Doug Rea

Recidivism is a very common occurrence in the prison system. I learned the term and the concept from Fonta High, our lead counselor at Connections.  According to Merriam-Webster.com recidivism is "a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior; especially : relapse into criminal behavior" 

Do you ever do the wrong thing over and over again?

The Apostle Paul did as well, (see Romans 7).   Frankly, I was somewhat glad to see that I am not alone in the world and that others have daily issues to deal with. No wonder Paul said, "I die DAILY."  I began to pray about this matter, I asked the Lord to show me in His word a way to defeat this particular enemy. Was I going to be bound for ever? Is it true that once a sinner always a sinner - that the old dog can't learn new trick?  Is the leapord doomed to never change his spots?  

So how do we break these patterns and cycles of behavior?
I believe that in Acts 9, the well known conversion chapter of Paul, may just have  the key.

GET A NEW LANGUAGE 
The first thing that Paul needed was to stop saying about Christians what he ha been saying and learn what God wanted him to say. No longer was he breathing threats but rather he was saying to The Lord, "What will you have me do." Notice the total surrender that was flowing from his heart. Later Paul would address the use of our words in a number of places in writings. I have a daughter who is mastering weight and health issues. She is using a well known program that may be against this site's policy to mention by name - so I will refrain. But in that program I noticed some distinct patterns of behavior that had to be changed before the shackles would fall and a new language is part of it. I know when the cults get a hold of a new convert they quickly teach them what to say and what NOT to say in a given situation. Either way we know that there is a power to using the correct "language". My daughter uses new terminology now then what she did before she lost so much weight. Where she would have said, "pass the potatoes", she now asks, "How were these prepared?" The bible speaks much about the words we use. To get ourselves free from doing the same old thing over and over again we must first have a new language starting with, "What will you have me do?"

GET A NEW COMMUNITY
Paul's old friends' sought to kill him! At the same time, the new friends were lowering him over the wall, in a basket at night. A NEW COMMUNITY! We are fools to think that we can hang around the same ole crowd and still change for the better. I am not saying converse only with Christians. That violates what Jesus said, "Father, don't take them out of the world." The bible also says to be in the world but not of the world. How will they know unless we are in the world - shining brightly? Support groups are essential in most every addict recovery situation. We must find people that are in the place where we want to be and do what they do. Want to be broke all your life? Find broke people and do what they do. Want financial stability? Find those people and mimic the principles that they operate by. It will work because God is no respecter of persons. A new community is an essential part of breaking recidivism.

GET A NEW MENTOR
I wrote on this a little at the end of the last paragraph. Paul went to all the best schools and was no doubt exposed to the greatest minds of his day. But he was taught wrong. His first new mentor was a guy by the name of Ananias. Dear friend, I am sorry to say this but as much as you love your mom and dad...you had better ask your self if everything they taught you was correct and aligned with what The Lord says. Who is teaching you about morals and of the value of life? Is it your favorite political party? Do you get your information from you friends or what is heard on the news? Ask the Lord to send people into your life to help you deal with a specific issue that seems to always get the best of you. I know the world of sociology and psychiatry would like to take credit for solving recidivism. As we can see, though, it was God's word that had the answer all along.

How then to we change those patterns that seemed to be rooted deep in our minds? 

1) Learn a new language, a biblical language, say what God says. After all, that is the real meaning of the word "confess"

2) Find a new community - go to church if you don't already. Take a class for the local community college or attend a seminar. Don't go after this alone. The body of Christ joins together in such a way that each part supplies the other. I didn't say this - the bible did. Find a support group if you must. Most of all, stay away form those who will take you down that some old path of destruction. Be friendly but let no one into your inner circle that can't help you to grow.

3) Then of course - get a mentor. Timothy had Paul. I have several - an overseer for church matters, a spiritual father to help me with life and family, a business man to help me in that area, and my daughter is teaching me healthy eating and exercise habits.

What do you think?

