Is the church a storage unit, or the Kingdom of God.

I have been thinking lately about my understanding of church and its relationship to life. We as westerners don't quite grasp the concept of kingdom. But one thing that we have done well in America and Europe is collect and store. Almost all across our nation you can find nice buildings with crosses, or even a contemporary space which could be a warehouse turned church. But are we agents of change or storage units. The word of God is very clear that we are to be salt and light, but can we effectively display this in our facilities. I am challenged in my understanding to connect with the world in which I live. May I no longer hide in a building on Sunday to show others the information I have stored in the boxes of my mind. I want to be in a kingdom, not a storage unit.

Seen It, Heard It, But Can You Live It

Sometimes being a Christian can feel like living one huge cliche after another. There are many things that we hear all the time. "Be a witness for Jesus," "Be transformed by Christ," "Be different," "Obedience is better than sacrifice," "Real Men Love Jesus," "Take up your Cross" and so on. Some are these are very biblical and some are just nice statements to validate our fan club. There are many theatrics that can be involved in our religiosity also, lip service, perfect attendance records, and holy fake smiles. But in the grand scheme of our lives what is it that we really accomplish. When we read God's word it is clear in James that if we are hearers of the word only and not doers then we are a like a man who goes to a mirror and then after he leaves forgets what he looks like. Some of us(including myself) live this Christian life hearing, seeing, and reading God's word often. But it never gets to our fingers to application. Our minds are full of things we would say if we had the opportunity to evangelize, but we never do, say, or live these things out.
I have been in and around church all of my life. Christ permeated my heart with the gospel in my 20s. So for a large part of my teenage years I never realized what I was living for, but I knew exactly what to say to sound like I was spiritual and so forth. And even today I have a knowledge and experiential premise of the grace, mercy, and peace of God, but I am reluctant to get past myself to give this knowledge away. There is a book that was written recently called "Live Sent," and I haven't read it yet but I'm convinced that there are more books that talk about living sent than individuals that actually do it. We are all consumed with ourselves, even those of us that seem to have a knowledge of what we are suppose to do. We need those practitioners in the field to give us insight on this Christian walk, but more than anything we need to be gripped by God and his word to obey what it says. Which is often the testimony of these many authors. My confidence is in Christ, and I pray that God would allow me to practice those things that I am convinced are his truths. And that God would use all of those leaders who are living this day in light of that day to be an example to the larger number of us that have seen it, heard it, but aren't gripped by the living of God's true mission for our lives.

JTeverything

4 years ago...

A friend texted me today and told me that I have not updated my blog in a while and that's true. I have allowed busyness to take over my musings and ramblings. But today is a very special time for me and the one I love. Today was actually the first date we had four years ago. I must admit, I was reminded this morning by her and I would have went the whole day without any reflection of my life then. But a lot has changed in 4 years. I guess you can say I am in a time of transition. I am getting married, training for ministry in New Orleans, and don't know how to process it all. Four years ago today started off with a date and my life has never been the same since. God has assured, blessed, broken, directed, guided, and redirected me so that where I am today is by his grace and his mercy. The years have been full of mistakes, but also I have seen him so clear. My bride to be is the very image of Christ and his forgiveness inspite of ourselves. She loves me and all of my hangups and she makes it so easy to love her. Life is filled with ups and downs, and twists and turns. Before my date four years ago I was running away from God's call on my life, and today although I still struggle with complacency and laziness, I can say I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be. Truly the safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God. I'd be lying if I said it was easy....(layoffs, financial worries, attacks from Satan), but I know I'm in his will. Because around every corner is his peace, and his assurance. It's taken three years for me to get enough courage to know I'm ready for God's best in a bride, and if I knew how much of an impact she would have on my life it would have been sooner. Her relationship with Christ has challenged me to be a better man. God truly is great. And these have been the best four years of my life.

