It's cold, seriously. Yesterday, the high was 43. Today, the windchill was -40. Tonight, the low is -20, and tomorrow, the wind chill is supposed to feel like -40 again. Today, I was walking from my car to work, roughly 4 blocks, and my exposed ears hurt so flippin bad, I couldn't believe it. For the next hour, even after I was inside, they hurt to the touch. Am I writing this to complain and be a baby? No. I'm writing only for fun, but to give you, the reader, and idea of how cold it is up here. It only gets this way a few days a year, but these days are here, and so all of us Minnesotans anxiously await the return of temps above 20, and while we wait, we sit by our fireplaces and space heaters and watchin' American Idol tryouts from Omaha, NE.
Tonight has been chill. Tomorrow's an 8-hour day at Starbucks, the last of the week, but things don't get too much slower. Tomorrow is Cam's birthday, and so tomorrow night'll be fun. Thursday I get to interview as I am in the application process to mentor a younger fellow in Minneapolis. Friday, I get to do a plethora of things. No plans for Saturday just yet, other than gearing up for Jacob's Well's Sunday Gathering, and then Sunday, it's our Sunday Gathering AND the Giants' upset over the Patriots for the first loss of the season and an historic game where Eli Manning, a crappy quarterback, proves that I guess sometimes teams with crappy quarterbacks can still win Superbowls? Needless to say, busy and exciting.
Bye for now.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
New rad coffee shop, ancient beautiful truth
So excited for tomorrow morning, just for the record. I've also had two cups of coffee right now and am experiencing a bit of a coffee buzz.
Sometimes I'm overwhelmed with the blessings of life. Today is one of those days. Can I just say how blessed I am to have such an incredible team of leaders at Jacob's Well who love Jesus and rock! Such a blessing!
I've found a new spot. I'm not sure if this will replace the 'ole stomping grounds of Dunn Bros, but this coffee shop is rad... capital R is for Rad Rad. The Overflow Cafe on University around 29th, I think. Two floors, nice, fun environment.
So I just want to share some Scripture that has been rocking me, eating at me, shaping me, Scripture I have been clinging to, claiming for the U of M, for Minneapolis, for my friends who are not yet followers of Jesus, Scripture meant to encourage us as we seek to reflect Jesus and share His message with the world around us.
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!
Romans 5:10
And you were once alienated and hostile in mind because of your evil actions. But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him.
Colossians 1:21-22
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
To reconcile is to restore. God, through Jesus, is restoring our communion with Him. God, through Jesus, reconciles to Himself those who are His enemies, those hostile in mind, and when He starts a work, He finishes. How beautiful! How encouraging! Thank You Jesus for coming to redeem and restore and put us in right relationship with God again!
Sometimes I'm overwhelmed with the blessings of life. Today is one of those days. Can I just say how blessed I am to have such an incredible team of leaders at Jacob's Well who love Jesus and rock! Such a blessing!
I've found a new spot. I'm not sure if this will replace the 'ole stomping grounds of Dunn Bros, but this coffee shop is rad... capital R is for Rad Rad. The Overflow Cafe on University around 29th, I think. Two floors, nice, fun environment.
So I just want to share some Scripture that has been rocking me, eating at me, shaping me, Scripture I have been clinging to, claiming for the U of M, for Minneapolis, for my friends who are not yet followers of Jesus, Scripture meant to encourage us as we seek to reflect Jesus and share His message with the world around us.
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!
Romans 5:10
And you were once alienated and hostile in mind because of your evil actions. But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him.
Colossians 1:21-22
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
To reconcile is to restore. God, through Jesus, is restoring our communion with Him. God, through Jesus, reconciles to Himself those who are His enemies, those hostile in mind, and when He starts a work, He finishes. How beautiful! How encouraging! Thank You Jesus for coming to redeem and restore and put us in right relationship with God again!
Friday, January 25, 2008
A sad tale, a lesson to be learned, hopefully...
So here's a story, the names have been changed, the principles still the same.
Rod and Todd (not to be confused with the Flanders boys) are two friends. They go to high school together, hang out, and end up going to the same university. Rod and Todd still are friends as college begins but something happens to Rod. Todd would say Rod became religious. Rod would tell Todd he became a Christian. Are you keeping it straight so far?
Either way, Rod has some sort of conversion experience in which he becomes a Christian. And all of a sudden, Rod joins this huge Christian organization on his campus. Because of this, he and Todd don't hang out so much. And unbeknownst to Rod, but beknownst to Todd, because Rod now hangs out with all his Christian friends and no longer hangs out with his good friend all through high school, Todd thinks Rod feels too good for him.
So the two basically separate. You see, those of us who follow Christ must learn from this story. Rod decided, and was probably taught, that to be a good Christian is to do a whole bunch of church things with church friends in church places, but Rod was taught wrong. Because of this, Todd is now more skeptical. He's been hurt by someone who has become a Christian and then decided that their relationship wasn't important. And who wouldn't be hurt by this?
When someone follows Jesus, they are supposed to follow in Jesus' example. Who did Jesus hang out with? The religious people all the time? No. Jesus hung out with the people that needed Him. And when Jesus sent His disciples out, what did He commission them to do? To hang out with their church friends all the time? No. Jesus said to go and make disciples.
As followers of Jesus, it is so important to keep and foster those relationships with people who do not yet follow Jesus. If we do not find a balance between hanging out with our friends who are Christ-followers and our friends who are not yet Christ-followers, we do a disservice to the kingdom.
I am as guilty of this as anyone. You could call me a recovering youth group poster child who has recently converted to a missional lifestyle. God help us as we seek to be the light of the world, not a lamp under a basket called church.
Rod and Todd (not to be confused with the Flanders boys) are two friends. They go to high school together, hang out, and end up going to the same university. Rod and Todd still are friends as college begins but something happens to Rod. Todd would say Rod became religious. Rod would tell Todd he became a Christian. Are you keeping it straight so far?
Either way, Rod has some sort of conversion experience in which he becomes a Christian. And all of a sudden, Rod joins this huge Christian organization on his campus. Because of this, he and Todd don't hang out so much. And unbeknownst to Rod, but beknownst to Todd, because Rod now hangs out with all his Christian friends and no longer hangs out with his good friend all through high school, Todd thinks Rod feels too good for him.
So the two basically separate. You see, those of us who follow Christ must learn from this story. Rod decided, and was probably taught, that to be a good Christian is to do a whole bunch of church things with church friends in church places, but Rod was taught wrong. Because of this, Todd is now more skeptical. He's been hurt by someone who has become a Christian and then decided that their relationship wasn't important. And who wouldn't be hurt by this?
When someone follows Jesus, they are supposed to follow in Jesus' example. Who did Jesus hang out with? The religious people all the time? No. Jesus hung out with the people that needed Him. And when Jesus sent His disciples out, what did He commission them to do? To hang out with their church friends all the time? No. Jesus said to go and make disciples.
