Particle physics theories argue for the existence of extra dimensions to explain the invisible forces and matter of our universe.
In theology, scholars wrestle with man’s limitations in visualizing a God that moves outside the dimensions of his own confinement. For God to design and create our universe, perform miracles, and attend to countless prayers, He must exist and govern in a realm that is extradimensional.
Extradimensional leadership involves moving above the vista of things routine, urgent, and conventional. Extra-d leaders reach into a realm where wisdom, purpose, and vision exist in mystical orbit. It is within that extradimensional realm where the genius of leadership is created and gifted upon a community.
Extradimension leadership describes the role of men and women who courageously tap into the intangible dimensions of our existence; the realm where the ageless wisdom of God collides with the call and undertaking of man.
July 3, 2009
May 25, 2009
Elvis has left the Building
Back in the day when Elvis was King of Rock and Roll, fans would lose all composure at the thought of personally meeting the King. After concerts, during news conferences, or following rare public appearances, eager fans madly flocked to where rumor last had him sited.
Frenzied crowds would clog building corridors; rumors of his whereabouts would incite riots as people scrambled in response to the latest rumor (living without cell phones). Public safety concerns required promoters to make public announcements to disperse unruly crowds. After Elvis concerts it was customary to hear a public address system confirm: “ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.” So prevalent and popular were the Elvis departure announcements that similar proclamations are still jokingly used to poke fun at those who carry an air of self-importance (e.g. Used in The Frazier Crane Show).
Groupthink and collective behavior phenomena can dictate how we worship at our many churches. Believers can become so preoccupied with the hottest worship style, spiritual manifestation, or established church liturgy that God’s presence is no longer essential or even relevant to them. It is the group (crowd) experience or sacred liturgy they yearn for and it stands paramount; the fact that God was once-upon-a-time present somehow validates their actions. They recall an event or scenario when He showed Himself powerful and they venerate those methods and traditions. Specific religious crowd behavior becomes the central point, not the truth “of and about” God. With recreated (and sometimes bizarre) episodes, frantic (or stoic) worshipers act out routines and liturgies based only upon a past God-siting.
As noted in scripture, God’s desire is for believers to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Methods and modes that intellectually or emotionally rally believers outside biblical truth or Spiritual unction may inspire people, but history has shown it is not beneficial to the work of the Kingdom of God.
For the sake of God’s Kingdom and the spiritual welfare of believers, it may be necessary to make the familiar Elvis announcement at some of our Sunday services. With a slight spiritual twist we could announce: “ladies and gentlemen, it is possible that God has left the building.” It might be prudent to inform people that their presumptuous religious activities may very well lack the presence and affirmation of the one they name in worship.
Frenzied crowds would clog building corridors; rumors of his whereabouts would incite riots as people scrambled in response to the latest rumor (living without cell phones). Public safety concerns required promoters to make public announcements to disperse unruly crowds. After Elvis concerts it was customary to hear a public address system confirm: “ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.” So prevalent and popular were the Elvis departure announcements that similar proclamations are still jokingly used to poke fun at those who carry an air of self-importance (e.g. Used in The Frazier Crane Show).
Groupthink and collective behavior phenomena can dictate how we worship at our many churches. Believers can become so preoccupied with the hottest worship style, spiritual manifestation, or established church liturgy that God’s presence is no longer essential or even relevant to them. It is the group (crowd) experience or sacred liturgy they yearn for and it stands paramount; the fact that God was once-upon-a-time present somehow validates their actions. They recall an event or scenario when He showed Himself powerful and they venerate those methods and traditions. Specific religious crowd behavior becomes the central point, not the truth “of and about” God. With recreated (and sometimes bizarre) episodes, frantic (or stoic) worshipers act out routines and liturgies based only upon a past God-siting.
As noted in scripture, God’s desire is for believers to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Methods and modes that intellectually or emotionally rally believers outside biblical truth or Spiritual unction may inspire people, but history has shown it is not beneficial to the work of the Kingdom of God.
