The Journey

Want To Be Great In God's Kingdom?

Here I am in Enid Oklahoma, thinking about what God wants from me today.  I'm praying for His will to be done.  I'm seeking His face this morning.  And I came to Matthew 20. 

Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

 "What is it you want?" he asked.
      She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."

 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
      "We can," they answered.

 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:20-28)

Isn't it strange, sometimes we ask "God what do you want me to do for you today?" in some sort of 'Hey God, Look at Me' way.  As believers in the pool of faith, we wish so dearly that our heavenly Father would look down on us and give approval for whatever we choose to do with our lives.

But I think today, God is whispering a simple, sweet message to my soul.

It isn't about how much you do for me.
It isn't all about how many boxes you can check off in the religious circles.
No, this Kingdom is all about servant hood.

It's not about serving to be noticed.
Or serving to be great.
It's about serving people because the King of Kings decided to come down to earth and serve mankind. 

And, if I want my life to be about being closer to Jesus; then I need to allow my life to model what He modeled. 

For if God can come and live life WITH us and not AT us, surely I can live a life WITH others.  

I'm off to a Men's Bible study here in Enid.
I'm excited to serve those guys this morning, for no other reason, that I want to know about their lives.
I want to know what makes them do what they do.
I want to live life WITH people.

God bless you today!!

For the Love of Money

The latest story in our saga following Matthew 19 is that of the Rich Young Ruler.  You know the story right?

A rich man came to Jesus while he was teaching, and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?"  

Jesus told him to keep the commandments.

The man said, "I've done all these, what still do I lack?"

Jesus told the man, "Go and sell all that you have, give it to the poor, and come to follow me."

You can read the story word for word, Matthew 19:16-24.

I've heard this story preached thousands of times.  And to be honest, most of the time pastors tell the congregation how the love of money wasn't the man's problem.  They use the story as an analogy, and ask the congregation to reach down deep in their hearts to identify whatever it is that is keeping them from God.  

Some need to rid themselves of cars.
Some need to drop their addiction to television.
Others need to make sure sports, relationships, family, or even church isn't getting in the way of their relationship with God. 

All those things are true.

But Jesus said, "Go and sell all you have."

So as we examine the text, just for the text sake, could it be that Jesus meant what He said?
Could it mean that we must give up everything we own to follow Him?

Of course leaders in ministry don't want to preach this, or else they'd have a congregation unable to support the local ministry. 
Of course congregations don't want to hear this, because we are Americans.  We are achieving the American dream with a house, two cars, 2.5 kids, a dog, and a picket fence.  We're trying to accumulate wealth, and the last thing we want to do is vacate our 401K's for some kind of extremist fundamental religion.  Right?

But what if that's what He meant?

I've been confused about this passage since I was a little kid.

Does God want us to just give up our earthly possessions?

What do you think?

Let's re-imagine the way we've heard this story for so many years, and ask that God teach us the value here.

May we follow Him with all we are.
May we be brave enough to sell it all.

The Children of The Kingdom

Remember playing on the playground? 

Remember when the ills of life just slipped into a world where all things were negotiated with a kickball, monkey bars, and a bag of nutter butters?

It was a life much simpler than mortgages, insurance payments, and health insurance.  We didn't worry about politics, well; most of us didn't worry.  The beauty of the simple life was faith that all things would be taken care of. 

We didn't worry about food.
We didn't worry about clothes.
It was who could go fastest on the merry-go-round.
Who got picked to play in the recess kickball tournament.
And how fast could you chase the girl with the pig tails in her hair.

Ahhhhh, the simple life.

Right after Jesus spoke of the consequence of divorce in Matthew, the very next section describes when the people brought children to Jesus to be prayed for.

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. (Matthew 19:13-15)

Isn't it interesting? The king of the universe has likened His kingdom to children. 

It wasn't the greatest minds.
It wasn't the most athletic.
It wasn't the warriors or the politicians.

It was the children.

The children who come full of faith that life can be simple, yes; it's the simplicity of a child like relationship which causes Jesus' heart to move. 

My prayer today...

May I have a childlike faith that will resist the temptation of the world to be busy, or filled with incomprehensible worldly things. 

May I focus on the things God wants. 
May I spend time on the things He spends time on.

What Does Jesus Say About Divorce?

As I've been dealing with teenagers for almost 15 years now, one issue continues to rise to the surface without fail... Divorce.

I would be willing to say 90% of all the kids who end up causing some sort of trouble in school, at church, in sports, or even out here at camp; come from some sort of dysfunctional family, and most often; a divorced home. 

And Here me say, "That's ok with me." 

I love helping kids navigate through tough times.
Whether it's divorce at home, rejection from friends, or just trying to grow up; I love walking with teenagers through the hardest time of their life.

But the issue remains...

It's no secret, Divorce is the plague in today's marriage relationship.
Nobody wants to get Divorced.
I mean think about it...

Bride is all dressed up on her wedding day
Groom is getting ready in the groom's chamber
Bridesmaids are delicately sashaying to the classical music in the background
Pastor stands up front
Vows are said
Reception celebrates the beauty of a new relationship
Nobody is thinking, in the middle of all that, "I can't wait till we end this thing!"

It's the furthest thought from their minds.

But recent statistics show, America's divorce rate centers around 41% for first marriages, 60% for second marriages, and 73% for third marriages. 

The divorce breakdown looks something like this according to the Institute of Professional Psychology...

AGE            BOYS            GIRLS

under 20        11.7%            26.7%
20-24             38.8%            36.6%
25-29             22.3%            16.4%
30-34             11.6%             8.5%
35-39              6.5%              5.1%

It's really sad when I talk to teens and hear the effects of divorce on their own self-worth, self-esteem, and their overall emotional growth through their teenage years. 

It's just sad.

I know there are times in marriage that are hard.
I know we mess up all the time.
I know expectations and failures plague relationships
But it's just super sad when something so good, so right, and so pure ends up in tragedy.

This morning I was reading in Matthew 19, and I found the section where Jesus spoke of divorce. 

 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

 "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

 The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

 Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

I'm in the middle of writing a book on teen dating, sexuality, and marriage.  I just wonder...

Is Divorce the plague, because we're in America?
Is it the sign of our times?
Have we missed out on teaching about relationships to teenagers?
Or, what's going on?

Obviously it's not God's design, but there are lots of things that aren't God's design.

Murder isn't God's design, but it happens.
Failure isn't God's design, but we see that every day.
Adultery isn't God's plan, but men and women fall to it on a daily basis
Lying isn't God's design, but every corner of business I deal with navigates little lies here and there, surely God didn't intend on that happening.

So I don't want to overstep my bounds here, but I do want to address the elephant in the room.  I do want to help parents see the effects divorce has on teenagers, and I do want to make sure teenagers understand the commitment of marriage.

What I do know, God is a forgiving God. 

He came to heal the broken hearts of the world. 
He came to mend relationships. 
But in the middle of ugly separation...can anyone help me here? 

Why is divorce such an o.k. thing in our culture today?

Continuing Forgiveness

 

 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:23-35)

So which one do you most relate to?

Forgiveness

As Jesus continues to travel the countryside talking about sin, sheep, and reconciliation, Peter pipes up and asks an interesting question. 

"Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:21-22)

You know...

One of the reasons I think it's so hard to get along in the world today is because we just don't have this attitude.

I mean, if someone cuts me off on the drive to work, it's not my first nature to think.."Oh Lord, may I forgive them."  In fact, it's a lot more like, 'HEY!! What are you thinking?'

When someone offends me, I'm a whole lot more likely to look for ways I'm right, and they're wrong.

If there's ever someone who sins against me, I'm prone to write them off, and think they're not even worth taking the time to work through an issue with.

But that's not Jesus' way.

I believe, the more I read through Matthew, the more I'm seeing Jesus continuing to call those who choose to follow Him to the table of forgiveness and humility. 

It's not about what you can get.
It's not about how much you can gain.
It's not even about how right you are.

The beauty of the gospel message is in forgiveness, no matter what the cost. 

My heart is softening to all those people I've wronged in the past.
My soul is searching for people I've written off, and trying to find places where I need to re-connect and ask for forgiveness.

The power of the gospel is in the forgiveness of those we wrong, those who wrong us, and ultimately the beauty of a reconciliationn with all mankind. 

May we be a people who find the value of God's intent through forgiveness.
May we hold tightly to this principle of never ending mercy.
May we take time diligently seek truth concerning our sin, others sin against us, and the healing God provides for all sin through His ultimate forgiveness.

Conflict Resolution...the Jesus Way...

You know there are times in your life when relationships end up like this.  It might not be just in marriage, in fact; it may just be a friend, a co-worker, or family member, but the feeling is the same. 

You're mad.
They're mad.
Neither really wants to be mad.
Let's be honest, life is a lot easier when we're laughing and having a good time, right?

So what does it take for us to live a live in the abundance Jesus came for us to live? 

I think the answer is in Matthew...

 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17)

Of course it sounds easy.
Why wouldn't we want to reconcile with one another?
Is it really worth the life spent living with a wedge of sin between each other?

It's all about pride isn't it?

Everybody wants to be the one who has the issue against them.
Nobody wants to be the one who has to humble himself to another.
Everybody sees themselves as the righteous one bringing justice.
Nobody thinks it might be their fault justice isn't served.
Everybody thinks they've got a corner on the market of truth.
Nobody thinks they're harming anyone.

You see, I think Biblical conflict resolution is a two way street. 

We've got to be humble enough to approach someone who has wronged us.  We can't go with arrogance.  We can't go with the intention of seeing someone humiliated in front of us.  It can't be a "I GOTCHA!" moment.  We have to go with an attitude of humility to those who've sinned against us.

And the receiver...

We've got to be humble enough to hear how our sin effected someone else.  We've got to hear the heart of someone we've hurt, and be able to swallow the lust for "right-ness" most of us harbor every day. 

Unfortunately, very few people are able to do this on a daily basis. 