As followers of Jesus, it is so important to keep and foster those relationships with people who do not yet follow Jesus. If we do not find a balance between hanging out with our friends who are Christ-followers and our friends who are not yet Christ-followers, we do a disservice to the kingdom.
I am as guilty of this as anyone. You could call me a recovering youth group poster child who has recently converted to a missional lifestyle. God help us as we seek to be the light of the world, not a lamp under a basket called church.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The Moment of Truth
Reality TV is once again in full-swing, but I am particularly intrigued as to how this new show, "The Moment of Truth," will take off with the TV viewers of America. You've probably seen the trailor/commerical (if you watch as much TV as my housemates and I), but if you haven't, let me brief you.
The question is, what questions will you answer, what secrets will you reveal, for $500,000? If you're a contestant, you're hooked up to a lie-detector machine, and asked 21 questions that grow increasingly harder. Questions like, "Do fat people repulse you," "do you still think you'll be married to your husband in 5 years," and "do you really care about the starving children in Africa," just give you a glimpse. People will watch this show and gawk at the responses. People will say, "that is horrible! I can't believe the contestant responded that way!" But what you and I often fail to remember is that you and I are that person in that chair.
So check it out: Jesus had a similar thing happen. There were a lot of religious people in Jesus' day, much like ours. And these people, just like today, cared about their appearance to others. They wanted to make sure they looked religious. And this made them feel superior, better, than others. One particular thing they did, which was very much a cultural thing at the time, was that they washed their hands before they ate. You and I see this as a sanitary thing, but for them, it was much more. They were so concerned about washing their hands before they ate that when Jesus did not, they couldn't understand it.
Then the Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked, "Why do Your disciples (and you) break the tradition of the elders? For they (and you) don't wash their hands when they eat!" (Matthew 15:1-2)
So Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, their caring so much about their own appearance. A lot of times, it seems Jesus deals most harshly, not with the nonreligious people of His day, but those who were religious. He is caught addressing them by saying, "You stiff-necked people!" in some of his encounters. He's caught, in this passage, saying, "Hypocrites!"
But check out what Jesus says (Matthew 15:19-20):
"For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
He says, you guys care so much about your appearance to others, but you are just as wicked, as messed up, as everyone else. The religious people took offense (honestly, its kinda funny to see religious people get offended), and got mad at Jesus, but He was right.
And I say, you and I, though we are not in that chair hooked up to a polygraph test and being asked tough questions, are the same as those that are. Those same questions would provoke us to respond the same if we were in their shoes.
My point is, we're all in this mess. Christian theology uses the word "depravity," which means we are fallen, we are bent to do the wrong things, think the wrong thoughts, and because of this, we cannot be in communion with God, even if we desire to. So God, because of His love for us, reached down to us through Jesus, because no matter the circumstance, because of our depravity, even if we tried, we could not reach Him. And because our depravity, our bad thoughts, our bad thoughts sometimes turned to actions, our mistakes - these things have offended God, and because God is good, He has to be just. The punishment had to fit the crime, and offending Him is punishable with separation from Him. But Jesus, who never thought a bad thought, who was without sin, died to take the punishment for our offenses on Himself. He was a substitute. We deserved what He got. But Jesus defeated that punishment in His resurrection, and THIS is God reaching down to earth to save sinners, those who have offended a perfect God, you and me. And because of Jesus, right relationship with God has been restored for those who live in the truth they are no good, they deserved punishment, but Jesus was a substitute for them and defeated the punishment for their offenses, their sins. And I can say there is no better way to live.
Religion is trying to earn God's favor by the things we do. What's taught in scripture, Christian spirituality, is that there was nothing we could do, but through Jesus we are made right in the eyes of God the Father. Thank you Jesus for saving a sinner like me. Help me to live in such a way that this impacts everything I do.
The question is, what questions will you answer, what secrets will you reveal, for $500,000? If you're a contestant, you're hooked up to a lie-detector machine, and asked 21 questions that grow increasingly harder. Questions like, "Do fat people repulse you," "do you still think you'll be married to your husband in 5 years," and "do you really care about the starving children in Africa," just give you a glimpse. People will watch this show and gawk at the responses. People will say, "that is horrible! I can't believe the contestant responded that way!" But what you and I often fail to remember is that you and I are that person in that chair.
So check it out: Jesus had a similar thing happen. There were a lot of religious people in Jesus' day, much like ours. And these people, just like today, cared about their appearance to others. They wanted to make sure they looked religious. And this made them feel superior, better, than others. One particular thing they did, which was very much a cultural thing at the time, was that they washed their hands before they ate. You and I see this as a sanitary thing, but for them, it was much more. They were so concerned about washing their hands before they ate that when Jesus did not, they couldn't understand it.
Then the Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked, "Why do Your disciples (and you) break the tradition of the elders? For they (and you) don't wash their hands when they eat!" (Matthew 15:1-2)
So Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, their caring so much about their own appearance. A lot of times, it seems Jesus deals most harshly, not with the nonreligious people of His day, but those who were religious. He is caught addressing them by saying, "You stiff-necked people!" in some of his encounters. He's caught, in this passage, saying, "Hypocrites!"
But check out what Jesus says (Matthew 15:19-20):
"For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
He says, you guys care so much about your appearance to others, but you are just as wicked, as messed up, as everyone else. The religious people took offense (honestly, its kinda funny to see religious people get offended), and got mad at Jesus, but He was right.
And I say, you and I, though we are not in that chair hooked up to a polygraph test and being asked tough questions, are the same as those that are. Those same questions would provoke us to respond the same if we were in their shoes.
My point is, we're all in this mess. Christian theology uses the word "depravity," which means we are fallen, we are bent to do the wrong things, think the wrong thoughts, and because of this, we cannot be in communion with God, even if we desire to. So God, because of His love for us, reached down to us through Jesus, because no matter the circumstance, because of our depravity, even if we tried, we could not reach Him. And because our depravity, our bad thoughts, our bad thoughts sometimes turned to actions, our mistakes - these things have offended God, and because God is good, He has to be just. The punishment had to fit the crime, and offending Him is punishable with separation from Him. But Jesus, who never thought a bad thought, who was without sin, died to take the punishment for our offenses on Himself. He was a substitute. We deserved what He got. But Jesus defeated that punishment in His resurrection, and THIS is God reaching down to earth to save sinners, those who have offended a perfect God, you and me. And because of Jesus, right relationship with God has been restored for those who live in the truth they are no good, they deserved punishment, but Jesus was a substitute for them and defeated the punishment for their offenses, their sins. And I can say there is no better way to live.
