All In! Living the Mission of God

This week we are continuing our Lenten series using the prayer of Saint Ephrem. If you missed last week's episode, go back and listen and get up to speed on what we're doing. This prayer goes back about 1800 years. It is used around the time of Lent. Here is how it goes:

The Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life!

Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust for power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Your servant.

Yes, O Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother; For You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

A. Today I want to focus on the first two negative parts of the prayer. Sloth and Faint-heartedness.

1. Acedia: "The demon of acedia, also called the 'noonday devil,' is the most oppressive of all demons." Evagrius of Pontus

B. The basic disease is Sloth

1. It is that strange laziness and passivity that pushes us down, not up.
2. Procrastination is one of its manifestations
3. Sloth constantly convinces us that not changing is desirable.
4. It is in fact a deeply rooted cynicism, which to every spiritual challenge responds "what for?" and makes our life one tremendous spiritual waste.
5. Sloth "It is the root of all sin because it poisons the spiritual energy at its very source." [Alexander Schmemann, Great Lent, p. 34]
6. "Carelessness is the initial phase of sin."
7. "I fear that we in the mass media are creating such a market for mediocrity that we've diminished the incentive for excellence. We celebrate notoriety as though it were an achievement. Fame has come to mean being recognized by more people who don't know anything about you. In politics, we have encouraged the displacement of thoughtfulness by the artful cliché." [Citation: Ted Koppel, on receiving the "Broadcaster of the Year" award. Christianity Today, Vol. 30, no. 3.]
8. Prov. 12:24, Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
9. Prov. 15:19, A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy! (NLT)
10. Prov. 18:9, A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
11. Prov. 19:24, The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
12. Prov. 21:25, The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, for his hands refuse to work;

C. The result of Sloth is faint-heartedness

1. It is the state of the soul, which the Church Fathers considered the greatest danger to the soul.
2. Despondency makes it impossible to see the good or the positive; it is the reduction of everything to pessimism.
3. It is a demonic power because the Devil is fundamentally a liar.
4. He lies about God and about the world;
5. Satan fills life with darkness.
6. Faint-heartedness (despondency) is the suicide of the soul because when one is possessed by it he is absolutely unable to see the light and to desire it.

Practical Lessons Learned in Dealing with Sloth and Faintheartedness (Acedia)

1. See it, but Don't Feed it.
2. Submit it to God in Prayer
3. Overcome Evil with Good
4. Feed on Scripture, Prayer, and Worship until restored
5. With Reflection/Contemplation
6. With Obedience: Do the next right thing

Daily Practice:

1. Prayer and Devotional Reading using The Book of Common Prayer (or whatever you use)
2. The Lenten Prayer of St Ephrem
3. Journaling can be helpful
4. During prayer, a "little seed" or thought may come to the surface, follow it.

Recommended Resources

• Book of Common Prayer App
• Acedia and its Discontents: Metaphysical Boredom in an Empire of Desire by R.J. Snell
• The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times by Jean-Charles Nault
• Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and A Writer's Life by Kathleen Norris

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

Hey everybody. I'm starting a journey this week, a journey into the Lenton season. I started doing Lent type things in the early 2000's because I wanted to experience spiritual "spring cleaning. Lent is an old Saxon word meaning Springtime and has been around for over 2000 years. Lent was a period of early observers would begin to prepare themselves 40 days before Easter. If people have been doing this for so long and it has been helpful for them, I should listen to them!

I am inviting you to go with me into a season of "deep cleaning" with me in this Lenton season.

Fasting is part of Lent.

• Let go of something in order to take up something else.
• To fast is to slow down. For these weeks leading up to Easter, set aside this time to let the Lord work deeply in you. For no other reason than to draw you closer to Him, to be restored in Him.

Focus:

1. Repentance, Turning to the Lord
2. Renewing our mind
3. Renovating our heart

A few tools we will use:

1. The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem
2. The Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer

The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem:

O Lord and Master of my life!

Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust for power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Your servant.

Yes, O Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother; For You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

Ephrem lived between 306-379. He was a prolific author of hymns and scriptural commentaries, earning him titles like "The Harp of the Spirit," and "Pillar of the Church."

He wrote a prayer that is still used today during Lent. It has stood the test of time and experience.

O Lord and Master of My Life!

Take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness

Lust for power, and idle talk.

Give rather the spirit of chastity, humility,

Patience and love to Your servant.

Yes, O Lord and King!

Grant me to see my own error

And not to judge my brother.

For You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

The prayer expresses submission, supplication, and surrender.

My journey to wholeness in Christ begins with my submission to His Lordship. "O Lord and Master of my life."

Prayer is the catalyst igniting the memory and knowledge of my redeemed status: I have been bought with a price. I am redeemed from slavery to death and sin. Now, I am joyfully a slave of Christ. He is my Lord, Master, and King. I, a slave of Christ, am the freest of men. The price of my redemption was paid. My purpose was secured through Him. I have been purchased, and I have been purposed.

Encountering the Living God I cry out from my broken human condition, "Take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness, lust for power, and idle talk."

"Take from me…" Wrench it from my secret grip. Twist and extract this malignant growth from the interior of my soul. This is my plea. This is my supplication.

You, my Sovereign Lord and Master, must take it from me, for I am unable to lay it down of my own will and power.

I surrender my darkness: the wreckage of my own ways, the dust and chaos of my exhausted soul. These I surrender. They are not treasures for you nor are they jewels for your crown. They are stains. Human stains. Take them from me.

