Inspiration, Resources, Examples, and Ideas (12) - Getting Down to Business

Business Idea: Create a T-Shirt company
I always thought putting messages on T-shirts would be a great way to get people to come up to you rather than you going up to them. Once they read some crazy saying on your T-shirt and ask you, “What the heck does that mean?”, then there’s your open door. I’m too busy writing to start my own T-shirt company so feel free to use any of the following sayings to make your own shirts:
· Saint & Sinner
· Want to Join the Acts 1:8 Club?
· Truth + Love = Jesus
· Epaphroditus In Training (See Philippians 2)
· God is Not a Salad Bar (my favorite)
· Spirituality without God = Self Indulgence
· Don’t Be a Sardis (See Revelation 3)
· Look Straight Ahead (See Proverbs 4:23-27 on guarding your heart and concentrating on desires that keep us on the right path)
· Jesus Wept
· #1 Sinner -or- Chief of Sinners
· Jesus was Homeless
· Nothing New Under the Sun (See Ecclesiastes)
· Hope Now...Heaven Later
· Letting My Light Shine (bright yellow shirt)
· A Time for Everything (See Ecclesiastes)
· If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done. Eccl. 11:4
· Ask not how Jesus can serve you. Ask how you can serve Jesus.
· We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fallProv. 16:33
· We All Believe In Something
· Be the one! Luke 17:11-19 (This is in reference to the ten lepers whom Jesus healed but only one came back to thank Jesus. Be thankful!)
· Not in Charge

Okay, so if you’re going to do something like this, be bold. Pick bright, vibrant colors for your shirts like canary yellow and lime green and use solid, block letters in bright colors too. Just make sure your eyes don’t hurt when you look at the shirt. And if you are not sure what those slogans above really mean and want an explanation for any of them, good! The idea is to get people talking and we might as well start with you. Think about them, though, and make your explanation your own.

A Merger Between Business and Faith – Books to Explore
“Jesus, CEO,” by Laurie Beth Jones and others in her series talk about applying the teachings of Christ in your work (and in your life).

“God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life,” by Gene Edward Veith, Jr., goes beyond just work and addresses the Christian’s total calling: in family life, church, citizenship, and vocation.

“Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions,” by Steve L. Rundle and Tom A. Steffon.

The Facts on Witnessing at Work
Can Christians get busted for witnessing at work? There are certain guidelines for you seed planters out there gearing up to share your faith with your co-workers. Go for it, but take a look at this article by David C. Gibbs, Jr., President of The Christian Law Association, for some tips on what to be aware of concerning, “The Legal Implications of Witnessing at Work,” (Source – “Christianity Today,” October 29, 2004).

Go to “Christianity Today’s” website (or FaithInTheWorkplace.com and do a search for that title to find the article or try the following URL: http://www.christianitytoday.com/workplace/articles/legalimplications.html

Combining Your Business with God’s Business
Do you own your own business? What might be some ways to integrate your faith and let your light shine while serving both the business needs and spiritual needs of your customers? Many businesses proudly display the “fish” symbol for Christ in their signage, business cards, and other forms of identity.

In one business, the owner takes their outreach a step further and offers prayer along with a cup of coffee. The “Chit-n-Chat Coffee House” in Waukee, Iowa often receives prayer requests from their customers as they place a coffee order. Kate Boettcher looks at her coffee house as “a way to bring Christ to our customers without being preachy.” She has a Bible verse-of-the-day on the chalkboard for people to ask questions about, and, through word-of-mouth only, has become a place known for good coffee, friendly people, and an offer of prayer for those who want it.

Turns out, many people do.

(Source: “Would You Like Prayer with that Latte?” in “Today’s Christian Woman,” March/April 2004, Vol. 26, No. 2, by Jared VanHorn.) Read the full article at: www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2004/002/16.58.html

Changing the World, One Cup at a Time
Here’s a great idea – create a business whose purpose is not to make money for itself, but whose sole purpose is to use its profits to fund charitable projects.

That’s just what founders John Sage and Chris Dearnley did. As it says on their website: “Believing that the principles of capitalism could be applied to the non-profit sector, they developed Pura Vida Coffee as a "funding engine" to support the charitable programs of Pura Vida Partners, a non-profit organization. Pura Vida Coffee sells Fair Trade, organic coffee throughout the United States and uses all of its resources for charitable purposes. Through this model, our co-founders sought to bring hope to at-risk children in Costa Rica – where Pura Vida’s charitable activity began – and to inspire a new generation of consumers and business leaders who believe that capitalism can be used as an engine for social good.”

If only more businesses operated on that principle. If you like coffee, and I know a lot of you Starbucks junkies out there do – check out the Pura Vida website and even buy a few bags of coffee. They support “fair trade” coffee so that you know the coffee growers are getting a fair price for their coffee beans and you’ll also be supporting the Pura Vida efforts to help the children of Costa Rica while enjoying some darn good coffee. Read the rest of the mission and goals at: www.puravidacoffee.com

Inspiration, Resources, Examples, and Ideas (9)

Originally, I was going to add an appendix of books, movies, websites, and other resources for you to use as tools to give you ideas on how to utilize and integrate the culture of our world into your witness. But as I started stockpiling these books, articles, and websites, I realized I was becoming more and more inspired, more and more excited to start writing Planting Seeds because I was seeing all these wonderful examples of people using their talents and interests to share their love of Jesus. And I was reading all of these great books from people who are really digging deep into the significance and meaning of finding God in popular culture. A simple laundry list appendix wouldn't do justice to the joy of discovery I felt as I collected and read through all this material (which really only scratches the surface of what is out there). And so, I present this next section as kind of a snapshot of my journey in researching some of the content for this book. The collection of material you will read next I hope will inspire you, give you ideas, set you off in a new direction for how to share your faith, and confirm in you the talents and interests you have to use, as well as let you know that you are part of God’s family, that we are all together in Christ, and that you are not alone.

Are you a Planter or a Harvester?
Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!
You know the saying, ‘One person plants and someone else harvests.’ And it’s true I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest. John 4:35a-38

You have a purpose, as we all do, to share the message of salvation in Jesus through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. It’s an exciting message to share and, as I hope you’ve seen already, and will see even more as you read on, there are many ways to share that message. I also hope that the snipets you read here will inspire you to seek out the full article or pick up the book, see the movie, listen to the music, and dig deeper within yourself as God’s will for your life continues to unfold in its many faceted ways.

So skip around, poke here and there, and enjoy, be inspired, and go plant some seeds.

Guerilla Christianity – Seed Planters Among Us
As you read on, you’ll see I’ve created general categories such as Movies, Music, Business, Books, and so on, but it’s no so tightly organized that everything is separated and swept off into their own little corner. Take this chapter as a whole, sure, or skip around, but make sure you sample a little bit of everything. I mean, when you go to the salad bar, you’re not just dumping lettuce and dressing on the plate. No, try a little pasta, some cheese, perhaps a bit of coleslaw, and don’t forget to go back for some fruit. You never know what might catch your eye. Ready? Go fill your plate.

Everybody Has Something To Offer
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well...Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Romans 12: 6a & 11

More on “How do I Get Started Planting Seeds?”

Ask Questions
Sometimes the best response to a question about your faith is not an answer but a question back. Take a cue from Jesus, He was a pro at it. When religious leaders asked Jesus if it was right to pay taxes, Jesus referred to a coin and asked, “Whose portrait is this?” (Matthew 22:17-22) – just one example.

Responding to a question like, “Are all people but Christians going to hell?” with a question such as, “Do you believe in hell?” instead of just giving a flat, “Yes,” will allow for a more open, non-defensive dialog, and open up areas of discussion both of you might not have considered. The style of asking questions to questions makes both sides better listeners, too, rather than having one-sided conversations, or conversations where the other person is not listening but instead is just waiting for their turn to speak again.

To learn more about this style of evangelism, check out the book, “Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People's Hearts the Way Jesus Did,” by Randy Newman.

Responding to Basic Objections
For anyone who has shared their faith with the world, there’s always the objections that come with it – “Christians are narrow-minded,” “Being good is all that matters,” “What about those who have never heard about Jesus?,” etc., etc. These scary questions are probably part of the reason that people either, a) stop trying to be seed planters, or b) don’t even try in the first place for fear of getting a question they can’t answer. Just know this, IT WILL HAPPEN. But you know what? It doesn’t matter if you really think about it. We are all works in progress. We are all continually learning and growing in our faith. And that is just the point. Keep learning. You WANT those questions so that you can go back and learn how to respond. It’s okay to tell your potential witness-ee that you don’t understand everything but at least you’re open to learning about it and maybe together you can both explore what the Bible says on those tough questions. So let ‘em come, that’s part of the growing and learning process. And you know Jesus is always at your side. Even when your tongue gets tied He’ll reach over and unknot that slippery mess for you.

