TargetPoint

January, 2012

 

“Presence”

Ted Heiden

 

Last month I shared two words God gave me going into this year, presence and perspective. I talked about the importance of experiencing His presence as a prerequisite to understanding His perspective.  For the next several TargetPoints I want to unpack these two important words.  This month I have chosen to ask Ted Heiden, Cindy’s brother, to begin the process by talking about obedience, the starting place for experiencing God’s presence:

 

Obedience is better than sacrifice, the Bible says, and does so for a very specific reason.  Sacrifice assumes this position before God:  That I have something worthy to offer but always accompanied by the distinct possibility that I am blind to the true requirement that would make the sacrifice acceptable.  Obedience on the other hand establishes a position before God: Assuming nothing of my worthiness, only His.  And if that idea doesn’t make you a little warm behind the ears, you should read it again.

 

The truth is that this may take years to understand because our old nature will stubbornly cling to the idea that Everexisting God needs something from us.  And if you think about that for even a New York minute, the preposterous nature of such an assertion should become obvious.

 

Sacrifice assumes this position before God:  That I have something worthy to offer but always accompanied by the

distinct possibility that I am blind to the true requirement

that would make the sacrifice acceptable

 

After having his self-ignorance accosted by the prophet Nathan, King David had a breakthrough moment with God.  It is recorded in Psalm 51. For you have no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.  The sacrifice acceptable, O God is a broken and contrite spirit.

 

In the heyday of animal blood-letting, it was only a broken and repentant king who could recognize that his hands were empty of anything worthwhile and was then prepared to be obedient to something greater than his own heart.  And in turn, it is only those who are obedient to the commands of Christ who can have the slightest insight into the nature of God and thereby find immunity from all the lies of religion and human opinion.

 

God is revealed to us as a Son who is obedient to His Father.  I only do what I see my Father doing, Jesus said.  And without His obedience we would have no idea what sonship actually looks like.  The most uncomfortable truth:  In the absence of obedience “everything is just opinion.” And if that’s as true as it obviously is, any claim to faith without obedience is a claim to a lie where every false and dishonoring idea about the Father not only becomes possible but acceptable although our soul innately rejects the falsehood.  Then caught in this terrible predicament, we will be forced to erect flimsy theological barricades around these beliefs before quickly setting out to enlist others to defend those very lies from whose power we ourselves are unable to escape.

 

Now maybe for this reason alone, the things that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount will never be embraced by religious people or religious systems. “The bar is set too high,” they will say in full retreat to something more debatable like the rest of the New Testament.  But this is because brokenness precedes any possibility of obedience, and not having been broken, we are unable to obey that we might enter into a lifestyle that is completely counter intuitive.

 

All our devotion can produce is a shrunken version of what God requires, all the while protesting, “My life needs protection.”  But Jesus’ contradiction to this type of human rationale is brutal. If you seek to save your life you will lose it.  If you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.  These are wonderful words of invitation, but they will hang over our heads like a Damocles Sword until we have discovered that true living can only be found on the other side of our human resources. Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, the Master said, it cannot bear fruit but remains alone.  Dead and resurrected, this kind of faith does not run from the battles of life.  It is not tenuous or fragile, ready to wither at the hint of conflict and testing.  True faith in Christ is robust and unafraid.  Religion however, will settle for much less than that. 

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, the Lord said, and then added all the other “Blesseds” He could immediately think of.  But how wrong it is to think that He is telling us how we should act, when no one can act like this without having their insides rearranged.  So yes, the bar is set too high.  And it is only when we are finally forced into this impossible corner, that we will ask along with Jesus first disciples, “If this is so, what makes obedience possible at all?” (“Then who can be saved?”) 

 

The answer is simple.  Obedience is possible because it is not a method for modifying our behavior according to current social or spiritual standards, but rather an inescapable response to the revelation of God’s grace.  And if this makes any sense at all it will be easy to see that these beatitudes are not prescriptions for a better or more spiritual life.  They are a description of the life that is hid with Christ in God, because one would hardly think of instructing an oak tree on how to grow or a peach pit on how to produce peaches.  How silly that sounds even putting it on paper.  But the foolishness of such an idea only becomes clear when we come to realize that the life that Jesus is laying out before us is the fruit of being connected to the vine, not instructions on how to grow a vine.

