The Man Behind the Curtain

October 15, 2013mikej2013 Leave a comment

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”

Children of all ages quaked as they watched Dorothy; clinging to her friends, tremble down that massive hallway toward the booming voice of a glowing wizard. We feared we may never breathe again until Toto revealed the secret. The great and powerful OZ didn’t look so great once we had a peek behind the curtain.

That little man was working like crazy to support the false image of greatness. He frantically pushed buttons and turned wheels to make the sights and sounds that impressed his audience.

The smoke and mirrors and the bold and bombing commands of the wizard did Dorothy and her friends little good. Those things sent them on a frightening journey for a witch’s broom when their only goal was to find their way home.

Now, you would think that the moral of this story is: “Just be yourself.” In fact, Dorothy was told that she possessed the power to get home all along. Click your heels three times, and make a wish and back home again!

It is always a good idea to avoid pretending you’re something that you’re not. However, it’s not a good idea to just be you. After all, if the wizard thought being true to self was a good idea he wouldn’t have been found behind the curtain in the first place.

The Bible says pretending and being oneself are not acceptable to the life of a believer. Consider the words of the prophet Isaiah.

Say to those who have an anxious heart,

“Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

Isaiah 35:4-6 (ESV)

Dorothy was trying to get home. In a wondrous land over the rainbow, Dorothy realized the truth. Home was the place where she is loved. Home was the placed where she serves. Home was the place that gives her purpose. In other words, Dorothy was trying to find joy.

Dorothy knew her joy would be complete once she found her way home.

Unlike the movie, the Bible teaches that joy can be found only in the God of the Bible.

Dorothy was responsible for all her friends. At times she was called upon to give wisdom to the scarecrow and a heart of courage to the tin man and lion. That’s a heavy load to bear. That’s real responsibility.

As a leader, you are responsible for others. It’s in that responsibility that a profound joy is found but only if you experience it through the truth of the Bible.

Our journey begins Wednesday, November 6^th. We will meet at 11:45 am and 6:00 pm. Bring your lunch or dinner. Join with others as we learn to navigate God’s plan for our lives.

We are here for you Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm. Schedule a time on any of those days, at any hour, to study God’s Word. Create your own small group. Business leaders, bring your employees. Parents, bring your family and your neighbors. We will be happy to customize a time and a study to meet your needs.

You can come to us or we can come to you (via the internet). If you are one of our out-of-state friends or just can’t get everyone to Gilbert at one time, we will be happy to schedule a goToMeeting conference using your pc or mac.

Contact Pastor Mike at (602) 321-6695 or m.jones@patriarchproject.com.

My Card

September 23, 2013mikej2013 2 Comments

A very wise mentor once said, “Only ask advice from those who have your best interest in mind.” Now your first reaction to this statement might be, “Duh, that’s not profound, everyone does that already! I never ask advice from my enemies.”

Before you write off this statement allow me to point out some of its deeper meaning. The key lies in knowing who has your best interest in mind.

I’ll make my point with this example:

A high school graduate stands at a crossroads decision. “Where will I go to college?” He seeks and receives advice from two trusted sources. His parents are very successful doctors from one of the country’s finest medical schools. Desiring that their son follow in their footsteps, they strongly encourage their alma mater.

The graduate’s two best friends in the world are going to a sleepy little college nestled in the Appalachian mountains. Being a respectable school with a regional reputation, the two friends encourage the graduate to keep the tradition going…the three musketeers conquering the world together.

Two trusted sources encouraging two opposing paths. Both the parents and the friends love the graduate. All desire a successful future for him. However, both futures are biased, based on the personal desires of the advisors.

We are faced with these types of decisions throughout life. Especially those ordained to lead. Think of how often a business owner is faced with making major decisions. Is it time to hire and expand? It is time to cut back and downsize? Should I buy that business? Should I sell my business? The list is endless.

It is always a good idea to talk over life changing decisions with your spouse and close family members. It is even a good idea to talk with your peers. However, one must realize that these people always begin the advice with their own biased desires.

That’s why you need a pastor. That’s why business owners need a pastor even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly “religious” person. You need a point of view from someone who seeks your best interest from a Biblical perspective without personal bias.

There is nothing wrong with making an appointment to discuss specific issues and seek answers. But the best answers are the ones found while studying the Bible together. I can’t tell you the number of times a business leader has said they discovered the answer to a perplexing problem right in the middle of the Bible study. I wasn’t even aware that there had been a question. The Bible has answers, period. It is trustworthy. It is truth.