And never fear, there are always additional resources out there to help you (but why not start with your pastor and have him put together a little cheat sheet for you to study). Plenty of books address the issues of how to answer those tough questions. And there’s plenty of free information on the web, too (I always start there, why not, it’s free?). There’s a great little article on the web (Where? “Christianity Today,” of course) called, “10 Objections to Christianity and How to Respond,” and the author (Frank Harber) also lists several books and websites at the end of his article for further exploration.

Follow the link: www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2000/002/7.62.html. (Source – “Christianity Today International/Today’s Christian Woman” magazine, March/April 2000, Vol. 22, No. 2).

Right In Your Back Yard
Well, maybe not your back yard, but at least your surrounding neighborhood is a great place to start sharing your faith. You don’t want to start off going door-to-door like a salesman selling Jesus and salvation for only $19.95, but you can look for opportunities to strike up a conversation.

The key to doing it is pretty simple.

Yep, I’m going to bring up the Nike ad again: “Just do it.” Nothing will happen unless you try. Being an example to your neighbors is a good start but talking to them is where the witness really beings. Consider throwing a party in your neighborhood. We’re not talking a big blow-out Hawaiian BBQ and kegger party, but maybe a Get Acquainted party, or a Christmas party (you’ll want to make sure, of course, that you do this around Nov.-Dec and not in July. Though, a Christmas-In-July party might be kinda fun.) Whatever the type of party, you might have the opportunity to share a little bit about your faith – something that’s important to you – instead of how the local baseball or football team is doing currently.

Like any type of witnessing, getting over the fears is the first part – “I’m not an evangelist,” “I don’t know how to talk to people I don’t know,” “I’m not outgoing,” etc.

Baloney.

Remember, Seed Planter, find a common interest with your neighbor. Movies, music, sports, whatever, – think of ways to bring up your faith within these conversations. Neighbor, stranger, partner, friend, co-worker, etc. All need to hear the saving words of Christ’s salvation.
Why not start with the person next door?

(Source: Witnessing to Neighbors, by Jim Killiam, in “Christianity Today International/Marriage Partnership” magazine, Summer 2002, Vol. 19, No. 2).

Also check out: “Neighborhood Ideas for Caring,” by Naomi Frizzell and “The Complete Handbook of Everyday Christianity,” edited by Robert Banks and R. Paul Stevens.

Tell Everyone!
But Jesus said, “No, go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to tell everyone about the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. Mark 5:19-20

Little Things
Earlier we talked about some of the simple things you can do in fulfilling God’s purpose to spread the Good News. I don’t know about you, but I forget half of what I read about, so before we jump into the examples of others, I just wanted to present a list of “little things” you can do to get started. Whether you are shy, a procrastinator, unsure of how to begin, here are some things anyone can do – immediately.

1) Remember, we talked about using your Time for God first and for others, and lastly yourself. It bears repeating. Whether in your church, with a volunteer group, or simply praying for others, use your most precious commodity – time (which you can never get back), for God. Get into the habit of thinking each morning, How can I serve God today?, before thinking of work, chores, family, bills, entertainment, etc. (It goes without saying the same applies to using your Treasure, not to mention your Talents, for God first.)

2) Leave Behinds. You can pick up Bible tracts from your church or various ministry websites and Christian bookstores. You can also pick up a box of little crosses that have a Bible verse on them or that simply say, “God Loves You.” When you’re out at a restaurant, leave a cross with the tip. When you’re out shopping, leave a tract on a shelf. Sure it may be tossed, but God can also lead a person to come by after you and pick it up casually to see what it is. Who knows? Don’t limit the Holy Spirit. Be His messenger. Start leaving that paper trail.

3) Volunteer. This falls under the “using your time” category, but I want to ask you – do you go to church on Sunday, maybe attend a Bible study (or not), and then go back to your life? Do you volunteer your time in a church activity? You say no one asks you to do anything? My next question to you then is, why are you waiting for someone to ask? Bring something to the table. Tell the church leaders you have a desire to serve the Lord in...whatever. Lead a Bible Study. Be a greeter before the service. Start a prayer circle. Bake some goodies to munch on after the service (we Lutherans love doughnuts, but cakes and cookies are just fine, too). And not just at church. Volunteer in a Christian organization. Or better yet, a non-Christian organization where you can be that light to share God’s word as you get to know people in your group. The bottom line is, don’t wait to be asked to do something. Be proactive and act first. Just do it.

4) Be available. Next time you are on a plane, be friendly and open up a conversation with the person seated next to you. Bring up the latest movie you saw, see where it takes you and how the Holy Spirit will make an opening for you to share your story. Get to know your neighbors (See, “Right In Your Back Yard” above). Do you know them – one or two houses down? Bring over a plate of cookies and just say “Hi.” See where it takes you. How about visiting the sick or elderly? There may be programs or groups that organize visits, but how about just showing up? What about handing out Bibles or giving them as gifts to people you know? Look for ways to just...be available, and pray for direction and strength for God to lead you. He will.

5) Check Please! Here’s another little seed planting idea I thought I’d toss in to get you started. It’s kind of like a “leave-behind” but not quite. Next time you pay a bill with a check or buy something at the local store with a check, use the “Note” section at the bottom left and write in a Bible verse, like John 3:16, or just leave a note that says, “Jesus Loves You.” Most of the time we leave it blank, unless you’re writing in your account numbers, but why not leave a note for the receiver, whoever that is, and let the Holy Spirit work it from there!

6) Public prayer. No way, you say! Yes way, I say. Prayer is powerful. You know that. By simply doing what you do anyway, but in a public forum, the power of the Holy Spirit will spill over into all who witness you speaking to your Holy Father. Am I talking about walking out into the middle of a busy intersection with a bullhorn and letting it rip? No. But what about simply praying a prayer of thanks the next time you are in a restaurant and the food is delivered? Bowing your head, taking the hand of the person you are dining with, and speaking in a normal, regular voice a prayer of thanks. You will send a powerful message to those sitting around you and again, the Holy Spirit is at work. Just give Him the opportunity.

Whatever Is Good, Think About Those Things
(like art, music, literature...)
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about those things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Seed Planters from Yesterday & Today (8)

Finding Christ in Culture

Pop quiz. What is one of the biggest, one of the most universal forms of entertainment (dare I say, artform? Yes, sometimes) in our culture today? Television? Music? Film? I suppose you could make an argument for all three. And that’s really the point. There are so many ways to introduce a discussion on faith through today’s popular forms of culture. It’s a safe bet to say everyone is familiar to some degree with television, music, and film and that everyone has some favorites in each area. But what about other forms of culture like art? Paintings, drawings, photography, and computer graphics. And what about writing? Fiction, drama, poetry, screenplays, journalism. And what about...well, you get the picture.

So what do YOU like? Are you a movie nut like me? Does music speak to your soul? How about television, everyone’s guilty habit? Come on, admit it, you have a few shows you like to watch every week. And yes, there is a lot of great television out there beside public access. So take your pick. While you’re deciding, let’s take some time to explore some of the seed planters out there already and see how they are planting the message of Christ in their chosen medium.

Movie Messages
You knew I’d start with movies, didn’t you? Hey, it is my blog after all. I’m sure if I asked you to come up with five favorite movies – ones you don’t mind watching again and again – you could easily do it. Probably ten movies or more even, huh? Movies you’ve seen so many times you can recite the dialogue in your sleep, yeah? But could you take those films and use them as a diving board to jump into a conversation about your faith? Probably.

Christianity Today Movies
The magazine, “Christian Today,” has been around for awhile but their official “movie” section started in February of 2004. While they may have come a little late to the game in developing an online forum for discussing faith in film, they’ve certainly made up for it in content, which is why I’m beginning with them as my first example.

Run the Race – Don’t Quit
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. Hebrews 12:1-2b

Not only do they review every movie that comes out – and archive them for future reference – but they provide a few “discussion point” questions to help start a conversation. So if you don’t know how to get started in tying a film to your faith, start with these questions. It’s a great way to begin. The site includes reviews from other Christian reviewers, downloadable Bible studies for about five bucks on lots of films, interviews, articles and commentaries about faith and film, and even a parental barometer for deciding whether your kids should see a certain film or not.

“Christianity Today” has done a really wonderful job with this website. If I had to recommend one source for you to go to for information on film and faith, this could very well be the one. You’ll see throughout this book several references to source material from “Christianity Today,” so you know I’m a big fan.

Check it out for yourself: http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/

Christian Movie Review Websites
There are many websites out there in cyberland to provide you a wealth of Christian movie review material. Remember I asked you to pick out five of your favorite movies? Take those five movies and explore the reviews of them on these websites (including “Christianity Today”) to help you in formulating your message. Film is a very powerful medium for expressing a theme, a message, a mood, or idea. It’s a good idea to research what others have already said about a film you’re interested in discussing, not only to confirm what you want to say but also to provide additional ideas as well as possible critiques on your message – and how to respond.

