This morning I went to a memorial celebration service for a friends father. I had met this man a few times and had good conversations but that wasn't the only reason I went. I attended this service to to honor this man and the impact that he had indirectly on my life. Many of the people that I am close to were mentored and shaped by this man. The service was interesting and good (if you can say that about a memorial service). He was not old and his death was totally unexpected if not untimely. But the service was bitersweet. There was lots of crying and there will be mourning for sure, but the service was about remembering his incredible life and the fact that he was with God now.
Throughout the service many people came up to the front and told of his impact on them. He would spend hours praying with them, helping them, encouraging them listening to them and walking alongside them. He made many of these people his family. Each one of these testimonies were from people I didn't know but they matched everything I had heard from my close friends. Many of my close friends actually couldn't be there today because they are overseas doing missions work. I couldn't help but think about how he was part of the reason they were over there in the first place.
While I was sitting there celebrating the life while mourning the loss of this hero of the faith, it renewed my resolve to live like he did. He may have died at an age they people may feel was young, he lived life to the full. Its not the quantity of time but rather the quality of the time that we spend here.
His transition may be hard on us down here, but for him it was minor. He lived with Christ here and graduated to the next phase of that. He still lives with Christ (only now he gets to see him face to face).
His life was lived for others and his legacy truly truly lives on. That is said at many memorials but his life was saturated with this legacy. I know this because people talked about it before his death. If you knew this guy and his name came up, you would immediately have to interject the impact he had on your life into the conversation.
Those are just three principles that I learned and reaffirmed my commitment to today. This mans life was more than a few principles though. So much more. Lord, thank you for loaning him to us for a couple decades. We were richly blessed by your gift.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
There is no formula
Growing up I was always better at math than other subjects. While math was abstract, it was also formulaic. In both High School and College I took accounting classes and excelled in them. Accounting is largely based on formula. For example, one of the foundations of accounting is
Assets= Liabilities + Equity
It's easy to get caught up in formulas. We somehow think that if we just follow these seven steps whatever we are doing will work. Then reality comes crashing in and causes our formula to evaporate. One church recommends this in order to grow. Another church says such and such is a better way. Still another says that church growth isn't even what we should be going after. Churches will chase practice after practice and get frustrated at their lack of success. "But it worked for so and so," the argument goes. Their church grew to 6,000.
But, they never discover who they are supposed to be. That strategy or formula didn't work because that is not who they are. There is something very healthy in knowing what other churches are finding successful or unsuccessful and were not meant to contain all in wisdom in the world in our little bubble, but we still need to learn in the context of what that means for us. Maybe we employ something but we change some of the variable in the formula. Maybe that strategy doesn't work with our demographic.
I am not saying that we don't glean from one another. I am saying, however, that more important than learning what Pastor Johnny Megachurch is doing, we need to learn what we are supposed to do. And that comes from a multitude of sources.
But, they never discover who they are supposed to be. That strategy or formula didn't work because that is not who they are. There is something very healthy in knowing what other churches are finding successful or unsuccessful and were not meant to contain all in wisdom in the world in our little bubble, but we still need to learn in the context of what that means for us. Maybe we employ something but we change some of the variable in the formula. Maybe that strategy doesn't work with our demographic.
I am not saying that we don't glean from one another. I am saying, however, that more important than learning what Pastor Johnny Megachurch is doing, we need to learn what we are supposed to do. And that comes from a multitude of sources.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Mystery of Miracles
For those of you who don't know me, I am a hopeless analyzer as well as a reader. I like to explore things to death (not literally of course). So lately, I have been reading a lot about miracles, such as healing and visions. I attend a church that not only believes in all that stuff but practices and encourages it as well. As things such as healing have been getting more common, our staff has had much debate over this. In fact, because of these discussions, I have been reading about theological views on healing and listening to different arguments.
I find it fascinating. Perhaps you do as well. The debate on divine healing is a common one. Does God heal today? It is always his will to heal? What happens when someone doesn't get healed? Was is something on my end? Was there sin in my life? Did I not have enough faith? You get the point. I read some of these books and while I like what they say, there are theological holes, on both sides of the coin.
