Flip The Script

We live in an era where the word “unfair” rolls off the tongue as easily as gravity’s triumph over anything we drop. To be fair I come from a time where victory or dynasty were concepts that were earned; not edited in to some made-for-tv special to announce where all the money and media attention will be spent in the coming years (ok, so that’s a polite nod to the Lebron signing with Miami Heat in July of 2010). Anyone, and by anyone I mean anyone with pockets as cavernous as the grand canyon, can forge a “dynasty” with money or influence. Consider the Golden State Warriors signing Kevin Durant OR the 1992 Olympic Dream Team made up of top NBA players at the time, playing against amateurs for Gold in the Olympics. 

The reason you’re fighting back the urge to cry, “UNFAIR!” is that leading from strength (or to be more accurate, shamelessly using one’s strength as a bargaining chip to lure the weak-minded but quite able-bodied competitor - based off our above examples) should mean that your team is not stacked, to begin with. As I consider leading from strength I envision one whose heart, soul, mind, and strength are so sold out to the possibility of what God can do with the unwanted and unlikely that he/she desires to FLIP THE SCRIPT. “Right Doug, just like that, you can change the world,” I can picture eyes rolling and shoulders dropping in response to what may feel like hyper-optimism. Hold your horses. Let me explain. 

Jesus was so sold out to the possibilities of His limitless Father that he chose what should be considered by all accounts a disaster of a team. In Mark 3:13-19 the story is told of the people he chose. A closer look will reveal some awe-inspiring flipping of the script. Here is a brief list of those he chose: 

• Simon – (whom he changed his name to Peter): Fisherman whose name change meant “Rock” but he was anything but – remember: Rebukes Jesus, denies knowing Jesus, cuts off an ear, walks on water and sinks…etc…)
• James (son of Zebedee) – Boanerges – sons of thunder (known for fits of rage) – remember they wanted to call down fire from heaven to consume a village which did not welcome Jesus (see Luke 9:54)
• John (brother of  James): he and his brother argued over whose position in the kingdom was greater…
• Andrew: Simon Peter’s brother and actually brings Peter to Christ (See John 1:35-40).
• Philip: down to earth sort of guy. He brought Bartholomew (also called Nathanael) to Jesus. He also quickly calculated how much it would cost to feed 5,000 (See John 1 & 6). 
• Bartholomew: His initial response to Philip’s invitation to see Jesus was one of doubt but later Jesus described him as one with solid character (see John 1:43-51 & 21:2)
• Matthew: (also called Levi) a tax collector and a former employee of Rome. One of the “sinners” Jesus hung out with. 
• Thomas: well known as the doubter but later his doubt led to Jesus’ teaching on faith. 
• James (son of Alphaeus): very little is known except that he was the son of Mary
• Thaddaeus: very little is known about this disciple as well.
• Simon (the Cananaean – or Zealot): The Zealots were a group of Jewish extremists organized to overthrow Rome – which makes the first meeting of Simon and Matthew an interesting one 😏
• Judas Iscariot: the treasurer for the disciples who stole from the “poor bag” which he held for the group. It is no wonder he objected to Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive ointment (see John 12:3-6).

What the world was Jesus up to? I mean seriously. Can you imagine a business consultant taking a look at his proposed selections? “Well, Son of God, you have a Zealot (Simon) and a tax collector (Matthew) who currently work for opposing regimes. Yet you want them to team up and expand the Kingdom of God which promotes grace? Gotta say, tough sell.” 

This blog is intended to encourage you to connect biblically informed thought to practical living (in any area one may be leading). I guess this is somewhat simple brace yourself for the Truth to Life moment in the form of a few questions:

1. Are you looking for the least likely around you? You know, the one who is overlooked when teams are picked or who marginally gets by at work. 
2. Can these same individuals beg, borrow and steal from “your strength” so to speak? Are you actively getting underneath them to champion the gifts and gold you see in them? 
3. Do these folks become the Dream Team we discussed at the beginning because they have been cultivated and nurtured under your care? In Mark 6:30-44 the story of Jesus feeding 5k is told. Except we gloss over how the group of regulars became the dream team. When the resources run thin and fear creeps in, they tell Jesus - “We’ve got a problem. It's far from Casey’s General Store, their water bottles are bone dry, and their dogs are barking too much to walk that far to get food.” Jesus in Mark 6:37 says some daring words, “You feed them.” SERIOUSLY! He’s got to be kidding, right? 
1. Funny thing, he wasn’t. He saw the least likely, allowed them to draw upon his resources, and then called them to something higher. Will you FLIP THE SCRIPT?

