The Journey

Why Bono?

It's the fastest selling concert of the season.  It seems like I'm a couple of days behind it.  People are going nuts over these guys.  They're selling out Stadiums today, which NO ONE else is doing.  So what's the deal?  Why Bono? 

Why has the world rallied around Bono as the speaker for Poverty?
Why has U2 music transcended the 80's?
What's the Deal?

I think I know.

Bono is the one carrying the message of love that overlooks the trite kingdoms we've created to hate.
He's able to see a bigger picture.
He's walking a line that speaks to the soul of humanity.

It matters not what you think of his music, what you think of his politics, or what you think of the group that he's speaking to. 

This is beauty.

For sure...

Certainly He's not Jesus.
He's not the Messiah coming.
But listen to this, and see if you can't hear a bit of truth.

Are we hearing any Preachers, Teachers, Priests, or Rabbis talking like this?

Where are the Men and Women of the church and para church ministries who are focusing less on building their kingdom, and more on uniting humanity around the heart of God?

Maybe Jesus was right....

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:40)

Icons of a New Christiandom

Have you seen this?  The Che/Jesus icon?  I know most of you live in "normal" regions of the U.S., but I'm now dwelling out here in a Colorado Mountain town.  The conversations are unlimited.  Everyone wants to talk religion, and what it means to 'get it right' in the sphere of Spirituality.  I saw this poster and thought.."hmmm.

Che Guevara was instrumental in the Cuban revolution that led Fidel Castro to power.  His image can be seen on college campuses all over the U.S. as a calling for revolutionary thinking.  So when I saw this Che-Jesus, I was interested.  Why would we see Jesus as a Cuban Revolutionary?

Or what about this one...The Obama/Jesus.  I've heard political pundits call Barack Obama the next Jesus for this generation. His charisma, and seeming need to 'change' the status quo in Washington have led many to equate his historic presidency to that of a Messiah.

Or what about the pop-Jesus.  This 'buddy' Jesus has been on a lot of Teenage Friendly literature, and you can find it all over the internet.  The image brings to bear more of a Jesus who would give you a high five after your favorite football team scored a touchdown.

These icons of Jesus are indicative of a culture trying to find meaning in life.  It's almost as if we've taken the idea of Jesus, and put our own spin on Him. And nothing could be more dangerous. 

Jesus is not an idea.
He's not to be put in a position to meet our ideas.
Jesus is a real person.

He's the Son of God.
The Firstborn over all creation.
He's the Alpha and the Omega.
Born of a Virgin.
Lived 33 years of ministry.
Crucified on a cross.
Defeated death by raising on the third day.

Jesus is not a manufactured production, He's God.

I guess the reason these icons are throwing me for a loop, is because it shows how our culture has hijacked the real meaning behind the concept of God.

We can't simply put our image of what we think God should be into a picture or a painting.

We have to go to the Scriptures, and allow the God of the Universe to define Himself. 

Our interpretation of how God functions in the world should come from the Bible, not from our own wishful thinking or cultural trends. 

May we be a people to find the Real Jesus.
May we not bow to cultural pressures to re-create Jesus.
May we find the truth of God in the one who 'became flesh, and dwelt among us.'

Let's discover the true revolutionary.  The human part of the Godhead...His name is above all names.  His name is..Jesus.

The Kingdom Of Heaven, A Mustard Seed??

Last night at a small church here in Durango, one of the pastors did the lesson on Jesus' parable about the Mustard seed.  Remember in Matthew 13, Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

I can tell you, I've heard that section of scripture a lot, but I've never really taken any time to understand it well.  So last night was a great learning time for me. 

The pastor started by framing Jesus' message as something new, fresh, and different from the expectations Israel had for the coming Messiah.  The Israelites were counting on a Messiah to come and return the reign of Israel back to the "glory days" of King David.  They likened it to the Mighty Cedar Tree of Lebanon.  So when Jesus came and told them of a Kingdom where service was going to be the centerpiece, it shattered expectations.  Like a Mustard bush?  Come on.

Can you imagine? 

To expect a warrior king to come and do justice for all the Roman occupation occurring in the land, and then this man comes claiming to be the Messiah telling the people to "Love your enemies?"  No wonder they were up in arms and ready to kill Him.

They were expecting a great kingdom represented by the Cedar of Lebanon, much like this...

The Cedar of Lebanon stood tall and majestic, but the Mustard bush? The people must have thought it a joke.  The Mustard bush was a weed.  It was illegal to plant in personal gardens because it took off and took over.  It squashed all the other bushes, and was quite an annoyance to the people trying to grow flowers and vegetables. 

Yet Jesus continued.  He kept trying to help people understand the fact the Kingdom of God is much more representative of a mustard seed.  It doesn't always take the form of a majestic tree. 

It starts small and humble.
It spreads fast, like the mustard weed.
It's aroma spreads fast and is potent to the user.
The mustard seed turns into a bush, low to the ground, available to allow all sorts of animals to find shelter. 

The Cedar is majestic.  It's tall, ominous, and over powering.  But, it takes forever to grow.  It's intended only for the Eagle to perch, and it stands in opposition to all the other plants of the field. 

I sat listening last night in wonder. 

The mustard seed, more powerful than the mighty Cedar?

Jesus, once again, turns the expectations of the people on it's ear, and allows for the Kingdom of God to be accessed by everyone. 

May our expectations of the Kingdom match those of Jesus.
May we begin to allow all people to rest in it's branches.
May we take time to understand Jesus' intentions in our own world.   

Can you Imagine?

I was reading the Christmas story again today, and I started thinking of the nature surrounding all the events.  (Remember, my undergraduate work is in the arts, so when I read the Bible, sometimes I can feel the scene.) 

Have you ever wondered why God chose a virgin to birth Jesus?  In seminary we had a lot of theories, most of them centering around a prophetic word in Isaiah, but outside theological reasons, have you ever just wanted to sit and ask God "Why?"

Why would you choose such a scandalous story?
Why wouldn't you just allow a righteous couple to raise your son?
Why would you allow a woman who didn't have any experience raising children, the duty of showing your Son the ropes of humanity?

Maybe the intention of the Virgin story, the manger scene, and the uncomfortableness of the event; was to show us how much God really cares.  (I understand the prophetic part, and if that was the only reason, it would certainly be enough.)

But I can't quit thinking that this beautiful cosmic story could have been exclaimed through a royal family, but the reality of Jesus' birth was far from the comfortability found at the table of the kings. 

The conversations Mary was having with family...far from comfortable.
The conversation Joseph was having at work...far from comfortable.
Walking to Bethlehem while fully pregnant...uncomfortable
Labor room in a barn..uncomfortable.
First nights sleeping in the Hay...uncomfortable.
People you don't even know coming to admire a baby they only knew through visions and dreams...uncomfortable.

