What Have You Gained - Prayer

This Is Christianity

The Calling of Everyday Work

“We must dispense with the myth that commitment to Christ means becoming a clergyman, or that work done inside a church building or in a church organization is more holy, somehow, than work done in the marketplace. Christ came to give us a sense of calling in everyday work. This is where the world is changed, and where the kingdom is built.”   Bruce Larson

Not mine, but Yours

Lord, it is far too easy to chase my own desires andpassions. Forgive me for my selfish wants and pursuit ofself-centered activities. Help me to place You first and tolook for what You are doing and want to do in my life.

ODB 2-19-15

THINK

Lenten Thoughts

Wiki Lent Info
Lent 101 by the Upper Room
Lent by About Religion

Ash Wednesday, Madi Gras, Lent, Holy Week, and the Passion of Christ are in the news and on some people's mind these days. Over the  years I have had some open and lively conversations and discussions with friends, family members, colleagues and church members, anti-church people and anti-religion people about Lent. I have even been asked if I participate and others have shared with me how they plan to participate. I am not much of a Lent person and yet I am all about Lent as we allow Christ to live in us and through us in the power of the Holy Spirit.

So I must say, I think lent is a little ridiculous. Actually, I think it is absolutely preposterous. Yes, I am aware that this is "out there" for some and may cause your heart to stir and may even lead you to become a little bothered, upset, or even a little angry. Good. Now that the blood is pumping and the mind is stirred please read on.

This blog is about hope so I must explain myself a bit. It seems Lent was started with good intent and yet "the drift factor" has occurred. Lent seems to have been a time for people to draw near to God and dwell on God and His love, sacrifice and power as Easter Sunday approached. The conversations and discussions I have been involved in are about giving up Coke, electronic devices, chocolate or even a fav TV program or other trite aspects of life during the 40 or 40+ days of Lent. As the"The drift" factor has taken place it seems Lent has become about me - The focus in the local Church again has been shifted and "I and me" become the center, and therefore, I do not care for Lent. Wait, I do like Lent if we as followers of the Way would seek to live it daily. I do understand and get and have practiced the whole 40 day concept found throughout God's Word and I do believe that there are times in a follower of the Way life that fasting, a renewal, and a rediscovery of True North is needed. I just am not sure if Lent these days is about that. The Lenten practice of giving up Coke, electronic devices, a TV show or even a favorite candy bar, cussing, blah, blah, blah blah blah concerns me but Lent in the sense that we draw near to God, dwell on and seek to walk in God's love, sacrifice, grace, holiness, and power on a daily basis as we follow Jesus Christ, now that is.. Christianity. I mean I visit with people who are sporadic in their worship attendance, Group Life, Scripture Reading, give very little, have never offered to take a new church member to lunch because they are so focused on their friends, their time, their seat in worship, their schedule, their finances that they do not even know the church family that has helped them in many ways has new people, WOW, that is mind boggling and yet so true. Dear God, help me and us.  Dear God, forgive me and now empower me. Father in Heaven, Use me like crazy for Your Kingdom.

Lent is a seasonal practice for Christians yet it needs to be a daily expression for all followers of Jesus Christ. I do know a handful of followers who practice Lent in its full intent during the season, but I also know that they practice Lent in it's intent all of the time in all of their life. They have come to grasp Galatians 2:20.So they are Lented followers (in it's full intent) all of the time. I mean they fast, pray, give, serve, read Scripture, love people, struggle with God, love God, converse with God, are Kingdom oriented and seek to live in Christ 23.5/6.3 (No one is perfect). Think, you will get it. LOL.

So I say, "forget Lent, the season." Enjoy your Coke, enjoy your candy bar, enjoy the TV show, use the electronic device in Christ. "In Christ", if not in Christ then move away from these things. I mean, I like my Dr Pepper, but if I drink the Dr. as much as I would like to there would be so much more of me (weight) than there should be. Catch the meaning. It's not just about health by the way, it's about "In Christ" which is "For Christ" which is "About Christ" which is "Of Christ". The early Church had a mantra long before Lent came along, "Jesus Christ is Lord." They got Lent without Lent, because they walked in the power of God and gave themselves fully to God.

