The last few weeks I have heard from several friends of personal struggles. Hurting and longing for help. Some have sought God and He is answering. Sometimes not so easily visible to them, but for those God has ask to join them in prayer, we in faith see and hope.
Then there are those who in the illusion of independence seek to solve their current dilemmas on their own. It is here my heart aches. Nevertheless I pray convinced that God loves them far more deeply and genuinely then I ever can.
In this I have seen how I have grieved the heart of Christ when I have sought my own solutions and agendas over than His. As I have watched friends make “questionable” choices that will have long standing ramifications I am reminded of how I too have done the same.
Then the Spirit reminds that Abraham hoped when hope seemed the least logical course. He reminds of Jesus going to cross fully convinced of the wisdom, love and goodness of God. Is His love bigger and stronger than my sin? Of my friends sins and failings? Can I call out to Him who gave His very life for them and not expect Him to answer?
So in my groaning I ask “Daddy how do I pray for them when I see what I think are wrong turns?” I sensed the Spirit’s whisper “ like Jesus prayed for Peter before the garden.” I do not see Jesus praying that Peter not struggle but that he would be restored afterwards and strengthen his brothers.
As parents my wife and I recently discussed what “mistakes” to let our son make and when to intervene. “I always want to intervene” my wife said. But to do so would prevent him from growing and becoming a man.
Does my Daddy in heaven not know better? Is sin o.k? ? No. But where sin abounds is there not an abundance of grace from God? Yes. Does his love excuse sin or does it cover sin? As Chris Rice says “Can I leave the timing of this universe in better Hands?”
So I will trust the Jesus I have come to know and love. And as Rich Mullins said “ I will be my brother’s keeper, not the one who judges him. I won’t despise him for his weakness. I won’t regard him for his strength. I won’t take away his freedom but help him learn to stand. And I will be my brother’s keeper.”
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Nod and a Wink
Lets be honest here. Nowhere in the New Testament do we see anyone being invited to church. We see lots of invitations to come to Jesus to be introduced to him but not to “church”.
Now you might say wait a minute here what about 1 Corinthians 14
23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you
Does not this imply someone invited them to church to get saved? First of all you must read 1Corthians chapters 12-14 to get what Paul is going after here. Also there were no “services” in the early church. They gathered for mutual encouragement and edification, hence the instruction in 1 Co. 14 about how many people are to “share” and how gifts are to be used.
So should you never invite someone to church? Well I would say that depends. What do you think will happen? Do you think being around church people will cause Jesus to kinda rub off on them? When you look at statistics church people have just as high divorce rates, unplanned teen pregnancies, depression etc…as the average American. It appears rubbing off does not work.
But they will hear the gospel and be changed! I refer to the above statistics.
Well you might say if it is that bad why bother with church at all? Ah, now we are getting somewhere. For most Americans church is an event to which they attach certain expectations. Those expectations may be valid, unrealistic, wrong, etc but they attend the “event” in order to validate or realize their expectations.
Let me give you an example: Joe and Suzie attend church for their two kids. They expect church to teach them values and provide experiences that will unable them to become healthy well adjusted adults. Joe and Susie themselves hope to find like-minded people with whom they can they can have friendships and perhaps find God. They will be basically safe and comfortable.
Could not the same expectations be realized in say the Boy/Girl Scouts? What about in a civic group like the Shiners or United Way? What about the YM/YWCA?
So never invite anyone to church? Actually that is not exactly what I am saying. I think Church needs to give what I call a nod and a wink to these expectations. Because the prevailing culture comes to church looking for these things we should maintain a public face. We cannot meet these expectations! We can however offer public services the way Jesus did.
The crowds came to Jesus and he met their needs. He did not however always live up to their expectations. The parables of the soils in Mark 4 reveal this.
I suggest we arrange our public face to feed the sheep and present Jesus to the thirsty. But if all we have is that “service” then we have missed the mark. We invite people to join us as we follow Jesus. We introduce them to Him and how His story is reveal in ours. We purpose to share His life through our shared lives.
In essence we determine that to find us is to find Him.