But imagine for a minute....

If we could die to ourselves, and really give over to the needs of others...what would the world look like?

A Father's Love

I'm telling you right now, this animal is D-U-M dumb. 

Every summer there is a massive sheep drive up the road in Bayfield Colorado near our camp, KIVU.

And every year, I'm amazed at how un-intelligent these animals really are. 

They run into cars.
They dive into the ditches
They follow each other with no regard for their own personal survival. 
It's astonishing.

So as I read the Bible and hear the analogy of sheep, I often ask, "Who is the writer referring to? Is it the Jews?  Is it the church?  Is it people who are in sin as the previous chapter would refer to?  Or is it me?"

As I trek through Matthew, I come across another passage that show's God's amazing love toward humanity. 

"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14)

I've seen a hundred sheep. 
It's a massive event. 

They stop traffic.
They take forever, because none of them really know where they're going.
They run into each other.
AND THEY SMELL TERRIBLE!!

So what would be the big deal if one of them just wandered off?

I mean come on...

You have 99 left over. Right?

But God knows, that the wandering of humanity is intrinsic to our nature. 
We all have wandered to God, away from God, and some still search for the voice of a Father.  

It's like an oscillating event, right? It seems good one day, but then tragic the next. 

I've come to resent that oscillation, because I want to sit with the very heart of God.
I want to know Him intimately.
I want to serve humanity in a way that honors the beauty of the gospel. 

But dark times come.

Let's be honest, even Mother Teresa lived a life of ultimate sacrifice as she served the dead and dying in Calcutta; but after her death her memoirs were underlined with doubts. 

... in a letter to a spiritual confidant, the Rev. Michael van der Peet, that is only now being made public, she wrote with weary familiarity of a different Christ, an absent one. "Jesus has a very special love for you," she assured Van der Peet. "[But] as for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see, — Listen and do not hear — the tongue moves [in prayer] but does not speak ... I want you to pray for me — that I let Him have [a] free hand." (TIME magazine. Aug. 23 2007)

Mother Teresa?

I don't know of a human more influential in the last century as an advocate for the love God has given us here on the planet. 
If anyone on earth was close to the Shepherd, surely it was Mother Teresa?  Right?

I think the struggle she had as she wandered in her faith gives me confidence when I wander in mine. 
When I have doubts, Mother Teresa's life serves to secure a confidence that even the most Godly have times in the desert of their spiritual journey.

For it was Mother Teresa who also said, "It is not enough for us to say, 'I love God, but I do not love my neighbor,'" she said, since in dying on the Cross, God had "[made] himself the hungry one — the naked one — the homeless one." Jesus' hunger, she said, is what "you and I must find" and alleviate.  Finally, she suggested that the upcoming Christmas holiday should remind the world "that radiating joy is real" because Christ is everywhere — "Christ in our hearts, Christ in the poor we meet, Christ in the smile we give and in the smile that we receive."

So what gives me hope...

Hope is...

There's a shepherd that continues to search after my wandering soul.
He has come to make all things new, and all things right, and He alone can comfort me in those dark silent times. 
His presence can be seen when helping the poor.
His voice can be heard in the silent times of solitude.
His 'AHAVA' love means He's willing to chase after my wandering heart.

That's a Father's Love!

 

The Severity of Sin

Have you ever seen this?

Ever touched it?

Ever breathed it?

Probably not.  Because if you have ever inhaled this little microbe, you'd probably not be able to sit there and read this blog post. 

The above picture is commonly referred to as the hantavirus.  It's a small airborne pathogen infecting it's victims when they take a deep breath of contaminated air.  Once ingested, the virus goes to work and begins to compromise your pulmonary system.  If left untreated, you eventually suffocate and die.

I know it's a pretty bleak picture, but it's the law of nature. 

This virus is DEADLY!

Can you imagine if someone were able to collect the virus in a tube?

What if they walked around with the tube open?  On the bus?  In the Subway?  At the playground? Maybe the halls of your kids school?

Would you be angry?

What would you do to stop it?

I was reading in Matthew 18 again this morning, and Jesus was continuing to explain the severity of sin caused when we intentionally or un-intentionally cause people to stumble, and I was moved again. 

I wonder how serious we take the sin in our lives? 

Sure we ask for forgiveness.
We ask our friends how to help.
But, sometimes I wonder if we've reduced the severity of sin to an apple on a tree a few thousand years ago. 

It's cute.
It's 'their' problem.
If only 'they' would have listened to God.

And all the while, we just keep on wallowing in sin, not knowing who it may infect.

Jesus said it like this, "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell." (Matthew 18:7-9)

I'm pretty sure Jesus thought sin to be a serious deal.

But the beauty of the Christian story...there's an antiviral cure.

John said, "If you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive you of sin, and cleanse you of all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

In other words, the virus that might infect you...
Or the tube you're carrying around infecting other people...

Are BOTH FORGIVEN.

We must be a people who recognize sin, and know it's effect.
We can't be people who are continuing to cause others to stumble.
We need to know the forgiveness God can give, and the mercy He has to offer. 

It's the pivotal most beautiful concept I've come to know of the faith I believe.

Consequences For Actions

I don't know if they teach this at Youth Seminary.
I'm sure it's not a topic of conversation at summer camp.
I wonder if schools ever even grace the topic.
But Jesus said, "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

At KIVU we take this warning VERY SERIOUSLY!!

I have long recognized the dangers in causing students to stumble. 
It's not hard.
One missed word.
One miss-interpreted statement.
And all of the sudden, stumbling becomes a reality.

Have you ever seen a millstone?

You're not getting up from that one.....

So, All of us who are involved in youth ministry would be wise to take heed.
We have a responsibility to be excellent in our communication to new believers.
We have an obligation to make sure our lives are drawing people children closer to Jesus, not further away.
We have a wonderful opportunity to help students to know God, but it's not a game.  It's life.  It's real life.

So, this morning, as I pray....I ask...

Father...please may the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you.  And as I prepare to lead those you've place in my sphere of influence, may your words be clear, and my agenda take a back seat to yours.  

May we be a generation of leaders who understand the severity of causing confusion where you want us to be clear. 
May we see the heart of a child as the most important treasure you've given us.  

Thank you for the sacred privilege given to us as we make your message known to the world. 

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

It's almost indicative of American culture.

We want to figure out how to be the BEST!

We want to win the game.
Be in the front of the class.
Make sure we're in the top 10%.
Get the raise before someone else does.

Isn't it interesting, In Matthew 18, the disciples came to Jesus to ask, "Who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven..."

"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:2-4)

What a beautiful picture.  

The disciples come to Jesus for a raise.
They want to compete for their faith.
They feel like it's all about what they can do to get ahead.
But Jesus flips it on it's ear.
He invites them to re-imagine.

To re-imagine their understanding of the Kingdom.
To re-imagine their view of children.
To re-imagine how they see God.
To re-imagine the beauty of a pure relationship.

A Child has an innocence for life.
His imagination wanders far from the chains of normal.
Her understanding isn't hindered by what we know, but what might be.

I wonder if Jesus is telling us, Imagination and wonder for the beauty of God is the key to heaven.
I wonder if simplicity is the key.
I wonder if an innocent trust is the way we develop a closer intimate relationship with God.
I wonder if we're making this whole thing WAY TO COMPLICATED.

Jesus could have said, "You have to go to seminary."
He could have told them, "Not until you write a couple of books."
He could have said, "It's the number of people in your ministry."

But He focused on the little children. 

It's not that we wish to be great in the Kingdom.
We just want to re-imagine the way we see God's kingdom, and begin to move in that direction. 

My hope is today....

You can approach God like a child.
You can trust him with your whole life, not to worry about what the day will bring.

"Whoever welcomes a little child like this...welcomes me." (Matthew 18:7)

Jesus and Taxes

There was an outrage in Jesus' day about paying taxes.  Imagine that!  A world that was disgusted that a charitable organization traveling around the countryside healing, feeding, and spiritually mentoring people would have some kind of exemption to the tax code.  Crazy huh?

Well, the people were frustrated and continued looking for a chink in the armor of a man who walked with 12 lonely disciples.  They asked Peter, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

"Yes, he does," he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?"

"From others," Peter answered.

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

Isn't this a great picture?

Taxes being required from other people to fund the temple costs, while the sons of the kings and priests were getting off because they knew the tax code, had relationships with the tax collectors, and skirted the duty all together; caused much dissension with those who were just trying to live.

Sound familiar?

But, look at Jesus' answer.

He didn't say we need to throw a revolution.
He didn't call us all to the harbor to throw the coins in the lake.
He wasn't calling town hall meetings to rile people up.

He reminded Peter from where the money came in the first place.

Can you imagine?

Peter goes down to the lake, catches a fish, and then pulls out the full amount of his taxes. 

It's almost as if Jesus says, "Ok, they want their money, give them their money.  But don't forget who created the fish!"  HA!!!  I love it.

God is the creator of all things.
He alone owns the cattle on a thousand hills.
He MADE THE FISH!!!

So the next time you feel like you're being taxed unfair, remember....

You don't serve the kings of this world.
We believe in a kingdom that stretches from Alpha to Omega.
Pay your taxes.
But don't forget who made the fish.

Several Issues Still Plague Me

Ok, most of you know how much attention I spend on trying to figure out this 'evil' question.  I just don't get it.  Why does God allow this kind of stuff to exist on the earth? 

I don't question He is real.
I don't have problems with the validity of Jesus.
I just really don't get it.  Why?  Why doesn't God just come and make His Kingdom known to all of us, so this kind of stuff doesn't have to happen.

My heart is sad this afternoon, knowing the persecution going on in the world. 

One of my favorite stories in all the Bible

Can you imagine?

What if you woke up one day, and someone you love is suffering at the hands of some weird spirit?

I was watching the Exorcism of Emily Rose, a few years ago, and it was just hauntingly disturbing.  The fact this spirit world exists, and there are real life consequences to living in it....YIKES!!