Daily Practice:

1. Prayer and Devotional Reading using The Book of Common Prayer (or whatever you use)
2. The Lenten Prayer of St Ephrem
3. Journaling can be helpful
4. During prayer, a "little seed" or thought may come to the surface, follow it.

Recommended Resources

• Book of Common Prayer App
• The Lenten Spring by Thomas Hopko
• Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

Hey everybody! This week we have a repeat guest, Gabe Barreiro. When I last interviewed him, he was the Missional Pastor of the Northwest Foursquare District. Since then he has transitioned into the role of district supervisor for the North Pacific District. Gabe and I have become great friends over the years, and I am glad I was able to get him back on the podcast. Enjoy the episode.

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord God, "when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." (Amos 8:11, ESV)

I think Amos 8:11 sets the context of this week's episode well. So often sermons are no more than motivational speeches. I have a deep passion for taking Scripture and preaching the Word of God. While thinking of how to address this issue, I could think of no one better than my friend, Dr. Steve Schell from Northwest Foursquare Church. I know that this episode will be of great help. Enjoy!

Recommended Resources:

• Strongs Concordance
• Unabridged Bible Concordance for translation you use
• How to Prepare Bible Messages by James Braga
• Moody Handbook on Preaching by John Koessler
• Preaching Through Romans by Steve Schell
• Life Lessons Radio Broadcast

You can connect with Steve by visiting Northwest Foursquare Church's website or checking out his Radio Broadcast.

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

Hey everybody! This week I'm interviewing Brett Toft. He and his wife Tammy, who was guest #2 on this podcast, are missionaries to the Nordic area of Europe. He and his wife have faithfully served in Estonia through Serve the City and The Butterfly Project. They are in the process of moving to Denmark to continue answering God's call to serve the Nordic People. In this episode, Brett talks about the lessons he has learned as a pastor and a leader. As well as share how he is serving the emerging leaders. I think you'll enjoy it.

Recommended Resources:

• Episode 002: Interview with Tammy Toft on Reaching Those in the Sex Industry
• The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman

You can contact Brett through Facebook.

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

Brett and I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

Welcome to 2017 everybody! I've recuperated from the holidays and am excited to be back in the swing of things. To kick off the podcast in 2017, we have Dennis Easter with us. Dennis is the Foursquare district supervisor of Southern California. He is doing great things there and I think he has great insights for you. In this episode we chat about the importance of relationships, preparing for the future, and the impact soul care has on leaders. I hope you enjoy this episode.

If you'd like to get into contact with Dennis, email him at [email protected] or visit the SoCal District Website.

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

Hey everybody! We have a special episode for you today. We were in contact with Alan Hirsch about coming on the podcast to do an interview. He was willing to do it with us, but suggested sending us an interview he had just done on the Hardcore Church Planting podcast, because his schedule was a little crazy. We said "sure, why not!" Alan Hirsch is a brilliant and thought-provoking author, and I think you'll enjoy this episode. Let me know what you think about it.

This is our final podcast for 2016. We are going to take a Christmas break and will be back mid January with new episodes!

Recommended Reading:

• The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating Apostolic Movements by Alan Hirsch
• The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st-Century Church by Alan Hirsch
• On the Verge: A Journey Into the Apostolic Future of the Church by Alan Hirsch

You can find Alan Hirsch on his website. Find the original recording of this podcast on iTunes and listen to more of Hardcore Church Planting podcasts!

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

Hey everybody! This week, I'm interviewing Bill Gross. He is the Foursquare District Supervisor for the Southeast District. Before he took over as district supervisor, he worked at the National Church Office with Pastor Tammy Dunahoo. He was involved with training district supervisors and with church multiplication. I got to know Bill at the Church planters cohort in Seattle a few years back and have enjoyed listening to what he has to share. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Recommended Resources:

• Episode 078: The Intersection of the Gospel and the Gay Community, an Interview with Brad Williams
• The Newbigin Guantlet: Developing a Domestic Missiology for North America by George Hunsberger
• The Gospel in a Pluralist Society by Lesslie Newbigin
• A Scandalous Prophet: The Way of Mission After Newbigin
• Models of Contextual Theology by Stephen B. Bevans
• Screw Tape Letters by C.S. Lewis
• Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon

If you'd like to get into contact with Bill, email him at [email protected].

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

Hey everybody! This week I have the special privilege of interviewing Mike and Mary Bave. They are FMI missionaries to Wales. They are part of an amazing ministry focused on community outreach, where "food always works". I hope you enjoy this episode.

If you'd like to get into contact with Mike and Mary, you can email them at: [email protected].

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!

Hey everybody! A few weeks ago I had the privilege of teaching a workshop at the North Pacific district conference in Bend, Oregon. I recorded the workshop where I talk about how I've had a transformation in my reading of the book of Romans. I hope you enjoy.

If you're enjoying this podcast, spread the word by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review on iTunes. I encourage you to send me your feedback or suggestions for an interview. Help me help you. You can email me at [email protected], or direct message me on Facebook. You can also submit any feedback or questions here. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.

As always, you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. It's your life, now go live it!

I am among the more than two dozen missionaries supported by the Foursquare Missions International Global Missions Fund. To support our global missions efforts, visit The Global Missions Fund.

Post may contain affiliate links. All proceeds are used to support the missions work. Thanks for listening!