Now you might say wait a minute here what about 1 Corinthians 14
23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you
Does not this imply someone invited them to church to get saved? First of all you must read 1Corthians chapters 12-14 to get what Paul is going after here. Also there were no “services” in the early church. They gathered for mutual encouragement and edification, hence the instruction in 1 Co. 14 about how many people are to “share” and how gifts are to be used.
So should you never invite someone to church? Well I would say that depends. What do you think will happen? Do you think being around church people will cause Jesus to kinda rub off on them? When you look at statistics church people have just as high divorce rates, unplanned teen pregnancies, depression etc…as the average American. It appears rubbing off does not work.
But they will hear the gospel and be changed! I refer to the above statistics.
Well you might say if it is that bad why bother with church at all? Ah, now we are getting somewhere. For most Americans church is an event to which they attach certain expectations. Those expectations may be valid, unrealistic, wrong, etc but they attend the “event” in order to validate or realize their expectations.
Let me give you an example: Joe and Suzie attend church for their two kids. They expect church to teach them values and provide experiences that will unable them to become healthy well adjusted adults. Joe and Susie themselves hope to find like-minded people with whom they can they can have friendships and perhaps find God. They will be basically safe and comfortable.
Could not the same expectations be realized in say the Boy/Girl Scouts? What about in a civic group like the Shiners or United Way? What about the YM/YWCA?
So never invite anyone to church? Actually that is not exactly what I am saying. I think Church needs to give what I call a nod and a wink to these expectations. Because the prevailing culture comes to church looking for these things we should maintain a public face. We cannot meet these expectations! We can however offer public services the way Jesus did.
The crowds came to Jesus and he met their needs. He did not however always live up to their expectations. The parables of the soils in Mark 4 reveal this.
I suggest we arrange our public face to feed the sheep and present Jesus to the thirsty. But if all we have is that “service” then we have missed the mark. We invite people to join us as we follow Jesus. We introduce them to Him and how His story is reveal in ours. We purpose to share His life through our shared lives.
In essence we determine that to find us is to find Him.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Gathering in Jesus Name
I had a friend once who said "if we are not going to pray or study I am not going waste my time just standing around talking". This came after a group of us decided to just go hang out at my house. My friend's ressponse disappointed me but did not surprize me.
You see we have been conditioned to think of spiritual life in terms of religious task or functions. Prayer, bible study , worship, missions, etc... they are "spiritual" acts. Laughing, talking, goofing off, painting, work, i.e. LIFE is not "spiritiual".
I have come to believe that to gather in Jesus' name is anytime believers gather. When our common point of reference is our relationship to Christ, then we have gathered in His name. Work, play, it does not matter. Jesus said He is present.
Lets be honest have you not been in religious gatherings where Jesus was no where to be found? Yeah me too. Indeed what makes a gathering "spiritual"? Is it not the presence of God manifested among us.
Ever feel the pressure to do something "spiritual" when you are with a group of fellow Christians? Like maybe you are suppose to pray, or share needs, or ...evangelize. Do something, anything, just do!
One more story....In my college years I was a part of a wonderful singles ministry. We shared life in Christ together and we were learning to live "irreligiously". One New Years Eve we all met at a friends house to welcome in the new year. Some of our group invited some of their friends from another church.
As the magic hour approached some of us decided to engage in the spiritual act of setting off firecrackers. As word spread more people left the house to come outside and join in our "worship" expereince.
One of the invited guest came out angry. They thought this was a Christian gathering. We were told we needed to get back in the house and pray in the new year. This was serious and these were serious times. We were told by said person that we were not honoring God acting so foolish.
One by one we filed in and "prayed in " the new year. I think we even had to join hands.
But you know something deeply spiritual did happen to me that night. I came to realize sometimes we leave Jesus standing in the driveway holding firecrackers while we are inside with the matches.
Got any matches?
You see we have been conditioned to think of spiritual life in terms of religious task or functions. Prayer, bible study , worship, missions, etc... they are "spiritual" acts. Laughing, talking, goofing off, painting, work, i.e. LIFE is not "spiritiual".
I have come to believe that to gather in Jesus' name is anytime believers gather. When our common point of reference is our relationship to Christ, then we have gathered in His name. Work, play, it does not matter. Jesus said He is present.
