:: Take a moment to pray

Could you not tarry for one hour? These are the words from the Bible that continue to stir my spirit these days. It is a call to prayer for me. I know in my mind that prayer is key to all things. We are to pray without ceasing and in all things pray. Yet in my daily routines prayer is a secondary item.

As I have been studying prayer I came across this flash site with the Lords prayer on it. Take a few minutes to view it and to pray.
link

:: Classic win

For at least a week the purity of basketball in the nba has been restored. Detroit Pistons are winners of this years nba finals. The team with two superstars, the Lakers, didn't win and the team that played great fundamental basketball did.

The Pistons defined again what it means to play like a team in pro basketball. This was team in the purist sense of the word. The great teams are what make up great basketball. The Pistons played swarming team defense. They covered their men, helped out on the superstars, and outhustled the lakers. You have to give props to Larry Brown the coach of the Pistons for their success. He had definitely done his homework and had his team play hard and together.

It was a joy again to actually watch real basketball being played. I may still watch a few nba games in coming years.

:: A financial story

I love God stories. I was reading Living by Faith and came across how God provided financially in the post Being Faithful really works.

:: Brokeness the lost art

I was reading Back to Christ and was really into his dialogue about brokeness. Brokeness is a given and I would even go so far and say something that is blessed in our lives. Take a look at the post.

:: Leaving a Legacy

I have been moved this week at the honoring of the passing of president Ronald Reagan. Remembering his life at his death has made me proud of being an American and what it stands for. I appreciated president George Bush's speech at the funeral. Reagan was a picture of many character traits that are instilled in me that make up an ideal American.

Reagan was a respecter of all people whether janitor or head of state. It was said that he never spoke down to anyone.

Reagan was a man of graciousness. He rose in a ladies presence. He obviously cared about people and treated them with respect. He reminded me of my own grandfather Herman Franklin who was a man's man yet had a profound kindness toward others.

Ronald Reagan was a man of principle. He spoke passionately upon what he believed in and tried to follow through in action. One example I heard this week was how in the hospital room when he had been shot by an assassin, Reagan prayed for the person who shot him before he prayed for himself.

Reagan was a deeply committed Christian. It was moving to hear his son Michael talk of his dad speaking of his faith to his son in 1988 and passing it along to his son. He said he hoped one day he could pass that faith on to his own son.

Reagan was an optimist, he saw the good in life and in people and especially in our country. His daughter told the story of being a little girl and Reagan taking her to a field that had been badly burned. He showed her the small green shoots of new life breaking through the charred ground and told her that their was always new life that would come forth after bad things.

There is honor in the life of Ronald Reagan. There is something right about all of us getting to be involved in that honor.

I understand that honor comes from Reagan's personal faith in Jesus Christ. It was our Lord that gave gifts to President Reagan and enabled him to be able to share those gifts with us.

No, I'm not idolizing a man. I'm sure Ronald Reagan had his short comings as all of us do. But I hope and pray that my life becomes a gift to others as Ronald Regean's was a gift to ours.

Tonight I salute the memory of Ronald Reagan and how he walked out his life with Christ to give others a hope in that faith.

:: Update on blogging

New bloggers begin all the time. Here is an article in the San Francisco Chronicle that talks about how Bloggers find ways to profit.

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: We wrestle

Paul in his letter to the Ephesian followers of Christ gives us insight on the reality of the spiritual matrix that is happening all around us:

6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

A spiritual battle going on in the earth for the souls and spirits of men is the metanarrative. As in the matrix, where Neo has to make a choice to make, we have to choose what reality he will live in. We can ignore the reality of the matrix and pretend there are really no angels and demons. We can ignore that the loving God is on the throne of the universe and pursuing us or we can continue to live an untruth. if you believe Paul's words are inspired words of the Holy Spirit, then the reality of a spiritual fight going on around us is true.

This past weeks has been evidence of that in the lives of people from Resonance. There is a dual spiritual dynamic happening. On the one side we have had two people get raises at their jobs in two weeks. That is an important answer to prayer for people who have left comfortable places, transplanted to a new city and struggle to make all the ends meet. Chris has landed a job at Java House, the only coffee shop in the Colony. We believe this is a strategic answer to prayer to help us connect more with the community of the Colony. We have sensed God's encouraging presence in our times together. So on the one hand God is blessing our community of called out ones.

The other side of the coin is spiritual attack that has been happening. Last Sunday night it seemed there was no area left untouched by difficulty. The set-up took too much time, the video on the computer wouldn't run, and when it finally did it wasn't smooth, the air-conditioner wasn't working well and it was hot, one of the musicians who had joined us had his car breakdown, our sign was messed up by the wind, etc. And then there is Gracelyns fall one night against a cabinet that left a blood clot in her cheek. She has been to the doctor twice and going again Friday. Now you could say that was just coincidence, but I don't think so. And that makes me mad. When I get in a fight I'm cool in backing down, but when you start messing with the kids I love, yea that makes me mad.

Now I am not one to see a dark angel under every bush and as an excuse for any mishap and immaturity of people, but I do recognize that the enemy does not want added prayer, added worship, added missionaries, or added servant-hearted people in any of the territories he has a grip on and therefore will fight those things. Much like an invading army force, the occupying force doesn't want to lose ground.

So my conclusion of this post is that prayer is vital. Prayer changes the direction of angels in this spritual matrix. Prayer draws us to God's heart on these matters. And prayer releases power from the very throne of God. There is a battle going on. If we are serious about this walk of the spirit, then we have to be aware that there is battle to do and one of the weapons for us in this battle is prayer. So get your programmer (the Holy Spirit) to download a prayer program.

