All this effort to erase Jesus from the holidays has me a bit discouraged this year. I've seen many of the articles claiming that Christmas was never a "Christian" holiday to begin with, but so what? I think it pretty safe to assume that Jesus has been the central figure of Christmas for the past couple hundred years... To erase him from the season in order to be politically correct and "tolerant" seems a bit ludicrous.
Instead I would hope that people could learn to see God's goodness every season, especially this season. Here is my solution:
Everyone should watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas"... Especially the part where Linus stands on stage and shares about the real meaning of Christmas. That'll fix things.
Have a wonderful, focused, and purposeful CHRISTmas my friends.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Living God's Story
Shared a cup of Joe with a new guy in my church today. Seems he has been coming to our faith community for about 3 months now. 3 months of attendance... 78 days clean off Meth and Pot. He has tried before to get sober, but this time it has been different. Different because this time he is not trying to make it on his own. Now he focuses each day on trying to live God's story.
He said he's never been to church till now, but he did read the Bible cover to cover a few years ago while he was in jail. After he read the Bible he read a Stephen King book. Stephen King was more exciting... until now.
He told me that one Sunday the God thing suddenly made sense, this whole living God's story and not our own thing. So he decided to surrender his will, his life, his addictions to God instead of committing to change them. The journey is still not easy but he has found that it is easier to wake up and surrender to God's story than to wake up and commit to living his own.
What would happen if we all lived that way? Instead of trying to be a better person, what if we just surrendered to His person?
I think I might try that tomorrow morning....
He said he's never been to church till now, but he did read the Bible cover to cover a few years ago while he was in jail. After he read the Bible he read a Stephen King book. Stephen King was more exciting... until now.
He told me that one Sunday the God thing suddenly made sense, this whole living God's story and not our own thing. So he decided to surrender his will, his life, his addictions to God instead of committing to change them. The journey is still not easy but he has found that it is easier to wake up and surrender to God's story than to wake up and commit to living his own.
What would happen if we all lived that way? Instead of trying to be a better person, what if we just surrendered to His person?
I think I might try that tomorrow morning....
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
A Visit to Atlanta
Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Atlanta. Wow, there are some really cool people down South. I even got to have grits, just like my grandma used to make! It was NASCAR championship weekend coupled with college football rivalary weekend so things were amping.
My flight left at 11:30pm from Seattle. With time changes and a layover in Charlotte I was scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at 9:30am. Red-eye flights hurt the eyes, but feel better in the wallet. Actually since the church that invited me was covering the flights I could have taken something less painful, but flying red eye meant one more afternoon with my wife and kids. And they are worth it.
So this is what's cool. I was sick for two days prior to departure. Kinda that flu bug I suppose. Over the course of the two days it moved from my chest straight into my sinuses. The night I was leaving my head was pounding and I was talking like a bald guy with a metal bucket over his head. None-the-less I grabbed my Kleenex and luggage and trotted off to the airport.
No kiddin', as I was walking down the walkway to board the plane I felt a little "pop" in my head and whammo! my head was clear. Sinus pressure and cold symptoms disappeared. God's so cool.
So my buddy Eric and I went to the men's retreat and saw God do some really great things. 35 men willing to get real and open with God and each other. The message of authenticity resonated in our meetings regardless of each man's career status or race. It was cool.
Sunday morning I shared at large Atlanta area church. There I found 700 people who LOVE to worship and serve their city with the gospel. Perhaps the most powerful experience I had was sitting in on the pre-service intercession gathering. I often enjoy sneaking in on intercession meetings when I am a guest. It gives me a chance to sense the spiritual climate of a church. These guys and gals where not interested in building their own kingdom but God's kingdom and I could sense God smiling upon them. I felt tingly all over. :-)
Sunday night I shared at an emergent church service. Great vibe and the pastor is one right on brother. No pretense about him, just a love for Jesus and his family. That evening I shared some of my story and God's redemption in my life. I heard later that during my teaching on of the gals in the group said, "Hey, I've heard that story before. I think he stole it from Relevant Magazine!" Then she realized that I WAS that guy in the magazine article and felt sorta bad for judging me. :-)
Next stop: Emerging Leaders Intititiave gathering in Seattle! God's on the move. The message and the lifestyle of authenticity seems to be resonating with many these days... regardless of age, denomination, or gender.
Live the Life my friends. And thanks for praying for me.
My flight left at 11:30pm from Seattle. With time changes and a layover in Charlotte I was scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at 9:30am. Red-eye flights hurt the eyes, but feel better in the wallet. Actually since the church that invited me was covering the flights I could have taken something less painful, but flying red eye meant one more afternoon with my wife and kids. And they are worth it.
So this is what's cool. I was sick for two days prior to departure. Kinda that flu bug I suppose. Over the course of the two days it moved from my chest straight into my sinuses. The night I was leaving my head was pounding and I was talking like a bald guy with a metal bucket over his head. None-the-less I grabbed my Kleenex and luggage and trotted off to the airport.
No kiddin', as I was walking down the walkway to board the plane I felt a little "pop" in my head and whammo! my head was clear. Sinus pressure and cold symptoms disappeared. God's so cool.
So my buddy Eric and I went to the men's retreat and saw God do some really great things. 35 men willing to get real and open with God and each other. The message of authenticity resonated in our meetings regardless of each man's career status or race. It was cool.
