Finding Calcutta

Mother Theresa is best known for serving the poor for many years in Calcutta. As other missionaries would come to see her work, they would often want to stay and work alongside her. Here was her response:

“Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right there where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools. You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see. Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society — completely forgotten, completely left alone.” Mother Teresa (1910-1997); Founder Of The Missionaries Of Charity

Recently 15 people from Bellwood Church served in Hindman, Kentucky with a ministry called SWAP; "Sharing With Appalachian People". It is a home repair ministry that serves low-income families in several counties of southeastern Kentucky and West Virginia.We spent a week getting to know homeowners who have called that area home all of their lives. We did work for them such as repair roofing, flooring, and painting. It wasn't always easy or the best working conditions but it was great to serve and connect with the folks.

It was an amazing contrast - the beauty of the mountains surrounding the poverty of the people. I would do it again in a heartbeat because I have  found my Calcutta.

3 Signs That God is Moving in Your Church

There’s no way to manufacture a move of God. Yes, we follow God’s heart and the Spirit’s leading to plan, pray and prepare in faith that God will move though all we do, but only He can make the move.
At times, we may be tempted to “hype” things up to give the appearance that God is moving, (nothing wrong with passion and excitement) but how do we know it’s God? We see these 3 things:
1- Tears
When God moves in a church, there are outward signs of what is occurring in the hearts and lives of those we’re pouring into. And one of the most obvious, is tearful responses to the truth that is given in it’s many forms. Have the kleenex handy!
2- Talent
When God is moving, or about to move in a church, He breaks the ground with new spiritual talent. God understands His church needs leaders and workers to hold the Kingdom harvest that He is about to unleash.
So watch and listen closely for others God is “planting” among you, even if they sound or look different than what you wanted or expected.
3- Time
The fire and passion that accompanies a “God Vision” brings the sacrifice of time to the equation. Enthusiaism creates buy in to the point others are willing to serve and give of their time sacrificially because they see the manifestation of their labor not just the desired outcome.

This article is attributed to Artie Davis; Pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Orangeburg, SC.

Lessons from Mayberry

One of my all-time favorite shows is "The Andy Griffith Show". I own all of the episodes on DVD and watch them with my family. We have memorized many of the lines and now have our "Mayberry language". I came across this piece that I found interesting. It is "Seven Tips for the Church from Mayberry"

1. Never carry a gun
Andy could keep the peace, protect the innocent and catch the bad guys…without a gun.
In the church world, we could learn from that. People don’t respond very well to force or a show of force. If we are patient and let others “catch it” and not force it, we will see a greater return.
2. Be loyal to your right-hand
Andy was very loyal to Barney. It didn't matter how many mistakes he would make, Andy believed in him, and Barney became better because of Andy’s investment in him.
3. Don’t be defensive
I never saw Andy get offended when someone didn't go with his idea or would out right criticize it. Being defensive is a sure sign of immaturity and pride. If it’s God’s thing, then let Him take an offense at the lack of faith on the part of some, we aren't given that right.
4. Be Deeply involved in the community
No matter what was going on, Andy showed his support. In doing so, he earned the right to lead others outside and inside the community. People go to where they are loved. The more involved we are in the lives of those around us, who aren't in the Kingdom, the more likely it is they will become members of the kingdom!
5. Befriend the “crazies” 

Do you remember Earnest T. Bass? The little crazy guy always running around throwing rocks? It seemed no one liked him but Andy. And Andy was the only one he would listen to. Love the un-loveable.
6. Never show partiality
Andy never spoke ill of anyone, rather he accepted all as equals no matter their beliefs or creed, or color. People are drawn to those that accept the just as they are! Now there is a huge difference between acceptance and approval. We must accept everyone, even though we may not approve of their decisions or lifestyle. Jesus did that very thing!
7. Always love first
Andy was a great example of not just loving in word, but also in deed. If we are to radically change our communities and grow the Kingdom of God, Love will be preeminent. Love is at the core and essence of God’s heart.

Being the Church

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Anti-Violence in Book of Revelation

Ever wonder why all the violent images are in the book of Revelation? If we believe God is love, how do you make sense of the "blood-bath" that is pictured? Biblical scholar, Greg Boyd gives an eye-opening understanding:

All the violent scenes in Revelation are symbols for the battle of truth and deception.  They never involve literal violence. In fact, they symbolize ANTI-VIOLENCE. The ingenious way John helps us get free of deception of trust in violent power is by taking a standard violent symbol and juxtaposing it with a symbol that undermines its violence and reverses its violent meaning. 

An interesting example of this is when John introduces the mysterious 144,000, which represent the army that fights with the Lamb. They are introduced in Revelation 7: 4: “Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.” The 144,000 was a well known Jewish symbol of the army that would accompany the Messiah in a violent uprising against Israel’s foes to restore Israel to its place as a sovereign nation. But this image of violence gets turned on its head. 

One example of this is found in Revelation 7:14: “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” If you read Revelation literally, you have to wonder how washing a robe in blood could make it white. Taken literally its absurd, but interpreted symbolically its profound because this washing of the robes is a Jewish military metaphor. To be covered with another’s blood rendered you ceremonially unclean, so when Jewish warriors came back from battle covered with the blood of their enemies, they had to go through a purification bathing process before they could reenter society. Instead of washing OFF the blood of foes to become clean, these warriors are made clean by being washed IN blood – and it’s the blood of the one they followed into battle!