The Film Forum – now called, The Joy of Movies
This was one of the first Christian movie review sites I came across when I first started looking into using film as a tool to share my witness, and it remains a favorite of mine. Editor Steve Lansingh has a wonderful way with words and is able to find a spiritual message that really hits home in every review he gives. On his website, part of his bio reads, “Steve is a spiritual sojourner whose encounters with God are usually found in everyday, ‘mundane’ moments like watching movies, preparing food, holding hands, waiting in line, and laughter. He believes that since life was created as a gift, and human beings were created in love, then the purpose of Christianity is not to withdraw from our surroundings but to know God more fully through experiencing this world.”

Sounds like a seed planter to me, doesn’t he?

I read an article of his called, “Ten Films of 1999,” which included a discussion on a few challenging films from a Christian standpoint such as “Fight Club” and “American Beauty.” At first glance you might not think there was any kind of message a Christian could use from these films to give context to their faith, but read what Mr. Lansingh had to say in one of his columns:

“There’s a scene in ‘Fight Club’ in which Tyler Durden forces a store clerk at gunpoint to follow his dream of becoming a veterinarian. I identified with this clerk; sometimes I need the gun to the head to make the bold choice rather than drift along with the rest of society. To me, this scene make the movie’s point: Choose this day whom you will serve. It also got me thinking: If I was forced to name what I wanted to do with my life, could I identify one particular thing I hope to accomplish, without which the trigger might as well have been pulled? So I decided to write, in essence, a mission statement. My mission is ‘to look for God’s hand in the everyday and help others see it.’ The question ‘Fight Club’ asks me, and that I will probably constantly struggle with, is why I’m afraid to leave behind what makes me unhappy in order to pursue that goal wholeheartedly.” (Source: Ten Films that Made my Year, by Steve Lansingh, “The Crossing.”)

After I read that, I was hooked. What a powerful statement. And what a powerful tool films are to share your faith. And not just “spiritual” films either. Challenge yourself to find a message in the films that the people you plan to witness to like the most. Don’t gravitate only to the obvious Christian message films like “The Passion of the Christ” or “The Ten Commandments.” Odds are you’ll have much better success in your witness by coming at Christ through films seemingly devoid of any Christian context.

Films, good films, deal with the total human experience and that experience includes a relationship of some kind with the spiritual side of humanity. It’s your job as a Christian to tap into the broad subject of spirituality which we can find in almost any film and focus it in tightly on the message of salvation in Christ. Take some time to see how Mr. Lansingh and the staff of “The Joy of Movies” do it and learn from them.

Then go do it yourself.

Check it out for yourself: http://www.joyofmovies.com/

Like “Joy of Movies,” there are a ton of website resources for you to explore if movies are what you like and you feel comfortable discussing them with your friends and acquaintances in relation to your faith. The few I’ll mention here are just the tip of the iceberg, but worth exploring as resources as you develop your own way and style of “movie witnessing.” (Note: websites come and go. Hopefully the ones listed here are alive and kicking as you read this, but if not, put those fingers to work on a Google search for “Christian movie reviews,” or “Christian movie critics,” or “film, faith, witnessing,” or other phrasing that you come up with. And then you’ll “come up with” a lot, trust me). Some sites are better than others and some focus on the message of Jesus Christ in their reviews more than others. But all of them have something to say. Take a look and see for yourself and decide what works best for you as a resource.

In no particular order:

http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/ – Pop culture from a spiritual point of view. Lots of great resources on this site.

http://www.christiancritic.com/ - Reviews and spiritual commentary of film critic Michael Elliott.

http://www.lookingcloser.org/ - Looking for truth, beauty, and meaning in the arts (includes music reviews, too). Read Jeffrey Overstreet’s “Purpose of Looking Closer” statement. Here’s a bit from it: “To glorify God in the discipline of art, one must pursue beauty, truth, and excellence. All beauty belongs to God. All truth. All excellence. Movies, like any art form, can reveal for us pieces of the truth, no matter who directed the film, who starred in it, or what it is about.” Pretty good stuff, don’t you think?

http://www.pluggedinonline.com/ – Based on the publication of the same name from Focus on the Family. Also includes reviews and commentary on music and television.

promontoryartists.org - Encouraging Christians in the arts and impacting culture through the arts.

Like I said, there are a ton out there, but these will get you started.

Movies to Ponder
The following list is by no means a definitive list of movies to use as your entrée to sharing the message of Christ. No doubt, some of them will not be to your liking for a variety of reasons. All I ask is that you do not dismiss them outright. If you haven’t seen them, take a peek. If you have and wonder what the heck I could be talking about in terms of using a film like say, “American Beauty,” as a witnessing tool. Be open, pray about it, then go with something you like. That’s the real key – being passionate. In the first place, what we are really doing is being passionate about Christ. Then we tie that passion into a movie that really touched us in some way. In some way the movie was exciting, moving, thrilling, thought provoking, etc. to us. Put it all together and take your passion and excitement to your friends so that they pick up on it and catch fire, too. That’s what it’s all about, right?

So take a look, see what you think, then maybe explore some of the reviews of these films on the Christian movie review sites above, and see where God takes you the next time you’re standing around the water cooler with your friends and co-workers. Strike up a conversation: “Hey Bob, did you ever see the movie, American Beauty? That scene where the kids video-taped that plastic bag floating in the air was really interesting. It reminded me of...” And you’re off!

In no particular order:

American Beauty – perhaps a challenging movie for some Christians, but at the heart it speaks to finding God’s beauty in the everyday and to a hope for a happier life by just being who you really are because life is worth living even though humanity has its flaws. How might we as Christians speak about hope and offer that message to those trying desperately to hold up appearances while feeling completely lost inside?

The Stand – One of my favorite Stephen King books and a pretty good mini-series. Like many stories in the horror (and sci-fi) genre, this one speaks to the ultimate struggle between good and evil. Here, King gets pretty direct in defining that good and evil as God vs. Devil. I love the horror genre (and sci-fi) for exactly that reason – at the core of almost every horror movie is the good vs. evil theme. Who will win? “Aliens,” “Dracula,” “The Wolfman,” “Independence Day,” “The Exorcist,” “Star Wars,” – just a few examples where you could take the idea of good versus evil and get into a conversation about the ultimate good, that is God, and the ultimate evil, that is, the devil.

An article on ChristianityToday.com has this to say about horror movies and the Christians response:

“...in the hands of a sanctified imagination, the horror form...can become a vehicle for redemption. . . True horror treats good as good and evil as evil. . . True horror reminds us how profoundly moral our universe is. It reminds us, refreshingly, of simple things like good and evil, justice and mercy, courage and cowardice. . .True horror, finally, makes possible an experience of grace. It suggests that we too are misshapen, we too are duped by evil. There is in us all a Mr. Hyde. . .The horror story, in the end, is a reminder that our present reality is disturbed and distorted. In the hands of the Christian, that reminder can become an invitation to redemption. . . The horror story is not an escape from life, in all its wildness and terrible beauty; it is rather a way of walking through it, and as such a reminder that there is meaning, thanks be to God, in the middle of all the horror.” (Source: “The Horrors!” by W. David O. Taylor; ChristianityToday.com, posted 4/05/2005)

Amen.

The Matrix – Okay, a ton of stuff has been written about this film and the series. I even mentioned it earlier in this book. But it’s worth talking about again. Themes of Christianity and Buddhism abound in the film but one of the most obvious and simplest-to-grasp character types in this film is Neo as the Christ figure. This is a common character type in many films but is so very clearly presented in Neo as the “one” who will save humanity from the machines and free them all to live freely in Zion. To do this, he has to sacrifice himself so that the other humans can live. Neo’s character, that is, his purpose, reminds us that a fallen world of people is still worth saving. Both in the first film and most definitely in the last film we see these themes played out (sorry if I’m spoiling the end for some of you but if you haven’t seen “The Matrix” by now – what planet are you from. Just kidding. Relax, have some fun). This series can create many long conversations and debates for you as you witness, and you can have fun along the way because aside from the message, it’s a very entertaining film, too.

Fight Club – I resisted this movie for a long time because I thought it was a film about gratuitous violence. How wrong I was. Yes, like “American Beauty” it is a challenging film. There is violence in it but this film is a dark comedy. Did I say comedy? Yes, one that bites. But as you read in the quote from Steve Lansingh, there’s a lot to unpack in this film—it’s about not sitting by and wasting your life. Finding purpose, being yourself, not letting the world and its drive to acquire material possessions define who you are. (There’s a great sequence where the main character sees his apartment through the eyes of an IKEA catalog and wonders what kind of dining set defines himself as a person). What a great opening to talk to others about where to find your real purpose for living – in Christ. Give the movie a try. See if it fits.

The Truman Show and Bruce Almighty – interestingly, both starring Jim Carrey, but both films speak, in different ways, to the consequences of when humans try to play God and runs things on their own. Not good. But how many people do you know who try to live life on their own terms, who don’t need God, and like the family in “American Beauty” are living a miserable life on the inside while pretending all is well on the outside?

Ben Hur – we could put many of the openly religious movies in this category, like “The Ten Commandments,” “The Passion of the Christ,” and even the excellent (though slightly more veiled) mythological take on the Gospel through the movie version of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,” as wonderful and very direct tools for witnessing, but I want to focus on just one scene in “Ben Hur.”