I pray that you’ll join my study in the Word of God starting in November. We will begin with the topic “The Joy in Responsibility”.

Oh, by the way, my card…

Blessings,

Pastor Mike

New Home

September 19, 2013mikej2013 4 Comments

138 S Hamilton Place, Gilbert, AZ 85233

Welcome to the new home of Patriarch Project. We are just beginning to move in. The Lord has provided a great location to hang our hat and get to the business of ministry. We are located in the Elliot Commerce Park, a prime business location at the crossroads of Arizona Ave. and Elliot.

Our space includes two offices, a kitchenette, restrooms, and a great meeting hall that will be home to Bible studies and Worship services. Our new space will comfortably seat 100.

Front Door

I am often asked the question, “Wait a minute… are you a church or a business?” The answer is YES! With the Lord’s help we hope to touch the lives of the estimated 2,000 folks that settle into their daily routines of earning a living on the four corners that surround us.

As a church we will focus on the Word of God. Our goal is to have regularly scheduled Bible studies during the week that fit the schedules of the business owners and their employees. We envision beginning our studies with a Wednesday evening Bible study. As we begin to network with those around us and better understand their schedules and needs, times of studies, prayer and counseling will be organized during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm).

As a business we will focus on the Word of God. (Did you pickup on the focus on the Word of God part?) We will be busy earning a living just like those we serve. The world’s best business management manual is the Bible. We will use it as our guide and teach its principles to others. Patriarch Project is about leadership and legacy…God’s way.

We pray that those who are seeking the truth in life and business will find our front door open and inviting.

Patriarch Project isn’t just for our neighbors at the business park; all are invited to join us. Many of our wonderful friends from ministry past will be faithfully attending and serving along side us. Our goal is to stream our studies live on this website to enable our out-of-state friends and associates to participate.

We hope to begin our first Bible study in November! Until then, there’s a lot of work to do. We will keep you posted, so stay tuned…

Hey, what’s this cost?

July 6, 2013mikej2013 2 Comments

Have you ever made fun of Jesus’ disciples? Have you ever found yourself studying the Gospel passages, or worse, teaching the same, and declare in your thoughts… “Will you look at these guys, they are nearly clueless; what knuckle-heads.”

If you, like me, have found yourself dwelling with the Pharisees in “self-righteous town” ponder this…

…and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. –Matthew 4:22

Now face a second question, “have you ever done that? Left everything you’ve spent most of your adult life building; wife, kids, home, career …”

The best part of life is time spent in the center of God’s will. I can attest to the joy experienced when the call is heard and obeyed. However, I can’t think of a single time of following the call that didn’t take me out of my comfort zone.

In a very small way, I taste what it’s like to leave the ones you love behind each time I head to the airport. There is a profound sense of loss each time I watch the Phoenix valley grow small looking out the airplane window.

I have a cell phone and an iPad. I visit with my wife and family often while away from home. Although it’s nothing like being there, electronic gatherings numb the pain of separation. The disciples didn’t have this luxury.

I can’t think of a group of men who experienced a greater sense of joy as they sat at the feet of Jesus and later built the church and lived the Gospel life. And I can’t think of a group of men who experienced a greater sense of loss as they left everything to do so.

They lived life on this swinging pendulum. It must have been exhausting. No wonder they couldn’t stay awake in Gethsemane.

I now look at the disciples with a profound sense of awe, not in the disciples, but in a Savior that could sustain a group of men like them, like me.

New Logo!

June 22, 2013mikej2013 3 Comments

Our new logo depicts our ministry and passion to raise up Godly leaders! Networking, Mentoring, and Missions! It’s “Grandfather, Father, Son” image reflects our efforts to build a “legacy” for the Kingdom of God.

Faithfulness

May 25, 2013May 26, 2013mikej2013 Leave a comment

The accounts of the greatest businessmen throughout history aren’t found in the classrooms or libraries of prestigious business schools or on the shelves at Barnes and Noble. I submit that they are found in the Bible.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah managed Babylon as skillfully as the best Wall Street has to offer today.

