From: The Pastor’s Heart
To: You
Title: “Put Some CLOTHES on the Line”
Yesterday was laundry day. The morning began with a regular routine of separating the
clothes accordingly, placing them in the washing machine, then into the dryer, then
ironing, folding, and putting them away. That was the plan and things were moving along
as normal until we heard a loud sound (a popping noise) coming from the dryer. It was
discovered right away that the main belt that rotates the drum broke which meant even
though the dryer was still getting hot, it wasn’t spinning so the clothes were not drying.
This left us with one of two choices, either take the clothes to the local laundromat, or dry
them outside on the deck with the heat from the sun. We chose the latter.
As I put together a temporary clothes line it took me back to the days when almost
everyone in our neighborhood would routinely hang their laundry in the back yard on the
clothes line. We not only saved money by doing it this way back in the day, but there
seemed to be a natural fresh fragrance in the clothes after being hung outside under in the
sunlight. The return to an ‘older way’ of doing this chore was more fun and relaxing than I
initially thought it would be. So I asked myself what other things should we bring back
that we’ve gotten away from with the strides of modernization.
I came up with three: #1-Search the Bible, not Google; #2-A Phone Call, not a Text
Message; and #3-Spiritual Fast, not a Dieting Plan.
First, one of the reasons why many of us don’t know the scriptures as well as we should is
because internet search engines have allowed us to type in the desired word or phrase
rather than our having to literally search and remember where it is in the bible. We’re not
making mental pictures of where the passage is so it’s not staying in our hearts, it’s just
living on our laptops. That greatly hinders our ability to recall His promises verbatim at the
greatest point of need. Secondly I have to admit that I have allowed the power of the text
to diminish the warmth and clarity of the verbal conversation. It’s amazing how many
misreadings take place between two people because one misunderstood what somebody
sent them in a text message. We can read each other’s words, but we don’t hear one
another’s heart. Finally, Jesus taught us that fasting is critically important to synchronize
our spirit with that of God. It allows us to realize where our true source of power comes
from and it cleanses us from impurities associated with clinginess to the world rather than
God. We should not wait until there’s a crisis in our lives before we set aside time to fast
and pray. The reason the disciples did not have power to cast a demon from a child is
because they were not faithful in this Kingdom principle.
How about today you go back to the way it used to be, at least in those three areas. Search
the word yourself, call someone and bless their day with your voice, and push back from
the table, not to lose body fat, but to build the spirit man. In other words, go “Put Some
CLOTHES on the Line.”
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH
PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW
OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR
PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO
THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and
professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly,
or carnally.
We Are the LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)