Religion is trying to earn God's favor by the things we do. What's taught in scripture, Christian spirituality, is that there was nothing we could do, but through Jesus we are made right in the eyes of God the Father. Thank you Jesus for saving a sinner like me. Help me to live in such a way that this impacts everything I do.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Dunn Bros, the 'ole stomping grounds
Normally, when I sit in a coffee shop, I try and "get in the zone" - do something that kinda stimulates the brain so that's it's ready to go. Sometimes that's picking up the easiest book in my pile and reading a chapter, but today, to get in the zone, I am going to post.
I'm kinda hoping to, sometime during my stay here at Dunn Bros, the 'ole stomping grounds, to be around a good conversation I can eavesdrop on. To me, people watching and eavesdropping in on conversations in coffee shops is so much better than TV. It's real! To see a fella try and pick up a cute lady, to see people in their own zone reading and typing away with headphones, and to be a part of if myself... I very much enjoy being here.
And can I just say, I am so thankful that Jesus has saved me, and that when He saves people, He doesn't wait for them to have all their crap together - He saves them in their crap. He saves us and does for us what we couldn't do for ourselves And can I also say I am incredibly thankful that God is in the process of making me look more and more like Jesus, and that it is far from over and far from complete. I'm so thankful that God chose to use process over an instantanious fix. God is good.
It's hard to put thoughts into words. I've tried to type this paragraph several times, and I keep erasing it. So to summarize all I'm trying to say: thank you Jesus for saving me, a sinner.
I'm kinda hoping to, sometime during my stay here at Dunn Bros, the 'ole stomping grounds, to be around a good conversation I can eavesdrop on. To me, people watching and eavesdropping in on conversations in coffee shops is so much better than TV. It's real! To see a fella try and pick up a cute lady, to see people in their own zone reading and typing away with headphones, and to be a part of if myself... I very much enjoy being here.
And can I just say, I am so thankful that Jesus has saved me, and that when He saves people, He doesn't wait for them to have all their crap together - He saves them in their crap. He saves us and does for us what we couldn't do for ourselves And can I also say I am incredibly thankful that God is in the process of making me look more and more like Jesus, and that it is far from over and far from complete. I'm so thankful that God chose to use process over an instantanious fix. God is good.
It's hard to put thoughts into words. I've tried to type this paragraph several times, and I keep erasing it. So to summarize all I'm trying to say: thank you Jesus for saving me, a sinner.
Monday, January 21, 2008
While we're on the subject of sports, Miami, you suck...
Really, the subject line says it all. Two years ago, they were the NBA champs. Now, the 2nd worst team in the league, but they lost to the worst team in the league (none other than our very own T-Wolves) a week and a half ago, so technically, I think that would make them the worst team.
Shaq, you suck too. It's depressing watching you play. I hope, I really hope that you either retire, because you look pathetic, or you really begin to redeem yourself and have one of the best years of your career next year.
This is like the Bulls when all their star players left after the '98 championship, only the Heat still have their star players!
Shaq, you suck too. It's depressing watching you play. I hope, I really hope that you either retire, because you look pathetic, or you really begin to redeem yourself and have one of the best years of your career next year.
This is like the Bulls when all their star players left after the '98 championship, only the Heat still have their star players!
The GIANTS?!?! ELI?!?!... what?...
Here I am at the 'ole stomping grounds, my spot, Dunn Bros, sippin' on some decaf coffee because it's too late in the day for caffeine when I've already had some. Can I say just how excited I am that everyone is drifting back?! This upcoming semester is going to prove to be something else!
I must say, I was bummed last night. The only question I kept asking myself was, "How in the heck is Eli Manning, ELI MANNING?!, in the Superbowl?!" He's horrible! I had him as my starting fantasy QB this year for the first few weeks, and then had Favre, and for the record, Favre outplayed Eli almost every week. And what about Payton? If you would have told me a Manning was going to play in the Superbowl at the beginning of the year, I would've believed you - Payton was destined to play in it again. But somehow, somehow, the Giants are there. Well, they almost beat the Pats a few weeks back, so maybe there is hope... I have always wanted to see the Pats go undefeated until the Superbowl, and then lose. I think that would be incredible... I'm in shock. Oh well, way to go Pack for the terrific season no one expected from you. I salute you Fav-re for being the best quarterback ever. And I was going to tell you to retire after you win the Superbowl, but now you need to come back...
I must say, I was bummed last night. The only question I kept asking myself was, "How in the heck is Eli Manning, ELI MANNING?!, in the Superbowl?!" He's horrible! I had him as my starting fantasy QB this year for the first few weeks, and then had Favre, and for the record, Favre outplayed Eli almost every week. And what about Payton? If you would have told me a Manning was going to play in the Superbowl at the beginning of the year, I would've believed you - Payton was destined to play in it again. But somehow, somehow, the Giants are there. Well, they almost beat the Pats a few weeks back, so maybe there is hope... I have always wanted to see the Pats go undefeated until the Superbowl, and then lose. I think that would be incredible... I'm in shock. Oh well, way to go Pack for the terrific season no one expected from you. I salute you Fav-re for being the best quarterback ever. And I was going to tell you to retire after you win the Superbowl, but now you need to come back...
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Well here we go... a naked crazy demon-possessed man... he may bare a slight resemblence to something you've seen at a crazy party once...
Here I sit, in Dunn Bros, listening to my favorite, John Weirick, who, whether he knows it or not, is a hero mine. His music is an inspiration to me.
I'm excited/nervous/excited about our upcoming series at Jacob's Well. What if being a Christian looked a little less like Ned Flanders and a little more like Jesus? What if? And what exactly does it mean to see yourself as a missionary where God has placed you, to those in your dorm, across the hall, across the street? What does it look like? I believe Jesus has set the perfect example for us, and to flesh it out is going to be an exciting adventure for all of us.
Consider Luke 8:26-39.
Jesus and His posse sail across a lake to this place called Gerasenes. No sooner do they get out of a boat than they are met by a crazy crazy naked guy, who flings himself on the ground before Jesus, asking what Jesus wants with him. It is quite apparent this naked crazy man is possessed by demons. Jesus casts the demons out, but to be fun, I guess, He permits them to possess a large heard of pigs. Just the thought of pigs makes me laugh, let alone the idea of demon-possessed pigs... what does a demon possessed pig do? Drugs? Sex? Play rock n' roll? ... My tone is sarcastic of course. But these demon possessed pigs don't do any of the above... instead they stampede... kinda like The Lion King when Simba is running away from the stampede of Wildebeests the hyenas created... the pigs stampede right into a lake and drown themselves... do demons possess pigs that are dead? something to ask God in heaven I guess... anyways, back to the story...
Needless to say, after this series of somewhat startling events, the town's a little freaked out and wants Jesus gone. But here's the whole point of the story... the naked crazy demon-possessed man who is no longer naked, crazy, or demon-possessed wants to go with Jesus - he begs Jesus to let him go with Him. But what is Jesus' response?