But you know what?  We have no reason to fear.  For greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.  Right?? 

I was reading in Matthew 17 this morning.  Jesus comes up on a demon possessed boy. 

It's one of my favorite stories in all the Bible.  Partly because Jesus heals yet again, but mostly because of a man's desperate desire for the health of his young boy.  I'll just post it for you down here.

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."

 "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:14-20)

The part of the story I find fascinating is that God gave the disciples the power to go out and do "more than He had done" yet they were unable due to the lack of faith.  In Mark, the story focuses more on the father.

Jesus says, "If you have faith, I will heal him."  And the father says, "I believe, but help me with my unbelief."

It's almost as if there truly is a component of faith that is missing when God wants to heal, but doesn't. 

I know....I know...

We have to be careful not to accuse people of their lack of faith, because we don't know God's ultimate plan.  But, for me, in my situation, I pray that my faith is bigger than a mustard seed, able to move the mountains Jesus spoke of.  And, certainly enough to heal a boy in need.  I long for the faith that Jesus speaks of where, "Nothing will be impossible."

Imagine Pt. II

Sorry for the continued blog post.  I was right in the middle of finishing the Imagine post, when the loudspeaker came on, "This is the last call for flight..." so I had to post quick and run to the gate. 

Where were we?

Oh yea..

Why did Jesus do this? 

Why did He take His disciples up to the mountain for transfiguration, when He was telling everyone to keep quiet about His Messiahship?

A Few Thoughts.

I wonder if Jesus was trying to let the disciples see what the Kingdom was going to be like.  You know, transformed bodies, hanging with prophets and leaders of the Old Testament, showing them that the Old Testament and the New Kingdom were being united.

I wonder if He was cementing the fact He was God's Son by showing them the supernatural.  Maybe He wanted to seal the deal with them.  Although we know it didn't work.  Remember, it wasn't enough for Peter to stop from denying Him on the eve of the crucifixion.

I wonder if He was just hanging out with friends, Elijah and Moses. Maybe He was sharing His human experience with them and recollecting what it was like in heaven.

The beauty of it...we just don't know.

Theologians have been trying to dissect this event for centuries, and the bottom line is, we don't know. 

What we do know...

Jesus had the ability to commune with the Old and the New at the same time. 
He showed the disciples a little peek into the coming Kingdom

But I think the part that jumped off the page today was when God spoke and said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him"

Maybe it was just another affirmation that Jesus is God's Son, and He was the fullness of God on the earth at the time.  Listen to Him.  Do what He says.  I'm pleased in Him.  What a gift!!

What do you guys think? 

There's a lot to dwell on here.

Imagine

Last night, I came home from a Spiritual Emphasis Week at Valley Christian High School down in the Phoenix area.  Their theme all week was 'Imagine' which was a great title, especially for a guy like me.  Imagining the Christian Faith is to open up the possibilities of what could come.  It's awesome!!  To read the Bible and imagine Jesus actually feeding the 5,000, or to imagine the smells of the prison cells Paul spent so much time in, or maybe to sit and wonder at the desert heat the Israelites put up with for so long; it's part of the journey.  Imagination takes us from the doldrums of reality and moves our mind to a place where we can actually begin to believe. 

So today I invite you to Imagine.

Imagine you're in the group of disciples.
You're sitting at the base of another mountain.
Jesus has started to walk to the top, with some kind of purpose, you don't know what.
The afternoon sun begins to set in.
It's Hot.
You're Thirsty.
But you don't want to get out from under the shade tree you've claimed as your refuge.
You fall asleep for a little while, waiting on Jesus and the fellas to return.
Then, all of the sudden...

"a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified.But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."

WHAT??

The story is found in Matthew 17:1-13.  It's the famous Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were all transformed into a bright light.  WOW!!  What a thrill it must been to see such a wonderful sight!!  WOW!! 

Ever wonder why?

Why is this scene in the Bible?

Why does Jesus spend so much time telling people to keep His identity secret, and then He does something like this??

What do you think?

(I'll write more later tonight.  They're calling my plane right now!!)

Signs

Have you ever found yourself asking, "Ok God, if you want me to _______, just give me a sign?" 

I found this picture and thought, I wonder how many people got married because these clouds lined up like this?  HA!!  What a deal!

But seriously, how many times have you negotiated with the Lord to show you a sign of His will for your life?

God if you'll only...
I promise if I see _____, then I'll give you my life forever...and so on.

Well, you're in good company.

The people of Jesus' day wanted some sign too, but He was pretty short with them.

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.

Isn't it silly to be looking for signs when there are signs all around?

"The heavens declare the Glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork." 

That's what the Bible says.

Yet, we continue to ask God for the writing on the wall.  It's almost as if we're looking for some miraculous supernatural event to make a deal. 

But what if we're living in the sign.

What if the creation shows the signs that God exists?
What if it's God's world all around us screaming at every turn?
What if every morning you wake up, just taking a deep breath is a sign?  A sign your body has been created in the image of God, and HE IS REAL!!

Maybe we should take some time out and look at the signs all around us, before we started asking for donkeys to talk, and hearts in the clouds.

Paul wrote, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

Just some thoughts for today.

The Brutal Battle Of Hypocrisy

Have you ever had someone tell you they didn't want to be a part of the Christian faith because of all the hypocrites in the church?

I have.

And, it's sad, but true.

There are thousands of church goers that walk into their sanitary church buildings, every single week...

Sitting on the back row.
Reclining on the front row.
Sitting on the platform.
Preaching from the pulpit.
Singing from the choir loft.

ALL HYPOCRITES.

What a minute?

We're all hypocrites in some form or fashion, right?

Hypocrisy is simply saying one thing, and doing another.  It's the idea that someone would put on a face that surely doesn't reflect the honesty of the heart.  And who ever does that?

WE ALL DO!

It's part of human nature.  It's self preservation.  It's a way of controlling one's feelings, and being a part of controlling what others think.  It's, well....it's life. 

We all want to be better than we are.
We all want to achieve more than we have.
We all want to project the best possible scenario in life.

But the bottom line is, we all struggle.  We all have issues.  There's not one person sitting in a pew this Sunday who has life figured out.  And you know what...that's ok...as long as we don't try and play the hypocritical game with ourselves. 

We need to examine the depths of our heart.
We need to be honest with ourselves.
For, if honesty begins to permeate the very core of our being, then and only then will we allow the transformation that God so desperately wants for us. 

I was reading Matthew 15 this morning.  The Pharisees called Jesus out, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" (v.2)

You see, there was a ceremonial cleansing that happened before meal times, and the disciples, well sometimes, let's just say, their stomachs were driving the situation.

Jesus couldn't take it anymore.  He retorted, "Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 

 " 'These people honor me with their lips,
      but their hearts are far from me.
 They worship me in vain;
      their teachings are but rules taught by men.

Wouldn't that be a wake up call?

Jesus was basically holding the bar of moral accountability up as high as the Pharisees were.  He was trying to show them the necessity of loving God with your whole being. 

So What? Their hands were dirty when they ate, but look at all the good they're doing to spread the gospel. 

So What? The kids brought some drinks in the sanctuary.  At least they're there.

So What? The music changed genre this week because the pastor wanted to see if he could attract a different crowd. 

So What?

Jesus is helping us see the danger of pointing out something that doesn't sit well with you, and calling someone out on it. 

So today...

Let's be a people that allows people to be people rather than a bunch of hypocrites.

Don't you think there are bigger battles to fight, than this one?

What Happens When The Waves Look Too Big?

Probably the most familiar story in all the Bible, Jesus walks on Water.  The account written in Matthew is where I was today, and it was AMAZING!! 

I've read this story thousands of times before.  I mean, think about it, when anyone talks about Jesus, somewhere in their conversation they talk about how He walked on water, right?  It's the most inconceivable action, to watch a man, a human man, defy the laws of gravity and physics.  And it wasn't just walking on water that was the miracle. 

Matthew 14 says the waves and the winds were 'buffeting' the ship, and the disciples were scared to death when they saw the ghost-like figure of Jesus walking toward them. 

Can you imagine?

Out on the sea.
Little bitty boat.
Filled with 12 men.
No one took roll to see if Jesus was in the boat or not.
The winds are whipping the sails.
The waves are crashing over the sides.
Water, salt, cold, basically the worst part of the Discovery Channel's show Deadliest Catch.

Then all of the sudden
Someone shouts, "Look! There! In the Distance."
The fear of the elements is now amplified by the fear of ghostly figures dancing in the distance.
"Take courage.  It is I.  Do not be afraid." (v.27)

REALLY???  I'd be scared to DEATH!

"Lord if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water." Peter shouted.
"Come." Jesus replied.

You know the story. 

Peter stepped out of the boat looking toward Jesus and then when He realized the waves and the wind were a part of the circumstance, he looked down and began to sink.  The fear was invited back into the experience, "Lord Save me!"

"Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?"(v.31)

Hmmmmm......

Why did you doubt?

If I were Peter, it would probably go something like this...

"Jesus?  Did you see the waves, the wind, the danger all around?  We could drown out here!"

"But didn't you..."

"Jesus, now don't get me wrong, but this sea is dangerous.  In fact I've seen fishermen fall overboard and die right here in this spot.  These storms are no trivial matter.  We don't even have a life preserver on the boat anymore."

"But haven't you..."

"Can you just stop for a minute?  Look, I've been here before.  I've seen the danger with my own eyes.  I've talked to the widows and had to break the news that their husbands were never coming back, because they were careless..."

"Peter, how much more do I have to prove to you that you'll be ok?  You're walking on water!"

And then it sinks in. 

No matter the danger.
No matter the fear.
No matter the circumstances blowing their harsh reality all around me.
No matter the history.
No matter the point of reference.

God can defy it all!

He can bend the laws of physics.
He can change the past.
He can hear our cry.
He can sense our pain.
He can lift us up, out of the danger.
He can give the unthinkable, reality.