Lets be honest have you not been in religious gatherings where Jesus was no where to be found? Yeah me too. Indeed what makes a gathering "spiritual"? Is it not the presence of God manifested among us.
Ever feel the pressure to do something "spiritual" when you are with a group of fellow Christians? Like maybe you are suppose to pray, or share needs, or ...evangelize. Do something, anything, just do!
One more story....In my college years I was a part of a wonderful singles ministry. We shared life in Christ together and we were learning to live "irreligiously". One New Years Eve we all met at a friends house to welcome in the new year. Some of our group invited some of their friends from another church.
As the magic hour approached some of us decided to engage in the spiritual act of setting off firecrackers. As word spread more people left the house to come outside and join in our "worship" expereince.
One of the invited guest came out angry. They thought this was a Christian gathering. We were told we needed to get back in the house and pray in the new year. This was serious and these were serious times. We were told by said person that we were not honoring God acting so foolish.
One by one we filed in and "prayed in " the new year. I think we even had to join hands.
But you know something deeply spiritual did happen to me that night. I came to realize sometimes we leave Jesus standing in the driveway holding firecrackers while we are inside with the matches.
Got any matches?
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Two Names, One Blog
You may have noticed my blog has two names? By typing in http://followingthewildgoose.blogspot.com/ you get the blog The View From Here. The reason is simple by following the Holy Spirit I can only tell you the view from where I am now, hence the view from here. As the Lord leads the view changes.
So as I follow Him I will report on the view from where I am now in my journey with Christ. Hopefully it is an ever growing view of the grace and power of Christ.
Also I welcome comments so please leave them. Your comments my help others and aid the view from where they are at now.
So as I follow Him I will report on the view from where I am now in my journey with Christ. Hopefully it is an ever growing view of the grace and power of Christ.
Also I welcome comments so please leave them. Your comments my help others and aid the view from where they are at now.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
You Cannot Create Community
You cannot create community. Now for those who know me this may sound like a strange statement. Being apart of a living community of faith is so much a part of the story God has been telling with my life. And yet I see all attempts to create it as futile and largely unsuccessful.
I have come to believe that community is a by-product of sharing and journeying with others. As we share and invest in each other community is the result. Shared beliefs, values, purposes, cultures, combine to create community. Individualism, selfishness, independence, and more prevent the formation of community.
Now at this point you might say well I will create community by sharing life with others. Actually if you set out as your goal to create community you have created an agenda and all relationships become utilitarian in the pursuit of that goal. Any person, event, practice, etc…that keeps you from your goal of community will be discarded.
So what can we do? I can purpose to follow Jesus wherever that takes me. I can love those around me with Him the only goal being to follow and love. As Wayne Jacobson puts it “live loved and love”. As corny as that may sound it is the best course. And for those you have walked this way you know it is not easy.
Living this way the Spirit creates community, a community of Christ where His love dwells not in temples made by man but by God. Living stones living out the life of Christ for all to see and taste.
I have come to believe that community is a by-product of sharing and journeying with others. As we share and invest in each other community is the result. Shared beliefs, values, purposes, cultures, combine to create community. Individualism, selfishness, independence, and more prevent the formation of community.
Now at this point you might say well I will create community by sharing life with others. Actually if you set out as your goal to create community you have created an agenda and all relationships become utilitarian in the pursuit of that goal. Any person, event, practice, etc…that keeps you from your goal of community will be discarded.
So what can we do? I can purpose to follow Jesus wherever that takes me. I can love those around me with Him the only goal being to follow and love. As Wayne Jacobson puts it “live loved and love”. As corny as that may sound it is the best course. And for those you have walked this way you know it is not easy.
Living this way the Spirit creates community, a community of Christ where His love dwells not in temples made by man but by God. Living stones living out the life of Christ for all to see and taste.
You Cannot Create Community
You cannot create community. Now for those who know me this may sound like a strange statement. Being apart of a living community of faith is so much a part of the story God has been telling with my life. And yet I see all attempts to create it as futile and largely unsuccessful.
I have come to believe that community is a by-product of sharing, journeying with others. As we share and invest in each other community is the result. Shared beliefs, values, purposes, cultures, combine to create community. Individualism, selfishness, independence, and more prevent the formation of community.