'"Go back to your home and tell all that God has done for you.' And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him." (8:39)
Why didn't Jesus let the once naked crazy demon-possesed man come with Him? Because where would the once naked demon possessed man be most effective? Going with Jesus to places that are foreign to him to to tell people foreign to him, "I once was like this, but look now."... or, to tell people who he is familiar with who are familiar with him who have seen life-transformation, "look at what Jesus has done for me!" He is most effective in the context he is most familiar.
The principle here: we must see ourselves as missionaries where God has places us. More to come in the upcoming series. What a beautiful story in scripture!
I'm excited/nervous/excited about our upcoming series at Jacob's Well. What if being a Christian looked a little less like Ned Flanders and a little more like Jesus? What if? And what exactly does it mean to see yourself as a missionary where God has placed you, to those in your dorm, across the hall, across the street? What does it look like? I believe Jesus has set the perfect example for us, and to flesh it out is going to be an exciting adventure for all of us.
Consider Luke 8:26-39.
Jesus and His posse sail across a lake to this place called Gerasenes. No sooner do they get out of a boat than they are met by a crazy crazy naked guy, who flings himself on the ground before Jesus, asking what Jesus wants with him. It is quite apparent this naked crazy man is possessed by demons. Jesus casts the demons out, but to be fun, I guess, He permits them to possess a large heard of pigs. Just the thought of pigs makes me laugh, let alone the idea of demon-possessed pigs... what does a demon possessed pig do? Drugs? Sex? Play rock n' roll? ... My tone is sarcastic of course. But these demon possessed pigs don't do any of the above... instead they stampede... kinda like The Lion King when Simba is running away from the stampede of Wildebeests the hyenas created... the pigs stampede right into a lake and drown themselves... do demons possess pigs that are dead? something to ask God in heaven I guess... anyways, back to the story...
Needless to say, after this series of somewhat startling events, the town's a little freaked out and wants Jesus gone. But here's the whole point of the story... the naked crazy demon-possessed man who is no longer naked, crazy, or demon-possessed wants to go with Jesus - he begs Jesus to let him go with Him. But what is Jesus' response?
'"Go back to your home and tell all that God has done for you.' And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him." (8:39)
Why didn't Jesus let the once naked crazy demon-possesed man come with Him? Because where would the once naked demon possessed man be most effective? Going with Jesus to places that are foreign to him to to tell people foreign to him, "I once was like this, but look now."... or, to tell people who he is familiar with who are familiar with him who have seen life-transformation, "look at what Jesus has done for me!" He is most effective in the context he is most familiar.
The principle here: we must see ourselves as missionaries where God has places us. More to come in the upcoming series. What a beautiful story in scripture!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
An exciting morning in the USA Today! A peak into the cultural landscape we are trying to reach and The First Republican Church of America...
So yesterday morning, I'm working the 5am shift at Starbucks, and someone happened to leave their USA today. It was unusually slow, and so I had some time to lean against the counter and read this someone's USA today. Two articles were beautiful. I thought I'd give a synopsis and share it with you, the readers who don't and won't read this blog.
Spiritual Growth Nurtured Within
So basically, there are religious folks and those who do not consider themselves relgious, but rather spiritual. This article says a growing number of Americans are recognizing the need to develop their inner life. What an exciting time for the Gospel! Interestingly enough, 72% of people in this survey the article is about believe that God exists, and 86% of those folks said they can have a good relationship with God without belonging to the church. The wrong question to ask at this point would be, "where has America gone wrong?" The right question, the tough question, is "what has the church done wrong?"
The church is supposed to be missional. Mission is her identity. If we sent missionaries to Kenya to set up camp, we'd expect these missionaries to learn Kenyan culture, to involved themselves in the community they're living in, to build relationships, and to both embody the Gospel and share the Gospel in a way that connects to the culture. I also suspect the large group gatherings of their church would not have an organ, probably not be in an air conditioned building... I suspect these missionaries would look for ways to bring cultural elements familiar with the people into the gathering so that people can express themselves in a way people in the culture they are trying to reach connect with.
So why not here? First, and most importantly, why isn't the church, the people, the prime community to connect with God? Because she has divorced herself from western culture. Many of the things she does is unfamiliar with the culture, and many of the things the culture does is unfamiliar with the church. The chasm must be bridged. It must begin with relationships so that people see Jesus in us. They must see believers not just talking about faith, but living in the way of Jesus. We must see this opportunity as prime to point people towards Jesus.
"You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
A city on a hill is not a church building. The light of the world is not a church building. Sometimes we are like the lamp that was lit and put under a basket... the basket being the walls of a church building. And we do everything under the basket. We play, we do all our social events, Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, Tuesday Bible Study, Friday fellowship dinner... we are like that, the lamp that is hidden, when Jesus has said, "Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." How can they see your good works unless there is a relationship, unless you are involved in the lives of others and they are involved in yours? Let it shine before men... not under a lamp for all the church people...
A Plea from Evangelicals - from an Evangelical
This was an an editorial, and one quote is worthy of posting:
"If there are people who reject God or the church, Christianity... because of what conservative evanglical political activists do, this is disastrous from a Christian point of view. Here we are at the very heart of our religious mission, and it is getting fouled up by our politics. [...] Once any group of Christians gives itself away so completely to a political party, it ceases to be the church. The church becomes a branch office of the group's political party of choice - The First Republican Church of America. [...] The fundamental task of a religious organization is to serve God, not win in secular politics.
[...]
"Specifically for Christians, we (should) know that the mission of the church is to be Christ's faithful people, and to do its core work of preaching, teaching and serving our neighbors. If it is true (as we boldly believe) that the church is the central location for the work God is doing to redeem the world, then our focus should be on the church's work, not the state's."
In one word, though many could be said, beautiful.
Spiritual Growth Nurtured Within
So basically, there are religious folks and those who do not consider themselves relgious, but rather spiritual. This article says a growing number of Americans are recognizing the need to develop their inner life. What an exciting time for the Gospel! Interestingly enough, 72% of people in this survey the article is about believe that God exists, and 86% of those folks said they can have a good relationship with God without belonging to the church. The wrong question to ask at this point would be, "where has America gone wrong?" The right question, the tough question, is "what has the church done wrong?"
The church is supposed to be missional. Mission is her identity. If we sent missionaries to Kenya to set up camp, we'd expect these missionaries to learn Kenyan culture, to involved themselves in the community they're living in, to build relationships, and to both embody the Gospel and share the Gospel in a way that connects to the culture. I also suspect the large group gatherings of their church would not have an organ, probably not be in an air conditioned building... I suspect these missionaries would look for ways to bring cultural elements familiar with the people into the gathering so that people can express themselves in a way people in the culture they are trying to reach connect with.