Many scholars believe John is not simply saying their sins are washed away by the blood of the lamb, though that is of course true. He is also saying that this army wears white linen because they shared in the blood of the Lamb. They were willing to suffer with Christ.  As it says in chapter 14, this 144,000 was willing to “follow the lamb wherever he goes,” even to the cross. While the standard image of the army of 144,000 following their messiah into battle was based on Babylon’s sword power, John has turned it on its head to communicate slain lamb power — the power of self-sacrificial love.

We are indeed part of an army, but not one that wins by shedding blood: we win by shedding our blood, just as Jesus did.

- See more at: http://reknew.org/2014/03/how-revelation-uses-violent-images-in-an-anti-violent-way/?

Is America God's Favored Nation?

This blog post comes from one of my favorite pastors, Greg Boyd of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, MN. Is money a sign of God’s blessing? If so then the more you have the more blessed of God you are. If a church has more money, then more of God’s favor is on it. If a country is wealthy, then we can claim God’s favored status. But is this the way God sees things? In the following, Greg offers a different perspective:
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“Jesus once told a parable about a rich farmer who “yielded an abundant harvest” (Lk 12:16). His crop was so plentiful he didn’t have enough space to store it. After thinking about the matter, the farmer decided he’d simply tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store his surplus food. He could then “[t]ake life easy; eat, drink, and be merry (vss. 16-19). In other words, with his stored-up wealth he could retire and live “the good life.”

I suspect most Western people would have thought the same way. The man frankly seems like nothing more than a good capitalist. What should you do if you receive an unexpected inheritance or win the lottery? Quit work, buy nice stuff, save for the future, and enjoy life. It’s the “American Dream.” It all makes perfect sense (if you’re thinking like a good capitalist). Yet, God called the man a fool (Lk 12:20-21).

Neither the OT nor the NT are against wealth itself. The problem was that this wealthy man was not “right toward God.” He did not submit his wealth to God but instead considered only how he and his family could benefit from his fortunate harvest.

All indications point to the conclusion that most Americans have become entrapped in this view of wealth. Studies have consistently shown that the richer we’ve become, the more we’ve kept for ourselves and the less we’ve given away. This isn’t to say that all Americans are greedy. Many individuals are incredibly generous. But as a nation, we’ve become entrapped by our wealth.

Many people claim that America is a nation uniquely favored by God. We are ‘blessed,’ they say, as is evident from the fact that we have an unprecedented amount of wealth. But consider how we spend enough on entertainment each year to feed all of the hungry people on the planet for a year. Almost two thirds of Americans are overweight, while close to a billion people on earth are malnourished, with 40,000 people dying each day from illnesses related to malnutrition and extreme poverty.

Jesus said, [W] to you who are rich…” And, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.”
Perhaps we should be careful about making claims about the favored status of our nation. One could argue that America is a nation positioned to be uniquely judged by God.

We’re conditioned to think that living with as much luxury and convenience as possible—the “American Dream”—is what life is all about. Whatever we may theoretically believe about God, we’re conditioned to find happiness, worth and security in things.

We who are committed to living under the reign of God are called to revolt against the consumer culture and the powers that fuel it. Though Jesus was rich, he made himself poor (2 Cor 8:9).

True joy, peace and wholeness is found in sacrificing for others. This shouldn’t surprise us since we are made in the image of the servant-God who divested himself of his privileged status to identify and sacrificially serve impoverished humanity. We are most fully human, most fully alive, when we reflect this image.”

Who is The Church for?

Too often we act as though the church is a country club; that it is only for the elite, prominent and successful ones in society. Jesus did call successful business people to be part of the church (see Luke 5). He called fisherman to be part of his "ekklesia" to help change the world. Luke follows with three stories that show who else Jesus calls to be part of the church. He reaches out and engages with people who would never be country club material – one is a leper, one a paralytic, and the third a tax collector. The first two Jesus miraculously heals and  word gets out. Crowds appear from all walks of life: needy people, poor people, sick people. And the third one is a "good-for-nothing" tax collector named Levi who invites Jesus to a party he is throwing with his friends.

The religious "country club" members, are disgusted with Jesus. They start saying to His disciples, "Hey, what's Jesus doing inviting them to be part of our club? He's one of us - not them. How dare He!" Ever felt this way about people whom God calls to be part of the Church? What is Jesus' answer? "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance." Jesus is saying, "Open your eyes to see that these are the very people I want in my movement. They realize their need for me - sadly you don't".

Country clubs are founded upon the concept of private membership and exclusion of the general public. Churches who ostracize people because of race, gender, sexual orientation, income-level (or any other reason) do not understand Jesus’ mission. Everyone is invited to accept God’s gracious offer to be saved and added to His church. A self-sufficient and satisfied church is only mentioned once in Scripture—the church of Laodicea.  And Jesus wanted to spew that sort of lukewarm church out of His mouth.

Be sure to read the parable of The Life Saving Station as a challenge to stay on mission with Jesus' intent for His Church.