Monday, May 31, 2021

20 Freedom Shout Outs: A Two Minute Read

On this 2021 Memorial Day my heart is bursting with gratitude and thoughts regarding freedom.  So here are my 20 freedom shout outs for this day:

  1. Humbled to be free from the curse of sin
  2. Motivated to freely share about life in Christ
  3. Grateful for those men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedom I enjoy
  4. Praying for leaders that will be protectors not destroyers of that freedom
  5. Abiding in the freedom I have in Christ
  6. Interceding for brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are not free from suffering
  7. Writing about freedom
  8. Challenged to utilize my freedom in Christ for the pursuit of righteousness not cheap grace
  9. Pondering new opportunities that come from freedom 
  10. Hoping the Church will continue to use its freedom to dream and pray big
  11. Indebted to those mentors who have modeled freedom for me
  12. Reaffirming my responsibility to teach freedom to my daughter and son
  13. Remembering that freedom lost Today on my watch can lead to bondage Tomorrow for others
  14. Supporting men and women who are seeking freedom from the chains of addiction
  15. Longing to see freedom of the press restored for all view points and the end to censorship
  16. Fighting to regain the freedom to live out my religious beliefs in the public square
  17. Peacefully conversing with others about the importance of freedom
  18. Enjoying the freedom to be in relationship with diverse family, friends, and colleagues
  19. Wondering if our freedom will continue to erode
  20. Curious to know your freedom shout outs
Reply with your freedom shout outs and share with others!

Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Barn Story Two: Airports and Yokes

Since I know very little about airports and yokes, I was surprised to discover one day that God wanted to use them both as prophetic metaphors in the barn.  The Spirit of God has a way of refreshing our minds with new ideas and concepts as well as renewing our understanding of His ability to connect the dots in a timely manner.  Here is how it happened.

While celebrating the 2020 Christmas/New Year's season with my in-laws, I woke up one morning reflecting on Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30:  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  In that moment I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to not only preach from this text on the first Sunday of 2021 but to also draw attention to it during a time of prayer in the barn.

Later that same day I found myself in a conversation with my father-in-law about the construction of airports.  I cannot for the life of me remember how we arrived at the topic.  I now know it was the gentle wind of the Spirit, but at the time it was puzzling.

Me:  How do they build airports?

Father-In-Law:  First, they study the wind to determine patterns of airflow.  Runways need to be placed in alignment with head and tailwinds because crosswinds are particularly dangerous during take off and landing.  Then they construct the airport building in relation to the runways.

Not immediately but some time later as I was thinking about the conversation, the Holy Spirit guided me to a prophetic word.  I sensed that God was saying to the Church:  It is time to study the new patterns of airflow of the wind of my Spirit.  You are still trying to take off and land on old runways that are no longer in alignment with my Spirit.  It is time to tear up old runways and establish new ones.  Your frustration and lack of success is due to fighting crosswinds not incompetency.  Furthermore, you have turned some of the old runways into idols.  You preserve them out of fear and pride though they have lost their usefulness.  And, you have hastily put down some new runways to suit your own desires rather than mine.

Fast-forward to Sunday January 10, 2021.

A small group of us gathered to pray in the barn.  I brought a devotional from Matthew's text on the yoke of Christ and then combined it with the prophetic word connected to airports.  Again, even as the words were coming out of my mouth, I wasn't quite sure why I was feeling so led to share what seemed to be two very different themes.

But then I noticed a couple looking back and forth at one another with big smiles.  I wondered if I had said something funny.  As they began to explain their smiles, I simply sat back and watched the orchestrated purpose of the Holy Spirit.

Couple:  On our drive here today we prayed that God would provide an immediate connection that he (the husband) could relate to.  And he is a pilot!!!  When you started to talking about airports, we were in wonderful shock.  

Husband:  And did you know that the cockpit of an airplane is referred to as the yoke?  

Me:  (Stunned) No I didn't.

More in depth conversation ensued as well as a time of collective responding and praying from those in attendance.  That moment in the barn was beautiful, convicting, passionate, and Spirit-led.  We worship the God who takes two seemingly different themes and connects them with a clarity and timeliness that leaves us in awe of Him.  And He gives us moments that are so filled with His Presence that we can never again be satisfied in gatherings that are nothing more than an imitation of the real thing.

Trusting God when you share what He is stirring in your heart is a thrilling and humbling experience.  I have failed at it many times but got it right in January 2021.  My prayer is that more moments like this will unfold as we gather to pray in the barn.  It is building my faith and many others as well.  It will also build yours.

So bring to the barn the doubter and skeptic, the broken and sick, the on-fire-for-more-of-the-Presence-of-the-Holy-Spirit and tired, the ministry leader who needs refreshing and anyone who is curious as to what God is doing in a barn in Goochland, VA.

Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden

For more info on praying in the barn with us on Wednesdays at 6:30pm, contact me at 804.239.0032 or robertrhoden1970@gmail.com.  