May we not doubt God's caring love for us. 
May we settle into a place where the norm is simply a historical problem
May we keep our focus on Him, and trust in His plan. 
May fear and worry take a backseat to the victory God has planned for us.  

What happens when the waves look too big?  YOU SINK.

So stop looking!

The Result of Un-Belief

Have you ever been around someone who is gifted? Every now and then someone come through our place out here in Durango that is truly gifted.  We've had tremendous singers, dancers, climber, athletes, surfers, and all sorts of people who have specific gifts.  I mean really good at what they do. 

From time to time, there are those who come that are just a surprise to everyone.  Out of seemingly no-where with no family history, they just express their gift, with no natural explanation. 

It's exactly what happened in Jesus' day, and the people from His hometown missed out on what He could have come to do.

I was reading in Matthew 13 today.  "When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." (V. 53-58)

You see, Jesus came from a 'normal' family.
Some religious leaders of the day were amazed because, 'nothing good comes from Nazareth' they would say.
His mom didn't have any specific talent
His family didn't have any social standing
His dad was just a carpenter

And because the people decided to put Jesus in the same box as those around Him, the Bible says 'He did many miracles because of their lack of faith.'

I pray that we are a people who believe.
I pray that we don't put Jesus in a box.

Can you imagine?

The effect of the people's disregard for who Jesus claimed to be, resulted in a lack of miracle. 

There is something to belief. 
There is something to faith.
There are times in our lives that God wants to do something great, but somehow there is a correlation to our belief and God's Mighty work in our lives.

May we not keep the works of God at bay because of our mis-understandings.
May we seek to believe.
May we pray today for God to help us with our un-belief so the fullness of God can be in our lives. 

Iron Sharpens Iron...the Power of Forgiveness

It's been a tough last couple of weeks. I can't hide behind the veil of "Christian Leadership."  The Pain in my heart is real.  I can't hide from the fact it's tough to talk through issues that remind me evil is still a part of this world. 

But something deeper calls my soul to a place where the reality of the Christian Worldview must, above all else, be lived out in real time.  In fact, if I confess to believe with all my existence that God is a God that is both judge and forgiver, I have to seek the part of His creation story that seeks to embody both. 

I received a comment this morning about how the writings here at andybraner.com seemed as though I was not living by the very foundations I claim.  My friend graciously offered, "I read your entry several times over and did not find any evidence of compassion or forgiveness. These are not two charges that we can selectively follow when we feel like it. They are the calling of Christian men. Hate the sin, love the sinner."  And he is right. The Bible says, "As Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another," (Proverbs 27:17) and today I receive the sharpening today, my brother!

He is right...

Right that we should love all people no matter their acts of evil on the planet.
Right that Jesus tells us, "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," (Matthew 5:43-44)
Right that Christian men are called to a higher purpose.

I've been careful not to exclude the pain of others through this time, for I know there are many who are reeling from a world filled with evil.  I know many readers, here at this site, are looking for answers.  I know there are many who are walking the long road of understanding, and seek to find the heart of God in a fallen world. 

Let me offer a few thoughts...

I have been researching the process of forgiveness this week, and found a few videos on.  I don't know who this man is, but I'm sure the truth of his message is timely and needed. 

The process of forgiveness is not one that often comes quickly.  Especially for those of us who are living honestly withing ourselves. 

It's easy to act like you've crossed the forgiveness barrier.
It's easy to put on the show.
It's easy to don the Christian mask, and act as if everything is ok, BUT IT'S NOT OK

It's not ok that we live in a world plagued by bad stuff.
It's not ok that murder and violence continue.
We must not be satisfied that we just walk through life without REAL feelings about the nature of a fallen worlds.

But if you'll see, even in the world's eyes, they recognize the power of forgiveness as we seek to forgive the sinner, but continue to hold the act accountable. 

Watch this...

It was the Amish who reminded us the power of forgiveness.
It was the horse drawn buggies, the plain clothes, the innocence from the world.
It was true faith in what they believed.
They had the power within their community to reach out and forgive the family of the murderer who took their children's lives.

And you know what?

Even in the pain...Now They Live the Freedom Forgiveness Brings.

Recently I traveled to Rwanda.  I met with Bishop John on several occasions.  We spoke of the worst genocide in modern days, and He continued telling me of the process of forgiveness. 

Even the victims of intense war crimes, have learned how to walk through the range of emotions.  From anger to embarrassment, there is hope through the antidote of forgiveness.

It's the power by which we can truly live a life different from the world (Romans 12:2).  Instead of inciting vindictive judgment, the power of freedom from the anger that can take root in bitterness...This is the power of the gospel.

"For while YOU were yet sinners, Christ died for you." (Romans 5:8)

May we be a people who continue to fight through the Journey of forgiveness.
May we fight to humble ourselves over our natural feelings of judgment.
May we seek to forgive like Jesus forgave. 

Thank you, my friend. 
Thank you for calling me to a higher standard.
Thank you for reminding me of Forgiveness.
Thank you for sharpening today.

Next time you think works aren't a part of the faith...

It's probably the least talked about part of the Christian life, mainly; WORKS MATTER!

I know, I know, there's going to be an outpouring of people who want to write and tell me the plight of Martin Luther, or the theological doctrine of John Calvin and the reformers; but this morning confirmed to me again, what we do on this earth is going to matter when we get to heaven.  A good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit.  It's straight from the mouth of Jesus. 

It was Matthew 12, when Jesus was healing, and the Pharisees called him Beelzebub.  Are you crazy?  Why in the world would Satan heal people and subvert his own will for the planet?

Then Jesus says, "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:33-37)

In other words, you will be judged by the words you say, and the deeds you do on the earth. 

It's all the way through the New Testament, and it should cause those who call themselves Christians grave concern.  For if, "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks," I guess it's time to see what's in your heart?

Do you speak with a regular tone of anger?
Are the jokes you tell, and the places you find humor pleasing to the Lord?
What if you stood before God right now and gave an account of the fruit your life produced to this point, would He be pleased?

I think it's time we take this very serious.  It doesn't mean we start the "Christian Act" all over again, but it's a warning to us all to be careful how we call on the grace of God in our lives to justify actions that WILL BE BROUGHT UP IN THE FUTURE!!!!!

Be careful.
Don't let the doctrine of Grace be abusive.
We know God forgives, but we also know He judges. 

The Psalmist says, "The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom."  I think our culture needs to return to a healthy fear.  Not a fear of manipulation, but a healthy reverence for the creator of the Universe.  For the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Why Kill a Man Who Heals?

Can you imagine watching someone heal a handicapped person, and then want to go and kill the healer?  Really?

Well, that's exactly what happened to Jesus. 

 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

 He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

Matthew 12:9-14

I don't know about you, but this just seems strange.  Were the religious leaders of the day just so blinded by power and prestige, that they couldn't allow a guy to help people?

I wonder.

Do we act the same way?

When someone reaches out to help others, are we quick to judge them, and make them look bad?

What if someone was to go help the homeless?  I've heard people say, "Why would you help them?  If they would just get a job, then they'd be ok."

Or, I've heard people trying to reach out to pregnant teenagers, "Why would you help her?  She's a whore!!"

But why are people so quick to go and criticize others who are trying to reach out and help the world?  The Pharisees were obviously angry. 

Maybe it was because Jesus was doing things that jeopardized their power struggle.
Maybe it was because Jesus' power was in the common man who knew He could reach out and heal.
Maybe people need the sick, the poor, the afflicted, so they can continue to rule someone.

I just hope we're not a generation who hold laws so tight, we're unwilling to reach out to the needy. 

God is a Provider

On my daily Matthew cruise, I found yet another incredible message.  It's a story you don't hear of too often, but certainly doesn't mean it's not important. 

Matthew 12:1-8, "At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."

 He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

Did you see that?

The Laws of Moses, that included the one about "Remembering the Sabbath, and Keeping it Holy" were a comprehensive 680 + rules and laws that the religious leaders were living by. 

Jesus knew the laws.  For goodness sake, He wrote them, and gave them to Moses. 

So when Jesus came to see the needs of the disciples, mainly that they were hungry, He didn't hesitate to meet their physical needs. 

I believe this section gives us a couple of principles for today. 

1.)  The spirit of the law is important.

You can't simply read the text and contrive a 'hard line' interpretation without doing some good research.  Why did God make the law of the Sabbath?  What was He trying to say to the hearers of the law?  How was He trying to make sure they were in a closer relationship with Him through the laws?  We've got to take time, STOP, and instead of trying to get a couple of sound bytes, we've got to be responsible with the way we interpret scripture. 

2.)  The Sabbath is an important day.

It's no secret.  Having a Day of rest is essential to the rhythm of the way God created us.  But how do we do a Sabbath day?  How do we observe it?

Jesus shows, it's not about denying yourself food.  The Sabbath is a time to remind us that we are more than objects of production.  We work for 6 days, and then on the 7th, we rest and fill our souls with the things that make us human.

So, try this. 

This week, take a day to put down whatever it is you do for work, school, or any kind of production, and just take a day to relax. 

Enjoy life. 
Take a breath of fresh air.
Do something that ignites your soul. 
Ride a bike. 
Go on a hike.  
Take some friends out for a day on the lake. 
God to a football game.
Have a picnic with your family. 

Just make sure, you're not just becoming a robot, and you take some time to remember God crated all we see, and in HIM all things hold together.  

Thank you Jesus for giving us a wonderful example of how you take care of our needs.  You are The Provider. 

The Yoke

It's one of my favorite sections of scripture.  At the end of Matthew 11, Jesus says, ""Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

How many times have we heard this verse from the pulpit of the church?

All through my growing up, I thought the 'yoke' was like this picture of the oxen.  It was supposed to be a link between me and God. Or, it was supposed to be someway that I'm chained to God.  But, if you just think about it logically, there's no way Jesus is saying, "Come to me all you who are weary, because I'll put a yoke on you and work you in the field until we plow up for the new harvest?"  REALLY?