So why not here? First, and most importantly, why isn't the church, the people, the prime community to connect with God? Because she has divorced herself from western culture. Many of the things she does is unfamiliar with the culture, and many of the things the culture does is unfamiliar with the church. The chasm must be bridged. It must begin with relationships so that people see Jesus in us. They must see believers not just talking about faith, but living in the way of Jesus. We must see this opportunity as prime to point people towards Jesus.
"You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
A city on a hill is not a church building. The light of the world is not a church building. Sometimes we are like the lamp that was lit and put under a basket... the basket being the walls of a church building. And we do everything under the basket. We play, we do all our social events, Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, Tuesday Bible Study, Friday fellowship dinner... we are like that, the lamp that is hidden, when Jesus has said, "Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." How can they see your good works unless there is a relationship, unless you are involved in the lives of others and they are involved in yours? Let it shine before men... not under a lamp for all the church people...
A Plea from Evangelicals - from an Evangelical
This was an an editorial, and one quote is worthy of posting:
"If there are people who reject God or the church, Christianity... because of what conservative evanglical political activists do, this is disastrous from a Christian point of view. Here we are at the very heart of our religious mission, and it is getting fouled up by our politics. [...] Once any group of Christians gives itself away so completely to a political party, it ceases to be the church. The church becomes a branch office of the group's political party of choice - The First Republican Church of America. [...] The fundamental task of a religious organization is to serve God, not win in secular politics.
[...]
"Specifically for Christians, we (should) know that the mission of the church is to be Christ's faithful people, and to do its core work of preaching, teaching and serving our neighbors. If it is true (as we boldly believe) that the church is the central location for the work God is doing to redeem the world, then our focus should be on the church's work, not the state's."
In one word, though many could be said, beautiful.
Monday, January 14, 2008
"If they believe, we're here as their friends. And if they don't believe, we're still here as their friends."
So I'm sitting in Dunn bros, sipping on decaf coffee... I was up from 5-12, most of that working, and then I slept till 3. Sleep felt good. I realize that I probably am a little more prone to rant in my blogs, and so I had the option of picking two articles today I want to write on, one basically about the sexual brokenness of society, and another on Jesus and Judaism (click the title for full article), both appearing in the Star Trib on different days. I decided maybe instead of picking a dark, but very real topic, I would write on the beautiful article on Jesus and Judaism.
I was fascinated as I read this article about a Messianic congregation in St. Louis Park. Messianic simply they are people who are Jews who believe Jesus is the fulfillment of messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. The article was fascinating. I guess the main reason I was captivated by it was because of the simple truth that bled through the whole article - Jesus IS the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecy, and the Old Testament points to and foreshadows the coming of Jesus. He complete the Old Testament.
Their worship service has been contextualized to their culture. Many elements, both from the Old and New Testament, are used.
The best part of this article was the wisdom of the pastor (rabbie). Check out this quote:
"The Jewish community gets very upset with anyone who tries to win over Jesus to Jesus," said Markell, founder of Olive Tree Ministry, a Bible-based educational outreach program based in Maple Grove. (The Rabbi) Rothman agrees. "If they believe, we're here as their friends," he said. "And if they don't believe, we're still here as their friends."
Later in the article, Rothman says, "The thing that a lot of Jews are worried about is that we're trying to convert their people, and we're not. Jews for Jesus is a very assertive missionary group . We're invited their speakers to talk to us when they're in town. But that sort of in-your-face approach doesn't work here. We've found that friendship is the best form of evangelism."
Showing the unconditional love of Jesus is foundational to who we are as Christ-followers. People will see past the facad if our only concern for them is their conversion, and that is the sole basis of our friendship. But if people see that you will love them no matter what, no matter who, this speaks of the unconditional love of Jesus. Jesus loved us while we were still in sin.
I was fascinated as I read this article about a Messianic congregation in St. Louis Park. Messianic simply they are people who are Jews who believe Jesus is the fulfillment of messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. The article was fascinating. I guess the main reason I was captivated by it was because of the simple truth that bled through the whole article - Jesus IS the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecy, and the Old Testament points to and foreshadows the coming of Jesus. He complete the Old Testament.
Their worship service has been contextualized to their culture. Many elements, both from the Old and New Testament, are used.
The best part of this article was the wisdom of the pastor (rabbie). Check out this quote:
"The Jewish community gets very upset with anyone who tries to win over Jesus to Jesus," said Markell, founder of Olive Tree Ministry, a Bible-based educational outreach program based in Maple Grove. (The Rabbi) Rothman agrees. "If they believe, we're here as their friends," he said. "And if they don't believe, we're still here as their friends."
Later in the article, Rothman says, "The thing that a lot of Jews are worried about is that we're trying to convert their people, and we're not. Jews for Jesus is a very assertive missionary group . We're invited their speakers to talk to us when they're in town. But that sort of in-your-face approach doesn't work here. We've found that friendship is the best form of evangelism."
Showing the unconditional love of Jesus is foundational to who we are as Christ-followers. People will see past the facad if our only concern for them is their conversion, and that is the sole basis of our friendship. But if people see that you will love them no matter what, no matter who, this speaks of the unconditional love of Jesus. Jesus loved us while we were still in sin.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Why seminary scares me...
So I'm in Dunn Bros, my usual camping grounds when I need to read and get some work done, and I see my friend Kate, a sem student from Bethel that I met a month or so ago over here. I begin talking to her, along with a friend of hers who is also a sem student, and soon we're in a full-fledged theological discussion about things that don't really matter at all, talking in circles, impressing each other with each other's knowledge... I couldn't take it anymore and was trying to figure out an exit strategy without being rude... and so, at a pause in the conversation, I introduced myself to her friend, and then said it was good to meet her and see Kate again, and I was out of there. They are still talking pretty hard.
This is the reason seminary scares me. Yes, theology is very important. I want to know it, I want to soak it up, and I believe that one's view of God propels their mission... it is of vital importance. But talking in circles about minor issues that don't really matter when it comes to building relationships and reaching people who don't know Jesus... I guess I kinda know why my dad gets so burned that he doesn't like to be in discussions like those...
I want to be in an environment where I can learn and apply, learn and be on mission... I find it kind of funny that our seminaries don't look a little more like the discipleship process Jesus modeled for us in the Gospels to train His disciples... just a thought, I guess...
No one reads this, but if anyone does, please feel free to comment and tell me I'm wrong or something...
This is the reason seminary scares me. Yes, theology is very important. I want to know it, I want to soak it up, and I believe that one's view of God propels their mission... it is of vital importance. But talking in circles about minor issues that don't really matter when it comes to building relationships and reaching people who don't know Jesus... I guess I kinda know why my dad gets so burned that he doesn't like to be in discussions like those...