After a hostile takeover of their country, these four refugees were enrolled in the Babylonian school of management. (Daniel 1:1-6) God’s hand of favor rested upon them, not because of what they could do but because of who they were. (Daniel 1:8-9)

For three years they studied. God gave them exemplary skills in all literature, languages, and wisdom. (Daniel 1:17) Finally it was time for their job interview. The boss found them intellectually head and shoulders above their peers. (Daniel 1:20)

Daniel and his three colleagues outperformed all others as they climbed the corporate ladder. (Daniel 2:48-49) The employees hated taking a back seat to these Judean outcasts. They schemed for any damaging evidence against Daniel’s exemplary record. But they found no legitimate charge. So the disgruntled employees made a very interesting statement that initiated one of the most famous scenes in the Bible…

Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for compliant against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for compliant or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for compliant against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

(Daniel 6:4-5, ESV)

The employees tricked Daniel’s boss into making a bogus rule that conflicted with Daniel’s faithfulness to pray three times each day. (Daniel 6:6-7) Daniel would never stop praying therefore he was cast into the mailroom aka the Lion’s Den. In this pit, we find the only act of faithfulness greater than Daniel’s, that being, the faithfulness of Daniel’s God. (Daniel 6:16-23)

The boss witnessed the power of God to save his faithful servant Daniel. He also saw the deceit and wickedness of his employees. They were immediately discharged along with their families. (Daniel 6:24)

The dramatic image of Daniel surrounded by fierce lions was not the main point of this text. The strongest and most feared force was, and still is, FAITHFULNESS.

It was the faithful relationship Daniel had with his God that secured Daniel’s position in the Babylonian empire. This relationship would remain strong as long as Daniel lived. This truth enraged the employees. The fear of knowing they could never rise above this godly manager was the cause of their murderous scheme.

As Daniel spent time with God in prayer, his trust and faith grew. That faithfulness spilled out to all aspects of his life, including his management position in the kingdom. Daniel’s office walls most likely were covered with Employee of the Year plagues.

I imagine Daniel turned away from those accolades and on bended knees looked out the eastern window while he prayed to his God. God’s faithfulness to Daniel, and to us, is a power beyond understanding. Like Daniel, our faithfulness can only grow as we encounter God in prayer and His Word.

It’s not about what we can do. It’s about who we are. Be faithful to the Gospel and see faith shut the mouths of lions, aka our enemies.

Life without walls (part five)

February 15, 2013mikej2013 Leave a comment

“Don’t do as I do, do as I say.” Who could trust a teacher that doesn’t follow his own advice?

This apothegm is a laser focused definition of hypocrisy. One who speaks this way, or better said, one who teaches this way, is likely to see their students confused, angry, and rebellious. As a leader, husband, and father, the most efficient way to build deadly walls in relationships is to live life as a hypocrite.

I realize this brings nothing new to the table. Everyone experiences hypocrisy; from parents, bosses, co-workers, and governments. All react the same way toward hypocrisy, with clenched fists and gnashing teeth.

Studies reveal clearly that children will be more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol and drugs, and live in a host of other harmful ways if they grow up observing their parents doing the same. It’s not effective teaching your children the dangers of tobacco with a pack of cigarettes in your pocket.

Again, this is nothing you didn’t already know. It’s nothing you haven’t already experienced. It’s obvious.

There is a type of hypocrisy, however, that is less obvious. Paul warns the church in Corinth:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ²And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

(1 Corinthians 13:1-2, ESV)

This is one of the most amazing statements in the Apostle Paul’s teaching. Think about what he is saying. As a leader, you have studied to the point that your knowledge is vast. This knowledge is truth and it is powerful. It is building faith in you that is strong enough to move mountains. Yet, you lack the one thing that makes it all valuable; “LOVE”. How can this be?

Listen to what R.C. Sproul Jr. stated in a recent blog to pastors,” It is more important to us and our sheep that we would learn to believe more, than that we would find more to believe.”

He continues saying, “Divinity is not a body of knowledge to be mastered like geology.” The Bible is not a book to be dissected like Moby Dick. We don’t go to Scripture to study the Word, but to begin to learn to have the Word study us. We go to pursue not advanced degrees but the fruit of the Spirit. We go to lose our reputations, not to gain them. We go not to be thought wise, but to learn what fools we are.

The people that you lead don’t simply need more information. What they need more is someone to lead them, to show them the Way. They need to see you repenting. They need to see you wrestling with your sins. They need to see you preaching the gospel to yourself, not because you like the sound of your voice, but because you hate the sin that yet remains, and you need grace. They need to see you rejoicing in the fullness of His promises, and mourning both sin and its fruit in your life.

As we relate to one another, I am convinced that the single most powerful moment on earth takes place when a father repents before his wife and children; when a leader repents before his employees. So, is the knowledge in your life under-girded by love? If it is you will live a life repenting before our Holy God. This is the litmus test of love. This is a life free from hypocrisy.

Week three (chicken noodle soup)

January 25, 2013mikej2013 Leave a comment

I’m cold. The weather took a turn toward the arctic. The average temperature this week was well below freezing. Up before dawn, out before daylight. It’s not easy for an Arizona boy to climb out from under the covers when the room feels more like a refrigerator than a living space.

Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup has become my best friend. My local grocer has a sale; 5 for $5. I enlist a small army of cans and take them home and line them up on the shelf like so many tin soldiers. Every evening the most enthusiastic volunteer gets opened, poured in the pot and boiled to steaming hot. The heat, smell and taste take the edge off the long cold day. The Southwest Airlines ticket home looks more and more inviting.

Week three comes to a close. The employees are getting use to me being around. I know because they are becoming engaging. They run down the events of the day; the good, bad and ugly. Maybe running a business is more like being a pastor after all.

I really enjoy fielding calls from customers. I spent a couple of days this week doing just that. It’s very interesting. Some call and it’s as if they are taking happy pills. Some call with an IRS serious attitude. Some think they dialed 911. No matter, all are expecting to have their need met by me, the voice in charge.

I am beginning to get excited about the business start in Arizona. I am currently building the system and creating work flow documents. So far I have no customers, no vendors and no employees. It’s fairly easy to manage at this point, but it doesn’t have much of a bottom line. This is were prayer comes in. “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Cor. 9:10) We trust that God will supply everything necessary to accomplish the ministry. Please pray for me and my family to have courage and wisdom for the task set before us.

Well, with soup in hand this frigid week comes to a close.

One afternoon at the mall

January 7, 2013January 25, 2013mikej2013 Leave a comment

It doesn’t happen often, but I was very early for an appointment. A friend and I were to meet at the mall for a lunch meeting. With time to kill I began a trip around my favorite places in the mall. A quick stop at the restroom, (I realize it’s not too cool to talk about visiting the men’s room but it does add relevance to the point I’m making), to well… and wash my hands with really nice scented soap and dry my hands with an ample supply of paper towels in a rather pleasant room of tile and mirrors. Next I went to visit a nice lady at Paradise Bakery who graciously awarded me a cup of ice water for free. With ice water in hand I found a great place to sit at a comfortable table in the food court and began to people watch. I found myself enjoying the sites and sounds and mostly the air conditioning (It was a rather warm August day). Then it dawned on me,,, I am sitting here enjoying a great deal of luxuries for free. Why? How? Then I began to feel somewhat guilty thinking, “If I were a homeless guy, security would have thrown me out by now.” Why was I allowed to stay and enjoy such things? The answer is simple…I am a part of the network; the network of commerce. The reason why I have such privileges at the mall is my back pocket has a wallet in it with cash and credit cards. That makes me a consumer and all consumers are welcome at the mall. I have use of this multi-million dollar facility for free because I am part of the network.

This scenario made me think about something I learned in my first year at seminary. My professor who taught “Intro to Missions” made a very interesting statement our first day of class. He stated, “God allowed Rome to dominate the world in the first century, creating a wonderful system of roads, establishing a common language, and establishing peace in most regions, to maximize the spreading of the Gospel.” I have never forgotten that statement. I thought it profound. The point is, Rome did all the hard work and bore the expense, and the Gospel simply rode on the Roman effort for free! I remember thinking…”God you are really something!”

Then it dawned on me, “That’s what I am experiencing right now.” Then I thought, “Is there a way for the Gospel to travel in the 21^st century much like it did in the 1^st century?” The answer is…YES! Just like Rome established roads, a common language, and peace so that the Gospel traveled quickly and efficiently in the 1^st century, the marketplace has accomplished the exact same thing in this new world of the 21^st century. For example, just like the Roman roads, the 21^st century business network of commerce allows for quick and efficient movement of any commodity. The network spans the entire globe. Just like Rome establish a common world wide language, most business transactions across the world take place in English or are easily translated into English. And finally, just like Rome demanded peace from all of its conquered citizens, business transactions occur successfully even in the most dangerous places on earth.

Here’s an example of what I mean. (I am making this up) Domino’s Pizza Gaza takes two phone in orders for lunch just minutes apart. The pizzas are cooked, boxed and handed to the driver for delivery. The driver makes his way down a street which matches the address on the delivery ticket. Bullets are flying from east to west and west to east. People are dying as a result. However, the Domino’s driver safely travels the street delivering pizzas to both sides. How? Its simple…both sides love pizza for lunch and will do everything in their power to not only receive the pizza ordered earlier, but make sure that the delivery guy will live to deliver pizza another day.

I know, that’s kind of a silly example, but you get my meaning. Let’s engage this powerful resource that already exists and is free to anyone who is part of the network to spread the Gospel.