I've done some pretty extensive research on the subject of the 'yoke', and I found that it really means 'teaching style.'  

So the Rabbi of the day would take a few disciples under his wing, and begin teaching the disciples the way they interpret scripture.  It was a way that every nuance of the Old Testament had a way of being vetted out.  

This idea of taking on Jesus' yoke, is that we need to take on His teaching.
We need to emulate His life.
We need to assume His teaching, and THEN we'll have a true understanding of how life is supposed to work.

May we be a people who take on Jesus' teaching.
May we take it serious, and not merely a suggestion
May Jesus' yoke bring relief to you today.

A Day of Repentance

It's no secret cities are a place where people have access to lots of stuff, certain special events, and a bit of progressiveness the rest of us don't necessarily get to enjoy.  I love walking through our cities here in America and hearing the different rhythms, feeling the various tensions, and watching how people do life in the cities. 

I've never really been much of a long time city guy.  I've lived in basic small towns most of my life, so I'm not real tuned into what it might be like to actually dwell in a place with over a million people.  Must be crazy!!

Well, I was reading in Matthew 11 today when Jesus started rebuking the cities he had performed miracles in. 

 

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Si don on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." (Matthew 11:20-24)

I know, cities or towns, the repentance of humanity is essential to knowing God.  It's an important piece to salvation.  Understanding, knowing, and turning from your sin is the only way you can realize the power of God in your life. 

So, as Jesus is rebuking these cities for their lack of repentance, I started thinking about our attitudes today.

When God moves in a special way in our town or city, do we take repentance seriously?
How long does it take before our daily routine turns back into the rut we created before God moved?
Are we even willing to step out and be a part of what God is doing?

I, for one, want to be in the middle of what God is up to. 
I want to experience His miracles, and His work on the planet today.
I want to be in the thick of it.

Do you?

Maybe it's time for a city wide, or a town wide day of repentance.  I know the officials probably won't like it, but who cares?  Let's begin to follow God's will for our lives, rather than pandering to whatever oppression people want to put on the Christian community.  Let's together, ask for forgiveness from our cities and towns!!

A New Look At Christianeese...

Ever heard the phrase Christianeese?  Don't be deceived, it's a real language!!  You won't find it translated in a book.  There's no Rosetta Stone to help guide you through it.  It's actually a sub-culture language Christians use, for...well, I have no idea.

Things like, "God thank you for the blessings you bestowed on us" (usually used while praying.) 

Now, how many people ever use the word 'bestowed' outside of a prayer?  Really?

Or, I actually heard this from a comedian once, "Lord, bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies." (usually used while praying, right before a meal)  And then the one who is praying shoves some Big Mac and Large Fry down their gullet, as if somehow God is going to transform that transgendered fat into the equivalent of fruits a vegetables on the way down??  Really?

Or maybe you've heard, "Brother Andy, so good to see you today..."
Or what about the classic, "Did you see Sally at the game the other day? God bless her..."

Let me be real honest here...if anyone ever uses 'God bless her' on you...that's not a compliment.  It's almost as if we should take pity on the poor girl for some un-obscure reason. 

What's even more disturbing is, no one really takes a long hard look at this stuff.  We just go on with our normal everyday lives, and never really take the time to listen to ourselves talk.

I was recently with a guy who was investigating the Christian faith, and he had decided it wasn't worth going to church to find out about Jesus.  I asked, "Well, don't you think if you want to know the founder of a faith, you should go and learn about him?" 

"Andy, I have no idea what those people are talking about?  I don't know what they're saying half the time, and it seems like there's got to be an easier way."

Hmmmmmmm........

Talk about convicting.

I think it's time we stop creating our own language.
I think it's time we return to the Way Jesus worked with people.
He used images of trees and fruit. EASY
He talked of the roads people knew.  EASY
He told them of the laws of Moses they worshiped.  EASY

He didn't try to re-create culture. 
He lived in the culture, and then began morphing it from the inside. 

He showed culture the answers they were looking for. 
He gave to the needs the people were longing for.

Willie Nelson used to sing it, "Looking for love in all the wrong places."  The culture in Jesus' day wasn't that different from the one we live in.  People are still looking for significance.  They still long for meaning.  They don't want to live alone.  And...eventually...people are trying to reconcile this cosmic universe to the reason why they are living on this planet. 

Jesus came to show us the right place.
He didn't try to make a different place. 
He used the words, the images, the cultural ceremonies to show the people, "LOOK, I'M GOD!!"

May we stop and make sure our words are honest, not some re-creation.
May we recognize the times we aren't communicating God's love clearly, and turn to give.
May we be God's love to the world, so they can see we love them, Because He first loved us.

Thanks for reading. 
Thanks for praying. 

I write this article on the heels of a great tragedy.  (see the article below)  And I think what's coming out of my soul is in a reaction to Christians in tragedy.  To say something trite to a family that is suffering is almost an insult to them.  The Bible says to, "Mourn with those who mourn, rejoice with those who rejoice."  There are no words that will relieve the pain right now.  For those of us far away...let's pray.
For those of us who are close...just be there.  Don't try to fix anything.  Don't try to make it better.  Sometimes we just need to be close, and let family and friends know we understand pain.  Thanks for praying!!

A Giving God

Even though there are hard parts of Matthew 10, there's one thing that remains constant, Jesus continues to re-enforce the idea that giving to the needy is a central component of the Way. 

"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." (Matthew 10:40-42)

So many teenagers call me and ask, "Why is it so easy to follow God when we're out at camp?"  And I have to be honest, it's a component of faith I wish I could unlock.  It's easy to follow God when you are with like-minded people. 

It's easy to worship when everyone is worshiping.
It's easy to read your Bible when you see others doing the same.
It's easy to be kind when it's the norm.
But what happens when you go back into the world?
Are camping times, retreat times, mountain top times simply a place to receive a 'shot in the arm' of God to help you get through the hard times?

I don't think so.

I think the purpose of camping or retreat times is so that we can re-focus.  We can remember the purpose of our faith, and when we go back in to the world we can emulate that behavior for everyone to see.  We serve a Giving God who is interested in giving even a cold cup of water to the least of these. 

It's part of the WAY.
It's central to our faith.
It connects us to the heart of God.

So if you're struggling today to realize the power of God in your life, stop focusing on yourself, and go give to someone in need.  It's the difference between Christianity and every other faith. 

Our God gives, while other 'gods' demand.
Our God in concerned with the well being of the Kingdom, rather than focusing on the blessing of the individual.
He wants those who are adopted into His family to reach out beyond our normal sphere's of influence, and give our resources to those who need them most. 

May we be a Giving People.
May we recognize the needs of others, and begin to meet those needs.
For this is a new command, "The world will know you are my disciples by your love for one another." 

So today...Go Give to someone, and see God in your selflessness.

Jesus, Peace, Swords?? What's going on here?

Today I was continuing my reading through Matthew, and I came across an interesting section of scripture.  Matthew 10 is where Jesus calls the disciples and sends them out to cast out demons, heal the sick, and spread the good news. 

But down here in v. 34, there's an interesting section, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn  " 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,  a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man's enemies will be the members of his own household." (Matthew 10:34-36)

Isn't Jesus the one who is the Prince of Peace?
Didn't He come to say, "Love your enemy?"
Wasn't Jesus all about the family?

So what's going on here.  Jesus came not to bring peace, but the sword?

I'm at a loss today.

Any suggestions?

Jesus Calms the Storm

On my continued trek through Matthew 8, I came up on a familiar story this morning. 

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" (Matthew 8:23-27)

I've read this story a million times, and probably have heard pastors preach on it millions more.  It's one of those remarkable stories that tells of Jesus' power over nature, and confirms that He is a man who "Even the winds and waves obey." 

But it wasn't the power of Jesus that made me grateful this morning.
It wasn't the fear of the disciples.
It wasn't even the scene of the boat rocking back and forth.

No, this morning I focused in on Jesus' question, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"

How many times in my life do I encounter a monumental storm, and I freak out; because I wonder how I'm going to solve it? 
How many times do I want to control the winds and the waves?
How many times do I feel like my own power and influence can take care of any situation?

Oh God, may I not sit in the boat of life and fear the storms that come. 
May I see you are the master of the winds and the waves.
May I revel in your security, rather than in my own confidence, ambition, or pride.
I don't want to be a man of little faith.
I want to know the power of God through the faith only He can provide.

So today, I'm committing to pray for a life FULL of faith.

God, please come and grant me the faith to...

Be like David in the face of Goliath
Understand your truth like Paul.
Face my enemies like Jesus.
Know the trials of life like Joseph.

Help me develop THAT kind of faith.

To your Glory.

Jesus Forshadows Something for The Religious Leaders

 I found a REALLY cool story this morning when I was reading Matthew, and I thought it so amazing, I thought some of you might be interested in hearing and exploring.

It's in Matthew 8...

"When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured^[s  leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

So, as I was reading, a lot of questions came to mind.

1.)  Why would Jesus want this guy to keep the healing secret?
2.)  What is this gift, Jesus told the man to present?
3.)  Was this just another miracle, or was Jesus trying to say something through this strange account of healing?

Well, I went on a search to find the details of the gift, and I found it.  Leviticus 14.  Leviticus 14 gives the people the orders when someone who has leprosy is healed. 

Basically it says that the man who is healed has to go get two live clean birds, cedar wood, a scarlet ribbon, and hyssop.  He's to kill one of the birds. Then He is to take the second bird along with the cedar and scarlet ribbon, and sprinkle the blood of the first over it seven times.  After the seventh time, he was to release the bird into the open field

I suppose to the common observer that doesn't mean anything special.  But to those of us who know the story of redemption through the beating, crucifixion, and subsequent resurrection of Jesus; THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT GOD DID FOR US.

He sent His only Son to earth in the form of a human.  (Phil. 2:5-7).  He came hear in the same form as you and I. 