I want to be in an environment where I can learn and apply, learn and be on mission... I find it kind of funny that our seminaries don't look a little more like the discipleship process Jesus modeled for us in the Gospels to train His disciples... just a thought, I guess...
No one reads this, but if anyone does, please feel free to comment and tell me I'm wrong or something...
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
reading this morning... matthew 6ish-7ish, and some of 13ish...
The counter-cultural message of Jesus strikes me every time I read it... this revolutionary, God-in-man, God-and-Man, Man-and-God Jesus... it's beautiful...
You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye... BUT I tell you... turn the other cheek.
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...
(The Father) causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Love those who don't love you.
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people to be seen by them
Whenever you give to the poor... may it be in secret.
Your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you.
When you pray, don't pray to be seen by others. Don't babble (don't think many words will impress the Father). Your Father already knows the things you need before you ask Him.
Forgive people because Your Heavenly Father forgives people.
Fast, but don't let anyone know.
Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, where theives break in and steal. Collect treasures in Heaven that can't be destroyed or stolen. Where your treasure is shows where your heart is. You cannot be slaves of both God and money.
Don't worry about life, about what you'll wear, eat, or drink. Learn from the wildflowers. They are beautiful. If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, gone tomorrow, won't He do much more for you?
BUT... seek first the kingdom of God... All these things will be provided for you.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD... Calvin said the job of the church - those following Jesus - is to make the invisible kingdom visible... we get a glimpse of the Kingdom of God in Jesus' parables... a mustard seed, a man sowing in his field, a treasure buried in a field, a merchant in search of fine pearls, a large net thrown into the see, a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old... parables whose meaning was vieled, hidden in stories, not meant to be completely understood, but a story with an open ending, encouraging a search for more...
We get a glimpse of the Kingdom of God breaking in when we look at the ministry of Jesus... power to forgive sin, power to raise the dead to life, power of sickness, power over demons...
We see the Kingdom of God break in in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus... sin conquered, death defeated, man redeemed, communion with God restored, abundant life...
So to seek first the Kingdom of God and let everything else fall into to place is more than to walk up to someone with a tract, give it to them, and walk away... it is to know God has saved us to follow in the example of Jesus, the counter-cultural, revolutionary message and example of Jesus... and He takes care of everything else...
You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye... BUT I tell you... turn the other cheek.
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...
(The Father) causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Love those who don't love you.
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people to be seen by them
Whenever you give to the poor... may it be in secret.
Your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you.
When you pray, don't pray to be seen by others. Don't babble (don't think many words will impress the Father). Your Father already knows the things you need before you ask Him.
Forgive people because Your Heavenly Father forgives people.
Fast, but don't let anyone know.
Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, where theives break in and steal. Collect treasures in Heaven that can't be destroyed or stolen. Where your treasure is shows where your heart is. You cannot be slaves of both God and money.
Don't worry about life, about what you'll wear, eat, or drink. Learn from the wildflowers. They are beautiful. If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, gone tomorrow, won't He do much more for you?
BUT... seek first the kingdom of God... All these things will be provided for you.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD... Calvin said the job of the church - those following Jesus - is to make the invisible kingdom visible... we get a glimpse of the Kingdom of God in Jesus' parables... a mustard seed, a man sowing in his field, a treasure buried in a field, a merchant in search of fine pearls, a large net thrown into the see, a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old... parables whose meaning was vieled, hidden in stories, not meant to be completely understood, but a story with an open ending, encouraging a search for more...
We get a glimpse of the Kingdom of God breaking in when we look at the ministry of Jesus... power to forgive sin, power to raise the dead to life, power of sickness, power over demons...
We see the Kingdom of God break in in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus... sin conquered, death defeated, man redeemed, communion with God restored, abundant life...
So to seek first the Kingdom of God and let everything else fall into to place is more than to walk up to someone with a tract, give it to them, and walk away... it is to know God has saved us to follow in the example of Jesus, the counter-cultural, revolutionary message and example of Jesus... and He takes care of everything else...
Monday, January 7, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
I confess, I'm eavesdropping in a coffee shop...
So I'm sitting in Dunn Bros, and normally I'd be reading, but I'm a bit distracted right now. I'm in the living room part, sitting in a comfy chair, and there's a very tall guy who was sitting right next to me, but he just worked up the courage to go sit next to this attractive girl sitting on the other side of me. He got up from his chair, and you know the question he used? He asked, "Can I interest you in a good conversation?" I was hooked at that point, so I put my book down and picked up my computer so I could listen to their conversation. Many times, coffee shop conversations are the most interesting of all. Found out this tall (prolly 6'10" fellow) is a senior at the U. They started talking about books, and now they're talking about Lost. But also, as I occasionally glance over, he is fully present, genuinely interested in the conversation, keeping eye-contact. Part of me is wondering if this conversation is this fellow looking for a date, which is a possibility. Another part of me has this gut-feeling eventually, if he can, he'll turn the conversation to spiritual things eventually, but his approach is so nonchalant it won't sound like a sales-pitch at all, but a genuine spiritual conversation (a very good thing!). I know nothing about this fellow, but this is like watching TV for me... another reason I'm a huge fan of coffeeshops.
I needed a break too. The reading I'm doing is good, but heavy reading. And it's not that it's hard, I just want to make sure I digest it and internalize it, vs. just reading over and forgetting everything. I would recommend both these books:
"unChristian" - David Kinnaman...
Wait, he's turning it to spiritual things... super intrigued now! Sorry for the sudden change in subject. I'll keep you updated as I tell you a little about these books. Maybe I'll italicize what's going on so then you, the reader, can keep them seperate.
"unChristian" by David Kinnaman is about the perception 16-29 year-olds have of Christianity, and what we, as Christ-followers can learn from... why it all matters... fascinating
I'm also reading "The Shaping of Things to Come" by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. This book is about the shape of mission in a post-Christendom culture, and it's fascinating. It advocates a change in the "way we do church." It advocates something new, which is actually something ancient, something taught all throughout Scripture. Instead of such a focus on having people come-to-us (the trap the western church has fallen into today), it advocates a go-to-them mentality that should flood the church. The church's primary identity is that she is sent. She must go to be who she is. If she doesn't go, she is not the church.
But by go, that not only means going across the world - that means going across the street, the hallway, building relationships with people, loving them, being genuine... we've lost this. The book says we must must must look to the example of Jesus. While the western church often nowadays, puts emphasis on hanging out in the right places with the right people at the right times, Jesus was notoriious for hanging out at the wrong places with the wrong people at the wrong times (according to the religious establishment at the time).
Heavy stuff, trying to digest it all, and then prepare to teach it to Jacob's Well, praying that God's Spirit will move in the hearts of His people and equip them to begin thinking this way and adopting a missional lifestyle - seeing themselves as missionaries where they are.