Some closing thoughts: Jesus didn’t start a Dream Team from a group of previously established all-stars. He followed what was an already established pattern of God… He looked at the heart. Peter is one example. Remember? He denied Jesus and deserted Him. Yet Jesus gently restores him (See John 18 and 21) and breathes life back into what must have been a crippled soul. Which of us, from time to time, has not needed someone to come along and be the balm to the wound we just caused? FLIP THE SCRIPT by getting to the heart - for from it flows the motives for everyone’s actions (yours included). 

Leadership

I’m embarking on an experiment with a good friend, Justin. I’ll introduce him at the end of this post, but for now lets start by exploring what comes to mind when you hear the word "Leadership."

Leadership. 

A few years back I was asked to consider a position as a professor. I took the bait and had the conversation because it interested me, not because I felt a particular desire to depart where I was, instead curiosity drove the inquiry. I discovered the position offered was to chair the Practical Theology Department at a Christian University. I was taken back and asked an obvious question, “Surely, I am not the most qualified individual on your list, am I?” 

The reply astounded me. “Well, Doug, out of all those interested, you are the only one who has actually worked in a field where practical theology is applied. In other words, no one else has had a ministry job, they’ve gone straight from student to teacher.”  

Now isn’t that interesting? Two things captured my attention. One, pundits with little to no practical application of the very “tools of the trade” are preparing the next generation of leaders for ministry. Scary. 

Two, didn’t Jesus actually challenge this naive notion (practical theology and leadership are only for the professionals) when he encountered a well-meaning mother who wanted status and recognition for her sons? He said (Matt. 20:25-26), “You know that the rulers (leaders) in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different.” “As a Christian who has authority and leadership, how should I be different?” you may be asking.

This all brings us to a few simple observations that point to why you are here, what’s wrong, and how there is most certainly a remedy.   

1. The Problem: Even a cursory examination of the day’s headlines will show you that leadership is not always executed well. Harvey Weinstein lead a film producing conglomerate in which illicit and unspeakable abuse of power victimized countless women. Mark Zuckerberg was recently cross examined to determine his part in data mining my profile and yours in an effort to increase profit. Or in the not-so-distant past, what about the 2009 “Scandal?” Tiger Woods was chased by his then-wife with a golf club (irony upon irony) that ended up smashed into the rear window of their SUV; later it was revealed there was prolific immorality and infidelity that any avid fan would say he has never recovered from. Finally, what does one make of Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, who leaked false information to investors and intentionally misled them blaming it all on what he calls “pressure to meet production goals.” No, one does not have to look far to see that leadership, on all levels, is deeply flawed and threatened by selfish ambitions and vain pursuits. 
2. The Solution: I imagine, that is why you are here. You may have this aching inside for something that speaks to the practical nature of how you engage your every day. In John 13:1-17 the story is told of the disciples and Jesus (leaders and The Leader). They are gathering to celebrate one last meal together before the purpose for which Jesus came to earth is fully displayed. His arrest, conviction and sentencing are imminent, and he knows it. (Oddly, its perpetrated by the very leaders who are supposed have the welfare of the people and the goodness of God as navigational buoys. Clearly they had lost their moorings. Perhaps they never had them…just ask Weinstein, Zuckerberg, Woods and Musk).
   Against this backdrop Jesus invites the disciples in. Everyone’s feet are caked with enough crud and toe-jam to make the strongest stomach queasy… The Leader stoops to grab a basin of water and a towel. He commences with the unthinkable, washing all twelve men’s dirty feet. In stunned silence they sit. I wonder, was there any doubt in that room who had the most authority? Who the leader was?
   Shocking isn’t it?
   I would choose a different word… humbling. It’s humbling to be served by the One who deserves all service. Therein lies the solution to our searching, we must be like Jesus. Though he was the King he didn’t act like it (see Philippians 2:1-11). 
3. The Direction: Well, over the next year my good friend Justin (follower of Jesus and global business leader) and I are committing to provide a shot in the arm, challenge to the mind and encouragement to the heart of everyone who leads in any capacity. We will do this through captivating stories of faith lived out in various leadership contexts, examine scripture together to see how theology and practice meet in our daily lives, and try to provide suggestions or resources to get you from reactive leadership to proactive leadership. In short, as Christians we know that God calls us to love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength. Look to have all these engaged in one way or the other each post.
   
