Fireworks

I’ve begun noticing that most Fireworks stands are usually in the more economically depressed parts of town. It seems like the people purchasing the fireworks have the least disposible income. Maybe there is connection between wasting money on something that lasts for a second versus investing in something that will last.
I see in too many people this hopelessness that keeps them living for the moment and instant gratification. One of the worst things it seems that can happen in life is to be bored. This need for continual stimulus and entertainment is the result of our disatisfaction with life.
Maybe the answer is appreciate quiet and cultivate times of finding inner peace.
Many of the spiritual disciplines Jesus practiced such as solitude, prayer, and fasting model a life on mission with contentment.
We desperately need the perspective that comes from times of being alone and unrushed in God’s presence. That is where our minds become stilled and renewed and we sense the love of God. We are reminded of our purpose in life and go out with a fresh awareness of God with us. That is when the fireworks begin.

New Address

“We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that He has already thrown open His door to us.” – Romans 5:1 Message Bible

God walked into the inner parts of my life when I opened the door and invited Him in. Parts of my life I never wanted anyone to see. He came into my dirty, messed up, impoverished shack of a life not because it was anything impressive, but because of love.

In exchange, God invites me into His kingdom. Not some day when I die, but the moment I invited Him into my world he adopted me and let mr dwell with Him. What an amazing one-sided deal.

This thought alone changes my outlook and perspective on life.

Making A Place for Me

As the vision of Life Church expands God is sending more leaders who have backgrounds as full-time pastors. Four such people have come the church in the past year. Some of them have had great ministry experiences others not.

We have decided to take an approach which differs from traditional church hiring which I think is more aligned with scripture.

Most churches hire someone because of their personality and skills alone. They never really know the person, they are a heirling, which Jesus was opposed to. It is like a mail-order bride.

I think dating before marriage is a better approach. Proverbs 18:16 says, “a mans gift makes room for him…”
I want people I can know. People who are leaders because others are willing to follow then not because they have been given a title.

I am grateful that as we have prayed God has sent incredible people who are willing to serve and let God make a place for them.

Seeing Where I’m Going

In reading Psalm 119 this morning I am reminded this is the primer to understanding scripture. It is the counterpart to Jesus teaching on the parable of the soils. He said that of we don’t understand this teaching we can’t understand any if the parables or His teachings. Both Bible passages focus on how we receive, acknowledge, and put into practice truth we receive.

The psalmist cries out..
“let me understand your precepts…”
“teach me O Lord…”
“give me understanding…”
“direct me in your path…”
“turn my heart…”

He cries out to understand Gods word so that he can meditate on it and fully follow it.

So many people lack direction and have no clue where they going, yet they refuse to let God lead them or apply themselves to learning His word. I think of how much time I waste trying to figure thinks out instead of seeking God’s wisdom and the revelation that comes through reading the Bible.

My prayer is for God to reveal His truth more and more that I may really understand and take to heart all He is wanting me to know and direction in which He is leading me.

God’s Partnership

Starting the year off in my Bible reading I’m at the beginning, Genesis. It just seems right, new year, I haven’t done anything to screw it up by 8AM.
I was struck today as I read at how God works with us.
We see a pattern develop in the second chapter of Genesis. God creates Eden and places Adam there to “work it and take care of it”. God creates the animals and then let’s Adam name them. When there is something that Adam needs (a Mrs. Adam) God steps in again to create.
Here’s what I am getting. We cannot create or place ourselves or even find our mate on our own. These are God’s plans and ways that are too big for us. In planning and all we do we must first take the raw material of what God has created and where He has placed us and start from there. We can then work and take care of our lives and families and ministries.
I see too many people trying to create or place or choose for themselves and do God’s job.
I want to enjoy the place I’m at, work and cultivate with the resources God has provided with the people God has placed in my life.
Oh yeah, and if you see me talking to any slithering characters or eating from the wrong tree please stop me.

Currently reading…

Axiom by Bill Hybels

Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Jesus Brand Spirituality by Ken Wilson

Psalm 112

Parable of the Soils

This is an intro to a series I am doing called Revolution.  Jesus said that if we didn’t get this one we couldn’t understand any of His teachings.  This parable reveals how we receive God’s truth.

The Future Past

This week I have been thinking about the church has changed through the ages and how culture and society in general has influenced our faith and practices.

For 1800 years prior to the Enlightenment or Age of Reason there was a mystical connection people had with God.  They expected miracles, they encountered God.  When the enlightenment began the mind and science were upheld as the and only means to truth.  God was still sought by mystics who were relegated to monastaries, while the rest moved toward the modern era.

The modern age caused the church to become more reasonable to be acceptable.  This is the way we have operated by and large for the last 200 years.

Now as we charter our course through the post-modern era there is a refreshing rejection of some of the traditions and trappings that attached themselves to the church during the modern era.  The church is getting back to valuing a more personal and intimate experience with God.  Churches are creating worship experiences where people engage and move about and meet God spiritually, mentally and physically.

These new ancient practices are fun to explore and causes us to meet God at a deeper level.  Lets draw from hundreds of years of depth in pursuing God and come along side and embrace some of these ancient practices to meet God in fresh new ways.

Revolution Series

This is a series I started last week at Life Church.  The goal is to understand and live the revolutionary life into which Christ calls us.  To get audio or notes from the series visit www.lifechurchindy.com