This is the video I showed on Sunday. It brings tears to my eyes every time because it reminds me of the pain there is when God chisels away the pieces that don't look like Christ. A part of my old self dies; but it also reminds me of the great love God has for me by doing this. He chips away, one piece at a time which is a great act of patience on His part. Philippians 1:6 says that "He who began this good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ". I often resist the handiwork that God wants to do. Sometimes I want to cry out, "That's good enough. You can stop now". But I am not the artist. I am not the potter. I am only the canvas or piece of clay and I don't get to make that call.
I pray to see every opportunity or encounter with someone as God's brush strokes over me. Watch this and enjoy - over & over again...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyOIBnExlrw
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Structure Can Be Spiritual
http://www.mennoweekly.org/2010/3/15/structure-can-be-spiritual/
Here is a good article about the leadership structure of a church to empower people to use their SHAPE. It comes from Mennonite Weekly Review.
Here is a good article about the leadership structure of a church to empower people to use their SHAPE. It comes from Mennonite Weekly Review.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ecuador Experience
I recently spent a week in Ecuador with members from our congregation. It was quite an experience. I have several thoughts and reflections but will only share one in this blog. At a later time, Scott, Katie and I will do a presentation at Bellwood.
My prayer for the week was to be able to experience God at work - and I did. Too often we have this idea that only people who look like us and talk like we do are God's people, but a memory that will stay with me is that no matter the color of a person's skin, we are all made in the image of God. In fact, Jesus wasn't even a white Anglo person anyway.
It is easy to make judgments about another person or group of people based on what we see on the outside, but once you take time to really know them, you see that they are not that different. We all have a need to be accepted, loved, and appreciated. We all have fears and anxieties. We all have a unique story that has brought us to where we are at this current stage in our lives.
It was good to be out of my normal surroundings and witness the grace of God because the people of Ecuador were so gracious and giving. Even though there was the language barrier, hospitality has no limits. I will have more to say in this week's sermon and plan to share along with Scott and Katie in a few weeks. Stay tuned. Until then, ask God to give you His eyes to see all people as created in His image.
My prayer for the week was to be able to experience God at work - and I did. Too often we have this idea that only people who look like us and talk like we do are God's people, but a memory that will stay with me is that no matter the color of a person's skin, we are all made in the image of God. In fact, Jesus wasn't even a white Anglo person anyway.
It is easy to make judgments about another person or group of people based on what we see on the outside, but once you take time to really know them, you see that they are not that different. We all have a need to be accepted, loved, and appreciated. We all have fears and anxieties. We all have a unique story that has brought us to where we are at this current stage in our lives.
It was good to be out of my normal surroundings and witness the grace of God because the people of Ecuador were so gracious and giving. Even though there was the language barrier, hospitality has no limits. I will have more to say in this week's sermon and plan to share along with Scott and Katie in a few weeks. Stay tuned. Until then, ask God to give you His eyes to see all people as created in His image.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Claiborne calls Christians to care for 'least of these'
Claiborne calls Christians to care for 'least of these'
Shane Claiborne was a featured speaker at MCUSA's Convention in Columbus. He seems to understand what it really means to follow Jesus. Click link above for article.
Shane Claiborne was a featured speaker at MCUSA's Convention in Columbus. He seems to understand what it really means to follow Jesus. Click link above for article.
Belonging to The Body
http://www.pastors.com/blogs/ministrytoolbox/archive/2010/02/11/following-jesus-means-belonging-to-a-local-congregation.aspx
One of the themes Paul writes about in Ephesians is how the Church is Jesus' body. This article by Rick Warren does a nice job of showing the rewards of being part of that Body. (click link above)
One of the themes Paul writes about in Ephesians is how the Church is Jesus' body. This article by Rick Warren does a nice job of showing the rewards of being part of that Body. (click link above)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Heaven on Earth - NOW?
