People, myself included, are an interesting bunch. We are an interesting bunch for several reasons, but especially when it concerns God and spirituality. There is so much evidence of God around us and in our lives and many are willing to acknowledge that, at least to some degree. We are also a people who want God to "show Himself". We all, deep down, want more. We want to see more of who He is and for Him to reveal Himself, but too often we think it or may even say it, but it is more of a challenge than a heartfelt seeking of Him.
I want to issue a "bit" of a challenge to you for this week. For one week, everyday, simply pray the following, "God, I am asking you to show up. I am ready." That is it. We will let God determine how He wishes to show up. Just be willing and wanting God to show Himself to you and to others.
God wants you to see Him. There are many passages that remind us that we will "see" Him or "find" Him when we seek with our whole heart (see Jeremiah for one). Jesus also tells us, "ask and you shall receive." So let's seek Him out with this prayer and let's ask for God to do what He already wants to do.
God wants us to know Him and experience the awesomeness of who He is. So, let's just keep it simple and let Him do what He wants to do. "God, I am asking you to show up. I am ready!"
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Preparation is a "condition" that many people do not like. I, for one, fit into that same boat. I don't like to prepare. I don't like preparing to go on trips. I don't like preparing for cold weather, hot weather, to go on trips or anything else. I am more of a big picture person. I like it all when we are there, but the preparation is a phase that I wish that I could skip.
I have known all along that preparation is an important phase of anything, but I am learning in more and more now. If you don't prepare for a trip then you won't have what you need when you get there. If you don't prepare for the cold, then your pipes may burst. In the same way, there is preparation that needs to take place for God's body to grow and be what He wants.
We prepare in lots of ways. We prepare with prayer. We prepare with study of His word. We prepare by searching ourselves and seeing what He wants us to adjust to in life and according to who He is. We have to be prepared for what God brings; this includes blessing. God will not send people or anything else until we are prepared to handle what He sends.
The Quest, and I, are going through preparation. Just as the apostles prepared for the coming Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, we are preparing for what God has coming for us. This time of preparation is key. God is proving Himself to us, but also challenging us to grow, trust, and rely on Him more and more. I can't wait to see what He is up to.
In the meantime, I have some preparation to take care of. It isn't always fun, but if I want to fully receive and enjoy the fun then I have to be ready.
I have known all along that preparation is an important phase of anything, but I am learning in more and more now. If you don't prepare for a trip then you won't have what you need when you get there. If you don't prepare for the cold, then your pipes may burst. In the same way, there is preparation that needs to take place for God's body to grow and be what He wants.
We prepare in lots of ways. We prepare with prayer. We prepare with study of His word. We prepare by searching ourselves and seeing what He wants us to adjust to in life and according to who He is. We have to be prepared for what God brings; this includes blessing. God will not send people or anything else until we are prepared to handle what He sends.
The Quest, and I, are going through preparation. Just as the apostles prepared for the coming Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, we are preparing for what God has coming for us. This time of preparation is key. God is proving Himself to us, but also challenging us to grow, trust, and rely on Him more and more. I can't wait to see what He is up to.
In the meantime, I have some preparation to take care of. It isn't always fun, but if I want to fully receive and enjoy the fun then I have to be ready.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Covenant
Covenant is a word that is often confused as being the same as a contract. It is certainly NOT a contract. Covenant does include the idea of a binding agreement, but the big difference is that a covenant takes place within a lasting, meaningful relationship. Thus, I do not have a covenant with my homeowners association, as much as they want to think I do, but I have a contract with them.
The idea of a covenant, spiritually, carries great significance for us as believers. God initiates, confirms, and fulfills His covenant with us. All that is required of us is to accept and live in the covenant. God takes care of all the rest. The covenant is about a lasting, meaningful relationship between God and His people through Jesus Christ. The covenant is living in and being a part of His dream for us as individuals and the world.
All of this leads me to the idea of "church" membership. At The Quest, I have decided that we will not have "church membership". Instead, we will be in covenant with God, with each other, and with our community....together. A church in Michigan does a similar thing. You see, we are not called to "join" and organization or an institution, but we are called to be "in covenant" with God and one another. This is what we will commit to on Easter Sunday and the week after for those who wish to be in covenant with God, with one another, and with the community.
I am sure that this decision and this covenant will so impact your life and change your life that you will never be same! Are you ready for a new way of living and a new driving force for you life. If so, it's time for the covenant.
The idea of a covenant, spiritually, carries great significance for us as believers. God initiates, confirms, and fulfills His covenant with us. All that is required of us is to accept and live in the covenant. God takes care of all the rest. The covenant is about a lasting, meaningful relationship between God and His people through Jesus Christ. The covenant is living in and being a part of His dream for us as individuals and the world.