:: Fuel - Dreaming dreams

The Bible is full of people who God gave God sized dreams. Moses dreamed of seeing his people delivered from Israel, Joseph dreamed of being over all his brothers, Abraham had a dream of a land God was calling him to, the children of Israel dreamed of this promised land they would live in, there are so many dreams in the hearts of God's people throughout the Bible. Some dreams we see directly placed in heart by the Lord. Jesus told Peter he would not be a reed but be a rock.

God whispers dreams into the hearts of his people. Last night at Fuel we talked about dreams that had been fulfilled in our lives and some dreams God has whispered into our hearts for the future. Dreams such as marriage or having a stable family life were spoken off. One dream was just being stable enough to be able to choose clothes to buy some day.

One story told was of being in a dysfunctional family where the father one day in a altered state threw away everything in the bathroom: hair dryers, make-up, everything that was there. This stuff was later dug out of a grimey nasty dumpster. The humiliation of the event could still be felt. As this person went to church that day, a lady who was a visiting minister called this person aside and said something to the effect of "The Lord wants you to know that your children will not live as you have lived, you are the last generation that will be in this chaos. Your children will have no clue what you had to experience as a child, they will not understand because their environment is so different." A fulfillment of a dream.

For me, I always dreamed of going to Ireland because the man who was preaching when I committed my life to Christ was an evangelist visiting America from Ireland. In 2002 I was invited to join a team of people who went to work for a week with a local church in Eniscorthy Ireland. I also was able to preach in the church on a Sunday morning and thank the Irish people for their sending someone to reach me.

I was reminded this week to continue to listen to the dreams of God that are in my heart.

:: The Celtic Way

I've been reading the Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III. It is a excellent book telling the story of Patrick and his impact on the country of Ireland for Christ. The communities Patrick formed were very intentional in reaching people with the gospel of Christ but very different than Americans in their approach.

Hunter says that churches in America have a Roman model of communicating the gospel. They basically present the message, ask for a decision, and then bring people into community. The Celtic model is creating community with people, then using the community time to find opportunities for ministry and conversation, with this drawing people toward a point of belief and commitment. It is a much more relational model of the Christians calling. Hunter says this reflects the adage that Christianity is more caught than taught where as our models of church today focus more on the taught.

How do we become the light on the hill where people can connect before they commit?

:: Reality of angels and demons

My daughter recently asked me about angels? It perked my interest. I gave Callie a book written by Billy Graham I had at the house to read. After she read it I glanced through also. Sometimes I forget we are in a spiritual battle here. Peter reminds us that we are strangers and aliens on this planet. There our existence and identity is now in the kingdom of God. We are a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a people to set forth the praises of God. I forget it is the spiritual realm that is a greater reality than the physical realm I see and feel everyday. The matrix is a great metaphor for the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God and the spiritual realm is the greater reality but our senses are more aware of what we can taste, touch, feel, hear, and see.

I was thinking of Jesus conversation with Nathaniel in John gospel. Nathaniel is amazed that Jesus knew things about him that were not physically possible. Jesus reply to Nathaniel was that he would see even greater things than this. He would see the angels ascending and descending upon Jesus. Jesus had that deeper sense of reality. He knew all around us their are real angles that are sent here to the earth to be about God's business, to help prayers get fulfilled, to help in the work of the church being the extenders of God's kingdom here. There is also the reality of evil beings the bible refers to as demons. Paul tells us we wrestle with these evil beings.

Another encounter I had this week makes this conversation more pertinent to me. I woke up from a dream Tuesday night and had a powerful sense of fear upon me. It wouldn't leave. I am not someone who encounters fear often in my own life in that way. I am convinced this was an attack from within this spiritual matrix we live in.

I am reminded this week. Prayer is not just a duty like taking out the trash that has to be done. It is a real spiritual communication with our Father that influences spiritual forces around us. I encourage all of us to press in to prayer like lives depend on it. They do.

:: Spiritual Travel

Remember your first car? You couldn't wait to partner with a piece of metal and become free. In your own vehicle you can go places on your own, you can put "your" music in the CD player. I attribute my hair loss to the music I had to listen to in my parents car.

It is a bit ironic to me that I couldn't wait to get a car and get my freedom to go and do and then I chose to drive round and round in circles on Friday and Saturday nights at the local drag. Okay, you got me, I am a small town guy. We played six man football in high school. We were so small that we had football players take off their shoulder pads at half time and march in the band (I'm serious).

Having a car released you into a new world of adventure. The journey of life took on new meaning. The adventure quotient multiplied as did learning boundaries. In a way the early church was like that. They were waiting for something new to happen in Jerusalem. Jesus had told them to stay there and pray until they had a supernatural splash from heaven. In Acts 2 we see the creation of a vehicle called the church. Jesus was no longer there to partner with them in bringing the kingdom of God forth on the earth. Now God sends another helper, the Holy Spirit, to partner with them.

Some of the characteristics of this new instrument of the Christian journey called the church were: It was a community fueled by the Holy Spirit, It was a community centered in learning the Word, It was a community encouraged by fellowship, It was a community that communicated with God, and it was a community that was living evidence of the kingdom to the rest of the world.

We travel this Christian journey in this life riding in the vehicle of the church. Just as with a new car we better understand the equipment this new car has so that the journey can be a good one.

:: History of the weblog

If your interested in the evolution of the weblog, take a look at "weblogs: a history and perspective" by Rebecca Blood. Blogger sprang up in August of 1999.