   As you are encouraged, share what has shaped you: in conversation, on various social media platforms, and with other leaders. Are you ready?… 

I'm Doug and if you've been to this blog before you already have a fair idea of who I am. I am a child of God, husband to Jessica, father to Jada, Oliver and Pierce and a friend of Justin's. I also have the joy of working as Minister of Counseling & Discipleship in the town of Tremont, IL. 

Justin: Husband, Father, Son, Friend of Doug, Global Business Leader, Mentor, Coach, Sports Enthusiast, Psalmist... Follower of The Way, The Truth and The Life.   

Fear Not!

Fear is an interesting thing isn’t it? 

It grips you, trips you and flips you - right off any rational bearings that can be clung to in times of duress and right in to seemingly shifting sands. 

Pause. 

For a second I want you to consider THAT reality. You know, the one where everything around you seeks to unseat your confidence in Christ!. EVERYTHING. 

You are gripped by invasive and unwanted thoughts of what could be; perhaps even giving in to them at times. You are tripped up when the circumstances of the day seem to be moving along well and a trivial event occurs. “What next?” says your frightful and frail heart. Finally, invasive thoughts and trivial events have you tumbling down a road of uncertainty that you are entirely certain you don’t want. This leaves you flipped upside down and tossed to and fro like a tiny rowboat in the clutches of a powerful hurricane; destructive, unpredictable and harrowing. “What must I do?” you cry out! 

Turn to Jesus. 

Be gripped by his welcoming love and plans of a hope and future (Jer. 29:10-14) for you that are teeming with goodness (in spite of the what your physical eyes presently take in). 

Don’t be tripped up by menial circumstances or anything that runs counter to the wisdom, love and mercy of our Savior. He’s given you powerful weapons that demolish, lay waste and in all ways DOMINATE the enemy we face routinely; make use of them (II Cor. 10:4-5). 

Finally, though you are underserving (like me) be certain to recognize and submit to the FIERCE ONE who has gone before, stands behind and in all things is exercising His sovereign love toward you (Isaiah 41:14-16) and flip your perspective from fear to FAITH! 

In short; whatever you are facing today - FEAR NOT.

*A disclaimer: the temptation is to read a short blog like this without reading the scripture. Links have been provided to make it easier for you to access. The isaiah passage uses the term "worm" in verse 14. Its best to understand that term as it pertains to one's view of themselves as failures. God is rousing them through straightforward language - essentially calling them up and out of it). 

Mute?

There's an old phrase,

"Better the devil you know than the one you don't."

I'm not sure where it originated but even a cursory read of Mark 5:1-20 will pique one's interest and draw immediate comparisons.

A man, controlled by an evil spirit (the Bible's words, not mine) had been quarantined to live apart. In fact, he lived in the place of the dead - literally (burial caves). There no chains could hold him. He would often howl (Mark 1:5) and cut himself (Mark 1:5).

Talk about torment.

But then JESUS...

Jesus shows up on the scene and because of His power, authority and love; delivers the man. The demonic spirit asks Jesus permission (that's right) as to where (their - in the passage we learn that there are actually many demonic spirits influencing the man) He will send him.

Here's the problem - many of us get hung up on the fact that Jesus is casting out a demon or that the 2,000 pigs run off a cliff and plunge to their death; missing the point. Pay close attention to what happens next because you cannot mute the Master!

After the ordeal is over and the man is clothed, sane, and chillin with Jesus in the place of his deliverance (burial caves)... there's a town hall meeting of sorts. You see the herdsmen who saw what happened to the man ran in to town to tell the others. The entire town comes out, full of fear, and begs Jesus to leave.

"What?!" Is the natural response as you read this. You wonder if you have skipped to another passage. This cannot be the conclusion.

In effect they'd have the man silenced (don't be sharing what Jesus did for you) and send Jesus away. Why?

"Better the devil you know than the one you don't." Isn't this the typical response for things we do not understand, can't control or lack a sufficient, rational explanation for? "I'll stick with the crazed man who is not safe to be around, just don't let me see him or go near him. But as for freedom and joy, nah!" 

