tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12239823394670842452024-03-04T23:35:25.559-06:00Talking MimesSome things are better left unsaidKevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-81583103509160287612020-12-22T14:55:00.000-06:002020-12-22T14:55:02.619-06:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41v36Kd-KXL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41v36Kd-KXL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Just finished reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-John-Wayne-Evangelicals-Corrupted/dp/1631495739" target="_blank">Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation</a>. This is not the normal type of book that I read. I had heard so much about this book. With the political climate in the US being so toxic, I felt I needed to get a different perspective than what I normally read or hear. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This book was well researched. I learned a lot about the evangelical world that I grew up in but didn't know the backstories. I remember being part of the Regan revolution while in high school. I remember the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition. Kristin Kobes Du Mez taught me quite a few facts about those groups that I never knew. If I had one issue with her book it was she obviously wrote from a bias against white evangelicals. I realize I am white and an evangelical, but I do not appreciate being lumped in with everyone. I have my own views and convictions.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Du Mez exposed a problem that I've been dealing with for the last few years. Several evangelical leaders have sold their souls to politicians in order to get Supreme Court nominees and other political favors. I am as pro-life as anyone, but some of the excuses that Christian leaders give to support morally corrupt individuals is disturbing. Two years ago I wrote in a candidate because I could not vote for either candidate. One was because they were pro-abortion and the other because he had some moral issues that were contrary to my faith.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The other issue Du Mez brought up that is extremely disturbing to me is the cover-up that some Christian leaders have done for other Christian leaders who were exposed for moral failures. We all have sinned and this is not meant to point fingers. But Christian leaders, especially pastors, should be held to a higher standard. I have a family member who was hurt by a clergy member. The church should be a safe place for people. Its leaders should be trustworthy and not prone to taking advantage of people. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I would recommend this book but understand that the author does have a political slant that may be different. I would give it 4 out 5 hockey sticks (a joke for those who remember my old blog). <br /></span></p>Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-66505559694739093782019-08-31T09:09:00.000-05:002019-08-31T09:09:38.399-05:00And they praised God because of me?It has been a long summer dealing with health problems in my mother in law and preparing for a wedding for our son two weeks from today. This past week I took my 3rd of 4 D.Min modules where I go to Atlanta for an entire week. What a way to spend a vacation. But I'm within 470 days from graduation. But who is counting?<br />
<br />
This morning in my devotions I was reading in Galatians 1. Paul is giving a defense of his apostleship. He said something in the last verse that hit me.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;">And they praised God</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;"> because of me.</span></blockquote>
I wonder how many people praise God because of me? We all want to be liked. But being liked doesn't always lead to people praising God for you. Sometimes I need to be told the ugly truth. Some of the best bosses I had were very truthful. It hurt but I knew they loved me. I've had other bosses who could care less about me. They just want to get the job done. I want to be known as one who cares and makes people better. My favorite Bible character besides Jesus is Barnabas. Why? Because his name was changed to "Encourager." That is what I want to be known for. Kevin was an encourager and for that I praise God. Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-54254196669898809082019-08-19T10:27:00.000-05:002019-08-19T10:27:53.404-05:00Sandwich GenerationI haven’t written because life has been kind of out of control the last few weeks. My wife has been overloaded with her job and a wedding for our son a month a way. I have been trying to take up the slack for her. My mother in law moved in with us 2 years ago. We moved to a bigger house with a basement and have built out a mother in law suite. We have had our share of struggles with her living with us. She went to the hospital in June and she went to rehab for 2 weeks. One nurse pulled my wife aside and told her she saw through her mom and that we could not keep living like this. Her mom is nice to me but horrible to her mom. The day before she moved back my wife put her mom on speakerphone and when she began to talk ugly to my wife I stepped in and told her mom she had 2 choices. She could respect Cass and stay with us or we would find somewhere else for her to live. <br />
