Okay, at the risk of offending some of my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ... well, what the heck, you know me already!
I have always envied priests and others who have that nifty little cross thing they do with their hands when they pray, bless someone, or in the movies, cast out demons, curse, whatever... I believe it represents Father, Son and Holy Spirit and is in the form of a cross - I get the symbolism.
But in the independent Christian Church we don't have anything like that... and I don't want to look like a copy-cat. I've tried a few different things but they all looked more like Elaine when she dances (Seinfeld) than a holy action that inspired faith and trust.
Then I read about Jesus going into the home of Jairus. He doesn't cross himself. He doesn't utter some Lord of the Rings style long forgotten ancient language of the Elves. He simply says, Little girl, get up. That's it. Nothing crazy or strange or even incredibly spiritual, just, get up. He probably had said that a hundred times to other people, he said it three times to the apostles the night he was betrayed! Get up. But this time, it was a miracle. I guess there's hope for us non-holy-action folks after all.
The power of God is in the Word of God, not the hands of men. (and you can quote me!)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Daily Bible Reading - Jan 29, 2010 - Mark 5
Daily Bible Reading - Jan 28,2010 - Mark 4
This last story in Mark 4 always seemed weird to me. I get that Jesus has power over the wind and waves but it always seemed a bit odd.
Did you ever know anything before you supposed to know it? Like, you got to peek at the cast list for play before it was posted to everybody else. When you know the outcome the storm isn't much cause for alarm is it. All your friends are running around worried and excited and freaked out; did I get the part I wanted, what if I have to kiss so-and-so... but you are one cool cucumber. You know the truth. You know what's going to happen before it does.
I think that is why Jesus could sleep and why he gets a little frustrated with these "friends" of his. Hey guys, you're with the creator/sustainer of the universe. You are supposed to know the truth! Why let a little storm throw you off and get you all worried?!
The next time you face a storm in your life maybe you could take Jesus example and rest in the truth that no matter what, he's got this, (I know George Lopez thinks he does...) But there is nothing He can't handle (Jesus, not George). There is nothing YOU can't handle through Him. So, rest well my friend... rest well.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Daily Bible Reading - Jan 27, 2010 - Mark 3
In the movie Chicken Little the little chicken gets hit in the head with what everyone else believes is an acorn and from that point on (until he gets to be the hero in the end) everybody assumes he's a nut (pun intended!).
Sometimes one single act can haunt us and define us for life.
In pretty much every list of the Apostles Judas is listed with something like this tag (the one who betrayed him). Judas had a miss. He missed the truth of who Jesus was. He missed the reality of forgiveness. He missed the freedom of faith in the Son of God. Because of that miss he made a choice that would follow him far beyond his own life.
So, in the words of Dwight K. Schrute, "before I do anything I think, would an idiot do this? and if they would I do not do that thing."
I don't want to MISS anything.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Daily Bible Reading - January 26, 2010 - Mark 2
In the last story of this chapter Jesus has to point out to the religious leaders that the Sabbath (Saturday) existed for the benefit of the people - the people did not exist solely to obey/worship the Sabbath. He uses King David as an example of this and how David and his men were not punished by God for eating bread that was used in ceremonial worship in the temple.
I wonder if we in the church may have gotten it backward too? So many Christians believe that you have to act a certain way, talk a certain way, dress a certain way in order to be welcomed, accepted in church.
Do we as people exist for the church? Do we exist solely to benefit "the church:" fill a spot on a pew or provide income or play an instrument or clean a toilet? Or does the church exist for our benefit?
I think the church exists to connect the unconnected. To guide the lost. To welcome the unwelcomed. To provide opportunities for the willing. The Church exists to gather the scattered. To unify the differing under the cause of Christ. To explain the unknown and clarify the confusing. To partner instead of patronize. To love the unlovely and care for the needy. The church exists to provide a place where the people of Christ can learn how to act like Christ, think like Christ and be motivated to live like Christ so that they are always looking out for those who don't know Christ so they too might put their hope in Christ.
We connect with people in order to connect people to Christ. The Church exists for us... and more specifically "them."
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Desert or ancient lake?
I'm not sure about all that but, if the entire earth was covered with water when it began to subside water would pool in every low lying place and for awhile, even deserts would be full of water and you'd find animal bones, etc. So, is it easier to believe that 90,000 - millions of years ago deserts were once huge lakes? Or that a world wide catastrophe, like a flood with hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. deposited water in places where it didn't exist before and wouldn't exist after.