 


Thursday, May 20, 2021

Fear Masquerading As Wisdom and The Secular Tsunami

Many followers of Jesus are walking in fear but calling it wisdom.  The difference is subtle and often undetectable at first.  But there is a line that clearly differentiates wisdom from fear.  We were created to be people of wisdom not fear.  The former is life-giving; the latter is life-taking.  The drift from wisdom to fear creeps along at a slow deceptive pace. Most of us fail to recognize it's movement.  But it is happening. 

So what is the difference?

Wisdom                                     Fear

1. Brings peace                          1. Brings more fear

2. Brings unity                          2. Brings division

3. Trusts God                            3. Lacks trust

4. Walks in hope                      4. Walks in despair

5. Certain                                   5. Uncertain

6. Acknowledges risk              6. Wants no risk

7. Safety is a consideration    7. Safety is an idol

8. God supreme                       8. God suppressed 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with a choice:  Walk with Godly wisdom and trust or walk in fear.  They chose the way that I like to refer to as obedient wisdom.  That is, they refused to bow down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.  Their decision was based on courage not naivete; humility not hubris; maturity not ignorant zeal.  Though thoughtfully aware of the consequences, they resisted the temptation to embrace the God-Will-Understand-Fear syndrome that has become rampant today in the Church.  It goes a little something like this:

Imaginary Conversation between them:  What should we do?  If we don't bow down, we will be killed.  But if we bow down, we will be denouncing our faith.  Maybe we can stand in our hearts but kneel physically?  Surely God does not expect us to be willing to die?  

Here is what is not imaginary:  They refused to allow themselves to drift from wisdom to fear.  They rejected the temptation to do mental gymnastics - seeking justification for the presence of fear in their lives.  Instead, they replied with this astounding declaration of faith:  O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

I'm crying as I quote these brave men.  Am I capable of such faith?  Am I willing to thoughtfully reject the secular tsunami crashing in on the Church knowing full well that there will be consequences? Will wisdom or fear reign my life?  Your life?

Father, give us a fresh baptism of wisdom.  Give us the strength and faith to trust you no matter the outcome.  Deliver us from the bondage of fear that we have allowed into our lives.  Forgive us for allowing fear to hinder our Kingdom-work.  You are our King.  No other.  May safety be a consideration but not an idol.  For we are motivated and empowered by your Spirit not human ingenuity or philosophies.  Guide us in the way of wisdom, righteousness, and mission.  May our supreme desire be to bring glory to Your Name in all the earth.  Remove our masks of fear. 

Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden      


  

Friday, May 7, 2021

Barn Story One: Pray In The Barn

I don't remember the day, but I know it was during the month of October 2020.  As I drove by the familiar site of the barn viewable from Rt 250 in Goochland, VA, I sensed-heard-felt-knew something: Pray in the barn...the divine message was as simple as that.

But like many initial responses to the tugging of the Holy Spirit, I ignored it - attributing it to crazy-thinking.

Weeks later it happened again, and weeks later I ignored it again.  But this time the message didn't go away.  It lingered in my soul daily.  I couldn't shake it so I finally submitted and obeyed.

God does not shy away from wrestling with us especially when it involves His Lordship in our lives.  Jacob learned that as well one night long ago.  I learned it in late fall 2020.  I'm grateful that He is faithful even in the wrestling - even in the struggle.

Me:  Good morning! Uh, I was wondering if I could pray in your barn?  I know that sounds weird.

Owner:  Sure.  When you do want to come over?

I was prepared for dirt, hay, and the smell of animals supposing this was the sacrificial lesson my Father intended.  Instead, I walked into restoration, windows, and HVAC.  Apparently the barn had been renovated years ago.  Tucked away on an old farm, it presented like a little chapel with light beaming through its unstained glass windows.  I was stunned.  

Our Father teaches us through the ugly and the beautiful.  We, of course, prefer beauty over ugly (nothing wrong with that), but both are powerful backdrops to achieving His purposes in and through us. I was stunned that day to find that the barn was beautiful.  And I was grateful. 

Good theology teaches us that God is present everywhere at the same time (omnipresent).  While I have believed that all my life, I must confess that "barns" where not high up on my list of spiritual spaces.  But now I find myself in a barn.  And God is powerfully present - not only that first day but all the days since. 

I don't know the answers to any of the "why-the-barn" questions.  In fact, I am trying my best not to waste any effort or thought on them. Instead, myself and others (and whoever else wants to join us) are praying in the barn every Wednesday night at 6:30pm.  And oh my... how God shows up in a special, transforming way.  We are praying big prayers to our big God in a little barn.

I can't wait to see all that God has purposed for this humble space. And I'm honored to brag about the God who uses country drives and other seemingly mindless adventures to download fresh revelation into our hearts.


Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden

Email, text, or call me if you want to Pray In The Barn with us:

Email:  rrhoden@ascent.edu

Mobile:  804.239.0032