 

Can you imagine how ineffective it would be to tell someone that they had to be forgiving although forgiving is a basic command of Christ? “Just forgive them!” we might say.  But it would do no better than making our children say they are sorry when they aren’t. “I’m sorry,” these little ones will repeat to avoid punishment as their hearts remain unchanged.

 

So it is good to remember that while Jesus commands absolute obedience, it is not the same obedience most of us require from our kids.  Our desire is to teach our sons and daughters right from wrong.  His, to lead us from death to life, and there is of course, a huge difference.

Dear Friend,                                                                             January, 2012

           

January was a quiet month after all the special celebrations with family and friends came to a close.  I must admit that this year’s holiday festivities were so special there was a little loneliness that did set in.

I spent most of the month working on our calendar for 2012.  As of today I am pleased with how things are shaping up but we still have many dates open.  Because January and most of February are usually slow months it has really helped us financially to be able to use deposits on future events to offset some of our expenses.

Cindy and I are preparing a brief trip to California soon for some speaking assignments and to prep for a wedding I am presiding over for our nephew on April 1^st.  While there we will also be able to visit with our kids and grandkids—that’s always a blessing.

Around the middle of the month I had the privilege of sharing with a large group of women at Woodmen Valley Chapel.  They meet weekly and call it Moms And Beyond.  I have had this on my schedule for several months and was thrilled to be with these women, many of whom followed our journey with Cindy and were fervently praying for us.

After the meeting several women approached me with comments and questions regarding my message, The Differences Between Men and Women.  One of the women sent me an email a week later that really blessed me—here is what she shared:

Hi Vince, I met you Thursday at the WVC Mom's and Beyond meeting. We spoke briefly after the meeting (I was the last person you spoke with, I think), and I asked you if you were a Christian when your wife was praying for you during those 8 years you described...You answered that you weren't, and I told you that it gave me some hope because I didn't know if my husband was a Christian or not. You suggested he watch your testimony, and that he probably was a Christian who accepted Christ but not Christ as Lord of his life. You were right on. And, the Holy Spirit was at work. My husband has NEVER willingly watched something that I have presented him with, yet he watched your testimony and he was very moved. He really resonated with you. If you would, please pray for him and for our marriage.

My husband has NEVER willingly watched something

that I have presented him with, yet he watched

your testimony and he was very moved

 

Toward the end of the month I came down with a bad cold.  I am just now getting over it but it did give rise to some concerns.  The last time I caught anything was in October of 2009 and that was the culprit that led to Cindy’s four month battle for her life.  But God is good and so far no one has come down with anything in our household—maybe it’s because Cindy has isolated me to a remote part of the home and has me locked up—just kidding but close.

As you pray for us over this next month please do pray for Cindy’s continued good health and that she would not contract anything during this dangerous flu season.  Also pray for our schedule to start filling up.  If any of you have any contact with people in your local church or area who may be in a position to invite us for a men, couples or pastor conference, please put in a good word.

As always, Cindy and I are so grateful for your prayers and financial support.  We are believing that 2012 is going to be a breakthrough year in discovering God’s special assignment for the season ahead and are honored to be on this journey with you.

 

May God richly bless you and your family during this special new Season  

 

 

            Advancing His Kingdom together,

 

                                                                                                                  

Vince D’Acchioli

Founder, On Target Ministries

TargetPoint

December, 2011

 

“Presence and Perspective”

Vince D’Acchioli

 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path  --Ps 119:105

 

As I was praying early on the morning of New Year’s Eve I was struck with two words that have combined to shape how I intend to pray going into this New Year; Presence and Perspective.  As we enter into this exciting new season I am praying that God will give you a heightened sense of His Presence in your life as you actively pursue Him.  I am also praying that the result of this new sense of His presence will give you and I a fresh Perspective regarding His new plan and purpose for our lives.  As you think of Cindy and me we would ask you to please pray in this way for us as well.

   

You will never discover God’s Perspective

until you first experience God’s Presence

 

I was sitting on my usual chair and ottoman praying and stroking my dog Beau.  Beau is our beautiful Golden Retriever who got me through many a tearful time when Cindy was in the hospital. This is a scene that occurs every morning for my prayer time.  As I would continue to stroke him he would lay still—when I would stop he would immediately take his paw and grab my arm in an effort to get me to continue.