All of this leads me to the idea of "church" membership. At The Quest, I have decided that we will not have "church membership". Instead, we will be in covenant with God, with each other, and with our community....together. A church in Michigan does a similar thing. You see, we are not called to "join" and organization or an institution, but we are called to be "in covenant" with God and one another. This is what we will commit to on Easter Sunday and the week after for those who wish to be in covenant with God, with one another, and with the community.
I am sure that this decision and this covenant will so impact your life and change your life that you will never be same! Are you ready for a new way of living and a new driving force for you life. If so, it's time for the covenant.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Making a Stand
Refusing to give up is a hard thing to do. Giving up is always easier than not. We live in a culture and society where there are not many who will not give up anymore. Granted, most don't say that they give up. Most of the time we word it as, "The support for _________ is dwindling. Etc,...." But, when we give up then we are willing to accept the status quo. I cannot accept the status quo.
The status quo says that there are enough people coming to Christ without any more effort. The status quo says that there are enough people out there, already, who are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, and caring for others. The status quo says that the message of God's dream is out there enough. This is as good as it gets, says the status quo. I refuse to believe that.
Refusing to give up means that no matter what, we will find a way to keep going. We will not give in. We will not be defeated. Where we don't see a way, God will make a way for His Word and His dream for the world to be proclaimed. We have to be willing to stand on that. The real question is: Are we willing to stand? Are we willing to adjust, shake, jump, sit, dive, run, walk, or lie face down to do whatever it takes to let others know God's dream for the world and for them? Will you be the one who "refuses to give up on God's dream for the world" or will you be one who says, "what we have now is good enough"?
The status quo says that there are enough people coming to Christ without any more effort. The status quo says that there are enough people out there, already, who are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, and caring for others. The status quo says that the message of God's dream is out there enough. This is as good as it gets, says the status quo. I refuse to believe that.
Refusing to give up means that no matter what, we will find a way to keep going. We will not give in. We will not be defeated. Where we don't see a way, God will make a way for His Word and His dream for the world to be proclaimed. We have to be willing to stand on that. The real question is: Are we willing to stand? Are we willing to adjust, shake, jump, sit, dive, run, walk, or lie face down to do whatever it takes to let others know God's dream for the world and for them? Will you be the one who "refuses to give up on God's dream for the world" or will you be one who says, "what we have now is good enough"?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
You Gotta Trust Your Call
Starting a new "church" (although it is not a new one, it is just part of the already existing Church) is an exciting, awesome, amazing, difficult, and at times discouraging thing to do. There are so many peaks and valleys that it can boggle the mind.
Imagine that God has given you a picture of your life and has shown you what it will look like in the end. Then, imagine day by day your are doing everything you can to get there and along the way you experience the greatness of the moments that you know are leading to it, but are also bombarded on occasion with the moments and circumstances that make you think you will never get there. Ultimately, that is life and that is the life of "church-planting".
It is in these moments, especially, that all we can do is trust in the "call" that God has given us. In fact, it is a call He has only chosen to share with us and allowed us to be a part in. It is actually His dream and we simply get to be a part. God is faithful to bring about what He has for all of us no matter what the circumstances surrounding us may look like. In life and in church planting, we must never allow circumstances to dictate our call or our faith and trust in the One who has given it. We must simply be faithful and obedient.
Imagine that God has given you a picture of your life and has shown you what it will look like in the end. Then, imagine day by day your are doing everything you can to get there and along the way you experience the greatness of the moments that you know are leading to it, but are also bombarded on occasion with the moments and circumstances that make you think you will never get there. Ultimately, that is life and that is the life of "church-planting".
It is in these moments, especially, that all we can do is trust in the "call" that God has given us. In fact, it is a call He has only chosen to share with us and allowed us to be a part in. It is actually His dream and we simply get to be a part. God is faithful to bring about what He has for all of us no matter what the circumstances surrounding us may look like. In life and in church planting, we must never allow circumstances to dictate our call or our faith and trust in the One who has given it. We must simply be faithful and obedient.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
It's Time for Jubilee
Goodness! Can the news be any more depressing when it comes to job loss, foreclosures, debt, bankruptcy, and the economy? We are truly experiencing uncertain times. These times are enough to make anyone fearful, anxious, and uneasy. However, I always wonder where God fits into each and every experience, including our present circumstance.
I do not believe that it is by accident that last night I read two things that run exactly with each other. First, I read Leviticus 25 as my reading for the "read the Bible in a year" and then I read a book I bought a while back that is actually the transcript of a speech by Bono (U2's lead singer) that he gave to the National Prayer Breakfast in 2006. I was surprised and then stirred that both were about Jubilee.
To sum up Leviticus 25, work your land and harvest for 6 years and let the land have a "sabbath" on the seventh year. God would provide enough for 3 years in the 6th year, so no worries about the 7th. However, every 50th year would be Jubilee. All debt cancelled and those who had lost everything, including their land, get it back. That is a very short description. Bono's speech talked about the same thing, but on a political and social level for governments to do.