"Really?" (a bold Christian says). The towns people reply, "Yep, its all we've known for (x-number) of years - why change now?"

Others may question or scrutinize what God has done in and through you by His Son and in the power of His Spirit - but that is not confirmation for you to hit the mute button. All the more reason for you to boldly proclaim your personal deliverance; your "Jesus-Encounter" and pray the same for others... that they'd encounter Jesus in unmistakable ways - and then tell about it.

Who is God asking you to share your Jesus-Encounter with today? What will you say about how Jesus, through his Holy Spirit, has freed you, loved you, filled you, and empowered you? How will you respond when the townspeople beg Jesus to leave and for you to shut up?

Restoration

I shared this in a recent post and promised follow up:

• Our Father is about your development for deployment NOT destruction unto death (Read Luke 22:31-34; John 21:15-25

In seasons where one feels excessively sifted (read here if you missed this post) it becomes critical to grasp how restoration occurs. 

Kai Wright pens an article for The Nation a few years back concerning how a criminal record haunts one even when they are 20+ years removed from their former conviction. 

Luis Rivera was a 22yr old who wanted some loot and thought he could get his hands on it easily, though illegally. He proved to be a lackluster criminal and was soon apprehended. Convicted, he was not sentenced to time in jail but did receive 5yrs probation and was remanded to the custody of his parents. He stayed the course, got his life on track and within two years he was released even from probation. 

Here's where things get interesting. He was hired for part time work in New York's East Village as a doorman, etc. Quickly proving his value to the company they were beginning to consider him for a permanent, full-time gig - the likes of which Rivera had not known for 20 years (now in his mid 40s). 

The boss calls one day to explain that because of his criminal record for theft and the nature of his work at a lodging establishment largely frequented by the wealthy he would not be allowed to work there. 

If anyone could make a case for RESTORATION its this guy. So how does God restore? How does he meet you in your failure, muck and mire and draw you out. Dust you off. Name what He sees in you. Catapult you toward the plans He has for you... 

Recall Peter. The fiery yet unstable disciple of Jesus. He's the one shouting from the rooftops that he will follow Jesus to death (Matt. 26:33), steps out of the boat in a storm just to get to Jesus (Matt. 14:22-33), and cuts off the ear of a soldier arresting Jesus in zeal (John 18:10). For all his zeal and passion only hours after cutting off the ear we see Peter in an unlikely spot (based on his track record to this point).

In John 18:18 Peter is found warming himself by a charcoal fire with the servants and officers in the courtyard of the high priest. This is the beginning of the end for him. It had already been predicted that he would deny any association with Jesus (he didn't count on others knowing his accent or eyewitnesses seeing him with Jesus).

Then Jesus is totally betrayed, arrested, killed, raised and begins appearing to His followers. 

Jesus, of course, knew all this.

It is no surprise when days after his resurrection he stands ready to meet the disciples on the shore (See John 21). He builds a charcoal fire and one can only picture the scene thats being cast in Peter's mind. Peter sees him from afar and leaps out of the boat to get to him.  Imagine his thoughts as he nears shore and see the fire... "Oh no, he's going to say something about what I did. I knew it... I knew this was going haunt me." Like a basketball hopeful on the last day of tryouts he's bracing for the news that he's going to be cut from the team. 

Jesus, of course, knew all this. 

Peter desperately needs to have his sin of betrayal expunged - erased. But how? Notice what Jesus does NOT do. He doesn't measure Peter's worth to Him based off his performance. He doesn't dangle his failure like the proverbial carrot in front of Peter as though the fixation of its eradication from his life means his suitability to serve in kingdom. 

How masterful His method. How tender His ways. How loving this friend. 

He only inquires of Peter's love. "Do you love me..." He says. "Yes, Lord, you know I do." is Peter's urgent and excited reply. However, Jesus isn't settling there. Jesus is talking about a FULL love while Peter is thinking of a friendship kind of love. After repeating the exercise two times and getting the same results. Jesus then stoops to Peter's level and says, "Do you love (friendship kind) me..." 

And there it is, the beginning of restoration.  He develops us by meeting us where we are and naming the potential He knows we can achieve with the ministry of His Holy Spirit through us. He deploys us as COMPLETE (in Him) but imperfect (in this world) saints in His kingdom. This means we will always be needy for Him... and that's a really, really good thing. 