<br />
Amazingly, her mom had been nice every since then. The problem is her health is deteriorating daily. We had a shower for our son and fiancé on Saturday and I’m not even sure how she made it to the shower. Last night she fell and I had to pick her up. We are to the point that we don’t think she can continue to live with us like this. One option is to hire someone to help her. But she doesn’t want to spend the money. Don’t get that. The 2nd option is to move her to a nursing home. We really don’t want to do that but we are unable to care for her. What a mess. The sandwich generation is a real thing.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-31416742753292731292019-08-07T16:32:00.001-05:002019-08-07T16:32:25.786-05:00RelationshipsThe past two weeks I found out that two friends were no longer married to their spouse. I also heard a podcast where another famous Christian author lost his marriage. I'm not here to judge anyone. But does make me sad. What good does being in ministry if you can't make your marriage work? Just really bummed hearing about these men. Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-24443090946929175832019-08-03T09:59:00.001-05:002019-08-03T10:08:57.337-05:00CultureThere is a lot of talk about culture in society. What about the culture of an organization? I've been a part of some toxic environments. The sad thing is many of them were churches and religious organizations. If Jesus has transformed our lives, why doesn't the culture look like that?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week I got to serve at GROW 19. It is a conference that Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama puts on every year to help pastors grow their church. The secret to Highlands is prayer and culture. I'm not naive to believe that it is a perfect environment. Nowhere this side of heaven is perfect. But the culture is contagious. We had hundreds of Dream Teamers (volunteers) giving of their time to serve almost 4000 pastors. I am passionate about serving at Grow because I was one of the desperate pastors 12 years ago. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What the pastors and staff find when they visit Highlands is that there is a healthy culture. Perfect, by no means. But healthy, yes. Trust me, I know the difference. I've been a part of 4 church splits. One as a child and three as a staff member. One of those splits was a mutiny. In unhealthy cultures, the staff and members don't work together. They are territorial. The last church I pastored, I had groups formed to get rid of me. They met in the back of a local restaurant with stacks of complaints about me. I don't want to make it sound like I'm perfect either. I'm sure I was the cause of some unhealthiness at places I served. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When we joined Highlands the excellence and culture was what attracted us. It is a church that is truly about going after the lost. It excites me every time I enter the doors or go out monthly serving at the Dream Center. Thursday was my birthday. I'm not one who cares about being noticed. I didn't tell anyone on the team I was serving at Grow that it was my birthday. But one of my friends who is on staff at the church wished me a happy birthday because he saw it on Facebook. Next thing I know the whole team I was serving with is singing happy birthday.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Several of my co-workers called and wished me a happy birthday. Then someone from the ministry I serve at called. When I saw it I just assumed he was calling to wish me a happy birthday. That was a bad assumption. He wanted to know why I had not done my monthly reports. I always get my reports in on time but they recently changed the date of our deadline and I thought it was the 1st not the last day of the month. Nothing was said about my birthday or even asked about my family. Let's just say, it was a contrast of two cultures. Thankful that I can be part of a healthy culture at church. That is more than most people can say.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-63789134257237833322019-07-20T11:19:00.001-05:002019-07-20T11:19:15.272-05:00GuaranteesThey only guarantee in life is that we will spend eternity somewhere. I've come to learn that nothing else is guaranteed. Loyalty sure isn't. I was disappointed again today. I shouldn't be surprised. This isn't the first time they have done this. I won't go into the details by chance they read this. This has nothing to do with my family or friends. I guess being faithful and giving all you have means nothing. Disappointment is just a part of life. I'm sure I will get over this tomorrow and probably after I post this. It just stinks especially when it hurts someone you care about. Three times I'm out.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-57624059787272797562019-07-19T09:24:00.003-05:002019-07-19T09:24:57.399-05:00Making senseI'm a high-capacity person. I can handle juggling many things at one time. Yet, this is a time where not much is expected of me. My wife is slammed. She is staying up to 2 and 3 in the morning working. I could handle it fine yet I'm in place of boredom. She, on the other hand, is overwhelmed. I don't get it some times. I wish I could reverse it.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-91614362118756300022019-07-18T10:10:00.000-05:002019-07-18T10:10:00.424-05:00The ProcessI grew up in Tuscaloosa so I'm a big Alabama football fan. Coach Nick Saban has been the coach for over a decade and we have seen 5 football national championships. Coach Saban is known for "THE PROCESS." He got the process from Dr. Kevin Elko. The process doesn't look for wins or losses but to become the best person or team you can be. The idea is if you follow the process the wins will follow. <br />
