I hope this quote inspires you to do two things. First, identify and act upon the call God lays on your life. Second, buy or borrow a copy of The Next Christians by Gabe Lyons.
"For you, the call is literally within your grasp. It's the place you show up each day and the problems you encounter in the process. Possibly for you, it's putting a dent in the never-ending cycle of poverty that destroys so many lives, neighborhoods, and nations. Or creatively addressing the malnutrition, poor health, and disease that's wrecking so many families. Or tutoring, mentoring, and fostering fatherless children. Perhaps the addiction to drugs, alcohol, career advancement, affluence, or pornography is what enslaves and torments your friends the most. Whatever it is that's broken, whatever you see wrong, remember--God's intention and method of restoration is to use you to bring his redeeming love to the world." (p203-204)
Wow.
Praying that we each act out of our calling to bring God's restoration. That we would help heal the world.
Friends' organizations that are bringing Christ to the messy places:
Feed the 5000
Children of the Nations
Not for sale Kitsap
Feed Kitsap
The Coffee Oasis
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." -Luke 4:18-19
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
same team
It is raining so hard outside right now. I want to go running, but it will take a little more time to wake up and get motivated.
In the mean time, I've been reading Luke chapter 9. The theme I keep seeing this morning, over and over again, is the theme of being on the same team.
Ministry of the Twelve (v1-14): Jesus sends His twelve closest friends out to the city to preach and heal. It confuses Herod, thinking that John the Baptist is back. (Jesus, the disciples, and John the Baptists are all on the same team!)
Five Thousand Fed (v12-17): After the 12 return, Jesus tries to find a lonely place for solitude. But, the crowds flash him faster than a flash mob can form on facebook. The 12 ask him a valid question, "how will we feed everyone?" Jesus reminds them that they're on the same team. The disciples find some bread and some fish, organize the crowd into smaller teams of 50, and everyone is satisfied.
Conversations out of Solitude (v18-27):Again, Jesus tries to spend time alone with the Father, but the disciples come to ask questions. He asks them what the word on the street is: people say Jesus is John the Baptist or Elijah reincarnate. The disciples, though, know that Jesus is the Christ, the promised anointed one. Jesus reveals the grand game plan for the team: "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it."
The Transfiguration (v28-36): The next week, Jesus calls his inner circle out for a camping trip. During intense prayer, Jesus' appearance changes and all of his clothes turn bright white. Moses and Elijah show up for the conversation. Peter, James and John had fallen asleep, but this woke them up! Peter tries to problem-solve and figure out the logistics for adding two new campers to the team. Then, God speaks from the clouds to remind them that Jesus is leading the team. The visitors return to Heaven and the campers keep the revelation to themselves.
The Demon-possessed Boy (v37-45): A man seeks out Jesus' help to heal his son from a demon. The disciples weren't able to cast out the spirit. Jesus rebukes both the demon and the people. The boy is healed and "all are amazed at the greatness of God." Jesus then uses this time to tell his disciples that his death is coming soon, but the disciples don't understand and are afraid to ask for clarification.
The Test of Greatness (v46-56): After the preaching, the healing, the miracles, and the special camping trip, the disciples begin to argue about who is the greatest. Jesus employs a new form of wisdom and uses the analogy of a child to call out their pride. Then, John continues to try a new variation of the same question. He asks Jesus about the other people in the city who are performing successful healings with Jesus' name. Jesus says, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you." The crew reaches opposition as they move to enter Jerusalem. The problem-solving disciples offer to call down fire from heaven to consume the opposition, but Jesus reminds them of the vision statement of the team: "for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."
Cost of Discipleship (v57-62): This is where the team contract is described in deeply uncomfortable terms. As new members ask to join the team, Jesus lays out the terms. 1) No home. 2) No looking back. 3) No family. On this team, home is Heaven. On this team, the future is Jesus. On this team, family is the Bride of Christ. It's expensive to be on this team, but the greatest sacrifice comes in Luke chapter 24. Jesus is about to beat death forever for everyone. The disciples just don't know it yet.
In the mean time, I've been reading Luke chapter 9. The theme I keep seeing this morning, over and over again, is the theme of being on the same team.
Ministry of the Twelve (v1-14): Jesus sends His twelve closest friends out to the city to preach and heal. It confuses Herod, thinking that John the Baptist is back. (Jesus, the disciples, and John the Baptists are all on the same team!)
Five Thousand Fed (v12-17): After the 12 return, Jesus tries to find a lonely place for solitude. But, the crowds flash him faster than a flash mob can form on facebook. The 12 ask him a valid question, "how will we feed everyone?" Jesus reminds them that they're on the same team. The disciples find some bread and some fish, organize the crowd into smaller teams of 50, and everyone is satisfied.