For the sake of God’s Kingdom and the spiritual welfare of believers, it may be necessary to make the familiar Elvis announcement at some of our Sunday services. With a slight spiritual twist we could announce: “ladies and gentlemen, it is possible that God has left the building.” It might be prudent to inform people that their presumptuous religious activities may very well lack the presence and affirmation of the one they name in worship.
May 6, 2009
Give Me A Break!
Hey man, give me a break!
It’s a pretty common request; most of us have probably used it numerous times. Sometimes we say it under our breath with embarrassment; sometimes we loudly appeal to those impacted by our failure.
All of us have let our family, co-workers, or teammates down at one time or another. With our request for a break we are in essence saying, “I messed up; please extend favor to me even though I don’t deserve it.” People who love and care about us cheerfully extend that sought after break.
Have you ever thought about saying that to God? Please! Give me a break. In many ways God’s break is being extended to us every day. Even though we don’t merit anything from God he gives us a break; He shows us favor we don’t deserve. The Bible calls that grace. Salvation is by grace. His many answers to prayer and His everyday presence in our lives are only experienced by His grace. Because He loves us and took the penalty for our sins and failures, He is able to say, “You have my blessing.”
Spiritual Truth: Because God shows us favor, we have the freedom to show favor to others; we can give them a break.
It’s a pretty common request; most of us have probably used it numerous times. Sometimes we say it under our breath with embarrassment; sometimes we loudly appeal to those impacted by our failure.
All of us have let our family, co-workers, or teammates down at one time or another. With our request for a break we are in essence saying, “I messed up; please extend favor to me even though I don’t deserve it.” People who love and care about us cheerfully extend that sought after break.
Have you ever thought about saying that to God? Please! Give me a break. In many ways God’s break is being extended to us every day. Even though we don’t merit anything from God he gives us a break; He shows us favor we don’t deserve. The Bible calls that grace. Salvation is by grace. His many answers to prayer and His everyday presence in our lives are only experienced by His grace. Because He loves us and took the penalty for our sins and failures, He is able to say, “You have my blessing.”
Spiritual Truth: Because God shows us favor, we have the freedom to show favor to others; we can give them a break.
April 18, 2009
Organization Is Spiritual
“And he said to his disciples, ‘Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.’ And they did so, and made them all sit down” (Luke 9:14, 15). Luke provides a very administrative view of Jesus and the disciples feeding thousands without the necessary supplies. It was a miracle to be sure; however, there is a very non-miraculous element to what happened. In the midst of Luke’s story he reveals that Jesus not only multiplied the food, but planned the logistics as well. It appears that He organized the work to be done, assigned specific tasks, and guided the overall project. Organization was important enough to garner Jesus’ leadership. If Jesus took time to organize His ministry, we should diligently organize that which God is asking us to accomplish.
April 3, 2009
Building Codes
At a recent conference the well-respected theologian and pastor, R.C. Sproul, shared what he considered to be the scariest passage in the Bible. As he read the words of Jesus, the Holy Spirit settled them uneasily in my mind; the implication was painful and left its mark on my soul. The message recorded in Matthew 7: 21-23 is an unambiguous judgment; not upon evil emperors, adulterers, and thieves, but on preachers.
It appears the final judgment will include many ministers standing as strangers before Jesus; some will tout outstanding resumes with name recognition. Others will have long lists of accomplishments, decades of ministry, signs and wonders, great songs, teachings, deliverances, and prophetic words. Evidently, a significant number will be shocked and dismayed as they are ordered to depart from the presence of Jesus Christ.
Immediately following this somber unveiling, Jesus continues to unpack the passage by guiding His listeners through some basic building codes everyone understood. A summary might read something like: If you don’t build on a solid foundation your building will fall down and cause no small catastrophe.
Jesus is linking two fundamental truths: the collapse of an unstable building may cause physical injury and death; how much greater the spiritual implications when ministers disregard Kingdom building codes? To quote Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:27, “…great will be the fall.”