In my studies though I have noticed one common trend. Those who believe in miracles and pursue them see them occur much more often (by the way, miracles aren't just a nice "extra". We are called to pursue them). Those who sit around saying they happen but only by God's sovereignty, or that it is not always His will to heal rarely see miracles. It doesn't make sense to our minds when we believe with everything and have failures, but I would rather at least go for it. Perhaps part of miracles is that they don't fully fit within a theological framework. Or perhaps I am just ignorant (that's quite possible). But regardless, I want to make up my mind in such a way that I see more miracles manifest in my life.
I find it fascinating. Perhaps you do as well. The debate on divine healing is a common one. Does God heal today? It is always his will to heal? What happens when someone doesn't get healed? Was is something on my end? Was there sin in my life? Did I not have enough faith? You get the point. I read some of these books and while I like what they say, there are theological holes, on both sides of the coin.
In my studies though I have noticed one common trend. Those who believe in miracles and pursue them see them occur much more often (by the way, miracles aren't just a nice "extra". We are called to pursue them). Those who sit around saying they happen but only by God's sovereignty, or that it is not always His will to heal rarely see miracles. It doesn't make sense to our minds when we believe with everything and have failures, but I would rather at least go for it. Perhaps part of miracles is that they don't fully fit within a theological framework. Or perhaps I am just ignorant (that's quite possible). But regardless, I want to make up my mind in such a way that I see more miracles manifest in my life.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Something Big...
Have you ever pondered the depths and fullness of God? I tried this for the first time last year during a class at work and it has been very powerful. When you first try emotions and thoughts run wild. For me, I was overwhelmed, perplexed and so much more all at the same time. First, the Bible says all over that God is unsearchable. I was overwhelmed because I entered into a realm that is bigger than I can comprehend. Second I was perplexed because I engaged with a task that is impossible. Even in our redeemed sinless bodies it will take eternity to search God out.
And then I calmed down. God whispered to me that He enjoyed me being in this realm and activity. The saints of old and new engage in this. He enjoys us meditating on his fullness and his depths. A peace began to rush over me. Peace seems to be a paradox here but our infinite God is a God of peace. I began to see an ocean. This ocean is a representation of His depths and fullness. I began to see this not because He is literally an ocean, but because this is the only way for my finite mind to grasp even a small part of the task that I am taking on.
This ocean metaphor keeps coming up. A coworker and friend of mine was watching a surfing documentary and began to draw the same parallels as I did. You get in there and begin to surf and you are overwhelmed. There is only water around you. A force that is overpowering and not in the least bit partial to who you are. There is no plan B. But at the same time you are joyous and peaceful. You are out there to have fun, and while it is dangerous it is also good. Everything else in the world falls away. At this point, your unpaid bills, your next meal, the fight you had with a close friend all pass away. You are focused on the task at hand. To enjoy being engulfed in this powerful thing that is so far beyond us.
Here's the difference though. Surfing is enjoyed for a few brief moments. Waves are also impersonal. God is always present, eternal and most of all personal.
Take a few minutes and try this. Its easy. Calm yourself down and think about God. Think about creation and his power. Meditate on His wisdom. Most of all, try to know His love the surpasses knowledge. It will rock your face off.
If you get a little bolder contemplate the fact that that fullness is supposed to dwell within us.
And then I calmed down. God whispered to me that He enjoyed me being in this realm and activity. The saints of old and new engage in this. He enjoys us meditating on his fullness and his depths. A peace began to rush over me. Peace seems to be a paradox here but our infinite God is a God of peace. I began to see an ocean. This ocean is a representation of His depths and fullness. I began to see this not because He is literally an ocean, but because this is the only way for my finite mind to grasp even a small part of the task that I am taking on.