<br />
I wrote yesterday about being bored vocationally. The good news is it has given me a lot of time to work on my D.Min classes. The other benefit is it has molded me. I always am moving and going. I've had to just wait. I don't like to wait. I like control. There, I said it. I like to control my own destiny. But for the first time in my life I have no resumes out. I am talking to no churches or organizations. I'm just being. I don't pretend to understand what is going on. I guess I need to focus on being the best me I can be. I need to work the process.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-43630633695076844332019-07-17T16:39:00.001-05:002019-07-17T16:39:18.292-05:00BoredomWhat do you do when you have done everything that is expected of your job and more and yet still are bored? I have written extensively about the changes in my job over the last two years. I love meeting people and helping them. I liked that part of my job from the beginning. I also liked it when I had the chance to lead a team of people. I created leadership lessons and enjoyed seeing them grow. Now the only one I'm leading is me. I'm just bored. O well. Why couldn't I still have a leadership position and the opportunity to minister too? Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-45312515855374743182019-07-15T09:23:00.000-05:002019-07-15T09:23:49.161-05:00Serve Day EverydayOur <a href="http://churchofthehighlands.com/" target="_blank">church </a>does a Serve Day every July. Our pastor says this is the one day he wants everyone who considers Church of the Highlands home to serve on this one day. If you have read my blog enough you know that I eat, breathe and sleep outreach. I found the <a href="http://highlandsdreamcenter.com/" target="_blank">Dream Center</a> a few years ago. Well, actually it found me. I'm an adjunct professor at <a href="http://thehighlandscollege.com/" target="_blank">Highlands College</a>. One of my first students 5 years ago asked for prayer for an outreach he was doing at the Dream Center. I asked if he needed help and he said sure. I had the privilege of leading a few students to Christ that day. I was hooked and went every time he had that outreach. <br />
<br />
The next May I was going through Step 4 of the Highlands Growth Track for the 5th time because I was going to start serving on the Online Campus Dream Team. While I was there the student who was now on staff at the Dream Center named Kevin Farmer was at the Dream Center table with Pastor Jamil, the Woodlawn Campus pastor. Jamil's wife worked at Highlands College and we knew each other. They recruited me to go to the Dream Center and serve on one of the Saturday serves. I went to the next one that happened to fall on the 2nd Saturday of the month. I went out to this community called Kingston. I sat back an observed as our team went door to door passing out groceries and inviting people to a block party. After we knocked on a few doors I began speaking up to the people we were interacting with.<br />
<br />
Next thing you know I had the opportunity to lead 2 or 3 people to Christ. One of the Outreach people looked at me and said, "this is your first time?" I said I'm kind of a ringer. lol. I was hooked. I kept coming back and said that I just wanted to go every month but didn't want to be on the leadership team. Well, Robby Johnson wouldn't take no for an answer and so I've been serving as a Door-to-door leader for over 4 years. <br />
<br />
What I've learned is that God has given me a gift. I don't know how to explain it. It is not me. I'm not a great salesman. I'm an ok communicator. But put me in an opportunity to share Jesus with people and the Holy Spirit kicks in. So, Saturday our small group went with my team on Serve Day. We saw 13 people give their lives to Christ just on our team! Wow! Serve Day is awesome, but serve day is every day. I don't want to just minister on one day a year. I want to share Jesus every day!Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-45151399276645980412019-07-08T08:41:00.000-05:002019-07-08T08:41:14.264-05:00Random ThoughtsLast week was a busy one. Lots of stuff going on in our household. Life has challenges for even the best of families. Not sure why God wants us to have some of the stress on us but it could be worse. Vocationally, life is in a standstill. I've never been more bored. First time since I graduated from UAB that I'm not in a leadership position. Why would God have me so passionate about leadership and not have me in a leadership position? Not sure but maybe it is a time of humbling. It sure has been. Granted, I did this on my own but I couldn't do the leadership that was presented. Nothing morally wrong with it. Just wasn't for me and my family. I pray James 1:5 and other wisdom verses every day. Not sure how wise I'm becoming. I'm having quality and meaningful devotion times. I'm pretty fit physically. We aren't broke. Not rich either. I don't know what's next. We shall see.