The human and spiritual carnage resulting from substandard ministry foundations has been evident and often over the last few decades. Can we understand what is happening? With careful inspection, using scriptural forensics, the damaging evidence emerges and cries out for our verdict. The foundations were flawed.
It appears the final judgment will include many ministers standing as strangers before Jesus; some will tout outstanding resumes with name recognition. Others will have long lists of accomplishments, decades of ministry, signs and wonders, great songs, teachings, deliverances, and prophetic words. Evidently, a significant number will be shocked and dismayed as they are ordered to depart from the presence of Jesus Christ.
Immediately following this somber unveiling, Jesus continues to unpack the passage by guiding His listeners through some basic building codes everyone understood. A summary might read something like: If you don’t build on a solid foundation your building will fall down and cause no small catastrophe.
Jesus is linking two fundamental truths: the collapse of an unstable building may cause physical injury and death; how much greater the spiritual implications when ministers disregard Kingdom building codes? To quote Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:27, “…great will be the fall.”
The human and spiritual carnage resulting from substandard ministry foundations has been evident and often over the last few decades. Can we understand what is happening? With careful inspection, using scriptural forensics, the damaging evidence emerges and cries out for our verdict. The foundations were flawed.
April 1, 2009
Go For the Best
Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs is a kind of personal journal chronicling his intriguing romance with this mystical woman of charm, influence and power. So enamored was Solomon with wisdom that His only request from God was for a greater measure. What a choice! I wonder how many Christian leaders would have the insight and understanding to make that qualilty seletion?
The English word wisdom is from the Hebrew word “hokmah.” It has to do with skill in living. Wisdom was not merely an intellectual philosophical exercise, it was practical. In the western world we usually think of wisdom as primarily cerebral--the Hebrew understanding had a handy dimension; it was very blue collar.
Why did Solomon view wisdom as such a treasure?
* Someone with hokmah had a leg up on others.
* A man or woman with hokmah honored God with their lives.
* A man with hokmah had good relationships within his community.
* Hokmah shaped all of life’s experiences.
* Hokmah had moral and ethical implications.
"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom."
(Proverbs 4:7)
March 14, 2009
Get Wisdom
Solomon wrote of the power and value of wisdom. He said that respect and reverence for God marks the beginning of wisdom. So we realize that knowing and communing with God is indeed the pathway to wisdom; once on the pathway wisdom becomes our quest.
Consider the following reflection.
One day I wandered past the spring fed pond,
Stopping to reflect on its bubbling water and endless stream.
From the edge its source was not apparent;
But I heard the water speak and summon me.
So I drew close and let its coolness touch my feet,
What of its depth, I wondered aloud.
The water beckoned me in;
So I dove until covered in its treasure.
Colors encircled me;
Blues and greens with light shafting through.
A voice below called me deeper;
I swam immersed in its richness and peace.
I thought not a moment of air or breathing;
No memories of the edge where I once stood.
The profound called to me louder;
I dove deeper and farther.
Qualms of morning and evening,
Fears of tomorrow and yesterday float above,
Bobbing at the edge of the spring fed pond;
While vivid colors encircle me.
© JR Allebach
Perhaps you may see yourself standing at the edge of God’s spring fed pond. Consider what you need to do to plunge into the ways and wisdom of God. What fears are keeping you standing on the edge, or keeping you from diving deeper?
Consider the following reflection.
One day I wandered past the spring fed pond,
Stopping to reflect on its bubbling water and endless stream.
From the edge its source was not apparent;
But I heard the water speak and summon me.
So I drew close and let its coolness touch my feet,
What of its depth, I wondered aloud.
The water beckoned me in;
So I dove until covered in its treasure.
Colors encircled me;
Blues and greens with light shafting through.
A voice below called me deeper;
I swam immersed in its richness and peace.
I thought not a moment of air or breathing;
No memories of the edge where I once stood.
The profound called to me louder;
I dove deeper and farther.
Qualms of morning and evening,
Fears of tomorrow and yesterday float above,
Bobbing at the edge of the spring fed pond;
While vivid colors encircle me.