I won't ask for a show of hands, but how many of you remember the movie, "Strange Brew"? The main characters were two brothers, Bob & Doug McKenzie who have this overwhelming obsession with beer. The only thing I even remember about this mindless movie is where Bob and a friend get trapped in a huge brewery tank which begins to fill with beer. Instead of panicking that he might die, Bob thinks this is a dream come true. His classic line is, "This is like heaven on earth, aye?".
Heaven on earth. Why is it that so many Christians think the goal of life is all about going to heaven? Or getting a ticket to heaven? There seems to be a mindset that once you are saved (have accepted what Jesus did on the cross and by his resurrection), then you just kick back and wait to go to heaven. You're in. Nothing left to do.
The church I grew up in was kind of like that. There was no real need to try and make a difference in this world because God would destroy it all someday anyway. There was no encouragement to witness or evangelize because God would call whoever He wanted. Once you accepted that call, you were in and to hell with everyone else. (They never said that, but they thought like that).
Well known Christian author, Brian McLaren says that, "Christians tend to put themselves and their entry to Heaven at the center of their faith, while neglecting to consider the significance of their faith for the world around them". He says that although Christians are not of the world, they are still in the world and called to be agents of transformation by bringing God’s Kingdom to Earth. I couldn't agree more.
What if instead of just sitting back and waiting to enter the pearly gates, God has actually commissioned us to be co-workers with Him in bringing the Kingdom to the whole world? What if we are to be representatives and ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom in our day-to-day interactions with all people?
McLaren continues, "The Kingdom of God is about God’s Kingdom being done on Earth. It’s not a plan of upward mobility and how we get to Heaven but about how God’s Kingdom comes down to Earth." This is what John writes about in Revelation 21.
Heaven on earth. Why is it that so many Christians think the goal of life is all about going to heaven? Or getting a ticket to heaven? There seems to be a mindset that once you are saved (have accepted what Jesus did on the cross and by his resurrection), then you just kick back and wait to go to heaven. You're in. Nothing left to do.
The church I grew up in was kind of like that. There was no real need to try and make a difference in this world because God would destroy it all someday anyway. There was no encouragement to witness or evangelize because God would call whoever He wanted. Once you accepted that call, you were in and to hell with everyone else. (They never said that, but they thought like that).
Well known Christian author, Brian McLaren says that, "Christians tend to put themselves and their entry to Heaven at the center of their faith, while neglecting to consider the significance of their faith for the world around them". He says that although Christians are not of the world, they are still in the world and called to be agents of transformation by bringing God’s Kingdom to Earth. I couldn't agree more.
What if instead of just sitting back and waiting to enter the pearly gates, God has actually commissioned us to be co-workers with Him in bringing the Kingdom to the whole world? What if we are to be representatives and ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom in our day-to-day interactions with all people?
McLaren continues, "The Kingdom of God is about God’s Kingdom being done on Earth. It’s not a plan of upward mobility and how we get to Heaven but about how God’s Kingdom comes down to Earth." This is what John writes about in Revelation 21.
A new heaven comes down to earth when Jesus returns but what about from now until that day? In Jesus' model prayer, He says "Thy kingdom come". This implies that God's kingdom is on the move. It's not just a heavenly destination. Jesus also said in Matthew 4 to "repent for the kingdom is near". Jesus was the embodiment of God's Kingdom. The light of His kingdom broke in on the darkness of Satan's kingdom.
If Christians are simply waiting for a future place in the sky, we've missed alot of what Jesus was trying to say about our mission. By Christ living in us, what if our actions of love and sacrifice would permeate the way we live NOW? What if we embodied the Kingdom and advanced it in our part of the world? What if instead of waiting to "go to heaven", we lived as though heaven were here on earth NOW? What if we lived out the Sermon on the Mount TODAY? If we can see the connection between heaven coming down and our responsibility to help usher in the kingdom, then Bob McKenzie got it right. It's like "heaven on earth, aye?".
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