?" I thought about the choices he's made over time, and how those choices have shaped his future. That once bright red truck had seen better days. Still, the truck did have value, at least to someone, a long, long time ago. My thoughts honestly did veer to something Jesus said about people. "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." The whole point of the fifteenth chapter of Luke is that something of value was lost, and the owner, though he had a surplus of the same missing item, went out and would not return until he found it. Every man at some point feels alone. Left for gone. As if his choices have caused him to float into places where the tides are simply too strong and his fate is sealed to the current of the unknown. God, the Difference Maker, takes it upon Himself, to search, rescue, and restore this man, every man. For one simple reason ... because every man has value to the Owner. www.jasoncruisespeaks.com and www.outdoorministrynetwork.com The Man Minute sixty second investments in Christ-like manhood I once read, "When God wants us to experience a change in perspective, He often does it via a change in scenery." It's true. In order to get our attention, God often must change our pace, or even our location, in order to change our heart. Never fear new seasons of life, even if those seasons challenge everything you know or have ever learned about Him. God may move you only to take you to a place you never would have traveled with Him unless He physically removed you from a situation or a spiritual climate which was holding you back the life of your heart. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11 www.jasoncruisespeaks.com and www.outdoorministrynetwork.com The Man Minute sixty second investments in Christ-like manhood
I'm in a hurry to get things done, oh, I rush and rush until life's no fun. All I really gotta do is live and die, but I'm in a hurry, and don't know why. - Country Music Supergroup Alabama Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Jesus The Christ www.jasoncruisespeaks.com and www.outdoorministrynetwork.com |
Jason CruiseJason Cruise is the founder of Mission. Mission was created to "vindicate the fatherless" in a country known as Moldova. To learn more go to www.themissionvision.net Jason is a well known speaker traveling across the country sharing his love for Christ at wildgame dinners and conferences. Jason has created many valuable resources for the outdoorsmen to take them deeper into their walk with their Creator. These items include DVD's, Bibles, and Bible studies. Archives
July 2014
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