So back to this conversation - this fellow was homeschooled, now has a small business filming weddings, I think. But he had a good home-schooled experience... his parents saw the importance of him being involved with the community, so he played sports for public schools and stuff like that.
I think this fellow has one flaw... I think he's talking a little more than he should. I think he should ask a few more questions, let the attractive female talk a little more. He's probably scoring some points though for talking about weddings and lighting and ambiance... what a nice big word to use...
He goes to Bethlehem Baptist! I was wondering if I recognized him! There's a distinct possibility I do now!
On to other things again... he's into medicine, that's what he's going to school for... and he used to work at a nursing home... won some points!... but oooo.... mentioned Lord of the Rings... lost some points... wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt doesn't really give him any advantage either... I'm thinking he's not really in it for the date... time will tell, I guess... he seems really informed... she works with mortgages of some sort, he's asking questions about it... I'm fascinated!
Well, he's playing ignorant when it comes to celebrity news. He probably is ignorant. I'm jealous. I hate celebrity news. Wish I didn't know so much of it. But he got her talking about the Britney thing and she's explaining it to him. Onto movies... Sweeney Todd, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, fascinating... ope, if he's looking for a date, here's his chance... she just asked if he'd seen Atonement, which is in theatres... she hasn't seen it yet... not sure if this if this fellow's type of movie though... throughout this whole conversation, he's very well-informed, carries himself very well...
Bathroom break, but I didn't miss anything, they're still talking movies... I just ate an orange, but I'm getting pretty hungry... the coffee's kicking in, speeding up the metabolism. I'm excited because Cameron's back in town tonight and I think the guys are going out. It'll be a fun night.
Ooo... he confesses to being a little out of it as far as pop-culture is concerned, but they both agree that's probably a good thing...
There he goes... talking about reading books... just began talking about how he's reading "St. Augustine's Confessions," which he's reading in a Bible Study, which is about St. Augustine's conversion to Christianity. Says St. Augustine's really good at articulating his thoughts about spirituality. He says he's identifies with St. Augustine and then asked if she's ever read a book that connects with her in that way. I should point out that this conversation has been going on for about an hour now. There is no rush, no sales-pitch. There's genuine interest. If faith comes up, it comes up. Now he has said he also goes to Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis as well. And now onto history.
I think I may stop now, but I think there's a lot to learn about this conversation. The first is that if this guy went in for the sales-pitch Gospel, it probably wouldn't have done him any good, and this attractive girl would probably be left with another (if she has had some) negative impression of Christianity. But because he has expressed genuine interest in good conversation and shown genuine interest in her, she has heard some about his spiritual journey, she has heard some about Bethlehem Baptist and Westminster Presbyterian, some about St. Augustine, about being a Christian, and I think she will have a more positive attitude towards Christian faith and Jesus. Big points to this guy! Big points!
God, be with this newly blossomed friendship. I pray that it would go further than this coffee shop, and that through this, Your Holy Spirit would draw this attractive girl to Yourself, beckon her.
I'm taking lessons from this fellow, but the bottom line is there's no systematic way to engage in conversation. I think you just have to be fully present and open to the opportunities the Holy Spirit presents.
I can't leave just yet... the conversation is getting really deep really fast, but in a non-sales-pitch sort of way.... this guy is gifted at articulating tough stuff... search for truth, trusting yourself, thinking rationally, faith, trust... hard stuff to articulate, but he is taking his time...
He's asked her if his experience resonated with her's... she said a little, very comfortable, not uncomfortable, then it just kinda stopped, he wasn't forcing anything... props to him, just trusting the Holy Spirit's work in this attractive female's life... now they're talking about bars and restaraunts... props to him for that too... he didn't say this, but it sounds to me like he's hanging out at the places Jesus would have, had He been here today...
K... after an hour and a half of this, I'm gone... God, bless whatever results from this... thank you for this fellow's genuine interest and the beautiful way he was a reflection of Jesus and Jesus' interest in people... Jesus didn't have a sales-pitch, time was not an issue, He really cared, He really listened, and slowly, He revealed Himself... Thank You Jesus for this fellow
I needed a break too. The reading I'm doing is good, but heavy reading. And it's not that it's hard, I just want to make sure I digest it and internalize it, vs. just reading over and forgetting everything. I would recommend both these books:
"unChristian" - David Kinnaman...
Wait, he's turning it to spiritual things... super intrigued now! Sorry for the sudden change in subject. I'll keep you updated as I tell you a little about these books. Maybe I'll italicize what's going on so then you, the reader, can keep them seperate.
"unChristian" by David Kinnaman is about the perception 16-29 year-olds have of Christianity, and what we, as Christ-followers can learn from... why it all matters... fascinating
I'm also reading "The Shaping of Things to Come" by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. This book is about the shape of mission in a post-Christendom culture, and it's fascinating. It advocates a change in the "way we do church." It advocates something new, which is actually something ancient, something taught all throughout Scripture. Instead of such a focus on having people come-to-us (the trap the western church has fallen into today), it advocates a go-to-them mentality that should flood the church. The church's primary identity is that she is sent. She must go to be who she is. If she doesn't go, she is not the church.
But by go, that not only means going across the world - that means going across the street, the hallway, building relationships with people, loving them, being genuine... we've lost this. The book says we must must must look to the example of Jesus. While the western church often nowadays, puts emphasis on hanging out in the right places with the right people at the right times, Jesus was notoriious for hanging out at the wrong places with the wrong people at the wrong times (according to the religious establishment at the time).
Heavy stuff, trying to digest it all, and then prepare to teach it to Jacob's Well, praying that God's Spirit will move in the hearts of His people and equip them to begin thinking this way and adopting a missional lifestyle - seeing themselves as missionaries where they are.
So back to this conversation - this fellow was homeschooled, now has a small business filming weddings, I think. But he had a good home-schooled experience... his parents saw the importance of him being involved with the community, so he played sports for public schools and stuff like that.
I think this fellow has one flaw... I think he's talking a little more than he should. I think he should ask a few more questions, let the attractive female talk a little more. He's probably scoring some points though for talking about weddings and lighting and ambiance... what a nice big word to use...
He goes to Bethlehem Baptist! I was wondering if I recognized him! There's a distinct possibility I do now!
On to other things again... he's into medicine, that's what he's going to school for... and he used to work at a nursing home... won some points!... but oooo.... mentioned Lord of the Rings... lost some points... wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt doesn't really give him any advantage either... I'm thinking he's not really in it for the date... time will tell, I guess... he seems really informed... she works with mortgages of some sort, he's asking questions about it... I'm fascinated!
Well, he's playing ignorant when it comes to celebrity news. He probably is ignorant. I'm jealous. I hate celebrity news. Wish I didn't know so much of it. But he got her talking about the Britney thing and she's explaining it to him. Onto movies... Sweeney Todd, Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, fascinating... ope, if he's looking for a date, here's his chance... she just asked if he'd seen Atonement, which is in theatres... she hasn't seen it yet... not sure if this if this fellow's type of movie though... throughout this whole conversation, he's very well-informed, carries himself very well...