Conversations out of Solitude (v18-27):Again, Jesus tries to spend time alone with the Father, but the disciples come to ask questions. He asks them what the word on the street is: people say Jesus is John the Baptist or Elijah reincarnate. The disciples, though, know that Jesus is the Christ, the promised anointed one. Jesus reveals the grand game plan for the team: "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it."
The Transfiguration (v28-36): The next week, Jesus calls his inner circle out for a camping trip. During intense prayer, Jesus' appearance changes and all of his clothes turn bright white. Moses and Elijah show up for the conversation. Peter, James and John had fallen asleep, but this woke them up! Peter tries to problem-solve and figure out the logistics for adding two new campers to the team. Then, God speaks from the clouds to remind them that Jesus is leading the team. The visitors return to Heaven and the campers keep the revelation to themselves.
The Demon-possessed Boy (v37-45): A man seeks out Jesus' help to heal his son from a demon. The disciples weren't able to cast out the spirit. Jesus rebukes both the demon and the people. The boy is healed and "all are amazed at the greatness of God." Jesus then uses this time to tell his disciples that his death is coming soon, but the disciples don't understand and are afraid to ask for clarification.
The Test of Greatness (v46-56): After the preaching, the healing, the miracles, and the special camping trip, the disciples begin to argue about who is the greatest. Jesus employs a new form of wisdom and uses the analogy of a child to call out their pride. Then, John continues to try a new variation of the same question. He asks Jesus about the other people in the city who are performing successful healings with Jesus' name. Jesus says, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you." The crew reaches opposition as they move to enter Jerusalem. The problem-solving disciples offer to call down fire from heaven to consume the opposition, but Jesus reminds them of the vision statement of the team: "for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."
Cost of Discipleship (v57-62): This is where the team contract is described in deeply uncomfortable terms. As new members ask to join the team, Jesus lays out the terms. 1) No home. 2) No looking back. 3) No family. On this team, home is Heaven. On this team, the future is Jesus. On this team, family is the Bride of Christ. It's expensive to be on this team, but the greatest sacrifice comes in Luke chapter 24. Jesus is about to beat death forever for everyone. The disciples just don't know it yet.
Friday, March 11, 2011
rag-tag
"The church has always been a rag-tag, battered group of humanity, that God is glorified (with) because He uses such people." -Matt Chandler, Village Church (Ultimate Authority series #4, Confronting the Mess).
God, we want to join your messy mission.
Last night our church launched a new network of non-profits called "Feed the 5000." www.feedthe5000.org
Partnering with local and international child sponsorship agencies. Year-long goal of sponsoring 5,000 children around the world. Working together as Christ's hands and His feet.
Assembling a rag-tag army of messy lives. Walking in the restoration our Savior promises.
God, we want to join your messy mission.
Last night our church launched a new network of non-profits called "Feed the 5000." www.feedthe5000.org
Partnering with local and international child sponsorship agencies. Year-long goal of sponsoring 5,000 children around the world. Working together as Christ's hands and His feet.
Assembling a rag-tag army of messy lives. Walking in the restoration our Savior promises.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
praying for peace
"Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He who knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him." -Daniel 2:20-22 NAS
Our world is broken.
There are corrupt governments. Leaders who kill their own people. But, it's not surprising to God. He's been around longer than this epoch.
There is so much darkness. Some days, like today, you can feel it rest over a room. But light dwells with Him.
So, join me praying for peace.
God has a big plan. It's a plan where He's already won. Love wins. Jesus wins. God gets the credit! All of this, life and love and everything. It's all for His glory.
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He who knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him." -Daniel 2:20-22 NAS
Our world is broken.
There are corrupt governments. Leaders who kill their own people. But, it's not surprising to God. He's been around longer than this epoch.
There is so much darkness. Some days, like today, you can feel it rest over a room. But light dwells with Him.
So, join me praying for peace.
God has a big plan. It's a plan where He's already won. Love wins. Jesus wins. God gets the credit! All of this, life and love and everything. It's all for His glory.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
get you up to a high mountain
Yesterday morning, Shannon & I woke up early to go the REI garage sale in Tacoma. During breakfast, I was reading some of the middle parts of Isaiah.
"Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Isaiah 40:9 ESV
This became the theme of the day. After some Tacoma shopping, we drove up to the visitor center at Paradise, on Mt. Rainier. What better place to behold your God.
Mmm... glory. We serve a mighty God who makes beautiful mountains and draws His children to Himself.
Excited for Spring!
"Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Isaiah 40:9 ESV
This became the theme of the day. After some Tacoma shopping, we drove up to the visitor center at Paradise, on Mt. Rainier. What better place to behold your God.
Excited for Spring!
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