Tuesday, May 25, 2004

:: This week

We began a dialogue about the kingdom of God this week. At the very beginning of Jesus ministry the gospel writers tell us He began teaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. We talked about the kingdom of God being the rule and reign of God. Seeking first the kingdom of God is seeking first and foremeost the rule and reign of God.

Interesting to in Matthew where Jesus says "If I caste out demons by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God is among you." This is also why Jesus taught the disciples to pray "Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

I am also in dialogue with others about the definition of the church (ekklasia) and how that is different from the kingdom of God. There is so much to know about the Lord and what He is all about.

Monday, May 24, 2004

:: Who am I ?

I know I'm a blogger, no really I am, I just don't blog very often lately. Is our identity in what we do or who we are?

This past week I had a day that wasn't going well and I kept thinking " How come I can't be perfect? What is wrong with me? I must be a wicked man because I can't be perfect." I began to really get down on myself and I heard in my heart that calming voice of God say "Let me tell you who you are, you are a lover of God and one that is loved by God."

You know that really is my heart. I love God and enjoy loving God and I am realizing more than ever the truth that I am someone that is loved by God. This latter truth has just began to sink in some over the last three years. I am about ankle deep in the truth that God so loved me, that He sent His son to die on the cross that I might be reconciled to Him. He really loves me and enjoys spending time with me. I look forward to the deepening of that truth.

Yea in my heart I'm a blogger but more importantly for me "I am a lover of God and am someone who is loved by God." Man, that truth sure brings me peace.

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

:: Sunday night

Sunday night we talked about Mary and Martha. In John 11 John tells us that Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. I think sometimes Martha gets bad press for her role in Luke 10. We look down on Martha for not "getting it". People have portrayed Jesus as almost scolding Martha: Martha, Martha will you ever learn. Like an arrogant adult scolds a young child.

I think there was a totally different picture going on there. Martha wasn't being scolded, she was being encouraged by the Lord. Jesus was giving her some training in a loving manner. His statement was more like "Martha this is a really important lesson, No I'm serious it is one of the most important lessons, Mary has chosen the wisest thing to sit at my feet and hear my word."

We talked about how Jesus doesn't deal harshly with our immaturities. Can you imagine a mother that did not enjoy her three year old, even though that three year old has many immaturities and needs training and correction? No that mother enjoys that child even though the immaturities are there. This is Jesus stance towards us and this was His stance with Martha. "Martha I love you, that is why I am trying to get you to see the importance of beholding Me."

We also talked about how beholding is the key to becoming. As we behold Jesus in the truth of who He is we become like Him.

The Lord loves us even in our weaknesses. This is a truth I am only about ankle deep in. I desire to get waist deep in it. I pray that our community will embrace that He is the lover of us even in our weaknesses.

Monday, May 17, 2004

:: 40 year anniversary

I attended Trinity churches 40th anniversary in Lubbock, Texas this past weekend. It was a long short trip but worth it. We traveled for six hours on Friday, arrived in Lubbock just in time to get ready and went over to a banquet at Trinity. It was good to see many faces of people who we had known.

I still am honored to have been a part of Trinity's heritage and history. Even though I don't consider myself extremely talented in any area, the Lord allowed me to pastor at Trinity. I can remember being 28 years old and being awed at Trinity church, the size, the spirituality. Yet the Lord spoke to my heart and told me one day I would be on staff there, impossible I thought, but if God wills it let it be.

I am not lifting up a church or an institution. What strikes me most is that I have been at Trinity in times of extreme favor when it was blowing and growing and I have been at Trinity in some very rough waters, ie. Church split, layoffs of friends, etc. and in all those times both good and bad the Lord continued to grow me and teach me and encourage me with His presence. My heritage there is clear, it is about God working in me to will and to do what He delights in.

I was reminded that the kingdom of God is alive and well where peoples hearts are directed towards Him. There are so many people who have left Trinity and are in all manner of ministries across the world. Regardless of style, regardless of human immaturities, God works in those whose hearts are turned toward Him.

On a final note as I reflect on the emerging church my heart turns more and more to loving those things that are near and dear to the Lords heart. I think Gods children both old school and new school, both meeting in buildings and meeting at homes, both with solid structures, immature structures, or little to no structures are loved by Him and He looks to bless those whose hearts are turned towards Him. I pray I continue to love those things and people that are near and dear to His heart.

Monday, May 10, 2004

:: New look

Two Sunday ago we talked on Sunday nights about taking off the old man and putting on the new man. We want our style of dress to be kingdom. Keeping with the theme I thought I would change my blog dress and try one of the new blogger templates. I'll probably make some tweaks soon.

This Sunday night Chris changed all the worship song sets to include us and we where normally there would be me and I. I think this is an appropriate biblical shift. Community is key.

Justin and Kelly, from Mars Hill, came over and shared about their excursion to Russia recently and the passion of their hearts for kids in ophanages there. It was a good time of food, fellowship, and the presence of God. Can I say presence of God on an emerging blog? The emerging movement (already passe) need a book like Roberts Rules of Order. We could call it the Pomo Flow of Chaos.

Tuesday, May 04, 2004

:: Sunday night

Sunday night had a couple of themes. Chris and Mark taught a new song focusing on Jesus being our refuge. We talked a minute about what a refuge was to us. It was a touching song. We mixed teaching time with some reflection and prayer. We continued to talk about making no agreements with sin. We walked through Ephesians 4 asking God to show us any sin and spent time repenting of it in quiet. This is a great explanation by Paul of taking off the old man (worldy desires and yearnings) and putting on the new man (Christlike desires and yearnings).

One interesting verse tells the man who stole to steal no more. Not only that, but he was to go to the opposite end of the spectrum, work, and give away. We talked a bit about pursuing the other side of our weaknesses. If lust is weakness then pursue purity. If rage and wrath are a weakness pursue passionately quietness and peace. In our weakness He will be strong.

:: Last week in April: Fuel

At Fuel we talked a little bit about 1 Peter chapter 2. For most of our time though we took some time to encourage one another. That afternoon my kids were fighting in the car and I made them stop and think about specific items to they appreciated about one another. It turned into a real encouragement for them and it seemed appropriate to do the same in our small gathering time. It is like the plants in a garden spraying water on each other, amazing what a little encouragement can do.

:: Stop the world I want to get off

Yea, the worlds is spinning a little faster for me these past few weeks and I have neglected one of my loves, bloggin. This week is a prep week for what looks like a new job I'll be taking on. I am actually looking forward to getting out of the house some this summer.