How do I listen?

How do I listen to God? It's such a key part of life. It has also been used in so many situations to simply stifle reaction - if I'm hearing from God, then what can you say about my choices? As I have decided to leave Northwest, here's how I've experienced God's leadership...

1. Pray and fasting. I've learned so much about the discipline of fasting. There is value in voluntary weakness (fasting) because it brings up so much junk that's lurking inside me. As I fast, God shows me my heart so much more clearly. It's not pretty, but I've found it to be crucial. In those places, I'm more effectively able to put "self" aside and listen.

Then, as I pray...I simply listen. Over the years, I've learned to recognize the voice of God speaking in my spirit. It's gentle. It's loving. It's kind.

2. Bible. Rarely have I found the Bible answering my specific questions like a Magic 8 Ball. But I connect so meaningfuly with the character of God as I read. It reminds me that the voice of God is gentle, loving, and kind. It reminds me that God is greater than my fear. It reminds me that the journey of faith sometimes doesn't make sense. During our weekend worship gatherings, we've been studying the New Testament book of James. It could not have been a better study for me or Northwest at this stage of the journey. And I sensed God leading me to do that study back in July/August, before any of this stuff started breaking loose.

3. Wise and godly counsel. One of the gifts God has given that I have done a good job leaning into is a great wealth of wisdom around me. People that have known me for over 25 years, who I trust, speak truthfully into my life. They push on hard issues. They press into hard questions. They challenge. They pray. They offer input. And they leave me to make the decision. My life isn't a democracy...but I am so thankful for the input.

This is one of the places that I guard against the "God told me so" trump card. If I go alone to a solitary place and come back saying "God said..." then I put that against the Bible and godly counsel. There will be consistent trends as the pieces come together.

4. My wife. Heidi needs to be tracking with me. If I start looking into a leading and she says, "Pipe down, Furr..." then I have learned to pipe down. But when I share what I'm stirring on and she's already there...then that's pretty confirming in Matt world.

5. Walk toward the fear. This isn't a perfect method of listening to God, but there is something to it. God often puts us in places where we need to trust Him more than our own ability to create a safe place. If I fear taking a step that I think I hear God calling me to...there's a good chance it really is Him. It's not the same as being foolish. But the walk of faith is a call to allow God to help one overcome fear.

6. Embrace grace. Even with all these things, I still may make bad decisions. I might not hear quite clearly. I might have missed a nuance of His leadership. It's possible. And in the fear that I might get it wrong, I lean into grace. God knows my heart and my desire to hear and seek Him above all else. He's pleased by that. And if I'm wrong, I will plead for forgiveness - God's and those I hurt. And I will trust forgiveness and grace to win the day.

It's not a perfect system. But I can't recall much about the faith journey that leads one to a perfect system...that's the point. It's faith. It's learning to trust Him more than myself. It's stepping out, even when it seems to not make sense. And it's trusting the grace of God.

That's the process I've gone through in the past several months. It's been terrible at moments when I hvae confronted the garbage in my own spirit. It's been wonderful as I have experience the powerful grace of Christ in ways I never dreamed possible in my own life. And there is still much that can't be described with words...it's just for the soul to ponder and wonder.

Peace on the journey,

Matt

interesting days...

I'm not sure how to put words to everything yet. I'm walking through some of the hardest days that I've ever had, while experiencing God's presence in ways I never had...strange how those two things seems to always go hand-in-hand...pain and God's presence.

Last Sunday night, I stood before the people of Northwest and explained that I have resigned as lead pastor.

The biggest question is why?

The answers are not for this forum, but are reserved for live and in-person conversations.

But every answer to that question can be countered with another question or probing response.

And underneath the why that is seen and can explained (to a degree) is the why that is unseen. There is a step of faith in my decision. At some level, there is the belief that there will be something important that will come of it...something crucial to the life and soul of this community of people.

And so I step away. It's not easy. And it's not clear what's next...for any of us. But isn't that what faith is all about? Trusting in God, even when our eyes may deceive us?

And so the Furr Journey takes a bend in the road...one that I didn't see coming. One that I didn't go looking for. But a bend that came nonetheless.

Walking on...

Matt

now that's just funny...

I just read a headline on Drudge...a congressional hearing on global warming was cancelled today due to an ice storm...

Now...that's just funny!

That's all...nothing more...just a little chuckle...now get back to work...

catching up...

It's been quite the time around here. Here are a few of my quick-hit thoughts these days:

- getting sick is no fun. Thankfully, I haven't been...but everyone else here has. Again...not fun.

- I was pulling for the Bears. Grossman...bummer...but I'm not disappointed that Indy won. Dungy is a class act, as is Manning. So I can be happy for them.

- I'm still slowly working my way through Obama's book, Audacity of Hope. It's a good read.

- I even read some fiction last week. It's been a while since I've done that. Thank you, John Grisham. The Broker was a fun read.

- Football season is over. It was fun while it lasted. Now on to ... golf season!

- It's time to watch 24. I've missed a couple weeks, hope I can catch up tonight.

Bye...