Just put yourself into the reality of the story, and it takes away all the smells of pumpkin spiced latte's, yule tide logs in the fire, and Christmas sweaters.  This event was the introduction to God on earth, and everything about it was well orchestrated before the beginning of time, all surrounding the inconvenience of following God. 

If I were honest...I'm wrestling with Christmas this year. 

Don't get me wrong.  I'm still participating in all the traditional stuff, singing all he traditional songs, and engaging in the social part of Christmas.  But, my soul is really grappling with the realness of God's plan.  Are we too comfortable?

Maybe we've made the "reason for the season" a catch phrase that takes away from the reality of God's intention, and gives us a sense of comfortable God never intended. 
Maybe we've created an event, when God's was to say, "Just look at the manger scene and see."

I get embarrassed at all the gifts under the tree, the plenty of food we have to eat, and the sense of comfortable.  I'm having a hard time wrestling with this.  Maybe because it's easy to be where I am, and it's all I know, but if I'm honest with myself, I want to live life more like God wanted me to live it. 

Am I way off here, or do you think in order to understand more of God's story, we should live God's story a bit more real?

Just thoughts. 
Not theology
Just thoughts.

I openly wept over this.

So, here I am sitting in my office, watching news, researching for some projects I'm working on and found this....I think it says enough.

Opportunities are All over the Place This Christmas

This Christmas will be the first one in a long time, where there are families that are literally just trying to survive.  If you happen to be in a position to help someone this season; don't just waste your time or money on something that will never matter.  Take a second and look around...check this out.

As I was Listening...Christians will Follow Jesus to a Point

I am an avid podcaster.  I love listening to the great minds of today, and I came across a recent speech at Denver Seminary.  This is VERY interesting.  If you have a few minutes, listen to this address by Tony Campolo to a group of seminary students in Denver.

Click here to Download Tony Campolo

One Thing is True...The Storm is Coming

 

Jesus says, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do  them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

Matthew 7:24-27

It's no surprise that storms are on the way.  Every one of us has experienced life's storms.  Some of us walk through the drizzles of life, while others of us have been through the hurricanes.  But Jesus says, in this kingdom, there's one thing that is for sure...the storm is on its way.

We have two ways to approach this certain life event.

1.)  We can build a house on the rock...

And Jesus says the way to do that is to take in His wise counsel about this new kingdom.  Or we can

2.) Build a house on the sand....

And Your house will slide off into oblivion.

Each of us has a choice.

We all get a chance to build our life-house, however we want.  Yet there is one constant....The Storm is coming....

So where have you built your house? 
Can it withstand the storms of life?
Will it be able to take the beating from the wind and the waves?

History is filled with stories of people who tried to warn others that bad times were on the way.  They usually are laughed at.  Mocked.  Made fun of.  Disregarded as those who surely can't know the future.  But Jesus is right on.  He's warning...Are we doing anything about it?

May we be a people who are thoughtful about the future, while still living in the present.
May we be prudent about building every part of our life with stone.
May we understand the things in life that may take a little longer to build, but certainly last through the tough times.
May we not run in fear, for we serve a God greater than ourselves. 

The Difference in Doing and Being...

The MESSAGE says it best...

"Knowing the correct password--saying 'Master Master,' for instance--isn't what my Father wills.  I can see it now--at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying 'master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God sponsored projects had everyone talking.'  And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat.  All you did was use me to make yourselves important.  You don't impress me one bit.  You're out of here.'

Matthew 7

It's one of the scariest parts of the Bible.  Especially for someone who is a Christian professional.'  Someone who's whole life is about setting up discipleship programs for teens, and mentoring young adults around the world.  Jesus is talking about people in ministry here.

So what makes the difference between someone who is doing life, and someone who is being? 

I think Jesus lines it out well.  It's about the motives of the heart.  You can get so caught up in doing life, that you forget to be.  Especially those of us in ministry.  It's so easy to have another program, or build a new building, or put on another show.  But Jesus wants us to own up to who He created us to be, and live life with a certain togetherness with Him. 

He's not interested in seeing how much man can do.  I mean really, can we compare to the majestic creation work of God?  I think not!

He's interested in knowing you. 
He's motivated when you are interested in knowing Him.
He wants more than anything to have a group of human beings.  Not a bunch of human doings.

May we be a people who can be with Jesus.
May we recognize the difference between doing and being.
May we be sure that on the Final Judgment, we're met with a hug and a high five, rather than a questionable look from the one we intend to serve. 

 

False Teachers

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Matthew 7:15-20

I once got in a discussion about False Teachers with one of my conservative friends.  We were talking about the way God works in the world.  He referenced a few verses in the Bible that alluded that False Teachers will be able to do miraculous things, and in order to watch out for false teachers we needed to steer clear of the miraculous.  I LOST IT!

I know there are times in my life I'm ashamed, but this wasn't one of them.  Here was a teacher teaching that False prophets were going to do miracles, so we ought not to pray for them!  What in the world are we doing?

We Christians are so afraid of "those" false teachers, but Jesus gives us ways to handle them.  He talks of trees and fruit.  Good trees bear good fruit, and Bad trees bear bad fruit.  In other words, you'll know whether someone is a false prophet or not by the fruit they bear in their lives.

Are they gentle?
Are they patient?
Are they kind?
Are they interested in the needs of others?
Do they lead people closer to Jesus, or do they lead them to a selfish narcissistic center point?

If it's all about the teacher and not about Jesus or His kingdom, you can rest assured that person is probably in bed in the false teacher category. God must increase, and I must decrease.  If I'm not pointing people to God, I'm just talking to the air and increasing my own kingdom.  And...rest assured...I'd much rather live under the Kingdom of God than the Kingdom of Andy!!  That would be a MESS.

May we be people not afraid to call on God in all His glory.
May we rest in the majesty of His supernatural glory.
May we test and approve, but not rush to judgment, if someone is being used by God to usher in a message.

Walking the Right Path

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:13-15

The Implication is there are two roads and you can choose either way.  There's one road that leads to destruction, while another leads to life.  The other issue to deal with is the promise of one's leading to good, and the other...to destruction.

It's always been a bit of a fear to be on the wide road, and since I was in college I've tried hard to define the wide road.  Which road is the one that leads to destruction?  How can you tell if you're on the narrow way?  Surely, it's not just because you were born in a place that seems to build confidence in a certain systematic way of looking at life, or the gospel?

It's no surprise, but true...

The only way to truly know is to measure each path with the standard we've been given.  It's the reason we stay so close to the Bible in study and meditation.  It's the only reason we fill our minds and our souls with the very Word of God.

May we be a people who can recognize the truth. 
May we not be afraid to take a narrow way.
May we identify the components necessary to love God with all our hearts.