My opinion is that science, without philosophy, only points to what the Bible already says. It is when Science tries to "theologize" it's findings that you get to the point where anything can happen given millions and billions of years - even rocks turning into monkey's turning into people.
Huh. Interesting.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Daily Bible Reading - January 23, 2010 - Matthew 25
This whole chapter is a warning to believers. Be on your guard! Watch out that you don't become lazy and forget to take God with you wherever you go. Don't help others only if it appears they will also be able to help you. Share your faith - this will be your only opportunity.
God expects us to invest in others what He has given to us. Our talents, our abilities, our wealth, our possessions. What He has blessed us with He expects a return on, for the Kingdom. He also wants us to be kind to people, not just the people who can bless us. The folks in this passage asked, "when did we see YOU... and not help?" We are to help those who can't offer us anything in return and then we are "doing it as unto the Lord."
So, I want to watch my life and conduct when others are around and when I am by myself. I want to help those in need no matter what their situation or ability to repay me. I want to use what God has given me, financially, spiritually, emotionally, physically, to provide a return on His investment in me.
Bottom line, I want to be more like Christ. Who was the same everyday and forever. Who was always "about His Father's business" Who helped those that no one else cared about. Who gave His Father a great return on His life by paying the sin price for everyone else. I want to be more like that.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Daily Bible Reading - January 21, 2010 - Matthew 24
We cannot begin to understand just how deeply this statement of Jesus' must have moved the disciples. Let me tell you why.
When the Temple was built under King David's son Solomon, it was built to be THE most magnificent structure in the entire world. Imagine building a HOUSE for God. It was incredible! Nearly everything (walls and doors) overlaid with solid gold. When the light would hit the walls of the Temple of God they came alive - it must have been breathtaking! The angels that had been hammered into the gold must have looked like they were singing and dancing on the walls of this incredible structure.
To suggest that the most well known and beautiful structure of it's day (actually is supposed to be the most beautiful structure ever built) that was the place where God Himself chose to dwell would be destroyed was unheard of and, as we say, "them's fighting words!"
But it reinforces something to me that we must always remember. If God was willing to see His own Temple be destroyed it must mean that He is not nearly as caught up in buildings as we are. And it reminds me that this building we have, and any place we might call home in the future, is just a building - a stone. The stones may be put together well, they may have cost us dearly, but it's still just stone.
The Bible says that we (you and me) like stones are being built by God through the Holy Spirit, into a spiritual house. One that will not ever be destroyed. So, whether we meet here or not. Whether the building meets our needs or not. Whether we've put lots of money into or not. It's not the thing that will last. It's not what makes a church the house of God. You and I - we are the church. The building is just a garage, it stores what's most important - but it's not important by itself.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Daily Bible Reading - January 20, 2010 - Matthew 23
Wow. Every time I read this passage it just puts me in a very somber mood. I guess because the religious leaders and Pharisees Jesus is talking to in this chapter are my ancient counterparts; Men who taught others how to live, according to God's Word.
But they seem to have gone a little overboard. Jesus does tell the disciples and others to "listen to them and do what they say" but also not to live like them because their speech and their lives didn't say the same thing.
I wonder if my life and speech speak the same thing to others. I don't want to make Real Life in Christ any more or less difficult than the Bible says it is. Where the Bible speaks to a subject I want to speak as the Bible does and when the Bible is silent about a subject then I need to shut-up about it. But I know too many who are quick to throw in extra stuff. Too many churches that create more hoops to jump through. The Bible says in order for someone to have real life in Christ they must believe, repent, confess the Name of Jesus and be baptized. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't matter what clothes you wear. Where you're from. How you talk. Or what your parents did.
Coming to Christ is easy - there's a reason for that. I don't want to add anything to it. God help me NEVER to be like those whitewashed tombs. May my conduct and speech sing in unison.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Daily Bible Reading - January 19, 2010 - Matthew 22
Some people say that I look a lot like my father. I guess what they mean by that is that I have a fairly large nose, a small chin (the reason for the goatee) and a low hairline. I share some of his features. But beyond that, not as many similarities as far as I'm concerned. My Dad has always loved people - I sometimes struggle with that. My Dad is always nice, always kind. I have never heard him say a harsh word to anyone... unlike me. So, if you like me, you'll probably love my Dad. He's me - only better.