Now at this point you might say well I will create community by sharing life with others. Actually if you set out as your goal to create community you have created an agenda and all relationships become utilitarian in the pursuit of that goal. Any person, event, practice, etc…that keeps you from your goal of community will be discarded.
So what can we do? I can purpose to follow Jesus wherever that takes me. I can love those around with Him with the only goal being to follow and love. As Wayne Jacobson puts it “live loved and love”. As corny as that may sound it is the best course. And for those you have walked this way you know it is not easy.
Living this way the Spirit creates community, a community of Christ where His love dwells not in temples made by man but by God. Living stones living out the life of Christ for all to see and taste.
I have come to believe that community is a by-product of sharing, journeying with others. As we share and invest in each other community is the result. Shared beliefs, values, purposes, cultures, combine to create community. Individualism, selfishness, independence, and more prevent the formation of community.
Now at this point you might say well I will create community by sharing life with others. Actually if you set out as your goal to create community you have created an agenda and all relationships become utilitarian in the pursuit of that goal. Any person, event, practice, etc…that keeps you from your goal of community will be discarded.
So what can we do? I can purpose to follow Jesus wherever that takes me. I can love those around with Him with the only goal being to follow and love. As Wayne Jacobson puts it “live loved and love”. As corny as that may sound it is the best course. And for those you have walked this way you know it is not easy.
Living this way the Spirit creates community, a community of Christ where His love dwells not in temples made by man but by God. Living stones living out the life of Christ for all to see and taste.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Show Me Your Glory
This past weekend I conducted a wedding ceremony for some dear friends. It was a wonderful time and Jesus showed up as we had invited Him. As always He brought surprises.
Today my thoughts turned to weddings and honeymoons. I found myself on holy ground, which is particularly surprising considering it occurred while I mowed the grass!
Here is what came to mind: in some ways God is like the bride on the wedding night. She will unveil herself to her husband. The beauty of this is lost on our culture where women unveil to anyone all the time.
Nevertheless, like in Middle Eastern cultures where a woman covers herself with veils only to be revealed to her spouse, so God reveals his glory to us. Just as a woman is saying to her husband “ I am yours. Do you find me beautiful? God comes and reveals His glory little by little saying, “ Here I am. Will you accept my love?”
Granted I may be stretching a bit but I see that there is a beauty to God himself that satisfies my deepest longing like no other. And I find that as I grow in grace I begin to see that beauty, terrible and awesome, but satisfying like no other. Moses cry “show me your glory” makes so much more sense to me now.
Today my thoughts turned to weddings and honeymoons. I found myself on holy ground, which is particularly surprising considering it occurred while I mowed the grass!
Here is what came to mind: in some ways God is like the bride on the wedding night. She will unveil herself to her husband. The beauty of this is lost on our culture where women unveil to anyone all the time.
Nevertheless, like in Middle Eastern cultures where a woman covers herself with veils only to be revealed to her spouse, so God reveals his glory to us. Just as a woman is saying to her husband “ I am yours. Do you find me beautiful? God comes and reveals His glory little by little saying, “ Here I am. Will you accept my love?”
Granted I may be stretching a bit but I see that there is a beauty to God himself that satisfies my deepest longing like no other. And I find that as I grow in grace I begin to see that beauty, terrible and awesome, but satisfying like no other. Moses cry “show me your glory” makes so much more sense to me now.
Unanswered Questions
A friend commented to me “remember when you said you had learned to live with unanswered questions? I’m not there yet! How do you get there?” At the time I was not sure how to answer. It had taken me awhile and was a growing realization.
Today while mowing the grass it occurred to me that there were some underlying assumptions that God used to bring me to this “contentment”.
If God is indeed like who He reveals Himself to be then it stands to reason that there are things about Him that are inexplicable. Could the creature completely comprehend the mind that created? Blue, eagles, the smell of honeysuckles, sound of the snow falling in the forest…I enjoy these but did not conceive them. Galaxies, sunflowers, sex…get my point. There is a wonder to God that defies explanation. The only true response is worship.