All you Have to do Is Ask

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matthew 7-11

This is a promise I can get excited about.  WOW!!!  What an incredible gift.  The God of the Universe gifts our questions with answer, and gives us the needs of our heart.  If there is a verse or section of scripture you'd be interested in memorizing, this is one of them.

I'm often asked about how I approach God with requests.  Whether it's a job offer, a school opportunity, or some sort of spiritual healing; how are we supposed to approach a being who created everything we see.

And I answer...

"how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask." v.11

People often ask, "why doesn't God perform miracles today?"  And I answer...

"Have you asked?"

They inquire, "why doesn't God reveal His will to me today?"  And I answer...

"Have you asked?"

Sometimes we need to be careful as we assume God is just going to come down and plan out our lives.  Maybe He's waiting for us to ask? (I know this goes into deeper theological issues, so for those of you waiting to pounce on this theology...just hold off till we get to God's sovereignty.)

I think God wants us to understand every good and perfect thing comes from above.  I think He wants us to acknowledge our need for Him in our physical AND spiritual lives.  We must be a people willing to submit to God's authority as the giver of good, while we couple our understanding of humanity with Him here on this earth.

May we be a people willing to ask...so that...He might give us the most wonderful abundant lives He intended.

This new Kingdom is Full of Good and right. 

What do you think?

Ask and You will Receive

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

A lot can be said for the state of seeker churches today.  Some say they are churches merely relying on the social constructs not offering substance of the faith.  Others claim they are reaching into the culture and trying to make a new way of doing church where our generation might know God.  For surely Jesus wouldn't use the same examples He used talking to a group of farmers and fisherman.  Or would He?

It's a breath of fresh air to see people trying to actualize their faith in today's world.  They want to know truth and the meaning of life, but if we stop by just allowing them to seek; we do them a deep disservice. 

For a seeker, by definition, is searching for answers.  We must be a people who are ready to give answers.  God says as we seek, we will find.  There are answers to the toughest questions in life.  We don't have to walk around in a cloud of ambiguity. 

Youth ministries often forget we are the sources of truth to young people.

We must be a people that hold tight to the answers as well as our fun loving youth clubs.  As we fill the rooms with music, play games to get kids involved with each other, and try to develop programs to attract more students, we MUST also couple our meetings with the truth of the gospel. 

Kids are dying to know the truth. 

Here at Kanakuk Colorado, we've made the "truth" meetings a choice.  Kids can choose to go rock climbing, mountain biking, river rafting, or a host of other outdoor sports.  They choose to do whatever they want.  But, we also offer them a time where they can come and seek answers to their hardest questions. 

This term, we have 160 students.  Out of the total population, 86 kids chose to come into our teaching sessions, instead of doing the outdoor stuff.  1/2 of the whole of all the students decided they needed to work on articulating their faith.  It speaks volumes of a generation searching for the meaning to existence.

May we be a people who search for truth.
May we not stop our journey till we find answers.
May we call on the God who provides answers, so we can know.

The Judge

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces

Matthew 7:1-6

Isn't it crazy how many people want to go around poking their nose in everyone else's business?  They don't want to take any personal responsibility, but they sure enjoy being God's judge to the world.  I guess it's not that hard to see why people do such harsh things to others. 

I mean...

If you can show the world someone else doesn't have it all together (at least as much as you) it makes you feel good.
If someone is struggling through life, sometimes it's easy to point out faults to show others how much you're living the 'right life.'
And...some personalities just have to point out the bad in everyone.  I've seen it a thousand times. 

Sometimes I'll get calls from parents to tell me about their students 'friend.'  I'll hear all about how the 'friend' is doing life the wrong way, and his terrible parents are letting him get away with murder.  And usually it's not near as bad as the caller implies. 

When that stuff happens, I often wonder, "Why?"  Why do we feel the responsibility to be God's police force in the world?  Are we supposed to go out and enforce God's law to the world?  Or, are we confident enough in God's abilities to allow him to take care of the moral degradation on the planet? 

I choose to pick the later. 

I believe we've all been given a choice to live life the way we want.  We can choose to live life the 'best' way, the way God intended.  Or, we can choose to live life on our own, and face the consequences of our actions.  I guess the problem arises when we don't feel like everyone else has the same ability to choose as we do. 

Now, those of you trying to make a theological point, please don't read into this.  I'm not advocating that we just allow criminals to do their thing.  I'm not saying truth is negotiable, or anything of the sort. 

I'm talking about the times when we have nothing better to do than to look for the bad in someone else, and then go and share it with others.   

It wasn't long ago, Jamie and I got a phone call from a young girl who was supposed to work for us.  She had already signed a contract, and we were about a month from opening camp.  She called to tell us she was unwilling to come out to camp that summer because she just found out she was pregnant.

Now...what do most people do in this situation?

Excommunicate her from the fellowship?
Talk about her sleeping around?
Tell their kids not to hang out with THAT girl, because she's trouble?

No!

Jamie was talking to the girl and explained, "You've made a mistake.  If you've asked forgiveness from your heavenly father, told your parents, and sought forgiveness from the boy, then let's roll.  You only have one chance in life to give birth to your first child.  If you need anything I'll be there for you."

"If you need diapers, I've got plenty.  If you need a stroller, I've got three.  If you need someone to be there at the hospital, I'll be there for you." 

It was exactly how Jesus would have responded.  He would have seen the guilt in her heart, and reached out to show her compassion, and that life will continue.  He would have offered grace in the face of what might seem like a total disaster.  But most of all, instead of rushing to judgment and punishment, He would have showed her the love of a heavenly Father in the face of life's hardest issues.

Jesus says, "Don't throw your pearls to pigs" and often times we think that's somehow to keep secrets away from people. Or...it means that you don't have to talk about spiritual things with people who don't believe in God.  But I think it means, Stop judging people in their position.  Stop trying to be the Moral Police for everyone else in the world.  What if we were a different kind of people?

What if we were people who were confident enough in the fact God loves people?  What if we thought that we knew He put us in the lives of people to show them how much He loves them.  What if we were confident enough to know, it's God who'll judge in the end?  What if we just sought out meaningful relationships with people, in spite of themselves?

I guess that life might come when we all reach a certain spiritual way point along our journey.

May we be a people who care about people.
May we die to our own sense of moral oversight for the people around us.
May we allow the same freedom to choose how to live life as others give us.
May we understand the life Jesus described here, and not justify for the sake of our own well being. 

What are you eating?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:31-34

It's amazing how much time we spend eating here in America. 
Think about it

3 meals a day
On average 1 hour per day
7 days a week
Average = 21 hours a week

21 hours a week we spend eating!!

That's if you actually do breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday.

This equals an entire day out of every week that we spend stuffing our face.  And how much time could you add to that deciding where and when you will eat?