Ben Hur is in chains as a slave and is being whipped and harshly moved along by the Roman soldiers. They stop for a moment and, as Ben Hur is collapsed on his knees, a figure bends down to give him some water, which he readily drinks down in gratitude. The soldier tells this “person” to stop but he doesn’t. Finally, the soldier comes forward to whip the tar out of this guy who won’t listen to him and the “person” stands up. We only see him from the back but it’s clear that this person is Jesus. Jesus stands there calmly, not moving as the guard looks upon his face (again, we only see the soldiers reaction, Jesus’ back is to us the whole time). The soldier is about to strike and pauses, looking into Jesus’ face. His anger becomes confusion, then perhaps embarrassment or shame and guilt, and he quickly looks away and walks off.

What a very simple scene but what a powerful one to show the love, compassion, sympathy, strength, and power in our savior. I cry every time I watch that scene which becomes even more powerful later on as the roles are reversed and Ben Hur tries to give Christ water as he carries his cross to Golgatha.

Sometimes it’s the simplest of scenes that we can draw on to share our message and not necessarily the whole film. Look for the scenes that speak to you. They may not even have much to do with the movie’s main story line, but you can use them in your witness.

Leap of Faith – A film that didn’t get its due in the theaters because of mis-marketing. It stars Steve Martin and Debra Winger and the story is about a slick talking preacher who goes around scamming people out of their money with flashy talk and fake miracles. But he arrives in one small town and is confronted with an honest-to-God miracle on his very own stage and is forced to deal with what he really believes. This is a great little film about redemption and the power of faith.

Shawshank Redemption – A wonderful movie based on a Stephen King novella (not a horror story, either) with its core message of holding on to hope even in the most terrible, bleak, and unjust situations. A powerful tool to witness for speaking to our hope and trust in Christ even in the most dire situations we find ourselves in – and to not giving up.

Lord of the Rings – Like “The Matrix,” a lot has been written about Christian symbolism in this trilogy. You’ll find many resources on the Internet and in various books, but here are some themes to think about in terms of your witness – a journey to save the world from destruction (we’re all on a journey, aren’t we? Every day, fulfilling our purpose to help Christ “save the world”), about not giving up (that theme of hope again), sacrifice, and faith, are but a few of those big, universal themes we find in epic stories like the Ring series – and don’t they all tie into the biggest story of them all? The story of salvation in Christ in the Bible. And unlike the Ring series, this “story” is true. What a powerful message.

The Apostle – Christians aren’t perfect. We sin like everyone else. The difference is that we recognize that we sin and seek Christ’s forgiveness daily and strive to live the best we can in a sinful world. In “The Apostle,” Sonny is a Southern preacher who loves the Lord and is filled with the spirit. But in a moment of rage, he gives into the darker side of sin and commits murder. Hiding out from the law, the film is about Sonny finding the road to redemption and walking it. This is a powerful film showing the dual nature of man – fighting against his sinful nature and continually seeking Christ’s righteousness, and the struggle of it all. To those you witness to who take the stance that all Christians think they are better then everyone else (you’ve heard that one before, right?), this might be a good film to lead into a discussion on the frailty of man (all humanity) and the need for having Christ in our life.

Okay, we’ll stop there – in just these few films I’ve mentioned, think about how many different directions a discussion on your faith could go. Explore for yourself. You may have no interest in the films I’ve just mentioned, but I hope I have whet your appetite to see how films can be a powerful tool to lead into a discussion of sharing the Gospel message of salvation in Christ – which is our ultimate goal. There are many ways to get started, and films are just one way.

But a fun way, I think. See you at the movies.

Moving Music
What kind of music do you like to listen to? Rock, heavy metal, country, punk, rap/hip-hop, acoustic? Christian music covers all styles of music. At one time Christian music was solely identified with the gospel-quartet-flowery-worship-type of music that it, well, kinda was in the beginning. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just that musical tastes are so varied and Christian music has expanded beyond what it was to reach those other tastes by artists who have a passion to share their witness through a certain style of music.

There are many Christian concert festivals today that share a diverse range of music styles but one of the first ones that I heard of was the “Cornerstone Festival.” As I dug into what Cornerstone was all about, I hit the motherload. They also have sister sites (http://www.burningbrush.net/ and http://www.flickerings.com/) that showcase art and film in a Christian context at the festival. I encourage you to explore their websites and magazine and if sharing your faith through music is your thing, start saving your dollars for a road trip to their next annual festival.

Here’s a little bit of what you’ll read on their website for what Cornerstone is all about:

“This event called Cornerstone Festival is far more than a massive musical experience. It is more than a collection of hundreds of solo artists and bands representing every style and sub-genre on the current musical landscape. It is more than a gathering of expert thinkers and speakers offering over twenty separate seminar tracks on an amazingly diverse range of subjects. It is more than the sum of its parts, as is the body of Christ.

“Cornerstone Festival is the annual gathering of a community of believers that is spread out all over the world. From young children to senior citizens, Christians of all ethnicities and backgrounds migrate to a patch of 500 acres in central Illinois for four days of fellowship, entertainment, education and edification. One way of looking at Cornerstone is to see it as a continuation of a Jesus movement that began in the first century and remains a beacon of joy and spirit as we move into the next millennium.”

Rock and roll – Jesus style.

Check it out: http://www.cornerstonefestival.com/

Christian vs. Non-Christian
Just like films, you don’t have to stick to only “Christian” music in order to share your faith. Music speaks to us on a universal level through themes of love, hope, faith, anger, fear, that we as Christians can speak to. Of course, groups like Jars of Clay, DC Talk, Jennifer Knapp, Lost & Found, and other Christian groups not only have great music but a great message to share. But if those you are trying to witness to are immediately turned-off or suspicious when you bring them up, find out what type of music they like and see if you can’t find some themes in that music to tie your faith into.

Look at some of the mainstream rock groups out there that also have spiritual themes in their music like U2 and Creed. Let’s not stop at rock music, though. What style of music do your friends like?

Country? I love two songs by Garth Brooks, “The River,” and “Unanswered Prayers,” that speak, on some level, about finding your faith and trusting in God. Country music is full of themes concerning loss, grief, love, hope, and redemption.

Like Jazz? Music that speaks to your soul, not in words, but in your heart. One of my favorites is John Coltrane. Ever listen to his piece called, “A Love Supreme?” If you haven’t you should. Coltrane saw this work as his gift to God, his thanks to God for giving him the gift of music, something he wanted to share with the world. This is probably his most known piece of work, and arguably his most influential as a jazz artist. But what about as a seed planter? I think it’s a safe bet to know that many a person who has searched his or her soul in search of God was helped along the road through Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.”

Here’s a little bit of what Mr. Coltrane himself had to say about his masterpiece:

“During the year of 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music. I feel this has been granted through His Grace. ALL PRAISE TO GOD. . . He is gracious and merciful. His way is in love, through which we all are. It is truly – A Love Supreme.

“This album is a humble offering to Him. An attempt to say ‘THANK YOU GOD’ through our work, even as we do in our hearts and with our tongues. May He help and strengthen all men in every good endeavor.”

Wow. What a witness. Could you use this jazz masterpiece as part of your witness to carry forward the message God gave through John Coltrane?

Oh, yeah.

Classical music? Another form of music that speaks to and touches the soul. Much of Johann Sebastian Bach was played in the churches of his day. One of the most prolific composers of his day and whom many would consider The Greatest of Them All. A skilled organist, he was the ultimate church organist. As cantor at the church of St. Thomas in Germany, he wrote at least 215 cantatas (choral pieces) for his church. Just a couple of his many works that reflect his faith include “Magnificat,” and “Passion According to St. Matthew.” Worth checking out.

What about George Frideric Handle? Everyone has at least heard the Hallelujah chorus from his most famous work, “Messiah,” right? Known to be a bit of a hot head himself, but his music spoke for itself. In “Messiah,” we have a musical story in three parts depicting Christ's birth, death, and resurrection with each part breaking down into a series of arias and choruses, using a Biblical passage as their basis. When Handel was writing “The Messiah,” it is said that he saw visions of God and Heaven and, while composing the Hallelujah chorus, “saw heaven opened and the host of it worshipping the Glory of God.” What a great way to talk about Christ for classical music lovers, or any lover of music. What can one say to that except, “Hallelujah!”

Just as King David used music to express his praise and love of God, so too, you can do the same by sharing your passion and joy of Christ through the music you love with others.

Writing Your Witness
Do you like to write? I do. As a seed planter myself, writing is a gift that God has given me to share my witness. I published a novel called, “Struck by Lightning.” It’s an interesting tale in the horror and supernatural genre that is a story of good vs. evil (God vs. Devil). The basic premise is, what if the demon Legion, which Christ himself exorcised and sent into the herd of pigs and over the cliff to their death, what if Legion had managed to scratch and claw its way back to earth in our time, and now was looking for a little revenge? My goal was simple: write an entertaining story while also planting a few seeds that God could water. After reading my book, perhaps a person might ask, “What do I really believe will happen to me after I die?” “Am I really willing to take the chance that all this Jesus-stuff is not true? What if it is true and there really is a hell?” And by asking those questions, then start to explore what they really believe in hopes that their journey leads them toward finding the answer in Christ. (Shameless plug: “Struck by Lightning” is available on http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.bn.com/ ). To date, it certainly hasn’t been a blockbuster, but people have bought it. And if only one person is directed to Christ through reading my book, then I say along with Handle, “Hallelujah!”

