Do Rules Apply to Us?

James 4:17 - So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Recently I went to an amazing ice skating show. It was part musical theatre and part Olympic style ice skating feats. It was a very good show. Numerous times before the performance they announced both verbally and on video slides in multiple languages that spectators were not allowed to video the show due to licensing agreements with the performers. They also emphasized repeatedly how dangerous it was for people to use flash photography because it momentarily blinded the performers. Lastly, they warned the audience not to sit or stand on the stairs or in the aisles because at different points in the show the performers would use those spaces as part of their act.

The announcements were made so often and in so many different ways that they were impossible to misunderstand. Yet, almost as soon as the show began, people were using their cell phones to video the performance. Twice I saw flashes go off during especially amazing feats, which also means they were the most dangerous moments for the performers. I saw several people sitting on the steps blocking the aisle. The audience’s clear ignoring of the rules was so blatant it was impossible to miss.

Fortunately, the show went well, and no one injured. But I was amazed by this flagrant disregard for the clearly stated rules. These people knew they were breaking the rules, but somehow they thought the rules did not apply to them. This attitude is becoming more prevalent in our society, not just at ice shows, but throughout our culture. It is a dangerous shift in our culture. A culture in which no one thinks the rules apply to them is a culture doomed to eventually descend into chaos.

Perhaps this is why God gave us ten commandments. Ten rules that, if everyone followed them, would make life better.

While rules are sometimes inconvenient for us, they keep people safe, they protect the rights of others, and they make life work. Even when we don’t like them, rules help everyone have a better life. We need to follow them ourselves and teach our children to follow them. It is about more than the rules themselves, it is about having order in our lives.

Lord, help us remember that the rules do apply to us and that we should not ignore them. Amen.

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Dr. Terry W. Dorsett serves at the Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of New England. He has been a pastor, church planter, denominational leader and author in New England for more than 20 years. He is a happy husband, a proud father and adoring grandfather. He is a cancer survivor and believes that God works powerfully through times of suffering. He writes extensively and you can find all of his books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr.-Terry-W.-Dorsett/e/B00405U4NY

Factual Truth

Proverbs 24:6 …. in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom.

I listened attentively to an acquaintance give a passionate speech on how he viewed a particular issue. While I agreed with his viewpoint, I grimaced as he provided his “proof” that his viewpoint was correct. He quoted several statistics that were very outdated. He gave numerous examples that have been proven by several different well known sources to be false. Though he spoke with great passion and incredible conviction, the factual inaccuracies of his speech took away all of his persuasive power. Finally, someone in the audience (who to the best of my knowledge also agreed with the speaker’s perspective) pointed out that his facts were out of date and that his examples were proven to be false. The audience member suggested the speaker update his presentation and then give it again at a later date. Instead of agreeing to look for new information to bolster his claims, the speaker doubled down on his presentation and said that that’s just the way he viewed the situation and he was sure that was how “everyone else who mattered” viewed it too. I left frustrated with my friend. I felt like he was wasting his passion and energy promoting the right idea in the wrong way. Clearly he would be much more persuasive if he listened to the advice of his audience and updated his facts and used accurate examples. But in his mind, since that was his viewpoint, then he was entitled to it and everyone else should just accept it. I doubt many people in the audience agreed with his conclusion.

Far too many of us are like my friend. We tend to have already decided what we believe before we do the research. We come up with our tweetable one liners and our quippy Facebook statuses and let them fly before we even hear what the facts are on any particular subject. And sometimes we keep using data that we know is outdated or incorrect just because it supports our perspective. This makes no sense to me. If something is the truth, then it will stand the test of facts, figures, illustrations and research. And if something is not true, I don’t want to be promoting it, even if it might bolster my opinion.

When we enter into a discussion with our minds made up before listening to anyone else’s thoughts or ideas, we court disaster. The Bible reminds us that in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom. That does not mean that we need a committee to vote on what is true. But it does mean that we might need other people to help us think through how that truth applies to our lives. No one person understands any single issue completely. We need each other to help us sort out the complex issues we face as a culture. That means we must listen with an open mind. It also means we have to use accurate facts and examples. We can’t make stuff up just to prove our point. We need honest open discussion and the hard work that goes along with that. But when we are willing to engage in that kind of hard work, the Holy Spirit can use our words to persuade many people to the cause of Christ.

Lord, help us to listen before we speak. When we do speak, help us be accurate in what we say, as well as persuasive in how we say it. Amen.

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Dr. Terry W. Dorsett serves at the Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of New England. He has been a pastor, church planter, denominational leader and author in New England for more than 20 years. He is a happy husband, a proud father and adoring grandfather. He is a cancer survivor and believes that God works powerfully through times of suffering. He writes extensively and you can find all of his books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr.-Terry-W.-Dorsett/e/B00405U4NY

Effective Communication

Communication. It is a single word. A simple word. But in our increasingly complex society, learning to communicate effectively is harder than ever. One reason communication has gotten more difficult is because the number of ways we communicate with others keeps growing. In the old days it was just word of mouth and printed materials. Then we added websites and emails. Now we live in a Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Text Message, 200 channels of cable TV, non-stop 24 hour a day media blitz universe! Honestly, most of us, especially those of us over 40, find it all so hard to keep up with.