I've been thinking about the time and energy it takes to make sure we keep eating, and I started wondering...

How much time do I spend dreaming with God?
How much energy to I spend thinking about the effects of various forces on my spirit?

If my physical life is just half of who I am, how much should I be spending seeking the Kingdom of God?

I'm no longer satisfied starving my spirit.

Our kamp season ends here in a few days, and I'm using this year as the year to feed my spirit as much as or more than my spiritual life.   Jesus made it clear, "My flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink...anyone who eats this flesh and drinks this blood will have eternal life."  (Jn 6)

I'm sure when He said to seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added, He meant it. 

What would the world look like if we used the time we have on earth with as much fervor as we do a Big Mac, or a Subway sandwich?

May we yearn for the Kingdom of Heaven like we do our own Kingdoms.
May we continue to ask questions of God's unique mystery.
May we stay curious, and feed our spirit.

Don't Worry...Be Happy

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life"

Matthew 6:25-27

Have you ever seen this bird?  It's a Toucan, and lives in the jungle.  Now call me crazy; but all you survival of the fittest folks, How in the world did this beak benefit a bird?  Just imagine the process of evolution from a bird with a dull beak of camouflage, to this rainbow snout.  How can this be beneficial in the jungle.

It's dark.
It's damp.
It's full of greens and browns.

And somehow this bird survived the vicious process of evolution to put on display to the world a neon sign in the jungle, "COME EAT ME."

These are the examples that just throw me into a tailspin as I read the reason for nature, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork."

Now I'm not saying evolution doesn't happen on a limited scale, but come on.  This is an obvious problem for those who deny the existence of the creator.

I know Jesus wasn't trying to prove evolution in the Matthew 6 discourse, but when I step back and see the way God created the Universe, it sure does put the hardships of life into perspective doesn't it.  When I look at the birds of the field, and lilies in the grass; I can stop and put things back in their place.  Bills don't seem so important.  Career doesn't push me to the boiling point.  Anxiousness just fades away.

K-Colorado has a reputation among the other Kanakuk Kamps as the 'laid back kamp,' which I love!  But it sure isn't the 'lazy kamp.'  If you've been following the Colorado portion of the blog you see we are totally into having fun all the time.  We do some intense activity out here.  But the most fun part about what we do is, we put life in perspective. 

What is more important than knowing and Loving God?
How can we best use our time, other than developing relationships with one another, and live life with each other.

Sure we're laid back.  But we're laid back because we choose to take the time to invest in the present.  We live life in the moment, and we don't take for granted the precious minutes God has given us in the now. 

I think Jesus hints a modern phrase to us today, "CHILL OUT!"

If God loves putting the rainbow on the toucan's nose, How much more is He interested in creating a life for you that is full of wonderful rich experiences.  It might seem like pressure from our vantage point, but take a step back and allow the God of the Universe to express Himself to you today.  It's a beautiful creation.

May we be a people who see life in perspective.
May we not bow to the pressure of the world.
May we focus our attention and our energy on the majestic beauty of a Triune God!

What are Your Eyes Looking At

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matthew 6:22-24

It's right after the section Jesus talks about Treasure.  The idea is, the eyes of man lead him to covet the things he most desires. 

In this New Kingdom, Jesus warns the citizens, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU LOOK AFTER. 

It's interesting to survey the American landscape as to who or what we long to be.

Fast cars
Big Houses
Faster Computers
Treasures that really don't amount to much

We are a people consumed with stuff. 

In fact, recently I was talking to our international students, and they were helping me understand how addictive stuff is here in America.  They all find it strange to spend the kind of money we do on 'what?'  One of the girls from Holland confessed, "When I go to Wal-mart, I walk out with stuff I don't need, but realize I can spend $100 in a hurry."

Why are we so obsessed with stuff?
We know stuff isn't the secret to happiness.

It's no wonder Jesus said, "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." 

Maybe following Jesus is much harder than we imagine, because we've become addicted to things that are worthless.  We don't even know how to valuate life in this new kingdom, because our eyes are so darkened by the wealth here in this country. 

A few years ago, I took 13 students on our first trip to Costa Rica.  We went for the purpose of simply serving the locals who were finishing a summer camp in the mountains.  The kids were from rather wealthy families, and upon our arrival, one of the girls saw the cement cabins we would be sleeping in, and I thought she was going to have a nervous breakdown.
"I can't sleep here.  There's no air condition.  I'm not sleeping in that bug net.  And you can be sure Andy, I'm not going to like it!"

Well, it was 7 days in the jungle, hours away from the city.  She had no choice.

As the trip was winding down, I asked the students, "How do you think this trip will affect your life back home."

The girl replied, "I just want everyone to know, I've never made my bed...ever!  My butler makes it."

I put two and two together and figured out this girl's background was in the upper echelon of wealth.

"I've seen people here with nothing.  They can't even buy a new outfit, but they're all happy.  They all want to follow God with all that's inside them. 

I have everything I want.  I can go buy anything my heart desires.  But...the more stuff I buy, the more depressed I get.  Andy, what's up with that?"

It was that moment I decided we would take these trips as long as I direct Kanakuk Colorado. 

The value for students today to see happiness can't be bought with the latest iPod, is an invaluable experience.  For Americans to understand the way people of the world live, and how they find happiness, especially those who understand God is the giver of all things...including life; is something that teaches far beyond an algebra class. 

May we be a people who can break our addiction to stuff.
May we see joy in the creation of God
May our hearts not be darkened by the lies of materialism and wealth
And...may we all understand the impact of ideas we let in our head

America has an unprecedented opportunity on the global stage to reach out and show the world how to relinquish the unhealthy addiction to money.

After all...it's all going to burn...right?

 

Fasting makes me Hungry

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:16-18

What a weird practice!

Why would Jesus invite believers into a time of fasting? 

I struggled with this as a new believer, and I'm confident people are still wondering why in the world Christians would fast.  Well, I've had some thoughts recently, as I've been teaching this to students out here at Kanakuk Colorado.

Have you ever wondered why God made our bodies to need food?  I mean, let's be honest...couldn't he have just made our bodies able to eat one day a month, and then we could be good to go? 

Why would God be interested in making our lives schedule around meals?. 

I believe God created humans to eat regularly, so we could take time out of our day to thank Him for His provision.  Before the days of McDonalds and fast food, people had to actually work the earth for food.  They got down in the field and worked in the dirt, planted the seeds, and watched as the miracle of growth would take over.  They had no control over whether or not a plant would grow.  The responsibility ended when they placed the seed in the ground.  Then it was up to the rain, the sun, and the nutrients of the earth to take over.  In other words, they had no play in growing food.  It was up to the creator to provide the right conditions for physical nutrients.