Jubilee is a year of redemption for the poor, indebted, bankrupt, enslaved, and beaten down. Leviticus 25:35 says, "If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself...you shall maintain him...you shall not lend him your money at interest, not give him your food for profit." Jesus, as He begins His ministry, quotes from Isaiah in Luke 4:18, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor." Jesus ushers in the time of God's favor...the ultimate Jubilee.
Now, here is what I am left to ponder and for you to ponder with me. Our vision is "refusing to give up on God's dream for the world." So, how do we live out Jubilee in Canton? We are in an era of "Jubilee Grace" through Jesus Christ. How do we live this out and make Jubilee reality in people's lives?
Let me know what you think.
I do not believe that it is by accident that last night I read two things that run exactly with each other. First, I read Leviticus 25 as my reading for the "read the Bible in a year" and then I read a book I bought a while back that is actually the transcript of a speech by Bono (U2's lead singer) that he gave to the National Prayer Breakfast in 2006. I was surprised and then stirred that both were about Jubilee.
To sum up Leviticus 25, work your land and harvest for 6 years and let the land have a "sabbath" on the seventh year. God would provide enough for 3 years in the 6th year, so no worries about the 7th. However, every 50th year would be Jubilee. All debt cancelled and those who had lost everything, including their land, get it back. That is a very short description. Bono's speech talked about the same thing, but on a political and social level for governments to do.
Jubilee is a year of redemption for the poor, indebted, bankrupt, enslaved, and beaten down. Leviticus 25:35 says, "If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself...you shall maintain him...you shall not lend him your money at interest, not give him your food for profit." Jesus, as He begins His ministry, quotes from Isaiah in Luke 4:18, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor." Jesus ushers in the time of God's favor...the ultimate Jubilee.
Now, here is what I am left to ponder and for you to ponder with me. Our vision is "refusing to give up on God's dream for the world." So, how do we live out Jubilee in Canton? We are in an era of "Jubilee Grace" through Jesus Christ. How do we live this out and make Jubilee reality in people's lives?
Let me know what you think.
Monday, February 23, 2009
What is Success?
I think every church struggles with the idea of defining success. Within ministry, I think success can be the ever-elusive, often strived for, ever so friendly killer. I know that sounds crazy, but bear with me.
It is easy to define success within a business. You either make a good product and make money on it or you don't. Your profits and your business grow or they don't. However, it ministry it is not that simple. There is no definite end point. In fact, we will not know the end point until we are with Jesus and see the result. Also, in ministry, just because you have large numbers doesn't mean that you are successful in what you are doing. Likewise, just because your numbers are small doesn't mean that you are not successful.
As I had lunch today, with our worship leader, it clicked that maybe we need to look at "successes" that are a result of our vision rather than the ever-elusive success. "Successes" are the marks on the way that let you know you are accomplishing our vision little by little. It is the person who comes because you let them ask questions and love them even though they don't agree with you. It is loving and serving a community even though they may not show up at your service. It encouraging and assisting a family that are struggling to make ends meet. It is loving and serving even when you may not be loved and served in return.
Jesus didn't gauge his success on the numbers who followed, whether He and the disciples made budget, or whether people "liked" his sermon. He gauged His success on His successes. 12 guys totally changed. A woman healed and accepted back into community. Hungry fed; thirsty refreshed.
Success is not attained in ministry and if you think it has been, you just lost it. Success is simply little successes along the way to fulfilling God's vision, "His dream", for the world.
It is easy to define success within a business. You either make a good product and make money on it or you don't. Your profits and your business grow or they don't. However, it ministry it is not that simple. There is no definite end point. In fact, we will not know the end point until we are with Jesus and see the result. Also, in ministry, just because you have large numbers doesn't mean that you are successful in what you are doing. Likewise, just because your numbers are small doesn't mean that you are not successful.
As I had lunch today, with our worship leader, it clicked that maybe we need to look at "successes" that are a result of our vision rather than the ever-elusive success. "Successes" are the marks on the way that let you know you are accomplishing our vision little by little. It is the person who comes because you let them ask questions and love them even though they don't agree with you. It is loving and serving a community even though they may not show up at your service. It encouraging and assisting a family that are struggling to make ends meet. It is loving and serving even when you may not be loved and served in return.
Jesus didn't gauge his success on the numbers who followed, whether He and the disciples made budget, or whether people "liked" his sermon. He gauged His success on His successes. 12 guys totally changed. A woman healed and accepted back into community. Hungry fed; thirsty refreshed.
Success is not attained in ministry and if you think it has been, you just lost it. Success is simply little successes along the way to fulfilling God's vision, "His dream", for the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)