One of the things that’s so exciting about writing is the many forms it takes. There’s a group of entertainment professionals out in California (though they’ve since spread across the country) who got an idea back in 1999 and created a training program to train people of faith for careers as TV and film writers. Called, “Act One, Inc.,” they’ve since grown their program to now include an Executive Program for aspiring entertainment executives. What a great idea. When you get a chance, read their mission-vision statement on their website, http://www.actoneprogram.com/, which reads in part:

“Act One, Inc. exists to create a community of Christian professionals for the entertainment industry who are committed to excellence, artistry, and personal holiness, so that through their lives and work they may be witnesses of Christ and the Truth to their fellow artists and to the global culture.

“Stressing artistry, excellence, professionalism, and spirituality, Act One prepares students to be salt and light in writers rooms, on sets, and in studio and network offices. Our goal is not to produce explicitly religious entertainment, but movies and TV programs of unusual quality and depth.”

Think of some TV shows from the past that can be used today in your Christian witness: “Touched by an Angel,” “Highway to Heaven,” “Joan of Arcadia,” “7th Heaven,” to name a few.

Stepping aside from the world of fiction writing, what about the other “writers” out there? What are they doing with their talents to plant seeds for Christ?

Photojournalists write with their pictures. They see the world, that is, they pause and take notice of it. And then they record it for others to see. Here’s another great website to check out: http://www.christiansinphotojournalism.org/. Christians in Photojournalism started out as a support group, and their basic belief is that all Christians should develop a keen sense of visual literacy. See the world around you and be prepared to talk about it, and to witness both to it and through it. In a “Christianity Today” article (October 2004, Vol. 48, No. 10), Denise McGill interviews five top Christian photographers about their work. Here are a couple of quotes from those interviews:

“[Joanna] Pinneo says photojournalists are privileged to be allowed into people’s lives. ‘God has chosen us to be communicators,’ she says. ‘If we see people, or even touch them, it’s kind of like touching the hem of Jesus’ robe.’”

“He [Greg Schneider] makes no apologies for bringing his strong viewpoint to work behind the lens each day. ‘I’m truly trying to make the kind of picture that will move people to invest in God’s kingdom in different ways.’”

Isn’t it amazing how God uses so many different people with so many different talents to share his message of love and salvation? Are you starting to see it yet? You know your purpose, yes, but are you starting to put together all those talents and interests you have stirring inside yourself to see how they can be directed, or channeled, I should say, toward fulfilling that purpose?

Oh yeah, I knew you could.

Even if you are not a writer (or a photographer), certainly you could use the works of other writers – of novels, plays, poems, and so on, as a tool for witnessing just like we’ve discussed in film and music. And of course, what book is your best tool for witnessing? The Bible! Duh. I know, you knew that one.

But what else is out there and what are some examples of other writers using their gift to witness for Christ?

Some of the obvious ones you may remember are, “The Prayer of Jabez,” “Purpose Driven Life,” and how about the “Left Behind” series? Maybe a little heavy-handed in its approach to a tale of the end times as recorded in the book of Revelations, but still a great discussion topic. Ever read any books by Frank Peretti? One of his most famous is “This Present Darkness.” He’s a Christian fiction writer for the most part, sharing his faith in tales of the supernatural that he weaves. You may know about C.S. Lewis and his Christian novel series, “The Chronicles of Narnia.” (And the film version of the first book in the series, “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,” is another great witnessing tool). But C.S. Lewis is known primarily as one of the great Christian thinkers, who, along with G.K. Chesterton, and a host of other Christian thinkers and theologians, provide a wealth of information for you to build upon your skills to witness or even engage in a healthy apologetics debate.

Start off small, of course, get your feet wet as you witness more and more with the tools you find most comfortable and accessible but be open to growing in your knowledge and your witness. As you grow in confidence, knowledge, and ability, be open to expanding your level of witnessing.

How about the classics? Certainly John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” and his description of Hell, Eden, and Heaven or even Dante Alighieri's three part epic, “The Divine Comedy” with his description of Hell could offer some stimulating conversation. Don’t want to go that deep? Then how about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” that toe-tapping musical depicting the life of Joseph in the Old Testament?

The beauty of writing is in the varied forms it offers to readers – from prose to poetry, plays to screenplays, journalism to all the many non-fiction books we have in the world to enjoy. So much of it can be used by you in your seed planting efforts whether as a writer yourself, or in using the works of other writers to open that conversation up.

And remember, too, like we talked about with film, the writing you use may be Christian in nature, may be “spiritual” in nature, or may just be plain ol’ secular entertainment. It’s how you use and apply it that matters. For example, one of my favorite writers happens to be Stephen King. Is he a Christian? I don’t know. Personally, I see in his work a man searching for answers about what is out there and what he believes. In an afterword in his book, “The Colorado Kid,” he asks the questions of where do we come from and where are we going. He doesn’t know and possibly has a “sneaking suspicion all that might be a con-job laid down to fill the collections plates.” But I know where we are going and you do, too. That’s the message we need to tell, to share (and I’d be happy to share it with Mr. King if he would like J). But whether or not Mr. King is a Christian, could I use his work as a launching pad to start a conversation with a non-Christian friend about Jesus? You betcha. As I said before, one of my favorite King books is, “The Stand,” which boils down to your basic good vs. evil story (like we discussed earlier concerning the TV mini-series version). King even goes so far as to use the character of God (which he has in other works, too) as the “good” in the book. So, my friends, it’s all fair game. Don’t be afraid of the so-called secular material out there. Whether or not the original author/creator intended a different message than the love of salvation in Christ, you can use it in your witness. Remember what our lad who once owned a technicolor dreamcoat said to his brothers who almost killed him then sold him into slavery, “As far as I’m concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil.” (Genesis 50:20a). Now, I’m not saying anything that doesn’t have a Christian stamp on it is evil. By no means! All I’m saying is – it’s all out there. The good, the bad, and the ugly. God uses all things towards His will. Whatever you use, use it to God’s glory.

Can I get an “Amen?”

That’s right!

Checklist & Summary
1. Use the world around you, everything, that is – EVERYTHING – if it can help you in the goal of fulfilling your purpose to tell the world that Jesus loves them and died for their sins so that by simply believing in Him and living the best life we can in that faith, that one day we’ll be with Christ in paradise and oh what a par-ty it will be!

2. The arts of the world are a good place to start. Everyone has a favorite movie, song, play, novel, work of art, etc. and odds are you can find a way to bring up a conversation about your faith through your mutual love of those arts.

3. You may have the skills of an artist (writer, painter, musician, photographer, etc.) and can use that talent to witness for Christ.

4. Or, you may not have those skills but you have the love for an art form. So get out there and talk it up.

5. See item #1. It doesn’t have to be a “Christian” item in order for you to use it as part of your witness. Just know what you want to say and how you want to use it in your example as you share your message.

6. Have fun! This is not a chore, not something to be afraid of (yes, I know there is fear involved but once you start doing it, you won’t be able to shut up. Just get started. Go slow, go steady, but go!), not something to be “checked off” as in, “There, I did it, now I’m done.” No, this is your life! This is your purpose. This is number one on the list. It’s what you live for and can’t wait to start doing. Right? Right. So have fun. That’s why God invented smiles, belly laughs, and people who snort when they hear something funny. Life is meant to be fun. To be enjoyed. We become completely fulfilled and know who we are when we have Christ first in our life and foremost in our minds and hearts to share with others.

Planting Seeds - The Big Guns (7)

Okay, we couldn’t leave this section on seed planters of the Bible without talking about a few of the big guns. The guys you’ve grown up hearing Sunday School stories and reading all kinds of books about. But I hope you’ve seen, too, with just the few examples above, how God uses even the seemingly insignificant person or event to serve His will and also see how very important and impactful those “insignificant” people really are in God’s eyes. Take time to get to know more of those background players of the Bible and see what an impact their story can make in your life.

Joseph – Not the Musical (Genesis 37 – 50)

I enjoyed the musical, “Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which in itself is a great seed planting vehicle. I don’t know if Andrew Lloyd Webber was trying to share a bit of his faith in putting this musical together, but even so, I wonder about the number of people who may have gone back to the Old Testament to read about Joseph and his story of providence and started to grow that seed of faith. God uses all things, all people, to work His will and spread His message of love and salvation.

For now, I want to focus on part of the character of a seed planter. Sharing the message of Christ with others is a challenge to many. It doesn’t come easy. And even for those who have no problem in talking about their faith, there are times when challenges arise to test us all. Temptations to take us away. Distractions to loosen our focus. Times when the world is really against us and persecutions are strong. Through it all, we must stay firm in fulfilling our purpose - to share the message of Christ.

