I had for the most part given up on blogging. I just did not feel I had anything to say that had not already been said.
But my dear friends Keith and Melissa ask to write, that it indeed helps. So here goes....
I have been praying that Jesus would bring me to that first love state with Him and believe He is indeed answering. The past few months have in some respects been hard. I see the Spirit weaning me from other "lovers". Old habits that were not under Jesus's rule, attitudes and thoughts unbecoming to Jesus.
For example, last year seemed to be about disappointment and how I handle disappointment with people. It was about trusting God to do what only He could do. The question for me last year seemed to be would I trust Him to use whatever broken road necessary to bring those I longed to see in the Kingdom. And in particular if it did not involve me. There is more...Indeed I see this now as a theme of my life. It is and will be a part of the story God tells through me.
This year seems to be about my agenda and God's. About anger and frustration verses peace and acceptance. This is a hard one but much needed. This is I believe at the heart of many of my struggles past and present. It comes down to "do you believe that I love you? That I really love you?"
In the midst of this He is been teaching about the Trinity. He has refreshed and broadened my understanding of the love relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit. This had been very holy and very wonderful. This has been going on for about 3 years now. It is here that all the other "lessons" are taking on fresh meaning. He works to create in me the kind of intimacy that Jesus enjoys with the Father, and Spirit. The Spirit works to make real in me the resurrection of Jesus and all that the cross reveals about the heart of the Father and the Son. Father works that I know and believe Him to be my Abba, my Daddy.
In some respects this last aspect is too deep for words and too holy to be shared. And it is a revelation far from finished. I do think whatever Christ does it me this growing understanding of the Trinity is and will be a turning point.
One last point... in regards to church do remember the old expression "don't throw the baby out with the bath water?" Well I through the water out and kept the Baby! And man now what!!!!!!!!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, October 26, 2007
My Brother's Keeper
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.”
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.”
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.
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