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-17282809721937427362019-06-30T10:00:00.001-05:002019-06-30T10:00:31.244-05:00Yes LordI wonder how many times God has spoken to me and I missed it? I want to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that when God tells me something I not only hear it but I jump and say yes. In Acts 9 Saul was busy persecuting the church. Jesus blinded Saul and sent him to a godly man named Ananias. When Jesus called Ananias, he said "Yes Lord." That is because he was used to hearing from God. I have heard God's voice on many occasions. Not audibly, but make no mistake, it was from God. Do I always say yes Lord? I'd like to say yes but I'm sure I have missed Him. I want to hear more and see more.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-88062496959775869302019-06-29T10:49:00.002-05:002019-06-29T10:49:56.429-05:00Unless someone explains?This week has been a crazy one. My mother in law just got out of the hospital rehab yesterday so my writing has been limited. Today I was studying in Acts 8. Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel with an Ethiopian Eunuch. I noticed a few things. First, Philip allowed the Spirit to lead him. Second, the Eunuch was reading from the Old Testament and had just come from worship. This leads me to believe the Eunuch was seeking. We need to always look for what God is doing in the lives of others. What really struck me was when Philip asked the Eunuch what did the passage that he was reading mean? In Acts 8:31 (NIV) it says, <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
How can I, he said, unless someone explains it to me?</blockquote>
How many people are out there for us to explain what the Bible has to say?Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-36191539730719342812019-06-24T09:20:00.000-05:002019-06-24T09:20:24.077-05:00All Things<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;">And we know that in all things God works for the good</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;"> of th</span><span class="offset-marker" data-offset="5018127" id="marker2581127" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;">ose who love him, who</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;"> have been called</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;"> according to his purpose.</span></blockquote>
I truly believe this. But it isn't a quick fix. God works all things but in his timing. We are in one of those stuck times. We had to move my wife's mom in with us 2 years ago. To say it has been stressful has been an understatement. She doesn't treat me badly but she is horrible to my wife who cares for her anyway. She had to go to the hospital in extreme pain last week and we were afraid they were going to send her back with us and we weren't prepared for the condition she is in. God did do a miraculous thing by getting her in a rehab hospital. But she is acting crazy there. We don't know what to do. We are trying to honor God by caring for her but don't know if we can anymore. Maybe the rehab will help. It did last time. But last time we saw vast improvement. We have not seen any this time. She looks pretty bad. We physically and emotionally don't know how much we can do. God will have to step in. That is probably where he wants us anyway.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-63333208419548020762019-06-21T08:29:00.001-05:002019-06-21T08:29:38.382-05:00FollowI've mentioned this many times on this blog for all one of you who read it that I read a lot of leadership books and listen to a lot of leadership podcasts. I took an organizational leadership class this spring where the professor argued against leadership and more on followership. I struggled with his view but have gone a little more to his side than before. The reason is everywhere I read about Jesus calling his disciples he tells them to "Follow Him." I don't see anywhere where Jesus said go be leaders. In John 21, the disciples tried to go back to their old lives. Jesus wasn't having anything with it because He called them to follow Him. He had them haul in a huge load of fish. To me, He was showing them that they would be fishers of men as He had told them before. He also told Peter three times to follow Him. He didn't tell him to lead. He said to follow. I realize when I'm leading Jesus can't.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-80716025334210474162019-06-20T09:59:00.001-05:002019-06-20T09:59:48.776-05:00Stop doubting and believeYesterday things looked pretty bleak. We were told there was no way that our mother in law could go to rehab. She had to have an epidural first. But her doctor did not come to the hospital even though the buildings are connected. We were going to have to bring my mother in law home without any way of caring for her in the condition she was in. <br />
