January 14, 2011
subscribe, view past issues and Get Releasing Kings The Next Great Idea Creativity
- I interviewed Andrew Ferguson,
a business CEO, who has an amazing story. One of the things he
mentioned was
very profound. Andrew has been through an amazing number of ups and
downs. He
learned that failing in a business is not the “end” of an entrepreneur
– it is
simply a launching point for his next idea. Kings are not immune from
setbacks,
but they do know how to rebound (resurrect - "though a righteous man
falls
seven times, he rises again" Prov 24:16). Andrew understands the nature
of
Kings. They are creative; able to come up with the next great idea. It is the
glory of God to conceal a
matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Prov 25:2
NIV Note: Our web
provider is able to
track hits on our archived newsletters. By far the “best seller” is one
on Cultivating Creativity.
It's worth reading again because it pertains to this theme. The
Political Christian – The same
principle of resurrection
is true in the government mountain. Yes it’s bad. That’s why we need to
fix it!
I am ashamed to say that much of the body of Christ has a theology of
abdicating responsibility to be involved in finding political
solutions.
Separation of church and state is an attempt by the enemy to keep
believers out
of the political process. But what is far worse is our own
self-inflicted theology
of abandoning the process instead of conquering this mountain with
Godly
solutions and wise congressmen. We
have the greatest nation on earth that was founded on Godly principles.
It is
totally our responsibility as believers to steward this treasure on
earth. Why?
The US has a prophetic call to spread personal freedom and free markets
that
come with the presence of the Lord around the world. Freedom in Jesus
is a
central part of the good news. We have the privilege of discipling
nations as
part of our national calling. It’s called the great commission. Now the Lord is
the Spirit, and
where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17-18 NIV Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit Matt
28:19 NIV 'Ask
of Me, and I will surely
give the
nations as Your inheritance, And the very
ends of the earth as Your
possession. Ps 2:8 NASU Examples
– Solving a problem involves three things: #1) We have to believe that
we can
find a solution (or we won’t look). #2) We have to frame the problem
correctly
to answer the right question, and #3) We have to know where to look for
a
solution. We have some great political debates raging in America right
now.
They share a common denominator – the real solution hasn’t shown itself
yet! Terrorism
– Our president and his predecessor are bringing justice to terrorists
through
military action. I’m not suggesting that’s wrong, but I am amazed that
we
aren’t dealing with the root issue. Every time we kill a terrorist, two
more
spring up in some other part of the world. As explained in the Starfish and the Spider,
we’re fighting an ideology, not a nation… and we’re doing nothing to
combat the
ideology (the Islamic motivation to kill infidels). We don’t have the
initiative that competes with a bad idea / a bad ideology. We're prone
to buy
favor and protect murder under “freedom of religion.”
What’s missing? #3 We’re looking for a solution in the wrong place. Global Warming –
The reason the debate is difficult is that the argument isn't really
about
global warming... science has very little to do with the ideology and
the
motives behind this one. The middle ground between neglecting our
environment
and trying to leave it untouched by humans is to simply manage it. We
have done
some good things to mitigate pollution but we are not addressing the
“religious
fervor” that opposes industrialized society, opposes resource
development and
insists that animals have the same rights as humans. The core of this
idea is
that humanity is a bad influence on Planet Earth! We're an
overpopulated species of animal that needs to be thinned out. What’s missing?
#2 We’ve framed the
problem so that we can’t reach agreement. Abortion
– We’ve framed abortion as a political issue. Most nations have some
form of
legalized abortion, and historically abortions have been a part of
culture. The
real question is, “Why do parents want to kill their children?” and
“Why do
doctors terminate their patients?” The government isn’t forcing
abortions –
just permitting them. It’s a family issue with philosophic roots in the
environmental
movement. If we believe that the presence of humanity is bad for the
planet,
it’s a short step to believing that reducing the number of babies would
be a
good (perhaps noble) contribution. What’s missing?
#3 We’ve framed the
problem in the wrong mountain – it’s family. Health Care
– This debate is centered on the degree of government control in
providing
health care. One side says the government should provide it or mandate
it and
the other says too much government is bad. I personally haven’t heard
the free
market idea that provides the solution. That’s what is missing.
Everyone wants
improved health care. No one believes that same entity that gave us the
postal
service will actually deliver health care on schedule and within
budget. Absent
the real idea, we’re going to compromise so that we can get poorer
health care
at a higher cost with bonus points for increasing the entitlement
mentality
behind poverty. Thank you, Congress – current approval rating is 13%!
What’s missing? #1 We don’t believe a free market solution exists. Poverty
– To date, the only political solution to poverty has been to move
capital from
the wealthy and give it to poor people, poor states, and poor nations.
The
argument is always framed around how much we should give. I’m not
opposed to
helping people in need. I do it myself. However, giving money never
removes
poverty because poverty is a welfare state of mind that simply keeps a
person
from doing the things that produce wealth. We’re doing nothing to
reduce the
roots of poverty at a national level.
What’s missing? #3 We’re looking for a solution in the wrong place. Homosexuality
– We’ve just legalized gays in the military… and really throughout much
of the
political, media and entertainment landscape there is a vocal minority
clamoring for gay marriage as a normal part of society. The legal
framework is
changing to permit homosexuality… not exactly the end of the world.
What’s
missing in the church and family mountain is a loving cure to help the
people who
want help. We’ve been busy condemning it and fighting on a political
level, but
we’ve largely missed the opportunity to offer hurting people a genuine
option
for healing. Gays have been fed the genetic logic that there is no
choice…
Jesus gives that choice. What’s missing?
#1 We don’t believe
a solution exists. It’s time to showcase examples of freedom from the
gay
lifestyle for those who want it. New ideas
– Can you see the need for Kings to search out these matters and find
the
solution? These are all solvable and relatively simple problems! We
need Kings
in the media mountain to expose the missing ingredient in our debates.
We need
Kings in the business mountain to offer free market solutions. And
finally, we
need Kings in the political / government mountain with integrity and
vision to
maximize freedom and justice for all… as opposed to maximizing
government
control. Can Kings rise up
with the new ideas that represent a
solution for everyone? Yes we can! “and” yes we will. The
simple reality
is that when Kings identify a “God Solution,” the logic and spirit
draws
everyone into supporting implementation of the answer. We all face
personal road blocks. Here’s the take-home
message. You are more than a conqueror. You are able to come up with
the next
great idea that will take you to the next level. Men and women with
imagination, creativity and enthusiasm will rule and reign with the
King of
Kings. We have the keys of the Kingdom and we’re called to bless the
nations.
Let’s get started… rise above whatever stands between you and the next
step
toward your dream. Now
to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, Eph 3:20 NIV "No
eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has
prepared for
those who love him"— but
God has
revealed it to us by his Spirit. 1 Cor 2:9-10 NIV
Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations… Matt 28:19 NIV 'Ask
of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the
very
ends of the earth as Your possession. Ps 2:8 NASU
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