While in transition from Northside to whatever... I am working on incorporating a personal ministry. To complete compliance I had to name this new ministry. I tried to think of some kind of theme. For the past seven years I have met with my good friend Keith (Michelle considers him to be my second wife) on Tuesdays at 7 AM at Panera Bread. It was through many discussions, lessons and reading through God's Word that the Spirit has allowed me to discover Truth. These weekly sessions have absolutely had a major impact on my life. Therefore, the theme of a bakery seemed pretty logical. After searching several bakery glossaries, I have chosen the name Leavener. Leavener is not a word found in a dictionary but is definitely used by bakeries. A leavener is the change agent found in a dough product that causes it to rise or transform while it is in a state of rest. The most common leaveners are yeast, baking soda or baking powder.
I can honestly say this same process occurred within me. During the first 2-3 years of just sitting with Keith at Panera each Tuesday, the Holy Spirit allowed me to see things like I have never seen them before. I began to grow in the Truth and discover that my life had truly been transformed. Click on these verses... 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 11:18-19, Galatians 2:20.
As I mention the name Leavener to different friends, I get two different comments, sometimes together. "That is very cool" and/or "Do you know what the Bible says about yeast?" That's like telling someone that your car has broken down and they ask you, "Does it have gas?".
Yes, I am aware of the many references to yeast and unleavened throughout the Scriptures. But just like so many other issues in the church, we can be totally misguided because of discussions, teachings, experiences and traditions. It is the same issue the disciples were dealing with after hearing Jesus say just one sentence... "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Read the whole story here - Matthew 16:5-12.
You see... it is not about whether leavener is bad or good. Leavener is neutral. It is a chemical reaction. Just as the Pharisees could have an effect for the negative, the Holy Spirit can have even a greater effect for the positive. It's not about the leavener. It's purely about the transformation. And there is no doubt that I have been transformed. I am holy because God has granted me faith. Just as leavener is the change agent that causes dough to be transformed while it is in state of rest, the Holy Spirit has transformed my life while I have done absolutely nothing. Thank you Jesus!
Rusty
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the change agent found in a dough product that causes it to rise or transform while it is in a state of rest.
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- Leavener Guy
- My purpose is to teach the Word of God in hopes that the Spirit will save and set people free!
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1 comment:
God used Keith in my life while I sat under his leadership in Sunday School during my first couple of years of college. He was so patient with all of my questions and he provided refreshing answers that made sense, unlike a lot of others before who had provided trite answers that didn't really speak fully to my concerns or confusion on particular issues. It's neat to know that you, as a pastor, learned from him too. One more thing...I know what people were saying about the meaning of yeast and all that, but I've noticed other things that have been used in different metaphors in Scripture to get very different points across. Fire, for example, is used to speak of judgement in some passages while in others it refers to passion or the presence of the Holy Spirit. All that said, "Leavener" makes sense for your ministry :).
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