Another assumption is that in Christ God told me what I most needed to know. Are You good, do You love me, do the people of this world matter to You? Christ Jesus is Himself the answer to my unanswered questions. “I don’t know” can always be prefaced with “I do know He loves me more real and deeply than I can imagine. If what I see now does not look like love then I go to the cross and the empty tomb.”
I would not diminish those struggling with unanswered questions; indeed I still wrestle with God sometimes to understand Him. However I now view that as an element of a healthy friendship.
Today while mowing the grass it occurred to me that there were some underlying assumptions that God used to bring me to this “contentment”.
If God is indeed like who He reveals Himself to be then it stands to reason that there are things about Him that are inexplicable. Could the creature completely comprehend the mind that created? Blue, eagles, the smell of honeysuckles, sound of the snow falling in the forest…I enjoy these but did not conceive them. Galaxies, sunflowers, sex…get my point. There is a wonder to God that defies explanation. The only true response is worship.
Another assumption is that in Christ God told me what I most needed to know. Are You good, do You love me, do the people of this world matter to You? Christ Jesus is Himself the answer to my unanswered questions. “I don’t know” can always be prefaced with “I do know He loves me more real and deeply than I can imagine. If what I see now does not look like love then I go to the cross and the empty tomb.”
I would not diminish those struggling with unanswered questions; indeed I still wrestle with God sometimes to understand Him. However I now view that as an element of a healthy friendship.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Lowest Common Denominator
How would you define church if you could not use references to programs, services, buildings,location, or denominational preferences?
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Ever Wonder
Wait till you are older. Act your age! Oh grow up! You’re too old to be doing that. Wow no wonder we grow up with “issues” with such good advice as this!
You know I think they are all wrong. The issue is to grow younger as we grow older. Huh?
Didn’t Jesus say unless you become like a little child you could not see the kingdom? “Oh but that is not what He meant.” Really?
You see I really believe He meant what He said. The challenge is to grow older and yet guard my heart. To always come to Him with that childlike dependence and sense of wonder. To trust Him as little children trust their elders.
Wonder. When was the last time someone told you to grow in wonder? I hope I am learning to grow young in wonder. I look for Him in the places a child might find wonder. Ever notice a baby in stroller look at you with that wide-eyed wonder? Children tend to see the world with wonder. And then we tell them to grow up or life robs them of the gift.
So yesterday I saw and heard His wonder at guitar store as and incredible guitar player played incredibly loud through and incredible amp. I saw Him in a bluebird so blue it took my breath. I heard Him in a friend recount their painful childhood only to respond, “If my family only knew what I know of Jesus”.
Once when my son was younger we went to visit Natural Bridge. It is quite a view and very much amazing. Coming back from walking the trail there we came upon the view of the rising moon under the arch of the Bridge. “Man I forgot my camera,” I bemoaned. My son said “you can’t catch that on camera Dad.” Wow.
Driving home from the trip my son said, “Did God make Natural Bridge?” “ Yes He did” I replied. “Hmm. if it is that awesome to see, what’s it like to see God?” His question broke tears of joy to my eyes and has haunted me since.
May I grow in grace and real relationship with Jesus. May I grow older, but never grow old.
You know I think they are all wrong. The issue is to grow younger as we grow older. Huh?
Didn’t Jesus say unless you become like a little child you could not see the kingdom? “Oh but that is not what He meant.” Really?
You see I really believe He meant what He said. The challenge is to grow older and yet guard my heart. To always come to Him with that childlike dependence and sense of wonder. To trust Him as little children trust their elders.
Wonder. When was the last time someone told you to grow in wonder? I hope I am learning to grow young in wonder. I look for Him in the places a child might find wonder. Ever notice a baby in stroller look at you with that wide-eyed wonder? Children tend to see the world with wonder. And then we tell them to grow up or life robs them of the gift.
So yesterday I saw and heard His wonder at guitar store as and incredible guitar player played incredibly loud through and incredible amp. I saw Him in a bluebird so blue it took my breath. I heard Him in a friend recount their painful childhood only to respond, “If my family only knew what I know of Jesus”.
Once when my son was younger we went to visit Natural Bridge. It is quite a view and very much amazing. Coming back from walking the trail there we came upon the view of the rising moon under the arch of the Bridge. “Man I forgot my camera,” I bemoaned. My son said “you can’t catch that on camera Dad.” Wow.