As ministry leaders, it is tempting to just ignore it all and pretend we still live in the stone ages when putting an announcement in the church newsletter was all we needed to do. But that is a temptation we cannot give into. Without good communication, people will not know what our church or ministry is trying to accomplish. If they do not know what we are trying to accomplish, then they cannot pray, volunteer or give to help fulfill the vision God has given us.

If we want to rally others to the causes God has put upon our hearts, we cannot ignore emerging communication systems, nor can we only focus on one type of communication. As hard as it is, we have to learn how to manage multiple communication systems on a regular basis. Good communication can make or break a business, a non-profit organization, a church, or a regional ministry like the Baptist Convention of New England, where I serve as Executive Director.

Instead of complaining about all these new technologies, let us rejoice that God has given us so many different tools we can use to share His love with others. And then let's invest whatever time and energy is needed to use those communication tools as effectively as possible.

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Dr. Terry W. Dorsett has been a pastor, church planter, denominational leader and author in New England for more than 20 years. He is a happy husband, a proud father and adoring grandfather. He is a cancer survivor and believes that God works powerfully through times of suffering. He writes extensively and you can find all of his books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr.-Terry-W.-Dorsett/e/B00405U4NY

The Power of Words

“One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim Your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4

My wife and I took our grandchildren to a theme park for our granddaughter’s birthday. Though we were exhausted by the end of the day, it was a lot of fun and we were glad we went. It was fun to watch our grandchildren ride the rides, meet the characters in costume and eat lots of foods we might not normally eat at home.

Because we live in a very diverse part of the country, many of the other families there spoke languages other than English. One family was sitting next to us chatting away in another language but almost every sentence had an English word or two mixed in. Apparently there is not a perfect translation for “face paint” or “roller coaster” or “ferris wheel” in their language. The children, who were bi-lingual, easily inserted English words when needed into a sentence in their heart language, and the parents understood it just fine. It was a great example of communication even when concepts do not quite fit the language we are used to speaking.

What does this have to do with the church?

Churches often speak a language that those outside the church cannot understand. We think that our non-churched friends are uninterested in the things of God when in reality, they simply do not know what we are taking about. We need to learn how to blend ancient theological concepts with modern language so our people can understand what we are talking about. If we refuse to use words that make sense to those around us, we will continue to see the church shrink and drift toward irrelevancy. Like the children at the theme park, we may be surprised how easily we can insert one word for another so others can understand the concepts more clearly.

Here is an idea, make a list of theology concepts important to share with the non-churched people in our lives. Then think of at different ways to express the same thoughts, but using simpler words. Then do again and see if we can make it even simpler. We might be able to speak more clearly than we realize, if we would just try!

Lord, help us learn to communicate Your truth in ways that others can understand. Amen.

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Dr. Terry W. Dorsett has been a pastor, church planter, denominational leader and author in New England for more than 20 years. He is a happy husband, a proud father and adoring grandfather. He is a cancer survivor and believes that God works powerfully through times of suffering. He writes extensively and you can find all of his books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr.-Terry-W.-Dorsett/e/B00405U4NY   

Which Way Are You Swimming?

Acts 18:9-11 - Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

When my family lived in Connecticut, visits to the Mystic Aquarium were always an exciting adventure. It is a wonderful place where families can have a great time and learn a lot about marine life. As families enter the main building the first thing seen is a huge round glass tank filled with fish. 

Once time when my family was there, we noticed most of the fish were swimming the same way. But one lone fish was swimming the opposite direction. It was odd to see. As we kept watching, we noticed that lone fish was soon joined by another one. Now there were two fish swimming the opposite direction. Suddenly, there were three, and then four. All at once, the entire school pivoted and turned and began swimming the opposite direction, following the lead of one solitary fish that was willing to swim against the tide.

Witnessing the school of fish changing direction reminded me of the influence that one person can have on those around him or her. When a person first stands up for what is right, he or she is often alone. Then one or two other people come along to support the original individual. Then a few more come along to offer their support. Eventually enough critical mass is built up for significant change to happen in a whole group of people.

We are living in an age in which Christianity is mischaracterized, maligned, mocked and dismissed. But if we will stand strong for our faith, we can influence many people around us. We must not be afraid to be the lone fish swimming against the stream. God will bring others to help us. In time we can witness a significant difference in our sphere of influence as God works through a growing number of people willing to take a stand for what is right.

Lord, give us the courage to stand for what is right and holy, even if at first we stand alone. Amen.

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This devotional is from the book “Heavenly Mundane” by Dr. Terry W. Dorsett. Dr. Dorsett has been a pastor, church planter, denominational leader and author in New England for more than 20 years. He is a happy husband, a proud father and adoring grandfather. He is a cancer survivor and believes that God works powerfully through times of suffering. He writes extensively and you can find all of his books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr.-Terry-W.-Dorsett/e/B00405U4NY