Jesus said the coins, in this exchange with the Pharisees, bore the image of Caesar and so they belonged to Caesar. They were the currency of the day for the people, but they carried Caesar’s inscription, they bore his image - therefore they belonged to him.
You and I are to bear the image of Jesus, not in the way we look, but in the way we act. Others are supposed to be able to see a clear picture of Jesus in us. We then become the currency through which lives are purchased by Jesus. we should be able to say, if you like me, you'll love my Father! He's me, only way, WAY better.
Monday, January 18, 2010
What's $$ got to do with it?
Everything is God's. And I know that I am expected, as a believer, to give back to God a portion of what He has given me; great or small, 10% belongs to Him.
But I was reminded Sunday that it's not because He needs it, it's because money means life to us today. Without money we can't buy, food, heat, electric, etc. So, money is life. And that's what God wants, our lives. If we still used shells (like some ancient cultures), or pelts, or gold, grain or animals, to support our lives, then God would ask for 10% of that. Every god asks for something, only God wants to help us trust Him more by what He asks for.
Money is not money when given to God, it's trust. I trust God with my life - so I give Him a little portion of my income to prove it.
Daily Bible Reading - January 18, 2010 - Matthew 21
If all the information someone had to determine whether or not you were a believer in Jesus was a list of your actions, what would they determine?
Sometimes we as Christians think that our speech or church attendance ought to be enough. But this parable shows us that God is more interested in how we live then in what we say. The Religious leaders of Jesus day got it backwards. They said all the right things, but did all the wrong things... or at least didn't do the right things. Jesus was more concerned with action. The "sinners" and tax collectors believed and acted on that belief, the religious thought they had it all together and didn't respond, to their downfall.
If someone had only a list of your actions over the next 6 days, would they be able to tell whether or not you would be in church on the 7th day? The Scriptures say, "let your light shine before men that they may see your GOOD works and glorify your Father in Heaven." Are your actions having that result?
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Glad the answer to this question has changed...
Daily Bible reading, January 16, 2010 - Matthew 19
This young man asks a very important question for his time. Let me explain. Before the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus all humanity was under the Law. The Law consisted of the 10 commands given to Moses and then there were something like 300 other laws dealing with cleanliness, sins of commission and omission (what you DO and Don't Do, respectively) and laws about the tabernacle, etc. The way it worked was this. You had to obey the law. If you obey the law you're okay before God. If you disobey or break the law you were not okay before God. The catch is that the Bible says that if you break even one part of the law you're guilty of breaking it all! Couple that with the Romans passage that says "all have sinned" and you see the pickle. No one (except Jesus) was sinless. No one ever was able to keep the law - all the law. If you broke the law you missed perfection and that meant hell was your eternal destination.
So this guy is looking for an attaboy. He's obeyed the law (he thinks all of it) and thinks what he will be told he's got a pretty direct path to heaven.
But Jesus knew that after his resurrection humanity would not be under law but under the grace of God, expressed in the sacrifice of Christ. But the rule at that moment was the law and the young man knew it.
So the interaction lives in both the present and the future. Jesus doesn't humiliate him, but points out that spiritual perfection does not exist in just obeying every law, but in living according to the spirit of the Law. And everybody knew that the greatest command, the greatest law was to love God and then to love others. This young man had the law part down - but obviously didn't have the "care" part down. He loved God, he may not have loved others very much - certainly not enough to give his life for them, as Jesus was about to do.
I'm glad that the answer to this question has changed. What must I (and you) do to inherit eternal life? Believe in the one that He sent, Jesus. It's about who you are in Christ - not what you do in life.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Where is God's heart?
Daily Bible Reading - January 15, 2010 - Matthew 18
If you look at this chapter, beginning to end, as a whole thought you begin to see God's heart. He talks about little children and their faith and the punishment that waits for those who cause them to sin. He speaks of the lost sheep. Of correcting another believer and wraps up with how many times we should forgive and a big story about a guy who was willing to receive mercy but not show it.
The lost sheep is about the one who steps out of the fold and gets lost - and Jesus, the good shepherd - leaves the flock to fend for themselves while He looks for the one that is lost.
Even the bit about correcting a brother is a set up for the next passage where Jesus points out that each of us who have a relationship with the King have been forgiven a huge debt! But we often go to those who only have a relationship with us (if he had a relationship with the king he would have borrowed from him) and demand repayment! We don't show the same grace and mercy to others that we ourselves have received.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I'm a lot like Peter... you'll see.