 

Then it struck me—this is a picture of what I desire my relationship to be with my Lord.  I want to sit in His wonderful lap and experience His gentle hand stroking my brow.  I want to experience the joy of just relaxing in His presence just like Beau wants to do with me—his master.  It was at this tender moment God whispered to me my need to understand Presence and Perspective.

 

If you are like me you are quick to admit that you want to discover God’s plan for your life—particularly at year’s end.  Perhaps you also experience the same challenge I do—trying to discover God’s perspective without seeking Him.  I talk a good game and say all the right words—I really need to get closer to God this year.  But, oftentimes these words fall tragically on the floor as nothing more that obscure New Year’s resolutions.

 

I talk a good game and say all the right words—

I really need to get closer to God this year

 

I don’t know about you, but I cannot afford this kind of annual commitment that falls so short of what God really wants.  This year I intend to pray and seek Him every day for nothing more than to sense His presence.  I am convinced this is the only way to eventually gain His perspective regarding my life and future.  This has been His design from the beginning of time and has never failed.

 

 

 

Psalm 119 is the longest one in the book.  It is also the very center of the Bible and talks about pursuing God.  It’s no wonder that one of the most profound verses falls right in the middle of the writing.  Psalm 199:105 says, Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

 

As we unpack this incredible verse we can see clearly the two words God has given.  The first part of this verse talks about God’s Word being a lamp for my feet—the idea that as I am in His Word He will illuminate my daily walk—His very presence will be with me along the way.  This is a key promise only made possible as I seek His presence through His Word every day.

 

The second part to me is even more profound—His Word will become a light on my path.  Here it is clear that not only will He be with me step-by-step, but as I pursue His presence He will shine His light on the path.  In other words, He will give me the bigger picture, the vision or perspective for my life.

 

An excerpt from today’s devotional found in Experiencing God

An exalted view of God brings a clear view of sin and a realistic view of self. A diminished view of God brings a reduced concern for sin and an inflated view of self. Isaiah may have been satisfied with his personal holiness until he saw the Lord in His unspeakable glory. Isaiah's encounter with holy God made him immediately and keenly aware of his own unholiness and the sinfulness of those around him. It is impossible to worship God and remain unchanged. The best indication that we have truly worshiped is a changed heart.

Have we so conformed ourselves to a sinful world that we are satisfied with unholy living? Have we sunk so far below God's standard that when someone does live as God intended, we consider that person “superspiritual”? If we only compare our personal holiness to those around us, we may be deceived into believing that we are living a consecrated life. Yet when we encounter holy God, our only response can be “Woe is me!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Beau

 

Dear Friend,                                                                            December, 2011

           

NOTE:  Please read this month’s TargetPoint as I share two important words God gave me for this coming year—I believe they are for everyone.

I cannot remember a Christmastime that was more special than this one.  There were so many special feelings and times with friends and family—more about that in a minute.

Our month began with our annual Board Christmas Dinner on the 7^th.  Ron and Sally Roberts flew in to join us and it was a festive and productive time as we combined the event with our end-of-year Board Meeting.  The picture is a small tree in our front yard after a beautiful Christmas snow.

On the 8^th I was invited to speak to an Iron Man small group at Woodmen Valley Chapel.  The Lord showed up in a magnificent way for our meeting.  On the 23^rd I was asked by my good friend Larry Yonker to MC the Springs Rescue Mission annual Christmas Banquet.  There were close to 2,000 needy people and their families who were so blessed.

This was one of the most special Christmas

 times our family has ever experienced

 

For the first time in many years our whole family was here and they all came to help out at the banquet.  Our five grandkids will have some fond memories of that experience.

For those of you who were following Cindy’s journey from critical to miraculous healing, you must have a heightened appreciation for how our family felt during this special season.  This was our first time together as a family and our first Christmas at our home since Cindy came home from the hospital. 

It is hard for me to explain how special this was to me personally.  I remember so many occasions as we all watched Christmas Hallmark movies together having to choke back tears.  Some of the stories brought back so many memories and special emotions as I continued to remember our journey and how grateful I am to have my wife with me for this special new season.