Joseph exemplifies the kind of strength, faith, and perseverance we need as seed planters to stay the course, not give up, and continue sharing.

Joseph was a guy who had it all. A favorite son of Jacob with a really groovy coat, or robe to be more exact. He might have been a bit cocky and a little too boastful at times, but not enough to have his brothers throw him into a pit and then sell him off as a slave. But that’s when Joseph’s true colors began to shine and his patient faith to wait on God’s time, not his, shone forth. For a while things looked good as he served in Potiphar’s house and was well taken care of. But then ol’ Potiphar’s wife made a move on Joseph and he remained a gentleman. All he got for his efforts was prison. But even in jail, God blessed him. All this time, though, I’m sure Joseph would have rather been back home with his father. He could have grumbled and complained to God asking why all this was happening to him and when would he be free? But instead, he waited on God, trusted in God, and made the best of every situation he was in. He never doubted, never gave up, never became distracted. Even after he helped out the chief cup-bearer by interpreting his dreams, the guy forgot to help him out in return for two more years! Finally, Joseph is called to interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams and then the rest is history.

But what an ordeal to get there. Years of waiting, of moving around, of good times and bad times, but hardly any time Joseph would have probably chosen on his own.

Trust in God. Wait on God. Have faith in God. Day after day after day. And when those times come when it seems impossible for you to share your faith or the situation just seems hopeless, remember Joseph and how God always turned the situation around no matter what the odds. Don’t think that you can’t share the love of Jesus in your own way. Don’t think you are too small or insignificant and don’t think that what you do doesn’t matter to God.

It does.

But skip the funky colored coats.

David – Renaissance Man (1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2)

What a story. What a guy, huh? Christ was called the “Son of David.” What an honor. But what a complex, flawed, yet faithful man. God’s soldier. One of the great’s if not the greatest man in the Old Testament. Moses might give him a run for the money, but I like David because he is about as human as they get. He was brave yet he had fears. He was noble yet he lusted. He sang and danced yet he had moments of great sadness. He was...human. He sinned yet repented. God forgave him and blessed him but also let him live with the consequences of his sinful acts. Go back and read his story in the Bible and learn from this dynamite man, whom God said is “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). Yes, a sinner like the rest of us but yet he never succumbed to sin so much that it took over his life.

The part I want to focus on here briefly is David the poet. David the dancer. David the music lover.

Let’s start with David the poet. If you don’t already know, David wrote many of the Psalms in the Bible. Words full of emotion, energy, passion, pain, and sorrow. Words from God, written through David, to touch our souls. Do you write? Have you ever shared your feelings in poetry? Have you ever thought of sharing your faith that way? Sharing the love, excitement, the overwhelming joy and gratitude you have bursting inside your heart for what Jesus has done for you? But yet your tongue is tied and as much as you want to tell people about what Jesus’ love and sacrifice means to you, something holds you back from speaking.

But not from writing. Let those fingers do the walking.

More than 70 Psalms are attributed to David and many are connected to his life – when he was running from Saul; when people tried to betray him; after being confronted about his adultery with Bathsheba – and many just overflow with David’s love and joy in the Lord. So much that he had to – he HAD TO – write about it and share it with others.

Here are a few to explore that show just a part of the range of David’s expression – all poured out to God in word: Psalm 34 (Praise the Lord at all times); Psalm 142 (God is my refuge); Psalm 54 (God is my helper); Psalm 51 (God will not despise a broken and contrite heart); Psalm 8 (God cares for his most valuable creation—us); Psalm 30 (God is always faithful); Psalm 65 (God provides us with everything); Psalm 96 (Praise God – sing about him, tell others about him, worship him, and give him the glory); Psalm 145 (God is full of love); Psalm 144 (Happy are those whose God is the Lord).

David was a true Renaissance man (so he was born a bunch of years before the actual Renaissance. He was a man ahead of his time). But being the multi-talented guy he was, he also could rock the house with music from his harp. In 2 Samuel 22, David sang a song to the Lord after the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and Saul. He created a musical program for use in the Lord’s tabernacle.

Read 1 Chronicles 25:
“David and the army commanders then appointed men from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals...All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the Lord. Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, lyres, and harps at the house of God. ...They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them—288 in all—was an accomplished musician.”

Whew! Let the concert begin!

Do you play a musical instrument? Do you want to? Then do it for the Lord and let your notes soar to the heavens with praise to God. Let your message of music reach the ears of those who do not know Christ and allow the music to dwell deep within their souls where that musical seed planted will spring to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Can someone say, “Amen!”?

One more thing to say about David. Check out 1 Chronicles 15:25-29:

“Then David and the leaders of Israel and the generals of the army went to the home of Obed-edom to bring the Ark of the Lord’s covenant up to Jerusalem with a great celebration. And because God was clearly helping the Levites as they carried the Ark of the Lord’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven lambs. David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were the Levites who carried the Ark, the singers, and Kenaniah the song leader. David was also wearing a priestly tunic. So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord’s covenant to Jerusalem with shouts of joy, the blowing of horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on harps and lyres.

“But as the Ark of the Lord’s covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David dancing and leaping for joy, she was filled with contempt for him.”

David was never afraid to let the love of God that was in his heart pour forth boldly and publicly. He didn’t care if people laughed at him or scorned him. He let his love shine and he used the talents God gave him in the arts (among many other talents) to share with the world the message of God: “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises...” (1 Chronicles 16:8-36).

Rock on, David. Rock on.

Paul – The Ultimate Seed Planter (Most of the New Testament)

I think we could make a pretty good argument that Paul is the biggest seed planter of ‘em all (of all humans, that is). Not only what he did in his day with the numerous mission trips he made, but the fact that God chose to speak through his hand and voice to record some of the most stirring words of the Bible. Well, he’s number one on my list anyway.

Finding Common Ground With Those You Witness To
When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even thought I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy
its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:20-23

Of course, there is a ton we could write about Paul and his seed planting ways, but I want to focus on one section of Acts in chapter 17 because it illustrates Paul’s ability to use the culture around him – the beliefs, attitudes, customs, and behavior of the “world”, so to speak – as a means of planting a seed and sharing the message of Christ. He just didn’t come walking out to the crowd and start bellowing out a hell and brimstone speech. Instead, he used a piece of culture that people were familiar with, could have a conversation about, and might be interested in discussing further so as not to scare them off or turn them off immediately. This is an important story because it is at the core of what being a seed planter is all about – going under the radar and using the culture of our world to point to the story of Christ.

Let’s see what Paul did in Acts 17:16-34a:

“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to debate with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.

“He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, ‘This babbler has picked up some strange ideas.’ Other said, ‘He’s pushing some foreign religion.’

“Then they took him to the Council of Philosophers. ‘Come and tell us more about this new religion,’ they said. ‘You are saying some rather startling things, and we want to know what it’s all about.’ (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)

“So Paul, standing before the Council, addressed them as follows: ‘Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious, for as I was walking along I saw your many altars. And one of them has this inscription on it—To An Unknown God. You have been worshipping him without knowing who he is, and now I wish to tell you about him. {Clever guy, that Paul is} He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand which should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

“His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As one of your own poets says, ‘We are his offspring.” And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. God overlooked people’s former ignorance about these things, but now he commands everyone everywhere to turn away from idols and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.’

“When they heard Paul speak of the resurrection of a person who had been dead, some laughed, but others said, ‘We want to hear more about this later.’ That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers.”

Pretty good stuff, huh?

Now Paul could have come blasting out of the gates condemning all their idols and beliefs and, though technically right, probably wouldn’t have reached anyone that day. And he wasn’t trying to be sneaky or make it sound like he condoned their beliefs. Paul offered them respect as he spoke and didn’t sugar coat things either. He simply talked to the people of Athens on their terms, in their style of speaking and debating and he tied the message of God and the resurrection right into it. He came right out and said, “Hey, no idols, man, time to turn away from them and believe the real deal.” And he used elements of their culture to plant his message – their idol to “An Unknown God,” and the words of their own poet, “We are his offspring.” Paul planted some seeds that day. Not all the seeds sprouted – “some laughed” – but some “became believers.”

And that’s how it will be – some will tell you to take a hike, so be prepared for that. But if your approach is one where you can at least start the conversation, that is, have a point of entry, with something they already know or are comfortable talking about, then you can work in your message of Christ, too. And remember why you’re doing this, too – because you have something exciting and wonderful in your life and all you want to do is share with others – just like talking about the latest blockbuster movie you saw over the weekend and come Monday you can’t wait to tell your friends about it so they can go see for themselves. It’s that easy.