Sunday morning I shared at large Atlanta area church. There I found 700 people who LOVE to worship and serve their city with the gospel. Perhaps the most powerful experience I had was sitting in on the pre-service intercession gathering. I often enjoy sneaking in on intercession meetings when I am a guest. It gives me a chance to sense the spiritual climate of a church. These guys and gals where not interested in building their own kingdom but God's kingdom and I could sense God smiling upon them. I felt tingly all over. :-)
Sunday night I shared at an emergent church service. Great vibe and the pastor is one right on brother. No pretense about him, just a love for Jesus and his family. That evening I shared some of my story and God's redemption in my life. I heard later that during my teaching on of the gals in the group said, "Hey, I've heard that story before. I think he stole it from Relevant Magazine!" Then she realized that I WAS that guy in the magazine article and felt sorta bad for judging me. :-)
Next stop: Emerging Leaders Intititiave gathering in Seattle! God's on the move. The message and the lifestyle of authenticity seems to be resonating with many these days... regardless of age, denomination, or gender.
Live the Life my friends. And thanks for praying for me.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Before we ask for more...
I watched a great "frontline" show on PBS (hey, the Broncos weren't playing) last night called "The Persuaders". It was all about consumerism and advertising in our culture. It got me thinking about how much we ask for in the name of Jabez these days.
God cares about the details in our lives, but he also knows the big picture much better than we do.
Before you ask for more, ponder these questions…
God cares about the details in our lives, but he also knows the big picture much better than we do.
Before you ask for more, ponder these questions…
- What am I doing with what I’ve already been given?
- Does it build my kingdom or God’s kingdom?
- Does it take life from another in order to give life to me?
- Is it a distraction to living the life Jesus offers?
Matt. 6:25-33
Now I need to go shop ebay for a new cell phone... cya
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Post Election Reflection
Oh, this is touchy ground to walk on. I am not a politician. I am a theologian. It is my life work to think about how to live life with a Godward orientation and a missional purpose. Hmmm... shouldn't it be that way for anyone who professes to follow Jesus?
I have some very close friends and mentors who were passionate Kerry supporters. YES, they love God. One of them is even a very well known author and speaker on God's love and mercy. I have other friends who were equally passionate about Bush. So it seems a person can be deeply rooted in faith and have supported either candidate. What I loved is getting together with those differing friends over a microbrew or cup of java and find the Kingdom message that they resonated with.
But now that the election is over what grieves me is the cursing and slander I hear about candidates and political parties from all angles of the spectrum. Regardless of who won, we should represent the kingdom of God in our speech and behavior.
Be different… celebrate beauty and God's image in others whether they are democrat or republican or green.
So let's challenge one another with the following thoughts:
“With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on!”
–James 3:9-10 (The Message)
“With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on!”
–James 3:9-10 (The Message)
I have some very close friends and mentors who were passionate Kerry supporters. YES, they love God. One of them is even a very well known author and speaker on God's love and mercy. I have other friends who were equally passionate about Bush. So it seems a person can be deeply rooted in faith and have supported either candidate. What I loved is getting together with those differing friends over a microbrew or cup of java and find the Kingdom message that they resonated with.
But now that the election is over what grieves me is the cursing and slander I hear about candidates and political parties from all angles of the spectrum. Regardless of who won, we should represent the kingdom of God in our speech and behavior.
Be different… celebrate beauty and God's image in others whether they are democrat or republican or green.
So let's challenge one another with the following thoughts:
“With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on!”
–James 3:9-10 (The Message)
“With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on!”
–James 3:9-10 (The Message)
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Praying towards goodness
Conversations... seems we have talks TO God very often. Sometimes God talks TO us. But when was the lastime you or I had a conversation WITH God. Some readings got me pondering that whole topic this week...
Julian of Norwich is one of the most popular of English mystics.
-She lived from 1343-141
- She lived as a Benedictine nun in Norwich, England.
- Her writings always pointed to the goodness and love of God, even though she was living in a time of severe social unrest and constant fear of the Black Plague.
Julian knew about prayer. She talked to God often.
Here is what she said about it: “For the highest form of prayer is to the goodness of God…God only desires that our soul cling to him with all its strength, in particular that it clings to his goodness. For of all the things our minds can think about God, it is thinking about his goodness that pleases him most and brings the most profit to our soul. For we are so preciously loved by God that we cannot even comprehend it. No created being can ever know how much and how sweetly and tenderly God loves them.”
Of course that's cool and all, but so often I hear people respond: "Wait... you don’t know me… I’m too messed up. I talk to God, but God wouldn’t want to talk to me."
Listen to what Brother Lawrence says: He was probably regarded as one of the closest men to God who ever lived. He shares in his writings “The Practice of the Presence of God”:
- “I imagine myself as the most wretched of all, full of sores and sins, and one who has committed all sorts of crimes against his king. Feeling a deep sorrow, I confess to him all of my sins, I ask his forgiveness, and I abandon myself into his hands so that he may do with me what he pleases.
This king, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastening me, embraces me with love, invites me to feast at his table, serves me with his own hands, and gives me the key to his treasures. He converses with me, and takes delight in me, and treats me as if I were his favorite. This is how I imagine myself from time to time in his holy presence.”
Brennan Manning a couple days ago said this to me: “The highest form of prayer is to know the love God has for you.”
So this week when you think about having a conversation with God, grab hold of his goodness, walk from the truth of his love for you. You might find yourself actually enjoying His company and not wondering if He is even there.
Press on my friends.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
BUCK NAKED FAITH OPENS ITS DOORS
DAY ONE of what hopes to be an interactive and inspiring journey. Give me a few days to get this blog up and running. But for now I've gotta go do the dishes. :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)