<br />
The day before in my devotion time God told me she would not be coming home. I don't know if that was permanent or just for a short time. Then when we got the news she had to come with us I felt I missed what God had told me. You can believe me if you want but I clearly heard him in my prayer time. <br />
<br />
Then my wife went to the hospital yesterday expecting to have to bring her mom home. My wife is weary and we had no idea how we were going to care for her. She needs an adjustable bed and we don't have one. Then my wife called and said a miracle happened. Somehow her doctor decided to take her in his office even though she needed to be free of antibiotics for a week. Not sure what happened. Also, rehab was taking her that night.<br />
<br />
You can believe what you want but this was a miracle. This doesn't solve all of our problems. But God showed me that I need to stop doubting and believe. We were told there was nothing that the doctors or hospital could do. But God could.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-30520308392170102182019-06-19T09:06:00.000-05:002019-06-19T09:06:06.720-05:00StuckEver felt stuck? This week has been one of the hardest in the last 2 years. Mother in law's health is getting worse. Wife's job is in a demanding season. Mother in law had to go to the hospital because she refused to let my wife take care of health concerns. Hospital wants to send her home today. We have no way of caring for her. My issues with ministry are complicated. Confused. Not sure why God is allowing the things in my areas of ministry to go on. Is God done using me? I don't get it. Not even sure why I'm bothering to do get D.Min and going to the other ministry school I'm enrolled in. We were supposed to refinance the house the day my mother in law went into the hospital. Maybe God doesn't want us to. Maybe we are supposed to move. Need wisdom.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-9276905751795856332019-06-14T08:55:00.000-05:002019-06-14T08:55:21.491-05:00Greater ThingsI haven't blogged much this week because I just finished a 17-page research paper for my D.Min. But I have been writing and keeping up my Rule of Five. This morning I was reading in John 14:12 (NIV),<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="words-of-christ" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #dd0000; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">Very truly I </span><span class="words-of-christ" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #dd0000; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;">te<span class="offset-marker" data-offset="4822933" id="marker4247170" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>ll</span><span class="words-of-christ" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #dd0000; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"> you, whoever believes</span><span class="words-of-christ" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #dd0000; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in me will do the works I have been doing,</span><span class="words-of-christ" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #dd0000; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. </span></blockquote>
It got me to thinking. Have I really seen "Greater Things?" I've seen great things. I've seen people's lives changed and marriages saved. I've even seen healing. All of those are amazing. But have I seen people raised from the dead? Have I seen limbs grow back or blind receiving their sight? Maybe I've relied more on my power and not enough on God's power. My prayer today is that I see greater things.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-44594751730796695962019-06-11T09:51:00.002-05:002019-06-11T09:51:58.872-05:00Lord if you had been thereOne of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Other than Jesus, there are not many people who can say they died and rose again. Of course, Jesus is the only one who never died permanently except for two in the Old Testament who never died. But that is a whole nother subject. <br /><br />In John 11 Jesus hears that his "friend" Lazarus is sick. You would think if Jesus healed a bunch of strangers he would jump at the chance to save his friend's life. But Jesus hears the news about Lazarus and stays an extra 2 days. The thing is Jesus knows what he is about to do. He has a plan but no one else knows about it. Lazarus' sisters were Mary and Martha and they were very close to Jesus. One would expect Jesus would heal Lazarus just for them. I would imagine after Lazarus died their faith was rocked. They knew Jesus could heal their brother. Finally, Jesus gets there. Lazarus was in the tomb for 4 days and the Hebrews believed by this point it was impossible for someone to rise from the dead.<br />
<br />
I love John 11:32<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;">When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell</span><span class="offset-marker" data-offset="4807686" id="marker1304133" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;"> at his feet and said, “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><i>Lord, if you had been here</i></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;">, my brother would not have died.”</span></blockquote>
