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From Invictus to Ignosco

  [Lash Banks - Pastor Blog]
07/10/2009
By Banks, Lash

 

William Ernest Henley was an English poet who lived from 1849-1903.  His most famous work entitled Invictus (Latin for Invincible) was written in a hospital room as Henley recovered from surgery that amputated his leg.  Henley wrote: 

Out of the night that covers me, 
     Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be 
     For my unconquerable soul.

 In the fell clutch of circumstance
      I have not winced nor cried aloud.
 Under the bludgeonings of chance
     My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
     Looms but the horror of the shade,
 And yet the menace of the year, 
     Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
     How charged with punishments the scroll,
 I am the master of my fate;
     I am the captain of my soul.

Ignosco—(Pardoned)

 

 

Out of the night that covers me,
     Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank the God who rescued me
     For my forgiven soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
     I have fallen and cried aloud.
These bludgeonings are not of chance
     His hands are bloody, my head bowed.

 

 Beyond this place of wrath and tears
     Light breaks the Horror of the shade,
And through the menace of my years
     Grace and mercy find me, unafraid.

 

Wide is the path but strait the gate,
     I yield my life to his control.
He is the master of my fate:
      His love the captain, of my soul.

Though often quoted as a means of self-motivation and desire, the poem's greatest tragedy is that it fails to realize that none of us are truly invincible and that placing our faith in God is path to purpose and freedom in life.   This tragedy was so readily seen when Timothy McVeigh quoted these words just before his execution.  
But I was thinking, how would this poem read if it were written from a God-driven perspective.  So, with no further ado, I give you Ignosco (Latin for Pardoned or Forgiven).

Lash 

WHEN GOD GIVES A GIFT...

  [Paul Reid - Music to Live By]
05/14/2009
By Reid, Paul

WHEN GOD GIVES A GIFT HE WRAPS IT IN A PERSON!
I heard Michael Card say this when I was a seminary student and it has stuck with me. Throughout my life I see where God used my teachers, my family growing up and my wife and children today to teach me. (The investment may not have yielded good returns.) But He still uses people close to me.
Throughout scripture we see where people invested in others. In Exodus 18, Jethro provided counsel to his son-in-law Moses. The advice led to Moses enduring & the people living in peace. The family dinner table was serene. We can be sure.
In Luke 11, we find Jesus praying and one of His disciples came to Him and said teach us pray. Teach us just like John taught his disciples. They wanted to learn. They asked. He taught them. When he ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit was with them, his investment energized them to begin their ministries – which changed the world.
Romans 5:8 says God demonstrates His own love for us, in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
How has God provided “investors” for you? How is God using you to be an investor in someone else’s life? Your child, spouse, a work colleague, neighbor – the list can go on. If God is calling you to mentor someone, begin to nurture a friendship with that person - TODAY.
Be humble. Be sincere. Do it gently because the best and wisest investments can last an eternity.
Gratified,
Paul Reid

Great Physician, Great Presence

  [Paul Reid - Music to Live By]
04/20/2009
By Reid, Paul

Nothing can substitute for the ministry of Presence.  What fun it truly is to just hang out, listen, share, laugh and talk "nothing".  Jesus showed us true ministry of presence.  Philippians shares that He made himself nothing, took on the form a servant.  He humbled Himself and became obedient till death.  
God Creator became God man.  Jesus took the initiative and reached out to the hurting, the struggling.  Jesus the Great Physician for the hospital for sinners.   
Grateful to the Great Physician,
Paul Reid

What is a Healthy Church?

  [Lash Banks - Pastor Blog]
04/17/2009
By Banks, Lash

What is a healthy church? That’s a critical question for which all of my church friends seem to be trying to answer.   For my business-minded, chart loving friends the answer to this question is a growth equation:  new members + more money + better facilities  = a healthy church.  My post-modern, flip-flops and t-shirt wearing friends often give a soulful answer saying a healthy church can’t be defined only experienced in a community of authentic discipleship.  My white shirt, navy suit, traditional friends often define a healthy church by belief in the inerrancy of Scripture, sound doctrine, missions, and evangelism.   And my purpose driven Hawaiian shirt and horn-rimmed glasses wearing friends might define it as balanced approach to missions, evangelism, discipleship, worship, and fellowship.  So with all of these varying thoughts on the matter, I thought why don’t I take a shot at defining a healthy church as well.  Hence, with no further ado, here are Lash’s Seven Vital Signs of a Healthy Church: 

High Sense of Purpose—A church must know its reason for existence and have a clear process for biblically leading people from spiritual lostness to spiritual maturity.    

Effective Evangelism—A church must see its community as a mission field and develop ways to contextually communicate the gospel to the people living in the community.  

Acceptance of Change—A church must be creative, understanding the changing needs of people and meeting people at their point of need. 

Leadership that Empowers—Church leaders must be servant leaders helping others identify spiritual gifts and empowering them to use these gifts in ministry.  

Transforming Worship—True worship brings glory to God and leads to change.  Each time the church gathers for worship the primary goal is to encounter God and His truth which leads to transformed lives.

Help with Life—A healthy sense of community is built through healthy, caring relationships.  Church leaders must be consumed with leading people to live out Jesus’ Great Commandment: to love one another.  

Yes to God—Healthy churches diligently seek God’s answers and direction through faithful prayer and study of His Word always bending our will and our beliefs to God’s.