The practice of praying before a meal happened when people recognized they had no control, and God was responsible for providing the physical need of food to the belly. 

Take it a step further. 

Not only do our bodies require food, they need renewable times of nourishment.  Your body can function without food for a while, but it requires you to eat more than once a week, once a month, and for sure once a year.  It is a cycle.

Fasting merely represents a physical withdraw from this cycle.  It's an amazing discipline as you remind your body there's more to life than just food. 

I don't know if you've ever tried it, but its brutal.  Especially those of us who are used to three meals a day.  It starts as a noble act of spiritism, but the first onset of hunger pain, and you notice the body's reliance on the physical nature of food.  It hurts.  It's distracting.  Food is focal.

Fasting is a way you can force yourself to know all good things come from God.  It's an intense spiritual experience as you deny yourself those things that are normally easily taken care of by a ride to the closest restaurant or grocery store. 

But when you dive in, get ready to experience a spiritual life full of appreciation. 

Jesus says, "when you fast" implying we don't really have an option.  It's a part of the New Kingdom.  We must engage in this practice.  But He warns the people sternly, Don't do it just to show off.  Don't fast so people see your piety.  Fast for the reason it was meant to be...mainly to know God in the light of physical suffering.  Understand the body is made of physical and spiritual parts, and it's just as important to pay attention to the spirit as it is the physical.

May we be a part of this new Kingdom of believers who take our physical bodies on the journey.
May we set time aside to chase after God's clarity in our communities.
May we be a people who are able to connect with God outside our comfortable full bellies.

I promise you...if you try this...you'll be hungry...but satisfied all at the same time.

Teaching today in the New Building

Today I began the section on the Kingdom of heaven for the 5th term kids here at  K-Colorado.  It was a great time of questions, answers, and wonderful debate.  We started with the first 8 Blessed Be the ________ and kids were intrigued by the re-imagination happening.  We talked of salvation, making oaths, divorce, and making it right with people who you're angry with.

I don't know if you remember the section on anger, but Jesus says things like, "If you're angry with your brother, leave your sacrifice at the alter, go and make it right with your brother, then come back." 

I've taught that section many times, but today I felt like I started to understand. 

God wants to make sure we have a right relationship with Him, but He's also interested in our relationship with one another.  We have a duty to each other on a grandiose scale.  Jesus made it such a priority that we are supposed to leave our relationship and reconciliation with God in favor for reconciliation with whoever we're struggling with.

I wonder what the world would look like, if instead of trying to pray our way out of hard situations and accrue an audience with God; if we would go and make things right with our brother first.  What conflicts would last if we constantly bowed to serve one another? 

It's a crazy idea, and the students took it to heart.

Some concerned their relationships with parents needed serious help.
Others admitted to boyfriend and girlfriend problems.
Still others were so grieved by relationships they let get out of control, they committed to at least beginning the process by writing healing letters to people they felt like they offended.

At the beginning of the summer one of the counselors asked, "So what are we doing to change the world?" 

Today, I think we took another big step, as 70 kids were dwelling on making their communities healthy again. 

There are glimpses of hope every now and then, but today I saw a clear connection as we took another stab at what it means to be Citizens of a New Kingdom. 

How should we Pray?

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

Matthew 6:5-8

Prayer is a wonderful discipline of the New Kingdom.  It's power of communication, and discipline of solitude, quiets the world around us, and brings us into a wonderful communion with our creator. 

Yesterday I rode my bike to a quiet corner here at Kamp, and found myself lost in God's creation as I revealed to Him my struggles, the problems in the world, the celebrations of the students here that are coming to encounter Him, and the act of re-aligning my core to God's heart.  It was a well needed couple of hours, and I relish the times I'm allowed to delight in God.

Jesus understood the importance of prayer. 

It wasn't merely a quick fix of faith to pray over a meal. 
It wasn't meant to show people how spiritual you are.
It's certainly not a time to ask the genie in the sky for your three wishes.
It was meant to delight in Him.

What a wonderful opportunity you have today!

Go find a quiet place away from the business of the world.  Find a place that reminds you of God's intent for your life.  Sit in Silence for a bit, and then start to pray.

If you're someone who reads ahead, you'll see the most famous prayer ever told as Jesus launches into the infamous 'Lord's Prayer.'  It's a wonderful guide to lead you into your own prayer life

May we be citizens of a New Kingdom willing to sacrifice moments in our day to celebrate the life giver.
May we not use prayer for anything other than what it was intended.
May we run from the temptation to show our faith to others, and find quiet places to revel in our need for God!!

WHEN YOU GIVE...

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

JESUS (Matthew 6:1-4)

As Jesus began to preach the principles of the New Kingdom, He certainly wasn't finished with how we should treat one another.  He went on to outline the foundations of behavior in this New Place. 

Notice He starts by saying that doing good doesn't require the motive of self preservation, but this Kingdom should be done in secret.  Why?  Does Jesus advocate a secret society of well-doers?

I don't think this is the point.

I think Jesus understood that we take good deeds and begin piling up prideful actions to serve as our spiritual report card.  We want people to see that we are good, and we feel good about ourselves as the buttons begin popping off our chest.  We want to be a people that take credit for things WE DO!

But the New Kingdom is about Citizens who do, not out of some egocentric need for glory, but rather; it requires its members to 'do' out of love for one another.  So once we get over ourselves, and make it just another thing, we can truly experience God's ultimate plan for humanity. 

Also poignant is the fact Jesus didn't say, "If you ever think about giving...."  No He said, "When you give." 

It's not an option for New Kingdom members to pile up treasure here on earth.  If someone needs, we give.  Not out of some sort of reward system, but out of the centrality behind our New Kingdomship.  It's just the right thing to do.  The reward isn't some crown of jewels in an afterlife, the reward is that we can see the goodness in the world spread. 

Just think about it for a minute....

When someone recognizes a need you have, and they selflessly help; doesn't that make you want to be on the lookout for someone to give to?

I was in St. Louis not long ago at a major Youth Conference.  Thousands of people were there to hear an incredible pedigree of spiritual advisers.  (I still wonder why in the world they wanted me there.)  In any event, I was tired after hours of speaking, and decided to walk the streets of downtown St. Louis looking for people in need. 

I ran into a guy on the corner named Marcus.  He hadn't eaten in a while, and looked like he needed to get some stuff off his chest.  So we spent a few hours over a Big Mac and a counseling session. 

It was the highlight of my trip.  To sit with someone who was praying for an angel, and for whatever reason God brought ME.  (Silly as that sounds.)

I don't tell this story to say 'look how good I am,' but merely to encourage you.   If you are living in the insulation of suburban America safe from any need; step out somewhere else, and experience the good gift God has awaiting you as you give.

May we be a New Kind of Christian who wanders life's business in search for people in need.
May we be perceptive enough to see the needs of those around us.
And, may we not be satisfied until we've given till we can't give anymore. 