He was clean, perfect, and knew no sin. (2 Cor. 5:21)

And when it was time to clean the rest of us, he was broken over a tree, sprinkled with His blood, so you and I might be released into the Kingdom of God.  FREE!!!

I sat looking over the beautiful Colorado landscape this morning in awe. 
I've read that section of scripture a thousand times before. 
But it wasn't until I saw the message Jesus was sending to the priests, that it all made sense.

This isn't some random act of healing.
Jesus is telling the Rabbis of the day to watch out. 
I'm on the way.
I'm getting ready to heal, not only the physical bodies of men, but also, I'm getting ready to free my children from the captivity of sin. 
I'm opening the gates, and those who choose to follow me are going to live a life free from the bondage sin brings with it.
I am more than a teacher in the wilderness. 
In fact, I think Jesus might be saying, WATCH FOR THIS!!

Isn't that awesome. 

I encourage you to go and read the story for yourself today, and know that God has freed you from this life.  He's given a way that you might be able to fly into the open fields of His Kingdom, no longer bound by the sickness sin often uses to hold us to this world. 

May we be a people who praise God for His signs.
May we be thankful He offered Himself as a sacrifice.
May we enter the Kingdom of Heaven with humility and gratitude.

Thank you God.

How can a man be born again?

It seems like there were a lot of people in the Bible who were looking for the answers to eternal life.  The Rich Young Ruler of Matthew 19, The teacher of the Law in Luke 10, and then the Pharisee named Nicodemus in John 3. 

Nicodemus acknowledged Jesus' origin from God.  He didn't question the power of Jesus, or the relationship He must have had with God.  But, He did approached Jesus, "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:1-3)

It's a wonderful question.  What really is the Kingdom of God, and How can we know it?

Jesus said, in order to realize the Kingdom of God, once must be "born again." 

There are several theological systems defining this 'born again' concept to the world. 

What do you think?  How does God say we can be 'born again?' 

Let's talk!

I know there are real issues, but REALLY??

My undergraduate work was in Theater and Performance.  Most of you know that I'm an actor by training, and I love how music, theater, and film tell the story of our culture.  Art truly is a reflection of our culture.  It takes a look inside the heart of a society or mankind, and then it imitates what it sees.  Very rarely do you find an artist that is so far away from culture, that their art is something that misses the mark of connection.  They usually don't last very long.

One of the longest running cartoons in American History is the Simpsons .  Now, no matter what you think about the morality, the crass way Bart addresses his parents, or the way it has shaped the way we do life; the Simpsons didn't become the #1 longest running show of all time because Christians decided not to watch it.  (get it?)

I was flipping through the channels the other day, and saw a syndicated show they must have done years ago.  It's the story of Bart and Homer as they befriend a Catholic priest.  Marge goes to the diner with the protestant pastors, and she dreams what it must be like to go to heaven.  Watch this.

So if art imitates what a culture knows or begins to see as truth, what do you think our culture thinks about Christians?  Are we living a life that defines Jesus, "The world will know you are my disciples by your love for one another?"  Or are we so intentional about our lust for rightness, that we've intentionally or un-intentionally created differing heavens. 

I know there are real issues of understanding between Christians and how they interpret the Bible, but imagine the cosmic joke when we die and are absent from our bodies, and present with the Lord.  Imagine what it's going to be like to look down the streets of gold and see your neighbors as all THOSE people you thought were so wrong.

I realize the need to continue pursuing truth.
I know truth is truth, and God gave us the Bible to discover truth.
I know we must be relentless in our pursuit of understanding what God said and what He meant when He gave us the scriptures. 

But how does that play out in your daily life?

Are you excluding people from your sphere of influence because of common stereotypes?

Success

Isn't this awesome!!  You can almost feel the sense of accomplishment as one of our rafting guides finished navigating one of the hardest rapids on the river, without falling over in this open boat. 

When I saw this picture, I just started thinking about how much value there is in developing little moments of accomplishment.  It's so important, isn't it?  To have a goal and overcome and obstacle, it's such an important part of life, especially when you walk through life trying to navigate our spiritual successes and failures. 

So many times in my life, I've seen huge spiritual obstacles, and often feel as if they are impassable; but with persistence and God's overwhelming grace, I've found several monumental successes that build confidence in my own faith. 

One of the great stories of faith found in Mark 9, is when a man brings his son to Jesus' disciples for healing.  Evidently he was possessed, and the disciples prayed and prayed for the boy to be healed, but tragically they couldn't help him.  The man goes to Jesus, and the story reads...

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

And Jesus healed the young boy.

It's one thing to believe, but all together another to have faith that can move mountains. 

I believe it takes a strong individual to recognize a lack of faith, and even more strength to ask for help when there are small areas of unbelief in our lives.

May we be humble enough to ask for help.
May we know the giver of life, and the healer of our soul.
God help me in my unbelief, so I can see your miraculous workings in the world. 

May we have concrete examples of people who have navigated life's spiritual hurdles, and be confident enough to walk with them. 

Teaching on Discipleship

I was teaching teenagers about discipleship today in lieu of Matthew 28 when Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations..."

"Why don't we share our faith today with our friends?" I asked a group of teenagers today.

They answered....

1.  Rejection
2.  What if we don't have the right answers.
3.  It feels so awkward.
4.  I don't want to force my faith on someone else

You know, discipleship gets a bad rap in the world today.  Words like Prostelization, or Conversion are words that people are afraid of when Christians come around.  They fear people who preach so loud of being converted from what they believe to what we believe, and rightly so.

How many of us have been assaulted by someone who feels so strongly that we change our ideas to that of Jesus, and it turns into an argument?

I've been a part of organizations that go out and try to argue people into the faith.
I've seen people literally get so worked up about the arguments about the truth of Christianity, they barely represent the God I've come to know so clearly.
I've even watched pastors linger after a service with slow music playing so everyone has a chance to come forward to declare their new found belief in Jesus, on some kind of emotional whim.

I do believe we have an obligation to share our faith with people, because I believe when Jesus says, "the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that they might have life, and life more abundantly" everyone would want that right?

Surely everyone would want to be a part of a faith where the creator of the Universe would consider them so much a part of His family, that He would offer the BEST of life.
Surely people want to experience a FULLNESS of life, right?

But discipleship...it's time to take a new look at it.

As I was teaching today, I remembered the mantra I try to live by when someone asks me to disciple them...

We live life WITH people, not AT them.

I don't spend a whole lot of time working on trying to look down my long nose of judgment at someone.  I'd rather just live life with them, and allow the Holy Spirit to bring them to a saving knowledge of truth throught the moments that represent God to the world. 

For sure we have to cross the conversation of faith at some point in our relationship, but what if....

What if discipleship became a place where people could live their lives out of the core of the SHEMA Jesus quoted when asked, "Teacher, Which is the Greatest Commandment?"
What if discipleship was about helping people become students of Jesus, rather than trying to rack up a list of people we convinced to think like us, and somehow made us feel good about our faith obligation?
What if discipleship was life on life, rather than some dull debate about 'who is right ethically?'

I remembered...Jesus only had 12 disciples, and He was God!
So what makes me think that I have to have a multitude of people declaring their faith because of me?

As I was teaching students today, I saw a twinkle in their eye.
I saw teenagers looking at me obviously thinking about the 'how's' of discipleship, instead of the normal blank stares of perceived future failure.
I saw kids who were willing to go back in their schools to give their friends a reason for the hope they have.
I can't wait to see how many take today's challenge seriously, and REAL FAITH will meet the halls of several high schools around the country. 

They won't be forcing someone into a decision.
They won't be arguing someone into the faith.
They'll be living in a relationship with the Creator that shows others how much God loves them, and then...

Well, I think you get the point. 

As we teach the Christian Worldview out here, and the value of Practical Apologetics, I want to make sure students understand the personal level of faith they can enjoy, while they can be confident to discuss their faith with people who are interested.  That's how we can return to the true meaning of discipleship, and begin to make 'students' of Jesus, rather than throwing teenagers to the wolves and expecting them to conjure up some sort of false confidence. 

Life together, that's what it's all about right?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And, the second is like it....Love your neighbor as yourself. 

May the world see followers of Jesus as those who care so much about them, the thirst for truth is unquenchable. 
May we see discipleship as a life on life endeavor, and not merely a short conversation of conversion.
May the God of the Universe be glorified as we attempt to share with the world the hope that is in us.

"Yeshua" and "Asa," Who do you serve?

I sat at breakfast this morning with five men.  Two of them Western Christian, and the other three were Jordanian, Lebanese, and Saudi.  It was an interesting cultural conversation of the differences in business, entertainment, politics, and then we got around to the point that all three of these men of Middle Eastern descent all said they follow Jesus. 

My ears perked up, and I was interested in hearing how this worked as all three claim they worship at a Mosque in their own home countries, while still claiming Jesus as the revelation of God to earth. 

"If you say I follow Asa (Jesus in the Quran) then Muslims rejoice because you are one of them.  But if you say you follow Yeshua (Jesus in the Gospels) then Christians rejoice because you follow their version." one man said.

"So what if you pray 'In the name of Jesus' with a Muslim" a friend asked.

"It's ok, Muslims love Jesus."

So I sat there an listened to the conversation, wondering if we (Western Christians) are missing the whole point here.  Could it be that we are really worshiping the same Jesus, or are there tangible differences that have caused conflict between the faiths concerning the Messiah. 

I realize the cultural differences, and I'm well aware of the political issues surrounding the debate, but can it be we've simply misunderstood meanings?  Is this debate REALLY about semantics? 

I spent a bit of time at the Oxford Center for Apologetic Research in England which is sponsored by the Ravi Zacharias team, and it seemed like there is much more at the heart of the faith than merely semantics, but one of my new friends said, "Remember when Jesus asked Peter 'Who do you say that I am?' and Peter replied, 'I believe you are the Son of God, the Messiah.'  Jesus answered and said, "Flesh and blood can not reveal this to you, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit."  (Matthew 17) And I sat there in wonder...