Mary and Martha knew Jesus had the power to heal their brother but he didn't. I've felt that way. I know Jesus has the power to do things but for whatever reason, He chose not to. But this story ends well when Jesus heals their brother. He had the power all along but chose to wait so he could do something greater. Maybe that will happen soon in my life.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-65071631145662351252019-06-04T20:51:00.000-05:002019-06-04T20:51:12.438-05:00With friends like this who needs enemiesI'm amazed at how vicious social media has become. The sad thing is how Christians rip each other. Sunday, Pastor David Platt was asked to pray for President Trump at the last minute. Platt agreed and then was roasted by Christians from all sides. Some said Platt shouldn't have prayed for him. Some were upset that Platt sent out an explanation as to why he did pray for him. Jerry Falwell Jr. actually said something crude about Platt on Twitter. What is our world coming to? Christians tearing each other apart? Why? Christians should be praying for each other and supporting one another. Instead, this gives the non-Christian community more reason to stay away. We can do better.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-6551364575975140122019-06-01T14:52:00.001-05:002019-06-01T14:52:35.598-05:00Spirit without limitI was studying in John 3 this morning and I read something I had never noticed before. Naturally, John 3:16 gets all of the publicity from this passage. But in verse 34 it says that God gives the Spirit without limit. What I'm not sure is if this is only for Jesus or is this for all Christians? I pray God gives me more of the Holy Spirit and it is without limit.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-27534571629917537512019-05-31T08:32:00.001-05:002019-05-31T08:32:28.605-05:00AfterI don't know about anyone else but I don't like to wait. I jump on everything early. I have written my last three research papers way earlier than they were due. I've already written the forum posts for my class this summer. I just don't want to wait. But unfortunately, you have to wait for some things. Especially in the Christian life. In John 2 it says that the disciples didn't realize until after Jesus died what some of his sayings meant. I wonder if the holding pattern I've been in the last few weeks will become clear one day. Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-30234642325622747292019-05-30T09:28:00.000-05:002019-05-30T09:28:27.792-05:00You will see greater things than thatI started studying the book of John this morning. I love how Jesus calls his disciples. When Nathanael was asked to join the group by Philip he thought what good thing could ever come from Nazareth. Then Jesus called him by name and Nathanael wondered how Jesus knew who he was and Jesus said I saw you under the tree. Of course, that spooked Nathanael as it would any of us. He believed Jesus because of this. I love what Jesus says in John 1:50b.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #dd0000; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;">You will see greater things than that.</span></blockquote>
It got me thinking if Jesus just meant that for them or will we see even greater things today? I hear stories of miracles happening on the foreign mission field. I've heard of legs growing back and even people raised from the dead. I've heard the voice of God fairly regularly the last few years but don't know if I've seen the greater things. Was it just for the disciples? That doesn't appear to be so. Because Jesus said it was for our benefit that he leaves. He promised us the Holy Spirit. Since God's Spirit lives in me then I should experience Greater things.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-58545132484770830232019-05-29T16:53:00.002-05:002019-05-29T16:53:36.598-05:00Open our eyes and mindAs I was doing my Bible study in Luke 24 I noticed that after Jesus was resurrected that the disciples did not know it was Jesus until he opened their eyes and their minds. My prayer is that He opens my eyes and mind daily.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1223982339467084245.post-54511090624842183082019-05-26T11:17:00.001-05:002019-05-26T11:17:32.144-05:00Make up your mind beforehandWhen you are put under pressure that is not the time to decide how you will react or behave. Athletes know this. The reason some people are so clutch is they have practiced so much and decided how they will respond under pressure. Jesus taught this to His disciples in Luke 21. He told the disciples in Luke 21:14:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #dd0000; font-family: "Times New Roman", times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;">But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.</span></blockquote>
The time to decide how you will act is before it happens.Kevin Busseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04348284292255381355noreply@blogger.com0