Are you willing to go to the Black Hole?

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

JESUS

It's the reason why I wrote LOVE THIS!

I saw a group of Christians willing to love each other, and rightfully so..."They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another"  BUT...in our love for one another, we forgot the rest of the world. 

We get caught up in big buildings, exciting programs and special events. 
We idolize celebrity just like the world does. 
We give special attention to people we can get stuff from

And we forgot the WORLD!

Jesus says, even the pagans do that. 

When will we be a people interested in knowing how to reach out to the rest?
When will we reach down into the world and start pulling people out of self demise?

I was recently with a friend whose son was going through a terrible time and he said, "I'm just trying to keep my boy from sliding into a black hole.  NO!  I'm jumping in after him."

Oh to be a people who are willing, no matter the cost, to jump into the black holes of the world to love people!

After all...that's what God did for me.

(If you'd like to read a comprehensive analysis of Andy's thoughts.  Click over on the book to the left of this post.  It will take you to www.amazon.com where you too can dive into the black holes of the world.)

Love My Enemies? Ok...Now We're Getting a Little Crazy.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45)

Ok, I'm pretty sold on the New Kingdom idea Jesus declares.  The Sermon on the mount is full of hard textual things to deal with in my own life, but when Jesus says love my enemies I'm a little concerned.  As a believer who can look back into history with 20/20 clarity, I must admit this doesn't settle well with me. 

I can understand Jesus' comments if it's solely meant to deal with people in my own sphere of influence, but what about enemies of the state? 

How do we deal with enemies like this?

I dreamed of killing this man myself in September 2001.  REALLY!!  I had a re-occurring dream where I shot Him in the head for 5 nights straight.  (I know that sounds weird, but it was real at the time.) 

What about enemies who endanger their own?

Or better yet, what about enemies who endanger the whole world with their evil thoughts of world domination?

Or evil systems of government?

The 20th century was one of the bloodiest centuries in modern history.  More people died for ideas of state than any other recorded.  Did Jesus refer to this? or was He talking about personal relationships?

Or does love on this level include the love of justice righteousness that punishes evil for what evil is?

In our day, this question must be asked and answered as we live in a crucial time of war.  We are gearing up for an election that will put a driver in the seat of the most powerful nation in the world.  So, how do we read this teaching of love your enemy?  Is it only meant for those who talk bad about us at the local dinner party?  Or is there more?

Please don't read too much into my questions, as I am on a journey to figure this out for myself.  I just don't want to miss the point of Jesus' teachings, and I think it well to open Pandora's box of questions.  Surely evil can't be allowed to conquer the world right?

Help me on this one! 

May we be a people that look at the heart of Jesus and work out how to love our enemies.
May we live in a Kingdom led by the King of Kings, and respond as He would have us to.
May we not be afraid to face the world as followers of God.

Leave me some feedback here, cause I'm struggling through this one.

Does Jesus Promote Weakness?

If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:41-42)

What a DRAG!!! 

Jesus, in his disposition about knowing the NEW kingdom, asks His followers to take what everybody else dishes out and now we have to walk with people?  He's so direct!  It's impossible!  If I walked a mile for everyone that asks, I'd never get anything done.  How does Jesus expect me to just listen to the whims of the people around me?

Well, that's what you might think if you read the Bible through the lens of a 21st century American Evangelical.  But, what if we did a little research and found out the true meaning of this wonderful picture of Jesus' teachings.

What if I told you...

As Israel was under the reign of a brutal Roman Empire, it was the law.  Jerusalem was on the outskirts of the empire, and Caesar rarely made it over from Rome, if ever!  The Law in this rogue territory of Israel was, if a roman soldier asked a Jew to carry his equipment for him, it was the Jew's responsibility to carry it.  They didn't have a choice.  They had to drop whatever it was they were doing, and help the soldier on his way.  But...

The Roman soldier could only require the pack be carried for a mile.  Legislation of the time dictated that a mile was the length of the law.  It seems kind of trite, but it was the standard.  It was the rule.  If the Jew refused to carry the stuff, he was able to be punished by beating. 

However; if the soldier was brutally abusing the people, making them carry stuff more than a mile, the Roman soldier was subject to scourging.  So, within the law there was a little protection for the people.  On a normal given day, the army couldn't force itself on the people.  Remember, even though the Roman empire had some evil parts, it was still a government ruled by law.  In fact, a majority of our government today was taken from ancient Greek and Roman custom.  Law was law, and no one was above it, until the state decided there were rogue terrorists.  Then it had the right to go and murder and pillage; which is another story all together. 

So, a proper interpretation of this teaching has nothing to do with bowing to people in weakness. 

Watch this.....

"Hey Jew.  Carry this pack."  says the guard.
"NO!" says the Jew
IMMEDIATELY SUBJECT TO PUNISHMENT BY THE LAW

OR....

"Hey Jew Carry this pack."  says the guard
"Yes sir." says the Jew
And they walk. 
They walk for the first 1/2 mile and everything is going OK.
They come up to the mile marker, and the Jew decides to listen to the teachings of Jesus.  He thinks to himself, "Well, Jesus said go ahead and keep going, so I guess I'll try it."
Immediately on crossing the mile mark, the powerful Roman Guard ready to scourge the weak Jewish person automatically turns into the beggar.  He knows if the Jew takes one step further his legion had the right to put him on trial and beat him. 
"WAIT!!!!" says the guard, "STOP right there!"  The Jew keeps walking.
All of the sudden the power shifts, and the Jew becomes the one in power and the Roman guard beomes the one begging for him to stop. 

This section has nothing to do with weakness.  It's just like the turn the other cheek and the cloak scenario I've written about before.  Jesus is actually using the kingdoms of the day and showing them how easy it is to use the law and give people the right to do the right thing.  It's brilliant! 

It's Martin Luther King Jr. type stuff. 
This is what Gandhi was so successful with when he took down the British Empire.
It's the way Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation in the face of the oppressive powers of the church. 
This is how movements get started.

Can you imagine all the Jewish people who turned the mighty Roman Empire on it's ear, just by obeying the law?  The 'weak' minded people now gained all the power.  They had the ability to show the thousands of soldiers how ridiculous it was to make them carry stuff.  BRILLIANT!!!

May we be a people of creative resistance as we seek to swear allegiance to this New Kingdom.
May we show the world, the right thing to do is to treat people with respect and dignity.
May we not read the Bible to suit our own needs, but rather; see the historical context and relish in the radical New Kingdom called the Kingdom of Heaven. 
May we constantly seek to find the King of Kings in the middle of earthly Kingdoms.

 

Are you kidding me? Take my cloak?

