What a week! We finally moved into our new facility and had our first service this past Sunday. It was a dream come true and still feels a little surreal. But one thing is certain--it could not have happened without the dedication and sweat of 50+ people of The Mission who gave up their Saturday and all worked like crazy together for the glory of God!
At the end of the day, as the final product began coming into focus, I was reminded that there are very few things in life as sacred as taking part in this thing called "the church," and I was overwhelmed with gratefulness and real joy at being part of such a great community of believers. God is best experienced and expressed in biblical community. This is true at so many levels, but one of the most obvious benefits of biblical community is that our joy is multiplied!
Have you ever noticed that the best moments in life are the ones that are shared? I remember getting a new truck once and being so excited to have someone to show it to and celebrate it with. The only problem was that everyone I knew seemed to be gone or unavailable. I was frantically driving around looking for someone, anyone, to be happy with me! It just wasn't the same experience by myself. Likewise, our joy is multiplied when we share together in what God is doing, knowing that it's much bigger than any one person. There is a certain joyful synergy released as we allow our lives to be joined with others and move towards what the Bible calls "fellowship."
We have a saying at our church: "Share life." It means that you don't walk it alone. You do life together. Our Pastors, Deven and Kathy, embody this value better than anyone I know. Whether it's a baby shower, a funeral, a job interview, a dream (or even getting a new truck) Pastor Deven and Kathy "share it" with you. They understand that it's not just a good Christian thing to do, it is intrinsic to the gospel itself. Paul summarized this truth this way: We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too (1 Thess 2:8).
Are you doing life with anyone? I mean for real?
I don't mean that you just go to church on Sundays; would you say you experience fellowship regularly?
If not, what's stopping you?
Let down your guard, start sharing life with some people, and watch the joy multiply.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Circumcision Is A Weird Blog Topic
Earlier in the week I wrote about being "impotent" in the sense that we have no ability to produce life outside of the Spirit of God. Flesh cannot produce anything except flesh; only the Spirit can produce spirit. God alone is the source of real and lasting change that brings life, as seen in the life of Abraham.
But that is only half the story.
As the story of Abraham continues, Chapter 17 of Genesis says that God changed Abraham's name. His name used to be Abram (which means exalted father). From now on, God says, call yourself Abraham (father of many nations/multitudes). This is a guy who's spent years (24 to be exact) waiting on the promise of children. And, as if to add insult to injury, now he's supposed to identify himself as "father of many nations!" Imagine being reminded of your worst disappointment, biggest unfulfilled dream, or longest lingering failure every time you say your own name. Yet, God insisted that Abraham identify himself with His promise rather than his current condition or circumstances. "Call yourself Abraham."
Also striking is the way God chose to confirm or mark this covenant promise...circumcision. I will not elaborate a great deal on this, but I'm guessing it was not very popular with Abraham. More to the point, God chose the very source of Abraham's failure and disappointment as the place to mark His promise. As Abraham and every descendant for generations to come reproduced they would forever be reminded that God brought forth a nation from a man and woman who could not have children. Do not be surprised if God chooses to mark you at the very source of your failure or disappointment.
In our own strength we are impotent and powerless to produce life and change. However, as believers, we DO have the life-giving Holy Spirit dwelling within us. It is the very same Spirit and power that raised Jesus from the dead (Eph 1:19-20). It is the very same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation. The Spirit that inspired and breathed the written Word of God. The Helper, the Counselor. The one who teaches us, convicts us, guides us, prompts us, empowers us, and gives us life! The mark of the new covenant is a new heart and a Spirit-filled life. (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Rom 2:28-29). As Spirit-filled, new-covenant people we are called to be fruitful and multiply, to be life-givers (1 Cor 15:45-49).
So maybe you feel impotent and powerless to bring forth change.
You've waited and waited and...nothing.
You've tried and tried before...and given up.
Go back to His promise. Identify yourself with that. Call yourself "Abraham."
But that is only half the story.
As the story of Abraham continues, Chapter 17 of Genesis says that God changed Abraham's name. His name used to be Abram (which means exalted father). From now on, God says, call yourself Abraham (father of many nations/multitudes). This is a guy who's spent years (24 to be exact) waiting on the promise of children. And, as if to add insult to injury, now he's supposed to identify himself as "father of many nations!" Imagine being reminded of your worst disappointment, biggest unfulfilled dream, or longest lingering failure every time you say your own name. Yet, God insisted that Abraham identify himself with His promise rather than his current condition or circumstances. "Call yourself Abraham."
Also striking is the way God chose to confirm or mark this covenant promise...circumcision. I will not elaborate a great deal on this, but I'm guessing it was not very popular with Abraham. More to the point, God chose the very source of Abraham's failure and disappointment as the place to mark His promise. As Abraham and every descendant for generations to come reproduced they would forever be reminded that God brought forth a nation from a man and woman who could not have children. Do not be surprised if God chooses to mark you at the very source of your failure or disappointment.