Bible reading for Thursday January 14 - Matthew 16, 17
I like Peter. He is capable of great spiritual understanding and two seconds later acts like he doesn't have a spiritual clue. He speaks profound truth and in the same breath utters the very heart of Satan. I like Peter because I'm a lot like him.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
You'd think vision would be easy...
We're not trying to reach the people who would fit in at the Baptist church, or Methodist, Presbyterian, AG or others that exist. No, we're trying to create a place where people who don't fit into those traditional venues for worship can get involved. And that's difficult.
It's not just thinking outside the box, as some have said. We have to pretend there is no "church" box. How did Jesus reach and teach? If He would have attended a church, what would it have looked like?
I'm thinking in 2010 there needs to be a greater emphasis on connecting with people outside our walls, video is a great way to do this. People around the world can watch online. Maybe podcasting the messages/worship? Getting on a local television station?
How can we help every person possible find Real Life through Jesus - the best way is for you to tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, etc. There is a church where you can feel comfortable the minute you walk in. Where you can learn and grow in a way that is current - not 50 or 100 years old.
How do you think we can work to continue the vision in 2010? any ideas?
What Scripture do you cancel?
Bible reading for Wednesday Jan 13 - Matthew 15
The Pharisees in this passage cancelled God's command to honor your father and mother by claiming that you could instead, pledge your help and finances to God. So any help physically or financially that you would have given your parents as they got older would be instead re-directed to God. Silly. But that was there rule.
It occurs to me that we can be guilty of the same kind of thing. But instead of replacing God's Word we simply ignore it. We find a passage we don't like and say, well that doesn't matter. I once heard a well known female television preacher read the passage in 1 Corinthians that talks about women being silent in the church and not having a position of authority over a man, and then simply say, "well, I think you know how I feel about that." Everybody laughed and she went right on preaching. That's when I stopped listening to her.
Is there something in God's Word that you have decided to laugh off or "cancel" because you simply don't want to deal with it in your life? I am really trying this year to be a better father and husband - not easy. Seems like every day my lovely and very intuitive and spiritually in tune wife lets me in on another thing that I need to change/stop doing. Not fun for me. But, if it makes me a better husband, i.e. more like Christ. If it makes me a better dad, more like my heavenly Father. If it makes me a better minister, preacher, teacher, friend, then it's worth it to me.
The Scriptures are there to be a road map and guide for our lives. If we ignore even a portion of it, cancel it out because we don't want to deal with it - no matter how difficult it may be - we will not become fully-devoted, mature followers of Christ. We will be lacking something.
I want to deal with God's Word completely and honestly so that I am not found wanting. No cancelling the hard stuff.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
growing up stinks sometimes
Lord, give us the grace to teach and the strength to be a living example of the lessons we expect our children to learn!
A little more Compassion.
Bible reading for Tuesday January 12th 2010 - Matthew 14
Jesus is amazing. In the beginning of chapter 14 his relative and the one who was "preparing the way for Him" is beheaded. This causes Jesus so much pain that He seeks to be by himself to mourn. He leaves the area by boat with the disciples to go to a remote place to pray and find some comfort from His Father no doubt. But when He gets to the place He's going to work out the emotional pain He feels there are all these people there waiting for Him!
Now, let's be honest. If you just lost someone, are you in the mood to care for, speak to, and encourage, or even heal a bunch of strangers?! Not me! I want to be alone! I want to be cared for - not have to do the caring!
But Jesus, instead of forcibly trying to meet His own emotional needs - meets the needs of others. Instead of caring for himself, he cares for those He's never met. Wow.
Compassion. It sees how you would normally feel or act or speak and moves you to do, feel or say the exact opposite. Compassion causes you to put the needs, concerns or feelings of others before your own. Compassion for the hurting. Compassion for the troubled. Compassion for the lost.
I want to be more compassionate. And I think that is what we need in the church too. Compassionate churches consider how the unchurched, presaved person would feel and then tailors their church to meet the needs of the people next door - not just the people in the next continent.
In 2010 Real Life needs to consider with more compassion the lost and hurting and helpless in our own community and then do the things on Sunday that would make that person feel comfortable so that they can have a place to go where they can be fed, encouraged, healed.
What can I do... what can we do as a church to show compassion to those we don't yet know? How can we connect with people so we can connect those people with Jesus?
Compassion doesn't just happen in other countries, it ought to happen every Sunday in every church as we welcome and build relationships with people we've never met, who need Jesus.
How are you doing?