We had our traditional Christmas celebrations and the grandchildren enjoyed sledding, hot chocolate and being together with their cousins.  We shared what we wanted to see God do in our lives in this New Year.  Cindy and I are both feeling much better physically from our long battle with back and neck issues which made the occasion even more special.

Cindy and I want to wish all of you an exciting New Year filled with wonderful blessings from God.  We also want to thank you so much for your continued faithful prayer and support.  Because you helped in such a special way this month we experienced a wonderful year-end financial blessing.  As you know, December is a tough month for ministries like ours—but God is so good.

Please continue to pray for a fresh sense of God’s Presence and Perspective as we enter this new season.  These two special words are what I am unpacking in this month’s TargetPoint and represent what I believe we all need to seek as we journey together.

 

May God richly bless you and your family during this special new Season  

 

 

            Advancing His Kingdom together,                                                                

Vince D’Acchioli

Founder, On Target Ministries

TargetPoint

November, 2011

 

“Wishing you a blessed Christmas Season”

Vince & Cindy D’Acchioli

 

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth

peace, good will toward men  (Luke 2:14).

For Cindy and me this is our first Christmas at our home since her release from physical rehab after her prolonged illness.  Last year we traveled to California to be with our oldest daughter and her family.  As a result we did not decorate our home and for the first time in our married life, we had no tree.  Needless to say, this year we are experiencing a special joy.  Not only have we gone overboard in decorating but our whole family will be here to enjoy this special occasion with us.

 

In light of all this, Cindy and I are experiencing a new and exciting season ahead. It is with much delight and hopeful expectation we pray this excerpt from one of our favorite books written by Jack Hayford titled “The Mary Miracle” will bless you this Christmas.

 

The Mary Miracle

The Mary miracle is the fountainhead miracle; it’s the beginning of all God’s wonder-works of redemption.  Redemption is the beautiful word that embraces all of God’s divine program of recovery: His reclaiming the lost, forgiving the sinful and then setting about to fulfill His purposes in each one who will receive His offer of love and life.  That’s what redemption is about.

 

It didn’t start in a manger in Bethlehem, but in a womb in Nazareth.  Even more precisely, it began before all time in the mind of the eternal Father.  From the fountainhead of God’s redeeming grace, the Mary miracle flowed from heaven to earth, from out of eternity into time.  And here, within time, that miracle began to take shape in a Galilean girl who was stunned by the wonder of what had come to her.  That summarizes the way the Mary miracle begins in, and flows forward with, anyone. 

 

The Mary miracle starts with the living God ready to work something of His releasing grace, and continues with His finding someone willing to become an instrument of that grace.  It is best understood by looking closely at that incredible starting point of all redemption’s miracles:  The Incarnation.

 

What happened in the willingness of God to accept temporary housing in a womb, in order to bring eternal promise into the world, is, of course, the theme of Christmas.  But it is a source of every other holy day as well, for no other date on the calendar of our holy celebrations would exist without the beginning---the birth.  There are no miracles without the Mary miracle.  Furthermore, the story of the glory revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior has another incredible feature.  In addition to God’s willingness to come to us is the overarching phenomenon of His coming through a human conduit. 

 

The Mary miracle reminds us that God Himself has chosen no beginning point for His wonder-working apart from human beings.  In Mary, He demonstrated His readiness and willingness to work through an imperfect human vessel, and He is still unashamed to do the same.

 

Capture this truth, dear ones.

 

As amazing as is God’s will to come from heaven to earth, an even more transcending grace is manifest in His choice to reveal Himself through the fabric and frame of humankind.  Look what happened to Mary.

 

Here was a common member of Adam’s race as tainted by the Fall as any other.  But she was chosen.  And an equal splendor is the revelation God’s Word gives to us that we are no less His choice: “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”

 

Mary was the first person to experience this order of being chosen, of becoming a vehicle of redemption’s fullest and highest expression of grace.  Consider this:  God’s redemptive promise was brought to her (the angel’s announcement), to grow in her (the miraculous conception), to be delivered through her (that first Christmas), to change the world around her (through Calvary’s triumph). 

 

This Christmastime may we see ourselves through God’s eyes.  We are a chosen people, to whom a promise has been given, and is to be realized through us to change the world around us by ushering in the kingdom of heaven to earth over and over again.

 

We wish you a very joyous Christmas and a most blessed New Year-

 

Lovingly,

Vince and Cindy