Here's what Doug thinks (not what thus says The Lord). 
- Things in ministry should be done well - every aspect
- Better to do a few things well that a bunch of things half way
- We worry more about "excellence" then we do ministry

Here's my concern...perfectionism. Isn't perfectionism really nothing more then a way of covering our own insecurities by doing things in such a way that we can't possibly fail? I know in my circles the terms "Excellence in Ministry" and "5 Star Ministry" are cliché. 

But what do these things mean? I will say on a positive note that finally the church is seeing what the world has known for years - effective marketing and using our resources to the maximum. Marketing is not a dirty word. You and I are always marketing ourselves. Marketing is no more that the managing of someone's perception of you. Why do you wash and arrange you hair? (Here in the south we "fix" our hair.) Why mow the grass or paint the house. What causes you to throw out last years clothes? Some of this can certainly fall under the category of stewardship. However, if we will be honest, we want people to think good about us. That, brethren, is marketing.

When it comes to church we want people to think good about us. This can be a bad thing if we emphasize that one point above all other - but I will not elaborate here. We also should want people to see a God who is not impoverished but has the resources to see His work continue in a manner fitting to a King. At the same time we have spent more money on sound, buildings, programs, Christmas decorations and cantatas then we have on food for the hungry, clothing for the cold, and shelters for the abandoned. We scream at the politicians shouting, "Pro life!" At the same time few churches are providing resources and accepting these hurting mothers. It is true that many ministries, especially inner city ministries are great providers for those who are without. I am simply saying that it is my observation is that we put way too much into excellence. Excellence in ministry is doing what God said to do. 

The whole concept of excellence is limiting. The rule of excellence states that we should do nothing until all the research is complete, the money is available, the people are in place, and we have a head for it. Until we can operate that program in excellence (in other words look good doing it), we must table it. In golf we have a saying, "its not how but how many." We feel as if we can't just run with it and figure the rest out as we go. BUT WHAT OF OUR IMAGE? The hungry and needy do not care. They want dinner and they will take it anyway they can get it. I say bake some chicken and serve it. If you make a mistake learn form it. Face it - you will never be perfect anyway so let it go.

Here at Connections we plan, we meet, we set deadlines and we implement. At the same time, we never let excellence become a hindrance. Rather it becomes a natural outcome of doing the will of God. You don't have to have it all figured out. How many times did the disciples ask Jesus to rethink an idea? Do you think the 5,000 where glad that Jesus did not form a committee to feed them? He just fed them.

What is it that God has called you and/or you church to do? May I encourage you to start doing it? The old adage that "any thing worth doing is worth doing right" is not always true. Are you called to preach? You must start preaching. Find a tree that will stand still long enough to listen. Want to be a minister? Go buy someone lunch-and not someone who you "want" to be with. Trust me its great training. Don't preach to them - show ‘em you love ‘em. Sometimes "anything worth doing is worth doing poorly." All you may be able to afford is McDonalds. See if the hungry persons care.

An old South Georgia football coach once said, "All you can do is all you can do but all you can do is enough." His book is titled the same. God knew your abilities and your limitations and He knew them BEFORE he called on you to do a certain task. Go ahead and be seeker friendly...learn the best way to communicate the message to this society. Just be careful NOT to let excellence hinder your ministry.

Thank you for the loving way some have disagreed with my blog on Halloween.

http://dougrea.posterous.com/the-christian-and-halloween-run-mighty-armyru

That speaks volumes to me concerning your hearts for Jesus Christ and the unity of the Body. I am always fearful about sounding argumentative or debating because there is no love in either of these. Having said that, I would love an opportunity to address some specifics questions as respectfully as you all addressed yours to me.

Halloween is just one example of a major issue I have with the church: "different = separate."

Just look at the life of Jesus how he never found time for "church" people unless he was training them to get among the "sinners." He found company in prostitutes, tax collectors and others. I can't imaging Jesus doing anything less then allowing those costumed children of Halloween to come to Him to be loved and blessed and yes - even receive a piece of candy. Don't we give the church kids snacks on Sunday mornings and at church socials? Well then why not give these kids snacks on a day that WE KNOW where they will be? Makes sense to me.