And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. Matthew 5:40

I've always thought it interesting to walk through the mall and see the pictures of models in the windows.  Is it me, or do they seem to be loosing more and more clothes as the years go by?  I'm trying not to turn into an old parent type person, but whew....sometimes I wonder if they just forgot to put up the posters with the products they were trying to sell.

Or...maybe the idea is to market the "need for clothes."  It's embarrassing.  I feel a little strange walking the halls of all these naked people, while I'm shopping for clothes.

Jesus continues on the same interesting point with people who ask of your cloak.  He just finished talking about the turn the other cheek phenomenon, and now he moves on to clothes?  What in the world is going on here.  I think Jesus was helping the Jewish nation understand the power of showing someone feel embarrassment as they demand things from you. 

He starts the section sounding all 'giving' and welfare like, but if you think about it; Jesus is telling people to give everything.  If someone demands your tunic, give him all your clothes.  In other words, if there are people in your world who are demanding the very clothes on your back, go ahead and give them your clothes.  In fact...give them everything, and stand there naked as they realize what they've done. 

Don't retaliate with violence or anger or hate.  Simply show the oppressor how oppressive they're becoming.  Give them the chance to realize how hatefully brutal they're request really is, as you stand there naked in the uncomfortableness of the gift. 

Jesus is all about turning the natural desires of man on their ears, and giving people the chance to do what is right.

May we be about creative ways to help people understand their evil ways.
May we concentrate on making the world a better place, rather than tit for tat tactics that don't work.
May we see ways to give our lives to other people that they might see God.

Turn the Other Cheek?

Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.'  Is that going to get us anywhere?  Here's what I propose 'Don't hit back at all.'  If someone strikes you, stand there and take it.  If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.  And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.  No more tit for tat stuff.  Live generously.

JESUS

When you look at this picture...what do you want to do? 

I'm crazy.  I love mixing it up.  And I love having fun with kiddos. 

I can imagine just running up and diving in the water with my friend Jake....what a blast. 

Another New Kingdom command changes the whole of the ideas of revenge.  I've struggled with this verse for a long time.  It seems like Jesus is going along with characteristics of a New Kingdom, new laws, new life, and then He introduces this Turn the Other Cheek idea.  What in the world?  Are Christians supposed to just roll over and let people abuse them?

The Short answer...YES!

But, After reading Walter Wink, and working through the culture of the day, I've found a much deeper meaning than 'just let people roll over you.'

The Near Eastern culture has a long history of clean hands and dirty hands.  The left hand was always used for 'potty' type stuff, and the right hand was used for business.  The right hand was clean, and the left hand was an abomination to life.

Also, the way men fought was different.  Slapping was reserved for servants, while hitting with a fist was saved for those squabbles with friends. 

So imagine....

You see two men in the alleyway, and one slaps the other with the right hand on the left cheek.  It's obviously a master/servant relationship from the nature of the slap.  Suddenly the servant turns his head and offers the other cheek to the master, putting the master in a position to either....

A.  Use his left hand, which he would never do.
B.  Back slap the servant with his hand
C.  Make a fist and punch the chin of his servant, thereby raising the social standard from servant to friend.

Jesus isn't giving us a command to be weak to the world.  He's helping us see that retaliation for violence, only leads to more violence.  If we want to live in this New Kingdom, we must be willing to take the chance to give our master the opportunity to look in our eyes and do the right thing. 

I know it seems kind of odd to think hitting someone is the right thing, but remember, the Bible was written in a cultural context.  We must read it with all the historicity we can afford, so we might get to the heart of its meaning.  WE CAN'T read the Bible through modern American Christian Protestant Evangelical eyes, and understand the whole of the meaning.  It takes a little history lesson to hear the heartbeat of Jewish culture in the time of Jesus.

Then and only then, can we find those truths that will transcend to our culture, and give us instruction on how to live our life today. 

WOW!!  Turn the Other Cheek...It has nothing to do with being a pansy!

May we re-imagine the way we read the Bible.
May we hear the truth Jesus intended, rather than our own interpretation in modern life
May we be a people more interested in finding truth, than fitting truth.

Empty Promises in the Old Kingdom

"and don't say anything you don't mean.  This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions.  you only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it.  You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace.  In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true.  Just say 'yes' and 'no.'  when you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

Jesus, Matthew 5:33-37

The New Kingdom is about truth.

It runs from wicked lies and false religiosity. 

It calls for its citizens to look each other in the eye and tell each other what we mean. 

It's about honesty at the very soul. 

I remember going to college at one of the largest Christian Univerisities in the world.  As a former leader in the youth group, a graduate from a Christian High School, and always having been part of a Christian family; I was steeped in religion. 

One Saturday night, I remember staying out late into the evening, and decided to sleep in on Sunday morning. 

I woke up about 11:30, and started down the hall to get ready for the day. 

As I walked down the hall I noticed one of the rooms where one of the residents was putting on a three piece suit.  I walked in and said, "hey man what's up?" 

"Oh, just going down to the cafeteria to find something to eat."

I walked off without any look on my face, but it disturbed me.

He slept in, just like me.
He was skipping out on church, just like me.
But instead of being honest with his life, he was dressing up to 'ACT' like he went to church, so no one thought anything strange about him.

This was the moment in my Christian life where I decided to bail on the whole religious deal.  It was monumental in my spiritual growth.  It was the time I wanted to bring a true life honesty to my faith.  I didn't care anymore what people thought, I made a commitment that I would be honest.

So, I went through three or four years of darkness.  I walked with people who didn't know God, not because I didn't know God; but because I saw at least they were honest with themselves and with each other. 

Why are people who follow Jesus so bent on not telling the truth?
Why do we want to act a certain way so the world can see us, when in the middle of our lives we do just the opposite?

Stop trying to be false in humility.
Stop trying to be something you're not in front of people
Stop trying to put on a face for the people in your sphere of influence.

It's time that we are honest with ourselves, and with those around us. 

Jesus says, those in the New Kingdom will let their Yes be Yes, and their No be No. 

So when you promise a job done by a certain date, lets do it.
When you say you'll be there when someone needs you, just do it.
If you tell someone they are a valuable assett to your company, mean it.  Don't hang them out to dry.
When you say, "I'm praying for you" be sure you're doing it.

Honesty is an importnat centrality to faith in the New Kingdom.

May we be a people group who say what we mean.
May we learn to encounter God in our trustworthy lives
May we be a people who are known for letting people know the truth.

A New View Of Adultery

Jesus said, "You have heard it was said, 'thou shalt not commit adultery but I say to you, whoever looks at a woman lustfully, has already committed adultery in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to loose one part of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."