Driving home from the trip my son said, “Did God make Natural Bridge?” “ Yes He did” I replied. “Hmm. if it is that awesome to see, what’s it like to see God?” His question broke tears of joy to my eyes and has haunted me since.
May I grow in grace and real relationship with Jesus. May I grow older, but never grow old.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Its Not About Me...But it is For Me
The popular phrase “Its not about me” is true. There is a grand story that God is telling and it is bigger than me. There is a life with Christ that far exceeds my self motivating, self serving, my self, self, self agenda.
But you know that is not the whole story.
One abuse or distortion I have seen is the thought that I am expendable. All God really cares about is His glory. If that means I must be miserable so be it!
Or what about the distortion that basically translates “God loves because He has to but doesn’t really like me. After all it is not about me”
And this one is really sick. You have to go through the religious exercises and programs of your church however boring, misguided, unloving, because, well it is not all about you.
Hmm..Does that sound like Ephesians 2:1-10? Especially verse 7!
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
You see there was one who was expendable. There was one who laid down heaven and the right to be God and became man. There was one whose passion for the Father took Him to the cross. And the Father’s passion was us.
So you see it is not all about me and yet it is for me. As Jesus said it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. God delivered me from my selfish narrow agenda into a much bigger, grander one …the glory of God…the joy of the Trinity,
It is not about me. It is about Us.
But you know that is not the whole story.
One abuse or distortion I have seen is the thought that I am expendable. All God really cares about is His glory. If that means I must be miserable so be it!
Or what about the distortion that basically translates “God loves because He has to but doesn’t really like me. After all it is not about me”
And this one is really sick. You have to go through the religious exercises and programs of your church however boring, misguided, unloving, because, well it is not all about you.
Hmm..Does that sound like Ephesians 2:1-10? Especially verse 7!
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
You see there was one who was expendable. There was one who laid down heaven and the right to be God and became man. There was one whose passion for the Father took Him to the cross. And the Father’s passion was us.
So you see it is not all about me and yet it is for me. As Jesus said it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. God delivered me from my selfish narrow agenda into a much bigger, grander one …the glory of God…the joy of the Trinity,
It is not about me. It is about Us.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Of Roots and Shoots
Last fall some friends gave us a bush that they said would attract humingbirds. So I planted it and have been waiting this spring for it to grow.
But it didn't grow. At least not at first. If anything it looked dead. I told my wife that I was going to dig it up because it was obviously dead.
Then in the next few days I noticed a shoot coming up from the root. In a few days several others had come from the root. Finally one of the branches I was sure was dead sprouted leaves.
I was reminded of Jesus saying He was the vine, I a branch and the Father was the vinekeeper. What did I need to do to let this plant "abide" in the vine? Basically to leave it alone and not pull it up. You see the root was fine and growing on its on time table.
So as I look around me what is God doing? Am I seeing the same process? When I can't see I can be sure He is working. Just because I saw no action with my bush it did not mean something wasn't going on.
So as I pray for my friends and enemies that don't know Christ, when I pray for those who are struggling with their marriages, jobs, etc... I can be sure the Father is working. I need to keep praying and the leave the growing to God.
But it didn't grow. At least not at first. If anything it looked dead. I told my wife that I was going to dig it up because it was obviously dead.
Then in the next few days I noticed a shoot coming up from the root. In a few days several others had come from the root. Finally one of the branches I was sure was dead sprouted leaves.
I was reminded of Jesus saying He was the vine, I a branch and the Father was the vinekeeper. What did I need to do to let this plant "abide" in the vine? Basically to leave it alone and not pull it up. You see the root was fine and growing on its on time table.
So as I look around me what is God doing? Am I seeing the same process? When I can't see I can be sure He is working. Just because I saw no action with my bush it did not mean something wasn't going on.
So as I pray for my friends and enemies that don't know Christ, when I pray for those who are struggling with their marriages, jobs, etc... I can be sure the Father is working. I need to keep praying and the leave the growing to God.
Why Does This Bother Me?