I realize it doesn't sound like something most churches would do but it does sound like something the early church or even Jesus would do. And since Jesus did choose to sit and dine with the sinners, it was only the bound-in-tradition "church" people who would get angry about it. Jesus violated everything that they assumed a man-made religion stood for and that the man of God should look an act like.

That's what we did last year on Halloween. "What makes us different?" one asked. We were not just some people in our homes giving out candy -we were a visible "church." The building was there. We didn't preach "Come on in." We preached "Go Tell!" Those children were learning NOT what we stand against but that we welcome them with open arms. We went right into the middle of Satan's camp and touched those children with their parents watching.

In a nutshell we showed them that we love them even as they participate in this most unholy of so called holidays. They got to see that the church of Jesus Christ knows no bounds of acceptance and forgiveness. Parents, children and passers by got to see that there is nothing that can keep us from extending God's hand of love to them. Yes we will go to the pits to give them a peice of candy because we love them.

We always talk about getting outside the church walls - but then we take the walls with us and try to get to people NOT where they are but rather we try and pull them into our mindsets. Jesus always went where the people were. On October 31st - the people were on the streets. That's were we went. We went out with no secret agenda to get them into church. We simply sowed seeds of love and grace. I like that word, grace!

all things to all men... 

Doug 

I am not happy about the way the mighty army of The Living God handles Halloween – A.K.A "Satan's Day."  As Christians usually do, we hide.

It begins with those of us that will be nestled safely in our home.   Our exterior lighting will be in the off position indicating to these evil children of darkness, (i.e. those that are caught up in the Devil's web), that they are not welcome at this most holy place.   The iniquity of this night must move past us. We are way too holy to be close something or someone so unclean. What if "these whom we do not speak of" see us or worse touch us? We will get a demonic impartation? We must be "Not of this world" to keep God happy.

How about that - the "light of the world" turning off the lights…in a dark world…on a dark night. How pathetically weak we are. I know of people that have anointed the door post of their home to ward off the demons of the night. I guess it is better than applying the blood of a sacrificed lamb. 

Why get into the community on this night of ghosts and goblins when we can hide ourselves safely inside the walls of our church and scream "sanctuary?" No - we can't be a part of Halloween. Most assuredly participating in Halloween would condemn our eternal souls for all eternality.  Thank God religion has launched a barrage of counter offences such as our fall festivals and our hallelujah nights! Sounds to me like the church, for the most part, "moved to the other side of the road."

Is Satan MORE Satan on Halloween? Is he less Satan any other morning than he will be on that day? Will you feel safer the next morning when the demon activity subsides? We are soon to counter him with Christmas! That will get him back.

| I have a better idea…

Let's pretend that our God is great and mighty! Let's assume that we are called to be light in the darkness and that we can walk right into the middle of a witch's coven and not be vexed. Well, what better time to be a light then on Halloween? This year, instead of going to church - BE THE CHURCH. Go home, turn the lights on, and be a safe loving place for children to visit. Let them see, as well as their parents, that the Body of Christ has ZERO fear of this day! Greater is He that is in us! Show them the love of God by giving them a treat NO MATTER HOW they are dressed. 

What do you think your soul looked like to God when you approached him with your evil heart before He made it new? Aren't you glad that the Lord your God did not hide from you or retreat to His inner chamber? No! He met us and loved on us right where we were.  Rest assured, our righteousness looked far worse than those kids do on Halloween night.

Last year at Connections, we sat in the parking lot, grilled  hot dogs, and blessed all the children that stopped by with candy. Here they came: football players and goblins. We were visited by Jason, Freddy, various ghosts, princesses and more. We gave them candy, hot dogs, and wished them a good and safe night. We did not hand out tracks, we did not invite to church - we were being salt and light. Folks, we are ambassadors of Christ. You and I have diplomatic immunity. These things can't hurt us. 

So this year – no running, no hiding, no finger pointing.  Just be the church..as we should be every day.

here's part 2