It was another declaration of a new kingdom.  Jesus is actually raising the value of a woman from mere property to a person.  It wasn't that long ago, I was in a large church in Minnesota speaking to a leadership group, and I charged Darwin with being racist/sexist through his theory of evolution, as he was quoted as saying, "Men naturally must be above the ideals of a women.  In poetry, art, and music, a man must have more to offer."  Ok it wasn't a direct quote, but Darwin's writings led him to believe women were "under" men. 

Of Course, with my challenge came questions about the Bible, "Wasn't Paul a sexist too?"  This young women was obviously referring to Paul's instructions in Timothy about the role of a woman in the church.  But they failed to see the way women are redeemed throughout the New Testament. 

Jesus was constantly inviting women to the table of value, as He spoke to the Samaritan Woman at the well.  He continued to reveal to the world that we were created both male and female.  He appeared to women first at the resurrection.  And this small peek into the culture of adultery gives us another value play at the table of the New Kingdom. 

As women were literally thought of as objects of ownership, Jesus gives the new kingdom a harsh warning.  He unveils a new way of treating women.  Instead of just keeping yourself pure in your sexuality, it's time you keep yourself pure in your mind. In fact, Women are so valuable to me, that if you begin thinking of detestable acts with a women, you should gouge out your eyes.  Or, he goes on, you should cut off your hand if it causes you to sin. 

I've often heard other pastors preach this as an allegory for the seriousness of sin.  But what if Jesus meant exactly what he said?  What if He was truly beginning to describe a new economy of relationships between men and women?  What if He was helping us see women less as objects of property, and more equal to our own eyesight?

I don't think Jesus is just speaking to the dirt of pornography, although it that was the only lesson of this section it would be enough.  No, I believe Jesus is saying to all women...you are so valuable to this kingdom, Men are going to start acting right.  They aren't going to see adultery as a physical act anymore.  We are going to have to take captive every thought that enters our head, because a thought of lust is equal to breaking the law of Moses, and we must be people of respect.

May women sense the value of freedom under Christ today.
May Christian men explore the wonderful relationships with women.
May we treat each other with respect in all our words and deeds so much that we are serving our wives as Christ served the church.  (and if I read that right, as Christ gave his very life for the church we too must die to ourselves to serve our wives.)
For this Kingdom is a new one, not influenced by the world; but re-defined by a Creator King.

Marriage in the New Kingdom

"Remember Scripture that says, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights'?  Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.'  Please, no more pretending."

JESUS

These are three of my good friends out here in Colorado.  She is a wonderful mom, a loyal friend, and a beautiful person all around.  He is an artist.  Singing for all the world to hear, he gives music afficianados a place to dive into life in their own way.  And the little one, well he's a pistol!

In Jesus' new kingdom He outlines some of the new ways we are to live.  And for whatever reason, He decides divorce is going to be one of the main topics of this timeless sermon.  People of the day must have been justifying divorce based on they're 'legal' righteousness in order that they might look good before God and man.  But, Jesus calls them to a higher plane.

My friend was divorced long ago, and I know it wasn't to please men or to please God.  It was just one of those things that happens in life.  And she's doing wonderful as she gets to a place where she loves God with all her heart again. 

He was never married, and is trying to figure out how to pour his whole heart into this woman, and it's tough from all angles.  She continues to give and understands relationships, while He is trying to figure out life with another human, especially one whose been married before.  It's just real sticky.

And that's what divorce does.  When commitments are shattered into pieces, and children are witness to a break, it's just not a great thing.  99.99999% of our kids that come from divorced homes have baggage they deal with.  They come with a skeptical eye of trust, a hint of abandonment that follows, and behavior takes strange turns as they navigate life.  It's just real sticky.

But I know...

Life gets hard.
People change.
Certain events weigh heavy on relationships.
Abuse is a factor.
Unfaithfulness is becoming more and more common.

Life is not easy, and unfortunately the benefactor of a fading reality is marriage.   

Sadly, the statistics of divorce among Christians is now higher than non-believers, and we must return to a new Kingdom Theology.  Jesus says, STOP!  Stop trying to act holy when you're merely justifying behavior I'm don't approve of.  You're living in a new kingdom.  With new rules!

Don't for second read here that I'm trying to trivialize life's harshness. For surely I'm not.  And please know I believe in a God of forgiveness.  (1 John 1:9)  But at some point we must come back to the heart of God and commit.  We must commit to each other, and we must commit to God. 

A New View of Anger and Murder

"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.'  I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder.  Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court.  Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire.  The simple moral fact is that words kill.

This is how i want you to conduct yourself in these matters.  If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right.  Then and only then, come back and work things out with God."

Matthew 5:21-24

The Kingdom radically changes again.  Jesus turns the spiritism of the day on its ear!

As the Pharisees began acting like they knew the heart of God, they would go to work on the sacrifice at the alter. The would prepare, they would get their clothes ready, they would memorize all the chants and prayers, but all the while  they would be warring against one another, and making the place of sacrifice a mockery as they battled with one another.

We look on with judgmental eyes, but we do the same things today. Don't we?

We war with people and try to get God on our side, justifying our own benefit in winning; when actually God is interested in us both.  While one is praying for the destruction of the other, the other does the same. 

God doesn't want war in the hearts of people who love Him, He wants to love us both.  So much so, that Jesus said, just leave your sacrifice on the alter, go and take care of your relationship, and then come back.

WHAT!!!!!

Relationship with man more important than GOD?  Sounds like heresy doesn't it? 

Well, the facts are the facts. 

Jesus was more interested in our restoration with each other than the sacrifice at the alter.  He knew our relationship with God is important, but gave merit to the fact our relationship with one another may be in need of some serious work. So serious, you were allowed to leave the sacrifice for your sins at the alter while you work on the anger in your heart. 

For sure our relationship with other Christians needs work.  Jesus said, "They will know your love for me, by your love for one another." 

How many times do I feel the heat of theological argument brewing?  What's crazy is most of the people interested in knowing more about God are the non-believers I work with, and the hardest people to deal with are mainly those who call themselves Christian Brothers.  Go figure!

It's almost like Christians are more interested in tearing one another down, than even non-Christians I deal with. They act as if they are God's spiritual police force to keep truth on the straight and narrow.  And you know...It's one thing to test and approve what's said in fear of false prophets, but it's another thing entirely to assassinate character. 

It's obvious to me, the heart of those who fail to see Jesus' heart.  Their hearts are cold and unloving. They masquerade as bearers of truth, when actually all they want is to tear down.  They think by subtle inquiry they actually do God's work.  But really...they're more interested in themselves than God's heart.   

That makes me sad.

But I can't be above the teaching. 

I have people in my life right now that I need to make things right with.

May I have the courage and the boldness to go and restore relationships.
May we be a people known for our love for one another, rather than our hurtful comments
May we be bold to deny the world access to our friends,  allow Jesus to rule our relationships. 
May we continue to give our citizenship to the one to whom we call Lord.