So let's get the lint out of our pockets, purses, pillow cases, dryer vents and socks and get the Lent out of our lives so the Christ of Lent, the Christ of hope can increase in our lives and we can then experience His power in and through us which will bring others to Him. After all, Lent is about focusing on God and when we really do that we will desire to be disciple making followers of the Lord of Lent.

A Place - Yes!

The lyrics below were went to me by a fellow follower of the Way who is well read, intellgent, thoughtful, gracious and growing in Holiness. He is a saint of God. He is making disciples and is seeking to love God and love others as he loves himself. Thanks for sending this my way.  THANKS.

If this is not the place where tears are understood,
Then where shall I go to cry?
And if this is not the place where my spirit can take wings,
Then where shall I go to fly?

I don’t need another place for trying to impress you
With just how good and virtuous I am, no, no, no.
I don’t need another place for always being on top of things
Everybody knows that it’s a sham.
I don’t need another place for always wearing smiles
Even though that’s not the way I feel.
I don’t need another place to mouth the same old platitudes
Everybody knows that it’s not real.

So if this is not a place where my questions can be asked.
Then where shall I go to seek?
And if this is not a place where my heart cry can be heard,
Where, tell me where, shall I go to speak?

So if this is not a place where tears are understood,
Where shall I go, where shall I go to fly?

If This Is Not a Place,  song by Ken Medema

An Interview with Ken and Homiletics Online

The Ministry of Introduction - Discipleship

I recently gathered with some fellow pastors and we discussed the topic of discipleship. As a leader I was challenged and encouraged.  I left the gathering with many good thoughts and one that I really resonate with is the idea of the Ministry of Introduction - that we as followers of Jesus Christ and the church have been given the opportunity to introduce others to God and one another. This Ministry of Introduction was mentioned briefly and was discovered while one of the pastors was in Seminary and had the privilege to learn from Dr. Wayne Oates. We did not get to fully flesh out the concept introduced to him by Wayne Oates and yet I really like this idea of the Ministry of Introduction...

The Ministry of Introduction - Introducing people to God
Welcoming people into an experience of the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ should be the heartbeat of every church. As followers of Jesus Christ and as a local Church we are to introduce people to the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We are to share the Good News of God's redemption with others and introduce them into a relationship with the one and only God who loves them, gave His life for them and desires to live in and through them.

The Ministry of Introduction - Introducing people to one another
The Ministry of Introduction also includes introducing people to one another. Christianity is about a relationship with God and a relationship with others. The church is God's people. As followers who are seeking to make disciples one key way for this to happen is for us to be "one another introducers". Churches should encourage people to build relationships designed to spur one another on in their walk with God and with one another. Making Disciples involves introducing people to one another and helping people connect with one another so that they can experience many of the one another found in Scripture and be built up in their faith walk so that they will be more apt live out the ministry of introducing others to God and His Good News in Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:1-12

The Ministry of Introduction - Introducing people to the Mission of God
God is moving all around us and as followers of the Way we have the wonderful opportunity to be involved in His redemptive work as we serve in a local church, as we serve with a local church and as we offer ourselves to God and allow Him to do His work in us and through us on a daily basis in our everyday lives - in our families, homes, friendships, acquaintances, places of employment, etc. As we introduce others to opportunities to serve in a church ministry, or be involved in a community activity, a mission trip, or mission weekend, any opportunity that allows them to move beyond themselves and into God plan or redemption we are potentially helping them grow in their walk with God and others. Followers of Jesus Christ are to serve others and share Christ with others and introducing others into the mission of God allows people and opportunity to be involved in serving and sharing.

The Ministry of Introduction - I am thankful
In no way is the Ministry of Introduction completely fleshed out in the brief thoughts above and yet I am thankful for this concept being mentioned briefly in our discussion about making disciples or discipleship. I am even more thankful that some followers of Jesus Christ practiced the Ministry of Introduction with me and introduced me to a relationship with God, a relationship with others and opportunities to be involved in God's mission of bringing people to Himself. Their Ministry of Introduction led me to become a follower of Jesus Christ and has given me the wonderful experience to be involved in the Ministry of Introduction. May we as followers of Jesus Christ make disciples as we live the Ministry of Introduction.

Salt and Light

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 MSG)