Can someone who is Muslim, say they follow Jesus, and then allow the Holy Spirit to take control of their heart and turn it from all the misconceptions they might have about 'Asa' and really engage in a life of loving the Messiah, the same as Christians?

I quickly see the danger in gathering around a table with friends, and trying so hard to find commonality and peace; that we disregard some important points, and come from a Universalist perspective.  But for the moment, I'm interested in listening to more explanation.  I certainly don't want to minimize the Jesus who is very clear in defining Himself to the world. 

I do know the power of the Holy Spirit to enter one's life can make radical differences in our spiritual following apart from cultural differences.  And, I know that God can work on a grander scale than I'm privy to here on earth.  So maybe, as we try to find the commonality in Jesus' message, we can watch the Spirit turn the heart of mankind back to God, both on the Muslim side, AND the Christian side.  For we know the differences in our understanding of Jesus here in the West as there are over 3500 denominations in the U.S. alone. 

All in all, this is a very interesting concept.  To understand the apologetics of the Christian faith, and without compromise of the truth of Jesus' declaration (John 14:6), try to understand the cultural implications of following the message of Jesus contextualized for someone's tradition, is a the bridge I believe is worth, at the very least, exploring the question.  Is it possible? 

Is it possible for Muslims to disengage from their cultural perspective and see Jesus for who He is, rather than some Worldview taught in a Mosque?  And likewise, is it possible for Christians to see Jesus as He is revealed in the gospel, apart from our Western contextualized understanding?

I guess the point we're trying to uncover here, can we lay aside our bias of culture to come to the foot of the cross and see Jesus for who He is, the Son of God who came to be resurrected to allow for a reconciliation to happen between God and Man?  It's an interesting exercise, and if it's possible, may become the answer to the world's issues concerning religion.

What do you think? I'm interested in getting several perspectives, so feel free to write your thoughts.  And remember, we want to make sure we don't deviate from truth in order to feel the 'fuzzy peace God' without remembering God is a God who judges the heart of mankind.  There will be a day when all our actions will be held into account, and we mustn't forget the millions of believers who have gone before us to declare the truth with their very lives. 

Let's start talking here.  After all, discussions and debate can lead to truth in a civil manner, but war with each other will ultimately lead to death; so let's make sure we get this one right. I'm excited about the possibilities of introducing Christian Teenagers with Muslim Teenagers and see what the Holy Spirit might do there.  If nothing else, it would be an interesting dialog.

Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Jesus

In my constant desire to follow Jesus, it intrigues me that the three monotheistic religions of the world continue to fight over land, resources, and power.  It's almost as if all three try to preach 'peace' and 'love your neighbor,' yet all three are an inch away from blowing up the world all together at any given time.

I realize there are significant differences in theology, and the followers of all three are dedicated to making sure 'their team' is the right team, and all three are dedicated to the recruiting of the most followers. 

In Christianity we are following Jesus' commandment to 'make disciples of all nations' but guess what...the Muslim faith has a similar commandment in the Q'uran.  So how do we live together on planet earth with so many differences?  Surely the answer isn't to just allow one to blow up the other.  That seems contradictory to Jesus, doesn't it?

So how do we accomplish both missions when each 'team' feels like their story is the only one that leads to ultimate spiritual paradise?  How do we live on this planet together?

I'm at a meeting with Religious leaders on both sides right now, and I wish I could video this.  It's very interesting as both sides of the debate are relentless in trying to figure out how to follow Jesus and His commands for our lives. 

I'll be sharing more as the meeting progresses, but I'm telling you, with a little understanding, and a little fleshing out, there might be a way to salvage relationships in the midst of difference.  Maybe?? I don't know how it's going to play out, but I believe God is still on the throne of heaven and earth, and He alone can bring people together to at least have a conversation to at least be neighbors. I'm still a bit skeptical, but We'll see. 

In the meantime.  What do you think?

Pressing on Towards the Goal

Have you ever looked up toward a goal, and wanted so much to reach it? 

Rock climbers have an innate ability to overcome pain to reach the top of a cliff, the top of a route, or the top of a mountain. 

I've seen this twinkle in more than one eye of the teenager!!  (sorry for the reference to the Rocky theme song, I just couldn't help myself.)

I wonder what our faith might look like with more of this look in our eyes to reach the prize?

Paul wrote of this, 'Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 4:12-14)

What would it look like if we had the eye of determination to our faith?  Would Sunday morning look different?  Or maybe...Monday morning might take on a totally different outlook. Instead of trying to ask 'what would Jesus do,' maybe we might taylor our question a bit to look like 'what DID Jesus do' and start acting more like Him.

Just thoughts for today!

May our mission be evident to all, to look more like the character of Jesus each day.

Family

 

Family can take a whole lot of forms today, can't it?

Mom and Dad
Brother and Sister
Father and Son
Mother and Daughter

The family unit today can be mixed up, made up, and thrown together in a cornucopia of different arrangements.  (like that word?)

I guess the important part of every family is the glue that holds them together. 

Out here at our place in Colorado, http://www.campkivu.com, we see family as an important part of growing up.  We know the impact we can have on each other, and we try to utilize every part of our family unit to bring glory to Jesus. 

We know there are different strengths to the 'body.'  Just like Paul said, "There are many members but one body." (Romans 12).  And we try to invite the strengths of all people to surface every day.  Whether it's the strengths of the teenagers that are living here, or the staff who are giving every part of their lives to see the strength of the little family unit we have out here, I'm amazed at how giving this family has become. 

They rejoice with each other.
They mourn with each other.
They dance together.
They encourage each other.

It's such a blessing just to sit back and watch the 'family' of God work together in such unity.  I'm so lucky to get a chance to watch the body of Christ function like it's supposed to. 

Wouldn't it be such a ride to watch the church, para-church, and everyone who followed Jesus, to lay down our petty weaknesses, and focus on our strengths?  Issues like community well being, global racism, and the jealousy that occurs among God's people...wouldn't it be amazing to watch Jesus' commandment, "By this the world you will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another" (John 13) come into play?

I'm committed to showing teenagers what that looks like. 

Thanks for your prayers.
Thanks for your encouragement.
I'm overwhelmed by your support.

May we stop and focus on what it truly means to be a family of God who love Him, and love each other. (Matthew 22).  It is this small nuance that makes the world wonder....
May we be a family.

Sometimes, you just gotta have fun

The main reason teens say they're not interested in going to church is, "It's Just So, BORING!"

Shame on us.

Jesus said, "The thief has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy, but I have come to give you life, and life to the full."

I know faith isn't all about fun.
I know you can't just be super happy all the time.
I'm certainly not a health/wealth/and happiness guy.

But...

Isn't life with Jesus more fun than life without?
Isn't knowing that sin is forgiven, and life can be lived free, at least worth partying over?

Why can't we just lighten up a bit?

Sometimes, you just gotta have some fun...and I'm sure Jesus is o.k. with that!

Some of the Greatest Times in Life are Free.

Can't you just hear the rush of the water right here?  Our team from The Expedition had a chance to take a break off the trail, and as soon as I saw this, it just reminded me...

Sometimes the greatest times in life are free.
They don't have to be creative.
They don't have to be expensive.
They don't take a lot of thought.

Sometimes just sitting in God's creation, and soaking in the sounds, the mist, the smells, and the virtual vastness of His majesty are enough for us to know...

The Bible says, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." (Romans 1:21-23)

Maybe it's time to just give the Lord the Glory we can see in His creation. 

Discipleship..Living life WITH people, not AT them

When I teach students how to disciple, they always get this 'deer in the headlights' look on their face, like I'm asking them to fly to the moon or something.  It would be kind of funny, except it happens EVERY SINGLE TIME I teach it.  Now I've just resigned myself to prepare for the look of fear, and then push right on through.

I've asked them, "Why is it so hard for you to go out and disciple someone?  I mean Jesus made it pretty clear, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the earth.' So what's the big deal?  If we're Jesus followers, shouldn't we go and make disciples?"

I hear so many answers, it would make your head spin.
Well what if I don't know all the answers to the questions they ask?
I'm scared what people with think of me.
Nobody wants to be discipled by me.
What if I show someone God's love, and then I mess up?

It's CRAZY.  Almost as if they want to come up with every answer under the sun to keep from going out and developing relationships with other people. But....

When I start describing discipleship, the looks fade...
The questions subside.
The fear goes away.
And they start getting it.

Discipleship isn't about going out and being a weirdo. 

It's about helping people understand the world God created and their relationship to Him, and Each other.  It doesn't have to look freaky.  It might just be going down to the river, and showing someone how to tie flies on a fly rod.  It might be a bike ride in the mountains.  It may just be a cup of coffee at the local coffee shop, while you catch up on their day.  And then...

Just like Jesus did...

You can start using the experiences of life around you to help someone see a clearer picture of God. 

I asked the kids yesterday, "In an iPod world, do you think Jesus would ask the same questions as He did to the disciples?  Do you think today, he would use, 'A good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit?'   Maybe, he might start talking about computers, iPods, iPhones, internet connections, video games, and the like."

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that we change the Bible in any way, I'm just trying to take Jesus' example of parable telling, common language, and relationship, and let kids see, they can develop a band of disciples too.  You surely don't have to explain the doctrine of Soteriology to have someone called your disciple, at least not at the beginning. 

So chill out...
Take it slow...
Go get on a river somewhere, and just start living life WITH people.  The hard questions will come soon enough, and there's a time and a place to dive into deeper theology.  But for the starting blocks...let's go and share God's love with people, and see what happens. 

You might be totally surprised when you start living WITH them, and not AT them.

Have a great day today!!

Ever Wanting Something This Badly?

I love working with teenagers.

You know, when they get a goal in mind, and they're motivated to achieve it, look at the look in this guy's eyes? 

I wonder how many of us have the same determination when it comes to following Jesus. 