This ocean metaphor keeps coming up. A coworker and friend of mine was watching a surfing documentary and began to draw the same parallels as I did. You get in there and begin to surf and you are overwhelmed. There is only water around you. A force that is overpowering and not in the least bit partial to who you are. There is no plan B. But at the same time you are joyous and peaceful. You are out there to have fun, and while it is dangerous it is also good. Everything else in the world falls away. At this point, your unpaid bills, your next meal, the fight you had with a close friend all pass away. You are focused on the task at hand. To enjoy being engulfed in this powerful thing that is so far beyond us.
Here's the difference though. Surfing is enjoyed for a few brief moments. Waves are also impersonal. God is always present, eternal and most of all personal.
Take a few minutes and try this. Its easy. Calm yourself down and think about God. Think about creation and his power. Meditate on His wisdom. Most of all, try to know His love the surpasses knowledge. It will rock your face off.
If you get a little bolder contemplate the fact that that fullness is supposed to dwell within us.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Wealth of Nations?
Right now I am researching some projects to help try to eradicate poverty. After having seen poverty first hand, I am deeply confused by it but nonetheless passionate about it. You see, while impoverished nations have way less in the way of materialism, they oftentimes lead richer lives. This brings me to my first big set of questions.
1. Can we alleviate poverty and create wealth with out losing the true riches of this life?
2. If so, how do we help them create sustainable life, while continuing to encourage the richness of community, love and relationships?
3. Furthermore, if that is successful how do we bring that back to the western world?
These are big guiding questions underlying the why. Wouldn't it be a shame to create wealth in a country and watch them lose something bigger. (Now you must also understand that I am operating under the premise that western worlds have seen a decline in spirituality, community and deep relationships. I am also claiming that those are far more important than material wealth).
Next comes the question of how. If you believe that you can create wealth without sacrificing the aforementioned, how does that happen. Does it happen with by the big success of a few or by the minor successes of the masses? If it is by the few brilliant entrepreneurial minds who then create jobs, is micro-finance the going to accomplish that? Furthermore is debt even a sustainable way to do it? Our whole country is questioning that right now.
Our world has been trying to eradicate poverty for a long long time. I am not sure there is an end all be all solution but yet were called to care for them. I guess this just means we will have to go deeper.
1. Can we alleviate poverty and create wealth with out losing the true riches of this life?
2. If so, how do we help them create sustainable life, while continuing to encourage the richness of community, love and relationships?
3. Furthermore, if that is successful how do we bring that back to the western world?
These are big guiding questions underlying the why. Wouldn't it be a shame to create wealth in a country and watch them lose something bigger. (Now you must also understand that I am operating under the premise that western worlds have seen a decline in spirituality, community and deep relationships. I am also claiming that those are far more important than material wealth).
Next comes the question of how. If you believe that you can create wealth without sacrificing the aforementioned, how does that happen. Does it happen with by the big success of a few or by the minor successes of the masses? If it is by the few brilliant entrepreneurial minds who then create jobs, is micro-finance the going to accomplish that? Furthermore is debt even a sustainable way to do it? Our whole country is questioning that right now.
Our world has been trying to eradicate poverty for a long long time. I am not sure there is an end all be all solution but yet were called to care for them. I guess this just means we will have to go deeper.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Our thoughts...On God
Romans says that the carnal mind is at war with God. It is an enemy with God. Paul was talking to believers. He tucks it in right between no condemnation and everlasting love that e cna't be separated from, but nevertheless its in there. He follows that up renewing the mind a few chapters later as well as in other epistles. Furthermore, the apostles (Paul included) warn many times against impure and unsound doctrines. This seems like a big deal to God.
In many Christian circles today there is the claim that we need to worry more about encountering God than we do proper theology. 2 Timothy 3:7 says 5-7 says, "having a form of Godliness but denying its power...always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." Jesus condemned the Pharisees for knowing the scriptures and missing Him. The thinking goes that He is more concerned with us finding Him than he is about proper thoughts about Him. Perhaps thats true, but I disagree with the mutual exclusivity in that line of thinking.