We visited a friend's parents 50th anniversary dinner. It was great seeing everyone. However when the subject of church came up I felt this urge to pick a fight. I wanted to tout my self-righteous view of basically how wrong everyone else is and how right I am.
Why? It seems I have some baggage here. The truth is that I am arrogant and proud of my views. This is not love. This is also not where Jesus is or wants me.
So I repent. Perhaps I should seek His kingdom in others lives and let him sort out the details.
Are my views on church right? Wrong question. Am I right in my relationship to God. Am I seeking His best for those around me. Am I playing for the audience of One or for others approval?
God deliver me from religion.
Why? It seems I have some baggage here. The truth is that I am arrogant and proud of my views. This is not love. This is also not where Jesus is or wants me.
So I repent. Perhaps I should seek His kingdom in others lives and let him sort out the details.
Are my views on church right? Wrong question. Am I right in my relationship to God. Am I seeking His best for those around me. Am I playing for the audience of One or for others approval?
God deliver me from religion.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Hi I am a Pharisee
Hi I am Tim Rogers and I am a Pharisee. I suppose recovering Pharisee would be more accurate but I don't want to give myself to much slack. You see somewhere along the way of walking with Jesus I replaced performance for relationship.
Now this should not come as a surprise. After all didn't Jesus warn against the "doctrine" of the Scribes and Pharisees? And what did Jesus call that "doctrine"? Play acting. Actually hypocrisy but the word means an actor, a fake.
So in His love for me He has been moving me into what I call perpetual repentance. An ongoing turning away from death to His life. He is so much better than the rules. And His love is surely not based on my holiness or performance. It is Him. To paraphrase part of 1John 3:16 "I know what real love is by this , that Jesus gave His life for me, knowing all about who I am and would be, and still He loved to the point of death" In doing this Jesus was not keeping a rule He was just being Himself.
So I am trying to learn from Jesus not to hide but be myself. I am trying not to live for the praise of or to meet the expectations of others. Slowly I am learning to live for the audience of one.
I have much more to say on this but that is for another time....
Now this should not come as a surprise. After all didn't Jesus warn against the "doctrine" of the Scribes and Pharisees? And what did Jesus call that "doctrine"? Play acting. Actually hypocrisy but the word means an actor, a fake.
So in His love for me He has been moving me into what I call perpetual repentance. An ongoing turning away from death to His life. He is so much better than the rules. And His love is surely not based on my holiness or performance. It is Him. To paraphrase part of 1John 3:16 "I know what real love is by this , that Jesus gave His life for me, knowing all about who I am and would be, and still He loved to the point of death" In doing this Jesus was not keeping a rule He was just being Himself.
So I am trying to learn from Jesus not to hide but be myself. I am trying not to live for the praise of or to meet the expectations of others. Slowly I am learning to live for the audience of one.
I have much more to say on this but that is for another time....
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Why do this?
I have always thought blogs were self-absorbed ramblings. I am not so sure I am not right! But after being encouraged by some friends to write and after reading some very helpful blogs I decided to give it a go.
The theme of this blog will be my journey with Christ. Most will be about my thoughts about walking with Jesus in the 21st century. Church and church life will come up. At the outset I must state that we I talk of church I am thinking of two different things. One is those called by God to become His through faith in Jesus Christ. For the sake of calrity I will captilize that understanding of Chruch. The other is the institutional church which I will refere to with a small "c".
If there is a goal here it is to encourage other believers to live outside the box of church and instead have a living and personal realtionship with the living Christ, to be the Chruch.
The wild goose reference is from celtic Christians who said following the Spirit is like following a wild goose. You never know where he is going or where he will take you.
The theme of this blog will be my journey with Christ. Most will be about my thoughts about walking with Jesus in the 21st century. Church and church life will come up. At the outset I must state that we I talk of church I am thinking of two different things. One is those called by God to become His through faith in Jesus Christ. For the sake of calrity I will captilize that understanding of Chruch. The other is the institutional church which I will refere to with a small "c".
If there is a goal here it is to encourage other believers to live outside the box of church and instead have a living and personal realtionship with the living Christ, to be the Chruch.
The wild goose reference is from celtic Christians who said following the Spirit is like following a wild goose. You never know where he is going or where he will take you.
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