Not the "I got to church every Sunday" mentality, but really implementing the teachings of Jesus in everyday life.

What are we doing about Salt and Light? (Matthew 5:13-16)
What about anger? (Matthew 5:21-16)
Divorce? (Matthew 5:31)
Our response to getting back at our enemies? (Matthew 5:38-48)

Sometimes I think we see Jesus' teachings as the spiritual suggestions to live life, without trying to see them as a goal that can be attained.  I guess we're just like those old apathetic teenagers.

Or maybe, just maybe, with a little help; we can get the same look of determination in our eye.
Maybe we can get the same feeling inside our soul that wants to take this thing seriously.
Maybe we can stop justifying the world, and start wanting our spiritual life to make a difference.

I don't know...

Just thinking....

Jesus called us Sheep....Really?

Why do Teenagers always want to talk about Election

 

Did God choose me?  Did I choose God?  Am I responsible for my actions?  Does God know what I'm going to do before I do it?

These are the questions that come up every single term.  Students from all over the world are asking the same questions.  Does God know, and what is my responsibility in this life?

I guess it's an important doctrine to study, as it shapes our view of God and His sovereignty.
I know their concern for relatives and friends that haven't chosen to be followers of Jesus.
I'm sure it's way more fun to talk about than to really live out our convictions

BUT....

REALLY??

Is this the sum total of doctrine people are concerned with?

I guess I'm a simplistic thinker when it comes to this point, because I know there have been theologians a lot smarter than I am who've worked on this problem for thousands of years.  I can see both sides of the issue, and the bottom line for me...what's my responsibility either way?

For if God chooses us, He obviously uses humanity to "Go and make Disciples" so we have to go.
And If we choose Him, we have a part to play to "Go and make Disciples"  (Matthew 28) and again...going is inferred.

So really....do we need to keep arguing?

Can't we read Jesus' message in Matthew 22, and figure out how we can Love God, and Love our Neighbor, and once we get that one down, it seems like things just start falling into place. (after all, tha's what He said, 'All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.)

I don't know, but it seems like teenagers are just mirror images of us.  Some are really searching for the answer, but most are just trying to start stirring the pot of division.  Wouldn't be ok if we sat at the table of God's great paradox, and just focused on the things we knew needed to be taken care of?

Have we loved the least of these yet?
Have we learned how to love our enemies?
Have sought out how to implement spiritual discipline in our daily lives?
How about going to all nations?  Have we been victorious over class struggles and racism?

I respect the opinions of both sides, and I see the scriptural references for each.  I do believe God is sovereign in all circumstances, but I'm really ok saying, "Can we just wait to ask that one when we see Him?"  Life is too short to foster division in the church.  Let's focus on the things we "KNOW" to be true, like "Pure and undefiled religion is this, that we take care of orphans and widows in their distress, and that we remain unstained from the world." (James 1:27) 

So, maybe when there are no orphans in the world, and all the widows have been relieved, we can sit around the theological table of debate, and give it another go.

Anyone feel similar?

Fly Fishing

An Emotional Event

 

At the center of the early Jewish social structure was a job every Father wanted His son to have, the Rabbi.  For the Rabbi of the town had a certain prestige, and it was every Father's delight to walk around town bragging on His son as he would leave the boy in the expert teaching of the current spiritual sage. 

In fact, history tells us of a tradition whereby every Jewish boy would actually begin learning the whole of the Torah by the time He was 8 years old.  By the time He turned 13, his father would march him into the halls of the Rabbi to see if he was in deed gifted to learn and become another spiritual adviser to the community. 

If the Rabbi saw the young man had an affinity to be a Rabbi, he would take the boy under his teaching and begin training.  If the Rabbi saw the boy wasn't ready, he would turn the boy away; and as the young man walked out of the synagogue, he had to face his Father's disappointment and begin learning the trade of the family. 

Trades like, ffisherman, ccarpentry, ccobbling, and farming were among the common workplaces of the day. 

So the young boy would live his entire life with the shame he wasn't good enough to be a Rabbi, and the guilt of disappointing his father would most certainly weigh heavy on the young man.

Luke 4 tells the story of Jesus' first calling of the disciples.  It's a common story we learned in Sunday school as Jesus appears out of no where to a motley crew of fisherman.  They were finished fishing for the night, and the Bible says they took nothing. 

Jesus wanders up to a small fishing boat captained by a man named Simon.  He asked Simon to get back in the boat and try again. 

You can imagine the frustration Simon must have been feeling as this strange Rabbi was trying to co-erse the men back to work, but the story says they shoved off and gave it another go.  When they reached the middle of the sea, Jesus asked them to throw their nets on the other side of the boat, and when they obeyed, they caught more fish than they could hold. 

Simon said, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (v.8)
"Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men" Jesus replied (v.10)

And the Bible says they dropped their nets and followed Him.

Have you ever wondered why?
Why would someone just leave a successful business to follow a stranger?
Did Jesus use some kind of Jedi mind trick on them?

I think not.

Imagine what it must have been like for Simon to have heard the words of a Rabbi.  "Come and follow me.  You are worthy of my teaching.  I will make you a fisher of men, not of fish anymore." 

It was the first time in Simon's life the guilt and shame he must have been harboring was finally at bay.
It was the first time a Rabbi said he was worth something.
As the Jewish tradition goes, Simon must have been one of those boys that wasn't cut out to be a Rabbi in his teenage years, and he must have been living with his father's earthly disappointment for his whole life.

And that's what Jesus does.

He takes people who have been living with the guilt of un-worthiness, and takes them under His wing. 
The creator of the world (Jn. 1:1) is interested in relieving the pain of disappointment.
He values the un-valued.
He cares for the pain you are carrying.
He gives an out to those who need to feel worthy again.

"Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11:29-30)

It must have been an emotional scene for Peter.  But I'm confident it doesn't stop there. 

I watch as thousands of teenagers accept the fact, they have a heavenly Father who looks down with a certain pride only a father can give, and says, "You're worthy to follow me."

Do you need encouragement today?

Just take a second out of your busy schedule and remember...

The same God of the universe who hurled the planets into the cosmos
And counted the number of hairs on your head
The same God who numbered your days wants you to know, "The thief comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy.  But I have come that you have life, and life more abundant." (John 10:10)

You are valuable to Him.

Studying Apologetics

Every year, I teach students about basic apologetics.  What is apologetics, you might ask?  Simply put, the study of apologetics is to understand how to defend a certain position you might have toward a special issue. 

There are apologetics for economic systems, apologetics for Social agendas, but the study we engage is the apologetics for faith.  Basically, why do we believe what we do, and what difference does it make to the world?

So, I start with the classics.  My friend Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias, and Bill Craig, have mentally mentored me to a pop-apologetics style, but the life part is my favorite. 

Today we're working on the ark of the covenant, and the theory it might truly be an archaeological find in Axum Ethiopia, which is VERY interesting.  But, at the bottom line, apologetics doesn't mean a thing if we can't develop a relationship with people that we can show God's love to. 

It's really hard to know a lot about the history of the faith, and look at someone who doesn't believe with a sincere mind. However; our job as Christians isn't to out think those around us, it's to love those around us.

May we continue to sharpen our mind in our understanding of the most sacred parts of our faith. 
May we reach out to people across the globe to show them how much we care about people.
May teenagers rise up and take their generation by force as they love each other. 

It's SUPER fun out here at K-Colorado.  Be sure to check out our new website, http://www.campkivu.com

God isn't a Genie

 

Sometimes when I work with teenagers, I find they have this strange perception of God.  It's almost like they have a "genie in the bottle" mentality, and God's sole purpose is to hear our requests and grant us three wishes. 

Well, we're doing everything we can to curb that kind of worldview.

God isn't a God that simply pops out of an antique vase to give you everything your heart desires. 
He isn't a slave to your wishes.
He doesn't have to bow to your every want.

Jesus says, "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." but certainly it wasn't meant to be a prayer like, "God, I really need a Ferrari, could you put one on my front doorstep?"

No, in Psalms 37 it says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (v.4)

Certainly this isn't an invitation to suck up to God. 
It's not an "if you just smile enough He'll reward you" verse.

To Delight in God is to delight in the things that He is about. 
To Dwell in God's Presence is to understand His will.
To be Determined in God's commandments is to love Him and things He loves.

If you're interested in receiving the desires of your heart today, stop; and instead of trying to rub the lamp, take some time to Delight in God.  And maybe...you're desires will melt into His.

Friends

 

Strange Bedfellows indeed.

Can you imagine what's going to happen when this tiger grows up? WOW...maybe there will be a clash of the Titans?  The tiger crouching for the next meal, anxiously awaits the moment when he can POUNCE out of the bushes and...ok, you get the point.

Maybe they'll continue on being friends? Maybe they'll grow old together and lay around talking about the golden years when they took silly pictures and performed like...ok, I'll stop.

 I don't know how in the world they got this picture, unless there is something about friendship that transcends what we intuitively know about creatures with opposing agenda.  Nature must have places where the DNA that tells the chimp to run away from the smell of the tiger can be overcome for whatever reason.  In fact, this isn't the only example that has intrigued me about the natural order of the universe. 

I've seen lions snuggle up to humans. 
I've seen cats nurse strange animals.
I've seen tigers take a group of animals and raise them from babies. 

Isn't it strange when we see these two unsuspecting creatures seemingly lay down their natural tendencies for what seems to be like friendship.

I know this metaphor doesn't track all the way, but I was reading John 15 this morning.  Jesus was teaching the disciples and said, "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." (v.15)

Refreshing isn't it.

Jesus, the creator of the universe and subsequent reason for all that exists, is a friend.  He's made possible the way to know the secrets of God the Father, and he's come to humanity and made strange bedfellows with humanity.  He's given us a way to overcome our natural tendencies, and change the very DNA of who we are, in a spiritual understanding.  We are much like the image of the lion, who lies down with the lamb. 

For that, I'm thankful this morning.