A.W. Tozer states that "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." I think he was on to something. Our thoughts about something or more importantly about someone create lenses that we see them through. If we believe someone is a liar for example, we will be much less trusting of them. We naturally guard our thoughts and opinions from gossipers for fear of what will spread like wildfires. Our thoughts and lenses guide our encounters. It is the same with Jesus. We can't fully know Him, embrace Him or trust Him without the proper thoughts of Him.
Have you ever met someone who was praying against Gods will and then they wonder why He didn't answer. Don't get me wrong, my thoughts and attitudes towards God aren't perfect, but they aren't an excuse to not pursue proper thoughts and theology either.
The bottom line is our theology is important because in influences our encounters.
In many Christian circles today there is the claim that we need to worry more about encountering God than we do proper theology. 2 Timothy 3:7 says 5-7 says, "having a form of Godliness but denying its power...always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." Jesus condemned the Pharisees for knowing the scriptures and missing Him. The thinking goes that He is more concerned with us finding Him than he is about proper thoughts about Him. Perhaps thats true, but I disagree with the mutual exclusivity in that line of thinking.
A.W. Tozer states that "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." I think he was on to something. Our thoughts about something or more importantly about someone create lenses that we see them through. If we believe someone is a liar for example, we will be much less trusting of them. We naturally guard our thoughts and opinions from gossipers for fear of what will spread like wildfires. Our thoughts and lenses guide our encounters. It is the same with Jesus. We can't fully know Him, embrace Him or trust Him without the proper thoughts of Him.
Have you ever met someone who was praying against Gods will and then they wonder why He didn't answer. Don't get me wrong, my thoughts and attitudes towards God aren't perfect, but they aren't an excuse to not pursue proper thoughts and theology either.
The bottom line is our theology is important because in influences our encounters.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Supernatural God
“I despaired at the thought that my life might pass me by with out God moving greatly on my behalf.” - Jim Cymbala
I have been meditating on this quote for a few days and it has been rocking my world. When I first came across the quote I thought it was a little selfish. I mean, isn’t that what those 'miracle chasers' do? They travel all around just to see something supernatural, yet are never transformed. Someone in the Bible even tried to buy the power of impartation from the apostles (Acts 8). This quote stuck with me however, and as I began to let it sink in I realized this is what the apostles asked for and God was happy grant it. Not for our glory but rather His.
In acts Chapter 4, Peter and John have just been released from prison for healing a cripple and preaching the resurrection of Christ. They got together with the other saints and this was their prayer:
The supernatural is not something that God reluctantly does. It is not something He was happy to do for a little while but stopped when He finished those 66 great books we call the Bible. The supernatural is who God is. I don’t believe you can separate that from Him anymore than you can separate Love from Him. Not only that, he oftentimes expresses his love through powerful acts. God loves to show himself powerful on behalf of his beloved children.
I have been meditating on this quote for a few days and it has been rocking my world. When I first came across the quote I thought it was a little selfish. I mean, isn’t that what those 'miracle chasers' do? They travel all around just to see something supernatural, yet are never transformed. Someone in the Bible even tried to buy the power of impartation from the apostles (Acts 8). This quote stuck with me however, and as I began to let it sink in I realized this is what the apostles asked for and God was happy grant it. Not for our glory but rather His.
In acts Chapter 4, Peter and John have just been released from prison for healing a cripple and preaching the resurrection of Christ. They got together with the other saints and this was their prayer:
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."And this is what happened:
"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”They had already spoken boldly. They had already healed and then they asked for more. God not only granted their request to move powerfully through them. He showed His great pleasure by shaking the ground they were on and filling them once again with more of the Holy Spirit. They understood that they needed this. A great commission had to be backed up by great empowering.
The supernatural is not something that God reluctantly does. It is not something He was happy to do for a little while but stopped when He finished those 66 great books we call the Bible. The supernatural is who God is. I don’t believe you can separate that from Him anymore than you can separate Love from Him. Not only that, he oftentimes expresses his love through powerful acts. God loves to show himself powerful on behalf of his beloved children.
2 Chronicles 16:9 states:The Lord is calling us to step into situations that bring Him glory through power. I long to look back on my life and state with confidence that the Lord moved greatly on my behalf because He wants that.
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
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