Be encouraged - those of you who have significant stains that fill your past. They do not define or direct your future. Be encouraged - those of you who have been markedly wronged. You are not the sum of what someone has said or done to you. 

I enjoy picturing scenes like Peter, living in the here and now knocking on Luis Rivera's door. After being invited in, with a hot cup of joe placed before him the two sit at the kitchen table. The bustling of the city can be heard in the background as Peter shares with him about walking on water, shouting about his zeal and cutting off the ear of a man because he knew the man was there to harm Jesus. I envision Rivera, with wide-eyed wonder as the story takes a sharp left turn and he hears of Peter's betrayal so soon after the incident with the soldier, bewildered immediately.  

"Pete, what happened? How in the world are you and Jesus on good terms? You totally dissed on your bro and He took you back? Man that's crazy! What did you have to do to get back in?" Luis says. 

"Well, he asked if I loved Him. You know, love-loved Him. The only thing my heart could muster was that I knew I wanted to be His friend. So, we started there and He's been building on it ever since. All He asks from me is a heart surrendered and hands open - living for the daily partnership He desires. And slowly, ever so slowly - I can say with utter conviction - I L-O-V-E Jesus Christ!!! My past failures or hurts don't define me and my present and future foibles are growth spurts," Peter said with gusto and joy. 

The same is true of you today. If you are a tenured Christian still walking about in shame, not fulfilling the purpose of your calling or a brand new to the faith, just learning the ropes of the Freedom that is Yours in Christ Jesus. Learn from Peter - Let Jesus build the charcoal fire on the shore of your disappointment and see what He does to restore you. 

Gift vs. Giver: Reflections during the Christmas Season

Gifts are wonderful.

When given at just the right time to an individual who least expects it, gifts can make a deep impact on one's life. They are tangible expressions of love which convey, without provocation, the sentiments of the giver to the recipient. In fact, the very definition of gift communicates this very clearly: "a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present." 

I will never forget one particular Christmas when I was a young boy. I wanted a BB gun so bad I could taste it. Those pesky pigeons and barn swallows were about to meet their fate. 

The gifts were wrapped and under the tree. What harm could there possibly be in just “bumping” the edge of the gift marked with my name in order to find out if I had gotten what I wanted?

Now that I have my own children, looking back on this episode causes me to reflect on how parenting doubles as training 101 for would-be detectives and law enforcement officers. My father was a decorated veteran of the program. He spotted the tear in the wrapping paper caused "by accident," and I was not awarded the gift for two weeks following Christmas.

A funny thing happened to me internally in the days that followed as the punishment was enacted. Though my parents were under no compulsion to give me the gift, I now was upset with them for having taken it away. Their tangible expression of love, simply because I was their son, was met with juvenile anger and a real sense of entitlement that simply had to be addressed. 

We react this way to God, don't we? We can so easily fixate on His gifts to us that we forget that He is the Giver. This constitutes a life from God viewpoint. We are totally interested in what God has to offer, just not so much in God Himself.

Author Skye Jethani says it this way, 

Everything that lives draws its life from God, and He is the “Father of lights” from Whom comes “every good gift and every perfect gift” (see James 1:17). And Jesus calls us to ask God for what we need. But the life from God posture has a tendency to overemphasize this single aspect of the divine-human relationship. It makes receiving God’s gifts the entirety of our religious (Christian) lives.

He's absolutely right.

In His kindness, God has lavished His love on us (see Ephesians 1). It would be a tragedy for us to miss the Giver because we are preoccupied with His gifts.

I’m reminded of a recent sermon illustration I heard. A young boy loved spending time with his father on their farm. He would climb into the farm truck eager for the presence of his dad. One day his dad asked, "Where we going, son?" Filled with a wonder not yet stained by the world, the young boy replied, "Anywhere, Dad, as long as it’s with you."

We need to have a similar posture toward God. The life with God posture.