Monday, January 11, 2010
What's your spiritual Terroir?
Terroir has to do with the ecosystem and geography around a vineyard. Things like: how much sun the vineyard gets and how hot it is. Is the vineyard on a slope so the water runs off or is it in a valley so it soaks in? What other vegetation surrounds the vineyard? Basically you think about everything that might have an impact on the final product, the grape, and that becomes part of it's terroir.
In the video there was a eucalyptus tree planted adjacent to a particular Chardonnay vineyard and the claim was that you could actually taste a hint of eucalyptus in the wine produced from that vineyard. Pretty amazing when you consider a persons spiritual terroir.
What kinds of things have an impact on your spiritual life? Are you getting plenty of God's Word? Are you filling up in church, bible studies, etc? Are you surrounding yourself with believers who hold you accountable and challenge you in your walk? Or, are you surrounded by people and things that would have a negative impact on your fruit? Bad language, dirty television shows, what are you reading? Watching? Listening to? All of these have an affect on your spiritual terroir.
Everything soaks in. Everything eventually has either a positive or negative affect on the kind of fruit we produce as believers and people.
What is soaking in to your spiritual life? Why not take a Spiritual Terroir inventory right now and list the things going on in your life and how they may be affecting your walk. Then work to remove the harmful and reinforce the beneficial. Here's to having great Spiritual Terroir!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Listened to a great message this morning
This morning I was watching the podcast of last weeks sermon, his first in a series called Primal - named after his latest book. I don't have Any of his books yet, (in a hole with a lion on a snowing day, something about flying with geese and now Primal - you can send them to me via amazon if you like!) but I enjoy reading his blog.
In the video he talked about getting back to the heart of God for His church which is pretty simple. The bottom line. The big thing. The core of Christianity. The heart of the matter is that we LOVE God. Jesus said the greatest command is that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. I like that. And that is what we have been talking about the last few weeks here at Real Life. Now, not in those same words, but still. If I give all I have to God - it's an act of love. When I do something He would like, it's an act of love. When I show up at church, tithe, say hello or help someone out of the snow as a Christian - it's an act of love.
Think I'll try and do a better job of loving God this year. Want to join me?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Thanks for the encouragement.
This morning I was on my way to the office after dropping Trent off at school in Wichita and was praying. There are several things that are happening here at Real Life this year that mean change is necessary. So I was praying about those things, asking God to give me faith and wisdom that no matter what happens I would be dependant on Him. I have to admit that I'm a little scared, not sure what is going to happen financially this year, so I'm giving that to God (He can handle my questions and concernes).
Anyway, I come into the office today and have a visitor who is telling me how God has completely changed her life since she started coming to Real Life and putting God first. And now, the teacher becomes the student, as I listen to her talk about how God provides and how she believes this year God is going to do great things at and in and through us here at Real Life. So, I gave God a nod, said, "thanks for the encouragement." He knew that I needed some reassurance and He gave it.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
bible reading for 2010
Let's get to know the Bible a little better this year together!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Up in smoke...
As we stood in the road and prayed together I said the one thing everybody always says. It seems so silly when everything you owned, every picture, piece of clothing, every piece of paper, child's Christmas ornament, everything that the world says "defines" us is gone. But, at least it's only stuff. Your lives are saved.
I suppose this is the best picture of our lives in Christ. We gather up so many things that can't withstand the flames, but that we believe make us who we are. Think about it. Our clothing defines our taste. We decorate our homes so it expresses our unique personality. Shoes. Pictures. Even our dishes have become extensions of our personality and so who we are is seen in what we have. But the Bible tells us that we should store up for ourselves things that moth and rust can not destroy and thieves not break in and steal. We are to store up "who we are" in heaven. By the things we do, think, say.
That way, if we loose all the stuff here we won't be forgotten, there. So, my prayers tonight are with my friends, strength, wisdom to know what to do, patience when the pressure is on, joy in the midst of the flames of fear and the unknown. Praying for you.
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year...
The pressures of life and providing for my family get overwhelming sometimes and that comes out in ways I don't like. I'm irritated more, short with the kids, little things seem like big things. You know, you may have been there too.
But I really want to be good at my parent and spouse roles so taking a listen once in awhile hurts, might make you cry, but in the end hopefully there is a new you for a new year.
I don't know if I'll improve or not - but I'll try and that will be an interesting part of the Real Life I have found in Jesus. It's not easy being like Him, but trying is the goal.
Happy New You (ME) New Year!