Happy Wednesday!
So how are you great guys n gals doing these days? For me, the favorite part of blogging is interaction!
Inter.action: is a kind of action that occurs as two or more objects have an effect upon one another. The idea of a two-way effect is essential in the concept of interaction, as opposed to a one-way causal effect. Inter.action is a relationship between parts of the environment.
Environment: That which environs or surrounds; surrounding conditions, influences, or forces, by which living forms are influenced and modified in their growth and development.
From time to time, a person hears me use the term “tribe” and it makes them very nervous. One man sent me a three page letter about how he felt like I was in danger of building my own kingdom. He stated very definitively how there is only one tribe (the family of God) and that I should not be trying to build my own special little “tribe.”
Whether we like it or not… EVERY ONE OF US LIVES IN TRIBES.
Every person INTERACTS with other persons in such a way that ENVIRONMENTS are formed by their interactions.
We are LIVING FORMS… influenced and modified in our growth and development by THAT WHICH ENVIRONS or SURROUNDS… we are what we are so much due to our SURROUNDING CONDITIONS, INFLUENCES, and FORCES.
1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. NIV Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. NLT And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
- Be followers OF ME… FOLLOW my example… IMITATE ME! (BOLD SUGGESTIONS)
- AS I am of Christ… AS I follow the example of Christ… AS I Imitate Christ!
Paul realized that EVERY PERSON follows other persons… and EVERY PERSON has followers. He suggested in so many places, the concept of TRIBES.
Romans 1:10-12 NLT One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
As I’ve come to understand how my life is BEING INFLUENCED by surrounding conditions, influences, and forces… and ALL MY DAILY INTERACTIONS have some positive or negative effect on my development…
I’ve chosen to CREATE MY ENVIRONMENT ON PURPOSE!
Instead of stumbling through life by DEFAULT, in and out of weak and debilitating tribes… instead of living as a FRACTION of my amazing potential, all because I am the product of a bad environment… I chose to ADD TREMENDOUS VALUE in all my tribal interactions! I chose to BLESS the tribes I’m in and out of… positively influencing every great person and people groups I have the privilege of connecting with.
Additionally, I am more passionate than anyone can know about building the MOST LEGENDARY TRIBE the earth has known in a HUNDRED years or more!
I’m creating a place where DREAMS are EMPOWERED! I’m inviting the BEST of the BEST of the BEST of the BEST people I can find from all over this planet. I want to WALK WITH LEGENDS… I want to INSPIRE them… I want to make history with them!
This is why it seems like I’m trying to BEFRIEND my followers… this is why it seems like I’m trying to create a FAMILY… because I am! I want this blog to be so much MORE than a one way trickle of information from ME to YOU.
So thanks for being here… and thanks for POSITIVELY INFLUENCING and MODIFYING my growth and development… you really have made a gigantic difference in my life and in the lives of so many other great people! God bless you all today!
I thought of you yesterday when I watched a movie A Home Of Our Own. The mother refered to her family as a tribe. The family had their ups and downs, but when using the word tribe it meant so much more than just family. It meant a bond that can't be broken even under difficult circumstances and situations.
Have most joyous day everyone.
I would venture to ask the person who had a big problem with your "tribe", how they felt about the "church body" or the "family unit". I think we are just hanging on a mental snag with simply the WORD "TRIBE", but it MEANS family, community, church…circle of friends, who believe the same.
If Satan is constantly trying to divide the family or the church body (the tribe), then even he must know that being one part of a whole is necessary for spiritual growth!
Being a counterfeiter, the devil has taken advantage of our built-in need of the "Godly tribe" over the centuries, and now presents perverse versions such as, gangs, cults and false religions…or just the "wrong crowd".
I didn't grow up in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, so I've been in the "world" and in some of the tribes it has to offer. I'm GLAD to join THIS TRIBE through which I can understand the FREEDOM Jesus has won for me.
I believe in what you are saying here Pastor 100% ! This too is the reason why we as Christ Followers have to watch our step, our words and our actions because people are following us, watching us, and listening to us. We may not think we have influence but WE DO!
Everyone does. Everyone matters to someone.
It does not matter if we hold a title or position or work in or out of the home or church, we influence somebody, somewhere, somehow, sometime.
An example that comes to my mind personally is when our kids have behaviors that aren't the most favorable or if they speak in a tone that is not pleasing we as parents must step back and know they are a product of their environment. We personally in our home take inventory in those moments and see if something needs changed in their surroundings? If they speak harsh, we ask "Who is speaking to you in that way?" Hurting people, hurt others. We must learn to identify the pains and hurts of others and help them through it so the cycle stops.
Just like you are describing today about the "Tribe" and how you intend to create your circle of influence. We all have circles of influence, some close, some distant but one life touches another life and leaves a lasting impression.
As I heard Beth Moore teach yesterday she calls theses moments either "a blessing or not a blessing". These moments can be in word, action or deed. As you said it is up to us individually to CHOOSE on PURPOSE what impression, what purpose, what intentions we will make with our life? What will it count for?
I thank you Pastor Chuck for all you and your family add to our life and the lives of those around us.
Great Blog too!!
Hey:) Great blog. I love them all, just what I always need to hear. Specificaly, I have dealt with many situations better because of your blogs. When I feel like I wanna give up, I remember to read your blog and it is always comforting and encouraging. I can think of several occasions in the past week that just by reading the blog changed my mind-set INSTANTLY.
Ok, so Im feeling a lil fleshy this morn. Or maybe it's that I've had to much coffee. Idk, but 'Tribes' are in the bible! There are twelve of them. Why someone would have a problem enough to write a 3 page letter about it is beyond me! They should get a life! You are the most kind hearted pastor I have ever met and your family is an insperation. I hope you to remember that you answer to God NOT man!
Some individuals find fault with anything they can get their hands on. People like that need a MAJOR attitude adjustment. What do they want?! Blood? Because Jesus already gave his blood to save us.
Im sorry for the rant, just want you to be able to advance without the weight of the negative peanut-gallery.
Thank you for ALL you do:)
Mel
you know the more I think about that person who took all that time to write against "the tribe letter" he/she must really feel like an outcast. That person must not know what it feels like to be part of something bigger than themselves. He/She must not know what a family bond, a family unit, a church group, a love for the people you care about feels like. He/She must not have true friendships. We need to feel pity and compassion for that person because he does NOT know what he/she is missing. It is actually quite sad when you think about it.
We have grown so much over this past year… it really is exciting to see how much God has done in each of our lives in such a short time! Can you image how far we will climb over the next TEN YEARS? I'm cheering you guys on! Let's keep RUNNING THIS GREAT RACE!
Thank you for this blog! I even enjoyed everyone's comments
I missed out on reading this yesterday and I am so glat that I got to read it this morning. I pray the person who wrote you that letter does find his/her own tribe, that loves and cares for them the way ours does! I cannot imagine how hard it can be to never have their own tribe, and I can't imagine knocking one if you did.
Just wanted to say that I am thanking God for everyone in any of my tribes today, because I am thankful for you all!
i love those words. TRIBE, TRIBES, FAMILY, CONNECTED, COMMUNITY.
and yes true, i do love everyone's comments as well.
TRIBES, TRIBES, TRIBES, TRIBES, TRIBES .. what a beautiful truth that different background, color, language, even different OPINION can be together and so CONNECTED in this amazing BLOG. Even the UN-AGREE person is so well connected. If not, then he/she would not write that long to you Ps Chuck..
loves it.