JTeverything

God is Good

Sometimes in life it is very apparent to see how fortunate you have been and that your life isn't really as bad as you think. I didn't grow up in a traditional Christian home and there are things in my past that I wish I could change. But as I look back over my life, I can clearly see God's provision and protection. God is good. God was good. And God continues to be all the more good to me.
I am blessed with a loving mother who sacrificed everything for me and my brother. She never placed a man before us and never allowed us to feel inadequate because we didn't have a father figure in our lives. Both my brother and I had dead beat dads, and even though there is a part of me that longed for a relationship with him I don't allow that to define the man that I am today.
God also continues to be good to me in allowing me to have amazing friendships. I don't know what I would have been without some of the relationships that I have formed. They have truly shaped me into a strong Christian man. And I don't feel judged by them, but loved. And none of my truly close friends have a problem with correcting me and allowing me to think right thoughts about myself and ministry.
And last but certainly not least God has blessed me with the most beautiful, intelligent, Godly woman I know as my future wife. She is the epitome of charm, grace, and virtue. I truly don't deserve such a gift and her love reminds me of the love that God has for the church. She is simply the best thing that has ever happened to me.
God is truly good and worthy to be praised. Thank you God for you hand in my life.

JTeverything

If I could live this...

John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and a bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Chosen

I'm yours...not because I made a conscious intelligible effort to be your friend or your follower. But your love overcame me and I was filled and taken captive by your mercy and grace. You Chose me.
Chosen to be your workers, and your likeness as we walk in your truth. You chose us.
No longer strangers, enemies, or orphans; but your children. We once exercised rebellion, but you sent love and love conquered our souls. We are confident in your love, it is more than life itself. Because of love we now know love. You have chosen rebels.
Oh the power of love to change an enemy into a loyal heir. We have been pursued, wooed, and so we stand under your constraints. Use us your chosen.
We lay down our roots of rebellion to be planted in your love, so that we may bear your fruit. Haven been freely loved, cared for, excepted, and forgiven we are free. We are now free to go for you.
All the power of our Father is at our disposal, because of Christ. He chose us, appointed us, and commissioned us.
We shall chose to love because we are loved by LOVE. We chose to give because nothing has been withheld in your love. We ask for your kingdom, because you have commanded it of us.
May we forever abide, stay, bask, sit, grow, be pruned and truly live only because of the choice Christ made. Amen



JTeverything

Bitter-Sweet

I just recently read a poem by George Hebert and it is true about the life of a Christian. It is true if we would be honest with him. Here it is:
Bitter-sweet
Ah, my dear angry Lord,
Since thou dost love, yet strike;
Cast down, yet help afford;
Sure I will do the like.
I will complain, yet praise;
I will bewail, approve;
And all my sour-sweet days
I will lament and love.

Piper quoted this poem in a book he wrote. I think this is fitting for the Christian that sees himself broken, forgiven, and loved.

JTeverything

When Sun the comes out

The problem with tragedy in the life of the believer is that we are never really ready for what God is going to allow to come our way. Its easy to serve God when everything is going good, but when the storm comes and you can’t explain what you can’t explain that’s when you are developed in your faith. I now have an overwhelming understanding of the power of God in healing and a new perspective of his blessings in my life and to the bystander my faith should be restored and transfixed on the savior. But there is always the "why" question. And there are no easy answers. As a matter of fact the reality that is true is somewhat harsh. And that truth is that apart from Christ we are subject to all kinds of dangers and we are so dead in our trespasses and sin that God is simple trying to separate that which is killing us. Sometimes God calls individuals to himself in such a way that no one can deny that it was him. But when it’s raining your sight is blurred and the vision that you once thought led you towards right and wrong is hindered through the drops of rain we call tragedy. But if there is anything that I’ve learned in life is that rain must fall and it needs to but after the storm has passed the sun will also come out. Darkness, no matter how thick it seems must hide when the light comes. God’s light always exposes the darkness of tragedy that he has allowed for the furtherance of his fame and his glory. It’s not about us, we are merely the instruments used to adorn the glory of God in this world. This world is very dark. But in this dark, cruel, dismal, decaying world there are deposits of light reflecting their Savior, and they break forth in displaying the glory of the Creator and soon all God’s elect will be gathered and light will prevail forever over darkness. I yearn for that day. Come Jesus Come, bring on the Son.

JTeverything