Checklist & Summary
1. Seed Planters from the Bible – they’re everywhere, check it out. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, from the smallest to the greatest – seed planters come in all shapes and sizes.
2. God has a purpose for everyone, including you. No one is insignificant in God’s eyes. Everyone can be a seed planter.
3. Like Paul, be alert to your surroundings – the people, their interests, the culture, etc. – and look for ways to introduce your message of salvation in Christ through your surroundings.
4. We’ve just read about many great people from the Bible who all planted seeds in their own way. But there are so many more to read about and learn from. Read your Bible daily. Seems obvious, right? But do you? Sorry, had to ask. And if not, “Just do it!” :-)

Planting Seeds - All Things New (6)

Again, I encourage you to spend more time in the Old Testament exploring all the seed planters, small and great, who by their lives and obedience to God, served His will and planted their seeds for millions to read about and absorb in God’s Holy Word. Likewise, I encourage you to jump into the New Testament. Come on in the water is fine. Here are just a few examples from the New Testament of seed planters in their day.

Jesus’ Dad (Matthew 1)
No, not HIM, but him. And a very important him, too, not just because he was a descendent of David (as was Mary) but because of the kind of person he was.

Here's a guy who is engaged to be married and then finds out his wife-to-be is pregnant – and not by him. By today’s standards, that’s pretty bad. But back then, it was even more serious. By being engaged, Joseph was already basically married to Mary. The marriage part would allow for the sexual relations to begin. But other than that, they were married and the only way the engagement could be broken was by death or divorce. Joseph, by the rules of the land, had every right to divorce but not only that, the Jewish authorities could have her stoned to death.

But Joseph, being a just man thought about it and was planning to quietly break the engagement and not disgrace her publicly. Wow. Think you could do the same thing, guys, or would you make a big stink about it and go cry on Oprah's and Dr. Phil's shoulder? Or worse yet, Jerry Springer's? Anyway, then Joseph has a visit from an angel who tells him the whole scoop about what happened and that he should still take Mary on as his wife and raise Jesus.

Okay, an angel is a big deal but remember ornery ol’ Jonah said "No" to God right to His face. Joseph could have chalked the vision up to a little indigestion from an over-cooked leg of lamb and taken his carpenter's tools and hit the road.

But he didn't. Joseph was a just man and he obeyed God’s will. Imagine if he hadn't? I mean, Jesus was coming anyway, no doubt about that, but this was God's will and Joseph was a man of strong faith and strong conviction. He wanted to do what was right even though it would be difficult and odds were he would probably endure the humiliation from society for sticking with Mary. Talk about self-discipline. Again, guys, how many of you would endure the ridicule and mockery from society because we go against what the culture of the day dictates? Listen up because that's exactly what a seed planter needs to do. No matter what talent, skill, or ability you have that can serve the Lord in being His witness, you'll be going against the grain of society with your message of salvation in Christ. And like Joseph, stick with it. Remain righteous. Be kind and sensitive to the needs of others. Listen and obey God’s calling. And practice self-discipline.

Be like Joseph – Jesus' earth dad.

Women of the New Testament
Though there may not be a lot written on the women in the New Testament, there is a lot to be learned.

Phoebe is mentioned briefly in the last chapter of Paul's monumental book of Romans (Chapter 16:1-2): "Our sister Phoebe, a deacon in the church in Cenchrea, will be coming to see you soon. Receive her in the Lord, as one worthy of high honor. Help her in every way you can, for she has helped many in their needs, including me."

Helped many in their needs.

Remember, this is God talking to us through Paul and here is God telling us Phoebe is one worthy of high honor. Highly regarded in the church (a deacon) and apparently wealthy in her support of the church, Paul’s ministry, and of many others. She served, not only by giving of her treasure, but also with her time and talents. Phoebe planted seeds simply by helping those in need.

Everyone Has Been Called by God
Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Ephesians 4:2b

Much has been written about Mary Magdalene. I'm not going to get all DaVinci Code on you here, so don't worry. Mary was one of many women who followed Jesus. And Mary was certainly honored by God - not only did Jesus drive seven demons out of her, but she was the first person Christ revealed Himself to after the resurrection (and not one of the eleven remaining apostles). Wow. Mary could certainly be considered a disciple of Christ, one who planted seeds, like Phoebe, by giving of her treasures, her time, and her talents.

Luke 8:1-3 reads:
"Not long afterward, Jesus began a tour of the nearby cities and villages {the Jesus Tour, dig it}to announce the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God. He took His twelve disciples with Him, along with some women He had healed and from whom He had cast out evil spirits. Among them was Mary Magdalene, from who He had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and His disciples."

Quite the entourage, huh?

The point is that perhaps some of the followers weren’t speakers, or didn’t have specific talents to be a witness for Christ, but they were just as important, maybe even more so, for using what they did have to keep the Good News flowing. A trumpet player can make beautiful music but if he doesn't have a simple thing like air in his lungs to blow out those magical notes, it's just a shiny piece of metal in his hands.

In Jesus' day, women were generally treated as second-class citizens but Jesus wasn't part of society and its culture. Jesus treated all with equality and respect, especially women. All are important and all have a role to play.

You do, too.

Gospel Writers
Writing is a big part of what being a seed planter is to me. It's why I’m writing this blog. The written word is a wonderful tool to share the message of salvation in Christ, whether in fiction or non-fiction, novel or screenplay, poem or play.

The Gospel of Mark is considered to be the first gospel written of the four. It is the shortest of the gospels, one characterized by a fast-paced narrative emphasizing the miracles of Jesus.
But who is this Mark dude?

Known as John Mark, he wasn’t one of the twelve apostles, but he did accompany Paul on his first missionary journey as well as worked with Peter. He also probably knew Jesus personally. There is a verse or two in Mark 14 that talks about a young man who had been following Jesus and during the time of Jesus' betrayal, he ran away when the mob tried to grab him and only got his clothes as the young man ran away naked. Tradition says this young man was John Mark - maybe feeling a little guilty about running away so he did his penance by writing it down for all to see his shame. Too chicken to put his name there, though, huh? Hey, no one is perfect.

So why would this kid who ran away naked when the mob arrested Jesus be the first person for God to speak through to record the very words of Christ on paper for all to read? Even on one of the mission trips with Paul, John Mark had some kind of disagreement with Paul, so Paul basically told him to take a hike and took Silas instead (Acts 15:36-41). But they made up later, too. The point is, though, this John Mark guy has got some issues. So why him?

You know what? It doesn't matter. God uses every one of us, warts and all, frailties and all, dysfunctional issues and all, you get the picture. We are all sinners and fall short of God’s Kingdom but God still loves us, wants to help us, and seeks to build us up and use us in many ways (think the 3-Ts again). The main thing we have to be concerned about is not whether God will give up on us and turn away, but whether we will give up and turn away.

Don't let your fears, problems, and insecurities keep you from trusting God and jumping right into the water. God will always keep you afloat. Like He did John Mark. Probably even gave him a new swimsuit, too, since he’s not very good at keeping his clothes on.

In the Gospel of Luke, here we have another non-apostle writing a gospel that depicts the beauty of Christ’s birth more so than any other gospel. And Luke wasn't even a writer by trade. At least, it wasn't his main job. He was a doctor. Then he was an historian. The writer part came with the historian we can imagine, but here again is an example how God uses us in many different ways. Ways we might not even think. I'm sure Luke used his skills as a physician in God's service, but what Luke is known for of course, is the writing of one of the four gospels and the only historical record in the Bible showing the formation of God’s church in the book of Acts.

Another wow, please.

Wow.

Thank you.

Imagine if Luke just said, "No, I’m a doctor and will use my talents to serve God, thank you very much."

Nothing wrong with that of course but Luke is our example of why you should search deep within yourself for how God is calling you to serve. You may have a specific talent, but it just might be possible that God is calling you first to serve Him in a completely different way to plant new seeds.

Be open to God's voice, that gentle whisper on the wind and not the thundering clouds overhead. God is speaking to you. Practice listening.

Unexpected or Reluctant Seed Planters from the Bible (5)

I’m going to stay in the Old Testament for a couple more examples before jumping into the New Testament. There are just so many gems to uncover there. The examples I'm giving are just one small slice of the pie. Let's face it – do a popularity contest between the Old and New Testament and the New wins every time. Sure, you've got the Creation story, and the biggies like Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and David but for the most part, the Old Testament (not including Psalms, of course) is tough reading. Growing up as a Christian, I tended to stay in the New Testament. But once I really discovered the Old Testament, and read about all the many different servants of God following steadfast to His will, a new door of understanding opened to me. All the so-called minor roles, like Eliezer, fill up the Old Testament, and what a powerful message God gives us through their story. We can serve God in small ways and big ways, but all ways are important. Don't let the Old Testament go under your radar for Bible study, and don't just stick with the big stories. Dig deeper and find the gems. You'll find a whole treasure full of them once you do.

Never Stop Planting Seeds
Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow—perhaps they all will. Ecclesiates 11:6

Rahab the Prostitute (Joshua 2)
When the Israelites were finally ready to enter the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, they found it already occupied so Joshua sent a couple of spies ahead to scope out the area around Jericho. So they go and end up staying that night at the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

Hey now! Huh?