This Christmas as you consider the all-encompassing, failure-swallowing, entitlement-obliterating, and totally undeserved LOVE of God in Christ, here are some questions for around the dinner table or in your personal time with Jesus:

1. What are you most looking forward to when you think about eternal life WITH God? (If your answer is lack of sickness, a gold mansion, or any other benefit that's not the presence of God, then He may be addressing the gift vs. Giver reality in your heart.)
2. How does meditating on the character of the Giver help your faith remain strong (or even grow) when trials arise?
3. Have I overemphasized any possessions or relationships to the point that they interfere with my relationship with God? Have I allowed any of His blessings to become an idol, instead of reminding me of God's lavish love for me?

Shaken, not stirred

I remember it like it was yesterday. A memory tattooed in the annals of my mind; a sweet but bitter providence I can not ignore as I reflect...

The February cold was the stuff of novels and the fatigue I was experiencing was breaking me. Our daughter lay in the hospital enduring chemo and radiation for the cancer that had only been recently discovered. I had come home to sleep one night and was relieved to see my wife and two sons. Our youngest son now not even a month old and our eldest son was two years old.

If you're a parent you know the cry those infants make. No barrier can totally insulate one from the destitute nature of those wails for help. We (Jess and I) had decided he would have to wait to eat again and all other signs (clean diaper, etc) pointed to him being just fine. Yet he screamed in the small pack-n-play at the foot of our bed. I tried and checked everything. In final desperation I lay on the floor with my face down, my eyes dispensing a salty flow of sadness and pain, and with my mouth I uttered the following prayer to God... (disclaimer: if you have a high opinion of me in my "holiness" you will likely to be disappointed if you read on) I said...

"Won't you f#!$*ing relent, just relent! I can't take any more..."

Ever been there? I mean, not specifically with the circumstances I'm describing, but with the desperation and hopelessness that results from what feels like an absolute breaking process - all managed by a seemingly maniacal God?

Peter, one of the least stable disciples (which is why I think I identify with him), was going to have a moment like I described above; he would be shaken (or sifted). Luke 22:31-34 unpacks the scene succinctly.

What is shaking or sifting and why is it so scary for us? (as it was for Peter) It is a purging and sifting process. It distills lesser loves to reveal that which WILL carry you through the lean times. I venture that most of us are fearful of these experiences because of what they may reveal about our "go-to's" for comfort; those things or relationships we think we simply CANNOT live without. Or coming at it from a different and potentially more violent angle... We fear what God may ask us to give up. "Really Lord, you think its wise and good to take the life of my daughter..."

Note the mercy of Jesus. He doesn't abandon Peter. Jesus also doesn’t pray for escape but fortitude (Luke 22:32).

The purpose for Peter's shaking was to strengthen the brothers (meaning establish the church and fill the destiny God had on his life) and it actually happened because everyone reading this today who is part of a local body of believers is indirectly the result of his sifting.

Our God is a Consuming Fire (Heb. 12:29) and will have every part of us from the highest hair on our head to the longest nail on our toe if we are to be effective for His Kingdom. The writer of Hebrews sheds light on an often dark and bleak subject when he says,

This phrase, 'yet once more,' indicates the removal of things that are shaken-that is, things that have been made-in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.  

I'm so glad that God didn't relent when I asked but instead supplied His Spirit to confirm that I have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. It didn't come easily or in a moment though. There were (and are) many things the Lord is shaking or sifting in me in order that what cannot be shaken remains.

You see - stirring just won't get the job done. I need more. You need more. Consider asking yourself some questions to embrace and not escape shaking or sifting:

1. Is there a particular area of weakness, need or frustration that continues to be pressed on by those close to me (spouse, family, co-workers, friends)? How am I responding? Where do I run? 
2. Is there an ongoing trial, chronic health issue, spiritual weightiness, or otherwise trying time that has been longstanding and seemingly unchanged despite your efforts in prayer? Do you find yourself discouraged and ready to throw in the towel instead of leaning into wrecking ball prayer (a term recently introduced to me communicating relentless pursuit - see Luke 18:1-8)?

Be reminded and encouraged this day:

• Our Father is Good and gives Good gifts to His children who ask, not sparing ANYTHING (Rom. 8:31-32) 
• Our Father is about your development for deployment NOT destruction unto death (Read Luke 22:31-34; John 21:15-25 - maybe another blog post if enough people comment they'd like to see how Jesus restores). 
• Our Father's power and wisdom are unmatched and not naturally perceived or received (I Cor. 1:18-31) 

Take the time to share (if you like) how this impacted you or if you'd like clarification.