Bathroom break, but I didn't miss anything, they're still talking movies... I just ate an orange, but I'm getting pretty hungry... the coffee's kicking in, speeding up the metabolism. I'm excited because Cameron's back in town tonight and I think the guys are going out. It'll be a fun night.
Ooo... he confesses to being a little out of it as far as pop-culture is concerned, but they both agree that's probably a good thing...
There he goes... talking about reading books... just began talking about how he's reading "St. Augustine's Confessions," which he's reading in a Bible Study, which is about St. Augustine's conversion to Christianity. Says St. Augustine's really good at articulating his thoughts about spirituality. He says he's identifies with St. Augustine and then asked if she's ever read a book that connects with her in that way. I should point out that this conversation has been going on for about an hour now. There is no rush, no sales-pitch. There's genuine interest. If faith comes up, it comes up. Now he has said he also goes to Westminster Presbyterian in Minneapolis as well. And now onto history.
I think I may stop now, but I think there's a lot to learn about this conversation. The first is that if this guy went in for the sales-pitch Gospel, it probably wouldn't have done him any good, and this attractive girl would probably be left with another (if she has had some) negative impression of Christianity. But because he has expressed genuine interest in good conversation and shown genuine interest in her, she has heard some about his spiritual journey, she has heard some about Bethlehem Baptist and Westminster Presbyterian, some about St. Augustine, about being a Christian, and I think she will have a more positive attitude towards Christian faith and Jesus. Big points to this guy! Big points!
God, be with this newly blossomed friendship. I pray that it would go further than this coffee shop, and that through this, Your Holy Spirit would draw this attractive girl to Yourself, beckon her.
I'm taking lessons from this fellow, but the bottom line is there's no systematic way to engage in conversation. I think you just have to be fully present and open to the opportunities the Holy Spirit presents.
I can't leave just yet... the conversation is getting really deep really fast, but in a non-sales-pitch sort of way.... this guy is gifted at articulating tough stuff... search for truth, trusting yourself, thinking rationally, faith, trust... hard stuff to articulate, but he is taking his time...
He's asked her if his experience resonated with her's... she said a little, very comfortable, not uncomfortable, then it just kinda stopped, he wasn't forcing anything... props to him, just trusting the Holy Spirit's work in this attractive female's life... now they're talking about bars and restaraunts... props to him for that too... he didn't say this, but it sounds to me like he's hanging out at the places Jesus would have, had He been here today...
K... after an hour and a half of this, I'm gone... God, bless whatever results from this... thank you for this fellow's genuine interest and the beautiful way he was a reflection of Jesus and Jesus' interest in people... Jesus didn't have a sales-pitch, time was not an issue, He really cared, He really listened, and slowly, He revealed Himself... Thank You Jesus for this fellow
Gearing up for an exciting series...
So, I've been gearing up to teach through a series on what it means to live a missional lifestyle, what it means to be the church, to see yourself as sent, to adopt a go-to-them vs. come-to-us mentality. It has been a real challenge as I work to sort out all the my thoughts, all this jumble, and even though it makes sense to me, working at a way to communicate it so it makes sense to those in Jacob's Well. It's a little nerve-wracking, I gotta admit. But I'm so excited to really tackle this subject, because I am convinced that if Christ-followers got this, it would rock our campus and be the beginning of a change in the perspectives of people who are not believers about what it means to follow Jesus.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
"We Are Broken" - Paramore
Yesterday was recovery day for many many people after perhaps a wild New Years Even night. I went out with some housemates and friends to a place called The Imperial Room. The was no cover, prices weren't all that bad, and the DJ was pretty awesome, so we danced (I tried) and had a good time.
The next morning (if noon is morning) we went to Perkins to drink coffee and eat some breakfast. It hit the spot, but it was at the breakfast table that some good and somewhat serious conversation took place. I was struck by this bond we all shared - this feeling of community, of family - as we laughed about the night before. And I couldn't help but think I'm sure this had to be similar to what Jesus experienced with his friends and the crowd he hung out with. But let's keep the story moving...
During the conversation, we started talking about Paramore, an awesome band I'm very much into over the past few weeks. My friend said her favorite song was "We are Broken." I was very much familiar with the song, but in case you're not, here is the chorus and bridge:
We are broken
What must we do to restore
Our innocence
And oh, the promise we adored
Give us life again
We just want to be whole
Tower over me
Tower over me
I'll take the truth at any cost
My friend is not the first person I know who has said this is their favorite song. Which begs the question, what is it about this song? I cannot help but think that deep within us all is the sense that things are not all right in the world, that we are broken, bent, in need of a Savior who will hold us in His arms... I think it is important, imparative, that Christ-followers engage the peices of culture that surround us, and when we see truth, cling to it, and use it to point to Jesus.
We are broken, Jesus came to redeem and restore.
The next morning (if noon is morning) we went to Perkins to drink coffee and eat some breakfast. It hit the spot, but it was at the breakfast table that some good and somewhat serious conversation took place. I was struck by this bond we all shared - this feeling of community, of family - as we laughed about the night before. And I couldn't help but think I'm sure this had to be similar to what Jesus experienced with his friends and the crowd he hung out with. But let's keep the story moving...
During the conversation, we started talking about Paramore, an awesome band I'm very much into over the past few weeks. My friend said her favorite song was "We are Broken." I was very much familiar with the song, but in case you're not, here is the chorus and bridge:
We are broken
What must we do to restore
Our innocence
And oh, the promise we adored
Give us life again
We just want to be whole
Tower over me
Tower over me
I'll take the truth at any cost
My friend is not the first person I know who has said this is their favorite song. Which begs the question, what is it about this song? I cannot help but think that deep within us all is the sense that things are not all right in the world, that we are broken, bent, in need of a Savior who will hold us in His arms... I think it is important, imparative, that Christ-followers engage the peices of culture that surround us, and when we see truth, cling to it, and use it to point to Jesus.
We are broken, Jesus came to redeem and restore.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Some things are just bad ideas... I found this bad idea hysterical
Some things are a bad idea...
Tracing a loaded.357 Magnum for a tattoo is one of them...
CHAPARRAL, N.M. — Getting a tattoo can be a painful proposition, but usually it's just the needle you have to worry about.
Tracing a loaded.357 Magnum for a tattoo is one of them...
CHAPARRAL, N.M. — Getting a tattoo can be a painful proposition, but usually it's just the needle you have to worry about.
Two men trying to trace a loaded .357-caliber Magnum as a pattern for a tattoo accidentally shot themselves, the Otero County Sheriff's Department said Monday.
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