In our own strength we are impotent and powerless to produce life and change. However, as believers, we DO have the life-giving Holy Spirit dwelling within us. It is the very same Spirit and power that raised Jesus from the dead (Eph 1:19-20). It is the very same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation. The Spirit that inspired and breathed the written Word of God. The Helper, the Counselor. The one who teaches us, convicts us, guides us, prompts us, empowers us, and gives us life! The mark of the new covenant is a new heart and a Spirit-filled life. (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Rom 2:28-29). As Spirit-filled, new-covenant people we are called to be fruitful and multiply, to be life-givers (1 Cor 15:45-49).
So maybe you feel impotent and powerless to bring forth change.
You've waited and waited and...nothing.
You've tried and tried before...and given up.
Go back to His promise. Identify yourself with that. Call yourself "Abraham."
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
I'm Impotent
Only one week into 2010 and I already feel a little sluggish. Is it just me? Went back to the gym for the first time in a couple of months...big mistake, very depressing. This usually doesn't happen until late January or mid February, but it seems like I'm quickly losing the motivation for all my new year aspirations. What's going on?!!
This morning as I tried to figure this out the Lord reminded me of the simple fact that when it comes to bringing real change in my life I am impotent. There is absolutely nothing of my own power or resolve that can birth or sustain anything truly alive. I saw this in the life of Abraham (reading about him right now in the One Year Bible). God had begun to make extraordinary promises to him. Abraham was successful and wealthy. However, there was one thing he had no power to do...bring forth life. "O Sovereign Lord, what good are all these blessings when I don't even have a son?" (Gen 15:2)
Only God can bring forth life. He alone is the source of any real, lasting life-giving change. Our part, like Abraham's was, is to continue to surrender our lives, and walk in simple trust and obedience. This is so hard sometimes! It's much easier to work our own thing. It can even feel really spiritual too. The problem is it's impotent. It will never produce life.
"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:6)
What do you need to surrender?
Where do you need to trust him?
Are you living in obedience?
This morning as I tried to figure this out the Lord reminded me of the simple fact that when it comes to bringing real change in my life I am impotent. There is absolutely nothing of my own power or resolve that can birth or sustain anything truly alive. I saw this in the life of Abraham (reading about him right now in the One Year Bible). God had begun to make extraordinary promises to him. Abraham was successful and wealthy. However, there was one thing he had no power to do...bring forth life. "O Sovereign Lord, what good are all these blessings when I don't even have a son?" (Gen 15:2)
Only God can bring forth life. He alone is the source of any real, lasting life-giving change. Our part, like Abraham's was, is to continue to surrender our lives, and walk in simple trust and obedience. This is so hard sometimes! It's much easier to work our own thing. It can even feel really spiritual too. The problem is it's impotent. It will never produce life.
"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:6)
What do you need to surrender?
Where do you need to trust him?
Are you living in obedience?
Monday, January 4, 2010
Foolish Confession Pt 2
With every new year comes the chance to restart, refocus, re-prioritize, release, and receive. Over the past few years it’s been a great opportunity for me personally to reflect on what I’ve learned (or haven’t learned) and look forward with fresh vision and anticipation, probably due in part to my birthday falling on the second day of the year. As we step into 2010 I find myself turning the big 30, and making a rather odd new year’s resolution. This year I want to be more foolish.
Yep, that’s right. I want to be more foolish.
I’m asking God for the courage to be more foolish for his sake. To dream bold and ridiculous dreams that I have no way of fulfilling on my own, pray raw and miracle-dependent prayers, practice undignified worship, live unashamed of the truth, and most importantly act in foolish obedience. In short, I want God to use my life anyway he pleases and to his fullest glory, and I don’t want my pride, fear of failure, or anyone else’s opinion getting in the way.
A quick survey of Scripture reveals that it isn’t talent, good looks, winning charisma, skill, or even experience that God requires, but more often than not, a foolish obedience. Noah builds an ark because “rain” is going to fall from the sky and flood the earth. A fugitive shepherd named Moses demands the release of a free labor force from one of the great world powers because God says so. An orphan girl named Esther saves her people from certain disaster. An overlooked errand boy named David becomes a great warrior and king. Of course there was also Gideon, Deborah, Daniel, Mary, the disciples, the Apostle Paul...And the turning point in all of history when Jesus willingly gave His life to be crucified had to be considered foolish.
I wonder if what keeps many of us from seeing and living the miraculous is an unwillingness to look foolish? My experience has been that when God speaks to me about something the hold up usually isn’t because I’m unclear about what God is saying (even though I sometimes pretend it is...God is that really you?), but rather my attempt to salvage my own reputation. I just don’t want to look stupid. Because...
What if it doesn’t work?
What if I missed God?
What if it’s a terrible idea?
What if this person totally rejects what I’m trying to do for them, and thinks I’m crazy?
What if I sound like a dork?
What if no one shows up?
But consider that, in the end, those who change the world choose obedience over logic...Faithfulness over success...Foolishness over their own reputation. I’m convinced that the quicker we get over ourselves (and I mean really get over ourselves) the more we’ll see Him. Some advice?
Be foolish.
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