© JR Allebach
Perhaps you may see yourself standing at the edge of God’s spring fed pond. Consider what you need to do to plunge into the ways and wisdom of God. What fears are keeping you standing on the edge, or keeping you from diving deeper?
March 5, 2009
Everybody Needs Love
There is a unique and unparalleled quality found in a father’s love. Perhaps it is the most valued of all human relationships, yet it lingers as something a little beyond our ability to fully understand or explain. Many never live as true sons or daughters; too often a father is remote and indifferent. Unavailable human fathers can lead us to believe that God is also aloof, unconcerned, and uninvolved in the daily cares of our world. How are we to understand our Heavenly Father? An earthly story may provide spiritual insights.
Each week Brian took the field with the rest of his Little League team. To the knowledgeable fan Brian was at best a marginal first baseman and an inconsistent hitter—on a good day an average player. In the classroom Brian was the leader of the pack, accustomed to admiration and respect; on the ball field, the brunt of criticism and hurtful remarks.
But Brian loved baseball and twice a week he and dad would arrive at the field just a bit early for extra practice. Minutes before the game the two would huddle together; dad encouraging Brian to get his head in the game, going over his hitting stance, and reviewing the nuances of playing first base.
For Brian and every player the game started with the same emotional tension: the umpire barking out the familiar “Play ball!” Then came the strike outs… a misplay at first base… one could see the determination drain from the young ball player. With the final out came the familiar scene--a sulking and demoralized boy overcome with a sense of his failure.
The coach knew the post-game routine by heart; the family ritual was always the same. Brian’s dad was transformed into Brian’s loving father. With hastened steps fatherhood stepped out of the bleachers and strode confidently to greet his son. With an arm around his neck and with lively words of affirmation and enthusiasm, fatherhood spoke about winning and losing, overcoming pain and failure, and the possibilities of next week’s game.
Our Heavenly Father is watching our lives; our successes, struggles, and failures move his heart. His steps are always toward us, wanting to meet us at our moment of need. A strong arm is prepared to support and encourage; loving words can be heard when we listen. In the midst of adversity and pain God’s love brings peace.
There is a unique and unparalleled quality found in a father’s love. Perhaps it is the most valued of all human relationships, yet it lingers as something a little beyond our ability to fully understand or explain. Many never live as true sons or daughters; too often a father is remote and indifferent. Unavailable human fathers can lead us to believe that God is also aloof, unconcerned, and uninvolved in the daily cares of our world. How are we to understand our Heavenly Father? An earthly story may provide spiritual insights.
Each week Brian took the field with the rest of his Little League team. To the knowledgeable fan Brian was at best a marginal first baseman and an inconsistent hitter—on a good day an average player. In the classroom Brian was the leader of the pack, accustomed to admiration and respect; on the ball field, the brunt of criticism and hurtful remarks.
But Brian loved baseball and twice a week he and dad would arrive at the field just a bit early for extra practice. Minutes before the game the two would huddle together; dad encouraging Brian to get his head in the game, going over his hitting stance, and reviewing the nuances of playing first base.
For Brian and every player the game started with the same emotional tension: the umpire barking out the familiar “Play ball!” Then came the strike outs… a misplay at first base… one could see the determination drain from the young ball player. With the final out came the familiar scene--a sulking and demoralized boy overcome with a sense of his failure.
The coach knew the post-game routine by heart; the family ritual was always the same. Brian’s dad was transformed into Brian’s loving father. With hastened steps fatherhood stepped out of the bleachers and strode confidently to greet his son. With an arm around his neck and with lively words of affirmation and enthusiasm, fatherhood spoke about winning and losing, overcoming pain and failure, and the possibilities of next week’s game.
Our Heavenly Father is watching our lives; our successes, struggles, and failures move his heart. His steps are always toward us, wanting to meet us at our moment of need. A strong arm is prepared to support and encourage; loving words can be heard when we listen. In the midst of adversity and pain God’s love brings peace.
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