Okay, don't get any ideas here. Remember that God uses all types of people in His service and only He knows what is in their heart. Society can be quick to judge by appearances or even past deeds but God calls everyone to forgiveness and His door is always open to all who hear His call no matter what their past or how insignificant the world may view them. In this case, perhaps God knew that Rahab was open to Him, maybe even looking to start over and change her ways.
So the rest of story goes that the King of Jericho caught the wind that these spies may be hanging out with Rahab, and at great risk to her life, she covers for these strangers and helps them get away, thereby saving their lives so they can go back later and report to Joshua.

Why would Rahab, both a pagan and Canaanite (yes, and a prostitute) be interested in God? She recognized Him as the true and only God. Her heart was open to listening. Sometimes that is all it takes – be willing to listen (and obey). Rahab may have never done another brave act like that again, but her faith saved her and her family, literally.

Rehab planted one seed that day by her actions and by putting her trust in a God she new little about, except that He is the one and only true God.

Every seed counts.

Jonah – A Whale of a Tale
Here's the story of the reluctant, ornery prophet and it's a story you may know well all ready. How God called Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and tell the people that in forty days their city would be destroyed, but Jonah had other plans in mind. You have to admit, the guy has guts saying no to God because basically, he was prejudiced against the non-Jews. Why did Jonah really turn tail and run? Maybe out of anger about not wanting to share his God with anyone else, or maybe he was a bit afraid. How often have we not heeded God’s will for us because of fear, stubbornness, laziness, or any of a hundred reasons?

So you know the rest of the story - Jonah sails away in the opposite direction of Nineveh, the storm comes, overboard he goes, gets swallowed by a big fish then regurgitated later on shore, where he gives in and does his job. And then, get this, when the people actually listen to him and repent of their sins, Jonah gets mad at God for showing His immense kindness and unfailing love when He doesn't destroy the city. Jonah is all embarrassed that nothing he predicted was going to happen. What a crotchety old dude, huh? Instead, just like He did with the people of Nineveh, God teaches him a gentle lesson about showing kindness to those who are truly repentant.

Those Reluctant Prophets –
Don’t Worry, God says, I Will Always Help You
"O Sovereign Lord," I [Jeremiah] said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!" "Don’t say that," the Lord replied, "or you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!" Jeremiah 1:6-8

Sometimes we all need a good boot in the butt by God to get us going. When we are reluctant seed planters - because of fear, distractions, or any other excuse - God moves to move us. I welcome those times. I welcome God acting directly in my life - hopefully it's not because I'm not doing His will like Jonah in the beginning. I know those times are going to happen though since I'm a sinner and I'm glad God cares about me enough to send those gentle motivators every now and then.

Has God sent you a whale of your own to turn you around?

How did you respond?

Seed Planters from the Bible (4)

This next blog provides several examples of seed planters in part to inspire you as well as to give you an idea of how to get started or what area to focus on as a seed planter. Maybe you’ll see an example from a person in God's Word that will make you think, "Yeah, I like to do that" or "I'm good at that. I’d love to use that talent of mine as a way to share my faith with others."

We'll look at seed planters from the past and we'll also look at people who might not even believe in Jesus but God used them as unknowing seed planters. So let's get started and see some examples in God's Holy Word. Why not go straight to the source, right? It's all in there. Come on, let's jump in.

Be like Sweet Perfume to the World
But thanks be to God, who made us His captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.
2 Corinthians 2:14

Oldies but Goldies
The Old Testament contains a field-full of seed planters. Reluctant prophets, support people, skilled craftsman are but a few examples of the kind of people God used to spread the word and do His will back in the day. How were they seed planters? By how they lived their life; by how they used their gifts (time, treasures, talents) in service to Him; by how they never lost faith even in the most trying of times. Through the actions of their lives and choices they made to serve God they planted seeds. They gave an example for all time for us to emulate as the stories were recorded by God within His Word for all of us to read and absorb.

We'll start with some of the seemingly forgotten individuals of the Bible and save the big guns like Joseph and David till later in another blog. Everyone is important to God and all have a purpose in serving God, whether the task be little or great. Even back in the Old Testament, God worked through His seed planters – down to the tiniest little mustard seed of a planter.

The Support Team
Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5-7)
Mel who? No, not Mel Torme, though he has a nice singing voice. And not Mel Passion Gibson. Melchizedek was a king in the Old Testament during Abraham's time. Melchizedek was a God-fearing man whose name meant King of Righteousness. He was the king of Salem (the site of the future Jerusalem) and the Bible says he was a priest of God Most High. What's interesting to note is that Melchizedek worshipped the same God as Abraham but was not Jewish. The Jews, as God's chosen people, kind of had God’s ear back then. God talked directly to Abraham, wrestled with Jacob, and was pretty hands-on with Moses. But here is this guy, on the outside, you might say, who had not even met Abraham before, who wears his belief on his sleeve because the first thing he does is offer Abram (his name before God changed his name to Abraham. God seems to love changing people’s names in the Old Testament, don’t you think? It’s basically like a baptism, as God bestows on them a new quest to serve Him along with the new name) a blessing:

"Blessed be Abram by God most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has helped you conquer your enemies." (Genesis 14:19-20)

Not much is really known about Melchizedek, but that's okay. What we do know is that his love for God reflected directly through his character. God speaks through many different people. And He will speak through you if you let Him – either in your words or your deeds (or both). And God will speak to you, too, through other people. God wants you to know Him as much as He wants you to tell others about Him.

Eliezer (Genesis 24)
Sometimes we are seed planters when we simply do our job; when we honor our responsibilities, are trustworthy and reliable, and above all, put our steadfast trust in God. Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, was one such person. He was tasked with going out to find a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac. Not only that, he had to figure out a way to keep him from marrying one of those hot Canaanite women.

Pretty big task, huh? I can imagine Abraham speaking to Eliezer: "Ahh, hey Eliezer, I’m too old to go off and find a wife for my son so you do it. And hurry up before one of those floozy Canaanite women get their mitts on him. Just go to my homeland and find someone. That way. And thanks."

"Surrrrre, Abraham, no problem. Just go that way, huh? Yeah, sure, I’ll get right on that. Not!" That might have been my answer but I sure hope not.

But it wasn't Eliezer's answer. Eliezer did trust, did have faith. Abraham said an angel would help direct him. Eliezer prayed for guidance. He didn't rush things but let God direct him and followed through completely. He brought Rebekah home to Isaac. Eliezer fulfilled his role as God intended – as a true servant. That was talent, serving. He did his task without hesitation (Just do it). Imagine if he hadn’t. If he had gotten scared or lazy or lost faith and just wandered off and never came back to Abraham. That would mean Jacob (renamed Israel – there's that name thing again) would never have been born – and all his sons (the tribe of Israel) never would have been born. Most importantly, the genealogy leading to the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, would have been broken!

All because a simple servant named Eliezer did his job. And did it faithfully. He may have only planted one seed, we don't know. But the seed he planted as recorded in the Bible was a pretty big one, don't you think?

Moses' Craftsmen – Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 31:1-11)
Do you have a talent that involves being artistic? Are you skilled in creating crafts of all kinds? Look how God gave these talents to those in the Old Testament to serve His glory and think about what message you could put into the arts and crafts that you create:

Using Your Talents: Someone Has to Make the Tassels
And the Lord said to Moses, "Say to the people of Israel: ‘Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach the tassels at each corner with a blue cord. The tassels will remind you of the commands of the Lord, and that you are to obey his commands instead of following your own desires and going your own ways, as you are prone to do.'"
Numbers 15:37-39

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft!

"And I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make all the things I have instructed you to make: the Tabernacle itself; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle; the table and all its utensils; the gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar; the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin and its pedestal; the beautifully stitched, holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests; the anointing oil; and the special incense for the Holy Place. They must follow exactly all the instructions I have given you.'"

Whoa, what an endorsement, huh? "Yes, he is a master at every craft!" So maybe you can't preach like Paul, but if you like to draw, or sew, paint, do craftwork – start planting those seeds in your work and when someone asks you what that symbol of the cross means in your work, then God is watering that seed.

Aaron (Exodus – Deuteronomy 10:6)
Now Aaron wasn't perfect by any means. We all saw the movie The Ten Commandments and watched John Carradine as Aaron wimp out and give into the people's demands to make the golden calf. But he repented and God accepted his repentance and Aaron went on to become the first high priest of God in Israel! God used the special abilities He gave to Aaron for his purpose, and Aaron came through. He served God with his skills.

Aaron was a good communicator. When Moses got a little tongue tied trying to talk the Pharaoh into letting the children of Israel go, Aaron was always there to step in and articulate. He was part of the team God put together and he knew his place. Moses was the leader, Aaron never tried to take over even though he was the better communicator. And Moses' strength as a leader helped Aaron, too, who, as we see when Moses goes away for just a little while, is easily swayed by the will of the people.

Aaron was a key support person. He served God, faults and all, and became an example to all of Israel in how to obey God through his key role as the high priest.

We are not all leaders and that's okay. The followers, the support people, are there with all of their own individual talents and skills, who together, use them to serve God’s total plan – to lead everyone to His love, forgiveness, and salvation.